bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A focussed single-view hand-held echocardiography protocol for the detection of rheumatic heart disease
Authors: Diamantino Adriana , Beaton Andrea , Aliku Twalib , Oliveira Kaciane , Oliveira Cassio , Xavier Luciana , Perlman Lindsay , Okello Emmy , Nascimento Bruno , Ribeiro Antonio R. P. , Nunes Maria C. P. , Sable Craig 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundEchocardiographic screening represents an opportunity for reduction in the global burden of rheumatic heart disease. A focussed single-view screening protocol could allow for the rapid training of healthcare providers and screening of patients.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of a focussed single-view hand-held echocardiographic protocol for the diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease in children.MethodsA total of nine readers were divided into three reading groups; each interpreted 200 hand-held echocardiography studies retrospectively as screen-positive, if mitral regurgitation ⩾1.5 cm and/or any aortic insufficiency were observed, or screen-negative from a pooled study library. The performance of experts receiving focussed hand-held protocols, non-experts receiving focussed hand-held protocols, and experts receiving complete hand-held protocols were determined in comparison with consensus interpretations on fully functional echocardiography machines.ResultsIn all, 587 studies including 76 on definite rheumatic heart disease, 122 on borderline rheumatic heart disease, and 389 on normal cases were available for analysis. The focussed single-view protocol had a sensitivity of 81.1%, specificity of 75.5%, negative predictive value of 88.5%, and a positive predictive value of 63.2%; expert readers had higher specificity (86.1 versus 64.8%, p<0.01) but equal sensitivity. Sensitivity – experts, 96% and non-experts, 95% – and negative predictive value – experts, 99% and non-experts, 98% – were better for definite rheumatic heart disease. False-positive screening studies resulting from erroneous identification of mitral regurgitation and aortic insufficiency colour jets increased with shortened protocols and less experience (p<0.01).ConclusionOur data support a focussed screening protocol limited to parasternal long-axis images. This holds promise in making echocardiographic screening more practical in regions where rheumatic heart disease remains endemic.
RETRACTED – Intra-individual Cognitive Variability: An Examination of ANAM4 TBI-MIL Simple Reaction Time Data from Service Members with and without Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Cole Wesley R. , Gregory Emma , Arrieux Jacques P. , Haran F. Jay 
Published: September 2017

AbstractObjectives: The Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics 4 TBI-MIL (ANAM4) is a computerized cognitive test often used in post-concussion assessments with U.S. service members (SMs). Existing evidence, however, remains mixed regarding ANAM4’s ability to identify cognitive issues following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Studies typically examine ANAM4 by comparing mean scores to baseline or normative scores. A more fine-grained approach involves examining inconsistency within an individual’s performance. Methods: Data from a sample of 231 were healthy control SMs and 100 SMs within 7 days of mTBI who took the ANAM4 were included in analyses. We examine each individual’s performance on a simple reaction time (SRT) subtest that is administered at the beginning (SRT1) and end (SRT2) of the ANAM4 battery, and calculate the standard deviation of difference scores by trial across administrations. Results: Multivariate analysis of variance and univariate analyses revealed group differences across all comparisons (p<.001) with pairwise comparisons revealing higher intra-individual variability and slower raw reaction time for the mTBI group compared with controls. Effect sizes were small though exceeded the recommended minimum practical effect size (ES>0.41). Conclusions: While inconsistencies in performance are often viewed as noise or test error, the results suggest intra-individual cognitive variability may be more sensitive than central tendency measures (i.e., comparison of means) in detecting changes in cognitive function in mTBI. Additionally, the findings highlight the utility of ANAM4’s repeating a subtest at two points in a battery to explore within-subject differences in performance. (JINS, 2017, 23, 1–6)
Simultaneous silencing of ACSL4 and induction of GADD45B in hepatocellular carcinoma cells amplifies the synergistic therapeutic effect of aspirin and sorafenib
Authors: Xia Hongping , Lee Kee Wah , Chen Jianxiang , Kong Shik Nie , Sekar Karthik , Deivasigamani Amudha , Seshachalam Veerabrahma Pratap , Goh Brian Kim Poh , Ooi London Lucien , Hui Kam M 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSorafenib is currently the only US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved molecular inhibitor for the systemic therapy of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aspirin has been studied extensively as an anti-inflammation, cancer preventive and therapeutic agent. However, the potential synergistic therapeutic effects of sorafenib and aspirin on advanced HCC treatment have not been well studied. Drug combination studies and their synergy quantification were performed using the combination index method of Chou-Talalay. The synergistic therapeutic effects of sorafenib and aspirin were evaluated using an orthotopic mouse model of HCC and comprehensive gene profiling analyses were conducted to identify key factors mediating the synergistic therapeutic effects of sorafenib and aspirin. Sorafenib was determined to act synergistically on HCC cells with aspirin in vitro. Using Hep3B and HuH7 HCC cells, it was demonstrated that sorafenib and aspirin acted synergistically to induce apoptosis. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that combining sorafenib and aspirin yielded significant synergistically anti-tumor effects by simultaneously silencing ACSL4 and the induction of GADD45B expression in HCC cells both in vitro and in the orthotopic HCC xenograft mouse model. Importantly, clinical evidence has independently corroborated that survival of HCC patients expressing ACSL4highGADD45Blow was significantly poorer compared to patients with ACSL4lowGADD45Bhigh, thus demonstrating the potential clinical value of combining aspirin and sorafenib for HCC patients expressing ACSL4highGADD45Blow. In conclusion, sorafenib and aspirin provide synergistic therapeutic effects on HCC cells that are achieved through simultaneous silencing of ACSL4 and induction of GADD45B expression. Targeting HCC with ACSL4highGADD45Blow expression with aspirin and sorafenib could provide potential synergistic therapeutic benefits.
Direct measurement of strain-dependent solid surface stress
Authors: Xu Qin , Jensen Katharine E. , Boltyanskiy Rostislav , Sarfati Raphaël , Style Robert W. , Dufresne Eric R. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSurface stress, also known as surface tension, is a fundamental material property of any interface. However, measurements of solid surface stress in traditional engineering materials, such as metals and oxides, have proven to be very challenging. Consequently, our understanding relies heavily on untested theories, especially regarding the strain dependence of this property. Here, we take advantage of the high compliance and large elastic deformability of a soft polymer gel to directly measure solid surface stress as a function of strain. As anticipated by theoretical work for metals, we find that the surface stress depends on the strain via a surface modulus. Remarkably, the surface modulus of our soft gels is many times larger than the zero-strain surface tension. This suggests that surface stresses can play a dominant role in solid mechanics at larger length scales than previously anticipated.
Therapeutic effects of the mitochondrial ROS-redox modulator KH176 in a mammalian model of Leigh Disease
Authors: de Haas Ria , Das Devashish , Garanto Alejandro , Renkema Herma G. , Greupink Rick , van den Broek Petra , Pertijs Jeanne , Collin Rob W. J. , Willems Peter , Beyrath Julien , Heerschap Arend , Russel Frans G. , Smeitink Jan A. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractLeigh Disease is a progressive neurometabolic disorder for which a clinical effective treatment is currently still lacking. Here, we report on the therapeutic efficacy of KH176, a new chemical entity derivative of Trolox, in Ndufs4−/− mice, a mammalian model for Leigh Disease. Using in vivo brain diffusion tensor imaging, we show a loss of brain microstructural coherence in Ndufs4−/− mice in the cerebral cortex, external capsule and cerebral peduncle. These findings are in line with the white matter diffusivity changes described in mitochondrial disease patients. Long-term KH176 treatment retained brain microstructural coherence in the external capsule in Ndufs4−/− mice and normalized the increased lipid peroxidation in this area and the cerebral cortex. Furthermore, KH176 treatment was able to significantly improve rotarod and gait performance and reduced the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells in Ndufs4−/− mice. These in vivo findings show that further development of KH176 as a potential treatment for mitochondrial disorders is worthwhile to pursue. Clinical trial studies to explore the potency, safety and efficacy of KH176 are ongoing.
Horizontal extent of the urban heat dome flow
Authors: Fan Yifan , Li Yuguo , Bejan Adrian , Wang Yi , Yang Xinyan 
Published: September 2017

AbstractUrban heat dome flow, which is also referred to as urban heat island circulation, is important for urban ventilation and pollutant transport between adjacent cities when the background wind is weak or absent. A “dome-shaped” profile can form at the upper boundary of the urban heat island circulation. The horizontal extent of the heat dome is an important parameter for estimating the size of the area it influences. This study reviews the existing data on the horizontal extent of the urban heat dome flow, as determined by using either field measurements or numerical simulations. A simple energy balance model is applied to obtain the maximum horizontal extent of a single heat dome over the urban area, which is found to be approximately 1.5 to 3.5 times the diameter of the city’s urban area at night. A linearized model is also re-analysed to calculate the horizontal extent of the urban heat dome flow. This analysis supports the results from the energy balance model. During daytime, the horizontal extent of the urban heat dome flow is found to be about 2.0 to 3.3 times the urban area’s diameter, as influenced by the convective turbulent plumes in the rural area.
An ENU-induced splice site mutation of mouse Col1a1 causing recessive osteogenesis imperfecta and revealing a novel splicing rescue
Authors: Tabeta Koichi , Du Xin , Arimatsu Kei , Yokoji Mai , Takahashi Naoki , Amizuka Norio , Hasegawa Tomoka , Crozat Karine , Maekawa Tomoki , Miyauchi Sayuri , Matsuda Yumi , Ida Takako , Kaku Masaru , Hoebe Kasper , Ohno Kinji , Yoshie Hiromasa , Yamazaki Kazuhisa , Moresco Eva Marie Y. , Beutler Bruce 
Published: September 2017

AbstractGU-AG consensus sequences are used for intron recognition in the majority of cases of pre-mRNA splicing in eukaryotes. Mutations at splice junctions often cause exon skipping, short deletions, or insertions in the mature mRNA, underlying one common molecular mechanism of genetic diseases. Using N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, a novel recessive mutation named seal was produced, associated with fragile bones and susceptibility to fractures (spine and limbs). A single nucleotide transversion (T → A) at the second position of intron 36 of the Col1a1 gene, encoding the type I collagen, α1 chain, was responsible for the phenotype. Col1a1
seal
mRNA expression occurred at greatly reduced levels compared to the wild-type transcript, resulting in reduced and aberrant collagen fibers in tibiae of seal homozygous mice. Unexpectedly, splicing of Col1a1
seal
mRNA followed the normal pattern despite the presence of the donor splice site mutation, likely due to the action of a putative intronic splicing enhancer present in intron 25, which appeared to function redundantly with the splice donor site of intron 36. Seal mice represent a model of human osteogenesis imperfecta, and reveal a previously unknown mechanism for splicing “rescue.”
A Plastid-Localized Pentatricopeptide Repeat Protein is Required for Both Pollen Development and Plant Growth in Rice
Authors: Liu Yu-Jun , Liu Xuejiao , Chen Hao , Zheng Peng , Wang Wenyi , Wang Liangchao , Zhang Jianhua , Tu Jumin 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSeveral mitochondrial-targeted pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins involved in pollen development have been reported to be fertility restorer (Rf) proteins. However, the roles of plastid-localized PPR proteins in plant male reproduction are poorly defined. Here, we described a plastid-localized PPR-SMR protein, OsPPR676, which is required for plant growth and pollen development in rice. In this study, OsPPR676 was confirmed to be an interacted protein with Osj10gBTF3, β-subunit of nascent polypeptide-associated complex (β-NAC), by bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, indicating that both proteins are probably involved in the same regulatory pathway of pollen development. Compared with other chloroplast-rich tissues, OsPPR676 was only weakly expressed in anther, but in the Mei and YM stages of pollen development, its expression was relatively strong in the tapetum. Disruption of OsPPR676 resulted in growth retardation of plants and partial sterility of pollens. Phenotypic analysis of different osppr676 mutant lines implied that the SMR domain was not essential for the function of OsPPR676. We further demonstrated that OsPPR676 is essential for production of plastid atpB subunit, and then plays crucial roles in biosynthesis of fatty acids, carbohydrates, and other organic matters via affecting activity of ATP synthase.
A moso bamboo WRKY gene PeWRKY83 confers salinity tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants
Authors: Wu Min , Liu Huanlong , Han Guomin , Cai Ronghao , Pan Feng , Xiang Yan 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe WRKY family are transcription factors, involved in plant development, and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Moso bamboo is an important bamboo that has high ecological, economic and cultural value and is widely distributed in the south of China. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification of WRKY members in moso bamboo and identified 89 members. By comparative analysis in six grass genomes, we found the WRKY gene family may have experienced or be experiencing purifying selection. Based on relative expression levels among WRKY IIc members under three abiotic stresses, PeWRKY83 functioned as a transcription factor and was selected for detailed analysis. The transgenic Arabidopsis of PeWRKY83 showed superior physiological properties compared with the WT under salt stress. Overexpression plants were less sensitive to ABA at both germination and postgermination stages and accumulated more endogenous ABA under salt stress conditions. Further studies demonstrated that overexpression of PeWRKY83 could regulate the expression of some ABA biosynthesis genes (AtAAO3, AtNCED2, AtNCED3), signaling genes (AtABI1, AtPP2CA) and responsive genes (AtRD29A, AtRD29B, AtABF1) under salt stress. Together, these results suggested that PeWRKY83 functions as a novel WRKY-related TF which plays a positive role in salt tolerance by regulating stress-induced ABA synthesis.
Thermoelectricity in vertical graphene-C60-graphene architectures
Authors: Wu Qingqing , Sadeghi Hatef , García-Suárez Víctor M. , Ferrer Jaime , Lambert Colin J. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractRecent studies of single-molecule thermoelectricity have identified families of high-performance molecules. However, in order to translate this discovery into practical thin-film energy-harvesting devices, there is a need for an understanding of the fundamental issues arising when such junctions are placed in parallel. This is relevant because controlled scalability might be used to boost electrical and thermoelectric performance over the current single-junction paradigm. As a first step in this direction, we investigate here the properties of two C60 molecules placed in parallel and sandwiched between top and bottom graphene electrodes. In contrast with classical conductors, we find that increasing the number of parallel junctions from one to two can cause the electrical conductance to increase by more than a factor of 2. Furthermore, we show that the Seebeck coefficient is sensitive to the number of parallel molecules sandwiched between the electrodes, whereas classically it should be unchanged. This non-classical behaviour of the electrical conductance and Seebeck coefficient are due to inter-junction quantum interference, mediated by the electrodes, which leads to an enhanced response in these vertical molecular devices.
Fine-scale harbour seal usage for informed marine spatial planning
Authors: Jones Esther L. , Sparling Carol E. , McConnell Bernie J. , Morris Christopher D. , Smout Sophie 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHigh-resolution distribution maps can help inform conservation measures for protected species; including where any impacts of proposed commercial developments overlap the range of focal species. Around Orkney, northern Scotland, UK, the harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) population has decreased by 78% over 20 years. Concern for the declining harbour seal population has led to constraints being placed on tidal energy generation developments. For this study area, telemetry data from 54 animals tagged between 2003 and 2015 were used to produce density estimation maps. Predictive habitat models using GAM-GEEs provided robust predictions in areas where telemetry data were absent, and were combined with density estimation maps, and then scaled to population levels using August terrestrial counts between 2008 and 2015, to produce harbour seal usage maps with confidence intervals around Orkney and the North coast of Scotland. The selected habitat model showed that distance from haul out, proportion of sand in seabed sediment, and annual mean power were important predictors of space use. Fine-scale usage maps can be used in consenting and licensing of anthropogenic developments to determine local abundance. When quantifying commercial impacts through changes to species distributions, usage maps can be spatially explicitly linked to individual-based models to inform predicted movement and behaviour.
Transcription regulation of CDKN1A (p21/CIP1/WAF1) by TRF2 is epigenetically controlled through the REST repressor complex
Authors: Hussain Tabish , Saha Dhurjhoti , Purohit Gunjan , Kar Anirban , Kishore Mukherjee Anand , Sharma Shalu , Sengupta Suman , Dhapola Parashar , Maji Basudeb , Vedagopuram Sreekanth , Horikoshi Nobuko T. , Horikoshi Nobuo , Pandita Raj K. , Bhattacharya Santanu , Bajaj Avinash , Riou Jean-François , Pandita Tej K. , Chowdhury Shantanu 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe observed extra-telomeric binding of the telomere repeat binding factor TRF2 within the promoter of the cyclin-dependent kinase CDKNIA (p21/CIP1/WAF1). This result in TRF2 induced transcription repression of p21. Interestingly, p21 repression was through engagement of the REST-coREST-LSD1-repressor complex and altered histone marks at the p21 promoter in a TRF2-dependent fashion. Furthermore, mutational analysis shows p21 repression requires interaction of TRF2 with a p21 promoter G-quadruplex. Physiologically, TRF2-mediated p21 repression attenuated drug-induced activation of cellular DNA damage response by evading G2/M arrest in cancer cells. Together these reveal for the first time role of TRF2 in REST- repressor complex mediated transcription repression.
Inhibition of Wnt/β-Catenin pathway and Histone acetyltransferase activity by Rimonabant: a therapeutic target for colon cancer
Authors: Proto Maria Chiara , Fiore Donatella , Piscopo Chiara , Franceschelli Silvia , Bizzarro Valentina , Laezza Chiara , Lauro Gianluigi , Feoli Alessandra , Tosco Alessandra , Bifulco Giuseppe , Sbardella Gianluca , Bifulco Maurizio , Gazzerro Patrizia 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn a high percentage (≥85%) of both sporadic and familial adenomatous polyposis forms of colorectal cancer (CRC), the inactivation of the APC tumor suppressor gene initiates tumor formation and modulates the Wnt/β-Catenin transduction pathways involved in the control of cell proliferation, adhesion and metastasis. Increasing evidence showed that the endocannabinoids control tumor growth and progression, bothin vitroandin vivo. We evaluated the effect of Rimonabant, a Cannabinoid Receptor 1 (CB1) inverse agonist, on the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway in HCT116 and SW48 cell lines carrying the genetic profile of metastatic CRC poorly responsive to chemotherapies. In these models, Rimonabant inhibited the Wnt/β-Catenin canonical pathway and increasedβ-Catenin phosphorylation; in HCT116 cells, but not in SW48, the compound also triggered the Wnt/β-Catenin non canonical pathway activation through induction of Wnt5A and activation of CaMKII. The Rimonabant-induced downregulation of Wnt/β-Catenin target genes was partially ascribable to a direct inhibition of p300/KAT3B histone acetyltransferase, a coactivator ofβ-Catenin dependent gene regulation. Finally, in HCT116 xenografts, Rimonabant significantly reduced tumor growth and destabilized the nuclear localization ofβ-Catenin. Obtained data heavily supported the rationale for the use of cannabinoids in combined therapies for metastatic CRC harbouring activating mutations ofβ-Catenin.
Maternal diabetes causes developmental delay and death in early-somite mouse embryos
Authors: Zhao Jing , Hakvoort Theodorus B. M. , Ruijter Jan M. , Jongejan Aldo , Koster Jan , Swagemakers Sigrid M. A. , Sokolovic Aleksandar , Lamers Wouter H. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractMaternal diabetes causes congenital malformations and delays embryonic growth in the offspring. We investigated effects of maternal diabetes on mouse embryos during gastrulation and early organogenesis (ED7.5–11.5). Female mice were made diabetic with streptozotocin, treated with controlled-release insulin implants, and mated. Maternal blood glucose concentrations increased up to embryonic day (ED) 8.5. Maternal hyperglycemia induced severe growth retardation (approx.1 day) in 53% of the embryos on ED8.5, death in most of these embryos on ED9.5, and the termination of pregnancy on ED10.5 in litters with >20% dead embryos. Due to this selection, developmental delays and reduction in litter size were no longer observed thereafter in diabetic pregnancies. Male and female embryos were equally sensitive. High-throughput mRNA sequencing and pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes showed that retarded embryos failed to mount the adaptive suppression of gene expression that characterized non-retarded embryos (cell proliferation, cytoskeletal remodeling, oxidative phosphorylation). We conclude that failure of perigastrulation embryos of diabetic mothers to grow and survive is associated with their failure to shut down pathways that are strongly down-regulated in otherwise similar non-retarded embryos. Embryos that survive the early and generalized adverse effect of maternal diabetes, therefore, appear the subset in which malformations become manifest.