bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiation-induced biological changes of neural structures in the base of the skull tumours
Authors: Buzea C. Gh. , Mirestean C. , Butuc Irina , Zara A. , Iancu D. T. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackground and purposeThe aim of this paper is to compare neural induced changes in three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) versus intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for nasopharyngeal cancers.Materials and methodsRadiotherapy plans for 10 patients with nasopharyngeal cancer stages III and IV were prospectively developed for 3D-CRT, IMRT and VMAT using Varian Eclipse planning system. The same radiation therapist carried out all planning and the same clinical dosimetric constraints were used. Normal tissue complication probabilities were calculated.ResultsThe mean planning target volume’s (PTVs) conformity index (CI) for 3D-CRT was 1·424, for IMRT 1·1, and for VMAT 1·081. The PTV homogeneity (HI) index was 0·204 for 3D-CRT, 0·124 for IMRT and 0·153 for VMAT. Normal tissue complication probabilities gave complex results for 3D-CRT, IMRT and VMAT and are analysed in detail in this paper. The mean monitor units were 95 (range 9–180) for 3D-CRT; 165 (range 52–277) for IMRT; and 331 (range 167–494) for VMAT (p<0·05).ConclusionsVMAT is associated with similar dosimetric advantages as IMRT over 3D-CRT for nasopharyngeal cancer. VMAT is associated with faster delivery times and greater number of mean monitor units than IMRT. Brain radionecrosis severity and risk, in the past, have been underestimated. By improving the life expectancy of patients with nasopharyngeal cancer to ensure maintenance of the neural structures, recommended dose limits should be considered as a first degree priority (as the spinal cord, brainstem, etc.) when IMRT and VMAT plans are implemented.
Sleep disturbances in caregivers of patients with advanced cancer: A systematic review.
Authors: Maltby Kirstin F. , Sanderson Christine R. , Lobb Elizabeth A. , Phillips Jane L. 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTObjective:Sleep disturbances are a common issue for those who provide informal care to someone with a life-limiting condition. The negative consequences of poor sleep are well documented. The purpose of the present study was to determine the sleep patterns of caregivers of patients with advanced cancer.Method:An extensive systematic review of studies reporting empirical sleep data was undertaken in 2015 in accordance with the PRISMA Statement. A total of eight electronic databases were searched, with no date restrictions imposed. Additionally, a search of the bibliographies of the studies identified during the electronic search was conducted. Search terms included: “sleep,” “insomnia,” “sleep disturbance,” “circadian rhythm,” “caregiver,” “carer,” “advanced cancer,” “palliative cancer,” and MESH suggestions. The inclusion criteria required studies to be in English and to report primary qualitative and/or quantitative research that examined sleep in caregivers of patients with advanced cancer. Unpublished studies, conference papers, and dissertations were excluded.Results:Overall, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Two major findings emerged from the data synthesis. First, at least 72% of caregivers reported moderate to severe sleep disturbance as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Second, objective measurement of caregivers' sleep identified that some caregivers experienced up to a 44% reduction in their total sleep time compared to the recommended eight hours.Significance of Results:Reduction in total sleep time appears to be the biggest issue facing caregivers' sleep. Future studies need to explore the specific factors that cause these sleep disturbances and thus help to identify interventions to optimize sleep.
HILLARY CLINTON AND THE WOMEN WHO SUPPORTED HER
Authors: Simien Evelyn M. , Hampson Sarah Cote 
Published: January 2017

AbstractUsing data from the 2008 American National Election Studies (ANES) time series, and the 2008 ANES panel wave, this study examines whether the intragroup emotions Hillary Clinton elicits—gender affinity and pride—are predictive of political engagement for the group she represents: women voters. We focus on voters who report having participated in the primaries and the range of potential voters who proselytize during the primary season and express an intention to vote in the general election. Contrary to the conclusion one might reasonably draw—that is, women rather than men would be more likely to support Clinton—the real question is:whichwomen?
Standard-setting activities and new institutional economics
Authors: MAZÉ ARMELLE 
Published: January 2017

AbstractFrom a New Institutional Economics (NIE) perspective, standards are acknowledged to play a central role in building efficient market infrastructure by defining what is exchanged and reducing the level of transaction and measurement costs. Nevertheless, only a few prior NIE studies have considered standard-setting activities as coordination and governance issuesper se. This article aims to fill this gap by adapting and extending the classical Williamsonian analytical framework to the governance of standard-setting institutions. This analysis is substantiated by empirical data on global private standards in the agricultural sector. Our results highlight the importance of standard selection and the limits to current harmonisation as regards institutional failure to define alternative multilateral governance mechanisms at the international level.
The role of marriage in criminal recidivism: a longitudinal and co-relative analysis
Authors: Kendler K. S. , Lönn S. L. , Sundquist J. , Sundquist K. 
Published: January 2017

Aims.Marriage is associated with a reduced rate of criminal recidivism, but the underlying mechanisms have only partly been elucidated. We seek to clarify the nature of the association between marriage and recidivism and how that relationship may be moderated as a function of gender, deviance of spouse, a history of violence and familial risk.Method.We utilise a longitudinal cohort design consisting of Swedish men (n = 239 328) and women (n = 72 280), born between 1958 and 1986, who were convicted of at least one crime before age 20 and were not married prior to age 20. The analyses used Cox regression with marriage as a time-dependent covariate. We also perform co-relative analyses in sibling and first cousin pairs.Results.Marriage after a first crime substantially reduces risk of recidivism in both males (hazard ratio (HR) with key covariates and 95% confidence intervals 0.55, 0.53–0.57) and females (HR = 0.38, 0.34–0.42), although the effect is stronger in females. Marriage to a deviant spouse increases recidivism rates in males. In males, a history of violent criminality and high familial risk, respectively, decrease and increase sensitivity to the protective effect of marriage on recidivism. Consistent with a causal effect of marriage on recidivism, marriage was associated with a decline in risk for criminal relapse comparable with that in the population in both male–male sibling pairs (raw HR = 0.53, 0.45–0.62) and cousin pairs (HR = 0.55, 0.47, 0.65) concordant for prior convictions.Conclusions.The protective effect of marriage on risk for criminal recidivism is likely largely causal and is of importance in both males and females. Those at high familial risk for criminal behaviour are more sensitive to the protective effects of marriage.
Investigating the Negation of Media Stereotypes
Authors: Arendt Florian 
Published: January 2017

Abstract. We investigated the negation of media stereotypes. Negation refers to an internal attempt to negate stereotypic content (“No! This is not true!”). The process of negation is important because a critical assessment of stereotypic content can be beneficial for stereotype and prejudice reduction. This fact is a crucial reason why readers’ disagreement regarding simplified stereotypic depictions is of central interest for mass communication research and media literacy campaigns. Importantly, factors that can increase negation are of special interest. Although the ability and motivation to process stereotypic content can be theoretically identified as potential influencing factors, media-stereotype research has not yet tested the influence of these factors on negation. In Experiment 1 ( N = 347), we manipulated the motivation to negate by presenting awareness material. We informed some of the participants that the news media often do not represent the world as it is, but sometimes do so in a stereotypic way. Analyses revealed that participants who received the awareness material before reading negated to a higher extent. In Experiment 2 ( N = 223), we investigated the impact of ability by manipulating the time participants had to negate stereotypic content. The ability to negate was assumed to be higher the more time the participants had to process stereotypic information. As hypothesized, negation was higher when there was more time available. Interestingly, the increase in effect size was dampened the more time was available, which indicated a curvilinear relationship. Implications for media-literacy campaigns are discussed.
Annual time-series analysis of aqueous eDNA reveals ecologically relevant dynamics of lake ecosystem biodiversity
Authors: Bista Iliana , Carvalho Gary R. , Walsh Kerry , Seymour Mathew , Hajibabaei Mehrdad , Lallias Delphine , Christmas Martin , Creer Simon 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe use of environmental DNA (eDNA) in biodiversity assessments offers a step-change in sensitivity, throughput and simultaneous measures of ecosystem diversity and function. There remains, however, a need to examine eDNA persistence in the wild through simultaneous temporal measures of eDNA and biota. Here, we use metabarcoding of two markers of different lengths, derived from an annual time series of aqueous lake eDNA to examine temporal shifts in ecosystem biodiversity and in an ecologically important group of macroinvertebrates (Diptera: Chironomidae). The analyses allow different levels of detection and validation of taxon richness and community composition (β-diversity) through time, with shorter eDNA fragments dominating the eDNA community. Comparisons between eDNA, community DNA, taxonomy and UK species abundance data further show significant relationships between diversity estimates derived across the disparate methodologies. Our results reveal the temporal dynamics of eDNA and validate the utility of eDNA metabarcoding for tracking seasonal diversity at the ecosystem scale.
Infrared laser-induced gene expression for tracking development and function of single C. elegans embryonic neurons
Authors: Singhal Anupriya , Shaham Shai 
Published: January 2017

AbstractVisualizing neural-circuit assembly in vivo requires tracking growth of optically resolvable neurites. The Caenorhabditis elegans embryonic nervous system, comprising 222 neurons and 56 glia, is attractive for comprehensive studies of development; however, embryonic reporters are broadly expressed, making single-neurite tracking/manipulation challenging. We present a method, using an infrared laser, for reproducible heat-dependent gene expression in small sublineages (one to four cells) without radiation damage. We go beyond proof-of-principle, and use our system to label and track single neurons during early nervous-system assembly. We uncover a retrograde extension mechanism for axon growth, and reveal the aetiology of axon-guidance defects in sax-3/Robo and vab-1/EphR mutants. We also perform cell-specific rescues, determining DAF-6/patched-related site of action during sensory-organ development. Simultaneous ablation and labelling of cells using our system reveals roles for glia in dendrite extension. Our method can be applied to other optically/IR-transparent organisms, and opens the door to high-resolution systematic analyses of C. elegans morphogenesis.
Human farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase is allosterically inhibited by its own product
Authors: Park Jaeok , Zielinski Michal , Magder Alexandr , Tsantrizos Youla S. , Berghuis Albert M. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractFarnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS) is an enzyme of the mevalonate pathway and a well-established therapeutic target. Recent research has focused around a newly identified druggable pocket near the enzyme’s active site. Pharmacological exploitation of this pocket is deemed promising; however, its natural biological function, if any, is yet unknown. Here we report that the product of FPPS, farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), can bind to this pocket and lock the enzyme in an inactive state. The Kd for this binding is 5–6 μM, within a catalytically relevant range. These results indicate that FPPS activity is sensitive to the product concentration. Kinetic analysis shows that the enzyme is inhibited through FPP accumulation. Having a specific physiological effector, FPPS is a bona fide allosteric enzyme. This allostery offers an exquisite mechanism for controlling prenyl pyrophosphate levels in vivo and thus contributes an additional layer of regulation to the mevalonate pathway.
Structural basis of ligand interaction with atypical chemokine receptor 3
Authors: Gustavsson Martin , Wang Liwen , van Gils Noortje , Stephens Bryan S. , Zhang Penglie , Schall Thomas J. , Yang Sichun , Abagyan Ruben , Chance Mark R. , Kufareva Irina , Handel Tracy M. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractChemokines drive cell migration through their interactions with seven-transmembrane (7TM) chemokine receptors on cell surfaces. The atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3) binds chemokines CXCL11 and CXCL12 and signals exclusively through β-arrestin-mediated pathways, without activating canonical G-protein signalling. This receptor is upregulated in numerous cancers making it a potential drug target. Here we collected over 100 distinct structural probes from radiolytic footprinting, disulfide trapping, and mutagenesis to map the structures of ACKR3:CXCL12 and ACKR3:small-molecule complexes, including dynamic regions that proved unresolvable by X-ray crystallography in homologous receptors. The data are integrated with molecular modelling to produce complete and cohesive experimentally driven models that confirm and expand on the existing knowledge of the architecture of receptor:chemokine and receptor:small-molecule complexes. Additionally, we detected and characterized ligand-induced conformational changes in the transmembrane and intracellular regions of ACKR3 that elucidate fundamental structural elements of agonism in this atypical receptor.
Imperfect two-dimensional topological insulator field-effect transistors
Authors: Vandenberghe William G. , Fischetti Massimo V. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractTo overcome the challenge of using two-dimensional materials for nanoelectronic devices, we propose two-dimensional topological insulator field-effect transistors that switch based on the modulation of scattering. We model transistors made of two-dimensional topological insulator ribbons accounting for scattering with phonons and imperfections. In the on-state, the Fermi level lies in the bulk bandgap and the electrons travel ballistically through the topologically protected edge states even in the presence of imperfections. In the off-state the Fermi level moves into the bandgap and electrons suffer from severe back-scattering. An off-current more than two-orders below the on-current is demonstrated and a high on-current is maintained even in the presence of imperfections. At low drain-source bias, the output characteristics are like those of conventional field-effect transistors, at large drain-source bias negative differential resistance is revealed. Complementary n- and p-type devices can be made enabling high-performance and low-power electronic circuits using imperfect two-dimensional topological insulators.
One million years of glaciation and denudation history in west Greenland
Authors: Strunk Astrid , Knudsen Mads Faurschou , Egholm David L. , Jansen John D. , Levy Laura B. , Jacobsen Bo H. , Larsen Nicolaj K. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe influence of major Quaternary climatic changes on growth and decay of the Greenland Ice Sheet, and associated erosional impact on the landscapes, is virtually unknown beyond the last deglaciation. Here we quantify exposure and denudation histories in west Greenland by applying a novel Markov-Chain Monte Carlo modelling approach to all available paired cosmogenic 10Be-26Al bedrock data from Greenland. We find that long-term denudation rates in west Greenland range from >50 m Myr−1 in low-lying areas to ∼2 m Myr−1 at high elevations, hereby quantifying systematic variations in denudation rate among different glacial landforms caused by variations in ice thickness across the landscape. We furthermore show that the present day ice-free areas only were ice covered ca. 45% of the past 1 million years, and even less at high-elevation sites, implying that the Greenland Ice Sheet for much of the time was of similar size or even smaller than today.
Efficient DNA-free genome editing of bread wheat using CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes
Authors: Liang Zhen , Chen Kunling , Li Tingdong , Zhang Yi , Wang Yanpeng , Zhao Qian , Liu Jinxing , Zhang Huawei , Liu Cuimin , Ran Yidong , Gao Caixia 
Published: January 2017

AbstractSubstantial efforts are being made to optimize the CRISPR/Cas9 system for precision crop breeding. The avoidance of transgene integration and reduction of off-target mutations are the most important targets for optimization. Here, we describe an efficient genome editing method for bread wheat using CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). Starting from RNP preparation, the whole protocol takes only seven to nine weeks, with four to five independent mutants produced from 100 immature wheat embryos. Deep sequencing reveals that the chance of off-target mutations in wheat cells is much lower in RNP mediated genome editing than in editing with CRISPR/Cas9 DNA. Consistent with this finding, no off-target mutations are detected in the mutant plants. Because no foreign DNA is used in CRISPR/Cas9 RNP mediated genome editing, the mutants obtained are completely transgene free. This method may be widely applicable for producing genome edited crop plants and has a good prospect of being commercialized.
Molecular Characterization of Pediatric Restrictive Cardiomyopathy from Integrative Genomics
Authors: Rindler Tara N. , Hinton Robert B. , Salomonis Nathan , Ware Stephanie M. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractPediatric restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a genetically heterogeneous heart disease with limited therapeutic options. RCM cases are largely idiopathic; however, even within families with a known genetic cause for cardiomyopathy, there is striking variability in disease severity. Although accumulating evidence implicates both gene expression and alternative splicing in development of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), there have been no detailed molecular characterizations of underlying pathways dysregulated in RCM. RNA-Seq on a cohort of pediatric RCM patients compared to other forms of adult cardiomyopathy and controls identified transcriptional differences highly common to the cardiomyopathies, as well as those unique to RCM. Transcripts selectively induced in RCM include many known and novel G-protein coupled receptors linked to calcium handling and contractile regulation. In-depth comparisons of alternative splicing revealed splicing events shared among cardiomyopathy subtypes, as well as those linked solely to RCM. Genes identified with altered alternative splicing implicate RBM20, a DCM splicing factor, as a potential mediator of alternative splicing in RCM. We present the first comprehensive report on molecular pathways dysregulated in pediatric RCM including unique/shared pathways identified compared to other cardiomyopathy subtypes and demonstrate that disruption of alternative splicing patterns in pediatric RCM occurs in the inverse direction as DCM.
Tanshinone IIA induces intrinsic apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells both in vivo and in vitro associated with mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Huang Sheng-Teng , Huang Chao-Chun , Huang Wen-Liang , Lin Tsu-Kung , Liao Pei-Lin , Wang Pei-Wen , Liou Chia-Wei , Chuang Jiin-Haur 
Published: January 2017

AbstractTanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), a phytochemical derived from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza, has been shown to inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in various cancer cells. The association of its inhibitory effect on the primary malignant bone tumor, osteosarcoma, with mitochondrial dysfunction remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the anti-proliferative effects of Tan IIA on human osteosarcoma 143B cells both in vitro and in vivo. Administration of Tan IIA to NOD-SCID mice implanted with 143B cells led to significant inhibition of tumor development. The inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion was observed in 143B cells treated with Tan IIA. The tumor proliferation markers, Ki67 and PCNA, were suppressed and apoptosis by TUNEL assay was activated respectively. Apoptosis in the Tan IIA-treated 143B cells and xerograft mice was associated with the activation of caspase cascade via the modulation of Bcl-2 family. The CD31 was inhibited in Tan IIA-treated xenografts to indicate anti-neovasculization. Tan IIA administration resulted in a significant decrease in the mitochondrial fusion proteins, Mfn1/2 and Opa1, as well as an increase in the fission protein Drp1. We concluded that mitochondrial dysfunction associated with dynamic change was involved in apoptosis and anti-angiogenesis elicited by Tan IIA.
Combination of mometasone furoate and oxymetazoline for the treatment of adenoid hypertrophy concomitant with allergic rhinitis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Liu Wenlong , Zhou Lifeng , Zeng Qingxiang , Luo Renzhong 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIn the clinic, approximately 30% of children with adenoid hypertrophy (AH) concomitant with allergic rhinitis (AR) report poor responses to intranasal steroids. To determine whether the combination of mometasone furoate (MF) and oxymetazoline (OXY) is more effective than either agent alone, we performed a two-stage, parallel, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, clinical trial with 240 AH children with concomitant perennial AR. During the first stage, all children were randomly assigned to the MF or control group for six weeks of treatment. During the second stage, the non-responders from stage one were randomly assigned to 4 groups for 8 weeks of treatment that involved receiving the following treatments: MF/OXY, MF/placebo, placebo/OXY, or placebo/placebo. During the first stage of treatment, 39% of the responders treated with MF achieved greater reductions in total and individual symptom scores than did those on placebo. During the second stage of treatment, the nasal congestion scores of the MF/OXY group significantly decreased. The adenoid/choana ratio of the MF/OXY-treated group decreased and the nasal volume increased significantly. Our results suggest that the combination of OXY and MF is effective and safe for the treatment of AH children with concomitant AR and has a rapid onset of action.