bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activin signaling is an essential component of the TGF-β induced pro-metastatic phenotype in colorectal cancer
Authors: Staudacher Jonas J. , Bauer Jessica , Jana Arundhati , Tian Jun , Carroll Timothy , Mancinelli Georgina , Özden Özkan , Krett Nancy , Guzman Grace , Kerr David , Grippo Paul , Jung Barbara 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAdvanced colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a critical health care challenge worldwide. Various TGF-β superfamily members are important in colorectal cancer metastasis, but their signaling effects and predictive value have only been assessed in isolation. Here, we examine cross-regulation and combined functions of the two most prominent TGF-β superfamily members activin and TGF-β in advanced colorectal cancer. In two clinical cohorts we observed by immune-based assay that combined serum and tissue activin and TGF-β ligand levels predicts outcome in CRC patients and is superior to single ligand assessment. While TGF-β growth suppression is independent of activin, TGF-β treatment leads to increased activin secretion in colon cancer cells and TGF-β induced cellular migration is dependent on activin, indicating pathway cross-regulation and functional interaction in vitro. mRNA expression of activin and TGF-β pathway members were queried in silico using the TCGA data set. Coordinated ligand and receptor expression is common in solid tumors for activin and TGF-β pathway members. In conclusion, activin and TGF-β are strongly connected signaling pathways that are important in advanced CRC. Assessing activin and TGF-β signaling as a unit yields important insights applicable to future diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
A comparison of traditional and novel metrics to quantify resistance training
Authors: Marston Kieran J. , Peiffer Jeremiah J. , Newton Michael J. , Scott Brendan R. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCommon estimates of external training intensity for resistance exercise do not incorporate inter-set recovery duration, and might not reflect the overall demands of training. This study aimed to assess novel metrics of exercise density (ED) during resistance exercise, and how these related to a physiological marker of internal training intensity as well as traditional measures of external training intensity and volume. Thirteen males and seven females performed two bouts of resistance exercise focused on developing strength (5 sets of 5 repetitions with 5-repetition maximum; 180 s recovery) and hypertrophy (3 sets of 10 repetitions with 10-repetition maximum; 60 s recovery). Blood lactate concentration was measured to quantify internal training intensity. Specific metrics of external volume (mechanical work, volume load and total repetitions) and intensity (average weight lifted and ED) were calculated. Despite lower average weights and no difference in mechanical work or volume load, blood lactate was greater following hypertrophy compared with the strength condition. This finding was consistent with higher measures of ED in the hypertrophy compared with the strength condition. Greater ED during hypertrophy resistance exercise, along with the significant association with changes in blood lactate, indicates that ED metrics are reflective of the sessional intensity for resistance exercise.
Individual recognition of opposite sex vocalizations in the zebra finch
Authors: D’Amelio Pietro B. , Klumb Milena , Adreani Mauricio N. , Gahr Manfred L. , ter Maat Andries 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIndividual vocal recognition plays an important role in the social lives of many vocally active species. In group-living songbirds the most common vocalizations during communal interactions are low-intensity, soft, unlearned calls. Being able to tell individuals apart solely from a short call would allow a sender to choose a specific group member to address, resulting in the possibility to form complex communication networks. However, little research has yet been carried out to discover whether soft calls contain individual identity. In this study, males and females of zebra finch pairs were tested with six vocalization types - four different soft calls, the distance call and the male song - to investigate whether they are able to distinguish individuals of the opposite sex. For both sexes, we provide the first evidence of individual vocal recognition for a zebra finch soft unlearned call. Moreover, while controlling for habituation and testing for repeatability of the findings, we quantify the effects of hitherto little studied variables such as partners’ vocal exchange previous to the experiment, spectral content of playback calls and quality of the answers. We suggest that zebra finches can recognize individuals via soft vocalizations, therefore allowing complex directed communication within vocalizing flocks.
The molecular mechanisms of Monascus purpureus M9 responses to blue light based on the transcriptome analysis
Authors: Chen Di , Chen Mianhua , Wu Shufen , Li Zhenjing , Yang Hua , Wang Changlu 
Published: July 2017

AbstractLight is an important environmental factor that regulates various physiological processes of fungi. To thoroughly study the responses of Monascus to blue light, transcriptome sequencing was performed on mRNAs isolated from samples of Monascus purpureus M9 cultured under three conditions: darkness (D); exposure to blue light for 15 min/d (B15); and exposure to blue light for 60 min/d over 8 days (B60). The number of differentially expressed genes between the three pairs of samples—B15 vs D, B60 vs B15, and B60 vs D—was 1167, 1172, and 220, respectively. KEGG analysis showed the genes involved in primary metabolism including carbon and nitrogen metabolism were downregulated by B15 light treatment, whereas B15 upregulated expression of genes involved with aromatic amino acid metabolism, which associated with development, and branched chain amino acid metabolism, and fatty acid degradation, which can produce the biosynthetic precursors of pigments. When exposed to B60 conditions, genes with roles in carbohydrate metabolism and protein synthesis were upregulated as part of a stress response to blue light. Based on this study, we propose a predicted light-stimulated signal transduction pathway in Monascus. Our work is the first comprehensive investigation concerning the mechanism of Monascus responses to blue light.
Development and Characterization of A Novel Prox1-EGFP Lymphatic and Schlemm’s Canal Reporter Rat
Authors: Jung Eunson , Gardner Daniel , Choi Dongwon , Park Eunkyung , Jin Seong Young , Yang Sara , Castorena-Gonzalez Jorge , Louveau Antoine , Zhou Zhao , Lee Gene K. , Perrault David P. , Lee Sunju , Johnson Maxwell , Daghlian George , Lee Maria , Jin Hong Yeo , Kato Yukinari , Kipnis Jonathan , Davis Michael J. , Wong Alex K. , Hong Young-Kwon 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe lymphatic system plays a key role in tissue fluid homeostasis, immune cell trafficking, and fat absorption. We previously reported a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-based lymphatic reporter mouse, where EGFP is expressed under the regulation of the Prox1 promoter. This reporter line has been widely used to conveniently visualize lymphatic vessels and other Prox1-expressing tissues such as Schlemm’s canal. However, mice have a number of experimental limitations due to small body size. By comparison, laboratory rats are larger in size and more closely model the metabolic, physiological, and surgical aspects of humans. Here, we report development of a novel lymphatic reporter rat using the mouse Prox1-EGFP BAC. Despite the species mismatch, the mouse Prox1-EGFP BAC enabled a reliable expression of EGFP in Prox1-expressing cells of the transgenic rats and allowed a convenient visualization of all lymphatic vessels, including those in the central nervous system, and Schlemm’s canal. To demonstrate the utility of this new reporter rat, we studied the contractile properties and valvular functions of mesenteric lymphatics, developed a surgical model for vascularized lymph node transplantation, and confirmed Prox1 expression in venous valves. Together, Prox1-EGFP rat model will contribute to the advancement of lymphatic research as a valuable experimental resource.
Neighbor-Neighbor Correlations Explain Measurement Bias in Networks
Authors: Wu Xin-Zeng , Percus Allon G. , Lerman Kristina 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn numerous physical models on networks, dynamics are based on interactions that exclusively involve properties of a node’s nearest neighbors. However, a node’s local view of its neighbors may systematically bias perceptions of network connectivity or the prevalence of certain traits. We investigate the strong friendship paradox, which occurs when the majority of a node’s neighbors have more neighbors than does the node itself. We develop a model to predict the magnitude of the paradox, showing that it is enhanced by negative correlations between degrees of neighboring nodes. We then show that by including neighbor-neighbor correlations, which are degree correlations one step beyond those of neighboring nodes, we accurately predict the impact of the strong friendship paradox in real-world networks. Understanding how the paradox biases local observations can inform better measurements of network structure and our understanding of collective phenomena.
Effect of LDL cholesterol, statins and presence of mutations on the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Climent Elisenda , Pérez-Calahorra Sofía , Marco-Benedí Victoria , Plana Nuria , Sánchez Rosa , Ros Emilio , Ascaso Juan F. , Puzo Jose , Almagro Fátima , Lahoz Carlos , Civeira Fernando , Pedro-Botet Juan 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPatients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) have been reported to be less vulnerable to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), although the mechanism is unknown. The aims of the present study were to assess the effects of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration and the presence of FH-causing mutations on T2DM prevalence in HeFH. Data were collected from the Dyslipidemia Registry of the Spanish Arteriosclerosis Society. Inclusion criteria were definite or probable HeFH in patients aged ≥18 years. T2DM prevalence in HeFH patients was compared with data of the general population. 1732 patients were included. The prevalence of T2DM was lower in patients with HeFH compared with the general population (5.94% vs 9.44%; OR: 0.606, 95% CI 0.486–0.755, p < 0.001). Risk factors for developing T2DM were male sex, age, body mass index, hypertension, baseline triglyceride levels and years on statin therapy. The prevalence of T2DM in HeFH patients was 40% lower than that observed in the general population. Gene mutations and LDL cholesterol concentrations were not risk factors associated with the prevalence of T2DM in patients with HeFH. The prevalence of T2DM in patients with HeFH was 40% lower than in the general population matched for age and sex.
How transfer flights shape the structure of the airline network
Authors: Ryczkowski Tomasz , Fronczak Agata , Fronczak Piotr 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn this paper, we analyse the gravity model in the global passenger air-transport network. We show that in the standard form, the model is inadequate for correctly describing the relationship between passenger flows and typical geo-economic variables that characterize connected countries. We propose a model for transfer flights that allows exploitation of these discrepancies in order to discover hidden subflows in the network. We illustrate its usefulness by retrieving the distance coefficient in the gravity model, which is one of the determinants of the globalization process. Finally, we discuss the correctness of the presented approach by comparing the distance coefficient to several well-known economic events.
Ultra-low threshold polariton lasing at room temperature in a GaN membrane microcavity with a zero-dimensional trap
Authors: Jayaprakash R. , Kalaitzakis F. G. , Christmann G. , Tsagaraki K. , Hocevar M. , Gayral B. , Monroy E. , Pelekanos N. T. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPolariton lasers are coherent light sources based on the condensation of exciton-polaritons in semiconductor microcavities, which occurs either in the kinetic or thermodynamic (Bose-Einstein) regime. Besides their fundamental interest, polariton lasers have the potential of extremely low operating thresholds. Here, we demonstrate ultra-low threshold polariton lasing at room temperature, using an all-dielectric, GaN membrane-based microcavity, with a spontaneously-formed zero-dimensional trap. The microcavity is fabricated using an innovative method, which involves photo-electrochemical etching of an InGaN sacrificial layer and allows for the incorporation of optimally-grown GaN active quantum wells inside a cavity with atomically-smooth surfaces. The resulting structure presents near-theoretical Q-factors and pronounced strong-coupling effects, with a record-high Rabi splitting of 64 meV at room-temperature. Polariton lasing is observed at threshold carrier densities 2.5 orders of magnitude lower than the exciton saturation density. Above threshold, angle-resolved emission spectra reveal an ordered pattern in k-space, attributed to polariton condensation at discrete levels of a single confinement site. This confinement mechanism along with the high material and optical quality of the microcavity, accounts for the enhanced performance of our polariton laser, and pave the way for further developments in the area of robust room temperature polaritonic devices.
Rain-induced changes in soil CO2 flux and microbial community composition in a tropical forest of China
Authors: Deng Qi , Hui Dafeng , Chu Guowei , Han Xi , Zhang Quanfa 
Published: July 2017

AbstractRain-induced soil CO2 pulse, a rapid excitation in soil CO2 flux after rain, is ubiquitously observed in terrestrial ecosystems, yet the underlying mechanisms in tropical forests are still not clear. We conducted a rain simulation experiment to quantify rain-induced changes in soil CO2 flux and microbial community composition in a tropical forest. Soil CO2 flux rapidly increased by ~83% after rains, accompanied by increases in both bacterial (~51%) and fungal (~58%) Phospholipid Fatty Acids (PLFA) biomass. However, soil CO2 flux and microbial community in the plots without litters showed limited response to rains. Direct releases of CO2 from litter layer only accounted for ~19% increases in soil CO2 flux, suggesting that the leaching of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from litter layer to the topsoil is the major cause of rain-induced soil CO2 pulse. In addition, rain-induced changes in soil CO2 flux and microbial PLFA biomass decreased with increasing rain sizes, but they were positively correlated with litter-leached DOC concentration rather than total DOC flux. Our findings reveal an important role of litter-leached DOC input in regulating rain-induced soil CO2 pulses and microbial community composition, and may have significant implications for CO2 losses from tropical forest soils under future rainfall changes.
Light-mediated self-organization of sunflower stands increases oil yield in the field
Authors: López Pereira Mónica , Sadras Victor O. , Batista William , Casal Jorge J. , Hall Antonio J. 
Published: July 2017

Significance
Self-organization in biological systems spans from molecular to ecosystem levels. In plant populations and communities, only a primitive mode of self-organization has been described, which involves changes in demography (survival of individuals affected by the availability of resources). Here, we show that sunflower plants cultivated in high-density stands perceive light signals from their immediate neighbors, adopt alternate positions of their single stem along the crop row, and collectively increase production per unit land area. This process is a case where a communicative sensory network leads to self-organization in plants, without changes in demography. Agronomic and genetic adaptations will be necessary to capture the increased oil production of self-organized stands.
Size and mobility of lipid domains tuned by geometrical constraints
Authors: Schütte Ole M. , Mey Ingo , Enderlein Jörg , Savić Filip , Geil Burkhard , Janshoff Andreas , Steinem Claudia 
Published: July 2017

SignificanceDiffusion of lipids and proteins organized in finite-sized domains plays a pivotal role in biological membranes enhancing biomolecular signaling efficiency. The impact of membrane geometry and spatial boundaries on the lateral mobility of domains in membranes remains, however, still unclear. By using pore-spanning membranes, we were able to control the length scale and dynamics of lipid domains by an underlying porous mesh serving both as a confinement and as a source of additional friction that slows down the mobility of domains by several orders of magnitude. We could show that increased hydrodynamic drag acting on liquid-ordered domains due to the confined geometry is responsible for the reduction of diffusion constants.
Contested labour and political leadership: three mineworkers’ unions after the opposition victory in Zambia
Authors: Uzar Esther 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT
Scholars of Zambian labour thought the once-powerful movement in terminal decline, but followed up neither the effects of the multi-union environment nor the opposition victory of a leftist political party in 2011. The author’s case study of three mineworkers’ unions (Mineworkers’ Union of Zambia, National Union of Miners and Allied Workers and United Mineworkers Union of Zambia) shows how the Patriotic Front party reawakened labour militancy only to suppress it within five months. The union competition increased welfare and financial accountability, but even insurgent unions surrendered to the dominant ideology of ‘industrial peace’, yielding the strike weapon to corporate hegemony. The article concludes that the unions have little bargaining power, but that the constant grassroots contestation of labour and political leaders renders Zambian labour highly vibrant.
Blood Pressure Variability Predicts Adverse Events and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Post-Hoc Analysis of the SPRINT Trial
Authors: Mezue Kenechukwu , Goyal Abhinav , Pressman Gregg S , Horrow Jay C , Rangaswami Janani 
Published: July 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Visit-to-visit blood pressure variability has been associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Using the SPRINT trial data set, we explored the relationship between blood pressure variability, cardiovascular outcomes, and hypoperfusion-related adverse events of antihypertensive therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) enrolled in the study.

METHODS
The analyses included patients with CKD randomized in SPRINT who reached the target systolic blood pressure for their respective groups (intensive &lt;120 mm Hg; standard &lt;140 mm Hg). Coefficients of variation (CV) for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) for each subject characterized variability. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify independent predictors of the SPRINT primary outcome (including acute coronary syndrome, stroke, acute heart failure, and death from cardiovascular causes) and the 3 major side effects of therapy—hypotension, syncope, and acute kidney injury (AKI). P &lt;0.15 on univariate analysis was required to enter the model, and P &lt;0.05 to remain in it.

RESULTS
Overall, 2,488 subjects (1,273 standard; 1,124 intensive) met inclusion criteria. DBP CV predicted a greater hazard for primary outcome (hazard ratio [HR] 1.126, P &lt; 0.0001) in the overall model as well as in separate analyses by treatment arms (standard group HR 1.107, P &lt; 0.0001; intensive group HR 1.100, P = 0.0004). DBP CV also independently predicted a greater hazard for AKI (HR 1.117), syncope (HR 1.111), and hypotensive events (HR 1.104).

CONCLUSION
Visit-to-visit DBP variability independently predicts worse cardiovascular outcomes and hypoperfusion-related adverse events in patients with CKD enrolled in SPRINT.
Implementation of a Risk-Based Heparin Protocol for Postpartum Venous Thromboembolism Prevention
Authors: Robison Elizabeth , Heyborne Kent , Allshouse Amanda A. , Valdez Carolyn , Metz Torri D. 
Published: July 2017

OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the effect of a postpartum risk-based low-molecular-weight heparin protocol for venous thromboembolism prevention.

METHODS:
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of postpartum women at a safety net hospital before (2013), during (2014), and after (2015) implementation of a risk-based enoxaparin thromboembolism prevention protocol. The calculated sample size was based on a primary outcome of enoxaparin administration rate. Secondary outcomes included incidence of postpartum thromboembolism, wound complications, and 30-day readmission rates. The prevalence of thromboembolism risk factors and protocol adherence was evaluated in two groups of women before (May 2013) and after (May 2015) protocol implementation. Exact χ2 or Cochran-Armitage trend tested differences in rates.

RESULTS:
Over 3 years, 9,766 deliveries were included. Enoxaparin was administered to 0.28% (95% CI 0.14–0.55) of postpartum women in 2013 (before) compared with 33.46% (95% CI 31.89–35.07%) after protocol implementation (P<.001). Although underpowered to detect a difference in these outcomes, no differences were seen in rates of thromboembolism (0.16%, 0.12%, 0.15%, P=.9), wound complication (0.82%, 1.21%, 0.91%, P=.7), or emergency department visits (8.30%, 7.96%, 8.34%, P=.9), whereas readmissions increased (0.79%, 1.27%, 1.42%, P=.02). Prevalence of thromboembolism risk factors did not differ between women delivered in May 2013 and May 2015. Physician adherence to the protocol was 89.5% in May 2015. Nine women had thromboembolic events after protocol implementation: five received appropriate treatment per protocol, but four did not. In 2014, three of four women with a thromboembolism were inadequately treated compared with one of five in 2015 with the addition of a computerized order set.

CONCLUSION:
Implementation of a low-molecular-weight heparin risk-based protocol for postpartum thromboembolism prevention resulted in high physician adherence and more than 30% of postpartum women receiving enoxaparin. Before implementing such a protocol on a wider scale, a much larger study is needed to evaluate the effect on thromboembolic disease and wound problems.