bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The fabrication of an ICA-SF/PLCL nanofibrous membrane by coaxial electrospinning and its effect on bone regeneration in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Yin Lihua , Wang Kaijuan , Lv Xiaoqin , Sun Rui , Yang Shaohua , Yang Yujie , Liu Yanyun , Liu Jiatao , Zhou Jing , Yu Zhanhai 
Published: August 2017

AbstractGBR is currently accepted as one of the most effective approaches for bone defect regeneration relating to dental implant. Icariin is the main active ingredient in the extraction of total flavonoids from the Chinese traditional herb Epimediumbrevicornum Maxim. In this study, ICA was successfully incorporated into the nanofibers barrier membrane (ICA-SF/PLCL) as osteoinduction factor by coaxial electrospinning and was released in a sustained and controlled manner. The entire release period included two stages: an initial burst stage (47.54 ± 0.06% on 5 d) and a decreasing and constant stage (82.09 ± 1.86% on 30 d). The membrane has good biocompatibility with BMMSCs anchored and significantly promoted its osteogenic activity. Moreover, in vivo experiment, bone defect covered by ICA-SF/PLCL membrane in rat cranium were statistically repaired compare to other groups. 12 weeks after implantation, in the test group, the new bone formation spread to cover most of the defect region with volume and density of approximately 15.95 ± 3.58 mm3 and 14.02 ± 0.93%. These results demonstrated that ICA-SF/PLCL nanofibrous membrane could be a promising barrier applicated for GBR.
Health care claims for primary open-angle glaucoma and retinal vein occlusion from an 11-year nationwide dataset
Authors: Park Hae-Young Lopilly , Jung Younhea , Han Kyungdo , Lee Mee Yon , Park Chan Kee 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTo evaluate the risk of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) development after primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and the risk of POAG development after RVO, we conducted a nationwide, population-based 11-year longitudinal study. National registry data were collected from the Korean National Health Insurance Research Database, comparing 1 025 340 (~2.2%) subjects who were selected from 46 605 433 Korean residents in 2002. Each sampled patients was tracked until 2013. POAG developed in 0.92% of the RVO group (n = 6 826) and in 0.22% of the comparison group. RVO developed in 0.99% of the POAG group (n = 4 138) and in 0.37% of the comparison group. RVO was associated with an increased risk of POAG development (hazard ratio [HR], 3.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.39–4.42) and POAG was associated with an increased risk of RVO development (HR, 5.05; 95% CI, 3.94–6.47). Comorbidity of systemic hypertension and diabetes mellitus further increased the risk of POAG development in the RVO group (HR, 3.58 and HR, 5.98, respectively). Patients with RVO exhibit a significantly higher risk of POAG development and patients with POAG exhibit a significantly higher risk of RVO development, based on an 11-year follow-up period.
Specific calpain inhibition protects kidney against inflammaging
Authors: Hanouna Guillaume , Mesnard Laurent , Vandermeersch Sophie , Perez Joëlle , Placier Sandrine , Haymann Jean-Philippe , Campagne Fabien , Moroch Julien , Bataille Aurélien , Baud Laurent , Letavernier Emmanuel 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCalpains are ubiquitous pro-inflammatory proteases, whose activity is controlled by calpastatin, their specific inhibitor. Transgenic mice over-expressing rabbit calpastatin (CalpTG) are protected against vascular remodelling and angiotensin II-dependent inflammation. We hypothesized that specific calpain inhibition would protect against aging-related lesions in arteries and kidneys. We analysed tissues from 2-months and 2-years-old CalpTG and wild-type mice and performed high throughput RNA-Sequencing of kidney tissue in aged mice. In addition, we analysed inflammatory response in the kidney of aged CalpTG and wild-type mice, and in both in vivo (monosodium urate peritonitis) and in vitro models of inflammation. At two years, CalpTG mice had preserved kidney tissue, less vascular remodelling and less markers of senescence than wild-type mice. Nevertheless, CalpTG mice lifespan was not extended, due to the development of lethal spleen tumors. Inflammatory pathways were less expressed in aged CalpTG mice, especially cytokines related to NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. CalpTG mice had reduced macrophage infiltration with aging and CalpTG mice produced less IL-1α and IL-1β in vivo in response to inflammasome activators. In vitro, macrophages from CalpTG mice produced less IL-1α in response to particulate activators of inflammasome. Calpains inhibition protects against inflammaging, limiting kidney and vascular lesions related to aging.
Multipolar second harmonic generation in a symmetric nonlinear metamaterial
Authors: Wolf Omri , Campione Salvatore , Yang Yuanmu , Brener Igal 
Published: August 2017

AbstractOptical nonlinearities are intimately related to the spatial symmetry of the nonlinear media. For example, the second order susceptibility vanishes for centrosymmetric materials under the dipole approximation. The latter concept has been naturally extended to the metamaterials’ realm, sometimes leading to the (erroneous) hypothesis that second harmonic (SH) generation is negligible in highly symmetric meta-atoms. In this work we aim to show that such symmetric meta-atoms can radiate SH light efficiently. In particular, we investigate in-plane centrosymmetric meta-atom designs where the approximation for meta-atoms breaks down. In a periodic array this building block allows us to control the directionality of the SH radiation. We conclude by showing that the use of symmetry considerations alone allows for the manipulation of the nonlinear multipolar response of a meta-atom, resulting in e.g. dipolar, quadrupolar, or multipolar emission on demand. This is because the size of the meta-atom is comparable with the free-space wavelength, thus invalidating the dipolar approximation for meta-atoms.
The N-P-K soil nutrient balance of Portuguese cropland in the 1950s: The transition from organic to chemical fertilization
Authors: Carmo Miguel , García-Ruiz Roberto , Ferreira Maria Isabel , Domingos Tiago 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAgricultural nutrient balances have been receiving increasing attention in both historical and nutrient management research. The main objectives of this study were to further develop balance methodologies and to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the functioning and nutrient cycling of 1950s agroecosystems in Portugal. Additionally, the main implications for the history of agriculture in Portugal were discussed from the standpoint of soil fertility. We used a mass balance approach that comprises virtually all nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) inputs and outputs from cropland topsoil for average conditions in the period 1951–56. We found a consistent deficit in N, both for nationwide (−2.1 kg.ha−1.yr−1) and arable crops (−1.6 kg.ha−1.yr−1) estimates, that was rectified in the turn to the 1960 decade. P and K were, in contrast, accumulating in the soil (4.2–4.6 kg.ha−1.yr−1and 1.0–3.0 kg.ha−1.yr−1, respectively). We observed that the 1950s is the very moment of inflection from an agriculture fertilized predominantly through reused N in biomass (livestock excretions plus marine, plant and human waste sources) to one where chemical fertilizers prevailed. It is suggested that N deficiency played an important role in this transition.
Knockdown of lncRNA MIR31HG inhibits adipocyte differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells via histone modification of FABP4
Authors: Huang Yiping , Jin Chanyuan , Zheng Yunfei , Li Xiaobei , Zhang Shan , Zhang Yixin , Jia Lingfei , Li Weiran 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAdipogenesis plays an important role in the regulation of whole-body energy homeostasis and is inextricably related to obesity. Several studies have highlighted the relevance of microRNAs in adipocyte differentiation, but the contributions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are still largely uncharacterized. Here, we determined that lncRNA MIR31HG is related to adipocyte lineage commitment. We demonstrated that knockdown of MIR31HG inhibited adipocyte differentiation, whereas overexpression of MIR31HG promoted adipogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, inhibition of MIR31HG reduced the enrichment of active histone markers, histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) and acetylation (AcH3), in the promoter of the adipogenic-related gene, fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), leading to suppression of its expression and adipogenesis. These results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of MIR31HG in terms of adipogenesis and may have implications for obesity and associated disorders.
Carotid Body-Mediated Chemoreflex Drive in The Setting of low and High Output Heart Failure
Authors: Del Rio Rodrigo , Andrade David C. , Toledo Camilo , Diaz Hugo S. , Lucero Claudia , Arce-Alvarez Alexis , Marcus Noah J. , Schultz Harold D. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractEnhanced carotid body (CB) chemoreflex function is strongly related to cardiorespiratory disorders and disease progression in heart failure (HF). The mechanisms underlying CB sensitization during HF are not fully understood, however previous work indicates blood flow per se can affect CB function. Then, we hypothesized that the CB-mediated chemoreflex drive will be enhanced only in low output HF but not in high output HF. Myocardial infarcted rats and aorto-caval fistulated rats were used as a low output HF model (MI-CHF) and as a high output HF model (AV-CHF), respectively. Blood flow supply to the CB region was decreased only in MI-CHF rats compared to Sham and AV-CHF rats. MI-CHF rats exhibited a significantly enhanced hypoxic ventilatory response compared to AV-CHF rats. However, apnea/hypopnea incidence was similarly increased in both MI-CHF and AV-CHF rats compared to control. Kruppel-like factor 2 expression, a flow sensitive transcription factor, was reduced in the CBs of MI-CHF rats but not in AV-CHF rats. Our results indicate that in the setting of HF, potentiation of the CB chemoreflex is strongly associated with a reduction in cardiac output and may not be related to other pathophysiological consequences of HF.
Tuning the Fermi velocity in Dirac materials with an electric field
Authors: Díaz-Fernández A. , Chico Leonor , González J. W. , Domínguez-Adame F. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDirac materials are characterized by energy-momentum relations that resemble those of relativistic massless particles. Commonly denominated Dirac cones, these dispersion relations are considered to be their essential feature. These materials comprise quite diverse examples, such as graphene and topological insulators. Band-engineering techniques should aim to a full control of the parameter that characterizes the Dirac cones: the Fermi velocity. We propose a general mechanism that enables the fine-tuning of the Fermi velocity in Dirac materials in a readily accessible way for experiments. By embedding the sample in a uniform electric field, the Fermi velocity is substantially modified. We first prove this result analytically, for the surface states of a topological insulator/semiconductor interface, and postulate its universality in other Dirac materials. Then we check its correctness in carbon-based Dirac materials, namely graphene nanoribbons and nanotubes, thus showing the validity of our hypothesis in different Dirac systems by means of continuum, tight-binding and ab-initio calculations.
IP-10 Levels as an Accurate Screening Tool to Detect Acute HIV Infection in Resource-Limited Settings
Authors: Pastor Lucía , Casellas Aina , Carrillo Jorge , Alonso Sergi , Parker Erica , Fuente-Soro Laura , Jairoce Chenjerai , Mandomando Inacio , Blanco Julià , Naniche Denise 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAcute HIV infection (AHI) is the period prior to seroconversion characterized by high viral replication, hyper-transmission potential and commonly, non-specific febrile illness. AHI detection requires HIV-RNA viral load (VL) determination, which has very limited access in low-income countries due to restrictive costs and implementation constraints. We sought to identify a biomarker that could enable AHI diagnosis in scarce-resource settings, and to evaluate the feasibility of its implementation. HIV-seronegative adults presenting at the Manhiça District Hospital, Mozambique, with reported-fever were tested for VL. Plasma levels of 49 inflammatory biomarkers from AHI (n = 61) and non-HIV infected outpatients (n = 65) were determined by Luminex and ELISA. IP-10 demonstrated the best predictive power for AHI detection (AUC = 0.88 [95%CI 0.80–0.96]). A cut-off value of IP-10 ≥ 161.6 pg/mL provided a sensitivity of 95.5% (95%CI 85.5–99.5) and a specificity of 76.5% (95%CI 62.5–87.2). The implementation of an IP-10 screening test could avert from 21 to 84 new infections and save from US$176,609 to US$533,467 to the health system per 1,000 tested patients. We conclude that IP-10 is an accurate biomarker to screen febrile HIV-seronegative individuals for subsequent AHI diagnosis with VL. Such an algorithm is a cost-effective strategy to prevent disease progression and a substantial number of further HIV infections.
Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into skeletal muscle progenitor cells by transcription factors enriched in undifferentiated subpopulation of satellite cells
Authors: Ito Naoki , Kii Isao , Shimizu Noriaki , Tanaka Hirotoshi , Takeda Shin’ichi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSatellite cells comprise a functionally heterogeneous population of stem cells in skeletal muscle. Separation of an undifferentiated subpopulation and elucidation of its molecular background are necessary to identify the reprogramming factors to induce skeletal muscle progenitor cells. In this study, we found that intracellular esterase activity distinguishes a subpopulation of cultured satellite cells with high stemness using esterase-sensitive cell staining reagent, calcein-AM. Gene expression analysis of this subpopulation revealed that defined combinations of transcription factors (Pax3, Mef2b, and Pitx1 or Pax7, Mef2b, and Pitx1 in embryonic fibroblasts, and Pax7, Mef2b and MyoD in adult fibroblasts) reprogrammed fibroblasts into skeletal muscle progenitor cells. These reprogrammed cells formed Dystrophin-positive mature muscle fibers when transplanted into a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. These results highlight the new marker for heterogenous population of cultured satellite cells, potential therapeutic approaches and cell sources for degenerative muscle diseases.
Prognostic value of routine laboratory variables in prediction of breast cancer recurrence
Authors: Zhu Zhu , Li Ling , Ye Zhong , Fu Tong , Du Ye , Shi Aiping , Wu Di , Li Ke , Zhu Yifan , Wang Chun , Fan Zhimin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe prognostic value of routine laboratory variables in breast cancer has been largely overlooked. Based on laboratory tests commonly performed in clinical practice, we aimed to develop a new model to predict disease free survival (DFS) after surgical removal of primary breast cancer. In a cohort of 1,596 breast cancer patients, we analyzed the associations of 33 laboratory variables with patient DFS. Based on 3 significant laboratory variables (hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, and international normalized ratio), together with important demographic and clinical variables, we developed a prognostic model, achieving the area under the curve of 0.79. We categorized patients into 3 risk groups according to the prognostic index developed from the final model. Compared with the patients in the low-risk group, those in the medium- and high-risk group had a significantly increased risk of recurrence with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.75 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30–2.38) and 4.66 (95% CI 3.54–6.14), respectively. The results from the training set were validated in the testing set. Overall, our prognostic model incorporating readily available routine laboratory tests is powerful in identifying breast cancer patients who are at high risk of recurrence. Further study is warranted to validate its clinical application.
Octahedron Iron Oxide Nanocrystals Prohibited Clostridium difficile Spore Germination and Attenuated Local and Systemic Inflammation
Authors: Lee Wei-Ting , Wu Ya-Na , Chen Yi-Hsuan , Wu Shang-Rung , Shih Tsai-Miao , Li Tsung-Ju , Yang Li-Xing , Yeh Chen-Sheng , Tsai Pei-Jane , Shieh Dar-Bin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractClinical management of Clostridium difficile infection is still far from satisfactory as bacterial spores are resistant to many chemical agents and physical treatments. Certain types of nanoparticles have been demonstrated to exhibit anti-microbial efficacy even in multi-drug resistance bacteria. However, most of these studies failed to show biocompatibility to the mammalian host cells and no study has revealed in vivo efficacy in C. difficile infection animal models. The spores treated with 500 µg/mL Fe3-δO4 nanoparticles for 20 minutes, 64% of the spores were inhibited from transforming into vegetative cells, which was close to the results of the sodium hypochlorite-treated positive control. By cryo-electron micro-tomography, we demonstrated that Fe3-δO4 nanoparticles bind on spore surfaces and reduce the dipicolinic acid (DPA) released by the spores. In a C. difficile infection animal model, the inflammatory level triple decreased in mice with colonic C. difficile spores treated with Fe3-δO4 nanoparticles. Histopathological analysis showed a decreased intense neutrophil accumulation in the colon tissue of the Fe3-δO4 nanoparticle-treated mice. Fe3-δO4 nanoparticles, which had no influence on gut microbiota and apparent side effects in vivo, were efficacious inhibitors of C. difficile spore germination by attacking its surface and might become clinically feasible for prophylaxis and therapy.
A combinatorial approach for the discovery of cytochrome P450 2D6 inhibitors from nature
Authors: Hochleitner Johannes , Akram Muhammad , Ueberall Martina , Davis Rohan A. , Waltenberger Birgit , Stuppner Hermann , Sturm Sonja , Ueberall Florian , Gostner Johanna M. , Schuster Daniela 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe human cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) enzyme is part of phase-I metabolism and metabolizes at least 20% of all clinically relevant drugs. Therefore, it is an important target for drug-drug interaction (DDI) studies. High-throughput screening (HTS) assays are commonly used tools to examine DDI, but show certain drawbacks with regard to their applicability to natural products. We propose an in silico – in vitro workflow for the reliable identification of natural products with CYP2D6 inhibitory potential. In order to identify candidates from natural product-based databases that share similar structural features with established inhibitors, a pharmacophore model was applied. The virtual hits were tested for the inhibition of recombinant human CYP2D6 in a bioluminescence-based assay. By controlling for unspecific interferences of the test compounds with the detection reaction, the number of false positives were reduced. The success rate of the reported workflow was 76%, as most of the candidates identified in the in silico approach were able to inhibit CYP2D6 activity. In summary, the workflow presented here is a suitable and cost-efficient strategy for the discovery of new CYP2D6 inhibitors with natural product libraries.
Generation of broadband ultraviolet frequency-entangled photons using cavity quantum plasmonics
Authors: Oka Hisaki 
Published: August 2017

AbstractApplication of quantum entangled photons is now extending to various fields in physics, chemistry and biology. In particular, in terms of application to molecular science, broadband ultraviolet frequency-entangled photons are desired because molecules inducing photochemical reactions of interest often have electronic transition energies in the ultraviolet region. Recent standard method for generating such entangled photons is a chirped quasi-phase-matching method, however this method is not suitable for the generation of ultraviolet frequency-entangled photons because it requires down-conversion of a photon with a wavelength shorter than ultraviolet into an entangled photon pair. Here we propose a simple method for generating broadband ultraviolet frequency-entangled photons using cavity quantum plasmonics, in which conventional cavity quantum electrodynamics theory is applied to quantum plasmonics. We introduce a cavity-plasmon system in which localised surface plasmon (LSP) is coupled to the cavity fields of a state-of-the-art microcavity. Using this system, we theoretically show that broadband ultraviolet frequency-entangled photons can be generated simply by utilising the absorption saturation effect of LSP.
Outbreak and genotyping of canine distemper virus in captive Siberian tigers and red pandas
Authors: Zhang He , Shan Fen , Zhou Xia , Li Bing , Zhai Jun-Qiong , Zou Shu-Zhan , Wu Meng-Fan , Chen Wu , Zhai Shao-Lun , Luo Man-Lin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn this study, four canine distemper virus (CDV) strains were isolated from captive Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) and red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) during two separate CDV outbreaks in a zoo in Guangdong province, China. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyses based on the full-length hemagglutinin (H) and fusion (F) genes showed that they were closely identical to genotype Asia-1. Prior to confirmation of CDV in Siberian tigers, to control spread of the disease, a live attenuated combination CDV vaccine was used among almost all carnivore animals except for red pandas in which another recombinant combination CDV vaccine was used. However, about two months later, CDV re-emerged and caused the death among red pandas. Based on the vaccination records, the live combination vaccine could be considered an ideal weapon against CDV in zoo carnivore animals. Although the recombinant combination CDV vaccine was safe for red pandas, its protection effectiveness remains to be further investigated. Moreover, according to the outbreak interval time and sequence characterization, we suspected that stray cats circulating in the zoo were the intermediate host, which contributed to CDV spread from stray dogs to zoo animals. This study revealed the importance of vaccination and biosecurity for zoo animals.
Altered awareness of action in Parkinson’s disease: evaluations by explicit and implicit measures
Authors: Saito Naho , Takahata Keisuke , Yamakado Hodaka , Sawamoto Nobukatsu , Saito Satoshi , Takahashi Ryosuke , Murai Toshiya , Takahashi Hidehiko 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDeficits in the integration of motor prediction and its feedback have been reported in Parkinson’s disease. Conscious awareness of action is proposed to emerge under the integration of motor prediction and its feedback. Thus, it may lead to changes in the awareness of the authorship of action (in other words, the sense of agency) in Parkinson’s disease. We have employed both explicit and implicit measures to assess the awareness of action in Parkinson’s disease and matched controls. As an explicit measure, an action recognition task requiring explicit judgments was used. Patients showed less attribution of their movements to non-biased and angular-biased visual feedbacks. As an implicit measure, the temporal attraction between the perceived time of actions and their effects, which is known as intentional binding task, was used. While action-effect association was observed in the control group, actions were not experienced as having shifted towards their subsequent effects in the patient group. These tendencies were consistent regardless of the side of the asymmetrical motor symptoms. These results may reflect an underlying abnormality in the awareness of voluntary action in Parkinson’s disease.