bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Subclinical depressive symptoms during late midlife and structural brain alterations: A longitudinal study of Danish men born in 1953
Authors: Osler Merete , Sørensen Lauge , Rozing Maarten , Calvo Oriol Puig , Nielsen Mads , Rostrup Egill 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe explored whether depressive symptoms measured three times during midlife were associated with structural brain alterations quantified using magnetic resonance imaging measurements of volume, cortical thickness, and intensity texture. In 192 men born in 1953 with depressive symptoms measured at age 51, 56, and 59 years, magnetic resonance imaging was performed at age 59. All data processing was performed using the Freesurfer software package except for the texture‐scores that were computed using in‐house software. Structural brain alterations and associations between depressive symptoms and brain structure outcomes were tested using Pearson's correlation, t test, and linear regression. Depressive symptoms at age 51 showed clear inverse correlations with total gray matter, pallidum, and hippocampal volume with the strongest estimate for hippocampal volume (r = −.22, p < .01). After exclusion of men (n = 3) with scores in the range of clinical depression the inverse correlation between depressive symptoms and hippocampal volume became insignificant (r = −13, p = .08). Depressive symptoms at age 59 correlated positively with hippocampal and amygdala texture‐potential early markers of atrophy. Inverse relations with total gray matter and pallidum volumes lost significance when the analysis was adjusted for intracranial volume. In men, depressive symptoms at age 51 were associated with a reduced volume of the hippocampus at age 59 independent of later symptoms. Amygdala and hippocampal textures might be the early markers for brain alterations associated with depression in midlife.
Abnormal fronto‐striatal activation as a marker of threshold and subthreshold Bulimia Nervosa
Authors: Cyr Marilyn , Yang Xiao , Horga Guillermo , Marsh Rachel 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to determine whether functional disturbances in fronto‐striatal control circuits characterize adolescents with Bulimia Nervosa (BN) spectrum eating disorders regardless of clinical severity. FMRI was used to assess conflict‐related brain activations during performance of a Simon task in two samples of adolescents with BN symptoms compared with healthy adolescents. The BN samples differed in the severity of their clinical presentation, illness duration and age. Multi‐voxel pattern analyses (MVPAs) based on machine learning were used to determine whether patterns of fronto‐striatal activation characterized adolescents with BN spectrum disorders regardless of clinical severity, and whether accurate classification of less symptomatic adolescents (subthreshold BN; SBN) could be achieved based on patterns of activation in adolescents who met DSM5 criteria for BN. MVPA classification analyses revealed that both BN and SBN adolescents could be accurately discriminated from healthy adolescents based on fronto‐striatal activation. Notably, the patterns detected in more severely ill BN compared with healthy adolescents accurately discriminated less symptomatic SBN from healthy adolescents. Deficient activation of fronto‐striatal circuits can characterize BN early in its course, when clinical presentations are less severe, perhaps pointing to circuit‐based disturbances as useful biomarker or risk factor for the disorder, and a tool for understanding its developmental trajectory, as well as the development of early interventions.
Narrow band imaging versus laryngovideostroboscopy in precancerous and malignant vocal fold lesions
Authors: Rzepakowska Anna , Sielska‐Badurek Ewelina , Cruz Raul , Sobol Maria , Osuch‐Wójcikiewicz Ewa , Niemczyk Kazimierz 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundThis is a comparative analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of narrow band imaging (NBI) and laryngovideostroboscopy (LVS) in the assessment of premalignant and malignant vocal fold lesions.MethodsA prospective analysis was performed on 105 consecutive patients with vocal fold lesions. The NBI and LVS were obtained before the microsurgery.ResultsThe NBI and LVS showed no significant differences in identifying premalignant and malignant pathologies. However, in analysis restricted to identification of only malignant lesions, the specificity (88.9% vs 20.6%), accuracy (90.5% vs 51.4%), and positive predictive value (PPV; 84.8% vs 45.1%) were significantly higher for NBI (P value < .001; .015; and .045, respectively). A comparison of LVS scored results relative to each NBI type revealed statistically significant differences (P < .001). A moderate positive correlation between NBI and LVS was demonstrated (P = .54).ConclusionThe NBI and LVS are useful, complementary tools in evaluating early potential vocal fold malignancies. The NBI was superior to LVS on several statistical analyses.
Learning to Talk Back to Texts
Authors: Leland Christine , Ociepka Anne , Kuonen Kate , Bangert Sara 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis article describes an informal study that focused on teaching eighth graders to take a critical stance and talk back to texts. In this era of “fake news,” “alternative facts,” and what has been called a “post‐truth” culture, it is imperative that students do not simply accept everything they read, see, or hear at face value. They must be made aware that information presented as fact is not necessarily true and that it is up to them to identify the messages embedded in texts before deciding whether they agree with them, disagree with them, or need more information to make a decision. Data sources include students’ responses to three sophisticated picture books, their responses to questions about what talking back means and why people do it, examples of students talking back to common sayings, and examples of them talking back to an instance of administrative censorship.
Biochemical and molecular study on interleukin‐1β gene expression and relation of single nucleotide polymorphism in promoter region with Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tayel Safaa I. , Fouda Eman A. M. , Elshayeb Elsayed I. , Eldakamawy Asmaa R. A. , El‐kousy Salah M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractInterleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) assumes a centric role in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses and thus has been recognized in immune mediated diseases like type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to investigate expressed level of IL‐1β and its relation with IL‐1β −511T>C polymorphism in T2DM patients. This study enrolled 80 subjects (50 patients with T2DM and 30 healthy control subjects). Laboratory investigations included fasting (FBG) and 2 h postprandial blood sugar (2 h PBG), HBA1c, lipid profile, and renal function tests. Genotyping of IL‐1β −511T>C (rs16944) SNP assay by real‐time PCR and relative quantitation of IL‐1β gene expression transcript by real‐time PCR. Results: T2DM patients had significantly higher FBG and 2 h PBG, HBA1c, LDLc, TC, TG, systolic, and diastolic BP while lower HDLc compared with control group. IL 1‐ β −511 T>C, CC genotype and C allele were significantly associated with risk of T2DM with odds ratio (OR) 4.73, 95%CI (1.21‐18.39) and OR 2.27, 95%CI (1.72‐4.40), respectively. Moreover, diabetic patients had significantly higher IL 1‐ β gene transcript compared with control group (P < 0.001). CC genotype of IL 1‐ β −511 T > C had the highest significant level of IL 1‐ β gene transcript demonstrated compared with C/T and T/T genotypes (P < 0.001) in patients. Conclusion: C allele of IL‐1 β −511 T >C could be considered risk factor contributor to T2DM and excess level of IL‐1 β transcript may disclose to some degree the inflammatory role of cytokines in T2DM.
An epididymis‐specific secretory protein Clpsl2 critically regulates sperm motility, acrosomal integrity, and male fertility
Authors: Lu Xiaosheng , Ding Fei , Lian Zizhen , Chen Lei , Cao Zuowu , Guan Yiqing , Chen Ran , Cai Dongqing , Yu Yanhong 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe epididymis performs an important role in the maturation of spermatozoa including their acquisition of progressive motility and fertilizing ability. However, the molecular mechanisms that govern these maturational events are still poorly defined. Here we report that Clpsl2, a novel colipase homology, is exclusively expressed in the caupt epididymis and conserved in mammalian. Clpsl2 was secreted into the lumen and covered the acrosome region and principal piece of spermatozoa tail. And during epididymal transit, the binding rate between Clpsl2 protein and the spermatozoa gradually decreased. Though Clpsl2 had the highest identifies with pancreatic colipase (Clps), Clpsl2 lacked those conserved amino acids in pancreatic Clps that interacting with lipase, correspondingly, the recombinant Clpsl2 protein did not possess the Clps function such as promoting the hydrolysis of lipase to its substrate glycerine trioleate. However, sequence analysis showed that Clpsl2 has the potency to bind with lipid. Knockdown expression of Clpsl2 by lentivirus‐mediated RNAi in vivo caused an attenuation of spermatozoa motility, a suppressed acrosomal reaction, a decrease of cauda spermatozoa number, and subfertility. This study identified a novel and conserved molecule, Clpsl2, was specifically expressed in epididymis and involved in the regulation of spermatozoa motility, acrosomal integrity, and male fertility.
MicroRNA‐193b‐3p regulates matrix metalloproteinase 19 expression in interleukin‐1β‐induced human chondrocytes
Authors: Chang Zong‐kun , Meng Fan‐gang , Zhang Zhi‐qi , Mao Gu‐ping , Huang Zhi‐yu , Liao Wei‐ming , He Ai‐shan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMicro(mi)RNAs are small, non‐coding RNA molecules known to play a significant role in osteoarthritis (OA) initiation and development, and similar to matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), they participate in cartilage degeneration and cleave multiple extracellular matrices. The aim of this study was to determine whether the expression of MMP‐19 in interleukin (IL)‐1β‐induced human chondrocytes is directly regulated by miR‐193b‐3p. Expression levels of miR‐193b‐3p and MMP‐19 in normal and osteoarthritis (OA) human cartilage, and interleukin‐1 β (IL‐1β)‐induced human chondrocytes were determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, expression level of MMP‐19 in IL‐1β‐induced human chondrocytes was estimated by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry analyses. The effect of miR‐193b‐3p on MMP‐19 expression was evaluated using transient transfection of normal human chondrocytes with miR‐193b‐3p mimic or its antisense inhibitor (miR‐193b‐3p inhibitor), and siMMP‐19. The putative binding site of miR‐193b‐3p in the 3′‐untranslated region (UTR) of MMP‐19 mRNA was validated by luciferase reporter assay. miR‐193b‐3p expression was reduced in OA cartilage compared to that in normal chondrocytes, while the opposite was observed for MMP‐19. Upregulation of MMP‐19 expression was correlated with downregulation of miR‐193b‐3p in IL‐1β‐stimulated normal chondrocytes. Increase in miR‐193b‐3p levels was associated with silencing of MMP‐19. Overexpression of miR‐193b‐3p suppressed the activity of the reporter construct containing the 3′‐UTR of human MMP‐19 mRNA and inhibited the IL‐1β‐induced expression of MMP‐19 and iNOS in chondrocytes, while treatment with miR‐193b‐3p inhibitor enhanced MMP‐19 expression. MiR‐193b‐3p is an important regulator of MMP‐19 in human chondrocytes and may relieve the inflammatory response in OA.
Differential expression profile of long non‐coding RNAs in human thoracic aortic aneurysm
Authors: Li Yang , Liu Yang , Liu Suxuan , Wu Feng , Li Songhua , Yang Fan , Gu Ying , Xu Zhiyun , Wang Guokun 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is progressive fatal aortic pathological dilation, which is characterized by increased proteoglycans and loss of elastic fibers. Recent advances in long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs), an important regulator in many biological processes, suggested the close correlation between expression patterns and disease progression. In the present study, the ascending aortic tissues were collected from ascending TAA patients (n = 33) and organ donors (n = 16). Microarray analysis and real‐time PCR were then applied to detect the lncRNA expression profiles. A total of 147 differentially expressed lncRNAs were determined, including 104 upregulated and 43 downregulated lncRNAs. Bioinformatics analysis showed 51.7% of differentially expressed lncRNAs were sense‐overlapping, and most of the down‐regulated lncRNAs were located on chromosome 1, 7, and 12. Subgroup analysis of TAA patients indicated that the expression of lnc‐HLTF‐5 was significantly higher in hypertension group than non‐hypertension group (P < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis further confirmed that the lnc‐HLTF‐5 level was positively correlated with the expanded ascending aortic diameter (rs = 0.483, P = 0.004) and MMP9 level (rs = 0.465, P = 0.006). Our results expanded the lncRNA expression patterns in aortic disease, and provided experimental basis for future investigation on TAA pathogenesis.
Retracted: Long non‐coding RNA ASBEL promotes osteosarcoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by regulating microRNA‐21
Authors: Zhao Jianhui , Zhang Chao , Gao Zhongli , Wu Han , Gu Rui , Jiang Rui 
Published: January 2018

AbstractOsteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents with high rate of incidence, high frequency of recurrence, and high degree of metastasis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of long noncoding RNA antisense ncRNA in the abundant in neuroepithelium area (ANA)/B‐cell translocation gene 3 (BTG3) locus (lncRNA ASBEL) on the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma. The expression levels of ASBEL in human osteoblast cells and human osteosarcoma cells were evaluated using qRT‐PCR. Effects of ASBEL knockdown on cell viability, migration, and invasion were detected using trypan blue exclusion assay, cell migration, and cell invasion assay, respectively. The regulatory effects of ASBEL on microRNA‐21 (miR‐21) were analyzed using qRT‐PCR. The roles of miR‐21 and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), the possible downstream factor of miR‐21, in osteosarcoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were also explored. The results showed that ASBEL was highly expressed in osteosarcoma cells. Knockdown of ASBEL inhibited osteosarcoma cell viability, migration, and invasion, as well as the expression level of miR‐21. PP2A was a direct target of miR‐21, which participated in the effects of ASBEL and miR‐21 on the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/protein kinase 3/glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (PI3K/AKT/GSK3β) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase/extracellular regulated protein kinase (MEK/ERK) signaling pathways as well as the enhancement of osteosarcoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In conclusion, we verified that ASBEL‐miR‐21‐PP2A pathway might play critical regulatory effects on the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma and could be as the potential therapeutic target and biomarker for osteosarcoma treatment.
HIV‐1 increases extracellular amyloid‐beta levels through neprilysin regulation in primary cultures of human astrocytes
Authors: Martínez‐Bonet Marta , Muñoz‐Fernández M. Ángeles , Álvarez Susana 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSince the success of combined antiretroviral therapy, HIV‐1‐infected individuals are now living much longer. This increased life expectancy is accompanied by a higher prevalence of HIV‐1 associated neurocognitive disorders. Rising too is the incidence in these patients of pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease such as increased deposition of amyloid beta protein (Aβ). Although neurons are major sources of Aβ in the brain, astrocytes are the most numerous glial cells, therefore, even a small level of astrocytic Aβ metabolism could make a significant contribution to brain pathology. Neprilysin (NEP) is a decisive/crucial regulator of Aβ levels. We evaluated the effects of HIV‐1 on Aβ deposition and the expression and activity of NEP in primary human astrocytes. Specifically, no differences in intracellular amyloid deposits were found between infected and control cells. However, primary cultures of infected astrocytes showed more extracellular Aβ levels compared to controls. This was accompanied by reduced expression of NEP and to a significant decrease in its activity. These results indicate that the presence of HIV‐1 in the brain could contribute to the increase in the total burden of cerebral Aβ.
Association of IGFN1 variant with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy
Authors: Wen Xiaofeng , Liu Yu , Yan Qi , Liang Minling , Tang Miao , Liu Ran , Pan Jianying , Liu Qiuhui , Chen Tingting , Guo Shixin , Liang Juanran , Lu Lin , Ding Xiaoyan , Chen Wei , Wei Lai 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundPolypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD) share a similar phenotype but are different in their clinical manifestations, responses to treatment and prognosis. Whether PCV is a subtype of AMD or a distinct entity from nAMD remains unknown. Therefore, we performed a whole‐exome sequencing based association analysis to compare the genetic architecture of PCV and nAMD in Han Chinese.MethodsWhole‐exome sequencing analysis was performed on 21 nAMD cases, 20 PCV cases and 20 healthy controls. As a follow‐up validation, 145 nAMD cases, 160 PCV cases and 193 controls were genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform (Sequenom, San Diego, CA, USA).ResultsA novel variant, c.6196A>G in the IGFN1 gene, was significantly associated with only PCV (combined p = 7.1 × 10–11, odds ratio = 9.44), but not with nAMD (combined p = 0.683, odds ratio = 1.30). The minor allele G conferred an increased risk of PCV.ConclusionsThe findings of the present study indicate that, although some of the susceptibility loci are shared between PCV and nAMD, a unique genetic signature may decide the pathogenesis of PCV.
Political Economy and Quality of Primary Health Service in Rural Bangladesh and the United States of America: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Osman Ferdous Arfina , Bennett Sara 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe examined the quality of publicly provided primary healthcare service in two different rural settings: USA and Bangladesh. Using both primary and secondary data, the quality of primary healthcare services was examined across four dimensions: access, equity, responsiveness and citizen's influence over services. Findings demonstrate that apart from responsiveness, the US underperforms across all other dimensions of quality. Compared with the US, Bangladesh fared worse in almost all indicators other than physically accessibility. Wider political economy factors that shaped the quality of service were the colonial legacy, political competition, the economic system and social inequality. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Projected changes in future climate over the Midwest and Great Lakes region using downscaled CMIP5 ensembles
Authors: Byun Kyuhyun , Hamlet Alan F. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTDespite an increasing body of evidence from observed data that climate change is having a significant impact on different types of biogeophysical systems in the Midwest and Great Lakes region, there still remain critical questions of how quickly and how much climate will be altered over this region in the future. For this evaluation, we make use of 31 global climate model (GCM) projections from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, Phase 5 (CMIP5). Based on changes in temperature (T) and precipitation (P) over the Midwest, we selected ten GCM scenarios which (1) simulate historical climate well and (2) successfully capture the range of future climate from the entire CMIP5 ensemble. We then downscaled T and P projections to 1/16° gridded data sets for two different emission scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) for three 30‐year future periods using the Hybrid Delta (HD) statistical downscaling approach which was proven to be applicable for daily‐scale application by a validation work using historical data. T is projected to increase across all seasons, with ensemble mean changes up to 6.5 °C by 2100 for the RCP8.5 scenarios. P increases up to 30% in spring and winter with decreasing snowfall to precipitation ratio, while summer P decreases moderately (−15%) by the 2080s. Changes in daily extreme events show similar seasonal patterns including increasing daily extreme P events in winter and decreasing P in summer. Growing season P may actually increase, however, despite projected P reductions in the warmest summer months. Regional warming results in decreased heating degree days (−1639 °C days, −32%) and increasing cooling degree days (+318 °C days, +957%) by 2080s, with overall net reductions in energy demand.
Polarized Raman, FTIR, and DFT study of Na2Ti3O7 microcrystals
Authors: Silva Fábio Lacerda Resende e , Filho Adailton Azevedo Araújo , da Silva Mauricélio Bezerra , Balzuweit Karla , Bantignies Jean‐Louis , Caetano Ewerton Wagner Santos , Moreira Roberto Luiz , Freire Valder Nogueira , Righi Ariete 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSodium trititanate Na2Ti3O7 microcrystals were carefully prepared by sodium carbonate and titanium dioxide solid‐state reaction and characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopies, selected area electron diffraction, X‐ray powder diffraction, and Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. Electron microscopic techniques revealed that the samples were formed by elongated particles several microns long with broad size distributions. The zone axis and crystal growth direction of the elongated particles were determined by selected area electron diffraction. These results were useful for identifying the symmetries of the optical vibrational modes obtained by infrared absorption and polarized Raman scattering of oriented crystals. For a complete assignment of the depicted phonon modes, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman data were compared with theoretical data obtained from first‐principles calculations within the framework of the density functional theory. A very nice agreement was established between the characteristic features of measured and calculated vibrational modes. In particular, all optical phonon modes of Na2Ti3O7 could be experimentally observed and assigned to their correct symmetries. These results must be useful for describing the physical behavior of the system and designing new technological applications.
Chiral ligand exchange countercurrent chromatography: Enantioseparation of amino acids
Authors: Xiong Qing , Jin Jing , Lv Liqiong , Bu Zhisi , Tong Shengqiang 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis work deals with the enantioseparation of α‐amino acids by chiral ligand exchange high‐speed countercurrent chromatography using N‐n‐dodecyl‐l‐hydroxyproline as a chiral ligand and copper(II) as a transition metal ion. A biphasic solvent system composed of n‐hexane/n‐butanol/aqueous phase with different volume ratios was selected for each α‐amino acid. The enantioseparation conditions were optimized by enantioselective liquid–liquid extractions, in which the main influence factors, including type of chiral ligand, concentration of chiral ligand and transition metal ion, separation temperature, and pH of the aqueous phase, were investigated for racemic phenylalanine. Altogether, we tried to enantioseparate 15 racemic α‐amino acids by the analytical countercurrent chromatography, of which only five of them could be successfully enantioseparated. Different elution sequence for phenylalanine enantiomer was observed compared with traditional liquid chromatography and the proposed interactions between chiral ligand, transition metal ion (Cu2+), and enantiomer are discussed.