bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Schistosomiasis Induces Persistent DNA Methylation and Tuberculosis-Specific Immune Changes
Authors: DiNardo Andrew R. , Nishiguchi Tomoki , Mace Emily M. , Rajapakshe Kimal , Mtetwa Godwin , Kay Alexander , Maphalala Gugu , Secor W. Evan , Mejia Rojelio , Orange Jordan S. , Coarfa Cristian , Bhalla Kapil N. , Graviss Edward A. , Mandalakas Anna M. , Makedonas George 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, determine immune cell phenotype. To understand the epigenetic alterations induced by helminth coinfections, we evaluated the longitudinal effect of ascariasis and schistosomiasis infection on CD4+ T cell DNA methylation and the downstream tuberculosis (TB)–specific and bacillus Calmette–Guérin–induced immune phenotype. All experiments were performed on human primary immune cells from a longitudinal cohort of recently TB-exposed children. Compared with age-matched uninfected controls, children with active Schistosoma haematobium and Ascaris lumbricoides infection had 751 differentially DNA-methylated genes, with 72% hypermethylated. Gene ontology pathway analysis identified inhibition of IFN-γ signaling, cellular proliferation, and the Th1 pathway. Targeted real-time quantitative PCR after methyl-specific endonuclease digestion confirmed DNA hypermethylation of the transcription factors BATF3, ID2, STAT5A, IRF5, PPARg, RUNX2, IRF4, and NFATC1 and cytokines or cytokine receptors IFNGR1, TNFS11, RELT (TNF receptor), IL12RB2, and IL12B (p &lt; 0.001; Sidak–Bonferroni). Functional blockage of the IFN-γ signaling pathway was confirmed, with helminth-infected individuals having decreased upregulation of IFN-γ–inducible genes (Mann–Whitney p &lt; 0.05). Hypomethylation of the IL-4 pathway and DNA hypermethylation of the Th1 pathway was confirmed by Ag-specific multidimensional flow cytometry demonstrating decreased TB-specific IFN-γ and TNF and increased IL-4 production by CD4+ T cells (Wilcoxon signed-rank p &lt; 0.05). In S. haematobium–infected individuals, these DNA methylation and immune phenotypic changes persisted at least 6 mo after successful deworming. This work demonstrates that helminth infection induces DNA methylation and immune perturbations that inhibit TB-specific immune control and that the duration of these changes are helminth specific.
IFNAR1 Controls Autocrine Type I IFN Regulation of PD-L1 Expression in Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells
Authors: Xiao Wei , Klement John D. , Lu Chunwan , Ibrahim Mohammed L. , Liu Kebin 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Tumor cells respond to IFN-γ of activated T cells to upregulate programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in the tumor microenvironment as an adaptive immune resistance mechanism. Tumor cells also express oncogene-driven PD-L1. PD-L1 is also expressed on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). It is known that both type I and II IFNs upregulate PD-L1 expression in MDSCs. However, the molecular mechanism underlying PD-L1 expression in MDSCs is still largely unknown. We report in this article that MDSCs exhibit constitutive STAT1 phosphorylation in vitro without exogenous IFNs, indicating a constitutive active JAK-STAT signaling pathway in mouse MDSCs in vitro. Furthermore, IFN-α and IFN-β but not IFN-γ are endogenously expressed in the MDSC cell line in vitro and in tumor-induced MDSCs in vivo. Neutralizing type I IFN or inhibiting the JAK-STAT signaling pathway significantly decreased constitutive PD-L1 expression in MDSCs in vitro. However, neither IFN-α expression level nor IFN-β expression level is correlated with PD-L1 expression level in MDSCs; instead, the level of IFN receptor type I (IFNAR1) is correlated with PD-L1 expression levels in MDSCs. Consequently, knocking out IFNAR1 in mice diminished PD-L1 expression in tumor-induced MDSCs. Therefore, we determined that 1) PD-L1 expression in MDSCs is activated by type I IFN through an autocrine manner and 2) the expression level of PD-L1 is controlled at least in part by the IFNAR1 level on MDSCs. Our data indicate that MDSCs may maintain their PD-L1 expression via autocrine type I IFN to exert their suppressive activity in the absence of IFN-γ from the suppressed T cells in the tumor microenvironment.
Slit2 Modulates the Inflammatory Phenotype of Orbit-Infiltrating Fibrocytes in Graves’ Disease
Authors: Fernando Roshini , Grisolia Ana Beatriz Diniz , Lu Yan , Atkins Stephen , Smith Terry J. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Human CD34+ fibrocytes, circulating monocyte lineage progenitor cells, have recently been implicated in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO), the ocular manifestation of Graves’ disease (GD). Fibrocytes express constitutive MHC class II (MHC-2) and, surprisingly, thyroglobulin (Tg) and functional thyrotropin (TSH) receptor (TSHR). Underlying expression of these thyroid proteins is the autoimmune regulator protein (AIRE). Fibrocytes respond robustly to TSH and thyroid-stimulating Igs by generating extremely high levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6. In TAO, they appear to infiltrate the orbit, where they transition to CD34+ orbital fibroblasts (OF). There, they coexist with CD34− OF as a mixed fibroblast population (GD-OF). In contrast to fibrocytes, GD-OF express vanishingly low levels of MHC-2, Tg, TSHR, and AIRE. Further, the amplitude of IL-6 induction by TSH in GD-OF is substantially lower. The molecular basis for this divergence between fibrocytes and CD34+ OF remains uncertain. In this article, we report that Slit2, an axon guidance glycoprotein, is constitutively expressed by the CD34− OF subset of GD-OF. Culture conditioned medium (CM) generated by incubating with GD-OF and CD34− OF substantially reduces levels of MHC-2, Tg, TSHR, and AIRE in fibrocytes. Expression can be restored by specifically depleting CM of Slit2. The effects of CD34− OF CM are mimicked by recombinant human Slit2. TSH induces Slit2 levels in GD-OF by enhancing both Slit2 gene transcription and mRNA stability. These findings suggest that Slit2 represents a TSH-inducible factor within the TAO orbit that can modulate the inflammatory phenotype of CD34+ OF and therefore may determine the activity and severity of the disease.
Drug-free antibacterial polymers for biomedical applications
Authors: Idrees Ayesha , Varela Patrícia , Ruini Francesca , Vasquez Jeddah Marie , Salber Jochen , Greiser Udo , Wang Wenxin , McMahon Sean , Sartori Susanna , Ciardelli Gianluca , Chiono Valeria 
Published: May 2018

Microbial colonization on biomaterials is the main cause of failure of a successful implantation. In fact, local infections can eventually evolve in severe sepsis that might finally end up in a multi-organ failure and death of the patient. Besides, infection has become one of the toughest problems in the medical world, as microorganisms become more resistant to known drugs. Scientific research has been focussing on exploring new strategies to combat this life-threatening problem. In this review, information was collected about currently used polymeric biomaterials in the medical field and the main bacterial infections associated with their implantation. Furthermore, drug-free strategies to overcome this complication are explored, and the existing methodology required for assessment of the antibacterial activity is also described.
Visual-Motor Control of Drop Landing After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Grooms Dustin R. , Chaudhari Ajit , Page Stephen J. , Nichols-Larsen Deborah S. , Onate James A. 
Published: May 2018

Context:
Visual feedback is crucial in the control of human movement. When vision is obstructed, alterations in landing neuromuscular control may increase movements that place individuals at risk for injury. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury may further alter the motor-control response to alterations in visual feedback. The development of stroboscopic glasses that disrupt visual feedback without fully obscuring it has enabled researchers to assess visual-motor control during movements that simulate the dynamic demands of athletic activity.

Objective:
To investigate the effect of stroboscopic visual-feedback disruption (SVFD) on drop vertical-jump landing mechanics and to determine whether injury history influenced the effect.

Design:
Cohort study.

Setting:
Movement-analysis laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants:
A total of 15 participants with ACL reconstruction (ACLR; 7 men, 8 women; age = 21.41 ± 2.60 years, height = 1.72 ± 0.09 m, mass = 69.24 ± 15.24 kg, Tegner Activity Scale score = 7.30 ± 1.30, time since surgery = 36.18 ± 26.50 months, hamstrings grafts = 13, patellar tendon grafts = 2) and 15 matched healthy control participants (7 men, 8 women; age = 23.15 ± 3.48 years, height = 1.73 ± 0.09 m, mass = 69.98 ± 14.83 kg, Tegner Activity Scale score = 6.77 ± 1.48).

Intervention(s):
Drop vertical-jump landings under normal and SVFD conditions.

Main Outcome Measure(s):
The SVFD effect for knee sagittal- and frontal-plane excursions, peak moments, and vertical ground reaction force were calculated during landing and compared with previously established measurement error and between groups.

Results:
The SVFD altered knee sagittal-plane excursion (4.04° ± 2.20°, P = .048) and frontal-plane excursion (1.98° ± 1.53°, P = .001) during landing above within-session measurement error. Joint-moment difference scores from full vision to the SVFD condition were not greater than within-session error. We observed an effect of ACLR history only for knee flexion (ACLR group = 3.12° ± 3.76°, control group = −0.84° ± 4.45°; P = .001). We did not observe an effect of side or sex.

Conclusions:
The SVFD altered sagittal- and frontal-plane landing knee kinematics but did not alter moments. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction may induce alterations in sagittal-plane visual-motor control of the knee. The group SVFD effect was on a level similar to that of an in-flight perturbation, motor-learning intervention, or plyometric-training program, indicating that visual-motor ability may contribute to knee neuromuscular control on a clinically important level. The individual effects of the SVFD indicated possible unique sensorimotor versus visual-motor movement strategies during landing.
Total rewards and its effects on organisational commitment in higher education institutions
Authors: Mabaso Calvin M. , Dlamini Bongani I. 
Published: May 2018

Orientation: Retaining staff with special endeavours within higher education institutions has become a top priority and crucial for any organisational productivity and competiveness. Attracting and retaining talent has remained a critical and complex issue for human capital management in organisations.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of total rewards on organisational commitment measured by Total Rewards Scale and Organisational Commitment Questionnaire.Motivation for the study: There is paucity in research on the impact of total rewards on organisational commitment. Commitment of academic staff is significant as higher education institutions are influential in the development of a country.Research design, approach and method: This study employed the quantitative research method using a survey design. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect survey data. A sample of 279 academic staff, which was the total population of participants, was selected for this study.Main findings: Results show a positive and significant correlation between elements of total rewards (performance management, 0.387; recognition, 0.335; talent development and career opportunities, 0.328; compensation, 0.231; benefits, 0.213; work–life balance, 0.024) and organisational commitment. A variance of 52.3% of total rewards explained organisational commitment. Performance management, compensation, benefits, recognition, talent development and career opportunities significantly predicted organisational commitment. However, work–life balance indicated a negative effect on organisational commitment.Practical managerial implications: Findings of the study has implications to managers because they have to encourage and promote total rewards in order to enforce talent retention within higher education institutions for the benefit of both institutions and employees.Contribution: The results are important to managers with great interest in talent retention and can be used as guideline to develop rewards strategy.
Liver infarction: To treat or not to treat?
Authors: Klein Sarit Hochberg , Klein Eyal David , Ackerman Zvi , Hiller Nurit 
Published: May 2018

Liver infarctions are a very rare occurrence due to the multiple-source blood supply of the liver. The cause of hepatic infarction is unclear. When diagnosed, appropriate treatment of these infarctions is unknown. Herein we describe a case of acute liver infarctions, with no obvious cause, in a young woman. Work-up did not shed light on the underlying etiology. Treatment with anticoagulation was commenced in this case, with rapid improvement and a good clinical outcome. We suggest that anticoagulation can be administered to treat hepatic infarctions even in the absence of clear-cut thrombosis.
VOIX EN IMAGES
Authors: BEAULAC MARIO 
Published: May 2018

La vigueur actuelle du milieu de la bande dessinée québécoise tient d’une part de
l’émergence de nouveaux auteurs, d’autre part de la consolidation de leur oeuvre à la faveur
de nouveaux formats éditoriaux où peuvent s’affiner leurs talents. La reconnaissance de
cette voie alternative, choisie de manière plus ou moins consciente, alors même que se
poursuit l’exploitation du modèle traditionnel (album franco-belge de 44 pages en couleur)
et que se développe parallèlement l’intégration d’un nouveau modèle (assimilé au « roman
graphique ») aux circuits commerciaux du livre, incite les auteurs à articuler un discours
réflexif où la confection visuelle de leurs planches se justifie selon divers paramètres
formels reconnus comme soutenant le propos, tout comme la charge narrative et expressive
d’ensemble. L’éventail de ces paramètres se trouve toutefois orchestré selon des équilibres
changeants, en fonction du projet en cours et d’une position esthétique sous-jacente,
développée de projet en projet. À l’aide des oeuvres, entretiens et prises de position de
quelques auteurs ayant emprunté cette voie alternative — Diane Obomsawin, Jimmy Beaulieu,
Michel Rabagliati et Zviane —, Mario Beaulac retrace les grandes lignes de ce métadiscours,
pour faire émerger quelques-uns des enjeux esthétiques pressentis comme pertinents par ces
praticiens notoires de la bande dessinée québécoise actuelle.
LA BD RENCONTRE LE MUSÉE
Authors: SAOUTER CATHERINE 
Published: May 2018

Du 6 novembre 2013 au 30 mars 2014, pour marquer les quinze ans des éditions La Pastèque, le Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal offre ses cimaises à quinze auteurs de bande dessinée québécois, dans le cadre de l’exposition La BD s’expose au musée. Chaque auteur choisit ainsi une oeuvre dans la collection du musée, à partir de laquelle il réalise une bande dessinée de quelques planches. La transmédialité à l’oeuvre dans ces productions, fondée sur une relation entre oeuvre source et oeuvre but, ou, dans les mots de Genette, entre hypotexte et hypertexte, engage une complexité particulière. À l’écart de l’idée d’adaptation, elle compose plutôt avec l’engendrement de nouvelles propositions poétiques jouant de la citation, de l’emprunt, de l’imitation, de l’amplification, de la remise en contexte, tout en portant un regard réflexif sur les médiums — passer de la peinture au dessin, de la couleur au noir et blanc, etc. —, et sur les médias qui président ontologiquement aux cadres énonciatifs des nouvelles oeuvres. Catherine Saouter analyse ces procédés et montre comment cette rencontre entre bande dessinée et musée, renouvelant les entendements de la notion de récit en images autant que celle d’oeuvre d’art par un travail particulièrement fécond sur le plan de la plasticité, autorise à ratifier la légitimation du genre, qui démontre ici une compréhension longtemps déniée du monde de la création visuelle et narrative.
LES INTÉGRITÉS DE JIMMY BEAULIEU
Authors: TREMBLAY-GAUDETTE GABRIEL 
Published: May 2018

Acteur essentiel du milieu de la bande dessinée depuis près de vingt ans, Jimmy Beaulieu a publié des oeuvres aux thématiques et formats des plus variés, allant de la volumineuse Comédie sentimentale pornographique à la discrète Vitrine de format fanzine, en plus d’avoir occupé de nombreuses fonctions au sein du neuvième art (artiste, critique, éditeur, libraire, enseignant, conférencier, etc.). Néanmoins, à travers les différents rôles qu’il a occupés et ses allers-retours fréquents entre son projet autobiographique et la fiction, Beaulieu a maintenu une certaine constance en ce qui a trait à une chose : la sincérité. Cet article propose une analyse croisée de plusieurs oeuvres de Jimmy Beaulieu afin de cerner les récurrences qui s’en dégagent et l’intégrité dont il fait preuve depuis ses débuts.
UN DIALOGUE AVEC SOI-MÊME ET LES AUTRES
Authors: JACOB CARMÉLIE 
Published: May 2018

En 2014, Zviane publie à compte d’auteure Ping-Pong, un essai introspectif
abordant les maillages entre les différentes pratiques artistiques. Une fois le tirage
épuisé, les éditions Pow Pow proposent de rééditer l’essai, mais le format de la maison,
plus large que celui de la bande dessinée originale, pose problème. Pour occuper l’espace
laissé en trop sur chaque page, l’auteure choisit de commenter sa bande dessinée en plus
d’inviter d’autres artistes québécois et français à faire de même, créant ainsi un
« dialogue entre [elle] en 2014 et [elle] en 2015 », en plus d’un « espace commun de
réflexion où tout le monde se renvoie la balle » (p. 8 et rabat). Cette pratique met en
lumière la difficulté de maintenir une cohérence avec soi-même dans la pratique de l’essai,
qui, comme l’observe Pascal Riendeau, « exprime une pensée et déploie une subjectivité, mais
[…] une pensée en mouvement, qui ne craint pas l’incomplétude » (Méditation et vision de
l’essai, 2012, p. 11). L’autoréflexion et la remise en question, amenées par le
dialogue avec les autres et les effets du passage du temps sur sa propre pensée, sont ainsi
au coeur de Ping-Pong, et cet article analyse comment elles s’articulent au sein du
texte comme du dessin.
From the Guiana Highlands to the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest: four new species of Selaginella (Selaginellaceae – Lycopodiophyta: S. agioneuma, S. magnafornensis, S. ventricosa, and S. zartmanii)
Authors: Valdespino Iván A. , López Christian A. , Sierra Adriel M. , Ceballos Jorge 
Published: May 2018

We describe four new species in the genus Selaginella (i.e., S. agioneuma, S. magnafornensis, S. ventricosa, and S. zartmanii) from Brazil, all presently classified in subg. Stachygynandrum. For each of the new taxa we discuss taxonomic affinities and provide information on habitat, distribution, and conservation status. In addition, line drawings and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of stems sections, leaves, and spores (when present) are included. Selaginella agioneuma and S. magnafornensis are from the State of Espíritu Santo where they inhabit premontane to montane Atlantic rain forests in the Reserva Biológica Augusto Ruschi and Parque Estadual Forno Grande, respectively. Selaginella ventricosa was collected in upper montane forests at Parque Nacional Serra da Mocidade, State of Roraima and S. zartmanii in premontane Amazon rain forests on upper Rio Negro at Mpio. São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas State in both Serra Curicuriari and the Morro dos Seis Lagos Biological Reserve.
A strategy to find novel candidate anti-Alzheimer’s disease drugs by constructing interaction networks between drug targets and natural compounds in medical plants
Authors: Chen Bi-Wen , Li Wen-Xing , Wang Guang-Hui , Li Gong-Hua , Liu Jia-Qian , Zheng Jun-Juan , Wang Qian , Li Hui-Juan , Dai Shao-Xing , Huang Jing-Fei 
Published: May 2018

Background
Alzheimer’ disease (AD) is an ultimately fatal degenerative brain disorder that has an increasingly large burden on health and social care systems. There are only five drugs for AD on the market, and no new effective medicines have been discovered for many years. Chinese medicinal plants have been used to treat diseases for thousands of years, and screening herbal remedies is a way to develop new drugs.

Methods
We used molecular docking to screen 30,438 compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) against a comprehensive list of AD target proteins. TCM compounds in the top 0.5% of binding affinity scores for each target protein were selected as our research objects. Structural similarities between existing drugs from DrugBank database and selected TCM compounds as well as the druggability of our candidate compounds were studied. Finally, we searched the CNKI database to obtain studies on anti-AD Chinese plants from 2007 to 2017, and only clinical studies were included.

Results
A total of 1,476 compounds (top 0.5%) were selected as drug candidates. Most of these compounds are abundantly found in plants used for treating AD in China, especially the plants from two genera Panax and Morus. We classified the compounds by single target and multiple targets and analyzed the interactions between target proteins and compounds. Analysis of structural similarity revealed that 17 candidate anti-AD compounds were structurally identical to 14 existing approved drugs. Most of them have been reported to have a positive effect in AD. After filtering for compound druggability, we identified 11 anti-AD compounds with favorable properties, seven of which are found in anti-AD Chinese plants. Of 11 anti-AD compounds, four compounds 5,862, 5,863, 5,868, 5,869 have anti-inflammatory activity. The compound 28,814 mainly has immunoregulatory activity. The other six compounds have not yet been reported for any biology activity at present.

Discussion
Natural compounds from TCM provide a broad prospect for the screening of anti-AD drugs. In this work, we established networks to systematically study the connections among natural compounds, approved drugs, TCM plants and AD target proteins with the goal of identifying promising drug candidates. We hope that our study will facilitate in-depth research for the treatment of AD in Chinese medicine.
Surgical Treatment of Substernal Goiters Extending to Posterior Mediastinum
Authors: Peng Yao , Li Xinying , Zhang Zhejia , Jiang Bo , Feng Tiecheng , Li Jingdong , Tan Hui , Wang Zhiming , Zhuang Wei 
Published: May 2018

Aim
The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical features of posterior mediastinal goiters and surgical treatment strategies on the basis of our experiences.

Methods
Clinical data of 23 cases of posterior mediastinal goiters in 122 substernal goiters from a total of 4381 thyroidectomies performed in the Division of Thyroid Surgery of the General Surgery Department of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, China, during a 6-year period (2010–2016) were analyzed.

Results
Posterior mediastinal goiters have a greater prevalence of compression symptoms compared with anterior mediastinal goiters (P &lt; 0.05). Substernal goiters that extend to posterior mediastinum have a higher probability of mass bottom below the aortic arch than those extending to anterior mediastinum (P &lt; 0.05). A total of 20 posterior mediastinal goiters (87.0%) underwent thyroidectomies by cervical approach without additional incision. In 3 of the 23 patients (13.0%), 1 thoracotomy and 2 thoracoscopic approaches were performed for a complete and safe removal. Postoperative complications occurred in 5 of 23 patients (21.7%), including temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and transient hypoparathyroidism in our series.

Conclusions
Surgical removal of posterior mediastinal goiters can be performed safely by a single cervical approach in most patients. Thoracoscopic approach proposes a new treatment strategy with feasibility.