bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
uPARAP/Endo180 receptor is a gatekeeper of VEGFR-2/VEGFR-3 heterodimerisation during pathological lymphangiogenesis
Authors: Durré Tania , Morfoisse Florent , Erpicum Charlotte , Ebroin Marie , Blacher Silvia , García-Caballero Melissa , Deroanne Christophe , Louis Thomas , Balsat Cédric , Van de Velde Maureen , Kaijalainen Seppo , Kridelka Frédéric , Engelholm Lars , Struman Ingrid , Alitalo Kari , Behrendt Niels , Paupert Jenny , Noel Agnès 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe development of new lymphatic vessels occurs in many cancerous and inflammatory diseases through the binding of VEGF-C to its receptors, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. The regulation of VEGFR-2/VEGFR-3 heterodimerisation and its downstream signaling in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) remain poorly understood. Here, we identify the endocytic receptor, uPARAP, as a partner of VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 that regulates their heterodimerisation. Genetic ablation of uPARAP leads to hyperbranched lymphatic vasculatures in pathological conditions without affecting concomitant angiogenesis. In vitro, uPARAP controls LEC migration in response to VEGF-C but not VEGF-A or VEGF-CCys156Ser. uPARAP restricts VEGFR-2/VEGFR-3 heterodimerisation and subsequent VEGFR-2-mediated phosphorylation and inactivation of Crk-II adaptor. uPARAP promotes VEGFR-3 signaling through the Crk-II/JNK/paxillin/Rac1 pathway. Pharmacological Rac1 inhibition in uPARAP knockout mice restores the wild-type phenotype. In summary, our study identifies a molecular regulator of lymphangiogenesis, and uncovers novel molecular features of VEGFR-2/VEGFR-3 crosstalk and downstream signaling during VEGF-C-driven LEC sprouting in pathological conditions.
A thermodynamic potential for barium zirconate titanate solid solutions
Authors: Peng Jinlin , Shan Dongliang , Liu Yunya , Pan Kai , Lei Chihou , He Ningbo , Zhang Zhenyu , Yang Qiong 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBarium zirconate titanate [Ba(ZrxTi1−x)O3] solid solutions are promising lead-free ferroelectric materials that have received substantial interest. Thermodynamic analysis based on phenomenological Landau–Devonshire theory is a powerful method for theoretical investigation of ferroelectric materials, but cannot be applied to Ba(ZrxTi1−x)O3 because there is no thermodynamic potential. In this paper, a thermodynamic potential for Ba(ZrxTi1−x)O3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) solid solutions is constructed, and then a thermodynamic analysis carried out. The results accurately reproduce known phase structures and their transition temperatures, with good agreement with experimentally measured polarization, dielectric, and piezoelectric constants. It is found that Ba(ZrxTi1−x)O3 solid solutions at room temperature have three phase boundaries, including a tetragonal–orthorhombic phase boundary at x = 0.013, an orthorhombic–rhombohedral phase boundary at x = 0.0798, and a rhombohedral–paraelectric phase boundary at x = 0.2135. The results also indicate that the chemical composition-induced ferroelectric–paraelectric phase boundary has superior electromechanical properties, suggesting a new way to enhance electromechanical coupling in Ba(ZrxTi1−x)O3 solid solutions.
Usp16 modulates Wnt signaling in primary tissues through Cdkn2a regulation
Authors: Adorno Maddalena , di Robilant Benedetta Nicolis , Sikandar Shaheen Shabbir , Acosta Veronica Haro , Antony Jane , Heller Craig H. , Clarke Michael F. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractRegulation of the Wnt pathway in stem cells and primary tissues is still poorly understood. Here we report that Usp16, a negative regulator of Bmi1/PRC1 function, modulates the Wnt pathway in mammary epithelia, primary human fibroblasts and MEFs, affecting their expansion and self-renewal potential. In mammary glands, reduced levels of Usp16 increase tissue responsiveness to Wnt, resulting in upregulation of the downstream Wnt target Axin2, expansion of the basal compartment and increased in vitro and in vivo epithelial regeneration. Usp16 regulation of the Wnt pathway in mouse and human tissues is at least in part mediated by activation of Cdkn2a, a regulator of senescence. At the molecular level, Usp16 affects Rspo-mediated phosphorylation of LRP6. In Down’s Syndrome (DS), triplication of Usp16 dampens the activation of the Wnt pathway. Usp16 copy number normalization restores normal Wnt activation in Ts65Dn mice models. Genetic upregulation of the Wnt pathway in Ts65Dn mice rescues the proliferation defect observed in mammary epithelial cells. All together, these findings link important stem cell regulators like Bmi1/Usp16 and Cdkn2a to Wnt signaling, and have implications for designing therapies for conditions, like DS, aging or degenerative diseases, where the Wnt pathway is hampered.
Comparison of bone texture between normal individuals and patients with Kashin-Beck disease from plain radiographs in knee
Authors: Li Wenrong , Hirvasniemi Jukka , Guo Xiong , Saarakkala Simo , Lammi Mikko J. , Qu Chengjuan 
Published: November 2018

AbstractTo compare tibial bone texture between Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) patients and normal individuals from plain radiographs using an advanced image analysis. Plain knee radiographs were obtained from KBD patients (n = 49) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 98). KBD were graded with diagnostic criteria WS/T 207-2010. The textural values related to bone structure from medial and lateral tibial subchondral and trabecular bones were evaluated using entropy of Laplacian-based image (ELap), entropy of local binary patterns (ELBP), homogeneity indices (HI) of local angles (HIMean, HIPerp and HIParal), and fractal dimensions from horizontal (FDHor) and vertical (FDVer) structures. KBD patients were shorter in height and lighter in weight, and their tibial width was wider than controls. Anatomical angle of KBD patients showed more genu valgus. Total KBD patients and subgroups had higher ELap, HIMean, HIPerp and HIParal in detected tibial subchondral and trabecular bones than controls, except ELap in lateral subchondral bone. ELBP, FDHor and FDVer from the detected tibial bone in KBD patients and subgroups were lower than controls, except FDVer in lateral trabecular bone. Our results indicate that micro-scale in bone texture in KBD-affected knees can be quantitatively examined from plain radiographs using an advanced image analysis.
Excitotoxic superoxide production and neuronal death require both ionotropic and non-ionotropic NMDA receptor signaling
Authors: Minnella Angela M. , Zhao Jerry X. , Jiang Xiangning , Jakobsen Emil , Lu Fuxin , Wu Long , El-Benna Jamel , Gray John A. , Swanson Raymond A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractNMDA-type glutamate receptors (NMDAR) trigger superoxide production by neuronal NADPH oxidase-2 (NOX2), which if sustained leads to cell death. This process involves Ca2+ influx through NMDAR channels. By contrast, comparable Ca2+ influx by other routes does not induce NOX2 activation or cell death. This contrast has been attributed to site-specific effects of Ca2+ flux through NMDAR. Here we show instead that it stems from non-ionotropic signaling by NMDAR GluN2B subunits. To evaluate non-ionotropic effects, mouse cortical neurons were treated with NMDA together with 7-chlorokynurenate, L-689,560, or MK-801, which block Ca2+ influx through NMDAR channels but not NMDA binding. NMDA-induced superoxide formation was prevented by the channel blockers, restored by concurrent Ca2+ influx through ionomycin or voltage-gated calcium channels, and not induced by the Ca2+ influx in the absence of NMDAR ligand binding. Neurons expressing either GluN2B subunits or chimeric GluN2A/GluN2B C-terminus subunits exhibited NMDA-induced superoxide production, whereas neurons expressing chimeric GluN2B/GluN2A C-terminus subunits did not. Neuronal NOX2 activation requires phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and NMDA binding to NMDAR increased PI3K association with NMDA GluN2B subunits independent of Ca2+ influx. These findings identify a non-ionotropic signaling pathway that links NMDAR to NOX2 activation through the C-terminus domain of GluN2B.
Inflammatory gene expression in adipose tissue according to diagnosis of anxiety and mood disorders in obese and non-obese subjects
Authors: Coín-Aragüez Leticia , Pavón Francisco Javier , Contreras Alba , Gentile Adriana-Mariel , Lhamyani Said , De Diego-Otero Yolanda , Casado Yolanda , Oliva Olivera Wilfredo , Olveira Gabriel , Tinahones Francisco J. , Pérez Costillas Lucía , El Bekay Rajaa 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPsychiatric disorders have been widely reported to be associated with systemic inflammation upregulation and adiposity. However, there are no data that link adipose tissue inflammation to these mental disorders. The analysis of adipokines and inflammation-related markers in adipose tissue could help to elucidate the potential association between obesity and mental health. An observational study was conducted in samples of patients consisting of non-obese and obese subjects, who were diagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders. Gene expression of adiponectin (ADIPOQ), leptin (LEP) and inflammatory markers (IL6, IL1B, TNF, CCL2, CSF3, ITGAM, and PLAUR) were determined in visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissues. Our results showed that the gene expression of adipokines and inflammation-related markers was higher in the VAT and SAT of obese subjects compared with non-obese subjects. Regarding mental disorders, all the inflammatory genes in the VAT were significantly higher in non-obese subjects with anxiety or mood disorders than in subjects without mental disorders, except for TNF and ITGAM. Additionally, IL6 expression was significantly lower in SAT. In contrast, obese patients diagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders only showed significantly lower expression levels of IL1B in VAT and ADIPOQ in SAT when compared with obese subjects without mental disorders. These data suggest the potential involvement of VAT inflammation in anxiety and mood disorders, involving complex mechanisms which are strongly affected by obesity.
Vascular amounts and dispersion of caliber-classified vessels as key parameters to quantitate 3D micro-angioarchitectures in multiple myeloma experimental tumors
Authors: Righi Marco , Locatelli Silvia Laura , Carlo-Stella Carmelo , Presta Marco , Giacomini Arianna 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBlood vessel micro-angioarchitecture plays a pivotal role in tumor progression, metastatic dissemination and response to therapy. Thus, methods able to quantify microvascular trees and their anomalies may allow a better comprehension of the neovascularization process and evaluation of vascular-targeted therapies in cancer. To this aim, the development of a restricted set of indexes able to describe the arrangement of a microvascular tree is eagerly required. We addressed this goal through 3D analysis of the functional microvascular network in sulfo-biotin-stained human multiple myeloma KMS-11 xenografts in NOD/SCID mice. Using image analysis, we show that amounts, spatial dispersion and spatial relationships of adjacent classes of caliber-filtered microvessels provide a near-linear graphical “fingerprint” of tumor micro-angioarchitecture. Position, slope and axial projections of this graphical outcome reflect biological features and summarize the properties of tumor micro-angioarchitecture. Notably, treatment of KMS-11 xenografts with anti-angiogenic drugs affected position and slope of the specific curves without degrading their near-linear properties. The possibility offered by this procedure to describe and quantify the 3D features of the tumor micro-angioarchitecture paves the way to the analysis of the microvascular tree in human tumor specimens at different stages of tumor progression and after pharmacologic interventions, with possible diagnostic and prognostic implications.
Developmental trajectory of movement-related cortical oscillations during active sleep in a cross-sectional cohort of pre-term and full-term human infants
Authors: Whitehead Kimberley , Meek Judith , Fabrizi Lorenzo 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn neonatal animal models, isolated limb movements during active sleep provide input to immature somatomotor cortex necessary for its development and are somatotopically encoded by alpha-beta oscillations as late as the equivalent of human full-term. Limb movements elicit similar neural patterns in very pre-term human infants (average 30 corrected gestational weeks), suggesting an analogous role in humans, but it is unknown until when they subserve this function. In a cohort of 19 neonates (31–42 corrected gestational weeks) we showed that isolated hand movements during active sleep continue to induce these same somatotopically distributed oscillations well into the perinatal period, but that these oscillations decline towards full-term and fully disappear at 41 corrected gestational weeks (equivalent to the end of gestation). We also showed that these highly localised alpha-beta oscillations are associated with an increase in delta oscillations which extends to the frontal area and does not decline with age. These results suggest that isolated limb movements during active sleep could have an important role in experience-dependent somatomotor development up until normal birth in humans.
Bioaerosol Sampling for Respiratory Viruses in Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit Network
Authors: Coleman Kristen K. , Nguyen Tham T. , Yadana Su , Hansen-Estruch Christophe , Lindsley William G. , Gray Gregory C. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAs a leading global city with a high population density, Singapore is at risk for the introduction of novel biological threats. This risk has been recently reinforced by human epidemics in Singapore of SARS coronavirus, 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus, and enterovirus 71. Other major threats to Singapore include MERS-coronavirus and various avian and swine influenza viruses. The ability to quickly identify and robustly track such threats to initiate an early emergency response remains a significant challenge. In an effort to enhance respiratory virus surveillance in Singapore, our team conducted a pilot study employing a noninvasive bioaerosol sampling method to detect respiratory viruses in Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network. Over a period of 52 weeks, 89 aerosol samples were collected during peak MRT ridership hours. Nine (10%) tested positive for adenovirus, four (4.5%) tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus type A, and one (1%) tested positive for influenza A virus using real-time RT-PCR/PCR. To our knowledge, this is the first time molecular evidence for any infectious respiratory agent has been collected from Singapore’s MRT. Our pilot study data support the possibility of employing bioaerosol samplers in crowded public spaces to noninvasively monitor for respiratory viruses circulating in communities.
New Spirometry Indices for Detecting Mild Airflow Obstruction
Authors: Bhatt Surya P. , Bhakta Nirav R. , Wilson Carla G. , Cooper Christopher B. , Barjaktarevic Igor , Bodduluri Sandeep , Kim Young-il , Eberlein Michael , Woodruff Prescott G. , Sciurba Frank C. , Castaldi Peter J. , Han MeiLan K. , Dransfield Mark T. , Nakhmani Arie 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) relies on demonstration of airflow obstruction. Traditional spirometric indices miss a number of subjects with respiratory symptoms or structural lung disease on imaging. We hypothesized that utilizing all data points on the expiratory spirometry curves to assess their shape will improve detection of mild airflow obstruction and structural lung disease. We analyzed spirometry data of 8307 participants enrolled in the COPDGene study, and derived metrics of airflow obstruction based on the shape on the volume-time (Parameter D), and flow-volume curves (Transition Point and Transition Distance). We tested associations of these parameters with CT measures of lung disease, respiratory morbidity, and mortality using regression analyses. There were significant correlations between FEV1/FVC with Parameter D (r = −0.83; p < 0.001), Transition Point (r = 0.69; p < 0.001), and Transition Distance (r = 0.50; p < 0.001). All metrics had significant associations with emphysema, small airway disease, dyspnea, and respiratory-quality of life (p < 0.001). The highest quartile for Parameter D was independently associated with all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 3.22,95% CI 2.42–4.27; p < 0.001) but a substantial number of participants in the highest quartile were categorized as GOLD 0 and 1 by traditional criteria (1.8% and 33.7%). Parameter D identified an additional 9.5% of participants with mild or non-recognized disease as abnormal with greater burden of structural lung disease compared with controls. The data points on the flow-volume and volume-time curves can be used to derive indices of airflow obstruction that identify additional subjects with disease who are deemed to be normal by traditional criteria.
Day-to-day variations in sleep quality affect standing balance in healthy adults
Authors: Montesinos Luis , Castaldo Rossana , Cappuccio Francesco P. , Pecchia Leandro 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAcute sleep deprivation is known to affect human balance and posture control. However, the effects of variations in sleep quality and pattern over consecutive days have received less attention. This study investigated the associations between day-to-day variations in sleep quality and standing balance in healthy subjects. Twenty volunteers (12 females and 8 males; age: 28.8 ± 5.7 years, body mass index: 23.4 ± 3.4 kg/m2, resting heart rate: 63.1 ± 8.7 bpm) with no history of sleep disorders or balance impairments participated in the study. Sleep and balance were assessed over two consecutive days. Sleep quality variations were assessed using sleep diary, actigraphy and heart rate variability (HRV) measures. Sleep was monitored at home, using an unobtrusive wearable device. Balance was assessed in a gait lab using foot centre of pressure (COP) displacement during quiet standing. Subjects with a day-to-day deterioration in sleep quantity and quality (i.e., decreased duration and increased fragmentation, increased nocturnal activity and decreased HRV) exhibited significant changes in balance (i.e., larger COP area, amplitude and standard deviation). Conversely, subjects with no significant alterations in sleep quantity and quality showed no significant changes in COP displacements. These results confirmed our hypothesis that changes in sleep quality and pattern over consecutive days may affect balance.
Targeted-pig trial on safety and immunogenicity of serum-derived extracellular vesicles enriched fractions obtained from Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive virus infections
Authors: Montaner-Tarbes Sergio , Novell Elena , Tarancón Vicens , Borrás Francesc E. , Montoya Maria , Fraile Lorenzo , del Portillo Hernando A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) is the etiological agent of one of the most important swine diseases with a significant economic burden worldwide. Unfortunately, available vaccines are partially effective highlighting the need of novel approaches. Previously, antigenic viral proteins were described in serum-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) from pigs previously infected with PRRSV. Here, a targeted-pig trial was designed to determine the safety and immunogenicity of such extracellular vesicles enriched fractions. Our results showed that immunizations with EV-enriched fractions from convalescence animals in combination with montanide is safe and free of virus as immunizations with up-to two milligrams of EV-enriched fractions did not induce clinical symptoms, adverse effects and detectable viral replication. In addition, this vaccine formulation was able to elicit specific humoral IgG immune response in vaccinated animals, albeit variably. Noticeably, sera from vaccinated animals was diagnosed negative when tested for PRRSV using a commercial ELISA test; thus, indicating that this new approach differentiates vaccinated from infected animals. Lastly, after priming animals with EV-enriched fractions from sera of convalescence animals and boosting them with synthetic viral peptides identified by mass spectrometry, a distinctive high and specific IFN-γ response was elicited. Altogether, our data strongly suggest the use of serum EV-enriched fractions as a novel vaccine strategy against PRRSV.
Uncertainty of PM10concentration measurement on the example of an optical measuring device
Authors: Owczarek Tomasz , Rogulski Mariusz 
Published: November 2018

The interest in the natural environment, in particular the ambient air, has been growing. For this reason, growing interest in measuring of concentration of pollutants in the air. To the reduction of costs and time of obtained results, increasingly are used non-reference, alternative methods and devices. However, it is necessary to ensure equivalence of results obtained by alternative methods with the results of the reference method.One of the equivalence issues is the assessment of the measurements uncertainty of the alternative method in relation to the reference method. This uncertainty is understood as the probability of obtaining a measurement result which differs from the real (reference) result by a predetermined value. Uncertainty can be caused by many reasons: imperfect implementation of the definition of the measurand, incomplete knowledge of the influence of external factors, heterogeneity of the analyzed phenomenon, errors of the measuring device and others. The paper presents methods for testing the uncertainty of measurements used in the study of equivalence and also proposed extending the test procedure with equivalence models, different from the linear regression models.
Spiegeln Facebook-Bewertungen die Versorgungsqualität und
Patientenzufriedenheit von Krankenhäusern wider? Eine Querschnittstudie
am Beispiel der Geburtshilfe in Deutschland
Authors: Emmert Martin , Becker Sandra , Meszmer Nina , Sander Uwe 
Published: November 2018

Zusammenfassung
Zielsetzung Social Media Portale, wie z. B. Facebook,
erfreuen sich zunehmender Beliebtheit. Unklar ist bislang, ob
Facebook-Bewertungen für Krankenhäuser eine
Orientierungshilfe bei der Krankenhauswahl darstellen können. Die
Zielsetzung dieser Studie besteht in der Untersuchung des Zusammenhangs
zwischen Facebook-Bewertungen und Ergebnissen zur klinischen
Versorgungsqualität und Patientenzufriedenheit für deutsche
Krankenhäuser am Beispiel der Geburtshilfe.
Methodik (1) Ermittlung aller Krankenhäuser mit einer
Abteilung für Geburtshilfe anhand der Daten der externen
stationären Qualitätssicherung (2015) und Dokumentation von
Struktur- und Ergebnisdaten. (2) Ermittlung der Versorgungsqualität
der Krankenhäuser anhand der Ergebnisse aus dem Strukturierten
Dialog und (3) Einteilung der Krankenhäuser in 3
Performance-Gruppen. (4) Erhebung von Facebook-Bewertungen und (5)
Ergebnissen der PEQ-Befragung für die eingeschlossenen
Krankenhäuser. (6) Zusammenhangsprüfung mittels des Spearman
Korrelationskoeffizienten.
Ergebnisse Von 752 eingeschlossenen Krankenhäuser waren 728
(96,8%) auf Facebook auffindbar. Die Facebook-Bewertungen der
Krankenhäuser waren positiv, im Bereich der Geburtshilfe sehr
positiv. Facebook-Bewertungen im Generellen (ρ=0,007;
p=0,856) oder für die Geburtshilfe im Speziellen
(ρ=0,008; p=0,856) wiesen keinen Zusammenhang mit
den klinischen Ergebnissen der externen stationären
Qualitätssicherung auf. Im Gegensatz dazu korrelieren
Facebook-Bewertungen signifikant mit den PEQ-Zufriedenheitswerten. Die
Korrelation fällt dabei für die sich auf das gesamte
Krankenhaus beziehenden Onlinebewertungen (ρ=0,383-0,543;
p<0,001) stärker aus als für die sich auf die
Geburtshilfe beziehenden Onlinebewertungen
(ρ=0,111–0,250; p<0,05).
Schlussfolgerung Facebook-Bewertungen haben derzeit einen
eingeschränkten Nutzen für Patienten, die auf der Suche nach
guten Kliniken, gemessen an der klinischen Versorgungsqualität,
sind. Facebook könnte für solche Patienten eine Orientierung
bei der Krankenhauswahl darstellen, die sich auf Erfahrungen anderer
Patienten verlassen und weniger die klinische Versorgungsqualität
fokussieren.