bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Observation of transverse coherent backscattering in disordered photonic structures
Authors: Boguslawski Martin , Brake Sebastian , Leykam Daniel , Desyatnikov Anton S. , Denz Cornelia 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCoherent backscattering, also referred to as weak localization, is an exciting multidisciplinary phenomenon that appears in disordered systems of multiple coherent-wave scattering. Providing proper scattering conditions in (2 + 1) dimensional randomized photonic systems, we optically implement, observe, and analyse transverse coherent backscattering. Ensembles of disordered wave-guide structures are prepared by random-intensity nondiffracting writing entities according to the beam’s intensity distribution. The structure size of the induced potentials naturally define an effective mobility edge, and thus, we identify a crucial impact of the plane probe waves’ spatial frequency on the strength and shape of the spectral coherent backscattering signal. We additionally observe transverse elastic scattering as a precursor of weak localization. To testify the coherent character as a fundamental condition for coherent backscattering, we propose a scheme to continuously reduce the spatial coherence of the probe beam which directly reduces the degree of localization and coherent backscattering. With our experiments, we propose a testing platform that allows comprehensive examination of coherent backscattering with a broad set of preparation parameters and under uncritical laboratory conditions. Our results are directly transferable to more complex systems of disordered wave potentials, not being restricted to photonic systems.
Effectiveness of Glenohumeral Joint Dilatation for Treatment of Frozen Shoulder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Wu Wei-Ting , Chang Ke-Vin , Han Der-Sheng , Chang Chung-Hsun , Yang Fu-Sui , Lin Chih-Peng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe objective was to explore the effectiveness of glenohumeral joint distension for the treatment of frozen shoulder. We searched electronic data sources including PubMed, Scopus, and Embase from the earliest records available to February 2017. Eleven randomized controlled trials including at least one pair of comparisons between capsular distension and a reference treatment were included, comprising 747 participants. Patients’ characteristics, details of reference treatments, aspects of capsular distension therapy, and outcome measurement were evaluated at three points in time: baseline, early following intervention, and at the trial’s end. The primary and secondary outcomes were the between-group standardized mean differences of changes in shoulder function and range of motion, respectively. Regarding the long-term primary outcome, the superiority of capsular distension to reference treatments was not identified. One secondary outcome (external rotation limitation) showed a probable early positive response to capsular distension when compared to intra-articular corticosteroid injection. Aspects of approaches, imaging guiding techniques and doses of distension were not found to modify treatment effectiveness. In conclusion, distension of the glenohumeral joint provides a similar long-term efficacy to all reference treatments. A single dose of a corticosteroid-contained regimen introduced through the ultrasound-guided posterior approach is a preferable practice of capsular distension for the management of frozen shoulder.
Inducing fluorescence of uranyl acetate as a dual-purpose contrast agent for correlative light-electron microscopy with nanometre precision
Authors: Tuijtel Maarten W. , Mulder Aat A. , Posthuma Clara C. , van der Hoeven Barbara , Koster Abraham J. , Bárcena Montserrat , Faas Frank G. A. , Sharp Thomas H. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCorrelative light-electron microscopy (CLEM) combines the high spatial resolution of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with the capability of fluorescence light microscopy (FLM) to locate rare or transient cellular events within a large field of view. CLEM is therefore a powerful technique to study cellular processes. Aligning images derived from both imaging modalities is a prerequisite to correlate the two microscopy data sets, and poor alignment can limit interpretability of the data. Here, we describe how uranyl acetate, a commonly-used contrast agent for TEM, can be induced to fluoresce brightly at cryogenic temperatures (−195 °C) and imaged by cryoFLM using standard filter sets. This dual-purpose contrast agent can be used as a general tool for CLEM, whereby the equivalent staining allows direct correlation between fluorescence and TEM images. We demonstrate the potential of this approach by performing multi-colour CLEM of cells containing equine arteritis virus proteins tagged with either green- or red-fluorescent protein, and achieve high-precision localization of virus-induced intracellular membrane modifications. Using uranyl acetate as a dual-purpose contrast agent, we achieve an image alignment precision of ~30 nm, twice as accurate as when using fiducial beads, which will be essential for combining TEM with the evolving field of super-resolution light microscopy.
Growth, structure, and luminescence properties of novel silica nanowires and interconnected nanorings
Authors: Min Xin , Fang Minghao , Liu Haitao , Liu Yan’gai , Wu Xiaowen , Huang Zhaohui 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNovel silica nanowires and interconnected nanorings were firstly synthesized on a graphite paper by typical thermal catalytic chemical vapor deposition method, using silicon and carbon black powders as raw materials. The field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the composition and structure characterization, which indicates that the silica nanowires and interconnected nanorings were amorphous. The growth of the as-prepared silica nanowires and interconnected nanorings was related to the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism, but the nanowire-ring structure may be due to the polycentric nucleation and periodic stable growth with gradual direction changes. The room temperature photoluminescence emission spectrum showed that the silica nanostructures emitted strong blue light at 460 nm, resulting from the combination of neutral oxygen vacancy (≡Si-Si≡) and selftrapped excitons. The as-synthesized novel silica nanowires and interconnected nanorings could be a potential candidate for applications in future light-emitting diodes and optoelectronic nanodevices.
Combination of optical coherence tomography and near infrared spectroscopy enhances determination of articular cartilage composition and structure
Authors: Sarin Jaakko K. , Rieppo Lassi , Brommer Harold , Afara Isaac O. , Saarakkala Simo , Töyräs Juha 
Published: August 2017

AbstractConventional arthroscopic evaluation of articular cartilage is subjective and poorly reproducible. Therefore, implementation of quantitative diagnostic techniques, such as near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), is essential. Locations (n = 44) with various cartilage conditions were selected from mature equine fetlock joints (n = 5). These locations and their surroundings were measured with NIRS and OCT (n = 530). As a reference, cartilage proteoglycan (PG) and collagen contents, and collagen network organization were determined using quantitative microscopy. Additionally, lesion severity visualized in OCT images was graded with an automatic algorithm according to International Cartilage Research Society (ICRS) scoring system. Artificial neural network with variable selection was then employed to predict cartilage composition in the superficial and deep zones from NIRS data, and the performance of two models, generalized (including all samples) and condition-specific models (based on ICRS-grades), was compared. Spectral data correlated significantly (p < 0.002) with PG and collagen contents, and collagen orientation in the superficial and deep zones. The combination of NIRS and OCT provided the most reliable outcome, with condition-specific models having lower prediction errors (9.2%) compared to generalized models (10.4%). Therefore, the results highlight the potential of combining both modalities for comprehensive evaluation of cartilage during arthroscopy.
Swapping of transmembrane domains in the epithelial calcium channel TRPV6
Authors: Singh Appu K. , Saotome Kei , Sobolevsky Alexander I. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTetrameric ion channels have either swapped or non-swapped arrangements of the S1–S4 and pore domains. Here we show that mutations in the transmembrane domain of TRPV6 can result in conversion from a domain-swapped to non-swapped fold. These results reveal structural determinants of domain swapping and raise the possibility that a single ion channel subtype can fold into either arrangement in vivo, affecting its function in normal or disease states.
SPI-2/CrmA inhibits IFN-β induction by targeting TBK1/IKKε
Authors: Qin Yue , Li Mi , Zhou Sheng-Long , Yin Wei , Bian Zhuan , Shu Hong-Bing 
Published: August 2017

AbstractViruses modulate the host immune system to evade host antiviral responses. The poxvirus proteins serine proteinase inhibitor 2 (SPI-2) and cytokine response modifier A (CrmA) are involved in multiple poxvirus evasion strategies. SPI-2 and CrmA target caspase-1 to prevent apoptosis and cytokine activation. Here, we identified SPI-2 and CrmA as negative regulators of virus-triggered induction of IFN-β. Ectopic expression of SPI-2 or CrmA inhibited virus-triggered induction of IFN-β and its downstream genes. Consistently, knockdown of SPI-2 by RNAi potentiated VACV-induced transcription of antiviral genes. Further studies revealed that SPI-2 and CrmA associated with TBK1 and IKKε to disrupt the MITA-TBK1/IKKε-IRF3 complex. These findings reveal a novel mechanism of SPI-2/CrmA-mediated poxvirus immune evasion.
Genome Analysis of Staphylococcus capitis TE8 Reveals Repertoire of Antimicrobial Peptides and Adaptation Strategies for Growth on Human Skin
Authors: Kumar Rohit , Jangir Pramod Kumar , Das Jhumki , Taneja Bhupesh , Sharma Rakesh 
Published: August 2017

AbstractStaphylococcus capitis TE8 was isolated from skin surface of a healthy human foot, and exhibited a strong antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus. Whole genome sequence of S. capitis TE8 was obtained by shotgun and paired-end pyrosequencing with a coverage of 109-fold. The draft genome contains 2,516,639 bp in 8 scaffolds with 209 total contigs. The genome contains 2319 protein coding sequences, 58 tRNA and 3 rRNA. Genome sequence analysis revealed 4 distinct gene loci with the ability to encode antimicrobial peptides: (i) an epidermicin gene cluster; (ii) a gallidermin gene cluster; (iii) a gene cluster encoding six phenol soluble modulin (PSM) β-type peptides (PSMβ1-β6) and (iv) an additional gene that belonged to PSMβ family and encoded a 44 residues long peptide, HTP2388. Synthetic peptides with sequence identical to seven PSMβ-like peptides i.e. PSMβ1-β6 and peptide HTP2388 showed antibacterial activity. Genome sequence also revealed genes for adhesins, intracellular adhesins, osmoadaptation, oxidative and acid stress tolerance possibly responsible for initial attachment, colonization and survival of S. capitis TE8 on human skin. Comparative genome analysis revealed presence of a gamut of genes in S. capitis strains in comparison to Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus caprae indicating towards their possible role in better adaptation and survival on human skin.
Impact of second-line cetuximab-containing therapy in patients with KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer: results from the ITACa randomized clinical trial
Authors: Passardi Alessandro , Scarpi Emanuela , Gelsomino Fabio , Palladino Maria Angela , Casadei Gardini Andrea , Turci Daniele , Chiuri Vincenzo Emanuele , Mucciarini Claudia , Tassinari Davide , Ragazzini Angela , Frassineti Giovanni Luca , Valgiusti Martina , Ulivi Paola , Amadori Dino 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe ITACa trial was designed to define the role of cetuximab (Cet) and bevacizumab (Bev) in combination with standard chemotherapy (CT, FOLFIRI or FOLFOX4) as first- and second-line treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer. All patients with WT KRAS tumors who had been enrolled in the first-line trial were randomized onto two independent second-line trials: CT or CT + Cet (study 2A) and CT + Bev or CT + Bev + Cet (study 2B). Patients with mutated KRAS were not eligible for randomization and were treated with CT alone (study 2A) or CT + Bev (study 2B). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). 48 and 56 KRAS WT patients were randomized while 31 and 40 KRAS mutated patients were treated without randomization. Study 2A: median PFS was 3.4 (95%CI 2.3–4.6) and 6.2 (95%CI 4.3–7.8) months for the CT and CT + Cet arms, respectively, with a hazard ratio (HR) = 0.64 (95%CI 0.35–1.16, p = 0.144). Study 2B: median PFS was 7.7 (95%CI 4.1–10.1) and 4.9 (95%CI 3.2–7.0) months for CT + Bev and CT + Cet + Bev arms, respectively, with a HR = 1.31 (95%CI 0.76–2.26, p = 0.330). Notwithstanding limitations due to the small sample size, among patients with WT KRAS the addition of Cet to second-line CT increased PFS, whereas the addition of Cet to CT + Bev was associated with worse PFS.
Converting highly productive arable cropland in Europe to grassland: –a poor candidate for carbon sequestration
Authors: Gosling Paul , van der Gast Christopher , Bending Gary D. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSequestration of atmospheric CO2 as organic carbon by agricultural soils (SOC) is promoted as a climate change mitigation option. IPCC provides guidelines for determining carbon stocks and sequestration potential, incentivising policy changes towards management of farmland for carbon sequestration. However, the basis of the assumption that agricultural soils can sequester significant atmospheric CO2 has been questioned. We sought to determine the potential for conversion of arable cropland to grassland to sequester carbon in the short to medium term and potential limiting factors. There were no differences in SOC stocks in the top 30 cm between grassland up to 17 years old and arable cropland at 14 sites across the UK. However, SOC showed different distribution patterns, being concentrated in the top 10 cm under grassland. Soil microbial communities were significantly different between arable and grassland, with higher biomass and lesser dominance by bacteria in grassland soils. A land use conversion experiment showed these changes occurred within one year of land use change. Failure of grassland soils to accumulate SOC was attributed to reduced available soil nitrogen, resulting in low productivity. The implications of these results for carbon sequestration in soils as a climate change mitigation strategy are discussed.
Visualizing Phonotactic Behavior of Female Frogs in Darkness
Authors: Aihara Ikkyu , Bishop Phillip J. , Ohmer Michel E. B. , Awano Hiromitsu , Mizumoto Takeshi , Okuno Hiroshi G. , Narins Peter M. , Hero Jean-Marc 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMany animals use sounds produced by conspecifics for mate identification. Female insects and anuran amphibians, for instance, use acoustic cues to localize, orient toward and approach conspecific males prior to mating. Here we present a novel technique that utilizes multiple, distributed sound-indication devices and a miniature LED backpack to visualize and record the nocturnal phonotactic approach of females of the Australian orange-eyed tree frog (Litoria chloris) both in a laboratory arena and in the animal’s natural habitat. Continuous high-definition digital recording of the LED coordinates provides automatic tracking of the female’s position, and the illumination patterns of the sound-indication devices allow us to discriminate multiple sound sources including loudspeakers broadcasting calls as well as calls emitted by individual male frogs. This innovative methodology is widely applicable for the study of phonotaxis and spatial structures of acoustically communicating nocturnal animals.
Bone regeneration in minipigs by intrafibrillarly-mineralized collagen loaded with autologous periodontal ligament stem cells
Authors: Zhang Ci , Yan Boxi , Cui Zhen , Cui Shengjie , Zhang Ting , Wang Xuedong , Liu Dawei , Yang Ruli , Jiang Nan , Zhou Yanheng , Liu Yan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBiomimetic intrafibrillarly-mineralized collagen (IMC) is a promising scaffold for bone regeneration because of its structural and functional similarity to natural bone. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bone regeneration potential of IMC loaded with autologous periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) in large bone defects in minipigs. A macroporous IMC with a bone-like subfibrillar nanostructure was fabricated using a biomimetic bottom-up approach. Non-healing full thickness defects were established on the cranial bone in minipigs, and IMC and hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds seeded with autologous PDLSCs were implanted into these defects. Computed tomographic imaging, histology staining, and atomic force microscopy were applied to evaluate to the quantity, micro/nano structures, and mechanical performance of the neo-bone after 12 weeks of implantation. Compared with HA, IMC showed superior regeneration properties characterized by the profuse deposition of new bony structures with a normal architecture and vascularization. Immunohistochemistry showed that the runt-related transcription factor 2 and transcription factor Osterix were highly expressed in the neo-bone formed by IMC. Furthermore, the nanostructure and nanomechanics of the neo-bone formed by IMC were similar to that of natural bone. This study provides strong evidence for the future clinical applications of the IMC-based bone grafts.
Different spatial patterns of nitrogen and phosphorus resorption efficiencies in China’s forests
Authors: Xu Shan , Zhou Guoyi , Tang Xuli , Wang Wantong , Wang Genxu , Ma Keping , Han Shijie , Du Sheng , Li Shenggong , Yan Junhua , Ma Youxin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNutrient resorption is an important internal-strategy for plant to retain nutrients. However, the spatial patterns of nitrogen and phosphorus resorption efficiencies (NRE, PRE) in national scales are still unexplored. In this study, we first estimated the magnitudes of NRE and PRE, and explored their spatial patterns across China’s forests based on the dataset from a nation-wide field campaign from 2011 to 2015. Mean NRE was estimated to be 35.64% and higher than mean PRE (43.72%). The main effects of forest type and the interactions between climatic zone and land use were significant for both NRE and PRE. In addition, NRE and PRE exhibited different patterns along climatic gradients and nutrient status. Our results can shed light on the nutrient strategies of China’s forests under future environmental changes and the results could be used in global biogeochemical models.
Dihydrocapsaicin Attenuates Blood Brain Barrier and Cerebral Damage in Focal Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion via Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory
Authors: Janyou Adchara , Wicha Piyawadee , Jittiwat Jinatta , Suksamrarn Apichart , Tocharus Chainarong , Tocharus Jiraporn 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of dihydrocapsaicin (DHC) on cerebral and blood brain barrier (BBB) damage in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) models. The models were induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h followed by reperfusion. The rats were divided into five groups: sham, or control group; vehicle group; and 2.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, and 10 mg/kg BW DHC-treated I/R groups. After 24 h of reperfusion, we found that DHC significantly reduced the area of infarction, morphology changes in the neuronal cells including apoptotic cell death, and also decreased the BBB damage via reducing Evan Blue leakage, water content, and ultrastructure changes, in addition to increasing the tight junction (TJ) protein expression. DHC also activated nuclear-related factor-2 (Nrf2) which involves antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and significantly decreased oxidative stress and inflammation via down-regulated reactive oxygen species (ROS), NADPH oxidase (NOX2, NOX4), nuclear factor kappa-beta (NF-ĸB), and nitric oxide (NO), including matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) levels. DHC protected the cerebral and the BBB from I/R injury via attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammation. Therefore, this study offers to aid future development for protection against cerebral I/R injury in humans.
Knockout of the ATPase inhibitory factor 1 protects the heart from pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Yang Kevin , Long Qinqiang , Saja Kamalamma , Huang Fengyuan , Pogwizd Steven M. , Zhou Lufang , Yoshida Masasuke , Yang Qinglin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMitochondrial ATP synthase catalyzes the coupling of oxidative phosphorylation. Under pathological conditions, ATP synthase hydrolyzes ATP to replenish protons from the matrix into the intermembrane space, sustaining mitochondrial membrane potential. ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) is a nuclear-encoded, ATP synthase-interacting protein that selectively inhibits the hydrolysis activity of ATP synthase, which may render the protective role of IF1 in ischemic hearts. However, the in vivo cardiac function of IF1 and the potential therapeutic application targeting IF1 remain obscure. In the present study, we uncovered that IF1 is upregulated in mouse hearts with pressure overload-induced hypertrophy and in human hearts with dilated cardiomyopathy. IF1 knockout (KO) mice were protected against cardiac dysfunction and pathological development induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) or isoproterenol infusion. The reduced ATP hydrolysis activated AMPK activity in IF1 KO hearts, which together facilitated autophagy. These results suggest that IF1 upregulation in the failing heart may be a maladaptive response. Inhibiting IF1 in the hypertrophied heart not only prevents cell death from excessive mitochondrial depolarization but also activates AMPK signaling and increases autophagy. Therefore, IF1 inhibition may serve as a potential therapeutic target in treating pathological cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.
Serum Monounsaturated Triacylglycerol Predicts Steatohepatitis in Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Yang Rui-xu , Hu Chun-xiu , Sun Wan-lu , Pan Qin , Shen Feng , Yang Zhen , Su Qing , Xu Guo-wang , Fan Jian-gao 
Published: August 2017

AbstractChronic liver disease is associated with lipid metabolic disruption. We carried out a study to determine serum lipidomic features of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and active chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and explored the biomarkers for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Serum lipidomic profiles of healthy controls (n = 23) and of biopsy–proven NAFLD (n = 42), CHB with NAFLD (n = 22) and without NAFLD (n = 17) were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. There were distinct serum lipidome between groups of NAFLD and CHB without NAFLD. Most of the neutral lipids and ceramide were elevated in the NAFLD group but were decreased in the CHB without NAFLD group. Plasmalogens were decreased in both groups. Triacylglycerols (TAGs) with lower carbon numbers and double bonds were increased in subjects with NASH. Serum monounsaturated TAG was a significant predictor of NASH (OR = 3.215; 95%CI 1.663–6.331) and positively correlated with histological activity (r = 0.501;P < 0.001). It showed good predictability for NASH in the NAFLD group [area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) = 0.831] and was validated in the CHB group (AUROC = 0.833); this characteristic was superior to that of cytokeratin-18 and alanine transaminase. The increase in monounsaturated TAG might be a specific marker for NASH in both NAFLD and CHB patients.