bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Modulating Actin Dynamics on HER2 Cancer Cell Motility and Metastasis
Authors: Nersesian Sarah , Williams Rodette , Newsted Daniel , Shah Kavan , Young Stephanie , Evans P. Andrew , Allingham John S. , Craig Andrew W. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAmplification of HER2 leads to development of HER2-positive (HER2+) cancers with high rates of metastasis compared to other cancer subtypes. The goal of this study was to probe the vulnerability of HER2+ cancer cells to a filamentous actin (F-actin) severing and capping toxin. The growth and viability of human HER2+ breast cancer (HCC1954) and ovarian cancer (SKOV3) cell lines were significantly impaired upon treatment with the marine macrolide mycalolide B (Myc B) at doses above 100 nanomolar. Further testing of Myc B in combination with the antibody-drug conjugate Trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) led to improved killing of SKOV3 cells compared to either treatment alone. At sub-lethal doses, treatment of HER2+ cancer cells with Myc B resulted in rapid loss of leading edge protrusions and formation of aggresomes containing F-actin and the actin regulatory protein Cortactin. This correlated with robust inhibition of HER2+ cancer cell motility and invasion with Myc B treatment. In SKOV3 tumor xenograft assays, intratumoral injections of Myc B impaired HER2+ tumor growth and metastasis, with maximal effects observed in combination with systemic delivery of Trastuzumab. Metastasis of SKOV3 cells to the lungs following tail vein injection was also reduced by Myc B. Together, these findings provide rationale for targeting F-actin in combination with existing therapies for HER2+ cancers to reduce metastasis.
Adsorption characteristics of organics in the effluent of ultra-short SRT wastewater treatment by single-walled, multi-walled, and graphitized multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Zha Yifei , Wang Yuanyuan , Liu Shuzi , Liu Shuai , Yang Yaqiong , Jiang Hangcheng , Zhang Yuankai , Qi Lu , Wang Hongchen 
Published: November 2018

AbstractWith a conceptual shift in sewage treatment from ‘waste pollution’ to ‘vehicle of resource and energy recovery’ and the further intensification of the energy crisis, the separation and recovery of carbon resources from discharged sewage has gained increasing recent attention in the field of water treatment. The ultra-short Solids Retention Time (SRT) activated sludge process (SRT ≤ 4 d) is highly efficient for separating organic matter and improving the energy recovery rate in wastewater treatment plants, but the effluent quality is relatively poor. If organics in the ultra-short SRT effluent can be reduced further to separate and recover carbon resources, the process may soon replace the traditional activated sludge process. We conducted physical adsorption carbon recovery experiments in an ultra-short SRT (SRT = 2 d) activated sludge system using three carbon nanotubes. Considering that Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) arises from a mixture of organic compounds, and because humic acid (HA) makes up a large fraction of the effluent and can cause great environmental harm, further experiments were conducted on the adsorption of HA in the effluent COD to three nanotubes. This study proposes a novel method to completely remove organics from the effluent from ultra-short SRT activated sludge processes and reveals nanotube adsorption properties and mechanisms.
The association between spirituality and religiousness and mental health
Authors: Vitorino Luciano Magalhães , Lucchetti Giancarlo , Leão Frederico Camelo , Vallada Homero , Peres Mario Fernando Prieto 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe present study aims to investigate how different levels of spirituality and religiousness (high spirituality and high religiousness –S/R, high spirituality and low religiousness –S/r, low spirituality and high religiousness s/R and low spirituality and low religiousness – s/r) are associated with quality of life, depressive symptoms, anxiety, optimism and happiness among adults. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1,046 Brazilian adults. Concerning the different levels of spirituality and religiousness, 49.2% had s/r, 26.5% S/R, 17.2% S/r and 7.1% s/R. Participants with S/R had better outcomes as compared to those with s/r and those with S/r in WHOQOL Psychological, Social Relationship and Environment, Optimism and happiness. Participants with s/R had better outcomes as compared to those with s/r in WHOQOL Psychological and Social Relationship, Optimism and happiness. Participants with S/r were different from those with s/r, with higher levels of WHOQOL Environment and happiness but also anxiety. The results revealed that, having higher levels of both spirituality and religiousness were more correlated to better outcomes than having just one of them or none of them. Likewise, having higher levels of religiousness in detriment of higher levels of spirituality was also associated with better outcomes in comparison to others.
Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) transcriptomic analysis and neuropeptidomics
Authors: Lavore Andrés , Perez-Gianmarco Lucila , Esponda-Behrens Natalia , Palacio Victorio , Catalano Maria Ines , Rivera-Pomar Rolando , Ons Sheila 
Published: November 2018

AbstractStinkbugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are of major economic importance as pest of crops. Among the species composing the stinkbug complex, Nezara viridula is one of the most abundant in Brazil, Argentina and the Southern USA. However, this species has been poorly characterized at the genetic and physiological level. Here we sequenced and analyzed the complete transcriptome of N. viridula male and female adults. We identified neuropeptide precursor genes and G-protein coupled receptors for neuropeptides in this transcriptome. Mature neuropeptides were identified in N. viridula brain extracts by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We also analyzed the neuropeptide precursor complement in the genome sequence of Halyomorpha halys, another pentatomid of economic relevance. We compared the results in both pentatomids with the well-characterized neuropeptide repertoire from the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). We identified both group-specific features (which could be related to the different feeding habits) and similarities that could be characteristic of Heteroptera. This work contributes to a deeper knowledge of the genetic information of these pests, with a focus on neuroendocrine system characterization.
Liquid-crystalline half-Skyrmion lattice spotted by Kossel diagrams
Authors: Fukuda Jun-ichi , Nych Andriy , Ognysta Uliana , Žumer Slobodan , Muševič Igor 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSkyrmions are swirl-like topological entities that have been shown to emerge in various condensed matter systems. Their identification has been carried out in different ways including scattering techniques and real-space observations. Here we show that Kossel diagrams can identify the formation of a hexagonal lattice of half-Skyrmions in a thin film of a chiral liquid crystal, in which case Kossel lines appear as hexagonally arranged circular arcs. Our experimental observations on a hexagonal lattice of half-Skyrmions and other defect structures resembling that of a bulk cholesteric blue phase are perfectly accounted for by numerical calculations and a theoretical argument attributing strong reflections yielding Kossel lines to guided mode resonances in the thin liquid crystal film. Our study demonstrates that a liquid crystal is a model system allowing the investigation of topological entities by various optical means, and also that Kossel techniques are applicable to the investigation of thin systems with non-trivial photonic band structures including topologically protected optical surface states.
Neuroprotection by Heat Shock Factor-1 (HSF1) and Trimerization-Deficient Mutant Identifies Novel Alterations in Gene Expression
Authors: Qu Zhe , Titus Anto Sam Crosslee Louis Sam , Xuan Zhenyu , D’Mello Santosh R. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractHeat shock factor-1 (HSF1) protects neurons from death caused by the accumulation of misfolded proteins by stimulating the transcription of genes encoding heat shock proteins (HSPs). This stimulatory action depends on the association of trimeric HSF1 to sequences within HSP gene promoters. However, we recently described that HSF-AB, a mutant form of HSF1 that is incapable of either homo-trimerization, association with HSP gene promoters, or stimulation of HSP expression, protects neurons just as efficiently as wild-type HSF1 suggesting an alternative neuroprotective mechanism that is activated by HSF1. To gain insight into the mechanism by which HSF1 and HSF1-AB protect neurons, we used RNA-Seq technology to identify transcriptional alterations induced by these proteins in either healthy cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) or neurons primed to die. When HSF1 was ectopically-expressed in healthy neurons, 1,211 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified with 1,075 being upregulated. When HSF1 was expressed in neurons primed to die, 393 genes were upregulated and 32 genes were downregulated. In sharp contrast, HSF1-AB altered expression of 13 genes in healthy neurons and only 6 genes in neurons under apoptotic conditions, suggesting that the neuroprotective effect of HSF1-AB may be mediated by a non-transcriptional mechanism. We validated the altered expression of 15 genes by QPCR. Although other studies have conducted RNA-Seq analyses to identify HSF1 targets, our study performed using primary neurons has identified a number of novel targets that may play a special role in brain maintenance and function.
Cooperative interaction among BMAL1, HSF1, and p53 protects mammalian cells from UV stress
Authors: Kawamura Genki , Hattori Mitsuru , Takamatsu Ken , Tsukada Teruyo , Ninomiya Yasuharu , Benjamin Ivor , Sassone-Corsi Paolo , Ozawa Takeaki , Tamaru Teruya 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe circadian clock allows physiological systems to adapt to their changing environment by synchronizing their timings in response to external stimuli. Previously, we reported clock-controlled adaptive responses to heat-shock and oxidative stress and showed how the circadian clock interacts with BMAL1 and HSF1. Here, we present a similar clock-controlled adaptation to UV damage. In response to UV irradiation, HSF1 and tumor suppressor p53 regulate the expression of the clock gene Per2 in a time-dependent manner. UV irradiation first activates the HSF1 pathway, which subsequently activates the p53 pathway. Importantly, BMAL1 regulates both HSF1 and p53 through the BMAL1–HSF1 interaction to synchronize the cellular clock. Based on these findings and transcriptome analysis, we propose that the circadian clock protects cells against the UV stress through sequential and hierarchical interactions between the circadian clock, the heat shock response, and a tumor suppressive mechanism.
Rethinking and new perspectives on cardiotoxicity of traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: Qiu Lizhen , Zhou Wei , Tan Hongling , Tang Xianglin , Wang Yuguang , Ma Zengchun , Gao Yue 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been commonly used in clinical practice for thousands of years and has made enormous contributions to public health in China. However, the adverse effects on the cardiac system or TCM-induced cardiovascular diseases have emerged frequently in recent years, resulting in growing attention to the safety of TCM. Generally, TCM with adverse cardiac effects has typical therapeutic or toxic effects, which are based on specific material basis for efficacy/toxicity, specific clinical symptoms and toxic mechanisms. However, improper strategies adopted for research on the cardiotoxicity of TCM simply follow the basic principles of conventional toxicology and cause exaggerative or incorrect interpretations in the toxicity of TCM. In this review, we aim to present the classification and possible toxic mechanisms for TCM with cardiotoxicity based on the material basis for toxicity to rethink the existing problems in toxicity studies for TCM and provide new perspectives for research on the potential cardiotoxicity of TCM. We hope that this study can offer important theoretical support and scientific advice for the toxicity study and clinical rational use of TCM having cardiotoxicity.
Photonic down‐conversion and linearisation with tunable IF bandwidth and improved spurious‐free dynamic range
Authors: Zhu Xiang , Jin Tao , Chi Hao , Tong Guochuan , Li Dong , Zuo Lulu , Liu Weimin , Fu Ying 
Published: November 2018

A scheme for simultaneous down‐conversion and linearisation of radio‐frequency (RF) signals is proposed and demonstrated. Based on carrier‐suppressed double‐sideband modulation, the input RF signal can be down‐converted to any intermediate frequency (IF) tone in the range of 8–12 GHz. Compared with the down‐conversion scheme with two cascaded intensity modulators, the proposed scheme has improvement of >21 dB of the suppression ratio of third‐order intermodulation distortion and 6.17 dB of spurious‐free dynamic range.
Pre‐charging strategy with damping control of isolated station connected to the modular multilevel converter based DC grid
Authors: Guo Xianshan , Li Yunfeng , Mei Nian , He Zhiyuan , Pang Hui 
Published: November 2018

It is vital of practical engineering significance to connect the isolated station into the DC grid smoothly without affecting other stations or triggering protective systems. To this end, an active charging method with damping control of the isolated station is proposed and will be used in a 500 kV‐level DC grid in China. First, the analytical expression of starting current is calculated. The key factors influencing the starting current are analysed to provide theoretic evidence for simplifying the calculation model. Second, the selecting expression of start‐up resistor is derived by simplifying the main circuit parameters, DC line parameters, control processes and so on. Third, the principle of active charging method is clarified, the selecting principle of decreasing slope and parameters of damping controller are presented, and the required time of charging process is calculated. This method does not need the start‐up resistor any more but still ensure no oscillation and impulse during the active charging process. Meanwhile, it is also faster than the traditional method with a better economy. Finally, electromagnetic transient simulation models are built to verify the correctness of the resistor selecting expression and the effectiveness of the active charging strategy with damping control.
Roles of Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex and Anterior Cingulate in Subjective Valuation of Prospective Effort
Authors: Hogan Patrick S , Galaro Joseph K , Chib Vikram S 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
The perceived effort level of an action shapes everyday decisions. Despite the importance of these perceptions for decision-making, the behavioral and neural representations of the subjective cost of effort are not well understood. While a number of studies have implicated anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in decisions about effort/reward trade-offs, none have experimentally isolated effort valuation from reward and choice difficulty, a function that is commonly ascribed to this region. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to monitor brain activity while human participants engaged in uncertain choices for prospective physical effort. Our task was designed to examine effort-based decision-making in the absence of reward and separated from choice difficulty—allowing us to investigate the brain’s role in effort valuation, independent of these other factors. Participants exhibited subjectivity in their decision-making, displaying increased sensitivity to changes in subjective effort as objective effort levels increased. Analysis of blood-oxygenation-level dependent activity revealed that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) encoded the subjective valuation of prospective effort, and ACC activity was best described by choice difficulty. These results provide insight into the processes responsible for decision-making regarding effort, partly dissociating the roles of vmPFC and ACC in prospective valuation of effort and choice difficulty.
High Prevalence of Active and Latent Tuberculosis in Children and Adolescents in Tibetan Schools in India: The Zero TB Kids Initiative in Tibetan Refugee Children
Authors: Dorjee Kunchok , Topgyal Sonam , Dorjee Chungdak , Tsundue Tenzin , Namdol Tenzin , Tsewang Tenzin , Nangsel Tenzin , Lhadon Dekyi , Choetso Tsering , Dawa Tenzin , Phentok Tenzin , DeLuca Andrea N , Tsering Lobsang , Phunkyi Dawa , Sadutshang Tsetan D , J Bonomo Elizabeth , Paster Zorba , Chaisson Richard E 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Background
Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence is high among Tibetan refugees in India, with almost half of cases occurring in congregate facilities, including schools. A comprehensive program of TB case finding and treatment of TB infection (TBI) was undertaken in schools for Tibetan refugee children.

Methods
Schoolchildren and staff in Tibetan schools in Himachal Pradesh, India, were screened for TB with an algorithm using symptoms, chest radiography, molecular diagnostics, and tuberculin skin testing. Individuals with active TB were treated and those with TBI were offered isoniazid-rifampicin preventive therapy for 3 months.

Results
From April 2017 to March 2018, we screened 5391 schoolchildren (median age, 13 years) and 786 staff in 11 Tibetan schools. Forty-six TB cases, including 1 with multidrug resistance, were found in schoolchildren, for a prevalence of 853 per 100 000. Extensively drug-resistant TB was diagnosed in 1 staff member. The majority of cases (66%) were subclinical. TBI was detected in 930 of 5234 (18%) schoolchildren and 334 of 634 (53%) staff who completed testing. Children in boarding schools had a higher prevalence of TBI than children in day schools (915/5020 [18%] vs 15/371 [4%]; P < .01). Preventive therapy was provided to 799 of 888 (90%) schoolchildren and 101 of 332 (30%) staff with TBI; 857 (95%) people successfully completed therapy.

Conclusions
TB prevalence is extremely high among Tibetan schoolchildren. Effective active case finding and a high uptake and completion of preventive therapy for children were achieved. With leadership and community mobilization, TB control is implementable on a population level.
Competing for hours: unstable work schedules and underemployment among hourly workers in Canada
Authors: McCrate Elaine , Lambert Susan J , Henly Julia R 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThis paper investigates the relationship between schedule instability and underemployment among hourly employees. The value to employers of specific hours of work often varies over short intervals, motivating variable scheduling and incomplete contracts that do not specify hours or availability. When employers offer variable weekly total hours, competition for scarce hours motivates employees to be available for work over a broader range of times. Workers may consequently be rewarded with more hours, but they garner fewer hours than their counterparts with stable hours. Cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Workplace and Employee Survey demonstrates that underemployment is significantly more likely among hourly workers on unstable schedules. Longitudinal analysis indicates that even among the initially underemployed, who are strongly motivated to increase their availability, switching into an unstable schedule results in significantly fewer hours, providing evidence of employer-driven constraints on hours. There is no evidence of compensating differentials for unstable schedules.
Repatriation Taxes and Foreign Cash Holdings: The Impact of Anticipated Tax Reform
Authors: De Simone Lisa , Piotroski Joseph D , Tomy Rimmy E 
Published: November 2018

AbstractWe examine whether an anticipated reduction in future repatriation taxes affects the amount of cash U.S. multinationals hold overseas. We find that the expected benefits of a repatriation tax reduction are positively associated with accelerated accumulations of global cash holdings once Congress proposed legislation. Additional tests examining domestic and foreign corporations, voluntary disclosures of foreign cash, and corporate payout behavior support our conclusion that observed increases in excess global cash are driven by changes in foreign cash. We also document that U.S. multinationals accumulating excess cash engage in complementary organizational and financial reporting activities designed to maximize expected tax benefits.Received December 7, 2017; editorial decision August 18, 2018 by Editor Andrew Karolyi.
Anakinra for the treatment of acute gout flares: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, active-comparator, non-inferiority trial
Authors: Janssen Carly A , Oude Voshaar Martijn A H , Vonkeman Harald E , Jansen Tim L Th. A , Janssen Matthijs , Kok Marc R , Radovits Bea , van Durme Caroline , Baan Hetty , van de Laar Mart A F J 
Published: November 2018

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of anakinra in treating acute gout flares in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, active comparator, non-inferiority (NI) trial.MethodsPatients with a crystal-proven acute gout flare were randomized (1: 1) to treatment with anakinra or treatment as usual (free choice: either colchicine, naproxen or prednisone). The primary end point was the change in pain between baseline and the averaged pain score on days 2–4 measured on a five-point rating scale. NI of anakinra would be established if the upper bound of the 95% CI of the numeric difference in changed pain scores between treatment groups did not exceed the NI limit of 0.4 in favour of treatment as usual, in the per-protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) populations, assessed in an analysis of covariance model. Secondary outcomes included safety assessments, improvement in pain, swelling, tenderness and treatment response after 5 days, assessed using linear mixed models and binary logistic regression models.ResultsForty-three patients received anakinra and 45 treatment as usual. Anakinra was non-inferior (mean difference; 95% CI) to treatment as usual in both the PP (–0.13; –0.44, 0.18) and ITT (–0.18; –0.44, 0.08) populations. No unexpected or uncommon (serious) adverse events were observed in either treatment arm. Analyses of secondary outcomes showed that patients in both groups reported similar significant reductions in their gout symptoms.ConclusionEfficacy of anakinra was shown to be non-inferior to treatment as usual for the treatment of acute gout flares, suggesting that anakinra is an effective treatment alternative for acute gout flares.Trial registrationHet Nederlands Trial Register, www.trialregister.nl, NTR5234