bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fibulin-2 is required for basement membrane integrity of mammary epithelium
Authors: Ibrahim Ayman M. , Sabet Salwa , El-Ghor Akmal A. , Kamel Nora , Anis Shady E. , Morris Joanna S. , Stein Torsten 
Published: September 2018

AbstractFibulin-2 (FBLN2) is a secreted extracellular matrix glycoprotein which has been associated with tissue development and remodelling. In the mouse mammary gland, FBLN2 can be detected during ductal morphogenesis in cap cells and myoepithelial cells at puberty and early pregnancy, respectively. In an attempt to assign its function, we knocked down Fbln2 in the mouse mammary epithelial cell line EpH4. FBLN2 reduction led to an increase in the size of spheroidal structures when compared to scrambled control shRNA-transduced cells plated on Matrigel matrix. This phenotype was associated with a disruption of the collagen IV sheath around the epithelial spheroids and downregulation of integrin β1, suggesting a role for FBLN2 in stabilizing the basement membrane (BM). In contrast to mice, in normal adult human breast tissue, FBLN2 was detected in ductal stroma, and in the interlobular stroma, but was not detectable within the lobular regions. In tissue sections of 65 breast cancers FBLN2 staining was lost around malignant cells with retained staining in the neighbouring histologically normal tissue margins. These results are consistent with a role of FBLN2 in mammary epithelial BM stability, and that its down-regulation in breast cancer is associated with loss of the BM and early invasion.
Identification of depression subtypes and relevant brain regions using a data-driven approach
Authors: Tokuda Tomoki , Yoshimoto Junichiro , Shimizu Yu , Okada Go , Takamura Masahiro , Okamoto Yasumasa , Yamawaki Shigeto , Doya Kenji 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIt is well known that depressive disorder is heterogeneous, yet little is known about its neurophysiological subtypes. In the present study, we identified neurophysiological subtypes of depression related to specific neural substrates. We performed cluster analysis for 134 subjects (67 depressive subjects and 67 controls) using a high-dimensional dataset consisting of resting state functional connectivity measured by functional MRI, clinical questionnaire scores, and various biomarkers. Applying a newly developed, multiple co-clustering method to this dataset, we identified three subtypes of depression that are characterized by functional connectivity between the right Angular Gyrus (AG) and other brain areas in default mode networks, and Child Abuse Trauma Scale (CATS) scores. These subtypes are also related to Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) treatment outcomes, which implies that we may be able to predict effectiveness of treatment based on AG-related functional connectivity and CATS.
Molecular mechanism of the Escherichia coli AhpC in the function of a chaperone under heat-shock conditions
Authors: Kamariah Neelagandan , Eisenhaber Birgit , Eisenhaber Frank , Grüber Gerhard 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPeroxiredoxins (Prxs) are ubiquitous antioxidants utilizing a reactive cysteine for peroxide reduction and acting as a molecular chaperone under various stress conditions. Besides other stimulating factors, oxidative- and heat stress conditions trigger their ATP-independent chaperoning function. So far, many studies were intended to reveal the chaperoning mechanisms of the so-called sensitive Prxs of eukaryotes, which are susceptible to inactivation by over-oxidation of its reactive cysteine during H2O2 reduction. In contrast, the chaperone mechanisms of bacterial Prxs, which are mostly robust against inactivation by over-oxidation, are not well understood. Herein, comprehensive biochemical and biophysical studies demonstrate that the Escherichia coli alkyl hydroperoxide reductase subunit C (EcAhpC) acquires chaperone activity under heat stress. Interestingly, their chaperoning activity is independent of its redox-states but is regulated in a temperature-dependent manner. Data are presented, showing that oxidized EcAhpC, which forms dimers at 25 °C, self-assembled into high molecular weight (HMW) oligomers at higher temperatures and supressed aggregation of client proteins at heat-shock conditions. In addition, we unravelled the essential role of the C-terminal tail of EcAhpC on heat-induced HMW oligomer formation and chaperoning activity. Our findings suggest a novel molecular mechanism for bacterial Prxs to function as chaperone at heat-shock conditions.
Balancing conservation and development in Winter Olympic construction: evidence from a multi-scale ecological suitability assessment
Authors: Song Shuai , Zhang Sheng , Wang Tieyu , Meng Jing , Zhou Yunqiao , Zhang Hong 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOptimizing spatial patterns of land development and minimizing the ecological impact of concentrated construction is the key to realizing regionally sustainable development. The reasonable assessment of the ecological effects of the Winter Olympic construction on areas where the mountainous ecosystem is ecologically sensitive and vulnerable is urgent for responsible urban and regional development. Here, we assess the multi-scale suitability of ecologically compatible development in Winter Olympic regions using the ecological suitability assessment method based on GIS spatial analysis. We found the Chongli District had relatively high ecological structure and function resistances at a basin scale and that the towns where Olympic facilities located also had larger ecological resistance. The integrated suitability assessment showed the prior and moderate zones for suitable large-scale development and utilization in Chongli were smaller than those in other counties. The total loss area of natural ecological systems (forests, shrubs and meadows) for a new ski resort is 117.27 hm2, which will lead to ecosystem function loss such as water and soil conservation and will potentially impact ecological systems. This research will be a useful reference for exploring the multi-scale balancing of conservation and development for Winter Olympic regions, and in turn, for concentrated global constructions.
Complex electric double layers in charged topological colloids
Authors: Everts Jeffrey C. , Ravnik Miha 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCharged surfaces in contact with liquids containing ions are accompanied in equilibrium by an electric double layer consisting of a layer of electric charge on the surface that is screened by a diffuse ion cloud in the bulk fluid. This screening cloud determines not only the interactions between charged colloidal particles or polyelectrolytes and their self-assembly into ordered structures, but it is also pivotal in understanding energy storage devices, such as electrochemical cells and supercapacitors. However, little is known to what spatial complexity the electric double layers can be designed. Here, we show that electric double layers of non-trivial topology and geometry -including tori, multi-tori and knots- can be realised in charged topological colloidal particles, using numerical modelling within a mean-field Poisson-Boltzmann theory. We show that the complexity of double layers -including geometry and topology- can be tuned by changing the Debye screening length of the medium, or by changing the shape and topology of the (colloidal) particle. More generally, this work is an attempt to introduce concepts of topology in the field of charged colloids, which could lead to novel exciting material design paradigms.
Pharmacological Characterization of Dezocine, a Potent Analgesic Acting as a κ Partial Agonist and μ Partial Agonist
Authors: Wang Yu-Hua , Chai Jing-Rui , Xu Xue-Jun , Ye Ru-Feng , Zan Gui-Ying , Liu George Yun-Kun , Long Jian-Dong , Ma Yan , Huang Xiang , Xiao Zhi-Chao , Dong Hu , Wang Yu-Jun 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDezocine is becoming dominated in China market for relieving moderate to severe pain. It is believed that Dezocine’s clinical efficacy and little chance to provoke adverse events during the therapeutic process are mainly attributed to its partial agonist activity at the μ opioid receptor. In the present work, we comprehensively studied the pharmacological characterization of Dezocine and identified that the analgesic effect of Dezocine was a result of action at both the κ and μ opioid receptors. We firstly found that Dezocine displayed preferential binding to μ opioid receptor over κ and δ opioid receptors. Dezocine, on its own, weakly stimulated G protein activation in cells expressing κ and μ receptors, but in the presence of full κ agonist U50,488 H and μ agonist DAMGO, Dezocine inhibited U50,488H- and DAMGO-mediated G protein activation, indicating that Dezocine was a κ partial agonist and μ partial agonist. Then the in intro results were verified by in vivo studies in mice. We observed that Dezocine-produced antinociception was significantly inhibited by κ antagonist nor-BNI and μ antagonist β-FNA pretreatment, indicating that Dezocine-mediated antinociception was via both the κ and μ opioid receptors. When co-administrating of Dezocine with U50,488 H or morphine, Dezocine was capable of inhibiting U50,488H- or morphine-induced antinociception. Finally, κ receptor activation-associated side effect sedation was investigated. We found that Dezocine displayed limited sedative effect with a ceiling effecting at a moderate dose. Thus, our work led to a better understanding of the analgesic mechanism of action of Dezocine in vivo.
Pretreatment plasma HGF as potential biomarker for susceptibility to radiation-induced liver dysfunction after radiotherapy
Authors: Hong Theodore S. , Grassberger Clemens , Yeap Beow Y. , Jiang Wenqing , Wo Jennifer Y. , Goyal Lipika , Clark Jeffrey W. , Crane Christopher H. , Koay Eugene J. , Dima Simona , Eyler Christine E. , Popescu Irinel , DeLaney Thomas F. , Zhu Andrew X. , Duda Dan G. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractRadiotherapy shows excellent local control in liver cancers but carries the risk of radiation-induced liver dysfunction and liver failure. We conducted a study of plasma hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in a clinical trial of proton radiotherapy in patients with unresectable liver cancers (NCT00976898), and in an observational study for liver cancer patients undergoing surgical treatments. Liver dysfunction within 3 months after radiotherapy—a Childs−Turcotte−Pugh (CTP) score increase of 1 point or more—occurred in 9/34 (26%) of patients. Patients with no increase in CTP score had lower pretreatment plasma HGF level (p = 0.015). Both the increase in CTP score (p = 0.034) and the pretreatment plasma HGF (p = 0.017) were associated with OS. Plasma HGF was significantly associated with presence of cirrhosis (p = 0.0027) and with Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (p < 0.0001), but not with OS in surgical liver cancer patients. Pretreatment plasma HGF is a candidate biomarker for patient selection for radiotherapy.
Sidelobe level reduction in ACF of NLFM waveform
Authors: Ghavamirad Roohollah , Sebt Mohammad Ali 
Published: September 2018

In this study, an iterative method is proposed for non‐linear frequency modulation (NLFM) waveform design based on a constrained optimisation problem using Lagrangian method. To date, NLFM waveform design methods have been performed based on the stationary phase concept which has been already used by the authors in a previous work. The proposed method has been implemented for six windows of Raised‐Cosine, Taylor, Chebyshev, Gaussian, Poisson, and Kaiser. The results reveal that the peak sidelobe level of autocorrelation function (ACF) reduces about an average of 5 dB in the proposed method compared with the stationary phase method, and an optimum peak sidelobe level is achieved. The minimum error of the proposed method decreases in each iteration which is demonstrated using mathematical relations and simulation. The trend decrement of minimum error guarantees convergence of the proposed method.
From solar to stellar brightness variations
Authors: Witzke V. , Shapiro A. I. , Solanki S. K. , Krivova N. A. , Schmutz W. 
Published: September 2018

Context. Comparison studies of Sun-like stars with the Sun suggest an anomalously low photometric variability of the Sun compared to Sun-like stars with similar magnetic activity. Comprehensive understanding of stellar variability is needed to find a physical reason for this observation.
Aims. We investigate the effect of metallicity and effective temperature on the photometric brightness change of Sun-like stars seen at different inclinations. The considered range of fundamental stellar parameters is sufficiently small so the stars investigated here still count as Sun-like or even as solar twins.
Methods. To model the brightness change of stars with solar magnetic activity, we extended a well-established model of solar brightness variations based on solar spectra, Spectral And Total Irradiance REconstruction (SATIRE), to stars with different fundamental parameters. For this we calculated stellar spectra for different metallicities and effective temperature using the radiative transfer code ATLAS9.
Results. We show that even a small change (e.g. within the observational error range) of metallicity or effective temperature significantly affects the photometric brightness change compared to the Sun. We find that for Sun-like stars, the amplitude of the brightness variations obtained for Strömgren (b + y)/2 reaches a local minimum for fundamental stellar parameters close to the solar metallicity and effective temperature. Moreover, our results show that the effect of inclination decreases for metallicity values greater than the solar metallicity. Overall, we find that an exact determination of fundamental stellar parameters is crucially important for understanding stellar brightness changes.
Pressure-induced phase transitions and superconductivity in a black phosphorus single crystal
Authors: Li Xiang , Sun Jianping , Shahi Prashant , Gao Miao , MacDonald Allan H. , Uwatoko Yoshiya , Xiang Tao , Goodenough John B. , Cheng Jinguang , Zhou Jianshi 
Published: September 2018

Significance
A high-pressure study of a black phosphorus crystal establishes a rich phase diagram, including Weyl semimetal and superconducting states, Lifshitz-type semiconductor–semimetal transitions, and two structural phase transitions. Transport properties and quantum oscillations under high pressure provide critically valuable information to understand the physics of these new phases. The pressure dependence of physical properties has been reliably measured under hydrostatic pressure and applied magnetic fields using a large-volume apparatus. Superconductivity in the A7 phase has been found to exhibit the largest magnetoresistance effect observed in its normal state so far. The Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer superconductivity in the A7 phase identified by the experiment can be accounted for by the phonon mechanism based on a first-principles calculation.
Health and safety considerations.
Authors: Kelanaputra E. S. , Nelson S. P. C. , Setiawati U. , Sitepu B. , Nur F. , Forster B. P. , Purba A. R. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

All field and laboratory operations should have standard health and safety protocols. These may vary according to local requirements and standards. Some equipment will also come with instructions on proper use, which may involve training, including health and safety issues. Failure to abide by these can result in accidents and personal injury (serious and minor); neglect of health and safety issues may incur penalties such as fines or cessation in field and laboratory activities. Guidelines in health and safety issues relating to crossing in oil palm are given below.
Introduction.
Authors: Setiawati U. , Sitepu B. , Nur F. , Forster B. P. , Dery S. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

A brief history of the evolution of the oil palm crop is provided, from domestication and small-scale production in Africa (its centre of origin/diversity) to crop expansion, especially in South-east Asia, in becoming the world's top oil crop. Knowledge of the biology and genetics of oil palm are fundamental in understanding how the crop can be developed through crossing and breeding, and key biological factors such as flowering, outcrossing and genetics are described. A prerequisite for breeding is the crossing of parental lines that carry desirable traits; thus, the germplasm (genetic variation) available to breeders is critical for success. Traditional traits of interest are yield and quality. More recently, disease and pest resistance have become important, as too have novel traits that may be exploited in developing a crop that can be harvested mechanically. Crossing is not only performed to develop and improve elite breeding lines but also is an essential component of commercial seed production.
Pollen collection and storage.
Authors: Setiawati U. , Sitepu B. , Nur F. , Forster B. P. , Dery S. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Shed pollen of oil palm is binucleate, it has two cells (one vegetative and one generative), and can live for about a week in situ. However, fresh pollen can be collected from flowering male inflorescences, purified and stored for over 20 years in cold, desiccated and vacuumed conditions. The processes involved are described. Male inflorescences are isolated in bags prior to flowering, to ensure pollen purity, and treated to prevent insects bringing in pollen from other sources. Specialized isolation bags are used that contain a smaller pollen-collecting bag and a window to observe development. Male inflorescences are harvested during the late stages of anthesis and placed in a hot room to encourage the remaining florets to open and shed pollen. The collected pollen is purified by sieving, drying and vacuum packing in ampoules and stored ready for use. Pollen is collected from isolated male inflorescences. These may involve tall trees that require ladders and safety equipment. Hazardous chemicals and sharp knives are used in field operations; see Chapter 2 of this manual for guidance.
The cresting wave: a new moving spotlight theory
Authors: Miller Kristie 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOne argument for the moving spotlight theory is that it better explains our temporal phenomenology than does any static theory. In this paper it is argued that insofar as moving spotlight theorists take this to be a sound argument they ought embrace a new version of the moving spotlight theory according to which the moving spotlight is a cresting wave of causal efficacy. Hence a range of fundamental properties are temporary because presentness synchronically changesthe fundamental properties that are instantiated in the present moment, and our experiences of presentness co-varies with presentness, allowing us to phenomenologically detect presentness.
Assertion and transparent self-knowledge
Authors: Marcus Eric , Schwenkler John 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe argue that honesty in assertion requires non-empirical knowledge that what one asserts is what one believes. Our argument proceeds from the thought that to assert honestly, one must follow and not merely conform to the norm ‘Assert that p only if you believe that p’. Furthermore, careful consideration of cases shows that the sort of doxastic self-knowledge required for following this norm cannot be acquired on the basis of observation, inference, or any other form of detection of one's own doxastic states. It is, as we put it, transparent rather than empirical self-knowledge.
FA01.01: MINIMALLY INVASIVE APPROACH RESULTS IN BETTER OUTCOME COMPARED TO OPEN ESOPHAGECTOMY—A PROPENSITY SCORE MATCHED ANALYSIS
Authors: Kwan Kit Chan Desmond , Siu Yin Chan Fion , King Hung Tong Daniel , Yu Hong Wong Ian , Lai Yin Wong Claudia , Ting Law Tsz , Ying Kit Law Simon 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Background
Esophagectomy remains the mainstay treatment for esophageal cancer. Minimally invasive techniques have gained popularity in recent years. Whether minimally invasive methods result in equivalent or superior outcome to open esophagectomy or not is still controversial. The aim of the current study is to compare outcomes of minimally invasive and open esophagectomy from a single institution, using propensity score matching to lessen biases.

Methods
From 1994–2016, 724 patients with squamous cell cancer of the esophagus who underwent esophagectomy were studied. Data were retrieved from a prospectively collected database. Patients were divided into two groups: 453 had open esophagectomy (open group), and 271 had VATS esophagectomy with gastric mobilization either via laparotomy or laparoscopically (MIE group). A propensity score was generated for each patient based on age, gender, tumor level, use of neoadjuvant therapy, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score, pathologic stage of disease, site of anastomosis, and residual tumour (R) categories and the two matched groups were compared in clinico-pathological features, morbidity and mortality rates, and long-term survival. All statistical calculations were performed with SPSS version 24 (SPSS, Chicago, IL).

Results
A total of 158 patients in MIE and 187 in open group are matched for comparison (1:3 matching). MIE resulted in less blood loss (220 vs 400ml, P < 0.001) but longer operative time (461 vs 305 mins, P < 0.001). Wound infection (3.7% vs 10.7%, P = 0.01) and respiratory complications (29% vs 55.1%, P < 0.001) were also less in MIE group. Except for a higher rate of conduit ischemia (6.3% vs 1.6%, P = 0.02), MIE had comparable surgical outcomes with open technique in rates of anastomotic leakage (5.7% vs 5.3%, P = 0.89), recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (20.1% vs 18.7%, P = 0.10), reoperation (10.8% vs 8.6%, P = 0.49), and length of postoperative hospital stay (13 vs 14 days, P = 0.50). Lymph node harvest was significantly higher with MIE (35 vs 21, P < 0.001), a longer median survival was also evident compared to the open group (42.3 vs 24.7 months, P = 0.03).

Conclusion
Although requiring longer operative time, MIE led to less wound and respiratory complications without jeopardizing surgical and oncological outcome. The more comprehensive lymphadenectomy could potentially improve prognosis.

Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.