bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel method in the removal of impacted mandibular third molar: buccal drainage
Authors: Hu Ting , Zhang Ji , Ma Jing zhi , Shao Le nan , Gu Yi fei , Li Dian qi , Jiang Liang , Yang Yun qiang 
Published: September 2017

AbstractFood impaction after impacted mandibular third molar extraction is a serious problem that should not be ignored. Incomplete suturing of the distal incision in the conventional method is the main cause of food impaction and delayed wound healing. The present study introduces a novel suture and drainage technology that requires hermetic suturing of the distal incision and rubber drainage for buccal drainage. 76 patients with horizontally/mesially impacted third molars (bilateral) were enrolled in this prospective study. An impacted tooth on one side of each patient was extracted by occlusal drainage using the conventional method, whereas the other side tooth was extracted by buccal drainage using the novel method. The differences in wound healing, facial swelling, bleeding and dry socket between the two sides of each patient were compared postoperatively, and the trends for patient selection of the surgical method were also compared. The results indicated that buccal drainage had obvious advantages in wound healing and reduced the risk of postoperative bleeding, and most patients preferred this technique; there were no significant differences in postoperative facial swelling or pain. Thus, buccal drainage can solve the problem of long-term food impaction induced by traditional incision postoperatively and is worthy of clinical promotion.
Brownian motion in non-equilibrium systems and the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck stochastic process
Authors: Donado F. , Moctezuma R. E. , López-Flores L. , Medina-Noyola M. , Arauz-Lara J. L. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe Ornstein-Uhlenbeck stochastic process is an exact mathematical model providing accurate representations of many real dynamic processes in systems in a stationary state. When applied to the description of random motion of particles such as that of Brownian particles, it provides exact predictions coinciding with those of the Langevin equation but not restricted to systems in thermal equilibrium but only conditioned to be stationary. Here, we investigate experimentally single particle motion in a two-dimensional granular system in a stationary state, consisting of 1 mm stainless balls on a plane circular surface. The motion of the particles is produced by an alternating magnetic field applied perpendicular to the surface of the container. The mean square displacement of the particles is measured for a range of low concentrations and it is found that following an appropriate scaling of length and time, the short-time experimental curves conform a master curve covering the range of particle motion from ballistic to diffusive in accordance with the description of the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck model.
Spatial variations of tritium concentrations in groundwater collected in the southern coastal region of Fukushima, Japan, after the nuclear accident
Authors: Kashiwaya Koki , Muto Yuta , Kubo Taiki , Ikawa Reo , Nakaya Shinji , Koike Katsuaki , Marui Atsunao 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSpatial variations in tritium concentrations in groundwater were identified in the southern part of the coastal region in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Higher tritium concentrations were measured at wells near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (F1NPS). Mean tritium concentrations in precipitation in the 5 weeks after the F1NPS accident were estimated to be 433 and 139 TU at a distance of 25 and 50 km, respectively, from the F1NPS. The elevations of tritium concentrations in groundwater were calculated using a simple mixing model of the precipitation and groundwater. By assuming that these precipitation was mixed into groundwater with a background tritium concentration in a hypothetical well, concentrations of 13 and 7 TU at distances of 25 and 50 km from the F1NPS, respectively, were obtained. The calculated concentrations are consistent with those measured at the studied wells. Therefore, the spatial variation in tritium concentrations in groundwater was probably caused by precipitation with high tritium concentrations as a result of the F1NPS accident. However, the highest estimated tritium concentrations in precipitation for the study site were much lower than the WHO limits for drinking water, and the concentrations decreased to almost background level at the wells by mixing with groundwater.
Drug repurposing in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis filtered by a bioinformatics-derived composite score
Authors: Karatzas E. , Bourdakou M. M. , Kolios G. , Spyrou G. M. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIdiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a rare disease of the respiratory system in which the lungs stiffen and get scarred, resulting in breathing weakness and eventually leading to death. Drug repurposing is a process that provides evidence for existing drugs that may also be effective in different diseases. In this study, we present a computational pipeline having as input a number of gene expression datasets from early and advanced stages of IPF and as output lists of repurposed drugs ranked with a novel composite score. We have devised and used a scoring formula in order to rank the repurposed drugs, consolidating the standard repurposing score with structural, functional and side effects’ scores for each drug per stage of IPF. The whole pipeline involves the selection of proper gene expression datasets, data preprocessing and statistical analysis, selection of the most important genes related to the disease, analysis of biological pathways, investigation of related molecular mechanisms, identification of fibrosis-related microRNAs, drug repurposing, structural and literature-based analysis of the repurposed drugs.
A geo-computational algorithm for exploring the structure of diffusion progression in time and space
Authors: Chin Wei-Chien-Benny , Wen Tzai-Hung , Sabel Clive E. , Wang I-Hsiang 
Published: September 2017

AbstractA diffusion process can be considered as the movement of linked events through space and time. Therefore, space-time locations of events are key to identify any diffusion process. However, previous clustering analysis methods have focused only on space-time proximity characteristics, neglecting the temporal lag of the movement of events. We argue that the temporal lag between events is a key to understand the process of diffusion movement. Using the temporal lag could help to clarify the types of close relationships. This study aims to develop a data exploration algorithm, namely the TrAcking Progression In Time And Space (TaPiTaS) algorithm, for understanding diffusion processes. Based on the spatial distance and temporal interval between cases, TaPiTaS detects sub-clusters, a group of events that have high probability of having common sources, identifies progression links, the relationships between sub-clusters, and tracks progression chains, the connected components of sub-clusters. Dengue Fever cases data was used as an illustrative case study. The location and temporal range of sub-clusters are presented, along with the progression links. TaPiTaS algorithm contributes a more detailed and in-depth understanding of the development of progression chains, namely the geographic diffusion process.
Mechanism of mRNA-STAR domain interaction: Molecular dynamics simulations of Mammalian Quaking STAR protein
Authors: Sharma Monika , Anirudh C. R. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSTAR proteins are evolutionary conserved mRNA-binding proteins that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression at all stages of RNA metabolism. These proteins possess conserved STAR domain that recognizes identical RNA regulatory elements as YUAAY. Recently reported crystal structures show that STAR domain is composed of N-terminal QUA1, K-homology domain (KH) and C-terminal QUA2, and mRNA binding is mediated by KH-QUA2 domain. Here, we present simulation studies done to investigate binding of mRNA to STAR protein, mammalian Quaking protein (QKI). We carried out conventional MD simulations of STAR domain in presence and absence of mRNA, and studied the impact of mRNA on the stability, dynamics and underlying allosteric mechanism of STAR domain. Our unbiased simulations results show that presence of mRNA stabilizes the overall STAR domain by reducing the structural deviations, correlating the ‘within-domain’ motions, and maintaining the native contacts information. Absence of mRNA not only influenced the essential modes of motion of STAR domain, but also affected the connectivity of networks within STAR domain. We further explored the dissociation of mRNA from STAR domain using umbrella sampling simulations, and the results suggest that mRNA binding to STAR domain occurs in multi-step: first conformational selection of mRNA backbone conformations, followed by induced fit mechanism as nucleobases interact with STAR domain.
Alternative promoter usage generates novel shorter MAPT mRNA transcripts in Alzheimer’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy brains
Authors: Huin Vincent , Buée Luc , Behal Hélène , Labreuche Julien , Sablonnière Bernard , Dhaenens Claire-Marie 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAlternative promoter usage is an important mechanism for transcriptome diversity and the regulation of gene expression. Indeed, this alternative usage may influence tissue/subcellular specificity, protein translation and function of the proteins. The existence of an alternative promoter for MAPT gene was considered for a long time to explain differential tissue specificity and differential response to transcription and growth factors between mRNA transcripts. The alternative promoter usage could explain partly the different tau proteins expression patterns observed in tauopathies. Here, we report on our discovery of a functional alternative promoter for MAPT, located upstream of the gene’s second exon (exon 1). By analyzing genome databases and brain tissue from control individuals and patients with Alzheimer’s disease or progressive supranuclear palsy, we identified novel shorter transcripts derived from this alternative promoter. These transcripts are increased in patients’ brain tissue as assessed by 5′RACE-PCR and qPCR. We suggest that these new MAPT isoforms can be translated into normal or amino-terminal-truncated tau proteins. We further suggest that activation of MAPT’s alternative promoter under pathological conditions leads to the production of truncated proteins, changes in protein localization and function, and thus neurodegeneration.
Associations between SNPs and immune-related circulating proteins in schizophrenia
Authors: Chan Man K. , Cooper Jason D. , Heilmann-Heimbach Stefanie , Frank Josef , Witt Stephanie H. , Nöthen Markus M. , Steiner Johann , Rietschel Marcella , Bahn Sabine 
Published: September 2017

AbstractGenome-wide association studies (GWAS) and proteomic studies have provided convincing evidence implicating alterations in immune/inflammatory processes in schizophrenia. However, despite the convergence of evidence, direct links between the genetic and proteomic findings are still lacking for schizophrenia. We investigated associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the custom-made PsychArray and the expression levels of 190 multiplex immunoassay profiled serum proteins in 149 schizophrenia patients and 198 matched controls. We identified associations between 81 SNPs and 29 proteins, primarily involved in immune/inflammation responses. Significant SNPxDiagnosis interactions were identified for eight serum proteins including Factor-VII[rs555212], Alpha-1-Antitrypsin[rs11846959], Interferon-Gamma Induced Protein 10[rs4256246] and von-Willebrand-Factor[rs12829220] in the control group; Chromogranin-A[rs9658644], Cystatin-C[rs2424577] and Vitamin K-Dependent Protein S[rs6123] in the schizophrenia group; Interleukin-6 receptor[rs7553796] in both the control and schizophrenia groups. These results suggested that the effect of these SNPs on expression of the respective proteins varies with diagnosis. The combination of patient-specific genetic information with blood biomarker data opens a novel approach to investigate disease mechanisms in schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. Our findings not only suggest that blood protein expression is influenced by polymorphisms in the corresponding gene, but also that the effect of certain SNPs on expression of proteins can vary with diagnosis.
Reflective metalens with sub-diffraction-limited and multifunctional focusing
Authors: Yang Hui , Li Guanhai , Su Xiaofang , Cao Guangtao , Zhao Zengyue , Chen Xiaoshuang , Lu Wei 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe propose an ultra-thin planar reflective metalens with sub-diffraction-limited and multifunctional focusing. Based on the equal optical path principle, the specific phase distributions for multifunction focusing are derived. Following the formulas, on-center focusing with the characteristics of sub-diffraction-limited, high focusing efficiency (85%) and broadband focusing is investigated in detail. To demonstrate the flexibility of the reflective metalens, off-center and dual spots focusing (at the horizontal and longitudinal directions) are demonstrated. Note that all these focusings are sub-diffraction-limited due to the evanescent-filed enhancement mechanism in our elaborately designed structure. The designed reflective metalens will find important applications in super-resolution imaging, microscopes, and spectroscopic designs.
High-density microprojection array delivery to rat skin of low doses of trivalent inactivated poliovirus vaccine elicits potent neutralising antibody responses
Authors: Muller David A. , Fernando Germain J. P. , Owens Nick S. , Agyei-Yeboah Christiana , Wei Jonathan C. J. , Depelsenaire Alexandra C. I. , Forster Angus , Fahey Paul , Weldon William C. , Oberste M. Steven , Young Paul R. , Kendall Mark A. F. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractTo secure a polio-free world, the live attenuated oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) will eventually need to be replaced with inactivated poliovirus vaccines (IPV). However, current IPV delivery is less suitable for campaign use than OPV, and more expensive. We are progressing a microarray patch delivery platform, the Nanopatch, as an easy-to-use device to administer vaccines, including IPV. The Nanopatch contains an ultra-high density array (10,000/cm2) of short (~230 μm) microprojections that delivers dry coated vaccine into the skin. Here, we compare the relative immunogenicity of Nanopatch immunisation versus intramuscular injection in rats, using monovalent and trivalent formulations of IPV. Nanopatch delivery elicits faster antibody response kinetics, with high titres of neutralising antibody after just one (IPV2) or two (IPV1 and IPV3) immunisations, while IM injection requires two (IPV2) or three (IPV1 and IPV3) immunisations to induce similar responses. Seroconversion to each poliovirus type was seen in 100% of rats that received ~1/40th of a human dose of IPV delivered by Nanopatch, but not in rats given ~1/8th or ~1/40th dose by IM injection. Ease of administration coupled with dose reduction observed in this study suggests the Nanopatch could facilitate inexpensive IPV vaccination in campaign settings.
Use of RNAi technology to develop a PRSV-resistant transgenic papaya
Authors: Jia Ruizong , Zhao Hui , Huang Jing , Kong Hua , Zhang Yuliang , Guo Jingyuan , Huang Qixing , Guo Yunling , Wei Qing , Zuo Jiao , Zhu Yun J. , Peng Ming , Guo Anping 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPapaya ringspot virus (PRSV) seriously limits papaya (Carica papaya L.) production in tropical and subtropical areas throughout the world. Coat protein (CP)- transgenic papaya lines resistant to PRSV isolates in the sequence-homology-dependent manner have been developed in the U.S.A. and Taiwan. A previous investigation revealed that genetic divergence among Hainan isolates of PRSV has allowed the virus to overcome the CP-mediated transgenic resistance. In this study, we designed a comprehensive RNAi strategy targeting the conserved domain of the PRSV CP gene to develop a broader-spectrum transgenic resistance to the Hainan PRSV isolates. We used an optimized particle-bombardment transformation system to produce RNAi-CP-transgenic papaya lines. Southern blot analysis and Droplet Digital PCR revealed that line 474 contained a single transgene insert. Challenging this line with different viruses (PRSV I, II and III subgroup) under greenhouse conditions validated the transgenic resistance of line 474 to the Hainan isolates. Northern blot analysis detected the siRNAs products in virus-free transgenic papaya tissue culture seedlings. The siRNAs also accumulated in PRSV infected transgenic papaya lines. Our results indicated that this transgenic papaya line has a useful application against PRSV in the major growing area of Hainan, China.
Humus soil as a critical driver of flora conversion on karst rock outcrops
Authors: Zhu Xiai , Shen Youxin , He Beibei , Zhao Zhimeng 
Published: September 2017

AbstractRock outcrop is an important habitat supporting plant communities in karst landscape. However, information on the restoration of higher biotic populations on outcrops is limited. Here, we investigated the diversity, biomass changes of higher vascular plants (VP) and humus soil (HS) on karst outcrops during a restoration process. We surveyed VP on rock outcrops and measured HS reserved by various rock microhabitats in a rock desertification ecosystem (RDE), an anthropogenic forest ecosystem (AFE), and a secondary forest ecosystem (SFE) in Shilin County, southwest China. HS metrics (e.g. quantity and nutrients content) and VP metrics (e.g. richness, diversity and biomass) were higher at AFE than at RDE, but lower than at SFE, suggesting that the restoration of soil subsystem vegetation increased HS properties and favored the succession of VP on rock outcrops. There was significantly positive correlation between VP metrics and HS amount, indicating that the succession of VP was strongly affected by availability and heterogeneity of HS in various rock microhabitats. Thus, floral succession of rock subsystem was slow owing to the limited resources on outcrops, although the vegetation was restored in soil subsystem.
Compact QMSIW quasi‐elliptic filter based on a novel electric coupling structure
Authors: Shi Yanjia , Zhou Kang , Zhou Chunxia , Wu Wen 
Published: September 2017

A compact quarter‐mode substrate integrated waveguide (QMSIW) quasi‐elliptical bandpass filter is presented based on a novel interdigital‐like capacitive coupling structure. This type of electric coupling structure is very suitable for the open boundary to implement the cross‐coupling in classical quadruple topology. By this characteristic, a QMSIW quasi‐elliptical filter working at 5 GHz is designed to demonstrate the superiority of this structure to the electric walls. Benefitting from the QMSIW technology, the wide‐stopband feature is intrinsically achieved for the filter and the first spurious resonance is occurred at around two times the centre frequency.
In vitro Effects of the Specific Mitochondrial TSPO Ligand Ro5 4864 in Cultured Human Osteoblasts
Authors: Rosenberg Nahum , Rosenberg Orit , Weizman Abraham , Veenman Leo , Gavish Moshe 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe 18 kDa mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) ligands (10 µM), e. g., protoporphyrin IX, PK 11195 and FGIN-1-27, have different effects on metabolism and protein expression in human osteoblasts. In this study, we investigated the archetypical TSPO specific ligand Ro5-4864 (10 µM) effect in primary osteoblasts in culture aiming to further understand the TSPO role in these mature metabolically active cells.We found that following exposure to Ro5-4864, cellular [18F]-FDG incorporation and ATP content were reduced by 48% (p<0.001) and 44% (p<0.001), respectively. The mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) increased by 50% (p<0.01), mRNA synthesis of TSPO and voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC1) decreased both by 70%, the TSPO and VDAC1 protein expression decreased by 80% and 68%, respectively (p<0.001). Ro5 4864 caused a decrease in the proportion of cells in the G1 phase (by 20%, p<0.05), shifting the cell cycle to the S and G2/M phases. Furthermore, 63% decrease in hexokinase 2 protein expression (p<0.001) was found. However, we found no significant effects on hexokinase 2 mRNA expression (by RT-PCR). We also did not see significant changes in mitochondrial mass (MitoTracker Green assay), apoptosis rate (TUNEL assay), overall cell death (LDH assay), cellular proliferation (BrdU assay), cell maturation (cellular alkaline phosphatase assay), and the number of cells in the culture.Therefore, an overall effect of Ro5-4864 exhorts is via pathways related to the mitochondrial activity, which is only partly like PK 11195, but not to the other TSPO ligands.
Expression of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells, Interleukin 10 and Transforming Growth Factor β in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Yuan Ning , Zhang Hai-feng , Wei Qi , Wang Ping , Guo Wei-ying 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
Background Recent studies have shown that dysfunction and decrease of regulatory T cells (Tregs) correlates with insulin resistance (IR), one of the most significant mechanisms for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). To examine potential relationships among Tregs, IR, blood lipid content, and related cytokines, we investigated the frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs, as well as expression levels of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in newly diagnosed T2DM patients.
Methods Fifty-one newly diagnosed T2DM patients and 55 control individuals were enrolled. According to body mass index (BMI), the T2DM patients were grouped into non-obese and obese groups. Blood was collected in ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulant tubes for detection of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs by flow cytometry. Serum was collected to quantify IL-10 and TGF-β levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). By comparing percentages of Tregs between non-obese and obese groups, correlation with Treg frequency, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), IL-10 and TGF-β was examined.
Results The percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs in the newly diagnosed T2DM group was significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.01). Further, levels of IL-10 and TGF-β were also lower in the T2DM group (P<0.05). The level of IL-10 was remarkably lower in the obese group than in the non-obese and the control groups (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between non-obese group and the control group. The level of TGF-β was lower in obese group than in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between non-obese group and the control group. The frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs in the obese group was significantly lower than in the non-obese group (P<0.05). In the obese group, the percentage of Tregs negatively correlated with HOMA-IR and positively correlated with TGF-β (P<0.05). There was no obvious correlation between Treg and HOMA-IR in the non-obese group.
Conclusion The percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs and levels of related cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β were precipitously decreased in newly diagnosed T2DM patients. Therefore, the function of Tregs in limiting the proinflammatory milieu represents an important pathogenic mediator of the development of obesity-induced IR in newly diagnosed T2DM patients. Notably, TGF-β may play an important role in this process. Thus, enhancing expression of Tregs may improve IR in newly diagnosed T2DM patients with obesity.