bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beta cell secretion of miR-375 to HDL is inversely associated with insulin secretion
Authors: Sedgeman Leslie R. , Beysen Carine , Ramirez Solano Marisol A. , Michell Danielle L. , Sheng Quanhu , Zhao Shilin , Turner Scott , Linton MacRae F. , Vickers Kasey C. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractExtracellular microRNAs (miRNAs) are a new class of biomarkers for cellular phenotypes and disease, and are bioactive signals within intercellular communication networks. Previously, we reported that miRNAs are secreted from macrophage to high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and delivered to recipient cells to regulate gene expression. Despite the potential importance of HDL-miRNAs, regulation of HDL-miRNA export from cells has not been fully studied. Here, we report that pancreatic islets and beta cells abundantly export miR-375-3p to HDL and this process is inhibited by cellular mechanisms that promote insulin secretion. Small RNA sequencing and PCR approaches were used to quantify beta cell miRNA export to HDL. Strikingly, high glucose conditions were found to inhibit HDL-miR-375-3p export, which was dependent on extracellular calcium. Likewise, stimulation of cAMP was found to repress HDL-miR-375-3p export. Furthermore, we found that beta cell ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP) channels are required for HDL-miRNA export as chemical inhibition (tolbutamide) and global genetic knockout (Abcc8−/−) approaches inhibited HDL-miR-375-3p export. This process is not likely associated with cholesterol flux, as gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies for cholesterol transporters failed to alter HDL-miR-375-3p export. In conclusion, results support that pancreatic beta cells export miR-375-3p to HDL and this process is inversely regulated to insulin secretion.
GC-MS-based fecal metabolomics reveals gender-attributed fecal signatures in ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: He Zhixing , Wang Mingzhu , Li Haichang , Wen Chengping 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) has different clinical features in males and females. Fecal metabolites play significant roles in AS disorders. This study aimed to reveal gender-attributed fecal signatures of AS. Fecal samples from 87 cross-sectional individuals (healthy controls: 20 males, 18 females; AS patients: 26 males, 23 females) were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to reveal differences in the fecal signatures of AS between males and females. Fecal signatures were defined by the significantly different fecal metabolites between AS patients and healthy individuals. Therefore, different fecal signatures of male and female AS patients were defined as gender-attributed fecal signatures. Male-specific fecal signatures in AS patients were steroid compounds, including cholestan-3-ol, tocopherol, stigmastan-3,5-diene, cholest-3-ene, cholest-4-en-6-one and 1-heptatriacotanol. Female-specific fecal signatures were ergost-5-en-3-ol, acetate and D-myo-Inositol. Gender-attributed fecal signatures of AS further reveal differences between males and females in terms of AS features.
The association between low glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity level and hepatitis B virus infection among pre-pregnant reproductive-age Chinese females
Authors: Zhao Jun , Zhang Xu , Guan Ting , Dai Qiaoyun , He Wenshan , Zhang Hongguang , Wang Yuanyuan , Wang Bei , Peng Zuoqi , Hu Xuhuai , Qi Daxun , Yang Xueying , Zhang Yue , Ma Xu 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe relationship between females with low glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity level (LG6PD) and HBV infection is unclear. We conducted a cross sectional study of 124 406 reproductive-age Chinese females who participated in the National Free Pre-conception Check-up Projects to investigate the risk of HBV infection among females with LG6PD and its effect on liver enzyme. Based on HBV serological test results, the participants were divided into the susceptible, immunized, and HBV infected groups. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for HBV infection in LG6PD participants were 1.71 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45–2.01) and 1.41 (95% CI: 1.23–1.62), respectively with the susceptible and immunized participants as references, compared to those without LG6PD. Participants with HBV infection only and combined with HBV infection and LG6PD had 184% and 249% significantly higher risks of elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) (susceptible participants as reference). If the immunized participants were used as reference, significant higher odds of elevated ALT occurred (3.48 (95% CI: 3.18–3.80), 4.28 (95% CI: 2.92–6.28)). Thus, reproductive-age females with LG6PD had a higher prevalence of HBV infection, and LG6PD might exacerbate ALT elevation in HBV infected females. Our findings underscore the need to explore collaborative management approaches for these two diseases among reproductive-age females for maternal and child health.
Pathophysiological background and prognostic implication of systolic aortic root motion in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Aurich Matthias , Niemers Matthias , Fuchs Patrick , Greiner Sebastian , Müller-Hennessen Matthias , Uhlmann Lorenz , Giannitsis Evangelos , Ehlermann Philipp , Meder Benjamin , Katus Hugo A. , Mereles Derliz 
Published: March 2019

AbstractRecordings of aortic root movement represent one of the first accomplishments of ultrasound in medicine and mark the beginning of functional cardiac imaging. However, the underlying mechanism is not completely understood. Since the aortic root is directly connected to the cardiac skeleton we hypothesize, that the amplitude of systolic aortic root motion (SARM) may be mainly caused by displacement of the cardiac base towards the apex and might therefore be used as measure of left ventricular longitudinal function (LV-LF). One hundred and eighty patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and 180 healthy controls were prospectively included into this study. SARM was lower in patients compared to controls (9 ± 3 mm vs. 12 ± 2 mm, p < 0.001) and lowest in patients with cardiovascular events (9 ± 3 mm vs. 7 ± 3 mm, p < 0.001). During a median follow-up time of 38 months, the combined end-point of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure was reached by 25 patients (13.9%). Reduced SARM had significant prognostic impact on outcome (hazard ratio 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.63–0.88, p < 0.001) and remained an independent predictor in the multivariate analysis. Compared to parameters with potential influence on its mechanism, SARM correlated best (r = 0.75, p < 0.001) with global longitudinal strain (GLS). SARM may therefore represent an alternative echocardiographic parameter for the assessment of LV-LF, particularly when GLS is not feasible or apical views are not available.
A deep learning approach to automatic teeth detection and numbering based on object detection in dental periapical films
Authors: Chen Hu , Zhang Kailai , Lyu Peijun , Li Hong , Zhang Ludan , Wu Ji , Lee Chin-Hui 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe propose using faster regions with convolutional neural network features (faster R-CNN) in the TensorFlow tool package to detect and number teeth in dental periapical films. To improve detection precisions, we propose three post-processing techniques to supplement the baseline faster R-CNN according to certain prior domain knowledge. First, a filtering algorithm is constructed to delete overlapping boxes detected by faster R-CNN associated with the same tooth. Next, a neural network model is implemented to detect missing teeth. Finally, a rule-base module based on a teeth numbering system is proposed to match labels of detected teeth boxes to modify detected results that violate certain intuitive rules. The intersection-over-union (IOU) value between detected and ground truth boxes are calculated to obtain precisions and recalls on a test dataset. Results demonstrate that both precisions and recalls exceed 90% and the mean value of the IOU between detected boxes and ground truths also reaches 91%. Moreover, three dentists are also invited to manually annotate the test dataset (independently), which are then compared to labels obtained by our proposed algorithms. The results indicate that machines already perform close to the level of a junior dentist.
Using artificial neural networks to predict future dryland responses to human and climate disturbances
Authors: Buckland C. E. , Bailey R. M. , Thomas D. S. G. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractLand degradation and sediment remobilisation in dryland environments is considered to be a significant global environmental problem. Given the potential for currently stabilised dune systems to reactivate under climate change and increased anthropogenic pressures, identifying the role of external disturbances in driving geomorphic response is vitally important. We developed a novel approach, using artificial neural networks (ANNs) applied to time series of historical reactivation-deposition events from the Nebraska Sandhills, to determine the relationship between historic periods of sand deposition in semi-arid grasslands and external climatic conditions, land use pressures and wildfire occurrence. We show that both vegetation growth and sediment re-deposition episodes can be accurately estimated. Sensitivity testing of individual factors shows that localised forcings (overgrazing and wildfire) have a statistically significant impact when the climate is held at present-day conditions. However, the dominant effect is climate-induced drought. Our approach has great potential for estimating future landscape sensitivity to climate and land use scenarios across a wide range of potentially fragile dryland environments.
First-in-human clinical study of novel technique to diagnose malignant melanoma via thermal conductivity measurements
Authors: Okabe Takahiro , Fujimura Taku , Okajima Junnosuke , Kambayashi Yumi , Aiba Setsuya , Maruyama Shigenao 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMelanoma is an aggressive skin cancer that originates from melanocytes and, especially in the case of early-stage melanoma, is distributed adjacent to the epidermis and superficial dermis. Although early-stage melanoma can be distinguished from benign nevus via a dermoscopy, it is difficult to distinguish invasive melanoma in its early stages from in situ melanoma. Because invasive melanoma must undergo a sentinel lymph node biopsy to be diagnosed, a non-invasive method to detect the micro-invasion of early-stage melanoma is needed for dermato-oncologists. This paper proposes a novel quantitative melanoma identification method based on accurate measurements of thermal conductivity using a pen-shaped device. This method requires skin temperature data for one minute to determine the effective thermal conductivity of the skin, allowing it to distinguish melanoma lesions from healthy skin. Results suggest that effective thermal conductivity was negative for in situ melanoma. However, in accordance with tumour progression, effective thermal conductivity was larger in invasive melanoma. The proposed thermal conductivity measurement is a novel tool that detects the micro-invasion of melanoma.
A New GPS SNR-based Combination Approach for Land Surface Snow Depth Monitoring
Authors: Zhou Wei , Liu Lilong , Huang Liangke , Yao Yibin , Chen Jun , Li Songqing 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSnow is not only a critical storage component in the hydrologic cycle but also an important data for climate research; however, snowfall observations are only sparsely available. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) has recently been applied for sensing snow depths. Most studies only consider either global positioning system (GPS) L1 or L2 SNR data. In the current study, a new snow depth estimation approach is proposed using multipath reflectometry and SNR combination of GPS triple frequency (i.e. L1, L2 and L5) signals. The SNR combination method describes the relationship between antenna height variation and spectral peak frequency. Snow depths are retrieved from the SNR combination data at YEL2 and KIRU sites and validated by comparing it with in situ observations. The elevation angle ranges from 5° to 25°. The correlations for the two sites are 0.99 and 0.97. The performance of the new approach is assessed by comparing it with existing models. The proposed approach presents a high correlation of 0.95 and an accuracy (in terms of Root Mean Square Error) improvement of over 30%. Findings indicate that the new approach could potentially be applied to monitor snow depths and may serve as a reference for building multi-system and multi-frequency global navigation satellite system reflectometry models.
Assessment of physical activity and cognitive function and their potential correlation in convalescent patients of cerebrovascular disease
Authors: Kojima Maki , Nagano Akinori 
Published: March 2019

AbstractPhysical activity (PA) is known to influence cognitive function. However, the impact of PA on patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) has not yet been elucidated. PA and cognitive function have not been measured simultaneously over time, which makes it difficult to evaluate their relationship. The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in the amount of PA recorded by ActiGraph GT3X-BT and six test scores of cognitive function, and the relationship between them in 15 patients with CVD (six women and nine men; 78.0 ± 11.6 years old). Results showed an increase in the amount of PA and scores of cognitive tests, and a significant decrease in the duration of sedentary behavior during the four months (p < 0.05). There were significant correlations between PA Energy Expenditure (PAEE) and Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices test (RCPM) (r = 0.536, p < 0.0001). There were significant correlations between PAEE and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) (r = 0.271, p = 0.036). There were significant correlations between sedentary behavior and RCPM (r = −0.606, p < 0.0001). There were significant correlations between sedentary behavior and SDMT (r = −0.355, p = 0.005). There were significant correlations between Light PA (LPA) and RCPM (r = 0.603, p < 0.0001). There were significant correlations between LPA and SDMT (r = 0.362, p = 0.005).
Wolves lead and dogs follow, but they both cooperate with humans
Authors: Range Friederike , Marshall-Pescini Sarah , Kratz Corinna , Virányi Zsófia 
Published: March 2019

AbstractDue to their convergent evolution, dogs have been suggested as a good model for the evolution of human social skills, such as tolerance and cooperativeness. However, recent studies have revealed that wolves (dogs’ closest undomesticated relatives) are more tolerant and cooperative with conspecifics than dogs. It is still possible, though, that selection during domestication enhanced cooperative inclinations specifically towards humans, predicting better cooperation with humans in dogs than in wolves. We tested this hypothesis by comparing similarly human-raised wolves and dogs when cooperating with a familiar human partner in a string-pulling task. Both dogs and wolves were highly successful with the human partner, highlighting that dog-human cooperation could have evolved based on wolves’ social skills. However, wolves and dogs differed in how they cooperated with their human partners with wolves being more likely to initiate movement leading the interaction with humans, whereas dogs were more likely to wait for the human to initiate action and then follow. Accordingly, we propose that during the course of domestication, after an initial reduction in fear of humans, dogs were selected for increased submissive inclinations (Deferential Behaviour Hypothesis) in order to minimize conflicts over resources, to ensure safe co-habitation and co-working in a way that humans lead and dogs follow.
Differential gene expression induced by Verteporfin in endometrial cancer cells
Authors: Bang Lisa Gahyun , Dasari Venkata Ramesh , Kim Dokyoon , Gogoi Radhika P. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractEndometrial cancer (EMCA) is a clinically heterogeneous disease. Previously, we tested the efficacy of Verteporfin (VP) in EMCA cells and observed cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects. In this study, we analyzed RNA sequencing data to investigate the comprehensive transcriptomic landscape of VP treated Type 1 EMCA cell lines, including HEC-1-A and HEC-1-B. There were 549 genes with differential expression of two-fold or greater and P < 0.05 after false discovery rate correction for the HEC-1-B cell line. Positive regulation of TGFβ1 production, regulation of lipoprotein metabolic process, cell adhesion, endodermal cell differentiation, formation and development, and integrin mediated signaling pathway were among the significantly associated terms. A functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes after VP treatment revealed extracellular matrix organization Gene Ontology as the most significant. CDC23 and BUB1B, two genes crucially involved in mitotic checkpoint progression, were found to be the pair with the best association from STRING among differentially expressed genes in VP treated HEC-1-B cells. Our in vivo results indicate that subcutaneous tumors in mice were regressed after VP treatment by inhibiting cell cycle pathway proteins. The present study revealed multiple key genes of pathological significance in EMCA, thereby improving our understanding of molecular profiles of EMCA cells.
Three days of a eucaloric, low-carbohydrate/high-fat diet increases insulin clearance in healthy non-obese Japanese men
Authors: Suzuki Ruriko , Tamura Yoshifumi , Takeno Kageumi , Kakehi Saori , Funayama Takashi , Furukawa Yasuhiko , Kaga Hideyoshi , Sugimoto Daisuke , Kadowaki Satoshi , Someya Yuki , Kanazawa Akio , Kawamori Ryuzo , Watada Hirotaka 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMetabolic clearance rate of insulin (MCRI) is thought to help maintain glucose homeostasis even in healthy subjects. However, the effect of a low carbohydrate/high fat (LCHF) diet on MCRI in healthy subject remains unclear. To investigate the effect of a 3-day eucaloric LCHF diet on MCRI in healthy subjects, we studied 42 healthy non-obese Japanese men. Each subject consumed a eucaloric LCHF diet for 3 days. Before and after the LCHF diet, intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) levels were measured using 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and glucose infusion rate (GIR) and MCRI were evaluated with a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. The LCHF diet increased MCRI by 10% and decreased steady state serum insulin (SSSI) and GIR during glucose clamp by 10% and 6%, respectively. To further investigate the role of MCRI, we divided subjects into high-responder (HR) and low-responder (LR) groups based on the median %change in MCRI. The LCHF diet increased IMCL and decreased SSSI during glucose clamp in the HR group, while those were not altered in the LR group. Our results suggested that a 3-day eucaloric LCHF diet increases MCRI in healthy non-obese Japanese men. This change seemed to be beneficial in terms of maintaining euglycemia during low carbohydrate availability.
Improvement of dielectric performance of solid/gas composite insulation with YSZ/ZTA coatings
Authors: Sun Zhu , Fan Weiwei , Liu Zhiyuan , Bai Yu , Geng Yingsan , Wang Jianhua 
Published: March 2019

AbstractN2 has been introduced to gas-insulated switchgears (GIS) as an environmentally friendly insulation medium for SF6 gas. Considering the low breakdown strength of N2, it’s essential to apply a dielectric coating on part of the electrode in GIS. In the current work, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) ceramics are tactfully applied as dielectric coating materials and successfully coated on the surface of rod electrode via high efficiency supersonic atmospheric plasma spraying method. It is demonstrated that both YSZ and ZTA have excellent thermal stability. In the measured frequency range 10−2–106 Hz, the dielectric constant (ε′) decreases with the increase in frequency. At measured temperatures (0–140 °C), ε′ increases from 15.45 to 16.31 for YSZ ceramic at 1 kHz, while it varies between 30.23 and 39.34 for ZTA ceramic. As compared to that of bare electrode, the 50% BDV (U50) of solid/gas composite insulation system is significantly improved when using YSZ and ZTA as coating materials. Furthermore, the U50 increases with the increase of coating thickness. For the electrode coated with ZTA ceramic (500 μm), the U50 value reaches to 86 kV, which is enhanced about 21.13% in comparison with that of bare electrode. With respect to YSZ ceramic coating (500 μm), a higher U50 value of 88 kV is obtained. This is mainly due to that YSZ has a lower permittivity, which can generate a more uniform electric field distribution between the rod and plane electrodes, bringing about a higher breakdown voltage.
Maintenance of MYC expression promotes de novo resistance to BET bromodomain inhibition in castration-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Coleman Daniel J. , Gao Lina , Schwartzman Jacob , Korkola James E. , Sampson David , Derrick Daniel S. , Urrutia Joshua , Balter Ariel , Burchard Julja , King Carly J. , Chiotti Kami E. , Heiser Laura M. , Alumkal Joshi J. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe BET bromodomain protein BRD4 is a chromatin reader that regulates transcription, including in cancer. In prostate cancer, specifically, the anti-tumor activity of BET bromodomain inhibition has been principally linked to suppression of androgen receptor (AR) function. MYC is a well-described BRD4 target gene in multiple cancer types, and prior work demonstrates that MYC plays an important role in promoting prostate cancer cell survival. Importantly, several BET bromodomain clinical trials are ongoing, including in prostate cancer. However, there is limited information about pharmacodynamic markers of response or mediators of de novo resistance. Using a panel of prostate cancer cell lines, we demonstrated that MYC suppression—rather than AR suppression—is a key determinant of BET bromodomain inhibitor sensitivity. Importantly, we determined that BRD4 was dispensable for MYC expression in the most resistant cell lines and that MYC RNAi + BET bromodomain inhibition led to additive anti-tumor activity in the most resistant cell lines. Our findings demonstrate that MYC suppression is an important pharmacodynamic marker of BET bromodomain inhibitor response and suggest that targeting MYC may be a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome de novo BET bromodomain inhibitor resistance in prostate cancer.
Parameters of Bone and Cardiovascular Health Related to 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Status in Emirati Nationals attending Primary Care and Diabetes services: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Buckley Adam J. , Barakat Maha T. , Holick Michael F. , Lessan Nader 
Published: March 2019

AbstractVitamin D deficiency is endemic in people living in the Gulf states. We performed a retrospective analysis of data gathered at the first attendance of 82,396 Emirati nationals to outpatient diabetes, endocrinology and general primary care services at two centres in the United Arab Emirates during 2012–2016. Our aim was to explore associations between vitamin D status and markers of cardiovascular and bone health. In the study population, 67.1% of men and 73.5% of women had serum 25(OH)D of less than 50 nmol/L, with the lowest levels being found in young adults. Among Emirati adults with type 2 diabetes, serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L was associated with an increased risk of a coexisting adverse total cholesterol:HDL (TC:HDL) ratio (odds ratio 2.13 (1.60–2.84), p < 0.001). Correcting for age, sex, body mass index, HbA1c and statin therapy, an increase in 25(OH)D of 1 nmol/L was associated with a 0.01 unit reduction in TC:HDL in this population. In a subset of 1064 adult individuals, 25(OH)D < 25 nmol/L was associated with a reduction in DEXA-measured z-score of −0.29 (−0.44 to −0.15, p < 0.001) at the femoral neck and of −0.25(−0.45 to −0.05, p = 0.015) at L1–4, corrected for body mass index, compared with individuals with 25(OH)D ≥ 75 nmol/L. Our findings raise concerns regarding lifetime burden of cardiovascular disease and bone health for young Emiratis with vitamin D deficiency.