bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SLC6A3 gene polymorphisms are associated with striatal dopamine transporter changes after glucose loading
Authors: Pak Kyoungjune , Seo Seongho , Kim Keunyoung , Lee Myung Jun , Kim In Joo 
Published: January 2022

AbstractWe investigated the association between SLC6A3 gene polymorphisms and changes in dopamine transporter (DAT) availability after glucose loading in humans. An intravenous injection of 18F‐FP‐CIT was administered after infusion of glucose or placebo, and the emission data were acquired over 90 min in 38 healthy male participants. DAT availability expressed in terms of binding potential (BPND) was recorded. The 40‐bp variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in the 3′ untranslated region and two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs2652511 and rs2937639, in the SLC6A3 gene were genotyped. Among the 38 participants, those with a VNTR other than 10R/10R (n = 7) were excluded. The alleles of the two SNPs (rs2652511 and rs2937639) appeared to be inherited together in two fixed combinations (C–G or T–A) in 29 of 31 individuals. The BPND in the ventral striatum (VST), caudate nucleus, and putamen was not significantly different after glucose or placebo loading according to genotype. However, BPNDs from the caudate nucleus and putamen of all participants with rs2652511 CT/rs2937639 AG (n = 6) were higher after glucose loading. In conclusion, the SLC6A3 gene polymorphism is associated with the changes in DAT availability after glucose loading. DAT availability after glucose or placebo loading in the VST, caudate nucleus, and putamen did not differ according to the SLC6A3 genotype.
2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid induces ROS activation in NLRP3 inflammatory body‐induced autophagy disorder in microglia and the protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide
Authors: Zhou Jian , Wang Faxuan , Jia Leina , Chai Ru , Wang Hengquan , Wang Xiaolan , Li Jiangping , Wang Kai , Zhang Pengju , Yang Huifang 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe pesticide 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) exerts neurotoxic effects; however, its action mechanism remains unclear. Here, we used BV2 cells as a model and divided them into six groups: control group (serum‐free medium), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 μg/mL), 2,4‐D (1.2 μmol/mL), Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP; 300 μg/mL LBP), LPS (1 μg/mL) + LBP (300 μg/mL), and 2,4‐D (1.2 μmol/mL) + LBP (300 μg/mL) with dimethyl sulfoxide as the solvent. Our results showed that 2,4‐D treatment decreased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and increased malondialdehyde content. The percentage of microglial activation (co‐expression of ionized calcium‐binding adaptor protein‐1 + CD68) in the LPS and 2,4‐D groups and the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL) 1 beta, IL‐6, and IL‐18 in the cell supernatant were increased. The protein and mRNA levels of Nod‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein, caspase‐1, IL‐1β, IL‐18, and p62 increased, whereas those of LC3II/I and Beclin‐1 decreased in the 2,4‐D group. The protein expression and mRNA levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase‐1, IL‐1β, IL‐18, and p62 decreased significantly, whereas the protein expression and mRNA levels of LC3II/I and Beclin‐1 increased in small interfering RNA of NLRP3‐treated BV2 cells stimulated with 2,4‐D and LPS. In conclusion, 2,4‐D enhanced cell migration, promoted oxidative stress, induced excessive release of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, promoted microglial cell activation, released inflammatory factors, activated NLRP3 inflammasomes, and inhibited autophagy. Meanwhile, LBP reduced inflammation and the release of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and regulated autophagy, thereby playing a neuroprotective role.
Norethindrone alters growth, sex differentiation and gene expression in marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma)
Authors: Dong Zhongdian , Chen Yuebi , Li Xueyou , Zhang Ning , Guo Yusong , Liang Yan‐Qiu , Wang Zhongduo 
Published: January 2022

AbstractNorethindrone (NET) is a widely used synthetic progestin, which appears in water environments and threatens aquatic organisms. In this study, marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) larvae were exposed to 7.6 and 80.1 ng/L NET for 190 days. The effects of NET on growth, sex differentiation, gonad histology and transcriptional expression profiles of hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis‐related genes were determined. The results showed that exposure to 80.1 ng/L NET caused an all‐male marine medaka population and significantly decreased the growth of males. Exposure to 7.6 ng/L NET increased the ratio of males/females in the marine medaka population, decreased the growth of males and delayed the ovary maturation in females. However, the sperm maturation was accelerated by 7.6 or 80.1 ng/L NET. In females, the transcription levels of cytochrome P450 aromatase (cyp19a1a) and progesterone receptor (pgr) in ovaries, glucocorticoid receptor (gr) and vitellogenin (vtg) in livers were suppressed after exposure to 7.6 ng/L NET, which may cause delayed ovary maturation. In males, NET significantly decreased the transcription levels of follicle stimulating hormone β (fshβ) and Luteinizing hormone β (lhβ)in the brain, Estrogen receptor β (erβ)，gr and pgr in the liver, and vitellogenin receptor (vtgr) in the testes, while NET of 80.1 ng/L led to a significant up‐regulation of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (star) in the testes of males. These results showed that NET could influence growth, sex differentiation and gonadal maturation and significantly alter the transcriptional expression levels of HPG axis‐related genes.
Advances in nanoparticle‐based lateral flow immunoassay for point‐of‐care testing
Authors: Lou Doudou , Fan Lin , Jiang Tao , Zhang Yu 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAs a representative technology for point‐of‐care testing (POCT), lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) has been broadly used to detect analytes in many fields. However, its clinical application is severely limited by the unsatisfactory sensitivity, which makes it difficult to obtain accurate results when detecting biomarkers of trace levels, especially in complex matrices. Nanoparticles have been introduced into LFIA for years and become an indispensable part, acting not only as carriers that load and enrich biomolecules, such as antibodies and dyes, but also a miniature platform applied for creative design and construction of nanoprobes. Due to the unique properties at the nanoscale, including the mimetic enzyme activity, the characteristic plasma resonance spectrum and so on, nanomaterials exhibit great potential in the development of novel LFIA and high‐sensitivity detection.
Modulating the blood–brain tumor barrier for improving drug delivery efficiency and efficacy
Authors: Song Yujun , Hu Chuan , Fu Yao , Gao Huile 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a highly regulated and efficient barrier that controls the mass transfer between blood and brain, severely limits brain penetration of systemically administered therapeutics. During the onset and progression of brain tumors, BBB alters, and the blood–brain tumor barrier (BBTB) forms. Though BBTB differs from BBB in certain aspects, such as neuronal connections and aberrant pericyte distribution, it retains critical aspects of BBB. Hence, one major challenge in the development of therapeutics for brain tumor is to achieve sufficient BBTB penetration thus improving the efficiency of drug delivery to the tumor site. In this review, we summarize the strategies that can overcome BBTB and improve BBTB penetration efficiency from the perspectives of regulating BBTB structure and transport processes.
Novel gas‐based nanomedicines for cancer therapy
Authors: Yao Xianxian , Yang Binru , Xu Jian , He Qianjun , Yang Wuli 
Published: January 2022

AbstractGas therapy, an emerging cancer treatment method of inflammation‐related diseases, has recently received substantial attention. The rapid advances in nanomedicine and nanotechnology have made gas precision treatment possible through tumor targeted delivery and controlled release of therapeutic agents. Single therapeutic is often inevitably accompanied with limited therapy efficacy. Gas therapy combined with other treatment methods can sensitize different therapy modes to augment cancer therapy. Understanding the mechanism through which gas enhances other therapeutic modalities will enable the design of reasonable strategies for clinical cancer therapy. In this review, we summarize novel gas‐based nanomedicines, focusing on gas‐based nanomedicine carriers, along with the release of gas molecules and the mechanisms of gas enhanced therapy. We describe the design of novel gas‐releasing nanoplatforms and the underlying synergistic mechanisms against cancer. Moreover, we describe the current challenges and outlook for future prospects in novel gas‐based nanomedicines for gas therapy in cancer.
Advanced techniques for gene heterogeneity research: Single‐cell sequencing and on‐chip gene analysis systems
Authors: Dong Zaizai , Wang Yu , Yin Dedong , Hang Xinxin , Pu Lei , Zhang Jianfu , Geng Jia , Chang Lingqian 
Published: January 2022

AbstractGene heterogeneity leads to the differences in cellular behaviors in a wide range, such as tumor drug‐resistant mutation, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition, and migration, posing significant challenges to the development of biomedicine. Traditional gene analysis methods, such as polymerase chain reaction, employ a mass of cells as the gene source, resulting in that the gene properties from a specific single cell are hidden in massive gene information. Recent decades have seen the emerging single‐cell gene analysis techniques with their unprecedented opportunities to study gene heterogeneity with high precision and high throughput. In this review, we summarized the state‐of‐the‐art techniques for single‐cell sequencing and on‐chip gene analysis systems. The principles of each technique are introduced in detail, with the focus on the application scenarios in gene heterogeneity research. Looking forward, we also introduced the challenges in current technologies and point out the future direction for facilitating the technical improvement and clinical applications of single‐cell gene analysis techniques.
A case of leukaemia cutis in a dog with T‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Bae Hyeona , Yoon Ji‐Seon , Choi Eulsoo , Kim Sang‐Hyun , Jung Dong‐In , Park Jinho , Kim Sang‐Ki , Kim Dae Young , Yu DoHyeon 
Published: January 2022

AbstractLeukaemia cutis (LC) is the infiltration of neoplastic leukocytes into the skin, characterised by haemorrhagic papules, nodules, and plaques. LC has been reported in human leukaemia patients, but it is extremely rare in dogs. A 13‐year‐old spayed female Golden Retriever that was previously diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia was managed with chlorambucil (20 mg/m2 orally, every 2 weeks) and prednisolone (2 mg/kg orally, every other day) for 8 months; however, immunosuppression was temporarily discontinued because of a bacterial urinary tract infection. Cutaneous signs, including multifocal ecchymosis and white plaques, appeared 1 month after cessation of chemotherapy. Histopathological examination revealed small‐ to intermediate‐sized lymphocytes with mild atypia in a perivascular to interstitial pattern within the superficial dermis. The bands of atypical cells within the superficial dermis were strongly and extensively positive for CD3 on immunohistochemistry. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the biopsied skin revealed clonal rearrangement of the T‐cell receptor gamma locus gene. Given the evidence of clinical signs, peripheral immunophenotyping, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and clonal gene arrangement, LC was diagnosed. The lesions disappeared when chemotherapy was restarted but were occasionally observed when chemotherapy was stopped. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first case report of LC in a dog.
Synergistic effect of avidin/biotin system with biofunctionalized graphene oxide based nanocarrier in targeted co‐delivery of hydrophobic anticancer drug SN‐38
Authors: Karki Neha , Tiwari Himani , Matiyani Monika , Bal Rajaram , Pal Mintu , Sahoo Nanda Gopal 
Published: January 2022

AbstractCo‐delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs with protein (avidin) within a solitary nanocarrier system has emerged as a promising combination therapy approach for treating cancers owing to their synergistic effect. In this study, we developed a potential nanocarrier by using graphene oxide (GO), activated folic acid (FA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and TiO2 nanoparticles. PEG was introduced to enhance the nanocarrier's water solubility and biocompatibility. Further the synthesized primary nanocarrier that is, GO–FA–PEG–TiO2 employed with avidin‐biotin (Avi/Bio) system and synthesized more efficient nanocarrier that is, GO–FA–PEG–TiO2–Avi/Bio to enhance potential anti‐tumor activity and targeted co‐delivery of anticancer drug, SN‐38. The morphological analysis of nanocarrier GO–FA–PEG–TiO2–Avi/Bio was confirmed by basic characterization techniques including RAMAN, Fourier transforms infrared, Thermo gravimetric Analyzer, and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy. The loading capacity of SN‐38 revealed that the nanocarrier integrated with Avi/Bio complex possessed higher adsorption capability than nanocarrier without Avi/Bio system. Furthermore, GO–FA–PEG–TiO2–Avi/Bio showed pH‐responsive behavior of releasing SN‐38. In‐vitro experiments confirmed sustained release of the drug, with a better performance at physiological pH (7.4) than at acidic pH (5.0). The developed nanocarrier with Avi/Bio complex showed higher cytotoxic effects than the GO–FA–PEG–TiO2 system. The cytotoxicity screening of GO–FA–PEG–TiO2–SN‐38 and GO–FA–PEG–TiO2–Avi/Bio–SN‐38 was conducted with MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Thus, GO–FA–PEG–TiO2–Avi/Bio system, when used as nanocarriers, showed high payload capacity to target cancer cells with increased cytotoxicity.
Carboxylated gums as additives in the production of interpenetrating hydrogel beads and slow release of glimepiride
Authors: Dhua Manabendra , Sen Kalyan Kumar , Maiti Sabyasachi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe properties of polysaccharide‐based hydrogels can be effectively modified by developing an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) for the purpose of controlled drug delivery. This study aims to unearth the potential of a more viscous, highly carboxylated xanthan (CX) gum as an additive in the design of IPN hydrogel beads with carboxylated guar (CG) gum and control of glimepiride release in simulated gastrointestinal milieu. The carboxylated gums were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, degree of substitution, and viscosity. The incorporation of CX up to 75% into CG matrix did not alter the spherical morphology of the beads after drug loading and ensured ~69% drug entrapment efficiency. The CX as additive provided compatible environment for drug entrapment. Thermal and x‐ray analyses suggested amorphous dispersion of drug in the IPNs. Depending on the concentration of CX, IPN hydrogels demonstrated variable swelling and drug release rate in simulated gastrointestinal pH. It was noticed that at least 25% CX as an additive could be beneficial in controlling drug release rate from the IPNs. The weight percent of CX influenced the drug release mechanism. Hence, the inclusion of CX as an additive in CG matrix seemed to be a promising approach for controlled drug release and further evaluations in vivo.
Adaptation to transboundary climate risks in trade: Investigating actors and strategies for an emerging challenge
Authors: Bednar‐Friedl Birgit , Knittel Nina , Raich Joachim , Adams Kevin M. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThere is growing recognition that international trade can transmit climate risks across borders, requiring new forms of and approaches to adaptation. This advanced review synthesizes knowledge on how, by whom and where adaptation actions can be taken in the agriculture and industrial sectors to reduce these transboundary climate risks (TCRs). We find a material difference in the literature on TCRs in agriculture as compared with industrial sectors. Operational and market risks, in particular reductions in food availability, dominate in agriculture, while supply chain and trade‐related risks are highlighted for industry. While the origin of the risk (source) is the primary target of adaptation to agricultural TCRs, the general governance structure, such as UNFCCC and WTO deliberations, are important targets in both sectors. Adaptation at the country of destination and along the trade network is of minor importance in both sectors. Regarding the type of adaptation option, agriculture heavily relies on trade policy, agricultural adaptation, and adaptation planning and coordination, while in industry knowledge creation, research and development, and risk management are seen as essential. Governments and the international community are identified as key actors, complemented by businesses and research as critical players in industry. Some measures, such as protectionist trade policies and irrigation, are controversial as they shift risks across countries and sectors, rather than reduce them. While more research is needed, this review shows that a critical mass of evidence on adaptation to TCRs is beginning to emerge, particularly underscoring the importance of international coordination mechanisms.This article is categorized under:
Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Institutions for Adaptation
Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Multilevel and Transnational Climate Change Governance
Deep structural insights into RNA‐binding disordered protein regions
Authors: Zeke András , Schád Éva , Horváth Tamás , Abukhairan Rawan , Szabó Beáta , Tantos Agnes 
Published: January 2022

AbstractRecent efforts to identify RNA binding proteins in various organisms and cellular contexts have yielded a large collection of proteins that are capable of RNA binding in the absence of conventional RNA recognition domains. Many of the recently identified RNA interaction motifs fall into intrinsically disordered protein regions (IDRs). While the recognition mode and specificity of globular RNA binding elements have been thoroughly investigated and described, much less is known about the way IDRs can recognize their RNA partners. Our aim was to summarize the current state of structural knowledge on the RNA binding modes of disordered protein regions and to propose a classification system based on their sequential and structural properties. Through a detailed structural analysis of the complexes that contain disordered protein regions binding to RNA, we found two major binding modes that represent different recognition strategies and, most likely, functions. We compared these examples with DNA binding disordered proteins and found key differences stemming from the nucleic acids as well as similar binding strategies, implying a broader substrate acceptance by these proteins. Due to the very limited number of known structures, we integrated molecular dynamics simulations in our study, whose results support the proposed structural preferences of specific RNA‐binding IDRs. To broaden the scope of our review, we included a brief analysis of RNA‐binding small molecules and compared their structural characteristics and RNA recognition strategies to the RNA‐binding IDRs.This article is categorized under:
RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics, and Chemistry
RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Recognition
RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Small Molecule–RNA Interactions
Artificial incubation and hand‐rearing of Superb Bird‐of‐paradise(Lophorina superba)
Authors: Theule Jessica , Rimlinger David 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSince first brought into zoos in 1964, the captive population of Superb Bird‐of‐paradise (Lophorina superba) has remained relatively small. Several decades of artificial incubation and hand‐rearing of this species at the Avian Propagation Center (APC) at the San Diego Zoo has allowed the population to increase and maintain some stability. Successful artificial incubation techniques lead to healthy neonates and allow females to reproductively recycle and produce more offspring in a season. Additionally, hand‐rearing methods have been refined over the years at APC and are shown here as a method that could be employed to help sustain other small populations of birds maintained in zoological institutions.
Introduction
Authors: Timmermans Arco , Brans Marleen 
Published: January 2022

AbstractScholars employed by universities not only do their basic academic work but also have a professional environment that may call for their knowledge or be targeted explicitly by scholars themselves. In this book the focus is entirely on such engagement by academic political scientists. What advisory activities and roles do they take? How do they see any work at the intersection of their university home basis and the social and political environment? How do they operate in the spheres where choices must be made about facts, evidence, and normative direction? What are driving factors for such engagement, or conversely for abstention? And how do background variables such as gender, age, and status of employment affect the views and activities of political scientists? These are the central questions in this book. They are contained in a large scale cross-national project on the Professionalization and Social Impact of European Political Science (ProSEPS), with scholars from 39 countries involved and organized under auspices of the European COST Association in the period 2017–2020.
Changing Policy Advisory Dynamics in the 2000s: The Advisory Roles of Political Scientists in Turkey
Authors: Bakir Caner , Bolukbasi H. Tolga 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis chapter maps the changing features of the policy advisory system in Turkey and explores the policy advisory roles of Turkish political scientists in the 2000s. It situates Turkey’s statist policy advisory system in an environment of increasing centralization of executive power in a hybrid regime. In this system, government actors dictate the terms of engagement for key policy actors. They do so against the background of externalization, politicization, privatization, Europeanization and societalization of advice. In addition to case study material, the chapter relies on the ProSEPS survey. According to the survey findings, the typical political scientist in Turkey is a male opinionator, who gives generally informal face-to-face advice to mostly civil society organizations, think tanks and civil servants. This opinionator is an expert in international relations, comparative politics and political theory. Political scientists in Turkey’s advisory system do not differ markedly from their European colleagues in terms of their demographic characteristics, educational attainment, employment status, specialization subfields, channels they use and levels of governance they provide advice at. The chapter concludes by calling for further research on the advisory roles of political scientists in this hybrid regime.