bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Propagation of pure fetal and maternal mesenchymal stromal cells from terminal chorionic villi of human term placenta
Authors: Mathews Smitha , Lakshmi Rao K. , Suma Prasad K. , Kanakavalli M. K. , Govardhana Reddy A. , Avinash Raj T. , Thangaraj Kumarasamy , Pande Gopal 
Published: May 2015

AbstractLong term propagation of human fetal mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC)in vitrohas proven elusive due to limited availability of fetal tissue sources and lack of appropriate methodologies. Here, we have demonstrated the presence of fetal and maternal cells within the tips of terminal chorionic villi (TCV) of normal human term placenta and we have exploited inherent differences in the adhesive and migratory properties of maternalvs. fetal cells, to establish pure MSC cultures of both cell types. The origin and purity of each culture was confirmed by X-Y chromosome-specific fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH) and short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping. This is the first demonstration of fetal and maternal cells in the TCV of human term placenta and also of deriving pure fetal MSC cultures from them. The concomitant availability of pure cultures of adult and fetal MSC from one tissue provides a good system to compare genetic and epigenetic differences between adult and fetal MSCs; and also to generate new models of cell based therapies in regenerative medicine.
Emergent Complex Network Geometry
Authors: Wu Zhihao , Menichetti Giulia , Rahmede Christoph , Bianconi Ginestra 
Published: May 2015

AbstractNetworks are mathematical structures that are universally used to describe a large variety of complex systems such as the brain or the Internet. Characterizing the geometrical properties of these networks has become increasingly relevant for routing problems, inference and data mining. In real growing networks, topological, structural and geometrical properties emerge spontaneously from their dynamical rules. Nevertheless we still miss a model in which networks develop an emergent complex geometry. Here we show that a single two parameter network model, the growing geometrical network, can generate complex network geometries with non-trivial distribution of curvatures, combining exponential growth and small-world properties with finite spectral dimensionality. In one limit, the non-equilibrium dynamical rules of these networks can generate scale-free networks with clustering and communities, in another limit planar random geometries with non-trivial modularity. Finally we find that these properties of the geometrical growing networks are present in a large set of real networks describing biological, social and technological systems.
Morphological Characterisation of Unstained and Intact Tissue Micro-architecture by X-ray Computed Micro- and Nano-Tomography
Authors: Walton Lucy A. , Bradley Robert S. , Withers Philip J. , Newton Victoria L. , Watson Rachel E. B. , Austin Clare , Sherratt Michael J. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractCharacterisation and quantification of tissue structures is limited by sectioning-induced artefacts and by the difficulties of visualising and segmenting 3D volumes. Here we demonstrate that, even in the absence of X-ray contrast agents, X-ray computed microtomography (microCT) and nanotomography (nanoCT) can circumvent these problems by rapidly resolving compositionally discrete 3D tissue regions (such as the collagen-rich adventitia and elastin-rich lamellae in intact rat arteries) which in turn can be segmented due to their different X-ray opacities and morphologies. We then establish, using X-ray tomograms of both unpressurised and pressurised arteries that intra-luminal pressure not only increases lumen cross-sectional area and straightens medial elastic lamellae but also induces profound remodelling of the adventitial layer. Finally we apply microCT to another human organ (skin) to visualise the cell-rich epidermis and extracellular matrix-rich dermis and to show that conventional histological and immunohistochemical staining protocols are compatible with prior X-ray exposure. As a consequence we suggest that microCT could be combined with optical microscopy to characterise the 3D structure and composition of archival paraffin embedded biological materials and of mechanically stressed dynamic tissues such as the heart, lungs and tendons.
Number of Nanoparticles per Cell through a Spectrophotometric Method - A key parameter to Assess Nanoparticle-based Cellular Assays
Authors: Unciti-Broceta Juan D. , Cano-Cortés Victoria , Altea-Manzano Patricia , Pernagallo Salvatore , Díaz-Mochón Juan J. , Sánchez-Martín Rosario M. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractEngineered nanoparticles (eNPs) for biological and biomedical applications are produced from functionalised nanoparticles (NPs) after undergoing multiple handling steps, giving rise to an inevitable loss of NPs. Herein we present a practical method to quantify nanoparticles (NPs) number per volume in an aqueous suspension using standard spectrophotometers and minute amounts of the suspensions (up to 1 μL). This method allows, for the first time, to analyse cellular uptake by reporting NPs number added per cell, as opposed to current methods which are related to solid content (w/V) of NPs. In analogy to the parameter used in viral infective assays (multiplicity of infection), we propose to name this novel parameter as multiplicity of nanofection.
Osteoarthritis Increases the Risk of Dementia: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Shih-Wei , Wang Wei-Te , Chou Lin-Chung , Liao Chun-De , Liou Tsan-Hon , Lin Hui-Wen 
Published: May 2015

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) and dementia are prevalent causes of disability in geriatric patients. To date, information on the temporal correlation between these progressive diseases and the risk of dementia in patients with OA is limited. This retrospective population-based 4-year cohort study investigated the risk of dementia in patients with OA. We performed a case-control matched analysis by using the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005. Patients were selected on the basis of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes for OA between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2007. The prevalence and the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of dementia in patients with and without OA were estimated. The OA cohort comprised 35,149 patients and the non-OA cohort (comparison cohort) comprised 70,298 patients (1:2). The incidence of dementia was 21.7 per 10,000 person-years in the OA cohort and 14.7 per 10,000 person-years in the non-OA cohort. The HR for dementia during the follow-up period was 1.33 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17−1.50, P < 0.001) for patients with OA. The adjusted HR for dementia was 1.25 (95% CI, 1.10−1.43, P < 0.001) for patients with OA. The results of this study indicated that OA is an independent risk factor for dementia.
Circulating microRNAs are promising novel biomarkers for drug-resistant epilepsy
Authors: Wang Jun , Tan Lan , Tan Lin , Tian Yan , Ma Jing , Tan Chen-Chen , Wang Hui-Fu , Liu Ying , Tan Meng-Shan , Jiang Teng , Yu Jin-Tai 
Published: May 2015

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) open up a new field for molecular diagnosis for cancer and other diseases based on their stability in serum. However, the role of circulating miRNAs in plasma/serum in epilepsy diagnosis is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether miRNAs can be used as biomarkers for drug-resistant epilepsy. We measured the differences in serum miRNA levels between 30 drug-resistant patients and 30 drug-responsive epilepsy patients in discovery and training phases using Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencing followed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays. The selected miRNAs were then validated in 77 drug-resistant epilepsy patients, 81 drug-responsive epilepsy patients and 85 healthy controls by qRT-PCR. We found that circulating miRNAs are differentially expressed between drug-resistant group and drug-responsive group. MiR-194-5p, -301a-3p, -30b-5p, -342-5p and -4446-3p were significantly deregulated in drug-resistant group compared to drug-responsive group and control group. Among these 5 miRNAs, miR-301a-3p had the best diagnostic value for drug-resistant epilepsy with 80.5% sensitivity and 81.2% specificity and was negatively associated with seizure severity. These provide the rationale for further confirmation studies in larger prospective cohorts and in other ethnics.
An alignment-free method to find and visualise rearrangements between pairs of DNA sequences
Authors: Pratas Diogo , Silva Raquel M. , Pinho Armando J. , Ferreira Paulo J.S.G. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractSpecies evolution is indirectly registered in their genomic structure. The emergence and advances in sequencing technology provided a way to access genome information, namely to identify and study evolutionary macro-events, as well as chromosome alterations for clinical purposes. This paper describes a completely alignment-free computational method, based on a blind unsupervised approach, to detect large-scale and small-scale genomic rearrangements between pairs of DNA sequences. To illustrate the power and usefulness of the method we give complete chromosomal information maps for the pairs human-chimpanzee and human-orangutan. The tool by means of which these results were obtained has been made publicly available and is described in detail.
Real-time monitoring of cell protrusion dynamics by impedance responses
Authors: Gagliardi Paolo Armando , Puliafito Alberto , di Blasio Laura , Chianale Federica , Somale Desiana , Seano Giorgio , Bussolino Federico , Primo Luca 
Published: May 2015

AbstractCellular protrusions are highly dynamic structures involved in fundamental processes,including cell migration and invasion. For a cell to migrate, its leading edge mustform protrusions and then adhere or retract. The spatial and temporal coordinationof protrusions and retraction is yet to be fully understood. The study of protrusiondynamics mainly relies on live-microscopy often coupled to fluorescent labeling.Here we report the use of an alternative, label-free, quantitative and rapid assayto analyze protrusion dynamics in a cell population based on the real-time recordingof cell activity by means of electronic sensors. Cells are seeded on a plate coveredwith electrodes and their shape changes map into measured impedance variations. Upongrowth factor stimulation the impedance increases due to protrusive activity anddecreases following retraction. Compared to microscopy-based methods, impedancemeasurements are suitable to high-throughput studies on different cell lines, growthfactors and chemical compounds. We present data indicating that this assay lendsitself to dissect the biochemical signaling pathways controlling adhesiveprotrusions. Indeed, we show that the protrusion phase is sustained by actinpolymerization, directly driven by growth factor stimulation. Contraction insteadmainly relies on myosin action, pointing at a pivotal role of myosin in lamellipodiaretraction.
Conductivity of Nanowire Arrays under Random and Ordered Orientation Configurations
Authors: Jagota Milind , Tansu Nelson 
Published: May 2015

AbstractA computational model was developed to analyze electrical conductivity of random metal nanowire networks. It was demonstrated for the first time through use of this model that a performance gain in random metal nanowire networks can be achieved by slightly restricting nanowire orientation. It was furthermore shown that heavily ordered configurations do not outperform configurations with some degree of randomness; randomness in the case of metal nanowire orientations acts to increase conductivity.
Serum IGFBP7 levels associate with insulin resistance and the risk of metabolic syndrome in a Chinese population
Authors: Liu Yi , Wu Minliang , Ling Jie , Cai Libing , Zhang Dandan , Gu Harvest F , Wang Hao , Zhu Yimin , Lai Maode 
Published: May 2015

AbstractMetabolic syndrome (MetS), one of the major public health concerns, is regarded as the “common soil” of incidence of common chronic diseases and may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. The predominant underlying mechanism of MetS is insulin resistance (IR). Additionally, previous studies have indicated that IGFBP7 has high affinity of binding with insulin and might induce IR. The objective of this study was to firstly evaluate the associations of serum IGFBP7 levels with IR and MetS with a relatively large sample and population based design. In a population based MetS case-control study, HOMA-IR was used to evaluate the insulin sensitivity and serum IGFBP7 levels were determined with chemiluminescence–linked immunoassay. As a result, the subjects of MetS and IR had higher serum levels of IGFBP7 than control healthy subjects. High serum IGFBP7 levels increased the risk of MetS and IR. Serum IGFBP7 levels were also found to be significantly correlated with metabolic-associated parameters of Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), HDL and LDL. These findings suggest that serum IGFBP7 levels are associated with IR and MetS, providing new insight into the mechanism of IR and Mets. IGFBP7 may be a potential interventional target for IR and Mets.
Evaluating information content of SNPs for sample-tagging in re-sequencing projects
Authors: Hu Hao , Liu Xiang , Jin Wenfei , Hilger Ropers H , Wienker Thomas F 
Published: May 2015

AbstractSample-tagging is designed for identification of accidental sample mix-up, which is a major issue in re-sequencing studies. In this work, we develop a model to measure the information content of SNPs, so that we can optimize a panel of SNPs that approach the maximal information for discrimination. The analysis shows that as low as 60 optimized SNPs can differentiate the individuals in a population as large as the present world and only 30 optimized SNPs are in practice sufficient in labeling up to 100 thousand individuals. In the simulated populations of 100 thousand individuals, the average Hamming distances, generated by the optimized set of 30 SNPs are larger than 18 and the duality frequency, is lower than 1 in 10 thousand. This strategy of sample discrimination is proved robust in large sample size and different datasets. The optimized sets of SNPs are designed for Whole Exome Sequencing and a program is provided for SNP selection, allowing for customized SNP numbers and interested genes. The sample-tagging plan based on this framework will improve re-sequencing projects in terms of reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Curcumin-Encapsulated Polymeric Micelles Suppress the Development of Colon Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Yang Xi , Li Zhaojun , Wang Ning , Li Ling , Song Linjiang , He Tao , Sun Lu , Wang Zhihan , Wu Qinjie , Luo Na , Yi Cheng , Gong Changyang 
Published: May 2015

AbstractTo develop injectable formulation and improve the stability of curcumin (Cur), Cur was encapsulated into monomethyl poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (ε-caprolactone)-poly (trimethylene carbonate) (MPEG-P(CL-co-TMC)) micelles through a single-step solid dispersion method. The obtained Cur micelles had a small particle size of 27.6 ± 0.7 nm with polydisperse index (PDI) of 0.11 ± 0.05, drug loading of 14.07 ± 0.94% and encapsulation efficiency of 96.08 ± 3.23%. Both free Cur and Cur micelles efficiently suppressed growth of CT26 colon carcinoma cells in vitro. The results of in vitro anticancer studies confirmed that apoptosis induction and cellular uptake on CT26 cells had completely increased in Cur micelles compared with free Cur. Besides, Cur micelles were more effective in suppressing the tumor growth of subcutaneous CT26 colon in vivo and the mechanisms included the inhibition of tumor proliferation and angiogenesis and increased apoptosis of tumor cells. Furthermore, few side effects were found in Cur micelles. Overall, our findings suggested that Cur micelles could be a stabilized aqueous formulation for intravenous application with improved antitumor activity, which may be a potential treatment strategy for colon cancer in the future.
Digital predistortion method combining memory polynomial and feed‐forward neural network
Authors: Feng X. , Feuvrie B. , Descamps A.S. , Wang Y. 
Published: May 2015

A baseband digital predistortion (DPD) technique based on a feed‐forward neural network (FFNN) is presented. The process of memory polynomial (MP) DPD is time consuming because of the large number of mathematical calculations. The FFNN is adopted to realise the mathematical calculations in MP DPD with direct learning architecture (DLA). The training samples of the FFNN are derived from MP DPD with DLA. It guarantees the accuracy of imitating the MP DPD. Although the training of the FFNN is time consuming, the trained FFNN DPD is less time consuming than MP DPD. This solution is validated based on a power amplifier (PA) ZFL‐2500 driven by a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) signal with 3.84 MHz bandwidth. The experimental results show that the FFNN can mimic the behaviour of the MP DPD. The proposed DPD achieves a significant improvement in linearity and is stable.
Design of compact dual‐passband LTCC filter exploiting stacked QMSIW and EMSIW
Authors: Zhang Xiangjun , Ma Caoyuan , Wang Fei 
Published: May 2015

A dual‐passband low‐temperature co‐fired ceramic (LTCC) filter with a stacked quarter‐mode substrate‐integrated waveguide (QMSIW) and an eighth‐mode SIW (EMSIW) on LTCC substrates is presented. By exploiting the QMSIW and EMSIW cavities, the filter has a dual passband with high selectivity and compact size. The experimental filter exhibits two passbands, one is centred at 5.4 GHz with an insertion loss of <1.7 dB, and a 3 dB bandwidth of 13%. The other is centred at 8.3 GHz with an insertion loss of <1.5 dB, and with a bandwidth of 12.9%. The volume of the filter is only 6.5 × 6.5 × 1.2 mm3.
Threshold voltage compensation scheme for RF‐to‐DC converter used in RFID applications
Authors: Chouhan S.S. , Halonen K. 
Published: May 2015

A threshold voltage (Vth) compensation scheme is proposed. In this scheme, the bias voltage required to compensate the Vth has been acquired from the input radio‐frequency (RF) signal voltage and the output DC voltage. The proposed rectifier and the self Vth‐cancellation (SVC)‐based rectifier have been designed and fabricated in a standard 0.18 μm CMOS technology. Measurements have been performed for various resistive loads at the ISM 433 MHz frequency. The maximum PCE value achieved by the proposed rectifier is 30% at an input RF power level of −5 dBm whereas the maximum PCE achieved by the SVC is 22% at −9 dBm. These PCEs have been measured at a load resistance of value of 10 kΩ.
Digital in‐situ biasing technique
Authors: Hsu Chun‐Wei , Kinget Peter R. 
Published: May 2015

A highly digital in‐situ biasing solution for analogue interfaces in nanoscale complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technologies is presented. The digital biasing scheme uses a time‐based successive approximation conversion to provide the desired analogue functions with the voltage/current input and output. The digital biasing circuit obtains benefits from scaled devices with a small dimension and a high Ft, but with no design difficulties by the advanced CMOS process. By taking advantage of ultra‐compact digital logic for control and adaptation, the digital biasing circuit does not suffer from the impact of intra‐die variations since it eliminates the need for shared biasing approaches. A digital common‐mode feedback circuit (CMFB) for a fully differential amplifier was simulated to demonstrate the advantages of the digital in‐situ biasing scheme. The digital CMFB designed in a 65 nm CMOS process provides a desired output common‐mode voltage as a conventional analogue CMFB, but does not need any stability compensation schemes. Compared with the analogue CMFB, the digital CMFB with the digital‐like structure is more robust, has much smaller area, and does not require large passive components.
Radiographic Analysis of Spinopelvic Sagittal Alignment and Prediction of Lumbar Lordosis in Chinese Asymptomatic Subjects
Authors: Li Wei Shi , Sun Zhuo Ran , Chen Zhong Qiang 
Published: May 2015

Introduction In the past 10 years, the importance of the sagittal shape of human pelvis has been pointed out by the orthopedists. However, most studies were defined in Western and Korean populations. It is unclear whether these characteristics of Chinese spinopelvic sagittal alignment differ from those of western and Korean populations. In addition, the predictive equation of lumbar lordosis remains unclear. This study described normal types of spinopelvic sagittal alignment in Chinese asymptomatic subjects, and investigated a prediction equation of lumbar lordosis from selective spinal and pelvic sagittal parameters. Material and Methods This was a prospective radiological analysis using full-spine standing lateral radiographs of Chinese volunteers. A total of 171 volunteers (94 males and 77 females; mean age, 23 years [range, 18–28 years]) participated. Pelvic and spinal parameters were measured according to geometric characteristics. The Pearson correlation test was calculated, regression analysis was running with the lumbar lordosis (predicted variable), and the other spinal and pelvic parameters (predictor variables), to determine the best sets of predictors to include in the model. Results Mean pelvic incidence was 44.6 ± 9.5 degrees, significantly less than that reported in Western subjects. The volunteers were classified into four types according to the location of their apex of total lumbar lordosis. As the apex of total lumbar lordosis moved cranially, lordosis tilt decreased, whereas lower lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence, sacral slope, and the number of vertebral bodies included in the lower lumbar lordosis increased. On the basis of the pelvic incidence, total lumbar lordosis predictive equation was 0.639 PI + 20.593 degrees. Preliminary prediction of lower lumbar lordosis was PI-10 degrees. Conclusion The sagittal alignment of Chinese population could be classified into four types, and was different from that of Caucasian. Lower lumbar lordosis comprised most of total lumbar lordosis, the role of pelvic incidence in determining the sagittal curve was mainly through the adjustment of lower lumbar lordosis. Using regression analysis, total lumbar lordosis could be precisely predicted in asymptomatic subjects. To optimally plan surgery for spinal deformity, the prediction of postoperative lower lumbar lordosis curvature was equally important as that of total lumbar lordosis.