bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alterations in plasma cytokine levels in chinese children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Hu Chun‐Chun , Xu Xiu , Xiong Guo‐Liang , Xu Qiong , Zhou Bing‐Rui , Li Chun‐Yang , Qin Qi , Liu Chun‐Xue , Li Hui‐Ping , Sun Yun‐Jun , Yu Xiang 
Published: March 2018

Genetic alterations, together with environmental risk factors during infancy and childhood, contribute significantly to the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in social interaction and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Mounting evidence points to a critical contribution of immunological risk factors to the development of ASD. By affecting multiple neurodevelopmental processes, immune system dysfunction could act as a point of convergence between genetics and environmental factors in ASD. Previous studies have shown altered cytokine levels in individuals with ASD, but research in Asian populations are limited. Here, we measured the plasma levels of 11 candidate cytokines in ASD and typically developing (TD) children. The cohort included 41 TD children and 87 children with ASD, aged 1–6 years. We found that as compared to the TD group, children with ASD had higher plasma levels of Eotaxin, TGF‐β1 and TNF‐α. The increase in TGF‐β1 level was most significant in males, while the increase in Eotaxin was most significant in females. Eotaxin level negatively correlated with the social affect score (SA) in ADOS, while TNF‐α level positively correlated with total development quotient (DQ), measured using GMDS. These pilot findings suggest potentially important roles of Eotaxin, TGF‐β1 and TNF‐α in ASD in the Chinese population. Autism Res 2018, 11: 989–999. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummaryAlteration of immune system function is an important risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here we found that the levels of cytokines, including Eotaxin, TGF‐β1 and TNF‐α, are elevated in Chinese children with ASD, as compared to typically developing children. The change in TGF‐β1 level was most prominent in boys, while that of Eotaxin was more significant in girls. These results provide evidence for changes in cytokine profile in Chinese children with ASD.
Bouncing Back from Extreme Weather Events: Some Preliminary Findings on Resilience Barriers Facing Small and Medium‐Sized Enterprises
Authors: Halkos George , Skouloudis Antonis , Malesios Chrisovaladis , Evangelinos Konstantinos 
Published: March 2018

AbstractExtreme weather events (EWEs) pose unprecedented threats to modern societies and represent a much‐debated issue strongly interlinked with current development policies. Small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), which constitute a driving force of economic growth, employment and total value added, remain highly vulnerable to and ill prepared for such environmental perturbations. This study investigates barriers to SMEs’ resilience to EWEs in an attempt to shed light on enabling factors that can define effective organizational responses to non‐linear environmental stimuli. Relying on structural equation modeling and data gathered from 109 SMEs that recently experienced EWE impacts, we link the general concept of SMEs’ resilience barriers to EWEs with a series of elements to determine specific internal and external factors that contribute the most to EWE resilience. In particular, external barriers of institutional conditions and mechanisms of support and guidance as well as internal barriers of resources and managerial perceptions are found to be the most critical ones in determining resilience. The assessment offers essential research evidence for practitioners on SME management and sets forth linkages with current mechanisms for policy interventions towards an appropriate resilience agenda for SMEs. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Integrative analysis of competing endogenous RNA network focusing on long noncoding RNA associated with progression of cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Xu Siyi , Sui Jing , Yang Sheng , Liu Yufeng , Wang Yan , Liang Geyu 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCutaneous melanoma (CM) is the most malignant tumor of skin cancers because of its rapid development and high mortality rate. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which play essential roles in the tumorigenesis and metastasis of CM and interplay with microRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs, are hopefully considered to be efficient biomarkers to detect deterioration during the progression of CM to improve the prognosis. Bioinformatics analysis was fully applied to predict the vital lncRNAs and the associated miRNAs and mRNAs, which eventually constructed the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network to explain the RNA expression patterns in the progression of CM. Further statistical analysis emphasized the importance of these key genes, which were statistically significantly related to one or few clinical features from the ceRNA network. The results showed the lncRNAs MGC12926 and LINC00937 were verified to be strongly connected with the prognosis of CM patients.
Inhibition of PC4 radiosensitizes non‐small cell lung cancer by transcriptionally suppressing XLF
Authors: Zhang Tian , Liu Xiaojie , Chen Xiuli , Wang Jing , Wang Yuwen , Qian Dong , Pang Qingsong , Wang Ping 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPositive cofactor 4 (PC4) participates in DNA damage repair and involved in nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ). Our previous results demonstrated that knockdown of PC4 downregulated the expression of XRCC4‐like factor (XLF) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, the mechanism how PC4 regulates the expression of XLF remains unclear. Here, we found that knockdown of PC4 increased radiosensitivity of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we found that PC4 knockdown downregulated the expression of XLF, whereas recovering XLF expression restored radioresistance in the PC4‐knockdown NSCLC cells. In addition, PC4 knockdown inhibited XLF expression by transcriptionally suppressing of XLF. Moreover, PC4 expression correlated with radiosensitivity and was an independent prognostic factor of progression‐free survival (PFS) in patients with NSCLC. These findings suggest that PC4 could be used as a promising therapeutic target for NSCLC.
Apoptin‐derived peptide reverses cisplatin resistance in gastric cancer through the PI3K–AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Zhou Danyang , Liu Wenjing , Liang Songhe , Sun Banghao , Liu Anqi , Cui Zhongqi , Han Xue , Yuan Lijie 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) remains poor due to clinical drug resistance, and novel drugs are urgently needed. Apoptin‐derived peptide (AdP) is an antitumor polypeptide constructed in our laboratory that has been used to combat cisplatin (CDDP) resistance in GC cells. MTT and colony‐formation assays and Hoechst 33342 staining were used to measure the cytotoxicity of CDDP and AdP in GC cells. Cell apoptosis was measured using an Annexin‐V‐FITC/PI dual staining assay. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the expression of proteins in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and resistance‐related markers. AdP exerted a specific cytotoxic effect on GC cells and CDDP‐resistant GC cells in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner. AdP also suppressed cell invasion and migration. Additionally, AdP inhibited the expression of p85, AKT, p‐p85, p‐AKT, multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1), and aryl hydrocarbon nuclear translocator (ARNT) in the PI3K/AKT/ARNT signaling pathway, which promoted apoptosis and necrosis in GC cells. AdP promoted apoptosis in CDDP‐resistant GC cells by suppressing the PI3K/AKT/ARNT signaling pathway and might be considered a candidate agent for the clinical treatment of cisplatin‐resistant GC.
Development and validation of an individualized diagnostic signature in thyroid cancer
Authors: Han Li‐ou , Li Xin‐yu , Cao Ming‐ming , Cao Yan , Zhou Li‐hong 
Published: March 2018

AbstractNew molecular signatures are needed to improve the diagnosis of thyroid cancer (TC) and avoid unnecessary surgeries. In this study, we aimed to develop a robust and individualized diagnostic signature in TC. Gene expression profiles of tumor and nontumor samples were from 13 microarray datasets of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and one RNA‐sequencing dataset of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). A total of 1246 samples were divided into a training set (N = 435), a test set (N = 247), and one independent validation set (N = 564). In the training set, 115 most frequent differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among the included datasets were used to construct 6555 gene pairs, and 19 significant pairs were detected to further construct the diagnostic signature by a penalized generalized linear model. The signature showed a good diagnostic ability for TC in the training set (area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.976), test set (AUC = 0.960), and TCGA dataset (AUC = 0.979). Subgroup analyses showed consistent results when considering the type of nontumor samples and microarray platforms. When compared with two existing molecular signatures in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules, the signature (AUC = 0.933) also showed a higher diagnostic ability (AUC = 0.886 for a 7‐gene signature and AUC = 0.892 for a 10‐gene signature). In conclusion, our study developed and validated an individualized diagnostic signature in TC. Large‐scale prospective studies were needed to further validate its diagnostic ability.
“It's ok if it's hidden”: The discursive construction of everyday racism for refugees and asylum seekers in Wales
Authors: Parker Samuel 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWales has a long history of migration; however, the introduction of dispersed asylum seekers in 2001 has led to Wales becoming a more superdiverse nation. Wales has often been positioned as a more “tolerant nation” than England; however, the increasingly superdiverse nature of Wales in a postdevolution era may now be calling this tolerance thesis into question. Models of refugee and asylum seeker integration suggest that the absence of racism plays a key role in integration. This paper reports the findings of research that centres on refugee and asylum seeker integration in Wales. Nineteen interviews were conducted with refugees and asylum seekers who had been living in Wales for between 1 month and 12 years. Each interview was analysed using a discursive psychology approach. In this paper, I show that the interviewees appeared to negotiate a dilemma when talking about experiencing potentially racist incidents within the interviews, constructing them as trivial so as not to appear critical of the protection they have received in Wales. The findings also highlight the more everyday and banal forms of racism that are regularly experienced by refugees and asylum seekers living in Wales.
MicroRNA‐320 involves in the cardioprotective effect of insulin against myocardial ischemia by targeting survivin
Authors: Yang Ni , Wu Liuzhong , Zhao Ying , Zou Ning , Liu Chunfeng 
Published: March 2018

It is generally accepted that insulin exerts an antiapoptotic effect against ischemia/reperfusion through the activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. MicroRNAs involve in multiple cardiac pathophysiological processes, including ischemia/reperfusion–induced cardiac injury. However, the regulation of microRNAs in the cardioprotective effect of insulin is rarely discussed. In this study, using a cell model of ischemia through culturing H9C2 cardiac myocytes in serum‐free medium with hypoxia, we demonstrated that pretreatment with insulin significantly inhibited cell apoptosis and downregulated microRNA‐320 (miR‐320) expression. Interestingly, miR‐320 mimic impaired the cardioprotective effect of insulin against myocardial ischemia injury by targeting survivin, which is a member of the family of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins. Suppression miR‐320 expression by miR‐320 inhibitor in H9C2 cells with myocardial ischemia mimics the cardioprotective effect of insulin by maintaining survivin expression. Taken together, miR‐320–mediated survivin expression involves in cardioprotective effect of insulin against myocardial ischemia injury.Significance of this studyMyocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains an important clinical problem with extremely deficient clinical therapies. Insulin exerts an antiapoptotic effect against I/R through the activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Here, we provided evidences to show that microRNA‐320 involves in the cardioprotective effect of insulin by targeting survivin, which is an inhibitor of apoptosis protein and functions as a key regulator in cell apoptosis and involves in the tumour genesis and progression. Our findings may provide a new potential therapeutic strategy for I/R injury and ischemic heart disease.
Patient selection and percutaneous technique of unprotected left main revascularization
Authors: Testa L. , Latib A. , Bollati M. , Bedogni F. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIncreasing evidence suggests that percutaneous coronary intervention with newer generation drug‐eluting stents may be an acceptable alternative, or even preferred in selected cases to the surgical approach, in patients with left main disease. This review will discuss the anatomic factors, the clinical variables, and the procedural strategies to consider, including physiology assessment and imaging guidance, in order to optimize outcomes.
Determinants of success and hemodynamic impact of balloon postdilatation of self‐expanding transcatheter aortic valves
Authors: Abdelghani Mohammad , de Winter Robbert J. , Miyazaki Yosuke , Modolo Rodrigo , Tateishi Hiroki , Cavalcante Rafael , Sarmento‐Leite Rogério , Mangione José A. , Abizaid Alexandre , Soliman Osama I. I. , Onuma Yoshinobu , Lemos Pedro A. , Serruys Patrick W. , de Brito Fabio S. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectivesTo explore the rate, the determinants of success, and the hemodynamic impact of balloon postdilatation (BPD) of self‐expanding transcatheter heart valves (SE‐THVs)BackgroundBPD is commonly used to optimize valve expansion and reduce paravalvular leakage (PVL) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) without clearly knowing its hemodynamic benefits.MethodsPatients (n = 307) who received a SE‐THV were stratified according to whether a BPD was performed or not. Patients who received BPD were stratified according to the severity of PVL remaining after BPD into two groups: Successful BPD (≤mild PVL + BPD) and Failed BPD (moderate‐severe PVL + BPD).ResultsBPD was performed in 121 patients (39.4%) and was successful in 106 patients (87.6% of attempts). A ratio of the postdilatation balloon diameter to the annulus diameter ≤0.95 was an independent predictor of BPD failure (OR: 10.72 [2.02‐56.76], P = .005). Peak transvalvular pressure gradient (PG) was lower in the Successful BPD group (14[12‐22] mm Hg) than in the Failed BPD group (18[16‐23] mm Hg, P = .029), and did not rise in either group during follow‐up (median [IQR], 364[161‐739] days).ConclusionBPD was performed in 39% of patients who received a SE‐THV, and was successful in the majority of attempts. BPD failure was more likely in patients with a small postdilatation balloon‐to‐annulus diameter ratio. Effective BPD improved THV hemodynamic performance, and this was maintained in the intermediate‐term post‐TAVI.
Novel method for radial sheath removal using manual pressure over hemostatic pad combined with ulnar compression
Authors: Panetta Carmelo , Rao Sunil 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectivesStudy a novel method using manual pressure on a hemostatic pad and hemoband for ulnar compression as a potential alternative for radial sheath removal.BackgroundThe standard for transradial access site (TRA) sheath removal requires an inflatable pressure band over the radial artery and recently a band over the ulnar artery to reduce complications. We present a novel technique using a SoftSeal®‐STF hemostatic pad over the radial artery combined with a hemoband over the ulnar artery after sheath removal.MethodsAll patients had activated clotting time (ACT); sheath removal was performed immediately upon transfer to the recovery room. A hemoband compressed the ulnar artery, radial artery flow was measured using plethysmography and pulse oximetry while direct pressure applied using SoftSeal‐STF hemostatic pad for 15 min after radial sheath removed. Radial artery patency was measured using reverse Barbeau test. If radial artery occlusion (RAO) present, patient was asked to return in one month to repeat test.ResultsFifty‐nine patients were enrolled in the study, one‐third with diabetes mellitus, one‐third with prior coronary artery bypass surgery, and one‐third with history of percutaneous coronary intervention. Mean ACT 261 ± 50 sec, all patients had 4 Fr sheaths and no PCI were performed. Three (6%) patients had minor bleeding requiring use of a pressure band and one (2%) had RAO, which re‐canalized at one month.ConclusionsManual pressure of SoftSeal‐STF hemostatic pad combined with ulnar compression is a potential alternative to current practice with an inflatable pressure band.
First human implant of the Alterra Adaptive PrestentTM: A new self‐expanding device designed to remodel the right ventricular outflow tract
Authors: Zahn Evan M. , Chang Jennifer C. , Armer Dustin , Garg Ruchira 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCurrent balloon expandable transcatheter valves have limited applicability to patients with “native” right ventricular outflow tracts (RVOT), meaning those who have had previous surgery and are left with large, compliant, irregular RVOT. The Alterra Adaptive PrestentTM is a self‐expanding, partially covered stent that was designed to internally reconfigure these types of RVOT, making them suitable for implantation of a commercially available balloon expandable heart valve, the SAPIEN 3. Herein, we describe the first human implant of this device.
Long‐term outcomes after re‐entry device use for recanalization of common iliac artery chronic total occlusions
Authors: Kokkinidis Damianos G. , Alvandi Bejan , Cotter Ryan , Hossain Prio , Foley T. Raymond , Singh Gagan D. , Waldo Stephen W. , Laird John R. , Armstrong Ehrin J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the impact of re‐entry device (RED) use on 1‐ and 5‐year outcomes after endovascular treatment of common iliac artery (CIA) chronic total Occlusions (CTOs).BackgroundThere are not enough data regarding the long‐term safety and efficacy of RED.MethodsWe performed a two‐center retrospective study of 115 patients (140 lesions) undergoing CIA CTO endovascular intervention between 2006 and 2016. Baseline characteristics and long‐term outcomes were described. A Cox proportional hazard model was developed to determine if REDs were associated with target lesion revascularization (TLR) or major adverse limb events (MALE) after 1 and 5 years.ResultsAmong 140 lesions, 43 (31%) required use of a RED. The mean age was 63.9 years and the majority (n = 80) of patients were male. An antegrade crossing approach and treatment of restenotic lesions were less common in the RED group (10% vs. 29%, P < .05 and 0% vs. 21%, P < .05, respectively). There were no significant differences in Rutherford class, pre‐procedure ABI, or patient presentation. The procedural complication rates were similar between the two groups. The 1‐ and 5‐year TLR rates for lesions treated with re‐entry device vs. standard approaches were 11% vs. 9%; P = 0.8 and 29% vs. 29%; P = 0.9 respectively. The 1 and 5‐year MALE rates for lesions treated with re‐entry device were 5% vs. 6%; P = 0.8 and 11% vs. 11%; P = 0.9 respectively.ConclusionsThis retrospective analysis found that recanalization of CIA occlusions using a RED is safe and is associated with long‐term clinical outcomes similar to that of standard crossing techniques.
Robotically performed excimer laser coronary atherectomy: Proof of feasibility
Authors: Almasoud Abdullah , Walters Daniel , Mahmud Ehtisham 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe feasibility, safety, and high technical success of robotically assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for the treatment of both simple and complex coronary disease has been demonstrated. As the current generation robotic platform is limited to a rapid exchange system, orbital or rotational atherectomy cannot be performed robotically. However, excimer laser coronary atherectomy is performed with a rapid exchange catheter but its feasibility during robotically assisted PCI is unknown. We report the successful use of laser atherectomy during two complex robotically assisted PCI procedures using the CorPath GRX robotic system.
GuideLiner™ as guide catheter extension for the unreachable mammary bypass graft
Authors: Vishnevsky Alec , Savage Michael P. , Fischman David L. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of mammary artery bypass grafts through a trans‐radial (TR) approach can present unique challenges, including coaxial vessel engagement of the guiding catheter, adequate visualization of the target lesion, sufficient backup support for equipment delivery, and the ability to reach very distal lesions. The GuideLiner catheter, a rapid exchange monorail mother‐in‐daughter system, facilitates successful interventions in such challenging anatomy. We present a case of a patient undergoing PCI of a right internal mammary artery (RIMA) graft via TR access in whom the graft could not be engaged with any guiding catheter. Using a balloon tracking technique over a guidewire, a GuideLiner was placed as an extension of the guiding catheter and facilitated TR‐PCI by overcoming technical challenges associated with difficult anatomy.
One‐Dimensional Porphyrin–Fullerene (C60) Assemblies: Role of Central Metal Ion in Enhancing Ambipolar Mobility
Authors: Goudappagouda  , Gedda Murali , Kulkarni Giridhar U. , Babu Sukumaran Santhosh 
Published: March 2018

AbstractOne‐dimensional (1D) nanostructures of π‐conjugated molecules exhibiting excellent charge carrier mobilities have attracted much interest for use in organic electronic devices. Although it is tedious to form such structures, the availability of highly delocalized electron and hole carriers in these donor (D)‐acceptor (A) coassemblies realize ambipolar charge transport. Here we demonstrate the use of a simple solution casting method to create an ambipolar donor–acceptor single‐crystalline assembly. 1D assemblies of 5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphyrins (H2TPP, ZnTPP) and fullerene (C60) exhibit high ambipolar mobility in the range of 0.8–3.4 cm2 Vs−1 for electrons and holes with high ON/OFF ratio and low threshold voltage. A direct experimental proof for the pivotal role of the central Zn2+ in tetraphenyl porphyrin, which enables a strong D‐A charge transfer interaction in the cocrystal and thereby induces electron (1.35 cm2 Vs−1), hole (3.42 cm2 Vs−1) mobilities, the highest reported for two component D–A assemblies using solution casting, is demonstrated.