bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An acute session of motor imagery training induces use-dependent plasticity
Authors: Ruffino Célia , Gaveau Jérémie , Papaxanthis Charalambos , Lebon Florent 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMotor imagery, defined as the mental representation of an action without movement-related sensory inputs, is a well-known intervention to improve motor performance. In the current study, we tested whether use-dependent plasticity, a mechanism underlying motor learning, could be induced by an acute session of motor imagery. By means of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the left primary motor cortex, we evoked isolated thumb movements in the right hand and assessed corticospinal excitability in the flexor and extensor pollicis brevis muscles. We measured the mean TMS-induced movement direction before and after an acute session of motor imagery practice. In a first experiment, participants of the imagery group were instructed to repeatedly imagine their thumb moving in a direction deviated by 90° from the pre-test movement. This group, but not the control group, deviated the post-training TMS-induced movements toward the training target direction (+44° ± 62° and −1° ± 23°, respectively). Interestingly, the deviation magnitude was driven by the corticospinal excitability increase in the agonist muscle. In a second experiment, we found that post-training TMS-induced movements were proportionally deviated toward the trained direction and returned to baseline 30 minutes after the motor imagery training. These findings suggest that motor imagery induces use-dependent plasticity and, this neural process is accompanied by corticospinal excitability increase in the agonist muscle.
Helicobacter pylori infection associates with fecal microbiota composition and diversity
Authors: Frost Fabian , Kacprowski Tim , Rühlemann Malte , Bang Corinna , Franke Andre , Zimmermann Kathrin , Nauck Matthias , Völker Uwe , Völzke Henry , Biffar Reiner , Schulz Christian , Mayerle Julia , Weiss Frank U. , Homuth Georg , Lerch Markus M. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractHelicobacter (H.) pylori is the most important cause for peptic ulcer disease and a risk factor for gastric carcinoma. How colonization with H. pylori affects the intestinal microbiota composition in humans is unknown. We investigated the association of H. pylori infection with intestinal microbiota composition in the population-based cohort Study-of-Health-in-Pomerania (SHIP)-TREND. Anti-H. pylori serology and H. pylori stool antigen tests were used to determine the H. pylori infection status. The fecal microbiota composition of 212 H. pylori positive subjects and 212 matched negative control individuals was assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. H. pylori infection was found to be significantly associated with fecal microbiota alterations and a general increase in fecal microbial diversity. In infected individuals, the H. pylori stool antigen load determined a larger portion of the microbial variation than age or sex. The highest H. pylori stool antigen loads were associated with a putatively harmful microbiota composition. This study demonstrates profound alterations in human fecal microbiota of H. pylori infected individuals. While the increased microbiota diversity associated with H. pylori infection as well as changes in abundance of specific genera could be considered to be beneficial, others may be associated with adverse health effects, reflecting the complex relationship between H. pylori and its human host.
Matrisome-Associated Gene Expression Patterns Correlating with TIMP2 in Cancer
Authors: Peeney David , Fan Yu , Nguyen Trinh , Meerzaman Daoud , Stetler-Stevenson William G. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractRemodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) to facilitate invasion and metastasis is a universal hallmark of cancer progression. However, a definitive therapeutic target remains to be identified in this tissue compartment. As major modulators of ECM structure and function, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are highly expressed in cancer and have been shown to support tumor progression. MMP enzymatic activity is inhibited by the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP1–4) family of proteins, suggesting that TIMPs may possess anti-tumor activity. TIMP2 is a promiscuous MMP inhibitor that is ubiquitously expressed in normal tissues. In this study, we address inconsistencies in the literature regarding the role of TIMP2 in tumor progression by analyzing co-expressed genes in tumor vs. normal tissue. Utilizing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue expression studies, focusing on breast and lung carcinomas, we analyzed the correlation between TIMP2 expression and the transcriptome to identify a list of genes whose expression is highly correlated with TIMP2 in tumor tissues. Bioinformatic analysis of the identified gene list highlights a core of matrix and matrix-associated genes that are of interest as potential modulators of TIMP2 function, thus ECM structure, identifying potential tumor microenvironment biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets for further study.
Serum Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen-Immunoglobulin M complex levels predict survival in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Cagnin Marco , Biasiolo Alessandra , Martini Andrea , Ruvoletto Mariagrazia , Quarta Santina , Fasolato Silvano , Angeli Paolo , Fassina Giorgio , Pontisso Patrizia 
Published: December 2019

AbstractComplications of chronic liver diseases – particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) – are a major cause of mortality worldwide. Several studies have shown that high or increasing levels of serum Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen-Immunoglobulin M complex (SCCA-IgM) are associated with development of HCC in patients with advanced liver disease and worse survival in patients with liver cancer. The aim of the present study was to assess, in patients with advanced liver disease, differences in long-term clinical outcomes in relation to baseline levels of serum SCCA-IgM. Ninety one consecutive outpatients with liver cirrhosis of different etiologies, without hepatocellular carcinoma at presentation, were enrolled from April 2007 to October 2012 in a prospective study. For a median time of 127 months, patients were bi-annually re-evaluated. SCCA-IgM complex levels were determined with a validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results provided evidence that serum SCCA-IgM is a predictor of overall survival. The best cut-off to discriminate both HCC-free and overall survival rates was 120 AU/mL. Patients with baseline values higher than this threshold showed a substantial increase in both HCC incidence rate and all-cause mortality rate. In conclusion, a single measurement of serum SCCA-IgM helps to identify those patients with liver cirrhosis with increased risks of HCC development and mortality.
Anti-Nogo-A antibodies prevent vascular leakage and act as pro-angiogenic factors following stroke
Authors: Rust Ruslan , Weber Rebecca Z. , Grönnert Lisa , Mulders Geertje , Maurer Michael A. , Hofer Anna-Sophie , Sartori Andrea M. , Schwab Martin E. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAngiogenesis is a key restorative process following stroke but has also been linked to increased vascular permeability and blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption. Previous pre-clinical approaches primarily focused on the administration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to promote vascular repair after stroke. Although shown to improve angiogenesis and functional recovery from stroke, VEGF increased the risk of blood brain barrier disruption and bleedings to such an extent that its clinical use is contraindicated. As an alternative strategy, antibodies against the neurite growth inhibitory factor Nogo-A have recently been shown to enhance vascular regeneration in the ischemic central nervous system (CNS); however, their effect on vascular permeability is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that antibody-mediated Nogo-A neutralization following stroke has strong pro-angiogenic effects but does not increase vascular permeability as opposed to VEGF. Moreover, VEGF-induced vascular permeability was partially prevented when VEGF was co-administered with anti-Nogo-A antibodies. This study may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for vascular repair and maturation in the ischemic brain.
Selection of Reference Genes for qPCR Analyses of Gene Expression in Ramie Leaves and Roots across Eleven Abiotic/Biotic Treatments
Authors: Yu Yongting , Zhang Gang , Chen Yikun , Bai Qingqing , Gao Chunsheng , Zeng Liangbin , Li Zhimin , Cheng Yi , Chen Jia , Sun Xiangping , Guo Litao , Xu Jianping , Yan Zhun 
Published: December 2019

AbstractQuantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is commonly used for deciphering gene functions. For effective qPCR analyses, suitable reference genes are needed for normalization. The objective of this study is to identify the appropriate reference gene(s) for qPCR analyses of the leaves and roots of ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.), an important natural fiber crop. To accomplish this goal, we investigated the expression patterns of eight common plant qPCR reference genes in ramie leaves and roots under five abiotic stresses, five hormonal treatments, and one biotic stress. The relative expression stabilities of the eight genes were evaluated using four common but different approaches: geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder. Across the 11 tested conditions, ACT1 was the most stably expressed among the eight genes while GAPDH displayed the biggest variation. Overall, while variations in the suggested reference genes were found for different tissue x treatment combinations, our analyses revealed that together, genes ACT1, CYP2, and UBQ can provide robust references for gene expression studies of ramie leaves under most conditions, while genes EF-1α, TUB, and ACT1 can be used for similar studies of ramie roots. Our results should help future functional studies of the genes in ramie genome across tissues and environmental conditions.
Follow up colonoscopy may be omissible in uncomplicated left-sided acute diverticulitis diagnosed with CT- a retrospective cohort study
Authors: O’Donohoe Nollaig , Chandak Pankaj , Likos-Corbett Marina , Yee Janelle , Hurndall Katherine , Rao Christopher , Engledow Alec Harry 
Published: December 2019

AbstractInternational guidelines recommend colonoscopy following hospitalisation for acute diverticulitis. There is a paucity of evidence supporting the efficacy of colonoscopy in this context, particularly for patients with CT-diagnosed uncomplicated left-sided diverticulitis. This study aims to investigate the frequency that colorectal cancer (CRC) and advanced adenomas (AA) are identified during follow-up colonoscopy after hospitalisation with CT-proven left-sided diverticulitis for the first time in a UK population. In this single-centre retrospective-cohort study all patients presenting with CT-diagnosed uncomplicated left-sided diverticulitis between 2014 and 2017 were identified. The incidence of histologically confirmed CRC and AA identified at follow-up colonoscopy 4–6 weeks following discharge was assessed. 204 patients with CT proven uncomplicated left-sided diverticulitis underwent follow-up colonoscopy. 72% were female and the median age was 63 years. There were no major complications. 22% of patients were found to have incidental hyperplastic polyps or adenomas with low-grade dysplasia. No CRC or AA were found. Routine colonoscopy following acute diverticulitis in this cohort did not identify a single CRC or AA and could arguably have been omitted. This would significantly reduce cost and pressure on endoscopy departments, in addition to the pain and discomfort that is commonly associated with colonoscopy.
An in vivo examination of the differences between rapid cardiovascular collapse and prolonged hypotension induced by snake venom
Authors: Kakumanu Rahini , Kemp-Harper Barbara K. , Silva Anjana , Kuruppu Sanjaya , Isbister Geoffrey K. , Hodgson Wayne C. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe investigated the cardiovascular effects of venoms from seven medically important species of snakes: Australian Eastern Brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis), Sri Lankan Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii), Javanese Russell’s viper (D. siamensis), Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica), Uracoan rattlesnake (Crotalus vegrandis), Carpet viper (Echis ocellatus) and Puff adder (Bitis arietans), and identified two distinct patterns of effects: i.e. rapid cardiovascular collapse and prolonged hypotension. P. textilis (5 µg/kg, i.v.) and E. ocellatus (50 µg/kg, i.v.) venoms induced rapid (i.e. within 2 min) cardiovascular collapse in anaesthetised rats. P. textilis (20 mg/kg, i.m.) caused collapse within 10 min. D. russelii (100 µg/kg, i.v.) and D. siamensis (100 µg/kg, i.v.) venoms caused ‘prolonged hypotension’, characterised by a persistent decrease in blood pressure with recovery. D. russelii venom (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, i.m.) also caused prolonged hypotension. A priming dose of P. textilis venom (2 µg/kg, i.v.) prevented collapse by E. ocellatus venom (50 µg/kg, i.v.), but had no significant effect on subsequent addition of D. russelii venom (1 mg/kg, i.v). Two priming doses (1 µg/kg, i.v.) of E. ocellatus venom prevented collapse by E. ocellatus venom (50 µg/kg, i.v.). B. gabonica, C. vegrandis and B. arietans (all at 200 µg/kg, i.v.) induced mild transient hypotension. Artificial respiration prevented D. russelii venom induced prolonged hypotension but not rapid cardiovascular collapse from E. ocellatus venom. D. russelii venom (0.001–1 μg/ml) caused concentration-dependent relaxation (EC50 = 82.2 ± 15.3 ng/ml, Rmax = 91 ± 1%) in pre-contracted mesenteric arteries. In contrast, E. ocellatus venom (1 µg/ml) only produced a maximum relaxant effect of 27 ± 14%, suggesting that rapid cardiovascular collapse is unlikely to be due to peripheral vasodilation. The prevention of rapid cardiovascular collapse, by ‘priming’ doses of venom, supports a role for depletable endogenous mediators in this phenomenon.
Oral treatment with T6-loaded yeast cell wall particles reduces the parasitemia in murine visceral leishmaniasis model
Authors: Scariot Débora B. , Volpato Hélito , Fernandes Nilma S. , Lazarin-Bidóia Danielle , Borges Olga , Sousa Maria do Céu , Rosa Fernanda A. , Jacomini Andrey P. , Silva Sueli O. , Ueda-Nakamura Tânia , Rubira Adley F. , Nakamura Celso V. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractYeast cell wall particles isolated fromSaccharomyces cerevisiae(scYCWPs) have a rich constitution of β-glucan derived from the cell wall. After removing intracellular contents, β-glucan molecules are readily recognized by dectin-1 receptors, present on the cytoplasmic membrane surface of the mononuclear phagocytic cells and internalized.Leishmaniaspp. are obligate intracellular parasites; macrophages are its primary host cells. An experimental murine model of visceral leishmaniasis caused byL. infantumwas used to evaluate the antileishmanial activity of oral administration of these particles. A low-water soluble thiophene previously studiedin vitroagainstL. infantumwas entrapped intoscYCWPs to direct it into the host cell, in order to circumvent the typical pharmacokinetic problems of water-insoluble compounds. We found thatscYCWPs + T6 reduced the parasitic burden in the liver and spleen. There was an increase in IFN-γ levels related to nitric oxide production, explaining the reduction of theL. infantumburden in the tissue. Histological analysis did not show signals of tissue inflammation and biochemical analysis from plasma did not indicate signals of cytotoxicity afterscYCWPs + T6 treatment. These findings suggested thatscYCWPs + T6 administered through oral route reduced the parasitic burden without causing toxic effects, satisfying requirements for development of new strategies to treat leishmaniasis.
Proton-transfer pathways in the mitochondrial S. cerevisiae cytochrome c oxidase
Authors: Björck Markus L. , Vilhjálmsdóttir Jóhanna , Hartley Andrew M. , Meunier Brigitte , Näsvik Öjemyr Linda , Maréchal Amandine , Brzezinski Peter 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn cytochrome c oxidase (CytcO) reduction of O2 to water is linked to uptake of eight protons from the negative side of the membrane: four are substrate protons used to form water and four are pumped across the membrane. In bacterial oxidases, the substrate protons are taken up through the K and the D proton pathways, while the pumped protons are transferred through the D pathway. On the basis of studies with CytcO isolated from bovine heart mitochondria, it was suggested that in mitochondrial CytcOs the pumped protons are transferred though a third proton pathway, the H pathway, rather than through the D pathway. Here, we studied these reactions in S. cerevisiae CytcO, which serves as a model of the mammalian counterpart. We analyzed the effect of mutations in the D (Asn99Asp and Ile67Asn) and H pathways (Ser382Ala and Ser458Ala) and investigated the kinetics of electron and proton transfer during the reaction of the reduced CytcO with O2. No effects were observed with the H pathway variants while in the D pathway variants the functional effects were similar to those observed with the R. sphaeroides CytcO. The data indicate that the S. cerevisiae CytcO uses the D pathway for proton uptake and presumably also for proton pumping.
Induced Osteogenesis in Plants Decellularized Scaffolds
Authors: Lee Jennifer , Jung Hyerin , Park Narae , Park Sung-Hwan , Ju Ji Hyeon 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA three-dimensional (3D) culture system that closely replicates the in vivo microenvironment of calcifying osteoid is essential for in vitro cultivation of bone-like material. In this regard, the 3D cellulose constructs of plants may well serve as scaffolds to promote growth and differentiation of osteoblasts in culture. Our aim in this study was to generate bone-like tissue by seeding pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), stimulated to differentiate as osteoblasts in culture, onto the decellularised scaffolds of various plants. We then assessed expression levels of pertinent cellular markers and degrees of calcium-specific staining to gauge technical success. Apple scaffolding bearing regular pores of 300 μm seemed to provide the best construct. The bone-like tissue thus generated was implantable in a rat calvarial defect model where if helped form calcified tissue. Depending on the regularity and sizing of scaffold pores, this approach readily facilitates production of mineralized bone.
Coupling Effects in Multistage Laser Wake-field Acceleration of Electrons
Authors: Jin Zhan , Nakamura Hirotaka , Pathak Naveen , Sakai Yasuo , Zhidkov Alexei , Sueda Keiichi , Kodama Ryosuke , Hosokai Tomonao 
Published: December 2019

AbstractStaging laser wake-field acceleration is considered to be a necessary technique for developing full-optical jitter-free high energy electron accelerators. Splitting of the acceleration length into several technical parts and with independent laser drivers allows not only the generation of stable, reproducible acceleration fields but also overcoming the dephasing length while maintaining an overall high acceleration gradient and a compact footprint. Temporal and spatial coupling of pre-accelerated electron bunches for their injection in the acceleration phase of a successive laser pulse wake field is the key part of the staging laser-driven acceleration. Here, characterization of the coupling is performed with a dense, stable, narrow energy band of <3% and energy-selectable electron beams with a charge of ~1.6 pC and energy of ~10 MeV generated from a laser plasma cathode. Cumulative focusing of electron bunches in a low-density preplasma, exhibiting the Budker–Bennett effect, is shown to result in the efficient injection of electrons, even with a long distance between the injector and the booster in the laser pulse wake. The measured characteristics of electron beams modified by the booster wake field agree well with those obtained by multidimensional particle-in-cell simulations.
HoxB13 expression in ductal type adenocarcinoma of prostate: clinicopathologic characteristics and its utility as potential diagnostic marker
Authors: Park Cheol Keun , Shin Su-Jin , Cho Yoon Ah , Joo Jin Woo , Cho Nam Hoon 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe histologic criteria and selective biomarkers of prostate ductal type adenocarcinoma (DAC) are relatively unknown compared to that known about acinar type adenocarcinoma (AAC). It is known that genetic alteration in Hox13 gene is associated with carcinogenesis of prostate cancer. In this study, we investigated clinicopathologic characteristics of HoxB13 expression in prostate cancer and compared clinicopathologic profiles of DAC and AAC of prostate. After slide review, some morphological variants of DAC, equivalent to Gleason pattern 3 and 5 of AAC were identified. High level of HoxB13 expression was identified in 46.5% (46 out of 99 cases) and 39.2% (31 out of 79 cases) of cases that belong to the training set and test set, respectively. In the training set, high level of HoxB13 expression was significantly correlated with DAC (P < 0.001), higher Gleason score (P < 0.001), advanced pathologic T stage (P = 0.010), and occurrence of biochemical recurrence (BCR; P < 0.001). The test set confirmed that high level of HoxB13 expression was associated with DAC (P < 0.001), higher Gleason score (P = 0.001), advanced pathologic T stage (P < 0.001), and occurrence of BCR (P < 0.001). Our findings suggest that HoxB13 may be a useful diagnostic marker for detection of DAC and a prognostic marker for prediction of BCR.
Type-2 Diabetics Reduces Spatial Variation of Microbiome Based on Extracellular Vesicles from Gut Microbes across Human Body
Authors: Nah Geumkyung , Park Sang-Cheol , Kim Kangjin , Kim Sungmin , Park Jaehyun , Lee Sanghun , Won Sungho 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAs a result of advances in sequencing technology, the role of gut microbiota in the mechanism of type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been revealed. Studies showing wide distribution of microbiome throughout the human body, even in the blood, have motivated the investigation of the dynamics in gut microbiota across the humans. Particularly, extracellular vesicles (EVs), lipid bilayer structures secreted from the gut microbiota, have recently come into the spotlight because gut microbe-derived EVs affect glucose metabolism by inducing insulin resistance. Recently, intestine hyper-permeability linked to T2DM has also been associated with the interaction between gut microbes and leaky gut epithelium, which increases the uptake of macromolecules like lipopolysaccharide from the membranes of microbes leading to chronic inflammation. In this article, we firstly investigate the co-occurrence of stool microbes and microbe-derived EVs across serum and urine in human subjects (N = 284), showing the dynamics and stability of gut derived EVs. Stool EVs are intermediate, while the bacterial composition in both urine and serum EVs is distinct from the stool microbiome. The co-occurrence of microbes was compared between patients with T2DM (N = 29) and matched in healthy subjects (N = 145). Our results showed significantly higher correlations in patients with T2DM compared to healthy subjects across stool, serum, and urine, which could be interpreted as the dysfunction of intestinal permeability in T2DM. Therefore, the significant correlation of EVs might give insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms of T2DM, as well as the role of EVs as a biomarker in the intestinal permeability of T2DM.