bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health risk indices and zooplankton-based assessment of a tropical rainforest river contaminated with iron, lead, cadmium, and chromium
Authors: Isibor Patrick Omoregie , Imoobe Tunde O. Thaddeus , Dedeke Gabriel Adewunmi , Adagunodo Theophilus Aanuoluwa , Taiwo Olugbenga Samson 
Published: October 2020

AbstractOil exploration’s devastation on health and the environment may far outweigh its economic benefits. An oil spill occurred at Egbokodo River in Delta State, Nigeria, thereby polluting the land and water bodies. The study was therefore aimed at evaluating the impacts of iron, lead, cadmium, and chromium on the zooplankton community structure of Egbokodo River and the potential health risks. Zooplankton and surface water samples were collected to investigate the concentrations of trace metals and zooplankton abundance. The associated carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects of the metals in the water were analyzed. Trace metal concentrations in the surface water were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (Philips model PU 9100) and zooplankton samples were collected using a hydrobios plankton net (mesh size 25 µm). Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and oil and grease (OG) were determined using Agilent 7890B gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and volumetric analysis respectively. The trend of the abundance of zooplanktons cross the river was 18 individuals (Station A) < 100 individuals (Station B) < 155 individuals (Station C). Cyclopoida proved to be the most resilient to the impacts of the oil spill. On a taxa basis, the order of abundance among Calanoida, Cyclopoida, Cladoceran, and Harpacticoida was Station C > Station B > Station A, except in Amphipoda where Station B > Station C > Station A was observed. Iron and lead posed significant carcinogenic risks that are liable to be inflicted by the ingestion of the water. The cumulative non-carcinogenic health risk in the male was the only significant (> 1) among the age groups. Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), oil and grease (OG), iron, and lead had notable impacts on the general abundance of zooplankton in the aquatic habitat. The dominance of the Cyclopoida in the river buttressed the impact of the oil spill which warrants a prompt remediation measure. The pollution had notable ecological impacts on the zooplankton community structure of the aquatic habitat. The adults in the nearby human populations are liable to elicit carcinogenic health challenges associated with lead and iron ingestion. The males are at risk of non-carcinogenic illnesses which are associated with the combined toxicity effects of all the metals. The study suggests that the pollution in Egbokodo River was validated by the dominance of the Cyclopoida in the aquatic habitat. The study confers bioindicator reputation on the Cyclopoida for future biomonitoring studies.
Batch and continuous fixed bed adsorption of heavy metals removal using activated charcoal from neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf powder
Authors: Patel Himanshu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe present investigate was intended for adsorption of heavy metals i.e. Pb, Cu, Cr, Zn, Ni and Cd onto activated charcoal prepared from neem leaf powder (AC-NLP) using batch and column studies. Batch adsorption was performed using different variables like adsorbent dose, temperature and contact duration. Thermodynamic analysis of batch treatment concluded that adsorption is thermodynamically feasible and endothermic. This adsorption followed the Pseudo second-order kinetic model derived from correlation coefficient values of chemical kinetic studies. For column study, interpretation of breakthrough curves and parameters were conducted by varying flow rate, initial concentration and bed height; and reveal that optimum conditions were lower flow rate (5 mL/min) and lower initial concentration (5 mg/L) and higher bed height (20 cm). Comparisons of batch and column study through isotherm models were evaluated and column study is more preferred than batch treatment. Maximum Thomas adsorption capacity was achieved upto 205.6, 185.8, 154.5, 133.3, 120.6, 110.9 mg/g for Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn, Ni and Cr respectively. This removal pattern is elucidated by metal ionic properties. Various adsorbing agents such as acids and bases were utilized for adsorption–desorption of AC-NLP.
Vitamin C–squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Authors: Gref R. , Deloménie C. , Maksimenko A. , Gouadon E. , Percoco G. , Lati E. , Desmaële D. , Zouhiri F. , Couvreur P. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractVitamin C (Vit C) benefits to human skin physiology notably by stimulating the biosynthesis of collagen. The main cutaneous collagens are types I and III, which are less synthesized with aging. Vit C is one of the main promotors of collagen formation but it poorly bypasses the epidermis stratum corneum barrier. To address this challenge, we developed a lipophilic version of Vit C for improving skin diffusion and delivery. Vit C was covalently conjugated to squalene (SQ), a natural lipid of the skin, forming a novel Vit C–SQ derivative suitable for cream formulation. Its biological activity was investigated on human whole skin explants in an ex vivo model, through histology and protein and gene expression analyses. Results were compared to Vit C coupled to the reference lipophilic compound palmitic acid, (Vit C–Palmitate). It was observed that Vit C–SQ significantly increased epidermal thickness and preferentially favored collagen III production in human skin after application for 10 days. It also promoted glycosaminoglycans production in a higher extent comparatively to Vit C–Palmitate and free Vit C. Microdissection of the explants to separate dermis and epidermis allowed to measure higher transcriptional effects either in epidermis or in dermis. Among the formulations studied, the strongest effects were observed with Vit C–SQ.
A highly sensitive and specific real-time quantitative PCR for BRAF V600E/K mutation screening
Authors: Lung Jrhau , Hung Ming-Szu , Lin Yu-Ching , Jiang Yuan Yuan , Fang Yu-Hung , Lu Ming-Shian , Hsieh Ching-Chuan , Wang Chia-Siu , Kuan Feng-Che , Lu Chang-Hsien , Chen Ping-Tsung , Lin Chieh-Mo , Chou Yen-Li , Lin Chin-Kuo , Yang Tsung-Ming , Chen Fen Fen , Lin Paul Yann , Hsieh Meng-Jer , Tsai Ying Huang 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMutations that lead to constitutive activation of key regulators in cellular processes are one of the most important drivers behind vigorous growth of cancer cells, and are thus prime targets in cancer treatment. BRAF V600E mutation transduces strong growth and survival signals for cancer cells, and is widely present in various types of cancers including lung cancer. A combination of BRAF inhibitor (dabrafenib) and MEK inhibitor (trametinib) has recently been approved and significantly improved the survival of patients with advanced NSCLC harboring BRAF V600E/K mutation. To improve the detection of BRAF V600E/K mutation and investigate the incidence and clinicopathological features of the mutation in lung cancer patients of southern Taiwan, a highly sensitive and specific real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) method, able to detect single-digit copies of mutant DNA, was established and compared with BRAF V600E-specific immunohistochemistry. Results showed that the BRAF V600E mutation was present at low frequency (0.65%, 2/306) in the studied patient group, and the detection sensitivity and specificity of the new RT-qPCR and V600E-specific immunohistochemistry both reached 100% and 97.6%, respectively. Screening the BRAF V600E/K mutation with the RT-qPCR and V600E-specific immunohistochemistry simultaneously could help improve detection accuracy.
Pathophysiology of high fat diet induced obesity: impact of probiotic banana juice on obesity associated complications and hepatosteatosis
Authors: Konda Prabhakar Yellanur , Poondla Vijayakumar , Jaiswal Krishna Kumar , Dasari Sreenivasulu , Uyyala Reddemma , Surtineni Venkata Prasad , Egi Janardhan Yadav , Masilamani Anthony Johnson Antony , Bestha Lakshmi , Konanki Sreenath , Muthulingam Muthukumaran , Lingamgunta Lakshman Kumar , Aloor Bindu Prasuna , Tirumalaraju Sridevi , Sade Ankanna , Ratnam Kamsala Venkata , Nagaraja Sreeharsha , Ramakrishnan Ranjani , Natesan Vijayakumar 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe high fat diet alters intestinal microbiota due to increased intestinal permeability and susceptibility to microbial antigens leads to metabolic endotoxemia. But probiotic juices reported for various health benefits. In this background we hypothesized that pectinase treated probiotic banana juice has diverse effects on HFD induced obesity and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. 20 weeks fed HFD successfully induced obesity and its associated complications in experimental rats. The supplementation of probiotic banana juice for 5 months at a dose of 5 mL/kg bw/day resulted significant decrease (p < 0.05) in body weight (380 ± 0.34), total fat (72 ± 0.8), fat percentage (17 ± 0.07) and fat free mass (165 ± 0.02). Reduction (p < 0.05) in insulin resistance (5.20 ± 0.03), lipid profile (TC 120 ± 0.05; TG 160 ± 0.24; HDL 38 ± 0.03), liver lipid peroxidation (0.7 ± 0.01), hepatic enzyme markers (AST 82 ± 0.06; ALT 78 ± 0.34; ALP 42 ± 0.22), and hepatic steatosis by increasing liver antioxidant potential (CAT 1.4 ± 0.30; GSH 1.04 ± 0.04; SOD 0.82 ± 0.22) with normal hepatic triglycerides (15 ± 0.02) and glycogen (0.022 ± 0.15) contents and also showed normal liver size, less accumulation of lipid droplets with only a few congestion. It is concluded that the increased intestinal S. cerevisiae yeast can switch anti-obesity, antidiabetic, antioxidative stress, antioxidant and anti-hepatosteatosis effect. This study results will have significant implications for treatment of NAFLD.
Motor cortex gliomas induces microstructural changes of large fiber tracts revealed by TBSS
Authors: Wang Xiangdong , Zhou Chunyao , Wang Lei , Wang Yinyan , Jiang Tao 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGliomas grow and invade along white matter fiber tracts. This study assessed the effects of motor cortex gliomas on the cerebral white matter fiber bundle skeleton. The motor cortex glioma group included 21 patients, and the control group comprised 14 healthy volunteers. Both groups underwent magnetic resonance imaging-based 3.0 T diffusion tensor imaging. We used tract-based spatial statistics to analyze the characteristics of white matter fiber bundles. The left and right motor cortex glioma groups were analyzed separately from the control group. Results were statistically corrected by the family-wise error rate. Compared with the controls, patients with left motor cortex gliomas exhibited significantly reduced fractional anisotropy and an increased radial diffusivity in the corpus callosum. The alterations in mean diffusivity (MD) and the axial diffusivity (AD) were widely distributed throughout the brain. Furthermore, atlas-based analysis showed elevated MD and AD in the contralateral superior fronto-occipital fasciculus. Motor cortex gliomas significantly affect white matter fiber microstructure proximal to the tumor. The range of affected white matter fibers may extend beyond the tumor-affected area. These changes are primarily related to early stage tumor invasion.
MicroRNA-340-5p inhibits colon cancer cell migration via targeting of RhoA
Authors: Algaber Anwar , Al-Haidari Amr , Madhi Raed , Rahman Milladur , Syk Ingvar , Thorlacius Henrik 
Published: October 2020

AbstractColon cancer is the third most common cancer and a significant cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Metastasis is the most insidious aspect of cancer progression. Convincing data suggest that microRNAs (miRs) play a key function in colon cancer biology. We examined the role of miR-340-5p in regulating RhoA expression as well as cell migration and invasion in colon cancer cells. Levels of miR-340-5p and RhoA mRNA varied inversely in serum-free and serum-grown HT-29 and AZ-97 colon cancer cells. It was found transfection with miR-340-5p not only decreased expression of RhoA mRNA and protein levels in HT-29 cells but also reduced colon cancer cell migration and invasion. Bioinformatics analysis predicted one putative binding sites at the 3′-UTR of RhoA mRNA. Targeting this binding site with a specific blocker reversed mimic miR-340-5p-induced inhibition of RhoA activation and colon cancer cell migration and invasion. These novel results suggest that miR-340-5p is an important regulator of colon cancer cell motility via targeting of RhoA and further experiments are warranted to evaluate the role of miR-340-5p in colon cancer metastasis.
Characterization of a Cul9–Parkin double knockout mouse model for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Hollville Emilie , Joers Valerie , Nakamura Ayumi , Swahari Vijay , Tansey Malú G. , Moy Sheryl S. , Deshmukh Mohanish 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMitochondrial quality control is essential for the long-term survival of postmitotic neurons. The E3 ubiquitin ligase Parkin promotes the degradation of damaged mitochondria via mitophagy and mutations in Parkin are a major cause of early-onset Parkinson’s disease (PD). Surprisingly however, mice deleted for Parkin alone are rather asymptomatic for PD-related pathology, suggesting that other complementary or redundant mitochondrial quality control pathways may exist in neurons. Mitochondrial damage is often accompanied by the release of toxic proteins such as cytochrome c. We have reported that once in the cytosol, cytochrome c is targeted for degradation by the E3 ligase CUL9 in neurons. Here we examined whether CUL9 and Parkin cooperate to promote optimal neuronal survival in vivo. We generated mice deficient for both Cul9 and Parkin and examined them for PD-related phenotypes. Specifically, we conducted assays to examine behavioural deficits (locomotor, sensory, memory and learning) and loss of dopaminergic neurons in both males and females. Our results show that the loss of Cul9 and Parkin together did not enhance the effect of Parkin deficiency alone. These results indicate that while both Parkin and CUL9 participate in mitochondrial quality control, neurons likely have multiple redundant mechanisms to ensure their long-term survival.
Daily mapping of Australian Plague Locust abundance
Authors: Mangeon Stéphane , Spessa Allan , Deveson Edward , Darnell Ross , Kriticos Darren J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLocust population outbreaks have been a longstanding problem for Australian agriculture. Since its inception in the mid-1970s, The Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) is responsible for monitoring, forecasting and controlling populations of several locust pest species across inland eastern Australia (ca. two million km2). Ground surveys are typically targeted according to prevailing environmental conditions. However, due to the sheer size of the region and limited resources, such surveys remain sparse. Here we develop daily time-step statistical models of populations of Chortoicetes terminifera (Australian plague locust) that can used to predict abundances when observations are lacking, plus uncertainties. We firstly identified key environmental covariates of locust abundance, then examined their relationship with C. terminifera populations by interpreting the responses of Generalized Additive Models (GAM). We also illustrate how estimates of C. terminifera abundance plus uncertainties can be visualized across the region. Our results support earlier studies, specifically, populations peak in grasslands with high productivity, and decline rapidly under very hot and dry conditions. We also identified new relationships, specifically, a strong positive effect of vapour pressure and sunlight, and a negative effect of soil sand content on C. terminifera abundance. Our modelling tool may assist future APLC management and surveillance effort.
Blood RNA signatures predict recent tuberculosis exposure in mice, macaques and humans
Authors: Ault Russell C. , Headley Colwyn A. , Hare Alexander E. , Carruthers Bridget J. , Mejias Asuncion , Turner Joanne 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death due to a single infectious disease. Knowing when a person was infected with Mycobacteriumtuberculosis (M.tb) is critical as recent infection is the strongest clinical risk factor for progression to TB disease in immunocompetent individuals. However, time since M.tb infection is challenging to determine in routine clinical practice. To define a biomarker for recent TB exposure, we determined whether gene expression patterns in blood RNA correlated with time since M.tb infection or exposure. First, we found RNA signatures that accurately discriminated early and late time periods after experimental infection in mice and cynomolgus macaques. Next, we found a 6-gene blood RNA signature that identified recently exposed individuals in two independent human cohorts, including adult household contacts of TB cases and adolescents who recently acquired M.tb infection. Our work supports the need for future longitudinal studies of recent TB contacts to determine whether biomarkers of recent infection can provide prognostic information of TB disease risk in individuals and help map recent transmission in communities.
MicroRNAs as systemic biomarkers to assess distress in animal models for gastrointestinal diseases
Authors: Kumstel Simone , Janssen-Peters Heike , Abdelrahman Ahmed , Tang Guanglin , Xiao Ke , Ernst Nicole , Wendt Edgar Heinz Uwe , Palme Rupert , Seume Nico , Vollmar Brigitte , Thum Thomas , Zechner Dietmar 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSeverity assessment of animal experiments is mainly conducted by using subjective parameters. A widely applicable biomarker to assess animal distress could contribute to an objective severity assessment in different animal models. Here, the distress of three murine animal models for gastrointestinal diseases was assessed by multiple behavioral and physiological parameters. To identify possible new biomarkers for distress 750 highly conserved microRNAs were measured in the blood plasma of mice before and after the induction of pancreatitis. Deregulated miRNA candidates were identified and further quantified in additional animal models for pancreatic cancer and cholestasis. MiR-375 and miR-203 were upregulated during pancreatitis and down regulated during cholestasis, whereas miR-132 was upregulated in all models. Correlation between miR-132 and plasma corticosterone concentrations resulted in the highest correlation coefficient, when compared to the analysis of miR-375, miR-203 and miR-30b. These results indicate that miR-132 might function as a general biomarker for distress, whereas the other miRNAs were altered in a disease specific manner. In conclusion, plasma miRNA profiling may help to better characterize the level of distress in mouse models for gastrointestinal diseases.
Specific and direct modulation of the interaction between adhesion GPCR GPR56/ADGRG1 and tissue transglutaminase 2 using synthetic ligands
Authors: Salzman Gabriel S. , Zhang Shu , Fernandez Celia G. , Araç Demet , Koide Shohei 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBlocking the interaction between cell-surface receptors and their ligands is a proven therapeutic strategy. Adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (aGPCRs) are key cell-surface receptors that regulate numerous pathophysiological processes, and their large extracellular regions (ECRs) mediate ligand binding and function. The aGPCR GPR56/ADGRG1 regulates central nervous system myelination and melanoma progression by interacting with its ligand, tissue transglutaminase 2 (TG2), but the molecular basis for this interaction is largely undefined. Here, we show that the C-terminal portion of TG2 directly interacted with the GPR56 ECR with high-nanomolar affinity, and used site-directed mutagenesis to identify a patch of conserved residues on the pentraxin/laminin-neurexin-sex-hormone-binding-globulin-like (PLL) domain of GPR56 as the TG2 binding site. Importantly, we also show that the GPR56-TG2 interaction was blocked by previously-reported synthetic proteins, termed monobodies, that bind the GPR56 ECR in a domain- and species-specific manner. This work provides unique tools to modulate aGPCR-ligand binding and establishes a foundation for the development of aGPCR-targeted therapeutics.
Neuroprotection by remote ischemic conditioning in the setting of acute ischemic stroke: a preclinical two-centre study
Authors: Basalay Maryna V. , Wiart Marlene , Chauveau Fabien , Dumot Chloe , Leon Christelle , Amaz Camille , Bolbos Radu , Cash Diana , Kim Eugene , Mechtouff Laura , Cho Tae-Hee , Nighoghossian Norbert , Davidson Sean M. , Ovize Michel , Yellon Derek M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractReperfusion is the only existing strategy for patients with acute ischemic stroke, however it causes further brain damage itself. A feasible therapy targeting reperfusion injury is remote ischemic conditioning (RIC). This was a two-centre, randomized, blinded international study, using translational imaging endpoints, aimed to examine the neuroprotective effects of RIC in ischemic stroke model. 80 male rats underwent 90-min middle cerebral artery occlusion. RIC consisted of 4 × 5 min cycles of left hind limb ischemia. The primary endpoint was infarct size measured on T2-weighted MRI at 24 h, expressed as percentage of the area-at-risk. Secondary endpoints were: hemispheric space-modifying edema, infarct growth between per-occlusion and 24 h MRI, neurofunctional outcome measured by neuroscores. 47 rats were included in the analysis after applying pre-defined inclusion criteria. RIC significantly reduced infarct size (median, interquartile range: 19% [8%; 32%] vs control: 40% [17%; 59%], p = 0.028). This effect was still significant after adjustment for apparent diffusion coefficient lesion size in multivariate analysis. RIC also improved neuroscores (6 [3; 8] vs control: 9 [7; 11], p = 0.032). Other secondary endpoints were not statistically different between groups. We conclude that RIC in the setting of acute ischemic stroke in rats is safe, reduces infarct size and improves functional recovery.
The sequence at Spike S1/S2 site enables cleavage by furin and phospho-regulation in SARS-CoV2 but not in SARS-CoV1 or MERS-CoV
Authors: Örd Mihkel , Faustova Ilona , Loog Mart 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe Spike protein of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV2 contains an insertion 680SPRRAR↓SV687 forming a cleavage motif RxxR for furin-like enzymes at the boundary of S1/S2 subunits. Cleavage at S1/S2 is important for efficient viral entry into target cells. The insertion is absent in other CoV-s of the same clade, including SARS-CoV1 that caused the 2003 outbreak. However, an analogous cleavage motif was present at S1/S2 of the Spike protein of the more distant Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus MERS-CoV. We show that a crucial third arginine at the left middle position, comprising a motif RRxR is required for furin recognition in vitro, while the general motif RxxR in common with MERS-CoV is not sufficient for cleavage. Further, we describe a surprising finding that the two serines at the edges of the insert SPRRAR↓SV can be efficiently phosphorylated by proline-directed and basophilic protein kinases. Both phosphorylations switch off furin’s ability to cleave the site. Although phospho-regulation of secreted proteins is still poorly understood, further studies, supported by a recent report of ten in vivo phosphorylated sites in the Spike protein of SARS-CoV2, could potentially uncover important novel regulatory mechanisms for SARS-CoV2.