bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synergistic antitumor effect of a human papillomavirus DNA vaccine harboring E6E7 fusion gene and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 gene
Authors: Gao Jie , Fan Lei , Ma Wei , Xiao Huan 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTHuman papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as the primary etiological factor in cervical cancer as well as in subsets of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. The two HPV viral oncoproteins, E6 and E7, are uniquely and consistently expressed in all HPV‐infected cells and are therefore promising targets for therapeutic vaccination. In order to achieve a synergistic antitumor and anti‐angiogenesis effect, we designed and constructed a novel DNA vaccine that can express the HPV 16 E6E7 fusion protein and VEGFR2 in the same reading frame. A series of DNA plasmids encoding E6E7, VEGFR2 and their conjugates were constructed and injected into mice. The resultant humoral and cellular immune responses were detected by ELISA and enzyme‐linked immunospot (ELISPOT), respectively. To evaluate the antitumor efficacy of these plasmids, tumor‐bearing mice expressing the E6E7 fusion protein were constructed. After injection into the tumor‐bearing mouse model, the plasmid harboring the E6E7 fusion gene and VEGFR2 showed stronger inhibition of tumor growth than the plasmid expressing E6E7 or VEGFR2 alone, which indicated that the combination of E6E7 and VEGFR2 could exert a synergistic antitumor effect. These observations emphasize the potential of a synergistic antitumor and anti‐angiogenesis strategy using a DNA vaccine, which could be a promising approach for tumor immunotherapy.
Sample Dimensionality Effects on d′ and Proportion of Correct Responses in Discrimination Testing
Authors: Bloom David J. , Lee Soo‐Yeun 
Published: August 2016

AbstractProducts in the food and beverage industry have varying levels of dimensionality ranging from pure water to multicomponent food products, which can modify sensory perception and possibly influence discrimination testing results. The objectives of the study were to determine the impact of (1) sample dimensionality and (2) complex formulation changes on the d′ and proportion of correct response of the 3‐AFC and triangle methods. Two experiments were conducted using 47 prescreened subjects who performed either triangle or 3‐AFC test procedures. In Experiment I, subjects performed 3‐AFC and triangle tests using model solutions with different levels of dimensionality. Samples increased in dimensionality from 1‐dimensional sucrose in water solution to 3‐dimensional sucrose, citric acid, and flavor in water solution. In Experiment II, subjects performed 3‐AFC and triangle tests using 3‐dimensional solutions. Sample pairs differed in all 3 dimensions simultaneously to represent complex formulation changes. Two forms of complexity were compared: dilution, where all dimensions decreased in the same ratio, and compensation, where a dimension was increased to compensate for a reduction in another. The proportion of correct responses decreased for both methods when the dimensionality was increased from 1‐ to 2‐dimensional samples. No reduction in correct responses was observed from 2‐ to 3‐dimensional samples. No significant differences in d′ were demonstrated between the 2 methods when samples with complex formulation changes were tested. Results reveal an impact on proportion of correct responses due to sample dimensionality and should be explored further using a wide range of sample formulations.
Microwave‐Assisted Extraction, Chemical Structures, and Chain Conformation of Polysaccharides from a Novel Cordyceps Sinensis Fungus UM01
Authors: Cheong Kit‐Leong , Wang Lan‐Ying , Wu Ding‐Tao , Hu De‐Jun , Zhao Jing , Li Shao‐Ping 
Published: August 2016

AbstractCordyceps sinensis is a well‐known tonic food with broad medicinal properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the optimization of microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) and characterize chemical structures and chain conformation of polysaccharides from a novel C. sinensis fungus UM01. Ion‐exchange and gel filtration chromatography were used to purify the polysaccharides. The chemical structure of purified polysaccharide was determined through gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Moreover, high performance size exclusion chromatography combined with refractive index detector and multiangle laser light scattering were conducted to analyze the molecular weight (Mw) and chain conformation of purified polysaccharide. Based on the orthogonal design L9, optimal MAE conditions could be obtained through 1300 W of microwave power, with a 5‐min irradiation time at a solid to water ratio of 1:60, generating the highest extraction yield of 6.20%. Subsequently, the polysaccharide UM01‐S1 was purified. The UM01‐S1 is a glucan‐type polysaccharide with a (1→4)‐β‐d‐glucosyl backbone and branching points located at O‐3 of Glcp with a terminal‐d‐Glcp. The Mw, radius of gyration (Rg) and hydrodynamic radius (Rh) of UM01‐S1 were determined as 5.442 × 106 Da, 21.8 and 20.2 nm, respectively. Using the polymer solution theory, the exponent (ν) value of the power law function was calculated as 0.38, and the shape factor (ρ = Rg/Rh) was 1.079, indicating that UM01‐S1 has a sphere‐like conformation with a branched structure in an aqueous solution. These results provide fundamental information for the future application of polysaccharides from cultured C. sinensis in health and functional food area.
Exploring divergent antibiotic resistance genes in ancient metagenomes and discovery of a novel beta‐lactamase family
Authors: Rascovan Nicolás , Telke Amar , Raoult Didier , Rolain Jean Marc , Desnues Christelle 
Published: August 2016

SummaryAntibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria is a major problem for human health. We analyzed metagenomic datasets from ancient and remote samples from diverse environmental sources and observed the presence of all the eleven antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) groups evaluated. Since ancient samples are not subjected to modern effects of antibiotic misuse, they represent a clean model to explore the natural diversity of ARG in the environment. Most sequences showed high divergence compared with known ARG, representing a much larger universe than the currently known and characterized ARGs. We explored whether proteins within the “divergent resistome” may correspond to functional ARG by characterizing a beta‐lactamase hit with very low similarity to any known sequence (<45% to best BLAST hit in NCBI). By starting from purely in‐silico data, we revived a new family of class B beta‐lactamases from ancient medieval samples, which exhibited a very high penicillinase activity. In this work, we explored ancient resistomes and added novel support to previous works showing that the universe of ARG is naturally vast and diverse in microbial communities. Our results bring a new perspective to the exploration of environmental ARG and indicate that this gigantic reservoir represents a natural endless source of emerging resistances.
Childhood cognitive ability and smoking initiation, relapse and cessation throughout adulthood: evidence from two British cohort studies
Authors: Daly Michael , Egan Mark 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAimsTo test the relationship between early cognitive ability and major changes in smoking habits across adulthood, and test whether educational attainment mediates these associations.DesignProspective observational study to examine the link between cognitive ability and smoking initiation, relapse and cessation at multiple time‐points throughout adulthood in a pooled analysis of two cohorts.SettingGreat Britain 1981–2013.ParticipantsA total of 16 653 participants from two British cohorts; 7191 from the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS) and 9462 from the 1958 National Child Development Study (NCDS). Participants were 52.9% female and 27.3% were smokers, 24.8% were ex‐smokers and 47.9% reported never smoking.MeasurementsCognitive ability was assessed at age 10 years in the BCS and 11 years in the NCDS. Outcomes were smoking initiation, relapse and cessation derived from changes in smoking status observed across five time‐points between ages 26–42 in the BCS and six time‐points between ages 23–55 in the NCDS. Educational attainment was examined as a mediating variable. Controls were age, gender, social class, self‐control, psychological distress, parental smoking and a study indicator (BCS/NCDS).FindingsIn adjusted regression models, a 1 standard deviation increase in cognitive ability predicted a 0.5 percentage point (95% CI = −0.9 to −0.1) reduced probability of smoking and a 2.9 percentage point (95% CI = 2.1–3.7) higher probability of smoking cessation throughout adulthood, but did not change the likelihood of smoking relapse significantly. Differences in educational attainment explained approximately half the association between childhood cognitive ability and smoking initiation/cessation.ConclusionsLower cognitive ability, measured in childhood before smoking is initiated, appears to predict a higher likelihood of taking up smoking and a lower likelihood of quitting in adulthood. Educational attainment appears to mediate this effect: children with higher cognitive ability tend to become more highly educated adults which, in turn, predicts lower rates of smoking initiation and increased rates of smoking cessation.
Trajectories of cannabis use disorder: risk factors, clinical characteristics and outcomes
Authors: Kosty Derek B. , Seeley John R. , Farmer Richard F. , Stevens Joseph J. , Lewinsohn Peter M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAimsTo estimate cannabis use disorder (CUD) trajectory classes from ages 14 to 30 years and compare classes on clinical characteristics, risk factors and psychosocial outcomes.DesignFour waves (T1–T4) of data from an epidemiological study of psychopathology among a regionally representative sample. Trajectory classes described risk for CUD as a function of age. The number of classes was determined by model fit.SettingParticipants were selected randomly from nine high schools in western Oregon, USA.ParticipantsThe sample included 816 participants [age at T1 mean = 16.6, standard deviation (SD) = 1.2; 44% male; 8% non‐white].MeasurementsParticipants completed diagnostic interviews, Child Trauma Questionnaire, Social Adjustment Scale and items adapted from the Wisconsin Manual for Assessing Psychotic‐Like Experiences.FindingsThere were three CUD trajectory classes (Lo–Mendell–Rubin likelihood ratio test < 0.001): (1) persistent increasing risk; (2) maturing out, with increasing risk then decreasing risk; and (3) stable low risk. The persistent increasing class had later initial CUD onsets (η2 = 0.16, P < 0.001) and greater cumulative CUD durations (η2 = 0.26, P < 0.001). Male sex [odds ratio (OR) = 2.57, P = 0.018], externalizing disorders between ages 24 and 30 years (OR = 2.64, P < 0.001) and psychotic experiences during early adulthood (Cohen's d = 0.44, P = 0.016) discriminated between the persistent increasing and the maturing‐out classes.ConclusionsEvidence suggests three distinguishable types of trajectory for development of cannabis use disorder starting in early teens: (1) persistent increasing risk; (2) maturing out, with increasing risk then decreasing risk; and (3) stable low risk.
Effects of the insecticides methoxyfenozide and cypermethrin on non‐target arthropods: a field experiment
Authors: Loetti Verónica , Bellocq Isabel 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe adverse effect of pesticides on non‐target organisms and the environment is an issue of great social concern. Currently, there are a variety of availably insecticides, which are claimed to be safer for beneficial organisms than broad‐spectrum insecticides. We conducted a field experiment to compare the effect of applications of methoxyfenozide (an insect growth regulator) and cypermethrin (a conventional insecticide) on the arthropod community in a commercial willow plantation. We used a one‐way Anova design with insecticide as the treatment factor, each individual tree as the experimental unit, and the number of dead arthropods collected per sampling unit as the response variable. Results showed that the number of dead arthropods collected 72 h after treatment with methoxyfenozide (1274 individuals) was 66% lower than that collected underneath cypermethrin‐treated trees (3408 individuals). The only groups not recorded from boxes places underneath methoxyfenozide‐treated trees, but yes underneath cypermethrin‐treated trees, were Dyctioptera, Pseudoscorpionida and Isopoda. Methoxyfenozide was lethal to a lower number of families of dipterans, coleopterans and hymenopterans than the cypermethrin during the first 72 h after treatment. The number of taxonomic groups and abundance of dead predators, herbivores and parasitoids was also lower in methoxyfenozide than in cypermethrin‐treated trees. Our results obtained from a field experiment suggest that methoxyfenozide provides a less toxic alternative for control of pests in willow plantations due to a reduced effect on non‐target organisms.
Prospective population‐based cohort study of maternal obesity as a source of error in gestational age estimation at 11–14 weeks
Authors: Bak Geske S. , Sperling Lene , Källén Karin , Salvesen Kjell Å. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIntroductionAn impact of maternal obesity on ultrasound dating of pregnancy at 11–14 gestational weeks is possible and was investigated.Material and methodsA prospective cohort study based on the Danish national population during a 4‐year period in which we entered all mothers with singleton pregnancies who had a known last menstrual period (LMP), a recorded booking of body mass index (BMI), and a late first trimester ultrasound dating scan using crown‐rump‐length measurement (gestational age 11+0–13+6 weeks). Almost all scans were performed transabdominally. Transvaginal ultrasound was only performed in the case of limited visibility by transabdominal scanning. Differences between LMP and ultrasound estimated date of delivery (EDD) were stratified by BMI classes. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated and adjusted for maternal age, parity and smoking.ResultsIn total, 187 486 women were analyzed: 21.8% were overweight and 12.3% obese. Ultrasound EDD was ≥7 days later than by LMP in 5.8% of normal‐weight women, 7.3% of obese women, and 10.0% of women with morbid obesity. Compared with normal BMI (18.5–24.9), the OR for postponing EDD increased with increasing BMI; BMI 25–29.9 [OR 0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93–1.02], BMI 30–34.9 (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07–1.23), BMI 35–39.9 (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.15–1.42), and BMI 40+ (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.50–1.98). Lean pregnant women (BMI <18.5) also had a higher chance of having EDD postponed 7 days or more (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01–1.22).ConclusionRising maternal BMI appears to be associated with postponement of ultrasound EDD.
Reduced physical exercise and health‐related quality of life after Fontan palliation
Authors: Hedlund Eva R. , Lundell Bo , Villard Li , Sjöberg Gunnar 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAimA growing number of patients with Fontan circulation are reaching adulthood, and there is increasing concern about their physical performance and quality of life. This study compared self‐reported exercise and measured activity with quality of life in patients after Fontan palliation and healthy controls.MethodsPhysical exercise during an average school week was reported by 30 Fontan circulation patients aged eight to 20 years, and 25 healthy controls, followed by accelerometer recordings over seven days. All subjects and their parents answered a questionnaire on quality of life.ResultsPatients reported spending less time exercising each week than the controls (114 ± 66 minutes vs. 228 ± 147 minutes, p < 0.001). However, the overall measured activity and moderate‐to‐vigorous activity was similar for patients and controls. Patients reported a lower quality of life score than the controls (70.9 ± 9.9 vs. 85.7 ± 8.0, p < 0.001).ConclusionIn spite of similar measured total activity, Fontan patients reported less time engaged in regular physical exercise than healthy controls and their quality of life was lower than the controls. We speculate that promoting structured regular physical exercise could improve the quality of life of Fontan patients.
Prophylactic Melatonin Attenuates Isoflurane‐Induced Cognitive Impairment in Aged Rats through Hippocampal Melatonin Receptor 2 – cAMP Response Element Binding Signalling
Authors: Liu Yajie , Ni Cheng , Li Zhengqian , Yang Ning , Zhou Yang , Rong Xiaoying , Qian Min , Chui Dehua , Guo Xiangyang 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMelatonin exerts many physiological effects via melatonin receptors, among which the melatonin‐2 receptor (MT2) plays a critical role in circadian rhythm disorders, Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders. A melatonin replacement strategy has been tested previously, and MT2 was a critical target during the process. cAMP response element binding (CREB) is an essential transcription factor for memory formation and could be involved in MT2 signalling. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of prophylactic melatonin on inhaled anaesthetic isoflurane‐induced cognitive impairment, and to determine whether the protective effects of melatonin are dependent on MT2 and downstream CREB signalling in the hippocampus of aged rats. The results showed that prophylactic melatonin attenuated isoflurane‐induced decreases in plasma/hippocampal melatonin levels and cognitive impairment in aged rats. Furthermore, 4P‐PDOT, a selective MT2 antagonist, blocked the protective effects of melatonin on isoflurane‐induced decreases in both hippocampal MT2 expression and downstream CREB phosphorylation. And 4P‐PDOT blocked the attenuation of melatonin on isoflurane‐induced memory impairment. Collectively, the results suggest that the protective effects of prophylactic melatonin are dependent on hippocampal MT2‐CREB signalling, which could be a potential therapeutic target for anaesthetic‐induced cognitive impairment.
Should we use Commitment Contracts to Regulate Student use of Cognitive Enhancing Drugs?
Authors: Danaher John 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAre universities justified in trying to regulate student use of cognitive enhancing drugs? In this article I argue that they can be, but that the most appropriate kind of regulatory intervention is likely to be voluntary in nature. To be precise, I argue that universities could justifiably adopt a commitment contract system of regulation wherein students are encouraged to voluntarily commit to not using cognitive enhancing drugs (or to using them in a specific way). If they are found to breach that commitment, they should be penalized by, for example, forfeiting a number of marks on their assessments. To defend this model of regulation, I adopt a recently‐proposed evaluative framework for determining the appropriateness of enhancement in specific domains of activity, and I focus on particular existing types of cognitive enhancement drugs, not hypothetical or potential forms. In this way, my argument is tailored to the specific features of university education, and common patterns of usage among students. It is not concerned with the general ethical propriety of using cognitive enhancing drugs.
The mediating role of metacognition in the relationship between executive function and self‐regulated learning
Authors: Follmer D. Jake , Sperling Rayne A. 
Published: August 2016

BackgroundResearchers have demonstrated significant relations among executive function, metacognition, and self‐regulated learning. However, prior research emphasized the use of indirect measures of executive function and did not evaluate how specific executive functions are related to participants’ self‐regulated learning.AimsThe primary goals of the current study were to examine and test the relations among executive function, metacognition, and self‐regulated learning as well as to examine how self‐regulated learning is informed by executive function.SampleThe sample comprised 117 undergraduate students attending a large, Mid‐Atlantic research university in the United States.MethodsParticipants were individually administered direct and indirect measures of executive function, metacognition, and self‐regulated learning. A mediation model specifying the relations among the regulatory constructs was proposed.ResultsIn multiple linear regression analyses, executive function predicted metacognition and self‐regulated learning. Direct measures of inhibition and shifting accounted for a significant amount of the variance in metacognition and self‐regulated learning beyond an indirect measure of executive functioning. Separate mediation analyses indicated that metacognition mediated the relationship between executive functioning and self‐regulated learning as well as between specific executive functions and self‐regulated learning.ConclusionsThe findings of this study are supported by previous research documenting the relations between executive function and self‐regulated learning, and extend prior research by examining the manner in which executive function and self‐regulated learning are linked. The findings provide initial support for executive functions as key processes, mediated by metacognition, that predict self‐regulated learning. Implications for the contribution of executive functions to self‐regulated learning are discussed.
The effects of caregiver and household HIV on child development: a community‐based longitudinal study of young children
Authors: Sherr L. , Skeen S. , Hensels I. S. , Tomlinson M. , Macedo A. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractObjectiveMany studies that document child outcomes in the context of parental HIV – which has been established as a risk factor for child development – focus on older children/adolescents. Studies also concentrate on the status of the primary caregiver, not other household members who might be infected.DesignThis study examined the effects of caregiver and household HIV on child development (4–13 years) in South Africa and Malawi (2011–2014).MethodsData were gathered from 989 children and their primary caregivers at baseline and repeated at 12–15 months follow‐up (86.5% follow‐up rate). Only caregivers of a single child and caregiver/child dyads without missing data were included, providing a sample of 808 dyads for analysis. Children were divided into three groups according to caregiver‐reported HIV burden: having an HIV‐positive primary caregiver (19.8%), having HIV in the household (14.2%) or no HIV (66%).ResultsThe HIV burden was positively associated with an array of negative child outcomes, often mediated by caregiver depression levels. Family HIV burden at baseline affected child behavioural problems at follow‐up indirectly through carer depression (B = 0.02; CI = 0.003, 0.06). Internalizing (B = 0.02; CI = 0.002, 0.05) and externalizing problems at follow‐up (B = 0.01; CI = 0.0002, 0.03) were also indirectly affected by family HIV burden through caregiver depression.ConclusionsThe data suggest that family HIV can affect child development, emphasizing the important role of depression in the pathway to such an effect. Community‐based interventions directed at alleviating parental depression in the presence of HIV may help to interrupt the cycle of family HIV and adverse child outcomes.