bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thalidomide plus prednisone with or without danazol therapy in myelofibrosis: a retrospective analysis of incidence and durability of anemia response
Authors: Luo Xueping , Xu Zefeng , Li Bing , Qin Tiejun , Zhang Peihong , Zhang Hongli , Fang Liwei , Pan Lijuan , Hu Naibo , Qu Shiqiang , Zhang Yue , Huang Gang , Peter Gale Robert , Xiao Zhijian 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLow-dose thalidomide and prednisone alone or combined are effective therapies in some persons with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and anemia with or with RBC transfusion dependence. Danazol is also effective in some persons with PMF and anemia. Responses to these drugs are typically incomplete and not sustained. It is unclear whether adding danazol to thalidomide and prednisone would improve efficacy. We retrospectively compared the outcomes of 88 subjects with PMF and anemia receiving thalidomide and prednisone without (n = 46) or with danazol (n = 42). The primary end point was anemia response, which was 71% (95% confidence interval (CI), 57, 85%) in subjects receiving thalidomide/prednisone/danazol compared with 46% (32, 60%; P = 0.014) in those receiving thalidomide/prednisone. Response rates in subjects who were RBC transfusion dependent was also higher in the danazol cohort (61% (38, 84%)) vs. 25% (6, 44%); P = 0.024). Time to response was rapid (median, 2 months (range, 1–11 months)) and similar between the cohorts. Response duration was longer in the thalidomide/prednisone/danazol cohort (HR 2.18 (1.18–5.42); P = 0.019). Adverse effects were mild and similar between the cohorts. In conclusion, thalidomide/prednisone/danazol seems superior to thalidomide/prednisone in persons with PMF and anemia. Our conclusion requires confirmation in a randomized trial.
PTRE-seq reveals mechanism and interactions of RNA binding proteins and miRNAs
Authors: Cottrell Kyle A. , Chaudhari Hemangi G. , Cohen Barak A. , Djuranovic Sergej 
Published: January 2018

AbstractRNA binding proteins (RBP) and microRNAs (miRNAs) often bind sequences in 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) of mRNAs, and regulate stability and translation efficiency. With the identification of numerous RBPs and miRNAs, there is an urgent need for new technologies to dissect the function of the cis-acting elements of RBPs and miRNAs. We describe post-transcriptional regulatory element sequencing (PTRE-seq), a massively parallel method for assaying the target sequences of miRNAs and RBPs. We use PTRE-seq to dissect sequence preferences and interactions between miRNAs and RBPs. The binding sites for these effector molecules influenced different aspects of the RNA lifecycle: RNA stability, translation efficiency, and translation initiation. In some cases, post-transcriptional control is modular, with different factors acting independently of each other, while in other cases factors show specific epistatic interactions. The throughput, flexibility, and reproducibility of PTRE-seq make it a valuable tool to study post-transcriptional regulation by 3′UTR elements.
A heterogeneous human immunodeficiency virus-like particle (VLP) formulation produced by a novel vector system
Authors: Pankrac Joshua , Klein Katja , McKay Paul F. , King Deborah F. L. , Bain Katie , Knapp Jason , Biru Tsigereda , Wijewardhana Chanuka N. , Pawa Rahul , Canaday David H. , Gao Yong , Fidler Sarah , Shattock Robin J. , Arts Eric J. , Mann Jamie F. S. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractFirst identified as the etiological agent behind Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the early 1980s, HIV-1 has continued to spread into a global pandemic and major public health concern. Despite the success of antiretroviral therapy at reducing HIV-1 viremia and preventing the dramatic CD4+ T-cell collapse, infected individuals remain HIV positive for life. Unfortunately, it is increasingly clear that natural immunity is not, and may never be, protective against this pathogen. Therefore, efficacious vaccine interventions, which can either prevent infection or eradicate the latent viral reservoir and effect cure, are a major medical priority. Here we describe the development of a safe vaccine platform, currently being utilized in on-going prophylactic and therapeutic preclinical studies and consisting of highly heterogeneous virus-like particle formulations that represent the virus diversity within infected individuals. These VLPs contain no 5′LTR, no functional integrase, and have a severely mutated stem loop 1—thereby preventing any potential reverse transcription, integration, and RNA packaging. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these VLPs are morphologically identical to wild-type virus with polyvalent Env in a functional form. Finally, we show that the VLPs are antigenic and capable of generating strong immune recall responses.
Resting state brain networks in the prairie vole
Authors: Ortiz Juan J. , Portillo Wendy , Paredes Raul G. , Young Larry J. , Alcauter Sarael 
Published: January 2018

AbstractResting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) has shown the hierarchical organization of the human brain into large-scale complex networks, referred as resting state networks. This technique has turned into a promising translational research tool after the finding of similar resting state networks in non-human primates, rodents and other animal models of great value for neuroscience. Here, we demonstrate and characterize the presence of resting states networks in Microtus ochrogaster, the prairie vole, an extraordinary animal model to study complex human-like social behavior, with potential implications for the research of normal social development, addiction and neuropsychiatric disorders. Independent component analysis of rsfMRI data from isoflurane-anestethized prairie voles resulted in cortical and subcortical networks, including primary motor and sensory networks, but also included putative salience and default mode networks. We further discuss how future research could help to close the gap between the properties of the large scale functional organization and the underlying neurobiology of several aspects of social cognition. These results contribute to the evidence of preserved resting state brain networks across species and provide the foundations to explore the use of rsfMRI in the prairie vole for basic and translational research.
HDL nanoparticles targeting sonic hedgehog subtype medulloblastoma
Authors: Bell Jonathan B. , Rink Jonathan S. , Eckerdt Frank , Clymer Jessica , Goldman Stewart , Thaxton C. Shad , Platanias Leonidas C. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMedulloblastoma is the most common paediatric malignant brain cancer and there is a need for new targeted therapeutic approaches to more effectively treat these malignant tumours, which can be divided into four molecular subtypes. Here, we focus on targeting sonic hedgehog (SHH) subtype medulloblastoma, which accounts for approximately 25% of all cases. The SHH subtype relies upon cholesterol signalling for tumour growth and maintenance of tumour-initiating cancer stem cells (CSCs). To target cholesterol signalling, we employed biomimetic high-density lipoprotein nanoparticles (HDL NPs) which bind to the HDL receptor, scavenger receptor type B-1 (SCARB1), depriving cells of natural HDL and their cholesterol cargo. We demonstrate uptake of HDL NPs in SCARB1 expressing medulloblastoma cells and depletion of cholesterol levels in cancer cells. HDL NPs potently blocked proliferation of medulloblastoma cells, as well as hedgehog-driven Ewing sarcoma cells. Furthermore, HDL NPs disrupted colony formation in medulloblastoma and depleted CSC populations in medulloblastoma and Ewing sarcoma. Altogether, our findings provide proof of principle for the development of a novel targeted approach for the treatment of medulloblastoma using HDL NPs. These findings present HDL-mimetic nanoparticles as a promising therapy for sonic hedgehog (SHH) subtype medulloblastoma and possibly other hedgehog-driven cancers.
Spatio-temporal characteristics of urban air pollutions and their causal relationships: Evidence from Beijing and its neighboring cities
Authors: Jiang Lei , Bai Ling 
Published: January 2018

AbstractChina has been suffering from serious air pollution for years in response to the rapid industrialization and urbanization. Notably Beijing is one of the most polluted capitals in the world. Hence, the focus of the study area is on Beijing. In the first stage, we analyze spatial and temporal characteristics of air pollution of the 6 cities while in the second stage the Granger causality test is applied to investigate whether air pollution of a city is affected by its neighbors, and vice versa. The findings are the following. Overall, AQI values are high in winter and early spring while low in summer and autumn. Among the 6 cities, Baoding is the major contributor to air pollution in this entire area. Besides, Granger causality test results show that there is a unidirectional relationship running from Baoding to Beijing and a bidirectional relationship between Beijing and Tianjin. In other words, apart from local air pollutants, for example, exhaust gas, air quality of Beijing is affected by air pollution of Tianjin, and vice versa. However, regarding the relationship between Beijing and Baoding, air quality of Beijing is just affected by air pollution of Baoding, since Baoding is much polluted than Beijing.
Magnetic Vortices as Efficient Nano Heaters in Magnetic Nanoparticle Hyperthermia
Authors: Usov N. A. , Nesmeyanov M. S. , Tarasov V. P. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMagnetic vortices existing in soft magnetic nanoparticles with sizes larger than the single-domain diameter can be efficient nano-heaters in biomedical applications. Using micromagnetic numerical simulation we prove that in the optimal range of particle diameters the magnetization reversal of the vortices in spherical iron and magnetite nanoparticles is possible for moderate amplitudes of external alternating magnetic field,H0 < 100 Oe. In contrast to the case of superparamagnetic nanoparticles, for the vortex configuration the hysteresis loop area increases as a function of frequency. Therefore, high values of the specific absorption rate, on the order of 1000 W/g, can be obtained at frequenciesf = 0.5–1.0 MHz. Because the diameterDof a non single-domain particle is several times larger than the diameterdof a superparamagnetic particle, the volume of heat generation for the vortex turns out to be (D/d)3times larger. This shows the advantage of vortex configurations for heat generation in alternating magnetic field in biomedical applications.
Biology-Culture Co-evolution in Finite Populations
Authors: de Boer Bart , Thompson Bill 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLanguage is the result of two concurrent evolutionary processes: biological and cultural inheritance. An influential evolutionary hypothesis known as the moving target problem implies inherent limitations on the interactions between our two inheritance streams that result from a difference in pace: the speed of cultural evolution is thought to rule out cognitive adaptation to culturally evolving aspects of language. We examine this hypothesis formally by casting it as as a problem of adaptation in time-varying environments. We present a mathematical model of biology-culture co-evolution in finite populations: a generalisation of the Moran process, treating co-evolution as coupled non-independent Markov processes, providing a general formulation of the moving target hypothesis in precise probabilistic terms. Rapidly varying culture decreases the probability of biological adaptation. However, we show that this effect declines with population size and with stronger links between biology and culture: in realistically sized finite populations, stochastic effects can carry cognitive specialisations to fixation in the face of variable culture, especially if the effects of those specialisations are amplified through cultural evolution. These results support the view that language arises from interactions between our two major inheritance streams, rather than from one primary evolutionary process that dominates another.
Role of subcortical structures on cognitive and social function in schizophrenia
Authors: Koshiyama Daisuke , Fukunaga Masaki , Okada Naohiro , Yamashita Fumio , Yamamori Hidenaga , Yasuda Yuka , Fujimoto Michiko , Ohi Kazutaka , Fujino Haruo , Watanabe Yoshiyuki , Kasai Kiyoto , Hashimoto Ryota 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSubcortical regions have a pivotal role in cognitive, affective, and social functions in humans, and the structural and functional abnormalities of the regions have been associated with various psychiatric disorders. Although previous studies focused on the neurocognitive and socio-functional consequences of prefrontal and tempolo-limbic abnormalities in psychiatric disorders, those of subcortical structures remain largely unknown. Recently, MRI volume alterations in subcortical structures in patients with schizophrenia have been replicated in large-scale meta-analytic studies. Here we investigated the relationship between volumes of subcortical structures and neurocognitive and socio-functional indices in a large sample of patients with schizophrenia. First, we replicated the results of meta-analyses: the regional volumes of the bilateral hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus and nucleus accumbens were significantly smaller for patients (N = 163) than for healthy controls (HCs, N = 620). Second, in the patient group, the right nucleus accumbens volume was significantly correlated with the Digit Symbol Coding score, which is known as a distinctively characteristic index of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. Furthermore, the right thalamic volume was significantly correlated with social function scores. In HCs, no significant correlation was found. The results from this large-scale investigation shed light upon the role of specific subcortical nuclei on cognitive and social functioning in schizophrenia.
Distribution and the origin of invasive apple snails, Pomacea canaliculata and P. maculata (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae) in China
Authors: Yang Qian-Qian , Liu Su-Wen , He Chao , Yu Xiao-Ping 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSpecies of Pomacea, commonly known as apple snails, are native to South America, and have become widely distributed agricultural and environmental pests in southern China since their introduction in the 1980s. However, only since 2010 have researchers recognized that at least two species, P. canaliculata and P. maculata, are present in China. Although impacts of apple snails have been extensively documented, confusion still persists regarding current distributions and origin of the species in China. To resolve this confusion, we used phylogenetic and phylogeographic methods to analyze 1464 mitochondrial COI sequences, including 349 new sequences from samples collected in southern China and 1115 publicly available sequences from snails collected in the native and introduced ranges. Pomacea canaliculata was found at all sampled localities, while P. maculata was found at only five sampled localities in the Sichuan basin and Zhejiang province. Our data indicate that Chinese populations of P. canaliculata share an Argentinian origin, consistent with multiple introductions of this species elsewhere in Asia. In addition, just a single lineage ofP. maculata is established in China, which shares with populations in Brazil.
Black-legged kittiwakes as messengers of Atlantification in the Arctic
Authors: Vihtakari Mikko , Welcker Jorg , Moe Børge , Chastel Olivier , Tartu Sabrina , Hop Haakon , Bech Claus , Descamps Sébastien , Gabrielsen Geir Wing 
Published: January 2018

AbstractClimate warming is rapidly altering marine ecosystems towards a more temperate state on the European side of the Arctic. However, this “Atlantification” has rarely been confirmed, as long-term datasets on Arctic marine organisms are scarce. We present a 19-year time series (1982–2016) of diet samples from black-legged kittiwakes as an indicator of the changes in a high Arctic marine ecosystem (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard). Our results highlight a shift from Arctic prey dominance until 2006 to a more mixed diet with high contribution of Atlantic fishes. Capelin, an Atlantic species, dominated the diet composition in 2007, marking a shift in the food web. The occurrence of polar cod, a key Arctic fish species, positively correlated with sea ice index, whereas Atlantic species demonstrated the opposite correlation indicating that the diet shift was likely connected with recent climate warming. Kittiwakes, which gather available fish and zooplankton near the sea surface to feed their chicks, can act as messengers of ecosystem change. Changes in their diet reveal that the Kongsfjord system has drifted in an Atlantic direction over the last decade.
GPhenoVision: A Ground Mobile System with Multi-modal Imaging for Field-Based High Throughput Phenotyping of Cotton
Authors: Jiang Yu , Li Changying , Robertson Jon S. , Sun Shangpeng , Xu Rui , Paterson Andrew H. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractImaging sensors can extend phenotyping capability, but they require a system to handle high-volume data. The overall goal of this study was to develop and evaluate a field-based high throughput phenotyping system accommodating high-resolution imagers. The system consisted of a high-clearance tractor and sensing and electrical systems. The sensing system was based on a distributed structure, integrating environmental sensors, real-time kinematic GPS, and multiple imaging sensors including RGB-D, thermal, and hyperspectral cameras. Custom software was developed with a multilayered architecture for system control and data collection. The system was evaluated by scanning a cotton field with 23 genotypes for quantification of canopy growth and development. A data processing pipeline was developed to extract phenotypes at the canopy level, including height, width, projected leaf area, and volume from RGB-D data and temperature from thermal images. Growth rates of morphological traits were accordingly calculated. The traits had strong correlations (r= 0.54–0.74) with fiber yield and good broad sense heritability (H2= 0.27–0.72), suggesting the potential for conducting quantitative genetic analysis and contributing to yield prediction models. The developed system is a useful tool for a wide range of breeding/genetic, agronomic/physiological, and economic studies.
Wearable Sweat Rate Sensors for Human Thermal Comfort Monitoring
Authors: Sim Jai Kyoung , Yoon Sunghyun , Cho Young-Ho 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe propose watch-type sweat rate sensors capable of automatic natural ventilation by integrating miniaturized thermo-pneumatic actuators, and experimentally verify their performances and applicability. Previous sensors using natural ventilation require manual ventilation process or high-power bulky thermo-pneumatic actuators to lift sweat rate detection chambers above skin for continuous measurement. The proposed watch-type sweat rate sensors reduce operation power by minimizing expansion fluid volume to 0.4 ml through heat circuit modeling. The proposed sensors reduce operation power to 12.8% and weight to 47.6% compared to previous portable sensors, operating for 4 hours at 6 V batteries. Human experiment for thermal comfort monitoring is performed by using the proposed sensors having sensitivity of 0.039 (pF/s)/(g/m2h) and linearity of 97.9% in human sweat rate range. Average sweat rate difference for each thermal status measured in three subjects shows (32.06 ± 27.19) g/m2h in thermal statuses including ‘comfortable’, ‘slightly warm’, ‘warm’, and ‘hot’. The proposed sensors thereby can discriminate and compare four stages of thermal status. Sweat rate measurement error of the proposed sensors is less than 10% under air velocity of 1.5 m/s corresponding to human walking speed. The proposed sensors are applicable for wearable and portable use, having potentials for daily thermal comfort monitoring applications.
Omega-3-carboxylic acids provide efficacious anti-inflammatory activity in models of crystal-mediated inflammation
Authors: Iverson Cory , Bacong Andrew , Liu Sha , Baumgartner Scott , Lundström Torbjörn , Oscarsson Jan , Miner Jeffrey N. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis study assesses the efficacy and exposure–response relationship of omega-3-carboxylic acids (OM-3 CA) in models of crystal-based inflammation. Human THP-1 macrophages and primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to multiple inflammatory crystal types were used to determine the anti-inflammatory potential of omega-3 (OM-3) fatty acids in vitro. Anti-inflammatory effects of OM-3 CA in vivo were tested in rat monosodium urate (MSU) crystal air pouch and rat knee intra-articular MSU injection models. Acute treatment with the OM-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid suppressed MSU-, cholesterol crystal-, and calcium pyrophosphate crystal-mediated interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production in vitro. In vivo, OM-3 CA dose-dependently reduced crystal-mediated cell migration, exudate volume, and levels of IL-1β and prostaglandin E2. Following intra-articular injection of MSU, treatment with OM-3-CA (1 mL/kg) and indomethacin (1 mg/kg) resulted in similar mean reductions in pain (23% and 41%, respectively) and swelling (58% and 50%, respectively), compared with controls. Additionally, in complex formulations of OM-3 fatty acids, high levels of palmitic acid could reduce the in vivo effect on crystal-mediated IL-1β elevation. OM-3 CA has a broadly efficacious anti-inflammatory effect with a strong exposure–response relationship that could be beneficial in prevention and treatment of crystal arthritis, with potential applications in other IL-1β-mediated diseases.
Time management in a co-housed social rodent species (Arvicanthis niloticus)
Authors: Castillo-Ruiz Alexandra , Indic Premananda , Schwartz William J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSociality has beneficial effects on fitness, and timing the activities of animals may be critical. Social cues could influence daily rhythmic activities via direct effects on the circadian clock or on processes that bypass it (masking), but these possibilities remain incompletely addressed. We investigated the effects of social cues on the circadian body temperature (Tb) rhythms in pairs of co-housed and isolated grass rats, Arvicanthis niloticus (a social species), in constant darkness (DD). Cohabitation did not induce synchronization of circadian Tb rhythms. However, socio-sexual history did affect circadian properties: accelerating the clock in sexually experienced males and females in DD and advancing rhythm phase in the females in a light-dark cycle. To address whether synchronization occurs at an ultradian scale, we analyzed Tb and activity rhythms in pairs of co-housed sisters or couples in DD. Regardless of pair type, co-housing doubled the percentage of time individuals were simultaneously active without increasing individual activity levels, suggesting that activity bouts were synchronized by redistribution over 24 h. Together, our laboratory findings show that social cues affect individual “time allocation” budgets via mechanisms at multiple levels of biological organization. We speculate that in natural settings these effects could be adaptive, especially for group-living animals.