bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Roles of Wnt7a in embryo development, tissue homeostasis, and human diseases
Authors: Lan Lihui , Wang Wei , Huang Yue , Bu Xianmin , Zhao Chenghai 
Published: July 2019

AbstractHuman Wnt family comprises 19 proteins which are critical to embryo development and tissue homeostasis. Binding to different frizzled (FZD) receptor, Wnt7a initiates both β‐catenin dependent pathway, and β‐catenin independent pathways such as PI3K/Akt, RAC/JNK, and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 5/peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ. In the embryo, Wnt7a plays a crucial role in cerebral cortex development, synapse formation, and central nervous system vasculature formation and maintenance. Wnt7a is also involved in the development of limb and female reproductive system. Wnt7a mutation leads to human limb malformations and animal female reproductive system defects. Wnt7a is implicated in homeostasis maintenance of skeletal muscle, cartilage, cornea and hair follicle, and Wnt7a treatment may be potentially applied in skeletal muscle dystrophy, corneal damage, wound repair, and hair follicle regeneration. Wnt7a plays dual roles in human tumors. Wnt7a is downregulated in lung cancers, functioning as a tumor suppressor, however, it is upregulated in several other malignancies such as ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and glioma, acting as a tumor promoter. Moreover, Wnt7a overexpression is associated with inflammation and fibrosis, but its roles need to be further investigated.
Genome‐wide identification of a competing endogenous RNA network in cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Li Ganxun , Liu Tongtong , Zhang Bixiang , Chen Weixun , Ding Zeyang 
Published: July 2019

AbstractCholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second widespread liver tumor with relatively poor survival. Increasing evidence in recent studies showed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert a crucial impact on the development and progression of CCA based on the mechanism of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). However, functional roles and regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA‐regulated ceRNA in CCA, are only partially understood. The expression profile of messenger RNAs (mRNAs), lncRNAs, and microRNAs (miRNAs) downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas were comprehensively investigated. Differential expression of these three types of RNA between CCA and corresponding precancerous tissues were screened out for further analysis. On the basis of interactive information generated from miRDB, miRTarBase, TargetScan, and miRcode public databases, we then constructed an mRNA‐miRNA‐lncRNA regulatory network. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology analyses were conducted to identify the biological function of the ceRNA network involved in CCA. As a result, 2883 mRNAs, 136 miRNAs, and 993 lncRNAs were screened out as differentially expressed RNAs in CCA. In addition, a ceRNA network in CCA was constructed, composing of 50 up and 27 downregulated lncRNAs, 14 up and 7 downregulated miRNAs, 29 up and 25 downregulated mRNAs. Finally, gene set enrichment and pathway analysis indicated our CCA‐specific ceRNA network was related with cancer‐related pathway and molecular function. In conclusion, our research identified a novel lncRNA‐related ceRNA network in CCA, which might act as a potential therapeutic target for patients with CCA.
HIF1α‐induced upregulation of KLF4 promotes migration of human vascular smooth muscle cells under hypoxia
Authors: Shan Fabo , Huang Zhizhong , Xiong Renping , Huang Qing‐Yuan , Li Junxia 
Published: July 2019

AbstractHypoxia‐induced vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) migration plays an important role in vascular remodeling and is implicated in vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and pulmonary hypertension. We previously observed the increased expression of krüppel‐like factor 4 (KLF4) in VSMCs under hypoxia. However, whether the upregulation of KLF4 participates in hypoxia‐induced VSMCs migration is still unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that KLF4 was an important player in the process of VSMCs migration under hypoxia since interference of KLF4 by small interfering RNA mostly dampened hypoxia‐induced migration of VSMCs. In addition, using luciferase reporter and ChIP assays, we confirmed two hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) binding elements (located at ‐150 to ‐163 and ‐3922 to ‐3932) in the upstream regulatory region of klf4 locus and identified KLF4 as a novel direct target gene of HIF1α. Our findings unveil a novel regulatory mechanism that involves HIF1α‐induced upregulation of KLF4, which plays a vital role in VSMCs migration under hypoxia.
Feasibility of total laparoscopic living donor right hepatectomy compared with open surgery: comprehensive review of 100 cases of the initial stage
Authors: Rhu Jinsoo , Choi Gyu Seong , Kim Jong Man , Joh Jae‐Won , Kwon Choon Hyuck David 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundThis study analyzed the feasibility of laparoscopic living donor hepatectomy compared to open surgery.MethodsDonors who underwent living donor right from May 2013 to October 2017 were included. Comparisons between laparoscopy and open surgery were performed using Student's t‐test, Mann–Whitney test, χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, and linear‐by‐linear association.ResultsAmong 305 donors, 100 and 205 underwent laparoscopy and open surgery, respectively. The laparoscopy group had more type I (95.0%) bile ducts than the open group (59.5%, P < 0.001) and had longer operation time (378.2 ± 93.5 min vs. 329.1 ± 68.0 min, P < 0.001), while estimated blood loss was smaller (298.3 ± 162.9 ml vs. 344.3 ± 149.9 ml, P = 0.015). Although Clavien‐Dindo grade IIIb complication was higher in the laparoscopy (n = 4, 4.0%) compared to the open group (0.0%, P = 0.011), it was only significant in the initial 25 cases (8.0%, P = 0.011), and became comparable afterwards. Furthermore, grade IIIb complication was comparable when type I bile duct donors were selected (P = 0.072).ConclusionsLaparoscopic living donor hepatectomy can cause significant complication in the initial stage. Therefore, careful donor selection and well‐established training program are required for introducing the laparoscopic donor program.
Whole‐tumor histogram analysis of monoexponential and advanced diffusion‐weighted imaging for sinonasal malignant tumors: Correlations with histopathologic features
Authors: Xiao Zebin , Tang Zuohua , Zhang Jing , Yang Guang , Zeng Wenjiao , Luo Jianfeng , Song Yang , Zhang Zhongshuai 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundThe histopathological basis of monoexponential diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) in the characterization of sinonasal malignant tumors is still unclear.PurposeTo explore the correlations of histogram metrics from monoexponential DWI, IVIM, and DKI with histopathologic features in sinonasal malignant tumors.Study TypeRetrospective.SubjectsIn all, 76 patients with sinonasal malignant tumors.Field Strength/SequenceFourteen different b values (b = 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, and 2500 sec/mm2) were used to perform different DWI models at 3.0T.AssessmentThe whole‐tumor histogram metrics were calculated on the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), pure diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), perfusion fraction (f), diffusion kurtosis (K), and diffusion coefficient (Dk) maps. Histopathologic features, including nuclear, cytoplasmic, cellular, stromal fractions, and the nuclear‐to‐cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio, were measured.Statistical TestsSpearman correlations and stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine the correlations between histogram metrics and histopathologic features.ResultsADC, Dk, and f histogram metrics showed significant correlations with investigated histopathologic features; D and K histogram metrics were significantly correlated with cellular, stromal, and nuclear fractions (all P < 0.05). Significant correlations between the 75th percentile of D and cytoplasmic fraction and between the kurtosis of K and the N/C ratio were observed (P < 0.05). The skewness of Dk, K, and the 75th percentile of D were independently associated with cellular and nuclear fractions; the skewness of Dk and K were independently associated with stromal fraction (P < 0.05).Data ConclusionMonoexponential and advanced DWI histogram parameters were significantly correlated with histopathologic features in sinonasal malignancies.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:273–285.
The improved performance of MALDI‐TOF MS on the analysis of herbal saponins by using DHB‐GO composite matrix
Authors: Zhu Zhangpei , Shen Jiajia , Xu Yangfan , Guo Huimin , Kang Dian , Yu Tengjie , Wang He , Xu Wenshuo , Wang Guangji , Liang Yan 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMatrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) is an excellent analytical technique for rapid analysis of a variety of molecules with straightforward sample pretreatment. The performance of MALDI‐TOF MS is largely dependent on matrix type, and the development of novel MALDI matrices has aroused wide interest. Herein, we devoted to seek more robust MALDI matrix for herbal saponins than previous reported, and ginsenoside Rb1, Re, and notoginsenoside R1 were used as model saponins. At the beginning of the present study, 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) was found to provide the highest intensity for saponins in four conventional MALDI matrices, yet the heterogeneous cocrystallization of DHB with analytes made signal acquisition somewhat “hit and miss.” Then, graphene oxide (GO) was proposed as an auxiliary matrix to improve the uniformity of DHB crystallization due to its monolayer structure and good dispersion, which could result in much better shot‐to‐shot and spot‐to‐spot reproducibility of saponin analysis. The satisfactory precision further demonstrated that minute quantities of GO (0.1 μg/spot) could greatly reduce the risk of instrument contamination caused by GO detachment from the MALDI target plate under vacuum. More importantly, the sensitivity and linearity of the standard curve for saponins were improved markedly by DHB‐GO composite matrix. Finally, the application of detecting the Rb1 in complex biological sample was exploited in rat plasma and proved it applicable for pharmacokinetic study quickly. This work not only opens a new field for applications of DHB‐GO in herbal saponin analysis but also offers new ideas for the development of composite matrices to improve MALDI MS performance.
Impact of secondary and backscattered electron currents on absolute charging of structures used in spacecraft
Authors: Pandya Ashish , Mehta Prarthan , Kothari Nikhil 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis article analyzes absolute charging of a metallic pyramid in single Maxwellian normal and worst cases of plasma environment. Capacitance of a pyramid for estimation of body potential is computed by the Method of Moments. Body potential temporal variation is obtained by numerically integrating the differential equation using the fourth order Runge‐Kutta method. Owing to a well‐known fact that diverse secondary and backscattered electron yields for different materials is the prime reason for most destructive differential charging, this work includes impact of normal and isotropic incidence of particles for a metal surface of aluminum. The decisive inferences related to these properties together with temporal variation of body potential are compared. Our computational results reveal a significant difference in the estimation of absolute charging in comparison with the same reported earlier.
A novel millimeter‐wave gain equalizer using E‐plane microstrip‐line probe and waveguide resonator
Authors: Li Xi , Wang Zhigang , Zhou Yunqiang , Yan Bo , Xu Ruimin 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn this paper, a new millimeter‐wave gain equalizer based on metallic rectangular waveguide is presented, which is implemented by E‐plane microstrip‐line probe, metal rectangular waveguide resonator, waveguide coupling groove, and thin‐film resistor. The proposed gain equalizer has good tunability, high Q factor, and high power capacity. To demonstrate its performance, a modified gain equalizer, operating 90 to 97 GHz, is designed and fabricated. The final equalizer has achieved better performance and satisfied the need of actual application under a working range from 90 to 97 GHz.
Simulating urban climate at sub‐kilometre scale for representing the intra‐urban variability of Zurich, Switzerland
Authors: Mussetti Gianluca , Brunner Dominik , Allegrini Jonas , Wicki Andreas , Schubert Sebastian , Carmeliet Jan 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn the face of an increasing number of urban climate modelling studies performed at sub‐kilometre resolution, systematic investigations of the performance of high‐resolution urban climate simulations and their dependency on spatial resolution are still very sparse. This study investigates the impact of the scale of representation of the urban area on the urban climate simulation with a multi‐layer urban canopy model (UCM) integrated in a mesoscale numerical weather prediction model for different sub‐kilometre resolutions. The potential of using such a model system for representing the intra‐urban climate variability is explored. The weather and climate model COSMO in Climate Mode (CCLM), coupled with the multi‐layer UCM Double‐Canyon effect parameterization (CCLM‐DCEP), was used at increasing resolution from 1 km to 250 m grid spacing to simulate the pronounced heat wave event of June–July 2015 over the city of Zurich, Switzerland. Air temperature and wind speed measurements from a network of urban stations as well as surface temperatures (STs) from Landsat 7 imagery have been used to evaluate the model results. CCLM‐DCEP showed good performance against observed air temperature, ST, and wind speed in the urban area. The model performance did not change significantly with model resolution and a performance improvement with model resolution was not found. Small‐scale features such as urban parks and large railway areas started to be resolved at sub‐kilometre grid spacing. At the finest model resolution (250 m), a spatial variability in air temperature of up to 2 K and wind speed of up to 1.5 m/s was found within the grid cell of the coarsest resolution grid (1 km). CCLM‐DCEP showed the potential to represent the urban climate at the neighbourhood scale when used at high (sub‐kilometre) resolution, which is needed to support applications such as urban planning, building energy use and urban air quality.
Effects of reclaimed wastewater irrigation and fertigation level on olive oil composition and quality
Authors: Basheer Loai , Dag Arnon , Yermiyahu Uri , Ben‐Gal Alon , Zipori Isaac , Kerem Zohar 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDIrrigation of olives increases fruit and oil yields. Due to scarcity of freshwater, low‐quality water including recycled wastewater (RWW) is utilized in orchards. Here, effects of irrigation with RWW and of fertilization on the composition and quality of olive oil were studied.RESULTSLong‐term RWW irrigation of ‘Barnea’ and ‘Leccino’ olive had no significant negative effects on either oil composition or quality parameters, including free fatty acids (FFAs), peroxide value (PV), total phenolics content (TPC), fatty acid profiles and organoleptic characteristics. The average FFA contents for both cultivars were less than 0.8% during most of the experimental period, except the seasons 2009 and 2012–2013 for Barnea where the values were raised up to 1.4%. The measured PV levels were less than 9 and 5 mmol O2 kg‐1 oil for Barnea and Leccino, respectively. In the last season of the experiment for each cultivar, higher TPC were observed in oils obtained from RWW irrigation with reduced fertilization (Re–) as compared to the treatments with the recommended fertilization [freshwater irrigation (Fr) and RWW irrigation (Re+) with standard dose of fertilizers], where the TPC increment exceeded 70% in Barnea and 25% in Leccino. The treatments had only minor effects on the fatty acid profile, reflected in slightly altered levels of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids.CONCLUSIONThe use of RWW, combined with the consideration of nutrients arriving with such water to provide appropriate fertilization, was found suitable for olive irrigation to ensure optimal yields while preserving oil quality. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Failure to close the gap: Concomitant superior canal dehiscence in otosclerosis patients
Authors: Maxwell Anne K. , Slattery William H. , Gopen Quinton S. , Miller Mia E. 
Published: July 2019

ObjectiveSuperior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) causing conductive hearing loss with present reflexes is a known reason for stapes surgery failure. However, concomitant SSCD and otosclerosis occur rarely. We present a case series of SSCD diagnosed in positively identified otosclerosis patients.MethodsRetrospective review of clinical case series in two tertiary‐referral neurotologic practices was performed. Clinical histories, operative findings, audiograms, and computed tomography (CT) images were reviewed for patients diagnosed with both SSCD and otosclerosis. Patients with present stapedial reflexes were excluded. Comprehensive literature review was performed.ResultsFour cases were identified. Three reported improved hearing with partial or complete closure of the air‐bone gap (ABG), including one patient with far‐advanced otosclerosis. One patient had no improvement in pure tone average or ABG. One patient reported worsening of preoperative autophony and pulsatile tinnitus, but none developed new postoperative third‐window symptoms. CTs demonstrated both SSCD and otosclerosis.ConclusionFailure to close the ABG in patients with positively identified otosclerosis intraoperatively may be due to SSCD as an occult concomitant diagnosis. SSCD should be considered as a possible cause of persistent conductive hearing loss after stapes surgery.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 130:1023–1027, 2020
Knockdown of Notch1 inhibits nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell growth and metastasis via downregulation of CCL2, CXCL16, and uPA
Authors: Guo Huajiao , Wang Fuhao , Diao Yuwen , Zhang Zhe , Chen Qiuyan , Qian Chao‐Nan , Keller Evan T. , Zhang Jian , Lu Yi 
Published: July 2019

AbstractNotch pathway is a highly conserved cell signaling system that plays very important roles in controlling multiple cell differentiation processes during embryonic and adult life. Multiple lines of evidence support the oncogenic role of Notch signaling in several human solid cancers; however, the pleiotropic effects and molecular mechanisms of Notch signaling inhibition on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated Notch1 expression in NPC cell lines (CNE1, CNE2, SUNE1, HONE1, and HK1) by real‐time quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis, and we found that CNE1 and CNE2 cells expressed a higher level of Notch1 compared with HONE1, SUNE1, and HK1 cells. Then Notch1 expression was specifically knocked down in CNE1 and CNE2 cells by Notch1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA). In Notch1 knockdown cells, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were significantly inhibited. The epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of tumor cells was reversed in Notch1‐shRNA‐transfected cells, accompanied by epithelioid‐like morphology changes, increased protein levels of E‐cadherin, and decreased expression of vimentin. In addition, knockdown of Notch1 markedly inhibited the expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor uPAR, and chemokines C‐C motif chemokine ligand 2 and C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 16, indicating that these factors are downstream targets of Notch1. Furthermore, deleting uPA expression had similar effects as Notch1. Finally, knockdown of Notch1 significantly diminished CNE1 cell growth in a murine model concomitant with inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. These results suggest that Notch1 may become a novel therapeutic target for the clinical treatment of NPC.
Effect of background error tuning on assimilating radar radial velocity observations for the forecast of hurricane tracks and intensities
Authors: Xu Dongmei , Shen Feifei , Min Jinzhong 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe background error covariance is an important component in data assimilation systems, which largely dominates the error correlations between different analysis variables. This study aimed to assess the impact of the determination of the background error length and variance scale factors on the track and intensity forecast of hurricane systems for radar radial velocity (Vr) data assimilation. To test the sensitivity of the background error length scale and variance scale, multiple data assimilation analyses were performed using a 3D variational data assimilation method with a parameter‐sweeping strategy for the case of Hurricane Ike (2008) by varying the decorrelation length scale (LEN_SCALING) and the variance (VAR_SCALING) of the background error step by step. It is shown that, in radar Vr data assimilation, generally smaller variance scale and length scale factors tend to improve the prediction of the hurricane track. Setting both VAR_SCALING and LEN_SCALING equivalent to 0.4 provides a better track than other combinations. In particular, the impact of the variance scale factor on the track forecasts is larger than that of the length scale factor. There is no direct impact of tuning variance scales and length scales on the forecast intensity for the first few forecast hours. Tuning length scale factors less than 0.4 provides smaller forecast errors of minimum sea level pressure and maximum surface wind with increasing forecast lead time.
Recurring large deletion in DRC1 (CCDC164) identified as causing primary ciliary dyskinesia in two Asian patients
Authors: Morimoto Kozo , Hijikata Minako , Zariwala Maimoona A. , Nykamp Keith , Inaba Atsushi , Guo Tz‐Chun , Yamada Hiroyuki , Truty Rebecca , Sasaki Yuka , Ohta Ken , Kudoh Shoji , Leigh Margaret W. , Knowles Michael R. , Keicho Naoto 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundPrimary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a relatively rare autosomal recessive or X‐linked disorder affecting ciliary function. In the set of causative genes, however, predominant pathogenic variants remain unknown in Asia.MethodA diagnosis of PCD was made following a modern comprehensive testing including genetic analysis; targeted resequencing for screening variants, and Sanger sequencing for determination of the breakpoints, with an additional review of databases to calculate the deletion frequency. A multiplexed PCR‐based detection method has also been developed.ResultsWe ascertained a 50‐year‐old Japanese male who had been diagnosed with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB), but refractory to macrolide therapy. We reevaluated the case and identified a large homozygous deletion spanning exons 1 to 4 of the DRC1 and determined the breakpoints (NM_145038.4: c.1‐3952_540 + 1331del27748‐bp). In the PCD cohort at the University of North Carolina, we found a female PCD patient of Korean descent harboring the same homozygous deletion. From the Invitae testing cohort, we extracted four carriers of the same deletion among 965 Asian individuals, whereas no deletion was found in the 23,951 non‐Asians.ConclusionWe speculate that the DRC1 deletion is a recurrent or perhaps founder mutation in Asians. The simple PCR method could be a useful screening tool.