bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic conditioned medium treatment from interleukin-1 primed mesenchymal stem cells promotes recovery after stroke
Authors: Cunningham Catriona J. , Wong Raymond , Barrington Jack , Tamburrano Sabrina , Pinteaux Emmanuel , Allan Stuart M. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold great potential as a therapy for stroke and have previously been shown to promote recovery in preclinical models of cerebral ischaemia. MSCs secrete a wide range of growth factors, chemokines, cytokines and extracellular vesicles—collectively termed the secretome. In this study, we assessed for the first time the efficacy of the IL-1α-primed MSC-derived secretome on brain injury and functional recovery after cerebral ischaemia.

Methods
Stroke was induced in male C57BL/6 mice using the intraluminal filament model of middle cerebral artery occlusion. Conditioned medium from IL-1α-primed MSCs or vehicle was administered at the time of reperfusion or at 24 h post-stroke by subcutaneous injection.

Results
IL-1α-primed MSC-derived conditioned medium treatment at the time of stroke led to a ~ 30% reduction in lesion volume at 48 h and was associated with modest improvements in body mass gain, 28-point neurological score and nest building. Administration of MSC-derived conditioned medium at 24 h post-stroke led to improved nest building and neurological score despite no observed differences in lesion volume at day 2 post-stroke.

Conclusions
Our results show for the first time that the administration of conditioned medium from IL-1α-primed MSCs leads to improvements in behavioural outcomes independently of neuroprotection.
Information rates of precoding for massive MIMO and base station cooperation in an indoor scenario
Authors: Dierks Stefan , Kramer Gerhard , Panzner Berthold , Zirwas Wolfgang 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe performance of centralized and distributed massive MIMO deployments are studied for simulated indoor office scenarios. The distributed deployments use one of the following precoding methods: (1) local precoding with local channel state information (CSI) to the user equipments (UEs) that it serves, (2) large-scale MIMO with local CSI to all UEs in the network, (3) network MIMO with global CSI. For the distributed deployment (3), it is found that using twice as many base station antennas as data streams provides many of the massive MIMO benefits in terms of spectral efficiency and fairness. This is in contrast to the centralized and distributed deployments using (1) or (2) where more antennas are needed. Two main conclusions are that distributing base stations helps to overcome wall penetration loss; however, a backhaul is required to mitigate inter-cell interference. The effect of estimation errors on the performance is also quantified.
The existence, uniqueness and asymptotic estimates of solutions for third-order full nonlinear singularly perturbed vector boundary value problems
Authors: Lin Xiaojie , Liu Jiang , Wang Can 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we discuss third-order full nonlinear singularly perturbed vector boundary value problems. We first present the existence of solutions for the nonlinear vector boundary value problems without perturbation by using the upper and lower solutions method and topological degree theory. Then the existence, uniqueness and asymptotic estimates of solutions for the singularly perturbed vector boundary value problems are established by constructing appropriate a lower solution–upper solution pair, as well as analysis technique. Some known results are extended.
New results on global exponential stability for a periodic Nicholson’s blowflies model involving time-varying delays
Authors: Cao Qian , Wang Guoqiu , Qian Chaofan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis paper investigates a periodic Nicholson’s blowflies equation with multiple time-varying delays. By using differential inequality techniques and the fluctuation lemma, we establish a criterion to ensure the global exponential stability on the positive solutions of the addressed equation, which improves and complements some existing ones. The effectiveness of the obtained result is illustrated by some numerical simulations.
Inverse spectral problem of a class of fourth-order eigenparameter-dependent boundary value problems
Authors: Ao Ji-jun , Zhang Liang 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis paper deals with a class of inverse spectral problems of fourth-order boundary value problems with eigenparameter-dependent boundary conditions. Under the equivalent conditions of the problem and a certain type of matrix eigenvalue problem some coefficient functions are reconstructed from the given three sets of interlacing real numbers and several additional conditions. The key technique is the method of inverse matrix eigenvalue problems of a two-banded matrix.
Study on coupling degree of rail transit capacity and land use based on multivariate data from cloud platform
Authors: Hou Quanhua , Xing Yaotian , Wang Di , Liu Jiachen , Fan Xiaoyang , Duan Yaqiong 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe study of exploring the internal connection between rail transit and land use is of great significance for the coordinated development of urban space and rail transit construction, and it is also important for the intensive use of land affected by rail transit stations. The land use structure and population density surrounding the stations of Line 1.2.3 of Xi’an Rail Transit were clustered by SPSS for identifying the rail transit stations with high population density. Subsequently, We have established an indicator system of urban land use and rail transit operation capabilities based on multivariate data, and explored the coordinated relationship between rail transit and land use through data envelopment analysis (DEA) evaluation methods at high population density stations. Besides, the coupling degree of land use in rail transit stations with high population density was evaluated, and the key indicators affecting the coupling degree were further analyzed in Xi’an. In conclusion, this study finds that the relationship between rail transit capacity and land use of high population density rail transit stations is unbalanced. Hence, to promote the sustainable development of rail transit capacity and surrounding land, it is suggested that we should confine the development of land use intensity around the station, improve the service functions of small-scale living areas, and optimize the travel environment intended for short-distance travel. For residents, they are encouraged to choose the mode of rail transit for their long-distance travel. At the same time, the peak passenger flow at the stations should be evacuated accordingly.
Management of UK priority invasive alien plants: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Martin Philip A. , Shackelford Gorm E. , Bullock James M. , Gallardo Belinda , Aldridge David C. , Sutherland William J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundInvasive alien plant species often have negative environmental and social impacts, such as loss of biodiversity and alteration of ecosystem services. As a result, managing the introduction, establishment, and abundance of invasive species is a major priority. To do this effectively, we need evidence on the effect of management interventions (such as using herbicide or cutting to control invasive plants). This evidence should not only include the effects of these management interventions on invasive alien species, but also on native species and other non-target outcomes such as ecosystem services. Such evidence would allow for comparison of the trade-offs between different management interventions. In the planned review we aim to assess how management interventions to control nine priority invasive alien plants species in England and Wales affect environmental outcomes. These species are: Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) Nuttall’s waterweed (Elodea nuttallii), Chilean rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria), Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), Floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides), Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), Curly waterweed (Lagarosiphon major), American skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus), Parrot’s feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum).MethodsSearches will be in English and use bibliographic databases (Scopus,Web of Science Core Collection,Open Access Theses and Dissertations, andConservation Evidence) and internet searches (Google Scholar), as well as specialist databases. Our methodology will only use the names of each species (scientific names and common names, including synonyms) as our search string (we will not use qualifiers, such as “AND invasive”). This will give low specificity but will increase the likelihood of capturing all relevant information. We will use predefined criteria for study inclusion and data extraction. We will screen publications in two stages: (1) using titles and abstracts and (2) using full texts. Consistency of inclusion will be checked by two people screening a random sample of 10% of titles and abstracts. This dual-screening will be subject to kappa analysis and any disagreements resolved through discussion. We will use critical appraisal to assess study validity by identifying studies that are potentially prone to bias.
Evidence of multi-functional peptide activity: potential role of KT2 and RT2 for anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-apoptosis properties
Authors: Payoungkiattikun Wisarut , Joompang Anupong , Thongchot Suyanee , Nowichai Boonpob , Jangpromma Nisachon , Klaynongsruang Sompong 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAlthough several explications of anti-inflammatory therapeutic substances for treating inflammatory-related diseases have been broadly discussed within the last few decades, peptide-based compounds display the potential to be novel inflammation treatment agents. Here, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity and other inflammation-associated activities, including anti-oxidative stress and anti-apoptosis properties, of the cationic peptides KT2 and RT2. Nitric oxide (NO) and other inflammatory markers were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells co-incubated with peptides. The levels of interrelated gene and protein expressions were quantified. Peptides formed complexes with LPS and displayed anti-inflammatory properties by reducing NO and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in inflamed RAW 264.7 cells. These peptides also exhibit a strong suppressive effect on mRNA expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor-α, signal transducer and activator of transcription 1, c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK)-1, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which affects the decay of phosphorylated JNK-1, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB p65 protein expression. Both peptides induce up-regulation of anti-inflammatory mRNA and protein expression levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and mRNA expression levels of MAPK phosphatase-1. Also, the production of reactive oxygen species was observed to be markedly reduced. Furthermore, peptides exhibited an anti-apoptotic property. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the multi-functional peptides KT2 and RT2 exerting broad biological activity related to anti-inflammatory effects. These peptides have potential for delivering a medical method for the handling of inflammation-related diseases.
Objective assessment of YAG laser vitreolysis in patients with symptomatic vitreous floaters
Authors: Souza Carlos E. , Lima Luiz H. , Nascimento Heloísa , Zett Claudio , Belfort Rubens 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
To objectively evaluate YAG laser vitreolysis for symptomatic vitreous floaters using color photo imaging.

Methods
In this interventional and prospective study, 32 eyes of 32 patients with symptomatic vitreous floaters secondary to posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) were treated with a single session of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser. Primary outcomes were objective and subjective changes measured by masked grading of color fundus photographs and National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire 25 (NEI VFQ-25), respectively. Secondary outcomes included Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and adverse events. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze the results of the objective and subjective assessments at each time point. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results
Thirty-two patients (32 eyes; 13 men and 19 women) with symptomatic vitreous floaters were enrolled in this study (mean age: 59.4 years). All study patients were followed up for 6 months. Following the laser vitreolysis, there was a statistically significant improvement in both the near visual function (z = − 2.97; p = 0.003; r = 0.633) and visual disturbance rate (z = − 3.97; p < 0.001; r = 0.84). Distance visual function did not show statistically significant difference after the laser procedure (p = 1.00). Color fundus photograph did reveal vitreous opacity improvement over time in 93.7% of study eyes (partial improvement in 37.5% and total improvement in 56.2% of study eyes). During the follow-up period, recurrence of vitreous floaters, BCVA deterioration and adverse events were not observed.

Conclusions
YAG laser vitreolysis decreased the amount of vitreous floaters opacities seen on color fundus imaging and improved related symptoms according to the NEI VFQ-25 responses.
Measurement of junctional tension in epithelial cells at the onset of primitive streak formation in the chick embryo via non-destructive optical manipulation
Authors: Ferro Valentina , Chuai Manli , McGloin David , Weijer Cornelis J. 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACT
Directional cell intercalations of epithelial cells during gastrulation has, in several organisms, been shown to be associated with a planar cell polarity in the organisation of the actin-myosin cytoskeleton and is postulated to reflect directional tension that drives oriented cell intercalations. We have characterised and applied a recently introduced non-destructive optical manipulation technique to measure the tension in individual epithelial cell junctions of cells in various locations and orientations in the epiblast of chick embryos in the early stages of primitive streak formation. Junctional tension of mesendoderm precursors in the epiblast is higher in junctions oriented in the direction of intercalation than in junctions oriented perpendicular to the direction of intercalation and higher than in junctions of other cells in the epiblast. The kinetic data fit best with a simple viscoelastic Maxwell model, and we find that junctional tension, and to a lesser extent viscoelastic relaxation time, are dependent on myosin activity.
RHOA-mediated mechanical force generation through Dectin-1
Authors: Choraghe Rohan P. , Kołodziej Tomasz , Buser Alan , Rajfur Zenon , Neumann Aaron K. 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACT
Dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin 1 (Dectin-1, also known as CLEC7A) is an innate immune pattern recognition receptor that recognizes β-glucan on the Candida albicans cell wall. Recognition of β-glucan by immune cells leads to phagocytosis, oxidative burst, cytokine and chemokine production. We looked for specific mechanisms that coordinate phagocytosis downstream of Dectin-1 leading to actin reorganization and internalization of fungus. We found that stimulation of Dectin-1 by soluble β-glucan leads to mechanical force generation and areal contraction in Dectin-1-transfected HEK-293 cells and M1 macrophages. With inhibitor studies, we found this force generation is a spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK)-independent, but SRC family kinase (SFK)-dependent process mediated through the RHOA–ROCK–myosin light chain (MLC) pathway. We confirmed activation of RHOA downstream of Dectin-1 using activity assays and stress fiber formation. Through phagocytosis assays, we found direct evidence for the importance of RHOA-ROCK-MLC signaling in the process of phagocytosis of C. albicans.
Identification of serine residues in the connexin43 carboxyl tail important for BCR-mediated spreading of B-lymphocytes
Authors: Pournia Farnaz , Dang-Lawson May , Choi Kate , Mo Victor , Lampe Paul D. , Matsuuchi Linda 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACT
B-lymphocytes recognize antigen via B-cell antigen receptors (BCRs). This binding induces signaling, leading to B-cell activation, proliferation and differentiation. Early events of BCR signaling include reorganization of actin and membrane spreading, which facilitates increased antigen gathering. We have previously shown that the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43; also known as GJA1) is phosphorylated upon BCR signaling, and its carboxyl tail (CT) is important for BCR-mediated spreading. Here, specific serine residues in the Cx43 CT that are phosphorylated following BCR stimulation were identified. A chimeric protein containing the extracellular and transmembrane domains of CD8 fused to the Cx43 CT was sufficient to support cell spreading. Cx43 CT truncations showed that the region between amino acids 246-307 is necessary for B-cell spreading. Site-specific serine-to-alanine mutations (S255A, S262A, S279A and S282A) resulted in differential effects on both BCR signaling and BCR-mediated spreading. These serine residues can serve as potential binding sites for actin remodeling mediators and/or BCR signaling effectors; therefore, our results may reflect unique roles for each of these serines in terms of linking the Cx43 CT to actin remodeling.
CENP-T regulates both the G2/M transition and anaphase entry by acting through CDH1 in meiotic oocytes
Authors: Wang Yue , Li Jian , Dong Feng , Yue Wei , Ouyang Ying-Chun , Wang Zhen-Bo , Hou Yi , Schatten Heide , Sun Qing-Yuan 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACT
Oocyte meiotic maturation failure is one of the major causes for female infertility. Meiotic resumption (the G2/M transition) and progression through metaphase I (MI) are two critical stages of oocyte meiotic maturation. Here, we report that centromere protein T (CENP-T), an internal kinetochore protein, plays a critical role in meiotic resumption of mouse oocytes. Depletion of CENP-T by siRNA injection increased the CDH1 (also known as FZR1) level, resulting in increased activity of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC)–CDH1 complex, and further leading to decreased levels of the cyclin protein CCNB1, attenuated maturation-promoting factor (MPF) activity, and finally severely compromised meiotic resumption. The impaired meiotic resumption caused by CENP-T depletion could be rescued by overexpression of exogenous CCNB1 or knockdown of endogenous CDH1. Overexpression of exogenous CENP-T resulted in decreased CDH1 levels, which accelerated the progression of G2/M transition, and accelerated meiotic cell cycle progression after germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). Unexpectedly, spindle organization after GVBD was not affected by the overexpression, but the distribution of chromosomes was affected. Our findings reveal a novel role for CENP-T in regulating meiotic progression by acting through CDH1.
Grouping ambiguous neural representations: neither identical chromaticity (the stimulus) nor color (the percept) is necessary
Authors: Slezak Emily , Shevell Steven K. 
Published: January 2020

Multiple regions, each with the same ambiguous chromatic neural representation, are resolved to have the identical perceived color more often than chance [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93, 15508 (1996)PNASA60027-842410.1073/pnas.93.26.15508; J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 35, B85 (2018)JOAOD60740-323210.1364/JOSAA.35.000B85]. This reveals that the regions are grouped, but it is unclear whether they are grouped because each one has the identical competing representations of the same stimuli (that is, the same chromaticities) or, alternatively, identical competing representations of the same colors one sees. The current study uses chromatic induction, as in Nat. Neurosci. 6, 801 (2003)NANEFN1097-625610.1038/nn1099, to disentangle whether grouping depends on identical (though ambiguous) stimulus chromaticities or on perceived colors, by (1) inducing one chromaticity to appear in two different colors or (2) inducing two different chromaticities to appear in the same color. All stimuli were equiluminant gratings with chromatic inducing and test fields. Three observers were tested, first completing color matches to measure induced color-appearance shifts and second completing grouping measurements using interocular-switch rivalry, a method with rivalrous dichoptic images swapped between the eyes at 3.75 Hz [J. Vis. 17, 9 (2017)1534-736210.1167/17.5.9]. Each of two separate areas, one above and one below fixation, had dichoptic rivalry. The two sets of regions had either identical or different chromaticities that could appear either as the same color or not. Observers reported their percepts when both areas above and below fixation were grouped by color or by chromaticity (or neither in an additional experimental condition). All conditions showed significant groupings for every observer, including when neither color nor chromaticity was identical in a “group.” Moreover, there was never a significant effect of chromaticity versus color for any observer. This is the result expected if neither color nor chromaticity must match between two regions in order for them to be grouped and suggests that, instead, some other feature drives grouping.
Cognitive outcome in congenital central hypothyroidism: a systematic review with meta-analysis of individual patient data
Authors: Naafs J C , Vendrig L M , Limpens J , van der Lee H J , Duijnhoven R G , Marchal J P , Trotsenburg A S van , Zwaveling-Soonawala N 
Published: January 2020

Objective
To provide an overview of cognitive and motor outcome, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with congenital central hypothyroidism (CH-C).

Design
Systematic review with individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis.

Methods
OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycInfo were searched from inception to June 11th, 2019. Studies in patients with CH-C, either isolated or with multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD), were included if CH-C patients could be separated from any additional patient groups. Primary outcomes were full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) and motor outcome; secondary outcome was QoL. Following data-extraction, one-stage IPD meta-analysis was performed, fitting a linear mixed model with FSIQ as dependent variable. Random intercepts were fitted for each study.

Results
Six studies measuring FSIQ were eligible for meta-analysis, comprising 30 CH-C patients (20 males; 27 MPHD patients). FSIQ range was wide (64–123). Mean weighted FSIQ was 97 (95% CI: 88–105). Twenty-seven percent had an FSIQ below 85 (≥1 s.d. below norm score), and 10% below 70 (≥2 s.d. below norm score). There was no significant association between FSIQ and sex or age. Age at treatment initiation was available from three studies only, thus impeding a reliable analysis of this parameter. Motor outcome and QoL were each studied in one study; no quantitative analyses could be performed for these outcomes.

Conclusion
A wide range in FSIQ scores was observed in CH-C patients. Results should be interpreted with caution, because included patients mainly had MPHD and age at treatment initiation was unknown for the majority of patients.