bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution and clinical impact of apolipoprotein E4 in subjective memory impairment and early mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Cho Hanna , Kim Young-Eun , Chae Wonjeong , Kim Ko Woon , Kim Jong-Won , Kim Hee Jin , Na Duk L. , Ki Chang-Seok , Seo Sang Won 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe apolipoprotein E (APOE) e4 allele is the most common genetic variant associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We sought to investigate the distribution of APOE genotypes across the full clinical AD spectrum including AD, late-stage amnestic mild cognitive impairment (L-aMCI), early-stage aMCI (E-aMCI), subjective memory impairment (SMI), and controls. We prospectively recruited 713 AD patients, 735 aMCI patients, 575 SMI patients, and 8,260 individuals as controls. The frequency of the APOE e4 allele revealed an ordered fashion in the AD (30.8%), L-aMCI (24.0%), E-aMCI (15.1%), SMI (11.7%), and control (9.1%) groups. APOE e3/e4 and e4/e4 genotype frequencies also appeared in an ordered fashion in the AD group (39.1% of e3/e4 and 10.9% of e4/e4), as well as the L-aMCI (28.3% and 9.4%), E-aMCI (22.3% and 3.7%), SMI (18.3% and 1.9%), and control (15.1% and 0.8%) groups. In the comparisons of APOE e3/e3 vs. e3/e4 genotypes, all patient groups had a higher frequency of APOE e3/e4 relative to the control group. Relative to the SMI and E-aMCI groups, the AD and L-aMCI groups had higher frequency of the APOE e3/e4 genotype, and the AD group had a higher frequency relative to the L-aMCI group. However, there was no significant difference between the E-aMCI and SMI groups. In our longitudinal data, APOE e4 carrier showed a steeper incline slope in a clinical dementia rating sum of boxes (CDR-SB) score than APOE e4 non-carrier in SMI (B = 0.0066, p = 0.0104), E-aMCI (B = 0.0313, p < 0.0001), and L-aMCI (B = 0.0178, p = 0.0007). APOE e4 carrier showed a steeper decline slope in the CDR-SB than APOE e4 non-carrier in AD (B = − 0.0309, p = 0.0003). These findings suggest that E-aMCI and SMI are associated with a similarly increased frequency of the APOE e4 allele compared to controls, suggesting a greater genetic risk for AD and the importance of monitoring the allele more closely.
The Multiplex Efficiency Index: unveiling the Brazilian air transportation multiplex network—BATMN
Authors: Oliveira Izabela M. , Carpi Laura C. , Atman A. P. F. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractModern society is increasingly massively connected, reflecting an omnipresent tendency to organize social, economic, and technological structures in complex networks. Recently, with the advent of the so-called multiplex networks, new concepts and tools were necessary to better understand the characteristics of this type of system, as well as to analyze and quantify its performance and efficiency. The concept of diversity in multiplex networks is a striking example of this intrinsically interdisciplinary effort to better understand the nature of complex networks. In this work, we introduce the Multiplex Efficiency Index, which allows quantifying the temporal evolution of connectivity diversity, particularly when the number of layers of the multiplex network varies over time. Using data related to air passenger transportation in Brazil we investigate, through the new index, how the Brazilian air transportation network has being changing over the years due to the privatization processes of airports and mergers of airlines in Brazil. Besides that, we show how the Multiplex Efficiency Index is able to quantify fluctuations in network efficiency in a non-biased way, limiting its values between 0 and 1, taking into account the number of layers in the multiplex structure. We believe that the proposed index is of great value for the evaluation of the performance of any multiplex network, and to analyze, in a quantitative way, its temporal evolution independently of the variation in the number of layers.
Gold nanoparticles disrupt actin organization and pulmonary endothelial barriers
Authors: Sinclair Whitney E. , Chang Huei-Huei , Dan Arkaprava , Kenis Paul J. A. , Murphy Catherine J. , Leckband Deborah E. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis study explored the impact of gold nanoparticles on the metabolic activity and morphology of human pulmonary endothelial cell monolayers. We developed a gold nanoparticle library of three different sizes and two surface chemistries that include anionic citrate and the cationic polyelectrolyte poly(allylamine hydrochloride). The nanoparticles were characterized in cell culture medium to assess how their physical properties are altered after exposure to biological fluids. A bovine serum albumin pretreatment protocol was developed to stabilize the nanoparticles in cell culture medium. Results of this study show that an 18 h exposure of human pulmonary artery endothelial cells to the different nanoparticles modestly affects cellular metabolic activity. However, nanoparticle exposure perturbs the cortical actin networks and induces the formation of intercellular gaps. In particular, exposure to the poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-coated particles reduces the area of cell–cell junctions—a change that correlates with increased leakiness of endothelial barriers. The presence of excess polyelectrolyte capping agents in the supernatant of poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-coated nanoparticles significantly impacts endothelial morphology. Pretreatment of the particle supernatant with bovine serum albumin mitigates the negative effects of free or bound polyelectrolytes on endothelial cell monolayers.
Investigation of alpl expression and Tnap-activity in zebrafish implies conserved functions during skeletal and neuronal development
Authors: Ohlebusch Barbara , Borst Angela , Frankenbach Tina , Klopocki Eva , Jakob Franz , Liedtke Daniel , Graser Stephanie 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare genetic disease with diverse symptoms and a heterogeneous severity of onset with underlying mutations in the ALPL gene encoding the ectoenzyme Tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). Considering the establishment of zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a new model organism for HPP, the aim of the study was the spatial and temporal analysis of alpl expression in embryos and adult brains. Additionally, we determined functional consequences of Tnap inhibition on neural and skeletal development in zebrafish. We show that expression of alpl is present during embryonic stages and in adult neuronal tissues. Analyses of enzyme function reveal zones of pronounced Tnap-activity within the telencephalon and the mesencephalon. Treatment of zebrafish embryos with chemical Tnap inhibitors followed by axonal and cartilage/mineralized tissue staining imply functional consequences of Tnap deficiency on neuronal and skeletal development. Based on the results from neuronal and skeletal tissue analyses, which demonstrate an evolutionary conserved role of this enzyme, we consider zebrafish as a promising species for modeling HPP in order to discover new potential therapy strategies in the long-term.
A tailored polylactic acid/polycaprolactone biodegradable and bioactive 3D porous scaffold containing gelatin nanofibers and Taurine for bone regeneration
Authors: Samadian Hadi , Farzamfar Saeed , Vaez Ahmad , Ehterami Arian , Bit Arindam , Alam Mostafa , Goodarzi Arash , Darya Gholamhossein , Salehi Majid 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe focus of the current study was to develop a functional and bioactive scaffold through the combination of 3D polylactic acid (PLA)/polycaprolactone (PCL) with gelatin nanofibers (GNFs) and Taurine (Tau) for bone defect regeneration. GNFs were fabricated via electrospinning dispersed in PLA/PCL polymer solution, Tau with different concentrations was added, and the polymer solution converted into a 3D and porous scaffold via the thermally-induced phase separation technique. The characterization results showed that the scaffolds have interconnected pores with the porosity of up to 90%. Moreover, Tau increased the wettability and weight loss rate, while compromised the compressive strengths. The scaffolds were hemo- and cytocompatible and supported cell viability and proliferation. The in vivo studies showed that the defects treated with scaffolds filled with new bone. The computed tomography (CT) imaging and histopathological observation revealed that the PLA/PCL/Gel/Tau 10% provided the highest new bone formation, angiogenesis, and woven bone among the treatment groups. Our finding illustrated that the fabricated scaffold was able to regenerate bone within the defect and can be considered as the effective scaffold for bone tissue engineering application.
Glycosylhydrolase genes control respiratory tubes sizes and airway stability
Authors: Behr Matthias , Riedel Dietmar 
Published: August 2020

AbstractTight barriers are crucial for animals. Insect respiratory cells establish barriers through their extracellular matrices. These chitinous-matrices must be soft and flexible to provide ventilation, but also tight enough to allow oxygen flow and protection against dehydration, infections, and environmental stresses. However, genes that control soft, flexible chitin-matrices are poorly known. We investigated the genes of the chitinolytic glycosylhydrolase-family 18 in the tracheal system of Drosophila melanogaster. Our findings show that five chitinases and three chitinase-like genes organize the tracheal chitin-cuticles. Most of the chitinases degrade chitin from airway lumina to enable oxygen delivery. They further improve chitin-cuticles to enhance tube stability and integrity against stresses. Unexpectedly, some chitinases also support chitin assembly to expand the tube lumen properly. Moreover, Chitinase2 plays a decisive role in the chitin-cuticle formation that establishes taenidial folds to support tube stability. Chitinase2 is apically enriched on the surface of tracheal cells, where it controls the chitin-matrix architecture independently of other known cuticular proteins or chitinases. We suppose that the principle mechanisms of chitin-cuticle assembly and degradation require a set of critical glycosylhydrolases for flexible and not-flexible cuticles. The same glycosylhydrolases support thick laminar cuticle formation and are evolutionarily conserved among arthropods.
Impact of isolation methods on the biophysical heterogeneity of single extracellular vesicles
Authors: Sharma Shivani , LeClaire Michael , Wohlschlegel James , Gimzewski James 
Published: August 2020

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) have raised high expectations as a novel class of diagnostics and therapeutics. However, variabilities in EV isolation methods and the unresolved structural complexity of these biological-nanoparticles (sub-100 nm) necessitate rigorous biophysical characterization of single EVs. Here, using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in conjunction with direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM), micro-fluidic resistive pore sizing (MRPS), and multi-angle light scattering (MALS) techniques, we compared the size, structure and unique surface properties of breast cancer cell-derived small EVs (sEV) obtained using four different isolation methods. AFM and dSTORM particle size distributions showed coherent unimodal and bimodal particle size populations isolated via centrifugation and immune-affinity methods respectively. More importantly, AFM imaging revealed striking differences in sEV nanoscale morphology, surface nano-roughness, and relative abundance of non-vesicles among different isolation methods. Precipitation-based isolation method exhibited the highest particle counts, yet nanoscale imaging revealed the additional presence of aggregates and polymeric residues. Together, our findings demonstrate the significance of orthogonal label-free surface characteristics of single sEVs, not discernable via conventional particle sizing and counts alone. Quantifying key nanoscale structural characteristics of sEVs, collectively termed ‘EV-nano-metrics’ enhances the understanding of the complexity and heterogeneity of sEV isolates, with broad implications for EV-analyte based research and clinical use.
An enriched sugarcane diversity panel for utilization in genetic improvement of sugarcane
Authors: Fickett Nathanael D. , Ebrahimi Leila , Parco Arnold P. , Gutierrez Andres V. , Hale Anna L. , Pontif Michael J. , Todd James , Kimbeng Collins A. , Hoy Jeffrey W. , Ayala-Silva Tomas , Gravois Kenneth A. , Baisakh Niranjan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSugarcane crop is important for both sugar and biofuels. A world collection of sugarcane and related grasses (WCSRG) maintained at Miami, FL contains > 1,200 non-redundant clones of different species and genera within the Saccharum complex. However, linkage of undesirable alleles with useful genes in wild species has hindered its efficient utilization in sugarcane breeding. A core collection developed previously with smaller number of clones representing WCSRG did not take into account > 120 wild/exotic clones maintained at the USDA-ARS Sugarcane Research Unit in Houma, Louisiana. Moreover, the genome complexity and sub-tropical to temperate growing climate of Louisiana warrant a region-specific core collection that can be used for base-broadening breeding aimed at efficient introgression of desirable alleles. Genetic diversity of 1,485 clones within WCSRG and Louisiana (commercials, wild/exotic) using 423 SSR alleles showed an average gene diversity (h) at 0.208 among all species groups where Erianthus-like Saccharum species (ELSS), Miscanthus spp., and S. spontaneum each formed a distinct cluster, Saccharum robustum, S. officinarum, hybrid cultivars, and S. edule grouped together in a major cluster, and Saccharum sinense and S. barberi formed distinct grouping. A 309-clone diversity panel (SDP1) was developed that captured the genetic diversity based on the combination of maximum length subtree and manual selection to maximize representation of Louisiana clones and minimize import of clones from Miami. SDP1 shared 324 alleles out of the 423 alleles in the entire population of 1,485 clones and captured the genetic diversity of the entire collection with an average gene diversity (h) at 0.163. The variation within (11–17%) and among (83–89%) the populations in SDP1 were comparable with the entire population of 1,485 clones (9–15% and 85–91%, respectively). The breadth of the genetic variation of SDP1 was exemplified by the intra- and inter-specific diversity of a 190-clone mini-core collection with markers derived from known cold-responsive genes. SDP1 will facilitate genome-wide association studies for identification of trait-specific markers for use in marker-assisted breeding in Louisiana and elsewhere.
Spray dried VSV-vectored vaccine is thermally stable and immunologically active in vivo
Authors: Toniolo Steven P. , Afkhami Sam , D’Agostino Michael R. , Lichty Brian D. , Cranston Emily D. , Xing Zhou , Thompson Michael R. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractEffective vaccine delivery and coverage to rural and resource-poor countries is hindered by the dependence on cold chain storage. As such, developments of cold chain-free technologies are highly sought. Although spray dried adenoviral vectors have shown long term stability at ambient temperatures and relatively low humidity, it remains to be determined whether similar excipient formulations are applicable to other viral vectors. To address this, we have spray dried vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-vectors with a panel of well-characterized sugar excipients to determine the optimal formulation for vector stabilization. Upon reconstitution, we show that trehalose conferred superior stability of VSV both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, following cold chain-free storage at elevated temperatures at 37 °C for 15 days, we show that a VSV-vectored vaccine retains its in vivo immunogenicity, whereas a liquid control completely lost its immune-stimulating ability. Our results provide foundational evidence that spray drying with properly tested excipients can stabilize viral vectors such as VSV, allowing them to be stored long-term at elevated temperatures without dependency on cold chain conditions.
Rock inhibition promotes NaV1.5 sodium channel-dependent SW620 colon cancer cell invasiveness
Authors: Poisson Lucile , Lopez-Charcas Osbaldo , Chadet Stéphanie , Bon Emeline , Lemoine Roxane , Brisson Lucie , Ouaissi Mehdi , Baron Christophe , Besson Pierre , Roger Sébastien , Moussata Driffa 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe acquisition of invasive capacities by carcinoma cells, i.e. their ability to migrate through and to remodel extracellular matrices, is a determinant process leading to their dissemination and to the development of metastases. these cancer cell properties have often been associated with an increased Rho-ROCK signalling, and ROCK inhibitors have been proposed for anticancer therapies. In this study we used the selective ROCK inhibitor, Y-27632, to address the participation of the Rho-ROCK signalling pathway in the invasive properties of SW620 human colon cancer cells. Contrarily to initial assumptions, Y-27632 induced the acquisition of a pro-migratory cell phenotype and increased cancer cell invasiveness in both 3- and 2-dimensions assays. This effect was also obtained using the other ROCK inhibitor Fasudil as well as with knocking down the expression of ROCK-1 or ROCK-2, but was prevented by the inhibition of NaV1.5 voltage-gated sodium channel activity. Indeed, ROCK inhibition enhanced the activity of the pro-invasive NaV1.5 channel through a pathway that was independent of gene expression regulation. In conclusions, our evidence identifies voltage-gated sodium channels as new targets of the ROCK signalling pathway, as well as responsible for possible deleterious effects of the use of ROCK inhibitors in the treatment of cancers.
Lipopolysaccharide administration for a mouse model of cerebellar ataxia with neuroinflammation
Authors: Hong Jungwan , Yoon Dongyeong , Nam Youngpyo , Seo Donggun , Kim Jong-Heon , Kim Min Sung , Lee Tae Yong , Kim Kyung Suk , Ko Pan-Woo , Lee Ho-Won , Suk Kyoungho , Kim Sang Ryong 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMost cerebellar ataxias (CAs) are incurable neurological disorders, resulting in a lack of voluntary control by inflamed or damaged cerebellum. Although CA can be either directly or indirectly related to cerebellar inflammation, there is no suitable animal model of CA with neuroinflammation. In this study, we evaluated the utility of an intracerebellar injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to generate an animal model of inflammatory CA. We observed that LPS administration induced the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules following activation of glial cells. In addition, the administration of LPS resulted in apoptotic Purkinje cell death and induced abnormal locomotor activities, such as impaired motor coordination and abnormal hindlimb clasping posture. Our results suggest that intracerebellar LPS administration in experimental animals may be useful for studying the inflammatory component of CA.
Neutron activation of gadolinium for ion therapy: a Monte Carlo study of charged particle beams
Authors: Van Delinder Kurt W. , Khan Rao , Gräfe James L. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis study investigates the photon production from thermal neutron capture in a gadolinium (Gd) infused tumor as a result of secondary neutrons from particle therapy. Gadolinium contrast agents used in MRI are distributed within the tumor volume and can act as neutron capture agents. As a result of particle therapy, secondary neutrons are produced and absorbed by Gd in the tumor providing potential enhanced localized dose in addition to a signature photon spectrum that can be used to produce an image of the Gd enriched tumor. To investigate this imaging application, Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were performed for 10 different particles using a 5–10 cm spread out-Bragg peak (SOBP) centered on an 8 cm3, 3 mg/g Gd infused tumor. For a proton beam, 1.9 × 106 neutron captures per RBE weighted Gray Equivalent dose (GyE) occurred within the Gd tumor region. Antiprotons ($$\bar{P}$$

P

¯

), negative pions (− π), and helium (He) ion beams resulted in 10, 17 and 1.3 times larger Gd neutron captures per GyE than protons, respectively. Therefore, the characteristic photon based spectroscopic imaging and secondary Gd dose enhancement could be viable and likely beneficial for these three particles.
Psychological predictors of quality of life after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for degenerative cervical spine disease
Authors: Wagner Arthur , Shiban Youssef , Zeller Leonie , Aftahy Kaywan , Lange Nicole , Motov Stefan , Joerger Ann-Kathrin , Meyer Bernhard , Shiban Ehab 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe aimed to identify independent psychological predictors of quality of life (QOL) and functional outcome after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for degenerative cervical spine disease. We prospectively included patients undergoing ACDF for degenerative cervical disc herniation and stenosis. Patients completed a structured psychological assessment including the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (ADS-K), Post-Traumatic Stress Scale-10 (PTSS-10), State Trait Anxiety Inventory-State Anxiety and - Trait Anxiety (STAI-S and STAI-T) and Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3) before surgery, after 3 and 12 months. Outcome measures included EuroQol-5D (EQ), Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores. Of 104 included patients who underwent ACDF between March 2013 and November 2017, 92 completed follow-up after 3 and 12 months. The mean Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores for neck pain (− 1.4; p < .001) and arm pain (− 1.8; p = .031) significantly decreased by 12 months. QOL scores significantly increased by 3 months (EQ: + 0.2; p < .001; SF-36 PCS: + 6.2; p < .001; SF-36 MCS: + 2.5; p = .044), a benefit which was retained at 12 months. Linear regression analyses identified statistically significant predictors in preoperative ASI-3, SF-36 MCS and STAI-S for postoperative QOL and ODI scores. There is a benefit for patients in terms of quality of life and function after undergoing surgery for degenerative cervical spine disease. With the ASI-3, SF-36 MCS and STAI-S there exist some predictors for postoperative QOL and ODI scores.
Artificial eyespots on cattle reduce predation by large carnivores
Authors: Radford Cameron , McNutt John Weldon , Rogers Tracey , Maslen Ben , Jordan Neil 
Published: August 2020

AbstractEyespots evolved independently in many taxa as anti-predator signals. There remains debate regarding whether eyespots function as diversion targets, predator mimics, conspicuous startling signals, deceptive detection, or a combination. Although eye patterns and gaze modify human behaviour, anti-predator eyespots do not occur naturally in contemporary mammals. Here we show that eyespots painted on cattle rumps were associated with reduced attacks by ambush carnivores (lions and leopards). Cattle painted with eyespots were significantly more likely to survive than were cross-marked and unmarked cattle, despite all treatment groups being similarly exposed to predation risk. While higher survival of eyespot-painted cattle supports the detection hypothesis, increased survival of cross-marked cattle suggests an effect of novel and conspicuous marks more generally. To our knowledge, this is the first time eyespots have been shown to deter large mammalian predators. Applying artificial marks to high-value livestock may therefore represent a cost-effective tool to reduce livestock predation.