bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated With Short and Long Term Cognitive Changes in Patients With Sepsis
Authors: Calsavara Allan J. C. , Costa Priscila A. , Nobre Vandack , Teixeira Antonio L. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to assess cognition in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock and whether cognitive impairment was associated with clinical and laboratory parameters. We conducted a cohort study of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock evaluated within 24 h and one year after ICU discharge. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were analyzed, and the following neuropsychological tests were applied: Consortium to Establish Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease, Mini-Mental State Examination, and Trail Making Test forms A and B. We included 33 patients, mean age of 49, 19% were female. Patients underperformed on most measures 24 h after ICU discharge, with improvement on follow-up. IQCODE, APACHE II scores, NSE and IFN-γ levels at ICU discharge were associated with poor cognitive performance, while higher educational level was associated with good cognitive performance. The time to first antibiotic dose, accumulated dose of haloperidol during UCI stay and mean glycemia were also associated with poor cognitive outcome. In general, patients with severe sepsis or septic shock have cognitive impairment that can improve over time. This improvement was associated with factors identified during their ICU stay, such as cognitive reserve, educational level, mean glycemia during ICU stay and NSE level.
Continuous Flow of Upper Labrador Sea Water around Cape Hatteras
Authors: Andres Magdalena , Muglia Mike , Bahr Frank , Bane John 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSix velocity sections straddling Cape Hatteras show a deep counterflow rounding the Cape wedged beneath the poleward flowing Gulf Stream and the continental slope. This counterflow is likely the upper part of the equatorward-flowing Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC). Hydrographic data suggest that the equatorward flow sampled by the shipboard 38 kHz ADCP comprises the Upper Labrador Sea Water (ULSW) layer and top of the Classical Labrador Sea Water (CLSW) layer. Continuous DWBC flow around the Cape implied by the closely-spaced velocity sections here is also corroborated by the trajectory of an Argo float. These findings contrast with previous studies based on floats and tracers in which the lightest DWBC constituents did not follow the boundary to cross under the Gulf Stream at Cape Hatteras but were diverted into the interior as the DWBC encountered the Gulf Stream in the crossover region. Additionally, our six quasi-synoptic velocity sections confirm that the Gulf Stream intensified markedly at that time as it approached the separation point and flowed into deeper waters. Downstream increases were observed not only in the poleward transport across the sections but also in the current’s maximum speed.
Vaccination Against Whipworm: Identification of Potential Immunogenic Proteins in Trichuris muris Excretory/Secretory Material
Authors: Shears Rebecca K. , Bancroft Allison J. , Sharpe Catherine , Grencis Richard K. , Thornton David J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTrichuris trichiura(whipworm) is one of the four major soil-transmitted helminth infections of man, affecting an estimated 465 million people worldwide. An effective vaccine that induces long-lasting protective immunity againstT.trichiurawould alleviate the morbidity associated with this intestinal-dwelling parasite, however the lack of known host protective antigens has hindered vaccine development. Here, we show that vaccination with ES products stimulates long-lasting protection against chronic infection in male C57BL/6 mice. We also provide a framework for the identification of immunogenic proteins withinT.murisES, and identify eleven candidates with direct homologues inT.trichiurathat warrant further study. Given the extensive homology betweenT.murisandT.trichiuraat both the genomic and transcriptomic levels, this work has the potential to advance vaccine design forT.trichiura.
Period Increase and Amplitude Distribution of Kink Oscillation of Coronal Loop
Authors: Su W. , Guo Y. , Erdélyi R. , Ning Z. J. , Ding M. D. , Cheng X. , Tan B. L. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCoronal loops exist ubiquitously in the solar atmosphere. These loops puzzle astronomers over half a century. Solar magneto-seismology (SMS) provides a unique way to constrain the physical parameters of coronal loops. Here, we study the evolution of oscillations of a coronal loop observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA). We measure geometric and physical parameters of the loop oscillations. In particular, we find that the mean period of the oscillations increased from 1048 to 1264 s during three oscillatory cycles. We employ the differential emission measure method and apply the tools of SMS. The evolution of densities inside and outside the loop is analyzed. We found that an increase of density inside the loop and decrease of the magnetic field strength along the loop are the main reasons for the increase in the period during the oscillations. Besides, we also found that the amplitude profile of the loop is different from a profile would it be a homogeneous loop. It is proposed that the distribution of magnetic strength along the loop rather than density stratification is responsible for this deviation. The variation in period and distribution of amplitude provide, in terms of SMS, a new and unprecedented insight into coronal loop diagnostics.
Responses of hydrolytic enzyme activities in saline-alkaline soil to mixed inorganic and organic nitrogen addition
Authors: Shi Baoku , Zhang Junmei , Wang Chengliang , Ma Jianying , Sun Wei 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe effects of manipulating nitrogen (N) deposition, with the use of a single form of N, on soil enzyme activities have been extensively studied. However, the impacts varying the N type (organic vs. inorganic) on soil hydrolytic enzyme activities have been less studied. We performed a 60 day incubation experiment using saline-alkaline soil. The objectives were to explore how the microbial biomass and enzyme activities respond to a mixed N addition at different inorganic to organic N ratios. The experimental design was full factorial, with two rates of N addition (10 g N m−2 and 20 g N m−2) and four ratios of N addition (inorganic N:organic N = 10:0, 7:3, 3:7, 1:9). The results showed that N addition stimulated enzyme activities involved in C, N and P cycling. Enzyme activities under mixed N addition increased compared to those under single inorganic N addition in most cases. The inorganic to organic N ratios interacted with the N addition rate to affect the enzyme activities. Our results suggest that various N fertilizers, which have different inorganic to organic N ratios, should be applied when evaluating the effects of atmospheric N deposition on the soil microbial enzyme activities and ecosystem structure and function.
Mechanisms of utilisation of arabinoxylans by a porcine faecal inoculum: competition and co-operation
Authors: Feng Guangli , Flanagan Bernadine M. , Mikkelsen Deirdre , Williams Barbara A. , Yu Wenwen , Gilbert Robert G. , Gidley Michael J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRecent studies show that a single or small number of intestinal microbes can completely degrade complex carbohydrates. This suggests a drive towards competitive utilisation of dietary complex carbohydrates resulting in limited microbial diversity, at odds with the health benefits associated with a diverse microbiome. This study investigates the enzymatic metabolism of wheat and rye arabinoxylans (AX) using in vitro fermentation, with a porcine faecal inoculum. Through studying the activity of AX-degrading enzymes and the structural changes of residual AX during fermentation, we show that the AX-degrading enzymes are mainly cell-associated, which enables the microbes to utilise the AX competitively. However, potential for cross-feeding is also demonstrated to occur by two distinct mechanisms: (1) release of AX after partial degradation by cell-associated enzymes, and (2) release of enzymes during biomass turnover, indicative of co-operative AX degradation. This study provides a model for the combined competitive-co-operative utilisation of complex dietary carbohydrates by gut microorganisms.
Loss of the adaptor protein ShcA in endothelial cells protects against monocyte macrophage adhesion, LDL-oxydation, and atherosclerotic lesion formation
Authors: Abou-Jaoude Antoine , Badiqué Lise , Mlih Mohamed , Awan Sara , Guo Sunning , Lemle Alexandre , Abboud Clauda , Foppolo Sophie , Host Lionel , Terrand Jérôme , Justiniano Hélène , Herz Joachim , Matz Rachel L. , Boucher Philippe 
Published: March 2018

AbstractShcA is an adaptor protein that binds to the cytoplasmic tail of receptor tyrosine kinases and of the Low Density Lipoprotein-related receptor 1 (LRP1), a trans-membrane receptor that protects against atherosclerosis. Here, we examined the role of endothelial ShcA in atherosclerotic lesion formation. We found that atherosclerosis progression was markedly attenuated in mice deleted for ShcA in endothelial cells, that macrophage content was reduced at the sites of lesions, and that adhesion molecules such as the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were severely reduced. Our data indicate that transcriptional regulation of ShcA by the zinc-finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) and the Hippo pathway effector YAP, promotes ICAM-1 expression independently of p-NF-κB, the primary driver of adhesion molecules expressions. In addition, ShcA suppresses endothelial Akt and nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expressions. Thus, through down regulation of eNOS and ZEB1-mediated ICAM-1 up regulation, endothelial ShcA promotes monocyte-macrophage adhesion and atherosclerotic lesion formation. Reducing ShcA expression in endothelial cells may represent an obvious therapeutic approach to prevent atherosclerosis.
An optimized chronology for a stalagmite using seasonal trace element cycles from Shihua Cave, Beijing, North China
Authors: Ban Fengmei , Baker Andy , Marjo Christopher E. , Duan Wuhui , Li Xianglei , Han Jinxian , Coleborn Katie , Akter Rabeya , Tan Ming , Nagra Gurinder 
Published: March 2018

AbstractStalagmites play an important role in paleoclimatic reconstructions from seasonal to orbital time scales as 230Th-dating can provide an accurate absolute age. Additionally, seasonal trace element and optical layers can provide a precise age. We analyzed the seasonal variability of multiple trace elements on a stalagmite (XMG) in Shihua Cave, Beijing and compared them with results from laminae counting. The results show that (1) the polished section of the topmost part of XMG has obvious bi-optical layers under a conventional transmission microscope, however, laminae are not observed using this method in the rest of the sample, and (2) The variations of P/Ca, Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca, U/Ca and Mg/Ca show seasonal cycles throughout the sample. The PC1 in the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of five trace elements represents the annual cycle. This stalagmite was deposited over 150 ± 1 years through PC1 peak counting. This result corresponds well with the annual layers and U-Th dating. Trace element cyclicity of PC1 can increase the accuracy of stalagmite dating, especially in the absence of obvious laminae and are a powerful method to identify seasonal changes in a strongly contrasting wet-dry monsoon climate region.
Loss of ezrin expression reduced the susceptibility to the glomerular injury in mice
Authors: Hatano Ryo , Takeda Ai , Abe Yukiko , Kawaguchi Kotoku , Kazama Itsuro , Matsubara Mitsunobu , Asano Shinji 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEzrin is highly expressed in glomerular podocytes and is reported to form a multi-protein complex with scaffold protein Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor 2 (NHERF2) and podocalyxin, a major sialoprotein. Podocalyxin-knockout mice died within 24 h of birth with anuric renal failure, whereas NHERF2-knockout mice show no apparent changes in the glomerular functions. However, the physiological roles of ezrin in glomerular podocytes remain unclear. Here, we investigated the importance of ezrin in the regulation of glomerular podocyte function using ezrin-knockdown mice (Vil2
kd/kd
). The Vil2
kd/kd
mice did not exhibit apparent glomerular dysfunction, morphological defects or abnormal localisation of podocalyxin and NHERF2 in podocytes. Thus, we investigated the influence of ezrin defects on Rho-GTPase activity, as ezrin interacts with the Rho-GTPase dissociation inhibitor (Rho-GDI), which plays a key role in the regulation of podocyte actin organisation. In Vil2
kd/kd
glomeruli, Rac1 activity was significantly reduced compared to wildtype (WT) glomeruli at baseline. Furthermore, Vil2
kd/kd
mice showed reduced susceptibility to glomerular injury. In WT glomeruli, Rac1 activity was enhanced in nephrotic conditions, but remained at baseline levels in Vil2
kd/kd
glomeruli, suggesting that loss of ezrin protects podocytes from injury-induced morphological changes by suppressing Rac1 activation.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells protect against n-hexane-induced neuropathy through beclin 1-independent inhibition of autophagy
Authors: Hao Jie , Li Shuangyue , Shi Xiaoxia , Qian Zhiqiang , Sun Yijie , Wang Dunjia , Zhou Xueying , Qu Hongxin , Hu Shuhai , Zuo Enjun , Zhang Cong , Hou Liyan , Wang Qingshan , Piao Fengyuan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractChronic exposure to n-hexane, a widely used organic solvent in industry, induces central-peripheral neuropathy, which is mediated by its active metabolite, 2,5-hexanedione (HD). We recently reported that transplantation of bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) significantly ameliorated HD-induced neuronal damage and motor deficits in rats. However, the mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we reported that inhibition of HD-induced autophagy contributed to BMSC-afforded protection. BMSC transplantation significantly reduced the levels of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II (LC3-II) and the degradation of sequestosome-1 (p62) in the spinal cord and sciatic nerve of HD-intoxicated rats. Downregulation of autophagy by BMSC was also confirmed in VSC4.1 cells exposed to HD. Moreover, inhibition of autophagy by PIK III mitigated the neurotoxic effects of HD and, meanwhile, abolished BMSC-afforded neuroprotection. Furthermore, we found that BMSC failed to interfere with Beclin 1, but promoted activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Unc-like kinse 1 (ULK1) was further recognized as the downstream target of mTOR responsible for BMSC-mediated inhibition of autophagy. Altogether, BMSC transplantation potently ameliorated HD-induced autophagy through beclin 1-independent activation of mTOR pathway, providing a novel insight for the therapeutic effects of BMSC against n-hexane and other environmental toxicants-induced neurotoxicity.
Photochemical analysis of structural transitions in DNA liquid crystals reveals differences in spatial structure of DNA molecules organized in liquid crystalline form
Authors: Brach Katarzyna , Hatakeyama Akiko , Nogues Claude , Olesiak-Banska Joanna , Buckle Malcolm , Matczyszyn Katarzyna 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe anisotropic shape of DNA molecules allows them to form lyotropic liquid crystals (LCs) at high concentrations. This liquid crystalline arrangement is also found in vivo (e.g., in bacteriophage capsids, bacteria or human sperm nuclei). However, the role of DNA liquid crystalline organization in living organisms still remains an open question. Here we show that in vitro, the DNA spatial structure is significantly changed in mesophases compared to non-organized DNA molecules. DNA LCs were prepared from pBluescript SK (pBSK) plasmid DNA and investigated by photochemical analysis of structural transitions (PhAST). We reveal significant differences in the probability of UV-induced pyrimidine dimer photoproduct formation at multiple loci on the DNA indicative of changes in major groove architecture.
Formation of inclusion type silicon phases induced by inert gases
Authors: Bi Yuanfei , Xu Enshi , Strobel Timothy A. , Li Tianshu 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSilicon clathrate, an important allotrope of silicon, has attractive opto-electronic properties for energy applications. However, it remains an experimental challenge to synthesize electrically undoped, intrinsic clathrate. Here we show, through high-throughput computer modeling, that unconventional silicon phases spontaneously nucleate from liquid silicon in the presence of noble gases under high pressure and high temperature. In particular, our results show that a medium-sized noble gas, for example, argon, can trigger the nucleation and growth of inert-gas silicon clathrate, whereas a small noble gas such as helium is able to induce the formation of an unconventional, inclusion-type compound Si2He. The formation of both silicon phases can be attributed to the same thermodynamic and kinetic rationale that explains the crystallization of clathrate hydrate, an isostructural analog. Our findings, along with the gained molecular insights, thus strongly suggest a viable experimental synthesis route for these silicon phases using noble gases at high pressure.
The cold denaturation of IscU highlights structure–function dualism in marginally stable proteins
Authors: Yan Robert , DeLos Rios Paolo , Pastore Annalisa , Temussi Piero Andrea 
Published: March 2018

AbstractProteins undergo both cold and heat denaturation, but often cold denaturation cannot be detected because it occurs at temperatures below water freezing. Proteins undergoing detectable cold as well as heat denaturation yield a reliable curve of protein stability. Here we use bacterial IscU, an essential and ancient protein involved in iron cluster biogenesis, to show an important example of unbiased cold denaturation, based on electrostatic frustration caused by a dualism between iron–sulfur cluster binding and the presence of a functionally essential electrostatic gate. We explore the structural determinants and the universals that determine cold denaturation with the aid of a coarse grain model. Our results set a firm point in our understanding of cold denaturation and give us general rules to induce and predict protein cold denaturation. The conflict between ligand binding and stability hints at the importance of the structure–function dualism in protein evolution.
Anticancer, antimicrobial, and analgesic activities of spider venoms
Authors: Akef Hassan M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSpider venoms are complex mixtures composed of a variety of compounds, including salts, small organic molecules, peptides, and proteins. But, the venom of a few species is dangerous to humans. High levels of chemical diversity make spider venoms attractive subjects for chemical prospecting. Many spider venom components show potential activity against a wide range of human diseases. However, the development of novel venom-derived therapeutics requires an understanding of their mechanisms of action. This review will highlight the structures, activities and the possible mechanisms of action of spider venoms and their components against cancer, microbial infections, and pain.
Red‐emitting distributed‐feedback ridge‐waveguide laser based on high‐order surface grating
Authors: Fricke J. , Brox O. , Wenzel H. , Matalla M. , Ressel P. , Knigge A. 
Published: March 2018

Distributed‐feedback ridge‐waveguide lasers emitting around 670 nm have been fabricated and experimentally characterised. Wavelength stabilisation is provided by 40th Bragg order surface gratings dry‐etched into the p‐GaAs–AlGaAs–AlGaInP layer structure. The large grating period of 4.2 µm allows the injection of the current between the grooves of the grating without sacrificing the electrical and optical properties noticeably. The 1.5 mm long devices achieve an output power of 50 mW at an injection current of 180 mA. The side mode suppression ratio is 50 dB at 150 mA.
Biotransformation of Cyclodextrine-Complexed Semisynthetic Betulin Derivatives by Plant Cells
Authors: Häkkinen Suvi , Nygren Heli , Maiorova Natalia , Haavikko Raisa , Alakurtti Sami , Yli-Kauhaluoma Jari , Rischer Heiko , Oksman-Caldentey Kirsi-Marja 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn this study, three semisynthetic betulonic acid-based compounds, 20(29)-dihydrolup-2-en[2,3-d]isoxazol-28-oic acid, 1-betulonoylpyrrolidine, and lupa-2,20(29)-dieno[2,3-b]pyrazin-28-oic acid, were studied in biotransformation experiments using Nicotiana tabacum and Catharanthus roseus cell suspension cultures. Biotransformation was performed using cyclodextrin to aid dissolving poorly water-soluble substrates. Several new derivatives were found, consisting of oxidized and glycosylated (pentose- and hexose-conjugated) products.
Automatische Anfallsdetektion bei Epilepsie
Authors: Baumgartner Christoph , Koren Johannes 
Published: March 2018

ZusammenfassungDie automatische computerunterstützte Detektion von epileptischen Anfällen ist wichtig zur Überprüfung der Wirksamkeit der Epilepsiebehandlung, SUDEP-Prävention, Vermeidung von anfallsassoziierten Verletzungen, Warnung vor bevorstehenden Anfällen und Entwicklung von bedarfsgesteuerten Therapieformen. Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die Prinzipien und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten von automatischen computergestützten Anfallsdetektionssystemen.
Using Twitter to Study Public Discourse in the Wake of Judicial Decisions
Authors: Clark Tom S. , Staton Jeffrey K. , Wang Yu , Agichtein Eugene 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAt the intersection of behavioral and institutional studies of policy making lie a series of questions about how elite choices affect mass public opinion. Scholars have considered how judicial decisions—especially US Supreme Court decisions—affect individuals’ support for specific policy positions. These studies yield a series of competing findings. Whereas past research uses opinion surveys to assess how individuals’ opinions are shaped, we believe that modern techniques for analyzing social media provide analytic leverage that traditional approaches do not offer. We present a framework for employing Twitter data to study mass opinion discourse. We find that the Supreme Court’s decisions relating to same-sex marriage in 2013 had significant effects on how the public discussed same-sex marriage and had a polarizing effect on mass opinion. We conclude by connecting these findings and our analyses to larger problems and debates in the area of democratic deliberation and big-data analysis.
Court Leadership, Agenda Transformation, and Judicial Dissent
Authors: Bentsen Henrik Litleré 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe previous literature debates whether rising rates of dissent are best explained by changes in court leadership and the composition of justices or by greater judicial discretion and changes in agenda. This article examines the influential hypotheses derived from the literature in the relevant and testable European case of the Supreme Court of Norway. It shows that the rising rate of dissent in the Court in the 1990s was mainly catalyzed by fundamental changes to the Court’s discretionary power and by its newfound agenda to work more actively with the development of the law and the protection of human rights.
Gender and Judicial Replacement
Authors: Arrington Nancy B. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEmploying a matching design on US state supreme court vacancies and replacements from 1970 to 2016, I demonstrate that patterns of judicial replacement are gendered. Vacancies made by women are filled by women at a greater rate than vacancies made by men, and vacancies made by men are filled by men at a greater rate than vacancies made by women. To examine whether these patterns of replacement have systematically suppressed or advantaged the selection of women judges, I compare judicial selections to the gender composition of lawyers. Women are selected to state supreme courts at rates that parallel the gender diversity of lawyers over time, which suggests that gendered patterns of replacement have neither advantaged nor excluded women from state supreme courts in the aggregate.