bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A protective role of IRF3 and IRF7 signalling downstream TLRs in the development of vein graft disease via type I interferons
Authors: Simons K. H. , Peters H. A. B. , Jukema J. W. , de Vries M. R. , Quax P. H. A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundToll like receptors (TLR) play an important role in vein graft disease (VGD). Interferon regulatory factors (IRF) 3 and 7 are the transcriptional regulators of type I interferons (IFN) and type I IFN responsive genes and are downstream factors of TLRs. Relatively little is known with regard to the interplay of IRFs and TLRs in VGD development. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of IRF3 and IRF7 signaling downstream TLRs and the effect of IRF3 and IRF7 in VGD.Methods and ResultsIn vitro activation of TLR3 induced IRF3 and IRF7 dependent IFNβ expression in bone marrow macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells. Activation of TLR4 showed to regulate pro‐inflammatory cytokines via IRF3. Vein graft surgery was performed in Irf3−/−, Irf7−/− and control mice. After 14 days Irf3−/− vein grafts had an increased vessel wall thickness compared to both control (P = 0.01) and Irf7−/− (P = 0.02) vein grafts. After 28 days, vessel wall thickness increased in Irf3−/− (P = 0.0003) and Irf7−/− (P = 0.04) compared to control vein grafts and also increased in Irf7−/− compared to Irf3−/− vein grafts (P = 0.02). Immunohistochemical analysis showed a significant higher influx of macrophages after 14 days in Irf3−/− vein grafts and after 28 days in Irf7−/− vein grafts compared to control vein grafts.ConclusionsThe present study is the first to describe a protective role of both IRF3 and IRF7 in VGD. IRFs regulate VGD downstream TLRs since Irf3−/− and Irf7−/− vein grafts show increased vessel wall thickening after respectively 14 and 28 days after surgery.
Identification and validation of reference genes for RT‐qPCR analysis in banana (Musa spp.) under Fusarium wilt resistance induction conditions
Authors: Zhang Lucheng , Liu Lan , Cheng Ping , Shen Hanguo , Rong Biao , Liu Wen , Yu Guohui 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBanana (Musa spp.) is severely damaged by Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). Biocontrol by inducing systemic resistance has been considered as one of the most important strategies to improve plant health. Very few studies have investigated appropriate reference gene selection for RT‐qPCR (quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction) analysis suitable for conditions of systemic activated resistance. In this study, we assessed over a time‐course the expression of seven candidate reference genes (EF1, TUB, ACT1, ACT2, L2, RPS2 and RAN) for Cavendish cultivar Brazilian (Musa spp. AAA) and dwarf banana cultivar Guangfen No. 1 (Musa spp. ABB) that were inoculated by Bacillus subtilis strain TR21 and Foc. We choose these plants because they are commonly planted in Southern China. Expression stability of the candidate genes was evaluated using various software packages (GeNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper). L2 and TUB genes displayed maximum stability in Guangfen No. 1. In Brazilian, ACT1 and TUB were the most stable genes. To further validate the suitability of the reference genes identified in this study, the expression of pathogenesis‐related 1 (PR1) gene under TR21 and Foc strains Foc004/Foc009 treatments was also studied. Identified reference genes in this work that are most suitable for normalizing gene expression data in banana under Fusarium wilt resistance induction conditions will contribute to the understanding of disease resistance mechanisms induced by biocontrol strains in banana.
In vitro selection of resistant/tolerant mutants lines of Citrus jambhiri Lush. using crude culture filtrate of Phytophthora parasitica and their randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis
Authors: Savita   , Pati Pratap K. , Virk Gurdeep S. , Nagpal Avinash 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis study deals with in vitro‐induced mutagenesis and selection of Phytophthora tolerant lines of Citrus jambhiri and their regeneration. For in vitro‐induced mutagenesis, cotyledons were treated with ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) 100, 200 and 300 mm for different time durations viz. 1, 3, 6 and 9 hr. Callus cultures were established from EMS treated cotyledon explants on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L of 2,4‐D and 500 mg/L of malt extract. Calli derived from cotyledon were challenged in vitro on selective MS medium containing 5%–100% of culture filtrate (CF) of the Phytophthora parasitica. Selected mutagen‐treated calli showed resistance in vitro on media containing CF. Calli treated with 100 mm EMS for 6‐hr duration showed tolerance (24%) up to 75% CF after 4th selection cycle. While, calli treated with 200 mm for 6‐hr duration showed maximum tolerance (76%) up to 75% CF. Resistant calli were then transferred to MS regeneration medium for shoot bud regeneration. A dose‐dependent decrease in the regeneration capacity of the selected calli was observed with the increasing concentration of the CF. In randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis, plantlets showed different banding pattern in comparison with the control plant, which confirms the presence of variations at genetic level.
Tumor necrosis factor‐alpha inhibits osteogenic differentiation of pre‐osteoblasts by downregulation of EphB4 signaling via activated nuclear factor‐kappaB signaling pathway
Authors: Wang L. M. , Zhao N. , Zhang J. , Sun Q. F. , Yang C. Z. , Yang P. S. 
Published: August 2017

Background and ObjectiveThe majority of experiments show that tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) inhibits osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and pre‐osteoblasts by activated nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB) signaling. However, the underlying mechanisms by which NF‐κB signaling inhibits osteogenic differentiation are not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether EphB4 signaling inhibition mediates the effects of TNF‐α‐activated NF‐κB signaling on osteogenic differentiation of pre‐osteoblasts.Material and MethodsMurine MC3T3‐E1 pre‐osteoblasts were treated with 10 ng/mL of TNF‐α. NF‐κB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, was used to achieve NF‐κB signaling inhibition. EphB4 signaling was activated using ephrinB2‐fc. The mRNA expressions of runt related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and EphB4 were determined using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. The protein levels of Runx2, BSP, Col Ia1, osteopontin, EphB4, p‐NF‐κB p65 and NF‐κB p65 were evaluated using western blot assays. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in MC3T3‐E1 cells was evaluated by ALP activity kit, and mineral nodule formation was evaluated by Alizarin Red S staining.ResultsTNF‐α inhibited EphB4 expression, while it suppressed Runx2, BSP expression from gene and protein levels as well as ALP activity and mineral nodule formation in MC3T3‐E1 cells. Activation of EphB4 signaling by ephrinB2‐fc promoted osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3‐E1 cells, whereas TNF‐α impaired the osteogenic differentiation enhanced by ephrinB2‐fc. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate blocked the activation of NF‐κB signaling induced by TNF‐α, while it prevented the downregulation of Runx2, BSP and EphB4, induced by TNF‐α.ConclusionTNF‐α inhibits osteogenic differentiation of pre‐osteoblasts by downregulation of EphB4 signaling via activated NF‐κB signaling pathway.
Two problems in Armenian phonology
Authors: Baronian Luc 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe author surveys 2 major phenomena in Armenian phonology. The first is schwa epenthesis in Western Armenian, which is known to break up the impressive consonant clusters of the language. Before looking at the synchronically epenthetic schwas in Western Armenian, it is important to first distinguish schwas that are unambiguously part of lexical representations then to recognize schwas that have led, over time, to different allomorphs. A fourth category is left to explain: schwas that break up attested clusters, but only in derived morphological environments. After listing known facts about the syllabic nature of Armenian, the author shows that motivated prosodic specifications can account for the derived environment schwas (simplifying somewhat the previous account by Vaux,). The second phonological phenomenon surveyed is the voicing and aspiration patterns found in Armenian dialects. While the patterns neatly divide the linguistic domain into seven groups, the standard classifications rely on present‐tense formation as a primary divider between larger groups of dialects. The author, however, highlights that the phonological division between voicing and aspiration patterns should be considered a more fundamental one, once textbook notions of geolinguistics are applied to reduce the 7‐way division to a more ancient 3‐way division of dialects. Indeed, sound change is a more common type of innovation used for grouping related languages and dialects, and the territorial divisions thus obtained correspond to more ancient political divisions than the morphological ones.
New speakers: Challenges and opportunities for variationist sociolinguistics
Authors: Kasstan Jonathan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWhile the field of variationist sociolinguistics has advanced rapidly since Labov (1966), it remains the case that a socially informed theory of language change continues to be influenced by only very few languages, typically English and a handful other dominant European languages. This article considers recent work on the emergence ofnew speakersin (severely) endangered or minority language communities, and what they might have to offer variationist theory. Although definitions can vary, it has become convention to describe new speakers as individuals ‘with little or no home or community exposure to a minority language but who instead acquire it through immersion or bilingual education programs, revitalization projects or as adult language learners’ (O'Rourke, Pujolar, & Ramallo, 2015: 1). There is now a wealth of literature available on new speakers in typologically dissimilar language contexts, though, so far, very little work has adopted the variationist paradigm. This article will argue that new speakers can figure prominently in variationist models of diffusion and change, taking the classic sociolinguistic factor of social networks as an example. The article ends by proposing a manifesto of potential research trajectories, based on current gaps in the literature.
Adaptation despite gene flow? Low recombination helps
Authors: Marques David A. 
Published: August 2017

About 15,000 years earlier, the Northern half of Europe and North America was buried under a few kilometres of ice. Since then, many organisms have colonized and rapidly adapted to the new, vacant habitats. Some, like the threespine stickleback fish, have done so more successfully than others: from the sea, stickleback have adapted to a multitude of lake and stream habitats with a vast array of complex phenotypes and life histories. Previous studies showed that most of these “ecotypes” differ in multiple divergently selected genes throughout the genome. But how are well‐adapted ecotypes of one habitat protected from maladaptive gene flow from ecotypes of another, adjacent habitat? According to a From the Cover meta‐analysis in this issue of Molecular Ecology (Samuk et al., 2017), low recombination rate regions in the genome offer such protection. While inversions have often been highlighted as an efficient way to maintain linkage disequilibrium among sets of adaptive variants in the face of gene flow, Samuk et al. (2017) show that variation in recombination rate across the genome may perform a similar role in threespine stickleback. With this study, theoretical predictions for the importance of low recombination regions in adaptation are for the first time tested with a highly replicated population genomic data set. The findings from this study have implications for the adaptability of species, speciation and the evolution of genome architecture.
Variable Neighborhood Search for Multistage Train Classification at Strategic Planning Level
Authors: Belošević Ivan , Ivić Miloš 
Published: August 2017

AbstractConsiderations on influences and interrelations between structural design and functional planning are imperative for raising the cost and operational effectiveness of marshaling yards in the context of managing wagonload services. This article focuses on multistage train classification, which rearranges a set of wagons from inbound trains to create a set of multigroup outbound trains in a proper form. Previous papers on the subject of multistage train classification were limited to considerations on the optimal classification schedule addressing the number of sorting steps as a primary objective. In contrast, this article proposes a model for overall optimization of the classification schedule and sidings layout, simultaneously addressing the number of sorting steps and the total number of wagon movements in the objective function. The model is created on a binary integer programming formulation. A Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS) heuristic is developed due to the computational complexity of the problem. Numerical experiments validate the formulated model and demonstrate the efficiency of the VNS meta‐heuristic approach.
Cryptococcosis in patients with diabetes mellitus II in mainland China: 1993‐2015
Authors: Li Yingfang , Fang Wenjie , Jiang Weiwei , Hagen Ferry , Liu Jia , Zhang Lei , Hong Nan , Zhu Yu , Xu Xiaoguang , Lei Xia , Deng Danqi , Xu Jianping , Liao Wanqing , Boekhout Teun , Chen Min , Pan Weihua 
Published: August 2017

SummaryDiabetes mellitus II (DM II) is a newly defined independent factor contributing to the morbidity and mortality of cryptococcosis. This retrospective case analysis aims to explore the epidemiology, clinical profile and strain characteristics of cryptococcosis in Chinese DM II patients. This study included 30 cases of cryptococcosis with DM II occurring from 1993 to 2015 in mainland China. The hospital‐based prevalence of cryptococcosis in DM II was 0.21%. The mean age of the patients was 56.1 years (95% confidence interval: 51.5, 60.6), and 93% of the patients were older than 40 years. Sixty‐two per cent of the patients experienced untreated or poorly controlled blood glucose before infection. Multilocus sequence typing analysis categorised all cultured strains as Cryptococcus neoformans and sequence type 5. Sixty‐nine per cent of pulmonary cryptococcosis patients experienced misdiagnoses and treatment delays. Sixty per cent of cryptococcal meningitis patients received substandard antifungal therapy. The overall death rate was 33%. Considering the large population size of DM II patients in China, improved attention should be paid to the high prevalence of cryptococcosis as revealed by us. We also emphasised the importance of blood glucose control for infection prevention, especially among the elderly.
Modulation of VIPergic phenotype of enteric neurons by colonic biopsy supernatants from patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: Involvement of IL‐6 in Crohn's disease
Authors: Soufflet F. , Biraud M. , Rolli‐Derkinderen M. , Lardeux B. , Trang C. , Coron E. , Bruley des Varannes S. , Bourreille A. , Neunlist M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundNeuroplastic changes in the enteric nervous system (ENS) observed during IBD might participate in physiopathological processes. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide has been shown to be involved in intestinal inflammation and barrier functions. We aimed to investigate the modulation of VIP expression in colonic biopsies of IBD patient, the ability of soluble factors from biopsies to reproduce in vitro these modulations and identify soluble factors responsible.MethodsVIP and cytokines mRNA expressions were assessed in colonic biopsies of healthy subjects (HS) and IBD patients from inflamed (I) and non‐inflamed areas (NI). Supernatants (SUP) of biopsies were applied to primary culture of ENS and VIP and cytokines mRNA expressions were assessed. The role of cytokines in SUP induced changes in VIP expression was evaluated.Key ResultsVIP mRNA expression was lower in biopsies of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) than Ulcerative Colitis (UC) but unchanged as compared to HS. VIP mRNA and protein expression were lower in primary culture of ENS incubated with SUP‐CD than with SUP‐UC. Furthermore, in CD but not UC, SUP‐I reduced VIP expression in the ENS as compared to SUP‐NI. Next, IL‐6 but not IL‐5, IL‐10, IL‐17, IFN‐γ or TNF‐α reduced VIP expression in the ENS. Finally, in CD, SUP‐I incubated with anti‐IL‐6 antibody increased VIP expression as compared to SUP‐I alone.Conclusions & InferencesMucosal soluble factors from IBD induce VIP neuroplastic changes in the ENS. IL‐6 was identified as a putative soluble factor responsible in part for changes in VIP expression in CD.
Morphometric analysis of the maxillary root apex positions according to crowding severity
Authors: Kim S. H. , Shin S. M. , Choi Y. S. , Ko C. C. , Kim S. S. , Park S. B. , Son W. S. , Kim Y.‐I. 
Published: August 2017

Structured AbstractObjectivesTo determine differences in arch forms derived from the root apices locations between individuals with <2 mm maxillary crowding and controls.Setting and Sample PopulationThe Department of Orthodontics, Pusan National University. Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 102 patients in the control group and 95 patients in the crowding group.Materials and MethodsX, Y and Z coordinates of the tip of the crowns and the apex of the root of the maxillary teeth (except second molars) were determined on the CBCT images. The acquired three‐dimensional (3D) coordinates were converted into two‐dimensional (2D) coordinates via projection on the palatal plane, and the Procrustes analysis was employed to process the converted 2D coordinates. The mean shape of the arch form derived from the location of the tip of the crowns and the apex of the root was compared between groups using the statistical shape analysis.ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference (P = .046) between the groups for the mean shape of the root apex arch form, but the difference was small and clinically irrelevant as it is minor compared to the degree of crowding.ConclusionsMaxillary arch from at the level of the maxillary apices only shows minor differences between crowded and non‐crowded dentitions.
Anesthesia‐related and perioperative mortality: An audit of 8493 cases at a tertiary pediatric teaching hospital in South Africa
Authors: Meyer Heidi M. , Thomas Jenny , Wilson Graeme S. , de Kock Marianna 
Published: August 2017

SummaryAimThis study aimed to quantify the incidence of anesthesia‐related and perioperative mortality at a large tertiary pediatric hospital in South Africa.MethodsThis study included all children aged <18 years who died prior to discharge from hospital and within 30 days of their last anesthetic at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital between January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015. A panel of three senior anesthetists reviewed each death to reach a consensus as to whether: (i) anesthesia caused the death; (ii) anesthesia may have contributed to or influenced the timing of death; or (iii) anesthesia was entirely unrelated to the death.ResultsThere were 47 deaths within 30 days of anesthesia prior to discharge from hospital during this 12‐month period. The in‐hospital mortality within 24 h of administration of anesthesia was 16.5 per 10 000 cases (95% confidence intervals [CI]=7.8‐25.1) and within 30 days of administration of anesthesia was 55.3 per 10 000 cases (95% CI=39.5‐71.2). Age under 1 year (OR 4.5; 95% CI=2.5‐8.0, P=.012) and cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology procedures (OR 2.5; 95% CI=1.2‐5.2, P<.01) were both independent predictors of increased risk of perioperative mortality.ConclusionThe overall 24‐h and 30‐day anesthesia‐related and in‐hospital perioperative mortality rates in our study are comparable with other similar studies from tertiary pediatric centers.
Anesthetic considerations for a novel anterior surgical approach to pediatric scoliosis correction
Authors: Gal Jonathan S. , Curatolo Christopher J. , Zerillo Jeron , Hill Bryan , Lonner Baron , Cuddihy Laury A. , Antonacci M. D. , Betz Randal R. , DeMaria Samuel , Khelemsky Yury 
Published: August 2017

SummaryBackgroundIdiopathic scoliosis is a condition that may require surgical correction. Limitations of previous surgical modalities, however, created the need for novel methods of repair. One such technique, a newer form of anterolateral scoliosis correction, has shown considerable promise, which our center has had substantial experience performing.AimIn this article, we present the case details of our first 105 patients for the purposes of describing the evolution and details of the anesthetic management and considerations for this procedure.MethodsA retrospective review of medical records for 105 patients undergoing anterolateral instrumentation procedure for idiopathic scoliosis correction done at a single institution from May 2014 to June 2016 was performed. The details of perioperative management as well as surgical technique were reported for all patients.ResultsThe mean age for patients was 14.8 years (range 10‐18); the mean weight was 49.9 kg (range 25‐82). Unilateral procedures were performed on 46.7%, with bilateral and hybrid procedures performed on 50.5% and 4.7%, respectively. The median number of levels corrected was 8 (interquartile range [IQR] 7‐9) for unilateral, right 7 (IQR 6‐7) and left 5 (IQR 4‐5) for bilateral, and 4 (IQR 4‐4.5) for hybrids. The average estimated blood loss (EBL) was 310 mL±138, with cell salvaged blood transfused in 61% of patients, and allogenic blood transfusion required in only two patients.ConclusionsThe described anesthetic and analgesic management provides a framework for delivering perioperative care for this challenging procedure, which is gaining popularity as a modality for scoliosis correction.