bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AhR activation increases IL‐2 production by alloreactive CD4+ T cells initiating the differentiation of mucosal‐homing Tim3+Lag3+ Tr1 cells
Authors: Ehrlich Allison K. , Pennington Jamie M. , Tilton Susan , Wang Xisheng , Marshall Nikki B. , Rohlman Diana , Funatake Castle , Punj Sumit , O'Donnell Edmond , Yu Zhen , Kolluri Siva K. , Kerkvliet Nancy I.
Published: August 2017

Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) by immunosuppressive ligands promotes the development of regulatory T (Treg) cells. Although AhR‐induced Foxp3+ Treg cells have been well studied, much less is known about the development and fate of AhR‐induced Type 1 Treg (AhR‐Tr1) cells. In the current study, we identified the unique transcriptional and functional changes in murine CD4+ T cells that accompany the differentiation of AhR‐Tr1 cells during the CD4+ T‐cell‐dependent phase of an allospecific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (allo‐CTL) response. AhR activation increased the expression of genes involved in T‐cell activation, immune regulation and chemotaxis, as well as a global downregulation of genes involved in cell cycling.  Increased IL‐2 production was responsible for the early AhR‐Tr1 activation phenotype previously characterized as CD25+CTLA4+GITR+ on day 2. The AhR‐Tr1 phenotype was further defined by the coexpression of the immunoregulatory receptors Lag3 and Tim3 and non‐overlapping expression of CCR4 and CCR9. Consistent with the increased expression of CCR9, real‐time imaging showed enhanced migration of AhR‐Tr1 cells to the lamina propria of the small intestine and colon. The discovery of mucosal imprinting of AhR‐Tr1 cells provides an additional mechanism by which therapeutic AhR ligands can control immunopathology.
Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Capacities of Four Mediterranean Industrial Essential Oils and Their Resultant Distilled Solid By‐Products
Authors: Ortiz‐de Elguea‐Culebras Gonzalo , Berruga María I. , Santana‐Méridas Omar , Herraiz‐Peñalver David , Sánchez‐Vioque Raúl
Published: August 2017

The aim of this work is to chemically characterize and evaluate the antioxidant capacities of the essential oils and their resulting solid residues of four aromatic plants from the industrial distillation, including hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.), lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia var. Super), cotton lavender (Santolina chamaecyparissus L.), and winter savory (Satureja montana L.). In general, the different in vitro antioxidant assays showed that both the oil and the industrial residue extract of S. montana followed by the residue of S. chamaecyparissus are the best antioxidants, whereas the solid residue extracts of S. chamaecyparissus and H. officinalis show the highest copper and iron chelating capacities, respectively. Therefore, distilled solid residues might well constitute a viable and profitable source of natural antioxidants with a potential application in food and non‐food products.

Practical Applications: Solid residues from the industrial steam distillation of aromatic plants constitute an available and affordable source of phenolic compounds that can be used as natural and safe antioxidants, among others, in foodstuffs. Moreover, the exploitation of distilled plants constitutes a sustainable approach to reduce the residues generated every year from this industry, which results in environmental issues when they are not correctly managed.

Essential oils and their resulting solid residues from the industrial distillation of hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.), lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia var. Super), cotton lavender (Santolina chamaecyparissus L.), and winter savory (Satureja montana L.) are potential sources of phenolic compounds that can be used as natural and safe antioxidants, among others, in foodstuffs.
Determination of electroosmotic and electrophoretic mobility of DNA and dyes in low ionic strength solutions
Authors: Lallman Joshua , Flaugh Rachel , Kounovsky‐Shafer Kristy L.
Published: August 2017

Nanocoding, a genome analysis platform, relies on very low ionic strength conditions to elongate DNA molecules up to 1.06 (fully stretched DNA = 1). Understanding how electroosmotic and electrophoretic forces vary, as ionic strength decreases, will enable better Nanocoding devices, or other genome analysis platforms, to be developed. Using gel electrophoresis to determine overall mobility (includes contributions from electrophoretic and electroosmotic forces) in different ionic strength conditions, linear DNA molecules (pUC19 (2.7 kb), pBR322 (4.4 kb), ΦX174 (5.4 kb), and PSNAPf‐H2B (6.2 kb)) were analyzed in varying gel concentrations (1.50, 1.25, 1.00, 0.75, and 0.50%). Additionally, buffer concentration (Tris‐EDTA, TE) was varied to determine free solution mobility at different ionic strength solutions. As ionic strength decreased from 13.8 to 7.3 mM, overall mobility increased. As TE buffer decreased (< 7.3 mM), overall mobility drastically decreased as ionic strength decreased. Rhodamine B dye was utilized to determine the electroosmotic mobility. As the ionic strength decreased, electroosmotic mobility increased. The experimental electrophoretic mobility was compared to theoretical considerations for electrophoretic mobility (Pitts and Debye‐Hückel‐Onsager). Electroosmotic forces decreased the overall mobility of DNA molecules and bromophenol blue migration in a gel matrix as ionic strength decreased.
Application of a simple headcut advance model for gullies
Authors: Allen Peter M. , Arnold Jeffrey G. , Auguste Lance , White Joseph , Dunbar John
Published: August 2017

Gully erosion begins in streambanks and uplands as a consequence of adjustments in driving forces on the landscape imposed by changes in land use or climate. The deleterious effects of gullies worldwide have led to many site‐specific studies of gully form and function. In the continental United States, gully erosion in agricultural land has destroyed valuable farmland yet, prediction of gully processes remains problematic on a national scale. This research has proposed a simple method to predict gully headcut advance. When combined with SWAT hydrologic flow routines, the model predicted gully headcut advance with reasonable accuracy on a daily time step for time periods exceeding two decades. The model was tested in two distinct land resource areas of the United States with differing climate, soils, cover and drainage. The inputs for the headcut model have been kept simple as the model will be applied over large areas. Model inputs consist of headcut height, headcut resistance (based on soil erodibility and a root‐cover factor), and daily flow. The model is compared with an annual time step model used in assessment of headcut advance and appears to offer a better way to assess gully headcut advance. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Life-cycle studies with 2 marine species and bisphenol A: The mysid shrimp (Americamysis bahia) and sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus)
Authors: Mihaich Ellen , Staples Charles , Ortego Lisa , Klečka Gary , Woelz Jan , Dimond Steve , Hentges Steven
Published: August 2017

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high production volume compound primarily used to produce epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastic. Exposure to low concentrations of BPA occurs in freshwater and marine systems, primarily from wastewater treatment plant discharges. The dataset for chronic toxicity of BPA to freshwater organisms includes studies on fish, amphibians, invertebrates, algae, and aquatic plants. To broaden the dataset, a 1.5-generation test with sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) and a full life-cycle test with mysid shrimp (Americamysis bahia) were conducted. Testing focused on apical endpoints of survival, growth and development, and reproduction. The respective no-observed-effect concentration (NOEC) and lowest-observed-effect concentration (LOEC) values of 170 and 370 µg/L for mysid and 66 and 130 μg/L for sheepshead were based on reduced fecundity. The hazardous concentrations for 5% of the species (HC5) values of 18 μg/L were calculated from species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) with freshwater-only data and combined freshwater and marine data. Inclusion of marine data resulted in no apparent difference in SSD shape, R2 values for the distributions, or HC5 values. Upper-bound 95th percentile concentrations of BPA measured in marine waters of North America and Europe (0.024 and 0.15 μg/L, respectively) are below the HC5 value of 18 μg/L. These results suggest that marine and freshwater species are of generally similar sensitivity and that chronic studies using a diverse set of species can be combined to assess the aquatic toxicity of BPA. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:398–410. © 2017 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
Methylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and/or their metabolites are important contributors to the overall estrogenic activity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon–contaminated soils
Authors: Lam Monika M. , Engwall Magnus , Denison Michael S. , Larsson Maria
Published: August 2017

In the present study 42 polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) were investigated for their estrogenic potential using the VM7Luc4E2 transactivation assay. Relative potencies were determined for mass-balance analysis. In addition, compounds were tested in combination with the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI182,780 (ICI) and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist/CYP1A1 inhibitor α-naphthoflavone. Luciferase induction and CYP1A1-dependent ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity were measured to assess whether the estrogenic activity was elicited by the compound itself and/or by its metabolites. Relative potencies ranged between 10−7 and 10−4. The ability of ICI to decrease luciferase activity stimulated by all compounds indicated that the induction responses were ER-dependent. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist/CYP1A1 inhibitor α-naphthoflavone decreased luciferase induction and EROD activity by several compounds, including the methylated chrysenes, suggesting that metabolites of these chemicals contributed to ER activation. Several PACs, such as acridine and its derivatives, appear to directly activate the ER. Furthermore, extracts of soils from industrial areas were examined using this bioassay, and estrogenic activity was detected in all soil samples. Mass-balance analysis using a combination of relative potencies and chemical analysis of the samples suggested that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkylated PAHs, such as 1- and 3-methylchrysene, are important contributors to the overall estrogenic activity. However, these results revealed that a considerable proportion of the estrogenic activity in the soil remained unexplained, indicating the presence of other significant estrogenic compounds. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:385–397. © 2017 SETAC

Abstract

Developed relative potency factors for VM7luc4E2 transactivation assay in the present study were used in mass-balance analysis to investigate estrogenic activity of PAH-contaminated soil.
Divergent artificial selection for female reproductive investment has a sexually concordant effect on male reproductive success
Authors: Pick Joel L. , Hutter Pascale , Tschirren Barbara
Published: August 2017

Depending on the genetic architecture of male and female fitness, sex-specific selection can have negative, positive, or neutral consequences for the opposite sex. Theory predicts that conflict between male and female function may drive the breakdown of intrasexual genetic correlations, allowing sexual dimorphism in sexually antagonistic traits. Reproductive traits are the epitome of this, showing highly differentiated proximate functions between the sexes. Here we use divergent artificial selection lines for female reproductive investment to test how female-specific selection on a sex-limited trait affects male reproductive success in a precocial bird, the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). We demonstrate that selection for increased egg investment in females positively affects male reproductive success both in competitive and non-competitive mating situations. This increased reproductive success was linked to a relatively larger left testis in males originating from lines selected for high female reproductive investment. Given that female quail have functional gonads only on their left side, this correlated response indicates that selection has acted on the shared developmental basis of male and female gonads. Our study thereby provides evidence for a positive genetic correlation between key reproductive traits in males and females despite a high degree of sexual dimorphism, and suggests that, in this system, selection on reproductive function is sexually concordant.
Fire ant social chromosomes: Differences in number, sequence and expression of odorant binding proteins
Authors: Pracana Rodrigo , Levantis Ilya , Martínez-Ruiz Carlos , Stolle Eckart , Priyam Anurag , Wurm Yannick
Published: August 2017

Variation in social behavior is common yet our knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning its evolution is limited. The fire ant Solenopsis invicta provides a textbook example of a Mendelian element controlling social organization: alternate alleles of a genetic element first identified as encoding an odorant binding protein (OBP) named Gp-9 determine whether a colony accepts one or multiple queens. The potential roles of such a protein in perceiving olfactory cues and evidence of positive selection on its amino acid sequence made it an appealing candidate gene. However, we recently showed that recombination is suppressed between Gp-9 and hundreds of other genes as part of a >19 Mb supergene-like region carried by a pair of social chromosomes. This finding raises the need to reassess the potential role of Gp-9. We identify 23 OBPs in the fire ant genome assembly, including nine located in the region of suppressed recombination with Gp-9. For six of these, the alleles carried by the two variants of the supergene-like region differ in protein-coding sequence and thus likely in function, with Gp-9 showing the strongest evidence of positive selection. We identify an additional OBP specific to the Sb variant of the region. Finally, we find that 14 OBPs are differentially expressed between single- and multiple-queen colonies. These results are consistent with multiple OBPs playing a role in determining social structure.
Anisotropic goal‐oriented error analysis for a third‐order accurate CENO Euler discretization
Authors: Carabias A. , Belme A. , Loseille A. , Dervieux A.
Published: August 2017

In this paper, a central essentially non‐oscillatory approximation based on a quadratic polynomial reconstruction is considered for solving the unsteady 2D Euler equations. The scheme is third‐order accurate on irregular unstructured meshes. The paper concentrates on a method for a metric‐based goal‐oriented mesh adaptation. For this purpose, an a priori error analysis for this central essentially non‐oscillatory scheme is proposed. It allows us to get an estimate depending on the polynomial reconstruction error. As a third‐order error is not naturally expressed in terms of a metric, we propose a least‐square method to approach a third‐order error by a quadratic term. Then an optimization problem for the best mesh metric is obtained and analytically solved. The resulting mesh optimality system is discretized and solved using a global unsteady fixed‐point algorithm. The method is applied to an acoustic propagation benchmark.
Ethnic Differences in Peripheral Skeletal Development Among Urban South African Adolescents: A Ten-Year Longitudinal pQCT Study
Authors: Schoenbuchner Simon M , Pettifor John M , Norris Shane A , Micklesfield Lisa K , Prentice Ann , Ward Kate A
Published: August 2017

There are no longitudinal pQCT data of bone growth and development from sub-Saharan Africa, where rapid environmental, societal, and economic transitions are occurring, and where fracture rates are predicted to rise. The aim of this study was to compare skeletal development in black and white South African adolescents using longitudinal data from the Birth to Twenty study. The Birth to Twenty Bone Health subcohort consisted of 543 adolescents (261 [178 black] girls, 282 [201 black] boys). Annual pQCT measurements of the radial and tibial metaphysis and diaphysis were obtained between ages 12 and 22 years (distal metaphysis: cross-sectional area [CSA] and trabecular bone mineral density [BMD]; diaphysis: total and cortical CSA, cortical BMD, and polar stress-strain index [SSIp]). Age at peak height velocity (APHV) was calculated to account for differences in maturational timing between ethnic groups and sexes. Mixed-effects models were used to describe trajectories for each pQCT outcome. Likelihood-ratio tests were used to summarize the overall difference in trajectories between black and white participants within each sex. APHV (mean ± SD years) was similar in black (11.8 ± 0.8) and white (12.2 ± 1.0) girls, but delayed in black (14.2 ± 1.0) relative to white boys (13.3 ± 0.8). By 4 years post-APHV, white adolescents had significantly greater cortical CSA and SSIp than black adolescents at the radius. There were no significant differences at the radial metaphysis but there was some divergence, such that black adolescents had greater radial trabecular BMD by the end of follow-up. At the tibia, white adolescents had lower diaphyseal CSA and SSIp, and greater metaphyseal CSA. There was no ethnic difference in tibial trabecular BMD. There are ethnic differences in bone growth and development, independent of maturation, in South African adolescents. This work gives new insights into the possible etiology of childhood fractures, which occur most commonly as peripheral sites. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Secreted frizzled‐related protein 5 protects against oxidative stress‐induced apoptosis in human aortic endothelial cells via downregulation of Bax
Authors: Wang Xiaojie , Peng Qing , Jiang Feng , Xue Li , Li Jiafu , Fan Zhongcai , Chen Pan , Chen Guo , Cai Yihua
Published: August 2017

This study was undertaken to determine the role of secreted frizzled‐related protein 5 (SFRP5) in endothelial oxidative injury. Human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were exposed to different oxidative stimuli and examined for SFRP5 expression. The effects of SFRP5 overexpression and knockdown on cell viability, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species production were measured. HAECs treated with angiotensin (Ang) II (1 μM) or oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (oxLDL) (150 μg/mL) showed a significant increase in SFRP5 expression. Overexpression of SFRP5 significantly attenuated the viability suppression and apoptosis induction by Ang II and oxLDL, whereas the knockdown of SFRP5 exerted opposite effects. Overexpression of SFRP5 prevented ROS formation and β‐catenin activation and reduced Bax expression. Co‐expression of Bax significantly reversed the anti‐apoptotic effect of SFRP5 overexpression, whereas knockdown of Bax restrained Ang II‐ and oxLDL‐induced apoptosis in HAECs. Taken together, SFRP5 confers protection against oxidative stress‐induced apoptosis through inhibition of β‐catenin activation and downregulation of Bax.
Characterization of purine‐rich element binding protein B as a novel biomarker in acute myelogenous leukemia prognostication
Authors: Kelm Robert J. , Lamba Gurpreet S. , Levis Jamie E. , Holmes Chris E.
Published: August 2017

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematologic cancer characterized by infiltration of proliferative, clonal, abnormally differentiated cells of myeloid lineage in the bone marrow and blood. Malignant cells in AML often exhibit chromosomal and other genetic or epigenetic abnormalities that are useful in prognostic risk assessment. In this study, the relative expression and novel single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding function of purine‐rich element binding proteins A and B (Purα and Purβ) were systematically evaluated in established leukemia cell lines and in lineage committed myeloid cells isolated from patients diagnosed with a hematologic malignancy. Western blotting revealed that Purα and Purβ are markedly elevated in CD33+/CD66b+ cells from AML patients compared to healthy subjects and to patients with other types of myeloid cell disorders. Results of in silico database analysis of PURA and PURB mRNA expression during hematopoiesis in conjunction with the quantitative immunoassay of the ssDNA‐binding activities of Purα and Purβ in transformed leukocyte cell lines pointed to Purβ as the more distinguishing biomarker of myeloid cell differentiation status. Purβ ssDNA‐binding activity was significantly increased in myeloid cells from AML patients but not from individuals with other myeloid‐related diseases. The highest levels of Purβ activity were detected in myeloid cells from primary AML patients and from AML patients displaying other risk factors forecasting a poor prognosis. Collectively, these findings suggest that the enhanced ssDNA‐binding activity of Purβ in transformed myeloid cells may serve as a unique and measurable phenotypic trait for improving prognostic risk stratification in AML.
Multiple genetic variants associated with posttransplantation diabetes mellitus in Chinese Han populations
Authors: Chen Jie , Li Lixin , An Yunfei , Zhang Junlong , Liao Yun , Li Yi , Wang Lanlan
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Posttransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a major complication after solid organ transplantation. This study is to investigate the association of nine genetic variant factors and PTDM in Chinese Han patients.

Methods

HLA‐DP (rs3077, rs9277535), HLA‐DQ (rs7453920), signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) (rs7574865), IL‐28B (rs12979860, rs8099917, and rs12980275), and IL‐18 (rs1946518 and rs187238) were investigated in 260 liver transplant recipients (PTDM vs non‐PTDM) by high‐resolution melting curve analysis. Serum interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐17, interferon‐γ, inducible protein‐10, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, and macrophage inflammatory protein‐1b were analyzed by a Bio‐Plex suspension array system (Bio‐Plex Multiplex Immunoassays, Bio‐Rad, Hercules, CA, USA).

Results

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (rs7574865) T allele and IL‐18 (rs1946518) A allele increase the risk for insulin resistance and PTDM.

Conclusions

Recipients with STAT4 (rs7574865) T allele are associated with an increased concentration of IL‐1β, interferon‐γ, monocyte chemoattractant protein, and macrophage inflammatory protein‐1b. The genetic variants of STAT4 (rs7574865) and IL‐18 (rs1946518) may be new important markers for PTDM.
Comparison of noninvasive and invasive point‐of‐care testing methods with reference method for hemoglobin measurement
Authors: Avcioglu Gamze , Nural Cemil , Yilmaz Fatma Meriç , Baran Pervin , Erel Özcan , Yilmaz Gülsen
Published: August 2017

Background

Rapid and practical point‐of‐care testing (POCT) devices become more popular, especially in blood donation centers for determining predonation hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate accordance between the POCT methods and the venous method as the reference to Hb screening.

Methods

A total of 353 subjects with no known significant health problems were included in the study. Hb screening was performed by two different POCT methods, a noninvasive method (Haemospect, MBR, Germany) and an invasive method (HemoControl, EKF Diagnostic, Germany), and a venous method as the reference (Sysmex XE‐2100, Sysmex Europe, Germany). The obtained results were compared.

Results

The sensitivity and the specificity values of the invasive POCT method (83.3%, 87.9%) were higher than the noninvasive POCT method (66.7%, 77.1%). The Bland‐Altman analysis was evaluated for both sexes and the bias of the noninvasive POCT method of the males (−0.97 g/dL) was higher than the bias of the invasive POCT method of the males (−0.07 g/dL). We found a better correlation between the invasive POCT method (r = .908) compared with the venous method than the noninvasive POCT method (r = .634).

Conclusion

Predonation Hb measurements must be performed with accurate, precise, and practical methods. Although the noninvasive POCT method was practical and painless, it had lower levels of specificity and sensitivity, and more false deferral and pass rates than the invasive POCT method. The POCT methods agreeable to the venous method as the reference might be suitable for Hb screening especially for centers of excessive numbers of blood donation.
Impact of trauma exposure and acculturative stress on internalizing symptoms for recently arrived migrant‐origin youth: Results from a community‐based partnership
Authors: Thibeault M. Alexander , Mendez Julia L. , Nelson‐Gray Rosemery O. , Stein Gabriela L.
Published: August 2017

Migrant youth face cultural challenges upon initial adjustment into the United States. Although there is considerable empirical evidence that trauma impacts interpersonal relations, there is a dearth of research examining the association between adverse events and the initial social and cultural exchange experience, and whether this is associated with psychological adjustment. This study examined self‐report data for 87 newly arrived migrant‐origin students in Grades 5–10 from Latin American, Caribbean, Asian, and African backgrounds attending a public alternative school in the Southeastern United States. Data were collected as part of a community‐based partnership. The relation between cumulative trauma exposure and internalizing symptoms was fully mediated by acculturative stress (p < .05), suggesting prior trauma exposure negatively affected these students’ capacity to navigate a new cultural milieu, which in turn is directly associated with internalizing symptoms. Behavioral health care practitioners can use screening procedures early in the academic year to detect which migrant students may be experiencing difficult cultural transitions.
Butyrate stimulates the growth of human intestinal smooth muscle cells by activation of yes‐associated protein
Authors: Dai Li‐Na , Yan Jun‐Kai , Xiao Yong‐Tao , Wen Jie , Zhang Tian , Zhou Ke‐Jun , Wang Yang , Cai Wei
Published: August 2017

Intestinal smooth muscle cells play a critical role in the remodeling of intestinal structure and functional adaptation after bowel resection. Recent studies have shown that supplementation of butyrate (Bu) contributes to the compensatory expansion of a muscular layer of the residual intestine in a rodent model of short‐bowel syndrome (SBS). However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In this study, we found that the growth of human intestinal smooth muscle cells (HISMCs) was significantly stimulated by Bu via activation of Yes‐Associated Protein (YAP). Incubation with 0.5 mM Bu induced a distinct proliferative effect on HISMCs, as indicated by the promotion of cell cycle progression and increased DNA replication. Notably, YAP silencing by RNA interference or its specific inhibitor significantly abolished the proliferative effect of Bu on HISMCs. Furthermore, Bu induced YAP expression and enhanced the translocation of YAP from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, which led to changes in the expression of mitogenesis genes, including TEAD1, TEAD4, CTGF, and Cyr61. These results provide evidence that Bu stimulates the growth of human intestinal muscle cells by activation of YAP, which may be a potential treatment for improving intestinal adaptation.
CCL18‐dependent translocation of AMAP1 is critical for epithelial to mesenchymal transition in breast cancer
Authors: Li Haiyan , Zhang Dawei , Yu Jiandong , Liu Hailing , Chen Zhiping , Zhong Haifeng , Wan Yunle
Published: August 2017

AMAP1 was a GTPase‐activating protein that regulates cytoskeletal structures in focal adhesions, circular dorsal ruffles, and promote cell differentiation in tumor cells. But the activation and function of AMAP1 in breast cancer remain largely unexplored. Here we show that AMAP1 was phosphorylated and translocated to plasma membrane and formed a stable complex with Pyk2 in response to CCL18. Moreover, CCL18‐dependent AMAP1 translocation interfered the AMAP1‐IKK‐β interaction, resulting in nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB) activation. Depletion of AMAP1 expression by RNAi efficiently reversed the CCL18‐induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of breast cancer cells and as well as CCL18‐induced adhesion, migration and invasion. Strikingly, AMAP1 overexpression was found in breast cancers that had undergone metastasis and was strongly predictive of poor prognosis in breast cancers. Given that AMAP1 mediated CCL18‐induce activation of NF‐κB and promoted breast cancer metastasis, AMAP1 may represent a therapeutic target for the eradication of breast cancer metastasis.
Nestin expression is dynamically regulated in cardiomyocytes during embryogenesis
Authors: Hertig Vanessa , Matos‐Nieves Adrianna , Garg Vidu , Villeneuve Louis , Mamarbachi Maya , Caland Laurie , Calderone Angelino
Published: August 2017

The transcriptional factors implicated in the expression of the intermediate filament protein nestin in cardiomyocytes during embryogenesis remain undefined. In the heart of 9,5–10,5 day embryonic mice, nestin staining was detected in atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes and a subpopulation co‐expressed Tbx5. At later stages of development, nestin immunoreactivity in cardiomyocytes gradually diminished and was absent in the heart of 17,5 day embryonic mice. In the heart of wild type 11,5 day embryonic mice, 54 ± 7% of the trabeculae expressed nestin and the percentage was significantly increased in the hearts of Tbx5+/− and Gata4+/− embryos. The cell cycle protein Ki67 and transcriptional coactivator Yap‐1 were still prevalent in the nucleus of nestin(+)‐cardiomyocytes identified in the heart of Tbx5+/− and Gata4+/− embryonic mice. Phorbol 12,13‐dibutyrate treatment of neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes increased Yap‐1 phosphorylation and co‐administration of the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 led to significant dephosphorylation. Antagonism of dephosphorylated Yap‐1 signalling with verteporfin inhibited phorbol 12,13‐dibutyrate/SB203580‐mediated nestin expression and BrdU incorporation of neonatal cardiomyocytes. Nestin depletion with an AAV9 containing a shRNA directed against the intermediate filament protein significantly reduced the number of neonatal cardiomyocytes that re‐entered the cell cycle. These findings demonstrate that Tbx5‐ and Gata4‐dependent events negatively regulate nestin expression in cardiomyocytes during embryogenesis. By contrast, dephosphorylated Yap‐1 acting via upregulation of the intermediate filament protein nestin plays a seminal role in the cell cycle re‐entry of cardiomyocytes. Based on these data, an analogous role of Yap‐1 may be prevalent in the heart of Tbx5+/− and Gata4+/− mice.
Potential Drug–Drug Interactions Among Critically Ill Pediatric Patients in a Tertiary Pulmonary Center
Authors: Hassanzad Maryam , Arenas‐Lopez Sara , Baniasadi Shadi
Published: August 2017

Patients in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) are at increased risk of potential drug–drug interactions (pDDIs) because of the complexity of pharmacotherapy. The current study aimed to assess the rate, pattern, risk factors, and management of pDDIs in the PICU of an academic pulmonary hospital. A prospective observational study was conducted for 6 months. Pharmacotherapy data of PICU‐admitted patients were evaluated by a clinical pharmacologist. Interacting drugs, reliability, mechanism, potential outcome, and clinical management of pDDIs were identified using the Lexi‐Interact database. Logistic regression was applied to analyze the risk factors that could be associated with the interactions. One hundred and twenty‐three medication profiles were evaluated during the study period. Diseases of the respiratory system were the main diagnoses among intensive care unit (ICU)–admitted patients (56.1%). A total of 38.6% of the patients exposed to at least 1 major and/or contraindicated interaction during ICU admission. Most pDDIs occurred through metabolic (35.4%) and additive (34.8%) mechanisms. The existence of pDDIs was significantly associated with the number of prescribed medications. Exposure to pDDIs is frequent in critically ill pediatric patients and related to the number of medications. Daily and close cooperation between clinicians and clinical pharmacologists is recommended to prevent harmful outcomes of DDIs.
Analysis of the moment arms and kinematics of ostrich (Struthio camelus) double patellar sesamoids
Authors: Regnault Sophie , Allen Vivian R. , Chadwick Kyle P. , Hutchinson John R.
Published: August 2017

The patella (“kneecap”) is a biomechanically important feature of the tendinous insertion of the knee extensor muscles, able to alter the moment arm lengths between its input and output tendons, and so modify the mechanical advantage of the knee extensor muscle. However, patellar gearing function is little‐explored outside of humans, and the patella is often simplified or ignored in biomechanical models. Here, we investigate patellar gearing and kinematics in the ostrich—frequently used as an animal analogue to human bipedal locomotion and unusual in its possession of two patellae at the knee joint. We use x‐ray reconstruction of moving morphology (XROMM) techniques to capture the kinematics of the patellae in an adult ostrich cadaver, passively manipulated in flexion‐extension. Moment arm ratios between the input and output tendons of each patella are calculated from kinematically determined centers of patellofemoral joint rotation. Both patellae are found to decrease the mechanical advantage of the extensor muscle–tendon complex, decreasing the tendon output force for a given muscle input force, but potentially increasing the relative speed of knee extension. Mechanically and kinematically, the proximal patella behaves similarly to the single patella of most other species, whereas the distal patella has properties of both a fixed retroarticular process and a moving sesamoid. It is still not clear why ostriches possess two patellae, but we suggest that the configuration in ostriches benefits their rapid locomotion and provides tendon protection.
‘Taking the Bank to the Youth’: Impacts on Savings from the Ghana YouthSave Experiment
Authors: Lee Yung Soo , Johnson Lissa , Ansong David , Osei‐Akoto Isaac , Masa Rainier , Chowa Gina , Sherraden Michael
Published: August 2017

This paper explores experimental impacts of in‐school banking and marketing outreach on the savings performance of youth in Ghana. Findings suggest that youth in treatment schools performed better than those in control schools in terms of account opening, depositing and savings. Between the two treatment conditions, in‐school banking was more effective than marketing outreach in promoting savings. These findings demonstrate that a meaningful proportion of low‐income youth, in a resource‐limited country, can be connected to formal financial services and save if access and opportunities are available. The results support the offering of financial services at schools as a strategy to expand youth financial inclusion. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Construction and characterization of mutated LEA peptides in Escherichia coli to develop an efficient protein expression system
Authors: Pathak Nishit , Hamada Hiro , Ikeno Shinya
Published: August 2017

To develop an efficient protein expression system, we designed a late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) peptide by mutating the LEA peptide constructed in our previous study (LEA‐I). The peptide is based on the repeating units of an 11mer motif characteristic of LEA proteins from Polypedilum vanderplanki larvae. In the amino acid sequence of the 13mer LEA peptide, glycine at the 6th and 12th positions was replaced with other amino acids via point mutations. Glutamic acid, lysine, leucine, and asparagine in the LEA peptide at the 6th and 12th positions increased green fluorescence protein (GFP) expression. The GFP expression of the mutated LEA peptide was 1.5 to 2.0 times higher than that without LEA peptide. In contrast, the serine‐containing mutated LEA peptide has low GFP expression levels. We hypothesize that the position of amino acids and the nature of amino acid in LEA peptide are important for our coexpression system. These data suggest that the size, structure, and charge of amino acids in the LEA peptide improve the protection and expression of the target protein. The amino acid balance also plays an important role in the expression of the target protein.
Association of CYP2R1 rs10766197 with MS risk and disease progression
Authors: Scazzone Concetta , Agnello Luisa , Ragonese Paolo , Lo Sasso Bruna , Bellia Chiara , Bivona Giulia , Schillaci Rosaria , Salemi Giuseppe , Ciaccio Marcello
Published: August 2017

Background

MS is a neurodegenerative autoimmune disease resulting from a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Among these, vitamin D and genetic variants associated with vitamin D‐metabolism gain great attention. The aim of our study was to assess five SNPs in NADSYN1 and CYP2R1 genes in relation to serum 25‐OH‐vitamin D3 levels in MS patients and controls.

Methods

25‐OH‐vitamin D3 levels and genotyping of CYP2R1‐ and NADSYN1‐SNPs were investigated both in MS patients and in healthy controls.

Results

The analysis revealed lower 25‐OH‐vitamin D3 concentrations in MS patients than in controls and an association of rs10766197 CYP2R1 SNP with MS risk. After stratifying MS patients according to gender, we found that the minor allele A of rs10766197 had a higher frequency in men in comparison to women affected by MS. Additionally, the presence of allele A in men was associated with disease progression, assessed by EDSS and MSSS scores.

Conclusion

The findings of our study open new perspectives for a role of CYP2R1 in both risk and progression of MS, with sex‐related differences.
A micro‐Raman spectroscopic study of Cr(OH)3 and Cr2O3 nanoparticles obtained by the hydrothermal method
Authors: Gomes Adriano S. O. , Yaghini Negin , Martinelli Anna , Ahlberg Elisabet
Published: August 2017

Cr2O3 nanoparticles, widely used in the industry, can be obtained by calcination of the nanoparticles synthesized via the hydrothermal method. The chemical nature and the morphology of as‐prepared and calcined nanoparticles are investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Our results indicate that the as‐prepared nanoparticles mainly consist of amorphous and hydrated Cr(OH)3, with only minor amounts of Cr2O3. By contrast, and as already known before, calcined nanoparticles consist of Cr2O3. We also demonstrate the effect of inappropriately chosen experimental conditions, because the use of laser intensities above 0.7 mW during the Raman experiments causes a local heating and thus induces the transformation of Cr(OH)3 into Cr2O3. The correlation between the laser power and a local heating is further corroborated by thermogravimetric analyses, which show that upon increased temperature, Cr(OH)3 first dehydrates and then partially condensates to the intermediate CrO(OH) form, to finally attain the crystalline form of Cr2O3 at about 409 °C. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Constructing a patient‐specific computer model of the upper airway in sleep apnea patients
Authors: Dhaliwal Sandeep S. , Hesabgar Seyyed M. , Haddad Seyyed M. H. , Ladak Hanif , Samani Abbas , Rotenberg Brian W.
Published: August 2017

Objective

The use of computer simulation to develop a high‐fidelity model has been proposed as a novel and cost‐effective alternative to help guide therapeutic intervention in sleep apnea surgery. We describe a computer model based on patient‐specific anatomy of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) subjects wherein the percentage and sites of upper airway collapse are compared to findings on drug‐induced sleep endoscopy (DISE).

Study Design

Basic science computer model generation.

Methods

Three‐dimensional finite element techniques were undertaken for model development in a pilot study of four OSA patients. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to capture patient anatomy and software employed to outline critical anatomical structures. A finite‐element mesh was applied to the volume enclosed by each structure. Linear and hyperelastic soft‐tissue properties for various subsites (tonsils, uvula, soft palate, and tongue base) were derived using an inverse finite‐element technique from surgical specimens. Each model underwent computer simulation to determine the degree of displacement on various structures within the upper airway, and these findings were compared to DISE exams performed on the four study patients.

Results

Computer simulation predictions for percentage of airway collapse and site of maximal collapse show agreement with observed results seen on endoscopic visualization.

Conclusion

Modeling the upper airway in OSA patients is feasible and holds promise in aiding patient‐specific surgical treatment.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 128:277–282, 2018
Hyaluronic Acid Graft Copolymers with Cleavable Arms as Potential Intravitreal Drug Delivery Vehicles
Authors: Borke Tina , Najberg Mathie , Ilina Polina , Bhattacharya Madhushree , Urtti Arto , Tenhu Heikki , Hietala Sami
Published: August 2017

Treatment of retinal diseases currently demands frequent intravitreal injections due to rapid clearance of the therapeutics. The use of high molecular weight polymers can extend the residence time in the vitreous and prolong the injection intervals. This study reports a water soluble graft copolymer as a potential vehicle for sustained intravitreal drug delivery. The copolymer features a high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA) backbone and poly(glyceryl glycerol) (PGG) side chains attached via hydrolysable ester linkers. PGG, a polyether with 1,2‐diol groups in every repeating unit available for conjugation, serves as a detachable carrier. The influence of synthesis conditions and incubation in physiological media on the molecular weight of HA is studied. The cleavage of the PGG grafts from the HA backbone is quantified and polymer‐from‐polymer release kinetics are determined. The biocompatibility of the materials is tested in different cell cultures.
Controlling Polymer Crystallization Kinetics by Sample History
Authors: Poudel Purushottam , Chandran Sivasurender , Majumder Sumit , Reiter Günter
Published: August 2017

In this paper systematic changes in the isothermal crystallization kinetics (at Tc = 200 °C) of nonequilibrated isotactic polystyrene films, generated through spin coating are reported. Kinetics is tuned by annealing films at Ta = 250 °C, i.e., above their nominal melting temperature (TmDSC = 220 °C). An exponential decrease in growth rate and a significant decrease of crystal nucleation density by approximately three orders of magnitude are observed by increasing the time (ta) provided for equilibration at Ta. The characteristic exponential decay time is approximately four orders of magnitude longer than the equilibrium reptation time at Ta. Interestingly, with increasing ta, a change in the morphology of lamellar crystals varying from spherulites to hexagons of rather uniform height to finally hexagons exhibiting periodic modulations in height is observed. These observations reveal that understanding and tuning the crystallization kinetics of polymer films under quiescent conditions requires knowledge on how strongly chain conformations deviate from equilibrium.
High‐Impact Polyamide Composites with Linear Ethylene–Norbornene Anhydride Copolymers from Insertion Polymerization
Authors: Schuster Nicole , Krumova Marina , Richter Florian , Schneller Arnold , Mecking Stefan
Published: August 2017

Toughening of polyamide 66 with novel linear norbornene anhydride functionalized polyethylenes leads to an impact performance in the Charpy‐notch impact testing at 23 °C and −30 °C as high as aCN = 18.0 ± 1.0 and 13.7 ± 0.8 kJ m−2, respectively, which compares favorably to a state of the art functional low density polyethylene (LDPE) from high‐pressure copolymerization with a Charpy‐notch impact strength of aCN = 16.8 ± 0.0 and 13.8 ± 2.1 kJ m−2 at 23 and −30 °C, respectively. The linear copolymers are obtained by insertion polymerization at mild ethylene pressures of 5 to 15 bars with phosphinesulfonato Pd (II) catalysts, to yield linear copolymers with norbornene anhydride incorporations as high as 4.8 mol% along with a polymer molecular weight of >105 g mol−1. Furthermore, the norbornene anhydride functionality serves as a reaction site for postpolymerization functionalization with alcohols to obtain the respective half‐ and diesters of the anhydride functionality. Notably, the impact performance is improved with the increase of the alkyl chain length and degree of branching of the ester functionality in the order methanol < n‐butanol < 2‐ethyl hexanol from 10.0 to 13.8 kJ m−2.
Trust and trustworthiness in organizations: The role of monitoring and moral suasion
Authors: Danese Giuseppe , Mittone Luigi
Published: August 2017

We ask whether the corporate law provisions establishing that the conduct of the manager is subject to review by the investors (monitoring) and that managers are held to an honorable behavior (moral suasion) can increase trust and trustworthiness in organizations. We answer this question through a laboratory experiment. We find that moral suasion increases the investors' trust. Monitoring also increases trust but only when the manager is not aware of the experimental identity of the monitor. The manager returns more to those investors who trust more but appropriates around 50% of the available resources. The trustworthiness of the manager is, however, unaffected by monitoring or moral suasion. We discuss possible causes of the difference between the investors' expectations regarding the behavior of the manager and the observed behavior of the manager.
Temporal and spatial variations of the thermal growing season in China during 1961–2015
Authors: Cui Linli , Shi Jun , Ma Yue
Published: August 2017

Based on the daily mean air temperature at 1863 meteorological stations over China from 1961 to 2015, the temporal and spatial tendencies in the growing season parameters (the start date of the growing season, GSS; the end date of the growing season, GSE; and the length of the growing season, GSL) for 0, 3, 5 and 10 °C temperature thresholds were investigated; the results showed that in the past 55 years GSL exhibited a significant extending trend at speeds of 1.5–5.0 days per 10 years in most areas of northwest China (NWC), north China (NC), northeast China (NEC) and western southwest China (SWC). The extension of GSL was attributed to an earlier GSS at a rate of 1.5–3.0 days per 10 years in most areas of NEC and NC and some parts of NWC and SWC, and a later GSE at speeds of 1.0–2.0 days per 10 years in most of NWC and northern SWC and some parts of NEC and northwestern NC. The extending trend of the GSL was prominent in northern and western China relative to southern China. The temporal variations in the regional average growing season parameters were different for four temperature thresholds and in six regions. In general, the regional GSL (GSS, GSE) was extended (advanced, delayed) continuously during 1961–2015 or had no significant trend before about 1980 and then extended (advanced, delayed) continuously. The temporal variations of the GSE were weaker than those of the GSS in most regions.