bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ethical Challenges in Contemporary FASD Research and Practice
Authors: DI PIETRO NINA , DE VRIES JANTINA , PAOLOZZA ANGELINA , REID DOROTHY , REYNOLDS JAMES N. , SALMON AMY , WILSON MARSHA , STEIN DAN J. , ILLES JUDY 
Published: September 2016

Abstract:Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is increasingly recognized as a growing public health issue worldwide. Although more research is needed on both the diagnosis and treatment of FASD, and a broader and more culturally diverse range of services are needed to support those who suffer from FASD and their families, both research and practice for FASD raise significant ethical issues. In response, from the point of view of both research and clinical neuroethics, we provide a framework that emphasizes the need to maximize benefits and minimize harm, promote justice, and foster respect for persons within a global context.
Commentary: The Value of Patient Benefit: Consideration of Framing Contingencies to Guide the Ethical Use of DBS—a Case Analysis
Authors: Giordano James 
Published: September 2016

Here we have a case in which (1) the outcome(s) for the patient do not comport with the projected—or initially defined—outcomes of the research study, and (2) these outcomes represent cognitive and behavioral effects that are positively interpreted by the patient, but not by the patient’s immediate family. The 6Cs approach, which frames the technique or technology—and its effects—within defined considerations of domains and dimensions, can be used as part of a multistep approach to addressing issues arising from the use of neurotechnology.1The approach recommends that the medical team consider the following domains and dimensions when engaging neuroethical analyses:•Thecapacitiesand limitations of current neuroscience and technology (neuroS/T), and the capacity of the patient•Theconsequencesincurred by neuroS/T on recipients, families, and society in the short, intermediate, and long term•Thecharacterof the recipient (e.g., patterns of cognition, emotion, and behavior) affected by neuroS/T•Thecontinuityof research and clinical care•Thecontextsof need and value that influence the use or nonuse of neuroS/T•Consentthrough provision of the most information possible2
Adenovirus-mediated Foxp3 expression in lung epithelial cells reduces airway inflammation in ovalbumin and cockroach-induced asthma model
Authors: Park Soojin , Chung Hwan-Suck , Shin Dasom , Jung Kyung-Hwa , Lee Hyunil , Moon Junghee , Bae Hyunsu 
Published: September 2016

AbstractFoxp3 is a master regulator of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cell (Treg) function and is also a suppressor of SKP2 and HER2/ErbB2. There are an increasing number of reports describing the functions of Foxp3 in cell types other than Tregs. In this context, we evaluated the functions of Foxp3 in ovalbumin- and cockroach-induced asthma models. Foxp3-EGFP-expressing adenovirus or EGFP control adenovirus was administered intratracheally (i.t.), followed by challenge with ovalbumin (OVA) or cockroach extract to induce asthma. Th2 cytokine and immune cell profiles of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), as well as serum IgE levels, were analyzed. Histological analyses were also conducted to demonstrate the effects of Foxp3 expression on airway remodeling, goblet cell hyperplasia and inflammatory responses in the lung. Adenoviral Foxp3 was expressed only in lung epithelial cells, and not in CD4+ or CD8+ cells. BALF from Foxp3 gene-delivered mice showed significantly reduced numbers of total immune cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes in response to cockroach allergen or OVA. In addition, Foxp3 expression in the lung reduced the levels of Th2 cytokines and IgE in BALF and serum, respectively. Moreover, histopathological analysis also showed that Foxp3 expression substantially inhibited eosinophil infiltration into the airways, goblet cell hyperplasia and smooth muscle cell hypertrophy. Furthermore, when Tregs were depleted by diphtheria toxin in Foxp3DTR mice, the anti-asthmatic functions of Foxp3 were not altered in OVA-challenged asthma models. In this study, our results suggest that Foxp3 expression in lung epithelial cells, and not in Tregs, inhibited OVA- and cockroach extract-induced asthma.
Diversity is the question, not the answer
Authors: Shade Ashley 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Local diversity (within-sample or alpha diversity) is often implicated as a cause of success or failure of a microbial community. However, the relationships between diversity and emergent properties of a community, such as its stability, productivity or invasibility, are much more nuanced. I argue that diversity without context provides limited insights into the mechanisms underpinning community patterns. I provide examples from traditional and microbial ecology to discuss common complications and assumptions about within-sample diversity that may prevent us from digging deeper into the more specific mechanisms underpinning community outcomes. I suggest that measurement of diversity should serve as a starting point for further inquiry of ecological mechanisms rather than an ‘answer’ to community outcomes.
Efficient hydrogen evolution by ternary molybdenum sulfoselenide particles on self-standing porous nickel diselenide foam
Authors: Zhou Haiqing , Yu Fang , Huang Yufeng , Sun Jingying , Zhu Zhuan , Nielsen Robert J. , He Ran , Bao Jiming , Goddard III William A. , Chen Shuo , Ren Zhifeng 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWith the massive consumption of fossil fuels and its detrimental impact on the environment, methods of generating clean power are urgent. Hydrogen is an ideal carrier for renewable energy; however, hydrogen generation is inefficient because of the lack of robust catalysts that are substantially cheaper than platinum. Therefore, robust and durable earth-abundant and cost-effective catalysts are desirable for hydrogen generation from water splitting via hydrogen evolution reaction. Here we report an active and durable earth-abundant transition metal dichalcogenide-based hybrid catalyst that exhibits high hydrogen evolution activity approaching the state-of-the-art platinum catalysts, and superior to those of most transition metal dichalcogenides (molybdenum sulfide, cobalt diselenide and so on). Our material is fabricated by growing ternary molybdenum sulfoselenide particles on self-standing porous nickel diselenide foam. This advance provides a different pathway to design cheap, efficient and sizable hydrogen-evolving electrode by simultaneously tuning the number of catalytic edge sites, porosity, heteroatom doping and electrical conductivity.
Sequence element enrichment analysis to determine the genetic basis of bacterial phenotypes
Authors: Lees John A. , Vehkala Minna , Välimäki Niko , Harris Simon R. , Chewapreecha Claire , Croucher Nicholas J. , Marttinen Pekka , Davies Mark R. , Steer Andrew C. , Tong Steven Y. C. , Honkela Antti , Parkhill Julian , Bentley Stephen D. , Corander Jukka 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBacterial genomes vary extensively in terms of both gene content and gene sequence. This plasticity hampers the use of traditional SNP-based methods for identifying all genetic associations with phenotypic variation. Here we introduce a computationally scalable and widely applicable statistical method (SEER) for the identification of sequence elements that are significantly enriched in a phenotype of interest. SEER is applicable to tens of thousands of genomes by counting variable-length k-mers using a distributed string-mining algorithm. Robust options are provided for association analysis that also correct for the clonal population structure of bacteria. Using large collections of genomes of the major human pathogens Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes, SEER identifies relevant previously characterized resistance determinants for several antibiotics and discovers potential novel factors related to the invasiveness of S. pyogenes. We thus demonstrate that our method can answer important biologically and medically relevant questions.
Enhancement of orbital ordering and spin polarization by controlling the dimensionality of the octahedra network
Authors: Gu Mingqiang , Wang Kang , Wang Yiming , Xie Qiyun , Cai Hongling , Zhang Guo-Ping , Wu Xiaoshan 
Published: September 2016

AbstractTwo-dimensional (2D) systems have been widely investigated with perovskite superlattices because they show excellent epitaxy. A challenging question is naturally raised: whether lower dimensionality, e.g., one dimension (1D) and zero dimension (0D), can be achieved by perovskites? In this work, we propose a way to control the dimensionality of the octahedra network in perovskite superlattices by selecting the substrate orientation and superlattice period. Taking SrTiO3/SrRuO3 as an example, we demonstrate that the 1D structure is in a 1D Ising state, which is paramagnetic, while the 0D structure is ferromagnetic insulator with fully saturated magnetic moment on the Ru sites. New phenomena in the magnetic and electronic properties are observed, including large strain response, half-metallicity, and orbital-selective quantum confinement effects.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis components expressed during chronic infection of the lung contribute to long-term control of pulmonary tuberculosis in mice
Authors: Counoupas Claudio , Pinto Rachel , Nagalingam Gayathri , Hill-Cawthorne Grant A , Feng Carl G , Britton Warwick J , Triccas James A 
Published: September 2016

AbstractTuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, yet current control strategies, including the existing BCG vaccine, have had little impact on disease control. The tubercle bacillus modifies protein expression to adapt to chronic infection of the host, and this can potentially be exploited to develop novel therapeutics. We identified the gene encoding the first step of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis sulphur assimilation pathway, cysD, as highly induced during chronic infection in the mouse lung, suggesting therapies based on CysD could be used to target infection. Vaccination with the composite vaccine CysVac2, a fusion of CysD and the immunogenic Ag85B of M. tuberculosis, resulted in the generation of multifunctional CD4+ T cells (interferon (IFN)-γ+TNF+IL-2+IL-17+) in the lung both pre- and post-aerosol challenge with M. tuberculosis. CysVac2 conferred significant protection against pulmonary M. tuberculosis challenge and was particularly effective at controlling late-stage infection, a property not shared by BCG. CysVac2 delivered as a booster following BCG vaccination afforded greater protection against M. tuberculosis challenge than BCG alone. The antigenic components of CysVac2 were conserved amongst M. tuberculosis strains, and protective efficacy afforded by CysVac2 was observed across varying murine MHC haplotypes. Strikingly, administration of CysVac2 to mice previously infected with M. tuberculosis reduced bacterial load and immunopathology in the lung compared with BCG-vaccinated mice. These results indicate that CysVac2 warrants further investigation to assess its potential to control pulmonary TB in humans.
Protein Folding Activity of the Ribosome is involved in Yeast Prion Propagation
Authors: Blondel Marc , Soubigou Flavie , Evrard Justine , Nguyen Phu hai , Hasin Naushaba , Chédin Stéphane , Gillet Reynald , Contesse Marie-Astrid , Friocourt Gaëlle , Stahl Guillaume , Jones Gary W. , Voisset Cécile 
Published: September 2016

Abstract6AP and GA are potent inhibitors of yeast and mammalian prions and also specific inhibitors of PFAR, the protein-folding activity borne by domain V of the large rRNA of the large subunit of the ribosome. We therefore explored the link between PFAR and yeast prion [PSI+] using both PFAR-enriched mutants and site-directed methylation. We demonstrate that PFAR is involved in propagation and de novo formation of [PSI+]. PFAR and the yeast heat-shock protein Hsp104 partially compensate each other for [PSI+] propagation. Our data also provide insight into new functions for the ribosome in basal thermotolerance and heat-shocked protein refolding. PFAR is thus an evolutionarily conserved cell component implicated in the prion life cycle, and we propose that it could be a potential therapeutic target for human protein misfolding diseases.
The diagnostic accuracy of pericardial and urinary lipoarabinomannan (LAM) assays in patients with suspected tuberculous pericarditis
Authors: Pandie Shaheen , Peter Jonathan G. , Kerbelker Zita S. , Meldau Richard , Theron Grant , Govender Ureshnie , Ntsekhe Mpiko , Dheda Keertan , Mayosi Bongani M. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWe evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of urinary and pericardial fluid (PF) lipoarabinomannan (LAM) assays in tuberculous pericarditis (TBP). From October 2009 through September 2012, 151 patients with TBP were enrolled. Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture and/or pericardial histology were the reference standard for definite TBP. 49% (74/151), 33.1% (50/151) and 17.9% (27/151) of patients had definite-, probable-, and non-TB respectively; 69.5% (105/151) were HIV positive. LAM ELISA had the following sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, positive predictive value and negative predictive values (95% confidence interval): urinary - 17.4% (9.1–30.7), 93.8% (71.7–98.9), 2.8 (0.1–63.3), 0.9 (0.8–0.9), 88.9% (56.5–98.0), and 28.3% (17.9–41.6); PF - 11.6% (6.0–21.3), 88% (70.0–95.8), 0.9 (0.08–12.0), 1.0 (0.9–1.1), 72.7% (43.4–90.1), and 26.6% (18.2–36.9). Sensitivity increased with a CD4 ≤ 100 cells/mm3 from 3.5% to 50% (p < 0.001) for urinary LAM ELISA; for urinary LAM strip test, grade 1 and 2 cut-points performed similarly, irrespective of HIV status or CD4 count. For PF LAM strip tests, switching cut-points from grade 1 to 2 significantly reduced test sensitivity (54.5% versus 19.7%; p < 0.001). Urinary and PF LAM assays have low sensitivity but high specificity for diagnosis of TBP. The sensitivity of urinary LAM is increased in HIV-infected patients with a CD4 ≤ 100 cells/mm3.
High speed e-beam writing for large area photonic nanostructures — a choice of parameters
Authors: Li Kezheng , Li Juntao , Reardon Christopher , Schuster Christian S. , Wang Yue , Triggs Graham J. , Damnik Niklas , Müenchenberger Jana , Wang Xuehua , Martins Emiliano R. , Krauss Thomas F. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPhotonic nanostructures are used for many optical systems and applications. However, some high-end applications require the use of electron-beam lithography (EBL) to generate such nanostructures. An important technological bottleneck is the exposure time of the EBL systems, which can exceed 24 hours per 1 cm2. Here, we have developed a method based on a target function to systematically increase the writing speed of EBL. As an example, we use as the target function the fidelity of the Fourier Transform spectra of nanostructures that are designed for thin film light trapping applications, and optimize the full parameter space of the lithography process. Finally, we are able to reduce the exposure time by a factor of 5.5 without loss of photonic performance. We show that the performances of the fastest written structures are identical to the original ones within experimental error. As the target function can be varied according to different purposes, the method is also applicable to guided mode resonant grating and many other areas. These findings contribute to the advancement of EBL and point towards making the technology more attractive for commercial applications.
USP16 Downregulation by Carboxyl-terminal Truncated HBx Promotes the Growth of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Qian Yu , Wang Boshi , Ma Aihui , Zhang Li , Xu Guiqin , Ding Qi , Jing Tiantian , Wu Lin , Liu Yun , Yang Zhaojuan , Liu Yongzhong 
Published: September 2016

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major factor that contributes to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV X protein (HBx) has been shown to accelerate HCC progression by promoting tumour growth and metastasis. In the clinic, carboxyl-terminal truncated HBx (Ct-HBx) proteins are frequently present in HCC tumour tissues, but not in non-tumorous tissues. In this study, we analysed deubiquitinase expression profiles in cells with or without ectopic expression of the Ct-HBx proteins and observed that the expression of ubiquitin specific peptidase 16 (USP16) was substantially inhibited by Ct-HBx proteins. Liver tumour cells with forced down-regulation of USP16 exhibited increased capabilities for colony formation and tumour growth in vivo. In addition, USP16 inhibition promoted stem-like properties in tumour cells, as evidenced by their spheroid formation and chemo-responsiveness. Furthermore, ectopic expression of USP16 in tumour cells significantly abrogated the tumour promoting activities of the Ct-HBx proteins (HBxΔ35), leading to decreased tumour cell viability and tumour growth. In human HCCs, USP16 was frequently downregulated, and the decreased expression of USP16 was correlated with high tumour stages and poor differentiation status. Taken together, our study suggests that USP16 downregulation is a critical event in Ct-HBx-mediated promotion of HCC tumorigenicity and malignancy.
The famous cultivated mushroom Bailinggu is a separate species of the Pleurotus eryngii species complex
Authors: Zhao Mengran , Zhang Jinxia , Chen Qiang , Wu Xiangli , Gao Wei , Deng Wangqiu , Huang Chenyang 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe mushroom of the genus Pleurotus in western China, called Bailinggu, is a precious edible fungus with high economic value. However, its taxonomical position is unclear. Some researchers regard it as a variety of P. eryngii, namely P. eryngii var. tuoliensis, whereas others consider it to be a subspecies of P. eryngii, viz. P. eryngii subsp. tuoliensis. A total of 51 samples representing seven genetic groups of the genus Pleurotus were subjected to a phylogenetic analysis of partial sequences of the translation elongation factor 1 alpha gene (ef1a), the RNA polymerase II largest subunit gene (rpb1), the RNA polymerase II second largest subunit gene (rpb2) and nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS). Our data indicate that the mushroom Bailinggu is a lineage independent of P. eryngii and should be lifted as its own species, namely P. tuoliensis. In addition, its known distribution range consists of both western China and Iran.
Structural modulation of the gut microbiota and the relationship with body weight: compared evaluation of liraglutide and saxagliptin treatment
Authors: Wang Lin , Li Peicheng , Tang Zhaosheng , Yan Xinfeng , Feng Bo 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe mechanisms underlying the weight-loss effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists need further elucidation. The present study was performed to explore the effects of liraglutide and saxagliptin on the composition of the gut microbiota. Mice were randomly treated with saxagliptin or liraglutide for eight weeks. Their metabolic profiles were assessed, and 454 pyrosequencing of 16s rRNA of faeces was performed. Liraglutide induced a smaller body weight gain in mice. The pyrosequencing showed that liraglutide, but not saxagliptin, substantially changed the overall structure of the gut microbiota as well as the relative abundance of weight-relevant phylotypes. Subsequent ridge regression analyses indicated that, in addition to food intake (β = −0.182, p = 0.043 in phylotypes inversely correlated with body weight) and blood glucose level (β = −0.240, p = 0.039 in phylotypes positively correlated with body weight), the administration of liraglutide was another independent factor associated with the abundance of weight-relevant phylotypes (β = 0.389, p = 6.24e-5 in inversely correlated ones; β = −0.508, p = 2.25e-5 in positively correlated ones). These results evidenced that GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide could modulate the composition of the gut microbiota, leading to a more lean-related profile that was consistent with its weight-losing effect.
Entinostat up-regulates the CAMP gene encoding LL-37 via activation of STAT3 and HIF-1α transcription factors
Authors: Miraglia Erica , Nylén Frank , Johansson Katarina , Arnér Elias , Cebula Marcus , Farmand Susan , Ottosson Håkan , Strömberg Roger , Gudmundsson Gudmundur H. , Agerberth Birgitta , Bergman Peter 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBacterial resistance against classical antibiotics is a growing problem and the development of new antibiotics is limited. Thus, novel alternatives to antibiotics are warranted. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are effector molecules of innate immunity that can be induced by several compounds, including vitamin D and phenyl-butyrate (PBA). Utilizing a luciferase based assay, we recently discovered that the histone deacetylase inhibitor Entinostat is a potent inducer of the CAMP gene encoding the human cathelicidin LL-37. Here we investigate a mechanism for the induction and also find that Entinostat up-regulates human β-defensin 1. Analysis of the CAMP promoter sequence revealed binding sites for the transcription factors STAT3 and HIF-1α. By using short hairpin RNA and selective inhibitors, we found that both transcription factors are involved in Entinostat-induced expression of LL-37. However, only HIF-1α was found to be recruited to the CAMP promoter, suggesting that Entinostat activates STAT3, which promotes transcription of CAMP by increasing the expression of HIF-1α. Finally, we provide in vivo relevance to our findings by showing that Entinostat-elicited LL-37 expression was impaired in macrophages from a patient with a STAT3-mutation. Combined, our findings support a role for STAT3 and HIF-1α in the regulation of LL-37 expression.
Micro-optical coherence tomography of the mammalian cochlea
Authors: Iyer Janani S. , Batts Shelley A. , Chu Kengyeh K. , Sahin Mehmet I. , Leung Hui Min , Tearney Guillermo J. , Stankovic Konstantina M. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe mammalian cochlea has historically resisted attempts at high-resolution, non-invasive imaging due to its small size, complex three-dimensional structure, and embedded location within the temporal bone. As a result, little is known about the relationship between an individual’s cochlear pathology and hearing function, and otologists must rely on physiological testing and imaging methods that offer limited resolution to obtain information about the inner ear prior to performing surgery. Micro-optical coherence tomography (μOCT) is a non-invasive, low-coherence interferometric imaging technique capable of resolving cellular-level anatomic structures. To determine whether μOCT is capable of resolving mammalian intracochlear anatomy, fixed guinea pig inner ears were imaged as whole temporal bones with cochlea in situ. Anatomical structures such as the tunnel of Corti, space of Nuel, modiolus, scalae, and cell groupings were visualized, in addition to individual cell types such as neuronal fibers, hair cells, and supporting cells. Visualization of these structures, via volumetrically-reconstructed image stacks and endoscopic perspective videos, represents an improvement over previous efforts using conventional OCT. These are the first μOCT images of mammalian cochlear anatomy, and they demonstrate μOCT’s potential utility as an imaging tool in otology research.