bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical efficacy of early loading versus conventional loading of dental implants
Authors: Zhu Yanfei , Zheng Xinyi , Zeng Guanqi , Xu Yi , Qu Xinhua , Zhu Min , Lu Eryi 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the clinical differences between early and conventional loading protocols for dental implants. A comprehensive search of the Medline, Embase and OVID databases for studies published through January 10, 2015 was conducted. Fourteen studies were included in our analysis. We found that early loading imposed a significantly higher risk of implant failure than did conventional loading (risk ratio = 2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.18, 3.69], P = 0.01), while no significant differences between the methods were found with regards to the marginal bone loss (weighted mean differences [WMD] = 0.11, 95% CI [−0.07, 0.28], P = 0.23), periotest value (WMD = 0.02, 95% CI [−0.83, 0.87], P = 0.96), or implant stability quotient (WMD = 0.79, 95% CI [−0.03, 1.62], P = 0.06). As for the health status of the peri-implant tissue, conventionally loaded implants demonstrated better performance than did early loaded implants. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the sample size, time of publication, loading definition, implant position, extent and restoration type influenced the results. Although early implant loading is convenient and comfortable for patients, this method still cannot achieve the same clinical outcomes as the conventional loading method.
Combination of acamprosate and baclofen as a promising therapeutic approach for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Hajj Rodolphe , Milet Aude , Toulorge Damien , Cholet Nathalie , Laffaire Julien , Foucquier Julie , Robelet Sandra , Mitry Richard , Guedj Mickael , Nabirotchkin Serguei , Chumakov Ilya , Cohen Daniel 
Published: November 2015

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the loss of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons but which involves the loss of additional neurotransmitter pathways. Mono- or polytherapeutic interventions in PD patients have declining efficacy long-term and no influence on disease progression. The systematic analysis of available genetic and functional data as well as the substantial overlap between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and PD features led us to repurpose and explore the effectiveness of a combination therapy (ABC) with two drugs – acamprosate and baclofen – that was already effective in AD animal models, for the treatment of PD. We showed in vitro that ABC strongly and synergistically protected neuronal cells from oxidative stress in the oxygen and glucose deprivation model, as well as dopaminergic neurons from cell death in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rat model. Furthermore, we showed that ABC normalised altered motor symptoms in vivo in 6-OHDA-treated rats, acting by protecting dopaminergic cell bodies and their striatal terminals. Interestingly, ABC also restored a normal behaviour pattern in lesioned rats suggesting a symptomatic effect and did not negatively interact with L-dopa. Our results demonstrate the potential value of combining repurposed drugs as a promising new strategy to treat this debilitating disease.
Apelin regulates FoxO3 translocation to mediate cardioprotective responses to myocardial injury and obesity
Authors: Boal Frederic , Roumegoux Jessica , Alfarano Chiara , Timotin Andrei , Calise Denis , Anesia Rodica , Drougard Anne , Knauf Claude , Lagente Christine , Roncalli Jerome , Desmoulin Franck , Tronchere Helene , Valet Philippe , Parini Angelo , Kunduzova Oksana 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe increasing incidence of obesity accentuates the importance of identifying mechanisms and optimal therapeutic strategies for patients with heart failure (HF) in relation to obesity status. Here, we investigated the association between plasma level of apelin, an adipocyte-derived factor and clinicopathological features of obese and non-obese patients with HF. We further explored potential regulatory mechanisms of cardiac cell fate responses in conditions combining myocardial injury and obesity. In a prospective, cross-sectional study involving patients with HF we show that obese patients (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) have higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and greater levels of plasma apelin (p < 0.005) than non-obese patients (< 30 kg/m2), independently of ischemic etiology. In a mouse model combining ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, we identify apelin as a novel regulator of FoxO3 trafficking in cardiomyocytes. Confocal microscopy analysis of cardiac cells revealed that apelin prevents nuclear translocation of FoxO3 in response to oxygen deprivation through a PI3K pathway. These findings uncover apelin as a novel regulator of FoxO3 nucleocytoplasmic trafficking in cardiac cells in response to stress and provide insight into its potential clinical relevance in obese patients with HF.
Strengthening behavior of carbon/metal nanocomposites
Authors: Shin S. E. , Choi H. J. , Hwang J. Y. , Bae D. H. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractNanocomposites reinforced with nano-scale reinforcements exhibit excellent mechanical properties with low volume fraction of the reinforcement. For instance, only an addition of 0.7 vol.% few-layer graphene (FLG) into the pure titanium shows strength of ~1.5 GPa, obviously much superior to that of the monolithic titanium. The strengthening efficiency of composites is determined by several factors such as reinforcement geometrical/spatial characteristics and interfacial features between the matrix and the reinforcement. For the metal-matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs), since the nano-scale reinforcement has significantly high specific surface area, interfacial feature is more important and has to be clearly evaluated in understanding property of MMNCs. Although many researchers suggested the theoretical work using continuum mechanics in order to estimate the mechanical properties of the metallic composites, a clear determination has yet not to be proven by systematic experimental works. Here, we provide a new model to predict strength and stiffness of MMNCs based on quantitative analysis of efficiency parameters in which interface feature is strongly emphasized. To validate the model, we select multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and FLG for reinforcement and titanium (Ti) and aluminum (Al) for the matrix to modify bonding strength and specific surface area in the MMNCs.
Mechanisms underlying the activity-dependent regulation of locomotor network performance by the Na+ pump
Authors: Zhang Hong-Yan , Picton Laurence , Li Wen-Chang , Sillar Keith T. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractActivity-dependent modification of neural network output usually results from changes in neurotransmitter release and/or membrane conductance. InXenopusfrog tadpoles, spinal locomotor network output is adapted by an ultraslow afterhyperpolarization (usAHP) mediated by an increase in Na+pump current. Here we systematically explore how the interval between two swimming episodes affects the second episode, which is shorter and slower than the first episode. We find the firing reliability of spinal rhythmic neurons to be lower in the second episode, except for excitatory descending interneurons (dINs). The sodium/proton antiporter, monensin, which potentiates Na+pump function, induced similar effects to short inter-swim intervals. A usAHP induced by supra-threshold pulses reduced neuronal firing reliability during swimming. It also increased the threshold current for spiking and introduced a delay to the first spike in a train, without reducing subsequent firing frequency. This delay was abolished by ouabain or zero K+saline, which eliminate the usAHP. We present evidence for an A-type K+current in spinal CPG neurons which is inactivated by depolarization and de-inactivated by hyperpolarization and accounts for the prolonged delay. We conclude that the usAHP attenuates neuronal responses to excitatory network inputs by both membrane hyperpolarization and enhanced de-inactivation of an A-current.
A General Time-Periodic Driving Approach to Realize Topological Phases in Cold Atomic Systems
Authors: Yan Zhongbo , Li Bo , Yang Xiaosen , Wan Shaolong 
Published: November 2015

AbstractFor time-reversal symmetric cold atomic insulating systems, it is found that the usual driving approach based on electromagnetic field used in solid state systems loses its power to drive them from trivial regimes to topological regimes if the driven systems still hold time-reversal symmetry (TRS). For such systems, we point out that simply varying the optical lattice potential periodically provides a general and effective way to drive them into topological regimes without breaking their symmetries. Based on this approach, we find that the time-reversal symmetric Kane-Mele model can be effectively driven from the trivial phase to topological phases named as Floquet Quantum Spin Hall insulator. Due to the existence of two gaps in the Floquet system, this novel state of matter can stably host one or two pair of gapless helical states on the same boundary, which suggests this state is not a simple analog of the Quantum Spin Hall insulator. This new driving approach to a system without TRS is also investigated.
Sub-wavelength Laser Nanopatterning using Droplet Lenses
Authors: Duocastella Martí , Florian Camilo , Serra Pere , Diaspro Alberto 
Published: November 2015

AbstractWhen a drop of liquid falls onto a screen, e.g. a cell phone, the pixels lying underneath appear magnified. This lensing effect is a combination of the curvature and refractive index of the liquid droplet. Here, the spontaneous formation of such lenses is exploited to overcome the diffraction limit of a conventional laser direct-writing system. In particular, micro-droplets are first laser-printed at user-defined locations on a surface and they are later used as lenses to focus the same laser beam. Under conditions described herein, nanopatterns can be obtained with a reduction in spot size primarily limited by the refractive index of the liquid. This all-optics approach is demonstrated by writing arbitrary patterns with a feature size around 280 nm, about one fourth of the processing wavelength.
Highly efficient radiosensitization of human glioblastoma and lung cancer cells by a G-quadruplex DNA binding compound
Authors: Merle Patrick , Gueugneau Marine , Teulade-Fichou Marie-Paule , Müller-Barthélémy Mélanie , Amiard Simon , Chautard Emmanuel , Guetta Corinne , Dedieu Véronique , Communal Yves , Mergny Jean-Louis , Gallego Maria , White Charles , Verrelle Pierre , Tchirkov Andreï 
Published: November 2015

AbstractTelomeres are nucleoprotein structures at the end of chromosomes which stabilize and protect them from nucleotidic degradation and end-to-end fusions. The G-rich telomeric single-stranded DNA overhang can adopt a four-stranded G-quadruplex DNA structure (G4). Stabilization of the G4 structure by binding of small molecule ligands enhances radiosensitivity of tumor cells and this combined treatment represents a novel anticancer approach. We studied the effect of the platinum-derived G4-ligand, Pt-ctpy, in association with radiation on human glioblastoma (SF763 and SF767) and non-small cell lung cancer (A549 and H1299) cells in vitro and in vivo. Treatments with submicromolar concentrations of Pt-ctpy inhibited tumor proliferation in vitro with cell cycle alterations and induction of apoptosis. Non-toxic concentrations of the ligand were then combined with ionizing radiation. Pt-ctpy radiosensitized all cell lines with dose-enhancement factors between 1.32 and 1.77. The combined treatment led to increased DNA breaks. Furthermore, a significant radiosensitizing effect of Pt-ctpy in mice xenografted with glioblastoma SF763 cells was shown by delayed tumor growth and improved survival. Pt-ctpy can act in synergy with radiation for efficient killing of cancer cells at concentrations at which it has no obvious toxicity per se, opening perspectives for future therapeutic applications.
Fine-tuning of synaptic upscaling at excitatory synapses by endocannabinoid signaling is mediated via the CB1 receptor
Authors: Song Yunping , Zhang Jian , Chen Chu 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) functions as a retrograde signaling molecule mediating synaptic transmission and plasticity at both inhibitory and excitatory synapses. However, little is known about whether 2-AG signaling is involved in homeostatic regulation of miniature synaptic events at excitatory synapses in response to activity deprivation. Here, we report that chronic blockade of firing by tetrodotoxin (TTX) for two days resulted in increases both in the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in cultured mouse hippocampal neurons. However, treatment with 2-AG alone or JZL184, a potent and selective inhibitor for monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) that hydrolyzes 2-AG, induced a CB1 receptor-dependent reduction of the frequency of mEPSCs, but not the amplitude. The TTX-increased frequency was blunted by 2-AG or JZL184 and this effect was eliminated by pharmacological or genetic inhibition of CB1 receptors. In addition, TTX still increased frequency and amplitude of mEPSCs in the presence of CB1 receptor inhibition. Our results suggest that while endocannabinoids are not required for induction of synaptic scaling at excitatory glutamate synapses after chronic activity deprivation, 2-AG signaling may play a role in fine-tuning of synaptic strengths via presynaptically-expressed CB1 receptors.
Micro-metric electronic patterning of a topological band structure using a photon beam
Authors: Frantzeskakis E. , De Jong N. , Zwartsenberg B. , Huang Y. K. , Bay T. V. , Pronk P. , Van Heumen E. , Wu D. , Pan Y. , Radovic M. , Plumb N. C. , Xu N. , Shi M. , De Visser A. , Golden M. S. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIn an ideal 3D topological insulator (TI), the bulk is insulating and the surface conducting due to the existence of metallic states that are localized on the surface; these are the topological surface states. Quaternary Bi-based compounds of Bi2−xSbxTe3−ySey with finely-tuned bulk stoichiometries are good candidates for realizing ideal 3D TI behavior due to their bulk insulating character. However, despite its insulating bulk in transport experiments, the surface region of Bi2−xSbxTe3−ySey crystals cleaved in ultrahigh vacuum also exhibits occupied states originating from the bulk conduction band. This is due to adsorbate-induced downward band-bending, a phenomenon known from other Bi-based 3D TIs. Here we show, using angle-resolved photoemission, how an EUV light beam of moderate flux can be used to exclude these topologically trivial states from the Fermi level of Bi1.46Sb0.54Te1.7Se1.3 single crystals, thereby re-establishing the purely topological character of the low lying electronic states of the system. We furthermore prove that this process is highly local in nature in this bulk-insulating TI and are thus able to imprint structures in the spatial energy landscape at the surface. We illustrate this by ‘writing’ micron-sized letters in the Dirac point energy of the system.
De novo protein conformational sampling using a probabilistic graphical model
Authors: Bhattacharya Debswapna , Cheng Jianlin 
Published: November 2015

AbstractEfficient exploration of protein conformational space remains challenging especially for large proteins when assembling discretized structural fragments extracted from a protein structure data database. We propose a fragment-free probabilistic graphical model, FUSION, for conformational sampling in continuous space and assess its accuracy using ‘blind’ protein targets with a length up to 250 residues from the CASP11 structure prediction exercise. The method reduces sampling bottlenecks, exhibits strong convergence and demonstrates better performance than the popular fragment assembly method, ROSETTA, on relatively larger proteins with a length of more than 150 residues in our benchmark set. FUSION is freely available through a web server at http://protein.rnet.missouri.edu/FUSION/.
Multiple exaggerated weapon morphs: a novel form of male polymorphism in harvestmen
Authors: Painting Christina J. , Probert Anna F. , Townsend Daniel J. , Holwell Gregory I. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAlternative reproductive tactics in animals are commonly associated with distinct male phenotypes resulting in polymorphism of sexually selected weapons such as horns and spines. Typically, morphs are divided between small (unarmed) and large (armed) males according to one or more developmental thresholds in association with body size. Here, we describe remarkable weapon trimorphism within a single species, where two exaggerated weapon morphs and a third morph with reduced weaponry are present. MalePantopsalis cheliferoidesharvestmen display exaggerated chelicerae (jaws) which are highly variable in length among individuals. Across the same body size spectrum, however, some males belong to a distinct second exaggerated morph which possesses short, broad chelicerae. Multiple weapon morphs in a single species is a previously unknown phenomenon and our findings have significant implications for understanding weapon diversity and maintenance of polymorphism. Specifically, this species will be a valuable model for testing how weapons diverge by being able to test directly for the circumstances under which a certain weapon type is favoured and how weapon shape relates to performance.
HIF-2α, acting via miR-191, is involved in angiogenesis and metastasis of arsenite-transformed HBE cells
Authors: Xu Wenchao , Luo Fei , Sun Baofei , Ye Hua , Li Jun , Shi Le , Liu Yi , Lu Xiaolin , Wang Bairu , Wang Qingling , Liu Qizhan , Zhang Aihua 
Published: November 2015

Abstract
Arsenic is a well established human carcinogen that causes diseases of the lung. Some studies have suggested that hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in human lung cancer; however, their molecular mechanisms that causally contribute to arsenite-caused malignant transformation of cells remain unclear. To elucidate the mechanisms of angiogenesis and metastasis of lung cancer caused by arsenite, we investigated the role of HIF-2α regulation of miRNA-191 (miR-191) in the angiogenic and metastatic properties of human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells transformed by arsenite. In HBE cells, HIF-2α binds to the hypoxia response element (HRE) in the promoter region of miR-191 and initiates transcription of miR-191. Blocking of HIF-2α with siRNA inhibited the up-regulation of miR-191, Wilms’ tumor 1 (WT1) protein, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and the down-regulation of brain acid-soluble protein 1 (BASP1). In arsenite-transformed HBE (T-HBE) cells, down-regulation of HIF-2α by siRNA blocked the process of angiogenesis and decreased their neoplastic properties and metastatic capacity, which were reversed by over-expression of miR-191 or by up-regulating WT1. Thus, HIF-2α up-regulates WT1 via miR-191, both of which are involved in the angiogenesis and metastasis of T-HBE cells. The results present a better understanding of the processes involved in lung cancer caused by arsenite exposure.
miR-1343 attenuates pathways of fibrosis by targeting the TGF-β receptors
Authors: Stolzenburg Lindsay R. , Wachtel Sarah , Dang Hong , Harris Ann 
Published: November 2015

Irreversible respiratory obstruction resulting from progressive airway damage, inflammation and fibrosis is a feature of several chronic respiratory diseases, including cystic fibrosis (CF), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The cytokine transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) has a pivotal role in promoting lung fibrosis and is implicated in respiratory disease severity. In the present study, we show that a previously uncharacterized miRNA, miR-1343, reduces the expression of both TGF-β receptor 1 and 2 by directly targeting their 3′-UTRs. After TGF-β exposure, elevated intracellular miR-1343 significantly decreases levels of activated TGF-β effector molecules, pSMAD2 (phosphorylated SMAD2) and pSMAD3 (phosphorylated SMAD3), when compared with a non-targeting control miRNA. As a result, the abundance of fibrotic markers is reduced, cell migration into a scratch wound impaired and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) repressed. Mature miR-1343 is readily detected in human neutrophils and HL-60 cells and is activated in response to stress in A549 lung epithelial cells. miR-1343 may have direct therapeutic applications in fibrotic lung disease.
The Relationship Between the Use of Adult Dementia Day Care and Caregiver Quality of Life
Authors: Thomas Cathleen Carney , Wallace Lisa , Alexander Jeff , Vijayan Aparna 
Published: November 2015

Purpose
To qualify the use of adult dementia day care services as an appropriate respite opportunity to improve the quality of life of the caregiver.

Design and Methods
Thirty familial caregivers from the Alzheimer's Association were recruited and divided into three groups based on number of days of use of day care services (non-use, 1–2 day use, and 3–5 day use). Survey data was self-report and measured using scores from the Evaluations Scale of Caregiver's Quality of Life. Quantitative results from the 20-item questionnaire were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests.

Results
The analysis showed statistically significant difference in the perception of burden for the group using day care 1–2 days per week than those that did not use the service at all. These findings were not seen in the group using the services 3–5 days per week.

Implications
Results lead toward the use of an adult day care program attended 3–5 days a week, incorporation of a support group with day care services, and the implementation of a structured home program for all participants to reduce caregiver level of burden.
Direct force measurements reveal that protein Tau confers short-range attractions and isoform-dependent steric stabilization to microtubules
Authors: Chung Peter J. , Choi Myung Chul , Miller Herbert P. , Feinstein H. Eric , Raviv Uri , Li Youli , Wilson Leslie , Feinstein Stuart C. , Safinya Cyrus R. 
Published: November 2015

Significance
The microtubule-associated protein Tau is known to stabilize microtubules against depolymerization in neuronal axons, ensuring proper trafficking of organelles along microtubules in long axons. Abnormal interactions between Tau and microtubules are implicated in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. We directly measured forces between microtubules coated with Tau isoforms by synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering of reconstituted Tau–microtubule mixtures under osmotic pressure (mimicking molecular crowding in cells). We found that select Tau isoforms fundamentally alter forces between microtubules by undergoing a conformational change on microtubule surfaces at a coverage indicative of an unusually extended Tau state. This gain of function by longer isoforms in imparting steric stabilization to microtubules is essential in preventing microtubule aggregation and loss of function in organelle trafficking.