bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the substructure controls in rare variant analysis: Principal components or variance components?
Authors: Luo Yiwen , Maity Arnab , Wu Michael C. , Smith Chris , Duan Qing , Li Yun , Tzeng Jung‐Ying 
Published: December 2017

AbstractRecent studies showed that population substructure (PS) can have more complex impact on rare variant tests and that similarity‐based collapsing tests (e.g., SKAT) may suffer more severely by PS than burden‐based tests. In this work, we evaluate the performance of SKAT coupling with principal components (PC) or variance components (VC) based PS correction methods. We consider confounding effects caused by PS including stratified populations, admixed populations, and spatially distributed nongenetic risk; we investigate which types of variants (e.g., common, less frequent, rare, or all variants) should be used to effectively control for confounding effects. We found that (i) PC‐based methods can account for confounding effects in most scenarios except for admixture, although the number of sufficient PCs depends on the PS complexity and the type of variants used. (ii) PCs based on all variants (i.e., common + less frequent + rare) tend to require equal or fewer sufficient PCs and often achieve higher power than PCs based on other variant types. (iii) VC‐based methods can effectively adjust for confounding in all scenarios (even for admixture), though the type of variants should be used to construct VC may vary. (iv) VC based on all variants works consistently in all scenarios, though its power may be sometimes lower than VC based on other variant types. Given that the best‐performed method and which variants to use depend on the underlying unknown confounding mechanisms, a robust strategy is to perform SKAT analyses using VC‐based methods based on all variants.
Protect your skin and let the fun begin: The results of an intervention to improve NSW primary schools’ implementation of the SunSmart Program
Authors: Wright Bradley , Winslade Matthew , Dudley Dean , Cotton Wayne , Hamer Alexandra 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIssue addressedThe SunSmart Policy Support and Intervention Study (SSPSIS) (ACTRN12614000926639) investigated the feasibility of improving schools’ implementation of the SunSmart Program, which is a resource for primary school communities to support their development of a comprehensive sun protection policy.MethodsA cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) was used to evaluate the SSPSIS, which was conducted in NSW SunSmart schools (n = 20). Objective measurements of students’ sun‐safe hat‐wearing behaviours and sunscreen application, and teachers’ role‐modelling behaviours, were collected for baseline, post‐test and follow‐up data. Interviews with school community stakeholders, including students (n = 103), parents (n = 31), teachers (n = 11) and executive staff (n = 4), were conducted to inform the intervention design, which was implemented following baseline data collection.ResultsThe results of baseline observations and interviews have been published previously. The intervention design aimed to combat negative perceptions of hat‐wearing policy and create a trigger for sunscreen application by rewarding students practising these sun protection behaviours with play‐based incentives. Although this intervention had no significant effect on the wearing of sun‐safe hats among students or teachers, it did have a large effect on the consumption of sunscreen.ConclusionsAssociating sunscreen and play‐based incentives can create an effective trigger for students’ sunscreen application behaviours. However, further evidence is needed to investigate how students’ and teacher role models’ hat‐wearing behaviours could be increased.So what?While combining a play‐based incentive with a trigger for behaviour can promptly increase students’ sunscreen application, it was unable to increase students’ or teacher role models’ hat‐wearing behaviours.
Evapotranspiration partitioning using a simple isotope‐based model in a semiarid marsh wetland in northeastern China
Authors: Zhang Shichun , Zhang Jing , Liu Bo , Zhang Wenguang , Gong Chao , Jiang Ming , Lv Xianguo 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPartitioning evapotranspiration (ET) into evaporation (E) and transpiration (T) in wetlands is important for understanding the hydrological processes in wetlands and the contribution of wetland ET to local and regional water cycling and for designing effective wetland management strategies. Stable water isotopes are useful in the application of ET partitioning through the evaluation of the isotopic compositions of E (δE), T (δT), and ET (δET) obtained from observation or modelling methods. However, this approach still suffers from potentially large uncertainties in terms of estimating the isotopic endmembers. In this study, we modified the traditional isotope‐based ET partitioning methods to include leaf‐level biological constraints to separately estimate the relative contributions of T from Scirpus triqueter and Phragmites australis and the relative contributions of E from the standing surface water in a semiarid marsh wetland in northeastern China.The results showed that although the δT values of S. triqueter and P. australis were rather similar, the mean δT values of the 2 species were different from the values of δE, making it possible to distinguish the relative contributions of E and T through the use of isotopes. The simulation of leaf water using a non‐steady‐state model indicated obvious deviations in leaf water enrichment (δLb) from isotopic steady states for both species, especially during early mornings and evenings when relative humidity was highest. The isotopic mass balance showed that E accounted for approximately 60% of ET, and T from S. triqueter and P. australis each contributed approximately 20% to ET; this implied that the transpiration of one reed was equivalent to that of 5.25 individuals of S. triqueter. Using the estimated ratio of T to ET and the measured leaf transpiration, the total ET was estimated to be approximately 10 mm day−1. Using the NSS‐Tr method, the estimated ET was higher than the water loss calculated from the water level gauge. This indicated that the river water and surrounding groundwater were the sources of the marsh wetland, with a supply rate of 8.3 mm day−1.
THERAPISTS’ EXPERIENCES OF MOTHER–INFANT PSYCHOANALYTIC TREATMENT: A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Authors: Winberg Salomonsson Majlis , Barimani Mia 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTAs part of a larger research project in Sweden, a qualitative study investigated psychotherapists’ experiences of mother–infant psychoanalysis (MIP). A randomized controlled trial compared two groups of mother–infant dyads with psychological problems. One had received Child Health Center care, and the other received MIP. Previous articles on long‐term effects have found that mothers who had received MIP were less depressed throughout a posttreatment period of 3½ years, and their children showed better global functioning and psychological well‐being. The present study's objectives were to describe the therapist's experiences of MIP and deepen the understanding of the MIP process. Six months after treatment began, all therapists were interviewed. Transcribed interviews with therapists from 10 (of 33 total) MIP treatments were randomly selected and analyzed in detail by thematic analysis. Therapists worked successfully with mother and infant together and found different ways of cooperation during MIP sessions. Therapists reported overall positive experiences; however, in cases where mothers needed more personal attention, it would be important to adapt the method to them.
Hepatitis C virus: Enslavement of host factors
Authors: Sharma Geetika , Raheja Harsha , Das Saumitra 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) has infected over 170 million people world‐wide. This infection causes severe liver damage that can progress to hepatocellular carcinoma leading to death of the infected patients. Development of a cell culture model system for the study of HCV infection in the recent past has helped the researchers world‐wide to understand the biology of this virus. Studies over the past decade have revealed the tricks played by the virus to sustain itself, for as long as 40 years, in the host setup without being eliminated by the immune system. Today we understand that the host organelles and different cellular proteins are affected during HCV infection. This cytoplasmic virus has all the cellular organelles at its disposal to successfully replicate, from ribosomes and intracellular membranous structures to the nucleus. It modulates these organelles at both the structural and the functional levels. The vast knowledge about the viral genome and viral proteins has also helped in the development of drugs against the virus. Despite the achieved success rate to cure the infected patients, we struggle to eliminate the cases of recurrence and the non‐responders. Such cases might emerge owing to the property of the viral genome to accumulate mutations during its succeeding replication cycles which favours its survival. The current situation calls an urgent need for alternate therapeutic strategies to counter this major problem of human health. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 70(1):41–49, 2018
Deproteinized bovine bone matrix induces osteoblast differentiation via macrophage polarization
Authors: Shi Miusi , Wang Can , Wang Yulan , Tang Cuizhu , Miron Richard J. , Zhang Yufeng 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBone grafts are widely used in bone regeneration to increase the speed and quality of new bone formation. While they are routinely characterized based on their biocompatible and bioactive properties, they also exert a profound impact on host immune responses, which in turn can display a significant effect on the healing and repair process. In this study, we investigated the role of macrophage behavior on deproteinized bovine bone matrix (DBBM, BioOss) to investigate their impact on creating either a pro‐ or anti‐inflammatory microenvironment for tissue integration. RT‐PCR and immunofluorescence staining results demonstrated the ability for RAW 264.7 cells to polarize toward M2 wound‐healing macrophages in response to DBBM and positive control (IL‐4). Interestingly, significantly higher expression of interleukin‐10 and higher number of multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs) was observed in the DBBM group. Thereafter, conditioned media (CM) from macrophages cultured with DBBM seeded with MC3T3‐E1 cells demonstrated a marked increase in osteoblast differentiation. Noteworthy, this effect was reversed by blocking IL10 with addition of IL10 antibody to CM from the DBBM macrophages. Furthermore, the use of dendritic cell specific transmembrane protein (DC‐STAMP)‐knockout to inhibit MNGC formation in the DBBM group resulted in a significant reduction in osteoblast differentiation, indication a pivotal role for MNGCs in biomaterials‐induced osteogenesis. The results from this study indicate convincingly that the immune response of macrophages towards DBBM has a potent effect on osteoblast differentiation. Furthermore, DBBM promoted macrophage fusion and polarization towards an M2 wound‐healing phenotype, further created a microenvironment favoring biomaterial‐induced osteogenesis. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1236–1246, 2018.
Cross‐linkable graphene oxide embedded nanocomposite hydrogel with enhanced mechanics and cytocompatibility for tissue engineering
Authors: Liu Xifeng , Miller A. Lee , Waletzki Brian E. , Lu Lichun 
Published: December 2017

AbstractGraphene oxide (GO) is an attractive material that can be utilized to enhance the modulus and conductivities of substrates and hydrogels. To covalently cross‐link graphene oxide sheets into hydrogels, abundant cross‐linkable double bonds were introduced to synthesize the graphene‐oxide‐tris‐acrylate sheet (GO‐TrisA). Polyacrylamide (PAM) nanocomposite hydrogels were then fabricated with inherent covalently and permanently cross‐linked GO‐TrisA sheets. Results showed that the covalently cross‐linked GO‐TrisA/PAM nanocomposite hydrogel had enhanced mechanical strength, thermo stability compared with GO/PAM hydrogel maintained mainly by hydrogen bonding between PAM chains and GO sheets. In vitro cell study showed that the covalently cross‐linked rGO‐TrisA/PAM nanocomposite hydrogel had excellent cytocompatibility after in situ reduction. These results suggest that rGO‐TrisA/PAM nanocomposite hydrogel holds great potential for tissue engineering applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1247–1257, 2018.
7‐hydroxy‐staurosporine, UCN‐01, induces DNA damage response, and autophagy in human osteosarcoma U2‐OS cells
Authors: Lien Wei‐Chih , Chen Ting‐Yu , Sheu Shi‐Yuan , Lin Tzu‐Chien , Kang Fu‐Chi , Yu Chung‐Hsing , Kuan Ta‐Shen , Huang Bu‐Miin , Wang Chia‐Yih 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHuman osteosarcoma (bone cancer) is a highly malignant and the most prevalent bone tumor affecting children. Despite recent advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanism by which anticancer drugs kill osteosarcoma or block its growth, however, the mortality rate has declined only modestly. Thus, a new therapeutic approach is needed to be established. 7‐hydroxystaurosporine, UCN‐01, abrogates the G2 checkpoint thus enhancing the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. In addition, it has been evaluated in clinical trials as a single antineoplastic agent in treating several cancers. However, the effects of UCN‐01 on treating bone cancer has never been tested. In this study, we found that UCN‐01 induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the human osteosarcoma, U2‐OS cells. In addition, the migration ability was also reduced, suggesting UCN‐01 inhibited cell growth and migration. When U2‐OS cells were treated with UCN‐01, DNA damage response was triggered. The ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and the non‐canonical downstream effector, ERK, was activated by UCN‐01. In addition, depletion of ATM or inhibition of ERK deteriorated the cell viability in UCN‐01‐treated U2‐OS cells. Furthermore, UCN‐01 induced autophagy activation for protecting cells from apoptosis. Thus, UCN‐01 might function as a single antineoplastic agent in treating human osteosarcoma.
IGFBP‐7 inhibits the differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells via regulation of Wnt/β‐Catenin signaling
Authors: Li Nan , Han Jinfeng , Tang Jing , Ying Yanqin 
Published: December 2017

AbstractOligodendrocytes (OLs) are glial cells that form myelin sheaths in the central nervous system. Myelin sheath plays important role in nervous system and loss of it in neurodegenerative diseases can lead to impairment of movement. Understanding the signals and factors that regulate OL differentiation can help to address novel strategies for improving myelin repair in neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of insulin‐like growth factor‐binding proteins 7 (IGFBP‐7) in differentiating OL precursor cells (OPCs). It was found that oligodendrocyte precursors undergoing differentiation were accompanied by selective expression of IGFBP‐7. In addition, knockdown of IGFBP‐7 promoted differentiation of oligodendrocytes and increased formation of myelin in cultured cells. In contrast, excessive expression of IGFBP‐7 inhibited differentiation of oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, overexpression of IGFBP‐7 in oligodendrocyte precursor cells increased transcription of Wnt target genes and promoted β‐Catenin nuclear translocation. These findings suggest that IGFBP‐7 negatively regulates differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells via regulation of Wnt/β‐Catenin signaling.
A simplified implementation of the stationary liquid mass balance method for on‐line OUR monitoring in animal cell cultures
Authors: Fontova Andreu , Lecina Martí , López‐Repullo Jonatan , Martínez‐Monge Iván , Comas Pere , Bragós Ramon , Cairó Jordi Joan 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDCompared with other methods, the stationary liquid mass balance method for oxygen uptake rate (OUR) determination offers advantages in terms of estimation accuracy and reduction of stress. However, the need for sophisticated instrumentation, like mass flow controllers and gas analysers, has historically limited wider implementation of such a method.In this paper, a new simplified method based on inexpensive valves for the continuous estimation of OUR in animal cell cultures is evaluated. The determination of OUR values is based on accurate operation of the dissolved oxygen (DO) control loop and monitoring of its internal variables.RESULTSThe method developed was tested empirically in 2 L bioreactor HEK293 batch cultures. OUR profiles obtained by a dynamic method, global mass balance method and the developed simplified method were monitored and compared. The results show how OUR profile obtained with the proposed method better follows the off‐line cell density determination. The OUR estimation frequency was also increased, improving the method capabilities and applications.The theoretical rationale of the method was extended to the sensitivity analysis which was analytically and numerically approached.CONCLUSIONSThe results showed the proposed method to be not only cheap, but also a reliable alternative to monitor the metabolic activity in bioreactors in many biotechnological processes, being a useful tool for high cell density culture strategies implementation based on OUR monitoring. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Ultrasound‐assisted emerging technologies for chemical processes
Authors: Kiss Anton A , Geertman Rob , Wierschem Matthias , Skiborowski Mirko , Gielen Bjorn , Jordens Jeroen , John Jinu J , Van Gerven Tom 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe chemical industry has witnessed many important developments during past decades largely enabled by process intensification techniques. Some of them are already proven at commercial scale (e.g. reactive distillation) while others (e.g. ultrasound‐assisted extraction/crystallization/reaction) are on their way to becoming the next‐generation technologies. This article focuses on the advances of ultrasound (US)‐assisted technologies that could lead in the near future to significant improvements in commercial activities. The aim is to provide an authoritative discussion on US‐assisted technologies that are currently emerging from the research environment into the chemical industry, as well as give an overview of the current state‐of‐the‐art applications of US in chemical processing (e.g. enzymatic reactive distillation, crystallization of API). Sufficient information is included to allow the assessment of US‐assisted technologies and the challenges for implementation, as well as their potential for commercial applications. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Intraspecific variation in seed morphology of tribe vicieae (Papilionoidae) using scanning electron microscopy techniques
Authors: Rashid Neelam , Zafar Muhammad , Ahmad Mushtaq , Malik Khafsa , Haq Ihsan‐ul , Shah Syed Nasar , Mateen Abdul , Ahmed Tauseef 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSeed micromorphology of 12 species of tribe Vicieae (Papilionoidae) representing five genera were examined using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The different seed types were described, illustrated, compared, and their taxonomic importance is discussed. Seeds exhibit great diversity in ultrastructure and a variety of novel morphological features have been determined among and within genera of the tribe. Seeds were characterized by oval to round shape, ovate to oblong outline and striate to papillate ornamentation. Radiate and wavy cell pattern has been observed as a characteristic exomorphological feature. In Vicia sativa, testa cells superficially seem to form peltate hairs. As a result, seed micromorphology with few exceptions showed variation and its taxonomic value was significant in distinguishing taxa at species level. The disparity in shape and density of papillae or protuberances and alignment of testa cells, may possibly give further insight at intraspecific level within tribe. The findings also illustrated that the use of SEM in seed morphology can reveal hidden morphological affinities among species and showed potential in delimitation of Vicieae members generally at tribe, genus, and particularly at species level.
PDZ proteins are expressed and regulated in antigen-presenting cells and are targets of influenza A virus
Authors: Barreda Dante , Sánchez-Galindo Marisa , López-Flores Jessica , Nava-Castro Karen E , Bobadilla Karen , Salgado-Aguayo Alfonso , Santos-Mendoza Teresa 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
In this work, we identified the expression, regulation, and viral targeting of Scribble and Dlg1 in antigen-presenting cells. Scribble and Dlg1 belong to the family of PDZ (postsynaptic density (PSD95), disc large (Dlg), and zonula occludens (ZO-1)) proteins involved in cell polarity. The relevance of PDZ proteins in cellular functions is reinforced by the fact that many viruses interfere with host PDZ-dependent interactions affecting cellular mechanisms thus favoring viral replication. The functions of Scribble and Dlg have been widely studied in polarized cells such as epithelial and neuron cells. However, within the cells of the immune system, their functions have been described only in T and B lymphocytes. Here we demonstrated that Scribble and Dlg1 are differentially expressed during antigen-presenting cell differentiation and dendritic cell maturation. While both Scribble and Dlg1 seem to participate in distinct dendritic cell functions, both are targeted by the viral protein NS1 of influenza A in a PDZ-dependent manner in dendritic cells. Our findings suggest that these proteins might be involved in the mechanisms of innate immunity and/or antigen processing and presentation that can be hijacked by viral pathogens.
Spatial and temporal variations in extreme temperature in Central Asia
Authors: Feng Ru , Yu Ruide , Zheng Hongwei , Gan Miao 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTCentral Asia, a typical arid and semi‐arid area, is very sensitive to climate change and is projected to undergo vigorous warming trend in future. However, it is still unclear how extreme temperatures have changed. Therefore, using the daily maximum and minimum temperatures collected from 108 stations in the study area from 1981 to 2015, the spatial–temporal variations in extreme temperature in Central Asia were analysed on both annual and seasonal scales based on 11 indices from The Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices. Results show that: (1) from 1981 to 2015, all extreme temperature values exhibited increasing trends on an annual scale, but maximum temperature (TMAX) increased faster than the minimum temperature (TMIN), leading to an overall increase in the diurnal temperature range (DTR). Most of the stations in Central Asia, except for those in Xinjiang (China), exhibited an increasing trend in DTR, while most of the stations in Xinjiang (China) exhibited reversely significant decreasing trends. (2) TMAX, TMIN and DTR increased significantly, mainly during spring and summer. The trends of most warm extreme indices (warm days, warm nights and warmest days) indicate that the warming mainly occurred in spring, while most cold extreme indices (cool days, cool nights and coldest nights) exhibited significant warming trends in autumn. Dominant warming during spring and autumn can lead to longer summers, which may further accelerate the frequencies and magnitudes of temperature extremes. (3) Additionally, TMAX, TMIN and the percentile‐based warm indices all exhibited significant increasing trends from southwestern Central Asia (Turkmenistan) to eastern Central Asia (Xinjiang (China)) via the Tianshan Mountains. Although the percentile‐based cold indices showed decreasing trends in this region, they were too minor to offset the overall warming trend. With longer summers, stronger and more prolonged melting seasons were detected in the mountains of Central Asia.