bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of body calcium and net calcium requirements for maintenance of Saanen goats
Authors: Dorigan C. J. , Vargas J. A. C. , Härter C. J. , Resende K. T. , Vitti D. M. S. S. , Abdalla A. L. , Teixeira I. A. M. A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe objectives of the current study were to investigate the dynamics of body calcium (Ca) and to estimate the net Ca maintenance requirements (NCam) of Saanen goats, using45Ca as a radiotracer. Eighteen castrated male Saanen goats (25 ± 2.3 kg body weight (BW)) received a basal diet (ground ear maize, ground maize and vitamin–mineral premix). The treatments consisted of adding limestone to the basal diet to provide Ca content of 0.6, 1.7 and 3.0 g/kg dry matter (DM). The experiment lasted 45 days (i.e. 36 d of adaptation and 9 days of measurements). On day 38, 0.5 ml of 7.4 MBq45Ca solution was administrated before feeding. From days 39 to 45, samples of faeces, blood and urine were collected, and Ca concentration determined. The Ca intake, Ca in faeces, Ca in urine, faecal endogenous Ca and true absorbed Ca increased linearly as Ca content in the diets increased, while retained Ca increased at a decreasing rate. Dry matter intake decreased at an increasing rate with increased Ca content in the diets. In contrast, Ca content in the diets did not affect biological availability of Ca, or Ca in plasma. The true biological availability of Ca from limestone in Saanen goats was 0.72. The daily NCamwas 11.6 (±1.3) mg/kg BW. The current results might help to understand Ca dynamics in goats and enhance the formulation of balanced diets to best meet Ca requirements of Saanen goats.
Age bias in survey sampling and implications for estimating HIV prevalence in men who have sex with men: insights from mathematical modelling
Authors: Johnson L. F. , Mulongeni P. , Marr A. , Lane T. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractRespondent-driven sampling (RDS) is widely used to estimate HIV prevalence in men who have sex with men (MSM). Mathematical models that are calibrated to these data may be compromised if they fail to account for selection biases in RDS surveys. To quantify the potential extent of this bias, an agent-based model of HIV in South Africa was calibrated to HIV prevalence and sexual behaviour data from South African studies of MSM, first reweighting the modelled MSM population to match the younger age profile of the RDS surveys (age-adjusted analysis) and then without reweighting (unadjusted analysis). The model estimated a median HIV prevalence in South African MSM in 2015 of 34.6% (inter-quartile range (IQR): 31.4–37.2%) in the age-adjusted analysis, compared with 26.1% (IQR: 24.1–28.4%) in the unadjusted analysis. The median lifetime risk of acquiring HIV in exclusively homosexual men was 88% (IQR: 82–92%) in the age-adjusted analysis, compared with 76% (IQR: 64–85%) in the unadjusted analysis. These results suggest that RDS studies may under-estimate the exceptionally high HIV prevalence rates in South African MSM because of over-sampling of younger MSM. Mathematical models that are calibrated to these data need to control for likely over-sampling of younger MSM.
Nutrition and public health in medical education in the UK: reflections and next steps
Authors: Broad Jonathan , Wallace Megan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectiveDoctors play an important role in the identification of nutritional disorders and as advocates for a healthy diet, and although the key tenets of good nutrition education for medical students have been discussed, reports on implementation are sparse. The present commentary responds to a gap in UK medical students’ understanding of nutrition and public health and suggests ways to improve it.DesignWe review literature about nutrition education in medical schools and discuss a 6-week elective in public health nutrition for medical students. We discuss suggested competencies in nutrition and compare means of students’ confidence and knowledge before and after.SettingA nutrition and public health elective in a UK medical school, discussing advocacy, motivational interviewing, supplements, nutritional deficits, parenteral nutrition, obesity services. We utilised multidisciplinary teaching approaches including dietitians, managers and pharmacists, and students implemented a public health activity in a local school.SubjectsFifteen final-year medical students were enrolled; sixty school pupils participated in the public health activity.ResultsThe students were not confident in nutrition competencies before and were taught less than European counterparts. Students enjoyed the course, had improved knowledge, and felt more confident in interviewing and prescribing supplements. Feedback from the local school was positive.ConclusionsStudents in our UK medical school were not confident in their required competencies within the confines of the current educational programme. An elective course can improve medical students’ knowledge. Similar courses could be implemented in other medical schools to improve nutrition and public health knowledge and practice in future doctors.
Determinants of folic acid supplement use outside national recommendations for pregnant women: results from the Growing Up in New Zealand cohort study
Authors: Teixeira Juliana A , Castro Teresa G , Wall Clare R , Marchioni Dirce Maria , Berry Sarah , Morton Susan MB , Grant Cameron C 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with insufficient and excessive use of folic acid supplements (FAS) among pregnant women.DesignA pregnancy cohort to which multinomial logistic regression models were applied to identify factors associated with duration and dose of FAS use.SettingThe Growing Up in New Zealand child study, which enrolled pregnant women whose children were born in 2009–2010.SubjectsPregnant women (n 6822) enrolled into a nationally generalizable cohort.ResultsNinety-two per cent of pregnant women were not taking FAS according to the national recommendation (4 weeks before until 12 weeks after conception), with 69 % taking insufficient FAS and 57 % extending FAS use past 13 weeks’ gestation. The factors associated with extended use differed from those associated with insufficient use. Consistent with published literature, the relative risks of insufficient use were increased for younger women, those with less education, of non-European ethnicities, unemployed, who smoked cigarettes, whose pregnancy was unplanned or who had older children, or were living in more deprived households. In contrast, the relative risks of extended use were increased for women of higher socio-economic status or for whom this was their first pregnancy and decreased for women of Pacific v. European ethnicity.ConclusionsIn New Zealand, current use of FAS during pregnancy potentially exposes pregnant women and their unborn children to too little or too much folic acid. Further policy development is necessary to reduce current socio-economic inequities in the use of FAS.
Förderung wissenschaftlichen Denkens im Lehramtsstudium: Lernen aus eigenen und fremden Fehlern in multiplen und uniformen Kontexten
Authors: Wagner Kai , Bergner Maria , Krause Ulrike-Marie , Stark Robin 
Published: April 2018

Zusammenfassung. Kompetenzen im Bereich wissenschaftlichen Denkens sind ein wichtiges Lernziel im Lehramtsstudium. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht, wie diese systematisch gefördert werden können. Im Rahmen einer experimentellen Interventionsstudie wurde eine integrierte Lerneinheit konzipiert, die problem- und instruktionsorientiertes Lernen systematisch kombiniert. Ausgearbeitete Lösungsbeispiele wurden in ein narratives Format eingebettet. Im Zentrum stehen authentische schulische Problemstellungen, anhand derer wissenschaftliches Erklären eingeübt wird. Instruktionale Basistheorie ist das Lernen aus Fehlern. In einem 2 × 2-faktoriellen experimentellen Design wurden die Art der Fehler (eigene vs. fremde / beispielhaft präsentierte Fehler) und der inhaltliche Kontext (multiple vs. uniforme Kontexte) variiert. 179 Studierenden wurden vier Experimentalbedingungen zufällig zugewiesen. Die Lerneinheit wurde schriftlich im Rahmen bildungswissenschaftlicher Seminare an vier Seminarterminen bearbeitet. Erhoben wurden Analyse- und Generierungswissen bezüglich wissenschaftlicher Erklärungen sowie konzeptuelles Erklärungswissen. Hinsichtlich der Förderung konzeptuellen Erklärungswissens sowie des Analysewissens waren fremde Fehler lernwirksamer. Bezüglich des Generierungswissens war die Auseinandersetzung mit eigenen Fehlern effektiver. Generell waren uniforme Kontexte lernwirksamer als multiple Kontexte.
Mutations in the P10 region of procaspase-8 lead to chemotherapy resistance in acute myeloid leukemia by impairing procaspase-8 dimerization
Authors: Li Ming , Wu Xiao-Mo , Gao Ju , Yang Fen , Zhang Cui-Lin , Ke Kun , Wang Ying-Chao , Zheng You-Shi , Yao Jian-Feng , Guan Ying-Ying , Chen Xuan , Chen Juan , Liu Xiao-Long , Yang Xiao-Yu 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCaspase-8 activation initiates apoptotic signaling cascades, and certain mutations in procasepase-8 have been reported to be associated with the progression and prognosis of different types of tumors. In this study, we have identified four novel mutations, which are highly correlated with chemotherapy resistance and poor prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, within the P10 subunit of procaspase-8. These newly discovered mutations cause premature termination of translation, resulting in truncated procaspase-8 protein, which is incapable of forming dimer to initiate apoptosis signaling pathway. Further biochemical analysis reveals that the segment of P10 subunit of procaspase-8 consisting of three amino acid residues from L491 to F493 is crucial for the formation of procaspase-8 interdimer, and the aberration of this segment disrupts the dimerization and consequently precludes the activation of caspase-8 and downstream apoptotic signaling pathway. Therefore, the patients with AML who bear these types of P10 mutations were more likely to develop chemotherapy resistance due to impaired apoptotic signaling in cellular system, leading to significantly reduced overall survival (OS) as compared with patients carrying no such types of P10 mutations. Taken together, these newly identified P10 mutations in procaspase-8 could be used as novel biomarkers for predicting response and survival of chemotherapy-treated AML patients, as well as potential therapeutic targets for medical intervention in the future.
Reconfigurable optomechanical circulator and directional amplifier
Authors: Shen Zhen , Zhang Yan-Lei , Chen Yuan , Sun Fang-Wen , Zou Xu-Bo , Guo Guang-Can , Zou Chang-Ling , Dong Chun-Hua 
Published: April 2018

AbstractNon-reciprocal devices, which allow non-reciprocal signal routing, serve as fundamental elements in photonic and microwave circuits and are crucial in both classical and quantum information processing. The radiation-pressure-induced coupling between light and mechanical motion in travelling-wave resonators has been exploited to break the Lorentz reciprocity, enabling non-reciprocal devices without magnetic materials. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a reconfigurable non-reciprocal device with alternative functions as either a circulator or a directional amplifier via optomechanically induced coherent photon–phonon conversion or gain. The demonstrated device exhibits considerable flexibility and offers exciting opportunities for combining reconfigurability, non-reciprocity and active properties in single photonic devices, which can also be generalized to microwave and acoustic circuits.
Author Correction: Surveillance of vector-borne pathogens under imperfect detection: lessons from Chagas disease risk (mis)measurement
Authors: Minuzzi-Souza Thaís Tâmara Castro , Nitz Nadjar , Cuba César Augusto Cuba , Hagström Luciana , Hecht Mariana Machado , Santana Camila , Ribeiro Marcelle , Vital Tamires Emanuele , Santalucia Marcelo , Knox Monique , Obara Marcos Takashi , Abad-Franch Fernando , Gurgel-Gonçalves Rodrigo 
Published: May 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Transcriptomic analysis of crustacean molting gland (Y-organ) regulation via the mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Shyamal S. , Das S. , Guruacharya A. , Mykles D. L. , Durica D. S. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe intermolt crustacean Y-organ (YO) maintains a basal state mediated by pulsatile release of molt inhibiting hormone (MIH), a neuropeptide produced in the eyestalk ganglia, inhibiting YO ecdysteroidogenesis. Reduction of MIH results in YO activation and the animal enters premolt. In the crab, Gecarcinus lateralis, molting was induced by eyestalk ablation (ESA). ESA animals were injected with either rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, or DMSO vehicle at Day 0. YOs were harvested at 1, 3, and 7 days post-ESA and processed for high throughput RNA sequencing. ESA-induced increases in mRNA levels of mTOR signaling genes (e.g., mTOR, Rheb, TSC1/2, Raptor, Akt, and S6 kinase) declined following rapamycin treatment. In concert with mTOR inhibition, mRNA levels of ecdysteroid biosynthesis genes (e.g., Nvd, Spo, Sad, Dib, and Phm) were decreased and accompanied by a decrease in hemolymph ecdysteroid titer. By contrast, rapamycin increased the mRNA level of FKBP12, the rapamycin-binding protein, as well as the mRNA levels of genes associated with Wnt and insulin-like growth factor signaling pathways. Many MIH and transforming growth factor-β signaling genes were down regulated in ESA animals. These results indicate that mTOR activity either directly or indirectly controls transcription of genes that drive activation of the YO.
MicroRNA-143 modulates the expression of Natriuretic Peptide Receptor 3 in cardiac cells
Authors: Wang Juan , Tong Kai Sing , Wong Lee Lee , Liew Oi-Wah , Raghuram Divya , Richards Arthur Mark , Chen Yei-Tsung 
Published: April 2018

AbstractNatriuretic Peptide Receptor 3 (NPR3), the clearance receptor for extracellular bio-active natriuretic peptides (NPs), plays important roles in the homeostasis of body fluid volume and vascular tone. Using luciferase reporter and antagomir-based silencing assays, we demonstrated that the expression of NPR3 could be modulated by microRNA-143 (miR-143-3p), a microRNA species with up-regulated circulating concentrations in clinical heart failure. The regulatory effect of miR-143 on NPR3 expression was further evidenced by the reciprocal relationship between miR-143 and NPR3 levels observed in hypoxia-treated human cardiac cells and in left ventricular tissue from rats undergoing experimental myocardial infarction. Further analysis indicated elevation of miR-143 in response to hypoxic challenge reflects transcriptional activation of the miR-143 host gene (MIR143HG). This was corroborated by demonstration of the induction of host gene promoter activity upon hypoxic challenge. Moreover, miR-143 was shown to enhance its own expression by increasing MIR143HG promoter activity, as well as targeting the expressions of NPPA, NPPC, NR3C2, and CRHR2 in cardiac cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that the elevation of miR-143 upon hypoxic insult may be part of a microRNA-based feed forward loop that results in fine tuning the levels of NPs and neurohormonal receptors in cardiac cell lineages.
Coherent Phonon Transport Measurement and Controlled Acoustic Excitations Using Tunable Acoustic Phonon Source in GHz-sub THz Range with Variable Bandwidth
Authors: Shen Xiaohan , Lu Zonghuan , Timalsina Yukta P. , Lu Toh-Ming , Washington Morris , Yamaguchi Masashi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe experimentally demonstrated a narrowband acoustic phonon source with simultaneous tunabilities of the centre frequency and the spectral bandwidth in the GHz-sub THz frequency range based on photoacoustic excitation using intensity-modulated optical pulses. The centre frequency and bandwidth are tunable from 65 to 381 GHz and 17 to 73 GHz, respectively. The dispersion of the sound velocity and the attenuation of acoustic phonons in silicon dioxide (SiO2) and indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films were investigated using the acoustic phonon source. The sound velocities of SiO2 and ITO films were frequency-independent in the measured frequency range. On the other hand, the phonon attenuations of both of SiO2 and ITO films showed quadratic frequency dependences, and polycrystalline ITO showed several times larger attenuation than those in amorphous SiO2. In addition, the selective excitation of mechanical resonance modes was demonstrated in nanoscale tungsten (W) film using acoustic pulses with various centre frequencies and spectral widths.
Electrically-triggered micro-explosion in a graphene/SiO2/Si structure
Authors: Liu Siyang , Kim Myungji , Kim Hong Koo 
Published: May 2018

AbstractElectrically-triggered micro-explosions in a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structure can fragment/atomize analytes placed on it, offering an interesting application potential for chip-scale implementation of atomic emission spectroscopy (AES). We have investigated the mechanisms of micro-explosions occurring in a graphene/SiO2/Si (GOS) structure under a high-field pulsed voltage drive. Micro-explosions are found to occur more readily in inversion bias than in accumulation bias. Explosion damages in inversion-biased GOS differ significantly between n-Si and p-Si substrate cases: a highly localized, circular, protruding cone-shape melt of Si for the n-Si GOS case, whereas shallow, irregular, laterally-propagating trenches in SiO2/Si for the p-Si GOS case. These differing damage morphologies are explained by different carrier-multiplication processes: in the n-Si case, impact ionization propagates from SiO2 to Si, causing highly-localized melt explosions of Si in the depletion region, whereas in the p-Si case, from SiO2 towards graphene electrode, resulting in laterally wide-spread micro-explosions. These findings are expected to help optimize the GOS-based atomizer structure for low voltage, small-volume analyte, high sensitivity chip-scale emission spectroscopy.
Majority of Chinese Medicine Herb Category “Qing Re Yao” Have Multiple Mechanisms of Anti-inflammatory Activity
Authors: Guan Fulan , Lam Wing , Hu Rong , Kim Yun Kyung , Han Hua , Cheng Yung-Chi 
Published: May 2018

AbstractHerbs categorized as “Qing Re Yao” are translated into “medicine that removes heat” where heat symptoms strongly resemble inflammation. 226 herbs, among those 54 herbs are classified as “Qing Re Yao”, were studied on six key mechanisms of inflammation: COX2, iNOS activity, and the pathways of IL-6, IFNγ, TNF-α and glucocorticoid in order to assess if the majority of this family of herbs have anti-inflammatory activity. 96% demonstrated at least one anti-inflammatory process or innate immunity modular activity, and 72% could affect one anti-inflammatory process. Of the, 54 “Qing Re Yao” 68% affect at least 2 mechanism compared to only 4% (47 herbs) in the “Bu Yi Yao” category that are used to “tonify body energy” and prevent diseases. Moreover 43% of “Qing Re Yao” herbs affect 3 or more mechanisms while none of the “Bu Yi Yao” have this poly-mechanism quality. Additionally “Qing Re Yao” herbs exhibiting activity against STAT3 or GAS could have downstream effects on these target genes and their pathways. Our study addresses the key action on why “Qing Re Yao” work on inflammation. This study also demonstrates the utility in isolating anti-inflammatory substances to be used as a lead for drug discovery and development.
Effects of Exercise Intensity on Microvascular Function in Obese Adolescents
Authors: Morrissey Christopher , Montero David , Raverdy Cecile , Masson Delphine , Amiot Marie-Jo , Vinet Agnes 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe optimal exercise modality for the improvement of health-related parameters and microvascular function in obese adolescents is not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed to 1) compare the microvascular phenotype of obese and normal-weight adolescents; and 2) to determine the effects of a lifestyle intervention including three months of moderate continuous training (MCT) or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on health-related parameters and microvascular function in 29 obese adolescents. Body composition, metabolic profile, aerobic fitness and cutaneous blood flow, measured using laser Doppler flowmetry at rest and during post-occlusive reactive hyperemia, were assessed prior to and following lifestyle intervention. Sixteen normal-weight adolescents were included as reference controls for baseline microvascular parameters. At baseline, obese adolescents had higher peak blood flow, peak vascular conductance and area under the curve for post-occlusive reactive hyperemia than normal-weight adolescents. Conversely, peak blood flow, peak vascular conductance and area under the curve data remained unchanged after MCT and HIIT without intergroup differences. However, the peak/basal blood flow ratio decreased in both MCT and HIIT groups without any interaction between groups due to basal CBF increase (tendency p=0.074). Exercise training, whatever the modality, does not improve peak microcirculatory function.
Cumulative Experience in Lymphovenous Anastomosis for Lymphedema Treatment: The Learning Curve Effect on the Overall Outcome
Authors: Pereira Nicolas , Lee Yeon , Suh Youngchul , Choi Dong , Suh Hyun , Jeon Jae , Hong Joon 
Published: May 2018

Background The lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) has become one of the treatment options for lymphedema. However, it is regarded as a difficult surgery that many young microsurgeons are reluctant to try. This report investigates the learning curve in regard to symptom improvement.
Methods This is a retrospective analysis performed in 33 consecutive lymphedema patients (38 extremities) who underwent only LVAs from August 2010 to February 2016. Surgical outcomes in regard to surgeon's experience were evaluated. The surgeons experience was divided into three groups: early group with less than 2 years, moderate with 2 to 4 years, and mature group with more than 4 years of experience.
Results A total of 31 limbs (8/8 in upper extremity and 23/30 in lower extremity) showed improvement. When we compare volume change and recurrence of cellulitis with regard to surgeon's experience, there were no statistically significant differences. However, the mean time per LVA was significantly decreased as the experience increased over time (p = 0.017).
Conclusion LVA is an effective treatment option to reduce the volume in the affected limb and to improve symptoms involved. Regardless of the number and experience of the surgeons, cellulitis improves significantly after LVA. The experience of the surgeon does not significantly impact the positive outcome while proficiency increases with experience.