bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intractable otitis media as a diagnostic clue to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis
Authors: Ishikawa Yukiko , Takeda Koichi , Akiyama Yoichiro , Matsumura Masami 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAntineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis (AAV) presents a variety of manifestations. Two patients with a history of intractable otitis media were diagnosed as having AAV. One was an 87‐year‐old woman who presented with cough, anorexia, and fever with a one‐year and four‐month history of otitis media, and the other was a 65‐year‐old woman with arthritis that appeared after the diagnosis of otitis media. The history of otitis media was a diagnostic clue to AAV in both patients. Diagnosis at the early localized stage is crucial to prevent irreversible status of AAV. Primary care physicians should be aware of the otological manifestation of AAV.
Spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy study of uniform and tapered InAs micro‐nano wires: correlation of strain and polytypism
Authors: Gupta Vandna K. , Ingale Alka A. , Pal Suparna , Aggarwal R. , Sathe V. 
Published: April 2017

The asymmetric peak ~212–218 cm−1 occurring in InAs micro‐nanowires (MNWs: diameter: 2 μm – 400 nm) is investigated using spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy of uniform, bent and long tapered MNWs grown on a Si (001) substrate. It is attributed to superposition of E2h phonon (wurtzite: WZ) and TO phonon (zinc blende: ZB) of InAs. Polarized and wavelength‐dependent spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy establishes the presence of WZ and ZB phases in these MNWs. However, formation of WZ phase for larger diameter InAs MNWs is not commensurate with existing growth mapping studies. Further, study of these MNWs suggests that the fraction of WZ to ZB content in a MNW depends not only on the diameter but also seems to be governed by local growth seeding/conditions. This in turn leads to either tapered or uniform MNW growth under the same (external) growth conditions. The variation of these wavenumbers that of bulk value is correlated to the residual stress present in ZB and WZ phases due to the presence of the other (WZ/ZB) phase. Consistently, temperature‐dependent Raman data show that there is a measurable contribution of stress to dω/dT, a positive for ZB and negative for WZ phonons, due to differences in their thermal expansions. Further, effective thermal expansion coefficient of WZ InAs in the presence of ZB phase is calculated to vary in the range 10–19 × 10−6/K from base to tip of a MNW at ~80 K, which is not possible to determine otherwise. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative detection using two‐dimension shell‐isolated nanoparticle film
Authors: Yang Jing‐Liang , Yang Zhen‐Wei , Zhang Yue‐Jiao , Ren He , Zhang Hua , Xu Qing‐Chi , Panneerselvam Rajapandiyan , Sivashanmugan Kundan , Li Jian‐Feng , Tian Zhong‐Qun 
Published: April 2017

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can provide a fingerprint of molecules with ultrahigh sensitivity, down to the single‐molecule level. However, accurate quantitative detection in practical samples using SERS is still a great challenge. Herein, a highly uniform shell‐isolated Ag@SiO2 nanoparticle (Ag SHIN) monolayer film was prepared and employed as a substrate for the quantitative determination of melamine in milk samples through shell‐isolated nanoparticle‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The Ag SHIN film exhibits excellent reproducibility, high stability, as well as ultrahigh sensitivity with a limit of detection of 0.03 ppm. A linear relationship between the Raman intensity and the melamine concentration in a wide range (1 ppb to 5 ppm) was obtained. These results demonstrate that the Ag SHIN monolayer film is a promising and reliable substrate for the quantitative SERS analysis of practical samples. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiparametric Quantitative Ultrasound Imaging in Assessment of Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Gao Jing , Perlman Alan , Kalache Safa , Berman Nathaniel , Seshan Surya , Salvatore Steven , Smith Lindsey , Wehrli Natasha , Waldron Levi , Kodali Hanish , Chevalier James 
Published: April 2017

ObjectivesTo evaluate the value of multiparametric quantitative ultrasound imaging in assessing chronic kidney disease (CKD) using kidney biopsy pathologic findings as reference standards.MethodsWe prospectively measured multiparametric quantitative ultrasound markers with grayscale, spectral Doppler, and acoustic radiation force impulse imaging in 25 patients with CKD before kidney biopsy and 10 healthy volunteers. Based on all pathologic (glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy, arteriosclerosis, and edema) scores, the patients with CKD were classified into mild (no grade 3 and <2 of grade 2) and moderate to severe (at least 2 of grade 2 or 1 of grade 3) CKD groups. Multiparametric quantitative ultrasound parameters included kidney length, cortical thickness, pixel intensity, parenchymal shear wave velocity, intrarenal artery peak systolic velocity (PSV), end‐diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistive index. We tested the difference in quantitative ultrasound parameters among mild CKD, moderate to severe CKD, and healthy controls using analysis of variance, analyzed correlations of quantitative ultrasound parameters with pathologic scores and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using Pearson correlation coefficients, and examined the diagnostic performance of quantitative ultrasound parameters in determining moderate CKD and an estimated GFR of less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.ResultsThere were significant differences in cortical thickness, pixel intensity, PSV, and EDV among the 3 groups (all P < .01). Among quantitative ultrasound parameters, the top areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for PSV and EDV were 0.88 and 0.97, respectively, for determining pathologic moderate to severe CKD, and 0.76 and 0.86 for estimated GFR of less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Moderate to good correlations were found for PSV, EDV, and pixel intensity with pathologic scores and estimated GFR.ConclusionsThe PSV, EDV, and pixel intensity are valuable in determining moderate to severe CKD. The value of shear wave velocity in assessing CKD needs further investigation.
Short‐term complications associated with the use of transvaginal mesh in pelvic floor reconstructive surgery: Results from a multi‐institutional prospectively maintained dataset
Authors: Caveney Maxx , Haddad Devin , Matthews Catherine , Badlani Gopal , Mirzazadeh Majid 
Published: April 2017

AIMSVaginal reconstructive surgery can be performed with or without mesh. We sought to determine comparative rates of perioperative complications of native tissue versus vaginal mesh repairs for pelvic organ prolapse.METHODSUsing the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database, we concatenated surgical data from vaginal procedures for prolapse repair, including anterior and posterior colporrhaphy, paravaginal defect repair, enterocele repair, and vaginal colpopexy using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding. We stratified this data by the modifier associated with mesh usage at the time of the procedure. We then compared 30‐day perioperative outcomes, postoperative complications (bleeding, infection, etc), and readmission rates between women with and without mesh‐based repairs.RESULTSWe identified 10 657 vaginal reconstructive procedures without mesh and 959 mesh‐based repairs from 2009 through 2013. Patients undergoing mesh repair were more likely to experience at least one complication than native tissue repair (9.28% vs 6.15%, P < 0.001), with the overall complication rate also being higher in the mesh group (11.37% vs 9.39%, P = 0.03). Procedures with mesh had a higher rate of perioperative bleeding requiring transfusion than native tissue repair (2.3% vs 0.49%, P < 0.001), and organ surgical site infection (SSI) (0.52% vs 0.17%, P = 0.02). There were no significant differences in rates of readmission, superficial, or deep SSIs, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, sepsis, or renal failure.CONCLUSIONSThe use of vaginal mesh for pelvic organ prolapse repair appears to result in a higher rate of perioperative complications than native tissue repair. Patients undergoing these procedures should be counselled preoperatively concerning these risks.
Biomimetic pH/redox dual stimuli‐responsive zwitterionic polymer block poly(L‐histidine) micelles for intracellular delivery of doxorubicin into tumor cells
Authors: John Johnson V. , Uthaman Saji , Augustine Rimesh , Manickavasagam Lekshmi Kamali , Park In‐Kyu , Kim Il 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTA series of pH/redox dual stimuli‐responsive poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine)25‐block‐poly(l‐histidine)n (p[MPC])25‐b‐p[His]n, n = 20, 35, 50, and 75) copolymers consisting of a pH‐responsive p(His)n block and a biocompatible phospholipid analog p(MPC) block connected by a redox‐responsive disulfide linker have been synthesized. The block copolymers are self‐assembled into uniform micelles (∼100 nm) in which doxorubicin (Dox) is efficiently encapsulated. The in vitro release profile shows an enhanced release of Dox at low pH (5.0) in 10 mM glutathione (GSH). The in vitro cell viability assays performed using various cell lines show that the blank hybrid micelles have no acute or intrinsic toxicity. A pH‐dependent cytotoxicity is observed with the Dox‐loaded micelles, especially at pH 5.0. Moreover, confocal microscopy images and flow cytometry results show the pH‐dependent cellular uptake of Dox‐loaded micelles. Therefore, the Dox‐loaded micelles can be considered a good candidate for cancer therapy. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 2061–2070
Observation of the Ni2O3 phase in a NiO thin‐film resistive switching system
Authors: Kwon Deok‐Hwang , Lee Seung Ran , Choi Yong Seok , Son Seung‐Beom , Oh Kyu Hwan , Char Kookrin , Kim Miyoung 
Published: April 2017

We propose that the Ni2O3 phase is the conducting filament in a unipolar NiO resistive switching system. The NiO film was grown by pulsed laser deposition using platinum top and bottom electrodes. Electron diffraction and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy were used to explore the microstructure. This system had forming‐free properties, which suggested that the filaments were introduced in the pristine state. The Ni2O3‐phase nanostructures were connected and disconnected in the pristine‐ and OFF‐state samples, respectively, which implied that the phase acted as the conducting channel. X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy results showing Ni3+ bonding in the pristine‐state film support the importance of the Ni2O3 phase in the switching.Observed Ni2O3 phase (indicated by the red line) in the low resistance state of a pristine sample.
Unique presentation of cutis laxa with Leigh‐like syndrome due to ECHS1 deficiency
Authors: Balasubramaniam S. , Riley L. G. , Bratkovic D. , Ketteridge D. , Manton N. , Cowley M. J. , Gayevskiy V. , Roscioli T. , Mohamed M. , Gardeitchik T. , Morava E. , Christodoulou J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractClinical finding of cutis laxa, characterized by wrinkled, redundant, sagging, nonelastic skin, is of growing significance due to its occurrence in several different inborn errors of metabolism (IEM). Metabolic cutis laxa results from Menkes syndrome, caused by a defect in the ATPase copper transporting alpha (ATP7A) gene; congenital disorders of glycosylation due to mutations in subunit 7 of the component of oligomeric Golgi (COG7)–congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) complex; combined disorder of N‐ and O‐linked glycosylation, due to mutations in ATPase H+ transporting V0 subunit a2 (ATP6VOA2) gene; pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate reductase 1 deficiency; pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate synthase deficiency; macrocephaly, alopecia, cutis laxa, and scoliosis (MACS) syndrome, due to Ras and Rab interactor 2 (RIN2) mutations; transaldolase deficiency caused by mutations in the transaldolase 1 (TALDO1) gene; Gerodermia osteodysplastica due to mutations in the golgin, RAB6‐interacting (GORAB or SCYL1BP1) gene; and mitogen‐activated pathway (MAP) kinase defects, caused by mutations in several genes [protein tyrosine phosphatase, non‐receptor‐type 11 (PTPN11), RAF, NF, HRas proto‐oncogene, GTPase (HRAS), B‐Raf proto‐oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF), MEK1/2, KRAS proto‐oncogene, GTPase (KRAS), SOS Ras/Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2 (SOS2), leucine rich repeat scaffold protein (SHOC2), NRAS proto‐oncogene, GTPase (NRAS), and Raf‐1 proto‐oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (RAF1)], which regulate the Ras‐MAPK cascade. Here, we further expand the list of inborn errors of metabolism associated with cutis laxa by describing the clinical presentation of a 17‐month‐old girl with Leigh‐like syndrome due to enoyl coenzyme A hydratase, short chain, 1, mitochondria (ECHS1) deficiency, a mitochondrial matrix enzyme that catalyzes the second step of the beta‐oxidation spiral of fatty acids and plays an important role in amino acid catabolism, particularly valine.
Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid and trans‐10, cis‐12‐Conjugated Linoleic Acid Differentially Alter Oxylipin Profiles in Mouse Periuterine Adipose Tissue
Authors: Adkins Yuriko , Belda Benjamin J. , Pedersen Theresa L. , Fedor Dawn M. , Mackey Bruce E. , Newman John W. , Kelley Darshan S. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractDiets containing high n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) decrease inflammation and the incidence of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease while trans‐fatty acids (TFA) intake increases the incidence of these conditions. Some health benefits of n‐3 PUFA are mediated through the impact of their oxygenated metabolites, i.e. oxylipins. The TFA, trans‐10, cis‐12‐conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; 18:2n‐6) is associated with adipose tissue (AT) inflammation, oxidative stress, and wasting. We examined the impact of a 4‐week feeding of 0, 0.5, and 1.5% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n‐3) in the presence and absence of 0.5% CLA on AT oxylipin profiles in female C57BL/6N mice. Esterified oxylipins in AT derived from linoleic acid (LNA), alpha‐linolenic acid (ALA), arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), DHA, and putative from CLA were quantified. CLA containing diets reduced AT mass by ~62%. Compared with the control diet, the DHA diet elevated concentrations of EPA‐and DHA‐derived alcohols and epoxides and LNA‐derived alcohols, reduced ARA‐derived alcohols, ketones, epoxides, and 6‐keto‐prostaglandin (PG) F1α (P < 0.05), and had mixed effects on ALA‐derived alcohols. Dietary CLA lowered EPA‐, DHA‐, and ALA‐derived epoxides, ARA‐derived ketones and epoxides, and ALA‐derived alcohols. While dietary CLA induced variable effects in EPA‐, DHA‐, and LNA‐derived alcohols and LNA‐derived ketones, it elevated ARA‐derived alcohols and PGF1α, PGF2α, and F2‐isoprostanes. DHA counteracted CLA‐induced effects in 67, 57, 43, and 29% of total DHA‐, ARA‐, EPA‐, and ALA‐derived oxylipins, respectively. Thus, CLA elevated proinflammatory oxylipins while DHA increased anti‐inflammatory oxylipins and diminished concentration of CLA‐induced pro‐inflammatory oxylipins in AT.
Investment climate in Russia and challenges for foreign business: The case of Japanese companies
Authors: Ershova Nina 
Published: April 2017

The improvement of the investment climate in Russia and its positive effect on the inflow of foreign direct investment into the country's economy is being declared at the highest levels of the Russian government as an important objective for the further economic development of the country. One of the most important instruments for that improvement should be the consideration of foreign investor's opinions and ideas and reaction to the most urgent and critical issues which serve as obstacles to their investment activities in Russia. This paper considers the case of Japanese investors in Russia. It is based on the results of a survey of Japanese companies doing business in Russia (members of the Japanese Business Club Moscow) and content analysis of a set of interviews with the representatives of the Japanese business and academic community and also of non-governmental organizations. We identify which factors attract Japanese capital to Russia and which hinder investment activities. Studying Japanese investment in Russia reveals the particular challenges and obstacles that make Japanese companies reluctant to engage in business activities in Russia. The research reveals and systemizes the factors restricting the development of investment cooperation and their roots, and identifies possible ways of overcoming these challenges. The analysis shows that the constraining factors can be divided into 3 groups by the origin: external – associated with the problems of the investment climate in Russia, internal – associated with specific features of the Japanese production and management system, and other factors – non-economic factors which mainly concern business culture and informational issues.
Methylphenidate effects in the young brain: friend or foe?
Authors: Loureiro‐Vieira Sara , Costa Vera Marisa , de Lourdes Bastos Maria , Carvalho Félix , Capela João Paulo 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent neuropsychiatry disorders in children and adolescents, and methylphenidate (MPH) is a first‐line stimulant drug available worldwide for its treatment. Despite the proven therapeutic efficacy, concerns have been raised regarding the possible consequences of chronic MPH exposure during childhood and adolescence. Disturbances in the neurodevelopment at these crucial stages are major concerns given the unknown future life consequences.This review is focused on the long‐term adverse effects of MPH to the brain biochemistry. Reports conducted with young and/or adolescent animals and studies with humans are reviewed in the context of long‐term consequences after early life‐exposure. MPH pharmacokinetics is also reviewed as there are differences among laboratory animals and humans that may be relevant to extrapolate the findings.Studies reveal that exposure to MPH in laboratory animals during young and/or adolescent ages can impact the brain, but the outcomes are dependent on MPH dose, treatment period, and animal's age. Importantly, the female sex is largely overlooked in both animal and human studies. Unfortunately, human reports that evaluate adults following adolescent or child exposure to MPH are very scarce. In general, human data indicates that MPH is generally safe, although it can promote several brain changes in early ages. Even so, there is a lack of long course patient evaluation to clearly establish whether MPH‐induced changes are friendly or foe to the brain and more human studies are needed to assess the adult brain changes that arise from early MPH treatment.
WISP-1 positively regulates angiogenesis by controlling VEGF-A expression in human osteosarcoma
Authors: Tsai Hsiao-Chi , Tzeng Huey-En , Huang Chun-Yin , Huang Yuan-Li , Tsai Chun-Hao , Wang Shih-Wei , Wang Po-Chuan , Chang An-Chen , Fong Yi-Chin , Tang Chih-Hsin 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn recent years, much research has focused on the role of angiogenesis in osteosarcoma, which occurs predominantly in adolescents and young adults. The vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) pathway is the key regulator of angiogenesis and in osteosarcoma. VEGF-A expression has been recognized as a prognostic marker in angiogenesis. Aberrant WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein-1 (WISP-1) expression is associated with various cancers. However, the function of WISP-1 in osteosarcoma angiogenesis is poorly understood. We demonstrate a positive correlation between WISP-1 and VEGF-A expression in human osteosarcoma. Moreover, we show that WISP-1 promotes VEGF-A expression in human osteosarcoma cells, subsequently inducing human endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) migration and tube formation. The focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK), and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α signaling pathways were activated after WISP-1 stimulation, while FAK, JNK, and HIF-1α inhibitors or small interfering RNA (siRNA) abolished WISP-1-induced VEGF-A expression and angiogenesis. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed down-regulation of microRNA-381 (miR-381) in WISP-1-induced VEGF-A expression and angiogenesis. Our findings reveal that WISP-1 enhances VEGF-A expression and angiogenesis through the FAK/JNK/HIF-1α signaling pathways, as well as via down-regulation of miR-381 expression. WISP-1 may be a promising target in osteosarcoma angiogenesis.
Depletion of polycomb repressive complex 2 core component EED impairs fetal hematopoiesis
Authors: Yu Wenhua , Zhang Fang , Wang Shiyan , Fu Yi , Chen Jiahuan , Liang Xiaodong , Le Huangying , Pu William T , Zhang Bing 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPolycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), a H3K27me3 methyltransferase complex, promotes the development of many organs by silencing ectopic transcription program. However, currently little is known about the role of PRC2 in blood and vascular development. In this study, we interrogated the function of embryonic ectoderm development (EED), a core PRC2 component, in both endothelial and hematopoietic tissues by inactivating a floxed murine EED allele with Tie2Cre, which catalyzes recombination in endothelial and hematopoietic lineages. Murine EEDfl/fl;Tie2Cre (EEDCKO) embryos died at embryonic day (E) 13.5. We did not observe structural abnormalities of blood vessels or cardiac valves, suggesting that EED is dispensable in endothelial cells for initial steps of vascular development. EEDCKO embryos were pale and had abnormal livers. Flow cytometry of fetal liver cells showed that EED depletion significantly impeded erythroid maturation. There was a corresponding increase in myeloid progenitors and granulocytes and macrophages, suggesting an attenuated differentiation path in myeloid lineages. Moreover, EED depletion impaired the generation of hematopoietic stem cells. Collectively, our study demonstrates that within Tie2Cre-recombined embryonic cells, EED is required for proper erythropoiesis and for formation of hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells, but is dispensable for endothelial lineage commitment and early vascular patterning.
Foot-and-mouth disease virus infection inhibits LGP2 protein expression to exaggerate inflammatory response and promote viral replication
Authors: Zhu Zixiang , Li Chuntian , Du Xiaoli , Wang Guoqing , Cao Weijun , Yang Fan , Feng Huanhuan , Zhang Xiangle , Shi Zhengwang , Liu Huanan , Tian Hong , Li Dan , Zhang Keshan , Liu Xiangtao , Zheng Haixue 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe role of the innate immune protein LGP2 (laboratory of genetics and physiology 2) in FMDV-infected cells remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate the antiviral role of LGP2 during FMDV infection. FMDV infection triggered LGP2 mRNA expression but reduced protein expression. Overexpression of LGP2 suppressed FMDV replication, and the inflammatory response was significantly inhibited by LGP2 in virus-infected cells. The N-terminal DExDc and the C-terminal regulatory domain regions of LGP2 were essential for LGP2-mediated antiviral activity against FMDV. Disruption of RNA recognition by LGP2 is suggested to abolish completely LGP2-mediated antiviral activity against FMDV. FMDV leader protein (Lpro), as well as the 3Cproand 2B proteins were determined to possess the ability to induce reduction of LGP2 protein expression. 2B-induced reduction of LGP2 was independent of cleavage of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4 gamma; and the proteasomes, lysosomes or caspase-dependent pathways were not involved in this process. The C-terminal amino acids of 101–154 were essential for 2B-induced reduction of LGP2 and upregulation of inflammatory response. Direct interaction was demonstrated between LGP2 and 2B. Our results describe the antiviral role of LGP2 against FMDV and a novel antagonistic mechanism of FMDV that is mediated by 2B protein.