bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Diagnostic Performance of Semi-Quantitative Knee Ultrasound and Knee Radiography with MRI: Oulu Knee Osteoarthritis Study
Authors: Podlipská Jana , Guermazi Ali , Lehenkari Petri , Niinimäki Jaakko , Roemer Frank W. , Arokoski Jari P. , Kaukinen Päivi , Liukkonen Esa , Lammentausta Eveliina , Nieminen Miika T. , Tervonen Osmo , Koski Juhani M. , Saarakkala Simo 
Published: March 2016

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative musculoskeletal disease highly prevalent in aging societies worldwide. Traditionally, knee OA is diagnosed using conventional radiography. However, structural changes of articular cartilage or menisci cannot be directly evaluated using this method. On the other hand, ultrasound is a promising tool able to provide direct information on soft tissue degeneration. The aim of our study was to systematically determine the site-specific diagnostic performance of semi-quantitative ultrasound grading of knee femoral articular cartilage, osteophytes and meniscal extrusion, and of radiographic assessment of joint space narrowing and osteophytes, using MRI as a reference standard. Eighty asymptomatic and 79 symptomatic subjects with mean age of 57.7 years were included in the study. Ultrasound performed best in the assessment of femoral medial and lateral osteophytes, and medial meniscal extrusion. In comparison to radiography, ultrasound performed better or at least equally well in identification of tibio-femoral osteophytes, medial meniscal extrusion and medial femoral cartilage morphological degeneration. Ultrasound provides relevant additional diagnostic information on tissue-specific morphological changes not depicted by conventional radiography. Consequently, the use of ultrasound as a complementary imaging tool along with radiography may enable more accurate and cost-effective diagnostics of knee osteoarthritis at the primary healthcare level.
A non-invasive method to determine the pluripotent status of stem cells by culture medium microRNA expression detection
Authors: Zhang Ying , Feng Gui-Hai , Xu Kai , Wang Libin , Cui Peng , Li Yuhuan , Wang Chenxin , Teng Fei , Hao Jie , Wan Hai-Feng , Tan Yuanqing , Wang Xiu-Jie , Zhou Qi 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTo precisely determine the type and status of cells is an important prerequisite for basic researches and regenerative medicine involving stem cells or differentiated cells. However, the traditional destructive cell status examination methods have many limitations, mainly due to the heterogeneity of cells under the reprogramming or differentiation/trans-differentiation process. Here we present a new method to non-destructively determine the pluripotent level of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), or the types of differentiated cells. The method is achieved by examining the expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cell culture medium, which show consistent abundance trend as those of the cellular miRNAs. Therefore, the method enables status examination and afterward application being achieved on the same population of cells, which will greatly facilitate cell reprogramming or differentiation/trans-differentiation related based research and clinical therapy.
Insulating phase at low temperature in ultrathin La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 films
Authors: Feng Yaqing , Jin Kui-juan , Gu Lin , He Xu , Ge Chen , Zhang Qing-hua , He Min , Guo Qin-lin , Wan Qian , He Meng , Lu Hui-bin , Yang Guozhen 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMetal-insulator transition is observed in the La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 thin films with thickness larger than 5 unit cells. Insulating phase at lower temperature appeared in the ultrathin films with thickness ranging from 6 unit cells to 10 unit cells and it is found that the Mott variable range hopping conduction dominates in this insulating phase at low temperature with a decrease of localization length in thinner films. A deficiency of oxygen content and a resulting decrease of the Mn valence have been observed in the ultrathin films with thickness smaller than or equal to 10 unit cells by studying the aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy of the films. These results suggest that the existence of the oxygen vacancies in thinner films suppresses the double-exchange mechanism and contributes to the enhancement of disorder, leading to a decrease of the Curie temperature and the low temperature insulating phase in the ultrathin films. In addition, the suppression of the magnetic properties in thinner films indicates stronger disorder of magnetic moments, which is considered to be the reason for this decrease of the localization length.
Using species distribution modeling to delineate the botanical richness patterns and phytogeographical regions of China
Authors: Zhang Ming-Gang , Slik J. W. Ferry , Ma Ke-Ping 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe millions of plant specimens that have been collected and stored in Chinese herbaria over the past ~110 years have recently been digitized and geo-referenced. Here we use this unique collection data set for species distribution modeling exercise aiming at mapping & explaining the botanical richness; delineating China’s phytogeographical regions and investigating the environmental drivers of the dissimilarity patterns. We modeled distributions of 6,828 woody plants using MaxEnt and remove the collection bias using null model. The continental China was divided into different phytogeographical regions based on the dissimilarity patterns. An ordination and Getis-Ord Gi* hotspot spatial statistics were used to analysis the environmental drivers of the dissimilarity patterns. We found that the annual precipitation and temperature stability were responsible for observed species diversity. The mechanisms causing dissimilarity pattern seems differ among biogeographical regions. The identified environmental drivers of the dissimilarity patterns for southeast, southwest, northwest and northeast are annual precipitation, topographic & temperature stability, water deficit and temperature instability, respectively. For effective conservation of China’s plant diversity, identifying the historical refuge and protection of high diversity areas in each of the identified floristic regions and their subdivisions will be essential.
In situ Microscopic Observation of Sodium Deposition/Dissolution on Sodium Electrode
Authors: Yui Yuhki , Hayashi Masahiko , Nakamura Jiro 
Published: March 2016

AbstractElectrochemical sodium deposition/dissolution behaviors in propylene carbonate-based electrolyte solution were observed by means of in situ light microscopy. First, granular sodium was deposited at pits in a sodium electrode in the cathodic process. Then, the sodium particles grew linearly from the electrode surface, becoming needle-like in shape. In the subsequent anodic process, the sodium dissolved near the base of the needles on the sodium electrode and the so-called “dead sodium” broke away from the electrode. The mechanisms of electrochemical sodium deposition and dissolution on a copper electrode were similar to those on the sodium electrode.
Amino acids-incorporated nanoflowers with an intrinsic peroxidase-like activity
Authors: Wu Zhuo-Fu , Wang Zhi , Zhang Ye , Ma Ya-Li , He Cheng-Yan , Li Heng , Chen Lei , Huo Qi-Sheng , Wang Lei , Li Zheng-Qiang 
Published: March 2016

AbstractFunctional molecules synthesized by self-assembly between inorganic salts and amino acids have attracted much attention in recent years. A simple method is reported here for fabricating hybrid organic–inorganic nanoflowers using copper (II) ions as the inorganic component and natural amino acids as the organic component. The results indicate that the interactions between amino acid and copper ions cause the growth of the nanoflowers composed by C, N, Cu, P and O elements. The Cu ions and Cu(AA)n complexes containing Cu-O bond are present in the nanoflowers. The nanoflowers have flower-like porous structure dominated by the R groups of amino acids with high surface-to-volume ratios, which is beneficial for exerting its peroxidase-like activity depending on Fenton-like reaction mechanism with ABTS and Rhodamine B as the substrates. It is expected that the nanoflowers hold great promise as enzyme mimics for application in the field of biosensor, bioanalysis and biocatalysis.
High inbreeding, limited recombination and divergent evolutionary patterns between two sympatric morel species in China
Authors: Du Xi-Hui , Zhao Qi , Xu Jianping , Yang Zhu L. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAs highly prized, popular mushrooms, morels are widely distributed in the northern hemisphere, with China as a modern centre of speciation and diversity. Overharvesting of morels has caused concern over how to effectively preserve their biological and genetic diversity. However, little is known about their population biology and life cycle. In this study, we selected two sympatric phylogenetic species,Mel-13 (124 collections from 11 geographical locations) andMorchella eohespera(156 collections from 14 geographical locations), using fragments of 4 DNA sequences, to analyse their genetic structure. Our results indicated significant differentiation among geographic locations in both species, whereas no obvious correlation between genetic and geographic distance was identified in either species.M. eohesperaexhibited a predominantly clonal population structure with limited recombination detected in only 1 of the 14 geographic locations. In contrast, relatively frequent recombination was identified in 6 of the 11 geographic locations ofMel-13. Our analysis indicated that the sympatric speciesMel-13 andM. eohesperamight have divergent evolutionary patterns, with the former showing signatures of recent population expansion and the latter being relatively stable. Interestingly, we found no heterozygosity but strong evidence for genealogical incongruence, indicating a high level of inbreeding and hybridisation among morel species.
CaCDPK15 positively regulates pepper responses to Ralstonia solanacearum inoculation and forms a positive-feedback loop with CaWRKY40 to amplify defense signaling
Authors: Shen Lei , Yang Sheng , Yang Tong , Liang Jiaqi , Cheng Wei , Wen Jiayu , Liu Yanyan , Li Jiazhi , Shi Lanping , Tang Qian , Shi Wei , Hu Jiong , Liu Cailing , Zhang Yangwen , Mou Shaoliang , Liu Zhiqin , Cai Hanyang , He Li , Guan Deyi , Wu Yang , He Shuilin 
Published: March 2016

AbstractCaWRKY40 is a positive regulator of pepper (Capsicum annum) response to Ralstonia solanacearum inoculation (RSI), but the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Here, we functionally characterize CaCDPK15 in the defense signaling mediated by CaWRKY40. Pathogen-responsive TGA, W, and ERE boxes were identified in the CaCDPK15 promoter (pCaCDPK15), and pCaCDPK15-driven GUS expression was significantly enhanced in response to RSI and exogenously applied salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate, abscisic acid, and ethephon. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of CaCDPK15 significantly increased the susceptibility of pepper to RSI and downregulated the immunity-associated markers CaNPR1, CaPR1, and CaDEF1. By contrast, transient CaCDPK15 overexpression significantly activated hypersensitive response associated cell death, upregulated the immunity-associated marker genes, upregulated CaWRKY40 expression, and enriched CaWRKY40 at the promoters of its targets genes. Although CaCDPK15 failed to interact with CaWRKY40, the direct binding of CaWRKY40 to pCaCDPK15 was detected by chromatin immunoprecipitation, which was significantly potentiated by RSI in pepper plants. These combined results suggest that RSI in pepper induces CaCDPK15 and indirectly activates downstream CaWRKY40, which in turn potentiates CaCDPK15 expression. This positive-feedback loop would amplify defense signaling against RSI and efficiently activate strong plant immunity.
Micro solid oxide fuel cell fabricated on porous stainless steel: a new strategy for enhanced thermal cycling ability
Authors: Kim Kun Joong , Park Byung Hyun , Kim Sun Jae , Lee Younki , Bae Hongyeul , Choi Gyeong Man 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMiniaturized solid oxide fuel cells (micro-SOFCs) are being extensively studied as a promising alternative to Li batteries for next generation portable power. A new micro-SOFC is designed and fabricated which shows enhanced thermal robustness by employing oxide-based thin-film electrode and porous stainless steel (STS) substrate. To deposit gas-tight thin-film electrolyte on STS, nano-porous composite oxide is proposed and applied as a new contact layer on STS. The micro-SOFC fabricated on composite oxide- STS dual layer substrate shows the peak power density of 560 mW cm−2 at 550 °C and maintains this power density during rapid thermal cycles. This cell may be suitable for portable electronic device that requires high power-density and fast thermal cycling.
Quercitrin-nanocoated titanium surfaces favour gingival cells against oral bacteria
Authors: Gomez-Florit Manuel , Pacha-Olivenza Miguel A. , Fernández-Calderón Maria C. , Córdoba Alba , González-Martín Maria L. , Monjo Marta , Ramis Joana M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMany dental implants fail due to the infection and inflammation that walk hand in hand with poor healing and soft tissue integration. Titanium surfaces were nanocoated with quercitrin, a natural flavonoid, with the aim to improve soft tissue integration and increase dental implants success. Streptococcus mutans attachment and biofilm formation was analysed. Then, the anti-inflammatory properties and the potential of quercitrin-nanocoated surfaces to boost soft tissue regeneration were tested using human gingival fibroblasts. An inflammatory situation was mimicked using interleulin-1-beta. We found that quercitrin-nanocoated surfaces decreased initial bacterial adhesion while increasing human gingival fibroblasts attachment. Furthermore, quercitrin-nanocoated Ti increased collagen mRNA levels and decreased matrix metalloproteinase-1/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinanse-1 mRNA ratio, which is related to a reduced metalloproteinase-mediated collagen degradation, while also decreasing the pro-inflammatory prostaglandin E2 release under basal and inflammatory conditions. These results suggest that quercitrin-nanocoated surfaces could enhance the soft tissue integration and increase dental implants success.
HCV induces transforming growth factor β1 through activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response
Authors: Chusri Pattranuch , Kumthip Kattareeya , Hong Jian , Zhu Chuanlong , Duan Xiaoqiong , Jilg Nikolaus , Fusco Dahlene N. , Brisac Cynthia , Schaefer Esperance A. , Cai Dachuan , Peng Lee F. , Maneekarn Niwat , Lin Wenyu , Chung Raymond T. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractHCV replication disrupts normal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function and activates a signaling network called the unfolded protein response (UPR). UPR is directed by three ER transmembrane proteins including ATF6, IRE1 and PERK. HCV increases TGF-β1 and oxidative stress, which play important roles in liver fibrogenesis. HCV has been shown to induce TGF-β1 through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and p38 MAPK, JNK, ERK1/2 and NFκB-dependent pathways. However, the relationship between HCV-induced ER stress and UPR activation with TGF-β1 production has not been fully characterized. In this study, we found that ROS and JNK inhibitors block HCV up-regulation of ER stress and UPR activation. ROS, JNK and IRE1 inhibitors blocked HCV-activated NFκB and TGF-β1 expression. ROS, ER stress, NFκB and TGF-β1 signaling were blocked by JNK specific siRNA. Knockdown IRE1 inhibited JFH1-activated NFκB and TGF-β1 activity. Knockdown of JNK and IRE1 blunted JFH1 HCV up-regulation of NFκB and TGF-β1 activation. We conclude that HCV activates NFκB and TGF-β1 through ROS production and induction of JNK and the IRE1 pathway. HCV infection induces ER stress and the UPR in a JNK-dependent manner. ER stress and UPR activation partially contribute to HCV-induced NF-κB activation and enhancement of TGF-β1.
Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) maintains bone homeostasis by regulating AMPK-PGC-1β axis in mice
Authors: Huh Jeong-Eun , Shin Ji Hye , Jang Eun Sun , Park So Jeong , Park Doo Ri , Ko Ryeojin , Seo Dong-Hyun , Kim Han-Sung , Lee Seoung Hoon , Choi Yongwon , Kim Hyun Seok , Lee Soo Young 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe mitochondrial sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) is involved in suppressing the onset of multiple pathologies, including cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, age-related hearing loss, and breast cancer. But a physiological role of SIRT3 in bone metabolism is not known. Here we show that SIRT3 is a key regulatory molecule to maintain bone homeostasis. Mice deficient in SIRT3 exhibited severe osteopenia owing to increased numbers of osteoclasts. Osteoclast precursors from Sirt3−/− mice underwent increased osteoclastogenesis in response to receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), an essential cytokine for osteoclast differentiation. SIRT3 expression from RANKL induction depended on the transcription coactivator PGC-1β (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ co-activator-1β) and the nuclear receptor ERRα (estrogen receptor-related receptor α), and that SIRT3 inhibited the differentiation by interfering with the RANKL-induced expression of PGC-1β. Thus an auto-regulatory feedback mechanism operates to induce its own inhibitor SIRT3 by PGC-1β. Moreover, Sirt3−/− osteoclast precursors reduced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation through down-regulating the expression of AMPK. Our results suggest that a mitochondrial SIRT3 is an intrinsic inhibitor for RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis.
Energy scavenging based on a single-crystal PMN-PT nanobelt
Authors: Wu Fan , Cai Wei , Yeh Yao-Wen , Xu Shiyou , Yao Nan 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSelf-powered nanodevices scavenging mechanical energy require piezoelectric nanostructures with high piezoelectric coefficients. Here we report the fabrication of a single-crystal (1 − x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 − xPbTiO3 (PMN-PT) nanobelt with a superior piezoelectric constant (d33 = ~550 pm/V), which is approximately ~150%, 430% and 2100% of the largest reported values for previous PMN-PT, PZT and ZnO nanostructures, respectively. The high d33 of the single-crystalline PMN-PT nanobelt results from the precise orientation control during its fabrication. As a demonstration of its application in energy scavenging, a piezoelectric nanogenerator (PNG) is built on the single PMN-PT nanobelt, generating a maximum output voltage of ~1.2 V. This value is ~4 times higher than that of a single-CdTe PNG, ~13 times higher than that of a single-ZnSnO3 PNG and ~26 times higher than that of a single-ZnO PNG. The profoundly increased output voltage of a lateral PNG built on a single PMN-PT nanobelt demonstrates the potential application of PMN-PT nanostructures in energy harvesting, thus enriching the material choices for PNGs.
Family conflict and lower morning cortisol in adolescents and adults: modulation of puberty
Authors: Zhang Jihui , Lam Siu-Ping , Kong Alice PS , Ma Ronald CW , Li Shirley Xin , Chan Joey WY , Yu Mandy WM , Zhou Junying , Chan Michael HM , Ho Chung-Shun , Li Albert M , Tang Xiangdong , Wing Yun-Kwok 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe aimed to explore the association between family conflict and HPA axis activity, especially with respect to the potential modulating effect of puberty. A total of 205 adolescents and 244 adult parents were recruited. Family conflict was assessed by the family conflict subscale of the Family Environmental Scale and serial salivary cortisol was measured in all participants. A marginally lower AUCg at 30 minutes after wake up in the morning and a significant lower AUCg at 60 minutes and 90 minutes in adult parents with high family conflict was found when compared to those with low family conflict. In adolescents, there were significant interaction effects between pubertal status and family conflict on AUCg (interaction p values <0.05). Among the adolescents with low family conflict, those at late/post pubertal status had higher AUCg than their pre/early pubertal counterparts but this difference was not observed in the adolescents with high family conflict. Adverse family environment is associated with HPA axis dysfunction in adults and late/post pubertal adolescents and pubertal maturation plays a critical role in modulating the association between family environment and HPA axis function.
The functional serotonin 1a receptor promoter polymorphism, rs6295, is associated with psychiatric illness and differences in transcription
Authors: Donaldson Z R , le Francois B , Santos T L , Almli L M , Boldrini M , Champagne F A , Arango V , Mann J J , Stockmeier C A , Galfalvy H , Albert P R , Ressler K J , Hen R 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe G/C single-nucleotide polymorphism in the serotonin 1a receptor promoter, rs6295, has previously been linked with depression, suicide and antidepressant responsiveness. In vitro studies suggest that rs6295 may have functional effects on the expression of the serotonin 1a receptor gene (HTR1A) through altered binding of a number of transcription factors. To further explore the relationship between rs6295, mental illness and gene expression, we performed dual epidemiological and biological studies. First, we genotyped a cohort of 1412 individuals, randomly split into discovery and replication cohorts, to examine the relationship between rs6295 and five psychiatric outcomes: history of psychiatric hospitalization, history of suicide attempts, history of substance or alcohol abuse, current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), current depression. We found that the rs6295G allele is associated with increased risk for substance abuse, psychiatric hospitalization and suicide attempts. Overall, exposure to either childhood or non-childhood trauma resulted in increased risk for all psychiatric outcomes, but we did not observe a significant interaction between rs6295 and trauma in modulating psychiatric outcomes. In conjunction, we also investigated the potential impact of rs6295 on HTR1A expression in postmortem human brain tissue using relative allelic expression assays. We found more mRNA produced from the C versus the G-allele of rs6295 in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), but not in the midbrain of nonpsychiatric control subjects. Further, in the fetal cortex, rs6295C allele exhibited increased relative expression as early as gestational week 18 in humans. Finally, we found that the C:G allelic expression ratio was significantly neutralized in the PFC of subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD) who committed suicide as compared with controls, indicating that normal patterns of transcription may be disrupted in MDD/suicide. These data provide a putative biological mechanism underlying the association between rs6295, trauma and mental illness. Moreover, our results suggest that rs6295 may affect transcription during both gestational development and adulthood in a region-specific manner, acting as a risk factor for psychiatric illness. These findings provide a critical framework for conceptualizing the effects of a common functional genetic variant, trauma exposure and their impact on mental health.