bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human HMGN1 and HMGN2 are not required for transcription-coupled DNA repair
Authors: Apelt Katja , Zoutendijk Iris , Gout Dennis Y. , Wondergem Annelotte P. , van den Heuvel Diana , Luijsterburg Martijn S. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTranscription-coupled repair (TCR) removes DNA lesions from the transcribed strand of active genes. Stalling of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) at DNA lesions initiates TCR through the recruitment of the CSB and CSA proteins. The full repertoire of proteins required for human TCR – particularly in a chromatin context - remains to be determined. Studies in mice have revealed that the nucleosome-binding protein HMGN1 is required to enhance the repair of UV-induced lesions in transcribed genes. However, whether HMGN1 is required for human TCR remains unaddressed. Here, we show that knockout or knockdown of HMGN1, either alone or in combination with HMGN2, does not render human cells sensitive to UV light or Illudin S-induced transcription-blocking DNA lesions. Moreover, transcription restart after UV irradiation was not impaired in HMGN-deficient cells. In contrast, TCR-deficient cells were highly sensitive to DNA damage and failed to restart transcription. Furthermore, GFP-tagged HMGN1 was not recruited to sites of UV-induced DNA damage under conditions where GFP-CSB readily accumulated. In line with this, HMGN1 did not associate with the TCR complex, nor did TCR proteins require HMGN1 to associate with DNA damage-stalled RNAPII. Together, our findings suggest that HMGN1 and HMGN2 are not required for human TCR.
Downregulation of miR-335-5P in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Can Contribute to Neuronal Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Apoptosis
Authors: De Luna Noemi , Turon-Sans Joana , Cortes-Vicente Elena , Carrasco-Rozas Ana , Illán-Gala Ignacio , Dols-Icardo Oriol , Clarimón Jordi , Lleó Alberto , Gallardo Eduard , Illa Isabel , Rojas-García Ricardo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease for which the pathophysiological mechanisms of motor neuron loss are not precisely clarified. Environmental and epigenetic mechanisms such as microRNAs (miRNAs) could have a role in disease progression. We studied the expression pattern of miRNAs in ALS serum from 60 patients and 29 healthy controls. We also analyzed how deregulated miRNAs found in serum affected cellular pathways such as apoptosis, autophagy and mitochondrial physiology in SH-SY5Y cells. We found that miR-335-5p was downregulated in ALS serum. SH-SY5Y cells were transfected with a specific inhibitor of miR-335-5p and showed abnormal mitochondrial morphology, with an increment of reactive species of oxygen and superoxide dismutase activity. Pro-apoptotic caspases-3 and 7 also showed an increased activity in transfected cells. The downregulation of miR-335-5p, which has an effect on mitophagy, autophagy and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells could have a role in the motor neuron loss observed in ALS.
Plasma neutrophil extracellular trap level is modified by disease severity and inhaled corticosteroids in chronic inflammatory lung diseases
Authors: Gál Zsófia , Gézsi András , Pállinger Éva , Visnovitz Tamás , Nagy Adrienne , Kiss András , Sultész Monika , Csoma Zsuzsanna , Tamási Lilla , Gálffy Gabriella , Szalai Csaba 
Published: March 2020

AbstractA flow cytometry-based method was developed to quantify in vivo circulating neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) levels in plasma and compare them in patients with different chronic inflammatory lung diseases. Seventeen asthmatic and 11 control children, 12 adult controls, 46 asthmatic, 6 COPD and 6 adult patients with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) were recruited in the study. The presence of NETs in unstimulated cell-free plasma was confirmed and visualized by confocal laser-scanning microscopy. No significant differences were found in plasma NET levels between children and adults, children with or without asthma and adults with or without asthma, COPD or ACOS. When asthmatic patients were stratified according to their disease severity the average plasma NET level was significantly higher in asthmatic patients with more serious symptoms (adjusted p = 0.027). Patients with poorer pulmonary functions had higher plasma NET levels which negatively correlated with the FEV1 values (r = −0.39, p = 0.002). Patients who were medicated daily with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) had significantly lower average plasma NET level than patients who did not or just occasionally used ICS (p = 0.027). If further studies confirm the NET-lowering effect of ICS in the circulation, it can be utilized in diseases where NETosis contributes to the pathogenesis.
Association of 3p27.1 Variants with Whole Body Lean Mass Identified by a Genome-wide Association Study
Authors: Ran Shu , Zhang Yu-Xue , Liu Lu , Jiang Zi-Xuan , He Xiao , Liu Yu , Shen Hui , Tian Qing , Pei Yu-Fang , Deng Hong-Wen , Zhang Lei 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWhole body lean mass (WBLM) is a heritable trait predicting sarcopenia. To identify genomic locus underlying WBLM, we performed a genome-wide association study of fat-adjusted WBLM in the Framingham Heart Study (FHS, N = 6,004), and replicated in the Kansas City Osteoporosis Study (KCOS, N = 2,207). We identified a novel locus 3p27.1 that was associated with WBLM (lead SNP rs3732593 P = 7.19 × 10−8) in the discovery FHS sample, and the lead SNP was successfully replicated in the KCOS sample (one-sided P = 0.04). Bioinformatics analysis found that this SNP and its adjacent SNPs had the function of regulating enhancer activity in skeletal muscle myoblasts cells, further confirming the regulation of WBLM by this locus. Our finding provides new insight into the genetics of WBLM and enhance our understanding of sarcopenia.
Epidemiological and geospatial profile of the prescription opioid crisis in Ohio, United States
Authors: Hernandez Andres , Branscum Adam J. , Li Jingjing , MacKinnon Neil J. , Hincapie Ana L. , Cuadros Diego F. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe underlying reasons behind the unprecedented increase of the mortality rates due to the opioid epidemics in the United States are still not fully uncovered. Most efforts have been focused on targeting opioids, but there is little information about vulnerable populations at high risk of opioid abuse and death. In this study, we used data from the Ohio Department of Health for deaths caused by prescription opioids from 2010–2017 to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of the opioid overdose epidemic. Our results showed a rapid increase in prescription opioid death rates among the white male population aged 30–39 but also a considerable increase among the black male population with an exponential growth trend. Our geospatial analysis suggests that the increasing rates of the opioid overdose epidemic in Ohio were driven by the epidemic hotspot areas. Our findings highlight the relevance of prioritizing public health measures targeting specific locations and vulnerable populations to mitigate the current opioids crisis.
Self-reported Health is Related to Body Height and Waist Circumference in Rural Indigenous and Urbanised Latin-American Populations
Authors: Leongómez Juan David , Sánchez Oscar R. , Vásquez-Amézquita Milena , Valderrama Eugenio , Castellanos-Chacón Andrés , Morales-Sánchez Lina , Nieto Javier , González-Santoyo Isaac 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBody height is a life-history component. It involves important costs for its expression and maintenance, which may originate trade-offs on other costly components such as reproduction or immunity. Although previous evidence has supported the idea that human height could be a sexually selected trait, the explanatory mechanisms that underlie this selection are poorly understood. Despite extensive studies on the association between height and attractiveness, the role of immunity in linking this relation is scarcely studied, particularly in non-Western populations. Here, we tested whether human height is related to health measured by self-perception, and relevant nutritional and health anthropometric indicators in three Latin-American populations that widely differ in socioeconomic and ecological conditions: two urbanised populations from Bogota (Colombia) and Mexico City (Mexico), and one isolated indigenous population (Me’Phaa, Mexico). Results showed that self-reported health is best predicted by an interaction between height and waist circumference: the presumed benefits of being taller are waist-dependent, and affect taller people more than shorter individuals. If health and genetic quality cues play an important role in human mate-choice, and height and waist interact to signal health, its evolutionary consequences, including cognitive and behavioural effects, should be addressed in future research.
Estimation of leaf nutrition status in degraded vegetation based on field survey and hyperspectral data
Authors: Peng Yu , Zhang Mei , Xu Ziyan , Yang Tingting , Su Yali , Zhou Tao , Wang Huiting , Wang Yue , Lin Yongyi 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTimely monitoring of global plant biogeochemical processes demands fast and highly accurate estimation of plant nutrition status, which is often estimated based on hyperspectral data. However, few such studies have been conducted on degraded vegetation. In this study, complete combinations of either original reflectance or first-order derivative spectra have been developed to quantify leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents of tree, shrub, and grass species using hyperspectral datasets from light, moderate, and severely degraded vegetation sites in Helin County, China. Leaf N, P, and K contents were correlated to identify suitable combinations. The most effective combinations were those of reflectance difference (Dij), normalized differences (ND), first-order derivative (FD), and first-order derivative difference (FD(D)). Linear regression analysis was used to further optimize sensitive band-based combinations, which were compared with 43 frequently used empirical spectral indices. The proposed hyperspectral indices were shown to effectively quantify leaf N, P, and K content (R2 > 0.5, p < 0.05), confirming that hyperspectral data can be potentially used for fine scale monitoring of degraded vegetation.
Implications of early diagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: A post hoc analysis of the TEMPO 3:4 trial
Authors: Janssens Peter , Jouret François , Bammens Bert , Liebau Max C. , Schaefer Franz , Dandurand Ann , Perrone Ronald D. , Müller Roman-Ulrich , Pao Christina S. , Mekahli Djalila 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIt is unknown whether early diagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) can enable earlier management and improve outcomes. We conducted a post hoc analysis of data from the TEMPO 3:4 trial. Subjects were stratified by ADPKD diagnosis at age ≤18 (childhood diagnosis [CD]) or>18 (adulthood diagnosis [AD]). Groups were compared for baseline characteristics and total kidney volume (TKV) growth and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline over 3 years. 294 CD and 1148 AD subjects were analyzed. At inclusion, CD subjects were younger (mean age 34.2 versus 39.8 years; p < 0.0001) and had better eGFR (mean ± SD 87.4 ± 23.9 versus 80.1 ± 20.7 mL/min/1.73 m2; p < 0.0001), while CD had more severe Mayo risk classification (p < 0.0001) and more PKD1 mutations (p = 0.003). No statistical differences were found in TKV or eGFR change. At study end, placebo-treated CD subjects had better eGFR than projected by a prediction equation (mean difference ±SD for observed versus predicted eGFR: 2.18 ± 10.7 mL/min/1.73 m2; p = 0.0475). However, these results are not confirmed when excluding stage 1 CKD. Whether CD subjects, despite their risk profile, have a slower disease course than predicted remains inconclusive. Future studies are needed to confirm that early diagnosis and management can alter the disease course of ADPKD.
Bacillus spp. characterization and his intervention as a possible non-traditional etiology of chronic renal insufficiency in Tierra Blanca, Veracruz, Mexico
Authors: Quiñones-Muñoz T. A. , Villares-Bueno A. M. , Hernández-Ramírez G. , Hernández-Martínez R. , Lizardi-Jiménez M. A. , Bocanegra-García V. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractEnvironmental, socioeconomic, educational, custom, occupation, and native pathogen microbiota factors have been identified as unique etiological factors by region for chronic renal insufficiency (CRI). In the region of Tierra Blanca, Veracruz, there is a significant incidence of CRI. The objective of this research was to identify the presence of the genus Bacillus spp. and its kinetic characterization for recognition as a possible non-traditional etiology of CRI in the region. The methodology included the isolation and morphological, biochemical, molecular and kinetic characterization of strains of the genus Bacillus spp. and an analysis of factors that indicate that their presence could affect the occupational health of the population, prompting cases of CRI. The presence of Bacillus cereus (pathogenic strain for humans) was established (biochemical identification, similarity 99%, by 16S rRNA gene) in sugarcane crops, mainly in the MEX-69-290 variety, with the higher growth rate and lower lag phase, compared to the other isolates. The strains are reported as a potential danger of direct infection and a risk factor for the indirect development of CRI, in the non-traditional cause modality, in the sugarcane fields. It is recommended that committed actions be undertaken to protect and promote the health of the population.
Prognostic factors for survival in colorectal cancer patients with brain metastases undergoing whole brain radiotherapy: multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Koo Taeryool , Kim Kyubo , Park Hae Jin , Han Sae-Won , Kim Tae-You , Jeong Seung-Yong , Park Kyu Joo , Chie Eui Kyu 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWhole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is a mainstay of the treatment for brain metastases (BM). We evaluated prognostic factors in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients undergoing WBRT for BM. The medical records of 106 CRC patients undergoing WBRT for BM between 2000 and 2014 at three institutions were reviewed. Patient and tumor factors were analyzed to identify the prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) calculated from the date of BM diagnosis to the date of death or last follow-up. Surgical resection of BM was performed in six patients. The dose of WBRT was 30 Gy, and boost radiotherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery (8–23 Gy) was given to 15 patients. Systemic therapy for BM was administered in one patient before WBRT and 26 patients after WBRT. The median follow-up time was 3.9 months (range, 0.4–114.1 months). The median OS time was 3.9 months, and the 1-year OS rate was 18.2%. Older age (>65 years), multiple BM (≥3), elevated level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA, >5 ng/ml) at BM diagnosis, and extracranial metastases were adverse prognostic factors for OS. Patient with 0–1 factor showed better OS (at 1 year, 76.9%) than patients with 2 factors (16.7%) or 3–4 factors (4.2%; p < 0.001). In conclusion, we evaluated age, the number of BM, CEA level, and extracranial metastases as the prognostic factors for OS in CRC patients undergoing WBRT. Our result might be useful to develop prognostic models predicting survival for patients whom WBRT is intended for.
Functional switching of NPR1 between chloroplast and nucleus for adaptive response to salt stress
Authors: Seo So Yeon , Wi Soo Jin , Park Ky Young 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSalt stress causes rapid accumulation of nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related genes 1 (NPR1) protein, known as the redox-sensitive transcription coactivator, which in turn elicits many adaptive responses. The NPR1 protein transiently accumulates in chloroplast stroma under salt stress, which attenuates stress-triggered down-regulation of photosynthetic capability. We observed that oligomeric NPR1 in chloroplasts and cytoplasm had chaperone activity, whereas monomeric NPR1 in the nucleus did not. Additionally, NPR1 overexpression resulted in reinforcement of morning-phased and evening-phased circadian clock. NPR1 overexpression also enhanced antioxidant activity and reduced stress-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation at early stage, followed with transcription levels for ROS detoxification. These results suggest a functional switch from a molecular chaperone to a transcriptional coactivator, which is dependent on subcellular localization. Our findings imply that dual localization of NPR1 is related to proteostasis and redox homeostasis in chloroplasts for emergency restoration as well as transcriptional coactivator in the nucleus for adaptation to stress.
Five-year survival outcomes of intensity-modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost (IMRT-SIB) using forward IMRT or Tomotherapy for breast cancer
Authors: Lee Hsin-Hua , Chen Chien-Hung , Luo Kuei-Hau , Chuang Hung-Yi , Huang Chih-Jen , Cheng Yuan-Kai , Chen Frank , Kuo Shih-Hsun , Huang Ming-Yii 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIntensity-modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost (IMRT-SIB) reduces overall treatment duration and results in less radiotherapy (RT)-induced dermatitis. However, the use of traditional sequential approach or IMRT-SIB is still under debate since there is not enough evidence of long-term clinical outcomes. The present study investigated 216 patients who underwent breast conserving surgery (BCS) between 2010 and 2013. The median age was 51 years (range, 21–81 years). All patients received IMRT-SIB, 50.4 Gy at 1.8 Gy per fraction to the whole breast and 60.2 Gy at 2.15 Gy per fraction to the tumor bed by integral boost. Among 216 patients, 175 patients received post-operative RT with forward IMRT and 41 patients had Tomotherapy. The median follow-up was 6.4 years. Forty patients (97.6%) in the Tomotherapy arm and 147 patients (84%) in the IMRT arm developed grade 0–1 skin toxicity (P = 0.021). For the entire cohort, the 5-year and 7-year overall survival (OS) rates were 94.4% and 93.1% respectively. The 7-year distant metastasis-free survival rates were 100% vs 89.1% in the Tomotherapy and IMRT arm respectively (P = 0.028). In conclusion, Tomotherapy improved acute skin toxicity compared with forward IMRT-SIB. Chronic skin complication was 1.9%. IMRT-SIB resulted in good long-term survival.
Magnetic response of Arsenic pollution in a slag covered soil profile close to an abandoned tungsten mine, southern China
Authors: Ouyang Tingping , Li Mingkun , Appel Erwin , Tang Zhihua , Peng Shasha , Li Sang , Zhu Zhaoyu 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPrevious studies indicated serious soil arsenic (As) pollution of large spatial extent related to tungsten mining. We performed systematic analyses of magnetic parameters and As contents of a slag covered soil profile close to the abandoned tungsten mine in southern China, in order to discuss the feasibility of using sensitive, non-destructive, and cost-effective magnetic methods for monitoring the soil arsenic content in such arsenic pollution areas. The results indicate that arsenic sulfide entered from slags into the underlying soil and changed to iron arsenate and moveable arsenic ion. The arsenic ions were transported from the upper to the lower part of the soil profile, leading to more serious arsenic pollution at lower levels of the section. Pedogenesis and oxidation of the entered iron and arsenic sulfide resulted in coexistence of magnetite/maghemite and hematite, with different contributions at depths of 125–195 cm, 60–125 cm, and 0–60 cm. The arsenic content is significant positively correlated with the hematite concentration given by the magnetic parameter HIRM and negatively correlated with the S−300 ratio that measures the relative contributions of magnetite(+maghemite) and hematite. The S−300 ratio is effective for semi-quantification of soil arsenic content, and may be also used for soil arsenic pollution assessment and monitoring in similar settings of tungsten mining.
Hypertonic saline enhances the efficacy of aerosolized gentamicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Lin Hui-Ling , Chiu Li-Chung , Wan Gwo-Hwa , Huang Chung-Chi , Lee Zong-Tian , Lin Yun-Tzu , Wu Shan-Rong , Chen Chi-Shuo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAerosol inhalation is a promising strategy for the delivery of antibiotic agents. The efficacy of antibiotic treatment by aerosol inhalation is reduced by the formation of microbial biofilms in the respiratory system and excessive airway mucus build-up. Various approaches have been taken in order to overcome this barrier. In this in vitro study, we used hypertonic saline (7%, by weight), a low cost Food and Drug Administration-approved reagent, as an aerosol carrier to study its effects with the antibiotic, gentamicin, on the most common respiratory opportunistic pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, present in the mucus. The results indicated that the hypertonic saline aerosol containing gentamicin, a low cost antibiotic, significantly eliminated biofilm growth by ~3-fold, compared to the regular saline aerosol containing gentamicin. In addition to enhancing the penetration efficiency of drug molecules by 70%, bacterial motility also decreased (~50%) after treatment with aerosolised hypertonic saline. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that hypertonic saline can significantly enhance the efficacy of antibiotic aerosols, which may contribute to the current use of inhaled therapeutic compounds.