bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The heterogeneous effect of oil discoveries on democracy
Authors: Masi Tania , Ricciuti Roberto 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis paper evaluates the existence of a resource curse on political regimes using the Synthetic Control Method. Focusing on 12 countries, we compare their democracy level with the weighted democracy level of countries that have not experienced oil shocks and have similar pre‐event characteristics. We find that the exogenous variation in oil endowment does not have the same effect on all countries. In most cases, the event has a negative effect in the long run, but countries with a pre‐existing high level of democracy are not negatively affected.
Evolution and containment of transmissible recombinant vector vaccines
Authors: Nuismer Scott L. , Basinski Andrew , Bull James J. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractTransmissible vaccines offer a revolutionary approach for controlling infectious disease and may provide one of the few feasible methods for eliminating pathogens from inaccessible wildlife populations. Current efforts to develop transmissible vaccines use recombinant vector technology whereby pathogen antigens are engineered to be expressed from innocuous infectious viral vectors. The resulting vaccines can transmit from host to host, amplifying the number of vaccine‐protected individuals beyond those initially vaccinated directly through parenteral inoculation. One main engineering challenge is the potential for natural selection to favor vaccine mutants that eliminate or reduce expression of antigenic inserts, resulting in immunogenic decay of the vaccine over time. Here, we study a mathematical model of vector mutation whereby continuous elimination of the antigenic insert results in reversion of the vaccine back into the insert‐free vector. We use this model to quantify the maximum allowable rate of reversion that can be tolerated for a transmissible vaccine to maintain a critical threshold level of immunogenicity against a target pathogen. Our results demonstrate that even for transmissible vaccines where reversion is frequent, performance will often substantially exceed that of conventional, directly administered vaccines. Further, our results demonstrate the feasibility of designing transmissible vaccines that yield desired levels of immunogenicity, yet degrade at a rate sufficient for persistence of the recombinant vaccine within the environment to be minimized.
Expression analysis of PD‐1 and Tim‐3 immune checkpoint receptors in patients with vitiligo; positive association with disease activity
Authors: Rahimi Ali , Hossein‐Nataj Hadi , Hajheydari Zohreh , Aryanian Zeinab , Shayannia Asghar , Ajami Abolghasem , Asgarian‐Omran Hossein 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe contribution of immune checkpoint receptors in the immunopathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases has been addressed in previous reports. In this study, the expression profile of T‐cell immunoglobulin and mucin‐domain containing‐3 (Tim‐3) and programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) checkpoint molecules was investigated in CD8+ T cells of Vitiligo patients. The association of Tim‐3 and PD‐1 expression with disease activity was also explored. The frequency of Tim‐3+/PD‐1+/CD8+ T cells in 30 patients with vitiligo and 30 sex‐ and age‐matched controls was determined by flow cytometry. CD8+ T cells were then positively isolated by magnetic beads, and the mRNA expression of PD‐1 and Tim‐3 was determined by TaqMan‐based real‐time PCR. To measure the cytokines production, PBMCs were stimulated with PMA/ionomycin and concentrations of IL‐4, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α were measured in culture supernatants by ELISA. Disease activity of patients with vitiligo was determined using the Vitiligo Area Severity Index. Patients with vitiligo have significantly shown more expression of Tim‐3 and PD‐1 on their CD8+ T cells compared with controls. Expression analysis of Tim‐3 mRNA, but not PD‐1, confirmed the results obtained from flow cytometry. While the production levels of TNF‐α and IFN‐γ were found higher by patients with vitiligo, IL‐4 production was lower in patients compared with controls. A direct association was observed between the Tim‐3 and PD‐1 expression and also the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines with disease activity of patients with vitiligo. Our results indicate that Tim‐3 and PD‐1 are involved in immune dysregulation mechanisms of CD8+ T cells in vitiligo and may introduce as potential biomarkers for disease progression and targeted immunotherapy.
Novel lineage‐specific transmembrane β‐barrel proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum of Entamoeba histolytica
Authors: Santos Herbert J. , Imai Kenichiro , Makiuchi Takashi , Tomii Kentaro , Horton Paul , Nozawa Akira , Okada Kenta , Tozawa Yuzuru , Nozaki Tomoyoshi 
Published: May 2019

β‐barrel outer membrane proteins (BOMPs) are essential components of outer membranes of Gram‐negative bacteria and endosymbiotic organelles, usually involved in the transport of proteins and substrates across the membrane. Based on the analysis of our in silico BOMP predictor data for the Entamoeba histolytica genome, we detected a new transmembrane β‐barrel domain‐containing protein, EHI_192610. Sequence analysis revealed that this protein is unique to Entamoeba species, and it exclusively clusters with a homolog, EHI_099780, which is similarly lineage specific. Both proteins possess an N‐terminal signal peptide sequence as well as multiple repeats that contain dyad hydrophobic periodicities. Data from immunofluorescence assay of trophozoites expressing the respective candidates showed the absence of colocalization with mitosomal marker, and interestingly demonstrated partial colocalization with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins instead. Integration to organellar membrane was supported by carbonate fractionation assay and immunoelectron microscopy. CD analysis of reconstituted proteoliposomes containing EHI_192610 showed a spectrum demonstrating a predominant β‐sheet structure, suggesting that this protein is β‐strand rich. Furthermore, the presence of repeat regions with predicted transmembrane β‐strand pairs in both EHI_192610 and EHI_099780, is consistent with the hypothesis that BOMPs originated from the amplification of ββ‐hairpin modules, suggesting that the two Entamoeba‐specific proteins are novel β‐barrels, intriguingly localized partially to the ER membrane.
Severity of obstructive sleep apnea is associated with the nocturnal fluctuation of pulse rate, but not with that of blood pressure, in older hypertensive patients receiving calcium channel blockers
Authors: Nozato Satoko , Yamamoto Koichi , Nozato Yoichi , Akasaka Hiroshi , Hongyo Kazuhiro , Takeda Masao , Takami Yoichi , Takeya Yasushi , Sugimoto Ken , Ito Norihisa , Rakugi Hiromi 
Published: May 2019

AimObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased variability in nocturnal blood pressure (BP). Calcium channel blockers (CCB) are superior to other classes of antihypertensives in decreasing BP variability. We investigated whether OSA severity is associated with nocturnal BP variability in older hypertensive patients treated with CCB.MethodsWe measured home systolic and diastolic BP and pulse rate (PR) automatically during sleep at an interval of an hour once a week using an electronic sphygmomanometer in 29 hypertensive patients (aged ≥65 years) receiving CCB. We calculated the coefficient of variation (CV) from four consecutive measurements. All patients underwent a home‐based portable sleep study.ResultsWe found no difference in PR, BP or CV of BP between the patients with no‐to‐mild OSA and with moderate‐to‐severe OSA, categorized by the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) and 3% oxygen desaturation index (ODI). The CV of PR in patients with moderate‐to‐severe OSA was higher than the patients with no‐to‐mild OSA categorized by 3% ODI (P = 0.01). Body mass index was correlated with RDI and 3% ODI (r = 0.56 and 0.43, respectively). The CV of BP did not correlate to RDI or 3% ODI. The CV of PR was positively correlated both with RDI and with 3% ODI (r = 0.41 and 0.42, respectively).ConclusionsThe severity of OSA was associated with PR variability, but not with BP variability, in older patients receiving CCB. Our results suggest the need for future studies to determine whether CCB can suppress the influence of OSA on BP fluctuation during sleep. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 604–610.
Comparison of the efficacy and safety of 12‐month low‐dose factor VIII tertiary prophylaxis vs on‐demand treatment in severe haemophilia A children
Authors: Chozie Novie A. , Primacakti Fitri , Gatot Djajadiman , Setiabudhy Rahajuningsih D. , Tulaar Angela B. M. , Prasetyo Marcel 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIntroductionProphylaxis has commonly become standard treatment for severe haemophilia patients. The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) recommends low‐dose prophylaxis in countries with resource constraints.ObjectiveTo determine efficacy and safety of low‐dose factor VIII (FVIII) tertiary prophylaxis compared to on‐demand treatment in severe haemophilia A children in Indonesia.MethodsEligible patients were randomly assigned to prophylaxis and on‐demand groups. Patients in the prophylaxis group received infusion of FVIII 10 IU/kg body weight, two times per week. Primary outcomes were the numbers of joint bleeding and total bleeding episodes; secondary outcomes were evidence of FVIII inhibitor, Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) and Hemophilia Early Arthropathy Detection Ultrasound (HEAD‐US) score. Patients were monitored for 12 months.ResultsFifty patients, all with tertiary prophylaxis, 4‐18 years of age, were randomized into prophylaxis (n = 25) and on‐demand (n = 25) groups. The mean follow‐up time was 12.8 ± 0.86 vs 12.3 ± 0.54 months, respectively. Numbers of total and joint bleeding episodes were significantly lower in the prophylaxis group (P < 0.001, 95% CI −24.6;−10.7 andP < 0.001, 95% CI −14;−3, respectively).The prophylaxis group showed improvement of joint function (P = 0.004; CI 95% −3;−0.5); on the contrary, we found deterioration in the on‐demand group (P = 0.001; CI 95% 1;3). HEAD‐US scores showed improvement at month 6 in the prophylaxis group, but there was no significant difference between groups at month 12.ConclusionLow‐dose FVIII tertiary prophylaxis was effective in reducing joint bleeding episodes and improvement of HJHS compared to on‐demand FVIII treatment in severe haemophilia A children.
Use of inline near‐infrared spectroscopy to predict the viscosity of shampoo using multivariate analysis
Authors: Haroon K. , Arafeh A. , Martin P. , Rodgers T. , Mendoza Ć. , Baker M. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectiveIn the personal care industry, viscosity is a critical quality attribute that influences product quality and process economics. Like many industrial liquids, personal care liquids are complex non‐Newtonian liquids made up of aqueous surfactant systems whose viscosity depends on the build‐up of micellar networks. Measuring the viscosity of complex liquids offline is easily done using benchtop rheometers and viscometers. The challenge lies in measuring the viscosity of personal care liquids online during manufacturing. Being able to track the viscosity of such products through their manufacturing cycle will not only allow for better process control but also more enhanced quality control. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate how proxy measurements using inline near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in transmission mode can be used to predict the viscosity of shampoo. NIR spectroscopy has not, to the best our knowledge, been used to predict the viscosity of complex surfactant systems like shampoo and could significantly affect the way quality is monitored in a manufacturing environment.MethodThis work focuses on viscosity changes because of differences in chloride content as salt is often used to adjust viscosity. The relationship between salt content and the viscosity of shampoo is well known following the salt curve. From an industrial perspective the region of interest for the formulation studied in this work only covers a small section of this curve. Therefore, two predictive models were developed: one covering the full range of the salt curve and another focusing on the industrially applicable region.ResultModels were produced using partial least squares (PLS) where both datasets showed some predictive ability with the concentrated region of interest showing enhanced performance [root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) – 2.32 Pa s] compared with the larger range (RMSEP – 4.44 Pa s).ConclusionThis work provides a good starting point for developing robust predictive models for in situ viscosity measurements for shampoo manufacturing, where further work into different sources of variation and the extent of the modelling capability with regards to different formulations should be studied.
Designing novel sodium bismuth titanate lead‐free incipient perovskite for piezoactuator applications
Authors: Liu Xing , Shen Bo , Zhai Jiwei 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBismuth‐based lead‐free incipient piezoceramics have potential in piezoactuators owing to their large strain response. However, a substantial strain hysteresis and poor temperature/frequency stability heavily restrict their practical applications. Herein, we designed a compositional inhomogeneity and constructed quenched random fields to enhance the relaxor dynamics by introducing a classical relaxor material, Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3, into a nonergodic material, (Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3–0.15SrTiO3. Intriguingly, we obtained a large piezoelectric coefficient of 602 pm/V and a narrow hysteresis of 32% at the x = 0.04 (BZT4) composition. The strain properties present a robust frequency (~2%, 1‐20 Hz) and temperature stability (~13%, 25‐150°C). The excellent actuating properties of BZT4 were due to a field‐induced reversible ergodic relaxor‐ferroelectric transformation, and the narrow hysteresis can be attributed to quick switching of the dynamic relaxor phase to external stimuli. The origin of the structural transition and salient strain performance was systematically investigated. This study provides a novel route for designing lead‐free incipient perovskite with a large strain, narrow hysteresis and high stability for eco‐friendly actuators.
Gene flow and genetic structure in Acacia stenophylla (Fabaceae): Effects of hydrological connectivity
Authors: Murray Bruce F. , Reid Michael A. , Capon Samantha J. , Thoms Martin , Wu Shu‐Biao 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimRiparian ecosystems are regarded as vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Because of their reliance on passive dispersal to migrate from areas where conditions have become unfavourable, plants are particularly susceptible. On dryland river floodplains, the species diversity of herbaceous annuals is often high while that of structurally dominant woody perennials is low. We examined gene flow genetic structure and dispersal in Acacia stenophylla, a small perennial tree widely distributed throughout river systems of inland Australia. The role of the river corridor in shaping patterns of gene flow and genetic structure is also investigated.LocationMurray‐Darling Basin, south eastern AustraliaMethodsA total of 127 individuals, from 12 subpopulations located on seven rivers were genotyped at 13 microsatellite loci. Several population and landscape genetic tools were applied to the microsatellite data to evaluate spatial patterns of gene flow and genetic structure and make inferences regarding possible modes of dispersal.ResultsHigh gene flow and weak genetic structure was identified for the 12 subpopulations of A. stenophylla sampled, a surprising result given large distances between subpopulations. Pairwise genetic distance between subpopulations was low to moderate and could largely be explained (R2 = 0.68) by two variables: distance along the river and the proportion of no flow days. structure analysis revealed two genetic clusters. Subpopulations located on the Darling and Lower Balonne rivers were dominated by cluster one while subpopulations from the Warrego and Paroo rivers showed largely mixed ancestry with individuals descending from both clusters one and two.Main ConclusionsThese results indicate that the river corridor facilitates extensive gene flow between subpopulations of A. stenophylla in this system. Hydrochory appears to be the dominant process; however, upstream movements of propagules most probably via animal movement are sufficient to negate effects expected under unidirectional dispersal.
Permanent pacing and conduction recovery in patients undergoing cardiac surgery for active infective endocarditis in an Australian Tertiary Center
Authors: Al‐Kaisey Ahmed M. , Chandra Nikhil , Ha Francis J. , Al‐Kaisey Yasir M. , Vasanthakumar Sheran , Koshy Anoop N. , Anderson Robert D. , Ord Michelle , Srivastava Piyush M. , O'Donnell David , Lim Han S. , Matalanis George , Teh Andrew W. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundPostoperative heart block is common among patients undergoing surgery for infective endocarditis (IE). Limited data exists allowing cardiologists to predict who will require permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation postoperatively. We aimed to determine the rate of postoperative PPM insertion, predictors for postoperative PPM, and describe PPM utilization and rates of device‐related infection during follow‐up.Materials and MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed of 191 consecutive patients from a single institution who underwent cardiac surgery for IE between 2001 and 2017. Preoperative and operative predictors for postoperative PPM were evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsThe rate of postoperative PPM implantation was 11% (17/154). The PPM group had more preoperative prolonged PR interval alone (33% vs 12%; P = .03), coexistent prolonged PR and QRS durations (13% vs 2%; P = .01), infection beyond the valve leaflets (82% vs 41%; P = .001), aortic root debridement (65% vs 23%; P = <.001), patch repair (47% vs 20%; P = .01), postoperative prolonged PR interval (50% vs 24%; P = .01), and prolonged QRS duration (47% vs 15%; P = .001). On multivariate analysis, infection beyond the valve leaflets emerged as an independent predictor for postoperative PPM (odds ratio, 1.94, 95% confidence interval, 1.14‐3.28; P = .014). A reduction in PPM utilization was observed in five patients while eight patients continued to show significant ventricular pacing with no underlying rhythm at 12 months. There were no device‐related infections.ConclusionPostoperative PPM was required in 11% of patients undergoing surgery for IE over a 16‐year period. Infection beyond the valve leaflet was an independent predictor for postoperative PPM insertion.
Deletion of pancreatic β‐cell adenosine kinase improves glucose homeostasis in young mice and ameliorates streptozotocin‐induced hyperglycaemia
Authors: Ahmed Abdalhamid Osman Makawi , Sun Yu‐Jing , Li Rui‐Jia , Lin Hui , Zeng Dong‐Mei , Chen Xin‐Yu , He Dongfang , Feng Hui‐Wei , Yang Zhao , Wang Jin , Wu Chaodong , Cui Min , Sun Jin‐Peng , Huo Yuqing , Yu Xiao 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSevere reduction in the β‐cell number (collectively known as the β‐cell mass) contributes to the development of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Recent pharmacological studies have suggested that increased pancreatic β‐cell proliferation could be due to specific inhibition of adenosine kinase (ADK). However, genetic evidence for the function of pancreatic β‐cell ADK under physiological conditions or in a pathological context is still lacking. In this study, we crossed mice carrying LoxP‐flanked Adk gene with Ins2‐Cre mice to acquire pancreatic β ‐cell ADK deficiency (Ins2‐Cre±Adkfl/fl) mice. Our results revealed that Ins2‐Cre+/‐Adkfl/fl mice showed improved glucose metabolism and β‐cell mass in younger mice, but showed normal activity in adult mice. Moreover, Ins2‐Cre±Adkfl/fl mice were more resistant to streptozotocin (STZ) induced hyperglycaemia and pancreatic β‐cell damage in adult mice. In conclusion, we found that ADK negatively regulates β‐cell replication in young mice as well as under pathological conditions, such as STZ induced pancreatic β‐cell damage. Our study provided genetic evidence that specific inhibition of pancreatic β‐cell ADK has potential for anti‐diabetic therapy.
LncRNA‐SULT1C2A regulates Foxo4 in congenital scoliosis by targeting rno‐miR‐466c‐5p through PI3K‐ATK signalling
Authors: Chen Chong , Tan Haining , Bi Jiaqi , Li Lin , Rong Tianhua , Lin Youxi , Sun Peiyu , Liang Jinqian , Jiao Yang , Li Zheng , Sun Liang , Shen Jianxiong 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCongenital scoliosis (CS) is the result of anomalous vertebrae development, but the pathogenesis of CS remains unclear. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in embryo development, but their role in CS remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the role and mechanisms of a specific lncRNA, SULT1C2A, in somitogenesis in a rat model of vitamin A deficiency (VAD)‐induced CS. Bioinformatics analysis and quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) indicated that SULT1C2A expression was down‐regulated in VAD group, accompanied by increased expression of rno‐miR‐466c‐5p but decreased expression of Foxo4 and somitogenesis‐related genes such as Pax1, Nkx3‐2 and Sox9 on gestational day (GD) 9. Luciferase reporter and small interfering RNA (siRNA) assays showed that SULT1C2A functioned as a competing endogenous RNA to inhibit rno‐miR‐466c‐5p expression by direct binding, and rno‐miR‐466c‐5p inhibited Foxo4 expression by binding to its 3′ untranslated region (UTR). The spatiotemporal expression of SULT1C2A, rno‐miR‐466c‐5p and Foxo4 axis was dynamically altered on GDs 3, 8, 11, 15 and 21 as detected by qRT‐PCR and northern blot analyses, with parallel changes in Protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation and PI3K expression. Taken together, our findings indicate that SULT1C2A enhanced Foxo4 expression by negatively modulating rno‐miR‐466c‐5p expression via the PI3K‐ATK signalling pathway in the rat model of VAD‐CS. Thus, SULT1C2A may be a potential target for treating CS.