bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Smoking-associated increase in mucins 1 and 4 in human airways
Authors: Merikallio Heta , Kaarteenaho Riitta , Lindén Sara , Padra Médea , Karimi Reza , Li Chuan-Xing , Lappi-Blanco Elisa , Wheelock Åsa M. , Sköld Magnus C. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Rationale
Smoking-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with dysregulated production of mucus. Mucins (MUC) are important both for mucus secretion and epithelial defense. We have examined the distribution of MUC1 and MUC4 in the airway epithelial cells of never-smokers and smokers with and without COPD.

Methods
Mucosal biopsies and bronchial wash samples were obtained by bronchoscopy from age- and sex-matched COPD-patients (n = 38; GOLD I-II/A-B), healthy never-smokers (n = 40) and current smokers with normal lung function (n = 40) from the Karolinska COSMIC cohort (NCT02627872). Cell-specific expressions of MUC1, MUC4 and regulating factors, i.e., epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) 1 and 2, were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Soluble MUC1 was measured by quantitative immunodetection on slot blot.

Results
The levels of cell-bound MUC1 expression in basal cells and in soluble MUC1 in bronchial wash were increased in smokers, regardless of airway obstruction. Patients with chronic bronchitis had higher MUC1 expression. The expression of MUC4 in cells with goblet cell phenotype was increased in smokers. The expression of EGFR2, but not that of EGFR1, was higher in never-smokers than in smokers.

Conclusions
Smoking history and the presence of chronic bronchitis, regardless of airway obstruction, affect both cellular and soluble MUC1 in human airways. Therefore, MUC1 may be a novel marker for smoking- associated airway disease.
Perception of the relative harm of electronic cigarettes compared to cigarettes amongst US adults from 2013 to 2016: analysis of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study data
Authors: Malt Layla , Verron Thomas , Cahours Xavier , Guo Mengran , Weaver Sarah , Walele Tanvir , O’Connell Grant 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have been characterised as significantly less harmful than cigarettes by many health agencies and regulators globally. In this study, we examined to what extent perceived relative harms of e-cigarettes compared to cigarettes have changed in the USA.

Methods
We analysed the data from the longitudinal and nationally representative, Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study to assess the relative perceived harm of e-cigarettes amongst US adults between 2013 and 2016.

Results
The proportion of US adults who correctly perceived e-cigarettes as less harmful than cigarettes decreased each year from 41.1% (CI 40.1–42.1%) in 2013–2014, 31.5% (CI 30.8–32.2%) in 2014–2015 and 25.3% (CI 24.6–26.0%) in 2015–2016. Concurrently, the proportion of US adults who perceived e-cigarettes as equally, or more, harmful than cigarettes increased from 53.7% (CI 52.3–55.1%), 64.9% (CI 63.6–66.2%) to 72.7% (CI 71.5–73.9%) respectively. The proportion of US adults who held negative relative harm perceptions of e-cigarettes increased regardless of current smoking or vaping status by 24.6% and 29.6% respectively within 3 years. In Wave 3, the proportion of current smokers who perceived the relative harm of e-cigarettes as less harmful was lower at 29.3% (CI 28.2–30.4%) compared to current e-cigarette users at 43.5% (CI 40.3–46.7%). Former smokers who used e-cigarettes and believed that they were equally, or more, harmful than cigarettes in 2014–2015 had significantly higher rates of smoking relapse in the following year, 29% and 37% (p < 2.2e−16), respectively, compared to those with positive relative harm perceptions who reported relapse rates of 19%.

Conclusions
In this study, the proportion of US adults who incorrectly perceived e-cigarettes as equal to, or more, harmful than cigarettes increased steadily regardless of smoking or vaping status. Current adult smokers appear to be poorly informed about the relative risks of e-cigarettes yet have potentially the most to gain from transitioning to these products. The findings of this study emphasise the urgent need to accurately communicate the reduced relative risk of e-cigarettes compared to continued cigarette smoking and clearly differentiate absolute and relative harms. Further research is required to elucidate why the relative harm of e-cigarettes is misunderstood and continues to deteriorate.
Phase II multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of intra-articular injection of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells with platelet rich plasma for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Lamo-Espinosa José María , Blanco Juan F. , Sánchez Mikel , Moreno Victoria , Granero-Moltó Froilán , Sánchez-Guijo Fermín , Crespo-Cullel Íñigo , Mora Gonzalo , San Vicente Diego Delgado , Pompei-Fernández Orlando , Aquerreta Jesús Dámaso , Núñez-Córdoba Jorge María , Vitoria Sola María , Valentí-Azcárate Andrés , Andreu Enrique J. , del Consuelo del Cañizo María , Valentí-Nin Juan Ramón , Prósper Felipe 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Mesenchymal stromal cells are a safe and promising option to treat knee osteoarthritis as previously demonstrated in different clinical trials. However, their efficacy, optimal dose and addition of adjuvants must be determined. Here, we evaluated the clinical effects of a dose of 100 × 106 bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) in combination with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRGF®) as adjuvant in a randomized clinical trial.

Methods
A phase II, multicenter, randomized clinical trial with active control was conducted. Sixty patients diagnosed with knee OA were randomly assigned to 3 weekly doses of PRGF® or intraarticular administration of 100 × 106 cultured autologous BM-MSCs plus PRGF®. Patients were followed up for 12 months, and pain and function were assessed using VAS and WOMAC and by measuring the knee range of motion range. X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging analyses were performed to analyze joint damage.

Results
No adverse effects were reported after BM-MSC administration or during follow-up. According to VAS, the mean value (SD) for PRGF® and BM-MSC with PRGF® went from 5 (1.8) to 4.5 (2.2) (p = 0.389) and from 5.3 (1.9) to 3.5 (2.5) (p = 0.01), respectively at 12 months. In WOMAC, the mean (SD) baseline and 12-month overall WOMAC scores in patients treated with PRGF® was 31.9 (16.2) and 22.3 (15.8) respectively (p = 0.002) while that for patients treated with BM-MSC plus PRGF® was 33.4 (18.7) and 23.0 (16.6) (p = 0.053). Although statistical significances between groups have been not detected, only patients being treated with BM-MSC plus PRGF® could be considered as a OA treatment responders following OARSI criteria. X-ray and MRI (WORMS protocol) revealed no changes in knee joint space width or joint damage.

Conclusions
Treatment with BM-MSC associated with PRGF® was shown to be a viable therapeutic option for osteoarthritis of the knee, with clinical improvement at the end of follow-up. Further phase III clinical trials would be necessary to confirm the efficacy.
Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov identifier NCT02365142. Nº EudraCT: 2011-006036-23
Role of HVR1 sequence similarity in the cross-genotypic neutralization of HCV
Authors: Mosa Alexander I. , AbouHaidar Mounir G. , Urbanowicz Richard A. , Tavis John E. , Ball Jonathan K. , Feld Jordan J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDespite available treatments, a prophylactic HCV vaccine is needed to achieve elimination targets. HCV vaccine development has faltered largely because the extreme diversity of the virus limits the protective breadth of vaccine elicited antibodies. It is believed that the principle neutralizing epitope in natural infection, HVR1, which is the most variable epitope in HCV, mediates humoral immune escape. So far, efforts to circumvent HVR1 interference in the induction and function of conserved targeting Ab have failed. Efforts to understand factors contributing to cross-neutralization of HVR1 variants have also been limited. Here, following mouse immunizations with two patient-derived HVR1 peptides, we observe cross-genotype neutralization of variants differing at 15/21 positions. Surprisingly, sequence similarity was not associated with cross-neutralization. It appeared neutralization sensitivity was an intrinsic feature of each variant, rather than emergent from the immunogen specific Ab response. These findings provide novel insight into HVR1-mediated immune evasion, with important implications for HCV vaccine design.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles effectively regulate autophagic cell death by activating autophagosome formation and interfering with their maturation
Authors: Liu Zixuan , Lv Xuying , Xu Lei , Liu Xuting , Zhu Xiangyu , Song Erqun , Song Yang 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
With the development of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in the field of nanotechnology, their toxicological effects are attracting increasing attention, and the mechanisms for ZnO NPs neurotoxicity remain obscure. In an attempt to address concerns regarding neurotoxicity of ZnO NPs, we explored the relationship between free zinc ions, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and neurotoxic mechanisms in ZnO NPs-exposed PC12 cells.

Result
This study demonstrated the requirement of free zinc ions shed by ZnO NPs to over generation of intracellular ROS. Next, we identified autophagic cell death was the major mode of cell death induced by ZnO NPs, and autophagosome accumulation resulted from not only induction of autophagy, but also blockade of autophagy flux. We concluded that autophagic cell death, resulting from zinc ions-ROS-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-autophagy positive feedback loop and blockade of autophagosomal-lysosomal fusion, played a major role in the neurotoxicity of ZnO NPs.

Conclusion
Our study contributes to a better understanding of the neurotoxicity of ZnO NPs and might be useful for designing and developing new biosafety nanoparticles in the future.
Clinical performance of decellularized heart valves versus standard tissue conduits: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Waqanivavalagi Steve W. F. R. , Bhat Sameer , Ground Marcus B. , Milsom Paget F. , Cornish Jillian 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Valve replacement surgery is the definitive management strategy for patients with severe valvular disease. However, valvular conduits currently in clinical use are associated with significant limitations. Tissue-engineered (decellularized) heart valves are alternative prostheses that have demonstrated promising early results. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to perform robust evaluation of the clinical performance of decellularized heart valves implanted in either outflow tract position, in comparison with standard tissue conduits.

Methods
Systematic searches were conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for articles in which outcomes between decellularized heart valves surgically implanted within either outflow tract position of human subjects and standard tissue conduits were compared. Primary endpoints included postoperative mortality and reoperation rates. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model via the Mantel-Haenszel method.

Results
Seventeen articles were identified, of which 16 were included in the meta-analysis. In total, 1418 patients underwent outflow tract reconstructions with decellularized heart valves and 2725 patients received standard tissue conduits. Decellularized heart valves were produced from human pulmonary valves and implanted within the right ventricular outflow tract in all cases. Lower postoperative mortality (4.7% vs. 6.1%; RR 0.94, 95% CI: 0.60–1.47; P = 0.77) and reoperation rates (4.8% vs. 7.4%; RR 0.55, 95% CI: 0.36–0.84; P = 0.0057) were observed in patients with decellularized heart valves, although only reoperation rates were statistically significant. There was no statistically significant heterogeneity between the analyzed articles (I2 = 31%, P = 0.13 and I2 = 33%, P = 0.10 respectively).

Conclusions
Decellularized heart valves implanted within the right ventricular outflow tract have demonstrated significantly lower reoperation rates when compared to standard tissue conduits. However, in order to allow for more accurate conclusions about the clinical performance of decellularized heart valves to be made, there need to be more high-quality studies with greater consistency in the reporting of clinical outcomes.
Protein cysteine S-nitrosylation provides reducing power by enhancing lactate dehydrogenase activity in Trichomonas vaginalis under iron deficiency
Authors: Cheng Wei-Hung , Huang Kuo-Yang , Ong Seow-Chin , Ku Fu-Man , Huang Po-Jung , Lee Chi-Ching , Yeh Yuan-Ming , Lin Rose , Chiu Cheng-Hsun , Tang Petrus 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundIron plays essential roles in the pathogenesis and proliferation ofTrichomonas vaginalis, the causative agent of the most prevalent non-viral human sexually transmitted infection. We previously demonstrated that under iron deficiency, the endogenous nitric oxide (NO) is accumulated and capable of regulating the survival ofT. vaginalis. Herein, we aim to explore the influence of NO on the activity of the pyruvate-reducing enzyme lactate dehydrogenase inT. vaginalis(TvLDH).MethodsLevels of lactate and pyruvate were detected for determining glycolysis activity inT. vaginalisunder iron deficiency. Quantitative PCR was performed to determine the expression of TvLDH. S-nitrosylated (SNO) proteomics was conducted to identify the NO-modified proteins. The activities of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (TvGAPDH) and TvLDH were measured after sodium nitrate treatment. The effects of protein nitrosylation on the production of cellular reducing power were examined by measuring the amount of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and the ratio of the NAD redox pair (NAD+/NADH).ResultsWe found that although the glycolytic pathway was activated in cells under iron depletion, the level of pyruvate was decreased due to the increased level of TvLDH. By analyzing the SNO proteome ofT. vaginalisupon iron deficiency, we found that TvLDH is one of the glycolytic enzymes modified by SNO. The production of pyruvate was significantly reduced after nitrate treatment, indicating that protein nitrosylation accelerated the consumption of pyruvate by increasing TvLDH activity. Nitrate treatment also induced NAD oxidation, suggesting that protein nitrosylation was the key posttranslational modification controlling cellular redox status.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that NO-mediated protein nitrosylation plays pivotal roles in the regulation of glycolysis, pyruvate metabolism, and the activity of TvLDH. The recycling of oxidized NAD catalyzed by TvLDH provided the reducing power that allowedT. vaginalisto adapt to the iron-deficient environment.
Subolesin vaccination inhibits blood feeding and reproduction of Haemaphysalis longicornis in rabbits
Authors: Lee Seung-Hun , Li Jixu , Moumouni Paul Franck Adjou , Okado Kiyoshi , Zheng Weiqing , Liu Mingming , Ji Shengwei , Kim Soochong , Umemiya-Shirafuji Rika , Xuan Xuenan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundTicks can transmit numerous tick-borne pathogens and cause a huge economic loss to the livestock industry. Tick vaccines can contribute to the prevention of tick-borne diseases by inhibiting tick infestation or reproduction. Subolesin is an antigenic molecule proven to be a potential tick vaccine against different tick species and even some tick-borne pathogens. However, its effectivity has not been verified inHaemaphysalis longicornis, which is a widely distributed tick species, especially in East Asian countries. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectivity of subolesin vaccination againstH. longicornisin a rabbit model.MethodsHaemaphysalis longicornis(Okayama strain, female, adult, parthenogenetic strain) and Japanese white rabbits were used as the model tick and animal, respectively. The whole open reading frame ofH. longicornissubolesin (HlSu) was identified and expressed as a recombinant protein usingE. coli. The expression was verified using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the immunogenicity of rHlSu against anti-H. longicornisrabbit serum was confirmed using Western blotting. After vaccination of rHlSu in rabbits, experimental infestation ofH. longicorniswas performed. Variables related to blood-feeding periods, pre-oviposition periods, body weight at engorgement, egg mass, egg mass to body weight ratio, and egg-hatching periods were measured to evaluate the effectiveness of subolesin vaccination.ResultsThe whole open reading frame of HlSu was 540 bp, and it was expressed as a recombinant protein. Vaccination with rHlSu stimulated an immune response in rabbits. In the rHlSu-vaccinated group, body weight at engorgement, egg mass, and egg mass to body weight ratio were statistically significantly lower than those in the control group. Besides, egg-hatching periods were extended significantly. Blood-feeding periods and pre-oviposition periods were not different between the two groups. In total, the calculated vaccine efficacy was 37.4%.ConclusionsVaccination of rabbits with rHlSu significantly affected the blood-feeding and reproduction inH. longicornis. Combined with findings from previous studies, our findings suggest subolesin has the potential to be used as a universal tick vaccine.
Comprehensive transcriptome resource for response to phytohormone-induced signaling in Capsicum annuum L.
Authors: Lee Junesung , Nam Jae-Young , Jang Hakgi , Kim Nayoung , Kim Yong-Min , Kang Won-Hee , Yeom Seon-In 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Objectives
Phytohormones are small signaling molecules with crucial roles in plant growth, development, and environmental adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress responses. Despite several previously published molecular studies focused on plant hormones, our understanding of the transcriptome induced by phytohormones remains unclear, especially in major crops. Here, we aimed to provide transcriptome dataset using RNA sequencing for phytohormone-induced signaling in plant.

Data description
We used high-throughput RNA sequencing profiling to investigate the pepper plant response to treatment with four major phytohormones (salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, ethylene, and abscisic acid). This dataset yielded 78 samples containing three biological replicates per six different time points for each treatment and the control, constituting 187.8 Gb of transcriptome data (2.4 Gb of each sample). This comprehensive parallel transcriptome data provides valuable information for understanding the relationships and molecular networks that regulate the expression of phytohormone-related genes involved in plant developments and environmental stress adaptation.
Dynamics of the transcriptome during chicken embryo development based on primordial germ cells
Authors: Dunislawska Aleksandra , Szczerba Agata , Siwek Maria , Bednarczyk Marek 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Objective
Regulation of gene expression during embryo development on the basis of migration of primordial germ cells (PGCs) in vivo has been rarely studied due to limited cell number and the necessity to isolate PGCs from a large number of embryos. Moreover, little is known about the comprehensive dynamics of the transcriptome in chicken PGCs during early developmental stages. The current study investigated transcriptome dynamics of chicken PGCs at key developmental stages: 4.5, 8 and 12 days of embryo incubation. PGCs were collected, and RNA was isolated using a commercial kit for single cells. The isolated RNA was subjected to microarray analysis (Agilent Technologies).

Results
Between 8 and 12 days of incubation, the highest number of genes was regulated. These data indicate that the most intense biological activity occurs between 8 and 12 days of embryo development. Heat map showed a significant decrease in gene expression on day 8, while it increased on day 12. The development of a precise method to isolate bird PGCs as well as the method to isolate RNA from single cells isolated from one embryo allows for early molecular analysis and detection of transcriptome changes during embryonic development.
Ficus palmata Forskål (beles adgi) as a source of milk clotting agent: a preliminary research
Authors: Sbhatu Desta Berhe , Tekle Hailekiros Tadesse , Tesfamariam Kiros Haddish 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Objective
The demand for cheese, the insufficient supply and high cost of rennet, and the ethical issues of harvesting rennet oblige us to search for suitable alternatives of finding new proteases from plants. Ficus palmata Forskål (Moraceae) is one of the plants producing a protease called ficin that coagulates fresh milk. This study aims to study the milk coagulating abilities of bark, leaf, and stem powders of F. palmata Forskål.

Results
Stem powder has yielded better results. Chemical analyses of the powders have revealed that the percentage of crude protein of leaf, bark, and stem powders were 4.17, 7.39, and 16.26. This is an indication of the suitability of stem biomass as source of the enzyme of interest. Further research needs to aim at qualitative and quantitative analyses of milk-coagulating enzymes of F. palmata Forskål stem biomass to get new insights into industrial extraction of the enzymes of interest.
The role of mesenchymal stromal cells in immune modulation of COVID-19: focus on cytokine storm
Authors: Kavianpour Maria , Saleh Mahshid , Verdi Javad 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is quickly spreading all over the world. This virus, which is called SARS-CoV-2, has infected tens of thousands of people. Based on symptoms, the pathogenesis of acute respiratory illness is responsible for highly homogenous coronaviruses as well as other pathogens. Evidence suggests that high inflammation rates, oxidation, and overwhelming immune response probably contribute to pathology of COVID-19. COVID-19 causes cytokine storm, which subsequently leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), often ending up in the death of patients. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotential stem cells that are recognized via self-renewal capacity, generation of clonal populations, and multilineage differentiation. MSCs are present in nearly all tissues of the body, playing an essential role in repair and generation of tissues. Furthermore, MSCs have broad immunoregulatory properties through the interaction of immune cells in both innate and adaptive immune systems, leading to immunosuppression of many effector activities. MSCs can reduce the cytokine storm produced by coronavirus infection. In a number of studies, the administration of these cells has been beneficial for COVID-19 patients. Also, MSCs may be able to improve pulmonary fibrosis and lung function. In this review, we will review the newest research findings regarding MSC-based immunomodulation in patients with COVID-19.