bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of testosterone treatment on bone remodelling markers and mineral density in obese dieting men in a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Ng Tang Fui Mark , Hoermann Rudolf , Nolan Brendan , Clarke Michelle , Zajac Jeffrey D. , Grossmann Mathis 
Published: June 2018

AbstractTo assess the effect of testosterone treatment on bone remodelling and density in dieting obese men, 100 obese men aged 53 years (interquartile range 47–60) with a total testosterone level <12 nmol/L receiving 10 weeks of a very low energy diet (VLED) followed by 46 weeks of weight maintenance were randomly assigned at baseline to 56 weeks of intramuscular testosterone undecanoate (n = 49, cases) or matching placebo (n = 51, controls). Pre-specified outcomes were between-group differences (mean adjusted difference, MAD) in serum c-telopeptide (CTx), N-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen (P1NP) and bone mineral density (BMD). At trial end, CTx was significantly reduced in men receiving testosterone compared to placebo, MAD −66 ng/L (95% CI −113, −18), p = 0.018, and this was apparent already after the 10 week VLED phase, MAD −63 ng/L (95% CI −108, −18), p = 0.018. P1NP was marginally increased after VLED, MAD +4.2 ug/L (95% CI −0.01, +8.4), p = 0.05 but lower at study end, MAD −5.6 ug/L (95% CI −10.1, −1.1), p = 0.03. No significant changes in sclerostin, lumbar spine BMD or femoral BMD were seen. We conclude that in obese men with low testosterone levels undergoing weight loss, bone remodelling markers are modulated in a way that may have favourable effects on bone mass.
Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of the medicinal fungus Laetiporus sulphureus
Authors: Li Qiang , Yang Mei , Chen Cheng , Xiong Chuan , Jin Xin , Pu Zhigang , Huang Wenli 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe medicinal fungus Laetiporus sulphureus is widely distributed worldwide. To screen for molecular markers potentially useful for phylogenetic analyses of this species and related species, the mitochondrial genome of L. sulphureus was sequenced and assembled. The complete circular mitochondrial genome was 101,111 bp long, and contained 38 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, and 25 tRNA genes. Our BLAST search aligned about 6.1 kb between the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes of L. sulphureus, indicative of possible gene transfer events. Both the GC and AT skews in the L. sulphureus mitogenome were negative, in contrast to the other seven Polyporales species tested. Of the 15 PCGs conserved across the seven species of Polyporales, the lengths of 11 were unique in the L. sulphureus mitogenome. The Ka/Ks of these 15 PCGs were all less than 1, indicating that PCGs were subject to purifying selection. Our phylogenetic analysis showed that three single genes (cox1, cob, and rnl) were potentially useful as molecular markers. This study is the first publication of a mitochondrial genome in the family Laetiporaceae, and will facilitate the study of population genetics and evolution in L. sulphureus and other species in this family.
Moringin Induces Neural Differentiation in the Stem Cell of the Human Periodontal Ligament
Authors: Romeo Letizia , Diomede Francesca , Gugliandolo Agnese , Scionti Domenico , Lo Giudice Fabrizio , Lanza Cariccio Veronica , Iori Renato , Bramanti Placido , Trubiani Oriana , Mazzon Emanuela 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases still represent a vast research field because of the lack of targeted, effective and resolutive treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. The use of stem cell-based therapy is an alternative approach that could lead to the replacement of damaged neuronal tissue. For this purpose, adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), including periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), could be very useful for their differentiation capacity, easy isolation and the ability to perform an autologous implant. The aim of this work was to test whether the Moringin [4-(α-L-rhamnosyloxy) benzyl isothiocyanate; GMG-ITC], an isothiocyanate extracted from Moringa oleifera seeds, was able to induce PDLSCs toward neural progenitor differentiation. Next-generation transcriptomics sequencing showed that moringin treatment increased the expression of genes involved in neuron cortical development and in particular in neuron belonging to upper and deep cortical layers. Moreover, moringin treatment upregulated genes involved in osteogenesis and adipogenesis although with a lower fold change compared to upregulated genes involved in neuronal differentiation. Finally, moringin did not induce the expression of oncogenes resulting in a safe treatment.
Griffiths phases in infinite-dimensional, non-hierarchical modular networks
Authors: Cota Wesley , Ódor Géza , Ferreira Silvio C. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractGriffiths phases (GPs), generated by the heterogeneities on modular networks, have recently been suggested to provide a mechanism, rid of fine parameter tuning, to explain the critical behavior of complex systems. One conjectured requirement for systems with modular structures was that the network of modules must be hierarchically organized and possess finite dimension. We investigate the dynamical behavior of an activity spreading model, evolving on heterogeneous random networks with highly modular structure and organized non-hierarchically. We observe that loosely coupled modules act as effective rare-regions, slowing down the extinction of activation. As a consequence, we find extended control parameter regions with continuously changing dynamical exponents for single network realizations, preserved after finite size analyses, as in a real GP. The avalanche size distributions of spreading events exhibit robust power-law tails. Our findings relax the requirement of hierarchical organization of the modular structure, which can help to rationalize the criticality of modular systems in the framework of GPs.
Demonstration of large ionization coefficient ratio in AlAs0.56Sb0.44 lattice matched to InP
Authors: Yi Xin , Xie Shiyu , Liang Baolai , Lim Leh Woon , Zhou Xinxin , Debnath Mukul C. , Huffaker Diana L. , Tan Chee Hing , David John. P. R. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe electron and hole avalanche multiplication characteristics have been measured in bulk AlAs0.56Sb0.44 p-i-n and n-i-p homojunction diodes, lattice matched to InP, with nominal avalanche region thicknesses of ~0.6 μm, 1.0 μm and 1.5 μm. From these and data from two much thinner devices, the bulk electron and hole impact ionization coefficients (α and β respectively), have been determined over an electric-field range from 220–1250 kV/cm for α and from 360–1250 kV/cm for β for the first time. The α/β ratio is found to vary from 1000 to 2 over this field range, making it the first report of a wide band-gap III-V semiconductor with ionization coefficient ratios similar to or larger than that observed in silicon.
Evaluating novel synthetic compounds active against Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus spores using Live imaging with SporeTrackerX
Authors: Omardien Soraya , Ter Beek Alexander , Vischer Norbert , Montijn Roy , Schuren Frank , Brul Stanley 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAn empirical approach was taken to screen a novel synthetic compound library designed to be active against Gram-positive bacteria. We obtained five compounds that were active against spores from the model organism Bacillus subtilis and the food-borne pathogen Bacillus cereus during our population based experiments. Using single cell live imaging we were able to observe effects of the compounds on spore germination and outgrowth. Difference in sensitivity to the compounds could be observed between B. subtilis and B. cereus using live imaging, with minor difference in the minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of the compounds against the spores. The compounds all delayed the bursting time of germinated spores and affected the generation time of vegetative cells at sub-inhibitory concentrations. At inhibitory concentrations spore outgrowth was prevented. One compound showed an unexpected potential for preventing spore germination at inhibitory concentrations, which merits further investigation. Our study shows the valuable role single cell live imaging can play in the final selection process of antimicrobial compounds.
Rectification and negative differential resistance via orbital level pinning
Authors: Thong Aaron Zhenghui , Shaffer Milo S. P. , Horsfield Andrew P. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA donor-acceptor system, 4-thiophenyl-azafulleroid (4TPA-C60), is investigated at the point of HOMO/LUMO resonance and beyond to understand how negative differential resistance (NDR) features may be observed in such systems. Our previous investigation showed that charge transfer between the occupied and unoccupied states at resonance hindered crossing of the HOMO and LUMO levels, thus preventing the formation of an NDR feature. In this work, it is shown that the negative differential resistance feature of 4TPA-C60 can be tailored based on the couplings at the metal/molecule interface. Ab initio calculations show that limited charge extraction from atomically sharp contacts results in a HOMO-LUMO pinning effect which delays the onset of the NDR feature. Subsequent unpinning of the states can only occur when additional charge extraction channels enter the bias window, highlighting an important role which non-frontier states play in charge transport. The proposed charge transfer mechanism is then exploited by introducing a fluorine atom into the C60 cage to tune the energies of the acceptor, and narrow the width of the current peak. These findings not only demonstrate the importance of the metal/molecule interface in the design of molecular electronic architectures but also serve to inform future design of molecular diodes and RTDs.
Single‐ended voltage‐mode duobinary transmitter with feedback time reduced parallel precoder
Authors: Ko H. , Chae J.‐H. , Kim S. 
Published: June 2018

A duobinary transmitter (TX) is presented in a single‐ended topology using voltage‐mode drivers to support dynamic random access memory (DRAM) interface. A four‐phase parallel duobinary precoder is included. It relaxes one of the critical timing requirements of the duobinary TX by reducing the feedback step of the precoder and performing its feedback at once. Fabricated in a 55 nm CMOS process, the TX occupies 0.053 mm2 active area. The TX achieves 10 Gbps operation at 6.8 pJ/b of energy efficiency and operates up to 12.8 Gbps at 7.6 pJ/b.
Wind and nebula of the M 33 variable GR 290 (WR/LBV)
Authors: Maryeva Olga , Koenigsberger Gloria , Egorov Oleg , Rossi Corinne , Polcaro Vito Francesco , Calabresi Massimo , Viotti Roberto F. 
Published: June 2018

Context. GR 290 (M 33/V532 = Romano’s Star) is a suspected post-luminous blue variable star located in M 33 galaxy that shows a rare Wolf–Rayet (WR) spectrum during its minimum light phase. In spite of many studies, its atmospheric structure, its circumstellar environment, and its place in the general context of massive stars’ evolution is poorly known.
Aims. We present a detailed study of this star’s wind and mass loss, and a study of the circumstellar environment associated to the star.
Methods. Long-slit spectra of GR 290 were obtained during its present minimum luminosity phase with the Gran Telescopio Canarias covering the ∼3600–7500 Å wavelength range together with contemporaneous photometry using B, V, R and I filters. The data were compared with non-local thermodynamical equilibrium (non-LTE) model atmosphere synthetic spectra computed with CMFGEN code and with models for ionized interstellar medium regions computed with CLOUDY code.
Results. The current mV = 18.8 mag is the faintest at which this source has ever been observed. The non-LTE models indicate effective temperatures of Teff = 27 000–30 000 K at radius R2/3 = 27−21 R⊙ and mass-loss rate Ṁ = 1.5 × 10−5 M⊙yr−1. The terminal wind speed v∞ = 620 km s−1 is faster than ever before recorded, while the current luminosity L* = (3.1–3.7) × 105L⊙ is the lowest ever deduced. The star is overabundant in He and N and underabundant in C and O. It is surrounded by an unresolved compact H II region with dimensions ≤4 pc, from where H-Balmer, He I lines, and [O III] and [N II] are detected. In addition, we find emission from a more extended interstellar medium (ISM) region, which appears to be asymmetric, with a larger extent to the east (16–40 pc) than to the west.
Conclusions. In the present long lasting visual minimum, GR 290 is in a lower bolometric luminosity state with higher mass-loss rate. The nearby nebular emission seems to suggest that the star has undergone significant mass loss over the past 104–105 yr and is nearing the end stages of its evolution.
Infrared nebulae around bright massive stars as indicators for binary interactions
Authors: Bodensteiner J. , Baade D. , Greiner J. , Langer N. 
Published: June 2018

Context. Recent studies show that more than 70% of massive stars do not evolve as effectively single stars, but as members of interacting binary systems. The evolution of these stars is thus strongly altered compared to similar but isolated objects.
Aims. We investigate the occurrence of parsec-scale mid-infrared nebulae around early-type stars. If they exist over a wide range of stellar properties, one possible overarching explanation is non-conservative mass transfer in binary interactions, or stellar mergers.
Methods. For ∼3850 stars (all OBA stars in the Bright Star Catalogue (BSC), Be stars, BeXRBs, and Be+sdO systems), we visually inspect WISE 22 μm images. Based on nebular shape and relative position, we distinguish five categories: offset bow shocks structurally aligned with the stellar space velocity, unaligned offset bow shocks, and centered, unresolved, and not classified nebulae.
Results. In the BSC, we find that 28%, 13%, and 0.4% of all O, B, and A stars, respectively, possess associated infrared (IR) nebulae. Additionally, 34/234 Be stars, 4/72 BeXRBs, and 3/17 Be+sdO systems are associated with IR nebulae.
Conclusions. Aligned or unaligned bow shocks result from high relative velocities between star and interstellar medium (ISM) that are dominated by the star or the ISM, respectively. About 13% of the centered nebulae could be bow shocks seen head- or tail-on. For the rest, the data disfavor explanations as remains of parental disks, supernova remnants of a previous companion, and dust production in stellar winds. The existence of centered nebulae also at high Galactic latitudes strongly limits the global risk of coincidental alignments with condensations in the ISM. Mass loss during binary evolution seems a viable mechanism for the formation of at least some of these nebulae. In total, about 29% of the IR nebulae (2% of all OBA stars in the BSC) may find their explanation in the context of binary evolution.
Mycoplasmen-assoziierte Haut- und Schleimhautveränderungen
Authors: Blau K. , Abraham S. , Heyne S. , Hägele B. , Bauer A. , Proske U. , Beissert S. , Günther C. 
Published: June 2018

ZusammenfassungIm Zusammenhang mit einer Mycoplasma pneumoniae-Infektion können erosive Haut- und Schleimhautveränderungen auftreten. Diese wurden als Erythema multiforme, Steven-Johnson-Syndrom oder toxische epidermale Nekrolyse beschrieben. In den meisten Fällen dominiert eine ausgeprägte Mukositis, wohingegen die Hautveränderungen des restlichen Integuments meist nur sehr spärlich auftreten und als atypische Kokarden beschrieben werden.Einige Autoren postulieren ein eigenständiges dermatologisches Krankheitsbild, das durch Mycoplasma pneumoniae induziert wird und vordergründig zu einer Mukositis mit diskreter Beteiligung der Haut und Augen führen kann.Wir stellen zwei Kasuistiken vor, welche im Rahmen einer nachgewiesenen MP-Pneumonie ausgeprägte Hautveränderungen aufwiesen, die nicht eindeutig einem Erythema multiforme oder Steven-Johnson-Syndrom zugeordnet werden konnten. Beide Patienten gaben an, initial Erkältungssymptome bemerkt zu haben, welche auch medikamentös behandelt wurden, sodass auch eine Medikamentennebenwirkung nicht ausgeschlossen werden konnte.Unter der Therapie mit systemischen Kortikosteroiden, Antibiotika bei Nachweis von MP und intensiver Lokaltherapie zeigten sich die Hautveränderungen komplett rückläufig. Die Beschreibung dieser beiden Fälle fügt sich in die Reihe des neu definierten dermatologischen Krankheitsbildes bei einer Mycoplasma pneumoniae-Infektion.
Pemphigoid gestationis
Authors: Chapsa M. , Heyne S. , Schneiderat S. , Beissert S. , Günther C. 
Published: June 2018

ZusammenfassungDas Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) ist eine seltene und chronische bullöse Autoimmundermatose, die vorwiegend in der 2. Schwangerschaftshälfte oder postpartal auftritt und durch Ausbildung großer, meist erheblich juckender, entzündlicher, erythematöser Infiltrate und Blasen gekennzeichnet ist. Außerhalb der Schwangerschaft wurde die Erkrankung in Assoziation mit trophoblastischen Tumoren (Chorionkarzinom, Blasenmole) beschrieben. Wir berichten über ein Pemphigoid gestationis bei einer 30-jährigen Patientin in der 33. Schwangerschaftswoche ihrer 2. Schwangerschaft. Nach der 1. Schwangerschaft zeigte sich anamnestisch die Erstmanifestation der Erkrankung mit selbstständiger Abheilung. Bei erneuter Exazerbation in der 2. Schwangerschaft erfolgte nach Diagnosestellung die Einleitung einer topischen und systemischen Prednisolontherapie, welche eine zügige Besserung erbrachte.
Funktionelle Anatomie der Emotionsstörungen
Authors: Lotze Martin 
Published: June 2018

ZusammenfassungWir scheinen uns alle mit Emotionen gut auszukennen, aber dennoch werden in der Emotionsforschung andere Begriffe verwendet, als das beim Laien der Fall ist. Um
das Zusammenspiel der Gehirnareale in der Verarbeitung von Emotionen zu erfassen, ist es zunächst wichtig zu wissen, wie Emotionen unterschieden und
quantifiziert werden.
Psychiatrische Begleiterkrankungen im Rahmen einer Parkinson-Demenz
Authors: Riedl Lina , Fietzek Urban M. 
Published: June 2018

ZusammenfassungIm späteren Verlauf der Parkinson-Krankheit besteht ein hohes Risiko, neben der charakterisierenden motorischen Symptomatik beeinträchtigende kognitive Funktionsstörungen zu entwickeln. Dieser Störungskomplex kann maßgeblich den klinischen Verlauf bei Patienten in fortgeschrittenen Krankheitsstadien bestimmen. Der Artikel umschreibt knapp das pathophysiologische Konzept kognitiver Beeinträchtigungen bei Parkinson. Er benennt relevante Differenzierungen, die Wege zur Diagnose und aktuelle therapeutische Herangehensweisen.
Cardiovascular Effects of Stress During Acutely Increased Free Fatty Acids in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Cross-Over Study in Humans
Authors: Rezaei Safoura , Litschauer Brigitte , Gouya Gazaleh , Baumgartner-Parzer Sabina , Stulnig Thomas , Wolzt Michael 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIncreased free fatty acids stimulate sympathetic nervous system activity, impair endothelium-dependent vasodilation, and increase regional blood flow. The aim of this study was to assess if fatty acids acutely elevated by infusion of intralipid/heparin affect cardiovascular reactivity employing two stressors eliciting either a cardiac (Stroop test) or vascular (Cold Face test) dominated pressor response. Two stress tasks were performed in 20 healthy subjects (10 women, 10 men) before and during a 180-min intralipid/heparin or saline infusion as placebo on alternate trial days in a randomized crossover study design. Blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac index, and total peripheral resistance index were measured. At baseline, the Stroop test did not affect hemodynamic parameters, and the Cold Face test had an impact on hemodynamic parameters except for heart rate. Plasma fatty acids concentrations increased to 810% (t=11.0, p<0.001) of baseline and C-peptide increased by 17% (t=4.66, p<0.001) during intralipid/heparin infusion. This was paralleled by increased cardiac index (F=9.98; p<0.005 vs. saline) and reduced total peripheral resistance index (F=4.46; p<0.05 vs saline). There was no effect of intralipid/heparin or saline infusion on Stroop test or Cold Face test reactivity of hemodynamic parameters. An acute increase in free fatty acids does not affect the magnitude or pattern of stress response in healthy volunteers, but primarily alter the underlying cardiovascular tone by decreasing total peripheral resistance index and increasing cardiac index to maintain a constant blood pressure.
Associations of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Gene Polymorphisms with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yang Jiajia , Han Renfang , Chen Mengya , Yuan Yaping , Hu Xingxing , Ma Yubo , Wu Meng , Zhang Xu , Wang Mengmeng , Jiang Shanqun , Pan Faming 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe associations between PvuII (T>C) and XbaI (A>G) polymorphisms of estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) gene with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or metabolic syndrome (MetS) are reported in many studies, but the results are inconsistent. This present work aims to assess the associations by performing a comprehensive meta-analysis. Relevant studies were searched through several databases. The pooled odd ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the associations of PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms with the risk of T2DM and MetS by using the STATA 14.0 software. Eight studies for T2DM and three articles about MetS were included in this meta-analysis. The overall results indicated that PvuII, rather than XbaI polymorphism, was associated with T2DM (regressive model: OR=0.673, 95% CI=0.550 to 0.823, praw<0.001, pFDR<0.003). The subgroup analysis based on race revealed an association of PvuII polymorphism with the decreased T2DM risk in Chinese population and a relationship between XbaI polymorphism and the reduced T2DM susceptibility in Caucasians. The difference of country may be one source of the heterogeneity for PvuII polymorphism and T2DM. However, neither PvuII nor XbaI polymorphism was related to the risk of MetS. The C allele of PvuII polymorphism presents a protective role in T2DM risk, especially in Chinese people. The G allele of XbaI polymorphism is related to a reduced risk for T2DM in Caucasian population. Nevertheless, neither of PvuII nor XbaI polymorphism is associated with MetS risk.
The Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Mansournia Mohammad , Ostadmohammadi Vahidreza , Doosti-Irani Amin , Ghayour-Mobarhan Majid , Ferns Gordon , Akbari Hossein , Ghaderi Amir , Talari Hamid , Asemi Zatollah 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the effects of vitamin D supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in diabetic patients are summarized. The following databases were searched up to December 2017: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The quality of the relevant extracted data was assessed according to the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Data were pooled using the inverse variance method and expressed as mean difference with 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI). Heterogeneity between studies was assessed by the Cochran Q statistic and I-squared tests (I2). Overall, 33 studies were included in the meta-analyses. Vitamin D supplementation were found to significantly reduce serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (WMD 0.27; 95% CI, – 0.35, – 0.20; p<0.001) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (WMD – 0.43, 95% CI – 0.62, – 0.25, p<0.001) in diabetic patients. In addition, vitamin D supplementation were found to increase markers of nitric oxide (NO) release (WMD 4.33, 95% CI 0.96, 7.70), total serum antioxidant capacity (TAC) (WMD 57.34, 95% CI 33.48, 81.20, p<0.001) and total glutathione (GSH) levels (WMD 82.59, 95% CI 44.37, 120.81, p<0.001). Overall, this meta-analysis shows that in diabetic patients, taking vitamin D had significant effects on hs-CRP and MDA levels, and significantly increased NO, TAC and GSH levels.