bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low proportion of follicular regulatory T cell in renal transplant patients with chronic antibody-mediated rejection
Authors: Chen Wen , Bai Jian , Huang Haiyan , Bi Lili , Kong Xiangrui , Gao Yu , Han Yong , Xiao Li , Shi Bingyi 
Published: April 2017

AbstractFollicular regulatory T (Tfr) cell can effectively regulate humoral immunity, but its function and mechanism in antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after organ transplantation remains unclear. Here we detected follicular helper T (Tfh) cell subsets in 88 renal transplant patients with chronic renal allograft dysfunction (40 with AMR and 48 without AMR). The ratio of Tfr cells in renal graft tissues and peripheral blood of AMR patients significantly decreased, while the ratio of IL-21-producing Tfh cells (Tfh2 and Tfh17) significantly increased, compared to non-AMR patients. When tested in functional assays, Tfr cells from both AMR and non-AMR patients exerted equivalent inhibitory function. Tfr cell transplantation or CTLA-4 virus transfection could significantly inhibit IL-21 secretion from Tfh cells of these patients, further suppress the proliferation and differentiation of B cells. CTLA-4 blocking, IL-10 and TGF-β neutralization could partially weaken such inhibitory effect of Tfr cells. Besides, our study found that sirolimus reduced the ratio of Tfr cells, while cyclosporine and tacrolimus had no significant effect on Tfr cells. In a word, renal transplant patients with AMR have low proportion of Tfr cells but these cell exerted normal function.
Se-SAD serial femtosecond crystallography datasets from selenobiotinyl-streptavidin
Authors: Yoon Chun Hong , DeMirci Hasan , Sierra Raymond G. , Dao E. Han , Ahmadi Radman , Aksit Fulya , Aquila Andrew L. , Batyuk Alexander , Ciftci Halilibrahim , Guillet Serge , Hayes Matt J. , Hayes Brandon , Lane Thomas J. , Liang Meng , Lundström Ulf , Koglin Jason E. , Mgbam Paul , Rao Yashas , Rendahl Theodore , Rodriguez Evan , Zhang Lindsey , Wakatsuki Soichi , Boutet Sébastien , Holton James M. , Hunter Mark S. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe provide a detailed description of selenobiotinyl-streptavidin (Se-B SA) co-crystal datasets recorded using the Coherent X-ray Imaging (CXI) instrument at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) for selenium single-wavelength anomalous diffraction (Se-SAD) structure determination. Se-B SA was chosen as the model system for its high affinity between biotin and streptavidin where the sulfur atom in the biotin molecule (C10H16N2O3S) is substituted with selenium. The dataset was collected at three different transmissions (100, 50, and 10%) using a serial sample chamber setup which allows for two sample chambers, a front chamber and a back chamber, to operate simultaneously. Diffraction patterns from Se-B SA were recorded to a resolution of 1.9 Å. The dataset is publicly available through the Coherent X-ray Imaging Data Bank (CXIDB) and also on LCLS compute nodes as a resource for research and algorithm development.
Modest and Severe Maternal Iron Deficiency in Pregnancy are Associated with Fetal Anaemia and Organ-Specific Hypoxia in Rats
Authors: Woodman Andrew G. , Care Alison S. , Mansour Yael , Cherak Stephana J. , Panahi Sareh , Gragasin Ferrante S. , Bourque Stephane L. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPrenatal iron-deficiency (ID) is known to alter fetal developmental trajectories, which predisposes the offspring to chronic disease in later life, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we sought to determine whether varying degrees of maternal anaemia could induce organ-specific patterns of hypoxia in the fetuses. Pregnant female Sprague Dawley rats were fed iron-restricted or iron-replete diets to induce a state of moderate (M-ID) or severe ID (S-ID) alongside respective controls. Ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed on gestational day (GD)20 to assess uterine and umbilical artery blood flow patterns. On GD21, tissues were collected and assessed for hypoxia using pimonidazole staining. Compared to controls, maternal haemoglobin (Hb) in M- and S-ID were reduced 17% (P < 0.01) and 48% (P < 0.001), corresponding to 39% (P < 0.001) and 65% (P < 0.001) decreases in fetal Hb. Prenatal ID caused asymmetric fetal growth restriction, which was most pronounced in S-ID. In both severities of ID, umbilical artery resistive index was increased (P < 0.01), while pulsatility index only increased in S-ID (P < 0.05). In both M-and S-ID, fetal kidneys and livers showed evidence of hypoxia (P < 0.01 vs. controls), whereas fetal brains and placentae remained normoxic. These findings indicate prenatal ID causes organ-specific fetal hypoxia, even in the absence of severe maternal anaemia.
The geometric phase of Zn- and T-symmetric nanomagnets as a classification toolkit
Authors: Prada M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe derive the general form of the non-trivial geometric phase resulting from the unique combination of point group and time reversal symmetries. This phase arises e.g. when a magnetic adatom is adsorbed on a non-magnetic Cn crystal surface, where n denotes the fold of the principal axis. The energetic ordering and the relevant quantum numbers of the eigenstates are entirely determined by this quantity. Moreover, this phase allows to conveniently predict the protection mechanism of any prepared state, shedding light onto a large number of experiments and allowing a classification scheme. Owing to its robustness this geometric phase also has great relevance for a large number of applications in quantum computing, where topologically protected states bearing long relaxation times are highly desired.
Efficacy and safety of rectal nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for prophylaxis against post-ERCP pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hou Yi-Chao , Hu Qiang , Huang Jiao , Fang Jing-Yuan , Xiong Hua 
Published: April 2017

AbstractRectal nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not commonly used clinically for preventing post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of NSAIDs for post-ERCP prophylaxis, we systematically reviewed sixteen randomized controlled trials (involving 6458 patients) that compared rectal NSAIDs with placebo or no treatment for post-ERCP pancreatitis prophylaxis updated to August 2016. GRADE framework was used to assess the quality of evidence. There was “high quality” evidence that rectal NSAIDs were associated with significant reduction in the risk of overall post-ERCP pancreatitis (RR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.42–0.71). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that diclofenac (RR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.19–0.90) was probably superior to indomethacin (RR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.45–0.75), post-ERCP administration (RR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.24–0.89) was probably superior to pre-ERCP (RR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.42–0.67), and that mixed-risk population received more benefits (RR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.33–0.88) than average-risk population (RR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.41–0.88), but less than high-risk population (RR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.19–0.91). Moreover, “high quality” evidence showed that rectal NSAIDs were safe when given as a standard dose (RR = 0.80; 95% CI, 0.47–1.36). In conclusion, this meta-analysis revealed that rectal NSAIDs are effective and safe in the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis in populations with all levels of risk.
Short channel effects on electrokinetic energy conversion in solid-state nanopores
Authors: Zhang Yan , He Yuhui , Tsutsui Makusu , Miao Xiang Shui , Taniguchi Masateru 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe ion selectivity of nanopores due to the wall surface charges is capable of inducing strong coupling between fluidic and ionic motion within the system. This interaction opens up the prospect of operating nanopores as nanoscale devices for electrokinetic energy conversion. However, the very short channel lengths make the ionic movement and fluidics inside the pore to be substantially affected by the ion depletion/accumulation around the pore ends. Based on three-dimensional electrokinetic modeling and simulation, we present a systematic theoretical study of nanopore electrical resistance, fluidic impedance, and streaming conductance. Our results show that by utilizing the short channel effect and preparing slippery nanopores the energy conversion efficiency can be dramatically increased to about 9% under large salt concentrations.
Trends in perinatal mortality and its risk factors in Japan: Analysis of vital registration data, 1979–2010
Authors: Sugai Maaya Kita , Gilmour Stuart , Ota Erika , Shibuya Kenji 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAs Japan has achieved one of the lowest perinatal mortality rates (PMR), our study aims to estimate trends in and risk factors for perinatal mortality among singleton births in Japan. We used Japanese vital registration data to assess trends in and risk factors for perinatal outcomes between 1979 and 2010. Birth and death registration data were merged. An autoregressive integrated moving average model was fitted separately by sex to the PMR and the proportion of stillbirths. A multilevel Poisson regression model was used to estimate risk factors for perinatal mortality. Between 1979 and 2010 there were 40,833,957 pregnancies and 355,193 perinatal deaths, the PMR decreased from 18.86 per 1,000 all births to 3.25 per 1,000 all births, and the proportion of stillbirths increased from 83.6% to 92.1%. Key risk factors for perinatal mortality were low or high birth weight, prematurity and post maturity, and being from poorer or unemployed families. A higher proportion of excess perinatal deaths could be averted by effective policies to prevent stillbirths and improved research into their interventions and risk factors. As the cost and challenge of maintaining perinatal mortality gains increases, policies need to be targeted towards higher risk groups and social determinants of health.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis PE_PGRS41 Enhances the Intracellular Survival of M. smegmatis within Macrophages Via Blocking Innate Immunity and Inhibition of Host Defense
Authors: Deng Wanyan , Long Quanxin , Zeng Jie , Li Ping , Yang Wenmin , Chen Xinchun , Xie Jianping 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe success of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) as a pathogen is largely contributes to its ability to manipulate the host immune responses. The genome of M. tuberculosis encodes multiple immune-modulatory proteins, including several members of the multi-genic PE_PPE family. Despite of intense research, the roles of PE_PGRS proteins in mycobacterial pathogenesis remain elusive. The function of M. tuberculosis PE_PGRS41, characterized by an extended and unique C-terminal domain, was studied. Expression of PE_PGRS41 in Mycobacterium smegmatis, a non-pathogenic species intrinsically deficient of PE_PGRS, severely impaired the resistance of the recombinant to multiple stresses via altering the cell wall integrity. Macrophages infected by M. smegmatis harboring PE_PGRS41 decreased the production of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. In addition, PE_PGRS41 boosted the survival of M. smegmatis within macrophage accompanied with enhanced cytotoxic cell death through inhibiting the cell apoptosis and autophagy. Taken together, these results implicate that PE_PGRS41 is a virulence factor of M. tuberculosis and sufficient to confer pathogenic properties to M. smegmatis.
CYP2J2 and Its Metabolites EETs Attenuate Insulin Resistance via Regulating Macrophage Polarization in Adipose Tissue
Authors: Dai Meiyan , Wu Lujin , Wang Peihua , Wen Zheng , Xu Xizhen , Wang Dao Wen 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMacrophages in adipose tissue are associated with obesity-induced low-grade inflammation, which contributed to insulin resistance and the related metabolic diseases. Previous studies demonstrated the beneficial effects of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) on metabolic disorders and inflammation. Here we investigated the effects of CYP2J2-EETs-sEH metabolic pathway on insulin resistance in mice and the potential mechanisms. High fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity caused metabolic dysfunction with more weight gain, elevated glucose and lipids levels, impaired glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, while increase in EETs level by rAAV-mediated CYP2J2 overexpression, administration of sEH inhibit TUPS or EETs infusion significantly attenuated these metabolic disorders. EETs inhibited macrophages recruitment to adipose tissue and their switch to classically activated macrophage (M1) phenotype, while preserved the alternatively activated macrophage (M2) phenotype, which was accompanied by substantially reduced adipose tissue and systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. In vitro studies further clarified the effects of EETs on macrophage infiltration and polarization, and microarray assays showed that cAMP-EPAC signaling pathway was involved in these processes. Collectively, these results described key beneficial immune-regulatory properties and metabolic regulation of CYP2J2-EETs-sEH metabolic pathway, and indicated therapeutic potential of EETs in obesity-induced insulin resistance and related inflammatory diseases through modulating macrophage polarization targeting cAMP-EPAC signaling pathway.
Comparative genomics and metabolomics analyses of the adaptation mechanism in Ketogulonicigenium vulgare-Bacillus thuringiensis consortium
Authors: Jia Nan , Ding Ming-Zhu , Zou Yang , Gao Feng , Yuan Ying-Jin 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAdaptive evolution by serial subcultivation of co-cultured Bacillus thuringiensis and Ketogulonicigenium vulgare significantly enhanced the productivity of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid in two-step vitamin C production. The adaptation mechanism in K. vulgare-B. thuringiensis consortium was investigated in this study based on comparative genomics and metabolomics studies. It was found that the growth, anti-oxidation, transcription and regulation were significantly enhanced in the adapted consortium. The mutation of the genes, which encode amidohydrolase in adapted K. vulgare (K150) and amino acid permease in adapted B. thuringiensis (B150), resulted in the increase of some amino acids levels in each species, and further enhanced the metabolic exchange and growth ability of the two species. Besides, the mutation of the gene encoding spore germination protein enhanced the metabolic levels of tricarboxylic acid cycle, and decreased the sporulation in B150, which induced its growth. The mutation of the genes, which encode NADPH nitroreductase in K150 and NADPH-dependent FMN reductase in B150, may enhance the ability of anti-oxidation. Overall, the long-term adaptation of K. vulgare and B. thuringiensis influenced the global regulation and made them more inseparable in metabolite exchange. Our work will provide ideas for the molecular design and optimization in microbial consortium.
Instability of default mode network connectivity in major depression: a two-sample confirmation study
Authors: Wise T , Marwood L , Perkins A M , Herane-Vives A , Joules R , Lythgoe D J , Luh W-M , Williams S C R , Young A H , Cleare A J , Arnone D 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMajor depression is associated with altered static functional connectivity in various brain networks, particularly the default mode network (DMN). Dynamic functional connectivity is a novel tool with little application in affective disorders to date, and holds the potential to unravel fluctuations in connectivity strength over time in major depression. We assessed stability of connectivity in major depression between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), key nodes in the DMN that are implicated in ruminative cognitions. Functional connectivity stability between the mPFC and PCC over the course of a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan was compared between medication-free patients with major depression and healthy controls matched for age, sex and handedness. We tested replicability of the results in an independent sample using multi-echo resting-state fMRI. The primary sample included 20 patients and 19 controls, while the validation sample included 19 patients and 19 controls. Greater connectivity variability was detected in major depression between mPFC and PCC. This was demonstrated in both samples indicating that the results were reliable and were not influenced by the fMRI acquisition approach used. Our results demonstrate that alterations within the DMN in major depression go beyond changes in connectivity strength and extend to reduced connectivity stability within key DMN regions. Findings were robustly replicated across two independent samples. Further research is necessary to better understand the nature of these fluctuations in connectivity and their relationship to the aetiology of major depression.
15q11.2 CNV affects cognitive, structural and functional correlates of dyslexia and dyscalculia
Authors: Ulfarsson M O , Walters G B , Gustafsson O , Steinberg S , Silva A , Doyle O M , Brammer M , Gudbjartsson D F , Arnarsdottir S , Jonsdottir G A , Gisladottir R S , Bjornsdottir G , Helgason H , Ellingsen L M , Halldorsson J G , Saemundsen E , Stefansdottir B , Jonsson L , Eiriksdottir V K , Eiriksdottir G R , Johannesdottir G H , Unnsteinsdottir U , Jonsdottir B , Magnusdottir B B , Sulem P , Thorsteinsdottir U , Sigurdsson E , Brandeis D , Meyer-Lindenberg A , Stefansson H , Stefansson K 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSeveral copy number variants have been associated with neuropsychiatric disorders and these variants have been shown to also influence cognitive abilities in carriers unaffected by psychiatric disorders. Previously, we associated the 15q11.2(BP1–BP2) deletion with specific learning disabilities and a larger corpus callosum. Here we investigate, in a much larger sample, the effect of the 15q11.2(BP1–BP2) deletion on cognitive, structural and functional correlates of dyslexia and dyscalculia. We report that the deletion confers greatest risk of the combined phenotype of dyslexia and dyscalculia. We also show that the deletion associates with a smaller left fusiform gyrus. Moreover, tailored functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments using phonological lexical decision and multiplication verification tasks demonstrate altered activation in the left fusiform and the left angular gyri in carriers. Thus, by using convergent evidence from neuropsychological testing, and structural and functional neuroimaging, we show that the 15q11.2(BP1–BP2) deletion affects cognitive, structural and functional correlates of both dyslexia and dyscalculia.
Multi‐Watt high‐power THz frequency quantum cascade lasers
Authors: Li L.H. , Chen L. , Freeman J.R. , Salih M. , Dean P. , Davies A.G. , Linfield E.H. 
Published: April 2017

Multi‐Watt high‐power terahertz (THz) frequency quantum cascade lasers are demonstrated, based on a single, epitaxially grown, 24‐μm‐thick active region embedded into a surface‐plasmon waveguide. The devices emit in pulsed mode at a frequency of ∼4.4 THz and have a maximum operating temperature of 132 K. The maximum measurable emitted powers from a single facet are ∼2.4 W at 10 K and ∼1.8 W at 77 K, with no correction being made for the optical collection efficiency of the apparatus, or absorption by the cryostat polyethylene window.
Design of miniaturised balun filter with tunable power division ratio and centre frequency
Authors: Zhu Chuanming , Xu Jin , Kang Wei , Hu Zhenxin , Wu Wen 
Published: April 2017

A miniaturised balun filter with tunable power division ratio (PDR) and centre frequency is presented. Compared with the conventional balun filter, the proposed one with a varactor diode and a slide rheostat loaded onto transmission line (TL) reduces the electrical length of TL from 180° to 108°. Meanwhile, the varactor diode and slide rheostat are also utilised to control the PDR at two output ports. Moreover, passband frequency can be tuned by controlling the varactor diodes loaded onto the dual‐mode resonators. The proposed balun filter achieves a tunable power division from 1:1 to 3:1 and 28.6% wide frequency turning with better than 12 dB return loss. The total electrical size of fabricated circuit is 0.23 × 0.12λg.
Resonant voltage limiting technique of single‐ended resonant inverter for induction heating
Authors: Oh Y.S. , Yeon J.E. , Cho K.M. , Kim H.J. 
Published: April 2017

Single‐ended resonant inverter topology is widely used in domestic induction heating (IH) application due to its concise structure and cost effectiveness. Whereas high resonant voltage caused by the energy transfer between load inductor and resonant capacitor in the IH system may negatively affect the operation of system and long‐term reliability. Generally, 1200 V rating IGBT is popularly used for single‐ended IH cookers. However, abnormal conditions of AC supply suddenly increases the resonant voltage thereby IGBT can be destructed. Resonant voltage limiting technology is proposed by restricting the maximum current flow to the load inductor in order to relieve the voltage stress across the IGBT. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified for AC supply distortion by using 1.35 kW single‐ended IH system.
Microwave-Promoted Synthesis of 4-Arylpyrimidines by Pd-Catalysed Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling of 4-Pyrimidyl Tosylates in Water
Authors: Rodríguez-Aguilar José , Ordóñez Beatriz , Vidal Matías , Rezende Marcos , Domínguez Moisés 
Published: April 2017

The Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction of 4-pyrimidyl tosylates was investigated with aryl, heteroaryl and alkyl boronic acids. The reaction provided 4-substituted pyrimidines in good-to-excellent yields after one-hour microwave irradiation in water at 100 °C. The method constitutes a fast option for the synthesis of these heterocyclic systems.
Pyelonephritis in Pregnancy: Prediction of Prolonged Hospitalization and Maternal Morbidity using Prognostic Scoring Systems
Authors: Peticca Katie , DiMatteo Alexandra , Banks Shimeka , Shah Ronak , Chernicky Lindsey , Weitz Beth , Armistead Casey , Hill James , Towers Craig , Lewis David , Magann Everett , Chauhan Suneet , Hook James , Valent Amy 
Published: April 2017

Objective This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of prognostic scoring systems to differentiate women admitted for pyelonephritis who develop maternal morbidity and require prolonged hospitalization.
Study Design Multicenter retrospective cohort study to compare the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Modified Obstetric Early Warning System (MOEWS) to predict prolonged hospitalization (> 4 days) and composite maternal morbidity for all pregnant women admitted with pyelonephritis between 2012 to 2013. One-way analysis of variance for continuous variables, Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used.
Results Among 123 pyelonephritis cases analyzed, 25 (20%) required prolonged hospitalization. Women with prolonged hospitalization had higher rates of composite maternal morbidity, required diagnostic imaging, and had delayed administration of intravenous antibiotics (292 ± 381 vs. 218 ± 233 min, p = 0.002). APACHE II and MOEWS scores calculated from data collected within the first 24 hours of admission had a modest ability to discriminate maternal morbidity (APACHE II: area under the curve [AUC], 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58–0.86 and MOEWS: AUC, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.56–0.85).
Conclusion We observed that one in five pregnancies admitted for treatment of pyelonephritis requires hospitalization for over 4 days with significant maternal morbidities. Prognostic scoring systems may be useful clinical tools to assess these patients systematically and improve morbidity.