bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sequelae of tick-borne encephalitis in retrospective analysis of 1072 patients
Authors: Czupryna Piotr , Grygorczuk Sambor , Krawczuk Katarzyna , Pancewicz Sławomir , Zajkowska Joanna , Dunaj Justyna , Matosek Anna , Kondrusik Maciej , Moniuszko-Malinowska Anna 
Published: July 2018

AbstractTick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an emerging vector-borne disease in Europe. The aim of the study was to evaluate sequelae and to analyse the potential risk factors predisposing to sequelae development. We performed a retrospective analysis of medical records of 1072 patients who received a 1-month follow-up appointment after hospital discharge. Medical data, such as patients’ age, gender, place of living, subjective complaints, neurological and psychiatric sequelae were evaluated twice: at the moment of discharge and at follow-up visits 1 month after discharge. We observed that sequelae may affect 20.6% of TBE patients. Subjective sequelae were more frequent than subjective complaints during the hospitalisation (P < 0.001), while objective neurological symptoms during the hospitalisation were more pronounced than neurological sequelae (P < 0.001). Patients with meningoencephalomyelitis were predisposed to neurological complications, while subjective symptoms were more common in meningoencephalitis. Independent risk factors for sequelae development were: age and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein concentration. The risk of late neurological complications persisting was increased in patients with higher CSF protein concentration. Based on the results of our study we concluded that, there is a need for a better vaccination program, which would prevent the development of sequelae.
The challenge of rapid management of fever in children under 5 in Guinea
Authors: Guilavogui Timothé , Koïvogui Akoï , Camara Alioune , Delamou Daloka , Diallo Amadou Sadio , Lo Youssoufa 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn 2013, the Guinean health authority had to reorganise and run a national response against malaria as a priority. The review of the National Strategic Plan to fight malaria in Guinea was carried out and one of its critical components was the prevention and rapid management of fever (RMF) attributable to malaria in children. The study reports on the demographic and health determinants of this rapid management in children under 5. The participants were 4786 children from 2874 representative households. RMF was defined in terms of recourse to primary care. The recourse was defined by child's reference for the treatment of fever which led or not to treatment of malaria. We found that 1491 children (31.2%) had a bout of fever within the 2 weeks that preceded the survey. The prevalence of malaria was 45.4% among those children who have a bout of fever. The recourse to traditional healers was estimated at 9.6% and the use of health facilities was estimated at 71.5%. Overall, 74.9% of children with fever received treatment within the recommended timeliness (24 h), with regional disparity in this rapid response. The high proportion of recourse to traditional healers is still a matter of concern. New control and prevention strategies should be extended to traditional healers for their training and involvement in directing febrile children to health facilities.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Problems and Needs of Violence Survivors in the Colombian Pacific Coast: A Qualitative Study in Buenaventura and Quibdó
Authors: Santaella-Tenorio Julián , Bonilla-Escobar Francisco J. , Nieto-Gil Luis , Fandiño-Losada Andrés , Gutiérrez-Martínez María I. , Bass Judy , Bolton Paul 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIntroduction/ProblemFor more than 60 years, Colombia experienced an armed conflict involving government forces, guerrillas, and other illegal armed groups. Violence, including torture and massacres, has caused displacement of entire rural communities to urban areas. Lack of information on the problems displaced communities face and on their perceptions on potential solutions to these problems may prevent programs from delivering appropriate services to these communities. This study explores the problems of Afro-Colombian survivors from two major cities in Colombia; the activities they do to take care of themselves, their families, and their community; and possible solutions to these problems.MethodsThis was a qualitative, interview-based study conducted in Quibdó and Buenaventura (Colombia). Free-list interviews and focus groups explored the problems of survivors and the activities they do to take care of themselves, their families, and their community. Key-informant interviews explored details of the identified mental health problems and possible solutions.ResultsIn Buenaventura, 24 free-list interviews, one focus group, and 17 key-informant interviews were completed. In Quibdó, 29 free-list interviews, one focus group, and 15 key-informant interviews were completed. Mental health problems identified included: (1) problems related to exposure to torture/violent events; (2) problems with adaptation to the new social context; and (3) problems related to current poverty, lack of employment, and ongoing violence. These problems were similar to trauma symptoms and features of depression and anxiety, as described in other populations. Solutions included psychological help, talking to friends/family, relying on God’s help, and getting trained in different task or jobs.Conclusion:Afro-Colombian survivors of torture and violence described mental health problems similar to those of other trauma-affected populations. These results suggest that existing interventions that address trauma-related symptoms and current ongoing stressors may be appropriate for improving the mental health of survivors in this population.Santaella-TenorioJ, Bonilla-EscobarFJ, Nieto-GilL, Fandiño-LosadaA, Gutiérrez-MartínezMI, BassJ, BoltonP. Mental health and psychosocial problems and needs of violence survivors in the Colombian Pacific Coast: a qualitative study in Buenaventura and Quibdó. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(6):567–574.
Legitimizing Military Action through “Rape-as-a-Weapon” Discourse in Libya: Critical Feminist Analysis
Authors: Kolmasova Sarka , Krulisova Katerina 
Published: July 2018

AbstractContemporary discourse on sexual(ized) violence in armed conflicts represents a powerful source for legitimization of highly controversial military interventions. Recent gender-responsive security studies have called for enhanced protection of women and girls from widespread and systematic sexual(ized) violence. Yet military operations reproduce the Western masculine hegemony rather than providing inclusive and apolitical assistance to victims of sexual assault. The article aims to critically assess discourse on sexual violence in a case of military intervention in Libya initiated under the rubric of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P). The case study indicates a set of discursive strategies exercised by Western political representatives and nongovernmental organizations and even more expressively by the media to legitimize the military campaign. Typically, sexual(ized) violence is presented as a weapon of war, used by one of the conflicting parties without an adequate response of the state. This is followed by urgent calls for international action, willingly carried out by Western powers. The simplified narrative of civilized protectors versus savage aggressors must be challenged as it exploits the problem of sexual(ized) violence in order to legitimize politically motivated actions.
Two‐Phase Exhumation Along Major Shear Zones in the SE Tibetan Plateau in the Late Cenozoic
Authors: Wang Yang , Zhang Peizhen , Schoenbohm Lindsay M. , Zheng Wenjun , Zhang Bo , Zhang Jinjiang , Zheng Dewen , Zhou Renjie , Tian Yuntao 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThree continent‐scale shear zones are arguably the most outstanding structural features in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, and therefore, their tectonic and landscape evolution have significant implications for understanding the history and mechanisms of intracontinental mountain building and plateau growth. This study presents low‐temperature thermochronology from the Gaoligong and Chongshan shear zones (GLSZ and CSSZ) and quantitative analyses of fluvial longitudinal profiles of tributaries in the Salween drainage, which lies between the shear zones. Apatite and zircon (U‐Th)/He data reveal a two‐stage exhumation history for both shear zones: rapid and prominent cooling in the middle Miocene followed by a second, lower magnitude cooling event in the late Miocene to early Pliocene. Ductile transpressional shearing is inferred to have caused the first cooling, continuing until ~11 Ma. The northward migration of the tectonic events along the Mogok metamorphic belt and GLSZ and synchronous dextral displacement along the Jiali fault indicate the dominant role of the north advancing eastern Himalayan syntaxis on the surrounding structures. Increased river incision is identified in the middle Salween drainage, leading to two‐segment river profiles and further exhumation along the GLSZ and CSSZ. The tributary transient response could result from temporal changes in uplift or adjustments of the trunk channel to climatic change. Furthermore, glaciers play an important role in shaping the landscape of the upper reaches of catchments in the northern segment of the shear zones. Different drivers for the two exhumation events may reflect distinct stages of plateau growth characterized by different crustal deformation patterns.
Role of RAC3 coactivator in the adipocyte differentiation
Authors: Lira María Cecilia , Rosa Francisco Damian , Panelo Laura Carolina , Costas Mónica Alejandra , Rubio María Fernanda 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRAC3 is a member of the p160 family of steroid receptor coactivators and it is highly expressed in several human cancers, contributing to enhanced cell proliferation and cellular transformation. In this work, we have studied the role of RAC3 in adipogenesis in L-929 cells. Adipogenesis is a highly regulated process, involving cell cycle arrest and changes in the gene expression pattern required for morphological remodelling. We found that RAC3 expression levels are downregulated during adipocyte differentiation induced by specific stimulus. In addition, cells constitutively expressing low levels of RAC3 (shRNA), showed enhanced adipocyte differentiation which was evidenced by the early detection of the adipocyte markers Perilipin, PPARγ and Oil Red O staining. Moreover, RAC3 downregulation favoured cell arrest and autophagy. Early and late autophagy inhibitors blocked adipocyte differentiation in control cells, but partially inhibited shRAC3 differentiation, demonstrating that although autophagy is required for adipogenesis, additional signals could be trigged by RAC3 downregulation. We conclude that RAC3 is a key regulator of adipogenesis, since its downregulation generates the cellular arrest and autophagic responses that are required steps for this process.
High protein copy number is required to suppress stochasticity in the cyanobacterial circadian clock
Authors: Chew Justin , Leypunskiy Eugene , Lin Jenny , Murugan Arvind , Rust Michael J. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractCircadian clocks generate reliable ~24-h rhythms despite being based on stochastic biochemical reactions. The circadian clock in Synechococcus elongatus uses a post-translational oscillator that cycles deterministically in a test tube. Because the volume of a single bacterial cell is much smaller than a macroscopic reaction, we asked how clocks in single cells function reliably. Here, we show that S. elongatus cells must express many thousands of copies of Kai proteins to effectively suppress timing errors. Stochastic modeling shows that this requirement stems from noise amplification in the post-translational feedback loop that sustains oscillations. The much smaller cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus expresses only hundreds of Kai protein copies and has a simpler, hourglass-like Kai system. We show that this timer strategy can outperform a free-running clock if internal noise is significant. This conclusion has implications for clock evolution and synthetic oscillator design, and it suggests hourglass-like behavior may be widespread in microbes.
Regulation of T cell afferent lymphatic migration by targeting LTβR-mediated non-classical NFκB signaling
Authors: Piao Wenji , Xiong Yanbao , Famulski Konrad , Brinkman C. Colin , Li Lushen , Toney Nicholas , Wagner Chelsea , Saxena Vikas , Simon Thomas , Bromberg Jonathan S. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractLymphotoxin-beta receptor (LTβR) signaling in lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) regulates leukocyte afferent lymphatic transendothelial migration (TEM). The function of individual signaling pathways for different leukocyte subsets is currently unknown. Here, we show that LTβR signals predominantly via the constitutive and ligand-driven non-classical NIK pathway. Targeting LTβR-NIK by an LTβR-derived decoy peptide (nciLT) suppresses the production of chemokines CCL21 and CXCL12, and enhances the expression of classical NFκB-driven VCAM-1 and integrin β4 to retain T cells on LEC and precludes T cell and dendritic cell TEM. nciLT inhibits contact hypersensitivity (CHS) at both the sensitization and elicitation stages, likely by inhibiting leukocyte migration. By contrast, targeting LTβR-classical NFκB signaling during the elicitation and resolution stages attenuates CHS, possibly by promoting leukocyte egress. These findings demonstrate the importance of LTβR signaling in leukocyte migration and LEC and lymphatic vessel function, and show that antagonist peptides may serve as lead compounds for therapeutic applications.
2D perovskite stabilized phase-pure formamidinium perovskite solar cells
Authors: Lee Jin-Wook , Dai Zhenghong , Han Tae-Hee , Choi Chungseok , Chang Sheng-Yung , Lee Sung-Joon , De Marco Nicholas , Zhao Hongxiang , Sun Pengyu , Huang Yu , Yang Yang 
Published: July 2018

AbstractCompositional engineering has been used to overcome difficulties in fabricating high-quality phase-pure formamidinium perovskite films together with its ambient instability. However, this comes alongside an undesirable increase in bandgap that sacrifices the device photocurrent. Here we report the fabrication of phase-pure formamidinium-lead tri-iodide perovskite films with excellent optoelectronic quality and stability. Incorporation of 1.67 mol% of 2D phenylethylammonium lead iodide into the precursor solution enables the formation of phase-pure formamidinium perovskite with an order of magnitude enhanced photoluminescence lifetime. The 2D perovskite spontaneously forms at grain boundaries to protect the formamidinium perovskite from moisture and suppress ion migration. A stabilized power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.64% (certified stabilized PCE of 19.77%) is achieved with a short-circuit current density exceeding 24 mA cm−2 and an open-circuit voltage of 1.130 V, corresponding to a loss-in-potential of 0.35 V, and significantly enhanced operational stability.
A multi-ethnic meta-analysis confirms the association of rs6570507 with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Kou Ikuyo , Watanabe Kota , Takahashi Yohei , Momozawa Yukihide , Khanshour Anas , Grauers Anna , Zhou Hang , Liu Gang , Fan Yan-Hui , Takeda Kazuki , Ogura Yoji , Zhou Taifeng , Iwasaki Yusuke , Kubo Michiaki , Wu Zhihong , Matsumoto Morio ,   Japan Scoliosis Clinical Research Group (JSCRG), Kawakami Noriaki , Uno Koki , Suzuki Teppei , Sudo Hideki , Minami Shohei , Kotani Toshiaki , Ito Manabu , Yanagida Haruhisa , Taneichi Hiroshi , Yonezawa Ikuho , Chiba Kazuhiro , Hosogane Naobumi , Fujita Nobuyuki , Yagi Mitsuru , Kono Katsuki , Okada Eijiro , Nishida Kotaro , Kakutani Kenichiro , Sakuma Tsuyoshi , Harimaya Katsumi , Kaito Takashi , Watanabe Kei , Taniguchi Yuki , Tsuji Taichi , Akazawa Tsutomu ,   Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children Clinical Group (TSRHCCG), Karol Lori A. , Rathjen Karl E. , Sucato Daniel J. , Birch John G. , Johnston Charles E. , Richards Benjamin S. , Ramo Brandon , McIntosh Amy L. , Herring John A. , Einarsdottir Elisabet , Kere Juha , Huang Dongsheng , Qiu Guixing , Qiu Yong , Wise Carol A. , Song You-Qiang , Wu Nan , Su Peiqiang , Gerdhem Paul , Ikegawa Shiro 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common type of spinal deformity and has a significant genetic background. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) identified several susceptibility loci associated with AIS. Among them is a locus on chromosome 6q24.1 that we identified by a GWAS in a Japanese cohort. The locus is represented by rs6570507 located within GPR126. To ensure the association of rs6570507 with AIS, we conducted a meta-analysis using eight cohorts from East Asia, Northern Europe and USA. The analysis included a total of 6,873 cases and 38,916 controls and yielded significant association (combined P = 2.95 × 10−20; odds ratio = 1.22), providing convincing evidence of the worldwide association between rs6570507 and AIS susceptibility. In silico analyses strongly suggested that GPR126 is a susceptibility gene at this locus.
The influence of characteristic scales of convection on non-isothermal evaporation of a thin liquid layer
Authors: Misyura S. Y. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractHere, the effect of convection in liquid on non-isothermal evaporation of a horizontal thin layer on a hot wall is investigated. It is considered that the evaporation rate of salts always decreases with the growth of salt concentration. Depending on the nature of evaporation rate, the aqueous salt solutions can be classified into two different types: (1) the equilibrium partial pressure of water vapor ps varies slightly with time; (2) with an increase in salt mass concentration, ps decreases many times, which leads to a sharp drop in evaporation rate j. The criteria for attributing the salt to characteristic types are proposed, and relation between j and thermodynamic properties of salt solutions is determined. Different approaches to modeling are proposed for each group. For the first time, a simple calculation method linking the Peclet and Marangoni criteria with convection in a liquid and non-stationary heat exchange is proposed. The analysis shows that it is impossible to simulate the heat transfer without knowing the local characteristics of the velocity field in the liquid phase and without clearly distinguishing the characteristic convective scales of the velocity and temperature fields. So far, it has been believed that the surface Marangoni flow can be neglected due to the negative impact of surfactants. However, the studies of this paper show that a noticeable increase in free convection relates to the thermal and solutal Marangoni flows. A strong influence of the Marangoni flow on liquid convection at high heat fluxes is extremely important for reliable simulation of layer evaporation in a wide range of modern technologies.
Identification, Characterization, and X-ray Crystallographic Analysis of a Novel Type of Lectin AJLec from the Sea Anemone Anthopleura japonica
Authors: Unno Hideaki , Nakamura Azusa , Mori Shingo , Goda Shuichiro , Yamaguchi Kenichi , Hiemori Keiko , Tateno Hiroaki , Hatakeyama Tomomitsu 
Published: July 2018

AbstractA novel galactose-specific lectin, AJLec (18.5 kDa), was isolated from the sea anemone, Anthopleura japonica. AJLec was characterized using the hemagglutination assay, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and glycoconjugate microarray analysis and we found that AJLec has a specificity for galactose monomers and β-linked terminal galactose residues in complex carbohydrates, but not for N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), which is commonly recognized by galactose-binding lectins. The primary structure of AJLec did not show homology with known lectins, and a crystal structural analysis also revealed a unique homodimeric structure. The crystal structure of AJLec complexed with lactose was solved by measuring the sulfur single-wavelength anomalous diffraction (S-SAD) phasing with an in-house Cu Kα source method. This analysis revealed that the galactose residue in lactose was recognized via its O2, O3, and O4 hydroxyl groups and ring oxygen by calcium coordination and two hydrogen bonds with residues in the carbohydrate-binding site, which demonstrated strict specificity for the β-linked terminal galactose in this lectin.
Evidence supporting oxidative stress in a moderately affected area of the brain in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Youssef Priscilla , Chami Belal , Lim Julia , Middleton Terry , Sutherland Greg T. , Witting Paul K. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains to be elucidated. Oxidative damage and excessive beta-amyloid oligomers are components of disease progression but it is unclear how these factors are temporally related. At post mortem, the superior temporal gyrus (STG) of AD cases contains plaques, but displays few tangles and only moderate neuronal loss. The STG at post mortem may represent a brain region that is in the early stages of AD or alternately a region resistant to AD pathogenesis. We evaluated expression profiles and activity of endogenous anti-oxidants, oxidative damage and caspase activity in the STG of apolipoprotein ε4-matched human AD cases and controls. Total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was increased, whereas total glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT) and peroxiredoxin (Prx) activities, were decreased in the AD-STG, suggesting that hydrogen peroxide accumulates in this brain region. Transcripts of the transcription factor NFE2L2 and inducible HMOX1, were also increased in the AD-STG, and this corresponded to increased Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (NRF-2) and total heme-oxygenase (HO) activity. The protein oxidation marker 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), remained unchanged in the AD-STG. Similarly, caspase activity was unaltered, suggesting that subtle redox imbalances in early to moderate stages of AD do not impact STG viability.
Structural elucidation of Tsukamurella pulmonis neutral polysaccharide and its visualization in infected mouse tissues by specific monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Saeed Adnan , Paściak Mariola , Górska Sabina , Ceremuga Ireneusz , Gamian Elżbieta , Ziółkowski Piotr , Drab Marek , Gamian Andrzej 
Published: July 2018

AbstractTsukamurella pulmonis is an opportunistic actinomycetal pathogen associated with a variety of rarely diagnosed human infections. In clinical cases of infection, T. pulmonis usually accompanies other bacterial pathogens. Because of these mixed infections, a robust diagnostic assay is important. The bacteria cell surface polysaccharides are considered not only useful targets for diagnostics but also intriguing subjects for analysis of the interactions that regulate the host response in general. Here, the structure of the polysaccharide component of the T. pulmonis cell wall was established. Sugar and methylation analysis and 2D-NMR techniques revealed that its polysaccharide belongs to the class of arabinomannan composed of branched tetrasaccharide repeating units, with addition of linear →6)-α-D-Manp-(1→ mannan. Rabbit polyclonal sera against T. pulmonis and T. paurometabola bacterial cells revealed cross reactivity between their antigens. Tissue samples from mice infected with T. pulmonis revealed liver abscesses and pathologic granules located intracellularly when immunohistochemically stained with monoclonal antibodies raised against T. pulmonis polysaccharide. Ultrastructural studies revealed that these granules contain T. pulmonis cells. These observations indicate that T. pulmonis is a pathogenic species capable of spreading within the organism, presumably through the blood.