bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shedding light on the neonatal brain: probing cerebral hemodynamics by diffuse optical spectroscopic methods
Authors: Farzam Parisa , Buckley Erin M. , Lin Pei-Yi , Hagan Katherine , Grant P. Ellen , Inder Terrie Eleanor , Carp Stefan A. , Franceschini Maria Angela 
Published: November 2017

AbstractInvestigating the cerebral physiology of healthy term newborns’ brains is important for better understanding perinatal brain injuries, of which the most common etiologies are hypoxia and ischemia. Hence, cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygenation are important biomarkers of brain health. In this study, we employed a hybrid diffuse optical system consisting of diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) and frequency-domain near infrared spectroscopy (FDNIRS) to measure hemoglobin concentration, oxygen saturation, and indices of cerebral blood flow and metabolism. We measured 30 term infants to assess the optical and physiological characteristics of the healthy neonatal brain in the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes. We observed higher metabolism in the right hemisphere compared to the left and a positive correlation between gestational age and the level of cerebral hemoglobin concentration, blood volume, and oxygen saturation. Moreover, we observed higher cerebral blood flow and lower oxygen saturation in females compared to males. The delayed maturation in males and the sexual dimorphism in cerebral hemodynamics may explain why males are more vulnerable to perinatal brain injuries than females.
The Kohlschütter-Tönz syndrome associated gene Rogdi encodes a novel presynaptic protein
Authors: Riemann Donatus , Wallrafen Rebecca , Dresbach Thomas 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMutations in the human homolog of the Drosophila gene Rogdi cause Kohlschütter-Tönz syndrome. This disorder is characterised by amelogenesis imperfecta, as well as severe neurological symptoms including epilepsy and psychomotor delay. However, little is known about the protein encoded by Rogdi, and hence the pathogenic mechanisms underlying Kohlschütter-Tönz syndrome have remained elusive. Using immunofluorescence of rat cultured hippocampal neurons and brain sections we find that Rogdi is enriched at synaptic sites. In addition, recombinant GFP-Rogdi expressed in cultured neurons was efficiently targeted to presynaptic sites, where it colocalised with the presynaptic scaffolding protein Bassoon and the synaptic vesicle markers Synaptophysin, Synapsin-1, VAMP2/Synaptobrevin and Mover. Our data indicate that GFP-Rogdi harbours efficient signals for presynaptic targeting, and that Rogdi is a presynaptic protein. Thus, the neurological symptoms associated with Kohlschütter-Tönz syndrome may arise from presynaptic dysfunction.
Non-empirical atomistic dipole-interaction-model for quantum plasmon simulation of nanoparticles
Authors: Lim Jaechang , Kang Sungwoo , Kim Jaewook , Kim Woo Youn , Ryu Seol 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPlasmonic nanoparticles in the quantum regime exhibit characteristic optical properties that cannot be described by classical theories. Time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) is rising as a versatile tool for study on such systems, but its application has been limited to very small clusters due to rapidly growing computational costs. We propose an atomistic dipole-interaction-model for quantum plasmon simulations as a practical alternative. Namely the atomic dipole approximation represents induced dipoles with atomic polarizabilities obtained from TDDFT without empirical parameters. It showed very good agreement with TDDFT for plasmonic spectra of small silver clusters at much lower computational cost, though it is not appropriate for molecular-like excitations. It could also reproduce the plasmonic band shift experimentally observed in sub-10 nm silver particles.
Histological evidence for a dynamic dental battery in hadrosaurid dinosaurs
Authors: Bramble Katherine , LeBlanc Aaron R. H. , Lamoureux Denis O. , Wosik Mateusz , Currie Philip J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe first histological study of an entire hadrosaurid dental battery provides a comprehensive look at tooth movement within this complex structure. Previous studies have focused on isolated teeth, or in-situ batteries, but this is the first study to examine an entire dental battery of any dinosaur. The absence of direct tooth-to-tooth contact across the entire battery and a unique arrangement of the dental tissues in hadrosaurids led us to compare their teeth with the ever-growing incisors of mammals. The similarity in the distributions of tissues along the incisor, coupled with continuous eruption, make for helpful comparisons to hadrosaurid teeth. The mammalian ever-growing incisor can be used as a model to extrapolate the soft tissue connections and eruptive mechanisms within the hadrosaurid dental battery. Serial sections across the adult dental battery reveal signs of gradual ontogenetic tooth migration. Extensive remodeling of the alveolar septa and the anteroposterior displacement of successive generations of teeth highlight the gradual migration of tooth generations within the battery. These eruptive and ontogenetic tooth movements would not be possible without a ligamentous connection between successive teeth and the jaws, underscoring the dynamic nature of one of the most unique and complex dental systems in vertebrate history.
Impact of Multidecadal Climate Variability on United Kingdom Rickets Rates
Authors: Majeed Haris , Moore G. W. K. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractChildren who receive inadequate exposure to sunlight have reduced levels of vitamin D, resulting in rickets, a disease that is characterized by bone deformity, stunted growth, and long term pronounced disability. The United Kingdom rickets incidence rates declined from the early 1960’s to mid-1990’s, after which there was a dramatic increase. The reason for this change is not well understood. Here we show that an important low frequency mode of climate variability, the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), with a period of ~60–80 years, has an impact on rickets incidence rates in the United Kingdom through changes in sea level pressure, cloud cover and sunshine duration. This research highlights the important role that multidecadal climate variability can play in human morbidity and suggests that future changes in the AMO may modulate rickets incidence rates throughout the United Kingdom.
High-efficiency backward four-wave mixing by quantum interference
Authors: Liu Zi-Yu , Xiao Jian-Ting , Lin Jia-Kang , Wu Jun-Jie , Juo Jz-Yuan , Cheng Chin-Yao , Chen Yong-Fan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractElectromagnetically-induced-transparency-based four-wave mixing (FWM) in a resonant four-level double-Λ system has a maximum conversion efficiency (CE) of 25% due to spontaneous emission. Herein, we demonstrate that spontaneous emission can be considerably suppressed by arranging the applied laser beams in a backward configuration. With the backward double-Λ FWM scheme, we observe a CE of 63% in cold rubidium atoms with an optical depth (OD) of 48. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first observation of a CE exceeding the conversion limit in resonant FWM processes. Furthermore, we present a theoretical model that includes the phase-mismatch effect in the backward double-Λ FWM system. According to the theoretical model, the present scheme can achieve 96% CE using a medium with a large OD of 200 under ideal conditions. Such an efficient frequency conversion scheme has potential applications in optical quantum information technology.
Global and Regional Effects of Bladder Cancer Risk Associated with Pioglitazone Therapy in Patients with Diabetes
Authors: Qu Hua , Zheng Yi , Wang Yuren , Zhang Rui , Ruan Xiongzhong , Yang Gangyi , Liu Zhenqi , Zheng Hongting 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIt has been debated for several years as to whether the antidiabetic drug pioglitazone increases the risk for bladder cancer. A series of recent large population studies yielded conflicting results. To investigate why the observational studies yielded conflicting results, we conducted stratified analyses to analyze the potential confounders behind these discordant outcomes. A total of 2,764,731 participants from observational (OB) studies and 9,999 from randomized control trials (RCTs) were identified for these analyses. The stratified analysis revealed that the study type, adjustment for age/sex, treatment duration, cumulative dose, agents used in a control group, mean period of follow-up and study population region might contribute to the discordant outcomes. In terms of population regions, pioglitazone increased the risk for bladder cancer could be found in European population, and patients who undergo treatment with pioglitazone for longer durations (>12 months) or are administrated a larger cumulative dose (>28,000 mg) might require more attention, and the long-term effects (≥3.6 years) of pioglitazone needs be monitored more carefully.
Phosphatidylserine decarboxylase CT699, lysophospholipid acyltransferase CT775, and acyl-ACP synthase CT776 provide membrane lipid diversity to Chlamydia trachomatis
Authors: Soupene Eric , Kuypers Frans A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDe novo lipid synthesis and scavenging of fatty acids (FA) are processes essential for the formation of the membrane of the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t.). Host FA are assimilated via esterification by the bacterial acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthase AasC but inhibitors of the host acyl-CoA synthetase enymes ACSL also impaired growth of C.t. in human cells. In E. coli, activity of AasC was sensitive to triacsin C and rosiglitazone G. The absence of a triacsin C-insensitive pathway and the increased inhibition by rosiglitazone G confirmed the sensitivity of the bacterial acyl-ACP synthase to these drugs in infected human cells. We found no evidence that the human ACSL enzymes are required for lipid formation by C.t. The broad substrate specificity of acyltransferase CT775 provides C.t. with the capacity to incorporate straight-chain and bacterial specific branched-chain fatty acids. CT775 accepts both acyl-ACP and acyl-CoA as acyl donors and, 1- or 2-acyl isomers of lysophosphoplipids as acyl acceptors. The enzyme responsible for remodeling of human phosphatidylserine to bacterial phosphatidylethanolamine was identified as CT699. These findings provide evidence that the pathogen has the ability to extend the lipid diversity of its membrane.
The structure-function relationship measured with optical coherence tomography and a microperimeter with auto-tracking: the MP-3, in patients with retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Asahina Yuichi , Kitano Marie , Hashimoto Yohei , Yanagisawa Mieko , Murata Hiroshi , Inoue Tatsuya , Obata Ryo , Asaoka Ryo 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe purpose of the current study was to investigate the structure-function relationship in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) using optical coherence tomography and the MP-3 microperimeter. Visual field (VF) measurements were carried out using MP-3 microperimetry and the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA, Carl-Zeiss, CA), 22 eyes of 11 patients with a clinical diagnosis of RP, both with the 10-2 test grid pattern. Optical coherence tomography (OCT, Spectralis, Heidelberg, Germany) was also performed and the ellipsoid zone (EZ) was identified in the OCT image. The mean (±SD) number of test points located within the EZ edge was 11.6 (±5.9). There was a significant relationship between mean retinal sensitivity measured with MP-3 and the area surrounded by the EZ circular line: AEZ (p < 0.05), but this was not the case with HFA (p > 0.05). The difference between retinal sensitivity inside and outside the EZ edge was significantly larger with MP-3 than with HFA (p < 0.001). Our findings suggest that retinal sensitivity measured with MP-3 better reflects the magnitude of structural damage observed with OCT, compared with HFA. Further, the difference in retinal sensitivity between the inside and outside EZ edge is significantly larger for the MP-3 test, compared with the HFA.
One-pot synthesis of trifunctional chitosan-EDTA-β-cyclodextrin polymer for simultaneous removal of metals and organic micropollutants
Authors: Zhao Feiping , Repo Eveliina , Yin Dulin , Chen Li , Kalliola Simo , Tang Juntao , Iakovleva Evgenia , Tam Kam Chiu , Sillanpää Mika 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe global contamination of water resources with inorganic and organic micropollutants, such as metals and pharmaceuticals, poses a critical threat to the environment and human health. Herein, we report on a bio-derived chitosan-EDTA-β-cyclodextrin (CS-ED-CD) trifunctional adsorbent fabricated via a facile and green one-pot synthesis method using EDTA as a cross-linker, for the adsorption of toxic metals and organic micropollutants from wastewater. In this system, chitosan chain is considered as the backbone, and the immobilized cyclodextrin cavities capture the organic compounds via host-guest inclusion complexation, while EDTA-groups complex metals. The thoroughly characterized CS-ED-CD was employed for batch adsorption experiments. The adsorbent displayed a monolayer adsorption capacity of 0.803, 1.258 mmol g−1 for Pb(II) and Cd(II) respectively, while a heterogeneous sorption capacity of 0.177, 0.142, 0.203, 0.149 mmol g−1 for bisphenol-S, ciprofloxacin, procaine, and imipramine, respectively. The adsorption mechanism was verified by FT-IR and elemental mapping. Importantly, the adsorbent perform is effective in the simultaneous removal of metals and organic pollutants at environmentally relevant concentrations. All these findings demonstrate the promise of CS-ED-CD for practical applications in the treatment of micropollutants. This work adds a new insight to design and preparation of efficient trifunctional adsorbents from sustainable materials for water purification.
Clinical Outcomes and Return to Sports in Patients with Chronic Achilles Tendon Rupture after Minimally Invasive Reconstruction with Semitendinosus Tendon Graft Transfer
Authors: Usuelli Federico , D'Ambrosi Riccardo , Manzi Luigi , Indino Cristian , Villafañe Jorge , Berjano Pedro 
Published: November 2017

Objective The purpose of the study is to evaluate the clinical results and return to sports in patients undergoing reconstruction of the Achilles tendon after minimally invasive reconstruction with semitendinosus tendon graft transfer.
Methods Eight patients underwent surgical reconstruction with a minimally invasive technique and tendon graft augmentation with ipsilateral semitendinosus tendon for chronic Achilles tendon rupture (more than 30 days after the injury and a gap of >6 cm). Patients were evaluated at a minimum follow-up of 24 months after the surgery through the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), the Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Scores (ATRS), the Endurance test, the calf circumference of the operated limb, and the contralateral and the eventual return to sports activity performed before the trauma.
Results The mean age at surgery was 50.5 years. Five men and three women underwent the surgery. The average AOFAS was 92, mean Endurance test was 28.1, and the average ATRS was 87. All patients returned to their daily activities, and six out of eight patients have returned to sports activities prior to the accident (two football players, three runners, one tennis player) at a mean of 7.0 (range: 6.7–7.2) months after the surgery. No patient reported complications or reruptures.
Conclusion Our study confirms encouraging results for the treatment of Achilles tendon rupture with a minimally invasive technique with semitendinosus graft augmentation. The technique can be considered safe and allows patients to return to their sports activity.
Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.
Comparative Study of the Effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and Nasal High-Flow Therapy on Diaphragmatic Dimensions in Preterm Infants
Authors: El-Mogy Mohamed , El-Halaby Hanan , Attia Gehan , Abdel-Hady Hesham 
Published: November 2017

Objective Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) and nasal high-flow therapy (nHFT) are the most common forms of noninvasive respiratory support in preterm infants. We conducted this study to compare effects of nCPAP and nHFT on diaphragmatic dimensions as assessed by bedside ultrasonography in preterm infants.
Study Design A prospective, randomized crossover study comprised 24 preterm infants. Group 1 (n = 12): started on nCPAP for 60 minutes and then switched to nHFT for 60 minutes. Group 2 (n = 12): started on nHFT for 60 minutes then switched to nCPAP for 60 minutes. Ultrasonographic assessment of diaphragmatic dimensions was performed at the end of each epoch.
Results There were no statistically significant differences in diaphragmatic dimensions at the end of each epoch of nCPAP or nHFT. The diaphragm thickening fraction (DTF) was not significantly different with either nCPAP or nHFT [23.4 (13.7–28.0) versus 23.4 (11.2–31.6), p = 0.57]. No significant differences were found regarding heart rate, respiratory rate, Silverman–Anderson scores, and SpO2 on nCPAP and nHFT. All infants enrolled tolerated the crossover maneuver.
Conclusion Stable preterm infants (30.3 ± 2.2 weeks' gestation) with mild respiratory dysfunction show comparable effects on diaphragm thickness and excursion during relatively brief periods of support on nCPAP or nHFT.
Clinical Trial Registration Registry name: Clinical Trials.gov. Registration number: NCT02421328. Web link to study on registry: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02421328.
Mutational Spectrum of Fanconi Anemia Associated Myeloid Neoplasms
Authors: Chao Mwe , Thomay Kathrin , Goehring Gudrun , Wlodarski Marcin , Pastor Victor , Schlegelberger Brigitte , Schindler Detlev , Kratz Christian , Niemeyer Charlotte 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIndividuals with Fanconi anemia (FA) have a high risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), yet the secondary somatic mutations lending to these malignancies remain to be further elucidated. We employed a next-generation sequencing myeloid neoplasia gene panel to determine the mutational spectrum of FA-related MDS/AML. Ten of 16 patients showed missense, nonsense, insertion or duplication mutations in 13 genes. In contrast to findings in MDS in the general population, mutations in genes involved in RNA splicing were rarely affected. Mutations in RUNX1 and genes of the RAS pathway appeared more instrumental in the pathogenesis of FA myeloid malignancies. RUNX1 mutations were associated with more advanced disease. Interestingly, one patient with refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts harbored the SF3B1 p.K700E mutation highlighting the mutation’s causative role in MDS with ring sideroblasts even in the context of FA. On the whole, our findings implicate a different genetic architecture of FA MDS/AML from adult sporadic MDS. Notably, the genetic events resemble those described in pediatric MDS.
Kasuistik einer Oxalose-Arthropathie und aktueller Überblick
Authors: Lange Uwe , Reuss-Borst Monika , Dischereit Gabriel 
Published: November 2017

ZusammenfassungGeschildert wird der Fall eines 39-jährigen Mannes mit einer primären Oxalose (Hyperoxalurie Typ I) und Oxalose-Arthropathie. Anschließend folgt ein Überblick über die primären Formen des seltenen Krankheitsbildes der Hyperoxalurie mit klinischen Manifestationen und möglichen Therapieoptionen.
An Insight on Silk Protein Sericin: From Processing to Biomedical Application
Authors: Ahsan Farogh , Ansari Tarique , Usmani Shazia , Bagga Paramdeep 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSilks are naturally occurring polymers that have been used clinically as sutures for hundreds of years. It’s so for obtained from insects or worms, silk consists of a filament core protein, termed fibroin, and a glue-like coating made up of sericin proteins. An important component of silk has an extended history of being discarded as a waste in the course of silk processing. The cost of sericin for tissue engineering is underestimated and its capability in using as regenerative remedy has simply began to be explored. Its variable amino acid composition and various functional groups confer upon it attractive bioactive proteins, which are particularly interesting for biomedical programs. Because of its antioxidant properties, moisturizing ability, and mitogenic effect on mammalian cells, sericin is beneficial in cell regeneration and tissue engineering. Research shows that keratinocytes and fibroblasts have brought about the improvement of sericin-primarily based biomaterials for skin tissue repair, in particular as wound dressings. Moreover, sericin may be used for bone tissue engineering due to its ability to set off nucleation of bone-like hydroxyapatite. Stable silk sericin biomaterials, as films, sponges, and hydrogels, are obtained by means of cross-linking, ethanol precipitation, or mixing with different polymers. Now a day, sericin may also be used for delivery of drugs due to its chemical reactivity and pH-responsiveness which facilitate the fabrication of nano and microparticles, hydrogels, and conjugated molecules, enhancing the bioactivity of drugs. In this review, we outlined the current headways from extraction of sericin till its physical properties and biomedical applications.
Analysis of high-resolution 3D intrachromosomal interactions aided by Bayesian network modeling
Authors: Zhang Xizhe , Branciamore Sergio , Gogoshin Grigoriy , Rodin Andrei S. , Riggs Arthur D. 
Published: November 2017

Significance
We report here that a recently developed Bayesian network (BN) methodology and software platform yield useful information when applied to the analysis of intrachromosomal interaction datasets combined with Encyclopedia of DNA Elements publicly available datasets for the B-lymphocyte cell line GM12878. Of 106 variables analyzed, interaction strength between DNA segments was found to be directly dependent on only four types of variables: distance, Rad21 or SMC3 (cohesin components), transcription at transcription start sites, and the number of CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF)–cohesin complexes between interacting DNA segments. The importance of directionally oriented ctcf motifs was confirmed not only for loops but also for enhancer–promoter interactions. Purely data-driven BN analyses also identified known critical, lineage-determining transcription factors (TFs) as well as some potentially new dependencies between TFs.
Cell-autonomous adiposity through increased cell surface GLUT4 due to ankyrin-B deficiency
Authors: Lorenzo Damaris N. , Bennett Vann 
Published: November 2017

Significance
Calorie intake exceeding energy requirements is the chief culprit in the obesity epidemic affecting the United States and other countries. However, genetic factors may also contribute to the etiology of obesity. This study demonstrates that ankyrin-B (AnkB) deficiency in adipose tissue (AT) causes cell-autonomous adiposity, rendering mice more susceptible to becoming obese with age or when fed a high-fat diet and causing other metabolic complications. Loss of AnkB in AT increases glucose uptake and lipogenesis as a result of deficient clathrin-mediated GLUT4 endocytosis. We also show that AnkB mutations present in millions of Americans cause similar cellular metabolic impairments.