bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circular RNA expression profile and potential function of hsa_circ_0045272 in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Li Lian‐Ju , Zhu Zhi‐Wei , Zhao Wei , Tao Sha‐Sha , Li Bao‐Zhu , Xu Shu‐Zhen , Wang Jie‐Bing , Zhang Ming‐Yue , Wu Jun , Leng Rui‐Xue , Fan Yin‐Guang , Pan Hai‐Feng , Ye Dong‐Qing 
Published: April 2018

SummaryCircular RNAs (circRNAs) represent a class of non‐coding RNAs that form covalently closed RNA circles with extensive expression and conservation in mammals. Circular RNAs regulate gene expression through acting as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) and modulating gene transcription. Accumulating evidence supports the implication of circRNAs in a variety of human diseases, but studies of circRNA role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are lacking. The present study measured the circRNA expression profiles in T cells from patients with SLE and healthy controls with human circRNA microarray and identified 127 differentially expressed circRNAs in SLE patients. Down‐regulation of hsa_circ_0045272 in SLE T cells was verified with quantitative PCR. Jurkat cells with stable hsa_circ_0045272 knockdown were generated using specific lentiviral short hairpin RNA for functional studies. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that hsa_circ_0045272 knockdown significantly up‐regulated the early apoptosis of Jurkat cells. Meanwhile, ELISA showed that hsa_circ_0045272 knockdown significantly enhanced interleukin‐2 production of activated Jurkat cells. Then, ceRNAs were predicted for hsa_circ_0045272 and the significant down‐regulation of two mRNAs predicted as ceRNAs, NM_003466 (PAX8) and NM_015177 (DTX4), but not their corresponding proteins, was validated. Furthermore, dual luciferase reporter assay indicated binding of hsa_circ_0045272 with hsa‐miR‐6127. Circular RNA–mRNA co‐expression networks showed the correlation of circRNAs with mRNAs and provided additional clues to circRNA functions. Our study demonstrated dysregulated circRNAs in SLE and revealed the function of hsa_circ_0045272 in negatively regulating apoptosis and interleukin‐2 secretion and its potential mechanism. The implication of hsa_circ_0045272 and other abnormal circRNAs in SLE merits further investigation.
Improved transmittance and ferroelectric properties realized in KNN ceramics via SAN modification
Authors: Zhao Xumei , Chai Qizhen , Chen Bi , Chao Xiaolian , Yang Zupei 
Published: April 2018

AbstractTransparent, Sr(Al0.5Nb0.5)O3‐modified K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNN) ceramics were successfully fabricated by a solid‐state pressureless sintering method in this work. The obtained microstructure, transmittance, and electrical properties were characterized in detail. Our results indicated that the modification by Sr(Al0.5Nb0.5)O3 significantly limited the grain growth behavior of KNN, resulting in dense ceramics with submicron grain size (<0.5 μm) and small pore size. Consequently, the ceramic with the 0.96K0.5Na0.5NbO3‐0.04Sr(Al0.5Nb0.5)O3 composition showed superior transmittance and electrical properties: T = 55% in the visible region (0.78 μm), d33 = 105 pC/N, εr = 1021, and Pr = 15.1 μC/cm2, which were significantly higher than those of pure KNN. Our findings implied that the addition of Sr(Al0.5Nb0.5)O3 could be a good strategy to obtain superior transmittance and electrical properties in KNN and may shed light on other ferroelectric systems.
Quality of life, anxiety, depression and burden among stroke caregivers: A longitudinal, observational multicentre study
Authors: Pucciarelli Gianluca , Ausili Davide , Galbussera Alessia Antonella , Rebora Paola , Savini Serenella , Simeone Silvio , Alvaro Rosaria , Vellone Ercole 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimTo longitudinally describe stroke caregivers’ quality of life, anxiety, depression and burden and to identify predictors of stroke caregivers’ quality of life, anxiety, depression and burden.BackgroundCaregivers have a key role in stroke survivor care and the first year of caregiving is the most challenging. To give tailored interventions, it is important to capture changes and identify predictors of caregiver quality of life, anxiety, depression and burden during the first year.DesignA 12‐month longitudinal study. Data were collected between June 2013–May 2016.MethodsChanges in stroke caregiver quality of life, anxiety and depression and burden and their predictors were identified using linear mixed‐effects models.ResultsThe caregivers (N = 244) were 53 years old and mostly female. Caregiver quality of life did not change significantly over the 12 months, anxiety and depression decreased up to 9 months and caregiver burden decreased from baseline to 3 months, then increased up to 9 months. Higher caregiver quality of life was predicted by caregiver younger age, higher education, living with a stroke survivor, survivor older age and higher physical functioning; higher anxiety and depression were predicted by older caregiver age and younger survivor age; higher burden was predicted by caregiver male gender, the caregiver not living with survivor and survivor lower physical functioning.ConclusionThe first 9 months of caregiving are particularly problematic for caregivers. The trajectories of the above variables and their predictors may be useful for policy makers, clinicians, investigators and educators to give better care to stroke caregivers and their survivors.
Global species delimitation and phylogeography of the circumtropical ‘sexy shrimp’ Thor amboinensis reveals a cryptic species complex and secondary contact in the Indo‐West Pacific
Authors: Titus Benjamin M. , Daly Marymegan , Hamilton Natalie , Berumen Michael L. , Baeza J. Antonio 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimThe “sexy shrimp” Thor amboinensis is currently considered a single circumtropical species. However, the tropical oceans are partitioned by hard and soft barriers to dispersal, providing ample opportunity for allopatric speciation. Herein, we test the null hypothesis that T. amboinensis is a single global species, reconstruct its global biogeographical history, and comment on population‐level patterns throughout the Tropical Western Atlantic.LocationCoral reefs in all tropical oceans.MethodsSpecimens of Thor amboinensis were obtained through field collection and museum holdings. We used one mitochondrial (COI) and two nuclear (NaK, enolase) gene fragments for global species delimitation and phylogenetic analyses (n = 83 individuals, 30 sample localities), while phylogeographical reconstruction in the TWA was based on COI only (n = 303 individuals, 10 sample localities).ResultsWe found evidence for at least five cryptic lineages (9%–22% COI pairwise sequence divergence): four in the Indo‐West Pacific and one in the Tropical Western Atlantic. Phylogenetic reconstruction revealed that endemic lineages from Japan and the South Central Pacific are more closely related to the Tropical Western Atlantic lineage than to a co‐occurring lineage that is widespread throughout the Indo‐West Pacific. Concatenated and species tree phylogenetic analyses differ in the placement of an endemic Red Sea lineage and suggest alternate dispersal pathways into the Atlantic. Phylogeographical reconstruction throughout the Tropical Western Atlantic reveals little genetic structure over more than 3,000 km.Main conclusionsThor amboinensis is a species complex that has undergone a series of allopatric speciation events and whose members are in secondary contact in the Indo‐West Pacific. Nuclear‐ and mitochondrial‐ gene phylogenies show evidence of introgression between lineages inferred to have been separated more than 20 Ma. Phylogenetic discordance between multi‐locus analyses suggest that T. amboinensis originated in the Tethys sea and dispersed into the Atlantic and Indo‐West Pacific through the Tethys seaway or, alternatively, originated in the Indo‐West Pacific and dispersed into the Atlantic around South Africa. Population‐level patterns in the Caribbean indicate extensive gene flow across the region.
Localization of ventricular activation origin using patient‐specific geometry: Preliminary results
Authors: Zhou Shijie , Sapp John L. , AbdelWahab Amir , Šťovíček Petr , Horáček B. Milan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackground and objectivesCatheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) may include induction of VT and localization of VT‐exit site. Our aim was to assess localization performance of a novel statistical pace‐mapping method and compare it with performance of an electrocardiographic inverse solution.MethodsSeven patients undergoing ablation of VT (4 with epicardial, 3 with endocardial exit) aided by electroanatomic mapping underwent intraprocedural 120‐lead body‐surface potential mapping (BSPM). Two approaches to localization of activation origin were tested: (1) A statistical method, based on multiple linear regression (MLR), which required only the conventional 12‐lead ECG for a sufficient number of pacing sites with known origin together with patient‐specific geometry of the endocardial/epicardial surface obtained by electroanatomic mapping; and (2) a classical deterministic inverse solution for recovering heart‐surface potentials, which required BSPM and patient‐specific geometry of the heart and torso obtained via computed tomography (CT).ResultsFor the MLR method, at least 10–15 pacing sites with known coordinates, together with their corresponding 12‐lead ECGs, were required to derive reliable patient‐specific regression equations, which then enabled accurate localization of ventricular activation with unknown origin. For 4 patients who underwent epicardial mapping, the median of localization error for the MLR was significantly lower than that for the inverse solution (10.6 vs. 27.3 mm, P = 0.034); a similar result held for 3 patients who underwent endocardial mapping (7.7 vs. 17.1 mm, P = 0.017). The pooled localization error for all epicardial and endocardial sites was also significantly smaller for the MLR compared with the inverse solution (P = 0.005).ConclusionsThe novel pace‐mapping approach to localizing the origin of ventricular activation offers an easily implementable supplement and/or alternative to the preprocedure inverse solution; its simplicity makes it suitable for real‐time applications during clinical catheter‐ablation procedures.
The responses of the inflammatory marker, pentraxin 3, to dietary sodium and potassium interventions
Authors: Hu Jia‐Wen , Wang Yang , Chu Chao , Wang KeKe , Yan Yu , Zheng Wenling , Ma Qiong , Mu Jian‐Jun 
Published: April 2018

Pentraxin‐3 is a sensitive marker of inflammation that plays dual roles, pathogenic and cardioprotective, in the progression of cardiovascular diseases. Inflammation is intimately involved in salt‐induced hypertension. We investigated the responses of pentraxin‐3 to sodium and potassium supplementation to elucidate the potential role of pentraxin‐3 in salt‐induced hypertension. A total of 48 participants from northwest China were enrolled. All participants were maintained on a 3‐day normal diet, which was sequentially followed by a 7‐day low‐sodium diet, a 7‐day high‐sodium diet, and a 7‐day high‐sodium plus potassium diet. Plasma concentrations of pentraxin‐3 were assessed using ELISA. Plasma pentraxin‐3 decreased significantly during the low‐salt period compared to baseline (0.57 ± 0.19 ng/mL vs 0.72 ± 0.33 ng/mL, P = .012) and increased during the high‐salt period (0.68 ± 0.26 ng/mL vs 0.57 ± 0.19 ng/mL, P = .037). Potassium supplementation inhibited salt‐induced increase in pentraxin‐3 (0.56 ± 0.21 ng/mL vs 0.68 ± 0.26 ng/mL, P = .015). Ln‐transformed pentraxin‐3 at baseline was inversely correlated with BMI (r = −.349, P = .02), DBP (r = −.414, P = .005), MAP (r = −.360, P = .017). We found a positive correlation between the ln‐transformed concentrations of pentraxin‐3 and 24‐hour urinary sodium during low and high Na+ periods (r = .269, P = .012) and a negative relationship with 24 hours urinary potassium excretion during high‐salt and high‐salt plus potassium periods (r = −.246, P = .02). These correlations remained significant after adjusting for confounders. Pentraxin‐3 responses were more prominent in salt‐sensitive individuals than salt‐resistant individuals. Dietary salt and potassium interventions significantly altered circulating pentraxin‐3.
A panel consisting of three novel circulating lncRNAs, is it a predictive tool for gastric cancer?
Authors: Liu Jingjing , Wang Jiajun , Song Yongxi , Ma Bin , Luo Junlong , Ni Zhongran , Gao Peng , Sun Jingxu , Zhao Junhua , Chen Xiaowan , Wang Zhenning 
Published: April 2018

AbstractEarly detection is vital for prolonging 5‐year survival for patients with gastric cancer (GC). Numerous studies indicate that circulating long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can be used to diagnose malignant tumours. This study aimed to investigate the capacity of novel lncRNAs for diagnosing GC. A lncRNA microarray assay was used to screen differentially expressed lncRNAs between plasma of patients with GC and healthy controls. Plasma samples from 100 patients with healthy controls were used to construct a multiple‐gene panel. An additional 50 pairs of GC patients with healthy controls were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the panel. Expression levels of lncRNAs were quantified through real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The receiver operating characteristic curve and area under curve (AUC) were used to estimate the diagnostic capacity. We identified three lncRNAs, CTC‐501O10.1, AC100830.4 and RP11‐210K20.5 that were up‐regulated in the plasma of GC patients with AUCs 0.724, 0.730 and 0.737, respectively (P < .01). Based on the logistic regression model, the combined AUC of the three lncRNAs was 0.764. The AUC of the panel was 0.700 in the validation cohort. These findings indicate that plasma lncRNAs can serve as potential biomarkers for detection of GC.
Telocytes and interstitial cells of Cajal in the biliary system
Authors: Chen Lei , Yu Baoping 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA novel type of interstitial tissue cells in the biliary tree termed telocytes (TCs), formerly known as interstitial Cajal‐like cells (ICLCs), exhibits very particular features which unequivocally distinguish these cells from interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) and other interstitial cell types. Current research substantiates the existence of TCs and ICCs in the biliary system (gallbladder, extrahepatic bile duct, cystic duct, common bile duct and sphincter of Oddi). Here, we review the distribution, morphology and ultrastructure of TCs and ICCs in the biliary tree, with emphasis on their presumptive roles in physiological and pathophysiological processes.
Using learning flexibly and remembering after a delay: understanding cognitive dysfunction in adults with Down syndrome
Authors: Roberts L. , Richmond J. L. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundEpisodic memory deficits are a characteristic of cognitive dysfunction in people with Down syndrome (DS). However, less is known about the processes (i.e. encoding, retention or using learned information flexibly) that underlie these deficits.MethodWe explored these abilities by administering a relational memory and inference task to participants with DS and mental age‐matched controls and testing both immediately and after a 24‐h delay.ResultsAdults with DS learned paired associates more slowly than controls but showed good recognition at both the immediate and delayed tests. Despite memory for learned pairs, adults with DS were less able to use relational learning flexibly to make inferential judgements than controls.ConclusionsThese results deepen our understanding of the cognitive profile of adults with DS, demonstrating deficits in both encoding new information, and flexibly using such information. These results have important implications for workplace training and intervention programs for people with DS.
An examination of perceptions of individuals with an intellectual disability, with and without co‐morbid schizophrenia: effects of labels on stigma
Authors: Rasdale A. R. , Warman D. M. , Phalen P. L. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundResearch demonstrates negative perceptions of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) and individuals with schizophrenia, but no study has examined ID with a co‐morbid psychiatric disorder. The present study examined the social distance desired from and perceptions of dangerousness of ID, schizophrenia and co‐morbid schizophrenia and ID and examined the impact of providing a label for the behaviours presented in a vignette.MethodsA total of 160 participants, all university students, were randomly assigned to one of six vignettes detailing a person with schizophrenia, ID, or a person with both presenting problems. Half of the participants were randomly assigned to read vignettes that had a label provided for the behaviours of the target.ResultsParticipants desired more social distance from the unlabelled than labelled targets. Presence of schizophrenia resulted in increased social distance, but co‐morbid ID and schizophrenia elicited less desire for social distance than schizophrenia alone. Schizophrenia resulted in more perceived danger, but labelled co‐morbid schizophrenia and ID resulted in little perceived danger.ConclusionsLabels resulted in positive outcomes, particularly, when ID was co‐morbid with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia stigma appears to be impacted by an ID label, indicating educating the public about the spectrum of co‐morbidity may be useful.
Spending Reversals and Fiscal Multipliers under an Interest Rate Peg
Authors: LI RONG , TIAN XIAOHUI 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis paper examines whether fiscal stimuli are more effective when the monetary policy is less responsive to inflation. First, we provide empirical evidence suggesting that, in the period of U.S. passive monetary policy, a positive government spending shock was followed over time by a spending cut. Second, our theoretical analysis reveals that the pegged nominal interest rate is not a sufficient condition to generate a large fiscal multiplier. An increase in government spending could increase the long‐run real interest rate, if it is associated with a government spending reversal and a less responsive monetary policy. Consequently, the response of private consumption can be negative and the government spending multiplier is not necessarily greater than 1.
Biological control potential of plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria suppression of Meloidogyne incognita on cotton and Heterodera glycines on soybean: A review
Authors: Xiang Ni , Lawrence Kathy S. , Donald Patricia A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractOver the past decade, we have seen an increasing market for biopesticides and an increase in number of microbial control studies directed towards plant‐parasitic nematodes. This literature survey provides an overview of research on biological control of two economically important plant‐parasitic nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood (southern root‐knot nematode) and Heterodera glycines Ichinohe (soybean cyst nematode) using spore‐forming plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). In this review, the current biological control strategies for the management of those cotton and soybean nematodes, the mechanism of using BacillusPGPR for biological control of plant‐parasitic nematode including induced systemic resistance and antagonism and the future of biological control agents on management of plant‐parasitic nematodes are covered.
Repeat retropubic suburethral sling procedure is effective for recurrent female stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Ong Hueih Ling , Jiang Yuan‐Hong , Kuo Hann‐Chorng 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of repeat retropubic suburethral sling for recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women.MethodsA retrospective review was performed of 35 women with SUI who underwent repeat retropubic suburethral sling procedures between May 1994 and November 2014. Treatment outcome was assessed directly or by telephone interview. Sling position and urethral incompetence during straining and coughing after the procedure were evaluated.ResultsThe overall continence rate after repeat suburethral sling procedures was 60% (21/35). Among the 35 women, 19 underwent a simple retropubic suburethra sling procedure and 16 underwent combined suburethral sling and other pelvic floor surgery; the success rate for these 2 groups was 84.2% (16/19) and 31.3% (5/16; P = .001), respectively. The success rate was 60% in patients with normal detrusor function (n = 18/30) and in those with detrusor underactivity (n = 3/5; P = 1.0). For patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency and bladder base hypermobility, the success rate was 63.6% (n = 14/22) and 53.8% (n = 7/13), respectively (P = .36). Among the 25 patients with transrectal ultrasound follow‐up data, the success rate following placement of the second sling at the bladder neck, proximal urethra, middle urethra, and distal urethra was 50% (2/4), 87.5% (7/8), 36.4% (4/11), and 0% (0/2), respectively (P = .122).ConclusionRepeat suburethral sling procedures for recurrent SUI are safe and effective. The position of the second sling at the proximal urethra resulted in a relatively higher continence rate relative to other sites.
Fluorescent labeling of endogenous platelets for intravital microscopy: Effects on platelet function
Authors: Da Qi , Derry Paul J. , Lam Fong W. , Rumbaut Rolando E. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectiveMonitoring endogenous platelets during intravital microscopy often involves two approaches: fluorescently labeled antibodies or genetic models of platelet‐specific fluorescent protein expression. Due to limited data available on platelet functional changes induced by these methods, we compared functional effects of these methods on platelets.MethodsPlatelet aggregation to collagen and thrombin, and collagen matrix‐mediated platelet adhesion/aggregation under flow were tested. We assessed platelets from mice expressing EYFP on platelets (Cre(+)), littermate controls (Cre(−)), C57BL/6 mice, and platelets from vehicle control and x‐488 treatment. We utilized intravital microscopy to monitor platelets in vivo using Cre(+) mice and x‐488 treatment.ResultsBoth genetic and antibody‐based approaches yielded substantial platelet‐specific fluorescence. Platelets from Cre(+) and Cre(−) mice behaved similarly in aggregation and adhesion/aggregation under flow. However, they exhibited significantly enhanced aggregation and higher adhesion/aggregation as compared to platelets from C57BL/6 mice. Compared to vehicle control, x‐488 platelet labeling did not induce significant functional changes in vitro. Both methods of platelet labeling provided satisfactory platelet detectability in vivo.Conclusionsx‐488 antibody labeling of platelets induced less alteration of platelet function than genetic approaches under our experimental conditions and seems more suitable for monitoring of endogenous platelets.