bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What Can Be Learned from Experience with Scientific Advisory Committees in the Field of International Environmental Politics?
Authors: Andresen Steinar , Baral Prativa , Hoffman Steven J. , Fafard Patrick 
Published: August 2018

AbstractScientific advisory committees (SACs) are a critically important part of global environmental policy. This commentary reviews the role of SACs in six global and regional environmental regimes, defined here as the set of rules, norms, and procedures that are developed by states and international organizations out of their common concerns and used to organize common activities. First, SACs play a critical role in putting issues on the political agenda and the creation of an overarching regime. Second, the effectiveness of a given SAC and the associated regime is highly variable. Third, there is also considerable variation in the extent to which the regime is driven by an overarching scientific consensus, for example, high in the case of climate change, lower in the case of whaling. Fourth, the role of science in a given regime is also a function of whether the problem being addressed is relatively benign or more malign, that is to say, marked by deep political disagreements (i.e., climate change). Finally, the cases examined here suggest that the institutional design of the SAC matters and can influence the overall effectiveness of the SAC and by extension, the regime, but it is seldom decisive.
Brain network profiling defines functionally specialized cortical networks
Authors: Di Plinio Simone , Ebisch Sjoerd J. H. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractNeuroimaging research made rapid advances in the study of the functional architecture of the brain during the past decade. Many proposals endorsed the relevance of large‐scale brain networks, defined as ensembles of brain regions that exhibit highly correlated signal fluctuations. However, analysis methods need further elaboration to define the functional and anatomical extent of specialized subsystems within classical networks with a high reliability. We present a novel approach to characterize and examine the functional proprieties of brain networks. This approach, labeled as brain network profiling (BNP), considers similarities in task‐evoked activity and resting‐state functional connectivity across biologically relevant brain subregions. To combine task‐driven activity and functional connectivity features, principal components were extracted separately for task‐related beta values and resting‐state functional connectivity z‐values (data available from the Human Connectome Project), from 360 brain parcels. Multiple clustering procedures were employed to assess if different clustering methods (Gaussian mixtures; k‐means) and/or data structures (task and rest data; only rest data) led to improvements in the replication of the brain architecture. The results indicated that combining information from resting‐state functional connectivity and task‐evoked activity and using Gaussian mixtures models for clustering produces more reliable results (99% replication across data sets). Moreover, the findings revealed a high‐resolution partition of the cerebral cortex in 16 networks with unique functional connectivity and/or task‐evoked activity profiles. BNP potentially offers new approaches to advance the investigation of the brain functional architecture.
Why do German physicians reject managed care?
Authors: Ehlert Andree , Oberschachtsiek Dirk 
Published: August 2018

SummaryBackgroundApproximately 20 years after the launch of managed care (MC) in Germany, the initial dynamics have turned into an MC backlash with a poor image for MC among physicians and the insured. Factors in MC contract rejection by physicians have not previously been studied systematically.ObjectiveThe objective of the study is to show that observed physician characteristics explain MC contract rejection in a quantitative model. These econometric findings will be related to suitable political measures to foster physicians' MC acceptance.MethodsResults are based on 500 completed responses to a survey among practicing physicians in Northern Germany. Physician cooperation, attitudes toward MC, and practice characteristics are addressed. A Heckman approach accounts for potential preselection of physicians by insurers. Econometric findings are complemented by a qualitative analysis of free‐text answers.ResultsPrivate patient share, physician age, and number of physicians per practice significantly increase rejection probability, whereas it is decreased by rural location. Qualitatively, administrative burden and loss of professional autonomy are the main reasons for MC refusal.ConclusionCurrent health policy focuses on institutional measures such as innovation funding to promote MC. Our results show that it may be more effective to turn attention to practicing physicians' preferences as a bottleneck to MC development.
Moving towards universal health coverage: The need for a strengthened planning process
Authors: Nabyonga‐Orem Juliet , Nabukalu Belinda J. , Andemichael Ghirmay , Khosi‐Mthetwa Rosemary , Shaame Attiye , Myeni Sebentile , Quinto Ebony , Dovlo Delanyo 
Published: August 2018

SummaryAs countries embrace the ambitious universal health coverage (UHC) agenda whose major tenents include reaching everyone with the needed good quality services, strengthening the planning process to work towards a common objective is paramount. Drawing from country experiences—Swaziland and Zanzibar, we reviewed strategic planning processes to assess the extent to which they impact on realising alignment towards a collective health sector objective. Employing qualitative approaches, we reviewed strategic plans under implementation in the health sector and using an interview guide consisting of open‐ended questions, interviewed key informants at the national and district level. Results showed that strategic plans are too many with majority of program strategies not well aligned to the health sector strategic plan, are not costed, and there overlaps in objectives among the several strategies addressing the same program. Weaknesses in the development process, perceived poor quality of the strategies, limited capacity, high staff turnover, and inadequate funding were the identified challenges that abate the utility of the strategic plans. Moving towards UHC starts with a robust planning process that rallies all actors and all available resources around a common objective. The planning process should be strengthened through ensuring participatory processes, evidence informed prioritisation, MoH institutional capacity to lead the process, and consideration for implementation feasibility. Flexibility to take into consideration emerging evidence and new developments in global health needs consideration.
In vitro assays and techniques utilized in anticancer drug discovery
Authors: Ediriweera Meran Keshawa , Tennekoon Kamani Hemamala , Samarakoon Sameera Ranganath 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDevelopment of a cancer is a multistep process and six major hallmarks of cancer that are known to control malignant transformation have been described. Anticancer drug development is a tedious process, requiring a number of in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies. In vitro assays provide an initial platform for cancer drug discovery approaches. A wide range of in vitro assays/techniques have been developed to evaluate each hallmark feature of cancer and selection of a particular in vitro assay or technique mainly depends on the specific research question (s) to be examined. In the present review, we have described some commonly utilized in vitro assays and techniques used to examine cell viability/proliferation, apoptosis, cellular senescence, invasion and migration, oxidative stress and antioxidant effects, gene and protein expression, angiogenesis and genomic alterations in cancer drug discovery. Additionally, uses of modern techniques such as high throughput screening, high content screening and reporter gene assays in cancer drug discovery have also been described.
Increasing the tissue thickness at implant sites using guided bone regeneration and an additional collagen matrix: Histologic observations in beagle dogs
Authors: Seo Gi‐Young , Thoma Daniel Stefan , Jung Ui‐Won , Lee Jung‐Seok 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo histologically determine the alteration in horizontal mucosal thickness at sites that received guided bone regeneration (GBR) with additional use of collagen matrix and to assess whether bone formation is affected by adding collagen matrix at GBR sites at 8 weeks of healing.Materials and methodsEight weeks after bilateral extraction of maxillary premolars, standardized defects were created on buccal side of edentulous ridges in four beagle dogs. One side was randomly allocated as control (biphasic calcium phosphate plus collagen membrane; GBR only), while contralateral side was allocated as test (biphasic calcium phosphate plus collagen membrane plus an additional layer of collagen matrix). Histologic observations, histomorphometric and micro‐computed tomography analyses were performed after 8 weeks.ResultsMembrane complex comprising residual collagen membrane and adjacent dense connective tissue was observed at both control and test sites. The thickness in the histologic analysis were 1.69 ± 0.23 mm (control) and 1.76 ± 0.07 mm (test) in histologic analysis and were 2.03 ± 0.26 mm (control) and 2.14 ± 0.24 mm (test) in radiographic analysis. The thickness of the membrane complex in soft‐tissue layer were 723.0 ± 241.6 μm (control) and 984.6 ± 334.4 μm (test). The percentage of new bone formation were 22.30 ± 5.92% (control) and 25.50 ± 8.08% (test). All measured outcome did not show significant differences between control and test groups.ConclusionThe addition of collagen matrix on top of standard GBR procedure did not increase the soft tissue thickness and dense connective tissue formation at 8 weeks of healing. Bone regeneration was not affected by the addition of collagen matrix. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 741–749, 2019.
Paeoniflorin inhibits mast cell–mediated allergic inflammation in allergic rhinitis
Authors: Wang Guanghui , Cheng Nan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPaeoniflorin (PF), one of the main effective ingredients from the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall., was reported to possess antitumor, anti‐inflammatory, and antiallergic properties. However, the roles of PF in activated human mast cell line, HMC‐1 cells, have not yet been elucidated. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the antiallergic and anti‐inflammatory effects of PF on phorbol‐12‐myristate 13‐acetate plus calcium ionophore (PMACI)–induced human mast cells and to identify the mechanism responsible for these effects. Our results demonstrated that pretreatment with PF effectively attenuated PMACI‐induced production of tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin 1β in HMC‐1 cells. In addition, PF significantly suppressed PMACI‐induced histamine release and caspase‐1 activation in HMC‐1 cells. Furthermore, PF prevented the activation of nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in activated HMC‐1 cells. In conclusion, we showed for the first time that PF attenuated the mast cell–mediated allergic inflammatory response through suppressing the NF‐κB and MAPK signaling pathways.
The establishment of clonally derived chicken embryonic fibroblast cell line (CSC) with high transfection efficiency and ability as a feeder cell
Authors: Zhao Ruifeng , Jin Jing , Sun Xinyu , Jin Kai , Wang Man , Ahmed Mahmoud F. , Zuo Qisheng , Zhang Yani , Zhao Zhenhua , Chen Guohong , Li Bichun 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis study established a single cloned chicken embryonic fibroblast (CEF) cell line. It solves the main problem of the instability of a cultured primary cell and its impact on the experiment. In this study, CEF pass through this crisis and formed a continuous cell line after subculture. We isolated single postcrisis CEF by a mouth pipette under a convert microscope then established a single cloned cell line named CSC‐1‐5 which passaged continuously from 96‐well plates to 60 mm culture plates. CSC has a normal chicken diploid karyotype, no tumorigenicity, and a high G2/M phase cell ratio. We found that Fugene could mediate the transfection of CSCs efficiently; it was significantly improved compared with the primary cells. It could also promote the proliferation of chicken embryonic stem cell as a feeder layer.
Identification of novel heterozygous Apex 1 gene variant (Glu87Gln) in patients with head and neck cancer of Indian origin
Authors: Abarna R , Dutta Debnarayan , Sneha P , George Priya Doss C , Anbalagan M 
Published: August 2018

AbstractGene polymorphism among humans is one of the factors governing individual’s susceptibility and resistance to various diseases including cancer. DNA repair enzymes play an important role in protecting our genome from various mutagens and preventing cancer. The role of DNA repair enzyme Apurinic/Apyrimidinic endodeoxyribonuclease 1 (Apex 1) in cancer has been very well documented. Using genomic DNA, Apex 1 coding region of 76 patients (n = 76) with head and neck cancer were amplified and sequenced to detect variations in the sequence. Of 76 patients, 1 patient with heterozygous novel Apex 1 variant (Glu87Gln) was identified. A comparative analysis of wild type and variant protein using in silico approach was performed to understand the difference in the structure and the function. This further revealed that the variant had a slight impact on the structure, which affected the stability and function of the protein. Using the state‐of‐the‐art Molecular dynamic simulation analysis, we observed a loss in number of hydrogen bonds and salt bridge with a substitution of Gln for Glu at Position 87. This could be a possible reason behind the loss of stability/function of the protein. This study revealed a new variant of the Apex 1 gene; further studies will lead to the novel roles played by the variant Apex 1 protein in cause, disease progression, and response to the treatment in patients with cancer with Glu87Gln variant.
Overexpression of dedicator of cytokinesis 2 correlates with good prognosis in colorectal cancer associated with more prominent CD8+ lymphocytes infiltration: a colorectal cancer analysis
Authors: Miao Sen , Zhang Ren‐Ya , Wang Wei , Wang Hong‐Bo , Meng Li‐Li , Zu Li‐Dong , Fu Guo‐Hui 
Published: August 2018

AbstractRecently, dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (DOCK2) has been reportedly exhibited high mutation prevalence in the Asian colorectal cancer (CRC) cohort. However, the expression pattern of DOCK2 and its clinical significance in CRC were still unknown. To characterize the role of DOCK2, a tissue microarray (TMA) containing 481 archived paraffin‐embedded CRC specimens was performed by immunohistochemistry. Among which, 54 primary CRC tissues showed high expression of DOCK2 protein, while others were negative. Moreover, DOCK2 expression was positively associated with invasion depth (P < .001) and tumor size (P = .016). Significantly, Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis revealed that patients with higher DOCK2 expression had a longer overall survival time (P = .017). Furthermore, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that DOCK2 is an independent prognostic marker in CRC (P = .049,; HR, 0.519; 95% CI, 0.270 to 0.997). In addition, we observed a strong correlation between the infiltration of CD8+ T lymphocytes and DOCK2 expression (P = .0119). Our findings demonstrated that overexpressed DOCK2 might involve in recruiting CD8+ T lymphocytes and serve as a novel prognostic indicator and indicated a potential therapeutic strategy by restoring DOCK2 for CRC.
Oncostatin M–induced blood‐brain barrier impairment is due to prolonged activation of STAT3 signaling in vitro
Authors: Takata Fuyuko , Dohgu Shinya , Matsumoto Junichi , Machida Takashi , Sakaguchi Shinya , Kimura Ikuya , Yamauchi Atsushi , Kataoka Yasufumi 
Published: August 2018

AbstractOncostatin M (OSM) is a member of the interleukin (IL)‐6 family cytokines. We previously demonstrated that OSM induces blood‐brain barrier (BBB) impairment. However, functional characterization of IL‐6 family cytokines in BBB regulation and the cytokine‐related intracellular signaling pathway remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that among IL‐6 family cytokines, including IL‐6 and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), OSM is the most potent molecule for inducing BBB dysfunction via prolonged activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 following Janus‐activated kinase (JAK) activation. OSM but not IL‐6 and LIF (100 ng/mL for 24 hours) markedly produced increased sodium fluorescein permeability and decreased transendothelial electrical resistance in rat brain endothelial cell (RBEC) monolayers. This OSM‐induced BBB dysfunction was accompanied by decreased levels of claudin‐5 expression in RBECs, which were ameliorated by JAK inhibitor. We examined the time‐course of STAT3 phosphorylation in RBECs treated with OSM, IL‐6, and LIF. OSM upregulated STAT3 phosphorylation levels during a 24 hours period with a peak at 10 minutes. While IL‐6 and LIF transiently increased phosphorylated STAT3 at 10 minutes after addition, this phosphorylation decreased during the period from 1 to 24 hours after addition. These findings suggest that OSM‐induced sustained increases in STAT3 phosphorylation levels largely contribute to BBB impairment. Thus, elevated OSM levels and activation of brain endothelial JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway under pathological conditions should be considered as a possible hallmark for induction and development of BBB impairment.
Iron metabolism gene expression and prognostic features of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shen Ying , Li Xin , Zhao Bin , Xue Yanru , Wang Shenghang , Chen Xin , Yang Jiancheng , Lv Huanhuan , Shang Peng 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIron metabolism is crucial to hepatocellular carcinoma progression and is a key determinant of prognosis. Protein‐protein interactions within the iron metabolism gene network were analyzed using the European Molecular Biology Laboratory's Search Tool for Recurring Instances of Neighbouring Genes/Proteins database. We obtained 423 liver hepatocellular carcinoma gene expression profiles from the Cancer Genome Atlas database. The expression and pathway enrichment of representative iron intake genes (TFRC and DMT1), utilization genes (FTH1, FTL, HIF1A, HMOX1, SLC25A37, and SLC25A38), and efflux genes (FLVCR1 and SLC40A1) was investigated in tumor and adjacent tissues. We determined the relationship between iron metabolism and the prognostic features of liver hepatocellular carcinoma. The liver metabolism genes TFRC and FLVCR1 were related to survival, disease status, and prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Our results provide novel insight into liver cancer therapy.
A prognostic 3‐long noncoding RNA signature for patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Cheng Peng 
Published: August 2018

AbstractCurrent studies showed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) may act as prognostic biomarkers in a variety of cancers. The aim of this study was to identify and assess a prognostic lncRNA signature in patients with gastric carcinoma (GC). LncRNAs expression profiles and corresponding clinicopathological data for 350 patients with GC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox (LASSO Cox) regression model was used to identify the lncRNA signature. Finally, 3 lncRNAs (CYP4A22‐AS1, AP000695.6, and RP11‐108M12.3) were identified using LASSO Cox. The prognostic score was imputed as follows: (0.354 × expression level of AP000695.6) + (− 0.899 × expression level of CYP4A22‐AS1) + (0.881 × expression level of RP11‐108M12.3). The nomogram that integrated independent prognostic factors (age, American Joint Committee on Cancer‐lymph node status, and residual tumor and risk score) was constructed. In TCGA cohort, the area under the curve (AUC) for the predictive nomogram was 0.737 (19‐month survival). The calibration curve also demonstrated satisfactory agreement between predictive values and observation values in the probabilities of 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year overall survival. We also established prognostic model using machine learning technique, and the corresponding AUC for the predictive model was 0.756 (19‐month survival). The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that the Hippo signaling pathway was the main pathway associated with the 3‐lncRNA signature.
Inhibition of transforming growth factor‐β signaling pathway enhances the osteogenic differentiation of unrestricted somatic stem cells
Authors: Hedayati Sara , Parvaneh Tafreshi Azita , Moradi Nahid , Zeynali Bahman 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn recent years, extensive studies have been performed to enhance stem cell‐based therapies for bone and cartilage repair. Among various sources of stem cells, cord blood‐derived unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) seem to be the most appropriate option for an autologous transplantation. Among different signaling pathways, the transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) pathway is shown as an important regulator of proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in osteoblast progenitors as well as mesenchymal stem cells. Due to its contradictory and temporally variable effects on different cell types, we sought to investigate whether and how the TGF‐β signaling pathway regulates the osteogenic differentiation of the USSCs. Therefore, in the current study, we treated USSCs with the recombinant protein TGF‐β1 (1 ng/mL) and showed that the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9, a well‐known effector in this pathway, was significantly induced, indicating that the TGF‐β signaling pathway is active in USSCs. Then we applied a TGF‐β receptor antagonist (SB431542; 10 μM) to the osteogenic media cultured USSCs for single periods of 3.5 days within the 21‐day differentiation period starting at day 0, 3.5, 7, 10.5, 14, and 17.5. The expression analysis results of the of the osteogenic marker runt‐related transcription factor 2 as well as the production of bone matrix showed that SB431542 induced the osteogenic differentiation of USSCs more significantly during the early stage of differentiation, suggesting that the TGF‐β pathway temporally regulates the osteogenic differentiation of USSCs.