bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Tryptophan-Metabolizing Microbiota On Diarrhea Mice Caused by Folium sennae Extracts
Authors: Zhang Chenyang , Shao Haoqing , Li Dandan , Xiao Nenqun , Tan Zhoujin
Published: February 2020

(1) Background: Although reports have provided evidence that diarrhea caused by Folium sennae can result in intestinal flora diversity disorder, the intestinal bacterial characteristic and specific mechanism are still unknown. The objective of our study was to investigate the mechanism of diarrhea caused by Folium sennae, which was associated with intestinal bacterial characteristic reshaping and metabolic abnormality. (2) Methods: The intestinal contents of 2 groups of mice, intervened with Folium sennae extracts and distilled water respectively, were collected and its DNA was extracted for high-throughput sequencing analysis. The active compounds of Folium sennae were filtrated, and their diarrhea-related targets and metabolic pathways were predicted. Virtual Metabolic Human (VMH) was utilized to simulated metabolic function of bacteria associated with Folium sennae -induced diarrhea to verified the metabolic pathways of the drug. (3) Results: For the intervention of Folium sennae extracts, Chao1 index and Shannon index were statistical decreased. The Beta diversity clusters of mice interfered by Folium sennae extracts were distinctly separate from control group. Combining PPI network analysis, cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes metabolism was the main signaling pathway of diarrhea caused by Folium sennae. Moreover, the abundance of 10 bacterial flora communities had statistical significance with Folium sennae intervention: the abundance of Paraprevotella, streptococcus, Epulopiscium, Sutterella and Mycoplasma were increased significantly; and the abundance of Adlercreutzia, Lactobacillus, Dehalobacterium, Dorea and Oscillospira were reduced significantly. 7 of the 10 intestinal flora communities were related to the synthesis of tryptophan derivatives, which affected the transformation of aminotryptophan into L-tryptophan, leading to abnormal tryptophan metabolism in the host. (4) Conclusions: Folium sennae targeted cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 to alterd intestinal bacterial characteristic and interven the tryptophan metabolism of intestinal microflora, such as Streptococcus, Sutterella and Dorea, which could be the intestinal microecological mechanism of diarrhea caused by Folium sennae extracts.
Development of a DNA microarray assay for rapid detection of fifteen bacterial pathogens in pneumonia
Authors: Ma Xiuqing , Li Yanqin , Liang Yuan , Liu Yang , Yu Ling , Li Chunsun , Liu Qiqi , Chen Liangan
Published: February 2020

Background: Rapid identification of pathogenic bacteria is important for appropriate antimicrobial therapy of pneumonia, but traditional bacteria culture is time-consuming and laborious. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a DNA microarray assay for the simultaneously detection of fifteen bacteria species directly from respiratory tract specimens in patients with pneumonia. These species included Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterobacter cloacae, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia cepacia, Legionella pneumophila and Chlamydia pneumoniae. The 16S rDNA and specific genes of each pathogen were chosen as the amplification target, amplified with multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and hybridized to the oligonucleotide probes on the microarray. Results: The DNA microarray can reach a detection limit of 10 3 copies/μL. Nineteen standard strains, 119 positive control clinical isolates and 4 negative control clinical isolates were correctly detected with our microarray. Meanwhile, bacterial pathogens were accurately identified when two or three bacterial targets were mixed together. Furthermore, the results of 99.4% (156/157) clinical specimens were the same to that from the conventional assay. Conclusions: we developed a DNA microarray that could simultaneously detect various bacterial pathogens in pneumonia. The method described here has the potential to provide considerable labor and time savings due to its ability to screen for 15 bacterial pathogens simultaneously.
Neuropathy, Claw Toes, Intrinsic Muscle Volume, and Plantar Aponeurosis Thickness in Diabetic Feet
Authors: Kimura Tadashi , Thorhauer Eric D , Kindig Matthew W , Sangeorzan Bruce J , Ledoux William R
Published: February 2020

Background: The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between claw toe deformity, peripheral neuropathy, intrinsic muscle volume, and plantar aponeurosis thickness using computed tomography (CT) images of diabetic feet. Methods: Forty randomly-selected subjects with type 2 diabetes were selected for each of the following four groups (n = 10 per group): 1) peripheral neuropathy with claw toes, 2) peripheral neuropathy without claw toes, 3) non-neuropathic with claw toes, and 4) non-neuropathic without claw toes. The intrinsic muscles of the foot were segmented from processed CT images. Plantar aponeurosis thickness was measured in the reformatted sagittal plane at 20% of the distance from the most inferior point of calcaneus to the most inferior point of the second metatarsal. Five measurement sites in the medial-lateral direction were utilized to fully characterize the plantar aponeurosis thickness. A linear mixed effects analysis on the effect of peripheral neuropathy and claw toe deformity on plantar aponeurosis thickness and intrinsic muscle volume was performed. Results: Presence of claw toe deformity ( p = 0.008) and presence of neuropathy ( p = 0.039) were both associated with decreased intrinsic muscle volume. Subjects with both neuropathy and claw toe deformity had significantly thicker plantar aponeurosis tissue compared with the other three permutation subgroups ( p < 0.001). A negative correlation was observed between plantar aponeurosis thickness and intrinsic muscle volume ( R 2 = -0.3233, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In subjects with claw toe deformity, there were strong relationships between smaller intrinsic foot muscle volumes and thicker plantar aponeurosis tissue. Intrinsic muscle atrophy and plantar aponeurosis thickening may be related to the development of claw toes.
The test to retest reproducibility of walking test for intermittent claudication associated with lumbar spinal stenosis
Authors: Tanishima Shinji , Jianzhong Hu , Jie Zhao , Huilin Yang , Nagashima Hideki , Weishi Li
Published: February 2020

Background The walking test is useful to evaluate leg numbness and pain caused by cauda equina symptoms in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis but there are few reports described about reproducibility. The study aim was to evaluate the reproducibility of the walking test for lumbar spinal stenosis Methods Seventy patients with lumbar spinal stenosis who had intermittent claudication symptoms at a multicenter outpatient clinic were examined prospectively. A walking test was performed at 0 and 4 weeks. We investigated walking distance and lower limb pain and numbness in this study. Pain and numbness were evaluated by using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) immediately after the walking test for the hip and outside, inside, front, and posterior sides of the lower legs. Cohen’s kappa analysis and interphase correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to evaluate reproducibility. The Swiss Spinal Stenosis Questionnaire (SSS) was used to evaluate stenosis severity. Results The mean SSS was 30.2 ± 5.5 initially and 29.2 ± 5.2 at week 4, with no significant difference in severity ( P = 0.10). The walking distance ICC between baseline and 4 weeks was 0.670. The interobserver reliabilities for lower limb ache and numbness in both legs were acceptable. The average VAS for lower leg pain was 23.2 ± 25.2 mm at baseline and 27.4 ± 28.8 mm at week 4. The ICC was 0.668. The average VAS for leg numbness was 23.4 ± 26.7 mm at baseline and 24.8 ± 25.2 mm at week 4. The ICC was 0.683. Conclusions The walking test walking distance and symptomatic site results were reproducible.
Celecoxib alleviates traumatic myositis ossificans by inhibiting bone morphogenetic protein-4 in rats
Authors: Liu Mingzhong , Zeng Rongdong , Shi Jianhui , Xie Junjie
Published: February 2020

Background

Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) is one of the important molecules regulating the formation and differentiation of bone tissue. It is the main active medium to induce ectopic ossification, and is mainly involved in bone growth, development and repair of wounds.

Methods

To investigate the expression and significance of BMP-4 in rat model of traumatic myositis ossificans (TMO), 60 SD rats aged 4-6 weeks were randomly divided into control group, model group and celecoxib group, and TMO model was established at the right Achilles tendon. Each rat in the celecoxib group was intragastrically administered with 10 mg of celecoxib per kilogram per day. Each rat in the other group was intragastrically administered with 2 mL of physiological saline per day. At the 5th week and the 10th week after operation, 30 rats were killed. X-ray film was used to examine the formation of new bone, and skin temperature of the affected side was measured before execution. BMP-4 protein and mRNA level, and IL-2 mRNA level in the Achilles tendon tissues were detected by western blotting and RT-qPCR. Before execution, 2 mL of venous blood was taken from rats, and the level of IL-2 in serum was detected by ELISA.

Results

The results showed that compared with the model group, in the celecoxib group, the swelling of the affected side was significantly alleviated, the overall formation rate was slower, the osteogenesis time was later, the ossification degree was lighter, the BMP-4 mRNA and protein levels in the Achilles tendon tissues of the affected side were significantly lower, and the IL-2 content in the blood and the mRNA of IL-2 in the tissues were significantly lower.

Conclusions

In conclusion, celecoxib can effectively alleviate the occurrence of TMO after Achilles tendon surgery in rats by inhibiting BMP-4 and IL-2 expression.
Potential of the incorporated collagen microspheres in alginate hydrogel as an engineered three-dimensional microenvironment to attenuate apoptosis in human pancreatic islets
Authors: Kaviani Maryam , Keshtkar Somayeh , Sarvestani Fatemeh Sabet , Azarpira Negar , Yaghobi Ramin , Aghdaei Mahdokht Hossein , Geramizadeh Bita , Esfandiari Elaheh , Shamsaeefar Alireza , Nikeghbalian Saman , Al-Abdullah Ismail H. , Karimi Mohammad Hossein , Motazedian Nasrin
Published: February 2020

Background

Tissue engineering is considered as a promising tool for remodeling the native cells microenvironment. In the present study, the effect of alginate hydrogel and collagen microspheres integrated with extracellular matrix components were evaluated in the decrement of apoptosis in human pancreatic islets.

Methods

For three dimensional culture, the islets were encapsulated in collagen microspheres, containing laminin and collagen IV and embedded in alginate scaffold for one week. After that the islets were examined in terms of viability, apoptosis, genes and proteins expression including BAX; BCL2; active caspase-3; and insulin. Moreover, the islets function was evaluated through the glucose-induced insulin and C-peptide secretion assay. In order to evaluate the scaffolds structure and the pancreatic islets morphology in three-dimensional microenvironments, scanning electron microscopy was done.

Results

Our findings showed that the designed hydrogel scaffolds significantly improved the islets viability the activated caspase-3 and TUNEL positive cells were clearly reduced.

Conclusion

The reduced pancreatic islet survival and function occurs, following the degradation of extracellular matrix and the stresses introduced into the cells during isolation and culture. The reconstruction of the destructed matrix with alginate hydrogels and collagen microspheres might be an effective step to promote the culture and transplantation of the islets.
Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate insulin resistance via PTEN-mediated crosstalk between the PI3K/Akt and Erk/MAPKs signaling pathways in the skeletal muscles of db/db mice
Authors: Chen Guang , Fan Xiao-yan , Zheng Xiao-peng , Jin Yue-lei , Liu Ying , Liu Shuang-chun
Published: February 2020

Background: Globally, 1 in 11 adults have diabetes mellitus and 90% of the cases are type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Asia is the epicenter of this global T2DM epidemic. T2DM and its complications have contributed significantly to the burden of mortality and disability worldwide. Insulin resistance (IR) is a central defect in T2DM, and although multiple drugs have been developed to ameliorate IR, the limitations and accompanying side effects cannot be ignored. Thus more effective methods are required to improve IR.Methods: In the current study, db/m and db/db mice were injected with human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUC-MSCs) via tail vein injection (IV), intraperitoneal injection (IP) and skeletal muscle injection (IM). Body weight, fasting blood glucose and the survival rates were monitored. Furthermore, the anti-IR effects and potential mechanisms of transplanted HUC-MSCs were investigated in db/db mice in vivo.Results: The results showed that HUC-MSC transplantation by IM was safer compared with IV and IP, and the survival rate reached 100% in the IM transplanted mice. HUC-MSCs can stabilize localization and differentiation in skeletal muscle tissue and significantly ameliorate IR. Potential regulatory mechanisms are associated with downregulation of inflammation; regulating the balance between PI3K/Akt and ERK/MAPK signaling pathway via PTEN, but was not associated with the IGF-1/IGF-1R signaling pathway.Conclusions: These results suggest HUC-MSC transplantation by IM may be a novel therapeutic direction to prevent IR and increase insulin sensitivity.
BMSCs transplantation downregulated NF-κB signaling pathways by being induced to differentiate into neurons in Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) animal model
Authors: Liu Guo-yi , Kong Fan-yi , Ma Shu , Fu Li-yan , Geng Jia
Published: February 2020

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex, progressive neuroinflammatory disease associated with autoimmunity and poorly find an effective therapeutic strategy. Currently, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is widely used to study the pathogenesis of MS.Methods: In our study, we performed flow cytometry to identify BMSCs. To systematically evaluate whether BMSCs can be differentiate into neuron cells, astrocytes and oligodendrocyte, we analyzed the biomarkers by immunofluorescence labeling. We demonstrated the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem Cells (BMSCs) transplant on the EAE animal model, and determined the expression of MAP-2, GFAP, and MBP in the cortex and hippocampus of mice.Results: Our results showed that BMSCs could be induced to differentiate into neuron cells astrocytes and oligodendrocyte. BMSCs transplant improved the survival rate, neurological function scores, and obvious remyelination of mice in BMSCs transplantation group was significantly higher than EAE group (P<0.01). Morever, BMSCs transplant decreased the levels of IL-2, IL-10, IL-17 and IL-22 in the serum of EAE mice. Western blotting showed that the expression of NF-κB, IκB-α and IL-17 was decreased in BMSCs transplant group.Conclusions: Herein, our results revealed that BMSCs were transplanted into the brain of EAE mice, differentiated into neurons, improved the survival rate, neurological function recovery and the extent of demyelination in EAE mice by downregulation of NF-κB signaling pathway.
Tongue microbiome of smokeless tobacco users
Authors: Halboub Esam , Alakhali Mohammed , Al-Amir Abdulwahhab H. , Homeida Husham E. , Baraniya Divyashri , Chen Tsute , Al-Hebshi Nezar Noor
Published: February 2020

Background: The possibility that smokeless tobacco may contribute to oral carcinogenesis by influencing the oral microbiome has not been explored. This cross sectional study sought to assess the effect of using hammah, a form of smokeless tobacco prevalent in Arabia, on the tongue microbiome. Tongue scarping samples were obtained from twenty-nine shammah users (SU; 27.34±6.9 years) and 23 shammah non-users (SNU; 27.7±7.19 years) and analyzed with 16S rRNA gene sequencing (V1-V3). Species-level taxonomy assignment of the high-quality, merged reads was obtained using a previously described BLASTn-based algorithm. Downstream analyses were performed with QIIME, LEfSe, and R.Results: A total of 178 species, belonging to 62 genera and 8 phyla were identified. Genera Streptococcus , Leptotrichia , Actinomyces , Veillonella , Haemophilus , Prevotella and Neisseria accounted for more than 60% of the average microbiome. There were no differences between the two groups in species richness and alpha-diversity, but PCoA showed significant separation (P=0.015, ANOSIM). LEfSe analysis identified 22 species to be differentially abundant between the SU and SNU. However, only 7 species maintained a false discovery rate of ≤ 0.2 and could cluster the two groups separately: Rothia mucilaginosa , Streptococcus sp. oral taxon 66, Actinomyces meyeri , Streptococcus vestibularis Streptococcus sanguinis and a potentially novel Veillonella species in association with SU, and Oribacterium asaccharolyticum with SNU.Conclusion: Shammah use induces tongue microbiome changes that may be relevant to oral carcinogenesis, namely enrichment of species with high acetaldehyde production potential, which warrants further investigation.
A Mixed Community of Skin Microbiome Representatives Influences Cutaneous Processes more than Individual Members
Authors: Loomis Kristin H , Wu Susan K , Ernlund Amanda , Zudock Kristina , Reno Allison , Blount Kianna , Karig David Karl
Published: February 2020

Background

Skin, the largest organ of the human body by weight, hosts a diversity of microorganisms that can influence health. The microbial residents of the skin are now appreciated for their roles in host immune interactions, wound healing, colonization resistance, and various skin disorders. Still, much remains to be discovered in terms of the host pathways influenced by skin microorganisms, as well as the higher-level skin properties impacted through these microbe-host interactions. Towards this direction, recent efforts using mouse models pointed to pronounced changes in the transcriptional profiles of the skin in response to the presence of a microbial community. However, there is a need to quantify the roles of microorganisms at both the individual and community-level in healthy human skin. In this study, we utilize human skin equivalents to study the effects of individual taxa and a microbial community in a precisely controlled context. Through transcriptomics analysis, we identify key genes and pathways influenced by skin microbes, and we also characterize higher-level impacts on skin processes and properties through histological analyses.

Results

The presence of a microbiome on a 3D skin tissue model led to significantly altered patterns of gene expression, influencing genes involved in the regulation of apoptosis, proliferation, and the extracellular matrix (among others). Moreover, microbiome treatment influenced the thickness of the epidermal layer, reduced the number of actively proliferating cells, and increased filaggrin expression. Many of these findings were evident upon treatment with the mixed community, but either not detected or less pronounced in treatments by single microorganisms, underscoring the impact that a diverse skin microbiome has on the host.

Conclusions

This work contributes to the understanding of how microbiome constituents individually and collectively influence human skin processes and properties. The results show that, while it is important to understand the effect of individual microbes on the host, a full community of microbes has unique and pronounced effects on the skin. Thus, in its impacts on the host, the skin microbiome is more than the sum of its parts.
Sevoflurane postconditioning ameliorates neuronal migration disorder through Reelin/Dab1 and improves long-term cognition in neonatal rats after hypoxic-ischemic injury
Authors: Zhang Yahan , Gao Qiushi , Wu Ziyi , Xue Hang , Li Chang , Zhao Ping
Published: February 2020

Sevoﬂurane postconditioning (SPC) had been reported to attenuate developing brain injury after hypoxia-ischemia encephalopathy (HIE)via inhibiting neural necrosis and autophagy process. Moreover, recent report elucidated sevoflurane may involve in neural cells migration after injury. Here we hypothesize neuronal migration and long-term cognition were ruined after HIE and SPC alleviated these injuries .Classical Rice–Vannucci model of Hypoxia-ischemia was conducted on P7 pups , which was followed by SPC at the 1 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC 2.4%) for 30 min. Piceatannol which can cleave Reelin into proteolytic fragments was used to detect whether Reelin/Dab1 is involved in neuroprotection exerted by SPC. Our findings suggest that hypoxia-ischemia disrupted cytoarchitecture of dentate gyrus (DG) by inhibiting the migration of dentate neurons of hippocampus, which may eventually lead to long-term cognition deficits. However, SPC could relieve the restricted hippocampal neurons from the subgranular zone of hippocampi combined with the repair of hippocampal-dependent memory function damaged by HIE through attenuating the overactivation of the Reelin/Dab1pathway. Taken together, these results demonstrate that SPC plays a pivotal role in ameliorating neuronal migration disorder and maintain normal cytoarchitecture and spatial learning ability of DG by regulating the Reelin/Dab1 downstream signaling pathway. This indicates the potential therapeutic use of SPC in treating HIE perinatally.
Prevalence of hypertension and its risk factor among textile workers in low-and-middle-income countries: A systematic review protocol
Authors: Ali Naureen , Feroz Anam
Published: February 2020

BackgroundTextile workers are exposed to various hazards in the textile industry that might result in different ailments including hypertension (HTN). However, few attempts have been made to systematically review the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factor among textile workers in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). This review aims to identify the factors and burden of hypertension; considering that modifiable factors can be prevented in this high risk population.MethodsWe will carry out the systematic literature search on the major electronic databases including PubMed, CINAHL Plus, Science Direct, and Cochrane between January 2000 and December 2019, to identify the prevalence and incidence along with risk factors of hypertension in adults’ textile workers in LMIC. Two researchers will independently search the databases. The search strategy will be piloted to ensure sufficient specificity and sensitivity. We will limit the search findings to human studies conducted in the adult workers.DiscussionThis review will highlight the proportion of hypertension along with its risk factor among textile workers in LMICs. Given that, some of the factors can be prevented in this high-risk population, we will call on health, experts to prioritize policies and commission and conduct programs to support the improvement in their health. The findings of this review will be made publicly available and the results will be disseminated via presentations and peer-reviewed publicationsConclusionThe review provides detailed information about the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension that will help to progress the health of textile workers in LMICs.
A practical nomogram for predicting cancer-specific survival in patients with clear-cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Wen Qian , Wang Xinwen , Wang Xiaoye , Bai Tiao , Tao Mei
Published: February 2020

Background: It has limitations in predicting patient survival to use of the traditional American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system alone.Objectives: We aimed to establish and evaluate a comprehensive prognostic nomogram and compare its prognostic value with the AJCC staging system in adults diagnosed with ccRCC.Patients and Methods: We used the SEER database to identify 24477 cases of ccRCC between 2010 and 2015. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. In the development cohort, we used multivariate Cox proportional-hazards analyses to select significant variables, and used R software to establish a nomogram for predicting the 3-year and 5-year survival rates of ccRCC patients. In the development and validation cohorts, we compared our survival model with the AJCC prognosis model to evaluate the performance of the nomogram by calculating the concordance index (C-index), area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and performing calibration plotting and decision curve analyses (DCAs). Results: Eleven identified independent prognostic factors were used to establish the nomogram. Age at diagnosis, being unmarried, higher grades, larger tumor size, higher AJCC stage, lymph node metastases, bone metastases, liver metastases, lung metastases, radiotherapy, and no surgery were risk factors for the survival of ccRCC. The C-index, AUC, NRI, IDI, and calibration plots demonstrated the good performance of the nomogram compared to the AJCC staging system. Moreover, the 3-year and 5-year DCA curves showed that the nomogram yielded net benefits that were greater than the traditional AJCC staging system.Conclusion: This study is the first to indicate that married status is an important prognostic parameter in ccRCC. Our results also demonstrate that the developed nomogram can predict survival more accurately than the AJCC staging system alone. The prognostic factors were easily obtained.
Seed characterization and early Nitrogen metabolism performance of seedlings from Altiplano and Coastal ecotypes of Quinoa
Authors: Pinto/Irish Katherine , Alvarez Rodrigo , Pena Teodoro Coba de la , Ibanez Cristian , Vergara Alexander , Castro Patricio , Castro Catalina , Sanhueza Carolina , Bascunan-Godoy Luisa
Published: February 2020

Background: Early seed germination and a functional root system development during establishment are crucial attributes contributing to nutrient competence under marginal nutrient soil conditions. Chenopodium quinoa Willd (Chenopodiaceae) is a rustic crop, able to grow in marginal areas. Altiplano and Coastal/Lowlands are two representative zones of quinoa cultivation in South America with contrasting soil fertility and edaphoclimatic conditions. In the present work, we hypothesize that the ecotypes of Quinoa from Altiplano (Socaire) and from Lowland (Faro) have developed differential adaptive responses in order to survive under conditions of low availability of N in their respective climatic zones of Altiplano and Lowlands. In order to understand intrinsic differences for N competence between ecotypes, seed metabolite profile and germinative capacity were studied. Additionally, in order to elucidate the mechanisms of N uptake and assimilation at limiting N conditions during establishment, germinated seeds of both ecotypes were grown at either sufficient nitrate (HN) or low nitrate (LN) supply. We studied the photosynthetic performance, protein store, root morphometrical parameters, activity and expression of N-assimilating enzymes, and the expression of nitrate transporters of roots in plants submitted to the different treatments. Results: Seeds from the Altiplano ecotype presented higher content of free N-related metabolites and faster seed germination rate compared to the Lowland ecotype. Seedlings of both ecotypes presented similar physiological performance at HN supply, but at LN supply their differences were exalted. At LN, Socaire plants showed an increased root biomass (including a higher number and total length of lateral roots), a differential regulation of a nitrate transporter (a NPF6.3 -like homologue) belonging to the Low Affinity Transport System (LATS), and an upregulation of a nitrate transporter (a NRT2.1 -like homologue) belonging to the High Affinity nitrate Transport System (HATS) regard to Faro. These responses as a whole could be linked to a higher amount of stored proteins in leaves, associated to an enhanced photochemical performance in Altiplano plants, in comparison to Lowland quinoa plants. Conclusions: These differential characteristics of Socaire over Faro ecotypes could involve an adaptation to enhanced nitrate uptake under the brutal unfavorable climate conditions of Altiplano.
Comparative analysis of DNA repeats and identification of a Fesreba centromeric element in fescues and ryegrasses
Authors: Zwyrtková Jana , Němečková Alžběta , Čížková Jana , Holušová Kateřina , Kapustová Veronika , Svačina Radim , Kopecký David , Till Bradley John , Doležel Jaroslav , Hřibová Eva
Published: February 2020

Background Cultivated grasses are an important source of food for domestic animals worldwide. Better knowledge of their genomes can speed up development of cultivars with better quality and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The most widely grown grasses are tetraploid ryegrass ( Lolium ) species and diploid and hexaploid fescues ( Festuca ) species. In this work we characterized repetitive DNA sequences and their contribution to genome size in seven fescue and ryegrass species. Results Partial genome sequences were produced by Illumina technology and used for genome-wide comparative analyses using RepeatExplorer pipeline. Retrotransposons were found to be the most abundant repeat types in all seven grass species. Athila element of Ty3/gypsy family showed most striking difference in copy numbers in nuclear genomes between fescues and ryegrasses. The sequence data enabled the assembly of an LTR element Fesreba, which is highly enriched in centromeric and (peri)centromeric regions in all species. A combination of FISH with a probe specific to Fesreba element and immunostaining with CENH3 antibody showed their colocalization and indicated a possible role of Fesreba in centromere function. Conclusions Comparative analysis of repeatome in a set of fescues and ryegrasses provided new insights into their genome organization and divergence, including the assembly of LTR element Fesreba. The element was abundant in centromeric regions of the fescues and ryegrasses and may have a role in function of their centromeres.
Viral Characteristics and Clinical Presentation in Dengue Co-infection—Findings from a Facility Based Observational Study in Odisha, India
Authors: Turuk Jyotirmayee , Palo Subrata Kumar , Rath Sonalika , Sabat Jyotsnamayee , Subhadra Subhra , Panda Sailendra , Pati Sanghamitra
Published: February 2020

Background: Dengue is a widespread disease affecting many countries and about two fifth of the world is at risk for this disease. In India, the dengue incidence has increased in recent past and emerged as an important health problem in many states including Odisha. Cases with dengue co-infection with other diseases usually have atypical clinical presentation.Methods: A facility based longitudinal study was carried out over a period of one year to determine the dengue co-infection and its outcome. The suspected cases were clinically assessed following a standard case report format and serological investigations including serotyping were carried out.Results: 33.6% samples were dengue positive of which 78.5% were positive for NS1 Ag, 26.6% positive for dengue IgM and 5.1% to both. Among the dengue positive cases, 60.9% were male and mean age was 31.52 (+/- 17.03) years. High occurrence of cases was during May to November with maximum in August. Among the 975 dengue positives, 57 (5.8%) were found to have co-infection. Chikungunya was the most common co-infection in 71.9%, followed by herpes simplex (HSV) (7%) and other diseases. Fever was the most common presenting symptom (98.2%), followed by myalgia (91.2%), pain abdomen (12.3%), Rash/lesion (8.8%), burning micturition (5.3%), Petechiae (1.7%) and Pruritus (1.7%) among the co-infected cases.While DEN-2 serotype was observed in majority (74.1%) more than two serotypes was found in 5.85% of dengue positives .Conclusions: All the four dengue serotypes were found to be circulating with DEN-2 as the most predominant one. About 5.8% of dengue cases have co-infection (mainly with chikungunya) and clinically present with atypical signs and symptoms.
The origin and spread of CRF85_BC, driven by heterosexual trasmission among older people in Sichuan, China
Authors: su ling , Feng Yi , Liang Shu , Zeng Yali , Li Yiping , Yang Hong , Li Ye , Wei Dongbin , Yuan Dan , Wang Qiushi Wang , Lai Wenhong , Zhang Linglin
Published: February 2020

BackgroudCRF_BC recombinants, including CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC, were considered the predominant subtypes in China. Since the discovery of HIV-1 circulating recombinant form CRF 85_BC in southwest china in 2016, this BC recombinant forms had been reported in different region of China. However, the history and magnitude of CRF85_BC transmission had not been investigated.MethodWe conducted the most recent molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 among newly reported HIV-1 infected patients in Sichuan in 2019 by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 1291 pol sequences. Then, we used maximum likelihood approach and the Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling of pol sequences to reconstruct the phylogeographic and demographic dynamics of the CRF85_BC.ResultsHIV-1 CRF85_BC (68/1291, 5.27%) became the fourth most prevalent strain revealing a significant increase in local population. CRF85_BC were only found in heterosexually infected individuals and the majority of CRF85_BC (95.45%) were circulating among the people living with HIV aged 50 years and over (PLHIV50+), which suggests a unique prevalent pattern. We further found that the founder lineages of CRF85_BC were likely to have first emerged in Yunnan, a province of Southwest China bordering Sichuan, in the early 2000s. Then, It spread exponentially to various places (including Guangxi, Sichuan, et al) and later on became endemic around 2008.5 (2007.0-2010.5) in Sichuan.ConclusionTaken together, our ﬁndings on HIV-1 subtype CRF85_BC infections provide new insights into the spread of this virus and extend the understanding of the HIV epidemic in China.
An. gambiae s.l. exhibit high intensity pyrethroid resistance throughout Southern and Central Mali (2016-2018); PBO or next generation LLINs may provide greater control
Authors: Sovi Arthur , Keita Chitan , Sinaba Youssouf , Dicko Abdourhamane , Traore Ibrahim , Cisse Moussa BM , Koita Ousmane , Dengela Dereje , Flatley Cecilia , Bankineza Elie , Mihigo Jules , Belemvire Allison , Carlson Jenny , Fornadel Christen , Oxborough Richard Martin
Published: February 2020

Background: Millions of pyrethroid LLINs have been distributed in Mali during the past 20 years which, along with agricultural use, has increased the selection pressure on malaria vector populations. This study investigated pyrethroid resistance intensity and susceptible status of malaria vectors to alternative insecticides to guide choice of insecticides for LLINs and IRS for effective control of malaria vectors.Methods: For 3 years between 2016 and 2018, susceptibility testing was conducted annually in 14-16 sites covering southern and central Mali. Anopheles gambiae s.l. were collected from larval sites and adult mosquitoes exposed in WHO tube tests to diagnostic doses of bendiocarb (0.1%) and pirimiphos-methyl (0.25%). Resistance intensity tests were conducted using CDC bottle bioassays (2016-17) and WHO tube tests (2018) at 1×, 2×, 5×, and 10× the diagnostic concentration of permethrin, deltamethrin and alpha-cypermethrin. WHO tube tests were conducted with pre-exposure to the synergist PBO followed by permethrin or deltamethrin. Chlorfenapyr was tested in CDC bottle bioassays at 100µg active ingredient per bottle and clothianidin at 2% in WHO tube tests. PCR was performed to identify species within the An. gambiae complex.Results: In all sites An. gambiae s.l. showed high intensity resistance to permethrin and deltamethrin in CDC bottle bioassay tests in 2016 and 2017. In 2018, WHO intensity tests resulted in survivors at all sites for permethrin, deltamethrin and alpha-cypermethrin when tested at 10× the diagnostic dose. Across all sites mean mortality was 33.7% with permethrin (0.75%) compared with 71.8% when pre-exposed to PBO (4%), representing a 2.13 fold increase in mortality. A similar trend was recorded for deltamethrin. There was susceptibility to pirimiphos-methyl, chlorfenapyr and clothianidin in all surveyed sites, including current IRS sites in Mopti Region. An. coluzzii was the primary species in 4 of 6 regions.Conclusions: Widespread high intensity pyrethroid resistance was recorded during 2016-18 and is likely to compromise the effectiveness of pyrethroid LLINs in Mali. PBO or chlrofenapyr LLINs should provide improved control of An. gambiae s.l. Clothianidin and pirimiphos-methyl insecticides are currently being used for IRS as part of a rotation strategy based on susceptibility being confirmed in this study.
Retinal Vascular Abnormalities and their Associations with Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascsular Diseases: a Study in Rural Southwestern Harbin, China
Authors: Wang Junwei , Leng Fei , Li Zhijian , Tang Xianling , Qian Hua , Li Xiaoguang , Zhang Yi , Chen Xuedong , Du Haitao , Liu Ping
Published: February 2020

Background: Limited data is available on retinal vessel morphology in the north China. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of retinal vascular abnormalities (RVAs) and investigate their associations with the self-reported diagnosis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascsular diseases (CCVds) in a rural adult population of northeast China. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted, using the cluster random sampling method. One eye of each participant was photographed with a non-mydriatic fundus camera. RVAs including focal and general arteriolar narrowing (FAN and GAN), arteriovenous nicking (AVN), arteriolar sheathing (AS), and retinopathy were evaluated. Data on self-reported diagnosis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and status of smoking and alcohol drinking were obtained from questionnaires. Results: Among the 6 267 participants with an age ≥50 years, photographs were obtained of 99.2%, with quality sufficient to perform retinal evaluations in 82.5%. The prevalence of FAN, AVN, AS, retinopathy and GAN were 9.1%, 8.9%, 5.0%, 6.6% and 6.2%, respectively. All the retinal lesions were associated with hypertension (all P<0.01). After adjusting for age, gender, and left/right eyes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, habits of past or current smoking and alcohol consumption, AVN was strongly associated with the self-reported diagnosis histories of coronary heart diseases(CHD) (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.09, 1.89) and retinopathy was significantly associated with a self-reported diagnosis of stroke (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.18, 3.57). Conclusions : The overall prevalence of retinal microvascular abnormalities in this population was relatively higher than that reported in other regions of the world. Retinopathy is associated with the self-reported diagnosis of stroke while AVN was associated with the self-reported diagnosis of CHD, but the remaining retinal lesions were not consistently associated with CCVds. Thus, an examination of retinal microvascular characteristics may offer clues to CCVds and could be a potentially novel biomarkers for CCVds risk.
Rooted Hauntology Lab: Attempts at vegetal curation
Authors: Vranken Ingrid
Published: February 2020

In this paper I share my personal attempt of co-working with plants as ghosts and how this has started to shape a curatorial practice that tries to resist extractivism. I wanted to rethink my own practice as a curatorand investigate how to shape relations and ethics differently. For this work I turned towards plants and ghosts as my teachers and allies. They pointed me towards strategies of being-with, generosity and sympoiesis, which I am trying totranspose into a (life-)practice. Rooted Hauntology Lab as an artistic-curatorial project is both the result and ongoing practical playground for this experimentation.
Impact of landscape pattern change on runoff processes in catchment area of the Ulungur River Basin
Authors: Gao Fan , He Bing , Xue Songsong , Li Yizhen
Published: February 2020

Based on the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, the monthly runoff processes of two land-use types in 2000 and 2015 were simulated in this paper. The relationship between runoff and landscape pattern was analyzed, and the spatial correlation between runoff and landscape pattern analyzed using the geographic weighted regression model combined with the change of landscape pattern in the study area from 2000 to 2015. The results show the following. (1) The SWAT model can simulate the monthly runoff processes in the catchment area of the Ulungur River Basin (URB) under different land-use types for 2000 and 2015, but the simulation effect in 2000 was found to be better than that in 2015. (2) From 2000 to 2015, the area of woodland and grassland decreased. Runoff was positively correlated with woodland, grassland, largest patch index, mean patch area (AREA_MN), and contagion index, and negatively correlated with others. This indicates that the landscape fragmentation of URB was aggravated in 2000–2015, the landscape balance was destroyed, and the ability of rainfall interception and water conservation was weakened. (3) Landscape pattern indicators of grassland had a negative spatial impact on URB runoff, and the northern region of URB was more severely affected in 2015 than in 2000. AREA_MN landscape pattern index had a positive impact on runoff in the northern part of URB, and the positive impact in northern URB in 2000 was better than that in 2015.
Directive Effect of Chain Length in Modulating Peptide Nano-assemblies
Authors: Pandey Gaurav , Das Prem Prakash , Ramakrishnan Vibin
Published: February 2020

Background:

RADA-4 (Ac-RADARADARADARADA-NH2) is the most extensively
studied and marketed self-assembling peptide, forming hydrogel, used to create defined threedimensional
microenvironments for cell culture applications.

Objectives:

In this work, we use various biophysical techniques to investigate the length
dependency of RADA aggregation and assembly.

Methods:

We synthesized a series of RADA-N peptides, N ranging from 1 to 4, resulting in four
peptides having 4, 8, 12, and 16 amino acids in their sequence. Through a combination of various
biophysical methods including thioflavin T fluorescence assay, static right angle light scattering
assay, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), electron microscopy, CD, and IR spectroscopy, we have
examined the role of chain-length on the self-assembly of RADA peptide.

Results:

Our observations show that the aggregation of ionic, charge-complementary RADA motifcontaining
peptides is length-dependent, with N less than 3 are not forming spontaneous selfassemblies.

Conclusion:

The six biophysical experiments discussed in this paper validate the significance of
chain-length on the epitaxial growth of RADA peptide self-assembly.
Role of ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter Proteins in CNS Tumors: Resistance- Based Perspectives and Clinical Updates
Authors: Asif M. , Usman M. , Ayub Shahid , Farhat Sahar , Huma Zilli , Ahmed Jawad , Kamal Mohammad A. , Hussein Deema , Javed Aneela , Khan Ishaq
Published: February 2020

Despite gigantic advances in medical research and development, chemotherapeutic resistance remains a major challenge in complete remission of CNS tumors. The failure of complete eradication of CNS tumors has been correlated with the existence of several factors including overexpression of transporter proteins. To date, 49 ABC-transporter proteins (ABC-TPs) have been reported in humans, and the evidence of their strong association with chemotherapeutics’ influx, dissemination, and efflux in CNS tumors, is growing. Research studies on CNS tumors are implicating ABC-TPs as diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers that may be utilised in preclinical and clinical studies. With the current advancements in cell biology, molecular analysis of genomic and transcriptomic interplay, and protein homology-based drug-transporters interaction, our research approaches are streamlining the roles of ABC-TPs in cancer and multidrug resistance. Potential inhibitors of ABC-TP for better clinical outcomes in CNS tumors have emerged. Elacridar has shown to enhance the chemo-sensitivity of Dasatanib and Imatinib in various glioma models. Tariquidar has improved the effectiveness of Temozolomide’s in CNS tumors. Although these inhibitors have been effective in preclinical settings, their clinical outcomes have not been as significant in clinical trials. Thus, to have a better understanding of the molecular evaluations of ABC-TPs, as well as drug-interactions, further research is being pursued in research labs. Our lab aims to better comprehend the biological mechanisms involved in drug resistance and to explore novel strategies to increase the clinical effectiveness of anticancer chemotherapeutics, which will ultimately improve clinical outcomes.
Drug Development for Central Nervous System Diseases Using In vitro Blood-brain Barrier Models and Drug Repositioning
Authors: Morofuji Yoichi , Nakagawa Shinsuke
Published: February 2020

An important goal of biomedical research is to translate basic research findings into practical clinical implementation. Despite the advances in the technology used in drug discovery, the development of drugs for central nervous system diseases remains challenging. The failure rate for new drugs targeting important central nervous system diseases is high compared to most other areas of drug discovery. The main reason for the failure is the poor penetration efficacy across the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier represents the bottleneck in central nervous system drug development and is the most important factor limiting the future growth of neurotherapeutics. Meanwhile, drug repositioning has been becoming increasingly popular and it seems a promising field in central nervous system drug development. In vitro blood-brain barrier models with high predictability are expected for drug development and drug repositioning. In this review, the recent progress of in vitro BBB models and the drug repositioning for central nervous system diseases will be discussed.
Plant Extracts and their Secondary Metabolites as Modulators of Kinases
Authors: Gill Muhammad Shoaib Ali , Saleem Hammad , Ahemad Nafees
Published: February 2020

Natural Products (NP), specifically from medicinal plants or herbs, have been extensively utilized to analyze the fundamental mechanisms of ultimate natural sciences as well as therapeutics. Isolation of secondary metabolites from these sources and their respective biological properties, along with their lower toxicities and cost-effectiveness, make them a significant research focus for drug discovery. In recent times, there has been a considerable focus on isolating new chemical entities from natural flora to meet the immense demand for kinase modulators, and also to overcome major unmet medical challenges in relation to signal transduction pathways. The signal transduction systems are amongst the foremost pathways involved in the maintenance of life and protein kinases play an imperative part in these signaling pathways. It is important to find a kinase inhibitor, as it can be used not only to study cell biology but can also be used as a drug candidate for cancer and metabolic disorders. A number of plant extracts and their isolated secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, and alkaloids have exhibited activities against various kinases. In the current review, we have presented a brief overview of some important classes of plant secondary metabolites as kinase modulators. Moreover, a number of phytocompounds with kinase inhibition potential, isolated from different plant species, are also discussed.