bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Deletion of Foxn1 in NOD/SCID/IL2rg−/− Mice Results in Severe Immunodeficiency
Authors: Wei Xinru , Lai Yunxin , Li Baiheng , Qin Le , Xu Youdi , Lin Simiao , Wang Suna , Wu Qiting , Liang Qiubin , Huang Guohua , Deng Qiuhua , Liu Pentao , Wu Donghai , Lai Liangxue , Yao Yao , Li Peng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractImmunodeficient mice engrafted with either normal or cancerous human cells are widely used in basic and translational research. In particular, NOD/SCID/IL2rg−/− mice can support the growth of various types of human cancer cells. However, the hairs of these mice interfere with the observation and imaging of engrafted tissues. Therefore, novel hairless strains exhibiting comparable immunodeficiency would be beneficial. Recently, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been used for efficient multiplexed genome editing. In the present study, we generated a novel strain of nude NOD/SCID/IL2rg−/− (NSIN) mice by knocking out Foxn1 from NOD/SCID/IL2rg−/− (NSI) mice using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The NSIN mice were deficient in B, T, and NK cells and not only showed impaired T cell reconstitution and thymus regeneration after allogeneic bone marrow nucleated cell transplantation but also exhibited improved capacity to graft both leukemic and solid tumor cells compared with NSI, NOG, and NDG mice. Moreover, the NSIN mice facilitated the monitoring and in vivo imaging of both leukemia and solid tumors. Therefore, our NSIN mice provide a new platform for xenograft mouse models in basic and translational research.
Genomic regions and genes related to inter-population differences in body size in the ground beetle Carabus japonicus
Authors: Komurai Ryohei , Fujisawa Tomochika , Okuzaki Yutaka , Sota Teiji 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBody size is a key trait in diversification among animal species, and revealing the gene regions responsible for body size diversification among populations or related species is important in evolutionary biology. We explored the genomic regions associated with body size differences in Carabus japonicus ground beetle populations by quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of F2 hybrids from differently sized parents from two populations using restriction site-associated DNA sequencing and de novo assembly of the beetle whole genome. The assembled genome had a total length of 191 Mb with a scaffold N50 of 0.73 Mb; 14,929 protein-coding genes were predicted. Three QTLs on different linkage groups had major effects on the overall size, which is composed chiefly of elytral length. In addition, we found QTLs on autosomal and X chromosomal linkage groups that affected head length and width, thoracic width, and elytral width. We determined the gene loci potentially related to control of body size in scaffolds of the genome sequence, which contained the QTL regions. The genetic basis of body size variation based on a small number of major loci would promote differentiation in body size in response to selection pressures related to variations in environmental conditions and inter-specific interactions.
The Edge Stresses and Phase Transitions for Magnetic BN Zigzag Nanoribbons
Authors: Deng Junkai , Yin Yuefeng , Niu Huanhuan , Ding Xiangdong , Sun Jun , Medhekar Nikhil V. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe edge states are of particular importance to understand fundamental properties of finite two-dimensional (2D) crystals. Based on first-principles calculations, we investigated on the bare zigzag boron nitride nanoribbons (zzBNNRs) with different spin-polarized states well localized at and extended along their edges. Our calculations examined the edge stress, which is sensitively dependent on the magnetic edge states, for either B-terminated edge or N-terminated edge. Moreover, we revealed that different magnetic configurations lead to a rich spectrum of electronic behaviors at edges. Using an uniaxial tensile strain, we proposed the magnetic phase transitions and thereby obtained the metallic to half-metallic (or reverse) phase transitions at edges. It suggests zzBNNR as a promising candidate for potential applications of non-metal spintronic devices.
The Mitochondrial-Derived Peptides, HumaninS14G and Small Humanin-like Peptide 2, Exhibit Chaperone-like Activity
Authors: Okada Alan K. , Teranishi Kazuki , Lobo Fleur , Isas J. Mario , Xiao Jialin , Yen Kelvin , Cohen Pinchas , Langen Ralf 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) and their analogs have emerged as wide-spectrum, stress response factors protective in amyloid disease models. MDP cytoprotective functions are generally attributed to anti-apoptotic activity, however, little is known about their capacity to facilitate the cell’s unfolded protein response via direct interactions with amyloidogenic proteins. Here, we explored the effects of the MDP-analog, humaninS14G (HNG), and the MDP, small humanin-like peptide 2 (SHLP2), on the misfolding of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), a critical pathogenic step in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our thioflavin T fluorescence studies show that HNG inhibits IAPP misfolding at highly substoichiometric concentrations. Seeded fluorescence and co-sedimentation studies demonstrate MDPs block amyloid seeding and directly bind misfolded, seeding-capable IAPP species. Furthermore, our electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and circular dichroism data indicate MDPs do not act by binding IAPP monomers. Taken together our results reveal a novel chaperone-like activity wherein these MDPs specifically target misfolded amyloid seeds to inhibit IAPP misfolding which, along with direct anti-apoptotic activity and beneficial metabolic effects, make HNG and SHLP2 exciting prospects as T2DM therapeutics. These data also suggest that other mitochondrial stress response factors within the MDP family may be amenable to development into therapeutics for protein-misfolding diseases.
Consciously over Unconsciously Perceived Rewards Facilitate Self-face Processing: An ERP Study
Authors: Zhan Youlong , Xiao Xiao , Chen Jie , Li Jin , Fan Wei , Zhong Yiping 
Published: August 2017

AbstractConsciously and unconsciously perceived rewards are thought to modulate essential cognitive processes in different ways. However, little is known about whether and how they modulate higher-order social cognitive processes. The present ERP study aimed to investigate the effect of consciously and unconsciously perceived rewards on the temporal course of self-face processing. After a monetary reward (high or low) was presented either supraliminally or subliminally, participants gain this reward by rapidly and correctly judging whether the mouth shape of a probe face and a target face (self, friend, and stranger) were same. Results showed a significant three-way interaction between reward value, reward presentation type, and face type observed at the P3 component. For the supraliminal presentations, self-faces elicited larger P3 after high compared to low reward cues; however, friend-faces elicited smaller P3 and stranger-faces elicited equivalent P3 under this condition. For the subliminal presentations, self-faces still elicited larger P3 for high reward cues, whereas there were no significant P3 differences for friend-faces or stranger-faces. Together, these results suggest that consciously processed rewards have distinct advantages over unconsciously processed rewards in facilitating self-face processing by flexibly and effectively integrating reward value with self-relevance.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Fuel Denitrification over TiO2/α-Fe2O3 Nanocomposites under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Huang Renkun , Liang Ruowen , Fan Haimei , Ying Shaoming , Wu Ling , Wang Xuxu , Yan Guiyang 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWith increasingly stringent environmental regulations, the removal of nitrogen-containing compounds (NCCs) from gasoline fuel has become a more and more important research subject. In this work, we have successfully synthesized TiO2/α-Fe2O3 heterogeneous photocatalysts with different mass ratios of TiO2vs. α-Fe2O3. Taking photocatalytic denitrification of typical alkali NCCs, pyridine, in gasoline fuel under visible light irradiation (λ ≥ 420 nm) as the model reaction, the TiO2/α-Fe2O3 hybrids have exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with pure TiO2 and α-Fe2O3, giving a pyridine removal ratio of ∼100% after irradiation for 240 min. The improved photocatalytic performance can be attributed to the integrative effect of the enhanced light absorption intensity and more efficient separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Importantly, this type of heterogeneous photocatalysts can be easily separate in the reaction medium by an external magnetic field that is very important for industrial purpose. In addition, major reaction intermediates have been identified by the liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (HPLC-MS) and a tentative photocatalytic denitrification mechanism has been proposed.
Phytochromobilin deficiency impairs sugar metabolism through the regulation of cytokinin and auxin signaling in tomato fruits
Authors: Bianchetti Ricardo Ernesto , Cruz Aline Bertinatto , Oliveira Bruna Soares , Demarco Diego , Purgatto Eduardo , Peres Lázaro Eustáquio Pereira , Rossi Magdalena , Freschi Luciano 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPhytochomes and plant hormones have been emerging as important regulators of fleshy fruit biology and quality traits; however, the relevance of phytochrome-hormonal signaling crosstalk in controlling fruit development and metabolism remains elusive. Here, we show that the deficiency in phytochrome chromophore phytochromobilin (PΦB) biosynthesis inhibits sugar accumulation in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruits by transcriptionally downregulating sink- and starch biosynthesis-related enzymes, such as cell-wall invertases, sucrose transporters and ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylases. PΦB deficiency was also shown to repress fruit chloroplast biogenesis, which implicates more limited production of photoassimilates via fruit photosynthesis. Genetic and physiological data revealed the involvement of auxins and cytokinins in mediating the negative impact of PΦB deficiency on fruit sink strength and chloroplast formation. PΦB deficiency was shown to transcriptionally repress type-A TOMATO RESPONSE REGULATORs and AUXIN RESPONSE FACTORs both in pericarp and columella, suggesting active phytochrome-hormonal signaling crosstalk in these tissues. Data also revealed that PΦB deficiency influences fruit ripening by delaying the climacteric rise in ethylene production and signaling. Altogether, the data uncover the impact of phytochromobilin deficiency in fine-tuning sugar metabolism, chloroplast formation and the timing of fruit ripening and also reveal a link between auxins, cytokinins and phytochromes in regulating sugar import and accumulation in fruits.
Subjective utility moderates bidirectional effects of conflicting motivations on pain perception
Authors: Becker Susanne , Gandhi Wiebke , Chen Yan Jun , Schweinhardt Petra 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMinimizing pain and maximizing pleasure are conflicting motivations when pain and reward co-occur. Decisions to prioritize reward consumption or pain avoidance are assumed to lead to pain inhibition or facilitation, respectively. Such decisions are a function of the subjective utility of the stimuli involved, i.e. the relative value assigned to the stimuli to compare the potential outcomes of a decision. To test perceptual pain modulation by varying degrees of motivational conflicts and the role of subjective utility, we implemented a task in which healthy volunteers had to decide between accepting a reward at the cost of receiving a nociceptive electrocutaneous stimulus or rejecting both. Subjective utility of the stimuli was assessed by a matching task between the stimuli. Accepting reward coupled to a nociceptive stimulus resulted in decreased perceived intensity, while rejecting the reward to avoid pain resulted in increased perceived intensity, but in both cases only if a high motivational conflict was present. Subjective utility of the stimuli involved moderated these bidirectional perceptual effects: the more a person valued money over pain, the more perceived intensity increased or decreased. These findings demonstrate pain modulation when pain and reward are simultaneously present and highlight the importance of subjective utility for such modulation.
A Mindfulness Practice for Communication Sciences and Disorders Undergraduate and Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students: Effects on Stress, Self-Compassion, and Perfectionism
Authors: Beck Ann R. , Verticchio Heidi , Seeman Scott , Milliken Emma , Schaab Heidi 
Published: August 2017

PurposeThe purpose of the present study was to explore the effects of a mindfulness practice on participants' levels of self-compassion, perfectionism, attention, and perceived and biological stress.MethodThis was a between-groups design. Experimental participants engaged in a short mindfulness practice weekly for one academic semester; control participants did not. All participants completed three self-report scales measuring perceived stress, self-compassion, and perfectionism before and after mindfulness sessions. In addition, electrophysiological measures were taken before and after to determine changes in biological markers of stress and attention. Experimental participants also kept reflective journals that were analyzed qualitatively.ResultsCompared with control participants, by the end of the semester, experimental participants' perceived stress levels and potentially negative aspects of perfectionism decreased and biological markers of stress and self-compassion improved. Experimental participants' reflective writings indicated they perceived the sessions to be beneficial. Although the results are promising, no significant effect was found for attention.ConclusionsEngaging in a 20-min mindfulness practice using simple yoga posture and breath work across an academic semester appears to be effective in reducing students' perceived and biological stress levels and maladaptive aspects of perfectionism and in increasing their self-compassion. These are all factors that can improve students' overall well-being.
Prevalence and Thrombotic Risk Assessment of Anti-β2 Glycoprotein I Domain I Antibodies: A Systematic Review
Authors: Radin Massimo , Cecchi Irene , Roccatello Dario , Meroni Pier , Sciascia Savino 
Published: August 2017

Background To date, the exact prevalence of anti-β2 glycoprotein I domain I (anti-β2GPI-DI) antibodies in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and their role when assessing thrombosis risk is uncertain.
Objectives To estimate the prevalence of anti-β2GPI-DI in patients with APS and to determine whether anti-β2GPI-DI-positive individuals are at greater risk of thrombosis, as compared with individuals without anti-β2GPI-DI, by systematically reviewing the literature.
Methods A detailed literature search was applied a priori to Ovid MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citation 1986 to present and to abstracts from the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/Association for Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP ) Annual Meetings (2011–2015).
Results A total of 11 studies, including 1,585 patients, were analyzed. Patients were distributed as follow: 1,218 patients APS (45.4% anti-β2GPI-DI-positive; in more detail: 504 primary APS [55.4% anti-β2GPI-DI-positive], 192 secondary APS [43.2% anti-β2GPI-DI-positive], and 522 not specified), 318 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; 26.7% anti-β2GPI-DI-positive), 49 asymptomatic carriers of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) (30.6% anti-β2GPI-DI-positive), and 1,859 healthy controls. When considering the five studies eligible for thrombotic risk assessment, four studies found a significant association of anti-β2GPI-DI-positivity with thrombotic events, whereas one study found no predictive correlation with thrombosis (overall odds ratio [OR] for pooled data: 1.99; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.52–2.6; p < 0.0001).
Conclusion We report an overall estimated median prevalence of anti-β2GPI-DI antibodies of 44.3% in patients with APS and/or SLE and a significantly higher prevalence among patients with APS compared with SLE alone. Anti-β2GPI-DI antibodies might represent a promising tool when assessing thrombotic risk in patients with APS.
The Effects of Passive Cigarette Smoke Exposure on the Survival of the Reverse Sural Fasciocutaneous Flap
Authors: Halim Ahmad , Bathusha Mohd , Ramachandran Anantha , Sadagatullah Abdul 
Published: August 2017

Background The possibility of a person who had undergone surgery to be exposed to the ill effects of cigarette smoke is high, more so if the person lives with a smoker. With increasing popularity of reverse sural fasciocutaneous flaps, a surgeon may have to manage a person who lives with a smoker or is exposed to cigarette smoke. A clear understanding of the effects of exposure to cigarette smoke on reverse sural fasciocutaneous flaps is necessary. This study was performed to establish a clearer understanding of the effects of smoking on reverse sural fasciocutaneous flaps and evidence for preoperative patient counseling about smoking and smoke exposure.
Objective The study investigated effects of exposure to cigarette smoke on the survival of the reverse sural fasciocutaneous flap.
Methods This was an experimental observational study conducted at the Laboratory for Animal Research Unit in the Health Campus of Universiti Sains Malaysia. Twelve adult White New Zealand rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were divided into two groups of six. All 12 rabbits had a 2.5- × 2.5-cm reverse sural fasciocutaneous flap raised on both its hind limbs. The group exposed to cigarette smoke underwent 4 weeks of smoke exposure for 2 hours daily prior to surgery. This was then continued until analysis of the results.The control group had no intervention. All flaps were analyzed on the seventh postoperative day, after tracing on transparent plastic sheets with the necrotic area marked followed by 2D planimetry done on a grid paper. The flaps were assessed on the total flap area and survival area percentage. It was recorded as mean ± SD. The presence or absence of infection and hematoma was also noted.
Results Twelve flaps were analyzed in each group. Total mean flap area and survival area percentage of the control group were 120.33 ± 31.03 mm2 and 80.12 ± 15.75%, respectively, whereas in the cigarette smoke–exposed group, it was 121.83 ± 17.93 mm2 and 62.04 ± 34.01%, respectively. The control group had two infections and one hematoma, and the smoking-exposed group had six infections and nine hematomas. The comparison between the groups was made in terms of total flap area, survival percentage, presence of infection, and hematoma for which the p values were 0.886, 0.115, 0.083, and 0.003, respectively. The differences between right and left hind limbs were also analyzed (p = 0.414).
Conclusion There was no statistical difference in the results from the right and left hind limbs. There was no statistical difference in the survival of reverse sural fasciocutaneous flap between the control and smoking-exposed groups.
Reference Ranges for Ultrasonographic Measurements of the Uterine Cervix in Low-Risk Pregnant Women
Authors: Andrade Kleber Cursino , Bortoletto Thaísa Guedes , Almeida Cristiane Martins , Daniel Renan Antonio , Avo Heloísa , Pacagnella Rodolfo Carvalho , Cecatti José Guilherme 
Published: August 2017

Objective To define transvaginal ultrasound reference ranges for uterine cervix measurements according to gestational age (GA) in low-risk pregnancies.
Methods Cohort of low-risk pregnant women undergoing transvaginal ultrasound exams every 4 weeks, comprising measurements of the cervical length and volume, the transverse and anteroposterior diameters of the cervix, and distance from the entrance of the uterine artery into the cervix until the internal os. The inter- and intraobserver variabilities were assessed with the linear correlation coefficient and the Student t-test. Within each period of GA, 2.5, 10, 50, 90 and 97.5 percentiles were estimated, and the variation by GA was assessed with analysis of variance for dependent samples. Mean values and Student t-test were used to compare the values stratified by control variables.
Results After confirming the high reproducibility of the method, 172 women followed in this cohort presented a reduction in cervical length, with an increase in volume and in the anteroposterior and transverse diameters during pregnancy. Smaller cervical lengths were associated with younger age, lower parity, and absence of previous cesarean section (C-section).
Conclusion In the studied population, we observed cervical length shortening throughout pregnancy, suggesting a physiological reduction mainly in the vaginal portion of the cervix. In order to better predict preterm birth, cervical insufficiency and premature rupture of membranes, reference curves and specific cut-off values need to be validated.
The acquisition of the non-subject status of nominative objects in Japanese
Authors: Sano Tetsuya , Shimada Hiroyuki , Fujiwara Yoshiki 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
This paper examines the L1 acquisition of the Japanese nominative object construction and discusses its implication for the Universal Phase Requirement (UPR) Hypothesis in Wexler (2004) and Hirsch and Wexler (2007). Although the results of our first experiment could be interpreted as evidence against the UPR Hypothesis, we raise the question of whether this interpretation is legitimate, and discuss what should be considered in a suitable evaluation of the UPR Hypothesis with the nominative object construction. Given the finding in our second experiment, our third experiment provides some preliminary data that suggest that the L1 acquisition of the Japanese nominative object construction may support the UPR Hypothesis.
Free choice and wh-indefinites in child Mandarin
Authors: Zhou Peng 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
The present study reports findings from experimental studies investigating Mandarin-speaking children’s knowledge of the free choice reading of existential expressions like wh-indefinites. Twenty-eight monolingual Mandarin-speaking children and twenty-two Mandarin-speaking adults participated in the study. Using a Question-Statement task (Zhou & Crain 2011), the present study found that four-year-old Mandarin-speaking children exhibited adult-like knowledge of the free choice reading of existential expressions. The current findings, in conjunction with the findings of previous research, provide evidence for a unified account of the semantic interpretations of existential expressions.