bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exfoliation of Transition Metal Dichalcogenides by a High-Power Femtosecond Laser
Authors: An Sung-Jin , Kim Yong Hwan , Lee Chanwoo , Park Dae Young , Jeong Mun Seok 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThin layer two-dimensional (2-D) transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials have distinctive optoelectronic properties. Therefore, several methods including mechanical exfoliation, chemical vapor deposition, and liquid-phase exfoliation have been attempted to obtain uniform TMDs. However, such methods do not easily produce high-quality few-layer TMDs with high speed. Here, we report the successful fabrication of few-layer TMD materials by femtosecond laser irradiation. It shows that TMD samples can be exfoliated from bulk to ~3 layers. This method is much faster and simpler than other exfoliation methods. The size and number of the layers were confirmed by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and photoluminescence experiments. It is expected to be used for the mass production of thin 2-D TMD materials.
Use of sucrose to diminish pore formation in freeze-dried heart valves
Authors: Vásquez-Rivera Andrés , Oldenhof Harriëtte , Dipresa Daniele , Goecke Tobias , Kouvaka Artemis , Will Fabian , Haverich Axel , Korossis Sotirios , Hilfiker Andres , Wolkers Willem F. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractFreeze-dried storage of decellularized heart valves provides easy storage and transport for clinical use. Freeze-drying without protectants, however, results in a disrupted histoarchitecture after rehydration. In this study, heart valves were incubated in solutions of various sucrose concentrations and subsequently freeze-dried. Porosity of rehydrated valves was determined from histological images. In the absence of sucrose, freeze-dried valves were shown to have pores after rehydration in the cusp, artery and muscle sections. Use of sucrose reduced pore formation in a dose-dependent manner, and pretreatment of the valves in a 40% (w/v) sucrose solution prior to freeze-drying was found to be sufficient to completely diminish pore formation. The presence of pores in freeze-dried valves was found to coincide with altered biomechanical characteristics, whereas biomechanical parameters of valves freeze-dried with enough sucrose were not significantly different from those of valves not exposed to freeze-drying. Multiphoton imaging, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry studies revealed that matrix proteins (i.e. collagen and elastin) were not affected by freeze-drying.
The PPARα Agonist Fenofibrate Prevents Formation of Protein Aggregates (Mallory-Denk bodies) in a Murine Model of Steatohepatitis-like Hepatotoxicity
Authors: Nikam Aniket , Patankar Jay V. , Somlapura Meghana , Lahiri Pooja , Sachdev Vinay , Kratky Dagmar , Denk Helmut , Zatloukal Kurt , Abuja Peter M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractChronic intoxication of mice with the porphyrinogenic compound 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) leads to morphological and metabolic changes closely resembling steatohepatitis, a severe form of metabolic liver disease in humans. Since human steatohepatitis (both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic type) is characterized by reduced expression of PPARα and disturbed lipid metabolism we investigated the role of this ligand-activated receptor in the development of DDC-induced liver injury. Acute DDC-intoxication was accompanied by early significant downregulation of Pparα mRNA expression along with PPARα-controlled stress-response and lipid metabolism genes that persisted in the chronic stage. Administration of the specific PPARα agonist fenofibrate together with DDC prevented the downregulation of PPARα-associated genes and also improved the stress response of Nrf2-dependent redox-regulating genes. Moreover, oxidative stress and inflammation were strongly reduced by DDC/fenofibrate co-treatment. In addition, fenofibrate prevented the disruption of hepatocyte intermediate filament cytoskeleton and the formation of Mallory-Denk bodies at late stages of DDC intoxication. Our findings show that, like in human steatohepatitis, PPARα is downregulated in the DDC model of steatohepatitis-like hepatocellular damage. Its downregulation and the pathomorphologic features of steatohepatitis are prevented by co-administration of fenofibrate.
Oxidative reactivity of alkali-like superatoms of group 5 metal-encapsulating Si16 cage nanoclusters
Authors: Shibuta Masahiro , Kamoshida Toshiaki , Ohta Tsutomu , Tsunoyama Hironori , Nakajima Atsushi 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIt is crucial to control the reactivity of surface silicon atoms for applications in miniaturized silicon-based nanodevices. Here we demonstrate that reactive silicon atoms are made unreactive by forming a Si16 cage that encapsulates a metal atom. Specifically, group 5 metal-encapsulating Si16 nanoclusters (M@Si16: M = V, Nb, and Ta) exhibit alkali-like superatomic behavior on n-type C60 substrates, where charge transfer between M@Si16 and C60 satisfies the 68-electron shell closure as M@Si16+. The oxidation properties of M@Si16+ are investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, revealing that the chemical stability of the caged silicon surface towards oxygen is enhanced by a factor of 104 compared to a crystalline silicon surface, and that M@Si16 are oxidized stepwise from the outer Si16 cage to the central metal atom. While the nanoclusters share a common Si16 cage, their chemical robustness depends on a superatomic “periodicity” (Ta@Si16 > V@Si16 > Nb@Si16) which is explained by the electron density distributions of M@Si16 investigated by DFT calculations.
MiRNA-206 suppresses PGE2-induced colorectal cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by targetting TM4SF1
Authors: Park Young Ran , Seo Seung Young , Kim Se Lim , Zhu Shi Mao , Chun Sungkun , Oh Jung-Mi , Lee Min Ro , Kim Seong Hun , Kim In Hee , Lee Seung Ok , Lee Soo Teik , Kim Sang Wook 
Published: August 2018

MiRNA (miR)-206 plays a tumor suppressor role in various cancer types. Here, we investigated whether miR-206 is involved in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells through the targetting of transmembrane 4 L six family member 1 (TM4SF1).The effect of PGE2 on growth and apoptosis of CRC cells was evaluated using the MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. TM4SF1 and miR-206 expression levels were determined with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in CRC tissues and cell lines. The concentration of PGE2 in the serum of CRC patients and healthy controls was measured with an ELISA kit. A miR-206 or TM4SF1 construct was transfected into cells with PGE2. Transwell migration and invasion assays were used to examine cell migration and invasion properties. Additionally, a luciferase assay was performed to determine whether TM4SF1 was directly targetted by miR-206.We found that miR-206 was down-regulated and TM4SF1 was up-regulated in human CRC tissues and cell lines. Moreover, miR-206 was negatively correlated with TM4SF1 expression. Bioinformatics analysis and a luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-206 directly targetted the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of TM4SF1, and TM4SF1 expression was reduced by miR-206 overexpression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Additionally, PGE2 significantly suppressed the expression of miR-206 and increased the expression of TM4SF1 in CRC cells. PGE2 induction led to enhanced CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, the overexpression of miR-206 decreased CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion compared with control group in PGE2-induced cells, and these effects could be recovered by the overexpression of TM4SF1. Overexpression of miR-206 also suppressed the expression of β-catenin, VEGF, MMP-9, Snail, and Vimentin and enhanced E-cadherin expression in PGE2-induced cells. These results could be reversed by the overexpression of TM4SF1. At last, up-regulation of miR-206 suppressed expression of p-AKT and p-ERK by targetting TM4SF1 in PGE2-induced cells.Our results provide further evidence that miR-206 has a protective effect on PGE2-induced colon carcinogenesis.
miR-134 inhibits chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by targetting SMAD6
Authors: Xu Shaogang , Wu Xuejian 
Published: August 2018

AbstractVarious miRNAs have been reported to regulate the chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs); however, whether miR-134 plays a role in this biological process remains undetermined. In the present study, we first evaluated the chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs by Alcian blue staining, and examined the miR-134 expression by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) during this process. And miR-134 inhibitor was used to investigate the functions of miR-134 in chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs by Alcian blue staining, qRT-PCR, and Western blot. Subsequently, the correlation between miR-134 and SMAD6 was assessed via bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay. Finally, the role of SMAD6 in chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs was also determined through Alcian blue staining, qRT-PCR, and Western blot. As results showed that miR-134 expression was significantly down-regulated during chondrogenic differentiation, and inhibition of miR-134 obviously promoted chondrogenic differentiation. Dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that miR-134 could directly target the 3′-UTRs of SMAD6, inhibit miR-134 expression in BMSCs, and up-regulate SMAD6 expression. Moreover, we found that overexpression of SMAD6 significantly promoted chondrogenic differentiation, and that SMAD6-induced promotion of chondrogenic differentiation could be reversed by miR-134 mimics. In conclusion, our findings suggest that miR-134 may act as a negative regulator during chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs by interacting with SMAD6.
Structural features, labor conditions and family succession in dairy production systems in Paraná State, Brazil
Authors: Bánkuti Ferenc Istvan , Damasceno Júlio César , Schiavi Sandra Mara , Kuwaraha Kellen Cristina , Prizon Rodrigo César 
Published: August 2018

Brazil is the fourth largest milk producer in the world. Besides its economic relevance, milk production has an important social function in Brazil. Dairy activity employs a large amount of people and contributes to regional development. But some drawbacks remain, such as poor labor conditions and problems for family succession. Labor conditions may be critical for successors to decide whether to remain in dairy activity. Paraná is the second largest milk producer in Brazil, mainly with smallholder family dairy systems. This paper aims to discuss labor conditions, family succession and structural features in Paraná’s dairy activity. Our hypothesis is that family-based farms present poorer structure, poorer labor conditions and are less prone to family succession. The method comprised face-to-face interviews with 153 dairy farmers, in two groups: 117 family-based farms (Group 1) and 36 hired-labor farms (Group 2). Common factor analysis led to identify three factors: “structure”, “labor conditions” and “individual conditions to family succession”. Dairy farms in Group 1 present poorer structural and labor conditions, although being more prone to family succession, partially supporting our above hypothesis. Thus, structural features and labor conditions seem not to be the driving factors for the intent to family succession, which suggests the existence of other incentives. Results also indicate the need to improve labor conditions, especially for Group 1, since poor labor conditions may threaten family succession in the very long run. Efforts to improve family labor conditions are necessary to ensure long-term sustainability of dairy farming in Paraná State. Further studies could investigate social, market, technology and political features directing decision-making in family succession. Expanding the variables for labor conditions and structure, as well as including other social and behavioral factors, could put more light on the differences between dairy farms using and not using hired labor. Finally, a deeper investigation on reasons why family-based farmers do not promote better labor conditions is critical for the future of Paraná’s dairy sector.
Metabolic and Performance Responses to Sprint Exercise under Hypoxia among Female Athletes
Authors: Kasai Nobukazu , Kojima Chihiro , Goto Kazushige 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe present study determined metabolic and performance responses to repeated sprint exercise under hypoxia among female team-sport athletes. Fifteen female athletes (age, 20.7±0.2 years; height, 159.6±1.7 cm; body weight, 55.3±1.4 kg) performed two exercise trials under either a hypoxic [HYPO; fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), 14.5%] or normoxic (NOR; FiO2, 20.9%) condition. The exercise consisted of two sets of 8×6-s maximal sprint (pedaling). The average power output was not significantly different between trials for set 1 (P=0.89), but tended to be higher in the NOR trial for set 2 (P=0.05). The post-exercise blood lactate concentrations were significantly higher in the HYPO trial than that in the NOR trial (P<0.05). Exercise significantly increased serum growth hormone (GH) and cortisol concentrations (P<0.01 for both hormones), with no difference between the trials. In conclusion, repeated short-duration sprints interspaced with 30-s recovery periods in moderate hypoxia caused further increase in blood lactate compared with the same exercise under normoxic conditions among female team-sport athletes. However, exercise-induced GH and cortisol elevations or power output during exercise were not markedly different regardless of the different levels of inspired oxygen.
Pre-season Fitness Level and Injury Rate in Professional Soccer – A Prospective Study
Authors: Eliakim Eyal , Doron Ofer , Meckel Yoav , Nemet Dan , Eliakim Alon 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to assess prospectively the effect of pre-season fitness on injury rate during the competitive season among professional soccer players. Thirty-one players participated in the study during two consecutive competitive seasons (2015–16 and 2016–17; a squad of 22 players in each season). During the 6-week pre-season training period (8 training sessions and a friendly match every week, 14–18 training hours/week) there was a significant improvement in VO2 max, a significant increase in ideal and total sprint time and no change in vertical jump, flexibility and repeated sprint-test performance decrement. During the two consecutive seasons, 28 injuries were recorded. Ten injuries were classified as mild (missing 3–7 days of practice/match), 8 as moderate (missing 8–28 days) and 10 as severe (missing >28 days). The rate of match injuries was higher (9.4 per 1000 match hours) compared to practice injuries (4.7 per 1000 training hours). Most injuries were overuse injuries (72%) of the lower limbs (71%). Most of match injuries occurred during the last 15 min of each half. There were no differences in fitness characteristics in the beginning of pre-season training between injured and non-injured players. However, improvements in VO2 max during the pre-season training period were significantly lower among injured players (0.9±5.5%) compared to non-injured players (10.4±6.5%, p<0.05). Our results emphasize the importance of pre-season training in professional soccer players not only for improvement in fitness but also for injury prevention during the following competitive season.
Minimalinvasive Operation von Nebennierentumoren
Authors: Fendrich Volker , Knecht Mathias 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMinimal invasive surgical methods are gold standard at the resection of adrenal tumors. Special medical care units provide laparoscopical and retroperitoneoscopical techniques. This review gives an overview about indication of minimal invasive adrenalectomy, technical implementation, perioperative management and generic surgery-associated complications.
Inzidenz und prädiktive Faktoren des bilateralen papillären Schilddrüsenkarzinoms
Authors: Jo Peter , Kesruek Hatice , Nietert Manuel , Sahlmann Carsten , Gaedcke Jochen , Ghadimi Michael , Sperling Jens 
Published: August 2018

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Nach Diagnose eines papillären Schilddrüsenkarzinoms (PTC) mit einer Primärtumorgröße von ≥ 10 mm und < 10 mm wird, vor dem Hintergrund eines möglichen bilateralen Tumorbefalls, das Konzept der weiteren chirurgischen Therapie nach wie vor kontrovers diskutiert. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Inzidenz sowie prädiktive Faktoren für das Vorhandensein eines bilateralen papillären Schilddrüsenkarzinoms hinsichtlich der Auswahl einer optimalen chirurgischen Therapie zu identifizieren.
Material und Methoden Anhand einer retrospektiven Datenbank wurden bei 123 Patienten mit einem PTC, die entweder primär eine totale Thyreoidektomie oder eine Komplettierungsoperation nach Hemithyreoidektomie erhielten, die Parameter Tumorgröße, histopathologische Charakteristika, Multifokalität sowie Lymphknotenmetastasierung mit dem Vorhandensein eines bilateralen Tumorbefalls für die Primärtumorgrößen ≥ 10 mm und < 10 mm sowie ≥ 7 mm und < 7 mm korreliert.
Ergebnisse Im gesamten Patientenkollektiv zeigte sich in 26 Fällen ein bilaterales PTC. Dieses war signifikant häufiger, wenn die Primärtumorgröße ≥ 10 mm betrug (77%). Im Vergleich dazu boten Patienten mit einer Primärtumorgröße von < 10 mm nur in 23% der Fälle ein bilaterales PTC (p = 0,004). Die Multifokalität des Primärtumors erwies sich hierbei als positiver prädiktiver Faktor für ein bilaterales PTC (p = 5,022e-18). Bei bilateralem Nachweis eines PTCs zeigte sich ein Trend für das Auftreten von metachronen Lymphknotenmetastasen (p = 0,0691). Darüber hinaus konnten in den Analysen bezogen auf eine Primärtumorgröße von ≥ 7 mm und < 7 mm die oben genannten Ergebnisse reproduziert werden.
Schlussfolgerung Die vorliegende retrospektive Datenanalyse zeigt, dass eine Primärtumorgröße von ≥ 10 mm mit einem signifikant häufigeren bilateralen Tumorbefall korreliert. Multifokalität erwies sich als positiver prädiktiver Faktor für das Vorhandensein eines bilateralen PTCs. Bei Nachweis eines multifokalen PTCs, auch bei Primärtumorgrößen < 10 mm, sollte demnach eine primäre totale Thyreoidektomie bzw. eine Komplettierungsoperation als chirurgisches Therapieverfahren erwogen werden. Bei Multifokalität und nicht erfolgter Komplettierungsoperation ist eine engmaschige Nachsorge notwendig, um frühzeitig einen bilateralen Tumorbefall oder Lymphknotenmetastasen detektieren zu können.
Knee Imaging Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: The Surgeon's and Radiologist's Perspectives
Authors: Wan Jennifer , Allen Christina , Steinbach Lynne , Srinivasan Ramya 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are common injuries that if left untreated can result in chronic instability, cartilage damage, meniscal tears, and ligamentous injuries, eventually leading to early osteoarthritis. ACL reconstruction surgeries are therefore increasingly being performed. Despite the fact that most patients achieve excellent postoperative results, patients can present with recurrent instability and pain. These patients often undergo imaging with radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, and/or computed tomography. An understanding of the imaging appearance of the normal ACL reconstruction and common causes of failure is therefore essential for the interpreting radiologist. This article reviews surgical techniques for ACL reconstruction, highlighting recent technical advances, the normal imaging appearance after ACL reconstruction, etiologies for reconstruction failure, and the diagnosis of these with the aid of imaging.
Imaging of the Knee Following Repair of Focal Articular Cartilage Lesions
Authors: Rehnitz Christoph , Weber Marc-André , Wuennemann Felix 
Published: August 2018

AbstractFocal chondral or osteochondral lesions of the knee are common lesions involving either the cartilage layers or the cartilage layers and the subchondral bone. Despite their heterogeneous clinical presentation, they are important risk factors for the premature development of osteoarthritis. Therefore, early detection of osteochondral lesions and focal cartilage defects is crucial. In symptomatic (osteo-)chondral lesions, numerous therapeutic strategies, ranging from conservative treatment to surgical procedures such as marrow stimulation, osteochondral autograft transplantation, or autologous chondrocyte implantation are available. Musculoskeletal radiologists should be familiar with these surgical procedures, the evaluation of the postoperative findings as well as the possible complications when interpreting postoperative imaging studies. This review article describes the different surgical approaches to focal osteochondral lesions of the knee with emphasis on postoperative imaging findings and the pitfalls possibly encountered by the radiologist.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Presenting with Tension Pneumothorax in a 3-Year-Old Boy
Authors: Balks Maren , Gosemann Jan-Hendrik , Sorge Ina , Lacher Martin , Hirsch Franz 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe report the case of a 3-year-old boy who presented with an upper respiratory tract infection and severe dyspnea. A chest X-ray revealed a left-sided tension pneumothorax with mediastinal shift and suspected enterothorax. After thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan, a chest tube was inserted, which drained fluid which had the same consistency and color as the one derived from the nasogastric (NG) tube. The boy underwent diagnostic laparoscopy for suspected bowel perforation, which confirmed a left-sided Bochdalek hernia with herniation of the viscera into the chest. After repositioning of the herniated organs into the abdomen, a gastric perforation was identified and repaired. This case demonstrates that the cause of a tension pneumothorax in an infant may be a rare combination of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and perforation of a visceral hollow organ.