bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variations in oral microbiome profiles in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis with potential biomarkers for arthritis screening
Authors: Chen Bin , Zhao Yan , Li Shufeng , Yang Lanxiu , Wang Haiying , Wang Tao , Bin Shi  , Gai Zhongtao , Heng Xueyuan , Zhang Chunling , Yang Junjie , Zhang Lei 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe key to arthritis management is early diagnosis and treatment to prevent further joint destruction and maximize functional ability. Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are two common types of arthritis that the primary care provider must differentiate, in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Effective and non-invasive strategies for early detection and disease identification are sorely needed. Growing evidence suggests that RA has a correlation with oral microbiome and may be affected by its dynamic variations. There is already a study comparing oral microbiome in patients with RA and OA, however, it did not screen for potential biomarkers for arthritis. In this study, we assessed the oral microbiome in saliva samples from 110 RA patients, 67 OA patients and 155 healthy subjects, using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The structure and differences in oral microbiome between RA, OA and healthy subjects were analyzed. Eight oral bacterial biomarkers were identified to differentiate RA from OA. This report provides proof of oral microbiota as an informative source for discovering non-invasive biomarkers for arthritis screening.
Evaluation of dormancy breaking methods for enhanced germination in four biotypes of Brassica tournefortii
Authors: Mahajan Gulshan , Mutti Navneet Kaur , Jha Prashant , Walsh Michael , Chauhan Bhagirath Singh 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBrassica tournefortii is an important broadleaf weed of the winter season in the northern grain region of Australia. Knowledge of germination ecology of this weed would help in implementing effective weed control programs. A series of experiments were conducted to study the germination and dormancy behavior of four biotypes of B. tournefortii seeds, biotypes A (collected from barley crop), B (barley fence lines), C (chickpea crop), and D (chickpea fence lines), collected from the St George region of Queensland. The aim of this research was to determine the effectiveness of various methods on the seed dormancy release of B. tournefortii. Water, potassium nitrate and a soil extract did not release dormancy in B. tournefortii seeds (biotype A) at 20/10 °C in the light/dark regime. Cold stratification (5 °C) also did not improve germination. However, gibberellic acid (GA3; 100–300 mg kg−1) stimulated germination (>88%). Germination also improved when seeds were immersed in sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl; 42 g L−1) for 10 minutes and the effect was more pronounced under the complete dark environment (89% germination at a day/night temperature of 20/10 °C). The NaOCl treatment makes seeds more porous and decreases sensitivity to light. Another experiment in light/dark conducted at 25/15 °C with two biotypes (A and D) showed that, without NaOCl treatment, biotype A was more sensitive to light (29% germination) as compared to biotype D (92% germination). Our results suggest that dormancy in B. tournefortii seeds can be broken by the combination of NaOCl (10 min) and a dark environment. A day/night temperature of 25/15 °C was found best for optimum germination (>87%) for all the biotypes (A-D) when incubated in dark after treating with NaOCl. This research indicated a high degree of variability in germination responses for various biotypes of B. tournefortii seeds to various sets of conditions, which may be due to metabolic changes in response to maternal environments or genetically controlled mechanisms. Information gained from this study will be important in developing a better understanding of the dormancy behavior of B. tournefortii seeds in response to tillage systems or maternal environments that could influence the weed seed bank in the soil and therefore help in designing suitable weed management programs.
High-Density Porous Graphene Arrays Enable Detection and Analysis of Propagating Cortical Waves and Spirals
Authors: Liu Xin , Lu Yichen , Kuzum Duygu 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCortical propagating waves have recently attracted significant attention by the neuroscience community. These travelling waves have been suggested to coordinate different brain areas and play roles in assisting neural plasticity and learning. However, it is extremely challenging to record them with very fine spatial scales over large areas to investigate their effect on neural dynamics or network connectivity changes. In this work, we employ high-density porous graphene microelectrode arrays fabricated using laser pyrolysis on flexible substrates to study the functional network connectivity during cortical propagating waves. The low-impedance porous graphene arrays are used to record cortical potentials during theta oscillations and drug-induced seizures in vivo. Spatiotemporal analysis on the neural recordings reveal that theta oscillations and epileptiform activities have distinct characteristics in terms of both synchronization and resulting propagating wave patterns. To investigate the network connectivity during the propagating waves, we perform network analysis. The results show that the propagating waves are consistent with the functional connectivity changes in the neural circuits, suggesting that the underlying network states are reflected by the cortical potential propagation patterns.
Knockdown of lncRNA HOTAIR sensitizes breast cancer cells to ionizing radiation through activating miR-218
Authors: Hu Xuguang , Ding Dan , Zhang Jiayi , Cui Jianguo 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
Radiotherapy is a major therapeutic strategy for breast cancer, while cancer radioresistance remains an obstacle for the successful control of the tumor. Novel radiosensitizing targets are to be developed to overcome radioresistance. Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were proved to play critical roles in cancer progression. Among all, lncRNA HOTAIR was found to participate in cancer metastasis and chemoresistance. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the radiosensitizing effects of targeting HOTAIR and the underlying mechanism. Our data showed that HOTAIR (HOX antisense intergenic RNA) was up-regulated in breast cancer cells and tissues, and the expression of HOTAIR increased following irradiation. Knockdown of HOTAIR inhibited cell survival and increased cell apoptosis in response to ionizing radiation. Moreover, compared with control group, radiation induced more DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in HOTAIR knockdown cells. Finally, we found that the radiosentizing effects of HOTAIR were related to the up-regulation of miR-218, a ceRNA of HOTAIR. In conclusion, our finding showed that HOTAIR inhibition sensitizes breast cancer cells to ionizing radiation, induced severe DNA damage and activated apoptosis pathways, suggesting a possible role of HOTAIR as a novel target for breast cancer radiosensitization.
Impact of polymorphisms in DNA repair genes XPD, hOGG1 and XRCC4 on colorectal cancer risk in a Chinese Han Population
Authors: Jin Dexi , Zhang Min , Hua Hongjun 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
Background: This research aimed to study the associations between XPD (G751A, rs13181), hOGG1 (C326G, rs1052133) and XRCC4 (G1394T, rs6869366) gene polymorphisms and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in a Chinese Han population. Method: A total of 225 Chinese Han patients with CRC were selected as the study group, and 200 healthy subjects were recruited as the control group. The polymorphisms of XPD G751A, hOGG1 C326G and XRCC4 G1394T loci were detected by the RFLP-PCR technique in the peripheral blood of all subjects. Results: Compared with individuals carrying the XPD751 GG allele, the A allele carriers (GA/AA) had a significantly increased risk of CRC (adjusted OR = 2.109, 95%CI = 1.352–3.287, P=0.003). Similarly, the G allele (CG/GG) of hOGG1 C326G locus conferred increased susceptibility to CRC (adjusted OR = 2.654, 95%CI = 1.915–3.685, P&lt;0.001). In addition, the T allele carriers (GT/TT) of the XRCC4 G1394T locus have an increased risk of developing CRC (adjusted OR = 4.512, 95%CI = 2.785–7.402, P&lt;0.001). The risk of CRC was significantly increased in individuals with both the XPD locus A allele and the hOGG1 locus G allele (adjusted OR = 1.543, 95%CI = 1.302–2.542, P=0.002). Furthermore, individuals with both the hOGG1 locus G allele and the XRCC4 locus T allele were predisposed to CRC development (adjusted OR = 3.854, 95%CI = 1.924–7.123, P&lt;0.001). The risks of CRC in XPD gene A allele carriers (GA/AA) (adjusted OR = 1.570, 95%CI = 1.201–1.976, P=0.001), hOGG1 gene G allele carriers (CG/GG) (adjusted OR = 3.031, 95%CI = 2.184–4.225, P&lt;0.001) and XRCC4 gene T allele carriers (GT/TT) (adjusted OR = 2.793, 95%CI = 2.235–3.222, P&lt;0.001) were significantly higher in patients who smoked ≥16 packs/year. Conclusion: Our results suggest that XPD G751A, hOGG1 C326G and XRCC4 G1394T gene polymorphisms might play an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis and increase the risk of developing CRC in the Chinese Han population. The interaction between smoking and these gene polymorphisms would increase the risk of CRC.
LncRNA GAS8-AS1 suppresses papillary thyroid carcinoma cell growth through the miR-135b-5p/CCND2 axis
Authors: Chen NingHeng , Yin DeTao , Lun Bing , Guo XueLi 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of GAS8 antisense RNA 1 (GAS8-AS1) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). PcDNA3.1-GAS8-AS1 and si-GAS8-AS1, miR-135b-5p mimic and si-CCND2 were transfected into PTC cells. Cell proliferation was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). QRT-PCR was used to determine expressions of GAS8-AS1, miR-135b-5p, and CCND2, and Western blot were detected protein level of CCND2. The miRNA target gene prediction site TargetScan was used to predict potential targets of GAS8-AS1 and miR-135b-5p. Cell cycle progression was analyzed by flow cytometry. We found that GAS8-AS1 was down-regulated in PTC cell lines and inhibited proliferation and cycle of PTC cell. GAS8-AS1 directly targets miR-135b-5p, and GAS8-AS1 could regulate a downstream target of miR-135b-5p, Cyclin G2 (CCNG2), in an miR-135b-5p-mediated manner. In addition, we also proved that overexpressed GAS8-AS1 inhibited tumor formation in vivo. GAS8-AS1 suppresses PTC cell growth through the miR-135b-5p/CCND2 axis.
Reconfigurable RF receiver using compact distributed switch matrix for array coils
Authors: Lee H.L. 
Published: November 2018

Magnetic resonance (MR) signals captured by RF array coils should be delivered to analogue‐to‐digital converter (ADC) channels through an independent receiver (Rx) circuitry for precise MRI process. Since different types of RF coils should be utilised by a fixed port configuration on a patient table with a limited number of ADC channels, a highly flexible Rx front‐end design is necessary. In this Letter, a compact distributed switch matrix structure for multi‐channel RF coil Rx is proposed for supporting different types of array coils with small circuit size and sufficient reconfigurability. The proposed structure is configured by a multiple number of unit matrix cells consisting of a single double pole double throw and two single pole double throw RF switches to control the pathways of received MR signals. The proposed structure was implemented and verified at 9.4‐Tesla (9.4 T) MR frequency (400 MHz) by comparing different RF path losses.
GOODS-ALMA: 1.1 mm galaxy survey
Authors: Franco M. , Elbaz D. , Béthermin M. , Magnelli B. , Schreiber C. , Ciesla L. , Dickinson M. , Nagar N. , Silverman J. , Daddi E. , Alexander D. M. , Wang T. , Pannella M. , Le Floc’h E. , Pope A. , Giavalisco M. , Maury A. J. , Bournaud F. , Chary R. , Demarco R. , Ferguson H. , Finkelstein S. L. , Inami H. , Iono D. , Juneau S. , Lagache G. , Leiton R. , Lin L. , Magdis G. , Messias H. , Motohara K. , Mullaney J. , Okumura K. , Papovich C. , Pforr J. , Rujopakarn W. , Sargent M. , Shu X. , Zhou L. 
Published: November 2018

Aims. We present a 69 arcmin2 ALMA survey at 1.1 mm, GOODS-ALMA, matching the deepest HST-WFC3 H-band part of the GOODS-South field.
Methods. We tapered the 0″24 original image with a homogeneous and circular synthesized beam of 0″60 to reduce the number of independent beams – thus reducing the number of purely statistical spurious detections – and optimize the sensitivity to point sources. We extracted a catalog of galaxies purely selected by ALMA and identified sources with and without HST counterparts down to a 5σ limiting depth of H = 28.2 AB (HST/WFC3 F160W).
Results. ALMA detects 20 sources brighter than 0.7 mJy at 1.1 mm in the 0″60 tapered mosaic (rms sensitivity σ ≃ 0.18 mJy beam−1) with a purity greater than 80%. Among these detections, we identify three sources with no HST nor Spitzer-IRAC counterpart, consistent with the expected number of spurious galaxies from the analysis of the inverted image; their definitive status will require additional investigation. We detect additional three sources with HST counterparts either at high significance in the higher resolution map, or with different detection-algorithm parameters ensuring a purity greater than 80%. Hence we identify in total 20 robust detections.
Conclusions. Our wide contiguous survey allows us to push further in redshift the blind detection of massive galaxies with ALMA with a median redshift of z = 2.92 and a median stellar mass of M⋆ = 1.1 × 1011 M⊙. Our sample includes 20% HST-dark galaxies (4 out of 20), all detected in the mid-infrared with Spitzer-IRAC. The near-infrared based photometric redshifts of two of them (z ∼ 4.3 and 4.8) suggest that these sources have redshifts z >  4. At least 40% of the ALMA sources host an X-ray AGN, compared to ∼14% for other galaxies of similar mass and redshift. The wide area of our ALMA survey provides lower values at the bright end of number counts than single-dish telescopes affected by confusion.
Wind inhibition by X-ray irradiation in HMXBs: the influence of clumping and the final X-ray luminosity
Authors: Krtička J. , Kubát J. , Krtičková I. 
Published: November 2018

Context. In wind-powered X-ray binaries, the radiatively driven stellar wind from the primary may be inhibited by the X-ray irradiation. This creates the feedback that limits the X-ray luminosity of the compact secondary. Wind inhibition might be weakened by the effect of small-scale wind inhomogeneities (clumping) possibly affecting the limiting X-ray luminosity.Aims. We study the influence of X-ray irradiation on the stellar wind for different radial distributions of clumping.Methods. We calculate hot star wind models with external irradiation and clumping using our global wind code. The models are calculated for different parameters of the binary. We determine the parameters for which the X-ray wind ionization is so strong that it leads to a decrease of the radiative force. This causes a decrease of the wind velocity and even of the mass-loss rate in the case of extreme X-ray irradiation.Results. Clumping weakens the effect of X-ray irradiation because it favours recombination and leads to an increase of the wind mass-loss rate. The best match between the models and observed properties of high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) is derived with radially variable clumping. We describe the influence of X-ray irradiation on the terminal velocity and on the mass-loss rate in a parametric way. The X-ray luminosities predicted within the Bondi-Hoyle-Lyttleton theory agree nicely with observations when accounting for X-ray irradiation.Conclusions. The ionizing feedback regulates the accretion onto the compact companion resulting in a relatively stable X-ray source. The wind-powered accretion model can account for large luminosities in HMXBs only when introducing the ionizing feedback. There are two possible states following from the dependence of X-ray luminosity on the wind terminal velocity and mass-loss rate. One state has low X-ray luminosity and a nearly undisturbed wind, and the second state has high X-ray luminosity and exhibits a strong influence of X-rays on the flow.
Compressive strength of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko derived from Philae surface contacts
Authors: Heinisch P. , Auster H.-U. , Gundlach B. , Blum J. , Güttler C. , Tubiana C. , Sierks H. , Hilchenbach M. , Biele J. , Richter I. , Glassmeier K. H. 
Published: November 2018

Context. The landing and rebound of the Philae lander, which was part of the ESA Rosetta mission, enabled us to study the mechanical properties of the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, because we could use Philae as an impact probe.
Aims. The aim is to approximate the descent and rebound trajectory of the Philae lander and use this information to derive the compressive strength of the surface material from the different surface contacts and scratches created during the final touchdown. Combined with laboratory measurements, this can give an insight into what comets are made of and how they formed.
Methods. We combined observations from the ROMAP magnetometer on board Philae with observations made by the Rosetta spacecraft, particularly by the OSIRIS camera system and the RPC-MAG magnetometer. Additionally, ballistic trajectory and collision modeling was performed. These results are placed in context using laboratory measurements of the compressibility of different materials.
Results. It was possible to reconstruct possible trajectories of Philae and determine that a pressure of ~100 Pa is enough to compress the surface material up to a depth of ~20 cm. Considering all errors, the derived compressive strength shows little dependence on location, with an overall upper limit for the surface compressive strength of ~800 Pa.
Magnetic field topologies of the bright, weak-field Ap stars θ Aurigae andεUrsae Majoris
Authors: Kochukhov O. , Shultz M. , Neiner C. 
Published: November 2018

Context.The brightest magnetic chemically peculiar stars θ Aur andεUMa were targeted by numerous studies of their photometric and spectroscopic variability. Detailed maps of chemical abundance spots were repeatedly derived for both stars. However, owing to the weakness of their surface magnetic fields, very little information on the magnetic field geometries of these stars is available.Aims.In this study we aim to determine detailed magnetic field topologies of θ Aur andεUMa based on modern, high-resolution spectropolarimetric observations.Methods.Both targets were observed in all four Stokes parameters using the Narval and ESPaDOnS spectropolarimeters. A multi-line technique of least-squares deconvolution was employed to detect polarisation signatures in spectral lines. These signatures were modelled with a Zeeman-Doppler imaging code.Results.We succeed in detecting variable circular and linear polarisation signatures for θ Aur. Only circular polarisation was detected forεUMa. We obtain new sets of high-precision longitudinal magnetic field measurements using mean circular polarisation metal line profiles as well as hydrogen line cores, which are consistent with historical data. Magnetic inversions revealed distorted dipolar geometries in both stars. The Fe and Cr abundance distributions, reconstructed simultaneously with magnetic mapping, do not show a clear correlation with the local magnetic field properties, with the exception of a relative element underabundance in the horizontal field regions along the magnetic equators.Conclusions.Our study provides the first ever detailed surface magnetic field maps for broad-line, weak-field chemically peculiar stars, showing that their field topologies are qualitatively similar to those found in stronger field stars. The Fe and Cr chemical abundance maps reconstructed for θ Aur andεUMa are at odds with the predictions of current theoretical atomic diffusion calculations.
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon Utilization in Insulin-Treated Diabetic
Patients
Authors: Vilovic Marino , Kurir Tina Ticinovic , Novak Anela , Krnic Mladen , Borovac Josip Andelo , Lizatovic Ivan-Kresimir , Kokic Visnja , Bozic Josko 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
Background First choice of therapy for severe hypoglycemia outside
hospital environment is glucagon injection, an undertaught and underused
remedy. Aim of this study was to investigate knowledge about glucagon
therapy, possession rate and usage rate in insulin-treated diabetic
patients, with special emphasis on history of hypoglycemia and severe
hypoglycemia episodes.
Methods In this cross-sectional study, 300 insulin-treated diabetic
patients (146 males and 154 females, mean age 61.1±16.4 years) were
recruited from comprehensive Diabetes Center in Croatia. Specialized
self-administered, 13-item questionnaire regarding glucagon therapy and
history of hypoglycemia was obtained from each patient, as well as data
collected from medical history documentation.
Results Experience of hypoglycemic episode was reported by 233
(77.7%), and severe hypoglycemia by 73 (24.3%) patients.
Participants with experience of hypoglycemia have significantly longer
diabetes duration (17.2±11.2 vs. 11.9±8.5 years,
P<0.001) and lower BMI values (26.38±3.97 vs.
31.11±7.17 kg/m2, P<0.001).
Knowledge about glucagon therapy had 55.3% patients, 44.7%
obtained it from the pharmacy, while glucagon was used in 35.6%
cases of severe hypoglycemia. Glucagon knowledge was better in patients that
attended at least one diabetes lecture (P=0.038), while educational
level showed no statistical significance (P=0.286). Main significant
positive predictor of glucagon knowledge was history of severe hypoglycemia
(OR 4.71, 95% CI 1.38 – 16.02, P=0.013).
Conclusions Glucagon therapy was underused in treating severe
hypoglycemia. It is highly important to emphasize value of quality education
as one of the fundamentals of good diabetes management.
Treatment of Refractory Adrenocortical Carcinoma with Thalidomide: Analysis of 27 Patients from the European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumours Registry
Authors: Kroiss Matthias , Deutschbein Timo , Schlötelburg Wiebke , Ronchi Cristina Lucia , Hescot Ségolène , Körbl Daniela , Megerle Felix , Beuschlein Felix , Neu Bruno , Quinkler Marcus , Baudin Eric , Hahner Stefanie , Heidemeier Anke , Fassnacht Martin 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
Objective Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy with a dismal prognosis. In advanced stages, tumour control by mitotane and cytotoxic chemotherapy is often temporary and salvage treatments are warranted.
Methods Retrospective cohort study of participants in the prospective European Networks for the Study of Adrenal Tumours (ENSAT) registry. Main outcome measures were best response during treatment, progression-free survival (PFS), both measured according to RECIST 1.1 by two blinded radiologists, and overall survival (OS).
Results Twenty-seven patients (13 males; median age 44.1 years) progressing after mitotane and a median of 4 further systemic treatments were included. Thalidomide was administered as tolerated with a starting dose of 50 mg and target dose of 200 mg /d. The median interval between treatment initiation and first imaging was 10.5 (4.4-17.5) weeks. The best response to treatment was stable disease (SD, n=2) and progressive disease (n=25), with a median PFS of 11.2 weeks and a median OS of 36.4 weeks. The first patient with SD discontinued treatment due to mild epistaxis and diarrhea after 22.3 weeks. The second patient had SD at the second treatment evaluation after 25.2 weeks and continued thalidomide but then had clinical progression and deceased after 54.3 weeks. In general, thalidomide induced only mild or moderate adverse effects (mainly fatigue and gastrointestinal complaints).
Conclusion Thalidomide was overall well tolerated but resulted in disease control in only 2/27 (7.4%) patients. In the absence of predictive response markers, thalidomide should only be considered in exceptional cases as a salvage therapy in ACC.