bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An exploration of the attitudes and views of general practitioners on the use of video consultations in a primary healthcare setting: a qualitative pilot study
Authors: Randhawa Ratan S. , Chandan Joht S. , Thomas Tom , Singh Surinder 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundIn 2014, in the United Kingdom, the government made a commitment to spend £3.6 million on the introduction of Skype video calling consultations in general practice, however the efficacy of such technology has not yet been explored fully.AimThe study aimed to explore the views and attitudes of General Practitioners (GPs) towards video consultation in primary care; specifically, in three broad areas∙The benefits of video consultations to patients and healthcare professionals.∙Potential problems with video consultation and its implementation.∙The cost-effectiveness of video consultation in this setting.MethodA convenience sample of the views of 12 general practitioners across two primary care centres in North London were identified using topic guide based semi-structured interviews. A thematic framework approach was used to analyse the data collected to isolate main and sub-themes.FindingsThree main themes were identified1.Technology – GPs expressed concerns about the ability of patients to use technology, the availability of technology and the quality of technology available.2.Utility – encompassing GP’s ideas about the usefulness of video consultations to patients, practitioners and the doctor–patient relationship. GPs presented mixed views on the extent to which video consultation would be useful.3.Practicality – covering the views of GPs on implementation and effects on workload. GPs unanimously felt that it was not a practical substitute for face-to-face consultation. There were mixed feelings about it being used as an alternative to telephone consultation.ConclusionGPs did see potential benefits to using video consultations but also expressed concerns that need to be addressed if they are to have full confidence in the system. The views of those who are going to use video consultation as a means of increasing patient access are paramount if such tools are to be a core part of primary care.
The effect of maternal intake of sucrose or high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)-55 during gestation and lactation on lipogenic gene expression in rat offspring at 3 and 12 weeks of age
Authors: Kaur H. , Toop C. R. , Muhlhausler B. S. , Gentili S. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPerinatal exposure to sucrose or high-fructose corn syrup-55 (HFCS-55) in rats has previously been associated with altered hepatic fat content and composition post-weaning, although the effects on hepatic metabolism are unknown. The current study aimed to determine the sex-specific effects of maternal consumption of sucrose or HFCS-55 on the expression of hepatic lipogenic genes in the offspring. Liver samples were collected from offspring of albino Wistar rats provided withad libitumaccess to either water (control), 10% sucrose or 10% HFCS-55 solution during pregnancy and lactation at 3 weeks (controln=16, sucrosen=22, HFCS-55n=16) and 12 weeks (controln=16, sucrosen=10, HFCS-55n=16) of age. Hepatic expression of the transcription factors such as carbohydrate response element-binding protein, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c and downstream genes was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Sucrose-exposed offspring had higher hepatic SREBP-1c messenger RNA expression compared with control and HFCS-55 groups at both 3 weeks (P=0.01) and 12 weeks (P=0.03) of age. There were no differences in the expression of other hepatic lipogenic genes between groups at either 3 or 12 weeks. Thus, perinatal exposure to sucrose may be more detrimental to offspring hepatic metabolism compared with HFCS-55, independent of sex, and it will be important to evaluate the longer-term effects of perinatal sucrose exposure in future studies.
Challenges to the use of BECCS as a keystone technology in pursuit of 1.5⁰C
Authors: Gough Clair , Garcia-Freites Samira , Jones Christopher , Mander Sarah , Moore Brendan , Pereira Cristina , Röder Mirjam , Vaughan Naomi , Welfle Andrew 
Published: June 2018

Non-technical summaryBiomass energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is represented in many integrated assessment models as a keystone technology in delivering the Paris Agreement on climate change. This paper explores six key challenges in relation to large scale BECCS deployment and considers ways to address these challenges. Research needs to consider how BECCS fits in the context of other mitigation approaches, how it can be accommodated within existing policy drivers and goals, identify where it fits within the wider socioeconomic landscape, and ensure that genuine net negative emissions can be delivered on a global scale.
CXCR1/Akt signaling activation induced by mesenchymal stem cell-derived IL-8 promotes osteosarcoma cell anoikis resistance and pulmonary metastasis
Authors: Du Lin , Han Xiu-guo , Tu Bing , Wang Min-qi , Qiao Han , Zhang Shu-hong , Fan Qi-ming , Tang Ting-ting 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe loss of appropriate cell adhesion normally induces apoptosis via a process termed anoikis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the cancer microenvironment on the anoikis resistance and pulmonary metastasis of osteosarcoma (OS) cells, and to evaluate the critical role of the interleukin (IL)-8/C-X-C chemokine receptor (CXCR) 1/Akt-signaling pathway in these processes. Metastatic OS subtype cells, which did or did not interact with MSC-conditioned medium (MSC-CM) in vitro, were isolated from the pulmonary site and named Saos2-lung-M. Both MSC-CM and IL-8 treatment increased the anoikis resistance of Saos2 cells in vitro. Moreover, exogenous MSC-CM promoted the survival and metastasis of Saos2 cells in nude mice. Saos2-lung-M cells were more malignant and resistant to anoikis than parental cells. MSCs secreted IL-8, thereby protecting OS cells from anoikis. Blocking the IL-8/CXCR1/Akt pathway via CXCR1 knockdown inhibited the pulmonary metastasis of Saos2-lung-MSCs and prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice. In conclusion, MSCs enhanced OS cell resistance to anoikis and pulmonary metastasis via regulation of the IL-8/CXCR1/Akt pathway. These findings suggest that MSCs can “select for” OS cells with high metastatic potential in vivo, and highlight CXCR1 as a key target in the regulation of pulmonary metastasis of OS cells.
MicroRNA-378 is involved in hedgehog-driven epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in hepatocytes of regenerating liver
Authors: Kim Jieun , Hyun Jeongeun , Wang Sihyung , Lee Chanbin , Jung Youngmi 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHealthy livers have a remarkable regenerative capacity for reconstructing functional hepatic parenchyma after 70% partial hepatectomy (PH). Hepatocytes, usually quiescent in normal healthy livers, proliferate to compensate for hepatic loss after PH. However, the mechanism of hepatocyte involvement in liver regeneration remains unclear. Hedgehog (Hh) pathway plays an important role in tissue reconstitution by regulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in liver disease. MicroRNA (miRNA) is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation during embryonic development and carcinogenesis. It was recently reported that miR-378 inhibits transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells into myofibroblasts by suppressing Gli-Krüppel family member 3 (Gli3), the Hh-target gene. We hypothesized that miR-378 influences EMT in hepatocytes by interfering with Hh signaling during liver regeneration. As hepatocytes were highly proliferative after PH in mice, miR-378 and epithelial marker, Ppar-g or E-cadherin were downregulated, whereas both Hh activators, Smoothened (Smo) and Gli3, and the EMT-inducing genes, Tgfb, Snail and Vimentin, were upregulated in the regenerating livers and in hepatocytes isolated from them. Compared to cells with or without scramble miRNA, primary hepatocytes transfected with miR-378 inhibitor contained higher levels of Gli3 with increased expression of the EMT-promoting genes, Tgfb, Snail, Col1a1, and Vimentin, suggesting that miR-378 influenced EMT in hepatocytes. Smo-depleted hepatocytes isolated from PH livers of Smo-flox mice showed downregulation of EMT-promoting genes and Gli3, with upregulation of miR-378 and E-cadherin compared to Smo-expressing hepatocytes from PH liver. In addition, delivery hepatocyte-specific AAV8 viral vector bearing Cre recombinase into Smo-flox mice impeded EMT in Smo-suppressed hepatocytes of PH liver, indicating that Smo is critical for regulating hepatocyte EMT. Furthermore, the application of miR-378 mimic into mice with PH delayed liver regeneration by interrupting hepatocyte EMT. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that miR-378 is involved in hepatocyte EMT by regulating Hh signaling during liver regeneration.
Differential antiviral immunity to Japanese encephalitis virus in developing cortical organoids
Authors: Zhang Boya , He Yangzhige , Xu Yanpeng , Mo Fan , Mi Tingwei , Shen Qing Sunny , Li Chunfeng , Li Yali , Liu Jing , Wu Yihui , Chen Guilai , Zhu Wenliang , Qin Chengfeng , Hu Baoyang , Zhou Guomin 
Published: June 2018

AbstractJapanese encephalitis (JE) caused by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) poses a serious threat to the world’s public health yet without a cure. Certain JEV-infected neural cells express a subset of previously identified intrinsic antiviral interferon stimulated genes (ISGs), indicating brain cells retain autonomous antiviral immunity. However, whether this happens in composited brain remains unclear. Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived organoids can model disorders caused by human endemic pathogens such as Zika virus, which may potentially address this question and facilitate the discovery of a cure for JE. We thus generated telencephalon organoid and infected them with JEV. We found JEV infection caused significant decline of cell proliferation and increase of cell death in brain organoid, resulting in smaller organoid spheres. JEV tended to infect astrocytes and neural progenitors, especially the population representing outer radial glial cells (oRGCs) of developing human brain. In addition, we revealed variable antiviral immunity in brain organoids of different stages of culture. In organoids of longer culture (older than 8 weeks), but not of early ones (less than 4 weeks), JEV infection caused typical activation of interferon signaling pathway. Preferential infection of oRGCs and differential antiviral response at various stages might explain the much more severe outcomes of JEV infection in the younger, which also provide clues to develop effective therapeutics of such diseases.
Uncovering pseudotemporal trajectories with covariates from single cell and bulk expression data
Authors: Campbell Kieran R , Yau Christopher 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPseudotime algorithms can be employed to extract latent temporal information from cross-sectional data sets allowing dynamic biological processes to be studied in situations where the collection of time series data is challenging or prohibitive. Computational techniques have arisen from single-cell ‘omics and cancer modelling where pseudotime can be used to learn about cellular differentiation or tumour progression. However, methods to date typically implicitly assume homogeneous genetic, phenotypic or environmental backgrounds, which becomes limiting as data sets grow in size and complexity. We describe a novel statistical framework that learns how pseudotime trajectories can be modulated through covariates that encode such factors. We apply this model to both single-cell and bulk gene expression data sets and show that the approach can recover known and novel covariate-pseudotime interaction effects. This hybrid regression-latent variable model framework extends pseudotemporal modelling from its most prevalent area of single cell genomics to wider applications.
Single-dose testosterone administration increases men’s preference for status goods
Authors: Nave G. , Nadler A. , Dubois D. , Zava D. , Camerer C. , Plassmann H. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn modern human cultures where social hierarchies are ubiquitous, people typically signal their hierarchical position through consumption of positional goods—goods that convey one’s social position, such as luxury products. Building on animal research and early correlational human studies linking the sex steroid hormone testosterone with hierarchical social interactions, we investigate the influence of testosterone on men’s preferences for positional goods. Using a placebo-controlled experiment (N = 243) to measure individuals’ desire for status brands and products, we find that administering testosterone increases men’s preference for status brands, compared to brands of similar perceived quality but lower perceived status. Furthermore, testosterone increases positive attitudes toward positional goods when they are described as status-enhancing, but not when they are described as power-enhancing or high in quality. Our results provide novel causal evidence for the biological roots of men’s preferences for status, bridging decades of animal behavioral studies with contemporary consumer research.
Breathlessness and sexual activity in older adults: the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Authors: Ekström Magnus , Johnson Miriam J. , Taylor Bridget , Luszcz Mary , Wohland Pia , Ferreira Diana H. , Currow David C. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSexual activity is important to older adults (65 + ). Breathlessness affects about 25% of older adults but impact on sexual activity is unknown. We evaluated the relationships between breathlessness and sexual inactivity and self-reported health among older community-dwelling adults in the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Associations between self-reported breathlessness (hurrying on level ground or walking up a slight hill) at baseline, self-reported sexual activity, overall health and health compared to people of the same age were explored using logistic regression at baseline and 2 years, adjusted for potential confounders (age, sex, marital status, smoking status and co-morbidities). Of 798 participants (mean age 76.4 years [SD, 5.8] 65 to 103; 53% men, 73% married), 688 (86.2%) had 2-year follow-up data. People with breathlessness had higher prevalence and duration of sexual inactivity (77.7% vs. 65.6%; p < 0.001; 12 [IQR, 5–17] vs. 9.5 [IQR, 5−16] years; p = 0.043). Breathlessness was associated with more sexual inactivity, (adjusted OR 1.75; [95% CI] 1.24−2.45), worse health (adjusted OR 2.02; 1.53−2.67) and worse health compared to peers (adjusted OR 1.72; 1.25−2.38). Baseline breathlessness did not predict more sexual inactivity at 2 years. In conclusion, breathlessness contributes to sexual inactivity and worse perceived health in older adults, which calls for improved assessment and management.
Population genetic signatures of a climate change driven marine range extension
Authors: Ramos Jorge E. , Pecl Gretta T. , Moltschaniwskyj Natalie A. , Semmens Jayson M. , Souza Carla A. , Strugnell Jan M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractShifts in species distribution, or ‘range shifts’, are one of the most commonly documented responses to ocean warming, with important consequences for the function and structure of ecosystems, and for socio-economic activities. Understanding the genetic signatures of range shifts can help build our knowledge of the capacity of species to establish and persist in colonised areas. Here, seven microsatellite loci were used to examine the population connectivity, genetic structure and diversity ofOctopus tetricus, which has extended its distribution several hundred kilometres polewards associated with the southwards extension of the warm East Australian Current along south-eastern Australia. The historical distribution and the range extension zones had significant genetic differences but levels of genetic diversity were comparable. The population in the range extension zone was sub-structured, contained relatively high levels of self-recruitment and was sourced by migrants from along the entire geographic distribution. Genetic bottlenecks and changes in population size were detected throughout the range extension axis. Persistent gene flow from throughout the historical zone and moderate genetic diversity may buffer the genetic bottlenecks and favour the range extension ofO. tetricus. These characteristics may aid adaptation, establishment, and long-term persistence of the population in the range extension zone.
Microstructures and mechanical properties of in situ TiC–β–Ti–Nb composites with ultrafine grains fabricated by high-pressure sintering
Authors: Liu Z. , Zhang D. C. , Gong L. J. , Lin J. G. , Wen Cuie 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn this study, anin situβ–Ti–Nb composites reinforced with TiC particles with an ultrafine grain size were fabricated using a powder metallurgical (PM) method. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and compression tests. TiC particles were formed in the ball-milled powders after annealing at 600 °C due to a chemical reaction between stearic acid and titanium. Using high-pressure sintering (HPS) on an apparatus with six tungsten carbide anvils, a fully dense β–Ti–Nb composite reinforced with finein situTiC particles was obtained. The TiC particles exhibit particle sizes of ~500 nm, uniformly distributed in the composite matrix, which had grain sizes of ~600 nm. Thus, the TiC–β–Ti–Nb composite show very high compression yield strength and relatively high plasticity contributed by grain refinement and TiC particles strengthening. The composite with 45 vol.% TiC exhibited excellent mechanical properties, with a yield compressive strength of 1990 MPa and plastic strain of 9.12%. More over, a modified rule-of-mixture (ROM) was presented to describe the combined strengthening effect of grain refinement and TiC particles.
The effect of double counting, spin density, and Hund interaction in the different DFT+U functionals
Authors: Ryee Siheon , Han Myung Joon 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA systematic comparative study has been performed to better understand DFT+U (density functional theory + U) method. We examine the effect of choosing different double counting and exchange-correlation functionals. The calculated energy distribution and the Hund-J dependence of potential profile for representative configurations clearly show the different behaviors of each DFT+U formalism. In particular, adopting spin-dependent exchange-correlation functionals likely leads to undesirable magnetic solution. Our analyses are further highlighted by real material examples ranging from insulating oxides (MnO and NiO) to metallic magnetic systems (SrRuO3 and BaFe2As2). The current work sheds new light on understanding DFT+U and provides a guideline to use the related methods.
Different novelties revealed by infants’ pupillary responses
Authors: Chen Yi-Chuan , Westermann Gert 
Published: June 2018

AbstractTo account for infants’ perceptual and cognitive development, the constructivist model proposes that learning a new object depends on the capability of processing simpler lower-level units, and then integrating these units into more complex higher-level units based on their relationships, such as regular co-occurrence. Here, we demonstrate that the process of associating visual and auditory attributes to build a new multisensory object representation is not only observed in the course of development, but also in the course of infants’ in-the-moment information processing. After a brief familiarization session of learning two pairs of novel audiovisual stimuli, 15-month-old infants showed two components in pupil dilations over time: A rapid dilation was observed when processing perceptually novel compared to familiar stimuli, and a slower dilation was observed when processing novel combinations of familiar stimuli. However, in 10-month-old infants, only the effect elicited by novel stimuli was observed. Our results therefore demonstrate that detecting perceptual novelty occurred earlier than detecting association novelty in infants’ information processing. These results support the view that infants perceive newly-learned objects by processing their constituent attributes and then integrating these components, as suggested by the constructivist model.
PROX1 is a transcriptional regulator of MMP14
Authors: Gramolelli Silvia , Cheng Jianpin , Martinez-Corral Ines , Vähä-Koskela Markus , Elbasani Endrit , Kaivanto Elisa , Rantanen Ville , Tuohinto Krista , Hautaniemi Sampsa , Bower Mark , Haglund Caj , Alitalo Kari , Mäkinen Taija , Petrova Tatiana V. , Lehti Kaisa , Ojala Päivi M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe transcription factor PROX1 is essential for development and cell fate specification. Its function in cancer is context-dependent since PROX1 has been shown to play both oncogenic and tumour suppressive roles. Here, we show that PROX1 suppresses the transcription of MMP14, a metalloprotease involved in angiogenesis and cancer invasion, by binding and suppressing the activity of MMP14 promoter. Prox1 deletion in murine dermal lymphatic vessels in vivo and in human LECs increased MMP14 expression. In a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line expressing high endogenous levels of PROX1, its silencing increased both MMP14 expression and MMP14-dependent invasion in 3D. Moreover, PROX1 ectopic expression reduced the MMP14-dependent 3D invasiveness of breast cancer cells and angiogenic sprouting of blood endothelial cells in conjunction with MMP14 suppression. Our study uncovers a new transcriptional regulatory mechanism of cancer cell invasion and endothelial cell specification.