bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non-neutralizing antibodies elicited by recombinant Lassa–Rabies vaccine are critical for protection against Lassa fever
Authors: Abreu-Mota Tiago , Hagen Katie R. , Cooper Kurt , Jahrling Peter B. , Tan Gene , Wirblich Christoph , Johnson Reed F. , Schnell Matthias J. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractLassa fever (LF), caused by Lassa virus (LASV), is a viral hemorrhagic fever for which no approved vaccine or potent antiviral treatment is available. LF is a WHO priority disease and, together with rabies, a major health burden in West Africa. Here we present the development and characterization of an inactivated recombinant LASV and rabies vaccine candidate (LASSARAB) that expresses a codon-optimized LASV glycoprotein (coGPC) and is adjuvanted by a TLR-4 agonist (GLA-SE). LASSARAB elicits lasting humoral response against LASV and RABV in both mouse and guinea pig models, and it protects both guinea pigs and mice against LF. We also demonstrate a previously unexplored role for non-neutralizing LASV GPC-specific antibodies as a major mechanism of protection by LASSARAB against LF through antibody-dependent cellular functions. Overall, these findings demonstrate an effective inactivated LF vaccine and elucidate a novel humoral correlate of protection for LF.
Extremely low genetic diversity in a circumpolar dragonfly species, Somatochlora sahlbergi (Insecta: Odonata: Anisoptera)
Authors: Kohli Manpreet K. , Sahlén Göran , Kuhn William R. , Ware Jessica L. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWe present the first empirical treatment of the northernmost breeding dragonfly, Somatochlora sahlbergi. We sequenced populations from United States, Canada, Finland, Sweden and Norway for cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and D2 region of 28s. We found that, despite geographic barriers across its vast arctic range, S. sahlbergi is a single species. Not only does it appear to interbreed across its entire range, there also seems to be almost no variation among European and North American populations in their COI gene fragment (the barcode gene), which is usually extremely variable. We further found that characters thought to be diagnostic for the larvae of S. sahlbergi were absent in our European samples. We review and re-describe the habitat of this species based on new findings from recent field observations. Finally, we report for the first time the likely presence of this species in Japan. We hope our findings will encourage further study of this species and other under-studied insect taxa that inhabit the remote Arctic.
No Reliable Evidence for a Neanderthal-Châtelperronian Association at La Roche-à-Pierrot, Saint-Césaire
Authors: Gravina Brad , Bachellerie François , Caux Solène , Discamps Emmanuel , Faivre Jean-Philippe , Galland Aline , Michel Alexandre , Teyssandier Nicolas , Bordes Jean-Guillaume 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe demise of Neanderthals and their interaction with dispersing anatomically modern human populations remain some of the most contentious issues in palaeoanthropology. The Châtelperronian, now generally recognized as the first genuine Upper Palaeolithic industry in Western Europe and commonly attributed to the Neanderthals, plays a pivotal role in these debates. The Neanderthal authorship of this techno-complex is based on reported associations of Neanderthal skeletal material with Châtelperronian assemblages at only two sites, La Roche-à-Pierrot (Saint-Césaire) and the Grotte du Renne (Arcy-sur-Cure). The reliability of such an association has, however, been the subject of heated controversy. Here we present a detailed taphonomic, spatial and typo-technological reassessment of the level (EJOP sup) containing the Neanderthal skeletal material at Saint-Césaire. Our assessment of a new larger sample of lithic artifacts, combined with a systematic refitting program and spatial projections of diagnostic artifacts, produced no reliable evidence for a Neanderthal-Châtelperronian association at the site. These results significantly impact current models concerning the Middle-to-Upper Palaeolithic transition in Western Europe and force a critical reappraisal of who exactly were the makers of the Châtelperronian.
Propensity-score-matched evaluation of under-recognition of acute kidney injury and short-term outcomes
Authors: Wu Buyun , Li Li , Cheng Xiaoyan , Yan Wenyan , Liu Yun , Xing Changying , Mao Huijuan 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a common disease, but diagnosis is usually delayed or missed in hospitalized patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of under-recognition of AKI (beyond 3 days after AKI onset) on short-time prognosis. Of 785 patients with under-recognition of AKI and 616 patients with timely-recognition of AKI were propensity matched in a 1:1 ratio. The two groups, with a total of 482 matched patients (241:241), were comparable in baseline covariates. Under-recognition of AKI was not associated with 30-day all-cause mortality in the logistic regression model with covariate adjustment (OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.62–1.64, p = 0.967). Sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses also proved the association. There were also no significant differences in causes of 30-day mortality, in-hospital mortality, recovery of renal function at discharge, length of hospital stay, length of intensive care unit stay or hospitalization costs between the two groups, although timely-recognition group had more chance of renal consult and a little more interventions for AKI. In conclusion, under-recognition of AKI may not be associated with poor short-term outcomes of adult hospitalized patients via these propensity-score-matched analyses.
High fidelity CRISPR/Cas9 increases precise monoallelic and biallelic editing events in primordial germ cells
Authors: Idoko-Akoh Alewo , Taylor Lorna , Sang Helen M. , McGrew Michael J. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPrimordial germ cells (PGCs), the embryonic precursors of the sperm and egg, are used for the introduction of genetic modifications into avian genome. Introduction of small defined sequences using genome editing has not been demonstrated in bird species. Here, we compared oligonucleotide-mediated HDR using wild type SpCas9 (SpCas9-WT) and high fidelity SpCas9-HF1 in PGCs and show that many loci in chicken PGCs can be precise edited using donors containing CRISPR/Cas9-blocking mutations positioned in the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM). However, targeting was more efficient using SpCas9-HF1 when mutations were introduced only into the gRNA target sequence. We subsequently employed an eGFP-to-BFP conversion assay, to directly compare HDR mediated by SpCas9-WT and SpCas9-HF1 and discovered that SpCas9-HF1 increases HDR while reducing INDEL formation. Furthermore, SpCas9-HF1 increases the frequency of single allele editing in comparison to SpCas9-WT. We used SpCas9-HF1 to demonstrate the introduction of monoallelic and biallelic point mutations into the FGF20 gene and generate clonal populations of edited PGCs with defined homozygous and heterozygous genotypes. Our results demonstrate the use of oligonucleotide donors and high fidelity CRISPR/Cas9 variants to perform precise genome editing with high efficiency in PGCs.
Alterations in the connection topology of brain structural networks in Internet gaming addiction
Authors: Park Chang-hyun , Chun Ji-Won , Cho Hyun , Kim Dai-Jin 
Published: October 2018

AbstractInternet gaming addiction (IGA), as the most popular subtype of Internet addiction, is becoming a common and widespread mental health concern, but there are still debates on whether IGA constitutes a psychiatric disorder. The view on the brain as a complex network has developed network analysis of neuroimaging data, revealing that abnormalities of brain functional and structural systems are related to alterations in brain network configuration, such as small-world topology, in neuropsychiatric disorders. Here we applied network analysis to diffusion-weighted MRI data of 102 gaming individuals and 41 non-gaming healthy individuals to seek changes in the small-world topology of brain structural networks in IGA. The connection topology of brain structural networks shifted to the direction of random topology in the gaming individuals, irrespective of whether they were diagnosed with Internet gaming disorder. Furthermore, when we simulated targeted or untargeted attacks on nodes, the connection topology of the gaming individuals’ brain structural networks under no attacks was comparable to that of the non-gaming healthy individuals’ brain structural networks under targeted attacks. Alterations in connection topology provide a clue that Internet gaming addicted brains could be as abnormal as brains suffering from targeted damage.
Effects of aspirin-loaded graphene oxide coating of a titanium surface on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells
Authors: Ren Liping , Pan Shuang , Li Haiqing , Li Yanping , He Lina , Zhang Shuang , Che Jingyi , Niu Yumei 
Published: October 2018

AbstractGraphene oxide (GO) has attracted considerable attention for biomedical applications such as drug delivery because of its two-dimensional structure, which provides a large surface area on both sides of the nanosheet. Here, a new method for titanium (Ti) surface modification involving a GO coating and aspirin (A) loading (A/Ti-GO) was developed, and the bioactive effects on mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were preliminarily studied. The X-ray photoelectron spectrometry indicated new C-O-N, C-Si-O-C, and C-N=C bond formation upon GO coating. Remarkably, the torsion test results showed stable bonding between the GO coating and Ti under a torsional shear force found in clinical settings, in that, there was no tearing or falling off of GO coating from the sample surface. More importantly, through π-π stacking interactions, the release of aspirin loaded on the surface of Ti-GO could sustain for 3 days. Furthermore, the A/Ti-GO surface displayed a significantly higher proliferation rate and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells into osteoblasts, which was confirmed by a water-soluble tetrazolium salt-8 (WST-8) assay and alkaline phosphatase activity test. Consequently, Ti surface modification involving GO coating and aspirin loading might be a useful contribution to improve the success rate of Ti implants in patients, especially in bone conditions.
The interplay between adipose-derived stem cells and bladder cancer cells
Authors: Maj Malgorzata , Kokocha Anna , Bajek Anna , Drewa Tomasz 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTissue engineering approaches offer alternative strategies for urinary diversion after radical cystectomy. Possible triggering of cancer recurrence remains, however, a significant concern in the application of stem-cell based therapies for oncological patients. Soluble mediators secreted by stem cells induce tissue remodelling effects, but may also promote cancer cells growth and metastasis. We observed a substantial increase in the concentration of IL-6 and IL-8 in the secretome of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) co-cultured with bladder cancer cells. Concentrations of GM-CSF, MCP-1 and RANTES were also elevated. Bioactive molecules produced by ASCs increased the viability of 5637 and HT-1376 cells by respectively 15.4% and 10.4% (p < 0.0001). A trend in reduction of adhesion to ECM components was also noted, even though no differences in β-catenin expression were detected. When HT-1376 cells were co-cultured with ASCs their migration and invasion increased by 24.5% (p < 0.0002) and 18.2% (p < 0.002). Expression of p-ERK1/2 increased in 5637 cells (2.2-fold; p < 0.001) and p-AKT in HB-CLS-1 cells (2.0-fold; p < 0.001). Our results confirm that ASCs crosstalk with bladder cancer cells in vitro what influences their proliferation and invasive properties. Since ASCs tropism to tumour microenvironment is well documented their application towards post-oncologic reconstruction should be approached with caution.
Assessing the regional carbon sink with its forming processes- a case study of Liaoning province, China
Authors: Zhu Xian-Jin , Zhang Han-Qi , Gao Yan-Ni , Yin Hong , Chen Zhi , Zhao Tian-Hong 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAssessing the regional carbon sink sets the basis of regional carbon management, which involves many measures but has large uncertainties. Carbon sink assessment scheme based on its forming processes (CSF) is a recently proposed measure but repeatly calculates emission from water erosion and ignored human inducing carbon inputs. Therefore, we revised the CSF by calculating the direct outputs from land surface and adding human returned carbon (HC) to the input. The revised CSF thus involved gross primary productivity (GPP), ecosystem respiration (ER), carbon removal from cropland (CRC), emission from reactive carbon (ERC), emission from water erosion (Ewat), and HC, which can be obtained from public data sources. Then the revised CSF was applied to the Liaoning province of China. The estimated carbon input of Liaoning province during 2000–2014 was 114.77 ± 8.41 TgC yr−1, while the carbon output was 110.48 ± 8.38 TgC yr−1. The difference between input and output induced a carbon sink of 4.30 ± 2.20 TgC yr−1, accounting for 3.75% of total carbon input. The carbon sink spatially decreased from northeast to southwest, which was highly correlated with that of GPP. However, though its forming fluxes significantly increased from 2000 to 2014, the carbon sink showed a decreasing trend. In addition, the revised scheme only needed published and public data, which made it serve as an alternative approach for regional carbon budget assessment.
Growth and superconductivity of niobium titanium alloy thin films on strontium titanate (001) single-crystal substrates for superconducting joints
Authors: Shimizu Yuhei , Tonooka Kazuhiko , Yoshida Yoshiyuki , Furuse Mitsuho , Takashima Hiroshi 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAiming to introduce NbTi alloy superconducting joints for REBa2Cu3O7−δ (REBCO, RE: rare-earth element) superconducting wires, NbTi alloy thin films were deposited at room temperature on SrTiO3 (STO) (001) single-crystal substrates, which have a high lattice matching with REBCO (001). The strain, crystallinity, surface morphology, and superconducting property of the films with various thicknesses were investigated. The NbTi films grew in the orientation with (110)NbTi//(001)STO:[001]NbTi and [11–0] NbTi//[100]STO; that is, the NbTi lattices had two directions in the (110) of NbTi. The strain decreased and the crystallinity improved as the film thickness increased. The films were found to crystallize immediately at the interface between the films and substrates by cross-sectional scanning transmission electron microscopy. The flat surfaces of the films have mesh-like morphologies due to the growth of elongated NbTi grains along the [100] and [010] of the STO, reflecting the in-plane two directions of the NbTi lattices. The superconducting transition temperature of the films increased with improvement in the crystallinity of the films. The preparation of superconducting NbTi alloy thin films with sufficient crystallinity at room temperature suggested the possibility of forming the films on REBCO and the applicability of the films as superconducting joints.
Multi-compartment scaffold fabricated via 3D-printing as in vitro co-culture osteogenic model
Authors: De Giglio Elvira , Bonifacio Maria A. , Ferreira Ana M. , Cometa Stefania , Ti Zhi Yuan , Stanzione Antonella , Dalgarno Kenny , Gentile Piergiorgio 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe development ofin vitro3D models to get insights into the mechanisms of bone regeneration could accelerate the translation of experimental findings to the clinic, reducing costs and duration of experiments. This work explores the design and manufacturing of multi-compartments structures in poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) 3D-printed by Fused Filament Fabrication technique. The construct was designed with interconnected stalls to host stem cells and endothelial cells. Cells were encapsulated within an optimised gellan gum (GG)-based hydrogel matrix, crosslinked using strontium (Sr2+) ions to exploit its bioactivity and finally, assembled within compartments with different sizes. Calcium (Ca2+)-crosslinked gels were also used as control for comparison of Sr2+osteogenic effect. The results obtained demonstrated that Sr2+ions were successfully diffused within the hydrogel matrix and increased the hydrogel matrix strength properties under compressive load. Thein vitroco-culture of human-TERT mesenchymal stem cells (TERT- hMSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), encapsulated within Sr2+ions containing GG-hydrogels and inter-connected by compartmentalised scaffolds under osteogenic conditions, enhanced cell viability and supported osteogenesis, with a significant increase of alkaline phosphatase activity, osteopontin and osteocalcin respect with the Ca2+-crosslinked GG-PCL scaffolds. These outcomes demonstrate that the design and manufacturing of compartmentalised co-culture of TERT-hMSCs and HUVEC populations enables an effective system to study and promote osteogenesis.
Gravure Printing of Water-based Silver Nanowire ink on Plastic Substrate for Flexible Electronics
Authors: Huang Qijin , Zhu Yong 
Published: October 2018

AbstractGravure printing is a promising technique for large-scale printed electronics. However, gravure printing of silver nanowires (AgNWs) so far has been limited in terms of resolution and electrical conductivity. In this study, gravure printing of water-based AgNW ink on a flexible substrate is demonstrated. By tailoring the ink properties, printing conditions and post-printing treatment, gravure printing enables printing of high-resolution, highly conductive AgNW patterns in large areas, with resolution as fine as 50 µm and conductivity as high as 5.34 × 104 S cm−1. The printed AgNW patterns on the flexible substrate show excellent flexibility under repeated bending. All these characteristics demonstrate the excellent potential of gravure printing of AgNWs for developing large-area flexible electronics.
Transcriptome analysis of the genes regulating phytohormone and cellular patterning in Lagerstroemia plant architecture
Authors: Ju Yiqian , Feng Lu , Wu Jiyang , Ye Yuanjun , Zheng Tangchun , Cai Ming , Cheng Tangren , Wang Jia , Zhang Qixiang , Pan Huitang 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPlant architecture is a popular research topic because plants with different growth habits that may generate economic or ornamental value are in great demand by orchards and nurseries. However, the molecular basis of the architecture of woody perennial plants is poorly understood due to the complexity of the phenotypic and regulatory relationships. Here, transcriptional profiling of dwarf and non-dwarf crapemyrtles was performed, and potential target genes were identified based on the phenotype, histology and phytohormone metabolite levels. An integrated analysis demonstrated that the internode length was explained mainly by cell number and secondarily by cell length and revealed important hormones in regulatory pathway of Lagerstroemia architecture. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in phytohormone pathways and cellular patterning regulation were analysed, and the regulatory relationships between these parameters were evaluated at the transcriptional level. Exogenous indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellin A4 (GA4) treatments further indicated the pivotal role of auxin in cell division within the shoot apical meristem (SAM) and suggested an interaction between auxin and GA4 in regulating the internode length of Lagerstroemia. These results provide insights for further functional genomic studies on the regulatory mechanisms underlying Lagerstroemia plant architecture and may improve the efficiency of woody plant molecular breeding.
Minimally invasive surgery for colorectal cancer remains underutilized in Germany despite its nationwide application over the last decade
Authors: Ghadban Tarik , Reeh Matthias , Bockhorn Maximilian , Heumann Asmus , Grotelueschen Rainer , Bachmann Kai , Izbicki Jakob R. , Perez Daniel R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMinimally invasive surgery (MIS) has superior short-term outcomes than open surgery (OS) for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, a nationwide dataset has not been analysed to confirm these findings. We evaluated the distribution and outcomes of MIS for CRC from 2005 to 2015; all in-patients with CRC surgery procedure codes were identified from hospital data, which are entered into the nationwide diagnosis-related group database and forwarded anonymised to the Federal Bureau of Statistics. We determined absolute MIS, morbidity, and mortality rates for specific sub-categories, including procedure type. We identified 345,913 in-patient files. The MIS rate increased from 6.4% (n = 2366; 2005) to 28.5% (n = 8363; 2015), with the highest rates for sigmoid colon (38%) and rectal (39%) resections. The overall conversion rate was 14.4%, without noticeable improvement over time. International Classification of Disease codes related to postoperative complications were documented more frequently after OS than after MIS. OS was associated with a higher mortality rate (4.7%) than MIS (1.8%) (P < 0.001), even after stratifying patients according to the resection site. Use of MIS remains low in Germany compared with that in other European countries. Underutilization of MIS has to be addressed in the future by promoting structured training programs and standardization of laparoscopic surgery.
Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate protects ARPE-19 cells against oxidative stress by inhibiting autophagy and apoptosis
Authors: Han Dongmei , Wu Xingwei , Liu Libin , Shu Wanting , Huang Zhenping 
Published: October 2018

AbstractOxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is considered to be a major contributor to the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Previous investigations have shown that sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) can alleviate oxidative stress in haemorrhagic shock-induced organ damage and cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in mice. However, whether STS has a protective effect in ARPE-19 cells under oxidative stress and its exact mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. In the present study, we utilized H2O2 to establish an oxidative stress environment. Our findings show that STS activated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to inhibit autophagy and diminished the expression of the autophagic proteins Beclin 1, ATG3, ATG7 and ATG9 in ARPE-19 cells under oxidative stress. Detection of the intrinsic apoptosis-related factors BAX, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), caspase-9, caspase-3 and BCL-2, as well as the extrinsic apoptosis-related factors c-FLIP, v-FLIP and caspase-8, confirmed that STS inhibited the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, and attenuated apoptosis in ARPE-19 cells under oxidative stress conditions. These findings shed new light on the protective effects of STS in ARPE-19 cells and its mechanisms under oxidative stress to provide novel and promising therapeutic strategies for AMD.