bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of actual healthcare costs of early versus interval cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis
Authors: Tan Cheryl H. M. , Pang Tony C. Y. , Woon Winston W. L. , Low Jee Keem , Junnarkar Sameer P. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackgroundHealthcare cost modeling have favored early (ELC) over interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ILC) for acute cholecystitis (AC). However, actual costs of treatment have never been studied. The aim of the present study was to compare actual hospital costs involved in ELC and ILC in patients with AC.MethodsRetrospective study of patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for AC was conducted. Demographic, clinical, operative data and costs were extracted and analyzed.ResultsBetween 2011 and 2013, 201 had laparoscopic surgery for AC at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore. One hundred and thirty‐four (67%) patients underwent ELC (≤7 days of presentation, within index admission). Median total length of stay (LOS) was 4.6 and 6.8 days for ELC and ILC groups, respectively (P = 0.006). Patients who had ELC also had significantly lesser total number of admissions (P < 0.001). The median (IQR) total inpatient costs were €4.4 × 103 (3.6–5.6) and €5.5 × 103 (4.0–7.5) for ELC and ILC patients, respectively (P < 0.007). Costs associated with investigations were significantly higher in the ILC group (P = 0.039), of which serological costs made most difference (P < 0.005). The ward costs were also significantly higher in the ILC group.ConclusionThe cost differences reflect the significantly increased total LOS, and repeat presentations associated with ILC. Therefore, ELC should be the preferred management strategy for AC.
Limited integrative repair capacity of native cartilage autografts within cartilage defects in a sheep model
Authors: Gelse Kolja , Riedel Dominic , Pachowsky Milena , Hennig Friedrich F. , Trattnig Siegfried , Welsch Götz H. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to investigate integration and cellular outgrowth of native cartilage autografts transplanted into articular cartilage defects. Native cartilage autografts were applied into chondral defects in the femoral condyle of adult sheep. Within the defects, the calcified cartilage layer was either left intact or perforated to induce bone marrow stimulation. Empty defects served as controls. The joints were analyzed after 6 and 26 weeks by macroscopic and histological analysis using the ICRS II Score and Modified O‘Driscoll Scores. Non‐treated defects did not show any endogenous regenerative response and bone marrow stimulation induced fibrous repair tissue. Transplanted native cartilage grafts only insufficiently integrated with the defect borders. Cell death and loss of proteoglycans were present at the margins of the grafts at 6 weeks, which was only partially restored at 26 weeks. Significant cellular outgrowth from the grafts or defect borders could not be observed. Bonding of the grafts could be improved by additional bone marrow stimulation providing ingrowing cells that formed a fibrous interface predominantly composed of type I collagen. Transplanted native cartilage grafts remain as inert structures within cartilage defects and fail to induce integrative cartilage repair which rather demands additional cells provided by additional bone marrow stimulation. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:???–???, 2015.
Effect of tensile load on the actuation performance of pH‐sensitive hydrogels
Authors: Naficy Sina , Spinks Geoffrey M. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTpH‐responsive hydrogels are capable of converting chemical energy to mechanical work. To optimize their use as actuators, their response when operating against an external load must be fully characterized. Here, the actuation strain of a model pH‐sensitive hydrogel as a function of different constant loads is studied. The experimental actuation strain, produced by switching the pH from 2 to 12, decreases significantly and monotonically with increasing initial tensile load. Two models are developed to predict the actuation strain as a function of applied stress. Simple mechanical models based on the change in hydrogel modulus and cross sectional area due to the change in pH are unsatisfactory as they predict only a small change in actuation strain with increasing external stress. However, the model based on the elastic and mixing free energy functions derived from the Flory–Huggins theory is found to accurately account for the actuation strain as a function of stress. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2015,53, 218–225
Efficient expression of nattokinase in Bacillus licheniformis: host strain construction and signal peptide optimization
Authors: Wei Xuetuan , Zhou Yinhua , Chen Jingbang , Cai Dongbo , Wang Dan , Qi Gaofu , Chen Shouwen 
Published: December 2014

Abstract
Nattokinase (NK) possesses the potential for prevention and treatment of thrombus-related diseases. In this study, high-level expression of nattokinase was achieved in Bacillus licheniformis WX-02 via host strain construction and signal peptides optimization. First, ten genes (mpr, vpr, aprX, epr, bpr, wprA, aprE, bprA, hag, amyl) encoding for eight extracellular proteases, a flagellin and an amylase were deleted to obtain B. licheniformis BL10, which showed no extracellular proteases activity in gelatin zymography. Second, the gene fragments of P43 promoter, Svpr, nattokinase and TamyL were combined into pHY300PLK to form the expression vector pP43SNT. In BL10 (pP43SNT), the fermentation activity and product activity per unit of biomass of nattokinase reached 14.33 FU/mL and 2,187.71 FU/g respectively, which increased by 39 and 156 % compared to WX-02 (pP43SNT). Last, Svpr was replaced with SsacC and SbprA, and the maximum fermentation activity (33.83 FU/mL) was achieved using SsacC, which was 229 % higher than that of WX-02 (pP43SNT). The maximum NK fermentation activity in this study reaches the commercial production level of solid state fermentation, and this study provides a promising engineered strain for industrial production of nattokinase, as well as a potential platform host for expression of other target proteins.
Development of emotional autonomy from adolescence to young adulthood in Spain
Authors: Parra Águeda , Oliva Alfredo , Sánchez‐Queija Inmaculada 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThe main objective of this study was to learn whether emotional autonomy is truly part of a developmental stage for Spanish adolescents and young adults or if it is an indicator of difficult family relationships. Using a longitudinal design, a sample of ninety young people was followed for ten years, from their initial adolescence until their first years of adulthood. At four observation points, the participants completed various questionnaires to evaluate their emotional autonomy, the cohesion in their family relationships and their life satisfaction. There were no gender differences in the development of emotional autonomy. Family cohesion and life satisfaction showed significant negative associations with emotional autonomy and these associations became more pronounced as participants moved from adolescence into adulthood. Based on our results, emotional autonomy from parents does not seem to be a developmental stage taking place during adolescence, but rather, an indicator of difficult family relationships.
La efectividad de la publicidad oposicional
Authors: Farías Pablo 
Published: November 2014

El propósito de este estudio es analizar la viabilidad de la publicidad oposicional en Chile. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de experimentación controlada, a través del uso de un anuncio impreso para un nuevo automóvil en donde se manipularon los elementos visuales y verbales (oposicionales vs. no oposicionales). Los hallazgos sugieren que los anuncios oposicionales pueden ser menos eficaces en la recordación del anuncio, a pesar de ser percibidos menos complejos por los participantes. Mientras que una investigación experimental no es suficiente para establecer la no superioridad de la publicidad oposicional en Chile, los resultados apoyan la idea de que la publicidad oposicional podría no ser más eficaz que la publicidad no oposicional para muchas campa˜nas de marketing en Chile.
Systematic Characterization of Cell Cycle Phase-Dependent Protein Dynamics and Pathway Activities by High-Content Microscopy-Assisted Cell Cycle Phenotyping
Authors: Bruhn Christopher , Kroll Torsten , Wang Zhao-Qi 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Cell cycle progression is coordinated with metabolism, signaling and other complex cellular functions. The investigation of cellular processes in a cell cycle stage-dependent manner is often the subject of modern molecular and cell biological research. Cell cycle synchronization and immunostaining of cell cycle markers facilitate such analysis, but are limited in use due to unphysiological experimental stress, cell type dependence and often low flexibility. Here, we describe high-content microscopy-assisted cell cycle phenotyping (hiMAC), which integrates high-resolution cell cycle profiling of asynchronous cell populations with immunofluorescence microscopy. hiMAC is compatible with cell types from any species and allows for statistically powerful, unbiased, simultaneous analysis of protein interactions, modifications and subcellular localization at all cell cycle stages within a single sample. For illustration, we provide a hiMAC analysis pipeline tailored to study DNA damage response and genomic instability using a 3–4-day protocol, which can be adjusted to any other cell cycle stage-dependent analysis.
Perceived social support reduces the pain of spending money
Authors: Xu Qian , Zhou Yuanji , Ye Maolin , Zhou Xinyue 
Published: November 2014

AbstractPeople experience pain when they spend money. Because previous studies have shown that perceived social support reduces physical pain, this research examined whether perceived social support reduces spending pain. Our studies showed that both real and recalled social support reduced spending pain (Studies 1–3) and that perceived social support reduced the perceived importance of money as a protection mechanism, which in turn reduced spending pain (Studies 1 and 3). Moreover, the pain‐buffering effect of social support was stronger for hedonic purchases than for utilitarian purchases (Study 2). This research broadens our understanding of the factors that enhance consumer experiences and the relationships among love, security, and pain.
Colostrum whey down-regulates the expression of early and late inflammatory response genes induced byEscherichia coliandSalmonella entericaTyphimurium components in intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Blais M. , Fortier M. , Pouliot Y. , Gauthier S. F. , Boutin Y. , Asselin C. , Lessard M. 
Published: December 2014

Pathogenic invasion byEscherichia coliandSalmonellaeremains a constant threat to the integrity of the intestinal epithelium and can rapidly induce inflammatory responses. At birth, colostrum consumption exerts numerous beneficial effects on the properties of intestinal epithelial cells and protects the gastrointestinal tract of newborns from pathogenic invasion. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of colostrum on the early and late inflammatory responses induced by pathogens. The short-term (2 h) and long-term (24 h) effects of exposure to heat-killed (HK)E. coliandSalmonella entericaTyphimurium on gene expression in the porcine intestinal epithelial cell (IPEC-J2) model were first evaluated by microarray and quantitative PCR analyses. Luciferase assays were performed using a NF-κB-luc reporter construct to investigate the effect of colostrum whey treatment on the activation of NF-κB induced by HK bacteria. Luciferase assays were also performed using NF-κB-luc, IL-8-luc and IL-6-luc reporter constructs in human colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2/15 cells exposed to dose–response stimulations with HK bacteria and colostrum whey. Bovine colostrum whey treatment decreased the expression of early and late inflammatory genes induced by HK bacteria in IPEC-J2, as well as the transcriptional activation of NF-κB-luc induced by HK bacteria. Unlike that with colostrum whey, treatment with other milk fractions failed to decrease the activation of NF-κB-luc induced by HK bacteria. Lastly, the reduction of the HK bacteria-induced activation of NF-κB-luc, IL-8-luc and IL-6-luc by colostrum whey was dose dependent. The results of the present study indicate that bovine colostrum may protect and preserve the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier in the host by controlling the expression levels of early and late inflammatory genes following invasion by enteric pathogens.
Inherence-based views of social categories
Authors: Rhodes Marjorie 
Published: December 2014

AbstractChildren adopt an inherence-based view of some social categories, viewing certain social categories as reflecting the inherent features of their members. Thinking of social categories in these terms contributes to prejudice and intergroup conflict. Thus, understanding what leads children to apply inherence-based views to particular categories could provide new direction for efforts to reduce these negative social phenomena.
The Art of Misunderstanding Moral Bioenhancement
Authors: PERSSON INGMAR , SAVULESCU JULIAN 
Published: December 2014

Abstract:In our book Unfit for the Future and a number of papers, we have argued that there is a dangerous mismatch between, on the one hand, the tremendous power of scientific technology, which has created societies with millions of citizens, and, on the other hand, our moral capacities, which have been shaped by evolution for life in small, close-knit societies with primitive technology. To overcome this mismatch before it results in the downfall of human civilization, human beings stand in acute need of moral enhancement, not only by traditional means but also by biomedical means, should this turn out to be possible. After summarizing this argument, we respond to two critics, Michael Hauskeller and Robert Sparrow.
Khoisan hunter-gatherers have been the largest population throughout most of modern-human demographic history
Authors: Kim Hie Lim , Ratan Aakrosh , Perry George H. , Montenegro Alvaro , Miller Webb , Schuster Stephan C. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe Khoisan people from Southern Africa maintained ancient lifestyles as hunter-gatherers or pastoralists up to modern times, though little else is known about their early history. Here we infer early demographic histories of modern humans using whole-genome sequences of five Khoisan individuals and one Bantu speaker. Comparison with a 420 K SNP data set from worldwide individuals demonstrates that two of the Khoisan genomes from the Ju/’hoansi population contain exclusive Khoisan ancestry. Coalescent analysis shows that the Khoisan and their ancestors have been the largest populations since their split with the non-Khoisan population ~100–150 kyr ago. In contrast, the ancestors of the non-Khoisan groups, including Bantu-speakers and non-Africans, experienced population declines after the split and lost more than half of their genetic diversity. Paleoclimate records indicate that the precipitation in southern Africa increased ~80–100 kyr ago while west-central Africa became drier. We hypothesize that these climate differences might be related to the divergent-ancient histories among human populations.
Association Between MTHFR Polymorphisms and Congenital Heart Disease: A Meta-analysis based on 9,329 cases and 15,076 controls
Authors: Xuan Chao , Li Hui , Zhao Jin-Xia , Wang Hong-Wei , Wang Yi , Ning Chun-Ping , Liu Zhen , Zhang Bei-Bei , He Guo-Wei , Lun Li-Min 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe aim of our study was to evaluate the association between polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and the risk for congenital heart disease (CHD). Electronic literature databases were searched to identify eligible studies published beforeJun, 2014. The association was assessed by the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The publication bias was explored using Begg's test. Sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the stability of the crude results. A total of 35 studies were included in this meta-analysis. For theMTHFRC677T polymorphism, we detected significant association in all genetic models for Asian children and the maternal population. Significant association was also detected in T vs. C for a Caucasian paediatric population (OR = 1.163, 95% CI: 1.008–1.342) and in both T vs. C (OR = 1.125, 95% CI: 1.043–1.214) and the dominant model (OR = 1.216, 95% CI:b1.096–1.348) for a Caucasian maternal population. For theMTHFRA1298C polymorphism, the association was detected in CC vs. AC for the Caucasian paediatric population (OR = 1.484, 95% CI: 1.035–2.128). Our results support theMTHFR-677T allele as a susceptibility factor for CHD in the Asian maternal population and the -1298C allele as a risk factor in the Caucasian paediatric population.
Structural insight into substrate recognition by the endoplasmic reticulum folding-sensor enzyme: crystal structure of third thioredoxin-like domain of UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase
Authors: Zhu Tong , Satoh Tadashi , Kato Koichi 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) possesses a protein quality control system that supports the efficient folding of newly synthesized glycoproteins. In this system, a series of N-linked glycan intermediates displayed on proteins serve as quality tags. The ER folding-sensor enzyme UDP-glucose:glycoprotein glucosyltransferase (UGGT) operates as the gatekeeper for ER quality control by specifically transferring monoglucose residues to incompletely folded glycoproteins, thereby allowing them to interact with lectin chaperone complexes to facilitate their folding. Despite its functional importance, no structural information is available for this key enzyme to date. To elucidate the folding-sensor mechanism in the ER, we performed a structural study of UGGT. Based on bioinformatics analyses, the folding-sensor region of UGGT was predicted to harbour three tandem thioredoxin (Trx)-like domains, which are often found in proteins involved in ER quality control. Furthermore, we determined the three-dimensional structure of the third Trx-like domain, which exhibits an extensive hydrophobic patch concealed by its flexible C-terminal helix. Our structural data suggest that this hydrophobic patch is involved in intermolecular interactions, thereby contributing to the folding-sensor mechanism of UGGT.
Design and analysis of defected ground structure transformer for dual‐band antenna
Authors: Choi Wai‐Wa , Chang Ka Fai , Leong Chon Chio , Cheong Pedro , Tam Kam Weng 
Published: December 2014

This study presents a novel dual‐band antenna design methodology utilising a dual‐frequency impedance transformer with defected ground structure (DGS). The proposed dual‐frequency DGS impedance transformer generates a second resonant frequency from a conventional single‐band antenna, resulting dual‐band operation. Simulation studies illustrate that the adopted design achieves versatile configurations for arbitrary operating frequencies and diverse input impedance ranges in planar antenna structures. To experimentally verify the proposed design methodology, a dual‐frequency DGS impedance transformer was implemented for a 2.4 GHz monopole antenna to obtain a 900/2400 MHz dual‐band antenna. Measurement shows that the 10 dB return loss bandwidth in 900 MHz band is 34.4 MHz, whereas that in 2400 MHz band is wider than 530 MHz. Typical monopole radiation patterns are observed at both operating bands.
Anaerobic methane oxidation coupled to denitrification is the dominant methane sink in a deep lake
Authors: Deutzmann Joerg S. , Stief Peter , Brandes Josephin , Schink Bernhard 
Published: December 2014

Significance
Evidence whether the recently discovered denitrification-dependent methane oxidation (nitrate/nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation, n-damo) represents a major methane sink or an insignificant side aspect in the global methane cycle is scarce. High-resolution microprofiles measured in intact sediment cores close to in situ conditions, anoxic incubations of intact sediments, and quantification of the responsible microorganisms with molecular techniques proved n-damo to be the major methane sink in Lake Constance, one of the best-studied freshwater lakes. The n-damo process has long been overlooked because of the close proximity of aerobic and anaerobic activities. Our study documents that a large part of methane previously thought to be oxidized aerobically is in fact oxidized anaerobically by physiologically entirely different organisms.
LigDig: a web server for querying ligand–protein interactions
Authors: Fuller Jonathan C. , Martinez Michael , Henrich Stefan , Stank Antonia , Richter Stefan , Wade Rebecca C. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Summary: LigDig is a web server designed to answer questions that previously required several independent queries to diverse data sources. It also performs basic manipulations and analyses of the structures of protein–ligand complexes. The LigDig webserver is modular in design and consists of seven tools, which can be used separately, or via linking the output from one tool to the next, in order to answer more complex questions. Currently, the tools allow a user to: (i) perform a free-text compound search, (ii) search for suitable ligands, particularly inhibitors, of a protein and query their interaction network, (iii) search for the likely function of a ligand, (iv) perform a batch search for compound identifiers, (v) find structures of protein–ligand complexes, (vi) compare three-dimensional structures of ligand binding sites and (vii) prepare coordinate files of protein–ligand complexes for further calculations.
Availability and implementation: LigDig makes use of freely available databases, including ChEMBL, PubChem and SABIO-RK, and software programs, including cytoscape.js, PDB2PQR, ProBiS and Fconv. LigDig can be used by non-experts in bio- and chemoinformatics. LigDig is available at: http://mcm.h-its.org/ligdig.
Contact: jonathan.fuller@h-its.org, rebecca.wade@h-its.org
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.