bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unusual Roles of Discharge, Slope and SOC in DOC Transport in Small Mountainous Rivers, Taiwan
Authors: Lee Li-Chin , Hsu Ting-Chang , Lee Tsung-Yu , Shih Yu-Ting , Lin Chuan-Yao , Jien Shih-Hao , Hein Thomas , Zehetner Franz , Shiah Fuh-Kwo , Huang Jr-Chuan 
Published: February 2019

AbstractRiverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC), responsible for riverine productivity, is rarely documented in subtropical small mountainous rivers (SMRs) where high rainfall and steep slopes are the main features. This study investigated the DOC export at eight sites in three Taiwan SMRs to characterize the dynamics and controlling factors of DOC transport. Results showed that the mean DOC concentration of ~0.78 mg L−1 is much lower than the global average of ~5.29 mg L−1. However, the mean DOC yield, ~22.51 kg-C ha−1 yr−1, is higher than the global average of 14.4–19.3 kg-C ha−1 yr−1. Comparing with worldwide rivers from literature, the annual discharge, slope, and SOC (soil organic carbon) are controlling factors as expected, though they influence in different ways. SOC stock likely regulated by elevation-dependent biomes dominate the DOC supply, while slope restrains the DOC generation due to shallow soil depth and fast runoff velocity. However, the abundant discharge flushing this persistent low supply leads to a large DOC export in the SMRs. Furthermore, the DOC dynamics during typhoon periods showed a clockwise hysteresis, suggesting that the DOC is mainly from the riparian zone or downslope area during the rising limb of the hydrograph. This study elucidates the DOC transport in SMRs and provides an atypical yet significant piece of understanding on DOC transport in a global context.
Disclosure of complementary medicine use to medical providers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Foley H. , Steel A. , Cramer H. , Wardle J. , Adams J. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractConcomitant complementary medicine (CM) and conventional medicine use is frequent and carries potential risks. Yet, CM users frequently neglect to disclose CM use to medical providers. Our systematic review examines rates of and reasons for CM use disclosure to medical providers. Observational studies published 2003–2016 were searched (AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO). Eighty-six papers reporting disclosure rates and/or reasons for disclosure/non-disclosure of CM use to medical providers were reviewed. Fourteen were selected for meta-analysis of disclosure rates of biologically-based CM. Overall disclosure rates varied (7–80%). Meta-analysis revealed a 33% disclosure rate (95%CI: 24% to 43%) for biologically-based CM. Reasons for non-disclosure included lack of inquiry from medical providers, fear of provider disapproval, perception of disclosure as unimportant, belief providers lacked CM knowledge, lacking time, and belief CM was safe. Reasons for disclosure included inquiry from medical providers, belief providers would support CM use, belief disclosure was important for safety, and belief providers would give advice about CM. Disclosure appears to be influenced by the nature of patient-provider communication. However, inconsistent definitions of CM and lack of a standard measure for disclosure created substantial heterogeneity between studies. Disclosure of CM use to medical providers must be encouraged for safe, effective patient care.
MD001, a Novel Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor α/γ Agonist, Improves Glucose and Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Kim Seok-Ho , Hong Shin Hee , Park Young-Joon , Sung Jong-Hyuk , Suh Wonhee , Lee Kyeong Won , Jung Kiwon , Lim Changjin , Kim Jin-Hee , Kim Hyoungsu , Park Kyong Soo , Park Sang Gyu 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPeroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α/γ dual agonists have been developed to treat metabolic diseases; however, most of them exhibit side effects such as body weight gain and oedema. Therefore, we developed a novel PPARα/γ dual agonist that modulates glucose and lipid metabolism without adverse effects. We synthesised novel compounds composed of coumarine and chalcone, determined their crystal structures, and then examined their binding affinity toward PPARα/γ. We investigated the expression of PPARα and PPARγ target genes by chemicals in HepG2, differentiated 3T3-L1, and C2C12 cells. We examined the effect of chemicals on glucose and lipid metabolism in db/db mice. Only MD001 functions as a PPARα/γ dual agonist in vitro. MD001 increased the transcriptional activity of PPARα and PPARγ, resulting in enhanced expression of genes related to β-oxidation and fatty acid and glucose uptake. MD001 significantly improved blood metabolic parameters, including triglycerides, free fatty acids, and glucose, in db/db mice. In addition, MD001 ameliorated hepatic steatosis by stimulating β-oxidation in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrated the beneficial effects of the novel compound MD001 on glucose and lipid metabolism as a PPARα/γ dual agonist. Consequently, MD001 may show potential as a novel drug candidate for the treatment of metabolic disorders.
Satellite-based soil moisture provides missing link between summertime precipitation and surface temperature biases in CMIP5 simulations over conterminous United States
Authors: Al-Yaari A. , Ducharne A. , Cheruy F. , Crow W. T. , Wigneron J.-P. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPast studies have shown that climate simulations have substantial warm and dry biases during the summer in the conterminous United States (CONUS), particularly in the central Great Plains (CGP). These biases have critical implications for the interpretation of climate change projections, but the complex overlap of multiple land-atmosphere feedback processes make them difficult to explain (and therefore correct). Even though surface soil moisture (SM) is often cited as a key control variable in these processes, there are still knowledge gaps about its specific role. Here, we use recently developed remotely sensed SM products to analyse the link between spatial patterns of summertime SM, precipitation and air temperature biases over CONUS in 20 different CMIP5 simulations. We identify three main types of bias combinations: (i) a dry/warm bias over the CGP region, with a significant inter-model correlation between SM and air temperature biases (R = −0.65), (ii) a wet/cold bias in NW CONUS, and (iii) a dry/cold bias in SW CONUS. Combined with irrigation patterns, these results suggest that land-atmosphere feedbacks over the CGP are not only local but have a regional dimension, and demonstrate the added-value of large-scale SM observations for resolving the full feed-back loop between precipitation and temperature.
The major allergen Der p 2 is a cholesterol binding protein
Authors: Reginald Kavita , Chew Fook Tim 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDer p 2 is a major dust mite allergen and >80% of mite allergic individuals have specific IgE to this allergen. Although it is well characterized in terms of allergenicity, there is still some ambiguity in terms of its biological function. Three-dimensional structural analysis of Der p 2 and its close homologues indicate the presence of a hydrophobic cavity which can potentially bind to lipid molecules. In this study, we aimed to identify the potential ligand of Der p 2. Using a liposome pulldown assay, we show that recombinant Der p 2 binds to liposomes prepared with exogenous cholesterol in a dose dependent fashion. Next, an ELISA based assay using immobilized lipids was used to study binding specificities of other lipid molecules. Cholesterol was the preferred ligand of Der p 2 among 11 different lipids tested. Two homologues of Der p 2, Der f 2 and Der f 22 also bound to cholesterol. Further, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), we confirmed that cholesterol is the natural ligand of Der p 2. Three amino acid residues of Der p 2, V104, V106 and V110 are possible cholesterol binding sites, as alanine mutations of these residues showed a significant decrease in binding (p < 0.05) compared to wild-type Der p 2. These results provide the first direct experimental evidence that Der p 2 binds to cholesterol.
Heritability and genetic and environmental correlations of heart rate variability and baroreceptor reflex sensitivity with ambulatory and beat-to-beat blood pressure
Authors: Man Tengfei , Riese Harriëtte , Jaju Deepali , Muñoz M. Loretto , Hassan Mohammed O. , Al-Yahyaee Said , Bayoumi Riad A. , Comuzzie Anthony G. , Floras John S. , van Roon Arie M. , Nolte Ilja M. , Albarwani Sulayma , Snieder Harold 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis family study from Oman (n = 1231) explored the heritability and genetic and environmental correlations of heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS) with ambulatory and beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP). Ambulatory BP was measured for 24 hours to calculate mean values for daytime and sleep separately. Time and frequency domain HRV indices, BRS, office beat-to-beat BP, and heart rate (HR) were measured for 10 minutes at rest. SOLAR software was used to perform univariate and bivariate quantitative genetic analyses adjusting for age, age2, sex, their interactions and BMI. Heritability of SBP and DBP ranged from 16.8% to 40.4% for daytime, sleeping, 24-hour and office beat-to-beat measurements. HR and BRS showed a heritability of 31.9% and 20.6%, respectively, and for HRV indices heritability ranged from 11.1% to 20.5%. All HRV measurements and BRS were found to be negatively correlated with BP, but phenotypic correlation coefficients were relatively weak; HR was positively correlated with BP. None of the genetic correlations were statistically significant while environmental factors explained most of the correlations for all HRV indices with BP. Our study found consistent but weak correlations among HRV, HR, BRS and ambulatory/office beat-to-beat BP. However, environmental rather than genetic factors contributed most to those correlations.
Implementation of digital optical phase conjugation with embedded calibration and phase rectification
Authors: Yu Zhipeng , Xia Meiyun , Li Huanhao , Zhong Tianting , Zhao Fangyuan , Deng Hao , Li Zihao , Li Deyu , Wang Daifa , Lai Puxiang 
Published: February 2019

AbstractFocused and controllable optical delivery beyond the optical diffusion limit in biological tissue has been desired for long yet considered challenging. Digital optical phase conjugation (DOPC) has been proven promising to tackle this challenge. Its broad applications, however, have been hindered by the system’s complexity and rigorous requirements, such as the optical beam quality, the pixel match between the wavefront sensor and wavefront modulator, as well as the flatness of the modulator’s active region. In this paper, we present a plain yet reliable DOPC setup with an embedded four-phase, non-iterative approach that can rapidly compensate for the wavefront modulator’s surface curvature, together with a non-phase-shifting in-line holography method for optical phase conjugation in the absence of an electro-optic modulator (EOM). In experiment, with the proposed setup the peak-to-background ratio (PBR) of optical focusing through a standard ground glass in experiment can be improved from 460 up to 23,000, while the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the focal spot can be reduced from 50 down to 10 μm. The focusing efficiency, as measured by the value of PBR, reaches nearly 56.5% of the theoretical value. Such a plain yet efficient implementation, if further engineered, may potentially boost DOPC suitable for broader applications.
eIF5A inhibition influences T cell dynamics in the pancreatic microenvironment of the humanized mouse model of Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Imam Shahnawaz , Prathibha R. , Dar Pervaiz , Almotah Khalil , Al-Khudhair Ahmed , Hasan Syed Abdul-Moiz , Salim Nancy , Jilani Talha Naser , Mirmira Raghavendra G. , Jaume Juan Carlos 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe have developed a transgenic mouse model of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in which human GAD65 is expressed in pancreatic β-cells, and human MHC-II is expressed on antigen presenting cells. Induced GAD65 antigen presentation activates T-cells, which initiates the downstream events leading to diabetes. In our humanized mice, we have shown downregulation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5 A (elF5A), expressed only in actively dividing mammalian cells. In-vivo inhibition of elF5A hypusination by deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) inhibitor “GC7” was studied; DHS inhibitor alters the pathophysiology in our mouse model by catalyzing the crucial hypusination and the rate-limiting step of elF5A activation. In our mouse model, we have shown that inhibition of eIF5A resets the pro-inflammatory bias in the pancreatic microenvironment. There was: (a) reduction of Th1/Th17 response, (b) an increase in Treg numbers, (c) debase in IL17 and IL21 cytokines levels in serum, (d) lowering of anti-GAD65 antibodies, and (e) ablation of the ER stress that improved functionality of the β-cells, but minimal effect on the cytotoxic CD8 T-cell (CTL) mediated response. Conclusively, immune modulation, in the case of T1D, may help to manipulate inflammatory responses, decreasing disease severity, and may help manage T1D in early stages of disease. Our study also demonstrates that without manipulating the CTLs mediated response extensively, it is difficult to treat T1D.
A novel approach to triple-negative breast cancer molecular classification reveals a luminal immune-positive subgroup with good prognoses
Authors: Prado-Vázquez Guillermo , Gámez-Pozo Angelo , Trilla-Fuertes Lucía , Arevalillo Jorge M. , Zapater-Moros Andrea , Ferrer-Gómez María , Díaz-Almirón Mariana , López-Vacas Rocío , Navarro Hilario , Maín Paloma , Feliú Jaime , Zamora Pilar , Espinosa Enrique , Fresno Vara Juan Ángel 
Published: February 2019

AbstractTriple-negative breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease characterized by a lack of hormonal receptors and HER2 overexpression. It is the only breast cancer subgroup that does not benefit from targeted therapies, and its prognosis is poor. Several studies have developed specific molecular classifications for triple-negative breast cancer. However, these molecular subtypes have had little impact in the clinical setting. Gene expression data and clinical information from 494 triple-negative breast tumors were obtained from public databases. First, a probabilistic graphical model approach to associate gene expression profiles was performed. Then, sparse k-means was used to establish a new molecular classification. Results were then verified in a second database including 153 triple-negative breast tumors treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Clinical and gene expression data from 494 triple-negative breast tumors were analyzed. Tumors in the dataset were divided into four subgroups (luminal-androgen receptor expressing, basal, claudin-low and claudin-high), using the cancer stem cell hypothesis as reference. These four subgroups were defined and characterized through hierarchical clustering and probabilistic graphical models and compared with previously defined classifications. In addition, two subgroups related to immune activity were defined. This immune activity showed prognostic value in the whole cohort and in the luminal subgroup. The claudin-high subgroup showed poor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Through a novel analytical approach we proved that there are at least two independent sources of biological information: cellular and immune. Thus, we developed two different and overlapping triple-negative breast cancer classifications and showed that the luminal immune-positive subgroup had better prognoses than the luminal immune-negative. Finally, this work paves the way for using the defined classifications as predictive features in the neoadjuvant scenario.
Structure modulated charge transfer in carbon atomic wires
Authors: Milani A. , Barbieri V. , Facibeni A. , Russo V. , Li Bassi A. , Lucotti A. , Tommasini M. , Tzirakis M. D. , Diederich F. , Casari C. S. 
Published: February 2019

Abstractsp-Hybridized carbon atomic wires are appealing systems with large property tunability. In particular, their electronic properties are intimately related to length, structure, and type of functional end-groups as well as to other effects such as the intermolecular charge transfer with metal nanoparticles. Here, by a combined Raman, Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) investigation and first principles calculations of different N,N-dimethylanilino-terminated polyynes, we suggest that, upon charge transfer interaction with silver nanoparticles, the function of sp-carbon atomic wire can change from electron donor to electron acceptor by increasing the wire length. In addition, the insertion into the wire of a strong electrophilic group (1,1,4,4-tetracyanobuta-1,3-diene-2,3-diyl) changes the electron-accepting molecular regions involved in this intermolecular charge transfer. Our results indicate that carbon atomic wires could display a tunable charge transfer between the sp-wire and the metal, and hold promise as active materials in organic optoelectronics and photovoltaics.
Imaging of nanoparticle dynamics in live and apoptotic cells using temporally-modulated polarization
Authors: Wagner Omer , Schultz Moty , Edri Eitan , Meir Rinat , Barnoy Eran , Meiri Amihai , Shpaisman Hagay , Sloutskin Eli , Zalevsky Zeev 
Published: February 2019

AbstractGold nanoparticles are widely exploited in phototherapy. Owing to their biocompatibility and their strong visible-light surface plasmonic resonance, these particles also serve as contrast agents for cell image enhancement and super-resolved imaging. Yet, their optical signal is still insufficiently strong for many important real-life applications. Also, the differentiation between adjacent nanoparticles is usually limited by the optical resolution and the orientations of non-spherical particles are unknown. These limitations hamper the progress in cell research by direct optical microscopy and narrow the range of phototherapy applications. Here we demonstrate exploiting the optical anisotropy of non-spherical nanoparticles to achieve super-resolution in live cell imaging and to resolve the intracellular nanoparticle orientations. In particular, by modulating the light polarization and taking advantage of the polarization-dependence of gold nanorod optical properties, we realize the ‘lock-in amplification’, widely-used in electronic engineering, to achieve image enhancement in live cells and in cells that undergo apoptotic changes.
Transcriptome profiling of zebrafish optic fissure fusion
Authors: Richardson R. , Owen N. , Toms M. , Young Rodrigo M. , Tracey-White D. , Moosajee M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIncomplete fusion of the optic fissure leads to ocular coloboma, a congenital eye defect that affects up to 7.5 per 10,000 births and accounts for up to 10 percent of childhood blindness. The molecular and cellular mechanisms that facilitate optic fissure fusion remain elusive. We have profiled global gene expression during optic fissure morphogenesis by transcriptome analysis of tissue dissected from the margins of the zebrafish optic fissure and the opposing dorsal retina before (32 hours post fertilisation, hpf), during (48 hpf) and after (56 hpf) optic fissure fusion. Differential expression analysis between optic fissure and dorsal retinal tissue resulted in the detection of several known and novel developmental genes. The expression of selected genes was validated by qRT-PCR analysis and localisation investigated using in situ hybridisation. We discuss significantly overrepresented functional ontology categories in the context of optic fissure morphogenesis and highlight interesting transcripts from hierarchical clustering for subsequent analysis. We have identified netrin1a (ntn1a) as highly differentially expressed across optic fissure fusion, with a resultant ocular coloboma phenotype following morpholino antisense translation-blocking knockdown and downstream disruption of atoh7 expression. To support the identification of candidate genes in human studies, we have generated an online open-access resource for fast and simple quantitative querying of the gene expression data. Our study represents the first comprehensive analysis of the zebrafish optic fissure transcriptome and provides a valuable resource to facilitate our understanding of the complex aetiology of ocular coloboma.
Objective risk stratification of prostate cancer using machine learning and radiomics applied to multiparametric magnetic resonance images
Authors: Varghese Bino , Chen Frank , Hwang Darryl , Palmer Suzanne L , De Castro Abreu Andre Luis , Ukimura Osamu , Aron Monish , Aron Manju , Gill Inderbir , Duddalwar Vinay , Pandey Gaurav 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMultiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) has become increasingly important for the clinical assessment of prostate cancer (PCa), but its interpretation is generally variable due to its relatively subjective nature. Radiomics and classification methods have shown potential for improving the accuracy and objectivity of mpMRI-based PCa assessment. However, these studies are limited to a small number of classification methods, evaluation using the AUC score only, and a non-rigorous assessment of all possible combinations of radiomics and classification methods. This paper presents a systematic and rigorous framework comprised of classification, cross-validation and statistical analyses that was developed to identify the best performing classifier for PCa risk stratification based on mpMRI-derived radiomic features derived from a sizeable cohort. This classifier performed well in an independent validation set, including performing better than PI-RADS v2 in some aspects, indicating the value of objectively interpreting mpMRI images using radiomics and classification methods for PCa risk assessment.
Effect of sexual transmission on the West Africa Ebola outbreak in 2014: a mathematical modelling study
Authors: Luo Dongmei , Zheng Rongjiong , Wang Duolao , Zhang Xueliang , Yin Yi , Wang Kai , Wang Weiming 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe outbreak of the Ebola virus has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality in the affected areas, and Ebola virus RNA has been found in the semen of the survivors after 9 months of symptom onset. However, the role that sexual transmission played in the transmission is not very clear. In this paper, we developed a compartmental model for Ebola virus disease (EVD) dynamics, which includes three different infectious routes: contact with the infectious, contact with dead bodies, and transmission by sexual behaviour with convalescent survivors. We fitted the model to daily cumulative cases from the first reported infected case to October 25, 2014 for the epidemic in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. The basic reproduction numbers in these countries were estimated as 1.6726 (95%CI:1.5922–1.7573), 1.8162 (95%CI:1.7660–1.8329) and 1.4873 (95%CI:1.4770–1.4990), respectively. We calculated the contribution of sexual transmission to the basic reproduction number R0 as 0.1155 (6.9%), 0.0236 (2.8%) and 0.0546 (3.7%) in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, respectively. Sensitivity analysis shows that the transmission rates caused by contacts with alive patients and sexual activities with convalescent patients have stronger impacts on the R0. These results suggest that isolating the infectious individuals and advising the recovery men to avoid sexual intercourse are efficient ways for the eradication of endemic EVD.