bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TM6SF2 rs58542926 influences hepatic fibrosis progression in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Liu Yang-Lin , Reeves Helen L. , Burt Alastair D. , Tiniakos Dina , McPherson Stuart , Leathart Julian B. S. , Allison Michael E. D. , Alexander Graeme J. , Piguet Anne-Christine , Anty Rodolphe , Donaldson Peter , Aithal Guruprasad P. , Francque Sven , Van Gaal Luc , Clement Karine , Ratziu Vlad , Dufour Jean-Francois , Day Christopher P. , Daly Ann K. , Anstee Quentin M. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly common condition, strongly associated with the metabolic syndrome, that can lead to progressive hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatic failure. Subtle inter-patient genetic variation and environmental factors combine to determine variation in disease progression. A common non-synonymous polymorphism in TM6SF2 (rs58542926 c.449 C>T, p.Glu167Lys) was recently associated with increased hepatic triglyceride content, but whether this variant promotes clinically relevant hepatic fibrosis is unknown. Here we confirm that TM6SF2 minor allele carriage is associated with NAFLD and is causally related to a previously reported chromosome 19 GWAS signal that was ascribed to the gene NCAN. Furthermore, using two histologically characterized cohorts encompassing steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis (combined n=1,074), we demonstrate a new association, independent of potential confounding factors (age, BMI, type 2 diabetes mellitus and PNPLA3 rs738409 genotype), with advanced hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis. These findings establish new and important clinical relevance to TM6SF2 in NAFLD.
Correlation network analysis reveals relationships between diet-induced changes in human gut microbiota and metabolic health
Authors: Kelder T , Stroeve J H M , Bijlsma S , Radonjic M , Roeselers G 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Background:
Recent evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays an important role in human metabolism and energy homeostasis and is therefore a relevant factor in the assessment of metabolic health and flexibility. Understanding of these host–microbiome interactions aids the design of nutritional strategies that act via modulation of the microbiota. Nevertheless, relating gut microbiota composition to host health states remains challenging because of the sheer complexity of these ecosystems and the large degrees of interindividual variation in human microbiota composition.

Methods:
We assessed fecal microbiota composition and host response patterns of metabolic and inflammatory markers in 10 apparently healthy men subjected to a high-fat high-caloric diet (HFHC, 1300 kcal/day extra) for 4 weeks. DNA was isolated from stool and barcoded 16S rRNA gene amplicons were sequenced. Metabolic health parameters, including anthropomorphic and blood parameters, where determined at t=0 and t=4 weeks.

Results:
A correlation network approach revealed diet-induced changes in Bacteroides levels related to changes in carbohydrate oxidation rates, whereas the change in Firmicutes correlates with changes in fat oxidation. These results were confirmed by multivariate models. We identified correlations between microbial diversity indices and several inflammation-related host parameters that suggest a relation between diet-induced changes in gut microbiota diversity and inflammatory processes.

Conclusions:
This approach allowed us to identify significant correlations between abundances of microbial taxa and diet-induced shifts in several metabolic health parameters. Constructed correlation networks provide an overview of these relations, revealing groups of correlations that are of particular interest for explaining host health aspects through changes in the gut microbiota.
Controlled Vapor Phase Growth of Single Crystalline, Two-Dimensional GaSe Crystals with High Photoresponse
Authors: Li Xufan , Lin Ming-Wei , Puretzky Alexander A. , Idrobo Juan C. , Ma Cheng , Chi Miaofang , Yoon Mina , Rouleau Christopher M. , Kravchenko Ivan I. , Geohegan David B. , Xiao Kai 
Published: June 2014

AbstractCompared with their bulk counterparts, atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) crystals exhibit new physical properties and have the potential to enable next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices. However, controlled synthesis of large uniform monolayer and multi-layer 2D crystals is still challenging. Here, we report the controlled synthesis of 2D GaSe crystals on SiO2/Si substrates using a vapor phase deposition method. For the first time, uniform, large (up to ~60 μm in lateral size), single-crystalline, triangular monolayer GaSe crystals were obtained and their structure and orientation were characterized from atomic scale to micrometer scale. The size, density, shape, thickness and uniformity of the 2D GaSe crystals were shown to be controllable by growth duration, growth region, growth temperature and argon carrier gas flow rate. The theoretical modeling of the electronic structure and Raman spectroscopy demonstrate a direct-to-indirect bandgap transition and progressive confinement-induced bandgap shifts for 2D GaSe crystals. The 2D GaSe crystals show p-type semiconductor characteristics and high photoresponsivity (~1.7 A/W under white light illumination) comparable to exfoliated GaSe nanosheets. These 2D GaSe crystals are potentially useful for next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices such as photodetectors and field-effect transistors.
The image-scratch paradigm: a new paradigm for evaluating infants' motivated gaze control
Authors: Miyazaki Michiko , Takahashi Hideyuki , Rolf Matthias , Okada Hiroyuki , Omori Takashi 
Published: June 2014

AbstractHuman infants show spontaneous behaviours such as general movement, goal-directed behaviour and self-motivated behaviour from a very early age. However, it is unclear how these behaviours are organised throughout development. A major hindrance to empirical investigation is that there is no common paradigm for all ages that can circumvent infants' underdeveloped verbal and motor abilities. Here, we propose a new paradigm, named the image-scratch task, using a gaze-contingent technique that is adaptable to various extents of motor ability. In this task, participants scratch off a black layer on a display to uncover pictures beneath it by using their gaze. We established quantitative criteria for spontaneous eye-movement based on adults' gaze-data and demonstrated that our task is useful for evaluating eye-movements motivated by outcome attractiveness in 8-month-olds. Finally, we discuss the potential of this paradigm for revealing the mechanisms and developmental transitions underlying infants' spontaneous and intentional behaviours.
Suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins as guardians of inflammatory responses critical for regulating insulin sensitivity
Authors: Galic Sandra , Sachithanandan Nirupa , Kay Thomas W. , Steinberg Gregory R. 
Published: June 2014

Overactivation of immune pathways in obesity is an important cause of insulin resistance and thus new approaches aimed to limit inflammation or its consequences may be effective for treating Type 2 diabetes. The SOCS (suppressors of cytokine signalling) are a family of proteins that play an essential role in mediating inflammatory responses in both immune cells and metabolic organs such as the liver, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. In the present review we discuss the role of SOCS1 and SOCS3 in controlling immune cells such as macrophages and T-cells and the impact this can have on systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. We also dissect the mechanisms by which SOCS (1–7) regulate insulin signalling in different tissues including their impact on the insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrates. Lastly, we discuss the important findings from SOCS whole-body and tissue-specific null mice, which implicate an important role for these proteins in controlling insulin action and glucose homoeostasis in obesity.
Human TRPM8 and TRPA1 pain channels, including a gene variant with increased sensitivity to agonists (TRPA1 R797T), exhibit differential regulation by SRC-tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Authors: Morgan Kevin , Sadofsky Laura R. , Crow Christopher , Morice Alyn H. 
Published: June 2014

TRPM8 (transient receptor potential M8) and TRPA1 (transient receptor potential A1) are cold-temperature-sensitive nociceptors expressed in sensory neurons but their behaviour in neuronal cells is poorly understood. Therefore DNA expression constructs containing human TRPM8 or TRPA1 cDNAs were transfected into HEK (human embryonic kidney cells)-293 or SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and G418 resistant clones analysed for effects of agonists and antagonists on intracellular Ca2+ levels. Approximately 51% of HEK-293 and 12% of SH-SY5Y cell clones expressed the transfected TRP channel. TRPM8 and TRPA1 assays were inhibited by probenecid, indicating the need to avoid this agent in TRP channel studies. A double-residue mutation in ICL-1 (intracellular loop-1) of TRPM8 (SV762,763EL, mimicking serine phosphorylation) or one in the C-terminal tail region (FK1045,1046AG, a lysine knockout) retained sensitivity to agonists (WS 12, menthol) and antagonist {AMTB [N-(3-Aminopropyl)-2-[(3-methylphenyl)methoxy]-N-(2-thienylmethyl)benzamide]}. SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) variants in TRPA1 ICL-1 (R797T, S804N) and TRPA1 fusion protein containing C-terminal (His)10 retained sensitivity to agonists (cinnamaldehyde, allyl-isothiocyanate, carvacrol, eugenol) and antagonists (HC-030031, A967079). One SNP variant, 797T, possessed increased sensitivity to agonists. TRPA1 became repressed in SH-SY5Y clones but was rapidly rescued by Src-family inhibitor PP2 [4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine]. Conversely, TRPM8 in SH-SY5Y cells was inhibited by PP2. Further studies utilizing SH-SY5Y may identify structural features of TRPA1 and TRPM8 involved in conferring differential post-translational regulation.
FPGA‐based high accuracy burst carrier frequency measurement method
Authors: Zhang Peng , Wang Houjun , Li Li , Wang Ping 
Published: June 2014

A burst carrier frequency measurement scheme combined with a timestamping counting method based on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is proposed. With the multiplication and phase shift of count clock, multiple parallel counters are continuously counted, and the times of the rising edge of the unknown frequency fx are counted simultaneously. To obtain the frequency of fx, linear regression by use of least‐squares line fitting is used. Experimental results show that the proposed approach can effectively reduce the error introduced by the quantisation error of ±1, improve measurement accuracy by about 2 to 3 bit, reduce measurement uncertainty by more than 20% and diminish the processing time to 200 ns compared with the traditional methods under the same conditions.
Circularly polarised magneto‐electric dipole antenna
Authors: Liang Weilong , Jiao Yong‐Chang , Li Jingwei , Ni Tao 
Published: June 2014

A new design of a circularly polarised magneto‐electric dipole antenna is presented. The proposed antenna is composed of two magneto‐electric dipoles and a feeding network comprising a wideband 90° Schiffman phase shifter. The two magneto‐electric dipoles are cross‐placed. By using the proper feeding network, two orthogonal linearly polarised modes with a 90° phase difference for circular polarisation can be excited. Simulation results show that the 10 dB return loss bandwidth of the proposed antenna is 85.7% from 2 to 5 GHz, and the 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth is 61.5% from 2.7 to 5.1 GHz. The peak antenna gain is 8.3 dB. The measured results agree well with the simulation results.
Performance improvement for long‐range BOTDR sensing system based on high extinction ratio modulator
Authors: Zhang Yixin , Wu Xuelin , Ying Zhoufeng , Zhang Xuping 
Published: June 2014

The leakage light of an electro‐optic modulator induced by its finite extinction ratio (ER) may degrade the performance of the Brillouin optical time domain reflectometer (BOTDR) sensing system, especially for long distance measurement. A novel configuration of a modulator based on a synchronous optical switch is presented. Experimental results have shown that the performance of the sensing system can be obviously improved with the proposed high ER modulator. At the end of a 48.5 km sensing fibre, the maximum uncertainty of temperature measurement has been reduced from 5.2 to 0.8°C with a 25 m spatial resolution after making an improvement in the ER from 35 to 65 dB.
Low RCS microstrip antenna using polarisation‐dependent frequency selective surface
Authors: Jia Yongtao , Liu Ying , Wang Hui , Gong Shuxi 
Published: June 2014

A low radar cross‐section (RCS) microstrip antenna is proposed. A polarisation‐dependent frequency selective surface (PDFSS) structure is designed and used as the antenna ground. By properly etching the unit cells of the PDFSS with different orientations on the ground of the microstrip antenna, the RCS has been reduced in the angular range of −90 ° ≤ θ ≤ +90° in both the xoz‐plane and the yoz‐plane under the φ‐polarised incident wave. The ‘Γ’ shape slots between the unit cells with different orientations are used to reduce their mutual coupling.
Dynamical Breaking of Generalized Yang Mills Theory*
Authors: Dian-Fu Wang , He-Shan Song 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The dynamical breaking of a generalized Yang–Mills theory is discussed. It is shown, in terms of the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio mechanism, that the gauge symmetry breaking can be realized dynamically in the generalized Yang-Mills theory. The combination of the generalized Yang-Mills theory and the NJL mechanism provides a way to overcome the difficulties related to the Higgs field and the Higgs mechanism in the usual spontaneous symmetry breaking theory.
Differential stress resistance and metabolic traits underlie coexistence in a sympatrically evolved bacterial population
Authors: Puentes‐Téllez Pilar Eliana , van Elsas Jan Dirk 
Published: June 2014

SummaryFollowing intermittent batch growth in Luria–Bertani (LB) broth for about 1000 generations, differentially evolved forms were found in a population of Escherichia coli cells. Studies on this population revealed the emergence of key polymorphisms, as evidenced by analysis of both whole genome sequences and transcription analysis. Here, we investigated the phenotypic nature of several key forms and found a remarkable (interactive) coexistence of forms which highlights the presence of different ecological roles pointing at a dichotomy in: (i) tolerance to environmental stresses and (ii) the capacity to utilize particular carbon sources such as galactose. Both forms differed from their common ancestor by different criteria. This apparent coexistence of two diverged forms points at the occurrence of niche partitioning as a consequence of dichotomous adaptive evolution. Remarkably, the two forms were shown to continue to coexist – in varying ratio's – in an experiment that cycled them through periods of nutrient feast (plentiful growth substrates) and famine (growth‐restrictive – stress conditions). The results further indicated that the equilibrium of the coexistence was destroyed when one of the parameters was high tuned, jeopardizing the stability of the coexisting pair.
Rapid succession of uncultured marine bacterial and archaeal populations in a denitrifying continuous culture
Authors: Kraft Beate , Tegetmeyer Halina E. , Meier Dimitri , Geelhoed Jeanine S. , Strous Marc 
Published: June 2014

SummaryMarine denitrification constitutes an important part of the global nitrogen cycle and the diversity, abundance and process rates of denitrifying microorganisms have been the focus of many studies. Still, there is little insight in the ecophysiology of marine denitrifying communities. In this study, a heterotrophic denitrifying community from sediments of a marine intertidal flat active in nitrogen cycling was selected in a chemostat and monitored over a period of 50 days. The chemostat enabled the maintenance of constant and well‐defined experimental conditions over the time‐course of the experiment. Analysis of the microbial community composition by automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA), Illumina sequencing and catalyzed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD‐FISH) revealed strong dynamics in community composition over time, while overall denitrification by the enrichment culture was stable. Members of the genera Arcobacter, Pseudomonas, Pseudovibrio, Rhodobacterales and of the phylum Bacteroidetes were identified as the dominant denitrifiers. Among the fermenting organisms co‐enriched with the denitrifiers was a novel archaeon affiliated with the recently proposed DPANN‐superphylum. The pan‐genome of populations affiliated to Pseudovibrio encoded a NirK as well as a NirS nitrite reductase, indicating the rare co‐occurrence of both evolutionary unrelated nitrite reductases within coexisting subpopulations.
Clinical Experiences of Bixalomer Usage at Our Hospital
Authors: Shima Hideaki , Makino Ryojiro , Hata Kenichiro , Ban Akihiko , Funao Kiyoaki , Sugita Syouzou , Furumitsu Yutaka , Inoue Keisuke , Yoshimoto Mitsuru , Okamura Mikio 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIn 2012, bixalomer was launched as new non‐calcium (Ca) containing phosphorus (P) binder, increasing the choices available for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia. In this study, among the maintenance dialysis patients at our hospital, we newly administered bixalomer to 21 patients who were not receiving any P binders, and switched to bixalomer for 13 patients who had been receiving sevelamer hydrochloride and 23 patients who had been receiving lanthanum carbonate. The initial dosage of bixalomer was set as 1500 mg/day for new administration patients and dosage equivalent to that of the previously‐used P binder for patients who were switched to bixalomer. The dosage of bixalomer was increased if the effects were insufficient. The serum P, Ca and intact parathyroid hormone concentrations as well as serum pH, HCO3 concentration and base excess were evaluated prior to administering bixalomer, 3 months and 6 months after administering bixalomer. For the group who were newly administered bixalomer, significant reductions in serum P concentrations were seen (P < 0.01) and no significant changes were seen in clinical test items that serve as indices for acidosis. For the group who were switched from sevelamer hydrochloride to bixalomer, significant reductions in serum P concentrations were seen (P < 0.01) together with significant improvements in acidosis (P < 0.01). For the group who were switched from lanthanum carbonate to bixalomer, by increasing the dosage of bixalomer to approximately three times the dosage of lanthanum carbonate, it was possible to maintain post‐switch serum P concentrations at almost the same levels as before the switch. Furthermore, there were minor, yet significant improvements in acidosis (P < 0.01). From these results, it was shown that bixalomer can be useful treatment alternative in dialysis patients for whom it is necessary to change the P binder due to insufficient management of serum P concentrations or development of acidosis.
Criminalising LGBT Persons Under National Criminal Law and Article 7(1)(h) and (3) of the ICC Statute
Authors: Bohlander Michael 
Published: June 2014

AbstractDuring the negotiations around the International Criminal Court's (ICC) Statute (ICCS) there was a fierce debate about the use and definition of the term ‘gender’ in its Article 7(3), with a sizeable number of states opposing the use of the term as a synonym for sexual orientation, which could have included lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons (LGBT). This paper is going to argue that the drafting compromise was ultimately an exercise in moral failure for the sake of the political feasibility, cementing one of the most glaring instances of discrimination, and that it is high time to correct that error, especially in the context of the rising tide of state‐sponsored homophobia that can be noticed in certain countries whose politics have drifted to the (far) right. It will examine whether the existing international criminal law does allow for the characterisation of domestic criminalisation as a crime against humanity, with or without the invocation of the term gender, and how to take the debate forward.
Who operates when, where and on whom? A survey of anaesthetic‐surgical activity in Ireland as denominator of NAP5
Authors: Jonker W. R. , Hanumanthiah D. , Ryan T. , Cook T. M. , Pandit J. J. , O'Sullivan E. P. ,   the NAP5 Steering Panel
Published: June 2014

SummaryThe second phase of the 5th National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, concerning accidental awareness during general anaesthesia, consisted of a survey of anaesthetic activity in Ireland. A network of consultant anaesthetists co‐ordinated data collection from the anaesthetic departments of 46 public and 20 independent hospitals over seven days. Data on patients' characteristics, anaesthetic techniques, staffing, and admission and discharge arrangements were collected on all cases for which anaesthetic care (general, regional or local anaesthesia, sedation or monitored anaesthesia care) was provided. A total of 8049 cases were reported during the survey, giving an annual estimate of 426 600 cases for which anaesthetic care is provided. General anaesthesia constituted 5621 (70%), regional anaesthesia 1404 (17%), local anaesthesia 290 (4%), sedation 618 (8%) and monitored anaesthesia care 116 (1%) of the total number of cases. This survey provides unique data regarding anaesthesia services in public and independent hospitals in Ireland.
A study of the correlation between patient‐reported outcomes and clinical outcomes after cataract surgery in ophthalmic clinics
Authors: Mollazadegan Kaziwe , Lundström Mats 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPurposeTo analyse the relationship between patient‐reported outcome measures and clinical outcome measures in 42 individual Swedish cataract surgery settings.MethodsThe study material consisted of follow‐up data on cataract extractions collected by the Swedish National Cataract Register in 2008–2011. Patient‐reported outcome was measured using the Catquest‐9SF questionnaire. A total of 9707 pairs of questionnaires completed before and after a cataract extraction were analysed together with clinical data. The analyses were performed for each clinic.ResultsFor almost all clinics, a factor related to a poor patient‐reported outcome after surgery was a good preoperative self‐assessed visual function. For some clinics, up to 50% of the patients stated that they were very satisfied with their vision before surgery. For single clinics, different factors such as large anisometropia (≥3D), capsule complications, biometry prediction error (≥3D) and ocular comorbidity were related to a poor patient‐reported outcome. In situations where the clinical outcome was good and the patient‐reported outcome was poor, problems with near‐vision activities after surgery was the main factor noted.ConclusionsAnalysing factors related to a poor patient‐reported outcome for each clinic showed large variation. Weak indication for surgery, refractive problems after surgery, surgical complications and a poor chance of visual recovery due to ocular comorbidity were among the reasons for a poor patient‐reported outcome. Post‐operative care in terms of establishing a good near vision seemed to be another problem for some clinics.