bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Labour Recruitment of Local Inhabitants as Rōmusha in Japanese-Occupied South East Asia
Authors: Melber Takuma 
Published: December 2016

AbstractDuring World War II, Japan, as occupying power, mobilized thousands of labourers in South East Asia. While the history of Allied prisoners of war (POWs) deployed as forced labourers on the Burma-Siam “Death Railway” is well known, the coercive labour recruitment of local inhabitants as so-called rōmusha has, until today, remained an almost completely untold story. This article introduces rōmusha, with a particular focus on the Burma-Siam Railway, and presents the methods used by the occupying powers to recruit local inhabitants in Java, Malaya, and Singapore, initially as volunteers, and increasingly using force. We look, too, at the tactics and strategies of avoidance the locals were able to deploy. The article offers insights into the poor working conditions on the railway, discusses the body count, and gives an idea of the huge impact of the forced labour recruitment not only in economic terms, but also in terms of the effect it had on the social structure at both the micro and macro levels.
Dynamics of Continuity and Change: Shifts in Labour Relations in the Potosí Mines (1680–1812)
Authors: Barragán Romano Rossana 
Published: December 2016

AbstractLabour relations in the silver mines of Potosí are almost synonymous with the mita, a system of unfree work that lasted from the end of the sixteenth century until the beginning of the nineteenth century. However, behind this continuity there were important changes, but also other forms of work, both free and self-employed. The analysis here is focused on how the “polity” contributed to shape labour relations, especially from the end of the seventeenth century and throughout the eighteenth century. This article scrutinizes the labour policies of the Spanish monarchy on the one hand, which favoured certain economic sectors and regions to ensure revenue, and on the other the initiatives both of mine entrepreneurs and workers – unfree, free, and self-employed – who all contributed to changing the system of labour.
From Possibility to Properties? Or from Properties to Possibility?
Authors: Allen Sophie R. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThis paper contrasts two metaphysical accounts of modality and properties: Modal Realism which treats possible entities as primitive; and Strong Dispositionalism in which metaphysical possibility and necessity are determined by actually existing dispositions or powers. I argue that Strong Dispositionalism loses its initial advantages of simplicity and parsimony over Modal Realism as it is extended and amended to account for metaphysical rather than just causal necessity. Furthermore, to avoid objections to its material and formal adequacy, Strong Dispositionalism requires a richer fundamental ontology which it cannot explicate without appealing either to possible worlds or to an account of counterfactual truth conditions, both of which Strong Dispositionalism was intended to replace.
Laboratory surveillance of arboviral infections in a southern France region colonized byAedes albopictus
Authors: CADOT L. , SEGONDY M. , FOULONGNE V. 
Published: December 2016

SUMMARYThe establishment ofAedes albopictusin southern France, a recognized competent vector for several arboviruses, represents a new threat for the local transmission and spread of what were until recently considered as tropical diseases. A preparedness and response plan, based on vigilance of both clinicians and laboratories, has introduced significant changes in guidelines and behaviour regarding patients’ care specifically during the activity period of mosquitoes. In the present study, we report the results of a 1-year activity in arboviral infection diagnosis. A total of 141 patients were included in this retrospective study. The number of suspected imported and autochthonous cases was 69 and 72, respectively. A diagnosis of arboviral infection was confirmed for 15 (21·7%) suspected imported cases, with identification of 13 dengue viruses, one chikungunya virus and one Zika virus. No autochthonous cases were detected. This report illustrates the increase in requests for arboviral infection diagnosis and confirms the challenge with identifying autochthonous arboviral infection cases in many unspecific febrile syndromes.
The cumulative effect of frailty and cognition on mortality – results of a prospective cohort study
Authors: St. John Philip D. , Tyas Suzanne L. , Griffith Lauren E. , Menec Verena 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTBackground:Both physical frailty and cognitive impairment predict death, but the joint effect of these two factors is uncertain. The objectives are to determine if the Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the Frailty Index (FI) predict death over a five-year interval after accounting for the effect of the other; and if there is an interaction in this effect.Methods:An analysis of an existing prospective cohort study of 1,751 community living older adults followed over a five-year time frame. Age, gender, and education were self-reported. The predictor variables were the FI – a measure of frailty based on the “Accumulation of Deficits” model of frailty; and the MMSE. Cox proportional hazards models were constructed for the outcome of time to death.Results:The unadjusted Hazard Ratio (HR) (95% CI) for mortality was 2.17 (1.69, 2.80) for those who were only cognitively impaired, 2.02 (1.53, 2.68) for those who were only frail, and 3.57 (2.75, 4.62) for those who were both frail and cognitively impaired with the reference group of those who were neither frail nor cognitively impaired. Adjusted for age, gender, and education, the HR (95% CI) was 1.49 (1.13. 1.95) for those who were only cognitively impaired, 1.81 (1.35, 2.41) for those who were only frail, and 2.28 (1.69, 3.09) for those who were both frail and cognitively impaired.Conclusions:Both frailty and cognitive impairment are predictors of mortality and the effect is cumulative. There was no interaction in this effect.
Prediction of Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test Performance Using Volumetric and Amyloid-Based Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Quenon Lisa , Dricot Laurence , Woodard John L. , Hanseeuw Bernard , Gilis Nathalie , Lhommel Renaud , Ivanoiu Adrian 
Published: December 2016

AbstractObjectives:Relatively few studies have investigated relationships between performance on clinical memory measures and indexes of underlying neuropathology related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study investigated predictive relationships between Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) cue efficiency (CE) and free-recall (FR) measures and brain amyloid levels, hippocampal volume (HV), and regional cortical thickness.Methods:Thirty-one older controls without memory complaints and 60 patients presenting memory complaints underwent the FCSRT, amyloid imaging using [F18]-flutemetamol positron emission tomography, and surface-based morphometry (SBM) using brain magnetic resonance imaging. Three groups were considered: patients with high (Aβ+P) and low (Aβ− P) amyloid load and controls with low amyloid load (Aβ− C).Results:Aβ+P showed lower CE than both Aβ− groups, but the Aβ− groups did not differ significantly. In contrast, FR discriminated all groups. SBM analyses revealed that CE indexes were correlated with the cortical thickness of a wider set of left-lateralized temporal and parietal regions than FR. Regression analyses demonstrated that amyloid load and left HV independently predicted FCSRT scores. Moreover, CE indexes were predicted by the cortical thickness of some regions involved in early AD, such as the entorhinal cortex.Conclusions:Compared to FR measures, CE indexes appear to be more specific for differentiating persons on the basis of amyloid load. Both CE and FR performance were predicted independently by brain amyloid load and reduced left HV. However, CE performance was also predicted by the cortical thickness of regions known to be atrophic early in AD. (JINS, 2016,22, 991–1004)
Intraindividual Cognitive Variability in Middle Age Predicts Cognitive Impairment 8–10 Years Later: Results from the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention
Authors: Koscik Rebecca L. , Berman Sara E. , Clark Lindsay R. , Mueller Kimberly D. , Okonkwo Ozioma C. , Gleason Carey E. , Hermann Bruce P. , Sager Mark A. , Johnson Sterling C. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractObjectives: Intraindividual cognitive variability (IICV) has been shown to differentiate between groups with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. This study examined whether baseline IICV predicted subsequent mild to moderate cognitive impairment in a cognitively normal baseline sample. Methods: Participants with 4 waves of cognitive assessment were drawn from the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention (WRAP; n=684; 53.6(6.6) baseline age; 9.1(1.0) years follow-up; 70% female; 74.6% parental history of Alzheimer’s disease). The primary outcome was Wave 4 cognitive status (“cognitively normal” vs. “impaired”) determined by consensus conference; “impaired” included early MCI (n=109), clinical MCI (n=11), or dementia (n=1). Primary predictors included two IICV variables, each based on the standard deviation of a set of scores: “6 Factor IICV” and “4 Test IICV”. Each IICV variable was tested in a series of logistic regression models to determine whether IICV predicted cognitive status. In exploratory analyses, distribution-based cutoffs incorporating memory, executive function, and IICV patterns were used to create and test an MCI risk variable. Results: Results were similar for the IICV variables: higher IICV was associated with greater risk of subsequent impairment after covariate adjustment. After adjusting for memory and executive functioning scores contributing to IICV, IICV was not significant. The MCI risk variable also predicted risk of impairment. Conclusions: While IICV in middle-age predicts subsequent impairment, it is a weaker risk indicator than the memory and executive function scores contributing to its calculation. Exploratory analyses suggest potential to incorporate IICV patterns into risk assessment in clinical settings. (JINS, 2016, 22, 1016–1025)
More than two-thirds of dietary iodine in children in northern Ghana is obtained from bouillon cubes containing iodized salt
Authors: Abizari Abdul-Razak , Dold Susanne , Kupka Roland , Zimmermann Michael B 
Published: December 2016

AbstractObjectiveBouillon cubes are widely consumed by poor households in sub-Saharan Africa. Because their main ingredient is salt, bouillon cubes could be a good source of iodine if iodized salt is used in their production and if their consumption by target groups is high. Our objective was to measure the iodine content of bouillon cubes, estimate their daily intake in school-aged children and evaluate their potential contribution to iodine intakes.DesignIn a cross-sectional study, we measured urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) and estimated total daily iodine intakes. We administered a questionnaire on usage of bouillon cubes. We measured the iodine content of bouillon cubes, household salt, drinking-water and milk products.SettingPrimary schools in northern Ghana.SubjectsSchoolchildren aged 6–13 years.ResultsAmong school-aged children (n250), median (interquartile range) UIC and estimated iodine intake were 242 (163–365) µg/l and 129 (85–221) µg/d, indicating adequate iodine status. Median household salt iodine concentration (n100) was only 2·0 (0·83–7·4) µg/g; 72 % of samples contained <5 µg iodine/g. Iodine concentrations in drinking-water and milk-based drinks were negligible. Median iodine content of bouillon cubes was 31·8 (26·8–43·7) µg/g, with large differences between brands. Estimated median per capita consumption of bouillon cubes was 2·4 (1·5–3·3) g/d and median iodine intake from bouillon cubes was 88 (51–110) µg/d.ConclusionsDespite low household coverage with iodized salt, iodine nutrition in school-aged children is adequate and an estimated two-thirds of their dietary iodine is obtained from bouillon cubes.
STAT6 deficiency ameliorates Graves’ disease severity by suppressing thyroid epithelial cell hyperplasia
Authors: Jiang Xuechao , Zha Bingbing , Liu Xiaoming , Liu Ronghua , Liu Jun , Huang Enyu , Qian Tingting , Liu Jiajing , Wang Zhiming , Zhang Dan , Wang Luman , Chu Yiwei 
Published: December 2016

AbstractSignal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) is involved in epithelial cell growth. However, little is known regarding the STAT6 phosphorylation status in Graves’ disease (GD) and its role in thyroid epithelial cells (TECs). In this study, we found that STAT6 phosphorylation (p-STAT6) was significantly increased in TECs from both GD patients and experimental autoimmune Graves’ disease mice and that STAT6 deficiency ameliorated GD symptoms. Autocrine IL-4 signalling in TECs activated the phosphorylation of STAT6 via IL-4 R engagement, and the downstream targets of STAT6 were Bcl-xL and cyclin D1. Thus, the IL-4-STAT6-Bcl-xL/cyclin D1 pathway is crucial for TEC hyperplasia, which aggravates GD. More importantly, in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that STAT6 phosphorylation inhibited by AS1517499 decreased TEC hyperplasia, thereby reducing serum T3 and T4 and ameliorating GD. Thus, our study reveals that in addition to the traditional pathogenesis of GD, in which autoantibody TRAb stimulates thyroid-stimulating hormone receptors and consequently produces T3, T4, TRAb could also trigger TECs producing IL-4, and IL-4 then acts in an autocrine manner to activate p-STAT6 signalling and stimulate unrestricted cell growth, thus aggravating GD. These findings suggest that STAT6 inhibitors could be potent therapeutics for treating GD.
Combined nifuroxazide and SAT05f therapy reduces graft-versus-host disease after experimental allogeneic bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Jia Huijie , Zhao Tiesuo , Ji Yinghua , Jia Xiaolong , Ren Wenjing , Li Chen , Li Minming , Xiao Yali , Wang Hui , Xu Kailin 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAcute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) is the major barrier to the broader use of allogenetic hematopoietic stem cells. However, currently these are no highly specific and efficient drugs. Monotherapy is not sufficient and more efficient and safe therapeutic regimen are urgent need. Studies demonstrated TLR9 and Stat3 signal pathways are critical for antigen-presenting cell maturation and T-cell activation, which are important mediators in aGvHD. Specific block these two critical signal pathways using their inhibitors SAT05f and nifuroxazide may be the novel strategies for aGvHD therapy. The results showed combined therapy significantly decreased the severity of aGvHD and prolonged the survival rate. Furthermore, after treatment, the activation of CD4+ effect T cells was reduced, whereas Treg cells was increased, and the cytokine release was inhibited. In conclusion, combined therapy of nifuroxazide with SAT05f may be potential for the prevention or treatment of aGvHD, providing theoretic and experimental basis.
Inflammatory macrophages can transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts during renal fibrosis
Authors: Meng Xiao-Ming , Wang Shuang , Huang Xiao-Ru , Yang Chen , Xiao Jun , Zhang Yang , To Ka-Fai , Nikolic-Paterson David J , Lan Hui-Yao 
Published: December 2016

AbstractMyofibroblasts play a central role in renal fibrosis although the origin of these cells remains controversial. We recently reported that bone marrow-derived macrophages can give rise to myofibroblasts through macrophage to myofibroblast transition (MMT). However, several important issues remain to be addressed, including whether MMT occurs in human kidney disease and verification of the MMT process through lineage tracing. Biopsies from a cohort of 58 patients with various forms of kidney disease were examined for MMT cells that co-express macrophage (CD68) and myofibroblast (α-smooth muscle actin, α-SMA) markers. MMT cells were evident in active fibrotic lesions, but were largely absent in acute inflammatory or sclerotic lesions, suggesting that MMT cells contribute to progressive renal fibrosis. Fate-mapping studies in LysMCreTomato mice identified substantial numbers of Tomato+ myeloid cells with F4/80+ macrophage phenotype expressing α-SMA and collagen I in the unilateral ureteral obstructive model of renal fibrosis, providing direct evidence for the MMT process during the development of renal fibrosis. In addition, MMT cells had a predominant M2 phenotype in both human and mouse renal fibrosis. Finally, selective depletion of myeloid cells via diphtheria toxin in LysMCreiDTR mice largely abolished macrophage infiltration and MMT cells in the obstructed kidney and substantially reduced accumulation of α-SMA+ myofibroblasts and collagen deposition, revealing a pathogenic role for inflammatory macrophages in MMT and tissue fibrosis. In conclusion, these findings provide substantial new data to support the postulate that macrophages can directly transdifferentiate into collagen-producing myofibroblasts in human and experimental kidney disease.
Bcl-3 regulates TGFβ signaling by stabilizing Smad3 during breast cancer pulmonary metastasis
Authors: Chen Xi , Cao Xinwei , Sun Xiaohua , Lei Rong , Chen Pengfei , Zhao Yongxu , Jiang Yuhang , Yin Jie , Chen Ran , Ye Deji , Wang Qi , Liu Zhanjie , Liu Sanhong , Cheng Chunyan , Mao Jie , Hou Yingyong , Wang Mingliang , Siebenlist Ulrich , Eugene Chin Y , Wang Ying , Cao Liu , Hu Guohong , Zhang Xiaoren 
Published: December 2016

AbstractTransforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling in breast cancer is selectively associated with pulmonary metastasis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we show that Bcl-3, a member of the IκB family, serves as a critical regulator in TGFβ signaling to modulate breast cancer pulmonary metastasis. Bcl-3 expression was significantly associated with metastasis-free survival in breast cancer patients. Bcl-3 deletion inhibited the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells in vitro, as well as breast cancer lung metastasis in vivo. Bcl-3 was required for the expression of downstream TGFβ signaling genes that are involved in breast cancer lung metastasis. Bcl-3 knockdown enhanced the degradation of Smad3 but not Smad2 following TGFβ treatment. Bcl-3 could bind to Smad3 and prevent the ubiquitination and degradation of Smad3 protein. These results indicate that Bcl-3 serves as a promising target to prevent breast tumor lung metastasis.
Biomimetic Sniffing Improves the Detection Performance of a 3D Printed Nose of a Dog and a Commercial Trace Vapor Detector
Authors: Staymates Matthew E. , MacCrehan William A. , Staymates Jessica L. , Kunz Roderick R. , Mendum Thomas , Ong Ta-Hsuan , Geurtsen Geoffrey , Gillen Greg J. , Craven Brent A. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractUnlike current chemical trace detection technology, dogs actively sniff to acquire an odor sample. Flow visualization experiments with an anatomically-similar 3D printed dog’s nose revealed the external aerodynamics during canine sniffing, where ventral-laterally expired air jets entrain odorant-laden air toward the nose, thereby extending the “aerodynamic reach” for inspiration of otherwise inaccessible odors. Chemical sampling and detection experiments quantified two modes of operation with the artificial nose-active sniffing and continuous inspiration-and demonstrated an increase in odorant detection by a factor of up to 18 for active sniffing. A 16-fold improvement in detection was demonstrated with a commercially-available explosives detector by applying this bio-inspired design principle and making the device “sniff” like a dog. These lessons learned from the dog may benefit the next-generation of vapor samplers for explosives, narcotics, pathogens, or even cancer, and could inform future bio-inspired designs for optimized sampling of odor plumes.
Compound danshen dripping pills modulate the perturbed energy metabolism in a rat model of acute myocardial ischemia
Authors: Guo Jiahua , Yong Yonghong , Aa Jiye , Cao Bei , Sun Runbin , Yu Xiaoyi , Huang Jingqiu , Yang Na , Yan Lulu , Li Xinxin , Cao Jing , Aa Nan , Yang Zhijian , Kong Xiangqing , Wang Liansheng , Zhu Xuanxuan , Ma Xiaohui , Guo Zhixin , Zhou Shuiping , Sun He , Wang Guangji 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe continuous administration of compound danshen dripping pills (CDDP) showed good efficacy in relieving myocardial ischemia clinically. To probe the underlying mechanism, metabolic features were evaluated in a rat model of acute myocardial ischemia induced by isoproterenol (ISO) and administrated with CDDP using a metabolomics platform. Our data revealed that the ISO-induced animal model showed obvious myocardial injury, decreased energy production, and a marked change in metabolomic patterns in plasma and heart tissue. CDDP pretreatment increased energy production, ameliorated biochemical indices, modulated the changes and metabolomic pattern induced by ISO, especially in heart tissue. For the first time, we found that ISO induced myocardial ischemia was accomplished with a reduced fatty acids metabolism and an elevated glycolysis for energy supply upon the ischemic stress; while CDDP pretreatment prevented the tendency induced by ISO and enhanced a metabolic shift towards fatty acids metabolism that conventionally dominates energy supply to cardiac muscle cells. These data suggested that the underlying mechanism of CDDP involved regulating the dominant energy production mode and enhancing a metabolic shift toward fatty acids metabolism in ischemic heart. It was further indicated that CDDP had the potential to prevent myocardial ischemia in clinic.
Association between preterm brain injury and exposure to chorioamnionitis during fetal life
Authors: Anblagan Devasuda , Pataky Rozalia , Evans Margaret J. , Telford Emma J. , Serag Ahmed , Sparrow Sarah , Piyasena Chinthika , Semple Scott I. , Wilkinson Alastair Graham , Bastin Mark E. , Boardman James P. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPreterm infants are susceptible to inflammation-induced white matter injury but the exposures that lead to this are uncertain. Histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) reflects intrauterine inflammation, can trigger a fetal inflammatory response, and is closely associated with premature birth. In a cohort of 90 preterm infants with detailed placental histology and neonatal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data at term equivalent age, we used Tract-based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) to perform voxel-wise statistical comparison of fractional anisotropy (FA) data and computational morphometry analysis to compute the volumes of whole brain, tissue compartments and cerebrospinal fluid, to test the hypothesis that HCA is an independent antenatal risk factor for preterm brain injury. Twenty-six (29%) infants had HCA and this was associated with decreased FA in the genu, cingulum cingulate gyri, centrum semiovale, inferior longitudinal fasciculi, limbs of the internal capsule, external capsule and cerebellum (p < 0.05, corrected), independent of degree of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and postnatal sepsis. This suggests that diffuse white matter injury begins in utero for a significant proportion of preterm infants, which focuses attention on the development of methods for detecting fetuses and placentas at risk as a means of reducing preterm brain injury.