bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retracted: Randomized controlled study of pre‐conception thromboprophylaxis among patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion related to antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Ismail Alaa M. , Hamed Ali H. , Saso Srdjan , Abu‐Elhasan Ahmad M. , Abu‐Elghar Mona M. , Abdelmeged Aymen N. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the effects of pre‐conception thromboprophylaxis among patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion and antiphospholipid syndrome.MethodsA randomized placebo‐controlled trial enrolled patients with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortions and antiphospholipid syndrome who attended an Egyptian center between January 2011 and June 2013. Using a computer‐generated sequence, patients were randomly allocated to receive 41 mg enoxaparin subcutaneously plus 81 mg aspirin daily pre‐conception, or to receive placebo pre‐conception. All patients received enoxaparin and aspirin following identification of fetal heart pulsation. The primary outcomes were live‐birth rate and clinical‐pregnancy rate at 0–6 months, and at 6–12 months. Intention‐to‐treat analyses were performed. Clinicians, investigators, and data analysts were masked to the treatment assignments.ResultsThe study enrolled 180 patients(90 in each group). No significant difference was observed between the intervention and control groups in the live‐birth rate (67[74%] vs 59[66%]; P = 0.25). At 0–6 months, the clinical‐pregnancy rate was higher in the intervention group (50[56%]vs 30[33%], P = 0.02). No significant difference between the intervention and control groups was observed in the clinical‐pregnancy rate at 6–12 months (32[36%] vs 35[39%], P = 0.52).ConclusionAmong patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion and antiphospholipid syndrome, pre‐conception enoxaparin increased the clinical‐pregnancy rate at 0–6 months, but did not affect the clinical‐pregnancy rate at 6–12 months or the live‐birth rate.ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01661439
Uniform momentum zones in turbulent boundary layers
Authors: de Silva Charitha M. , Hutchins Nicholas , Marusic Ivan 
Published: December 2015

Structural properties of regions of uniform streamwise momentum in turbulent boundary layers are examined using experimental databases obtained from particle image velocimetry. This investigation employs a large range of Reynolds numbers, spanning more than an order of magnitude ($Re_{{\it\tau}}=10^{3}{-}10^{4}$), enabling us to provide a detailed description of uniform momentum zones as a function of Reynolds number. Our analysis starts by examining the identification criterion used by Adrian et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 422, 2000, pp. 1–54) to report the presence of uniform momentum zones in turbulent boundary layers. This criterion is then applied to show that a zonal-like structural arrangement is prevalent in all datasets examined, emphasising its importance in the structural organisation. Streamwise velocity fluctuations within the zones are observed to be small but they are bounded by distinct step changes in streamwise momentum which indicate that shear layers of intense vorticity separate each zone. A log-linear increase in the number of these zones with increasing Reynolds number is revealed, together with an increase in the thicknesses of zones with increasing distance from the wall. These results support a hierarchical length-scale distribution of coherent structures, which generate zonal-like organisation within turbulent boundary layers. Interpretation of these findings is aided by employing synthetic velocity fields generated using a model based on the attached eddy hypothesis, which is described in the work of Perry and co-workers. Comparisons between the model and experimental results show that a hierarchy of self-similar structures leads to population densities and length-scale distributions of uniform momentum zones that closely adhere to those observed experimentally in this study.
Hittites, Ottomans and Turks: Ağaoğlu Ahmed Bey and the Kemalist construction of Turkish nationhood in Anatolia
Authors: Erimtan Can 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThis article analyses the position of the Hittites in the theoretical development of Turkish nationalism in the 20th century. The piece provides an outline of the full content of the Hittite claim in a Turkish nationalist context, particularly its promulgation as part of the so-called ‘Turkish History Thesis’. Following this, I will give full weight to the historical circumstances surrounding the emergence of the Hittite trope in Turkish writing. Basing myself on the work of Mete Tunçay, I will give proper prominence to the publication of the propaganda tractPontus Meselesi(1922). It is my contention that the Turkish intellectual of Azerî descent, Ağaoğlu Ahmed Bey, was the sole author of the textPontus Meselesi. The remainder of the article consists of a close reading of this geo-text. I will demonstrate that Ağaoğlu's discovery of the Hittites as worthy forebears for the Anatolian Muslims, whom he refers to as ‘Turks’ in his text, was the outcome of an ideologically motivated reading of 19th century European accounts of ancient Near Eastern history. The article shows that the propagation of the Kemalist concept of Turkish nationalism in Anatolia dates back to 1922, a year prior to the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.
Lower expression of activating transcription factors 3 and 4 correlates with shorter progression-free survival in multiple myeloma patients receiving bortezomib plus dexamethasone therapy
Authors: Narita T , Ri M , Masaki A , Mori F , Ito A , Kusumoto S , Ishida T , Komatsu H , Iida S 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBortezomib (BTZ), a proteasome inhibitor, is widely used in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), but a fraction of patients respond poorly to this agent. To identify factors predicting the duration of progression-free survival (PFS) of MM patients on BTZ treatment, the expression of proteasome and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related genes was quantified in primary samples from patients receiving a combination of BTZ and dexamethasone (BD). Fifty-six MM patients were stratified into a group with PFS<6 months (n=33) and a second group with PFS⩾6 months (n=23). Of the 15 genes analyzed, the expression of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) and ATF4 was significantly lower in patients with shorter PFS (P=0.0157 and P=0.0085, respectively). Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that these ATFs bind each other and transactivate genes encoding the pro-apoptotic transcription factors, CHOP and Noxa, which promote ER stress-associated apoptosis. When either ATF3 or ATF4 expression was silenced, MM cells partially lost sensitivity to BTZ treatment. This was accompanied by lower levels of Noxa, CHOP and DR5. Thus low basal expression of ATF3 and ATF4 may attenuate BTZ-induced apoptosis. Hence, ATF3 and ATF4 could potentially be used as biomarkers to predict efficacy of BD therapy in patients with MM.
Fibrocyte-like cells mediate acquired resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy with bevacizumab
Authors: Mitsuhashi Atsushi , Goto Hisatsugu , Saijo Atsuro , Trung Van The , Aono Yoshinori , Ogino Hirokazu , Kuramoto Takuya , Tabata Sho , Uehara Hisanori , Izumi Keisuke , Yoshida Mitsuteru , Kobayashi Hiroaki , Takahashi Hidefusa , Gotoh Masashi , Kakiuchi Soji , Hanibuchi Masaki , Yano Seiji , Yokomise Hiroyasu , Sakiyama Shoji , Nishioka Yasuhiko 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBevacizumab exerts anti-angiogenic effects in cancer patients by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, its use is still limited due to the development of resistance to the treatment. Such resistance can be regulated by various factors, although the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here we show that bone marrow-derived fibrocyte-like cells, defined as alpha-1 type I collagen-positive and CXCR4-positive cells, contribute to the acquired resistance to bevacizumab. In mouse models of malignant pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer, fibrocyte-like cells mediate the resistance to bevacizumab as the main producer of fibroblast growth factor 2. In clinical specimens of lung cancer, the number of fibrocyte-like cells is significantly increased in bevacizumab-treated tumours, and correlates with the number of treatment cycles, as well as CD31-positive vessels. Our results identify fibrocyte-like cells as a promising cell biomarker and a potential therapeutic target to overcome resistance to anti-VEGF therapy.
Dual functions of Rap1 are crucial for T-cell homeostasis and prevention of spontaneous colitis
Authors: Ishihara Sayaka , Nishikimi Akihiko , Umemoto Eiji , Miyasaka Masayuki , Saegusa Makoto , Katagiri Koko 
Published: December 2015

AbstractRap1-GTP activates leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) to induce arrest on the high endothelial venule (HEV). Here we show that Rap1-GDP restrains rolling behaviours of T cells on the peripheral lymph node addressin (PNAd), P-selectin and mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MadCAM-1) by inhibiting tether formation. Consequently, Rap1 deficiency impairs homing of naive T cells to peripheral lymph nodes, but accelerates homing of TH17 and TH1 cells to the colon, resulting in spontaneous colitis with tumours. Rap1-GDP associates with and activates lymphocyte-oriented kinase, which phosphorylates ERM (ezrin, radixin and moesin) in resting T cells. Phosphomimetic ezrin reduces the rolling of Rap1-deficient cells, and thereby decreases their homing into the colon. On the other hand, chemokines activate Rap1 at the plasma membrane within seconds, and Rap1-GTP binds to filamins, which diminishes its association with the β2 chain of LFA-1 and results in LFA-1 activation. This Rap1-dependent regulation of T-cell circulation prevents the onset of colitis.
Real-space collapse of a polariton condensate
Authors: Dominici L. , Petrov M. , Matuszewski M. , Ballarini D. , De Giorgi M. , Colas D. , Cancellieri E. , Silva Fernández B. , Bramati A. , Gigli G. , Kavokin A. , Laussy F. , Sanvitto D. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractMicrocavity polaritons are two-dimensional bosonic fluids with strong nonlinearities, composed of coupled photonic and electronic excitations. In their condensed form, they display quantum hydrodynamic features similar to atomic Bose–Einstein condensates, such as long-range coherence, superfluidity and quantized vorticity. Here we report the unique phenomenology that is observed when a pulse of light impacts the polariton vacuum: the fluid which is suddenly created does not splash but instead coheres into a very bright spot. The real-space collapse into a sharp peak is at odd with the repulsive interactions of polaritons and their positive mass, suggesting that an unconventional mechanism is at play. Our modelling devises a possible explanation in the self-trapping due to a local heating of the crystal lattice, that can be described as a collective polaron formed by a polariton condensate. These observations hint at the polariton fluid dynamics in conditions of extreme intensities and ultrafast times.
Tunable-Porosity Membranes From Discrete Nanoparticles
Authors: Marchetti Patrizia , Mechelhoff Martin , Livingston Andrew G. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThin film composite membranes were prepared through a facile single-step wire-wound rod coating procedure in which internally crosslinked poly(styrene-co-butadiene) polymer nanoparticles self-assembled to form a thin film on a hydrophilic ultrafiltration support. This nanoparticle film provided a defect-free separation layer 130–150 nm thick, which was highly permeable and able to withstand aggressive pH conditions beyond the range of available commercial membranes. The nanoparticles were found to coalesce to form a rubbery film when heated above their glass transition temperature (Tg). The retention properties of the novel membrane were strongly affected by charge repulsion, due to the negative charge of the hydroxyl functionalized nanoparticles. Porosity was tuned by annealing the membranes at different temperatures, below and above the nanoparticle Tg. This enabled fabrication of membranes with varying performance. Nanofiltration properties were achieved with a molecular weight cut-off below 500 g mol−1 and a low fouling tendency. Interestingly, after annealing above Tg, memory of the interstitial spaces between the nanoparticles persisted. This memory led to significant water permeance, in marked contrast to the almost impermeable films cast from a solution of the same polymer.
Efficiency and safety of surgical intervention to patients with Non-Cystic Fibrosis bronchiectasis: a meta-analysis
Authors: Fan Li-Chao , Liang Shuo , Lu Hai-Wen , Fei Ke , Xu Jin-Fu 
Published: December 2015

AbstractNo quantitative systematic review was found to report the efficiency and safety of surgical resection in the management of non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to assess the effects of operative intervention to patients with non-CF bronchiectasis. PubMed, the Cochrane library and Web of Science databases were searched up to July 8th, 2015. The pooled mortality from 34 studies recruiting 4788 patients was 1.5% (95% CI, 0.9–2.5%). The pooled morbidity from 33 studies consisting of 4583 patients was 16.7% (95% CI, 14.8–18.6%). The pooled proportion of patients from 35 studies, consisting of 4614 patients who were free of symptoms was 66.5% (95% CI, 61.3–71.7%) after surgery. The summary proportion of patients from 35 articles including 4279 participants who were improved was 27.5% (95% CI, 22.5–32.5%) and 9.1% (95% CI, 7.3–11.5%) showed no clinical improvement. In conclusion, our analysis indicated that lung resection in the management of non-CF bronchiectasis is associated with significant improvements in symptoms, low risk of mortality and acceptable morbidity.
Reciprocal immune benefit based on complementary production of antibiotics by the leech Hirudo verbana and its gut symbiont Aeromonas veronii
Authors: Tasiemski Aurélie , Massol François , Cuvillier-Hot Virginie , Boidin-Wichlacz Céline , Roger Emmanuel , Rodet Franck , Fournier Isabelle , Thomas Frédéric , Salzet Michel 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe medicinal leech has established a long-term mutualistic association with Aeromonas veronii, a versatile bacterium which can also display free-living waterborne and fish- or human-pathogenic lifestyles. Here, we investigated the role of antibiotics in the dynamics of interaction between the leech and its gut symbiont Aeromonas. By combining biochemical and molecular approaches, we isolated and identified for the first time the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) produced by the leech digestive tract and by its symbiont Aeromonas. Immunohistochemistry data and PCR analyses evidenced that leech AMP genes are induced in the gut epithelial cells when Aeromonas load is low (starved animals), while repressed when Aeromonas abundance is the highest (post blood feeding). The asynchronous production of AMPs by both partners suggests that these antibiotic substances (i) provide them with reciprocal protection against invasive bacteria and (ii) contribute to the unusual simplicity of the gut microflora of the leech. This immune benefit substantially reinforces the evidence of an evolutionarily stable association between H. verbana and A. veronii. Altogether these data may provide insights into the processes making the association with an Aeromonas species in the digestive tract either deleterious or beneficial.
Productivity and sustainability of rainfed wheat-soybean system in the North China Plain: results from a long-term experiment and crop modelling
Authors: Qin Wei , Wang Daozhong , Guo Xisheng , Yang Taiming , Oenema Oene 
Published: December 2015

AbstractA quantitative understanding of yield response to water and nutrients is key to improving the productivity and sustainability of rainfed cropping systems. Here, we quantified the effects of rainfall, fertilization (NPK) and soil organic amendments (with straw and manure) on yields of a rainfed wheat-soybean system in the North China Plain (NCP), using 30-years’ field experimental data (1982–2012) and the simulation model-AquaCrop. On average, wheat and soybean yields were 5 and 2.5 times higher in the fertilized treatments than in the unfertilized control (CK), respectively. Yields of fertilized treatments increased and yields of CK decreased over time. NPK + manure increased yields more than NPK alone or NPK + straw. The additional effect of manure is likely due to increased availability of K and micronutrients. Wheat yields were limited by rainfall and can be increased through soil mulching (15%) or irrigation (35%). In conclusion, combined applications of fertilizer NPK and manure were more effective in sustaining high crop yields than recommended fertilizer NPK applications. Manure applications led to strong accumulation of NPK and relatively low NPK use efficiencies. Water deficiency in wheat increased over time due to the steady increase in yields, suggesting that the need for soil mulching increases.
Glycosylation of Dentin Matrix Protein 1 is critical for osteogenesis
Authors: Sun Yao , Weng Yuteng , Zhang Chenyang , Liu Yi , Kang Chen , Liu Zhongshuang , Jing Bo , Zhang Qi , Wang Zuolin 
Published: December 2015

AbstractProteoglycans play important roles in regulating osteogenesis. Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) is a highly expressed bone extracellular matrix protein that regulates both bone development and phosphate metabolism. After glycosylation, an N-terminal fragment of DMP1 protein was identified as a new proteoglycan (DMP1-PG) in bone matrix. In vitro investigations showed that Ser89 is the key glycosylation site in mouse DMP1. However, the specific role of DMP1 glycosylation is still not understood. In this study, a mutant DMP1 mouse model was developed in which the glycosylation site S89 was substituted with G89 (S89G-DMP1). The glycosylation level of DMP1 was down-regulated in the bone matrix of S89G-DMP1 mice. Compared with wild type mice, the long bones of S89G-DMP1 mice showed developmental changes, including the speed of bone remodeling and mineralization, the morphology and activities of osteocytes and activities of both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. These findings indicate that glycosylation of DMP1 is a key posttranslational modification process during development and that DMP1-PG functions as an indispensable proteoglycan in osteogenesis.
Experimental observation of weak non-Markovianity
Authors: Bernardes Nadja K. , Cuevas Alvaro , Orieux Adeline , Monken C. H. , Mataloni Paolo , Sciarrino Fabio , Santos Marcelo F. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractNon-Markovianity has recently attracted large interest due to significant advances in its characterization and its exploitation for quantum information processing. However, up to now, only non-Markovian regimes featuring environment to system backflow of information (strong non-Markovianity) have been experimentally simulated. In this work, using an all-optical setup we simulate and observe the so-called weak non-Markovian dynamics. Through full process tomography, we experimentally demonstrate that the dynamics of a qubit can be non-Markovian despite an always increasing correlation between the system and its environment which, in our case, denotes no information backflow. We also show the transition from the weak to the strong regime by changing a single parameter in the environmental state, leading us to a better understanding of the fundamental features of non-Markovianity.
Secretome identification of immune cell factors mediating metastatic cell homing
Authors: Aguado Brian A. , Wu Jia J. , Azarin Samira M. , Nanavati Dhaval , Rao Shreyas S. , Bushnell Grace G. , Medicherla Chaitanya B. , Shea Lonnie D. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractMetastatic cell homing is a complex process mediated in part by diffusible factors secreted from immune cells found at a pre-metastatic niche. We report on connecting secretomics and TRanscriptional Activity CEll aRray (TRACER) data to identify functional paracrine interactions between immune cells and metastatic cells as novel mediators of homing. Metastatic breast cancer mouse models were used to generate a diseased splenocyte conditioned media (D-SCM) containing immune cell secreted factors. MDA-MB-231 metastatic cell activity including cell invasion, migration, transendothelial migration and proliferation were increased in D-SCM relative to control media. Our D-SCM secretome analysis yielded 144 secreted factor candidates that contribute to increased metastatic cell activity. The functional mediators of homing were identified using MetaCore software to determine interactions between the immune cell secretome and the TRACER-identified active transcription factors within metastatic cells. Among the 5 candidate homing factors identified, haptoglobin was selected and validatedin vitroandin vivoas a key mediator of homing. Our studies demonstrate a novel systems biology approach to identify functional signaling factors associated with a cellular phenotype, which provides an enabling tool that complements large-scale protein identification provided by proteomics.
Sub-10 nm near-field localization by plasmonic metal nanoaperture arrays with ultrashort light pulses
Authors: Lee Hongki , Kim Chulhong , Kim Donghyun 
Published: December 2015

AbstractNear-field localization by ultrashort femtosecond light pulses has been investigated using simple geometrical nanoapertures. The apertures employ circular, rhombic and triangular shapes to localize the distribution of surface plasmon. To understand the geometrical effect on the localization, aperture length and period of the nanoapertures were varied. Aperture length was shown to affect the performance more than aperture period due mainly to intra-aperture coupling of near-fields. Triangular apertures provided the strongest spatial localization below 10 nm in size as well as the highest enhancement of field intensity by more than 7000 times compared to the incident light pulse. Use of ultrashort pulses was found to allow much stronger light localization than with continuous-wave light. The results can be used for super-localization sensing and imaging applications where spatially localized fields can break through the limits in achieving improved sensitivity and resolution.
Unexpected Fascicle Length Changes In Denervated Feline Soleus Muscle During Stance Phase Of Walking
Authors: Mehta Ricky , Maas Huub , Gregor Robert J. , Prilutsky Boris I. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAfter surgical repair of traumatically severed peripheral nerves, associated muscles are paralyzed for weeks. Little is known about fascicle length changes in paralyzed muscles during locomotion. The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent, if any, muscle fascicles of denervated feline soleus (SO) change length during stance of walking when intact SO synergists are actively contracting. Hindlimb kinematics, SO fascicle and muscle-tendon unit (MTU) length and EMG activity of SO, lateral gastrocnemius (LG) and medial gastrocnemius (MG) were measured during level and slope walking in adult cats. Measurements were taken before and 1–2 weeks following SO-LG denervation. Unexpectedly, SO fascicle lengthening and shortening during stance in all walking conditions were evident after denervation. The greatest SO fascicle shortening (17.3 ± 2.2% of a reference length) and least fascicle lengthening (1.5 ± 0.8%) after denervation were found during upslope walking, where MG EMG activity was greatest across slopes (P < 0.05) and greatest discrepancies between post denervation SO fascicle and MTU length changes occurred. These findings suggest that myofascial linkages between denervated SO and its active synergists might affect its fascicle length changes. Further studies are needed to directly test this suggestion.