bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human electronegative LDL induces mitochondrial dysfunction and premature senescence of vascular cells in vivo
Authors: Wang Yu‐Chen , Lee An‐Sheng , Lu Long‐Sheng , Ke Liang‐Yin , Chen Wei‐Yu , Dong Jian‐Wen , Lu Jonathan , Chen Zhenping , Chu Chih‐Sheng , Chan Hua‐Chen , Kuzan Taha Y. , Tsai Ming‐Hsien , Hsu Wen‐Li , Dixon Richard A. F. , Sawamura Tatsuya , Chang Kuan‐Cheng , Chen Chu‐Huang 
Published: June 2018

SummaryDysregulation of plasma lipids is associated with age‐related cardiovascular diseases. L5, the most electronegative subfraction of chromatographically resolved low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), induces endothelial dysfunction, whereas the least electronegative subfraction, L1, does not. In this study, we examined the effects of L5 on endothelial senescence and its underlying mechanisms. C57B6/J mice were intravenously injected with L5 or L1 (2 mg kg−1 day−1) from human plasma. After 4 weeks, nuclear γH2AX deposition and senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase staining indicative of DNA damage and premature senescence, respectively, were increased in the aortic endothelium of L5‐treated but not L1‐treated mice. Similar to that, in Syrian hamsters with elevated serum L5 levels induced by a high‐fat diet, nuclear γH2AX deposition and senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase staining were increased in the aortic endothelium. This phenomenon was blocked in the presence of N‐acetyl‐cysteine (free‐radical scavenger) or caffeine (ATM blocker), as well as in lectin‐like oxidized LDL receptor‐1 (LOX‐1) knockout mice. In cultured human aortic endothelial cells, L5 augmented mitochondrial oxygen consumption and mitochondrial free‐radical production, which led to ATM activation, nuclear γH2AX deposition, Chk2 phosphorylation, and TP53 stabilization. L5 also decreased human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) protein levels and activity. Pharmacologic or genetic manipulation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS)/ATM/Chk2/TP53 pathway efficiently blocked L5‐induced endothelial senescence. In conclusion, L5 may promote mitochondrial free‐radical production and activate the DNA damage response to induce premature vascular endothelial senescence that leads to atherosclerosis. Novel therapeutic strategies that target L5‐induced endothelial senescence may be used to prevent and treat atherosclerotic vascular disease.
Inferring Roll‐Call Scores from Campaign Contributions Using Supervised Machine Learning
Authors: Bonica Adam 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis article develops a generalized supervised learning methodology for inferring roll‐call scores from campaign contribution data. Rather than use unsupervised methods to recover a latent dimension that best explains patterns in giving, donation patterns are instead mapped onto a target measure of legislative voting behavior. Supervised models significantly outperform alternative measures of ideology in predicting legislative voting behavior. Fundraising prior to entering office provides a highly informative signal about future voting behavior. Impressively, forecasts based on fundraising as a nonincumbent predict future voting behavior as accurately as in‐sample forecasts based on votes cast during a legislator's first 2 years in Congress. The combined results demonstrate campaign contributions are powerful predictors of roll‐call voting behavior and resolve an ongoing debate as to whether contribution data successfully distinguish between members of the same party.
miR‐27b‐3p is Involved in Doxorubicin Resistance of Human Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cells via Targeting Peroxisome Proliferator‐Activated Receptor Gamma
Authors: Xu Yuan , Han Yi‐Fan , Ye Bing , Zhang Yin‐Long , Dong Jian‐Da , Zhu Shao‐Jun , Chen Jiong 
Published: June 2018

AbstractChemotherapy is one of the most effective forms of cancer treatment. It has been widely used in the treatment of various malignant tumours. To investigate molecular mechanisms responsible for the chemoresistance of anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), we established the doxorubicin (Dox) resistance of human ATC SW1736 and 8305C cells and named them SW1736/Dox and 8305C/Dox, respectively. We evaluated the expression of various micro‐RNAs (miRNAs) between control and Dox‐resistant ATC cells and found that the expression of miR‐27b‐3p was significantly increased in Dox‐resistant ATC cells. Targeted inhibition of miR‐27b can increase the sensitivity of SW1736/Dox and 8305C/Dox cells. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that miR‐27b can directly target peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) within the 3′ untranslated region (UTR). This was proved by the results that miR‐27b‐3p down‐regulated the protein and mRNA levels of PPARγ. While the mutant in the core binding sites of PPARγ abolished miR‐27b‐3p‐induced down‐regulation of luciferase activity. Over‐expression of PPARγ can increase the Dox sensitivity of SW1736/Dox and 8305C/Dox cells. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) might be involved in miR‐27b‐3p/PPARγ‐regulated Dox resistance of ATC cells. The activation of p65 nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) regulated the up‐regulation of miR‐27b‐3p in Dox‐resistant ATC cells. Collectively, our data revealed that miR‐27b‐3p/PPARγ is involved in the Dox resistance of human ATC cells. It suggested that targeted inhibition of miR‐27b‐3p might be helpful to overcome the drug resistance of ATC cells.
Permeation‐enhancing effects and mechanisms of borneol and menthol on ligustrazine: A multiscale study using in vitro and coarse‐grained molecular dynamics simulation methods
Authors: Dai Xingxing , Wang Ran , Wu Zhimin , Guo Shujuan , Yang Chang , Ma Lina , Chen Liping , Shi Xinyuan , Qiao Yanjiang 
Published: June 2018

Borneol (BO) and menthol (MEN) are two widely used natural permeation enhancers in the transdermal drug delivery system. In previous studies, their permeation enhancement effects and mechanisms of action on the hydrophobic drug osthole (logP = 3.8) and hydrophilic drug 5‐fluorouracil (logP = −0.9) have been studied. In this study, ligustrazine (LTZ), whose logP is 1.3, was used as a model drug to provide a comprehensive understanding of the influence of its logP on the permeation‐enhancing effects of BO and MEN. Both BO and MEN enhanced the permeation of LTZ through the skin stratum corneum, as determined using the modified Franz diffusion cell experiment. The enhancement mechanisms were illustrated by coarse‐grained molecular dynamics simulations as follows: at low concentrations, the enhancing ratio of MEN was higher than that of BO because of the stronger perturbation effects of MEN on the lipid bilayer, making it looser and facilitating LTZ diffusion. However, at high concentrations, in addition to the diffusion mechanism, BO induced the formation of water channels to improve the permeation of LTZ; however, MEN had no significant effects through this mechanism. Their results were different from those found with osthole and 5‐fluorouracil and have been discussed in this study.
Luther on vocation, by Gustaf Wingren: A twenty‐first‐century theological‐literary reading
Authors: Persaud Winston D. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn this article, the author offers a critical, appreciative appraisal of The One Mediator, Luther on Vocation, by Gustaf Wingren (English translation, 1957), which continues to be a seminal text for understanding Luther's teaching on the theme of vocation. The author points out that the reader needs to keep in mind both the difference between Luther's world of the sixteenth century and the world of the early twenty‐first century, and the sobering reality that pursuing the neighbor's good continues to be an essential, definitive calling that every Christian has. Further, the author calls attention to Wingren's indisputable reminder that, for Luther, vocation is about the way of the Christian in human society. That way of being in pursuit of the neighbor's good is consequent upon the forgiveness of sins, which God bestows on the sinner who receives it through faith in Jesus Christ. It is God alone who is the decisive actor, even though in the former—seeking the neighbor's good—God's work is hidden; that is, the human actor is a “mask of God.”
Vocation for planetary citizenship: Lutheran liberal arts education in the Anthropocene
Authors: Simmons Ernest L. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe focus question of this article is, “In what ways should Lutheran higher education's teaching on vocation be revised to include the fact that we are living in a natural world massively impacted by human behavior, the Anthropocene Era?” This can be broken down into two more explicit questions: “What is the role of liberal arts education in such a changed context?” and “What resources in the Lutheran tradition can contribute to preparing students to become effective sustainability leaders?” The thesis of this article is that Lutheran liberal arts education, to foster planetary citizenship, must move students from an anthropocentric to an ecocentric understanding of vocation, preparing them to become leaders for a sustainable, interfaith society. This change can be accomplished by reaffirming the value of the liberal arts to foster sustainability education and retrieving Luther's understanding of creation to elicit wonder and appreciation of the natural world.
The eye of faith and the eye of science: Regin Prenter and Niels Henrik Gregersen on God's creation
Authors: Peters Ted 
Published: June 2018

AbstractOne the one hand, Regin Prenter gets it right theologically: creation and redemption belong together. On the other hand, Prenter's method is visually impaired; he looks at God's creation with only one eye, the eye of faith. If he would open his other eye and look at creation as a scientist sees it, his doctrine of creation would be broader, deeper, and more textured. This is what two‐eyed Niels Henrik Gregersen does when he incorporates into his theological vision the scientific idea of autopoiesis—that is, nature's own creative advance.
Efficacy and safety of the glucagon receptor antagonist PF‐06291874: A 12‐week, randomized, dose‐response study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on background metformin therapy
Authors: Kazierad David J. , Chidsey Kristin , Somayaji Veena R. , Bergman Arthur J. , Calle Roberto A. 
Published: June 2018

AimsTo conduct a dose‐response assessment of the efficacy and safety of the glucagon receptor antagonist PF‐06291874 in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) using stable doses of metformin.Materials and MethodsThis randomized, double‐blind, statin‐stratified, placebo‐controlled, 4‐arm, parallel‐group study was conducted in patients with T2DM who were receiving background metformin. After an 8‐week, non‐metformin oral antidiabetic agent washout period, 206 patients were randomized to placebo or PF‐06291874 (30, 60 or 100 mg once daily) for 12 weeks. Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and safety endpoints were assessed at baseline and post baseline.ResultsDose‐dependent mean reductions from baseline in HbA1c for PF‐06291874 ranged from −0.67% (−7.29 mmol/mol) to −0.93% (−10.13 mmol/mol), and for FPG from −16.6 to −33.3 mg/dL after 12 weeks of dosing. The incidence of hypoglycaemia was low and was similar between groups receiving PF‐06291874 and placebo. Small, non‐dose‐dependent increases in LDL cholesterol (<10%) and blood pressure (BP) (systolic BP > 2 mm Hg; diastolic BP > 1 mm Hg) were observed with PF‐06291874. Modest non‐dose‐dependent median increases were observed across PF‐06291874 groups at 12 weeks for alanine aminotransferase (range, 37.6‐48.7 U/L vs placebo) and aspartate aminotransferase (range, 33.3‐36.6 U/L vs placebo); these were not associated with bilirubin changes. Small increases were observed in body weight (< 0.5 kg) in each PF‐06291874 group vs placebo.ConclusionsIn patients with T2DM, PF‐06291874 significantly lowered HbA1c and glucose, was well tolerated and carried a low risk of hypoglycaemia. Small, non‐dose‐related increases in BP, lipids and hepatic transaminases were observed.
IS UNIVERSAL SERVICE JUSTIFIED BY THE PUBLIC INTEREST? FROM THE EARLY DAYS TO THE DIGITAL AGE
Authors: Trubnikov Dmitrii , Trubnikova Ekaterina 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIt is commonly accepted that universal service is clearly justified by reference to the public interest, and this understanding stems from the natural monopoly paradigm. However, telecommunications monopolies have never been ‘natural’, and the alternative to regulation has always been a competitive marketplace. The liberalisation movement had a chance to create a genuinely competitive industry but failed to do so. This article argues that the universal service dogma has played a significant role in the formation of the ordered competition regime of modern telecommunications, and explains this phenomenon in terms of public choice theory.
ELECTRONIC CURRENCY IN AFRICA: M‐PESA AS PRIVATE INSIDE MONEY
Authors: Nair Malavika , Emozozo Rahimat 
Published: June 2018

AbstractElectronic monies such as Bitcoin and mobile money have become popular in recent times. However, unlike with bitcoin, attempts to classify M‐Pesa theoretically have been rare. This article classifies M‐Pesa as a privately issued inside money, which evolved as an entrepreneurial response to the lack of traditional monies. It describes the institutional framework within which M‐Pesa and other monies evolved while highlighting how competitive forces led to mutual acceptance of competing inside monies, lower prices as well as greater choice for consumers. The case of M‐Pesa and other electronic monies illustrates the potential even today for entrepreneurial and market processes in money given the right institutional setting, especially in developing countries.
JUSTIFICATIONS FOR REDISTRIBUTION: A CRITIQUE
Authors: Vaubel Roland 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIt is striking that there are so many theoretical justifications of redistribution by government. Is it because each single justification is weak? I review and criticise the various arguments advanced in the literature. The main distinctions are between (a) Paretian justifications asserting that all, including the net payers, benefit from redistribution, (b) theories of justice and (c) utilitarianism. My conclusion is that redistribution ought to be based on Paretian arguments as far as possible and that helping the poor is more likely to maximise the happiness of all than is a general levelling of income differences.
Neuropeptide Y affects thalamic reticular nucleus neuronal firing and network synchronization associated with suppression of spike‐wave discharges
Authors: Ali Idrish , Gandrathi Arun , Zheng Thomas , Morris Margaret J. , O'Brien Terence J. , French Chris 
Published: June 2018

SummaryObjectivesNeuropeptide Y (NPY) potently suppresses spike‐wave discharges (SWDs) in a genetic rat model of absence epilepsy (GAERS), but the underlying neurophysiologic mechanisms are not clear. We therefore sought to determine the in vivo effects of NPY on neuronal firing in the cortico‐thalamo‐cortical network activity, known to play a critical role in the generation of SWDs in these rats.MethodsNPY was administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV) or in separate experiments locally on the neurons of caudal thalamic reticular nucleus (NRT) by use of juxtacellular iontophoresis in triple‐barrel electrodes in male GAERS aged 12‐15 weeks, in vivo under neuroleptic anesthesia. Drug infusions and electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring were performed simultaneously with juxtacellular single neuronal recordings. Effect of NPY on electrically induced SWD induction threshold were also measured.ResultsNPY administration ICV led to a decrease in the total length of SWDs in EEG recordings. Both ICV administration and iontophoresis of NPY on NRT neurons led to an increase in interictal neuronal firing of NRT neurons. During ictal periods, ICV NPY administration reduced the number of thalamic action potentials per SWDs, as well as reduced waveform correlations between field potentials within the NRT and the cortical EEG. NPY administration ICV did not significantly alter the firing patterns of relay thalamic neurons interictally and cortical neurons during ictal and interictal periods. In addition, SWD induction threshold in the S2 region of the cortex was significantly increased after NPY administration.SignificanceOur results show alterations in cortico‐thalamo‐cortical local and network properties following ICV administration of NPY, suggesting mechanisms of SWD suppression in GAERS. Cellular and network alteration of NRT activity, resulting from a direct action of NPY, may be a contributor to this effect.
Microbiome and bile acid profiles in duodenal aspirates from patients with liver cirrhosis: The Microbiome, Microbial Markers and Liver Disease Study
Authors: Jacobs Jonathan P. , Dong Tien S. , Agopian Vatche , Lagishetty Venu , Sundaram Vinay , Noureddin Mazen , Ayoub Walid S. , Durazo Francisco , Benhammou Jihane , Enayati Pedram , Elashoff David , Goodman Marc T. , Pisegna Joseph , Hussain Shehnaz 
Published: June 2018

AimCirrhosis is a leading cause of death worldwide, yet there are no well‐established risk stratifying tools for lethal complications, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients with liver cirrhosis undergo routine endoscopic surveillance, providing ready access to duodenal aspirate samples that could be a source for identifying novel biomarkers. The aim of this study was to characterize the microbiome and bile acid profiles in duodenal aspirates from patients with liver cirrhosis to assess the feasibility of developing biomarkers for HCC risk stratification.MethodsThirty patients with liver cirrhosis were enrolled in the Microbiome, Microbial Markers, and Liver Disease study between May 2015 and March 2017. Detailed clinical and epidemiological data were collected at baseline and at 6‐monthly follow‐up visits. Duodenal aspirate fluid was collected at baseline for microbial characterization using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and bile acid quantification using mass spectroscopy.ResultsAlcohol‐related cirrhosis was associated with reductions in the Bacteroidetes phylum, particularly Prevotella (13‐fold reduction), and expansion of Staphylococcus (13‐fold increase), compared to hepatitis C virus‐related cirrhosis. Participants with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) had less microbial diversity compared to patients without HE (P < 0.05), and were characterized by expansion of Mycobacterium (45‐fold increase) and Gram‐positive cocci including Granulicatella (3.1‐fold increase), unclassified Planococcaceae (3.3‐fold increase), and unclassified Streptococcaceae (4.5‐fold increase). Non‐Hispanic White patients had reduced microbial richness (P < 0.01) and diversity (P < 0.05), and increased levels of conjugated ursodeoxycholic acid (glycoursodeoxycholic acid and tauroursodeoxycholic acid, P < 0.05) compared to Hispanic patients.ConclusionMicrobial profiles of duodenal aspirates differed by cirrhosis etiology, HE, and Hispanic ethnicity.
Long non‐coding RNA expression profile can predict early recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection
Authors: Lv Yufeng , Wei Wenhao , Huang Zhong , Chen Zhichao , Fang Yuan , Pan Lili , Han Xueqiong , Xu Zihai 
Published: June 2018

AimThe aim of this study was to develop a novel long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) expression signature to accurately predict early recurrence for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative resection.MethodsUsing expression profiles downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, we identified multiple lncRNAs with differential expression between early recurrence (ER) and non‐early recurrence (non‐ER) groups of patients with HCC. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator for logistic regression models were used to develop an lncRNA‐based classifier for predicting ER in the training set. An independent test set was used to validate the predictive value of this classifier. Furthermore, a co‐expression network based on these lncRNAs and its highly related genes was constructed and Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses of genes in the network were carried out.ResultsWe identified 10 differentially expressed lncRNAs, including three that were upregulated and seven that were downregulated in the ER group. The lncRNA‐based classifier was constructed based on seven lncRNAs (AL035661.1, PART1, AC011632.1, AC109588.1, AL365361.1, LINC00861, and LINC02084), and its accuracy was 0.83 in the training set, 0.87 in the test set, and 0.84 in the total set. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed the area under the curve was 0.741 in the training set, 0.824 in the test set, and 0.765 in the total set. A functional enrichment analysis suggested that the genes highly related to four lncRNAs are involved in the immune system.ConclusionThe expression profile of seven lncRNAs can effectively predict ER after surgical resection for HCC.
THE EQUITABLE TOP TRADING CYCLES MECHANISM FOR SCHOOL CHOICE
Authors: Hakimov Rustamdjan , Kesten Onur 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA particular adaptation of Gale's top trading cycles (TTC) procedure applied to school choice, the so‐called TTC mechanism, has attracted much attention both in theory and practice due to its superior efficiency and incentive features. We discuss and introduce alternative adaptations of Gale's original procedure that can offer improvements over TTC in terms of equity, along with various other distributional considerations. Instead of giving all the trading power to those students with the highest priority for a school, we argue for the distribution of the trading rights of all slots of each school: This allows them to trade in a thick market where additional constraints can be accommodated by choosing an appropriate pointing rule. We propose a particular mechanism of this kind, the equitable top trading cycle (ETTC) mechanism, which is also Pareto efficient and group strategy‐proof just like TTC and eliminates avoidable justified envy situations. ETTC generates significantly fewer justified envy situations than TTC both in simulations and the lab.
Development and characterization of a contoured passive thermal protection system
Authors: Daniel Alex , Ivaturi Srikanth , Kumar Anil , Kandasubramanian Balasubramanian 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPresent work deals with process refinement, fabrication, and testing of a novel contoured passive thermal protection system (TPS), based on aluminosilicate fiber reinforced silica matrix composite. Taguchi method‐based statistical approach was employed to understand the effect of process parameters such as thickness, layer density, stacking sequence and firing temperature on dielectric properties, flexural strength, and bulk density of composites. Analysis of variance was performed to ensure the statistical significance. The developed TPS was characterized for thermal insulation properties by testing under infrared heating conditions. The science behind the insulation characteristics of the TPS was analyzed using FTIR, XRD, and SEM to understand the associated high‐temperature phase transitions. Present study has shown that, the back‐face temperature exponentially decays with TPS thickness. For TPS having 9 mm thickness, the back‐face temperature was found to be below 100°C when the front face was exposed to 1000°C. The insulation index was found to be increasing with increase in temperature and TPS thickness. Improved thermal insulation characteristics of TPS are due to energy consuming processes such as crystalline changes and micro cracks formation.