bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of CCR7 and related signaling pathways on Leishmania major ‐infected human dendritic cells
Authors: Zhao Yumin , Dang Zhisheng , Wei Riming , Gui Weifeng , Zhang Yishu , Chong Shigui 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjectivesIn our research, we aimed to investigate the roles of CC‐chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) and relevant signaling pathways in
Leishmania major‐infected human dendritic cells (DCs).MethodsDifferentially expressed genes (DEGs) in L. major‐infected human DCs were selected out and visualized using R program. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis was conducted for investigation of significantly enriched signaling pathways and Gene Ontology enrichment analysis was carried out for the unveiling of enriched Molecular Functions and Biological Processes in
L. major‐infected human DCs. Besides, Hub gene was screened out using weighted gene coexpression network analysis and Cytoscape. In addition, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used for detection of relative expression of
CCR7, interleukin‐12 (IL‐12), and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) in
L. major‐infected human DCs and western blot analysis was used for detection of relative expression of CCR7 and other proteins in JAK‐STAT signaling pathway in
L. major‐infected human DCs.ResultsCCR7 was upregulated and both chemokine and JAK‐STAT signaling pathway were activated in
L. major‐infected human DCs. During the
L. major infection, total number of
L. major‐infected human DCs were increased, as well as the relative expression levels of
CCR7, IL‐12, and IFN‐γ and proteins in the JAK‐STAT signaling pathway. Overexpression of
CCR7 not only increased expression levels of IL‐12 and IFN‐γ but also activated the JAK‐STAT signaling pathway to affect the leishmaniasis progression.ConclusionL. major infection‐induced activation of
CCR7, as well as
JAK2 and
STAT1, might well upregulate the expression of
BAX yet suppress the expression of both
Bcl2 and
c‐Jun to affect leishmaniasis progression.
lncRNA GAS5 promotes M1 macrophage polarization via miR‐455‐5p/SOCS3 pathway in childhood pneumonia
Authors: Chi Xiaowen , Ding Beichen , Zhang Lijuan , Zhang Jiawen , Wang Jianmei , Zhang Wei 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjectivesWe herein aimed to explore whether growth arrest‐specific 5 (GAS5) promotes M1 macrophage polarization in childhood pneumonia and to investigate the underlying mechanism.MethodsRelative GAS5 and miR‐455‐5p expression and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) messenger RNA level were examined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Protein expression of SOCS3 and the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway‐related proteins was detected using western blot analysis. Luciferase activity assay was performed to test whether miR‐455‐5p could bind to GAS5 or SOCS3. The macrophage phenotype was determined using flow cytometry analysis and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsThe macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype was observed in peripheral blood from pneumonia children. Furthermore, GAS5 and SOCS3 expression were upregulated but miR‐455‐5p downregulated in human monocyte‐derived macrophages from pneumonia children compared with the control group. Furthermore, GAS5 acted as a sponge for miR‐455‐5p to facilitate SOCS3 expression. Moreover, miR‐455‐5p mimic and SOCS3 knockdown significantly reversed the GAS5 overexpression‐mediated suppression of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling and promotion of M1 polarization.ConclusionGAS5 promotes M1 macrophage polarization by acting as a competing endogenous RNA of miR‐455‐5p to facilitate SOCS3 expression in childhood pneumonia.
Respiratory‐triggered spin‐echo echo‐planar imaging‐based mr elastography for evaluating liver stiffness
Authors: Wang Hui , Tkach Jean A. , Trout Andrew T. , Dumoulin Charles L. , Dillman Jonathan R. 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundMagnetic resonance elastography (MRE) has proven to be useful for assessing chronic liver disease. However, MRE images are acquired with breath‐holding (BH) to limit respiratory motion artifacts, which may be difficult in some patients.PurposeTo implement a respiratory‐triggered (RT) spin‐echo echo‐planar imaging (SE‐EPI) MRE technique and to validate its performance through comparison to a BH SE‐EPI MRE technique.Study TypeProspective feasibility study.SubjectsTwenty‐three adult volunteers (18 without and 5 with liver disease).Field Strength/Sequences1.5 T Philips Ingenia MR scanner; RT and BH SE‐EPI MRE sequences.AssessmentFour axial images were obtained through the middle of the liver with each technique. Liver stiffness measurements (in kPa) were made from elastograms, with 95% confidence maps overlaid, for both MRE sequences.Statistical TestsLiver stiffness measurements were compared using the paired t‐test (two‐sided). Absolute agreement between the two techniques was evaluated using Lin's concordance coefficient (rc). Bland–Altman analysis was used to assess the mean bias between the techniques and 95% limits of agreement, using BH MRE as the reference standard.ResultsThere was excellent agreement (rc = 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.96–0.99) between RT and BH SE‐EPI MRE. Mean (±SD) stiffness values from BH and RT SE‐EPI MRE techniques were 2.40 ± 1.15 kPa and 2.37 ± 1.06 kPa, respectively, with no significant difference (P = 0.54) and no significant bias (mean bias of +0.03 kPa; 95% limits of agreement: –0.39 to 0.45 kPa). Measurable regions of interest in the liver were slightly smaller with the RT technique (mean difference of 1.91 cm2; P = 0.04).Data ConclusionRT SE‐EPI MRE is feasible and yields comparable results to BH SE‐EPI MRE.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:391–396.
Improvement of cocktail tomato yield and consumer‐oriented quality traits by potassium fertilization is driven by the cultivar
Authors: Sonntag Frederike , Naumann Marcel , Pawelzik Elke , Smit Inga 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe market for cocktail tomatoes is growing continuously, mainly because of their good taste. Titratable acids (TA), total soluble solids (TSS) and dry matter (DM) contents correlate positively with good taste. So far, the impact of different potassium (K) applications on yield and consumer‐oriented quality traits has not been comprehensively described for cultivars of smaller fruits. To fill this gap, we tested the effect of different K fertilization regimes on three cultivars of small‐sized or cocktail tomatoes.RESULTSA positive impact on quality parameters (TSS, TA, DM, color and firmness) was detected by raising the K fertilizer application for the cocktail tomato cultivars Primavera and Yellow Submarine. The cultivar Resi showed no response to fertilization, except for TSS and TA. Yield increased significantly by higher K application only in Primavera, the most productive cultivar. The K concentration in tomato rose with increasing K application.CONCLUSIONBecause TSS and TA increased in all cultivars, whereas only one cultivar showed an increase in yield, the results of the present study emphasize the importance of the application of cultivar‐specific mineral fertilizers on yield‐ and consumer‐oriented quality traits. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Interactive effects of abscisic acid and nitric oxide on chilling resistance and active oxygen metabolism in peach fruit during cold storage
Authors: Zhang Qitong , Zhang Lili , Geng Biao , Feng Jianrong , Zhu Shuhua 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundCold conditions can accelerate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and excessive ROS may attack biological macromolecules, disrupt related signal pathways, induce oxidative stress and influence plant metabolism. The cross‐talk between nitric oxide (NO) and abscisic acid (ABA) and the inhibitions by NO or ABA on oxidative damage have been reported in fruits. However, there are few reports about the roles of NO–ABA interactions in chilling stress and antioxidant defense in fruits during cold storage. This study was conducted to investigate the roles of NO, ABA and interactions between NO and ABA in response to chilling stress on peach fruit (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, cv. ‘Xintaihong’).ResultsTreatments with 15 µmol L−1 NO, 100 µmol L−1 ABA and 15 µmol L−1 NO + 5 mmol L−1 sodium tungstate solution could reduce ROS content, alleviate lipid peroxidation and enhance antioxidant enzyme activities and antioxidant capacities. However, treatments with 5 µmol L−1 potassium 2‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide (c‐PTIO), 5 mmol L−1 sodium tungstate and 100 µmol L−1 ABA + 5 µmol L−1 c‐PTIO differentially blocked these protective effects and significantly increased ROS content and lipid peroxidation of peaches under low‐temperature conditions.ConclusionsApplication of exogenous ABA could increase the resistance to cold‐induced oxidative stress by enhancing the efficiency of enzymatic and non‐enzymatic systems, which were partially mediated by NO. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Enhanced stability of red‐fleshed apple anthocyanins by copigmentation and encapsulation
Authors: Xue Jia , Su Fan , Meng Yonghong , Guo Yurong 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDRed‐fleshed apples are a great source of natural colorants and functional food ingredients because of their high anthocyanin content. Generally, anthocyanins are highly unstable after extraction, which limits their wide applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of combining copigmentation with encapsulation on the stability of anthocyanins from red‐fleshed apples. In this study, red‐fleshed apple anthocyanins were copigmented with caffeic acid, and then the copigmented complexes were encapsulated using gum arabic and maltodextrin using spray drying and freeze drying.RESULTSAll anthocyanin microcapsules had high encapsulation efficiencies ranging from 93.84 to 96.85% with mean hydrodynamic diameter smaller than 350 nm. After heating at 80 °C for 2 h, the dispersions of microencapsulated anthocyanins with copigments exhibited the highest absorbance values at λmax (515 nm) (P < 0.05). Light stability experiments demonstrated that the half‐life of the red‐fleshed apple anthocyanins increased from 5 to 12 days after being treated with copigmentation and encapsulation. The drying methods (spray/freeze drying) did not significantly influence the stability of the microencapsulated anthocyanins.CONCLUSIONSApplying copigmentation and spray‐drying encapsulation in tandem has great potential for enhancing the stability of red‐fleshed apple anthocyanins. Thus, such anthocyanins with enhanced stability may be increasingly used in the food and pharmaceutical industries as value‐added natural food pigments. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Sonography of Wrist Ganglion Cysts: Which Location Is Most Common?
Authors: Zhang Andrew , Falkowski Anna L. , Jacobson Jon A. , Kim Sung Moon , Koh Sung Hye , Gaetke‐Udager Kara 
Published: December 2018

ObjectivesThe literature states that wrist ganglion cysts are most commonly dorsal; however, our experience suggests a volar location is more common. The purpose of this study was to identify the locations of ganglion cysts of the wrist as imaged with sonography.MethodsAfter Institutional Review Board approval with informed consent waived, retrospective review of wrist sonography reports from January to April 2016 was completed. Only patients who had a comprehensive evaluation that included the dorsal and volar wrist were included. Ultrasound images were reviewed to characterize wrist ganglion cysts.ResultsThe study group consisted of 98 subjects (78% female, 22% male) (median age, 51 years; range 13–79) with 124 wrist ganglion cysts, where 69% (86 of 124) were volar and 31% (38 of 124) were dorsal. Ganglion cysts were located between the radial artery and flexor carpi radialis in 63% (78 of 124), followed by a dorsal location superficial to the scapholunate ligament in 20% (25 of 124), other dorsal locations in 11% (13 of 124), and other volar locations in 6% (8 of 124). With dorsal ganglion cysts, the scapholunate ligament when imaged appeared normal in 91% (20 of 22). Ganglion cysts were multilocular/multilobular in all subjects.ConclusionsThe most common location for wrist ganglion cysts is in the volar wrist, particularly between the radial artery and flexor carpi radialis tendon, appearing multilocular or multilobular with a mean largest dimension of 1.0 cm. Given the propensity of ganglion cysts to occur at this site, attention to this area when imaging the wrist with sonography or magnetic resonance imaging should be considered.
The ablative fractional coagulation zone influences skin fluorescence intensities of topically applied test molecules—An in vitro study with fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence confocal microscopy
Authors: Banzhaf Christina A. , Ortner Vinzent K. , Philipsen Peter A. , Haedersdal Merete 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundAblative fractional laser (AFL) increases uptake of topically applied skin agents. The coagulation zone (CZ) surrounding vertically ablated channels may influence uptake of drugs.ObjectivesTo investigate impact of CZ thickness on skin fluorescence intensities (FI) of a hydrophilic molecule by means of fluorescence microscopy (FM) and fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCM). Second, to compare FI of hydrophilic and lipophilic test molecules by FCM.Study Design/Methods and MaterialsMicrochannels with CZ thicknesses of 0, 20, and 80 µm were generated by microneedles or AFL (10,600 nm). Channels were 700 µm deep and number of channels kept constant per skin area. After 4 hours of incubation, FI induced by sodium fluorescein (NAF, hydrophilic, logarithmic partition‐coefficient (logP) = −1.52, MW = 376.26) were quantified in both CZ and surrounding skin by FM (0–1,500 µm) and FCM (0–90 µm). FI of NAF and carboxyfluorescein (CAF, lipophilic, logP = 2.9, MW = 376.32) were compared by FCM.ResultsBy FM, NAF‐induced FI were higher in CZ than in surrounding skin (P ≤ 0.001). Highest NAF‐FI were induced in skin pretreated with a thin CZ (CZ–20 µm), assessed by both FM and FCM and in particular, FI were higher than in skin pretreated with no CZ (CZ–0 µm) (FM P ≤ 0.041, FCM P < 0.012). Skin FI remained constant to a depth of 500 µm, which corresponded to approximate depth of microchannels (CZ–0 µm, CZ–20 µm, CZ–80 µm: 0–500 µm P ≥ 0.107). In accordance with FM data, FCM showed higher FI within CZ than in surrounding skin, but gradually decreased to zero at a depth of 90 µm. NAF‐FI were higher than CAF‐FI (P ≤ 0.036), and highest CAF‐FI were induced by CZ–0 µm and CZ–20 µm compared to CZ–80 µm (P ≤ 0.009).ConclusionsThe influence of the CZ thickness on skin FI differs between small hydrophilic and lipophilic test molecules. Results may have clinical relevance for laser‐assisted drug delivery. Lasers Surg. Med. 51:68–78, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Stochastic Analysis of the Damping Property of Filled Elastomers
Authors: Kulkarni Shank S. , Tabarraei Alireza 
Published: December 2018

AbstractFinite elements modeling is used to investigate the damping property of Polymer composites consisting of a viscoelastic matrix and randomly dispersed elastic particles. The impact of vibration frequency, inclusions size and volume fraction on the damping capability of polymer composites are studied. It is shown that analytical micromechanics methods give accurate predictions only when inclusions volume fraction is small. The results show that loading frequency and inclusions volume fraction significantly impact the damping capability of polymer composites. The effect of domain boundary conditions on the simulation results is studied by conducting finite element modelings on representative volume elements (RVEs) which are subjected to periodic or mixed boundary conditions. The modeling results indicate that both boundary conditions lead to similar predictions for damping. Sensitivity analyses are conducted to assess how material properties influence the damping property. The sensitivity analyses show that an increase in the stiffness of the composite matrix leads to a reduction in the damping capability of polymer composites. In contrast, an increase in the stiffness of inclusions results in an increase in the damping capability of polymer composites. Moreover, the damping properties are improved if the relaxation time of the viscoelastic matrix is increased.
Norovirus antivirals: Where are we now?
Authors: Netzler Natalie E. , Enosi Tuipulotu Daniel , White Peter A. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractHuman noroviruses inflict a significant health burden on society and are responsible for approximately 699 million infections and over 200 000 estimated deaths worldwide each year. Yet despite significant research efforts, approved vaccines or antivirals to combat this pathogen are still lacking. Safe and effective antivirals are not available, particularly for chronically infected immunocompromised individuals, and for prophylactic applications to protect high‐risk and vulnerable populations in outbreak settings. Since the discovery of human norovirus in 1972, the lack of a cell culture system has hindered biological research and antiviral studies for many years. Recent breakthroughs in culturing human norovirus have been encouraging, however, further development and optimization of these novel methodologies are required to facilitate more robust replication levels, that will enable reliable serological and replication studies, as well as advances in antiviral development. In the last few years, considerable progress has been made toward the development of norovirus antivirals, inviting an updated review. This review focuses on potential therapeutics that have been reported since 2010, which were examined across at least two model systems used for studying human norovirus or its enzymes. In addition, we have placed emphasis on antiviral compounds with a defined chemical structure. We include a comprehensive outline of direct‐acting antivirals and offer a discussion of host‐modulating compounds, a rapidly expanding and promising area of antiviral research.
Comparative assessment of linear least‐squares, nonlinear least‐squares, and Patlak graphical method for regional and local quantitative tracer kinetic modeling in cerebral dynamic 18F‐FDG PET
Authors: Ben Bouallègue Fayçal , Vauchot Fabien , Mariano‐Goulart Denis 
Published: December 2018

PurposeDynamic 18F‐FDG PET allows quantitative estimation of cerebral glucose metabolism both at the regional and local (voxel) level. Although sensitive to noise and highly computationally expensive, nonlinear least‐squares (NLS) optimization stands as the reference approach for the estimation of the kinetic model parameters. Nevertheless, faster techniques, including linear least‐squares (LLS) and Patlak graphical method, have been proposed to deal with high resolution noisy data, representing a more adaptable solution for routine clinical implementation. Former research investigating the relative performance of the available algorithms lack precise evaluation of kinetic parameter estimates under realistic acquisition conditions.MethodsThe present study aims at the systematic comparison of the feasibility and pertinence of kinetic modeling of dynamic cerebral 18F‐FDG PET using NLS, LLS, and Patlak method, based on numerical simulations and patient data. Numerical simulations were used to study the bias and variance of K1 and Ki parameters estimation under representative noise levels. Patient data allowed to assess the concordance between the three methods at the regional and voxel scale, and to evaluate the robustness of the estimations with respect to patient head motion.Results and ConclusionsOur findings indicate that at the regional level NLS and LLS provide kinetic parameter estimates (K1 and Ki) with similar bias and variance characteristics (K1 bias ± relative standard deviation [RSD] 0.0 ± 5.1% and 0.1% ± 4.9% for NLS and LLS respectively, Ki bias ± RSD 0.1% ± 4.5% and −0.7% ± 4.4% for NLS and LLS respectively). NLS estimates appear, however, to be slightly less sensitive to patient motion. At the voxel level, provided that patient motion is negligible or corrected, LLS offers an appealing alternative solution for local K1 mapping. It yields K1 estimates that are highly correlated, with high correlation with NLS values (Pearson's r = 0.95 on actual data) within computations times less than two orders of magnitude lower. Last, Patlak method appears as the most robust and accurate technique for the estimation of Ki values at the regional and voxel scale, with or without head motion. It provides low bias/low variance Ki quantification (bias ± RSD −1.5 ± 9.5% and −4.1 ± 19.7% for Patlak and NLS respectively) as well as smooth parametric images suitable for visual assessment.
A fast inverse direct aperture optimization algorithm for intensity‐modulated radiation therapy
Authors: MacFarlane Michael , Hoover Douglas A. , Wong Eugene , Goldman Pedro , Battista Jerry J. , Chen Jeff Z. 
Published: December 2018

PurposeThe goal of this work was to develop and evaluate a fast inverse direct aperture optimization (FIDAO) algorithm for IMRT treatment planning and plan adaptation.MethodsA previously proposed fluence map optimization algorithm called fast inverse dose optimization (FIDO) was extended to optimize the aperture shapes and weights of IMRT beams. FIDO is a very fast fluence map optimization algorithm for IMRT that finds the global minimum using direct matrix inversion without unphysical negative beam weights. In this study, an equivalent second‐order Taylor series expansion of the FIDO objective function was used, which allowed for the objective function value and gradient vector to be computed very efficiently during direct aperture optimization, resulting in faster optimization. To evaluate the speed gained with FIDAO, a proof‐of‐concept algorithm was developed in MATLAB using an interior‐point optimization method to solve the reformulated aperture‐based FIDO problem. The FIDAO algorithm was used to optimize four step‐and‐shoot IMRT cases: on the AAPM TG‐119 phantom as well as a liver, prostate, and head‐and‐neck clinical cases. Results were compared with a conventional DAO algorithm that uses the same interior‐point method but using the standard formulation of the objective function and its gradient vector.ResultsA substantial gain in optimization speed was obtained with the prototype FIDAO algorithm compared to the conventional DAO algorithm while producing plans of similar quality. The optimization time (number of iterations) for the prototype FIDAO algorithm vs the conventional DAO algorithm was 0.3 s (17) vs 56.7 s (50); 2.0 s (28) vs 134.1 s (57); 2.5 s (26) vs 180.6 s (107); and 6.7 s (20) vs 469.4 s (482) in the TG‐119 phantom, liver, prostate, and head‐and‐neck examples, respectively.ConclusionsA new direct aperture optimization algorithm based on FIDO was developed. For the four IMRT test cases examined, this algorithm executed approximately 70–200 times faster without compromising the IMRT plan quality.