bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is spontaneous closure of a patent arterial duct common?
Authors: Hoffman Julien I. E. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAs closing a patent arterial duct is relatively simple, safe, and successful, most children with a patent arterial duct have it closed soon after diagnosis. The larger ducts are closed to prevent congestive heart failure, pulmonary vascular disease, or aneurysmal dilatation of the ductus, and smaller ducts are closed to prevent infective endocarditis. Consequently, there is no opportunity to determine whether spontaneous closure or diminution in size of the patent arterial duct is common.If the duct does become smaller, flow through it may be so low that no murmur is produced – the silent ductus. The frequency and best management of the silent patent arterial duct are unknown, and we do not know whether these tiny ducts are the last stage before spontaneous closure.
Spontaneous closure of right pulmonary artery-to-left atrium fistula: a case report
Authors: Bachani Neeta S. , Pinto Robin J. , Dalvi Bharat V. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDirect communication between the right pulmonary artery and the left atrium is rare. We report a case that was first detected in utero and confirmed by a two-dimensional echocardiographic study performed postnatally. The patient remained asymptomatic, and hence was managed conservatively. The fistula gradually decreased in size and closed spontaneously at 15 months of age. The rarity of the case is discussed.
Association of matrix metalloproteinase 3 and γ-glutamyltransferase 1 gene polymorphisms with the cardio-ankle vascular index in young Russians
Authors: Sorokin Alexander V. , Kotani Kazuhiko , Bushueva Olga Y. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSpecific gene polymorphisms are known to be associated with a different arterial physiology in the younger generation. The present study found that young Russians with the matrix metalloproteinase 3 6A/6A and γ-glutamyltransferase 1AA genotypes have lower levels of the cardio-ankle vascular index – a recent measure of arterial stiffness. This observation may serve as an additional tool for cardiovascular disease prevention in the young population.
Ultrasound for diaphragmatic dysfunction in postoperative cardiac children
Authors: Hamadah Hussam K. , Kabbani Mohamed S. , Elbarbary Mahmoud , Hijazi Omar , Shaath Ghassan , Ismail Sameh , Qadi Ammar M. H. , AlTaweel Hayan , Jijeh Abdulraouf 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIntroductionThe use of ultrasound for assessing diaphragmatic dysfunction after paediatric cardiac surgery may be under-utilised. This study aimed to evaluate the role of bedside ultrasound performed by an intensivist to diagnose diaphragmatic dysfunction and the need for plication after paediatric cardiac surgery.MethodsWe carried out a retrospective cohort study on prospectively collected data of postoperative children admitted to the paediatric cardiac ICU during 2013. Diaphragmatic dysfunction was suspected based on difficulties in weaning from positive pressure ventilation or chest X-ray findings. Ultrasound studies were performed by the paediatric cardiac ICU intensivist and confirmed by a qualified radiologist.ResultsOut of 344 postoperative patients, 32 needed diaphragm ultrasound for suspected dysfunction. Ultrasound studies confirmed diaphragmatic dysfunction in 17/32 (53%) patients with an average age and weight of 10.8±3.8 months and 6±1 kg, respectively. The incidence rate of diaphragmatic dysfunction was 4.9% in relation to the whole population. Diaphragmatic plication was needed in 9/17 cases (53%), with a rate of 2.6% in postoperative cardiac children. The mean plication time was 15.1±1.3 days after surgery. All patients who underwent plication were under 4 months of age. After plication, they were discharged with mean paediatric cardiac ICU and hospital stay of 19±3.5 and 42±8 days, respectively.ConclusionsCritical-care ultrasound assessment of diaphragmatic movement is a useful and practical bedside tool that can be performed by a trained paediatric cardiac ICU intensivist. It may help in the early detection and management of diaphragmatic dysfunction after paediatric cardiac surgery through a decision-making algorithm that may have potential positive effects on morbidity and outcome.
Skin CD4+ memory T cells exhibit combined cluster-mediated retention and equilibration with the circulation
Authors: Collins Nicholas , Jiang Xiaodong , Zaid Ali , Macleod Bethany L. , Li Jane , Park Chang Ook , Haque Ashraful , Bedoui Sammy , Heath William R. , Mueller Scott N. , Kupper Thomas S. , Gebhardt Thomas , Carbone Francis R. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAlthough memory T cells within barrier tissues can persist as permanent residents, at least some exchange with blood. The extent to which this occurs is unclear. Here we show that memory CD4+ T cells in mouse skin are in equilibrium with the circulation at steady state. These cells are dispersed throughout the inter-follicular regions of the dermis and form clusters with antigen presenting cells around hair follicles. After infection or administration of a contact sensitizing agent, there is a sustained increase in skin CD4+ T-cell content, which is confined to the clusters, with a concomitant CCL5-dependent increase in CD4+ T-cell recruitment. Skin CCL5 is derived from CD11b+ cells and CD8+ T cells, with the elimination of the latter decreasing CD4+ T-cell numbers. These results reveal a complex pattern of tissue-retention and equilibration for CD4+ memory T cells in skin, which is altered by infection and inflammation history.
Giant photon bunching, superradiant pulse emission and excitation trapping in quantum-dot nanolasers
Authors: Jahnke Frank , Gies Christopher , Aßmann Marc , Bayer Manfred , Leymann H. A. M. , Foerster Alexander , Wiersig Jan , Schneider Christian , Kamp Martin , Höfling Sven 
Published: May 2016

AbstractLight is often characterized only by its classical properties, like intensity or coherence. When looking at its quantum properties, described by photon correlations, new information about the state of the matter generating the radiation can be revealed. In particular the difference between independent and entangled emitters, which is at the heart of quantum mechanics, can be made visible in the photon statistics of the emitted light. The well-studied phenomenon of superradiance occurs when quantum–mechanical correlations between the emitters are present. Notwithstanding, superradiance was previously demonstrated only in terms of classical light properties. Here, we provide the missing link between quantum correlations of the active material and photon correlations in the emitted radiation. We use the superradiance of quantum dots in a cavity-quantum electrodynamics laser to show a direct connection between superradiant pulse emission and distinctive changes in the photon correlation function. This directly demonstrates the importance of quantum–mechanical correlations and their transfer between carriers and photons in novel optoelectronic devices.
Supramolecular metal-organic frameworks that display high homogeneous and heterogeneous photocatalytic activity for H2 production
Authors: Tian Jia , Xu Zi-Yue , Zhang Dan-Wei , Wang Hui , Xie Song-Hai , Xu Da-Wen , Ren Yuan-Hang , Wang Hao , Liu Yi , Li Zhan-Ting 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSelf-assembly has a unique presence when it comes to creating complicated, ordered supramolecular architectures from simple components under mild conditions. Here, we describe a self-assembly strategy for the generation of the first homogeneous supramolecular metal-organic framework (SMOF-1) in water at room temperature from a hexaarmed [Ru(bpy)3]2+-based precursor and cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]). The solution-phase periodicity of this cubic transition metal-cored supramolecular organic framework (MSOF) is confirmed by small-angle X-ray scattering and diffraction experiments, which, as supported by TEM imaging, is commensurate with the periodicity in the solid state. We further demonstrate that SMOF-1 adsorbs anionic Wells−Dawson-type polyoxometalates (WD-POMs) in a one-cage-one-guest manner to give WD-POM@SMOF-1 hybrid assemblies. Upon visible-light (500 nm) irradiation, such hybrids enable fast multi-electron injection from photosensitive [Ru(bpy)3]2+ units to redox-active WD-POM units, leading to efficient hydrogen production in aqueous media and in organic media. The demonstrated strategy opens the door for the development of new classes of liquid-phase and solid-phase ordered porous materials.
Long noncoding RNA lnc-RI is a new regulator of mitosis via targeting miRNA-210-3p to release PLK1 mRNA activity
Authors: Wang Zhi-Dong , Shen Li-Ping , Chang Cheng , Zhang Xue-Qing , Chen Zhong-Min , Li Lin , Chen Hong , Zhou Ping-Kun 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIncreasing evidence indicates that lncRNAs play critical roles in various biological processes, but many have not been functionally characterized. Here, we report a novel radiation-inducible lncRNA, namely lnc-RI which is essential for cell survival and appropriate mitotic progression. Our data indicated that knockdown of lnc-RI resulted in spindle abnormalities and mitotic arrest simultaneously with sharply decreased mRNA and protein expression of PLK1, a key regulator of mitosis. Our data demonstrated that PLK1 is a key downstream mediator of lnc-RI in regulating mitosis, whereby lnc-RI competitively bound to the negative PLK1 regulating miRNA, miRNA-210-p3. Taken together, we have identified lnc-RI as a new regulator of mitosis which acts by releasing PLK1 mRNA activity via competition for binding to miRNA-210-3p.
Structural and biochemical characterisation of Archaeoglobus fulgidus esterase reveals a bound CoA molecule in the vicinity of the active site
Authors: Sayer Christopher , Finnigan William , Isupov Michail N. , Levisson Mark , Kengen Servé W. M. , van der Oost John , Harmer Nicholas J. , Littlechild Jennifer A. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractA new carboxyl esterase, AF-Est2, from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus has been cloned, over-expressed in Escherichia coli and biochemically and structurally characterized. The enzyme has high activity towards short- to medium-chain p-nitrophenyl carboxylic esters with optimal activity towards the valerate ester. The AF-Est2 has good solvent and pH stability and is very thermostable, showing no loss of activity after incubation for 30 min at 80 °C. The 1.4 Å resolution crystal structure of AF-Est2 reveals Coenzyme A (CoA) bound in the vicinity of the active site. Despite the presence of CoA bound to the AF-Est2 this enzyme has no CoA thioesterase activity. The pantetheine group of CoA partially obstructs the active site alcohol pocket suggesting that this ligand has a role in regulation of the enzyme activity. A comparison with closely related α/β hydrolase fold enzyme structures shows that the AF-Est2 has unique structural features that allow CoA binding. A comparison of the structure of AF-Est2 with the human carboxyl esterase 1, which has CoA thioesterase activity, reveals that CoA is bound to different parts of the core domain in these two enzymes and approaches the active site from opposite directions.
Distribution of Systemically Administered Nanoparticles Reveals a Size-Dependent Effect Immediately following Cardiac Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Lundy David J. , Chen Kun-Hung , Toh Elsie K.-W. , Hsieh Patrick C.-H. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractNanoparticles represent an attractive option for systemic delivery of therapeutic compounds to the heart following myocardial infarction. However, it is well known that physicochemical properties of nanoparticles such as size, shape and surface modifications can vastly alter the distribution and uptake of injected nanoparticles. Therefore, we aimed to provide an examination of the rapid size-dependent uptake of fluorescent PEG-modified polystyrene nanoparticles administered immediately following cardiac ischaemia-reperfusion injury in mice. By assessing the biodistribution of nanoparticles with core diameters between 20 nm and 2 μm 30 minutes after their administration, we conclude that 20–200 nm diameter nanoparticles are optimal for passive targeting of the injured left ventricle.
Arterial Remodeling in B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Knock-Out Females
Authors: Holditch Sara J. , Schreiber Claire A. , Burnett John C. , Ikeda Yasuhiro 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSexual dimorphisms are recognized in cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, stroke, thrombosis and vasculitis. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a guanylyl cyclase A (GC-A) agonist. The anti-hypertensive, vasodilatory, anti-fibrotic and anti-hypertrophic properties of BNP are well established in male animal models. Although circulating BNP levels are higher in women, when compared to age-matched men, the cardiovascular protective propensity of BNP in females is poorly understood. We assessed the cardiovascular consequences of BNP deletion in genetically null (Nppb−/−) female rat lines. Throughout the study, blood pressure (BP) remained uninfluenced by genotype and cardiorenal consequences of BNP knock out remained minor. Unexpectedly, approximately 60% of Nppb−/− females developed mesenteric polyarteritis-nodosa (PAN)-like vasculitis in their life span, some as early as 4 months of age. Mesenteric lesions involved intense arterial remodeling, progressive inflammation, occluded lumens and less frequently intestinal necrosis and multiple visceral arterial aneurysms. Cumulative pathologies resulted in a significant decline in survival of the Nppb−/− female. This study highlights BNP’s vasoprotective propensity, bringing to light a possible sex specific difference in the cardiovascular protection provided by BNP. Defects in the BNP/GC-A/cGMP pathway may play a role in arteriopathies in women, while GC-A agonists may provide effective therapy for arteritis.
Analysis of crystal structure of Arabidopsis MPK6 and generation of its mutants with higher activity
Authors: Wang Bo , Qin Xinghua , Wu Juan , Deng Hongying , Li Yuan , Yang Hailian , Chen Zhongzhou , Liu Guoqin , Ren Dongtao 
Published: May 2016

AbstractMitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, which are the highly conserved signalling modules in eukaryotic organisms, have been shown to play important roles in regulating growth, development and stress responses. The structures of various MAPKs from yeast and animal have been solved and structure-based mutants were generated for their function analyses, however, the structures of plant MAPKs remain unsolved. Here, we report the crystal structure of Arabidopsis MPK6 at a 3.0 Å resolution. Although MPK6 is topologically similar to ERK2 and p38, the structures of the glycine-rich loop, MAPK insert, substrate binding sites and L16 loop in MPK6 show notable differences from those of ERK2 and p38. Based on the structural comparison, we constructed MPK6 mutants and analyzed their kinase activity both in vitro and in planta. MPK6F364L and MPK6F368L mutants, in which Phe364 and Phe368 in the L16 loop were changed to Leu, respectively, acquired higher intrinsic kinase activity and retained the normal MAPKK activation property. The expression of MPK6 mutants with basal activity is sufficient to induce camalexin biosynthesis; however, to induce ethylene and leaf senescence, the expression of MPK6 mutants with higher activity is required. The results suggest that these mutants can be used to analyze the specific biological functions of MPK6.
Comparing reactive and memory-one strategies of direct reciprocity
Authors: Baek Seung Ki , Jeong Hyeong-Chai , Hilbe Christian , Nowak Martin A. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDirect reciprocity is a mechanism for the evolution of cooperation based on repeated interactions. When individuals meet repeatedly, they can use conditional strategies to enforce cooperative outcomes that would not be feasible in one-shot social dilemmas. Direct reciprocity requires that individuals keep track of their past interactions and find the right response. However, there are natural bounds on strategic complexity: Humans find it difficult to remember past interactions accurately, especially over long timespans. Given these limitations, it is natural to ask how complex strategies need to be for cooperation to evolve. Here, we study stochastic evolutionary game dynamics in finite populations to systematically compare the evolutionary performance of reactive strategies, which only respond to the co-player’s previous move, and memory-one strategies, which take into account the own and the co-player’s previous move. In both cases, we compare deterministic strategy and stochastic strategy spaces. For reactive strategies and small costs, we find that stochasticity benefits cooperation, because it allows for generous-tit-for-tat. For memory one strategies and small costs, we find that stochasticity does not increase the propensity for cooperation, because the deterministic rule of win-stay, lose-shift works best. For memory one strategies and large costs, however, stochasticity can augment cooperation.
Possible scenarios for occurrence of M ~ 7 interplate earthquakes prior to and following the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake based on numerical simulation
Authors: Nakata Ryoko , Hori Takane , Hyodo Mamoru , Ariyoshi Keisuke 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe show possible scenarios for the occurrence of M ~ 7 interplate earthquakes prior to and following the M ~ 9 earthquake along the Japan Trench, such as the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake. One such M ~ 7 earthquake is so-called the Miyagi-ken-Oki earthquake, for which we conducted numerical simulations of earthquake generation cycles by using realistic three-dimensional (3D) geometry of the subducting Pacific Plate. In a number of scenarios, the time interval between the M ~ 9 earthquake and the subsequent Miyagi-ken-Oki earthquake was equal to or shorter than the average recurrence interval during the later stage of the M ~ 9 earthquake cycle. The scenarios successfully reproduced important characteristics such as the recurrence of M ~ 7 earthquakes, coseismic slip distribution, afterslip distribution, the largest foreshock, and the largest aftershock of the 2011 earthquake. Thus, these results suggest that we should prepare for future M ~ 7 earthquakes in the Miyagi-ken-Oki segment even though this segment recently experienced large coseismic slip in 2011.
Training of binocular rivalry suppression suggests stimulus-specific plasticity in monocular and binocular visual areas
Authors: Vergeer Mark , Wagemans Johan , van Ee Raymond 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe plasticity of the human brain, as shown in perceptual learning, is generally reflected by improved task performance after training. Here, we show that perceptual suppression can be increased through training. In the first experiment, binocular rivalry suppression of a specific orientation was trained, leading to a relative reduction in sensitivity to the trained orientation. In a second experiment, two orthogonal orientations were suppressed in alternating training blocks, in the left and right eye, respectively. This double-training procedure lead to reduced sensitivity for the orientation that was suppression-trained in each specific eye, implying that training of feature suppression is specific for the eye in which the oriented grating was presented during training. Results of a control experiment indicate that the obtained effects are indeed due to suppression during training, instead of being merely due to the repetitive presentation of the oriented gratings. Visual plasticity is essential for a person’s visual development. The finding that plasticity can result in increased perceptual suppression reported here may prove to be significant in understanding human visual development. It emphasizes that for stable vision, not only the enhancement of relevant signals is crucial, but also the reliable and stable suppression of (task) irrelevant signals.
A self-photoprotection mechanism helps Stipa baicalensis adapt to future climate change
Authors: Song Xiliang , Zhou Guangsheng , Xu Zhenzhu , Lv Xiaomin , Wang Yuhui 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe examined the photosynthetic responses of Stipa baicalensis to relative long-term exposure (42 days) to the predicted elevated temperature and water availability changes to determine the mechanisms through which the plant would acclimate to future climate change. Two thermal regimes (ambient and +4 °C) and three irrigation levels (partial, normal and excess) were used in environmental control chambers. The gas exchange parameters, light response curves and A/Ci curves were determined. The elevated temperature and partial irrigation reduced the net photosynthetic rate due to a limitation in the photosynthetic capacity instead of the intercellular CO2 concentration. Partial irrigation decreased Rubisco activation and limited RuBP regeneration. The reduction in Vcmax increased with increasing temperature. Excess irrigation offset the negative effect of drought and led to a partial recovery of the photosynthetic capacity. Although its light use efficiency was restricted, the use of light and dark respiration by Stipa baicalensis was unchanged. We concluded that nonstomatal limitation was the primary reason for photosynthesis regulation in Stipa baicalensis under relative long-term climate change conditions. Although climate change caused reductions in the light use efficiency and photosynthetic rate, a self-photoprotection mechanism in Stipa baicalensis resulted in its high ability to maintain normal live activities.
Synaptic and cellular changes induced by the schizophrenia susceptibility gene G72 are rescued by N-acetylcysteine treatment
Authors: Pósfai B , Cserép C , Hegedüs P , Szabadits E , Otte D M , Zimmer A , Watanabe M , Freund T F , Nyiri G 
Published: May 2016

AbstractGenetic studies have linked the primate-specific gene locus G72 to the development of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Transgenic mice carrying the entire gene locus express G72 mRNA in dentate gyrus (DG) and entorhinal cortex, causing altered electrophysiological properties of their connections. These transgenic mice exhibit behavioral alterations related to psychiatric diseases, including cognitive deficits that can be reversed by treatment with N-acetylcysteine, which was also found to be effective in human patients. Here, we show that G72 transgenic mice have larger excitatory synapses with an increased amount of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the molecular layer of DG, compared with wild-type littermates. Furthermore, transgenic animals have lower number of dentate granule cells with a parallel, but an even stronger decrease in the number of excitatory synapses in the molecular layer. Importantly, we also show that treatment with N-acetylcysteine can effectively normalize all these changes in transgenic animals, resulting in a state similar to wild-type mice. Our results show that G72 transcripts induce robust alterations in the glutamatergic system at the synaptic level that can be rescued with N-acetylcysteine treatment.