bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dominant Heterogeneity of Upper and Lower Motor Neuron Degeneration to Motor Manifestation of Involved Region in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Jin Jiaoting , Hu Fangfang , Zhang Qiuli , Chen Qiaoyi , Li Haining , Qin Xing , Jia Rui , Kang Li , Dang Yonghui , Dang Jingxia 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe aim of this study was to localize the anatomic distribution of upper motor neuron (UMN) loss through examining cortical thickness at the clinical onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and explore motor manifestation in functionally impaired body region attribute to impairment of lower motor neuron (LMN) or UMN or mixed LMN and UMN? The clinical features, cortical thickness of corresponding areas from different body regions in MRI and electromyography (EMG) data were collected from 108 classical ALS patients. The cortical thickness was thinner in ALS group than control group in bilateral head-face and upper-limb areas (p < 0.05). In head-face area, the cortical thickness of bulbar-onset group was significantly lower than that of control groups (p < 0.05). In upper-limb areas, the cortical thickness of cervical-onset group was significantly thinner than that of control group. Notably, the bulbar ALSFRS-R subscore was correlated with cortical thickness in bilateral head-face areas (p < 0.05). The bulbar ALSFRS-R subscore of the positive LMN damage group was lower compared to that of the negative LMN damage group (P < 0.001). The limb ALSFRS-R subscore correlated with compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes of median, ulnar, peroneal, and tibial nerves (P < 0.001), but was not related to cortical thickness. In conclusion, the UMN degeneration in ALS was derived from focal initiation, bulbar- and cervical-onset may date from head-face and upper-limb areas in motor homunculus cortex, respectively. The bulbar dysfunction was resulted from the mixed UMN and LMN impairment, while limb dysfunction derived mostly from LMN loss.
Epinephrine affects motility, and increases adhesion, biofilm and virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa H103
Authors: Cambronel Mélyssa , Tortuel Damien , Biaggini Kelly , Maillot Olivier , Taupin Laure , Réhel Karine , Rincé Isabelle , Muller Cécile , Hardouin Julie , Feuilloley Marc , Rodrigues Sophie , Connil Nathalie 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMicrobial endocrinology has demonstrated for more than two decades, that eukaryotic substances (hormones, neurotransmitters, molecules of the immune system) can modulate the physiological behavior of bacteria. Among them, the hormones/neurotransmitters, epinephrine (Epi) and norepinephrine (NE), released in case of stress, physical effort or used in medical treatment, were shown to be able to modify biofilm formation in various bacterial species. In the present study, we have evaluated the effect of Epi on motility, adhesion, biofilm formation and virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium linked to many hospital-acquired infections, and responsible for chronic infection in immunocompromised patients including persons suffering from cystic fibrosis. The results showed that Epi increased adhesion and biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa, as well as its virulence towards the Galleria mellonella larvae in vivo model. Deciphering the sensor of this molecule in P. aeruginosa and the molecular mechanisms involved may help to find new strategies of treatment to fight against this bacterium.
Desert crossing strategies of migrant songbirds vary between and within species
Authors: Jiguet Frédéric , Burgess Malcolm , Thorup Kasper , Conway Greg , Arroyo Matos José Luis , Barber Lee , Black John , Burton Niall , Castelló Joan , Clewley Gary , Copete José Luis , Czajkowski Michel Alexandre , Dale Svein , Davis Tony , Dombrovski Valery , Drew Mike , Elts Jaanus , Gilson Vicky , Grzegorczyk Emilienne , Henderson Ian , Holdsworth Michael , Husbands Rob , Lorrilliere Romain , Marja Riho , Minkevicius Simonas , Moussy Caroline , Olsson Peter , Onrubia Alejandro , Pérez Marc , Piacentini Joseph , Piha Markus , Pons Jean-Marc , Procházka Petr , Raković Marko , Robins Harriet , Seimola Tuomas , Selstam Gunnar , Skierczyński Michał , Sondell Jan , Thibault Jean-Claude , Tøttrup Anders P. , Walker Justin , Hewson Chris 
Published: December 2019

AbstractEach year, billions of songbirds cross large ecological barriers during their migration. Understanding how they perform this incredible task is crucial to predict how global change may threaten the safety of such journeys. Earlier studies based on radar suggested that most songbirds cross deserts in intermittent flights at high altitude, stopping in the desert during the day, while recent tracking with light loggers suggested diurnal prolongation of nocturnal flights and common non-stop flights for some species. We analyzed light intensity and temperature data obtained from geolocation loggers deployed on 130 individuals of ten migratory songbird species, and show that a large variety of strategies for crossing deserts exists between, but also sometimes within species. Diurnal stopover in the desert is a common strategy in autumn, while most species prolonged some nocturnal flights into the day. Non-stop flights over the desert occurred more frequently in spring than in autumn, and more frequently in foliage gleaners. Temperature recordings suggest that songbirds crossed deserts with flight bouts performed at various altitudes according to species and season, along a gradient ranging from low above ground in autumn to probably >2000 m above ground level, and possibly at higher altitude in spring. High-altitude flights are therefore not the general rule for crossing deserts in migrant songbirds. We conclude that a diversity of migration strategies exists for desert crossing among songbirds, with variations between but also within species.
Specific strains of Streptococcus mutans, a pathogen of dental caries, in the tonsils, are associated with IgA nephropathy
Authors: Ito Seigo , Misaki Taro , Naka Shuhei , Wato Kaoruko , Nagasawa Yasuyuki , Nomura Ryota , Otsugu Masatoshi , Matsumoto-Nakano Michiyo , Nakano Kazuhiko , Kumagai Hiroo , Oshima Naoki 
Published: December 2019

AbstractStreptococcus mutans is known to be a major causative agent of dental caries, and strains expressing the cell surface collagen-binding Cnm protein contribute to the development of several systemic diseases. A relationship between tonsillar immunity and glomerulonephritis has been recognized in IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and specific pathogens may have effects on tonsillar immunity (mucosal immunity). Here, we present findings showing a relationship between the presence of Cnm-positive S. mutans strains in the tonsils of IgAN patients and IgAN condition/pathogenesis. Analyses of tonsillar specimens obtained from patients with IgAN (n = 61) and chronic tonsillitis (controls; n = 40) showed that the Cnm protein-positive rate was significantly higher in IgAN patients. Among IgAN patients, the tonsillar Cnm-positive group (n = 15) had a significantly higher proportion of patients with high urinary protein (>1.5 g/gCr) and lower serum albumin level than the Cnm-negative group (n = 46). Additionally, Cnm protein and CD68, a common human macrophage marker, were shown to be merged in the tonsils of IgAN patients. These findings suggest that Cnm-positive S. mutans strains in the tonsils may be associated with severe IgAN.
Regulation of miRNAs as new tool for cutaneous vitality lesions demonstration in ligature marks in deaths by hanging
Authors: Neri Margherita , Fabbri Matteo , D’Errico Stefano , Di Paolo Marco , Frati Paola , Gaudio Rosa Maria , La Russa Raffaele , Maiese Aniello , Marti Matteo , Pinchi Enrica , Turillazzi Emanuela , Fineschi Vittorio 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis study aims to demonstrate that the application of miRNA expression in forensic pathology, in cases of hanging, applying the method on skin samples. The proposed investigative protocol allowed us to highlight a different miRNA expression in the skin ligature marks of subjects who died by hanging compared to healthy skin control samples. The results obtained showed an increase in the expression of miRNAs recognized as regulators of the inflammatory response in skin lesions such as miR125a-5p and miR125b-5p. Furthermore, overexpression of additional miRNAs – miR214a-3p, miR128-3p, miR130a-3p, and miR92a-3p – with anti-inflammatory activity was highlighted. It was possible to document a statistical significance to control skin samples only for miR103a-3p (p < 0.05), miR214-3p and miR92a-3p (p < 0.01) The upregulation of miR222-3p and miR150-5p, respectively related to mast-cell activation and neutrophils after the application of traumatic stimuli supports the immunohistochemical data showed in literature. The diagnostic accuracy of miRNAs could expand the range of diagnostic tools available in the assessment of the vitality of a lesion.
MicroRNAs and their targeted genes associated with phase changes of stem explants during tissue culture of tea plant
Authors: Gao Ying , Li Da , Zhang Lu-Lu , Borthakur Devajit , Li Qing-Sheng , Ye Jian-Hui , Zheng Xin-Qiang , Lu Jian-Liang 
Published: December 2019

AbstractElucidation of the molecular mechanism related to the dedifferentiation and redifferentiation during tissue culture will be useful for optimizing regeneration system of tea plant. In this study, an integrated sRNAome and transcriptome analyses were carried out during phase changes of the stem explant culture. Among 198 miRNAs and 8001 predicted target genes, 178 differentially expressed miRNAs and 4264 potential targets were screened out from explants, primary calli, as well as regenerated roots and shoots. According to KEGG analysis of the potential targets, pathway of “aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis”, “proteasome” and “glutathione metabolism” was of great significance during the dedifferentiation, and pathway of “porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism”, “mRNA surveillance pathway”, “nucleotide excision repair” was indispensable for redifferentiation of the calli. Expression pattern of 12 miRNAs, including csn-micR390e, csn-miR156b-5p, csn-miR157d-5p, csn-miR156, csn-miR166a-3p, csn-miR166e, csn-miR167d, csn-miR393c-3p, csn-miR394, csn-miR396a-3p, csn-miR396 and csn-miR396e-3p, was validated by qRT-PCR among 57 differentially expressed phase-specific miRNAs. Validation also confirmed that regulatory module of csn-miR167d/ERF3, csn-miR156/SPB1, csn-miR166a-3p/ATHB15, csn-miR396/AIP15A, csn-miR157d-5p/GST and csn-miR393c-3p/ATG18b might play important roles in regulating the phase changes during tissue culture of stem explants.
Proportions of macronutrients, including specific dietary fats, in prospective anti-Alzheimer’s diet
Authors: Studnicki Marcin , Dębski Konrad J. , Stępkowski Dariusz 
Published: December 2019

AbstractHere we present a novel life-long whole-population study, which enabled us to predict a diet that, in terms of macronutrient proportions, may be prophylactic against Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The method is based on the existence of oscillations in the correlation between historical per capita personal income (PCPI) and age-adjusted death rates (AADR) for AD for each state of the USA in 2005. These oscillations can be explained by changing proportions of macronutrients in the average American diet between 1929 and 2005. We assumed that reducing future correlation of PCPI with AADR will reduce the population’s susceptibility to AD. Based on the results of fitting macronutrient availabilities to the variability of Roriginal, using Generalized Additive Models (GAM) analysis, we constructed four “Calculator” equations. The Calculator allowed for prediction of an optimal diet characterized by low correlation of PCPI with AADR (Rpredicted) and minimum energy difference from the historical average macronutrient consumption for each corresponding period of life. We predict that protein consumption should be reduced by half in early middle age and late middle age, whereas in late age it should increase. Our predictions are in line with results on humans and simpler organisms in the context of prolonging life.
Association between skeletal muscle attenuation and gastroesophageal reflux disease: A health check-up cohort study
Authors: Kim Young Min , Kim Jie-Hyun , Baik Su Jung , Jung Da Hyun , Park Jae Jun , Youn Young Hoon , Park Hyojin 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSarcopenia is defined as skeletal muscle attenuation and has an association with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome, which includes obesity, is one of known predictive factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study aimed to elucidate the association between sarcopenia and GERD. We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of 8,218 patients who were performed an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at check-up center of the Gangnam Severance Hospital. GERD was diagnosed by endoscopic findings. Erosive reflux disease (ERD) included Barrett's esophagus and reflux esophagitis, with the exception of minimal change esophagitis. Sarcopenia was defined by appendicular skeletal muscle (skeletal muscle in the upper and lower limbs). Sarcopenic obesity was defined as the presence of both sarcopenia and obesity. Associations between sarcopenia and GERD, as well as between sarcopenic obesity and ERD, were analyzed. A total of 3,414 patients were diagnosed with GERD, and 574 (16.8%) had sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was independent predictive factor for GERD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.170, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.016–1.346, P = 0.029). In addition, male sex, smoking, alcohol, and diet, including sweets and fatty food, had a significant association with GERD. A total of 1,423 (17.3%) of 8,218 patients were diagnosed with ERD, and 302 (21.2%) had sarcopenia. Male sex, smoking, and fatty food consumption had a significant association with ERD. Moreover, sarcopenia (OR = 1.215, 95% CI: 1.019–1.449, P = 0.030), obesity (OR = 1.343, 95% CI: 1.163–1.552, P < 0.001), and sarcopenic obesity (OR = 1.406, 95% CI: 1.195–1.654, P < 0.001) were independent predictive factors for ERD. Sarcopenia is associated with GERD, and sarcopenic obesity may be predictive factor for ERD.
Plasmonics of Diffused Silver Nanoparticles in Silver/Nitride Optical Thin Films
Authors: Ye Yufeng , Loh Joel Y. Y. , Flood Andrew , Fang Cong Y. , Chang Joshua , Zhao Ruizhi , Brodersen Peter , Kherani Nazir P. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMetal-dielectric multilayers are versatile optical devices that can be designed to combine the visible transmittance of dielectrics with the electronic properties of metals for plasmonic and meta-material applications. However, their performances are limited by an interfacial optical absorption often attributed entirely to the metal surface roughness. Here, we show that during deposition of AlN/Ag/AlN and SiNx/Ag/SiNx multilayers, significant diffusion of Ag into the top dielectric layer form Ag nanoparticles which excite localized surface plasmon resonances that are primarily responsible for the interfacial optical absorption. Based on experimental depth profiles, we model the multilayer’s silver concentration profile as two complementary error functions: one for the diffused Ag nanoparticles and one for the interface roughness. We apply the Maxwell-Garnett and Bruggeman effective medium theories to determine that diffusion characteristics dominate the experimental absorption spectra. The newfound metal nanoparticle diffusion phenomenon effectively creates a hybrid structure characteristic of both metal-dielectric multilayer and metal-dielectric composite.
Estradiol and high fat diet associate with changes in gut microbiota in female ob/ob mice
Authors: Acharya Kalpana D. , Gao Xing , Bless Elizabeth P. , Chen Jun , Tetel Marc J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractEstrogens protect against diet-induced obesity in women and female rodents. For example, a lack of estrogens in postmenopausal women is associated with an increased risk of weight gain, cardiovascular diseases, low-grade inflammation, and cancer. Estrogens act with leptin to regulate energy homeostasis in females. Leptin-deficient mice (ob/ob) exhibit morbid obesity and insulin resistance. The gut microbiome is also critical in regulating metabolism. The present study investigates whether estrogens and leptin modulate gut microbiota in ovariectomizedob/ob(obese) or heterozygote (lean) mice fed high-fat diet (HFD) that received either 17β-Estradiol (E2) or vehicle implants. E2 attenuated weight gain in both genotypes. Moreover, both obesity (ob/obmice) and E2 were associated with reduced gut microbial diversity.ob/obmice exhibited lower species richness than control mice, while E2-treated mice had reduced evenness compared with vehicle mice. Regarding taxa, E2 was associated with an increased abundance of the S24-7 family, while leptin was associated with increases in Coriobacteriaceae,ClostridiumandLactobacillus. Some taxa were affected by both E2 and leptin, suggesting these hormones alter gut microbiota of HFD-fed female mice. Understanding the role of E2 and leptin in regulating gut microbiota will provide important insights into hormone-dependent metabolic disorders in women.
Utility of hepatic or total body iron burden in the assessment of advanced hepatic fibrosis in HFE hemochromatosis
Authors: Chin Justin , Powell Lawrie W. , Ramm Louise E. , Ayonrinde Oyekoya T. , Ramm Grant A. , Olynyk John K. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDevelopment of advanced hepatic fibrosis in HFE Hemochromatosis (HH) is influenced by hepatic iron concentration (HIC) and age. In patients with HH, it is important to assess the likelihood of cirrhosis and thus the need for confirmatory liver biopsy. Therapeutic phlebotomy also provides an estimate of mobilisable iron stores. We determined whether mobilisable iron stores may predict the presence of advanced fibrosis. Retrospective analysis of 137 male and 65 female HH subjects was undertaken. Biochemical, histological and phlebotomy data were available on all subjects. The mean values of HIC, HIC × [age], mobilisable iron, mobilisable iron × [age] and serum ferritin in the cohort were higher in the group with advanced fibrosis. HIC had an optimum sensitivity and specificity of 73% for the diagnosis of advanced liver fibrosis, with a cut-off HIC level of 200 µmol/g (AUROC 0.83, p < 0.0001). AUROC for HIC was greater in females (0.93) than males (0.79). Mobilisable iron had an optimum sensitivity and specificity both of 83% at a cut-off of 9.6 g for the prediction of advanced fibrosis in all subjects (AUROC 0.92, p < 0.0001). Mobilisable iron stores provide a simple, clinically useful indication of the risk of advanced fibrosis and should routinely be considered.
Generating and sustaining long-lived spin states in 15N,15N′-azobenzene
Authors: Sheberstov Kirill F. , Vieth Hans-Martin , Zimmermann Herbert , Rodin Bogdan A. , Ivanov Konstantin L. , Kiryutin Alexey S. , Yurkovskaya Alexandra V. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractLong-Lived spin States (LLSs) hold a great promise for sustaining non-thermal spin order and investigating various slow processes by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Of special interest for such application are molecules containing nearly equivalent magnetic nuclei, which possess LLSs even at high magnetic fields. In this work, we report an LLS in trans-15N,15N′-azobenzene. The singlet state of the 15N spin pair exhibits a long-lived character. We solve the challenging problem of generating and detecting this LLS and further increase the LLS population by converting the much higher magnetization of protons into the 15N singlet spin order. As far as the longevity of this spin order is concerned, various schemes have been tested for sustaining the LLS. Lifetimes of 17 minutes have been achieved at 16.4 T, a value about 250 times longer than the longitudinal relaxation time of 15N in this magnetic field. We believe that such extended relaxation times, along with the photochromic properties of azobenzene, which changes conformation upon light irradiation and can be hyperpolarized by using parahydrogen, are promising for designing new experiments with photo-switchable long-lived hyperpolarization.
Lipidomic study of the influence of dietary fatty acids on structural lipids of cold-water nudibranch molluscs
Authors: Imbs Andrey B. , Grigorchuk Valeria P. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractNudibranch molluscs occur in marine ecosystems worldwide and prey on numerous invertebrate species. During feeding, dietary fatty acids (FAs) unusual for nudibranchs are transferred to their lipids. Normal biomembrane functions require stable composition of structural polar lipids (PL), but the pathways of dietary FA utilization to PL in nudibranchs still remain unknown. A combination of chromatography and tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to determine total lipid, PL, FA, and PL molecular species composition of two cold-water species ofDendronotus, which then were compared with those ofTritonia tetraquetra. The use of FA trophic markers showed thatDendronotussp. andT. tetraquetraprey on different soft corals, whileD. robustusmay consumes hydrocorals and bryozoans. Nudibranch FA profiles were strongly modified by dietary FAs but their PL profilers were similar. Dietary FAs are not included in ceramide aminoethylphosphonate and inositol glycerophospholipids, but directed to ethanolamine, choline, and serine glycerophospholipids and, in some cases, form isobaric molecular species with different FA chain lengths. For such isobaric species, nudibranchs reduce the length of alkyl groups when very-long-chain FAs are obtained with diet. This molecular mechanism may explain the adaptation of nudibranch membrane structure to dietary input of unusual FAs.
Study of bicyclomycin biosynthesis in Streptomyces cinnamoneus by genetic and biochemical approaches
Authors: Witwinowski Jerzy , Moutiez Mireille , Coupet Matthieu , Correia Isabelle , Belin Pascal , Ruzzini Antonio , Saulnier Corinne , Caraty Laëtitia , Favry Emmanuel , Seguin Jérôme , Lautru Sylvie , Lequin Olivier , Gondry Muriel , Pernodet Jean-Luc , Darbon Emmanuelle 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe 2,5-Diketopiperazines (DKPs) constitute a large family of natural products with important biological activities. Bicyclomycin is a clinically-relevant DKP antibiotic that is the first and only member in a class known to target the bacterial transcription termination factor Rho. It derives from cyclo-(l-isoleucyl-l-leucyl) and has an unusual and highly oxidized bicyclic structure that is formed by an ether bridge between the hydroxylated terminal carbon atom of the isoleucine lateral chain and the alpha carbon of the leucine in the diketopiperazine ring. Here, we paired in vivo and in vitro studies to complete the characterization of the bicyclomycin biosynthetic gene cluster. The construction of in-frame deletion mutants in the biosynthetic gene cluster allowed for the accumulation and identification of biosynthetic intermediates. The identity of the intermediates, which were reproduced in vitro using purified enzymes, allowed us to characterize the pathway and corroborate previous reports. Finally, we show that the putative antibiotic transporter was dispensable for the producing strain.