bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dual Role of CREB in The Regulation of VSMC Proliferation: Mode of Activation Determines Pro- or Anti-Mitogenic Function
Authors: Hudson Claire , Kimura Tomomi E. , Duggirala Aparna , Sala-Newby Graciela B. , Newby Andrew C. , Bond Mark 
Published: March 2018

AbstractVascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation has been implicated in the development of restenosis after angioplasty, vein graft intimal thickening and atherogenesis. We investigated the mechanisms underlying positive and negative regulation of VSMC proliferation by the transcription factor cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB). Incubation with the cAMP elevating stimuli, adenosine, prostacyclin mimetics or low levels of forksolin activated CREB without changing CREB phosphorylation on serine-133 but induced nuclear translocation of the CREB co-factors CRTC-2 and CRTC-3. Overexpression of CRTC-2 or -3 significantly increased CREB activity and inhibited VSMC proliferation, whereas CRTC-2/3 silencing inhibited CREB activity and reversed the anti-mitogenic effects of adenosine A2B receptor agonists. By contrast, stimulation with serum or PDGFBB significantly increased CREB activity, dependent on increased CREB phosphorylation at serine-133 but not on CRTC-2/3 activation. CREB silencing significantly inhibited basal and PDGF induced proliferation. These data demonstrate that cAMP activation of CREB, which is CRTC2/3 dependent and serine-133 independent, is anti-mitogenic. Growth factor activation of CREB, which is serine-133-dependent and CRTC2/3 independent, is pro-mitogenic. Hence, CREB plays a dual role in the regulation of VSMC proliferation with the mode of activation determining its pro- or anti-mitogenic function.
Slow Electron Making More Efficient Radiation Emission
Authors: Wuu Dong-Sing , Ou Sin-Liang , Tien Ching-Ho 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn conventional emitting devices, the mobility of electron is much higher than that of hole, which increases the non-recombination rate. To generate slow electrons, we demonstrate an electron retarding n-electrode (ERN) on the n-GaN layer of InGaN blue light emitting diode (LED), making more efficient radiation emission. Transparent conductive oxides are estimated to be more suitable for ERN materials. However, for ERN materials used in InGaN LEDs, three requirements should be satisfied, i.e., Ohmic contact to n-GaN, dilute magnetic doping, and good electrical conductivity. The pulsed-laser deposited cobalt-doped ZnO film prepared at 400 °C was chosen as the ERN. The electron retarding of 120-nm-thick ERN/n-GaN reached 19.9% compared to the n-GaN. The output powers (@350 mA) of LEDs with and without the ERN were 246.7 and 212.9 mW, while their wall-plug efficiencies were 18.2% and 15.1%, respectively. Moreover, owing to the efficient filling of electrons in the quantum wells by inserting the ERN, the bandgap of quantum wells was enlarged, inducing the blue-shift in the emission wavelength of LED. The slow electron generated from the ERN technique paves the way to solve the problem of large difference between electron and hole velocities and improve the optoelectronic performance of emitting devices.
Impact of Different Visual Field Testing Paradigms on Sample Size Requirements for Glaucoma Clinical Trials
Authors: Wu Zhichao , Medeiros Felipe A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractVisual field testing is an important endpoint in glaucoma clinical trials, and the testing paradigm used can have a significant impact on the sample size requirements. To investigate this, this study included 353 eyes of 247 glaucoma patients seen over a 3-year period to extract real-world visual field rates of change and variability estimates to provide sample size estimates from computer simulations. The clinical trial scenario assumed that a new treatment was added to one of two groups that were both under routine clinical care, with various treatment effects examined. Three different visual field testing paradigms were evaluated: a) evenly spaced testing, b) United Kingdom Glaucoma Treatment Study (UKGTS) follow-up scheme, which adds clustered tests at the beginning and end of follow-up in addition to evenly spaced testing, and c) clustered testing paradigm, with clusters of tests at the beginning and end of the trial period and two intermediary visits. The sample size requirements were reduced by 17–19% and 39–40% using the UKGTS and clustered testing paradigms, respectively, when compared to the evenly spaced approach. These findings highlight how the clustered testing paradigm can substantially reduce sample size requirements and improve the feasibility of future glaucoma clinical trials.
Two-phase flow visualization under reservoir conditions for highly heterogeneous conglomerate rock: A core-scale study for geologic carbon storage
Authors: Kim Kue-Young , Oh Junho , Han Weon Shik , Park Kwon Gyu , Shinn Young Jae , Park Eungyu 
Published: March 2018

AbstractGeologic storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) is considered a viable strategy for significantly reducing anthropogenic CO2 emissions into the atmosphere; however, understanding the flow mechanisms in various geological formations is essential for safe storage using this technique. This study presents, for the first time, a two-phase (CO2 and brine) flow visualization under reservoir conditions (10 MPa, 50 °C) for a highly heterogeneous conglomerate core obtained from a real CO2 storage site. Rock heterogeneity and the porosity variation characteristics were evaluated using X-ray computed tomography (CT). Multiphase flow tests with an in-situ imaging technology revealed three distinct CO2 saturation distributions (from homogeneous to non-uniform) dependent on compositional complexity. Dense discontinuity networks within clasts provided well-connected pathways for CO2 flow, potentially helping to reduce overpressure. Two flow tests, one under capillary-dominated conditions and the other in a transition regime between the capillary and viscous limits, indicated that greater injection rates (potential causes of reservoir overpressure) could be significantly reduced without substantially altering the total stored CO2 mass. Finally, the capillary storage capacity of the reservoir was calculated. Capacity ranged between 0.5 and 4.5%, depending on the initial CO2 saturation.
Identification and Characterization of Fusarium proliferatum, a New Species of Fungi that Cause Fungal Keratitis
Authors: Sun Shengtao , Lui Qixue , Han Lei , Ma Qiufei , He Siyu , Li Xiaohua , Zhang Hongmin , Zhang Junjie , Liu Xiaohui , Wang Liya 
Published: March 2018

AbstractFusarium proliferatum (F. proliferatum) is known as a pathogen of corn and other crops, but its role in fungal keratitis has not been well investigated. Among 877 Fusarium isolates, we identified 155 (17.7%) stains as F. proliferatum according to their morphological features and partial DNA sequencing of translation elongation factor-$$1\alpha $$
1

α

(EF-$$1\alpha $$
1

α

) in this study. In vitro antifungal susceptibility tests showed that the F. proliferatum strains were sensitive to natamycin and vorionazole but resistant to amphotericin B, fluconazol, ketoconazole and itaconazole. Most of the F. proliferatum-positive keratitis patients (44/155,28.4%) were aged 51–60 years old. The main cause of infection was injury by a plant (51/155, 32.9%). A combination of 1% amphotericin B and 3% ketoconazole cured 45.2% (14/31) and a combination of 0.5% natamycin and 0.5% voriconazole cured 59.1% (13/22) of F. proliferatum-positive patients. The date suggests that F. proliferatum identified through EF-1ɑ DNA sequencing is an important new species that causes fungal keratitis. Based on antifungal susceptibility, treatment with a combination of 0.5% natamycin and 0.5% voriconazole improves the therapeutic efficacy in F. prolifertum-positive patients.
Physical characterization and in vivo organ distribution of coated iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Sharma Anirudh , Cornejo Christine , Mihalic Jana , Geyh Alison , Bordelon David E. , Korangath Preethi , Westphal Fritz , Gruettner Cordula , Ivkov Robert 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCitrate-stabilized iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were coated with one of carboxymethyl dextran (CM-dextran), polyethylene glycol-polyethylene imine (PEG-PEI), methoxy-PEG-phosphate+rutin, or dextran. They were characterized for size, zeta potential, hysteresis heating in an alternating magnetic field, dynamic magnetic susceptibility, and examined for their distribution in mouse organs following intravenous delivery. Except for PEG-PEI-coated nanoparticles, all coated nanoparticles had a negative zeta potential at physiological pH. Nanoparticle sizing by dynamic light scattering revealed an increased nanoparticle hydrodynamic diameter upon coating. Magnetic hysteresis heating changed little with coating; however, the larger particles demonstrated significant shifts of the peak of complex magnetic susceptibility to lower frequency. 48 hours following intravenous injection of nanoparticles, mice were sacrificed and tissues were collected to measure iron concentration. Iron deposition from nanoparticles possessing a negative surface potential was observed to have highest accumulation in livers and spleens. In contrast, iron deposition from positively charged PEG-PEI-coated nanoparticles was observed to have highest concentration in lungs. These preliminary results suggest a complex interplay between nanoparticle size and charge determines organ distribution of systemically-delivered iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles.
SDH-deficient renal cell carcinoma associated with biallelic mutation in succinate dehydrogenase A: comprehensive genetic profiling and its relation to therapy response
Authors: McEvoy Christopher R. , Koe Lisa , Choong David Y. , Leong Huei San , Xu Huiling , Karikios Deme , Plew Jeffrey D. , Prall Owen W. , Fellowes Andrew P. , Fox Stephen B. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSuccinate dehydrogenase (SDH)-deficient renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a rare RCC subtype that is caused by biallelic mutation of one of the four subunits of the SDH complex (SDHA, B, C, and D) and results in inactivation of the SDH enzyme. Here we describe a case of genetically characterized SDH-deficient RCC caused by biallelic (germline plus somatic) SDHA mutations. SDHA pathogenic variants were detected using comprehensive genomic profiling and SDH absence was subsequently confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Very little is known regarding the genomic context of SDH-deficient RCC. Interestingly we found genomic amplifications commonly observed in RCC but there was an absence of additional variants in common cancer driver genes. Prior to genetic testing a PD-1 inhibitor treatment was administered. However, following the genetic results a succession of tyrosine kinase inhibitors were administered as targeted treatment options and we highlight how the genetic results provide a rationale for their effectiveness. We also describe how the genetic results benefited the patient by empowering him to adopt dietary and lifestyle changes in accordance with knowledge of the mechanisms of SDH-related tumorigenesis.
Prescribable mHealth apps identified from an overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Byambasuren Oyungerel , Sanders Sharon , Beller Elaine , Glasziou Paul 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMobile health apps aimed towards patients are an emerging field of mHealth. Their potential for improving self-management of chronic conditions is significant. Here, we propose a concept of “prescribable” mHealth apps, defined as apps that are currently available, proven effective, and preferably stand-alone, i.e., that do not require dedicated central servers and continuous monitoring by medical professionals. Our objectives were to conduct an overview of systematic reviews to identify such apps, assess the evidence of their effectiveness, and to determine the gaps and limitations in mHealth app research. We searched four databases from 2008 onwards and the Journal of Medical Internet Research for systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of stand-alone health apps. We identified 6 systematic reviews including 23 RCTs evaluating 22 available apps that mostly addressed diabetes, mental health and obesity. Most trials were pilots with small sample size and of short duration. Risk of bias of the included reviews and trials was high. Eleven of the 23 trials showed a meaningful effect on health or surrogate outcomes attributable to apps. In conclusion, we identified only a small number of currently available stand-alone apps that have been evaluated in RCTs. The overall low quality of the evidence of effectiveness greatly limits the prescribability of health apps. mHealth apps need to be evaluated by more robust RCTs that report between-group differences before becoming prescribable. Systematic reviews should incorporate sensitivity analysis of trials with high risk of bias to better summarize the evidence, and should adhere to the relevant reporting guideline.
High level of C-type natriuretic peptide induced by hyperandrogen-mediated anovulation in polycystic ovary syndrome mice
Authors: Wang Xiao , Wang Huarong , Liu Wei , Zhang Zhiyuan , Zhang Yanhao , Zhang Wenqiang , Chen Zijiang , Xia Guoliang , Wang Chao 
Published: March 2018

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is characterized by hyperandrogenism, is a complex endocrinopathy that affects the fertility of 9–18% of reproductive-aged women. However, the exact mechanism of PCOS, especially hyperandrogen-induced anovulation, is largely unknown to date. Physiologically, the natriuretic peptide type C/natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (CNP/NPR2) system is essential for sustaining oocyte meiotic arrest until the preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. We therefore hypothesized that the CNP/NPR2 system is also involved in PCOS and contributes to arresting oocyte meiosis and ovulation. Here, based on a dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS-like mouse model, persistent high levels of CNP/NPR2 were detected in anovulation ovaries. Meanwhile, oocytes arrested at the germinal vesicle stage correlated with persistent high levels of androgen and estrogen. We further showed that ovulation failure in these mice could be a result of elevated Nppc/Npr2 gene transcription that was directly increased by androgen (AR) and estrogen (ER) receptor signaling. Consistent with this, anovulation was alleviated by administration of either exogenous human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or inhibitors of AR or ER to reduce the level of CNP/NPR2. Additionally, the CNP/NPR2 expression pattern in the anovulated follicles was, to some extent, consistent with the clinical expression in PCOS patients. Therefore, our study highlights the important role an overactive CNP/NPR2 system caused by hyperandrogenism in preventing oocytes from maturation and ovulation in PCOS mice. Our findings provide insight into potential mechanisms responsible for infertility in women with PCOS.
Grammar in Boys With Idiopathic Autism Spectrum Disorder and Boys With Fragile X Syndrome Plus Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Sterling Audra 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
Some boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and boys with fragile X syndrome and a codiagnosis of ASD (FXS+ASD) have impairments in expressive grammatical abilities. The current study compared grammatical performance in these 2 groups of school-age boys.

Method

Thirty-seven boys similar on mean length of utterance participated in the current study (FXS:
n
= 19, ASD:
n
= 18). Participants completed an ASD assessment, nonverbal IQ testing, and conversation language samples. Convergent validity of a sentence imitation task with a norm-referenced assessment of grammar was examined in addition to divergent validity of the measures with nonverbal IQ and vocabulary comprehension and production.

Results
The boys with ASD outperformed the boys with FXS+ASD on the norm-referenced assessment of “be,” and effect sizes indicate that the boys with ASD had better performance on past tense probes on the sentence imitation task and “do” on the norm-referenced assessment. The two measures of grammar had good convergent validity except for copula and auxiliary “be” and “do.” Grammatical performance was not correlated with nonverbal IQ, and trends indicate a relationship between vocabulary and grammar.

Conclusions
Despite being similar on mean length of utterance, there were group differences on grammatical performance. The sentence imitation task had good convergent validity with a norm-referenced assessment of grammar for the third-person singular and past tense probes and therefore could be an inexpensive and valid tool to use clinically for these populations. Future research should continue to refine this task, particularly for the probes with high rates of unscorable responses (i.e., “be” and “do”).
Analysis of fringing capacitance effect on the performance of micro‐electromechanical‐system‐based micromachined ultrasonic air transducer
Authors: Maity Reshmi , Maity Niladri P. , Guha Koushik , Baishya Srimanta 
Published: March 2018

The work analyses the significance of fringing capacitance in modelling effectively the amplitude of the ultrasonic waves generated by silicon nitride membrane‐based micromachined ultrasonic transducer (MUT). The amplitude of the ultrasonic waves is proportional to the displacement of the biased membrane under the influence of a sinusoidal signal. Fringing capacitance is significant as for operating the transducer in the medical imaging regime of frequency range 1–10 MHz, the dimension of the electrodes of the MUT capacitor becomes comparable with the separation between them. The device is modelled first without the fringing effect and then Palmer, Landau's and Younes Ataiiyan's approaches are considered for evaluating the fringing capacitance. The device is finite element method analysed by PZFLEX 3D simulator. The membrane displacement is evaluated with variation in device structural parameters of membrane radius and thickness, electrode separation and bias voltage for an extensive range of values. Fractional percentage error of the above analytical approaches is evaluated with respect to the PZFLEX which are regarded as closest to reality. Substantial decrease in the error is observed on modelling the device with the effect of the fringing capacitance.
Number density structures in the inner heliosphere
Authors: Stansby D. , Horbury T. S. 
Published: March 2018

Aims. The origins and generation mechanisms of the slow solar wind are still unclear. Part of the slow solar wind is populated by number density structures, discrete patches of increased number density that are frozen in to and move with the bulk solar wind. In this paper we aimed to provide the first in-situ statistical study of number density structures in the inner heliosphere.
Methods. We reprocessed in-situ ion distribution functions measured by Helios in the inner heliosphere to provide a new reliable set of proton plasma moments for the entire mission. From this new data set we looked for number density structures measured within 0.5 AU of the Sun and studied their properties.
Results. We identified 140 discrete areas of enhanced number density. The structures occurred exclusively in the slow solar wind and spanned a wide range of length scales from 50 Mm to 2000 Mm, which includes smaller scales than have been previously observed. They were also consistently denser and hotter that the surrounding plasma, but had lower magnetic field strengths, and therefore remained in pressure balance.
Conclusions. Our observations show that these structures are present in the slow solar wind at a wide range of scales, some of which are too small to be detected by remote sensing instruments. These structures are rare, accounting for only 1% of the slow solar wind measured by Helios, and are not a significant contribution to the mass flux of the solar wind.
Application of GC/Q-ToF Combined with Advanced Data Mining and Chemometric Tools in the Characterization and Quality Control of Bay Leaves
Authors: Wang Mei , Raman Vijayasankar , Zhao Jianping , Avula Bharathi , Wang Yan-Hong , Wylie Philip , Khan Ikhlas 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCorrect identification of the true bay leaf (Laurus nobilis) and its substitutes is important not only for the quality control of the products, but also for the safety of the consumers. L. nobilis is often substituted or confused with other species, such as Cinnamomum tamala, Pimenta racemosa, Syzygium polyanthum, and Umbellularia californica. In the present study, the potential of gas chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the profiling of various bay leaf products was evaluated for the first time. Thirty-nine authenticated samples representing the true bay leaf and the four commonly substituted species were analyzed. An automatic feature extraction algorithm was applied for data mining and pretreatment in order to identify the most characteristic compounds representing different bay leaf groups. This set of data was employed to construct a sample class prediction model based on stepwise reduction of data dimensionality followed by principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis. The statistical model, with demonstrated excellent accuracies in recognition and prediction abilities, enabled the correct classification of commercial samples including complex mixtures and essential oils. In addition, in-house developed personal compound database and library with retention time locking offered the advantage of combining retention time matching with accurate mass matching, resulting in high confidence of compound identification for each bay leaf subgroup. At least three marker compounds were identified for each bay leaf species that could be used to discriminate among them.
A Bivalent Role of Genistein in Sprouting Angiogenesis
Authors: Berndt Sarah , Issa Mark , Carpentier Gilles , Cuendet Muriel 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe effects of genistein on angiogenesis remain poorly understood. Some studies claim an antiangiogenic effect and others claim a pro-angiogenic one. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine if genistein may exhibit bivalent angiogenic effects. To address this question, genistein angiogenic modulatory effects were examined using an in vitro 3D angiogenesis model using human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In this model, a bivalent effect of genistein was demonstrated on sprouting angiogenesis, with angiogenic stimulation at low concentrations (0.001 – 1 µM) and inhibition at higher ones (25 – 100 µM). Enhancement of the endothelial tube formation correlated with an increase in human umbilical vein endothelial cell metabolic activity and proliferation. Inhibition of angiogenesis correlated with a decreased metabolic activity, proliferation, and migration. Moreover, high concentrations of genistein influenced human umbilical vein endothelial cell morphology. Expression of genes involved in the angiogenic process in response to genistein was measured to study the mechanism of action. Secretome profiling revealed that angiogenic regulators were modulated with genistein treatment. These results suggested a bivalent effect of genistein on human umbilical vein endothelial cell growth and angiogenesis, and further investigations on the benefit of genistein for cancer chemoprevention, cancer treatment, or pro-angiogenic therapies have to be carefully considered.