bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-term outcomes of phakic patients with diabetic macular oedema treated with intravitreal fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) implants
Authors:   on behalf of the FAME study group, Yang Y , Bailey C , Holz F G , Eter N , Weber M , Baker C , Kiss S , Menchini U , Ruiz Moreno J M , Dugel P , Lotery A 
Published: June 2015

Abstract

Purpose
Diabetic macular oedema (DMO) is a leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Slow-release, nonbioerodible fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) implants have shown efficacy in the treatment of DMO; however, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends that FAc should be used in patients with chronic DMO considered insufficiently responsive to other available therapies only if the eye to be treated is pseudophakic. The goal of this analysis was to examine treatment outcomes in phakic patients who received 0.2 μg/day FAc implant.

Methods
This analysis of the phase 3 FAME (Fluocinolone Acetonide in Diabetic Macular Edema) data examines the safety and efficacy of FAc implants in patients who underwent cataract extraction before (cataract before implant (CBI) group) or after (cataract after implant (CAI) group) receiving the implant. The data were further examined by DMO duration.

Results
Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after 36 months was comparable in the CAI and CBI groups. Both the percentage of patients gaining ≥3 lines of vision and mean change in BCVA letter score were numerically greater in the CAI group. In addition, most patients who underwent cataract surgery experienced a net gain in BCVA from presurgery baseline as well as from original study baseline.

Conclusions
These data support the use of 0.2 μg/day FAc implants in phakic as well as in pseudophakic patients. These findings will serve as a pilot for design of future studies to evaluate the potential protective effect of FAc implants before cataract surgery in patients with DMO and cataract.
Hyperbolic phonon-polaritons in boron nitride for near-field optical imaging and focusing
Authors: Li Peining , Lewin Martin , Kretinin Andrey V. , Caldwell Joshua D. , Novoselov Kostya S. , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Gaussmann Fabian , Taubner Thomas 
Published: June 2015

AbstractHyperbolic materials exhibit sub-diffractional, highly directional, volume-confined polariton modes. Here we report that hyperbolic phonon polaritons allow for a flat slab of hexagonal boron nitride to enable exciting near-field optical applications, including unusual imaging phenomenon (such as an enlarged reconstruction of investigated objects) and sub-diffractional focusing. Both the enlarged imaging and the super-resolution focusing are explained based on the volume-confined, wavelength dependent propagation angle of hyperbolic phonon polaritons. With advanced infrared nanoimaging techniques and state-of-art mid-infrared laser sources, we have succeeded in demonstrating and visualizing these unexpected phenomena in both Type I and Type II hyperbolic conditions, with both occurring naturally within hexagonal boron nitride. These efforts have provided a full and intuitive physical picture for the understanding of the role of hyperbolic phonon polaritons in near-field optical imaging, guiding, and focusing applications.
Structure and gating of the nuclear pore complex
Authors: Eibauer Matthias , Pellanda Mauro , Turgay Yagmur , Dubrovsky Anna , Wild Annik , Medalia Ohad 
Published: June 2015

AbstractNuclear pore complexes (NPCs) perforate the nuclear envelope and allow the exchange of macromolecules between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. To acquire a deeper understanding of this transport mechanism, we analyse the structure of the NPC scaffold and permeability barrier, by reconstructing the Xenopus laevis oocyte NPC from native nuclear envelopes up to 20 Å resolution by cryo-electron tomography in conjunction with subtomogram averaging. In addition to resolving individual protein domains of the NPC constituents, we propose a model for the architecture of the molecular gate at its central channel. Furthermore, we compare and contrast this native NPC structure to one that exhibits reduced transport activity and unveil the spatial properties of the NPC gate.
Anti-atherosclerotic effects of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) based therapies in patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A meta-analysis
Authors: Song Xiaoyan , Jia Hetang , Jiang Yuebo , Wang Liang , Zhang Yan , Mu Yiming , Liu Yu 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis study assessed the effect of GLP-1 based therapies on atherosclerotic markers in type 2 diabetes patients. 31 studies were selected to obtain data after multiple database searches and following inclusion and exclusion criteria. Age and BMI of the participants of longitudinal studies were 59.8 ± 8.3 years and 29.2 ± 5.7 kg/m2 (Mean±SD). Average duration of GLP-1 based therapies was 20.5 weeks. Percent flow-mediated diameter (%FMD) did not change from baseline significantly but when compared to controls, %FMD increased non-significantly following GLP-1-based therapies (1.65 [−0.89, 4.18]; P = 0.2; REM) in longitudinal studies and increased significantly in cross sectional studies (2.58 [1.68, 3.53]; P < 0.00001). Intima media thickness decreased statistically non-significantly by the GLP-1 based therapies. GLP-1 based therapies led to statistically significant reductions in the serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide (−40.16 [−51.50, −28.81]; P < 0.0001; REM), high sensitivity c-reactive protein (−0.27 [−0.48, −0.07]; P = 0.009), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (−12.90 [−25.98, 0.18]; P=0.05), total cholesterol (−5.47 [−9.55, −1.39]; P = 0.009), LDL-cholesterol (−3.70 [−7.39, −0.00]; P = 0.05) and triglycerides (−16.44 [−25.64, −7.23]; P = 0.0005) when mean differences with 95% CI in the changes from baselines were meta-analyzed. In conclusion, GLP-1-based therapies appear to provide beneficial effects against atherosclerosis. More randomized data will be required to arrive at conclusive evidence.
A Family History of Lethal Prostate Cancer and Risk of Aggressive Prostate Cancer in Patients Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Raheem Omer A. , Cohen Seth A. , Parsons J. Kellogg , Palazzi Kerrin L. , Kane Christopher J. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractWe investigated whether a family history of lethal prostate cancer (PCa) was associated with high-risk disease or biochemical recurrence in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. A cohort of radical prostatectomy patients was stratified into men with no family history of PCa (NFH); a first-degree relative with PCa (FH); and those with a first-degree relative who had died of PCa (FHD). Demographic, operative and pathologic outcomes were analyzed. Freedom from biochemical recurrence was examined using Kaplan-Meier log rank. A multivariate Cox logistic regression analysis was also performed. We analyzed 471 men who underwent radical prostatectomy at our institution with known family history. The three groups had: 355 patients (75%) in NFH; 97 patients (21%) in FH; and 19 patients (4%) in FHD. The prevalence of a Gleason score ≥8, higher pathologic T stage and biochemical recurrence (BCR) rates did not significantly differ between groups. On Kaplan-Meier analysis there were no differences in short-term BCR rates (p = 0.212). In this cohort of patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, those with first-degree relatives who died of PCa did not have an increased likelihood of high-risk or aggressive PCa or shorter-term risk of BCR than those who did not.
Extrinsic Origin of Persistent Photoconductivity in Monolayer MoS2 Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Wu Yueh-Chun , Liu Cheng-Hua , Chen Shao-Yu , Shih Fu-Yu , Ho Po-Hsun , Chen Chun-Wei , Liang Chi-Te , Wang Wei-Hua 
Published: June 2015

AbstractRecent discoveries of the photoresponse of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) have shown the considerable potential of these two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides for optoelectronic applications. Among the various types of photoresponses of MoS2, persistent photoconductivity (PPC) at different levels has been reported. However, a detailed study of the PPC effect and its mechanism in MoS2 is still not available, despite the importance of this effect on the photoresponse of the material. Here, we present a systematic study of the PPC effect in monolayer MoS2 and conclude that the effect can be attributed to random localized potential fluctuations in the devices. Notably, the potential fluctuations originate from extrinsic sources based on the substrate effect of the PPC. Moreover, we point out a correlation between the PPC effect in MoS2 and the percolation transport behavior of MoS2. We demonstrate a unique and efficient means of controlling the PPC effect in monolayer MoS2, which may offer novel functionalities for MoS2-based optoelectronic applications in the future.
High thermopower of mechanically stretched single-molecule junctions
Authors: Tsutsui Makusu , Morikawa Takanori , He Yuhui , Arima Akihide , Taniguchi Masateru 
Published: June 2015

AbstractMetal-molecule-metal junction is a promising candidate for thermoelectric applications that utilizes quantum confinement effects in the chemically defined zero-dimensional atomic structure to achieve enhanced dimensionless figure of merit ZT. A key issue in this new class of thermoelectric nanomaterials is to clarify the sensitivity of thermoelectricity on the molecular junction configurations. Here we report simultaneous measurements of the thermoelectric voltage and conductance on Au-1,4-benzenedithiol (BDT)-Au junctions mechanically-stretched in-situ at sub-nanoscale. We obtained the average single-molecule conductance and thermopower of 0.01 G0 and 15 μV/K, respectively, suggesting charge transport through the highest occupied molecular orbital. Meanwhile, we found the single-molecule thermoelectric transport properties extremely-sensitive to the BDT bridge configurations, whereby manifesting the importance to design the electrode-molecule contact motifs for optimizing the thermoelectric performance of molecular junctions.
Tuning the Electronic Structure of Anatase Through Fluorination
Authors: Corradini Dario , Dambournet Damien , Salanne Mathieu 
Published: June 2015

AbstractA highly fluorinated anatase lattice has been recently reported, providing a new class of materials whose general chemical formula is Ti1−x□xX4xO2−4x (X− = F− or OH−). To characterise the complex structural features of the material and the different F environments, we here apply a computational screening procedure. After deriving a polarisable force—field from DFT simulations, we screen in a step-wise fashion a large number of possible configurations differing in the positioning of the titanium vacancies (□) and of the fluorine atoms. At each step only 10% of the configurations are retained. At the end of the screening procedure, a configuration is selected and simulated using DFT-based molecular dynamics. This allows us to analyse the atomic structure of the material, which is strongly disordered, leading to a strong decrease (by 0.8 eV) of the band gap compared to conventional anatase.
Structural and Physical Basis for Anti-IgE Therapy
Authors: Wright Jon D. , Chu Hsing-Mao , Huang Chun-Hsiang , Ma Che , Wen Chang Tse , Lim Carmay 
Published: June 2015

AbstractOmalizumab, an anti-IgE antibody, used to treat severe allergic asthma and chronic idiopathic urticaria, binds to IgE in blood or membrane-bound on B lymphocytes but not to IgE bound to its high (FcεRI) or low (CD23) affinity receptor. Mutagenesis studies indicate overlapping FcεRI and omalizumab-binding sites in the Cε3 domain, but crystallographic studies show FcεRI and CD23-binding sites that are far apart, so how can omalizumab block IgE from binding both receptors? We report a 2.42-Å omalizumab-Fab structure, a docked IgE-Fc/omalizumab-Fab structure consistent with available experimental data and the free energy contributions of IgE residues to binding omalizumab, CD23 and FcεRI. These results provide a structural and physical basis as to why omalizumab cannot bind receptor-bound IgE and why omalizumab-bound IgE cannot bind to CD23/FcεRI. They reveal the key IgE residues and their roles in binding omalizumab, CD23 and FcεRI.
Ion transport through electrolyte/polyelectrolyte multi-layers
Authors: Femmer Robert , Mani Ali , Wessling Matthias 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIon transport of multi-ionic solutions through layered electrolyte and polyelectrolyte structures are relevant in a large variety of technical systems such as micro and nanofluidic devices, sensors, batteries and large desalination process systems. We report a new direct numerical simulation model coined EnPEn: it allows to solve a set of first principle equations to predict for multiple ions their concentration and electrical potential profiles in electro-chemically complex architectures of n layered electrolytes E and n polyelectrolytes PE. EnPEn can robustly capture ion transport in sub-millimeter architectures with submicron polyelectrolyte layers. We proof the strength of EnPEn for three yet unsolved architectures: (a) selective Na over Ca transport in surface modified ion selective membranes, (b) ion transport and water splitting in bipolar membranes and (c) transport of weak electrolytes.
Repurposing ebselen for treatment of multidrug-resistant staphylococcal infections
Authors: Thangamani Shankar , Younis Waleed , Seleem Mohamed N. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractNovel antimicrobials and new approaches to developing them are urgently needed. Repurposing already-approved drugs with well-characterized toxicology and pharmacology is a novel way to reduce the time, cost and risk associated with antibiotic innovation. Ebselen, an organoselenium compound, is known to be clinically safe and has a well-known pharmacology profile. It has shown potent bactericidal activity against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin- and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA and VRSA). We demonstrated that ebselen acts through inhibition of protein synthesis and subsequently inhibited toxin production in MRSA. Additionally, ebselen was remarkably active and significantly reduced established staphylococcal biofilms. The therapeutic efficacy of ebselen was evaluated in a mouse model of staphylococcal skin infections. Ebselen 1% and 2% significantly reduced the bacterial load and the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and monocyte chemo attractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in MRSA USA300 skin lesions. Furthermore, it acts synergistically with traditional antimicrobials. This study provides evidence that ebselen has great potential for topical treatment of MRSA skin infections and lays the foundation for further analysis and development of ebselen as a potential treatment for multidrug-resistant staphylococcal infections.
Single-copy gene based 50 K SNP chip for genetic studies and molecular breeding in rice
Authors: Singh Nisha , Jayaswal Pawan Kumar , Panda Kabita , Mandal Paritra , Kumar Vinod , Singh Balwant , Mishra Shefali , Singh Yashi , Singh Renu , Rai Vandna , Gupta Anita , Raj Sharma Tilak , Singh Nagendra Kumar 
Published: June 2015

AbstractSingle nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is the most abundant DNA sequence variation present in plant genomes. Here, we report the design and validation of a unique genic-SNP genotyping chip for genetic and evolutionary studies as well as molecular breeding applications in rice. The chip incorporates 50,051 SNPs from 18,980 different genes spanning 12 rice chromosomes, including 3,710 single-copy (SC) genes conserved between wheat and rice, 14,959 SC genes unique to rice, 194 agronomically important cloned rice genes and 117 multi-copy rice genes. Assays with this chip showed high success rate and reproducibility because of the SC gene based array with no sequence redundancy and cross-hybridisation problems. The usefulness of the chip in genetic diversity and phylogenetic studies of cultivated and wild rice germplasm was demonstrated. Furthermore, its efficacy was validated for analysing background recovery in improved mega rice varieties with submergence tolerance developed through marker-assisted backcross breeding.
MiR-19a regulates PTEN expression to mediate glycogen synthesis in hepatocytes
Authors: Dou Lin , Meng Xiangyu , Sui Xiaofang , Wang Shuyue , Shen Tao , Huang Xiuqing , Guo Jun , Fang Weiwei , Man Yong , Xi Jianzhong , Li Jian 
Published: June 2015

AbstractMiR-19a, a member of mir-17-92 microRNA clusters, has been demonstrated to promote cell proliferation and angiogenesis via regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway, the major insulin signaling pathway. However, whether miR-19a plays an important role in glycogen synthesis in hepatocytes remains unknown. Here, we define the impact of miR-19a on glycogen synthesis and IL-6-induced reduced glycogenesis in hepatocytes and its underlying mechanisms. Our studies indicate that miR-19a was down-regulated in the livers of db/db mice and mice injected with IL-6, as well as mouse NCTC 1469 hepatocytes and HEP 1–6 hepatocytes treated by IL-6. We found that over-expression of miR-19a in NCTC 1469 cells and HEP 1–6 cells led to increased activation of the AKT/GSK pathway and synthesis of glycogen, whereas down-regulation of miR-19a impaired AKT/GSK phosphorylation and glycogenesis. Over-expression of miR-19a ameliorated IL-6-induced reduced glycogen synthesis in hepatocytes. Moreover, we identified PTEN as the target of miR-19a by a luciferase assay. Down-regulation of PTEN rescued the effects of miR-19a suppression on the activation of the AKT/GSK pathway and improved glycogenesis in NTC 1469 cells. These findings show for the first time that miR-19a might activate the AKT/GSK pathway and glycogenesis via down-regulation of PTEN expression.
Insulin-like factor regulates neural induction through an IGF1 receptor-independent mechanism
Authors: Haramoto Yoshikazu , Takahashi Shuji , Oshima Tomomi , Onuma Yasuko , Ito Yuzuru , Asashima Makoto 
Published: June 2015

AbstractInsulin receptor (IR) and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) signalling is required for normal embryonic growth and development. Previous reports indicated that the IGF/IGF1R/MAPK pathway contributes to neural induction and the IGF/IGF1R/PI3K/Akt pathway to eye development. Here, we report the isolation of insulin3 encoding a novel insulin-like ligand involved in neural induction. Insulin3 has a similar structure to pro-insulin and mature IGF ligands, but cannot activate the IGF1 receptor. However, similar to IGFs, Insulin3 induced the gene expression of an anterior neural marker, otx2 and enlarged anterior head structures by inhibiting Wnt signalling. Insulin3 are predominantly localised to the endoplasmic reticulum when otx2 is induced by insulin3. Insulin3 reduced extracellular Wnts and cell surface localised Lrp6. These results suggest that Insulin3 is a novel cell-autonomous inhibitor of Wnt signalling. This study provides the first evidence that an insulin-like factor regulates neural induction through an IGF1R-independent mechanism.
Impacts of propagating, frustrated and surface modes on radiative, electrical and thermal losses in nanoscale-gap thermophotovoltaic power generators
Authors: Bernardi Michael P. , Dupré Olivier , Blandre Etienne , Chapuis Pierre-Olivier , Vaillon Rodolphe , Francoeur Mathieu 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe impacts of radiative, electrical and thermal losses on the performances of nanoscale-gap thermophotovoltaic (nano-TPV) power generators consisting of a gallium antimonide cell paired with a broadband tungsten and a radiatively-optimized Drude radiator are analyzed. Results reveal that surface mode mediated nano-TPV power generation with the Drude radiator outperforms the tungsten radiator, dominated by frustrated modes, only for a vacuum gap thickness of 10 nm and if both electrical and thermal losses are neglected. The key limiting factors for the Drude- and tungsten-based devices are respectively the recombination of electron-hole pairs at the cell surface and thermalization of radiation with energy larger than the cell absorption bandgap. A design guideline is also proposed where a high energy cutoff above which radiation has a net negative effect on nano-TPV power output due to thermal losses is determined. It is shown that the power output of a tungsten-based device increases by 6.5% while the cell temperature decreases by 30 K when applying a high energy cutoff at 1.45 eV. This work demonstrates that design and optimization of nano-TPV devices must account for radiative, electrical and thermal losses.
Preparation of Graphene-Modified Acupuncture Needle and Its Application in Detecting Neurotransmitters
Authors: Tang Lina , Du Danxin , Yang Fan , Liang Zhong , Ning Yong , Wang Hua , Zhang Guo-Jun 
Published: June 2015

AbstractWe report a unique nanosensing platform by combining modern nanotechnology with traditional acupuncture needle to prepare graphene-modified acupuncture needle (G-AN) and using it for sensitive detection of neurotransmitters via electrochemistry. An electrochemical deposition method was employed to deposit Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the tip surface of the traditional acupuncture needle, while the other part of the needle was coated with insulation paste. Subsequently, the G-AN was obtained by cyclic voltammetry reduction of a graphene oxide solution on the surface of the AuNPs. To investigate the sensing property of the G-AN, pH dependence was measured by recording the open circuit potential in the various pH buffer solutions ranging from 2.0 to 10.0. What’s more, the G-AN was further used for detection of dopamine (DA) with a limit of detection of 0.24 μM. This novel G-AN exhibited a good sensitivity and selectivity and could realize direct detection of DA in human serum.
Implications for Cardiac Function Following Rescue of the Dystrophic Diaphragm in a Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Betts Corinne A. , Saleh Amer F. , Carr Carolyn A. , Muses Sofia , Wells Kim E. , Hammond Suzan M. , Godfrey Caroline , McClorey Graham , Woffindale Caroline , Clarke Kieran , Wells Dominic J. , Gait Michael J. , Wood Matthew J. A. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by absence of the integral structural protein, dystrophin, which renders muscle fibres susceptible to injury and degeneration. This ultimately results in cardiorespiratory dysfunction, which is the predominant cause of death in DMD patients and highlights the importance of therapeutic targeting of the cardiorespiratory system. While there is some evidence to suggest that restoring dystrophin in the diaphragm improves both respiratory and cardiac function, the role of the diaphragm is not well understood. Here using exon skipping oligonucleotides we predominantly restored dystrophin in the diaphragm and assessed cardiac function by MRI. This approach reduced diaphragmatic pathophysiology and markedly improved diaphragm function but did not improve cardiac function or pathophysiology, with or without exercise. Interestingly, exercise resulted in a reduction of dystrophin protein and exon skipping in the diaphragm. This suggests that treatment regimens may require modification in more active patients. In conclusion, whilst the diaphragm is an important respiratory muscle, it is likely that dystrophin needs to be restored in other tissues, including multiple accessory respiratory muscles and of course the heart itself for appropriate therapeutic outcomes. This supports the requirement of a body-wide therapy to treat DMD.