bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Erdős–Rothschild problem on edge-colourings with forbidden monochromatic cliques
Authors: PIKHURKO OLEG , STADEN KATHERINE , YILMA ZELEALEM B. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractLet k := (k1,. . .,ks) be a sequence of natural numbers. For a graph G, let F(G;k) denote the number of colourings of the edges of G with colours 1,. . .,s such that, for every c ∈ {1,. . .,s}, the edges of colour c contain no clique of order kc. Write F(n;k) to denote the maximum of F(G;k) over all graphs G on n vertices. This problem was first considered by Erdős and Rothschild in 1974, but it has been solved only for a very small number of non-trivial cases.We prove that, for every k and n, there is a complete multipartite graph G on n vertices with F(G;k) = F(n;k). Also, for every k we construct a finite optimisation problem whose maximum is equal to the limit of log2F(n;k)/${n\choose 2}$ as n tends to infinity. Our final result is a stability theorem for complete multipartite graphs G, describing the asymptotic structure of such G with F(G;k) = F(n;k) · 2o(n2) in terms of solutions to the optimisation problem.
Quantitative risk assessment of the introduction of rabies into Japan through the importation of dogs and cats worldwide
Authors: KWAN N. C. L. , SUGIURA K. , HOSOI Y. , YAMADA A. , SNARY E. L. 
Published: January 2017

SUMMARYJapan has been free from rabies since 1958. A strict import regimen has been adopted since 2004 consisting of identification of an animal with microchip, two-time rabies vaccination, neutralizing antibody titration test and a waiting period of 180 days. The present study aims to quantitatively assess the risk of rabies introduction into Japan through the international importation of dogs and cats and hence provide evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the current rabies prevention system. A stochastic scenario tree model was developed and simulations were run using @RISK. The probability of infection in a single dog or cat imported into Japan is estimated to be 2·16 × 10−9 [90% prediction interval (PI) 6·65 × 10−11–6·48 × 10−9]. The number of years until the introduction of a rabies case is estimated to be 49 444 (90% PI 19 170–94 641) years. The current import regimen is effective in maintaining the very low risk of rabies introduction into Japan and responding to future changes including increases in import level and rabies prevalence in the world. However, non-compliance or smuggling activities could substantially increase the risk of rabies introduction. Therefore, policy amendment which could promote compliance is highly recommended. Scenario analysis demonstrated that the waiting period could be reduced to 90 days and the requirement for vaccination could be reduced to a single vaccination, but serological testing should not be stopped.
Effect of a group intervention for children and their parents who have cancer
Authors: Kobayashi Mariko , Heiney Sue P. , Osawa Kaori , Ozawa Miwa , Matsushima Eisuke 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTObjective:Although support programs for children whose parents have cancer have been described and evaluated, formal research has not been conducted to document outcomes. We adapted a group intervention called CLIMB®, originally developed in the United States, and implemented it in Tokyo, Japan, for school-aged children and their parents with cancer. The purpose of this exploratory pilot study was to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of the Japanese version of the CLIMB® Program on children's stress and parents' quality of life and psychosocial distress.Methods:We enrolled children and parents in six waves of replicate sets for the six-week group intervention. A total of 24 parents (23 mothers and 1 father) diagnosed with cancer and 38 school-aged children (27 girls and 11 boys) participated in our study. Intervention fidelity, including parent and child satisfaction with the program, was examined. The impact of the program was analyzed using a quasiexperimental within-subject design comparing pre- and posttest assessments of children and parents in separate analyses.Results:Both children and parents experienced high levels of satisfaction with the program. Children's posttraumatic stress symptoms related to a parent's illness decreased after the intervention as measured by the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder–Reaction Index. No difference was found in children's psychosocial stress. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy scores indicated that parents' quality of life improved after the intervention in all domains except for physical well-being. However, no differences were found in parents' psychological distress and posttraumatic stress symptoms.Significance of results:Our results suggest that the group intervention using the CLIMB® Program relieved children's posttraumatic stress symptoms and improved parents' quality of life. The intervention proved the feasibility of delivering the program using manuals and training. Further research is needed to provide more substantiation for the benefits of the program.
Evaluation of seed components of wild soybean (Glycine soja) collected in Japan using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Wee Chi-Do , Hashiguchi Masatsugu , Ishigaki Genki , Muguerza Melody , Oba Chika , Abe Jun , Harada Kyuya , Akashi Ryo 
Published: January 2017

AbstractSeed composition, including the protein, lipid and sucrose contents of 334 accessions of wild soybean (Glycine soja) collected in Japan, was evaluated using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) technology. The distribution of protein, lipid and sucrose contents and correlations among these three classes of seed components were determined. Protein, lipid and sucrose levels ranged in accessions from 48.6 to 57.0, 9.0 to 14.3 and 1.24 to 3.53%, respectively. Average levels of protein, lipid and sucrose in the accessions were 54, 11 and 2.5%, respectively. High negative correlations were observed between the protein and lipid contents, and the protein and sucrose contents. Mean levels of the three constituents were compared among collection sites classified by climatic conditions. The total protein content of accessions from regions with a high annual mean temperature was high. The protein content of accessions from the II-1 region was higher than those from the III-3 region, and the sucrose content from the II-1 region was lower than those from regions III-2 and IV-3. The lipid content of plants from the II-1 region was lower than those from other regions, and the accessions in region II had a higher protein content and lower sucrose and lipid contents than the other regions. These results provide diverse and wide-ranged protein, lipid and sucrose contents information of Japanese wild soybean resources according to climatic region; thus, providing a foundation for the future development and selection of new soybean varieties with desired traits in global environmental changes.
Mill ownership and farmer's cooperative behavior: the case of Costa Rica coffee farmers
Authors: HOPFENSITZ ASTRID , MIQUEL-FLORENSA JOSEPA 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWe analyze how Costa Rican coffee farmer's behavior in an experimental public good game depends on the institutional structure of the farmers buying point (cooperativevs.privately owned mills), and on the background of their game partners (partners selling to the same type of mill or not). We find that cooperative farmers do not display more public good orientation than private market farmers when playing with partners from the same type of mill. However, though farmers selling to private mills make no difference with respect to the background of partners, farmers selling to cooperatives significantly decrease contributions when paired with non-cooperative members. Finally, we study how self-selection into a mechanism that punishes the lowest contributors effects contributions both inside the group and with partners of the opposite background, and we show that it increases contributions by cooperative farmers interacting with non-cooperative farmers by more than 100%.
PHLPP regulates hexokinase 2-dependent glucose metabolism in colon cancer cells
Authors: Xiong Xiaopeng , Wen Yang-An , Mitov Mihail I , C Oaks Mary , Miyamoto Shigeki , Gao Tianyan 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIncreased glucose metabolism is considered as one of the most important metabolic alterations adapted by cancer cells in order to generate energy as well as high levels of glycolytic intermediates to support rapid proliferation. PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase (PHLPP) belongs to a novel family of Ser/Thr protein phosphatases that function as tumor suppressors in various types of human cancer. Here we determined the role of PHLPP in regulating glucose metabolism in colon cancer cells. Knockdown of PHLPP increased the rate of glucose consumption and lactate production, whereas overexpression of PHLPP had the opposite effect. Bioenergetic analysis using Seahorse Extracelluar Flux Analyzer revealed that silencing PHLPP expression induced a glycolytic shift in colon cancer cells. Mechanistically, we found that PHLPP formed a complex with Akt and hexokinase 2 (HK2) in the mitochondrial fraction of colon cancer cells and knockdown of PHLPP enhanced Akt-mediated phosphorylation and mitochondrial localization of HK2. Depletion of HK2 expression or treating cells with Akt and HK2 inhibitors reversed PHLPP loss-induced increase in glycolysis. Furthermore, PHLPP knockdown cells became addicted to glucose as a major energy source in that glucose starvation significantly decreased cancer cell survival. As HK2 is the key enzyme that determines the direction and magnitude of glucose flux, our study identified PHLPP as a novel regulator of glucose metabolism by controlling HK2 activity in colon cancer cells.
Metal/oxide interfacial effects on the selective oxidation of primary alcohols
Authors: Zhao Guofeng , Yang Fan , Chen Zongjia , Liu Qingfei , Ji Yongjun , Zhang Yi , Niu Zhiqiang , Mao Junjie , Bao Xinhe , Hu Peijun , Li Yadong 
Published: January 2017

AbstractA main obstacle in the rational development of heterogeneous catalysts is the difficulty in identifying active sites. Here we show metal/oxide interfacial sites are highly active for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol and other industrially important primary alcohols on a range of metals and oxides combinations. Scanning tunnelling microscopy together with density functional theory calculations on FeO/Pt(111) reveals that benzyl alcohol enriches preferentially at the oxygen-terminated FeO/Pt(111) interface and undergoes readily O–H and C–H dissociations with the aid of interfacial oxygen, which is also validated in the model study of Cu2O/Ag(111). We demonstrate that the interfacial effects are independent of metal or oxide sizes and the way by which the interfaces were constructed. It inspires us to inversely support nano-oxides on micro-metals to make the structure more stable against sintering while the number of active sites is not sacrificed. The catalyst lifetime, by taking the inverse design, is thereby significantly prolonged.
Divergent prion strain evolution driven by PrPC expression level in transgenic mice
Authors: Le Dur Annick , Laï Thanh Lan , Stinnakre Marie-George , Laisné Aude , Chenais Nathalie , Rakotobe Sabine , Passet Bruno , Reine Fabienne , Soulier Solange , Herzog Laetitia , Tilly Gaëlle , Rézaei Human , Béringue Vincent , Vilotte Jean-Luc , Laude Hubert 
Published: January 2017

AbstractPrions induce a fatal neurodegenerative disease in infected host brain based on the refolding and aggregation of the host-encoded prion protein PrPC into PrPSc. Structurally distinct PrPSc conformers can give rise to multiple prion strains. Constrained interactions between PrPC and different PrPSc strains can in turn lead to certain PrPSc (sub)populations being selected for cross-species transmission, or even produce mutation-like events. By contrast, prion strains are generally conserved when transmitted within the same species, or to transgenic mice expressing homologous PrPC. Here, we compare the strain properties of a representative sheep scrapie isolate transmitted to a panel of transgenic mouse lines expressing varying levels of homologous PrPC. While breeding true in mice expressing PrPC at near physiological levels, scrapie prions evolve consistently towards different strain components in mice beyond a certain threshold of PrPC overexpression. Our results support the view that PrPC gene dosage can influence prion evolution on homotypic transmission.
Wafer-scale integration of sacrificial nanofluidic chips for detecting and manipulating single DNA molecules
Authors: Wang Chao , Nam Sung-Wook , Cotte John M. , Jahnes Christopher V. , Colgan Evan G. , Bruce Robert L. , Brink Markus , Lofaro Michael F. , Patel Jyotica V. , Gignac Lynne M. , Joseph Eric A. , Rao Satyavolu Papa , Stolovitzky Gustavo , Polonsky Stanislav , Lin Qinghuang 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWafer-scale fabrication of complex nanofluidic systems with integrated electronics is essential to realizing ubiquitous, compact, reliable, high-sensitivity and low-cost biomolecular sensors. Here we report a scalable fabrication strategy capable of producing nanofluidic chips with complex designs and down to single-digit nanometre dimensions over 200 mm wafer scale. Compatible with semiconductor industry standard complementary metal-oxide semiconductor logic circuit fabrication processes, this strategy extracts a patterned sacrificial silicon layer through hundreds of millions of nanoscale vent holes on each chip by gas-phase Xenon difluoride etching. Using single-molecule fluorescence imaging, we demonstrate these sacrificial nanofluidic chips can function to controllably and completely stretch lambda DNA in a two-dimensional nanofluidic network comprising channels and pillars. The flexible nanofluidic structure design, wafer-scale fabrication, single-digit nanometre channels, reliable fluidic sealing and low thermal budget make our strategy a potentially universal approach to integrating functional planar nanofluidic systems with logic circuits for lab-on-a-chip applications.
Adiponectin/adiponectin receptor in disease and aging
Authors: Iwabu Masato , Okada-Iwabu Miki , Yamauchi Toshimasa , Kadowaki Takashi 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAdipocytes are not merely organs for energy conservation but endocrine organs secreting a wide array of physiologically active substances, i.e., adipokines. Of these adipokines, adiponectin is known to exert anti-diabetic and anti-atherosclerotic effects via adiponectin receptors (AdipoR)s, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. Adiponectin has also recently been shown to regulate longevity signaling thus prolonging lifespan. Therefore, the strategy for activating adiponectin/AdipoR signaling pathways are expected to provide a solid basis for the prevention and treatment of obesity-related diseases such as the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as for ensuring healthy longevity in humans.
Nephro-toxic effects of intraperitoneally injected EGCG in diabetic mice: involvement of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis
Authors: Rasheed Nora O. Abdel , Ahmed Lamiaa A. , Abdallah Dalaal M. , El-Sayeh Bahia M. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractEpigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has been studied for its beneficial effects. However, some case reports have associated EGCG supplementation with hepato-toxicity. In the present study, we investigated the possible nephro-toxic effects of EGCG in diabetic mice. Streptozotocin (150 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected in mice for diabetes induction. EGCG (100 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was then given for 4 days. The administration of EGCG to diabetic mice caused 60% mortality with no death recorded in other groups. Blood samples were collected for estimation of serum cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and blood urea nitrogen. Animals were then sacrificed and kidneys were rapidly excised for estimation of oxidative stress markers (NADPH oxidase, reduced glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, heat shock protein 90, hemeoxygenase-1), as well as inflammatory markers (nuclear factor kappa-B and tumor necrosis factor-α). Administration of EGCG to diabetic mice showed significant elevation in serum cystatin C and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, marked increase in oxidative stress and inflammatory states in addition to marked over expression of active caspase-3. Histopathological examination confirmed EGCG induced renal damage in diabetic mice. In conclusion, despite of its well known favorable effects, EGCG could paradoxically exhibit nephro-toxic effect in the presence of diabetes.
Improvement of hemodynamic performance using novel helical flow vena cava filter design
Authors: Chen Ying , Zhang Peng , Deng Xiaoyan , Fan Yubo , Xing Yubin , Xing Ning 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWe propose a vena cava filter in which helical flow is created in the filter’s working zone to minimize filter blockage by trapped clots and facilitate the lysis of trapped clots. To validate this new design, we compared five helical flow inducers with different thread pitches in terms of blood flow patterns in the filter. The vena cava was reconstructed based on computed tomography images. Both the numerical simulation and in vitro experiment revealed that the helical flow inducer can effectively create a helical flow in the vessel, thereby subduing the filter structure’s adverse disruption to blood flow, and increasing flow-induced shear stress in the filter center. In addition, the smaller thread pitch helical flow inducer reduced the oscillating shear index and relative residence time on the vessel wall. Moreover, we observed that the helical flow inducer in the vena cava could induce flow rotation both in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. In conclusion, the new design of the filter with the smaller thread pitch inducer is advantageous over the traditional filter in terms of improving local hemodynamics, which may reduce thrombosis build-up after deployment.
Optical coherence tomography angiography microvascular findings in macular edema due to central and branch retinal vein occlusions
Authors: Mastropasqua Rodolfo , Toto Lisa , Di Antonio Luca , Borrelli Enrico , Senatore Alfonso , Di Nicola Marta , Di Martino Giuseppe , Ciancaglini Marco , Carpineto Paolo 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate retinal and choriocapillaris vessel density using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in eyes with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) complicated by macular edema (ME). Sixty eyes of 60 patients with CRVO or BRVO and ME and 40 healthy subjects underwent measurements of superficial and deep foveal and parafoveal vessel density (FVD, PFVD) and choricapillary density using OCTA at baseline and 60 days after intravitreal dexamethasone implant (IVDEX). FVD and PFVD of the superficial plexus were not significantly lower in CRVO group compared to the controls while in the BRVO group overall PFVD were significantly lower compared to control group (p < 0.001). Overall PFVD of the deep plexus was significantly lower in CRVO and BRVO groups compared to the control group (p < 0.001). FVD and overall PFVD of choriocapillaris were significantly reduced compared to controls in CRVO group (p < 0.001) and PFVD of choriocapillaris was significantly reduced compared to controls in the affected hemi fields in BRVO groups (p < 0.001). OCTA showed vessel density reduction in BRVO and CRVO with main involvement of the deep retinal plexus compared to the superficial retinal plexus due to ischemia that did not recover after intravitreal dexamethasone implant.
MerR and ChrR mediate blue light induced photo-oxidative stress response at the transcriptional level in Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Tardu Mehmet , Bulut Selma , Kavakli Ibrahim Halil 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBlue light (BL) is a major environmental factor that affects the physiology, behavior, and infectivity of bacteria as it contributes to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) while increasing photo-oxidative stress in cells. However, precise photo-oxidative response mechanism in non-phototrophic bacteria is yet to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effect of BL in Vibrio cholerae by using genetics and transcriptome profiling. Genome-wide analysis revealed that transcription of 6.3% of V. cholerae genes were regulated by BL. We further showed that BL enhances ROS production, which is generated through the oxidative phosphorylation. To understand signaling mechanisms, we generated several knockouts and analyzed their transcriptome under BL exposure. Studies with a double-knockout confirm an anti-sigma factor (ChrR) and putative metalloregulatory-like protein (MerR) are responsible for the genome-wide regulation to BL response in V. cholerae. Collectively, these results demonstrate that MerR-like proteins, in addition to ChrR, are required for V. cholerae to mount an appropriate response against photo-oxidative stress induced by BL. Outside its natural host, V. cholerae can survive for extended periods in natural aquatic environments. Therefore, the regulation of light response for V. cholerae may be a critical cellular process for its survival in these environments.
Non-pathogenic tissue-resident CD8+ T cells uniquely accumulate in the brains of lupus-prone mice
Authors: Morawski Peter A. , Qi Chen-Feng , Bolland Silvia 
Published: January 2017

AbstractSevere lupus often includes psychiatric and neurological sequelae, although the cellular contributors to CNS disease remain poorly defined. Using intravascular staining to discriminate tissue-localized from blood-borne cells, we find substantial accumulation of CD8+T cells relative to other lymphocytes in brain tissue, which correlates with lupus disease and limited neuropathology. This is in contrast to all other affected organs, where infiltrating CD4+cells are predominant. Brain-infiltrating CD8+T cells represent an activated subset of those found in the periphery, having a resident-memory phenotype (CD69+CD122−PD1+CD44+CD62L−) and expressing adhesion molecules (VLA-4+LFA-1+) complementary to activated brain endothelium. Remarkably, infiltrating CD8+T cells do not cause tissue damage in lupus-prone mice, as genetic ablation of these cells via β2 m deficiency does not reverse neuropathology, but exacerbates disease both in the brain and globally despite decreased serum IgG levels. Thus, lupus-associated inflammation disrupts the blood-brain barrier in a discriminating way biased in favor of non-pathogenic CD8+T cells relative to other infiltrating leukocytes, perhaps preventing further tissue damage in such a sensitive organ.