bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterizing Focused-Ultrasound Mediated Drug Delivery to the Heterogeneous Primate Brain In Vivo with Acoustic Monitoring
Authors: Wu Shih-Ying , Sanchez Carlos Sierra , Samiotaki Gesthimani , Buch Amanda , Ferrera Vincent P. , Konofagou Elisa E. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractFocused ultrasound with microbubbles has been used to noninvasively and selectively deliver pharmacological agents across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for treating brain diseases. Acoustic cavitation monitoring could serve as an on-line tool to assess and control the treatment. While it demonstrated a strong correlation in small animals, its translation to primates remains in question due to the anatomically different and highly heterogeneous brain structures with gray and white matteras well as dense vasculature. In addition, the drug delivery efficiency and the BBB opening volume have never been shown to be predictable through cavitation monitoring in primates. This study aimed at determining how cavitation activity is correlated with the amount and concentration of gadolinium delivered through the BBB and its associated delivery efficiency as well as the BBB opening volume in non-human primates. Another important finding entails the effect of heterogeneous brain anatomy and vasculature of a primate brain, i.e., presence of large cerebral vessels, gray and white matter that will also affect the cavitation activity associated with variation of BBB opening in different tissue types, which is not typically observed in small animals. Both these new findings are critical in the primate brain and provide essential information for clinical applications.
General Solvent-dependent Strategy toward Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Graphene/Metal Oxide Nanohybrids: Effects of Nitrogen-containing Solvent
Authors: Kao Wei-Yao , Chen Wei-Quan , Chiu Yu-Hsiang , Ho Yu-Hsuan , Chen Chun-Hu 
Published: November 2016

AbstractA general solvent-dependent protocol directly influencing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in metal oxide/graphene nanohybrids has been demonstrated. We conducted the two-step synthesis of cobalt oxide/N-doped graphene nanohybrids (CNG) with solvents of water, ethanol, and dimethylformamide (DMF), representing tree typical categories of aqueous, polar organic, and organic N-containing solvents commonly adopted for graphene nanocomposites preparation. The superior ORR performance of the DMF-hybrids can be attributed to the high nitrogen-doping, aggregation-free hybridization, and unique graphene porous structures. As DMF is the more effective N-source, the spectroscopic results support a catalytic nitrogenation potentially mediated by cobalt-DMF coordination complexes. The wide-distribution of porosity (covering micro-, meso-, to macro-pore) and micron-void assembly of graphene may further enhance the diffusion kinetics for ORR. As the results, CNG by DMF-synthesis exhibits the high ORR activities close to Pt/C (i.e. only 8 mV difference of half-wave potential with electron transfer number of 3.96) with the better durability in the alkaline condition. Additional graphene hybrids comprised of iron and manganese oxides also show the superior ORR activities by DMF-synthesis, confirming the general solvent-dependent protocol to achieve enhanced ORR activities.
Enhancing Virion Tethering by BST2 Sensitizes Productively and Latently HIV-infected T cells to ADCC Mediated by Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies
Authors: Pham Tram N. Q. , Lukhele Sabelo , Dallaire Frédéric , Perron Gabrielle , Cohen Éric A. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBinding of anti-HIV antibodies (Abs) to envelope (Env) glycoproteins on infected cells can mark them for elimination via antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). BST2, a type I interferon (IFN)-stimulated restriction factor that anchors nascent Env-containing virions at the surface of infected cells has been shown to enhance ADCC functions. In a comprehensive analysis of ADCC potency by neutralizing anti-HIV Abs (NAbs), we show in this study that NAbs are capable of mediating ADCC against HIV-infected T cells with 3BNC117, PGT126 and PG9 being most efficient. We demonstrate that HIV-induced BST2 antagonism effectively attenuates Ab binding and ADCC responses mediated by all classes of NAbs that were tested. Interestingly, IFNα treatment can reverse this effect in a BST2-dependent manner. Importantly, while reactivated latent T cell lines display some susceptibility to ADCC mediated by broadly NAbs, inactivating BST2 viral countermeasures and/or exogenous IFNα augment their elimination. Overall, our findings support the notion that NAbs can induce ADCC. They highlight that while BST2 antagonism by HIV promotes ADCC evasion, strategies aimed at restoring BST2 restriction could improve anti-HIV responses and potentially provide a means to eliminate reactivated cells in latent reservoirs.
Association of Arsenic Methylation Capacity with Developmental Delays and Health Status in Children: A Prospective Case–Control Trial
Authors: Hsueh Yu-Mei , Chen Wei-Jen , Lee Chih-Ying , Chien Ssu-Ning , Shiue Horng-Sheng , Huang Shiau-Rung , Lin Ming-I , Mu Shu-Chi , Hsieh Ru-Lan 
Published: November 2016

AbstractThis case–control study identified the association between the arsenic methylation capacity and developmental delays and explored the association of this capacity with the health status of children. We recruited 120 children with developmental delays and 120 age- and sex-matched children without developmental delays. The health status of the children was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI). The arsenic methylation capacity was determined by the percentages of inorganic arsenic (InAs%), monomethylarsonic acid (MMAV%), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV%) through liquid chromatography and hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. Developmental delays were significantly positively associated with the total urinary arsenic concentration, InAs%, and MMAV%, and was significantly negatively associated with DMAV% in a dose-dependent manner. MMAV% was negatively associated with the health-related quality of life (HRQOL; −1.19 to −1.46,P < 0.01) and functional performance (−0.82 to −1.14,P < 0.01), whereas DMAV% was positively associated with HRQOL (0.33–0.35,P < 0.05) and functional performance (0.21–0.39,P < 0.01–0.05) in all children and in those with developmental delays. The arsenic methylation capacity is dose-dependently associated with developmental delays and with the health status of children, particularly those with developmental delays.
Unraveling the association between genetic integrity and metabolic activity in pre-implantation stage embryos
Authors: D’Souza Fiona , Pudakalakatti Shivanand M. , Uppangala Shubhashree , Honguntikar Sachin , Salian Sujith Raj , Kalthur Guruprasad , Pasricha Renu , Appajigowda Divya , Atreya Hanudatta S. , Adiga Satish Kumar 
Published: November 2016

AbstractEarly development of certain mammalian embryos is protected by complex checkpoint systems to maintain the genomic integrity. Several metabolic pathways are modulated in response to genetic insults in mammalian cells. The present study investigated the relationship between the genetic integrity, embryo metabolites and developmental competence in preimplantation stage mouse embryos with the aim to identify early biomarkers which can predict embryonic genetic integrity using spent medium profiling by NMR spectroscopy. Embryos carrying induced DNA lesions (IDL) developed normally for the first 2.5 days, but began to exhibit a developmental delay at embryonic day 3.5(E3.5) though they were morphologically indistinguishable from control embryos. Analysis of metabolites in the spent medium on E3.5 revealed a significant association between pyruvate, lactate, glucose, proline, lysine, alanine, valine, isoleucine and thymine and the extent of genetic instability observed in the embryos on E4.5. Further analysis revealed an association of apoptosis and micronuclei frequency with P53 and Bax transcripts in IDL embryos on the E4.5 owing to delayed induction of chromosome instability. We conclude that estimation of metabolites on E3.5 in spent medium may serve as a biomarker to predict the genetic integrity in pre-implantation stage embryos which opens up new avenues to improve outcomes in clinical IVF programs.
Disulfide mapping the voltage-sensing mechanism of a voltage-dependent potassium channel
Authors: Nozaki Tomohiro , Ozawa Shin-ichiro , Harada Hitomi , Kimura Tomomi , Osawa Masanori , Shimada Ichio 
Published: November 2016

AbstractVoltage-dependent potassium (Kv) channels allow for the selective permeability of potassium ions in a membrane potential dependent manner, playing crucial roles in neurotransmission and muscle contraction. Kv channel is a tetramer, in which each subunit possesses a voltage-sensing domain (VSD) and a pore domain (PD). Although several lines of evidence indicated that membrane depolarization is sensed as the movement of helix S4 of the VSD, the detailed voltage-sensing mechanism remained elusive, due to the difficulty of structural analyses at resting potential. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive disulfide locking analysis of the VSD using 36 double Cys mutants, in order to identify the proximal residue pairs of the VSD in the presence or absence of a membrane potential. An intramolecular SS-bond was formed between 6 Cys pairs under both polarized and depolarized environment, and one pair only under depolarized environment. The multiple conformations captured by the SS-bond can be divided by two states, up and down, where S4 lies on the extracellular and intracellular sides of the membrane, respectively, with axial rotation of 180°. The transition between these two states is caused by the S4 translocation of 12 Å, enabling allosteric regulation of the gating at the PD.
A comparison of biological characteristics of three strains of Chinese sacbrood virus in Apis cerana
Authors: Hu Ying , Fei Dongliang , Jiang Lili , Wei Dong , Li Fangbing , Diao Qingyun , Ma Mingxiao 
Published: November 2016

AbstractWe selected and sequenced the entire genomes of three strains of Chinese sacbrood virus (CSBV): LNQY-2008 (isolated in Qingyuan, Liaoning Province), SXYL-2015 (isolated in Yulin, Shanxi Province), and JLCBS-2014 (isolated in Changbaishan, Jilin Province), by VP1 amino acid (aa) analysis. These strains are endemic in China and infect Apis cerana. Nucleotide sequences, deduced amino acid sequences, genetic backgrounds, and other molecular biological characteristics were analysed. We also examined sensitivity of these virus strains to temperature, pH, and organic solvents, as well as to other physicochemical properties. On the basis of these observations, we compared pathogenicity and tested cross-immunogenicity and protective immunity, using antisera raised against each of the three strains. Our results showed that compared with SXYL-2015, LNQY-2008 has a 10-aa deletion and 3-aa deletion (positions 282–291 and 299–301, respectively), whereas JLCBS-2014 has a 17-aa deletion (positions 284–300). However, the three strains showed no obvious differences in physicochemical properties or pathogenicity. Moreover, there was immune cross-reactivity among the antisera raised against the different strains, implying good protective effects of such antisera. The present study should significantly advance the understanding of the pathogenesis of Chinese sacbrood disease, and offers insights into comprehensive prevention and treatment of, as well as possible protection from, the disease by means of an antiserum.
Non-coding RNAs match the deleted genomic regions in humans
Authors: Byeon Boseon , Kovalchuk Igor 
Published: November 2016

AbstractRNA is transcribed from DNA, and therefore, there should be no RNA transcript from the deleted DNA region. Our study attempted to analyse whether any RNA cache that maps the deleted regions is present in human cells. Using data from the 1000 genome project, we selected 41 CEPH (CEU) and 38 Yoruba (YRI) samples that included the data for the entire genome sequence and ncRNA and mRNA sequences. Aligning the ncRNA reads against the genomic DNA in individual samples has revealed that 229 out of 1114 homozygous deletions have ncRNA reads that map to them. Further analysis has revealed that ncRNA reads that map the deleted regions are enriched around the deletion ends and at genic regions of the genome. The read enrichment at deletion ends suggests that these ncRNAs are likely some form of double-strand break induced RNAs. Our analysis suggests that human cells may contain a residual ncRNA cache that is possibly propagated across generations.
Right-Sided Heart Failure and Extracorporeal Life Support in Patients Undergoing Pericardiectomy for Constrictive Pericarditis: A Risk Factor Analysis for Adverse Outcome
Authors: Ismail Issam , Cebotari Serghei , Busse Alexander , Martens Andreas , Shrestha Malakh , Kühn Christian , Haverich Axel , Fegbeutel Christine , Beckmann Erik 
Published: November 2016

Background Right ventricular failure is a life-threatening postoperative complication after pericardiectomy. We conducted a retrospective study with a special emphasis on right ventricular failure.
Methods Between June 1997 and September 2011, 69 patients underwent surgical pericardiectomy at our center. Mean age was 59 ( ±  15.5) years, and 49 (71%) patients were male. Causes of constrictive pericarditis included idiopathic (52%, n = 36), tuberculosis (9%, n = 6), postcardiotomy (12%, n = 8), radiation (4%, n = 3), renal insufficiency (12%, n = 8), and autoimmune disease (12%, n = 8). Concomitant cardiac surgery was performed in 33 (48%) patients.
Results In-hospital mortality rate was 14% (10/69 patients). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was necessary in 8 (12%) cases because of right (n = 7) or biventricular (n = 1) failure. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between early mortality and the following preoperative variables: postcardiotomy (p = 0.049), radiation (p = 0.009), pleural effusion (p = 0.012), ascites (p = 0.039), hepatic congestion (p = 0.023), absence of calcification on X-ray (p = 0.041), tricuspid valve insufficiency (TI, p < 0.001), and low cardiac index (p = 0.003). Diuretic usage (p = 0.044), peripheral edema (p = 0.050), low voltage (p = 0.027), dip-plateau sign (p = 0.027), elevated GGT (p < 0.001), and decreased serum protein (p < 0.001) correlated with ECMO implantation. Binary logistic regression identified pleural effusion (OR = 16.2, 95% CI = 1.4–191.5), moderate/severe TI (OR = 28.8, 95% CI = 2.7–306.8) and low cardiac index (OR = 25.3, 95% CI = 2.0–315.6) as preoperative independent risk factors for early mortality, whereas elevated GGT (OR = 28.3, 95% CI = 2.4–329.2) and decreased protein (OR = 24.7, 95% CI = 1.8–343.7) could predict right ventricular failure with the need for ECMO.
Conclusion We recommend nondelayed ECMO support in case of significant postoperative right-sided heart failure. High-risk patients might benefit from elective pre- or intraoperative ECMO implantation.
Tabakkonsum und Inanspruchnahme medizinischer Leistungen im Jugendalter – Eine Analyse der KIGGS Daten
Authors: Fassmer A. , Luque Ramos A. , Boiselle C. , Dreger S. , Helmer S. , Zeeb H. 
Published: November 2016

Zusammenfassung
Ziel der Studie: In Deutschland ist nur wenig darüber bekannt, ob sich der Tabakkonsum von Jugendlichen auf ihr Inanspruchnahmeverhalten von Gesundheitsleistungen auswirkt. Die vorliegende Studie soll daher Frühfolgen des jugendlichen Rauchens identifizieren.
Methodik: Wir führten eine Re-Analyse von Querschnittsdaten der Basisbefragung (2003–2006) der Studie zur Gesundheit von Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland (KiGGS) durch. Um die Assoziation zwischen aktuellem Rauchstatus und der Inanspruchnahme medizinischer Leistungen in den 12 Monaten vor der Befragung zu untersuchen, wurden Prävalenzen ausgewählter Erkrankungen stratifiziert nach Rauchstatus ausgewertet. Daneben wurde sowohl der Anteil von Jugendlichen mit mindestens einem ambulanten Arztkontakt als auch die Gesamtzahl der Arztbesuche ermittelt. Für den stationären Bereich wurden Informationen zu den im Krankenhaus verbrachten Nächten analysiert. Ein logistisches Regressionsmodell wurde genutzt, um die Assoziation zwischen dem Rauchverhalten und der Inanspruchnahme ambulanter medizinischer Leistungen adjustiert nach Alter, Geschlecht, Sozialstatus, Migrationshintergrund und Komorbidität zu bestimmen.
Ergebnisse: 3 679 Jugendliche mit Angaben zum Rauchstatus zwischen 14 und 17 Jahren konnten in die Studie aufgenommen werden, von denen 49,1% weiblich waren und 31,7% aktuell rauchten. Die Prävalenz von Blasenentzündungen (+87,0%) und Bronchitis (+50,0%) war bei den rauchenden Jugendlichen deutlich erhöht. Im hausärztlichen Bereich war die Zahl von Jugendlichen, die einen Arzt in Anspruch nahmen, bei den Rauchern um 30,8% erhöht. Im fachärztlichen Bereich wurden erhöhte Kontaktzahlen nur bei Psychiatern (+171,4%) und Psychologen (+94,4%) gefunden. Im stationären Bereich zeigte sich, dass rauchende Jugendliche häufiger einen Krankenhausaufenthalt berichteten (+26,5%) und dieser mit einer längeren Verweildauer verbunden war (+19,7%). Es zeigte sich eine statistisch signifikante Assoziation zwischen aktuellem Tabakkonsum und einer erhöhten Häufigkeit der Inanspruchnahme medizinischer Leistungen in den vergangenen 12 Monaten (OR=1,20; 95%-KI: 1,02–1,40).
Schlussfolgerung: Tabakkonsum bei Jugendlichen geht mit einer erhöhten Prävalenz bestimmter Erkrankungen sowie einer erhöhten Inanspruchnahme medizinischer Leistungen einher. Ob der Tabakkonsum kausal ist, bleibt fraglich. Die im Rahmen von KiGGS laufende Kohortenstudie wird weiteren Aufschluss über die Art des Zusammenhangs geben können.
Distribution of the tryptophan pathway-derived defensive secondary metabolites gramine and benzoxazinones in Poaceae
Authors: Kokubo Yu , Nishizaka Miho , Ube Naoki , Yabuta Yukinori , Tebayashi Shin-ichi , Ueno Kotomi , Taketa Shin , Ishihara Atsushi 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
The Poaceae is a large taxonomic group consisting of approximately 12,000 species and is classified into 12 subfamilies. Gramine and benzoxazinones (Bxs), which are biosynthesized from the tryptophan pathway, are well-known defensive secondary metabolites in the Poaceae. We analyzed the presence or absence of garamine and Bxs in 64 species in the Poaceae by LC-MS/MS. We found that Hordeum brachyantherum and Hakonechloa macra accumulated gramine, but the presence of gramine was limited to small groups of species. We also detected Bxs in four species in the Pooideae and six species in the Panicoideae. In particular, four species in the Paniceae tribe in Panicoideae accumulaed Bxs, indicating that this tribe is a center of the Bx distribution. Bxs were absent in the subfamilies other than Pooideae and Panicoideae. These findings provide an overview of biased distribution of gramine and Bxs in Poaceae species.
Morally Permissible Use of Lethal Force
Authors: Miller Seumas 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
In this chapter a taxonomy is provided of the morally permissible use of lethal force across two main dimensions: (1) individual and joint action (and joint omissions) and (2) negative and positive moral rights. The claim that it is morally permissible to use lethal force to enforce some negative rights, notably the right to self-defense in the service of the right not to be killed, is relatively uncontroversial. However, it is argued that it may well be morally permissible to use lethal force to enforce some positive rights, notably the right to preserve the life of others. In cases of multiple attackers/refrainers and multiple defenders/enforcers, the use of lethal force typically involves joint actions. Therefore, an analysis of such joint actions is provided. Note that philosophical analyses of the moral permissibility of the use of lethal force are typically unhelpfully framed in terms of individual, as opposed to joint, actions, albeit the “individuals” in question are sometimes collective entities, such as military forces.
Police Use of Lethal Force
Authors: Miller Seumas 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
In this chapter the main conditions under which police use of lethal force is morally justified are elaborated. The first two conditions—self-defense and defense of others—are the same conditions under which ordinary citizens are entitled to use lethal force. However, there is another important condition: to uphold the law. For example, a police officer may be morally justified in killing another person if that person is rightly and reasonably suspected of the crimes of serious rights violations, is attempting to avoid arrest, is armed and using those arms to avoid arrest, and if the only way to prevent the suspected offender from escaping is to kill him or her.
Civilian Immunity
Authors: Miller Seumas 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
Military combatants have special moral duties to protect the members of their own citizenry, but not specialduties to protect citizens of other communities. Nevertheless, it is not the case that lives of military combatants can be given priority over the lives of innocent civilians of an enemy state. Partialist considerations can make a moral difference in relation to the permissibility of the use of lethal force in war. Moreover, intentions—as opposed to foreseen consequences—make a moral difference, but these intentions are not necessarily first-order intentions; in some cases they are second-order intentions that constrain first-order intentions. Finally, it is argued that the category of innocent civilians does not include citizens who are rights violators (i.e., non-life-threatening rights violators and those who culpably fail to discharge obligations to positive rights holders). Accordingly, some categories of noncombatants do not have the moral right to immunity in war.
Targeted Killing
Authors: Miller Seumas 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
In this chapter, targeted killing is defined and distinguished from assassination and from extrajudicial killing. It is argued that targeted killing of combatants in theaters of war by the use of, for example, armed drones is morally permissible. It is further argued that while targeted killing of terrorists is morally impermissible in well-ordered jurisdictions—since the law enforcement model is applicable—it may be permissible under certain circumstances in disorderly states such as the FATA in Pakistan, given that the law enforcement model is unable to be applied. If so, it would need to be conducted in a manner that ensures that the lives of innocent civilians are not put at risk. Indeed, it is conceivable that it is permissible in well-ordered jurisdictions in which the authorities are refusing to enforce the law, such as was evidently the case with Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
The Riches of Twilight (Circa 1600)
Authors: Townsend Camilla 
Published: November 2016

Abstract
By about 1600, indigenous intellectuals in the City of Mexico began to fear that knowledge of the old histories was truly being lost, which led to an outpouring of indigenous history writing. Chimalpahin from Chalco was the most famous of such writers. He was a contemporary of don Fernando de Alva Ixtlilxochitl from Tetzcoco and Tezozomoc of the Mexican royal family, both of whom he seems to have known. The cosmopolitanism of Chimalpahin’s vision is extraordinary. He commented not only on current events (such as the desagüe) but on ancient ones (such as the reign of Axaycatl), and on both Nahuatl texts and European ones.