bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Home treatment services for acute mental disorders: an all-Ireland survey
Authors: O’Keeffe B. , Russell V. 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesTo determine the distribution, functioning and perceived impact of home-based treatment (HBT) teams for acute mental disorders on the island of Ireland.MethodsA 28-item questionnaire exploring the structure, staffing and operation of HBT teams was emailed to all clinical directors of mental health services in Ireland (n=26) and Northern Ireland (NI) (n=5). Quantitative data was analysed using the Survey Monkey package, while free-text responses to open questions were analysed for thematic content.ResultsIn total, 11 of 16 (68%) mental health services in Ireland and four of five (80%) in NI confirmed the presence of HBT teams. For 80% of respondents the primary function of HBT was as an alternative to inpatient admission. All NI respondents reported provision of a 24/7 HBT service. A 7 day a week service was reported by 82% of Republic of Ireland respondents. In total, 70% of respondents reported a gate-keeping role for their teams. Staffing levels and multidisciplinary representation varied widely. Most respondents perceived HBT as improving patient/carer experience and cost-effectiveness.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the implementation of the HBT model in Ireland has not fulfilled the aspirations set out in mental health policy in both Irish jurisdictions. Many areas have no HBT services while wide variations in staffing levels and functioning persist. However, mental health services with established HBT teams appear convinced of their positive impact. An All-Ireland forum on HBT may help to define the model in an Irish context and standardise its future resourcing, operation and evaluation.
Involvement of NLRP3 inflammasome in the impacts of sodium and potassium on insulin resistance in normotensive Asians
Authors: Wan Zhaofei , Wen Wen , Ren Keyu , Zhou Dong , Liu Junhui , Wu Yue , Zhou Juan , Mu Jianjun , Yuan Zuyi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSalt, promoting oxidative stress, contributes to insulin resistance, whereas K, inhibiting oxidative stress, improves insulin sensitivity. Oxidative stress activation of NLRP3 inflammasome is a central player in the induction of insulin resistance. Therefore, we hypothesised that NLRP3 inflammasome may mediate the effects of salt and K on insulin resistance. In all, fifty normotensive subjects were recruited from a rural community of Northern China. The protocol included a low-salt diet for 7 d, then a high-salt diet for 7 d and a high-salt diet with K supplementation for another 7 d. In addition, THP-1 cells were cultured in different levels of Na with and without K. The results showed that salt loading elevated fasting blood glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels, as well as insulin resistance, whereas K supplementation reversed them. Meanwhile, additional K reversed the active effects of high salt on NLRP3 inflammasome in both the subjects and THP-1 cells, and the change of insulin resistance index notably related with the alteration of plasma IL-1β, the index of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, during intervention in the subjects. Additional K ameliorated oxidative stress induced by high salt in both the subjects and cultured THP-1 cells, and the change of oxidative stress related with the alteration of plasma IL-1β during intervention in the subjects. In vitro, antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine significantly prevented the active effects of high Na or oxidant Rosup on NLRP3 inflammasome, so did K. Our study indicates that oxidative stress modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome may be involved in the impacts of Na and K on insulin resistance.
Talking about Islam's origins
Authors: Donner Fred M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractNeither of the terms commonly used to describe the seventh-century expansion of the movement that comes to be called Islam – “the Islamic conquests” or “the Arab conquests” – is satisfactory; both terms are anachronistic and in some ways misleading; yet there is, at present, no clear candidate for an alternative terminology. This article discusses the weaknesses of existing nomenclatures, with reference to relevant primary sources, and the conceptual problems the traditional nomenclatures pose in the context of an extensive review of scholarly literature from roughly 1900 to the present. It offers a few suggestions for possible new terminologies, but essentially opens the question for further discussion.
Berlin's construction groups and the politics of bottom-up architecture
Authors: URBAN FLORIAN 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT:In the 2000s, Berlin saw the formation of so-called Baugruppen (construction groups) – associations of small-scale investors who pooled their modest capital to commission an architect and construct a multistorey building in which they would own and occupy a flat. They were mostly middle-class families united by a belief in community values and neighbourly contact as well as the qualities of urban living. This article will present the construction groups as an example of bottom-up architecture in an industrialized western country, in which individual initiatives and user-centred design had to be negotiated within a highly professionalized environment, as well as with contradictory political positions. It will show that construction groups brought together various threads of Berlin's recent urban history: the gradual integration of radical post-1968 lifestyles into mainstream society, the ‘return to the inner city’ connected with the increasing popularity of ‘new tenements’, and the evolution of innovative, post-functionalist architecture.
A rare case of a patient with aortic root aneurysm, bicuspid aortic valve, and Scimitar syndrome with anomalous venous return to the right superior pulmonary vein
Authors: Ahmadov Kamran , Beigelman Catherine A. , Kirsch Matthias 
Published: January 2018

AbstractA rare case of Scimitar Syndrome with an abnormal drainage of the right lower pulmonary vein into the right superior pulmonary vein associated with aortic root aneurism and bicuspid aortic valve is reported.
Socio-economic status and maternal BMI are associated with duration of breast-feeding of Norwegian infants
Authors: Bjørset Vilde K , Helle Christine , Hillesund Elisabet R , Øverby Nina C 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo explore whether there is an association between socio-economic status and maternal BMI and duration of any breast-feeding/exclusive breast-feeding among Norwegian infants at 4 and 5 months of age in 2016.DesignCross-sectional design. Baseline data from a randomized controlled trial. Data concerning breast-feeding were collected by FFQ.SettingRecruitment was done at child health-care centres and through Facebook in 2016. In total, 960 infants/parents registered for participating in the study Early Food for Future Health.SubjectsA total of 715 infant/mother dyads completed the questionnaire when the child was between 5 and 6 months old.ResultsAt 5 months of age, 81·0 % of infants were breast-fed and 16·4 % were exclusively breast-fed. Infants of highly educated mothers had higher odds of being breast-fed at 5 months compared with infants of mothers with less education. Infants of multiparous mothers had higher odds of being exclusively breast-fed for the first 5 months compared with infants of mothers with one child. Infants of mothers with overweight/obesity had reduced odds of both being breast-fed at all and being exclusively breast-fed at 4 months of age compared with infants of mothers with normal BMI.ConclusionsOur results show that duration of breast-feeding varies with socio-economic status and maternal BMI in Norway. Targeting groups with low socio-economic status and mothers with overweight or obesity is important, as they are less likely to breast-feed according to recommendations.
Nrf2 antioxidant pathway suppresses Numb-mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition during pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Zhang Zhihui , Qu Jiao , Zheng Cheng , Zhang Panpan , Zhou Wencheng , Cui Wenhui , Mo Xiaoting , Li Liucheng , Xu Liang , Gao Jian 
Published: January 2018

AbstractEpithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key progression that promotes pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Numb, a phosphotyrosine-binding domain (PTB) protein, is implicated with EMT. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor2 (Nrf2) and its downstream proteins heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) constitute an important pathway of antioxidant defense signal for protecting against PF. It remains elusive whether Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and Numb have a potential relationship in EMT-mediated PF. Here, we observed the effects of Nrf2 pathway and Numb on bleomycin(BLM)-induced PF in Nrf2-knockout (Nrf2−/−) and wild-type (WT) mice. Meanwhile, rat type II alveolar epithelial cells line (RLE-6TN) and human epithelial cells line (A549) were both treated with an Nrf2 activator sulforaphane (SFN), or transfected siRNAs of Nrf2 and Numb to unravel roles of Nrf2 pathway, Numb and the link between them on transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-induced EMT. We found BLM-induced lung fibrosis were more severe in Nrf2−/− mice compared to WT mice with reduced expressions of HO-1 and NQO1. Numb was enhanced with down-regulated expressions of Nrf2 in BLM groups and further increased in Nrf2−/− groups. In vitro, given exogenous TGF-β1 on RLE-6TN and A549 up-regulated Numb expressions, accompanied with down-regulations of Nrf2 and its target proteins HO-1 and NQO1. Transfected with Nrf2 and Numb siRNAs further aggravated and relieved the progression of EMT, respectively. Inversely, activating Nrf2 pathway by SFN reduced the expression of Numb and EMT-related protein. Moreover, Numb deficiency by siRNA relieved the protection of activating Nrf2 against EMT. In conclusion, activating Nrf2 antioxidant pathway suppresses EMT during PF via inhibiting the abnormal expression of Numb. These findings provide insight into PF pathogenesis and a basis for novel treatment approaches.
An evolutionary NS1 mutation enhances Zika virus evasion of host interferon induction
Authors: Xia Hongjie , Luo Huanle , Shan Chao , Muruato Antonio E. , Nunes Bruno T. D. , Medeiros Daniele B. A. , Zou Jing , Xie Xuping , Giraldo Maria Isabel , Vasconcelos Pedro F. C. , Weaver Scott C. , Wang Tian , Rajsbaum Ricardo , Shi Pei-Yong 
Published: January 2018

AbstractVirus–host interactions determine an infection outcome. The Asian lineage of Zika virus (ZIKV), responsible for the recent epidemics, has fixed a mutation in the NS1 gene after 2012 that enhances mosquito infection. Here we report that the same mutation confers NS1 to inhibit interferon-β induction. This mutation enables NS1 binding to TBK1 and reduces TBK1 phosphorylation. Engineering the mutation into a pre-epidemic ZIKV strain debilitates the virus for interferon-β induction; reversing the mutation in an epidemic ZIKV strain invigorates the virus for interferon-β induction; these mutational effects are lost in IRF3-knockout cells. Additionally, ZIKV NS2A, NS2B, NS4A, NS4B, and NS5 can also suppress interferon-β production through targeting distinct components of the RIG-I pathway; however, for these proteins, no antagonistic difference is observed among various ZIKV strains. Our results support the mechanism that ZIKV has accumulated mutation(s) that increases the ability to evade immune response and potentiates infection and epidemics.
Coral-like Co3O4 Decorated N-doped Carbon Particles as active Materials for Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Supercapacitor
Authors: Lin Zhichao , Qiao Xiuwen 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCoral reef has a unique dendritic structure with large specific surface area, rich pore structure, so that it can be attached to a large number of zooxanthellae for gas exchange. Coral reef ecosystems are also known as underwater rainforests. Inspired by this biological structure, we designed and fabricated coral-like Co3O4 decorated N-doped carbon particles (Co3O4/N-CP). The obtained Co3O4/N-CP-900 catalyst shows efficient ORR electrocatalytic performances in an alkaline medium with a positive onset and half-wave potentials of 0.97 and 0.90 V (vs. RHE), as well as a high diffusion-limited current density (5.50 mA cm−2) comparable to that of a Pt/C catalyst (5.15 mA cm−2). It also displays better stability and methanol tolerance than commercial Pt/C. In addition, the Co3O4/N-CP-900 electrode has a high specific capacitance of 316.2 F g−1 in 6 M KOH, as well as good rate capabilities and excellent cycle performance. These results are due to large surface area, narrow pore size distribution, high density electrochemical energy conversion and storage activity centers. This method presented here offers an effective path for the development of high performance multi-functional carbon-based materials for ORR and supercapacitor applications.
A Two-Stage Whole-Genome Gene Expression Association Study of Young-Onset Hypertension in Han Chinese Population of Taiwan
Authors: Chiang Kuang-Mao , Yang Hsin-Chou , Pan Wen-Harn 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHypertension is an important public health problem in the world. Since the intermediate position of the gene expression between genotype and phenotype makes it suitable to link genotype to phenotype, we carried out a two-stage whole-genome gene expression association study to find differentially expressed genes and pathways for hypertension. In the first stage, 126 cases and 149 controls were used to find out the differentially expressed genes. In the second stage, an independent set of samples (127 cases and 150 controls) was used to validate the results. Additionally, we conducted a gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to search for differentially affected pathways. A total of nine genes were implicated in the first stage (Bonferroni-corrected p-value < 0.05). Among these genes, ZRANB1, FAM110A, PREP, ANKRD9 and LAMB2 were also differentially expressed in an existing database of hypertensive mouse model (GSE19817). A total of 16 pathways were identified by the GSEA. ZRANB1 and six pathways identified are related to TNF-α. Three pathways are related to interleukin, one to metabolic syndrome, and one to Hedgehog signaling. Identification of these genes and pathways suggest the importance of 1. inflammation, 2. visceral fat metabolism, and 3. adipocytes and osteocytes homeostasis in hypertension mechanisms and complications.
An improved metrics for osteoclast multinucleation
Authors: Verma Santosh K. , Chernomordik Leonid V. , Melikov Kamran 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCell-cell fusion is a key stage in development and maintenance of multinucleated cells that resorb bones and form our skeletal muscles and placenta. Here, we focus on osteoclast formation to suggest new ways of unbiased presentation of cell fusion at given conditions that combine empirical cumulative distribution function for the sizes of multinucleated cells with the total number of cell-cell fusion events, which generate these cells.
STM patterned nanowire measurements using photolithographically defined implants in Si(100)
Authors: Ramanayaka A. N. , Kim Hyun-Soo , Tang Ke , Wang X. , Silver R. M. , Stewart M. D. , Pomeroy J. M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractUsing photolithographically defined implant wires for electrical connections, we demonstrate measurement of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) patterned nanoscale electronic device on Si(100). By eliminating onerous alignment and complex lithography techniques, this approach is accessible to researchers in smaller efforts who may not have access to tools like electron beam lithography. Electrical contact to the nanodevices is achieved by implanting patterned, degenerately doped wires in the substrate using photolithography and commercial low energy ion implantation. We bring several isolated, implanted wires to within the STM scanner’s field of view where the STM can detect and smoothly draw contiguous patterns that directly overlap with implant lines for electrical connections. This overlapping provides a two-dimensional (2D) overlap interface with the 2D electron system, in contrast to many state-of-the-art methods that rely on contacting an exposed edge. After the STM pattern is phosphine dosed and overgrown with silicon, photolithography is then used again to align (≈ 160 μm)2 aluminum contact pads onto (≈ 200 μm)2 implanted areas at the ends of the wires. We present detailed results that optimize the spacing of neighboring wires while maintaining electrical isolation after heating to > 1200 °C, a step required for in situ Si surface preparation.
Deletion of MCP-1 Impedes Pathogenesis of Acid Ceramidase Deficiency
Authors: Yu Fabian P. S. , Dworski Shaalee , Medin Jeffrey A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractFarber Disease (FD) is an ultra-rare Lysosomal Storage Disorder caused by deficient acid ceramidase (ACDase) activity. Patients with ACDase deficiency manifest a spectrum of symptoms including formation of nodules, painful joints, and a hoarse voice. Classic FD patients will develop histiocytes in organs and die in childhood. Monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1; CCL2) is significantly elevated in both FD patients and a mouse model we previously generated. Here, to further study MCP-1 in FD, we created an ACDase;MCP-1 double mutant mouse. We show that deletion of MCP-1 reduced leukocytosis, delayed weight loss, and improved lifespan. Reduced inflammation and fibrosis were observed in livers from double mutant animals. Bronchial alveolar lavage fluid analyses revealed a reduction in cellular infiltrates and protein accumulation. Furthermore, reduced sphingolipid accumulation was observed in the lung and liver but not in the brain. The neurological and hematopoietic defects observed in FD mice were maintained. A compensatory cytokine response was found in the double mutants, however, that may contribute to continued signs of inflammation and injury. Taken together, targeting a reduction of MCP-1 opens the door to a better understanding of the mechanistic consequences of ceramide accumulation and may even delay the progression of FD in some organ systems.
Bacillus licheniformis normalize the ileum microbiota of chickens infected with necrotic enteritis
Authors: Xu Shuai , Lin Yicen , Zeng Dong , Zhou Mengjia , Zeng Yan , Wang Hesong , Zhou Yi , Zhu Hui , Pan Kangcheng , Jing Bo , Ni Xueqin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractNecrotic enteritis (NE) is a severe intestinal disease, which can change gut microbiota and result in a high cost for the poultry industry worldwide. However, little is known regarding how the gut microbiota of NE chicken ileum are changed by Bacillus licheniformis. This study was conducted to investigate how ileum microbiota structure was changed by B. licheniformis in broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens-induced NE through Illumina MiSeq sequencing. The broilers were randomly separated into four groups: the negative control group (NC), the positive control group (PC), the fishmeal and coccidia group (FC), and the PC group supplied with feed containing B. licheniformis (BL). Compared to the PC and FC, alpha diversity, beta diversity, and the bacterial taxa of the ileum microbiota were more similar in BL and NC. Some genera, which were related to the NE control, became insignificant in BL with NC, such as Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Bacteroides, Ruminococcus and Helicobacter. The PICRUSt analysis revealed that a tumour suppressor gene, p53, which was negatively correlated with Helicobacter, was enriched in the BL group. Our findings showed that the ileum microbiota disorder caused by NE in chickens was normalized by dietary B. licheniformis supplementation.
The molecular mechanism of cell cycle arrest in the Bursa of Fabricius in chick exposed to Aflatoxin B
1
Authors: Hu Ping , Zuo Zhicai , Li Hang , Wang Fengyuan , Peng Xi , Fang Jing , Cui Hengmin , Gao Caixia , Song Hetao , Zhou Yi , Chen Zhengli 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAflatoxin B1 shows potent hepatotoxic, carcinogenic, genotoxic, immunotoxic potential in humans and many species of animals. The aim of this study was to clarify the underlying mechanism of G0G1 phase and G2M phase arrest of cell cycle in the bursa of Fabricius in broilers exposed to dietary AFB1. 144 one-day-old healthy Cobb broilers were randomly divided into two groups and fed on control diet and 0.6 mg·Kg−1 AFB1 diet for 3 weeks. Histological observation showed that AFB1 induced the increase of nuclear debris and vacuoles in lymphoid follicle of BF. Results of flow cytometry studies showed that bursal cells arrested in G2M phase at 7 days of age and blocked in G0G1 phase at 14 and 21 days of age following exposure to AFB1. The qRT-PCR analysis indicated that cell cycle arrested in G2M phase via ATM-Chk2-cdc25-cyclin B/cdc2 pathway, and blocked in G0G1 phase through ATM-Chk2-cdc25-cyclin D/CDK6 pathway and ATM-Chk2-p21-cyclin D/CDK6 route. In a word, our results provided new insights that AFB1 diet induced G2M and G0G1 phase blockage of BF cells in different periods, and different pathways were activated in different arrested cell cycle phase.
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling modulates antiviral immune responses: ligand metabolism rather than chemical source is the stronger predictor of outcome
Authors: Boule Lisbeth A. , Burke Catherine G. , Jin Guang-Bi , Lawrence B. Paige 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) offers a compelling target to modulate the immune system. AHR agonists alter adaptive immune responses, but the consequences differ across studies. We report here the comparison of four agents representing different sources of AHR ligands in mice infected with influenza A virus (IAV): TCDD, prototype exogenous AHR agonist; PCB126, pollutant with documented human exposure; ITE, novel pharmaceutical; and FICZ, degradation product of tryptophan. All four compounds diminished virus-specific IgM levels and increased the proportion of regulatory T cells. TCDD, PCB126 and ITE, but not FICZ, reduced virus-specific IgG levels and CD8+T cell responses. Similarly, ITE, PCB126, and TCDD reduced Th1 and Tfh cells, whereas FICZ increased their frequency. InCyp1a1-deficient mice, all compounds, including FICZ, reduced the response to IAV. ConditionalAhrknockout mice revealed that all four compounds require AHR within hematopoietic cells. Thus, differences in the immune response to IAV likely reflect variances in quality, magnitude, and duration of AHR signaling. This indicates that binding affinity and metabolism may be stronger predictors of immune effects than a compound’s source of origin, and that harnessing AHR will require finding a balance between dampening immune-mediated pathologies and maintaining sufficient host defenses against infection.
L. plantarum WCFS1 enhances Treg frequencies by activating DCs even in absence of sampling of bacteria in the Peyer Patches
Authors: Bermudez-Brito Miriam , Borghuis Theo , Daniel Catherine , Pot Bruno , de Haan Bart J. , Faas Marijke M. , de Vos Paul 
Published: January 2018

AbstractProbiotics such as L. plantarum WCFS1 can modulate immune responses in healthy subjects but how this occurs is still largely unknown. Immune-sampling in the Peyer Patches has been suggested to be one of the mechanisms. Here we studied the systemic and intestinal immune effects in combination with a trafficking study through the intestine of a well-established immunomodulating probiotic, i.e. L. plantarum WCFS1. We demonstrate that not more than 2–3 bacteria were sampled and in many animals not any bacterium could be found in the PP. Despite this, L. plantarum was associated with a strong increase in infiltration of regulatory CD103+ DCs and generation of regulatory T cells in the spleen. Also, a reduced splenic T helper cell cytokine response was observed after ex vivo restimulation. L. plantarum enhanced Treg cells and attenuated the T helper 2 response in healthy mice. We demonstrate that, in healthy mice, immune sampling is a rare phenomenon and not required for immunomodulation. Also in absence of any sampling immune activation was found illustrating that host-microbe interaction on the Peyer Patches was enough to induce immunomodulation of DCs and T-cells.