bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcriptomic alterations during ageing reflect the shift from cancer to degenerative diseases in the elderly
Authors: Aramillo Irizar Peer , Schäuble Sascha , Esser Daniela , Groth Marco , Frahm Christiane , Priebe Steffen , Baumgart Mario , Hartmann Nils , Marthandan Shiva , Menzel Uwe , Müller Jule , Schmidt Silvio , Ast Volker , Caliebe Amke , König Rainer , Krawczak Michael , Ristow Michael , Schuster Stefan , Cellerino Alessandro , Diekmann Stephan , Englert Christoph , Hemmerich Peter , Sühnel Jürgen , Guthke Reinhard , Witte Otto W. , Platzer Matthias , Ruppin Eytan , Kaleta Christoph 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDisease epidemiology during ageing shows a transition from cancer to degenerative chronic disorders as dominant contributors to mortality in the old. Nevertheless, it has remained unclear to what extent molecular signatures of ageing reflect this phenomenon. Here we report on the identification of a conserved transcriptomic signature of ageing based on gene expression data from four vertebrate species across four tissues. We find that ageing-associated transcriptomic changes follow trajectories similar to the transcriptional alterations observed in degenerative ageing diseases but are in opposite direction to the transcriptomic alterations observed in cancer. We confirm the existence of a similar antagonism on the genomic level, where a majority of shared risk alleles which increase the risk of cancer decrease the risk of chronic degenerative disorders and vice versa. These results reveal a fundamental trade-off between cancer and degenerative ageing diseases that sheds light on the pronounced shift in their epidemiology during ageing.
Application of cardiovascular virtual endoscopy: a pilot study on roaming path planning for diagnosis of congenital heart diseases in children
Authors: Yao Li-Ping , Mei Ju , Ding Fang-Bao , Zhang Li , Li Hui-Ming , Ding Ming , Yang Xin , Li Xiao-Ming , Sun Kun 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTo investigate roaming paths planning for diagnosis of congenital heart diseases (CHD) using a cardiovascular virtual endoscopy (VE) system. Forty children were enrolled. VE system was applied to support in establishing a diagnosis. Performance in diagnosing CHDs by CT, VE using automatically planned roaming paths (VE-auto, objects were treated as left heart system and right heart system), VE using manually planned paths (VE-manual), and VE using automatically planned path for left heart system and manually planned path for right heart system (VE-combined) were studied and compared. Comparable accuracy of 93%, 93%, 95% and 95% was found by CT, VE-auto, VE-manual and VE-combined. However, in diagnosing tetralogy of Fallot, significantly higher performance was found by VEs, compared with CT. For VE-auto, poor performance with an accuracy of 85% and sensitivity of 22% was revealed in diagnosing muscular ventricular septal defect, compared with VE-manual and VE-combined. Compared with VE-manual, VE-combined illustrated comparable diagnostic accuracy on all CHDs; however, significantly smaller diagnostic time was utilized (P < 0.05).Cardiovascular VE system demonstrated considerable clinical value in the diagnosis of CHDs. Left and right heart system should not be modeled as two cavity objects simultaneously. When one of two systems is treated as one object, the other system should be treated as three separate objects when using VE to diagnose CHDs.
Microbial regulation of the L cell transcriptome
Authors: Arora Tulika , Akrami Rozita , Pais Ramona , Bergqvist Linda , Johansson Bengt R. , Schwartz Thue W. , Reimann Frank , Gribble Fiona M. , Bäckhed Fredrik 
Published: January 2018

AbstractL cells are an important class of enteroendocrine cells secreting hormones such as glucagon like peptide-1 and peptide YY that have several metabolic and physiological effects. The gut is home to trillions of bacteria affecting host physiology, but there has been limited understanding about how the microbiota affects gene expression in L cells. Thus, we rederived the reporter mouse strain, GLU-Venus expressing yellow fluorescent protein under the control of the proglucagon gene, as germ-free (GF). Lposcells from ileum and colon of GF and conventionally raised (CONV-R) GLU-Venus mice were isolated and subjected to transcriptomic profiling. We observed that the microbiota exerted major effects on ileal L cells. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed that microbiota suppressed biological processes related to vesicle localization and synaptic vesicle cycling in Lposcells from ileum. This finding was corroborated by electron microscopy of Lposcells showing reduced numbers of vesicles as well as by demonstrating decreased intracellular GLP-1 content in primary cultures from ileum of CONV-R compared with GF GLU-Venus mice. By analysing Lposcells following colonization of GF mice we observed that the greatest transcriptional regulation was evident within 1 day of colonization. Thus, the microbiota has a rapid and pronounced effect on the L cell transcriptome, predominantly in the ileum.
Light induced assembly and self-sorting of silica microparticles
Authors: Vilanova Neus , Feijter Isja de , Teunissen Abraham J. P. , Voets Ilja K. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTo tailor the properties of colloidal materials, precise control over the self-assembly of their constituents is a prerequisite. Here, we govern the assembly of silica particles by functionalization with supramolecular moieties which interact with each other via directional and reversible hydrogen bonding. Through a generally applicable synthesis protocol, two different types of self-complementary hydrogen bonding moieties, BTA- and UPy-derivatives, are anchored to silica particles. Their self-assembly is initiated by the UV-induced removal of a photolabile protecting group, allowing the formation of hydrogen bonds between tethered molecules. The light-induced assembly of BTA- and UPy-decorated colloids in single-component dispersions and colloidal self-sorting in mixed dispersions is studied. Furthermore, we demonstrate that UPy-colloids can dissasemble upon addition of traces of a competitive binder (NaPy). This work provides further insight into the utility of supramolecular handles to orchestrate the assembly of micron-sized colloids via non-oligonucleotide hydrogen-bonding units.
Design of non-equiatomic medium-entropy alloys
Authors: Zhou Yang , Zhou Dong , Jin Xi , Zhang Lu , Du Xingyu , Li Bangsheng 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHigh-entropy alloys have attracted much attention due to their unique microstructures and excellent properties. Since their invention more than ten years ago, research attention has been mainly focused on the study of multicomponent alloys with equiatomic or near-equiatomic compositions. Here we propose a novel design of non-equiatomic medium-entropy alloys that contain one matrix element and several equiatomic alloying elements. To verify the utility of this new design, a series of Co-free Fex(CrNiAl)100−x (at.%, 25 ≤ x ≤ 65) medium-entropy alloys were designed from the much-studied FeNiCrCoAl high-entropy alloy. Detailed characterization reveals that the alloys exhibit novel two-phase microstructures consisting of B2-ordered nanoprecipitates and BCC-disordered matrix. As the alloys deviate far from equiatomic composition, the structure of the nanoprecipitates transfers from a spinodal-like intertwined structure to a nanoparticle dispersed structure. Previous parametric approaches to predict phase formation rules for high-entropy alloys are unable to describe the phase separation behaviors in the studied alloys. Our findings provide a new route to design medium-entropy alloys and also demonstrate a strategy for designing nanostructured alloys from multicomponent alloy systems through simple variations in non-equiatomic compositions.
Effects of ambroxol on the autophagy-lysosome pathway and mitochondria in primary cortical neurons
Authors: Magalhaes J. , Gegg M. E. , Migdalska-Richards A. , Schapira A. H. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractGlucocerebrosidase (GBA1) mutations are the major genetic risk factor for Parkinson’s Disease (PD). The pathogenic mechanism is still unclear, but alterations in lysosomal-autophagy processes are implicated due to reduction of mutated glucocerebrosidase (GCase) in lysosomes. Wild-type GCase activity is also decreased in sporadic PD brains. Small molecule chaperones that increase lysosomal GCase activity have potential to be disease-modifying therapies for GBA1-associated and sporadic PD. Therefore we have used mouse cortical neurons to explore the effects of the chaperone ambroxol. This chaperone increased wild-type GCase mRNA, protein levels and activity, as well as increasing other lysosomal enzymes and LIMP2, the GCase transporter. Transcription factor EB (TFEB), the master regulator of the CLEAR pathway involved in lysosomal biogenesis was also increased upon ambroxol treatment. Moreover, we found macroautophagy flux blocked and exocytosis increased in neurons treated with ambroxol. We suggest that ambroxol is blocking autophagy and driving cargo towards the secretory pathway. Mitochondria content was also found to be increased by ambroxol via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1-α). Our data suggest that ambroxol, besides being a GCase chaperone, also acts on other pathways, such as mitochondria, lysosomal biogenesis, and the secretory pathway.
Making spectral shape measurements in inverse Compton scattering a tool for advanced diagnostic applications
Authors: Krämer J. M. , Jochmann A. , Budde M. , Bussmann M. , Couperus J. P. , Cowan T. E. , Debus A. , Köhler A. , Kuntzsch M. , Laso García A. , Lehnert U. , Michel P. , Pausch R. , Zarini O. , Schramm U. , Irman A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractInteraction of relativistic electron beams with high power lasers can both serve as a secondary light source and as a novel diagnostic tool for various beam parameters. For both applications, it is important to understand the dynamics of the inverse Compton scattering mechanism and the dependence of the scattered light’s spectral properties on the interacting laser and electron beam parameters. Measurements are easily misinterpreted due to the complex interplay of the interaction parameters. Here we report the potential of inverse Compton scattering as an advanced diagnostic tool by investigating two of the most influential interaction parameters, namely the laser intensity and the electron beam emittance. Established scaling laws for the spectral bandwidth and redshift of the mean scattered photon energy are refined. This allows for a quantitatively well matching prediction of the spectral shape. Driving the interaction to a nonlinear regime, we spectrally resolve the rise of higher harmonic radiation with increasing laser intensity. Unprecedented agreement with 3D radiation simulations is found, showing the good control and characterization of the interaction. The findings advance the interpretation of inverse Compton scattering measurements into a diagnostic tool for electron beams from laser plasma acceleration.
Whole Organ Blood and Lymphatic Vessels Imaging (WOBLI)
Authors: Oren Roni , Fellus-Alyagor Liat , Addadi Yoseph , Bochner Filip , Gutman Hila , Blumenreich Shani , Dafni Hagit , Dekel Nava , Neeman Michal , Lazar Shlomi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThin section histology is limited in providing 3D structural information, particularly of the intricate morphology of the vasculature. Availability of high spatial resolution imaging for thick samples, would overcome the restriction dictated by low light penetration. Our study aimed at optimizing the procedure for efficient and affordable tissue clearing, along with an appropriate immunofluorescence labeling that will be applicable for high resolution imaging of blood and lymphatic vessels. The new procedure, termed whole organ blood and lymphatic vessels imaging (WOBLI), is based on two previously reported methods, CLARITY and ScaleA2. We used this procedure for the analysis of isolated whole ovary, uterus, lung and liver. These organs were subjected to passive clearing, following fixation, immunolabeling and embedding in hydrogel. Cleared specimens were immersed in ScaleA2 solution until transparency was achieved and imaged using light sheet microscopy. We demonstrate that WOBLI allows detailed analysis and generation of structural information of the lymphatic and blood vasculature from thick slices and more importantly, from whole organs. We conclude that WOBLI offers the advantages of morphology and fluorescence preservation with efficient clearing. Furthermore, WOBLI provides a robust, cost-effective method for generation of transparent specimens, allowing high resolution, 3D-imaging of blood and lymphatic vessels networks.
Comparing different technologies for active TB case-finding among the homeless: a transmission-dynamic modelling study
Authors: Mugwagwa Tendai , Stagg Helen R. , Abubakar Ibrahim , White Peter J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHomeless persons have elevated risk of tuberculosis (TB) and are under-served by conventional health services. Approaches to active case-finding (ACF) and treatment tailored to their needs are required. A transmission-dynamic model was developed to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of screening with mobile Chest X-ray, GeneXpert, or both. Effectiveness of ACF depends upon the prevalence of infection in the population (which determines screening ‘yield’), patient willingness to wait for GeneXpert results, and treatment adherence. ACF is efficient when TB prevalence exceeds 78/100,000 and 46% of drug sensitive TB cases and 33% of multi-drug resistant TB cases complete treatment. This threshold increases to 92/100,000 if additional post-ACF enhanced case management (ECM) increases treatment completion to 85%. Generally, the most efficient option is one-step screening of all patients with GeneXpert, but if too many patients (>27% without ECM, >19% with ECM) are unwilling to wait the 90 minutes required then two-step screening using chest X-ray (which is rapid) followed by GeneXpert for confirmation of TB is the most efficient option. Targeted ACF and support services benefit health through early successful treatment and averting TB transmission and disease. The optimal strategy is setting-specific, requiring careful consideration of patients’ needs regarding testing and treatment.
Geographically weighted temporally correlated logistic regression model
Authors: Liu Yang , Lam Kwok-Fai , Wu Joseph T. , Lam Tommy Tsan-Yuk 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDetecting the temporally and spatially varying correlations is important to understand the biological and disease systems. Here we proposed a geographically weighted temporally correlated logistic regression (GWTCLR) model to identify such dynamic correlation of predictors on binomial outcome data, by incorporating spatial and temporal information for joint inference. The local likelihood method is adopted to estimate the spatial relationship, while the smoothing method is employed to estimate the temporal variation. We present the construction and implementation of GWTCLR and the study of the asymptotic properties of the proposed estimator. Simulation studies were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the proposed model. GWTCLR was applied on real epidemiologic data to study the climatic determinants of human seasonal influenza epidemics. Our method obtained results largely consistent with previous studies but also revealed certain spatial and temporal varying patterns that were unobservable by previous models and methods.
Thermal Dynamics Effects using Pulse-Shaping Laser Sintering of Printed Silver Inks
Authors: Bolduc M. , Trudeau C. , Beaupré P. , Cloutier S. G. , Galarneau P. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn recent years, additive manufacturing has been evolving towards flexible substrates for the fabrication of printable electronic devices and circuits. Generally polymer-based, these emerging substrates suffer from their heat sensitivity and low glass-transition temperatures. As such they require new highly-localized sintering processes to treat the electronic inks without damaging the polymer-based substrate. Laser-based sintering techniques have shown great promises to achieve high-quality sintering locally, while controlling the heat penetration to preserve the polymer substrates integrity. In this report, we explore new optimization pathways for dynamic laser-based sintering of conductive silver inks. Multiple passes of a pulsed laser are first performed while varying pulse train frequencies and pulse energies as an attempt to optimize the properties of the silver inks. Then, time-domain pulse shaping is performed to alter the properties of the conductive inks. Together, these pathways allow for the careful control of the time-domain laser energy distribution in order to achieve the best electronic performances while preserving the substrate’s integrity. Sheet resistance values as low as 0.024Ω/□ are achieved, which is comparable to conventional 1-hour oven annealing, with the processing time dramatically reduced to the milisecond range. These results are supported by finite element modeling of the laser-induced thermal dynamics.
Gene expression of human endometrial L-selectin ligand in relation to the phases of the natural menstrual cycle
Authors: Lai Tsung-Hsuan , Chang Fung-Wei , Lin Jun-Jie , Ling Qing-Dong 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis study investigates peptide components of L-selectin ligand (LSL) and their gene expressions in human endometrium during the natural menstrual cycle. We recruited 41 endometrial samples from reproductive-aged women with leiomyoma and undergoing hysterectomy and 11 endometrial samples from menopausal women as controls. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong MECA-79 expression from the early through the mid-secretory phase and low expression in menopausal endometrium. Five peptide components of LSL were detected in reproductive and menopausal endometrium by one-step quantitative RT-PCR: podocalyxin, endomucin, nepmucin, GlyCAM-1, and CD34. Endomucin differed significantly between the proliferative and early-secretory phases. CHST2 and CHST4 genes (which are involved in the generation of LSL epitopes) were expressed without significant differences among phases. The gene expression of progesterone receptor decreased from the proliferative to the late-secretory phase, and the difference was significant. However, estrogen receptor α expression showed stability among phases. The significant expression of endomucin between the proliferative and early-secretory phases might play a vital role in endometrial receptivity. Further studies are needed to investigate the factors that regulate the expression of endomucin and other LSL peptide components in different phases of the menstrual cycle.
Effect of inductor parasitic resistances on the voltage gain of high step‐up DC–DC converters for electric vehicle applications
Authors: Martinez Wilmar , Cortes Camilo , Yamamoto Masayoshi , Imaoka Jun 
Published: January 2018

Reconfiguration, sizing and downsizing of the storage unit, in electrically propelled vehicles, are techniques that have been reported effective to improve the shelf life and performance of the storage cells. However, these solutions might decrease the rated voltage of the storage unit and therefore DC‐DC converters with high voltage gain are suitable solutions to connect these low‐voltage units to the motor drive, keeping a good performance of the vehicle. Moreover, parasitic resistances presented in the components of these converters have proved to influence the efficiency and the voltage gain of the converter. The ideal voltage gain of four high step‐up converters is analysed, derived, and compared. These converters were selected because of their potential to be applied in electric mobility and their similarity in the techniques that use to achieve high voltage gain: interleaving phases and magnetic integration. One of the analysed topologies is proposed by the authors. Afterwards, the parasitic resistance effect is analysed to obtain the non‐ideal voltage gain and the efficiency of these four topologies. Finally, the topology that presents the best trade‐off between the non‐ideal voltage gain and the efficiency is experimentally tested with a 100 W prototype
Performance analysis of an interference cancellation technique for radio navigation
Authors: Jang Jaegyu , Seo Seungwoo , Ahn Woo‐Guen , Lee Jangyong , Park Junpyo 
Published: January 2018

This study describes the theoretical performance of a successive interference cancellation (IC) technique as an electronic counter countermeasure and verifies its feasibility through experiments. In a radio navigation system using direct sequence/code division multiple access, strong pseudorandom signals can be used as interference sources for unauthorised users when regional radio navigation needs to be denied in a specific area, while authorised users can use both the strong signal and the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) ranging signal for navigation through the IC method. To determine the feasibility of this selective jamming concept, this study investigated its theoretical performance and compared the results with experimental ones. The experimental results show that a maximum jamming‐to‐signal ratio performance of 57 dB or higher can be achieved, which is similar to the theoretical estimation.
Auditory P300 and mismatch negativity (MMN) in patients with peripheral vestibular hypofunction
Authors: El-Gharib Amani , Nada Ebtessam , Lasheen Reham 
Published: January 2018

Introduction:
There is increasing evidence that the loss of vestibular sensory information may change, possibly permanently, the way that cognitive processing areas of the brain integrate spatial and non-spatial information.

Objective:
We designed this research to assess attention by auditory P300 and memory by MMN in patients with peripheral vestibular hypofunction.

Materials and method:
The field included 40 subjects divided into two groups, a study group (SG) and a control group (CG). SG: consisted of 20 adult patients with unilateral uncompensated peripheral vestibular hypofunction. CG: consists of 20 normal individuals with normal vestibular function. All matters were submitted to basic audiological evaluation, VNG, P300 and MMN.

The results:
Our results presented that in patients with unilateral caloric hypofunction, auditory P300 and MMN showed prolonged latency and smaller amplitude than normal. These parameters were involved not simply in the ear ipsilateral to the affected side, but also the contralateral one.

Conclusions:
The results of our research confirm the view of the presence of cognitive affection in patient with peripheral vestibular lesion. This cognitive affection appeared in the form of attention and memory deficit.
Measuring Food Expenditure Poverty in SNAP Populations: Some Extensions with an Application to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Authors: Yang Yanliang , Davis George C , You Wen 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe adequacy of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits is always an important concern. This article extends the most common measure for evaluating the adequacy of SNAP, food expenditures, and uses more comprehensive metrics to evaluate the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These more comprehensive metrics are easy to implement with existing data, more closely tied to the purpose of the SNAP, and indicate a slightly larger impact of the ARRA.