bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Suicide risk assessment in the elderly
Authors: Smaoui N. , Baati I. , Dorsaf T. , Mkaouar S. , Abida I. , Masmoudi J. 
Published: June 2017

ObjectivesTo assess suicide risk in elderly psychiatric outpatients and to identify potential suicide risk factors in this population.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, including 50 psychiatric outpatients, aged 65 years or more and attending the Hédi Chaker University Hospital, in Sfax (Tunisia), between November and December 2015. We used a hetero questionnaire including epidemiological and clinical data and three scales: the Suicidal Risk Assessment Scale of Ducher (RSD), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE).ResultsThe sex ratio (M/F) was 1. The average age of patients was 68.62 years. The majority of them were married (68%), unemployed (98%), living in urban area (58%) and within their family (88%); they had at most a primary degree (80%) and a low socioeconomic level (74%).The prevalence of patients at risk of suicide (RSD ≥ 3) was 26%. This risk was high (RSD ≥ 7) in 18% of cases.The presence of suicidal ideation (RSD ≥ 3) was correlated with: a family history of suicide attempt (58.3% vs. 15.8%; P = 0.003), a personal history of suicide attempt (80% vs. 12.5%; P < 0.001), depressive symptoms (HAD-D ≥ 11) (36.7% vs. 10%; P = 0.05) and anxiety (HAD-A ≥ 11) (52.4% vs. 6.9%; P = 0.001).ConclusionOur study showed that among older psychiatric outpatients, one in four had suicidal thoughts. This high rate encourages us to search systematically these suicidal thoughts in this population, especially in patients with risk factors such as a family history of suicide attempt, depressive or anxious symptoms.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Comparative analysis of suicidality in two Bulgarian regions
Authors: Stoychev K. , Nakov V. , Dekov D. , Baltov M. , Dinolova-Hodzhadzhikova R. , Ivanov K. , Stoimenova M. , Chumpalova P. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionSuicidality is still an understudied problem in Bulgaria especially on a subnational (regional) level.ObjectivesTo collect data on suicidality in two major regions of Bulgaria with a population over 250,000 each (Plovdiv and Pleven) for a six years period (2009–2015).AimsTo analyze demographic, health-related and other characteristics associated with suicidal behavior as well as motives and methods of suicide.MethodsData were extracted from relevant documentation (medical records, public health reports, etc.) and statistically processed upon collection.ResultsMajority of suicide victims were males between 45 and 64 years while most suicide attempts occurred among 18–29 years old females.Leading method of suicide was hanging, followed by jumping from high places and use of firearm.Prevailing suicidal motives were psychotic symptoms, serious somatic illnesses and family problems. Depression accounted for 25% of all suicide cases and in another 25% motivation could not be identified because of insufficient data.The proportion of unemployed among suicide committers was not significantly higher than that of employed and retired.ConclusionsSevere mental disorders are a major trigger of suicidal behavior.Personal relationships should be targeted by suicide prevention interventions.Somatic illnesses are increasingly important suicide risk factor driven by the ongoing process of population aging.Frontline healthcare professionals should be trained to explore underlying suicidal motives and actively probe for depression in each case of suicidal behavior.Unemployment related suicide risk is most likely mediated through an adaptation crisis mechanism induced by the abrupt change of social status.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Hepatocyte nuclear factor-1beta enhances the stemness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through activation of the Notch pathway
Authors: Zhu Jing-Ni , Jiang Lu , Jiang Jing-Hua , Yang Xue , Li Xiao-Yong , Zeng Jian-Xin , Shi Rong-Yu , Shi Yang , Pan Xiao-Rong , Han Zhi-Peng , Wei Li-Xin 
Published: June 2017

AbstractHepatocyte nuclear factor-1beta plays an important role in the development and progression of liver cancer. In recent years, the expression of HNF-1β has been reported to be associated with risk for a variety of cancers. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the expression of HNF-1β promotes the malignancy of HCC and its mechanism. We retrospectively investigated the expression of HNF-1β in 90 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and found that the high expression of HNF-1β indicated poor prognosis. We overexpressed HNF-1β in liver cancer cell lines and found the expression of liver progenitor cell markers and stemness were upregulated. The invasion ability and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated genes were also significantly higher in liver cancer cells overexpressing HNF-1β than in the control group. A mechanistic study suggested the activation of the Notch signalling pathway probably plays a key role downstream of HNF-1β. More importantly, HNF-1β promoted tumourigenesis of HCC cells in vivo. In conclusion, high expression of HNF-1β not only promoted the de-differentiation of HCC cells into liver cancer stem cells through activating the Notch pathway but also enhanced the invasive potential of HCC cells and EMT occurrence, which would contribute to the enhancement of cell migration and invasion.
Tumoral expression of drug and xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in breast cancer patients of different ethnicities with implications to personalized medicine
Authors: Li Yan , Steppi Albert , Zhou Yidong , Mao Feng , Miller Philip Craig , He Max M. , Zhao Tingting , Sun Qiang , Zhang Jinfeng 
Published: June 2017

AbstractDrug and xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (DXME) play important roles in drug responses and carcinogenesis. Recent studies have found that expression of DXME in cancer cells significantly affects drug clearance and the onset of drug resistance. In this study we compared the expression of DXME in breast tumor tissue samples from patients representing three ethnic groups: Caucasian Americans (CA), African Americans (AA), and Asian Americans (AS). We further combined DXME gene expression data with eQTL data from the GTEx project and with allele frequency data from the 1000 Genomes project to identify SNPs that may be associated with differential expression of DXME genes. We identified substantial differences among CA, AA, and AS populations in the expression of DXME genes and in activation of pathways involved in drug metabolism, including those involved in metabolizing chemotherapy drugs that are commonly used in the treatment of breast cancer. These data suggest that differential expression of DXME may associate with health disparities in breast cancer outcomes observed among these three ethnic groups. Our study suggests that development of personalized treatment strategies for breast cancer patients could be improved by considering both germline genotypes and tumor specific mutations and expression profiles related to DXME genes.
Polysulfide Na2S4 regulates the activation of PTEN/Akt/CREB signaling and cytotoxicity mediated by 1,4-naphthoquinone through formation of sulfur adducts
Authors: Abiko Yumi , Shinkai Yasuhiro , Unoki Takamitsu , Hirose Reiko , Uehara Takashi , Kumagai Yoshito 
Published: June 2017

AbstractElectrophiles can activate redox signal transduction pathways, through actions of effector molecules (e.g., kinases and transcription factors) and sensor proteins with low pKa thiols that are covalently modified. In this study, we investigated whether 1,4-naphthoquinone (1,4-NQ) could affect the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)–Akt signaling pathway and persulfides/polysulfides could modulate this adaptive response. Simultaneous exposure of primary mouse hepatocytes to Na2S4 and 1,4-NQ markedly decreased 1,4-NQ-mediated cell death and S-arylation of cellular proteins. Modification of cellular PTEN during exposure to 1,4-NQ was also blocked in the presence of Na2S4. 1,4-NQ, at up to 10 µM, increased phosphorylation of Akt and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). However, at higher concentrations, 1,4-NQ inhibited phosphorylation of both proteins. These bell-shaped dose curves for Akt and CREB activation were right-shifted in cells treated with both 1,4-NQ and Na2S4. Incubation of 1,4-NQ with Na2S4 resulted in formation of 1,4-NQ–S–1,4-NQ-OH. Unlike 1,4-NQ, authentic 1,4-NQ-S-1,4-NQ-OH adduct had no cytotoxicity, covalent binding capability nor ability to activate PTEN-Akt signaling in cells. Our results suggested that polysulfides, such as Na2S4, can increase the threshold of 1,4-NQ for activating PTEN–Akt signaling and cytotoxicity by capturing this electrophile to form its sulfur adducts.
Energetics and structure of grain boundary triple junctions in graphene
Authors: Hirvonen Petri , Fan Zheyong , Ervasti Mikko M. , Harju Ari , Elder Ken R. , Ala-Nissila Tapio 
Published: June 2017

AbstractGrain boundary triple junctions are a key structural element in polycrystalline materials. They are involved in the formation of microstructures and can influence the mechanical and electronic properties of materials. In this work we study the structure and energetics of triple junctions in graphene using a multiscale modelling approach based on combining the phase field crystal approach with classical molecular dynamics simulations and quantum-mechanical density functional theory calculations. We focus on the atomic structure and formation energy of the triple junctions as a function of the misorientation between the adjacent grains. We find that the triple junctions in graphene consist mostly of five-fold and seven-fold carbon rings. Most importantly, in addition to positive triple junction formation energies we also find a significant number of orientations for which the formation energy is negative.
Competitive interactions affect working memory performance for both simultaneous and sequential stimulus presentation
Authors: Ahmad Jumana , Swan Garrett , Bowman Howard , Wyble Brad , Nobre Anna C. , Shapiro Kimron L. , McNab Fiona 
Published: June 2017

AbstractCompetition between simultaneously presented visual stimuli lengthens reaction time and reduces both the BOLD response and neural firing. In contrast, conditions of sequential presentation have been assumed to be free from competition. Here we manipulated the spatial proximity of stimuli (Near versus Far conditions) to examine the effects of simultaneous and sequential competition on different measures of working memory (WM) for colour. With simultaneous presentation, the measure of WM precision was significantly lower for Near items, and participants reported the colour of the wrong item more often. These effects were preserved when the second stimulus immediately followed the first, disappeared when they were separated by 500 ms, and were partly recovered (evident for our measure of mis-binding but not WM precision) when the task was altered to encourage participants to maintain the sequentially presented items together in WM. Our results show, for the first time, that competition affects the measure of WM precision, and challenge the assumption that sequential presentation removes competition.
Characterization of transcriptional modules related to fibrosing-NAFLD progression
Authors: Lou Yi , Tian Guo-Yan , Song Yu , Liu Yin-Lan , Chen Yi-Dan , Shi Jun-Ping , Yang Jin 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBased on the severity of liver fibrosis, low or high-risk profile of developing end-stage liver disease was present in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the mechanisms inducing transition from mild to advanced NAFLD are still elusive. We performed a system-level study on fibrosing-NAFLD by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify significant modules in the network, and followed by functional and pathway enrichment analyses. Moreover, hub genes in the module were analyzed by network feature selection. As a result, fourteen distinct gene modules were identified, and seven modules showed significant associations with the status of NAFLD. Module preservation analysis confirmed that these modules can also be found in diverse independent datasets. After network feature analysis, the magenta module demonstrated a remarkably correlation with NAFLD fibrosis. The top hub genes with high connectivity or gene significance in the module were ultimately determined, including LUM, THBS2, FBN1 and EFEMP1. These genes were further verified in clinical samples. Finally, the potential regulators of magenta module were characterized. These findings highlighted a module and affiliated genes as playing important roles in the regulation of fibrosis in NAFLD, which may point to potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
Plasmonic Microcantilever with Remarkably Enhanced Photothermal Responses
Authors: Gao Naikun , Zhao Dongfang , Jia Ran , Zhang Dongdong , Liu Duo 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPlasmonic nanostructures exhibit abundant optoelectronic properties. We explore here the technological potentials of plasmonic nanostructures as active component to actuate microcantilever sensors. We find that the photothermal excitation of microcantilevers can be greatly enhanced by Au nanoparticle (NPs). A detailed investigation reveals that the enhancement is wavelength dependent and can be attributed to selective excitation of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). The associated effects are discussed based on a thorough examination of the geometric aspects of Au NPs, microcantilever lengths, and incident optical power. Some technological advantages offered by this method are also discussed.
Weigh Biomaterials by Quantifying Species-specific DNA with Real-time PCR
Authors: Chen Rong , Wang Jiayu , Yuan Yi , Deng Yun , Lai Xianrong , Du Feng , Dong Juan , Huang Xin , Cui Xin , Tang Zhuo 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWhat’s on the label is not what’s in the bottle, from food products to herbal medicinal products (HMPs), economically-motivated biomaterials adulteration is a long-term problem affecting the food and drug industry. Accurate identification of the biomaterial ingredients in processed commodities is highly desirable. In this field, DNA-based techniques have proved to be powerful tools to overcome qualitative challenges. However, is it possible to quantify the weight of biological materials with PCR? Therefore, a basic scientific question needs to be answered: what’s the relationship between DNA content and the mass of biological materials? Is DNA content directly proportional to the mass of biological materials as most of the researchers previously thought? In this study, we firstly found that there exists a linear relation between DNA contents and the weight of biomaterials indeed when the analytical practices are fully controlled. In this case, the mass of targeted biomaterials in the highly processed commercial products can also be calculated by quantifying the species-specific DNA through classic real-time PCR with a good reproducibility.
Genomic and transcriptomic analyses of Agrobacterium tumefaciens S33 reveal the molecular mechanism of a novel hybrid nicotine-degrading pathway
Authors: Huang Haiyan , Yu Wenjun , Wang Rongshui , Li Huili , Xie Huijun , Wang Shuning 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAgrobacterium tumefaciens S33 is able to degrade nicotine via a novel hybrid of the pyridine and pyrrolidine pathways. It can be utilized to remove nicotine from tobacco wastes and transform nicotine into important functionalized pyridine precursors for some valuable drugs and insecticides. However, the molecular mechanism of the hybrid pathway is still not completely clear. Here we report the genome analysis of strain S33 and its transcriptomes grown in glucose-ammonium medium and nicotine medium. The complete gene cluster involved in nicotine catabolism was found to be located on a genomic island composed of genes functionally similar but not in sequences to those of the pyridine and pyrrolidine pathways, as well as genes encoding plasmid partitioning and replication initiation proteins, conjugal transfer proteins and transposases. This suggests that the evolution of this hybrid pathway is not a simple fusion of the genes involved in the two pathways, but the result of a complicated lateral gene transfer. In addition, other genes potentially involved in the hybrid pathway could include those responsible for substrate sensing and transport, transcription regulation and electron transfer during nicotine degradation. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanism of the novel hybrid pathway for nicotine degradation.
Compact differential‐fed dipole antenna with wide bandwidth, stable gain and low cross‐polarisation
Authors: Ding Chen , Luk Kwai‐man 
Published: June 2017

A novel differential‐fed dipole antenna with compact size is proposed and investigated. The size of the antenna is only 0.8λ0 × 0.8λ0 × 0.13λ0 (where λ0 is the free‐space wavelength at the centre frequency). By utilising a pair of complementary sources, the antenna achieves good unidirectional radiation performances. The antenna has an impedance bandwidth of 38.5% for from 1.63 to 2.4 GHz. The boresight gain ranges from 7.8 to 9.6 dBi. The cross‐polarisation level is lower than −25 dB while the front‐to‐back ratio is above 12 dB across the operating frequency band. Moreover, the antenna is simple structured and easy to be fabricated.
Interpulse‐frequency‐agile and intrapulse‐phase‐coded waveform optimisation for extend‐range correlation sidelobe suppression
Authors: Mao Zhineng , Wei Yinsheng 
Published: June 2017

Conventional stepped‐frequency (SF) waveform utilises the frequency step between pulses to span a wide bandwidth. However, the frequency step size is limited by the width of the pulse to prevent the grating lobes, and the first lobe is about −13 dB due to the uniformly sampling in frequency. Modulating the pulses [e.g. phase‐coded (PC) modulation or linear frequency modulation] can increase the frequency step size and improve the performance of the sidelobes, but the sidelobes of the modulated SF waveform are still not the best. In this study, a PC frequency‐hopping (PCFH) waveform to achieve optimal extend‐range correlation sidelobes is presented. The presented waveform applies non‐linear frequency evolution, optimal frequency order and different polyphase code to each pulse. In comparison to the SF waveform, the PCFH waveform has much higher degrees of freedom for suppressing extend‐range correlation sidelobes. The authors propose a design scheme, which sequentially optimises the interpulse frequency, the FH order and the intrapulse‐polyphase code to achieve the optimal extended‐range correlation sidelobes. Simulation results validate the performance of the optimised waveform and the feasibility of the involved design method.
Pneumatization Patterns of the Petrous Apex and Lateral Sphenoid Recess
Authors: Bruni Margherita , Wong Robert , Tabor Mark , Boyev K. , Malone Alexander 
Published: June 2017

Introduction The petrous apex poses a challenge for surgical intervention due to poor access. As intraoperative image guidance and surgical instrumentation improve, newer endoscopic approaches are increasingly favored. This study aims to provide normative data on the anatomy of the lateral sphenoid sinus recess and petrous apex. These normative data could assist in determining the efficacy of a transnasal transsphenoidal approach to lesions of the anteroinferior petrous apex.
Methods This is a retrospective study investigating normative data on all maxillofacial computed tomography (CT) scans performed at a level I trauma center over a 6-month period. All appropriate images had the pneumatization pattern of the petrous apex and lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus reviewed by a single otologist and graded bilaterally. These were then analyzed in SPSS; Pearson correlation analyses and χ2 test were used.
Results A total of 481 patients were identified, yielding a total of 962 temporal bones and sphenoid sinuses for analysis. Eighty-eight percent of sides analyzed had a nonpneumatized lateral recess. The petrous apex was nonpneumatized in 54% of sides analyzed. There was a correlation noted between the degree of pneumatization of the petrous apex and pneumatization of the lateral recess of the sphenoid.
Conclusion This study is the first to provide normative data comparing pneumatization of the petrous apex and sphenoid sinus. These data may support future work evaluating the utility of an endonasal approach to the petrous apex.
Small-Fiber-Neuropathien
Authors: Sommer Claudia , Üçeyler Nurcan 
Published: June 2017

ZusammenfassungDas klinische Bild der Small-Fiber-Neuropathie, einer Erkrankung der dünn bemarkten A-delta- und unbemarkten C-Fasern, ist geprägt durch brennende akrale Schmerzen. Wichtig ist die Suche nach der Krankheitsursache, die vielfältig sein kann, am häufigsten jedoch Diabetes mellitus. Die klinische Verdachtsdiagnose wird untermauert durch spezielle Untersuchungen, die in diesem Beitrag ebenso wie die therapeutischen Möglichkeiten vorgestellt werden.
Europeanisation, stateness, and professions: What role do economic expertise and economic experts play in European political integration?
Authors: Schmidt-Wellenburg Christian 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT
The article explores Europeanisation as an effect of European political integration, a process driven by struggles over the legitimate political and social order that is to prevail in Europe. Firstly, an analytic framework is constructed, drawing on insights from Pierre Bourdieu’s work on similar struggles over nation-stateness. Secondly, the mechanisms identified are used to assess the role played by economic experts and expertise in the process of European political integration. It is argued that concepts arising from economic disciplines, agents educated in economics, and practising economic professionals influence European political integration and have benefited from Europeanisation initiated by this process. Special emphasis is placed on strategies of integrating Europe by law or by market, on governing Europe using economic expertise, on the role played by economic academia in researching and objectifying Europe, and on staffing European institutions with economists.
Effectiveness of the Biomass Crop Assistance Program: Roles of Behavioral Factors, Credit Constraint, and Program Design
Authors: Miao Ruiqing , Khanna Madhu 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) aims to incentivize the production of biomass for bioenergy and bioproducts. This paper investigates the potential effectiveness of BCAP in stimulating biomass production. We find that the effectiveness of BCAP is significantly affected by program design, farmers’ risk and time preferences, credit availability, and biomass prices. The impact of a budget‐constrained BCAP on incentivizing biomass production is much larger under a program design that enrolls land with the largest incremental biomass production per BCAP payment dollar (IBP‐Max design) than under a design that enrolls land with the lowest cost of production (COP‐Min design). The effectiveness of BCAP in inducing biomass production is highest when farmers are credit constrained, have a high degree of risk aversion, and a high rate of time preference under the IBP‐Max design. The mix of feedstocks induced by the BCAP also varies as the biomass price increases; at low prices much of the biomass induced is from crop residues, while at high prices it is from perennial energy crops. The additional biomass production induced by the BCAP ranges from 0.1% to 62% of total biomass production without BCAP under the IBP‐Max design, and from 0.1% to 3% under the COP‐Min design. However, the volume of biomass production induced by BCAP is small even in the credit constrained, high‐risk aversion, and high discount rate scenario (2.7 million metric tons annually) due to the limited program budget of $125 million BCAP budget under the 2014 Farm Bill.