bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hypomethylation‐mediated activation of cancer/testis antigen KK‐LC‐1 facilitates hepatocellular carcinoma progression through activating the Notch1/Hes1 signalling
Authors: Chen Zhiqiang , Zuo Xueliang , Pu Liyong , Zhang Yao , Han Guoyong , Zhang Long , Wu Zhengshan , You Wei , Qin Jianjie , Dai Xinzheng , Shen Hongbing , Wang Xuehao , Wu Jindao 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectivesKita‐Kyushu lung cancer antigen‐1 (KK‐LC‐1) is a cancer/testis antigen reactivated in several human malignancies. So far, the major focus of studies on KK‐LC‐1 has been on its potential as diagnostic biomarker and immunotherapy target. However, its biological functions and molecular mechanisms in cancer progression remain unknown.Materials and MethodsExpression of KK‐LC‐1 in HCC was analysed using RT‐qPCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The roles of KK‐LC‐1 on HCC progression were examined by loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function approaches. Pathway inhibitor DAPT was employed to confirm the regulatory effect of KK‐LC‐1 on the downstream Notch signalling. The interaction of KK‐LC‐1 with presenilin‐1 was determined by co‐immunoprecipitation. The association of CpG island methylation status with KK‐LC‐1 reactivation was evaluated by methylation‐specific PCR, bisulphite sequencing PCR and 5‐Aza‐dC treatment.ResultsWe identified that HCC tissues exhibited increased levels of KK‐LC‐1. High KK‐LC‐1 level independently predicted poor survival outcome. KK‐LC‐1 promoted cell growth, migration, invasion and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in vitro and in vivo. KK‐LC‐1 modulated the Notch1/Hes1 pathway to exacerbate HCC progression through physically interacting with presenilin‐1. Upregulation of KK‐LC‐1 in HCC was attributed to hypomethylated CpG islands.ConclusionsThis study identified that hypomethylation‐induced KK‐LC‐1 overexpression played an important role in HCC progression and independently predicted poor survival. We defined the KK‐LC‐1/presenilin‐1/Notch1/Hes1 as a novel signalling pathway that was involved in the growth and metastasis of HCC.
Characterization of porcine extraembryonic endoderm cells
Authors: Shen Qiao‐Yan , Yu Shuai , Zhang Ying , Zhou Zhe , Zhu Zhen‐Shuo , Pan Qin , Lv Shan , Niu Hui‐Min , Li Na , Peng Sha , Liao Ming‐zhi , Wang Hua‐Yan , Lei An‐Min , Miao Yi‐Liang , Liu Zhong‐Hua , Hua Jin‐Lian 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectivesTo date, many efforts have been made to establish porcine embryonic stem (pES) cells without success. Extraembryonic endoderm (XEN) cells can self‐renew and differentiate into the visceral endoderm and parietal endoderm. XEN cells are derived from the primitive endoderm of the inner cell mass of blastocysts and may be an intermediate state in cell reprogramming.Materials and methodsPorcine XEN cells (pXENCs) were generated from porcine pluripotent stem cells (pPSCs) and were characterized by RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence analyses. The developmental potential of pXENCs was investigated in chimeric mouse embryos.ResultsPorcine XEN cells derived from porcine pPSCs were successfully expanded in N2B27 medium supplemented with bFGF for least 30 passages. RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence analyses showed that pXENCs expressed the murine and canine XEN markers Gata6, Gata4, Sox17 and Pdgfra but not the pluripotent markers Oct4, Sox2 and TE marker Cdx2. Moreover, these cells contributed to the XEN when injected into four‐cell stage mouse embryos. Supplementation with Chir99021 and SB431542 promoted the pluripotency of the pXENCs.ConclusionsWe successfully derived pXENCs and showed that supplementation with Chir99021 and SB431542 confer them with pluripotency. Our results provide a new resource for investigating the reprogramming mechanism of porcine‐induced pluripotent stem cells.
P34HB electrospun fibres promote bone regeneration in vivo
Authors: Fu Na , Meng Zhaosong , Jiao Tiejun , Luo Xiaoding , Tang Zisheng , Zhu Bofeng , Sui Lei , Cai Xiaoxiao 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectiveBone tissue engineering was introduced in 1995 and provides a new way to reconstruct bone and repair bone defects. However, the design and fabrication of suitable bionic bone scaffolds are still challenging, and the ideal scaffolds in bone tissue engineering should have a three‐dimensional porous network, good biocompatibility, excellent biodegradability and so on. The purpose of our research was to investigate whether a bioplasticpoly3‐hydroxybutyrate4‐hydroxybutyrate (P34HB) electrospun fibre scaffold is conducive to the repair of bone defects, and whether it is a potential scaffold for bone tissue engineering.Materials and methodsThe P34HB electrospun fibre scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning technology, and the surface morphology, hydrophilicity, mechanical properties and cytological behaviour of the scaffolds were tested. Furthermore, a calvarial defect model was created in rats, and through layer‐by‐layer paper‐stacking technology, the P34HB electrospun fibre scaffolds were implanted into the calvarial defect area and their effect on bone repair was evaluated.ResultsThe results showed that the P34HB electrospun fibre scaffolds are interwoven with several fibres and have good porosity, physical properties and chemical properties and can promote cell adhesion and proliferation with no cytotoxicity in vitro. In addition, the P34HB electrospun fibre scaffolds can promote the repair of calvarial defects in vivo.ConclusionsThese results demonstrated that the P34HB electrospun fibre scaffold has a three‐dimensional porous network with good biocompatibility, excellent biosafety and ability for bone regeneration and repair; thus, the P34HB electrospun fibre scaffold is a potential scaffold for bone tissue engineering.
Homelessness and incarceration associated with relapse into stimulant and opioid use among youth who are street‐involved in Vancouver, Canada
Authors: Goldman‐Hasbun Julia , Nosova Ekaterina , Kerr Thomas , Wood Evan , DeBeck Kora 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIntroduction and AimsWhile much research has sought to identify the factors associated with initiation and cessation of various forms of drug use among vulnerable youth, little is known about relapse into drug use in this population. We sought to characterise relapse into stimulant and opioid use among street‐involved youth in Vancouver, Canada.Design and MethodsData were collected between 2005 and 2017 from the At‐Risk Youth Study, a prospective cohort study of street‐involved youth who use illicit drugs in Vancouver. Multivariable extended Cox regression was utilised to identify factors associated with relapse into illegal stimulants and/or opioids among youth who had previously ceased using stimulants and/or opioids for 6 months or longer.ResultsAmong 246 participants who reported a period of cessation lasting 6 months or longer, 165 (67.1%) relapsed at some point during study follow‐up. Youth who were recently incarcerated (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR]: 1.46), homeless (AHR: 1.43), or had a history of daily stimulant use (AHR: 1.48) were significantly more likely to report relapse, while youth of who identified as white (AHR: 0.74) were significantly less likely to report relapse (all P < 0.05).Discussion and ConclusionsRelapse into stimulants and/or opioids was common among youth in our setting, and incarceration, homelessness, and daily stimulant use were found to be positively associated with relapse among youth. Findings suggest that increased access to youth housing supports and alternatives to the criminalisation of drug use may help to reduce the rates of relapse into stimulants and/or opioids in this population.
Monetary Rewards, Intrinsic Motivators, and Work Engagement in the IT‐Enabled Sharing Economy: A Mixed‐Methods Investigation of Internet Taxi Drivers*
Authors: Hua Ying , Cheng Xusen , Hou Tingting , Luo Rob 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTThe IT‐enabled sharing economy has enabled the taxi to become an Internet product, forming a popular new phenomenon in people's daily lives and creating new roles for employees. How the Internet taxi drivers’ work engagement is influenced in the context of the IT‐enabled sharing economy has become an interesting new area for IS researchers to explore. Although monetary rewards are important for employees’ behavior and performance, extant studies primarily emphasize the crowding‐out and crowding‐in effects of financial incentives, rather than the influencing mechanism. This article prospects and develops theoretically the effects of monetary rewards and workplace spirituality on work engagement and demonstrates these effects empirically. An analysis of 35 semistructured interviews revealed three intrinsic motivators: stress reduction, job autonomy, and self‐efficacy. We propose a structural model based upon motivation crowding theory. Responses to 235 survey responses showed that work engagement can be improved by providing monetary rewards and enhancing workplace spirituality through intrinsic motivators. This research contributes to exploring the mediating role of intrinsic motivators, extends motivation crowding theory to a new research field, and provides a new perspective on work engagement in the context of the IT‐enabled sharing economy. Our findings extend the previous research associated with workplace spirituality and the existing knowledge of operations management from the perspective of labor intensity and trade‐off between inputs and outputs.
Importance of landscape context for post‐restoration recovery of riparian vegetation
Authors: Su Xiaolei , Polvi Lina E. , Lind Lovisa , Pilotto Francesca , Nilsson Christer 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

We tested whether the recovery of riparian vegetation along rapids that have been restored after channelisation for timber floating can be predicted based on floristic and geomorphic characteristics of surrounding landscape units. Our study was located along tributary stream networks, naturally fragmented in rapids, slow‐flowing reaches, and lakes (i.e. process domains), in the Vindel River catchment in northern Sweden.

We tested whether landscape characteristics, specifically to what extent the geomorphology (affecting local abiotic conditions), species richness, and species composition (representing the species pool for recolonisation), as well as the proximity to various upstream process domains (determining the dispersal potential), can predict post‐restoration recovery of riparian vegetation.

Our results indicate that post‐restoration recovery of riparian vegetation richness or composition is not strongly related to landscape‐scale species pools in these streams. The restored rapids were most similar to upstream rapids, geomorphically and floristically, including plant traits. Species richness of adjacent landscape units (upstream process domains or lateral upland zone) did not correlate with that of restored rapids, and proximity of upstream rapids or other process domains was only weakly influential, thus diminishing support for the hypothesis that hydrochory or other means of propagule dispersal plays a strong role in riparian vegetation community organisation after restoration in this fragmented stream network.

We conclude that, in these naturally fragmented stream systems with three discrete process domains (rapids, slow‐flowing reaches and lakes), hydrochory is probably not the main predictor for short‐term riparian vegetation recovery. Therefore, other factors than landscape context can serve in prioritising restoration and, in these systems, local factors are likely to outweigh landscape connectivity in the recovery of riparian vegetation.
Structural equation models suggest that bottom‐up processes override top‐down processes in boreal pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) lakes
Authors: Kokkonen Eevi , Mitikka Sari , Huuskonen Hannu , Olin Mikko , Ruuhijärvi Jukka , Vainikka Anssi 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Inter‐relations between water quality and piscivore populations have remained poorly studied but their quantification is crucial for the ecosystem‐based management of inland waters. Here, we aimed to estimate the relative strength of bottom‐up and top‐down trophic interactions between water quality and fish community composition using a comparative approach. Our main hypothesis was that lakes with an abundant piscivore (mainly pikeperch, Sander lucioperca, Percidae) stock would have better water quality than similar lakes with a poor piscivore stock.

We used structural equation models on biomass catch per unit of effort data from standard gillnet test fishing to examine the effects of predators (pikeperch, pike [Esox lucius, Esocidae] and piscivorous perch [Perca fluviatilis, Percidae]) on cyprinids (Cyprinidae), and the effects of cyprinids, nutrients, and lake depth on water quality measured as chlorophyll‐a concentration and turbidity. We derived the dataset covering a single summer snapshot of 138 Finnish pikeperch lakes from national databases.

Nutrients and lake depth index, the main principal component describing positive effects of nutrient concentrations and negative effects of lake depth, had a positive effect on chlorophyll‐a concentration and turbidity. Pikeperch had a detectable negative effect on both planktivorous and benthivorous cyprinids. While pike also had a negative effect on benthivorous cyprinids, both groups of cyprinids had a positive effect on pikeperch and pike. Supporting the strong, fish‐independent bottom‐up regulation, no significant relationships were detected between the cyprinids and water quality.

This study suggests that the bottom‐up effects override the top‐down effects, and despite pikeperch is an efficient piscivore, the observed stock levels did not cascade down to improved water quality. Thus, in lake restoration, reductions of nutrient loading appear more efficient than biomanipulation aimed to strengthen the top‐down links.
Management of male pelvic fracture urethral injuries: Review and current topics
Authors: Horiguchi Akio 
Published: March 2019

AbstractPelvic fractures from high‐energy blunt force trauma can cause injury to the posterior urethra, known as pelvic fracture urethral injury, which is most commonly associated with unstable pelvic fractures. Pelvic fracture urethral injury should be suspected if a patient with pelvic trauma has blood at the meatus and/or difficulty voiding, and retrograde urethrography should be carried out if the patient is stable. Once urethral injury is confirmed, urinary drainage should be established promptly by placement of a suprapubic tube or primary realignment of the urethra over a urethral catheter. Although pelvic fracture urethral injury is accompanied by subsequent urethral stenosis in a high rate and it has been believed that primary realignment can reduce the risk of developing urethra stenosis, it also has a risk of complicating stenosis and its clinical significance remains controversial. Once inflammation and fibrosis have stabilized (generally at least 3 months after the trauma), the optimal management for the resulting urethral stenosis is delayed urethroplasty. Delayed urethroplasty can be carried out via a perineal approach using four ancillary techniques in steps (bulbar urethral mobilization, corporal separation, inferior pubectomy and urethral rerouting). Although pelvic trauma can impair continence mechanisms, the continence after repair of pelvic fracture urethral injury is reportedly adequate. Because erectile dysfunction is frequently encountered after pelvic fracture urethral injury and most patients are young with a significant life expectancy, its appropriate management can greatly improve quality of life. In the present article, the key factors in the management of pelvic fracture urethral injury are reviewed and current topics are summarized.
Palliative care in end‐stage heart failure: experience of a collaborative approach in a secondary care setting
Authors: Anscombe Russell , Middlemiss Tom 
Published: March 2019

AbstractHeart failure remains an ultimately fatal condition that causes significant symptoms as it progresses. The involvement by palliative services in this patient group has been suboptimal despite many years of guidance from international cardiac societies who recommend a palliative focus for these patients. At Hutt hospital, we have implemented a cardiology supportive care clinic in an attempt to improve the care of our advanced heart failure patients. Our initial experience is that the clinic has resulted in improvements in communication with patients and their families. Management plans and goals of care have been clearly documented, and there has been clarification of roles between the key stakeholders who manage end‐stage heart failure patients. A formal integrated palliative approach has been helpful for our end‐stage heart failure patients and there is potential for this concept to be beneficial for other end‐stage medical conditions.
Evaluation of the solitary pulmonary nodule
Authors: Cruickshank Ashleigh , Stieler Geoff , Ameer Faisal 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe solitary pulmonary nodule represents a common diagnostic challenge for clinicians. While most are benign, a significant number represent early, potentially curable lung cancers. With the increased utilisation of chest computed tomography, solitary pulmonary nodules are increasingly being identified and with lung cancer screening programmes now on the horizon globally, it is crucial clinicians are familiar with the evaluation and management of solitary pulmonary nodules. Through the evaluation of patient risk factors combined with computed tomography characteristics of solitary pulmonary nodules, including size, growth rate, margin characteristics, calcification, density and location; a clinician can assess the risk of malignancy. This article provides an up to date review of the imaging features of both benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodules to assist in the identification of nodules that require histological confirmation or ongoing surveillance. In addition, we summarise the newly updated Fleischner Society Guidelines that provide clinicians with a framework for the evaluation and management of solitary pulmonary nodules.
Burden of skin disease in two remote primary healthcare centres in northern and central Australia
Authors: Thomas Lauren , Bowen Asha C. , Ly Marleesa , Connors Christine , Andrews Ross , Tong Steven Y. C. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe burden of skin infections across all age groups in remote Australian Indigenous communities is currently unknown. In a retrospective audit of 439 residents from two remote communities presenting to health clinics, skin conditions were the most common reason for presentation (1603/7392, 22%) and 330/439 (75%) residents presented at least once with a skin infection. Skin infections are an under‐appreciated and dominant reason for presentation to primary healthcare centres in these indigenous communities and public health campaigns to address this should incorporate all age groups.
Fine‐grained 3C‐SiC thick films prepared via hybrid laser chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Lai Youfeng , Cheng Hong , Jia Zhenglin , Li Qizhong , Yang Meijun , Zhang Song , Han Mingxu , Tu Rong , Goto Takashi , Zhang Lianmeng 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAn ultraviolet laser (λ = 266 nm) operated in pulsed mode and a diode laser (λ = 1060 nm) operated in continuous mode were simultaneously applied to create a hybrid laser chemical vapor deposition (CVD) approach. Fine‐grained 3C‐SiC thick films were prepared via hybrid laser CVD by using SiCl4, CH4 and H2 as precursors. The effects of the ultraviolet laser on the preferred orientations, microstructures, microhardness values and deposition rates of 3C‐SiC thick films were investigated. The 3C‐SiC thick films that were prepared at 4 kPa via diode laser CVD exhibited <110>‐orientations and 5‐100 µm grain sizes, whereas those prepared via hybrid laser CVD were randomly oriented with 0.5‐5 µm grain sizes. Compared to diode laser CVD, the additional irradiation of the ultraviolet laser in the hybrid laser CVD improved the Vickers microhardness values of the 3C‐SiC thick films from 30 to 35 GPa, and the maximum deposition rate was also increased from 935 to 1230 µm/h.
HIV status acknowledgment and stigma reduction in virtual reality: The moderating role of perceivers' attitudes
Authors: Toppenberg Henna L. , Ruiter Robert A. C. , Bos Arjan E. R. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractHIV‐related stigmatization in employee selection procedures may be enacted through discrimination based on an applicant's HIV status. This study (N = 58) investigated to what extent applying an acknowledgment strategy in a job interview setting reduces HIV‐related stigma, taking into account the applicants' personal responsibility and the perceivers' attitudes toward people living with HIV (PLWH). In an immersive virtual office, virtual applicants with HIV presented themselves as part of a job application procedure. Using a 2 (acknowledgment versus non‐acknowledgment) × 2 (responsible versus not responsible for the onset of the HIV‐infection) within‐subjects design, we hypothesized that acknowledgment and onset responsibility would yield an interaction effect as well as separate main effects. We predicted that hearing virtual job applicants acknowledging their HIV status triggers higher evaluations, especially when applicants are not held personally responsible for their infection. In addition, we hypothesized that (between‐subjects) positive implicit and explicit attitudes independently moderate the relationship between acknowledgment and applicant evaluation. We found that low‐onset responsible applicants were more positively evaluated than high‐onset responsible applicants (main effect of onset responsibility), F(1, 57) = 4.31, p = 0.04. This effect was irrespective of the applicants' status acknowledgment (no interaction effect). Acknowledgment did, however, produce higher evaluations when participants' explicit attitudes toward PLWH were more positive, F(1, 57) = 7.13, p = 0.01 (moderation effect of explicit attitudes). This study indicates that the more positive the explicit attitudes toward PLWH, the more positive the evaluations when hearing PLWH acknowledging their stigma. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Estimation of genetic parameters and season effects for semen traits in three pig breeds of South China
Authors: Li Xiujin , Jiang Bo , Wang Xibin , Liu Xiaohong , Zhang Qin , Chen Yaosheng 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe economic profitability of a boar station largely depends on semen quantity and quality traits. However, genetic analysis of semen traits has not yet been done in the boar population in China. In this study, we aimed to estimate genetic parameters for semen traits and the influence of seasons on these traits by using data of Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire boars in South China. The following four semen traits were analysed: semen volume (ml; VOL), sperm concentration (106/ml; DEN), sperm motility (MOT) and percentage of abnormal sperm (ABN). Genetic parameters and season effects were estimated simultaneously for each breed by using a multiple‐trait (4 × 4) repeatability animal model. The four traits had a moderate heritability with average estimates of 0.23, 0.28, 0.26 and 0.17 across the three breeds, respectively. The estimates of genetic correlations among four traits differed in the three breeds. In particular, in Yorkshire, the four traits were nearly genetically independent. The season of collecting semen had a significant impact on these four semen traits except ABN in Duroc (Bonferroni adjusted p < 0.05/6). The moderate heritabilities indicate the possibility of effective selection of boars for semen traits. Different genetic correlations for the three breeds suggest that the selection strategy for the four traits should be investigated separately for each breed. Some necessary actions should be taken to reduce the influence of seasons on semen traits.