bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic peer victimization heightens neural sensitivity to risk taking
Authors: Telzer Eva H. , Miernicki Michelle E. , Rudolph Karen D. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAlthough behavioral and experimental studies have shown links between victimization and antisocial behavior, the neural correlates explaining this link are relatively unknown. In the current study, we recruited adolescent girls from a longitudinal study that tracked youths’ reports of peer victimization experiences annually from the second through eighth grades. Based on these reports, 46 adolescents were recruited: 25 chronically victimized and 21 nonvictimized. During a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan, participants completed a risk-taking task. Chronic peer victimization was associated with greater risk-taking behavior during the task and higher levels of self-reported antisocial behavior in everyday life. At the neural level, chronically victimized girls showed greater activation in regions involved in affective sensitivity, social cognition, and cognitive control, which significantly mediated victimization group differences in self-reported antisocial behavior.
Impact and acceptability of lay health trainer-led lifestyle interventions delivered in primary care: a mixed method study
Authors: Visram Shelina 
Published: April 2017

AimTo evaluate the impact and acceptability of offering one-to-one lifestyle interventions delivered by lay health trainers in the primary care setting.BackgroundChronic conditions represent major causes of ill-health, avoidable disability, pain and anxiety, and tend to be more prevalent in less affluent groups. This is due, in part, to the link between unhealthy lifestyles and lower socio-economic status, although factors such as poverty, worklessness and social exclusion play a larger role. Lay health trainers were introduced in England with the aim of providing personalised lifestyle advice, support and access to services for people living in disadvantaged areas. There is a body of literature on the effectiveness of lay or community health workers in the management of chronic conditions. However, little is known about their potential to promote lifestyle changes in newly diagnosed patients. An innovative health trainer service was piloted in the primary care setting, to work with people diagnosed with a chronic condition or identified as potentially benefitting from one-to-one support.MethodsA mixed method study design was utilised. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with practice staff (n=11) and patients (n=15) from one primary care practice in North East England, United Kingdom. Discussions were audio-recorded and analysed using a thematic content approach. Routinely collected pre-/post-intervention data (n=246 patients at baseline; sample sizes varied at end line) were analysed and appropriate descriptive and summary statistics produced.FindingsThe discussions highlighted a high level of satisfaction with the health trainer model in terms of supporting positive lifestyle changes. Locating the intervention within the practice removed access barriers, particularly for those with long-term conditions. Anecdotal evidence of health improvement was supported by the quantitative analyses, which revealed statistically significant improvements in body mass index, blood pressure, dietary habits, exercise levels, alcohol intake, self-rated health and self-efficacy amongst those who completed the intervention.
Characterization and isolation of highly purified porcine satellite cells
Authors: Ding Shijie , Wang Fei , Liu Yan , Li Sheng , Zhou Guanghong , Hu Ping 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPig is an important food source and an excellent system to model human diseases. Careful characterization of the swine skeletal muscle stem cells (satellite cells) will shed lights on generation of swine skeletal muscle disease model and efficient production of porcine meat for the food industry. Paired box protein 7 (Pax7) is a highly conserved transcription factor shared by satellite cells from various species. However, the sequence of Pax7 has not been characterized in pig. The lack of method to isolate highly purified satellite cells hinders the thorough characterization of the swine satellite cells. Here we found molecular markers for swine satellite cells and revealed that the porcine satellite cells were heterogeneous in various pieces of skeletal muscle. We further developed a method to isolate highly purified satellite cells directly from porcine muscles using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. We next characterized the proliferation and differentiation abilities of isolated satellite cells in vitro; and found that long-term culturing of satellite cells in vitro led to stemness loss.
Monitoring transient nanoparticle interactions with liposome-confined plasmonic transducers
Authors: Chen Tianhong , Wang Xiao , Alizadeh Mohammad Hossein , Reinhard Björn M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe encapsulation of individual pairs of plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) in liposomes is introduced as a new strategy for utilizing plasmon coupling to monitor interactions between co-confined NPs in a nanoconfinement that ensures high local NP concentrations. We apply the approach to monitor transient binding contacts between noncovalently tethered 55 nm diameter gold NPs, which were functionalized with cytosine (C)-rich DNAs, in acidic and mildly basic buffer conditions. At pH=8, a rich spectral dynamics indicates DNA-mediated transient binding and unbinding of co-confined NPs due to weak attractive interparticle interactions. A decrease in pH from 8 to 4 is observed to favor the associated state for some co-confined NPs, presumably due to a stabilization of the bound dimer configuration through noncanonical C-C+ bonds between the DNA-functionalized NPs. Plasmonic nanoemitters whose spectral response switches in response to chemical cues (in this work pH) represent optical transducers with a rich application space in chemical sensing, cell analysis and nanophotonics.
Photopatternable PEDOT:PSS/PEG hybrid thin film with moisture stability and sensitivity
Authors: Zhu Zijie , Yang Gaomai , Li Ruya , Pan Tingrui 
Published: April 2017

AbstractDegradation and delamination resulting from environmental humidity have been technically challenging for poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) thin-film processing. To overcome this problem, we introduced a one-step photolithographic method to both pattern and link a PEDOT:PSS film onto a poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) layer as a hybrid thin film structure on a flexible substrate. This film exhibited excellent long-term moisture stability (more than 10 days) and lithographic resolution (as low as 2 μm). Mechanical characterizations were performed, including both stretching and bending tests, which illustrated the strong adhesion present between the PEDOT:PSS and PEG layers as well as between the hybrid thin film and substrate. Moreover, the hybrid moisture-absorbable film showed a quick response of its permittivity to environmental humidity variations, in which the patterned PEDOT:PSS layer served as an electrode and the PEG layer as a moisture-sensing element. Perspiration tracking over various parts of the body surface as well as breath rate measurement under the nose were successfully carried out as demonstrations, which illustrated the potential utility of this stable hybrid thin film for emerging flexible and wearable electronic applications.
Long-term trends in the intensity and relative toxicity of herbicide use
Authors: Kniss Andrew R. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractHerbicide use is among the most criticized aspects of modern farming, especially as it relates to genetically engineered (GE) crops. Many previous analyses have used flawed metrics to evaluate herbicide intensity and toxicity trends. Here, I show that herbicide use intensity increased over the last 25 years in maize, cotton, rice and wheat. Although GE crops have been previously implicated in increasing herbicide use, herbicide increases were more rapid in non-GE crops. Even as herbicide use increased, chronic toxicity associated with herbicide use decreased in two out of six crops, while acute toxicity decreased in four out of six crops. In the final year for which data were available (2014 or 2015), glyphosate accounted for 26% of maize, 43% of soybean and 45% of cotton herbicide applications. However, due to relatively low chronic toxicity, glyphosate contributed only 0.1, 0.3 and 3.5% of the chronic toxicity hazard in those crops, respectively.
Structural and functional analysis of the human POT1-TPP1 telomeric complex
Authors: Rice Cory , Shastrula Prashanth Krishna , Kossenkov Andrew V. , Hills Robert , Baird Duncan M. , Showe Louise C. , Doukov Tzanko , Janicki Susan , Skordalakes Emmanuel 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPOT1 and TPP1 are part of the shelterin complex and are essential for telomere length regulation and maintenance. Naturally occurring mutations of the telomeric POT1–TPP1 complex are implicated in familial glioma, melanoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Here we report the atomic structure of the interacting portion of the human telomeric POT1–TPP1 complex and suggest how several of these mutations contribute to malignant cancer. The POT1 C-terminus (POT1C) forms a bilobal structure consisting of an OB-fold and a holiday junction resolvase domain. TPP1 consists of several loops and helices involved in extensive interactions with POT1C. Biochemical data shows that several of the cancer-associated mutations, partially disrupt the POT1–TPP1 complex, which affects its ability to bind telomeric DNA efficiently. A defective POT1–TPP1 complex leads to longer and fragile telomeres, which in turn promotes genomic instability and cancer.
Exosome-delivered EGFR regulates liver microenvironment to promote gastric cancer liver metastasis
Authors: Zhang Haiyang , Deng Ting , Liu Rui , Bai Ming , Zhou Likun , Wang Xia , Li Shuang , Wang Xinyi , Yang Haiou , Li Jialu , Ning Tao , Huang Dingzhi , Li Hongli , Zhang Le , Ying Guoguang , Ba Yi 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe metastatic organotropism has been one of the cancer’s greatest mysteries since the ‘seed and soil’ hypothesis. Although the role of EGFR in cancer cells is well studied, the effects of secreted EGFR transported by exosomes are less understood. Here we show that EGFR in exosomes secreted from gastric cancer cells can be delivered into the liver and is integrated on the plasma membrane of liver stromal cells. The translocated EGFR is proved to effectively activate hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) by suppressing miR-26a/b expression. Moreover, the upregulated paracrine HGF, which binds the c-MET receptor on the migrated cancer cells, provides fertile ‘soil’ for the ‘seed’, facilitating the landing and proliferation of metastatic cancer cells. Thus, we propose that EGFR-containing exosomes derived from cancer cells could favour the development of a liver-like microenvironment promoting liver-specific metastasis.
Human adipose tissue accumulation is associated with pro-inflammatory changes in subcutaneous rather than visceral adipose tissue
Authors: Lesna I Kralova , Cejkova S , Kralova A , Fronek J , Petras M , Sekerkova A , Thieme F , Janousek L , Poledne R 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe importance of the involvement of adipose tissue macrophage subpopulations in obesity-related disorders is well known from different animal models, but human data are scarcer. Subcutaneous (n=44) and visceral (n=52) adipose tissues of healthy living kidney donors were obtained during living donor nephrectomy. Stromal vascular fractions were isolated and analysed by flow cytometry using CD14, CD16, CD36 and CD163 antibodies. Total macrophage numbers in subcutaneous adipose tissue increased (P=0.02) with body mass index (BMI), with a similar increase seen in the proportion of phagocytic CD14+CD16+CD36high macrophages (P<0.01). On the other hand, there was an inverse correlation between anti-inflammatory CD14+CD16−CD163+ macrophages (P<0.05) and BMI. These correlations disappeared after excluding obese subjects (BMI ⩾30 kg m−2) from the analysis. Interestingly, none of these subpopulations were significantly related to BMI in visceral adipose tissue. Obesity per se is associated with distinct, highly phagocytic macrophage accumulation in human subcutaneous adipose tissue.
A review: applications of the phase field method in predicting microstructure and property evolution of irradiated nuclear materials
Authors: Li Yulan , Hu Shenyang , Sun Xin , Stan Marius 
Published: April 2017

AbstractComplex microstructure changes occur in nuclear fuel and structural materials due to the extreme environments of intense irradiation and high temperature. This paper evaluates the role of the phase field method in predicting the microstructure evolution of irradiated nuclear materials and the impact on their mechanical, thermal, and magnetic properties. The paper starts with an overview of the important physical mechanisms of defect evolution and the significant gaps in simulating microstructure evolution in irradiated nuclear materials. Then, the phase field method is introduced as a powerful and predictive tool and its applications to microstructure and property evolution in irradiated nuclear materials are reviewed. The review shows that (1) Phase field models can correctly describe important phenomena such as spatial-dependent generation, migration, and recombination of defects, radiation-induced dissolution, the Soret effect, strong interfacial energy anisotropy, and elastic interaction; (2) The phase field method can qualitatively and quantitatively simulate two-dimensional and three-dimensional microstructure evolution, including radiation-induced segregation, second phase nucleation, void migration, void and gas bubble superlattice formation, interstitial loop evolution, hydrate formation, and grain growth, and (3) The Phase field method correctly predicts the relationships between microstructures and properties. The final section is dedicated to a discussion of the strengths and limitations of the phase field method, as applied to irradiation effects in nuclear materials.
Reduced biological effect of e-cigarette aerosol compared to cigarette smoke evaluated in vitro using normalized nicotine dose and RNA-seq-based toxicogenomics
Authors: Haswell Linsey E. , Baxter Andrew , Banerjee Anisha , Verrastro Ivan , Mushonganono Jessica , Adamson Jason , Thorne David , Gaça Marianna , Minet Emmanuel 
Published: April 2017

AbstractElectronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) use has increased globally and could potentially offer a lower risk alternative to cigarette smoking. Here, we assessed the transcriptional response of a primary 3D airway model acutely exposed to e-cigarette aerosol and cigarette (3R4F) smoke. Aerosols were generated with standard intense smoking regimens with careful consideration for dose by normalizing the exposures to nicotine. Two e-cigarette aerosol dilutions were tested for equivalent and higher nicotine delivery compared to 3R4F. RNA was extracted at 24 hrs and 48 hrs post exposure for RNA-seq. 873 and 205 RNAs were differentially expressed for 3R4F smoke at 24 hrs and 48 hrs using a pFDR < 0.01 and a [fold change] > 2 threshold. 113 RNAs were differentially expressed at the highest dose of e-cigarette aerosol using a looser threshold of pFDR < 0.05, 3 RNAs exceeded a fold change of 2. Geneset enrichment analysis revealed a clear response from lung cancer, inflammation, and fibrosis associated genes after 3R4F smoke exposure. Metabolic/biosynthetic processes, extracellular membrane, apoptosis, and hypoxia were identified for e-cigarette exposures, albeit with a lower confidence score. Based on equivalent or higher nicotine delivery, an acute exposure to e-cigarette aerosol had a reduced impact on gene expression compared to 3R4F smoke exposure in vitro.
Time-Resolved Visual Chiral Discrimination of Cysteine Using Unmodified CdTe Quantum Dots
Authors: Ghasemi Forough , Hormozi-Nezhad M. Reza , Mahmoudi Morteza 
Published: April 2017

AbstractHerein, we demonstrate a simple yet novel luminescence assay for visual chiral discrimination of cysteine. Thioglycolic acid (TGA)-capped cadmium-telluride (CdTe) quantum dots (QDs) exposing green emission were directly synthesized in aqueous solution. The interaction between cysteine molecules and CdTe QDs induced the aggregation of QDs via hydrogen bonding. As a result of electronic coupling within these aggregates, a redshift both in the absorption and emission spectra of QDs occured. The difference in the kinetics of the interactions between L- and D-cysteine with CdTe QDs led to chiral recognition of these enantiomers. Addition of D-cysteine to CdTe QDs in a basic media caused a green-to-yellow color change, while no color alteration in QDs emission was observed in the presence of L-cysteine after 2 hours. Notably, the QDs used in the proposed assay are free from any labling/modification, which makes the present strategy highly attractive for sensing applications. Furthermore, the presented chiral assay is able to determine the enantiomeric excess (ee) of D-cysteine in the whole range of ee values (from −100% to 100%).
Generation of heritable germline mutations in the jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis using CRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Li Ming , Au Lauren Yun Cook , Douglah Deema , Chong Abigail , White Bradley J. , Ferree Patrick M. , Akbari Omar S. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe revolutionary RNA-guided endonuclease CRISPR/Cas9 system has proven to be a powerful tool for gene editing in a plethora of organisms. Here, utilizing this system we developed an efficient protocol for the generation of heritable germline mutations in the parasitoid jewel wasp, Nasonia vitripennis, a rising insect model organism for the study of evolution, development of axis pattern formation, venom production, haplo-diploid sex determination, and host–symbiont interactions. To establish CRISPR-directed gene editing in N. vitripennis, we targeted a conserved eye pigmentation gene cinnabar, generating several independent heritable germline mutations in this gene. Briefly, to generate these mutants, we developed a protocol to efficiently collect N. vitripennis eggs from a parasitized flesh fly pupa, Sarcophaga bullata, inject these eggs with Cas9/guide RNA mixtures, and transfer injected eggs back into the host to continue development. We also describe a flow for screening mutants and establishing stable mutant strains through genetic crosses. Overall, our results demonstrate that the CRISPR/Cas9 system is a powerful tool for genome manipulation in N. vitripennis, with strong potential for expansion to target critical genes, thus allowing for the investigation of several important biological phenomena in this organism.
Interaction effects of polyfluoroalkyl substances and sex steroid hormones on asthma among children
Authors: Zhou Yang , Hu Li-Wen , Qian Zhengmin , Geiger Sarah Dee , Parrish Katelyn L. , Dharmage Shyamali C. , Campbell Brittany , Roponen Marjut , Jalava Pasi , Hirvonen Maija-Riitta , Heinrich Joachim , Zeng Xiao-Wen , Yang Bo-Yi , Qin Xiao-Di , Lee Yungling Leo , Dong Guang-Hui 
Published: April 2017

AbstractTo evaluate the interactions between polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and reproductive hormones and associated asthma, a total of 231 asthmatic and 225 non-asthmatic adolescents were selected from northern Taiwan in the Genetic and Biomarkers study for Childhood Asthma from 2009–2010. The interaction between PFASs and reproductive hormones on asthma was analyzed with a two-level binary logistic regression model. The results showed that, among asthmatics, PFASs were positively associated with estradiol levels and negatively associated with testosterone levels. However, only significant association was identified for PFNA and estradiol in control group. After controlling for hormone levels, associations between PFAS exposure and asthma were consistently stronger among children with higher than lower estradiol, with odds ratios (OR) for asthma ranging from 1.25 for PFOS (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.90, 1.72) to 4.01 for PFDA (95% CI: 1.46, 11.06) among boys and 1.25 for PFOS (95% CI: 0.84, 1.86) to 4.16 for PFNA (95% CI: 1.36, 12.73) among girls. Notably, the interactions between estradiol and PFASs were significant for PFOS (p = 0.026) and PFNA (p = 0.043) among girls. However, testosterone significantly attenuated the association between PFOS and asthma across sex. In conclusions, our findings suggested that reproductive hormones amplify the association between PFASs and asthma among adolescents.
Recent advances in synthesis, properties, and applications of phosphorene
Authors: Akhtar Meysam , Anderson George , Zhao Rong , Alruqi Adel , Mroczkowska Joanna E. , Sumanasekera Gamini , Jasinski Jacek B. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSince its first fabrication by exfoliation in 2014, phosphorene has been the focus of rapidly expanding research activities. The number of phosphorene publications has been increasing at a rate exceeding that of other two-dimensional materials. This tremendous level of excitement arises from the unique properties of phosphorene, including its puckered layer structure. With its widely tunable band gap, strong in-plane anisotropy, and high carrier mobility, phosphorene is at the center of numerous fundamental studies and applications spanning from electronic, optoelectronic, and spintronic devices to sensors, actuators, and thermoelectrics to energy conversion, and storage devices. Here, we review the most significant recent studies in the field of phosphorene research and technology. Our focus is on the synthesis and layer number determination, anisotropic properties, tuning of the band gap and related properties, strain engineering, and applications in electronics, thermoelectrics, and energy storage. The current needs and likely future research directions for phosphorene are also discussed.
Frequency-dependent oscillatory neural profiles during imitation
Authors: Sugata Hisato , Hirata Masayuki , Tamura Yuichi , Onishi Hisao , Goto Tetsu , Araki Toshihiko , Yorifuji Shiro 
Published: April 2017

AbstractImitation is a complex process that includes higher-order cognitive and motor function. This process requires an observation-execution matching system that transforms an observed action into an identical movement. Although the low-gamma band is thought to reflect higher cognitive processes, no studies have focused on it. Here, we used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to examine the neural oscillatory changes including the low-gamma band during imitation. Twelve healthy, right-handed participants performed a finger task consisting of four conditions (imitation, execution, observation, and rest). During the imitation and execution conditions, significant event-related desynchronizations (ERDs) were observed at the left frontal, central, and parietal MEG sensors in the alpha, beta, and low-gamma bands. Functional connectivity analysis at the sensor level revealed an imitation-related connectivity between a group of frontal sensors and a group of parietal sensors in the low-gamma band. Furthermore, source reconstruction with synthetic aperture magnetometry showed significant ERDs in the low-gamma band in the left sensorimotor area and the middle frontal gyrus (MFG) during the imitation condition when compared with the other three conditions. Our results suggest that the oscillatory neural activities of the low-gamma band at the sensorimotor area and MFG play an important role in the observation-execution matching system related to imitation.