bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pathogen screening and prognostic factors in children with severe ARDS of pulmonary origin
Authors: Phung Thuy Thi Bich , Suzuki Tadaki , Phan Phuc Huu , Kawachi Shoji , Furuya Hiroyuki , Do Huong Thu , Kageyama Tsutomu , Ta Tuan Anh , Dao Nam Huu , Nunoi Hiroyuki , Tran Dien Minh , Le Hai Thanh , Nakajima Noriko 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundAcute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is one of the most lethal diseases encountered in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The etiological pathogens and prognostic factors of severe ARDS of pulmonary origin in children with respiratory virus infections were prospectively investigated.MethodsEnrolled children fulfilled the following criteria: (1) PICU admission; (2) age of 1 month to 16 years; (3) diagnosis of infectious pneumonia and respiratory virus infection; and (4) development of severe ARDS within 72 h after PICU admission. Pathogens were detected in the blood and tracheal lavage fluid using molecular techniques and a conventional culture system. The serum levels of inflammatory mediators on the day of PICU admission were examined.ResultsFifty‐seven patients (32 boys; median age, 9 months) were enrolled. Multiple virus infections, co‐infection with bacteria/fungus, and bacteremia/fungemia were observed in 60%, 49%, and 32% of children, respectively. Adenovirus‐B, measles virus, and cytomegalovirus were detected predominantly in tracheal lavage fluid. There were no statistically significant differences between non‐survivors and survivors regarding the types of pathogen, incidence of multiple virus infection, gender, age, clinical features, and treatment. The serum levels of interferon (IFN)‐γ and the IFN‐γ/interleukin (IL)‐10 ratio were higher in non‐survivors.ConclusionsIFN‐γ upregulation as detected on the day of PICU admission was found to be one of the possible prognostic factors affecting a fatal outcome. These results suggest that modulation of inflammatory responses is critical for the clinical management of children with ARDS.
Fourier transform (FT)‐artifacts and power‐function resolution filter in Fourier transform mass spectrometry
Authors: Kanawati Basem , Bader Theresa M. , Wanczek Karl‐Peter , Li Yan , Schmitt‐Kopplin Philippe 
Published: July 2017

RationalePeak picking algorithms in mass spectrometry face the challenge of picking the correct signals from a mass spectrum. In some cases signal wiggles (side lobes) are also chosen in the produced mass list as if they were real signals. Constraints which are defined in such algorithms do not always guarantee wiggle‐free accurate mass list generation out of raw mass spectra. This problem intensifies with acquisitions, which are accompanied by longer transients. Thus, the problem represents a contemporary issue, which propagates with modern high‐memory digitizers and exists in both MS and MS/MS spectra.MethodsA solariX FTMS mass spectrometer with an Infinity ICR cell (Bruker Daltonics, Bremen, Germany) coupled to a 12 Tesla magnet (Magnex, UK) was used for the experimental study. Time‐domain transients of several different data point lengths 512k, 1M, 2M, 4M, 8M were obtained and were Fourier‐transformed to obtain frequency spectra which show the effect of the transient truncation on sinc wiggle developments in FT‐ICR‐MS. MATLAB simulations were also performed to investigate the origin of the Fourier transform (FT)‐artifacts.ResultsA new filter has been developed to identify and remove FT‐artifacts (sinc side lobes) from both frequency and mass spectra. The newly developed filter is based on distinguishing between the FWHM of the correct frequency/mass signals and the FWHM of their corresponding wiggles. The filter draws a reliable confidence limit of resolution range, within which a correct frequency/mass signal is identified. The filter is applicable over a wide mass range of metabolic interest (100–1200 amu).ConclusionsThe origin of FT‐artifacts due to time‐domain transient truncations was thoroughly investigated both experimentally and by simulations in this study. A new solution for this problem with automatic recognition and elimination of these FT‐artifacts (side lobes/wiggles) is provided, which is independent of any intensity thresholds, magnetic field strengths and time‐domain transient lengths.
An emerging model organism Caenorhabditis elegans for alternative pre‐mRNA processing in vivo
Authors: Wani Shotaro , Kuroyanagi Hidehito 
Published: July 2017

A nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an intron‐rich organism and up to 25% of its pre‐mRNAs are estimated to be alternatively processed. Its compact genomic organization enables construction of fluorescence splicing reporters with intact genomic sequences and visualization of alternative processing patterns of interest in the transparent living animals with single‐cell resolution. Genetic analysis with the reporter worms facilitated identification of trans‐acting factors and cis‐acting elements, which are highly conserved in mammals. Analysis of unspliced and partially spliced pre‐mRNAs in vivo raised models for alternative splicing regulation relying on specific order of intron excision. RNA‐seq analysis of splicing factor mutants and CLIP‐seq analysis of the factors allow global search for target genes in the whole animal. An mRNA surveillance system is not essential for its viability or fertility, allowing analysis of unproductively spliced noncoding mRNAs. These features offer C. elegans as an ideal model organism for elucidating alternative pre‐mRNA processing mechanisms in vivo. Examples of isoform‐specific functions of alternatively processed genes are summarized. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1428. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1428This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing
RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development
RNA Methods > RNA Analyses in Cells
Evaluation of serum Neuron‐specific enolase, S100B, myelin basic protein and glial fibrilliary acidic protein as brain specific proteins in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Esnafoglu Erman , Ayyıldız Sema Nur , Cırrık Selma , Erturk Emine Yurdakul , Erdil Abdullah , Daglı Abdullah , Noyan Tevfik 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjectiveBrain specific‐proteins are not found in other tissues and measurement non‐invasively in the blood may identify structurally and functionally damaged brain regions and identify the severity and prognosis of neuropsychiatric diseases. For this reason, we aimed to evaluate serum brain‐specific protein values as brain damage markers in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).Method35 children with ASD and 31 healthy subjects were included in the study. Sociodemographic form and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) were applied to each subject. Serum neuron specific enolase (NSE), S100B, Myelin basic protein (MBP) and Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) values ​​were measured with ELISA.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the two groups for NSE, MBP and S100 B values (p = 0.242; p = 0.768; p = 0.672, respectively). However, GFAP values ​​in the patient group were statistically significantly higher (mean ± SD: 0.463 ± 0.392 ng/ml) than in the healthy control group (mean ± SD: 0.256 ± 0.111 ng/ml) (p < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between serum GFAP values ​​and CARS score in all subjects and in the patient group (r = 0.599; p < 0.001 and r = 0.380; p = 0.024, respectively).ConclusionsWhile serum NSE, MBP, and S100 B values cannot be considered as biomarkers for ASD, GFAP may be a biomarker and is suggested as a possible indicator of autism severity.
Aerodynamic performance of an un-located high-pressure turbine rotor
Authors: Pawsey L. , Rajendran D. J. , Pachidis V. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTThe rotor sub-assembly of the high-pressure turbine of a modern turbofan engine is typically free to move downstream because of the force imbalance acting on the disc and blades following an un-located shaft failure. This downstream movement results in a change in the geometry of the rotor blade, tip seals and rim/platform seals because of the interaction of the rotor sub-assembly with the downstream vane sub-assembly. Additionally, there is a change in the leakage flow properties, which mix with the main flow because of the change in engine behaviour and secondary air system dynamics. In the present work, the changes in geometry following the downstream movement of the turbine, are obtained from a validated friction model and structural LS-DYNA simulations. Changes in leakage flow properties are obtained from a transient network source-sink secondary air system model. Three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulations are used to evaluate the aerodynamic effect from the inclusion of the leakage flows, tipseal domains, and downstream movement of the rotor for three displacement configurations (i.e. 0, 10 and 15 mm) with appropriate changes in geometry and leakage flow conditions. It is observed from the results that there is a significant reduction in the expansion ratio, torque and power produced by the turbine with the downstream movement of the rotor because of changes in the flow behaviour for the different configurations. These changes in turbine performance parameters are necessary to accurately predict the terminal speed of the rotor using an engine thermodynamic model. Further, it is to be noted that such reductions in turbine rotor torque will result in a reduction of the terminal speed attained by the rotor during an un-located shaft failure. Therefore the terminal speed of the rotor can be controlled by introducing design features that will result in the rapid rearward displacement of the turbine rotor.
Arginine metabolism and its protective effects on intestinal health and functions in weaned piglets under oxidative stress induced by diquat
Authors: Zheng Ping , Yu Bing , He Jun , Yu Jie , Mao Xiangbing , Luo Yuheng , Luo Junqiu , Huang Zhiqing , Tian Gang , Zeng Qiufeng , Che Lianqiang , Chen Daiwen 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe intestine plays key roles in maintaining body arginine (Arg) homoeostasis. Meanwhile, the intestine is very susceptible to reactive oxygen species. In light of this, the study aimed to explore the effects of Arg supplementation on intestinal morphology, Arg transporters and metabolism, and the potential protective mechanism of Arg supplementation in piglets under oxidative stress. A total of thirty-six weaned piglets were randomly allocated to six groups with six replicates and fed a base diet (0·95 % Arg,) or base diet supplemented with 0·8 % and 1·6 %l-Arg for 1 week, respectively. Subsequently, a challenge test was conducted by intraperitoneal injection of diquat, an initiator of radical production, or sterile saline. The whole trial lasted 11 d. The diquat challenge significantly decreased plasma Arg concentration at 6 h after injection (P<0·05), lowered villus height in the jejunum and ileum (P<0·05) as well as villus width and crypt depth in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum (P<0·05). Oxidative stress significantly increasedcationic amino acid transporter(CAT)-1,CAT-2andCAT-3, mRNA levels (P<0·05), decreasedarginase II(ARGII) andinducible nitric oxide synthasemRNA levels, and increasedTNF-αmRNA level in the jejunum (P<0·05). Supplementation with Arg significantly decreased crypt depth (P<0·05), suppressedCAT-1mRNA expression induced by diquat (P<0·05), increasedARGIIandendothelial nitric oxide synthasemRNA levels (P<0·05), and effectively relieved theTNF-αmRNA expression induced by diquat in the jejunum (P<0·05). It is concluded that oxidative stress decreased Arg bioavailability and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines in the jejunum, and that Arg supplementation has beneficial effects in the jejunum through regulation of the metabolism of Arg and suppression of inflammatory cytokine expression in piglets.
What do voters do when they like a local candidate from another party?
Authors: Blais André , Daoust Jean-François 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe address two questions: How many voters particularly like a candidate from another party? And do these voters vote for their preferred party or their preferred candidate? We use the Making Electoral Democracy Work data for the 2015 Canadian federal election in three provinces (British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec). We find that one voter out of ten particularly liked a candidate from a party other than the one he or she preferred. For two out of five of such voters, the preference for the local candidate trumped the party preference.
PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFITS ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS IN AUSTRALIA
Authors: Turkstra Erika , Bettington Emilie , Donohue Maria L. , Mervin Merehau C. 
Published: July 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine submissions made to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) and assess whether the predicted financial impact was associated with a recommendation. The second objective was to assess whether the financial and utilization estimates for listing the proposed medicine were reliable.Methods: Data were extracted from public summary documents of major submissions considered by the PBAC from 2012 to 2014. Information collected included whether submissions were accepted, rejected, or deferred; estimated use; and financial impact. For those submissions that were recommended in 2012 and listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) by January 2014, a comparison was made between predicted and actual use and cost in 2014, based on PBS utilization.Results: In 2012 to 2014, the PBAC considered 142 unique major submissions; of those, 65 were recommended for listing. A higher financial cost to the government was a statistically significant factor in predicting rejection (p = .004 for cost > AUD 30 million Australian dollars [20.7 million Euros] compared with cost-saving). Of the submissions that were recommended in 2012 and listed by 2014, the actual use was higher than predicted for 5/19 medications. The estimated cost was outside the predicted bracket of cost for 10/19 medications, with 8/19 medications having threefold underestimated expenditure, and 2/19 items having lower than predicted expenditure.Conclusions: This study highlights that the predicted financial impact of a medication to the PBS budget is associated with a PBAC recommendation and also highlights that predicted use may not reflect actual prescribing practices.
Genome-wide association and expression quantitative trait loci studies identify multiple susceptibility loci for thyroid cancer
Authors: Son Ho-Young , Hwangbo Yul , Yoo Seong-Keun , Im Sun-Wha , Yang San Duk , Kwak Soo-Jung , Park Min Seon , Kwak Soo Heon , Cho Sun Wook , Ryu Jun Sun , Kim Jeongseon , Jung Yuh-Seog , Kim Tae Hyun , Kim Su-jin , Lee Kyu Eun , Park Do Joon , Cho Nam Han , Sung Joohon , Seo Jeong-Sun , Lee Eun Kyung , Park Young Joo , Kim Jong-Il 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThyroid cancer is the most common cancer in Korea. Several susceptibility loci of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) were identified by previous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in Europeans only. Here we conducted a GWAS and a replication study in Koreans using a total of 1,085 DTC cases and 8,884 controls, and validated these results using expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis and clinical phenotypes. The most robust associations were observed in the NRG1 gene (rs6996585, P=1.08 × 10−10) and this SNP was also associated with NRG1 expression in thyroid tissues. In addition, we confirmed three previously reported loci (FOXE1, NKX2-1 and DIRC3) and identified seven novel susceptibility loci (VAV3, PCNXL2, INSR, MRSB3, FHIT, SEPT11 and SLC24A6) associated with DTC. Furthermore, we identified specific variants of DTC that have different effects according to cancer type or ethnicity. Our findings provide deeper insight into the genetic contribution to thyroid cancer in different populations.
Platelet function is modified by common sequence variation in megakaryocyte super enhancers
Authors: Petersen Romina , Lambourne John J. , Javierre Biola M. , Grassi Luigi , Kreuzhuber Roman , Ruklisa Dace , Rosa Isabel M. , Tomé Ana R. , Elding Heather , van Geffen Johanna P. , Jiang Tao , Farrow Samantha , Cairns Jonathan , Al-Subaie Abeer M. , Ashford Sofie , Attwood Antony , Batista Joana , Bouman Heleen , Burden Frances , Choudry Fizzah A. , Clarke Laura , Flicek Paul , Garner Stephen F. , Haimel Matthias , Kempster Carly , Ladopoulos Vasileios , Lenaerts An-Sofie , Materek Paulina M. , McKinney Harriet , Meacham Stuart , Mead Daniel , Nagy Magdolna , Penkett Christopher J. , Rendon Augusto , Seyres Denis , Sun Benjamin , Tuna Salih , van der Weide Marie-Elise , Wingett Steven W. , Martens Joost H. , Stegle Oliver , Richardson Sylvia , Vallier Ludovic , Roberts David J. , Freson Kathleen , Wernisch Lorenz , Stunnenberg Hendrik G. , Danesh John , Fraser Peter , Soranzo Nicole , Butterworth Adam S. , Heemskerk Johan W. , Turro Ernest , Spivakov Mikhail , Ouwehand Willem H. , Astle William J. , Downes Kate , Kostadima Myrto , Frontini Mattia 
Published: July 2017

AbstractLinking non-coding genetic variants associated with the risk of diseases or disease-relevant traits to target genes is a crucial step to realize GWAS potential in the introduction of precision medicine. Here we set out to determine the mechanisms underpinning variant association with platelet quantitative traits using cell type-matched epigenomic data and promoter long-range interactions. We identify potential regulatory functions for 423 of 565 (75%) non-coding variants associated with platelet traits and we demonstrate, through ex vivo and proof of principle genome editing validation, that variants in super enhancers play an important role in controlling archetypical platelet functions.
Quantitative real-time imaging of glutathione
Authors: Jiang Xiqian , Chen Jianwei , Bajić Aleksandar , Zhang Chengwei , Song Xianzhou , Carroll Shaina L. , Cai Zhao-Lin , Tang Meiling , Xue Mingshan , Cheng Ninghui , Schaaf Christian P. , Li Feng , MacKenzie Kevin R. , Ferreon Allan Chris M. , Xia Fan , Wang Meng C. , Maletić-Savatić Mirjana , Wang Jin 
Published: July 2017

AbstractGlutathione plays many important roles in biological processes; however, the dynamic changes of glutathione concentrations in living cells remain largely unknown. Here, we report a reversible reaction-based fluorescent probe—designated as RealThiol (RT)—that can quantitatively monitor the real-time glutathione dynamics in living cells. Using RT, we observe enhanced antioxidant capability of activated neurons and dynamic glutathione changes during ferroptosis. RT is thus a versatile tool that can be used for both confocal microscopy and flow cytometry based high-throughput quantification of glutathione levels in single cells. We envision that this new glutathione probe will enable opportunities to study glutathione dynamics and transportation and expand our understanding of the physiological and pathological roles of glutathione in living cells.
Self-management behaviour and support among primary care COPD patients: cross-sectional analysis of data from the Birmingham Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Cohort
Authors: Khan Ainee , Dickens Andrew P. , Adab Peymane , Jordan Rachel E. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSelf-management support for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is recommended by UK national guidelines, but extent of implementation is unknown. We aimed to describe self-management behaviour and support among COPD patients and explore behaviour associated with having a self-management plan. We undertook cross-sectional analysis of self-reported data from diagnosed COPD patients in the Birmingham COPD Cohort study. Questionnaire items relevant to self-management behaviour, knowledge of COPD, receipt of self-management plans and advice from healthcare professionals were examined. Multiple regression models were used to identify behaviour associated with having a self-management plan. One-thousand seventy-eight participants (676 males, 62.7%, mean age 69.8 (standard deviation 9.0) years) were included. The majority reported taking medications as instructed (940, 94.0%) and receiving annual influenza vaccinations (962, 89.2%). Only 400 (40.4%) participants had self-management plans, 538 (49.9%) reported never having received advice on diet/exercise and 110 (42.7%) current smokers had been offered practical help to stop smoking in the previous year. General knowledge about COPD was moderate (mean total Bristol COPD Knowledge Questionnaire score: 31.5 (standard deviation 10.7); max score 65), corresponding to 48.5% of questions answered correctly. Having a self-management plan was positively associated with self-reported adherence to medication (odds ratio 3.10, 95% confidence interval 1.43 to 6.72), attendance at a training course (odds ratio 2.72, 95% confidence interval 1.81 to 4.12), attendance at a support group (odds ratio 6.28, 95% confidence interval 2.96 to 13.35) and better disease knowledge (mean difference 4.87, 95% confidence interval 3.16 to 6.58). Primary care healthcare professionals should ensure more widespread implementation of individualised self-management plans for all patients and improve the lifestyle advice provided.
Mucin 2 silencing promotes colon cancer metastasis through interleukin-6 signaling
Authors: Hsu Hui-Ping , Lai Ming-Derg , Lee Jenq-Chang , Yen Meng-Chi , Weng Tzu-Yang , Chen Wei-Ching , Fang Jung-Hua , Chen Yi-Ling 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDownregulation of Mucin 2 (MUC2) expression is associated with early carcinogenesis events in colon cancer. MUC2 plays a role in the progression of colon cancer, and reduced MUC2 protein expression correlates with increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression. However, the interaction between MUC2 and IL-6 in colorectal cancer metastasis remains unclear. We systematically analyzed MUC2 and IL-6 expression and determined the survival of cancer patients with high or low MUC2 and IL-6 expression using the Oncomine and PrognoScan databases, respectively. This analysis identified downregulation of MUC2 and overexpression of IL-6 in colon cancer but not in normal colon tissue, and this expression pattern was correlated with poor survival of colon cancer patients. We examined the effects of MUC2 on colon cancer metastasis and used vector-mediated application of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) to suppress MUC2 expression. MUC2 suppressed the migration of colon cancer cells in vitro and dramatically diminished liver metastases in vivo. Treatment with IL-6 increased signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation, promoted checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) activation, attenuated cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation, and suppressed E-cadherin protein expression in MUC2-silenced HT-29 cancer cells. Most importantly, MUC2 is a potential prognostic indicator for colon cancer.