bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of a new ENT emergencies course for first-on-call doctors
Authors: Swords C , Smith M E , Wasson J D , Qayyum A , Tysome J R 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackground:First-on-call ENT cover is often provided by junior doctors with limited ENT experience; yet, they may have to manage life-threatening emergencies. An intensive 1-day simulation course was developed to teach required skills to junior doctors.Methods:A prospective, single-blinded design was used. Thirty-seven participants rated their confidence before the course, immediately following the course and after a two-month interval. Blinded assessors scored participant performance in two video-recorded simulated scenarios before and after the course.Results:Participant self-rated confidence was increased in the end-of-course survey (score of 27.5 vs 53.0; p < 0.0001), and this was maintained two to four months after the course (score of 50.5; p < 0.0001). Patient assessment and management in video-recorded emergency scenarios was significantly improved following course completion (score of 9.75 vs 18.75; p = 0.0093).Conclusion:This course represents an effective method of teaching ENT emergency management to junior doctors. ENT induction programmes benefit from the incorporation of a simulation component.
Reduced competence of immature and mature oocytes vitrified by Cryotop method: assessment byin vitrofertilization and parthenogenetic activation in a bovine model
Authors: Bulgarelli Daiane L. , Vireque Alessandra A. , Pitangui-Molina Caroline P. , Silva-de-Sá Marcos F. , de Sá Rosa-e-Silva Ana Carolina J. 
Published: January 2017

SummaryThis study aimed to evaluate the embryo development competence, the nuclear maturation and the viability of germinal vesicle (GV) and metaphase II (MII) oocytes vitrified by the Cryotop method. Cumulus–oocyte complexes were derived from bovine ovaries and three experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, GV oocytes were vitrified and underwentin vitromaturation (IVM) or not and their nuclear maturation was assessed by orcein staining. In Experiment 2, GV oocytes and MII oocytes were vitrified or not and the viability was assessed by calcein/ethidium homodimer-1 staining. In Experiment 3, MII oocytes matured before or after vitrification were submitted toin vitrofertilization (IVF) and parthenogenetic activation (PA) in order to evaluate embryo development. No difference was found for the nuclear maturation rate in the GV group (50%) and the GV control group (67%;P= 0.23) and for viability rate (56%; 77%;P= 0.055, respectively). However, in the MII group (27%) viability was significantly lower than that of the MII control group (84%;P< 0.0001). The cleavage rate by IVF and PA was similar in the GV group and the MII group. In contrast, vitrified MII oocytes showed no capacity for blastocyst development after IVF or PA and vitrified GV oocytes were able to develop to blastocysts only after PA, but not after IVF. In conclusion, oocyte vitrification by the Cryotop method reduced the capacity for embryo development. Vitrification of GV oocytes, however, did not influence the capacity of meiotic nuclear maturation and they exhibited higher viability following vitrification at the MII stage.
Prophylactic orthosteric inhibition of leukocyte integrin CD11b/CD18 prevents long-term fibrotic kidney failure in cynomolgus monkeys
Authors: Dehnadi Abbas , Benedict Cosimi A. , Neal Smith Rex , Li Xiangen , Alonso José L. , Means Terry K. , Arnaout M. Amin 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIschaemic acute kidney injury (AKI), an inflammatory disease process, often progresses to chronic kidney disease (CKD), with no available effective prophylaxis. This is in part due to lack of clinically relevant CKD models in non-human primates. Here we demonstrate that inhibition of the archetypal innate immune receptor CD11b/CD18 prevents progression of AKI to CKD in cynomolgus monkeys. Severe ischaemia-reperfusion injury of the right kidney, with subsequent periods of the left ureter ligation, causes irreversible right kidney failure 3, 6 or 9 months after AKI. Moreover, prophylactic inactivation of CD11b/CD18, using the orthosteric CD11b/CD18 inhibitor mAb107, improves microvascular perfusion and histopathology, reduces intrarenal pro-inflammatory mediators and salvages kidney function long term. These studies reveal an important early role of CD11b+ leukocytes in post-ischaemic kidney fibrosis and failure, and suggest a potential early therapeutic intervention to mitigate progression of ischaemic AKI to CKD in humans.
Mesoscopic superconductivity and high spin polarization coexisting at metallic point contacts on Weyl semimetal TaAs
Authors: Aggarwal Leena , Gayen Sirshendu , Das Shekhar , Kumar Ritesh , Süß Vicky , Felser Claudia , Shekhar Chandra , Sheet Goutam 
Published: January 2017

AbstractA Weyl semimetal is a topologically non-trivial phase of matter that hosts mass-less Weyl fermions, the particles that remained elusive for more than 80 years since their theoretical discovery. The Weyl semimetals exhibit unique transport properties and remarkably high surface spin polarization. Here we show that a mesoscopic superconducting phase with critical temperature Tc=7 K can be realized by forming metallic point contacts with silver (Ag) on single crystals of TaAs, while neither Ag nor TaAs are superconductors. Andreev reflection spectroscopy of such point contacts reveals a superconducting gap of 1.2 meV that coexists with a high transport spin polarization of 60% indicating a highly spin-polarized supercurrent flowing through the point contacts on TaAs. Therefore, apart from the discovery of a novel mesoscopic superconducting phase, our results also show that the point contacts on Weyl semimetals are potentially important for applications in spintronics.
PhotoGate microscopy to track single molecules in crowded environments
Authors: Belyy Vladislav , Shih Sheng-Min , Bandaria Jigar , Huang Yongjian , Lawrence Rosalie E. , Zoncu Roberto , Yildiz Ahmet 
Published: January 2017

AbstractTracking single molecules inside cells reveals the dynamics of biological processes, including receptor trafficking, signalling and cargo transport. However, individual molecules often cannot be resolved inside cells due to their high density. Here we develop the PhotoGate technique that controls the number of fluorescent particles in a region of interest by repeatedly photobleaching its boundary. PhotoGate bypasses the requirement of photoactivation to track single particles at surface densities two orders of magnitude greater than the single-molecule detection limit. Using this method, we observe ligand-induced dimerization of a receptor tyrosine kinase at the cell surface and directly measure binding and dissociation of signalling molecules from early endosomes in a dense cytoplasm with single-molecule resolution. We additionally develop a numerical simulation suite for rapid quantitative optimization of Photogate experimental conditions. PhotoGate yields longer tracking times and more accurate measurements of complex stoichiometry than existing single-molecule imaging methods.
The local nature of incompressibility of quantum Hall effect
Authors: Kendirlik E. M. , Sirt S. , Kalkan S. B. , Ofek N. , Umansky V. , Siddiki A. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractSince the experimental realization of the integer quantum Hall effect in a two-dimensional electron system, the interrelation between the conductance quantization and the topological properties of the system has been investigated. Assuming that the two-dimensional electron system is described by a Bloch Hamiltonian, system is insulating in the bulk of sample throughout the quantum Hall plateau due to a magnetic field induced energy gap. Meanwhile, the system is conducting at the edges resembling a 2+1 dimensional topological insulator without time-reversal symmetry. Here, by our magneto-transport measurements performed on GaAs/AlGaAs high purity Hall bars with two inner contacts we show that incompressible strips formed at the edges result in Hall quantization, even if the bulk is compressible. Consequently, the relationship between the quantum Hall effect and topological bulk insulator breaks for specific field intervals within the plateaus. The measurement of conducting bulk, strongly challenges all existing single-particle theories.
Improved ethanol electrooxidation performance by shortening Pd–Ni active site distance in Pd–Ni–P nanocatalysts
Authors: Chen Lin , Lu Lilin , Zhu Hengli , Chen Yueguang , Huang Yu , Li Yadong , Wang Leyu 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIncorporating oxophilic metals into noble metal-based catalysts represents an emerging strategy to improve the catalytic performance of electrocatalysts in fuel cells. However, effects of the distance between the noble metal and oxophilic metal active sites on the catalytic performance have rarely been investigated. Herein, we report on ultrasmall (∼5 nm) Pd–Ni–P ternary nanoparticles for ethanol electrooxidation. The activity is improved up to 4.95 A per mgPd, which is 6.88 times higher than commercial Pd/C (0.72 A per mgPd), by shortening the distance between Pd and Ni active sites, achieved through shape transformation from Pd/Ni–P heterodimers into Pd–Ni–P nanoparticles and tuning the Ni/Pd atomic ratio to 1:1. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the improved activity and stability stems from the promoted production of free OH radicals (on Ni active sites) which facilitate the oxidative removal of carbonaceous poison and combination with CH3CO radicals on adjacent Pd active sites.
Parkinsonian motor impairment predicts personality domains related to genetic risk and treatment outcomes in schizophrenia
Authors: Molina Juan L , Calvó María , Padilla Eduardo , Balda Mara , Alemán Gabriela González , Florenzano Néstor V , Guerrero Gonzalo , Kamis Danielle , Rangeon Beatriz Molina , Bourdieu Mercedes , Strejilevich Sergio A , Conesa Horacio A , Escobar Javier I , Zwir Igor , Cloninger C Robert , de Erausquin Gabriel A 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIdentifying endophenotypes of schizophrenia is of critical importance and has profound implications on clinical practice. Here we propose an innovative approach to clarify the mechanims through which temperament and character deviance relates to risk for schizophrenia and predict long-term treatment outcomes. We recruited 61 antipsychotic naïve subjects with chronic schizophrenia, 99 unaffected relatives, and 68 healthy controls from rural communities in the Central Andes. Diagnosis was ascertained with the Schedules of Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry; parkinsonian motor impairment was measured with the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale; mesencephalic parenchyma was evaluated with transcranial ultrasound; and personality traits were assessed using the Temperament and Character Inventory. Ten-year outcome data was available for ~40% of the index cases. Patients with schizophrenia had higher harm avoidance and self-transcendence (ST), and lower reward dependence (RD), cooperativeness (CO), and self-directedness (SD). Unaffected relatives had higher ST and lower CO and SD. Parkinsonism reliably predicted RD, CO, and SD after correcting for age and sex. The average duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) was over 5 years. Further, SD was anticorrelated with DUP and antipsychotic dosing at follow-up. Baseline DUP was related to antipsychotic dose-years. Further, ‘explosive/borderline’, ‘methodical/obsessive’, and ‘disorganized/schizotypal’ personality profiles were associated with increased risk of schizophrenia. Parkinsonism predicts core personality features and treatment outcomes in schizophrenia. Our study suggests that RD, CO, and SD are endophenotypes of the disease that may, in part, be mediated by dopaminergic function. Further, SD is an important determinant of treatment course and outcome.
Origin and evolution of MIR1444 genes in Salicaceae
Authors: Wang Meizhen , Li Caili , Lu Shanfa 
Published: January 2017

AbstractmiR1444s are functionally significant miRNAs targeting polyphenol oxidase (PPO) genes for cleavage. MIR1444 genes were reported only in Populus trichocarpa. Through the computational analysis of 215 RNA-seq data, four whole genome sequences of Salicaceae species and deep sequencing of six P. trichocarpa small RNA libraries, we investigated the origin and evolution history of MIR1444s. A total of 23 MIR1444s were identified. Populus and Idesia species contain two MIR1444 genes, while Salix includes only one. Populus and Idesia MIR1444b genes and Salix MIR1444s were phylogenetically separated from Populus and Idesia MIR1444a genes. Ptr-miR1444a and ptr-miR1444b showed sequence divergence. Compared with ptr-miR1444b, ptr-miR1444a started 2 nt upstream of precursor, resulting in differential regulation of PPO targets. Sequence alignments showed that MIR1444 genes exhibited extensive similarity to their PPO targets, the characteristics of MIRs originated from targets through an inverted gene duplication event. Genome sequence comparison showed that MIR1444 genes in Populus and Idesia were expanded through the Salicoid genome duplication event. A copy of MIR1444 gene was lost in Salix through DNA segment deletion during chromosome rearrangements. The results provide significant information for the origin of plant miRNAs and the mechanism of Salicaceae gene evolution and divergence.
Self-Assembly Assisted Fabrication of Dextran-Based Nanohydrogels with Reduction-Cleavable Junctions for Applications as Efficient Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Wang Hao , Dai Tingting , Zhou Shuyan , Huang Xiaoxiao , Li Songying , Sun Kang , Zhou Guangdong , Dou Hongjing 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIn order to overcome the key challenge in improving both fabrication efficiency and their drug delivery capability of anti-cancer drug delivery systems (ACDDS), here polyacrylic acid (PAA) grafted dextran (Dex) nanohydrogels (NGs) with covalent crosslinked structure bearing redox sensitive disulfide crosslinking junctions (Dex-SS-PAA) were synthesized efficiently through a one-step self-assembly assisted methodology (SAA). The Dex-SS-PAA were subsequently conjugated with doxorubicin through an acid-labile hydrazone bond (Dex-SS-PAA-DOX). The in vitro drug release behavior, anti-cancer effects in vivo, and biosafety of the as-prepared acid- and redox-dual responsive biodegradable NGs were systematically investigated. The results revealed that the Dex-SS-PAA-DOX exhibited pH- and redox-controlled drug release, greatly reduced the toxicity of free DOX, while exhibiting a strong ability to inhibit the growth of MDA-MB-231 tumors. Our study demonstrated that the Dex-SS-PAA-DOX NGs are very promising candidates as ACDDS for anti-cancer therapeutics.
Epileptiform activity in the mouse visual cortex interferes with cortical processing in connected areas
Authors: Petrucco L. , Pracucci E. , Brondi M. , Ratto G. M. , Landi S. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractEpileptiform activity is associated with impairment of brain function even in absence of seizures, as demonstrated by failures in various testing paradigm in presence of hypersynchronous interictal spikes (ISs). Clinical evidence suggests that cognitive deficits might be directly caused by the anomalous activity rather than by its underlying etiology. Indeed, we seek to understand whether ISs interfere with neuronal processing in connected areas not directly participating in the hypersynchronous activity in an acute model of epilepsy. Here we cause focal ISs in the visual cortex of anesthetized mice and we determine that, even if ISs do not invade the opposite hemisphere, the local field potential is subtly disrupted with a modulation of firing probability imposed by the contralateral IS activity. Finally, we find that visual processing is altered depending on the temporal relationship between ISs and stimulus presentation. We conclude that focal ISs interact with normal cortical dynamics far from the epileptic focus, disrupting endogenous oscillatory rhythms and affecting information processing.
Structures, stabilities and spectral properties of borospherene B44− and metalloborospherenes MB440/− (M = Li, Na, and K)
Authors: Li Shixiong , Zhang Zhengping , Long Zhengwen , Qin Shuijie 
Published: January 2017

AbstractDensity functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations are carried out to study the stabilities, photoelectron, infrared, Raman and electronic absorption spectra of borospherene B44− and metalloborospherenes MB440/− (M = Li, Na, and K). It is found that all atoms can form stable exohedral metalloborospherenes M&B440/−, whereas only Na and K atoms can be stably encapsulated inside B440/− cage. In addition, relative energies of these metalloborospherenes suggest that Na and K atoms favor exohedral configuration. Importantly, doping of metal atom can modify the stabilities of B44 with different structures, which provides a possible route to produce stable boron clusters or metalloborospherenes. The calculated results suggest that B44 tends to get electrons from the doped metal. Metalloborospherenes MB44− are characterized as charge-transfer complexes (M2+B442−), where B44 tends to get two electrons from the extra electron and the doped metal, resulting in similar features with anionic B442−. In addition, doping of metal atom can change the spectral features, such as blueshift or redshift and weakening or strengthening of characteristic peaks, since the extra metal atom can modify the electronic structure. The calculated spectra are readily compared with future spectroscopy measurements and can be used as fingerprints to identify B44− and metalloborospherenes.
Ion irradiation induced structural modifications and increase in elastic modulus of silica based thin films
Authors: Shojaee S. A. , Qi Y. , Wang Y. Q. , Mehner A. , Lucca D. A. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIon irradiation is an alternative to heat treatment for transforming organic-inorganic thin films to a ceramic state. One major shortcoming in previous studies of ion-irradiated films is the assumption that constituent phases in ion-irradiated and heat-treated films are identical and that the ion irradiation effect is limited to changes in composition. In this study, we investigate the effects of ion irradiation on both the composition and structure of constituent phases and use the results to explain the measured elastic modulus of the films. The results indicated that the microstructure of the irradiated films consisted of carbon clusters within a silica matrix. It was found that carbon was present in a non-graphitic sp2-bonded configuration. It was also observed that ion irradiation caused a decrease in the Si-O-Si bond angle of silica, similar to the effects of applied pressure. A phase transformation from tetrahedrally bonded to octahedrally bonded silica was also observed. The results indicated the incorporation of carbon within the silica network. A combination of the decrease in Si-O-Si bond angle and an increase in the carbon incorporation within the silica network was found to be responsible for the increase in the elastic modulus of the films.
Diversity, distribution, and significance of transposable elements in the genome of the only selfing hermaphroditic vertebrate Kryptolebias marmoratus
Authors: Rhee Jae-Sung , Choi Beom-Soon , Kim Jaebum , Kim Bo-Mi , Lee Young-Mi , Kim Il-Chan , Kanamori Akira , Choi Ik-Young , Schartl Manfred , Lee Jae-Seong 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe Kryptolebias marmoratus is unique because it is the only self-fertilizing hermaphroditic vertebrate, known to date. It primarily reproduces by internal self-fertilization in a mixed ovary/testis gonad. Here, we report on a high-quality genome assembly for the K. marmoratus South Korea (SK) strain highlighting the diversity and distribution of transposable elements (TEs). We find that K. marmoratus genome maintains number and composition of TEs. This can be an important genomic attribute promoting genome recombination in this selfing fish, while, in addition to a mixed mating strategy, it may also represent a mechanism contributing to the evolutionary adaptation to ecological pressure of the species. Future work should help clarify this point further once genomic information is gathered for other taxa of the family Rivulidae that do not self-fertilize. We provide a valuable genome resource that highlights the potential impact of TEs on the genome evolution of a fish species with an uncommon life cycle.
Plasma Amino Acid Profile in Patients with Aortic Dissection
Authors: Wang Linlin , Liu Sha , Yang Wengang , Yu Haitao , Zhang Li , Ma Ping , Wu Peng , Li Xue , Cho Kenka , Xue Song , Jiang Baohong 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAortic dissection (AD), a severe cardiovascular disease with the characteristics of high mortality, is lack of specific clinical biomarkers. In order to facilitate the diagnosis of AD, we investigated plasma amino acid profile through metabolomics approach. Total 33 human subjects were enrolled in the study: 11 coronary heart disease (CHD) patients without aortic lesion and 11 acute AD and 11 chronic AD. Amino acids were identified in plasma using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and were further subjected to multiple logistic regression analysis. The score plots of principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) showed clear discrimination of CHD patients with AD, acute AD or chronic AD patients, respectively. The contents of histidine, glycine, serine, citrate, ornithine, hydroxyproline, proline and sarcosine were significant different in acute AD patients comparing with CHD patients. The levels of citrate, GABA, glutamate and cysteine were significant different in chronic AD patients comparing with CHD patients. The contents of glutamate and phenylalanine were significant changed in acute AD patients comparing with chronic AD patients. Plasma aminograms were significantly altered in patients with AD comparing with CHD, especially in acute AD, suggesting amino acid profile is expected to exploit a novel, non-invasive, objective diagnosis for AD.
Elucidating the modes of action for bioactive compounds in a cell-specific manner by large-scale chemically-induced transcriptomics
Authors: Iwata Michio , Sawada Ryusuke , Iwata Hiroaki , Kotera Masaaki , Yamanishi Yoshihiro 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe identification of the modes of action of bioactive compounds is a major challenge in chemical systems biology of diseases. Genome-wide expression profiling of transcriptional responses to compound treatment for human cell lines is a promising unbiased approach for the mode-of-action analysis. Here we developed a novel approach to elucidate the modes of action of bioactive compounds in a cell-specific manner using large-scale chemically-induced transcriptome data acquired from the Library of Integrated Network-based Cellular Signatures (LINCS), and analyzed 16,268 compounds and 68 human cell lines. First, we performed pathway enrichment analyses of regulated genes to reveal active pathways among 163 biological pathways. Next, we explored potential target proteins (including primary targets and off-targets) with cell-specific transcriptional similarity using chemical–protein interactome. Finally, we predicted new therapeutic indications for 461 diseases based on the target proteins. We showed the usefulness of the proposed approach in terms of prediction coverage, interpretation, and large-scale applicability, and validated the new prediction results experimentally by anin vitrocellular assay. The approach has a high potential for advancing drug discovery and repositioning.