bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Novel Quantitative Method for Diabetic Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy Assessment in Type 1 Diabetic Mice
Authors: Chon Ki H. , Yang Bufan , Posada-Quintero Hugo F. , Siu Kin L. , Rolle Marsha , Brink Peter , Birzgalis Aija , Moore Leon C. 
Published: August 2014

Background: In this work, we used a sensitive and noninvasive computational method to assess diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (DCAN) from pulse oximeter (photoplethysmographic; PPG) recordings from mice. The method, which could be easily applied to humans, is based on principal dynamic mode (PDM) analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). Unlike the power spectral density, PDM has been shown to be able to separately identify the activities of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems without pharmacological intervention. Method: HRV parameters were measured by processing PPG signals from conscious 1.5- to 5-month-old C57/BL6 control mice and in Akita mice, a model of insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes, and compared with the gold-standard Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. Results: The PDM results indicate significant cardiac autonomic impairment in the diabetic mice in comparison to the controls. When tail-cuff PPG recordings were collected and analyzed starting from 1.5 months of age in both C57/Bl6 controls and Akita mice, onset of DCAN was seen at 3 months in the Akita mice, which persisted up to the termination of the recording at 5 months. Conclusions: Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses also showed a reduction in nerve density in Akita mice at 3 and 4 months as compared to the control mice, thus, corroborating our PDM data analysis of HRV records. Western blot analysis of autonomic nerve proteins corroborated the PPG-based HRV analysis via the PDM approach. In contrast, traditional HRV analysis (based on either the power spectral density or time-domain measures) failed to detect the nerve rarefaction.
Evidence of a Viable Pool of Stem Cells within Human Osteoarthritic Cartilage
Authors: Nelson Larissa , McCarthy Helen E. , Fairclough John , Williams Rebecca , Archer Charles W. 
Published: August 2014

Objectives Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating disease affecting more than 4 million people in the United Kingdom. Despite its prevalence, there is no successful cell-based therapy currently used to treat patients whose cartilage is deemed irrecoverable. The present study aimed to isolate stem cells from tibial plateaux cartilage obtained from patients who underwent total knee replacements for OA and investigate their stem cell characteristics. Design Clonally derived cell lines were selected using a differential adhesion assay to fibronectin and expanded in monolayer culture. Colony forming efficiencies and growth kinetics were investigated. The potential for tri-lineage differentiation into chondrogenic, osteogenic, and adipogenic phenotypes were analyzed using histological stains, immunocytochemistry, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results Colony forming cells were successfully isolated from osteoarthritic cartilage and extensively expanded in monolayer culture. Colony forming efficiencies were consistently below 0.1%. Clonal cell lines were expanded beyond 40 population doublings but disparities were observed in the number of population doublings per day. Clonally derived cell lines also demonstrated in vitro multilineage potential via successful differentiation into chondrogenic, osteogenic, and adipogenic lineages. However, variation in the degree of differentiation was observed between these clonal cell lines. Conclusions A viable pool of cells with stem cell characteristics have been identified within human osteoarthritic cartilage. Variation in the degree of differentiation suggests the possibility of further subpopulations of cells. The identification of this stem cell population highlights the reparative potential of these cells in osteoarthritic cartilage, which could be further exploited to aid the field of regenerative medicine.
Vitamin C revisited
Authors: Oudemans-van Straaten Heleen M , Man Angelique ME Spoelstra-de , de Waard Monique C 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis narrative review summarizes the role of vitamin C in mitigating oxidative injury-induced microcirculatory impairment and associated organ failure in ischemia/reperfusion or sepsis. Preclinical studies show that high-dose vitamin C can prevent or restore microcirculatory flow impairment by inhibiting activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase and inducible nitric oxide synthase, augmenting tetrahydrobiopterin, preventing uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, and decreasing the formation of superoxide and peroxynitrite, and by directly scavenging superoxide. Vitamin C can additionally restore vascular responsiveness to vasoconstrictors, preserve endothelial barrier by maintaining cyclic guanylate phosphatase and occludin phosphorylation and preventing apoptosis. Finally, high-dose vitamin C can augment antibacterial defense. These protective effects against overwhelming oxidative stress due to ischemia/reperfusion, sepsis or burn seems to mitigate organ injury and dysfunction, and promote recovery after cardiac revascularization and in critically ill patients, in the latter partially in combination with other antioxidants. Of note, several questions remain to be solved, including optimal dose, timing and combination of vitamin C with other antioxidants. The combination obviously offers a synergistic effect and seems reasonable during sustained critical illness. High-dose vitamin C, however, provides a cheap, strong and multifaceted antioxidant, especially robust for resuscitation of the circulation. Vitamin C given as early as possible after the injurious event, or before if feasible, seems most effective. The latter could be considered at the start of cardiac surgery, organ transplant or major gastrointestinal surgery. Preoperative supplementation should consider the inhibiting effect of vitamin C on ischemic preconditioning. In critically ill patients, future research should focus on the use of short-term high-dose intravenous vitamin C as a resuscitation drug, to intervene as early as possible in the oxidant cascade in order to optimize macrocirculation and microcirculation and limit cellular injury.
MBASED: allele-specific expression detection in cancer tissues and cell lines
Authors: Mayba Oleg , Gilbert Houston N , Liu Jinfeng , Haverty Peter M , Jhunjhunwala Suchit , Jiang Zhaoshi , Watanabe Colin , Zhang Zemin 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAllele-specific gene expression, ASE, is an important aspect of gene regulation. We developed a novel method MBASED, meta-analysis based allele-specific expression detection for ASE detection using RNA-seq data that aggregates information across multiple single nucleotide variation loci to obtain a gene-level measure of ASE, even when prior phasing information is unavailable. MBASED is capable of one-sample and two-sample analyses and performs well in simulations. We applied MBASED to a panel of cancer cell lines and paired tumor-normal tissue samples, and observed extensive ASE in cancer, but not normal, samples, mainly driven by genomic copy number alterations.
In Situ XAFS Study of the Photoinduced Potential Shift of a MnOx Cocatalyst on a SrTiO3 Photocatalyst
Authors: Yoshida Masaaki , Gon Narihiro , Maeda Saaya , Mineo Takehiro , Nitta Kiyofumi , Kato Kazuo , Nitani Hiroaki , Abe Hitoshi , Uruga Tomoya , Kondoh Hiroshi 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
The migration of photoexcited carriers from a SrTiO3 photocatalyst to a MnOx cocatalyst during oxygen evolution from an aqueous AgNO3 solution under UV irradiation was investigated by in situ Mn K-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy. The absorption edge of the XAFS spectrum shifted to higher energy values during the photocatalytic reaction as the sacrificial reagent was consumed. This indicates that the MnOx cocatalyst was oxidized by the transfer of photogenerated holes, resulting in a positive potential shift of the cocatalyst throughout the oxygen evolution reaction.
Development of Novel Protease Assay Device Using a Nanoimprinted Two-dimensional Photonic Crystal
Authors: Hashimoto Wakana , Endo Tatsuro , Sueyoshi Kenji , Hisamoto Hideaki 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
We developed a novel protease assay device using nanoimprinted two-dimensional photonic crystal (2D-PhC) for the first time. 2D-PhC exhibits a characteristic reflection, and its intensity is strongly affected by small changes in refractive index (RI) of the 2D-PhC surface. In this study, protease substrate-immobilized 2D-PhC was newly developed in order to measure the protease activity, and the simple and selective detection of protease activity using 2D-PhC was successfully performed.
Nominal Group Technique consultation of a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme
Authors: Hutchings Hayley A , Rapport Frances L , Wright Sarah , Doel Marcus A , Clement Clare , Lewis Keir E 
Published: August 2014

Objective:The purpose of the study was to determine what patients, professionals and significant others regarded as the most important positive- and challenging aspects of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programmes for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and to gain insight into how such programmes could be developed and improved.Method:A modified Nominal Group Technique method was used in three consultation workshops (one with COPD patients who had recently undertaken a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme; one with ‘significant others’ of the same patients; one with secondary care professionals who deliver the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme).Results:Each of three workshops resulted in the production of approximately ten positive- and ten challenging aspects related to Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programmes. These were further developed by a process of thematisation into seven broad themes. The most important was ‘the patient’, followed by ‘physical health’; jointly ranked as third were: ‘mental health’ and ‘knowledge and education’. ‘The programme’ and ‘professional characteristics’ were jointly ranked as fifth, with ‘the future’ being ranked as the least important theme.Conclusions:The modified Nominal Group Technique method allowed the development of a ranked thematic list that illustrated the important positive- and challenging aspects of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programmes for patients with COPD. These themes should be core to planning future Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programmes, particularly if patients and carer views are to be considered.
Imaging hyphal growth of Physisporinus vitreus in Norway spruce wood by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM)
Authors: Schubert Mark , Stührk Chris , Fuhr Matthias J. , Schwarze Francis W.M.R. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Light microscopy and electron microscopy are the most common methods for analyzing wood-decay fungi. However, the 3D visualization and quantification of the filamentous structure of fungi in wood is difficult to realize by means of these traditional techniques. In the present work, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was further developed for the quantitative imaging of the 3D microscopic hyphal growth of Physisporinus vitreus, a versatile fungus for engineering value-added wood products. To this purpose, the fungus was stained with a fluorescent dye Alexa Fluor. The 3D information obtained by CLSM has a high potential as a basis for the development of mathematical models for a more precise observation of the growth behavior of wood-decay fungi.
Potential contribution of anion exclusion to hydroxide penetration in green liquor-modified kraft pulping
Authors: Naithani Ved , Jameel Hasan , Banerjee Sujit , Hart Peter W. , Lucia Lucian A. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Partial substitution of green liquor for white liquor in kraft pulping reduces calcining energy and reportedly enhances product properties. However, a full-scale trial showed that pulper rejects increased when green liquor substitution levels approached 10%. Imaging experiments and laboratory pulping runs demonstrate that the slower diffusion of hydroxide in the presence of green liquor carbonate is likely responsible for the elevated rejects. Green liquor substitution becomes increasingly more viable with decreasing chip thickness. Hence, such an approach should be especially suited to sawdust pulping where diffusion is not rate determining.
Evolution of Klk4 and enamel maturation in eutherians
Authors: Kawasaki Kazuhiko , Hu Jan C.-C. , Simmer James P. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Kallikrein-related peptidase 4 (KLK4) is a secreted serine protease that degrades residual enamel proteins to facilitate their removal by ameloblasts, which increases mineralization and hardens the enamel. Mutations in human KLK4 cause hypomaturation amelogenesis imperfecta. Enamel formed by Klk4 null mice is normal in thickness and prism structure, but the enamel layer retains proteins, is hypomineralized, and undergoes rapid attrition following tooth eruption. We searched multiple databases, retrieved Klk4 and Klk5 from various mammalian genomes, and identified Klk4 in 46 boreoeutherian genomes. In non-Boreoeutheria, Klk4 was detected in only one afrotherian genome (as a pseudogene), and not in the other six afrotherian, two xenarthran, or three marsupial genomes. In contrast, Klk5 was detected in both marsupial and eutherian mammals. Our phylogenetic and mutation rate analyses support the hypothesis that Klk4 arose from Klk5 by gene duplication near the divergence of Afrotheria, Xenarthra and Boreoeutheria, and that functionally-differentiated Klk4 survived only in Boreoeutheria. Afrotherian mammals share the feature of delayed dental eruption relative to boreoeutherian mammals. KLK4 shortens the time required for enamel maturation and could have alleviated negative selection following mutations that resulted in thicker enamel or earlier tooth eruption, without reducing enamel hardness or causing dental attrition.
Kallikrein-related peptidase 7 (KLK7) is a proliferative factor that is aberrantly expressed in human colon cancer
Authors: Walker Francine , Nicole Pascal , Jallane Abdelhak , Soosaipillai Antoninus , Mosbach Valentine , Oikonomopoulou Katerina , Diamandis Eleftherios P. , Magdolen Viktor , Darmoul Dalila 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates that serine proteases of the tissue kallikrein-related peptidases family (KLK) are implicated in tumorigenesis. We recently reported the ectopic expression of KLK4 and KLK14 in colonic cancers and their signaling to control cell proliferation. Human tissue kallikrein-related peptidase 7 (KLK7) is often dysregulated in many cancers; however, its role in colon tumorigenesis has not yet been established. In the present study, we analyzed expression of KLK7 in 15 colon cancer cell lines and in 38 human colonic tumors. In many human colon cancer cells, KLK7 mRNA was observed, which leads to KLK7 protein expression and secretion. Furthermore, KLK7 was detected in human colon adenocarcinomas, but it was absent in normal epithelia. KLK7 overexpression in HT29 colon cancer cells upon stable transfection with a KLK7 expression plasmid resulted in increased cell proliferation. Moreover, subcutaneous inoculation of transfected cells into nude mice led to increased tumor growth that was associated with increased tumor cell proliferation as reflected by a positive Ki-67 staining. Our results demonstrate the aberrant expression of KLK7 in colon cancer cells and tissues and its involvement in cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Thus, KLK7 may represent a potential therapeutic target for human colon tumorigenesis.
Loss of miR-378 in prostate cancer, a common regulator of KLK2 and KLK4, correlates with aggressive disease phenotype and predicts the short-term relapse of the patients
Authors: Avgeris Margaritis , Stravodimos Konstantinos , Scorilas Andreas 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
A large number of prostate cancer (PCa) patients receive treatment without significant benefits, strengthening the need for accurate prognosis, which can be supported by the study of miRNAs. In silico specificity analysis was performed for the identification of miRNAs able to regulate KLK2 and KLK4 expression. Total RNA was extracted from prostate tissues obtained from PCa and benign prostate hyperplasia patients. Thereafter, RNA was polyadenylated and reverse transcribed to cDNA, which was used for qPCR analysis. miR-378 was predicted to target both KLK2 and KLK4 and downregulated levels detected in PCa patients (p=0.050). The reduction of miR-378 was correlated with higher Gleason score (p=0.018), larger diameter tumors (p=0.034), and elevated serum PSA (p=0.006). Regarding prognosis, miR-378 was able to improve risk stratification according to Gleason score or tumor stage, while higher risk to recur highlighted for the patients expressing lower miR-378 levels. Finally, the loss of miR-378 was able to predict the short-term relapse of ‘high’- and ‘very high’-recurrence-risk patients, independent of Gleason score, tumor stage, PSA, and age as indicated by Kaplan-Meier survival curves (p=0.030) and multivariate Cox regression analysis (p=0.018). In conclusion, loss of miR-378 expression increases the risk for PCa progression and relapse, despite active treatment.
Effect of Temperature on Damage Evolution of Cr25Ni35Nb Alloy Subjected to Combined Mechanical and Environmental Degradation
Authors: Shen Limin , Liu Huansheng , Gong Jianming , Geng Luyang 
Published: August 2014

AbstractDue to combined mechanical and environmental degradation, i.e. coupled creep and carburization, Cr25Ni35Nb alloy often fails prior to the expected design life. In the present paper, based on the continuum damage mechanics, the constitutive model of coupled multi-damage factors for computing the damage evolution of Cr25Ni35Nb alloy was proposed. The damage prediction was carried out by using finite element method based on ABAQUS code. And then damage evolution processes at different operating temperatures (950 °C and 1050 °C) were simulated and the effect of service temperature on the damage evolution was discussed. The results showed that the rate of damage increased obviously with operating temperature increasing. The location with maximum damage is along the inner surface of tube, which implies that fracture begins along the inner surface of tube under the action of coupled creep and carburization damage and this is coincident with the actual observation of the failure of furnace tube.
Light-triggered vesicle formation: important factors for generation of vesicles and possible applications
Authors: Shima Tatsuya , Muraoka Takahiro , Tabata Kazuhito V. , Noji Hiroyuki , Kinbara Kazushi 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe effect of the structure of a chromophore on the light-triggered vesicle formation from particles containing the chromophore and a phospholipid was studied. It was revealed that not only the photoactivity but also the amphiphilicity is essential for the chromophore to cause the vesicle formation, where the amphiphilicity likely allows coexistence of the amphiphile and phospholipid in the particles. It was also found that an ionic solute used in the hydration media has an encouraging effect on the photo-generation of vesicles. In addition to these fundamental aspects, vesicle formation in a microenvironment and encapsulation of a substance in the vesicles were also demonstrated.
Triads in International Relations: The Effect of Superpower Aid, Trade, and Arms Transfers on Conflict in the Middle East
Authors: Mintz Alex , Heo Uk 
Published: August 2014

AbstractIn this paper we extend dyadic research on conflict processes in international relations, to the analysis of triadic relationship. Specifically, we argue that although conflict can be explained at the dyadic level of analysis, a triadic analysis can greatly enrich our understanding of the dynamics of conflict and cooperation. We present a theory of triadic relationship and test it with data on the effect of aid and trade of Middle Eastern dyads with major powers (the US, The Soviet Union/Russia, the UK and France) in the post-WWII era using negative binomial regression. The results show the importance of expanding research in International Relations from dyadic to triadic interactions. Robustness tests demonstrate the validity of our analysis.
Evaluation of Super-Resolution Methods for Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: Kathiravan S. , Kanakaraj J. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Super-resolution is the process of reconstructing a high-resolution magnetic resonance image (MRI) sequence from one or many low-resolution MRI sequences. In MRI, low-resolution images are usually interpolated to reduce the voxel size and enhance the perceptible resolution. Conventional interpolation methods are not able to recover the high-frequency information lost during the acquisition process. In this manuscript a novel super-resolution technique is proposed for the recovery of such information using coplanar high-resolution images. The proposed methodology benefits from the fact that in typical clinical settings both high- and low-resolution images of different types are taken of the same subject. These available high-resolution images can be used to enhance the resolution of other coplanar lower resolution images. Experiments on MRI data are described to show the efficacy of the proposed approach. An evaluation with conventional interpolation techniques is presented to illustrate the superior performance of the proposed methodology relative to preceding techniques.
Sumoylation controls host anti‐bacterial response to the gut invasive pathogen Shigella flexneri
Authors: Fritah Sabrina , Lhocine Nouara , Golebiowski Filip , Mounier Joëlle , Andrieux Alexandra , Jouvion Grégory , Hay Ronald T , Sansonetti Philippe , Dejean Anne 
Published: August 2014

AbstractShigella flexneri, the etiological agent of bacillary dysentery, invades the human colonic epithelium and causes its massive inflammatory destruction. Little is known about the post‐translational modifications implicated in regulating the host defense pathway against Shigella. Here, we show that SUMO‐2 impairs Shigella invasion of epithelial cells in vitro. Using mice haploinsufficient for the SUMO E2 enzyme, we found that sumoylation regulates intestinal permeability and is required to restrict epithelial invasion and control mucosal inflammation. Quantitative proteomics reveals that Shigella infection alters the sumoylation status of a restricted set of transcriptional regulators involved in intestinal functions and inflammation. Consistent with this, sumoylation restricts the pro‐inflammatory transcriptional response of Shigella‐infected guts. Altogether, our results show that the SUMO pathway is an essential component of host innate protection, as it reduces the efficiency of two key steps of shigellosis: invasion and inflammatory destruction of the intestinal epithelium.