bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of the N-terminal transmembrane domain of StarD7 and its importance for mitochondrial outer membrane localization and phosphatidylcholine transfer
Authors: Horibata Yasuhiro , Ando Hiromi , Satou Motoyasu , Shimizu Hiroaki , Mitsuhashi Satomi , Shimizu Yasuo , Itoh Masahiko , Sugimoto Hiroyuki 
Published: August 2017

AbstractStarD7 facilitates phosphatidylcholine (PC) transfer to mitochondria, and is essential for mitochondrial homeostasis. However, the molecular mechanism for PC transfer by protein remains poorly understood. Herein, we describe a putative novel transmembrane (TM) domain C-terminal to the mitochondria-targeting signal (MTS) sequence at the N-terminus of StarD7. The mature form of StarD7 is integrated and/or associated onto the outer leaflet of the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) in HEPA-1 and HepG2 cells. A truncated form of StarD7 lacking the TM domain is distributed in the inner space of the mitochondria, and cannot reverse mitochondrial abnormalities, such as complex formation and PC content, when re-expressed in StarD7-KO HEPA-1 cells. Re-expression of wild StarD7 can compensate these mitochondrial functions of StarD7-KO HEPA-1 cells. The precursor form of StarD7 is cleaved between Met76 and Ala77, and Ala77 and Ala78 in the TM domain to produce the mature form. These results suggest that StarD7 is anchored onto the OMM through its N-terminal TM domain, and the C-terminal START domain may extend into the cytoplasm and shuttle PC between the ER and OMM at the ER-mitochondria contact sites.
Targeted inhibition of RAGE in substantia nigra of rats blocks 6-OHDA–induced dopaminergic denervation
Authors: Gasparotto Juciano , Ribeiro Camila Tiefensee , Bortolin Rafael Calixto , Somensi Nauana , Rabelo Thallita Kelly , Kunzler Alice , Souza Natália Cabral , Pasquali Matheus Augusto de Bittencourt , Moreira José Claudio Fonseca , Gelain Daniel Pens 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) is a pattern-recognition receptor associated with inflammation in most cell types. RAGE up-regulates the expression of proinflammatory mediators and its own expression via activation of NF-kB. Recent works have proposed a role for RAGE in Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study, we used the multimodal blocker of RAGE FPS-ZM1, which has become available recently, to selectively inhibit RAGE in the substantia nigra (SN) of rats intracranially injected with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). FPS-ZM1 (40 μg per rat), injected concomitantly with 6-OHDA (10 μg per rat) into the SN, inhibited the increase in RAGE, activation of ERK1/2, Src and nuclear translocation of NF-kB p65 subunit in the SN. RAGE inhibition blocked glial fibrillary acidic protein and Iba-1 upregulation as well as associated astrocyte and microglia activation. Circulating cytokines in serum and CSF were also decreased by FPS-ZM1 injection. The loss of tyrosine hydroxylase and NeuN-positive neurons was significantly inhibited by RAGE blocking. Finally, FPS-ZM1 attenuated locomotory and exploratory deficits induced by 6-OHDA. Our results demonstrate that RAGE is an essential component in the neuroinflammation and dopaminergic denervation induced by 6-OHDA in the SN. Selective inhibition of RAGE may offer perspectives for therapeutic approaches.
Extracting Intercellular Signaling Network of Cancer Tissues using Ligand-Receptor Expression Patterns from Whole-tumor and Single-cell Transcriptomes
Authors: Zhou Joseph X. , Taramelli Roberto , Pedrini Edoardo , Knijnenburg Theo , Huang Sui 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMany behaviors of cancer, such as progression, metastasis and drug resistance etc., cannot be fully understood by genetic mutations or intracellular signaling alone. Instead, they are emergent properties of the cell community which forms a tumor. Studies of tumor heterogeneity reveal that many cancer behaviors critically depend on intercellular communication between cancer cells themselves and between cancer-stromal cells by secreted signaling molecules (ligands) and their cognate receptors. We analyzed public cancer transcriptome database for changes in cell-cell interactions as the characteristic of malignancy. We curated a list (>2,500 ligand-receptor pairs) and identified their joint enrichment in tumors from TCGA pan-cancer data. From single-cell RNA-Seq data for a case of melanoma and the specificity of the ligand-receptor interactions and their gene expression measured in individual cells, we constructed a map of a cell-cell communication network that indicates what signal is exchanged between which cell types in the tumor. Such networks establish a new formal phenotype of cancer which captures the cell-cell communication structure - it may open new opportunities for identifying molecular signatures of coordinated behaviors of cancer cells as a population - in turn may become a determinant of cancer progression potential and prognosis.
Microbiota in the coelomic fluid of two common coastal starfish species and characterization of an abundant Helicobacter-related taxon
Authors: Nakagawa Satoshi , Saito Hikari , Tame Akihiro , Hirai Miho , Yamaguchi Hideyuki , Sunata Takashi , Aida Masanori , Muto Hisashi , Sawayama Shigeki , Takaki Yoshihiro 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMarine invertebrates associate with diverse microorganisms. Microorganisms even inhabit coelomic fluid (CF), namely, the fluid filling the main body cavity of echinoderms. The CF microbiota potentially impacts host health and disease. Here, we analysed the CF microbiota in two common coastal starfish species, Patiria pectinifera and Asterias amurensis. Although microbial community structures were highly variable among individual starfish, those of P. pectinifera were compositionally similar to those in the surrounding seawater. By contrast, many A. amurensis individuals harboured unique microbes in the CF, which was dominated by the unclassified Thiotrichales or previously unknown Helicobacter-related taxon. In some individuals, the Helicobacter-related taxon was the most abundant genus-level taxon, accounting for up to 97.3% of reads obtained from the CF microbial community. Fluorescence in situ hybridization using a Helicobacter-related-taxon-specific probe suggested that probe-reactive cells in A. amurensis were spiral-shaped, morphologically similar to known Helicobacter species. Electron microscopy revealed that the spiral cells had a prosthecate-like polar appendage that has never been reported in Helicobacter species. Although culture of Helicobacter-related taxon was unsuccessful, this is the first report of the dominance of a Helicobacter-related taxon in invertebrates and non-digestive organs, reshaping our knowledge of the phylogeography of Helicobacter-related taxa.
Repetition suppression to objects is modulated by stimulus-specific expectations
Authors: Utzerath Christian , St. John-Saaltink Elexa , Buitelaar Jan , de Lange Floris P. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractRepeated exposure to the same stimulus results in an attenuated brain response in cortical regions that are activated during the processing of that stimulus. This phenomenon, called repetition suppression (RS), has been shown to be modulated by expectation. Typically, this is achieved by varying the probability of stimulus repetitions (Prep) between blocks of an experiment, generating an abstract expectation that ‘things will repeat’. Here, we examined whether stimulus-specific expectations also modulate RS. We designed a task where expectation and repetition are manipulated independently, using stimulus-specific expectations. We investigated to which extent such stimulus-specific expectations modulated the visual evoked response to objects in lateral occipital cortex (LOC) and primary visual cortex (V1), using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In LOC, we found that RS interacted with expectation, such that repetition suppression was more pronounced for unexpected relative to expected stimuli. Additionally, we found that the response of stimulus-preferring voxels in V1 was generally decreased when stimuli were expected. These results suggest that stimulus-specific expectations about objects modulate LOC and propagate back to the earliest cortical station processing visual input.
Reconfiguration of quantum states in $${\mathscr{P}}{\mathscr{T}}$$-symmetric quasi-one-dimensional lattices
Authors: Ryu Jung-Wan , Myoung Nojoon , Park Hee Chul 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe demonstrate mesoscopic transport through quantum states in quasi-1D lattices maintaining the combination of parity and time-reversal symmetries by controlling energy gain and loss. We investigate the phase diagram of the non-Hermitian system where transitions take place between unbroken and broken $${\mathscr{P}}{\mathscr{T}}$$
P
T
-symmetric phases via exceptional points. Quantum transport in the lattice is measured only in the unbroken phases in the energy band–but not in the broken phases. The broken phase allows for spontaneous symmetry-broken states where the cross-stitch lattice is separated into two identical single lattices corresponding to conditionally degenerate eigenstates. These degeneracies show a lift-up in the complex energy plane, caused by the non-Hermiticity with $${\mathscr{P}}{\mathscr{T}}$$
P
T
-symmetry.
Modern dust aerosol availability in northwestern China
Authors: Wang Xunming , Cheng Hong , Che Huizheng , Sun Jimin , Lu Huayu , Qiang Mingrui , Hua Ting , Zhu Bingqi , Li Hui , Ma Wenyong , Lang Lili , Jiao Linlin , Li Danfeng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe sources of modern dust aerosols and their emission magnitudes are fundamental for linking dust with climate and environment. Using field sample data, wind tunnel experiments and statistical analysis, we determined the contributions of wadis, gobi (stony desert), lakebeds, riverbeds, and interdunes to modern dust aerosol availability in the three important potential dust sources including the Tarim Basin, Qaidam Basin, and Ala Shan Plateau of China. The results show that riverbeds are the dominant landscape for modern dust aerosol availabilities in the Qaidam Basin, while wadis, gobi, and interdunes are the main landscapes over the Ala Shan Plateau and Tarim Basin. The Ala Shan Plateau and Tarim Basin are potential dust sources in northwestern China, while the Qaidam Basin is not a major source of the modern dust aerosols nowadays, and it is not acting in a significant way to the Loess Plateau presently. Moreover, most of modern dust aerosol emissions from China originated from aeolian processes with low intensities rather than from major dust events.
Nanomechanics of multidomain neuronal cell adhesion protein contactin revealed by single molecule AFM and SMD
Authors: Mikulska-Ruminska Karolina , Kulik Andrej J. , Benadiba Carine , Bahar Ivet , Dietler Giovanni , Nowak Wieslaw 
Published: August 2017

AbstractContactin-4 (CNTN4) is a complex cell adhesion molecule (CAM) localized at neuronal membranes, playing a key role in maintaining the mechanical integrity and signaling properties of the synapse. CNTN4 consists of six immunoglobulin C2 type (IgC2) domains and four fibronectin type III (FnIII) domains that are shared with many other CAMs. Mutations in CNTN4 gene have been linked to various psychiatric disorders. Toward elucidating the response of this modular protein to mechanical stress, we studied its force-induced unfolding using single molecule atomic force microscopy (smAFM) and steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations. Extensive smAFM and SMD data both indicate the distinctive mechanical behavior of the two types of modules distinguished by unique force-extension signatures. The data also reveal the heterogeneity of the response of the individual FNIII and IgC2 modules, which presumably plays a role in the adaptability of CNTN4 to maintaining cell-cell communication and adhesion properties under different conditions. Results show that extensive sampling of force spectra, facilitated by robot-enhanced AFM, can help reveal the existence of weak stabilizing interactions between the domains of multidomain proteins, and provide insights into the nanomechanics of such multidomain or heteromeric proteins.
Comparative metabonomics of Wenxin Keli and Verapamil reveals differential roles of gluconeogenesis and fatty acid β-oxidation in myocardial injury protection
Authors: Jiang Miaomiao , Wang Qiuying , Chen Jingrui , Wang Yanan , Fan Guanwei , Zhu Yan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMetabonomics/metabolomics is a rapid technology for comprehensive profiling of small molecule metabolites in cells, tissues, or whole organisms, the application of which has led to understanding pathophysiologic mechanisms of cardiometabolic diseases, defining predictive biomarkers for those diseases, and also assessing the efficacious effects of incident drugs. In this study, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabonomics was employed to identify the metabolic changes in rat plasma caused by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI), and to compare the metabolic regulatory differences between traditional Chinese medicine Wenxin Keli (WXKL) and Western medicine verapamil. The results revealed that energy-substrate metabolism were significantly disturbed by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in myocardium and bulk of the key metabolites could be further modulated by verapamil and/or WXKL. Lipid metabolism and amino acid transamination occurred mainly following the treatment of verapamil, whereas glucose oxidation and BCAA degradation were prominently ameliorated by WXKL to content the energy demands of heart. Moreover, both WXKL and verapamil improved the secretions of taurine and ketone bodies to overcome the oxidative stress and the shortage of energy sources induced by ischemia-reperfusion.
Convenient and effective ICGylation of magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications
Authors: Park Hye Sun , Kim Jongwoo , Cho Mi Young , Lee Hyunseung , Nam Sang Hwan , Suh Yung Doug , Hong Kwan Soo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNanoprobes used for biomedical applications usually require surface modifications with amphiphilic surfactants or inorganic coating materials to enhance their biocompatibility. We proposed a facile synthetic approach for the phase transfer of hydrophobic magnetic nanoparticles by the direct adherence of fluorescent probes, without any chemical modifications, for use as a magnetic resonance (MR)/near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence bimodal imaging contrast agent. Indocyanine green (ICG) was used not only as an optical component for NIR imaging, but also as a surfactant for phase transfer with no superfluous moiety: we therefore called the process “ICGylation”. Cell labeling and tracking in vivo with ICGylated magnetic nanoparticles were successfully performed by MR/NIR dual-mode imaging for three days, which showed remarkable biostability without any additional surface functionalization. We expect that this novel MR/NIR contrast agent demonstrating sensitive detection and simultaneous imaging capability can be used in diverse fields, such as the imaging and tracking of immune cells to confirm immunotherapeutic efficacy. The approach used could also be applied to other kinds of nanoparticles, and it would promote the development of advanced functional multimodal nanobioprobes.
Fine dispersion morphology of polystyrene/poly(ethylene terephthalate glycol) blending generation for controlled foaming behavior
Authors: Wang Wenzhao , Wang Liancai , Jiao Yang , Zeng Xinmiao , Wang Xiangdong , Lu Yongjun , Cheng Anren , Dai Pei , Zhao Xuena 
Published: August 2017

Polystyrene/poly(ethylene terephthalate glycol) (PS/PETG) blends with different PETG contents were prepared using a Haake internal mixer at 190 °C.
Changes of Sagittal and Axial Alignments of Patella after Open- and Closed-Wedge High-Tibial Osteotomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lee O-Sung , Ahn Soyeon , Lee Yong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe present systematic review and meta-analysis were aimed to verify the effect of open-wedge (OW) and closed-wedge (CW) high-tibial osteotomy (HTO) on sagittal and axial alignments of the patella. A vigorous search was performed for studies that compared the changes of sagittal and axial alignments of patella after OW and CW HTO. After evaluating publication bias and heterogeneity, we aggregated variables by using the random-effects model. The weighted mean differences in sagittal and axial alignment of patella were estimated with 95% confidence intervals. Also, we analyzed the changes in sagittal alignment of various OW HTO techniques, such as uniplanar, biplanar, and retrotubercle osteotomy. Overall, 20 studies that included 831 OW HTOs and 206 CW HTOs were included in this study. Patellar height decreased after OW HTO based on the Blackburne–Peel index (BPI, mean: −0.10), and Caton–Deschamps index (CDI, mean: −0.08). However, the patellar height after CW HTO showed no change after surgery (BPI [mean: −0.02], and CDI [mean: 0.02]). Among OW HTO techniques, the retrotubercle osteotomy showed the least change in patellar height after surgery. The lateral patellar tilt decreased by 1.74 degrees, and lateral patellar shift showed no change after OW HTO. However, there was a lack of evidence to conclude the change of axial alignment of patella after CW HTO. Our results supported that the sagittal alignment of patella lowered after OW HTO. However, CW HTO maintained the constant sagittal position of the patella. Among OW HTO techniques, the retrotubercle osteotomy had the least effect on the sagittal alignment of the patella. Regarding the axial alignment of the patella, OW HTO resulted in a little change of lateral patellar tilt; however, there was little evidence to confirm the change of the axial alignment of patella after CW HTO.
Interhospital Transfers of Maternal Patients: Cohort Analysis of Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 2011
Authors: Morriss Frank 
Published: August 2017

Objective The objective of this study was to estimate the annual rate of interhospital transfers of pregnant and postpartum women in the United States and analyze associated patient and health system characteristics as measures of regionalized perinatal care performance.
Methods Separate weighted univariate analyses of the 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) were performed for all maternal discharges, in-hospital deaths, and transfers. Multivariable logistic regression analyses for transfer dispositions adjusted for health system characteristics, maternal demographics, and diagnoses were performed. Additional perinatal service characteristics were analyzed using NIS merged with the 2011 American Hospital Association Annual Survey database.
Results An estimated 18,082 patients, 0.43% of maternal hospitalizations, were transferred to an acute care hospital; 81% occurred without childbirth delivery before transfer. Transfers were toward larger, urban teaching hospitals and hospitals with higher levels of obstetrical and neonatal care and were more likely in states with ≥4.0 maternal–fetal medicine specialists/10,000 live births. Blacks and Native Americans were more likely and Hispanics and Asians were less likely than white patients to be transferred. Privately insured women were less likely to be transferred than were others. Transfers were associated with life-threatening maternal diagnoses and fetal indications.
Conclusion Transfers reflected a risk-based regionalized system of perinatal care, with racial and payer differences.
Effektivität stationärer psychosomatischer Behandlung – Ergebnisse einer naturalistischen Zweijahresuntersuchung
Authors: Valdés-Stauber Juan , Fuchs Alexander , Reiner Sören , Bachthaler Susanne 
Published: August 2017

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Stationäre psychosomatische Behandlung entspricht den Versorgungsbedürfnissen westlicher Gesellschaften. Untersuchungen zu ihrer Effektivität in verschiedenen Settings sind notwendig, da stationär-psychosomatische Behandlung fester Bestandteil der deutschen Versorgungslandschaft geworden ist.
Fragestellung Ziel der Studie ist die Untersuchung, ob sich die Werte für die klinischen und ressourcenbezogenen Variablen signifikant verbessern und ob es Zusammenhänge zwischen diesen Outcome-Variablen und Variablen aus einem mehrdimensionalen Patientenprofil gibt.
Methode Die Stichprobe besteht aus allen, in den Jahren 2014 und 2015 aufgenommenen Patienten (N=321, davon 283 in die Studie einwilligenden). Die Prä-Post-Analyse der mit validierten Tests untersuchten klinischen und ressourcenbezogenen Variablen erfolgt anhand von t-Tests, einschließlich Effektstärken. Zusammenhänge zwischen Outcome-Variablen und Variablen aus dem mehrdimensionalen Patientenprofil wurden anhand bivariater Tests und multivariater linearer Regressionsmodelle durchgeführt. Unterschiede zwischen positivem und negativem Outcome wurden mit logistischen Modellen untersucht.
Ergebnisse Die Drop-out-Rate durch nicht einwilligende Patienten beträgt 11,8%, durch unvollständige Datensätze 6,9%, durch Aufgabe während des stationären Aufenthaltes 4,1% (Drop-out-Rate insgesamt: 22,8%). Funktionalität, Selbstwirksamkeit und Lebensqualität verbessern sich, allgemeine Symptombelastung, Krankheitsschwere, Depressivität, interpersonelle Probleme und Verbitterung sinken (p<0,001) mit Effektstärken zwischen 0,39 und 1,42 (durchschnittlich für klinische Zielvariablen: 0,98). Zwischen der Besserung der persönlichen Ressourcen und dem klinischen Status wurden deutliche Zusammenhänge gefunden. 10% der Patienten berichten von einer klinischen Verschlechterung.
Diskussion Stationäre psychosomatische Krankenhausbehandlung ist effektiv hinsichtlich der klinischen Besserung und der Qualität der Behandlung. Ressourcenbezogene und klinische Variablen als Outcome-Variablen korrelieren bidirektional, wobei die Art der kausalen Verbindung unklar bleibt. Prognostische Faktoren sind spärlich.
Schlussfolgerungen Ist die stationäre psychosomatische Behandlung indiziert, kann bei gegebenen strukturellen Voraussetzungen von ihrer Effektivität ausgegangen werden. Der Verlauf scheint sehr individuell zu sein. Depressivität und Verbitterung scheinen Epiphänomene aller psychosomatischen Störungen zu sein.
Clowns in Paediatric Surgery: Less Anxiety and More Oxytocin? A Pilot Study
Authors: Scheel Tabea , Hoeppner Dorothea , Grotevendt Anne , Barthlen Winfried 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Background Hospital stays and medical interventions are accompanied by worries and anxiety in children and parents. Recent studies show that hospital clowns may reduce anxiety and enhance well-being. However, so far studies are based solely on subjective measures and clowns are usually not integrated in medical routine. With this pilot study, we aim to provide both psychological and physiological evidence of positive effects of clowns’ interventions in hospitalized children.
Patients/Method In a consecutive randomized intervention-control group design with 31 children aged 4 to 13 years, 17 patients were accompanied by a clown prior to surgery or during ward round (intervention group) and 14 were not (control group). Saliva samples for oxytocin measurement were taken from all patients before hospitalization (T1) and prior to surgery or after ward round (T2). Self- and parents-reports were obtained at T1, T2 as well as at time of discharge from hospital (T3) regarding children’s anxiety (STAI), worries and well-being. Clowns evaluated their success in cheering up the child. Health professionals were asked for their acceptance of clowns in hospitals.
Results Children in the intervention group had lower anxiety ratings and a higher oxytocin concentration at T2 as compared with T1; the control group showed no changes. Parents rated the well-being of their children higher if their child had clown’s contact and were more willing to recommend the hospital. The staff judged the clowns as helpful for patients.
Discussion Consistent psychological and physiological results suggest the positive impact of a clown’s intervention in hospitalized children.