bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of classical components of the renin-angiotensin system in the human eye
Authors: White Andrew JR , Cheruvu Sarat C , Sarris Maria , Liyanage Surabhi S , Lumbers Eugenie , Chui Jeanie , Wakefield Denis , McCluskey Peter J 
Published: October 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relative expression of clinically-relevant components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the adult human eye. Methods: We obtained 14 post-mortem enucleated human eyes from patients whom had no history of inflammatory ocular disease nor pre-mortem ocular infection. We determined the gene expression for prorenin, renin, prorenin receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensinogen and angiotensin II Type 1 receptor, on tissue sections and in cultured human primary retinal pigment epithelial and iris pigment epithelial (RPE/IPE) cell lines, using both qualitative and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Protein expression was studied using indirect immunofluorescence (IF). Results: Almost all components of the classical RAS were found at high levels, at both the transcript and protein level, in the eyes’ uvea and retina; and at lower levels in the cornea, conjunctiva and sclera. There was a much lower level of expression in the reference cultured RPE/IPE cells lines. Conclusion: This study describes the distribution of RAS in the normal adult human eye and demonstrates the existence of an independent ocular RAS, with uveal and retinal tissues showing the highest expression of RAS components. These preliminary findings provide scope for examination of additional components of this system in the human eye, as well as possible differential expression under pathological conditions.
Urinary angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 increases in diabetic nephropathy by angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker olmesartan
Authors: Abe Masanori , Oikawa Osamu , Okada Kazuyoshi , Soma Masayoshi 
Published: October 2014

Introduction: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a member of the renin–angiotensin system that degrades angiotensin (Ang) II to the seven-amino acid peptide fragment Ang-(1-7). We evaluated the changes in urinary ACE2 levels in response to treatment with the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker olmesartan in diabetes patients with nephropathy. Materials and methods: This prospective, open-label, interventional study was conducted with 31 type 2 diabetes patients with nephropathy. After initial evaluation, patients received 20 mg/day olmesartan, which was increased to 40 mg/day over a 24-week period. Results: In diabetes patients with chronic kidney disease, olmesartan significantly increased urinary ACE2 levels independently of blood pressure and plasma aldosterone levels and reduced albuminuria, urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP), and plasma aldosterone levels. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that the change in urinary L-FABP levels was an independent predictor of increased urinary ACE2 levels. Conclusion: Olmesartan may have the unique effect of increasing urinary ACE2 levels. However, whether this contributes to olmesartan’s renoprotective effect must be examined further.
The TAK1-NF-κB axis as therapeutic target for AML
Authors: Bosman Matthieu Cornelis Johannes , Schepers Hein , Jaques Jennifer , Brouwers-Vos Annet Zwaantien , Quax Wim Johannes , Schuringa Jan Jacob , Vellenga Edo 
Published: October 2014

Key PointsThe threonine kinase TAK1 is a survival-related gene that is strongly upregulated in AML CD34+ cells vs NBM CD34+ cells. Genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of TAK1-induced cell death in an NF-κB–dependent manner in AML cells in vitro and in vivo.
The role of the thymus in T-cell immune reconstitution after umbilical cord blood transplantation
Authors: Politikos Ioannis , Boussiotis Vassiliki A. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractUmbilical cord blood (UCB) is an alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells for patients without HLA-matched adult donors. UCB contains a low number of nucleated cells and mostly naive T cells, resulting in prolonged time to engraftment and lack of transferred T-cell memory. Although the first phase of T-cell reconstitution after UCB transplantation (UCBT) depends on peripheral expansion of transferred T cells, permanent T-cell reconstitution is mediated via a central mechanism, which depends on de novo production of naive T lymphocytes by the recipient’s thymus from donor-derived lymphoid-myeloid progenitors (LMPs). Thymopoiesis can be assessed by quantification of recent thymic emigrants, T-cell receptor excision circle levels, and T-cell receptor repertoire diversity. These assays are valuable tools for monitoring posttransplantation thymic recovery, but more importantly they have shown the significant prognostic value of thymic reconstitution for clinical outcomes after UCBT, including opportunistic infections, disease relapse, and overall survival. Strategies to improve thymic entry and differentiation of LMPs and to accelerate recovery of the thymic stromal microenvironment may improve thymic lymphopoiesis. Here, we discuss the mechanisms and clinical implications of thymic recovery and new approaches to improve reconstitution of the T-cell repertoire after UCBT.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Molecular insights into the anti-cancer properties of Traditional Tibetan medicine Yukyung Karne
Authors: Choedon Tenzin , Dolma Dawa , Mathan Ganeshan , Kumar Vijay 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Background
Yukyung karne (YK) is a traditional Tibetan formulation used for many centuries for the treatment of ovarian cancer. However, the pharmacological basis of its anticancer property is not well understood. In the present study, the anticancer property of YK was investigated in cell culture.

Methods
The growth inhibitory property of YK was evaluated in SKOV6, IHH, HepG2 and HEK293 cell lines using MTT assay. The pro-apoptotic activity of drug was analyzed by terminal deoxynuleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and DNA fragmentation assays. Confocal microscopy was used to show the release of cytochrome c and its co-localization with mitochondria with the help of dsRed mitotracker in SKOV6 cells. The inhibition in cell proliferation was also visualized by confocal microscopy after BrDU incorporation. The activation of tumor suppressor p53 was evaluated by Western blotting while VEGF levels in culture supernatant were measured by a colorimetric method.

Results
YK specifically and efficiently induced apoptotic killing of the human ovarian cancer SKOV6 cells as indicated by increased DNA fragmentation and nick end DNA labeling. Confocal microscopy suggested inhibition of cell proliferation and increase in cytochrome c release via perturbation in mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). Further, YK up-regulated the expression of tumor suppressor p53 and key cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, and inhibited VEGF secretion by cells. Interestingly, YK also exhibited a synergy with paclitaxel which is a well-known anti-cancer therapeutic drug.

Conclusions
The pharmacological properties of YK to impose growth arrest and trigger pro-apoptotic death in cells amply justify its usage in primary as well as adjunct therapy for ovarian cancer.
Are migrants discriminated against in Chinese urban labour markets?
Authors: Gagnon Jason , Xenogiani Theodora , Xing Chunbing 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
We use a nationally representative survey to investigate the incidence of discrimination against internal migrant workers in urban China, considering both migrants from rural areas (rural migrants) and those from other urban areas (urban migrants). We find that both rural and urban migrants are discriminated out of jobs with formal labour contracts. Results also suggest that urban migrants are compensated for working in the informal sector by earning higher wages. There is evidence however of wage discrimination against rural hukou status. A semi-parametric method suggests a larger discrimination against migrants in the upper half of the wage distribution. Discrimination against migrants seems not to decrease as their duration of stay in the urban labour market increases.

JEL codes

J7; J51; O15; N35
MUSIC: identification of enriched regions in ChIP-Seq experiments using a mappability-corrected multiscale signal processing framework
Authors: Harmanci Arif , Rozowsky Joel , Gerstein Mark 
Published: October 2014

AbstractWe present MUSIC, a signal processing approach for identification of enriched regions in ChIP-Seq data, available at http://www.music.gersteinlab.org. MUSIC first filters the ChIP-Seq read-depth signal for systematic noise from non-uniform mappability, which fragments enriched regions. Then it performs a multiscale decomposition, using median filtering, identifying enriched regions at multiple length scales. This is useful given the wide range of scales probed in ChIP-Seq assays. MUSIC performs favorably in terms of accuracy and reproducibility compared with other methods. In particular, analysis of RNA polymerase II data reveals a clear distinction between the stalled and elongating forms of the polymerase.
Nanoscale investigation of surface potential distribution of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 thin films grown with additional NaF layers
Authors: Kim Gee Yeong , Kim Juran , Jo William , Son Dae-Ho , Kim Dae-Hwan , Kang Jin-Kyu 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
CZTS precursors [SLG/Mo (300 nm)/ZnS (460 nm)/SnS (480 nm)/Cu (240 nm)] were deposited by RF/DC sputtering, and then NaF layers (0, 15, and 30 nm) were grown by electron beam evaporation. The precursors were annealed in a furnace with Se metals at 590°C for 20 minutes. The final composition of the CZTSSe thin-films was of Cu/(Zn + Sn) ~ 0.88 and Zn/Sn ~ 1.05, with a metal S/Se ratio estimated at ~0.05. The CZTSSe thin-films have different NaF layer thicknesses in the range from 0 to 30 nm, achieving a ~3% conversion efficiency, and the CZTSSe thin-films contain ~3% of Na. Kelvin probe force microscopy was used to identify the local potential difference that varied according to the thickness of the NaF layer on the CZTSSe thin-films. The potential values at the grain boundaries were observed to increase as the NaF thickness increased. Moreover, the ratio of the positively charged GBs in the CZTSSe thin-films with an NaF layer was higher than that of pure CZTSSe thin-films. A positively charged potential was observed around the grain boundaries of the CZTSSe thin-films, which is a beneficial characteristic that can improve the performance of a device.
Horizon-based semiautomated nonhyperbolic velocity analysis
Authors: Zhang Bo , Zhao Tao , Qi Jie , Marfurt Kurt J. 
Published: October 2014

With higher capacity recording systems, long-offset surveys are becoming common in seismic exploration plays. Long offsets provide leverage against multiples, have greater sensitivity to anisotropy, and are key to accurate inversion for shear impedance and density. There are two main issues associated with preserving the data fidelity contained in the large offsets: (1) nonhyperbolic velocity analysis and (2) mitigating the migration/NMO stretch. Current nonhyperbolic velocity analysis workflows first estimate moveout velocity [Formula: see text] based on the offset-limited gathers, then pick an effective anellipticity [Formula: see text] using the full-offset gathers. Unfortunately, estimating [Formula: see text] at small aperture may be inaccurate, with picking errors in [Formula: see text] introducing errors in the subsequent analysis of effective anellipticity. We have developed an automated algorithm to simultaneously estimate the nonhyperbolic parameters. Instead of directly seeking an effective stacking model, the algorithm finds an interval model that gives the most powerful stack. The searching procedure for the best interval model was conducted using a direct, global optimization algorithm called differential evolutionary. Next, we applied an antistretch workflow to minimize stretch at a far offset after obtaining the optimal effective model. The automated velocity analysis and antistretch workflow were tested on the data volume acquired over the Fort Worth Basin, USA. The results provided noticeable improvement on the prestack gathers and on the stacked data volume.
Geographic Variation in Use of Laparoscopic Colectomy for Colon Cancer
Authors: Reames Bradley N. , Sheetz Kyle H. , Waits Seth A. , Dimick Justin B. , Regenbogen Scott E. 
Published: October 2014

Purpose Emerging evidence supporting the use of laparoscopic colectomy in patients with cancer has led to dramatic increases in utilization. Though certain patient and hospital characteristics may be associated with the use of laparoscopy, the influence of geography is poorly understood. Methods We used national Medicare claims data from 2009 and 2010 to examine geographic variation in utilization of laparoscopic colectomy for patients with colon cancer. Patients were assigned to hospital referral regions (HRRs) where they were treated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to generate age, sex, and race-adjusted rates of laparoscopic colectomy for each HRR. Patient quintiles of adjusted HRR utilization were used to evaluate differences in patient and hospital characteristics across low and high-utilizing HRRs. Results A total of 93,786 patients underwent colon resections at 3,476 hospitals during the study period, of which 30,502 (32.5%) were performed laparoscopically. Differences in patient characteristics between the lowest and highest quintiles of HRR utilization were negligible, and there was no difference in the availability of laparoscopic technology. Yet adjusted rates of laparoscopic colectomy utilization varied from 0% to 66.8% across 306 HRRs in the United States. Conclusion There is wide geographic variation in the utilization of laparoscopic colectomy for Medicare patients with colon cancer, suggesting treatment location may substantially influence a patient's options for surgical approach. Future efforts to reduce variation will require increased dissemination of training techniques, novel opportunities for learning among surgeons, and enhanced educational resources for patients.
Combined BRAF (Dabrafenib) and MEK Inhibition (Trametinib) in Patients With BRAFV600-Mutant Melanoma Experiencing Progression With Single-Agent BRAF Inhibitor
Authors: Johnson Douglas B. , Flaherty Keith T. , Weber Jeffrey S. , Infante Jeffrey R. , Kim Kevin B. , Kefford Richard F. , Hamid Omid , Schuchter Lynn , Cebon Jonathan , Sharfman William H. , McWilliams Robert R. , Sznol Mario , Lawrence Donald P. , Gibney Geoffrey T. , Burris Howard A. , Falchook Gerald S. , Algazi Alain , Lewis Karl , Long Georgina V. , Patel Kiran , Ibrahim Nageatte , Sun Peng , Little Shonda , Cunningham Elizabeth , Sosman Jeffrey A. , Daud Adil , Gonzalez Rene 
Published: October 2014

Purpose Preclinical and early clinical studies have demonstrated that initial therapy with combined BRAF and MEK inhibition is more effective in BRAFV600-mutant melanoma than single-agent BRAF inhibitors. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of dabrafenib and trametinib in patients who had received prior BRAF inhibitor treatment. Patients and Methods In this open-label phase I/II study, we evaluated the pharmacology, safety, and efficacy of dabrafenib and trametinib. Here, we report patients treated with combination therapy after disease progression with BRAF inhibitor treatment administered before study enrollment (part B; n = 26) or after cross-over at progression with dabrafenib monotherapy (part C; n = 45). Results In parts B and C, confirmed objective response rates (ORR) were 15% (95% CI, 4% to 35%) and 13% (95% CI, 5% to 27%), respectively; an additional 50% and 44% experienced stable disease ≥ 8 weeks, respectively. In part C, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.6 months (95% CI, 2 to 4), and median overall survival was 11.8 months (95% CI, 8 to 25) from cross-over. Patients who previously received dabrafenib ≥ 6 months had superior outcomes with the combination compared with those treated < 6 months; median PFS was 3.9 (95% CI, 3 to 7) versus 1.8 months (95% CI, 2 to 4; hazard ratio, 0.49; P = .02), and ORR was 26% (95% CI, 10% to 48%) versus 0% (95% CI, 0% to 15%). Conclusion Dabrafenib plus trametinib has modest clinical efficacy in patients with BRAF inhibitor–resistant melanoma. This regimen may be a therapeutic strategy for patients who previously benefited from BRAF inhibitor monotherapy ≥ 6 months but demonstrates minimal efficacy after rapid progression with BRAF inhibitor therapy.
One-pot Synthesis of Hollow Microspheres of Cerium Oxide and Their Application in Electrochemical Sensors
Authors: Zou Jing , Gong Wanyun , Zhang Sheng , Zhou Xin , Zhang Yuanxiao , Jiang Jizhou 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Monodisperse hollow cerium oxide (CeO2) microspheres were successfully synthesized by a convenient one-pot preparative method. It was found that the morphology of the hollow CeO2 microspheres was sensing to reaction conditions. A possible mechanism for the formation of hollow CeO2 microspheres was discussed. Moreover, we investigated the electrochemical properties of the resultant hollow CeO2 microspheres by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It was found that the electrochemical sensors based on hollow CeO2 microspheres exhibited high electrochemical response.
A Donor–Acceptor-type Host Material for Solution-processed Phosphorescent Organic Light-emitting Devices Showing High Efficiency
Authors: Jun Chang-Hwa , Pu Yong-Jin , Igarashi Masahiro , Chiba Takayuki , Sasabe Hisahiro , Kido Junji 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
The solution-processable host material, 3,3′-[bis(9-phenylcarbazol-3-yl)]benzophenone (BCzBP), containing donor-type phenylcarbazole units and an acceptor-type benzophenone unit was synthesized. BCzBP showed a high excited triplet energy level and a high photoluminescence quantum efficiency with tris[2-(4-tolyl)pyridine]iridium ([Ir(mppy)3]) as a dopant, and a high glass-transition temperature. Solution-processed green phosphorescent OLEDs were fabricated with BCzBP. The device with BCzBP as a host showed comparable efficiencies to those of the corresponding device with 4,4′-bis(N-carbazolyl)biphenyl (CBP) as a host. At the same current density, the device with BCzBP showed a longer device lifetime than that with CBP, due to the high thermal stability and the bipolar nature of the host compound, BCzBP.
Preparation of Silica Particles Modified with Base-amplifying Groups and Their Application to Anionic UV Curing
Authors: Arimitsu Koji , Iijima Daiki , Furutani Masahiro , Yamada Yasuyuki , Wakiya Takeshi 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
We have prepared silica particles modified with base-amplifying groups and applied these particles to anionic UV curing materials to prepare organic–inorganic nanocomposites. We have succeeded in the preparation of a coating film containing 74 wt % of modified silica particles. Surprisingly, the film showed high mechanical strength and transparency.
Solution Chemical Synthesis of Hollow Vaterite Particles for Advanced Biomaterial Applications
Authors: Sugiura Yuki , Onuma Kazuo , Yamazaki Atsushi 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
In this work, we develop a new simple synthesis method of hollow polycrystalline monophase vaterite particles without impurities such as calcite and toxic buffer (tris(hydroxylmethyl)aminomethane: Tris). Starting materials consist of CaCl2, NaHCO3, NaCl, and a flavin mononucleotide, a vitamin B2 derivative. The resulting vaterite particles showed a spherical shell of 2–5 µm surrounding a 50–500 nm diameter cavity. The shells comprised 10–100 nm wide elongated fibrous crystals, which were tightly packed and radially elongated from the center of a vaterite sphere.
Charge–Discharge Property of Si and SiOx Nanoparticles Produced in Regulated Carbon Nanospace
Authors: Tabuchi Hikaru , Nakamura Tsuyoshi , Urita Koki , Moriguchi Isamu 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Si and SiOx nanoparticle-embedded nanoporous carbons were successfully synthesized by reducing a SiO2 opal–carbon composite precursor with Mg, and their interstitial nanospace in carbon pores was tunable by partly etching the SiO2 particles in the precursor. It was revealed that dispersive loading of Si and SiOx nanoparticles in carbon nanospace is necessary to enhance the charge–discharge performance in addition to providing the interstitial nanospace as a buffer space for the volume change associated with Si–Li reactions.
Selective degradation of serum proteins is likely responsible for the spurious differences in innate immunity proteins observed in a type 1 diabetes study
Authors: Zhi Wenbo , Purohit Sharad , Bai Shan , Sharma Ashok , She Jin-Xiong 
Published: October 2014

Discovery and validation of serum protein biomarkers is of vital importance for the prediction, mechanism elucidation and monitoring response to therapy of type 1 diabetes mellitus. In this study, we attempted to replicate the results published in a 2013 issue of The Journal of Experimental Medicine by Qibin Zhang and colleagues described the discovery, verification and validation of several serum proteins/peptides that were drastically different between type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients and healthy controls, using label-free quantitative LC-MS-based proteomics and a multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (MRM-MS) based multiplexed peptide assays. We performed the same MRM-MS assay in a large sample panel of 145 T1D patients and 156 autoantibody negative (AbN) control subjects (PANDA sample set) collected in the same geographical area, during the same period of time and by the same investigators, as well as 144 serum samples from the original authors (DASP sample set). Our measurement of 12 transitions/peptides in the DASP samples correlated very nicely with the authors’ published results, indicating that the techniques used in the two laboratories yield very similar results on the same sample sets. Yet, in our PANDA samples, five of the twelve peptides (LLDSLPSDTR, FQPTLLTLPR, TNLESILSYPK, LVLLNAIYLSAK and ITQVLHFTK) whose serum levels are significantly different in the DASP verification and/or blind sample sets are not significant (p>0.05). Only one peptide (TGAQELLR) showed marginal significance (p=0.03). Although the remaining 6 peptides (NIQSLEVIGK, TLEAQLTPR, ELDESLQVAER, AGALNSNDAFVLK, TFTLLDPK and DIPTNSPELEETLTHTITK) are significantly different between the T1D and control group in our PANDA sample set, the inter-group differences as measured by fold change (FC) are very small (FC = 1.0±0.1). Therefore, our results do not support the major findings in the report.