bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of cognitive remediation in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis: a systematic review
Authors: Glenthøj Louise Birkedal , Hjorthøj Carsten , Kristensen Tina Dam , Davidson Charlie Andrew , Nordentoft Merete 
Published: May 2017

AbstractCognitive deficits are prominent features of the ultra-high risk state for psychosis that are known to impact functioning and course of illness. Cognitive remediation appears to be the most promising treatment approach to alleviate the cognitive deficits, which may translate into functional improvements. This study systematically reviewed the evidence on the effectiveness of cognitive remediation in the ultra-high risk population. The electronic databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Embase were searched using keywords related to cognitive remediation and the UHR state. Studies were included if they were peer-reviewed, written in English, and included a population meeting standardized ultra-high risk criteria. Six original research articles were identified. All the studies provided computerized, bottom-up-based cognitive remediation, predominantly targeting neurocognitive function. Four out of five studies that reported a cognitive outcome found cognitive remediation to improve cognition in the domains of verbal memory, attention, and processing speed. Two out of four studies that reported on functional outcome found cognitive remediation to improve the functional outcome in the domains of social functioning and social adjustment. Zero out of the five studies that reported such an outcome found cognitive remediation to affect the magnitude of clinical symptoms. Research on the effect of cognitive remediation in the ultra-high risk state is still scarce. The current state of evidence indicates an effect of cognitive remediation on cognition and functioning in ultra-high risk individuals. More research on cognitive remediation in ultra-high risk is needed, notably in large-scale trials assessing the effect of neurocognitive and/or social cognitive remediation on multiple outcomes.
Neural correlates of distraction and conflict resolution for nonverbal auditory events
Authors: Stewart Hannah J. , Amitay Sygal , Alain Claude 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn everyday situations auditory selective attention requires listeners to suppress task-irrelevant stimuli and to resolve conflicting information in order to make appropriate goal-directed decisions. Traditionally, these two processes (i.e. distractor suppression and conflict resolution) have been studied separately. In the present study we measured neuroelectric activity while participants performed a new paradigm in which both processes are quantified. In separate block of trials, participants indicate whether two sequential tones share the same pitch or location depending on the block’s instruction. For the distraction measure, a positive component peaking at ~250 ms was found – a distraction positivity. Brain electrical source analysis of this component suggests different generators when listeners attended to frequency and location, with the distraction by location more posterior than the distraction by frequency, providing support for the dual-pathway theory. For the conflict resolution measure, a negative frontocentral component (270–450 ms) was found, which showed similarities with that of prior studies on auditory and visual conflict resolution tasks. The timing and distribution are consistent with two distinct neural processes with suppression of task-irrelevant information occurring before conflict resolution. This new paradigm may prove useful in clinical populations to assess impairments in filtering out task-irrelevant information and/or resolving conflicting information.
Biochar amendment reduces paddy soil nitrogen leaching but increases net global warming potential in Ningxia irrigation, China
Authors: Wang Yongsheng , Liu Yansui , Liu Ruliang , Zhang Aiping , Yang Shiqi , Liu Hongyuan , Zhou Yang , Yang Zhengli 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe efficacy of biochar as an environmentally friendly agent for non-point source and climate change mitigation remains uncertain. Our goal was to test the impact of biochar amendment on paddy rice nitrogen (N) uptake, soil N leaching, and soil CH4 and N2O fluxes in northwest China. Biochar was applied at four rates (0, 4.5, 9 and13.5 t ha−1 yr−1). Biochar amendment significantly increased rice N uptake, soil total N concentration and the abundance of soil ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), but it significantly reduced the soil NO3−-N concentration and soil bulk density. Biochar significantly reduced NO3−-N and NH4+-N leaching. The C2 and C3 treatments significantly increased the soil CH4 flux and reduced the soil N2O flux, leading to significantly increased net global warming potential (GWP). Soil NO3−-N rather than NH4+-N was the key integrator of the soil CH4 and N2O fluxes. Our results indicate that a shift in abundance of the AOA community and increased rice N uptake are closely linked to the reduced soil NO3−-N concentration under biochar amendment. Furthermore, soil NO3−-N availability plays an important role in regulating soil inorganic N leaching and net GWP in rice paddies in northwest China.
In silico evaluation of DNA Damage Inducible Transcript 4 gene (DDIT4) as prognostic biomarker in several malignancies
Authors: Pinto Joseph A. , Rolfo Christian , Raez Luis E. , Prado Alexandra , Araujo Jhajaira M. , Bravo Leny , Fajardo Williams , Morante Zaida D. , Aguilar Alfredo , Neciosup Silvia P. , Mas Luis A. , Bretel Denisse , Balko Justin M. , Gomez Henry L. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractDDIT4 gene encodes a protein whose main action is to inhibit mTOR under stress conditions whilst several in vitro studies indicate that its expression favors cancer progression. We have previously described that DDIT4 expression is an independent prognostic factor for tripe negative breast cancer resistant to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We herein report that high DDIT4 expression is related to the outcome (recurrence-free survival, time to progression and overall survival) in several cancer types. We performed in silico analysis in online platforms, in pooled datasets from KM Plotter and meta-analysis of individual datasets from SurvExpress. High levels of DDIT4 were significantly associated with a worse prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia, breast cancer, glioblastoma multiforme, colon, skin and lung cancer. Conversely, a high DDIT4 expression was associated with an improved prognostic in gastric cancer. DDIT4 was not associated with the outcome of ovarian cancers. Analysis with data from the Cell Miner Tool in 60 cancer cell lines indicated that although rapamycin activity was correlated with levels of MTOR, it is not influenced by DDIT4 expression. In summary, DDIT4 might serve as a novel prognostic biomarker in several malignancies. DDIT4 activity could be responsible for resistance to mTOR inhibitors and is a potential candidate for the development of targeted therapy.
Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging of Microstructural Alterations in the Brains of Paediatric Patients with Congenital Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Zheng Wenbin , Wu Chunxiao , Huang Lexing , Wu Renhua 
Published: May 2017

AbstractOur aim was to assess microstructural alterations in the cerebrums of paediatric patients with congenital sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) using diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). Seventy-two paediatric SNHL patients and 38 age-matched healthy volunteers were examined via DKI using a 3.0 T magnetic resonance (MR) imager. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean kurtosis (MK) values were computed for 12 cerebral regions in both the controls and the SNHL patients. Compared with patients below age 3, patients in the older age group were found to have more significant differences in MK than in FA, and these appeared in more major areas of the brain. In contrast, in 1- to 3-year-old children, a few major brain areas exhibited differences in FA, but none exhibited appreciable differences in MK. There were significant decreases in the FA or MK values (P < 0.05, all) in more areas of the brain in patients with lesions than in patients with normal-appearing brains. DKI offers comprehensive measurements for quantitative evaluation of age-related microstructural changes in both white and grey matter in SNHL patients. DKI scans of children with SNHL exhibiting significant decreases in MK might play an important role in evaluating the severity of developmental delay.
Variability in multiple paternity rates for grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) and scalloped hammerheads (Sphyrna lewini)
Authors: Green M. E. , Appleyard S. A. , White W. , Tracey S. , Ovenden J. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThis study assessed the presence and prevalence of multiple paternity (MP) in litters of grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) and scalloped hammerheads (Sphyrna lewini) opportunistically caught in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Litter size between species were significantly different with an average of 3.3 pups for grey reef sharks and 17.2 pups for scalloped hammerhead. Using 14 and 10 microsatellite loci respectively, we identified MP in 66% of grey reef sharks (4 out of 6 litters) and 100% MP in scalloped hammerheads (5 litters). We found high paternal skew (the uneven contribution of sires per litter) and a positive correlation between female adult size and litter size in scalloped hammerheads but not in grey reef sharks. Differences in the frequency of MP between species and the identification of paternal skew may be linked with mating strategies and post-copulatory mechanisms. Multiple paternity is thought to benefit populations by enhancing genetic diversity therefore increasing the population’s genetic resilience to extrinsic pressures. The identification of MP in two shark species reported here, further elucidates the complex breeding strategies elasmobranchs undertake.
Hydration effects on the efficacy of the Epidermal growth factor receptor kinase inhibitor afatinib
Authors: Kannan Srinivasaraghavan , Pradhan Mohan R. , Tiwari Garima , Tan Wei-Chong , Chowbay Balram , Tan Eng Huat , Tan Daniel Shao-Weng , Verma Chandra 
Published: May 2017

AbstractSmall molecules targeting the EGFR tyrosine kinase domain have been used with some success at treating patients with non-small cell lung cancer driven by activating mutations in the kinase domain. The initial class of inhibitors displaced ATP noncovalently but were rendered ineffective due to the development of resistance mutations in the kinase domain. These were overcome by the development of covalent inhibitors such as afatinib which also bind in the ATP pocket. However pooled analysis of two recent clinical trials LUX-3 and LUX-6 demonstrated an unprecedented overall survival benefit of afatinib over chemotherapy for the EGFR
19del
, but not the EGFR
L858R
. In the current study we use modelling and simulations to show that structural constraints in EGFR
19del
deletion result in significantly attenuated flexibilities in the binding pocket resulting in strong hydrogen and halogen bonds with afatinib in the EGFR
19del
; these constraints are modulated by buried water and result in the differential affinities of afatinib for the different mutants. SNP analysis of residues surrounding the buried water points to the likelihood of further differential effects of afatinib and provides a compelling case for investigating the effects of the SNPs towards further stratification of patients for ensuring the most effective use of afatinib.
An injectable non-cross-linked hyaluronic-acid gel containing therapeutic spheroids of human adipose-derived stem cells
Authors: Feng Jingwei , Mineda Kazuhide , Wu Szu-Hsien , Mashiko Takanobu , Doi Kentaro , Kuno Shinichiro , Kinoshita Kahori , Kanayama Koji , Asahi Rintaro , Sunaga Ataru , Yoshimura Kotaro 
Published: May 2017

AbstractFor chronic wounds, the delivery of stem cells in spheroidal structures can enhance graft survival and stem cell potency. We describe an easy method for the 3D culture of adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (ASCs) to prepare a ready-to-use injectable. We transferred suspensions of monolayer-cultured ASCs to a syringe containing hyaluronic acid (HA) gel, and then incubated the syringe as a 3D culture vessel. Spheroids of cells formed after 12 h. We found that 6 × 106 ASCs/ml in 3% HA gel achieved the highest spheroid density with appropriate spheroid sizes (20–100 µm). Immunocytology revealed that the stem cell markers, NANOG, OCT3/4, SOX-2, and SSEA-3 were up-regulated in the ASC spheroids compared with those in nonadherent-dish spheroids or in monolayer cultured ASCs. In delayed wound healing mice models, diabetic ulcers treated with ASC spheroids demonstrated faster wound epithelialization with thicker dermis than those treated with vehicle alone or monolayer cultured ASCs. In irradiated skin ulcers in immunodeficient mice, ASC spheroids exhibited faster healing and outstanding angiogenic potential partly by direct differentiation into α-SMA+ pericytes. Our method of 3D in-syringe HA gel culture produced clinically relevant amounts of ready-to-inject human ASC microspheroids that exhibited superior stemness in vitro and therapeutic efficacy in pathological wound repair in vivo.
Molecular floating-gate single-electron transistor
Authors: Yamamoto Makoto , Azuma Yasuo , Sakamoto Masanori , Teranishi Toshiharu , Ishii Hisao , Majima Yutaka , Noguchi Yutaka 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWe investigated reversible switching behaviors of a molecular floating-gate single-electron transistor (MFG-SET). The device consists of a gold nanoparticle-based SET and a few tetra-tert-butyl copper phthalocyanine (ttbCuPc) molecules; each nanoparticle (NP) functions as a Coulomb island. The ttbCuPc molecules function as photoreactive floating gates, which reversibly change the potential of the Coulomb island depending on the charge states induced in the ttbCuPc molecules by light irradiation or by externally applied voltages. We found that single-electron charging of ttbCuPc leads to a potential shift in the Coulomb island by more than half of its charging energy. The first induced device state was sufficiently stable; the retention time was more than a few hours without application of an external voltage. Moreover, the device exhibited an additional state when irradiated with 700 nm light, corresponding to doubly charged ttbCuPc. The life time of this additional state was several seconds, which is much shorter than that of the first induced state. These results clearly demonstrate an alternative method utilizing the unique functionality of the single molecule in nanoelectronics devices, and the potential application of MFG-SETs for investigating molecular charging phenomena.
The Brillouin gain of vector modes in a few-mode fiber
Authors: Pradhan Prabin , Sengupta Dipankar , Wang Lixian , Tremblay Christine , LaRochelle Sophie , Ung Bora 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn this work, we demonstrate the measurement of the Brillouin gain spectra of vector modes in a few-mode fiber for the first time using a simple heterodyne detection technique. A tunable long period fiber grating is used to selectively excite the vector modes supported by the few-mode fiber. Further, we demonstrate the non-destructive measurement of the absolute effective refractive indices (n
eff
) of vector modes with ~10−4 accuracy based on the acquired Brillouin frequency shifts of the modes. The proposed technique represents a new tool for probing and controlling vector modes as well as modes carrying orbital angular momentum in optical fibers with potential applications in advanced optical communications and multi-parameter fiber-optic sensing.
Expression proteomics study to determine metallodrug targets and optimal drug combinations
Authors: Lee Ronald F. S. , Chernobrovkin Alexey , Rutishauser Dorothea , Allardyce Claire S. , Hacker David , Johnsson Kai , Zubarev Roman A. , Dyson Paul J. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe emerging technique termed functional identification of target by expression proteomics (FITExP) has been shown to identify the key protein targets of anti-cancer drugs. Here, we use this approach to elucidate the proteins involved in the mechanism of action of two ruthenium(II)-based anti-cancer compounds, RAPTA-T and RAPTA-EA in breast cancer cells, revealing significant differences in the proteins upregulated. RAPTA-T causes upregulation of multiple proteins suggesting a broad mechanism of action involving suppression of both metastasis and tumorigenicity. RAPTA-EA bearing a GST inhibiting ethacrynic acid moiety, causes upregulation of mainly oxidative stress related proteins. The approach used in this work could be applied to the prediction of effective drug combinations to test in cancer chemotherapy clinical trials.
2-benzothiazoleacetonitrile based two-photon fluorescent probe for hydrazine and its bio-imaging and environmental applications
Authors: Wang Jian-Yong , Liu Zhan-Rong , Ren Mingguang , Lin Weiying 
Published: May 2017

AbstractA novel turn-on two-photon fluorescent probe NS-N
2
H
4
was developed with the 2-benzothiazoleacetonitrile as a new recognition site for the detection of hydrazine (N2H4). The two-photon probe exhibited favorable properties including high selectivity, low cytotoxicity and almost 16-fold fluorescence enhancement in the presence of N2H4 in solution. The probe could be used to image hydrazine in the living cells. Notably, we also used the two-photon fluorescent probe to image hydrazine in the tissue imaging for the first time. Furthermore, by the way of probe-loaded TLC plate, we further monitored vapor of hydrazine. Therefore, the novel two-photon probe is expected to be employed to detect N2H4 in biosamples and environmental pollution and the new recognition site will be widely applied to construct fluorescent probes for the detection of N2H4.
Monocytic microRNA profile associated with coronary collateral artery function in chronic total occlusion patients
Authors: Hakimzadeh Nazanin , Elias Joëlle , Wijntjens Gilbert W. M. , Theunissen Ruud , van Weert Angela , Smulders Martijn W. , van den Akker Nynke , Moerland Perry D. , Verberne Hein J. , Hoebers Loes P. , Henriques Jose P. S. , van der Laan Anja M. , Ilhan Mustafa , Post Mark , Bekkers Sebastiaan C. A. M. , Piek Jan J. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAn expansive collateral artery network is correlated with improved survival in case of adverse cardiac episodes. We aimed to identify cellular microRNAs (miRNA; miR) important for collateral artery growth. Chronic total occlusion (CTO) patients (n = 26) were dichotomized using pressure-derived collateral flow index (CFIp) measurements; high collateral capacity (CFIp > 0.39; n = 14) and low collateral (CFIp < 0.39; n = 12) capacity. MiRNA profiling via next generation sequencing from various monocyte phenotypes (freshly isolated monocytes, monocytes cultured without stimulant, or stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, interleukin 4, transforming growth factor beta-1, or interferon gamma) revealed significantly different miRNA expression patterns between high versus low collateral capacity patients. Validation by real-time polymerase chain reaction demonstrated significantly decreased expression of miR339-5p in all stimulated monocyte phenotypes of low collateral capacity patients. MiR339-5p showed significant correlation with CFIp values in stimulated monocytes. Ingenuity pathway analysis of predicted gene targets of miR339-5p and differential gene expression data from high versus low CFIp patients (n = 20), revealed significant association with STAT3 pathway, and also suggested a possible regulatory role for this signaling pathway. These results identify a novel association between miR339-5p and coronary collateral function. Future work examining modulation of miR339-5p and downstream effects on the STAT3 pathway and subsequent collateral vessel growth are warranted.
Predicting influenza antigenicity from Hemagglutintin sequence data based on a joint random forest method
Authors: Yao Yuhua , Li Xianhong , Liao Bo , Huang Li , He Pingan , Wang Fayou , Yang Jiasheng , Sun Hailiang , Zhao Yulong , Yang Jialiang 
Published: May 2017

AbstractTimely identification of emerging antigenic variants is critical to influenza vaccine design. The accuracy of a sequence-based antigenic prediction method relies on the choice of amino acids substitution matrices. In this study, we first compared a comprehensive 95 substitution matrices reflecting various amino acids properties in predicting the antigenicity of influenza viruses by a random forest model. We then proposed a novel algorithm called joint random forest regression (JRFR) to jointly consider top substitution matrices. We applied JRFR to human H3N2 seasonal influenza data from 1968 to 2003. A 10-fold cross-validation shows that JRFR outperforms other popular methods in predicting antigenic variants. In addition, our results suggest that structure features are most relevant to influenza antigenicity. By restricting the analysis to data involving two adjacent antigenic clusters, we inferred a few key amino acids mutation driving the 11 historical antigenic drift events, pointing to experimentally validated mutations. Finally, we constructed an antigenic cartography of all H3N2 viruses with hemagglutinin (the glycoprotein on the surface of the influenza virus responsible for its binding to host cells) sequence available from NCBI flu database, and showed an overall correspondence and local inconsistency between genetic and antigenic evolution of H3N2 influenza viruses.
Metabolic discrimination of sea buckthorn from different Hippophaë species by 1H NMR based metabolomics
Authors: Liu Yue , Fan Gang , Zhang Jing , Zhang Yi , Li Jingjian , Xiong Chao , Zhang Qi , Li Xiaodong , Lai Xianrong 
Published: May 2017

AbstractSea buckthorn (Hippophaë; Elaeagnaceae) berries are widely consumed in traditional folk medicines, nutraceuticals, and as a source of food. The growing demand of sea buckthorn berries and morphological similarity of Hippophaë species leads to confusions, which might cause misidentification of plants used in natural products. Detailed information and comparison of the complete set of metabolites of different Hippophaë species are critical for their objective identification and quality control. Herein, the variation among seven species and seven subspecies of Hippophaë was studied using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) metabolomics combined with multivariate data analysis, and the important metabolites were quantified by quantitative 1H NMR (qNMR) method. The results showed that different Hippophaë species can be clearly discriminated and the important interspecific discriminators, including organic acids, L-quebrachitol, and carbohydrates were identified. Statistical differences were found among most of the Hippophaë species and subspecies at the content levels of the aforementioned interspecific discriminators via qNMR and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. These findings demonstrated that 1H NMR-based metabolomics is an applicable and effective approach for simultaneous metabolic profiling, species differentiation and quality assessment.