bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A carbon 21 steroidal metabolite from progestin, 20β‐hydroxy‐5α‐dihydroprogesterone, stimulates the androgen receptor in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Ando Takashi , Nishiyama Tsutomu , Takizawa Itsuhiro , Miyashiro Yoshimichi , Hara Noboru , Tomita Yoshihiko 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundClarifying the mechanisms underlying prostate cancer (PC) progression and resistance to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is an urgent clinical issue. ADT influences steroidal metabolism in patients with PC and promotes the accumulation of carbon 21 steroids (C21s), such as progestin. Because the enzymes responsible for C21s metabolism are similar to those for androgen metabolism, PC cells may be able to metabolize C21s intracellularly. Therefore, there is a possibility that intracrine C21s are implicated in PC progression and resistance to ADT, and the influence of C21s on PC cells is yet to be elucidated. In the present study, we focused on 20β‐hydroxy‐5α‐dihydroprogesterone (20β‐OHDHP), a C21s metabolized from progestin, and showed that 20β‐OHDHP is synthesized in PC cells and is able to directly stimulate the androgen receptor (AR).MethodsLNCaP, VCaP, and DU145 cells, which express a mutant AR (mAR), wild‐type AR (wAR), and glucocorticoid receptor (GR), respectively, were incubated in the presence of several agents. After incubation, cell growth was determined by the MTS assay. PSA levels were determined by an enzyme immunoassay, and C21s and androgen levels were measured using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Gene expression was analyzed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and steroidal‐receptor‐related signaling was determined by a reporter assay.ResultsWe affirmed that 20β‐OHDHP was synthesized from pregnenolone intracellularly in LNCaP and VCaP cells, and 20β‐OHDHP significantly promoted the growth of both cell lines without androgen conversion. 20β‐OHDHP directly stimulated both mAR and wAR. The presence of 20β‐OHDHP was sufficient for the proliferation and survival of LNCaP or VCaP cells, and 20β‐OHDHP promoted cell growth even in the presence of abiraterone. Using DU145 cells, we affirmed that 20β‐OHDHP did not stimulate GR, which has a potential to bypass AR signaling in PC cells promote PC cell growth.ConclusionsUnder ADT, 20β‐OHDHP synthesized intracellularly from accumulated progestin in PC cells may accelerate cell growth via stimulation of both wAR and mAR. This pathway may represent an interesting candidate for targeted therapy.
The mechanism of nucleotide‐binding domain dimerization in the intact maltose transporter as studied by all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Hsu Wei‐Lin , Furuta Tadaomi , Sakurai Minoru 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe Escherichia coli maltose transporter MalFGK2‐E belongs to the protein superfamily of ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters. This protein is composed of heterodimeric transmembrane domains (TMDs) MalF and MalG, and the homodimeric nucleotide‐binding domains (NBDs) MalK2. In addition to the TMDs and NBDs, the periplasmic maltose binding protein MalE captures maltose and shuttle it to the transporter. In this study, we performed all‐atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on the maltose transporter and found that both the binding of MalE to the periplasmic side of the TMDs and binding of ATP to the MalK2 are necessary to facilitate the conformational change from the inward‐facing state to the occluded state, in which MalK2 is completely dimerized. MalE binding suppressed the fluctuation of the TMDs and MalF periplasmic region (MalF‐P2), and thus prevented the incorrect arrangement of the MalF C‐terminal (TM8) helix. Without MalE binding, the MalF TM8 helix showed a tendency to intrude into the substrate translocation pathway, hindering the closure of the MalK2. This observation is consistent with previous mutagenesis experimental results on MalF and provides a new point of view regarding the understanding of the substrate translocation mechanism of the maltose transporter.
Long‐term clinical outcomes of testicular sperm extraction and intracytoplasmic sperm injection for infertile men
Authors: Okuyama Noriyuki , Obata Ryuichiro , Oka Nao , Nakamura Yusuke , Hattori Hiromitsu , Nakajo Yukiko , Aono Nobuya , Koizumi Masae , Toya Mayumi , Nagao Koichi , Tai Toshihiro , Hashimoto Tomoko , Igarashi Hideki , Kyono Koichi 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPurposeTo find the best methods to achieve the highest pregnancy and birth rates for couples needing testicular sperm extraction (TESE)‐intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).MethodsRetrospectively studied were 801 patients with male factor infertility who had undergone TESE‐ICSI between April, 1996 and July, 2016 and who had been categorized into four groups: obstructive azoospermia (OA); non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA); Klinefelter syndrome (KS); and cryptozoospermia (Crypt). The sperm retrieval rate, hormone levels, fertilization rate (FR), pregnancy rate (PR), and birth rate (BR) after ICSI among three groups were compared: fresh testicular sperm (FS)‐fresh oocytes (FO) (Group I); frozen‐thawed testicular sperm‐FO (Group II); and FS‐vitrified‐warmed oocytes (Group III).ResultsThe testicular sperm recovery rate was 57.8% (463/801): 89.6% in the Crypt, 97.1% in the OA, 28.9% in the NOA, and 42.2% in the KS groups. The follicle‐stimulating hormone levels were significantly higher in the NOA and KS groups and the testosterone levels were significantly lower in the KS group. The FR, PR, and BR were: 65.2%, 43.2%, and 28.5% in group I; 59.2%, 33.4%, and 18.7% in group II; and 56.4%, 33.8%, and 22.1% in group III.ConclusionIntracytoplasmic sperm injection with FS‐FO achieved the best PR and BR. It should be considered what to do in cases with no testicular sperm by TESE. The authors hope that ICSI with donor sperm will be allowed in Japan in the near future.
Tetrafluoroborate and Hexafluorophosphate Ions are not Interchangeable: A Density Functional Theory Comparison of Hydrogen Bonding
Authors: Giron Rachel Guia P. , Ferguson Gregory S. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractDue to their similarities in charge and composition, the tetrafluoroborate (BF4−) and hexafluorophosphate (PF6−) ions are often used interchangeably in chemical studies. As a result, the ability of BF4−, but not PF6−, to inhibit the hydrolysis of alkyl thiosulfates in non‐aqueous solution was surprising. This divergence in reactivity may reflect differences in the ability of these ions to form strong hydrogen bonds to hydronium ion, which catalyzes the hydrolysis, and prompted the current computational studies. Calculations using density functional theory (DFT) gave atomic partial charges, occupation numbers, and energies relevant to hydrogen bonding of these anions. Topological analysis using the Atoms‐in‐Molecule (AIM) method elucidated the nature of the interactions, and natural‐bonding‐orbital (NBO) analysis provided insight on the strength of hydrogen bonding within the different tetrafluoroborate and hexafluorophosphate complexes. The calculated second‐order perturbation energies (E(2)) revealed that BF4− and H3O+ formed stronger hydrogen bonds than did PF6− and H3O+, suggesting that clusters formed by the former pair are more stable.
Facile Synthesis of Dodecamine Organic Cage‐Based Monolithic Microreactor via Ring‐Opening Polymerization Following Spontaneous Reduction of Gold Ions for Continuous Flow Catalysis
Authors: Wang Hongwei , Ou Junjie , Chen Lianfang , Li Ya , Liu Zhongshan , Peng Xiaojun , Ye Mingliang 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe reduction product of imine‐based porous organic cage CC1, namely dodecamine organic cage RCC1, was introduced as a novel crosslinker in fabrication of polymeric monolith by ring‐opening polymerization with ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDGE). Due to the presence of amines in polymeric matrix, poly(RCC1‐co‐EGDGE) monoliths could be employed as dual functional reductant and stabilizer in the formation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on their surface by spontaneous reduction of Au3+ to Au0. The immobilized AuNPs, together with micrometer‐scale macropores of the monolith, provided the feasibility of continuous flow catalysis. Then AuNPs‐immobilized poly(RCC1‐co‐EGDGE) monolith (150 μm i.d. × 28 cm in length) was used as a catalytic microreactor in reduction of 8‐nitroquinoline to 8‐aminoquinoline. The reactant in the outflow completely disappeared, and high‐yield product could be conveniently collected, indicating the promising of RCC1‐based monolithic microreactor in catalysis.
Experimental and Chemometric Analysis on Attenuation of Emission with Optimized E‐Diesel Dual Fuel Blend
Authors: Natarajan Udhayakumar , Alagumalai Avinash 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe notion of blending high reactivity fuel and low reactivity fuel inside the engine cylinder is one of the promising methods to produce ultra‐low oxides of nitrogen and smoke emissions. To visualize this, a single cylinder four stroke compression ignition engine of rated output power 4.4 kW has been used. In this work, the conventional engine is modified into dual fuel engine by injecting low reactivity fuel in the intake port at various premixed ratios (30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 70%) and at the pressure of 2 bar. On the other hand, the high reactivity fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber at a pressure of 250 bar. It was noted from the experimental work that fuel reactivity gradient controlled the combustion temperature and simultaneously reduced the formation of NOx and smoke emissions. However, the carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon emissions increased with increase in premixed ratios. In this work, chemometric analysis was also carried out to find the optimized fuel blend which exhibits closer emission characteristics as that of conventional diesel fuel.
Tromboprofilaxia na artroplastia total do joelho
Authors: Gali Julio , Camargo Danilo 
Published: December 2017

ResumoOs autores descrevem uma atualização dos principais métodos de prevenção da trombose venosa profunda após artroplastia total do joelho, classificados em métodos mecânicos e farmacológicos. Reportam as principais drogas usadas, dosagem, riscos e benefícios comparativos.
Specific substrate-driven changes in human faecal microbiota composition contrast with functional redundancy in short-chain fatty acid production
Authors: Reichardt Nicole , Vollmer Maren , Holtrop Grietje , Farquharson Freda M , Wefers Daniel , Bunzel Mirko , Duncan Sylvia H , Drew Janice E , Williams Lynda M , Milligan Graeme , Preston Thomas , Morrison Douglas , Flint Harry J , Louis Petra 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
The diet provides carbohydrates that are non-digestible in the upper gut and are major carbon and energy sources for the microbial community in the lower intestine, supporting a complex metabolic network. Fermentation produces the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate, propionate and butyrate, which have health-promoting effects for the human host. Here we investigated microbial community changes and SCFA production during in vitro batch incubations of 15 different non-digestible carbohydrates, at two initial pH values with faecal microbiota from three different human donors. To investigate temporal stability and reproducibility, a further experiment was performed 1 year later with four of the carbohydrates. The lower pH (5.5) led to higher butyrate and the higher pH (6.5) to more propionate production. The strongest propionigenic effect was found with rhamnose, followed by galactomannans, whereas fructans and several α- and β-glucans led to higher butyrate production. 16S ribosomal RNA gene-based quantitative PCR analysis of 22 different microbial groups together with 454 sequencing revealed significant stimulation of specific bacteria in response to particular carbohydrates. Some changes were ascribed to metabolite cross-feeding, for example, utilisation by Eubacterium hallii of 1,2-propanediol produced from fermentation of rhamnose by Blautia spp. Despite marked inter-individual differences in microbiota composition, SCFA production was surprisingly reproducible for different carbohydrates, indicating a level of functional redundancy. Interestingly, butyrate formation was influenced not only by the overall % butyrate-producing bacteria in the community but also by the initial pH, consistent with a pH-dependent shift in the stoichiometry of butyrate production.
In vivo redox metabolic imaging of mitochondria assesses disease progression in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Nakata Ryosuke , Hyodo Fuminori , Murata Masaharu , Eto Hinako , Nakaji Tomoko , Kawano Takahito , Narahara Sayoko , Yasukawa Keiji , Akahoshi Tomohiko , Tomikawa Morimasa , Hashizume Makoto 
Published: December 2017

AbstractGiven the rising incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in both adults and children, the development of a non-invasive diagnostic method for assessing disease progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has become an important research goal. Currently available non-invasive imaging technologies are only able to assess fat accumulation in the liver. Therefore, these methods are not suitable for a precise diagnosis of NASH. The standard diagnostic technique for NASH, liver biopsy, has several drawbacks, including the higher risk of complications that accompanies invasive procedures. Here, we demonstrated that in vivo mitochondrial redox metabolism was dramatically altered at an early stage, before histopathological changes, and NASH could be accurately diagnosed by in vivo dynamic nuclear polarization-magnetic resonance imaging, with carbamoyl-PROXYL as a molecular imaging probe. In addition, this technique was feasible for the diagnosis of NASH compared with histopathological findings from biopsies. Our data reveal a novel method for monitoring the dynamics of redox metabolic changes in NAFLD/NASH.
Evolutionary analysis of mumps viruses of genotype F collected in mainland China in 2001–2015
Authors: Cui Aili , Rivailler Pierre , Zhu Zhen , Deng Xiuying , Hu Ying , Wang Yan , Li Fangcai , Sun Zhaodan , He Jilan , Si Yuan , Tian Xiaoling , Zhou Shujie , Lei Yake , Zheng Huanying , Rota Paul A. , Xu Wenbo 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMumps incidence in mainland China remains at a high level. Genotype F has been the predominant genotype of mumps virus (MuV) in the last 20 years in mainland China. To better understand the genetic characteristics of MuV in China, the sequences of the Small Hydrophobic (SH), Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) and Fusion (F) genes of MuVs of genotype F collected during 2001–2015 were determined. The evolutionary rates of the HN and F genes were similar (0.5 × 10−3 substitutions/site/year) whereas the SH gene evolutionary rate was three times faster. The most recent common ancestor of genotype F was traced back to 1980. Four lineages were identified within HN and F MuV sequences. A phylogeographic analysis indicated that the genotype F viruses originally spread from the Liaoning and Shandong provinces followed by a spread to the South and East of China. This study provides important genetic baseline data for the development of prevention and control measures of mumps.
Selective carbon dioxide sorption and heterogeneous catalysis by a new 3D Zn-MOF with nitrogen-rich 1D channels
Authors: Kim Hyun-Chul , Huh Seong , Kim Sung-Jin , Kim Youngmee 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe prepared a new C2h-symmetric bridging ligand, 3,3′-(pyrazine-2,5-diyl)dibenzoic acid (3,3′-PDBA), through a Suzuki coupling reaction. 3,3′-PDBA contains a central pyrazine ring instead of the phenyl ring of 3,3′-terphenyldicarboxylic acid (3,3′-TPDC). Despite the geometrical similarity of the two bridging ligands, the reaction between Zn(NO3)2·6H2O and 3,3′-PDBA in the presence of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) yielded a structurally different Zn-based metal-organic framework (Zn-MOF). The Zn-MOF, [Zn2(3,3′-PDBA)2(DABCO)1.5]·2DMF·H2O, had two-dimensional (2D) layers, and the interlocked 2D layers formed a porous 3D framework. Interestingly, one of the two available N atoms of DABCO remained intact. The uncoordinated N atoms of the dangling DABCO ligand and the pyrazinyl N atoms of the 3,3′-PDBA bridging ligand were fully exposed toward the 1D channels. Therefore, the 1D channels represented a highly nitrogen-rich environment. Gas sorption analysis indicated that the Zn-MOF was selective for adsorption of CO2 at 196 K over N2 (77 K) and H2 (77 K). The exceptionally high zero surface coverage heat of CO2 adsorption (Qst = 79.5 kJ mol−1) was attributable to the openly accessible multiple Lewis basic sites in the nitrogen-rich 1D channels. Zn-MOF also showed good Lewis base catalytic activities in three model aldol-type reactions with good recyclability due to chemically accessible 3° amine sites.
Scar Revision: Surgical and Nonsurgical Options
Authors: Kadakia Sameep , Jategaonkar Ameya , Chan David , Ducic Yadranko 
Published: December 2017

AbstractFacial scarring represents a challenging issue for the facial plastic surgeon owing to the unpredictable and variable nature of scar formation. The psychologic, cosmetic, and functional implications of facial scars oftentimes necessitate revision. It is important for the facial plastic surgeon to be aware of the invasive and noninvasive options to best educate patients in terms of treatment modalities. As there are multiple options available with no single option touted as superior, management of expectations and patient motivation will allow for realistic treatment planning with the greatest change of success.
Die Bedeutung von Polymorphismen in MICA und anderen Genen des NKG2D-Signalwegs für die hämatopoetische Stammzelltransplantation
Authors: Dressel Ralf 
Published: December 2017

ZusammenfassungEine Reihe von retrospektiven klinischen Studien aus den letzten Jahren haben das hochpolymorphe Gen MICA als bedeutsam für das Ergebnis allogener hämatopoetischer Stammzelltransplantationen identifiziert. MICA ist ein durch zellulären Stress induzierbarer Ligand des aktivierenden NK-Rezeptors NKG2D. Der NKG2D-Signalweg triggert die zytotoxische Aktivität von NK-Zellen. NKG2D kann aber auch als costimulatorisches Molekül zur Aktivierung naiver CD8+-T-Zellen beitragen. Die MICA-Allele können abhängig von der kodierten Aminosäureposition 129 (Valin oder Methionin) in 2 Gruppen eingeteilt werden, deren Proteinprodukte sich in der Effizienz der Aktivierung des NKG2D-Signalwegs unterscheiden. Entsprechend zeigten einige Studien Effekte des MICA-129-Genotyps in Patienten auf die Risiken der Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD), eines Rezidivs einer malignen Grunderkrankung oder das Überleben nach Transplantation. Andere Studien berichteten ein geringeres Risiko für eine GvHD oder eine höhere Chance des Überlebens, wenn eine Übereinstimmung der MICA-Allele oder des MICA-129-Genotyps zwischen Spender und Empfänger vorlag. Funktionell relevante Polymorphismen im NKG2D kodierenden Gen KLRK1 und in ULBP6, einem weiteren NKG2D-Liganden, wurden ebenfalls als Einflussfaktoren für das Ergebnis der Transplantation identifiziert. Tierexperimente zeigten, dass der NKG2D-Signalweg sowohl GvHD als auch Graft-versus-Tumor-Reaktionen verstärkt. Durch eine nur vorübergehende Gabe von Anti-NKG2D-Antikörpern konnte selektiv die Schwere der GvHD vermindert werden. Die Polymorphismen von MICA und anderen Genen des NKG2D-Signalwegs könnten daher in Zukunft relevant werden für die Auswahl von besonders geeigneten Spendern oder für die Risikoadaptierung von Transplantationsprotokollen.
Making sense of political ideology in mediatized political
communication
Authors: Kissas Angelos 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
Political discourse becomes more and more ‘mediatized’ nowadays but, as I argue
in this article, mediatization should be considered neither as a testament to
‘de-ideologization’ nor as a restyling of the ‘inherently ideological’
contemporary political communication. Ideology, I claim, is a potentiality of
mediatized political discourse and as such, it rests with the generic capacity
of the latter to recontextualize symbolisms from the institutional past serving
the ordering of the institutional present. How is the recontextualization of
symbolic meanings facilitated by the aesthetic and affective qualities of
different media genres? In what ways does recontextualized discourse serve the
neoliberal order of the present? Lying at the heart of the ideological analysis
of political communication, these are questions which can be insightfully
addressed through a discourse analytics of mediatization as the one I apply here
on two political advertisements from the Greek general election of January
2015.
Numerical Simulation of single-stage axial fan operation under dusty flow conditions
Authors: Minkov L L , Pikushchak E V 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
Assessment of the aerodynamic efficiency of the single-stage axial flow fan under dusty flow conditions based on a numerical simulation using the computational package Ansys-Fluent is proposed. The influence of dust volume fraction on the dependences of the air volume flow rate and the pressure drop on the rotational speed of rotor is demonstrated. Matching functions for formulas describing a pressure drop and volume flow rate in dependence on the rotor speed and dust content are obtained by numerical simulation for the single-stage axial fan. It is shown that the aerodynamic efficiency of the single-stage axial flow fan decreases exponentially with increasing volume content of dust in the air.
Breakthrough revisited: investigating the requirements for growth of dust beyond the bouncing barrier
Authors: Booth Richard A , Meru Farzana , Lee Man Hoi , Clarke Cathie J 
Published: December 2017

AbstractFor grain growth to proceed effectively and lead to planet formation, a number of barriers to growth must be overcome. One such barrier, relevant for compact grains in the inner regions of the disc, is the ‘bouncing barrier’ in which large grains (∼mm size) tend to bounce off each other rather than sticking. However, by maintaining a population of small grains, it has been suggested that cm-size particles may grow rapidly by sweeping up these small grains. We present the first numerically resolved investigation into the conditions under which grains may be lucky enough to grow beyond the bouncing barrier by a series of rare collisions leading to growth (so-called ‘breakthrough’). Our models support previous results, and show that in simple models breakthrough requires the mass ratio at which high-velocity collisions transition to growth instead of causing fragmentation to be low, ϕ ≲ 50. However, in models that take into account the dependence of the fragmentation threshold on mass ratio, we find that breakthrough occurs more readily, even if mass transfer is relatively inefficient. This suggests that bouncing may only slow down growth, rather than preventing growth beyond a threshold barrier. However, even when growth beyond the bouncing barrier is possible, radial drift will usually prevent growth to arbitrarily large sizes.
Cardiac Toxicity After Craniospinal Irradiation: A Late Effect That May be Eliminated With Proton Therapy
Authors: Welch Gabrielle D. , Lin Kimberly Y. , Fisher Michael J. , Hill-Kayser Christine E. 
Published: December 2017

Background:
Craniospinal irradiation (CSI) is commonly required for pediatric patients with central nervous system malignancies. Traditionally, CSI is given using x-rays to deliver radiation to the brain and spine, exposing normal anterior structures, including heart, to unnecessary radiation.

Observations:
We present a patient treated with x-ray CSI for medulloblastoma with spinal metastasis (3600 cGy CSI with focal boost to 5000 cGy), who subsequently developed significant cardiac toxicity, likely related to radiation exposure.

Conclusions:
Spinal irradiation can cause significant cardiac risk due to exit dose through anterior structures. This toxicity may be avoided with proton therapy, which eliminates visceral exit dose.