julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Ergosterone-coupled Triazol molecules trigger mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and acidocalcisomal Ca2+ release in Leishmania mexicana promastigotes
2015-12-29

The protozoan parasite <i>Leishmania</i> causes a variety of sicknesses with different clinical manifestations known as leishmaniasis. The chemotherapy currently in use is not adequate because of their side effects, resistance occurrence, and recurrences. Investigations looking for new targets or new active molecules focus mainly on the disruption of parasite specific pathways. In this sense, ergosterol biosynthesis is one of the most attractive because it does not occur in mammals. Here, we report the synthesis of ergosterone coupled molecules and the characterization of their biological activity on <i>Leishmania mexicana</i> promastigotes. Molecule synthesis involved three steps: ergosterone formation using Jones oxidation, synthesis of Girard reagents, and coupling reaction. All compounds were obtained in good yield and high purity. Results show that ergosterone-triazol molecules (Erg-GTr and Erg-GTr<sub>2</sub>) exhibit an antiproliferative effect in low micromolar range with a selectivity index ~10 when compared to human dermic fibroblasts. Addition of Erg-GTr or Erg-GTr<sub>2</sub> to parasites led to a rapid [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>cyt</sub> increase and acidocalcisomes alkalinization, indicating that Ca<sup>2+</sup> was released from this organelle. Evaluation of cell death markers revealed some apoptosis-like indicators, as phosphatidylserine exposure, DNA damage, and cytosolic vacuolization and autophagy exacerbation. Furthermore, mitochondrion hyperpolarization and superoxide production increase were detected already 6 hours after drug addition, denoting that oxidative stress is implicated in triggering the observed phenotype. Taken together our results indicate that ergosterone-triazol coupled molecules induce a regulated cell death process in the parasite and may represent starting point molecules in the search of new chemotherapeutic agents to combat leishmaniasis.
New Polymer Passive Sampler for Sensitive Biomonitoring of Lipid-Rich Matrices
2015-12-29

The feasibility of passive sampling biological matrices to quantify contaminants has been demonstrated using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). PDMS has, however, low sorptive capacity for hydrophobic compounds (with Klipid-PDMS ∼ 30-40), and increasing the sampler volume and thus the extent of chemical mass transfer is not feasible because of concomitant lipid transfer. We therefore developed new polymers by graft polymerization from PDMS substrates and evaluated the mechanism and kinetics of lipid transfer. Klipid-polymer was significantly improved to 6.7 ± 0.53 for dioxins and 0.78 ± 0.15 for PCBs using poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) (PtBuMA) chain grafts. Consistent with this, the PtBuMA solubility of selected dioxins was 6-10 times higher than that of PDMS. Lipid transfer followed a swelling process, which was rapid (t95% = 20-72 h), independent of tissue lipid content and proportional to polymer sampler volume. The new PtBuMA polymer offers new opportunities for sensitive, rapid biomonitoring of PBTs and possibly also less stable neutral hydrophobic compounds in biota and food.
Interim analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing laparoscopic radiofrequency volumetric thermal ablation of uterine fibroids with laparoscopic myomectomy
2015-12-31

Abstract Objective To compare 24‐month patient‐reported outcomes following laparoscopic radiofrequency volumetric thermal ablation (RFVTA) and laparoscopic myomectomy in patients with uterine fibroids. Method An interim analysis of 24‐month follow‐up data from a randomized controlled trial was performed at Tübingen University Women's Hospital between November 1, 2012 and May 30, 2015. Premenopausal patients, at least 18 years of age, who were menstruating, were randomly assigned to be treated for symptomatic uterine fibroids with either RFVTA or laparoscopic myomectomy. The outcomes included in the present per‐protocol analysis were patients’ responses to validated questionnaires and long‐term safety. Results The study enrolled 51 patients; 21 and 22 patients in the RFVTA and laparoscopic myomectomy groups, respectively, completed 24 months of follow‐up. Improvements in the severity of symptoms from baseline were reported by participants in both the RFVTA ( P &lt; 0.001) and laparoscopic myomectomy groups ( P = 0.001). A significant improvement in health‐related quality of life was observed in the laparoscopic myomectomy group ( P = 0.040); a non‐significant improvement was recorded in the RFVTA group ( P = 0.083). A trocar‐site hematoma occurred in one patient in the laparoscopic myomectomy group. Further surgical interventions were recorded in three patients in the RFVTA group but these were unrelated to fibroid symptoms. Conclusions These 24‐month data suggest equivalence in safety and patient‐reported efficacy of RFVTA and laparoscopic myomectomy. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01750008
Controversies and Variation in Diagnosing and Treating Children With Wilson Disease
2015-12-31

ABSTRACT Objectives: Variation in care is more common in settings in which evidence‐based approaches are limited. The aims of the present study were to describe consensus and variability in approaches taken by pediatric hepatologists in the management of Wilson disease (WD) in children. Method: International case‐centered, Internet‐based survey of pediatric hepatologists. Survey cases were developed by consensus of the authors and were intended to identify variation in the care of children with WD. Results: One hundred eleven of 253 clinicians responded (44%). Of these, 84% of North American and 41% of European participants used guidelines published in their respective region. Although consensus existed on the first‐line diagnostic tools (serum ceruloplasmin and baseline 24‐hour urinary copper excretion), survey participants did not agree on how much liver copper content was required for diagnosis: 57% considered &gt;250 μg/g dry weight to be consistent with WD, whereas 25% considered &gt;50 μg/g to be diagnostic. Overall, 50% of practitioners perform genetic testing in all suspected cases, and 81% perform genetic testing once they know the genotype of an index patient. For initial treatment of fulminant WD, 51% of participants chose chelation and 15% chose immediate transplantation; 47% chose listing for transplantation followed by monitoring using a disease‐severity score, and then carrying out transplantation only when the score reached a critical cut‐off. To treat mildly affected siblings of index patients, 43% of practitioners chose zinc. Most reported that they use chelation to treat patients with hepatic dysfunction; however, 29% of North American participants chose not to use D‐penicillamine as primary therapy. Conclusions: From an international perspective, pediatric hepatologists vary in the approaches they use in the care for children with WD. Regional preferences and accessibility to treatments may generate variation. Unwarranted variation, however, may also contribute to differences in outcome and should be targeted to improve quality of care.
Nightmares and Associations with Sleep Quality and Self-Efficacy among University Students
2015-12-31

Sleep problems are a common complaint among adults. In university students international studies showed prevalence rates between 4.7 and 36.2% for sleep difficulties and 2 - 3% of students report nightmares. Previous studies show that nightmares are often associated with insomnia and mental strain, but also with gender
Signal decay mapping of myocardial edema using dual‐contrast fast spin‐echo MRI
2015-12-31

Purpose To introduce a dual‐contrast fast spin‐echo (dcFSE) sequence for signal decay mapping of myocardial edema. Materials and Methods After consultation with the Institutional Review Board, 22 acute myocardial infarction (MI) patients were examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 1.5T 2 days after revascularization. Edema was evaluated in 16 myocardial segments with an exponential fit for signal decay time (SDT) in dcFSE mapping and T 2 signal intensity ratio for single‐contrast FSE. Myocardial viability was evaluated in late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). A control group of 10 volunteers was examined for edema imaging. SDT was compared in segment groups: 1) with LGE in MI, 2) penumbra, 3) remote from LGE, 4) controls. Groups 1/3 and 3/4 were tested on difference. Three phantoms providing similar T 2 but different T 1 relaxation times (low, intermediate, high) were examined with dcFSE and multicontrast spin echo sequence as a reference. Results The SDT/ T 2 ratio for segment groups was 1) 82msec/1.7 in segments with LGE; 2) 65msec/1.6 for penumbra, 3) 62msec/1.7 for remote segments, and 4) 50msec/1.6 in controls. In dcFSE group 1/3 ( P &lt; 0.0001) and in group 3/4 ( P = 0.0002) SDT was significantly different. In single‐contrast FSE the T 2 ratio was not significantly different for both tests: 1/3 P = 0.1889; 3/4 P = 0.8879. T 2 ‐overestimation of dcFSE was 23% in low, 29% in intermediate, and 35% in highly T 1 contaminated phantoms. Conclusion dcFSE signal decay edema mapping is feasible in volunteers and patients. DcFSE SDT is superior to T 2 ratio for detection of high‐grade and diffuse myocardial edema. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:186–193.
PD-1 and PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Blockade to Treat Breast Cancer
2016-01-01

Immune checkpoint inhibition represents a major recent breakthrough in the treatment of malignant diseases including breast cancer. Blocking the programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) and its ligand, PD-L1, has shown impressive antitumor activity and may lead to durable long-term disease control, especially in the triple-negative subtypes of breast cancer (TNBC). Although immune checkpoint blockade is generally well tolerated, specific immune-related adverse events (irAEs) may occur. This review summarizes the clinical efficacy, perspectives, and future challenges of using PD-1/PD-L1-directed antibodies in the treatment of breast cancer.
State and Training Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Brain Networks Reflect Neuronal Mechanisms of Its Antidepressant Effect
2016-01-01

The topic of investigating how mindfulness meditation training can have antidepressant effects via plastic changes in both resting state and meditation state brain activity is important in the rapidly emerging field of neuroplasticity. In the present study, we used a longitudinal design investigating resting state fMRI both before and after 40 days of meditation training in 13 novices. After training, we compared differences in network connectivity between rest and meditation using common resting state functional connectivity methods. Interregional methods were paired with local measures such as Regional Homogeneity. As expected, significant differences in functional connectivity both between states (rest versus meditation) and between time points (before versus after training) were observed. During meditation, the internal consistency in the precuneus and the temporoparietal junction increased, while the internal consistency of frontal brain regions decreased. A follow-up analysis of regional connectivity of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex further revealed reduced connectivity with anterior insula during meditation. After meditation training, reduced resting state functional connectivity between the pregenual anterior cingulate and dorsal medical prefrontal cortex was observed. Most importantly, significantly reduced depression/anxiety scores were observed after training. Hence, these findings suggest that mindfulness meditation might be of therapeutic use by inducing plasticity related network changes altering the neuronal basis of affective disorders such as depression.
Probing the Unique Contributions of Self-Concept, Task Values, and Their Interactions Using Multiple Value Facets and Multiple Academic Outcomes
2016-01-01

Drawing on expectancy-value theory, the present study examined the unique contributions of the four major value beliefs and self-concept on achievement, self-reported effort, and teacher-rated behavioral engagement in mathematics. In particular, we examined the multiplicative effects of self-concept and task values on educational outcomes using the latent moderated structural equation approach. Participants were 1,868 German ninth-grade students. The data analyses relied on a higher-order structure of value beliefs, which is suited to parsing the differential patterns of predictive relations for different value beliefs. The findings revealed that (a) self-concept was more predictive of achievement, whereas value beliefs were more predictive of self-rated effort; (b) self-concept and value beliefs emerged as equally important predictors of teacher-reported engagement; (c) among the four value beliefs, achievement was more associated with low cost, whereas effort was more associated with attainment value; and (d) latent interactions between self-concept and value beliefs predicted the three outcomes synergistically.
Effects of a Psychological Internet Intervention in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depressive Symptoms: Results of the EVIDENT Study, a Randomized Controlled Trial
2016-01-01

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Background:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Mild to moderate depressive symptoms are common but often remain unrecognized and treated inadequately. We hypothesized that an Internet intervention in addition to usual care is superior to care as usual alone (CAU) in the treatment of mild to moderate depressive symptoms in adults. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; This trial was controlled, randomized and assessor-blinded. Participants with mild to moderate depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9, score 5-14) were recruited from clinical and non-clinical settings and randomized to either CAU or a 12-week Internet intervention (Deprexis) adjunctive to usual care. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 3 months (post-assessment) and 6 months (follow-up). The primary outcome measure was self-rated depression severity (PHQ-9). The main analysis was based on the intention-to-treat principle and used linear mixed models. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; A total of 1,013 participants were randomized. Changes in PHQ-9 from baseline differed signi&amp;#xFB01;cantly between groups (t&lt;sub&gt;825&lt;/sub&gt; = 6.12, p &lt; 0.001 for the main effect of group). The post-assessment between-group effect size in favour of the intervention was &lt;i&gt;d&lt;/i&gt; = 0.39 (95% CI: 0.13-0.64). It was stable at follow-up, with &lt;i&gt;d&lt;/i&gt; = 0.32 (95% CI: 0.06-0.69). The rate of participants experiencing at least minimally clinically important PHQ-9 change at the post-assessment was higher in the intervention group (35.6 vs. 20.2%) with a number needed to treat of 7 (95% CI: 5-10). &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; The Internet intervention examined in this trial was superior to CAU alone in reducing mild to moderate depressive symptoms. The magnitude of the effect is clinically important and has public health implications.
Design and construction of the sandwich-like Z-scheme multicomponent CdS/Ag/Bi2MoO6 heterostructure with enhanced photocatalytic performance in RhB photodegradation
2016-01-01

A rationally designed and successfully fabricated all-solid-state Z-scheme photocatalyst, CdS/Ag/Bi<sub>2</sub>MoO<sub>6</sub>, with a sandwich-like multicomponent heterostructure, shows an enhanced photocatalytic performance in RhB degradation.
Editorial
2016-01-01

Human aging is characterized by large differences between and within older adults. Numerous factors are known to contribute to these differences, including genetic and immunological, somatic and medical, cognitive and behavioral, psychosocial and experiential, as well as socioeconomic and geospatial conditions. Continuing and expanding the scientific objectives of the Berlin Aging Study, the Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II) seeks to comprehensively describe phenomena associated with aging and old age and to better understand the multiple different underlying factors and their interactions. To this end, BASE-II was established as a multi-institutional project combining and integrating interdisciplinary perspectives ranging from molecular genetics and immunology, geriatric medicine and psychology, to sociology and economics. In this Special Issue, we have compiled seven empirical analyses that feature examples of interdisciplinary insights that BASE-II provides by linking data across multiple levels of analyses at which human functioning and development occur in old age. Here, we provide an overview of the study, note commonalities between BASE-II and earlier studies, and highlight some of its unique qualities.
Applying processing trees in social psychology
2016-01-01

Processing tree models offer a powerful research framework by which the contributions of cognitive processes to a task can be separated and quantified. The present article reviews a number of applications of processing tree models in the domain of social psychology in order to illustrate the steps to be taken in developing and validating a given model and applying it to the measurement and comparison of processes across experimental and quasi-experimental conditions. Process dissociation models are discussed as special cases of processing tree models. Crucial assumptions of processing tree models are considered and methods to overcome violations of such assumptions are reviewed. In addition to the application of processing tree models for the analysis of social and cognitive processes, their value is also discussed for the elicitation of truthful responses to socially sensitive questions.
Role of miRNA-9 in Brain Development
2016-01-01

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small regulatory RNAs involved in gene regulation. The regulation is effected by either translational inhibition or transcriptional silencing. In vertebrates, the importance of miRNA in development was discovered from mice and zebrafish dicer knockouts. The miRNA-9 (miR-9) is one of the most highly expressed miRNAs in the early and adult vertebrate brain. It has diverse functions within the developing vertebrate brain. In this article, the role of miR-9 in the developing forebrain (telencephalon and diencephalon), midbrain, hindbrain, and spinal cord of vertebrate species is highlighted. In the forebrain, miR-9 is necessary for the proper development of dorsoventral telencephalon by targeting marker genes expressed in the telencephalon. It regulates proliferation in telencephalon by regulating Foxg1, Pax6, Gsh2, and Meis2 genes. The feedback loop regulation between miR-9 and Nr2e1/Tlx helps in neuronal migration and differentiation. Targeting Foxp1 and Foxp2, and Map1b by miR-9 regulates the radial migration of neurons and axonal development. In the organizers, miR-9 is inversely regulated by hairy1 and Fgf8 to maintain zona limitans interthalamica and midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB). It maintains the MHB by inhibiting Fgf signaling genes and is involved in the neurogenesis of the midbrain-hindbrain by regulating Her genes. In the hindbrain, miR-9 modulates progenitor proliferation and differentiation by regulating Her genes and Elav3. In the spinal cord, miR-9 modulates the regulation of Foxp1 and Onecut1 for motor neuron development. In the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain, miR-9 is necessary for proper neuronal progenitor maintenance, neurogenesis, and differentiation. In vertebrate brain development, miR-9 is involved in regulating several region-specific genes in a spatiotemporal pattern.
Discretized Dynamical Low-Rank Approximation in the Presence of Small Singular Values
2016-01-01

Low-rank approximations to large time-dependent matrices and tensors are the subject of this paper. These matrices and tensors either are given explicitly or are the unknown solutions of matrix and tensor differential equations. Based on splitting the orthogonal projection onto the tangent space of the low-rank manifold, novel time integrators for obtaining approximations by low-rank matrices and low-rank tensor trains were recently proposed. By standard theory, the Lie--Trotter and Strang projector-splitting methods are first and second order accurate, respectively, but the usual error bounds break down when the low-rank approximation has small singular values. This happens when the singular values of the solution decay without a distinct gap or when the effective rank of the solution is overestimated. On the other hand, the integrators are exact when given time-dependent matrices or tensors are already of the prescribed rank. We provide an error analysis which unifies these properties. We show that in cases where the exact solution is an -perturbation of a low-rank matrix or tensor train, the error of the projector-splitting integrator is favorably bounded in terms of and the stepsize, independently of the smallness of the singular values. Such a result does not hold for any standard integrator. Numerical experiments illustrate the theory.
Scientific problems addressed by the Spektr-UV space project (world space Observatory—Ultraviolet)
2016-01-01

The article presents a review of scientific problems and methods of ultraviolet astronomy, focusing on perspective scientific problems (directions) whose solution requires UV space observatories. These include reionization and the history of star formation in the Universe, searches for dark baryonic matter, physical and chemical processes in the interstellar medium and protoplanetary disks, the physics of accretion and outflows in astrophysical objects, from Active Galactic Nuclei to close binary stars, stellar activity (for both low-mass and high-mass stars), and processes occurring in the atmospheres of both planets in the solar system and exoplanets. Technological progress in UV astronomy achieved in recent years is also considered. The well advanced, international, Russian-led Spektr-UV (World Space Observatory-Ultraviolet) project is described in more detail. This project is directed at creating a major space observatory operational in the ultraviolet (115-310 nm). This observatory will provide an effective, and possibly the only, powerful means of observing in this spectral range over the next ten years, and will be an powerful tool for resolving many topical scientific problems.