bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DIFFERENCES IN THE PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN 5- to 14-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN IN KRAKÓW, POLAND, USING THREE NATIONAL BMI CUT-OFFS
Authors: Woźniacka Renata , Bac Aneta , Kowal Małgorzata , Matusik Stanisław 
Published: September 2017

SummaryThe problem of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents has been noted in many different countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in the percentage occurrence of overweight and obesity in Polish children depending on the criteria used, and to evaluate the usefulness of the Polish national database. The study sample comprised 3405 children aged 5–14 years (1674 girls and 1731 boys) from the city of Kraków, Poland, in 2009–2010. The BMI of each child was calculated and classified as overweight or obese according to three different reference BMI cut-offs: the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Polish 2010 standard. To assess the statistical significance of the differences between these three applied reference datasets, a comparison of two proportions was performed and Cohen’s kappa coefficient calculated. The prevalences of overweight were 15%, 11.3% and 9.5% (IOTF, CDC, Polish 2010, respectively) among boys and 15.5%, 11.6% and 9.9% among girls. The prevalences of obesity were 3.3%, 6.1% and 5.5% (IOTF, CDC, Polish 2010, respectively) among boys and 3.4%, 6.3% and 5.7% among girls. The different methods used generally showed good agreement. Nevertheless the prevalence of overweight and obesity differed significantly depending on the criteria used. In conclusion, the creation and updating of national databases based on large, representative groups is justified and provides the best reference for regional data. However, in order to ensure the comparability of results with those from other countries, it seems advisable to use cut-offs based on international data as well.
Water relations in the soil crust lichen Psora decipiens are optimized via anatomical variability
Authors: COLESIE C. , WILLIAMS L. , BÜDEL B. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBiological soil crusts are communities composed of cryptogamic organisms such as lichens, mosses, cyanobacteria and green algae that form a skin on soils in areas where vascular plants are excluded or limited by water availability or temperature. The lichen Psora decipiens (Hedw.) Hoffm. is a characteristic key organism in these communities in many different biomes. The species has a generalistic ecology and high morphological variation, which contributes to the ability of the species to withstand environmental changes. We investigated whether different populations, based on site and associated morpho-anatomical differences, incorporate functional water relations and how/whether this was driven by changes in abiotic factors. Samples were collected from two climatically distinct sites, one ‘dry’ site in southern Spain and one ‘wet’ site in the Austrian Alps. Our results showed that samples from the dry site had a significantly thicker epinecral layer, higher specific thallus area, a faster water uptake and contained more water per dry mass, all of which contributed to a much slower drying rate. Both populations showed a highly adjusted water gain that incorporates functional water relations and diffusion properties as a result of local water availability. We show eco-physiological and morphological mechanisms that underlie the high variability in P. decipiens and suggest how these might provide ecological benefits for this generalist lichen species.
Corticolous sorediateLecanoraspecies (Lecanoraceae, Ascomycota) containing atranorin in Europe
Authors: MALÍČEK Jiří , BERGER Franz , PALICE Zdeněk , VONDRÁK Jan 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSixteen sorediate epiphytic species ofLecanorawith atranorin from Europe are reported here.Lecanora substerilisis described as a new species from Carpathian beech forests in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine; it belongs to theL.subfuscagroup in its strict sense and is characterized by its usually verrucose thallus, sorediate apothecial margin, epihymenium with coarse granules at paraphyses tips, amphithecium with large crystals and it produces atranorin and fatty acid(s). A new, yellow chemotype ofL. barkmanianacontaining pulvinic acid derivatives is recognized from Austria. Morphological, ecological and chemical variation inL. exspersa, L. farinariaandL.variolascensis discussed in detail, and brief comments on the remaining 11 species are provided. Evaluation of the type material and molecular data indicate that the predominantly saxicolousL. caesiosorais a sorediate form ofL. cenisia. Molecular data confirmed the identities of the sorediate forms ofL. albellaandL. allophanathat are conspecific with their fertile counterparts. New Central European localities are listed for the rare species,L. barkmaniana,L. exspersa,L. mughosphagneti,L. norvegicaandL. variolascens. Positions in ITS and mtSSU phylogenies are outlined for most species. Identification keys to fertile as well as sterile populations are provided.
Developmental pathways from maltreatment to risk behavior: Sexual behavior as a catalyst
Authors: Negriff Sonya 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAlthough delinquency, substance use, and sexual activity are established to be highly intercorrelated, the extant research provides minimal evidence in support of one particular sequence of risk behavior or on the cascade effects from maltreatment. The present study tested a longitudinal model incorporating maltreatment, deviant peers, sexual behavior, delinquency, and substance use to elucidate the sequential pathway(s) from maltreatment to each specific risk behavior throughout adolescence. Data came from a longitudinal study on the effects of maltreatment on adolescent development (N= 454) with four study assessments from early (Time 1Mage = 10.98) to late adolescence (Time 4Mage = 18.22). Results from the cross-lagged model showed a sequence from maltreatment to sexual behavior (Time 1), to delinquency (Time 2), to sexual behavior (Time 3), to substance use and delinquency (Time 4). These findings support sexual behavior as the initial risk behavior that is the catalyst for engagement in more advanced risk behaviors across adolescence.
Genetic and epigenetic features direct differential efficiency of Xist-mediated silencing at X-chromosomal and autosomal locations
Authors: Loda Agnese , Brandsma Johannes H. , Vassilev Ivaylo , Servant Nicolas , Loos Friedemann , Amirnasr Azadeh , Splinter Erik , Barillot Emmanuel , Poot Raymond A. , Heard Edith , Gribnau Joost 
Published: September 2017

AbstractXist is indispensable for X chromosome inactivation. However, how Xist RNA directs chromosome-wide silencing and why some regions are more efficiently silenced than others remains unknown. Here, we explore the function of Xist by inducing ectopic Xist expression from multiple different X-linked and autosomal loci in mouse aneuploid and female diploid embryonic stem cells in which Xist-mediated silencing does not lead to lethal functional monosomy. We show that ectopic Xist expression faithfully recapitulates endogenous X chromosome inactivation from any location on the X chromosome, whereas long-range silencing of autosomal genes is less efficient. Long interspersed elements facilitate inactivation of genes located far away from the Xist transcription locus, and genes escaping X chromosome inactivation show enrichment of CTCF on X chromosomal but not autosomal loci. Our findings highlight important genomic and epigenetic features acquired during sex chromosome evolution to facilitate an efficient X chromosome inactivation process.
A role for Tau protein in maintaining ribosomal DNA stability and cytidine deaminase-deficient cell survival
Authors: Bou Samra Elias , Buhagiar-Labarchède Géraldine , Machon Christelle , Guitton Jérôme , Onclercq-Delic Rosine , Green Michael R. , Alibert Olivier , Gazin Claude , Veaute Xavier , Amor-Guéret Mounira 
Published: September 2017

AbstractCells from Bloom’s syndrome patients display genome instability due to a defective BLM and the downregulation of cytidine deaminase. Here, we use a genome-wide RNAi-synthetic lethal screen and transcriptomic profiling to identify genes enabling BLM-deficient and/or cytidine deaminase-deficient cells to tolerate constitutive DNA damage and replication stress. We found a synthetic lethal interaction between cytidine deaminase and microtubule-associated protein Tau deficiencies. Tau is overexpressed in cytidine deaminase-deficient cells, and its depletion worsens genome instability, compromising cell survival. Tau is recruited, along with upstream-binding factor, to ribosomal DNA loci. Tau downregulation decreases upstream binding factor recruitment, ribosomal RNA synthesis, ribonucleotide levels, and affects ribosomal DNA stability, leading to the formation of a new subclass of human ribosomal ultrafine anaphase bridges. We describe here Tau functions in maintaining survival of cytidine deaminase-deficient cells, and ribosomal DNA transcription and stability. Moreover, our findings for cancer tissues presenting concomitant cytidine deaminase underexpression and Tau upregulation open up new possibilities for anti-cancer treatment.
Noise reduction as an emergent property of single-cell aging
Authors: Liu Ping , Song Ruijie , Elison Gregory L. , Peng Weilin , Acar Murat 
Published: September 2017

AbstractNoise-induced heterogeneity in gene expression is an inherent reality for cells. However, it is not well understood how noise strength changes for a single gene while the host cell is aging. Using a state-of-the-art microfluidic platform, we measure noise dynamics in aging yeast cells by tracking the generation-specific activity of the canonical GAL1 promoter. We observe noise reduction during normal aging of a cell, followed by a short catastrophe phase in which noise increased. We hypothesize that aging-associated increases in chromatin state transitions are behind the observed noise reduction and a stochastic model provides quantitative support to the proposed mechanism. Noise trends measured from strains with altered GAL1 promoter dynamics (constitutively active, synthetic with nucleosome-disfavoring sequences, and in the absence of RPD3, a global remodeling regulator) lend further support to our hypothesis. Observing similar noise dynamics from a different promoter (HHF2) provides support to the generality of our findings.
Antihydrogen accumulation for fundamental symmetry tests
Authors: Ahmadi M. , Alves B. X. R. , Baker C. J. , Bertsche W. , Butler E. , Capra A. , Carruth C. , Cesar C. L. , Charlton M. , Cohen S. , Collister R. , Eriksson S. , Evans A. , Evetts N. , Fajans J. , Friesen T. , Fujiwara M. C. , Gill D. R. , Gutierrez A. , Hangst J. S. , Hardy W. N. , Hayden M. E. , Isaac C. A. , Ishida A. , Johnson M. A. , Jones S. A. , Jonsell S. , Kurchaninov L. , Madsen N. , Mathers M. , Maxwell D. , McKenna J. T. K. , Menary S. , Michan J. M. , Momose T. , Munich J. J. , Nolan P. , Olchanski K. , Olin A. , Pusa P. , Rasmussen C. Ø. , Robicheaux F. , Sacramento R. L. , Sameed M. , Sarid E. , Silveira D. M. , Stracka S. , Stutter G. , So C. , Tharp T. D. , Thompson J. E. , Thompson R. I. , van der Werf D. P. , Wurtele J. S. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAntihydrogen, a positron bound to an antiproton, is the simplest anti-atom. Its structure and properties are expected to mirror those of the hydrogen atom. Prospects for precision comparisons of the two, as tests of fundamental symmetries, are driving a vibrant programme of research. In this regard, a limiting factor in most experiments is the availability of large numbers of cold ground state antihydrogen atoms. Here, we describe how an improved synthesis process results in a maximum rate of 10.5 ± 0.6 atoms trapped and detected per cycle, corresponding to more than an order of magnitude improvement over previous work. Additionally, we demonstrate how detailed control of electron, positron and antiproton plasmas enables repeated formation and trapping of antihydrogen atoms, with the simultaneous retention of atoms produced in previous cycles. We report a record of 54 detected annihilation events from a single release of the trapped anti-atoms accumulated from five consecutive cycles.
Platinum clusters with precise numbers of atoms for preparative-scale catalysis
Authors: Imaoka Takane , Akanuma Yuki , Haruta Naoki , Tsuchiya Shogo , Ishihara Kentaro , Okayasu Takeshi , Chun Wang-Jae , Takahashi Masaki , Yamamoto Kimihisa 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSubnanometer noble metal clusters have enormous potential, mainly for catalytic applications. Because a difference of only one atom may cause significant changes in their reactivity, a preparation method with atomic-level precision is essential. Although such a precision with enough scalability has been achieved by gas-phase synthesis, large-scale preparation is still at the frontier, hampering practical applications. We now show the atom-precise and fully scalable synthesis of platinum clusters on a milligram scale from tiara-like platinum complexes with various ring numbers (n = 5–13). Low-temperature calcination of the complexes on a carbon support under hydrogen stream affords monodispersed platinum clusters, whose atomicity is equivalent to that of the precursor complex. One of the clusters (Pt10) exhibits high catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of styrene compared to that of the other clusters. This method opens an avenue for the application of these clusters to preparative-scale catalysis.
High-performance flexible BiCMOS electronics based on single-crystal Si nanomembrane
Authors: Seo Jung-Hun , Zhang Kan , Kim Munho , Zhou Weidong , Ma Zhenqiang 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn this work, we have demonstrated for the first time integrated flexible bipolar-complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (BiCMOS) thin-film transistors (TFTs) based on a transferable single crystalline Si nanomembrane (Si NM) on a single piece of bendable plastic substrate. The n-channel, p-channel metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (N-MOSFETs & P-MOSFETs), and NPN bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) were realized together on a 340-nm thick Si NM layer with minimized processing complexity at low cost for advanced flexible electronic applications. The fabrication process was simplified by thoughtfully arranging the sequence of necessary ion implantation steps with carefully selected energies, doses and anneal conditions, and by wisely combining some costly processing steps that are otherwise separately needed for all three types of transistors. All types of TFTs demonstrated excellent DC and radio-frequency (RF) characteristics and exhibited stable transconductance and current gain under bending conditions. Overall, Si NM-based flexible BiCMOS TFTs offer great promises for high-performance and multi-functional future flexible electronics applications and is expected to provide a much larger and more versatile platform to address a broader range of applications. Moreover, the flexible BiCMOS process proposed and demonstrated here is compatible with commercial microfabrication technology, making its adaptation to future commercial use straightforward.
Neferine ameliorates cardiomyoblast apoptosis induced by doxorubicin: possible role in modulating NADPH oxidase/ROS-mediated NFκB redox signaling cascade
Authors: Priya Lohanathan Bharathi , Baskaran Rathinasamy , Huang Chih-Yang , Padma Viswanadha Vijaya 
Published: September 2017

AbstractDoxorubicin (DOX) mediated cardiomyopathy is a major challenge in cancer chemotherapy. Redox-cycling of doxorubicin by flavoenzymes makes the heart more vulnerable to oxidative stress leading to cardiac dysfunction. The present study evaluates the role of neferine, a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, in curbing the molecular consequences of DOX-exposure in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. Neferine pre-treatment increased cell viability upon DOX-exposure. DOX activates NADPH oxidase subunits, (p22phox, p47phox, gp91phox) as the primary event followed by peak in [Ca2+]i accumulation by 2 h, ROS by 3 h and activated ERK1/2 and p38 MAPKinases, time dependently along with the activation and translocation of NFκB and up-regulated COX2 and TNF-α expressions. Neferine pre-treatment modulated NADPH oxidase/ROS system, inhibited MAPKinases and NFκB activation, reduced sub G1 cell population and concomitantly increased cyclin D1 expression reducing DOX-mediated apoptosis. The study demonstrates for the first time, the molecular sequential events behind DOX toxicity and the mechanism of protection offered by neferine with specific relevance to NADPH oxidase system, MAPKinases, inflammation and apoptosis in H9c2 cells. Our data suggests the use of neferine as a new approach in pharmacological interventions against cardiovascular disorders as secondary complications.
Therapeutic Effectiveness of Anti-RAGE Antibody Administration in a Rat Model of Crush Injury
Authors: Matsumoto Hisatake , Matsumoto Naoya , Shimazaki Junya , Nakagawa Junichiro , Imamura Yukio , Yamakawa Kazuma , Yamada Tomoki , Ikeda Mitsunori , Hiraike Hiroko , Ogura Hiroshi , Shimazu Takeshi 
Published: September 2017

AbstractCrush injury patients often have systemic inflammatory response syndrome that leads to multiple organ failure. Receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) functions as a pattern recognition receptor that regulates inflammation. We evaluated the effects of anti-RAGE antibody in a crush injury model. Pressure was applied to both hindlimbs of rats for 6 h by 3.0-kg blocks and then released. Animals were randomly divided into the sham (RAGE-Sh) group, crush (RAGE-Ctrl) group or anti-RAGE antibody-treated crush (RAGE-Tx) group. Samples were collected at 3, 6 and 24 h after releasing pressure. In the RAGE-Ctrl group, fluorescent immunostaining in the lung showed upregulated RAGE expression at 3 h. The serum soluble RAGE (sRAGE) level, which reflects the amount of RAGE expression in systemic tissue, increased at 6 h. Serum interleukin 6 (IL-6; systemic inflammation marker) increased immediately at 3 h. Histological analysis revealed lung injury at 6 and 24 h. Administration of anti-RAGE antibody before releasing compression inhibited upregulated RAGE expression in the lung alveoli, suppressed RAGE-associated mediators sRAGE and IL6, attenuated the lung damage and improved the 7-day survival rate. Collectively, our results indicated that the use of anti-RAGE antibody before releasing compression is associated with a favourable prognosis following crush injury.
Airway Changes after Cleft Orthognathic Surgery Evaluated by Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography and Overnight Polysomnographic Study
Authors: Chang Chun-Shin , Wallace Christopher Glenn , Hsiao Yen-Chang , Hsieh Yuh-Jia , Wang Yi-Chin , Chen Ning-Hung , Liao Yu-Fang , Liou Eric Jen-Wein , Chen Philip Kuo-Ting , Chen Jyh-Ping , Chen Yu-Ray 
Published: September 2017

AbstractCleft lip and palate is the most common congenital craniofacial anomaly. Up to 60% of these patients will benefit from cleft orthognathic surgery, which consists primarily of maxillary advancement and mandibular setback to address midface retrusion and relative mandibular protrusion, respectively. It is believed that maxillary advancement can enlarge the airway whilst mandibular setback can reduce the airway, but this has not previously been quantified for cleft patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. This unique longitudinal prospective study of 18 patients was conducted between April 2013 and July 2016. No significant changes occurred by six months postoperatively in body mass index, apnoea-hypopnoea index or lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT). There was a mean increase of 0.73 cm3 in velopharyngeal volume, a mean decrease of 0.79 cm3 in oropharyngeal volume, an improvement in snoring index, and no statistically significant change in hypopharyngeal volume. In conclusion, cleft orthognathic surgery that produced anterior advancement of the maxilla, setback of the mandible and clockwise rotation of the maxillo-mandibular complex resulted in increased velopharyngeal, decreased oropharyngeal and unchanged hypopharyngeal airways, and improved snoring, but did not significantly alter objective sleep-related breathing function.
Fenugreek Compound (N55) Lowers Plasma Glucose through the Enhancement of Response of Physiological Glucagon-like peptide-1
Authors: Chou I-Wen , Cheng Yu-Hong , Chen Yet-Ran , Hsieh Patrick Ching-Ho , King Klim 
Published: September 2017

AbstractGlucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor (GLP-1R) analogues are approved for treating type 2 diabetes, but are known to activate GLP-1R signaling globally and constitutively. Active compound N55, previously isolated from fenugreek, enhances the potency of GLP-1 without activating GLP-1R. Here we investigated if N55 lowers plasma glucose base on physiological levels of GLP-1. N55 was found to dose-dependently lower plasma glucose in non-fasted mice but not in the fasted mice, with the effect attenuated by GLP-1R antagonist exendin-(9–39) (Ex-9). On the other hand, when co-administered with dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP4) -resistant [Aib8]-GLP-1(7–36) amide (GLP-1′), hypoglycemic response to N55 was observed in the fasted mice. This enhancement was also found to display dose dependency. N55 enhancement of the hypoglycemic and insulinotropic action of GLP-1′ was eliminated upon Ex-9 treatment. Both exendin-4 (Ex-4) and DPP4-resistant GLP-1 mutant peptide ([Aib8, E22, E30]-GLP-1(7–36) amide) activated GLP-1R and improved glucose tolerance but the enhancement effect of N55 was not observed in vivo or in vitro. In conclusions, N55 lowers plasma glucose according to prandial status by enhancing the response of physiological levels of GLP-1 and is much less likely to disrupt tight regulation of GLP-1R signaling as compare to GLP-1 analogues.
High-performance silicon photonic tri-state switch based on balanced nested Mach-Zehnder interferometer
Authors: Lu Zeqin , Celo Dritan , Mehrvar Hamid , Bernier Eric , Chrostowski Lukas 
Published: September 2017

AbsatrctThis work proposes a novel silicon photonic tri-state (cross/bar/blocking) switch, featuring high-speed switching, broadband operation, and crosstalk-free performance. The switch is designed based on a 2 × 2 balanced nested Mach-Zehnder interferometer structure with carrier injection phase tuning. As compared to silicon photonic dual-state (cross/bar) switches based on Mach-Zehnder interferometers with carrier injection phase tuning, the proposed switch not only has better performance in cross/bar switching but also provides an extra blocking state. The unique blocking state has a great advantage in applications of N × N switch fabrics, where idle switching elements in the fabrics can be configured to the blocking state for crosstalk suppression. According to our numerical experiments on a fully loaded 8 × 8 dilated Banyan switch fabric, the worst output crosstalk of the 8 × 8 switch can be dramatically suppressed by more than 50 dB, by assigning the blocking state to idle switching elements in the fabric. The results of this work can extend the functionality of silicon photonic switches and significantly improve the performance of on-chip N × N photonic switching technologies.