bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid event-related, BOLD fMRI, non-human primates (NHP): choose two out of three
Authors: Pelekanos Vassilis , Mok Robert M. , Joly Olivier , Ainsworth Matthew , Kyriazis Diana , Kelly Maria G. , Bell Andrew H. , Kriegeskorte Nikolaus 
Published: May 2020

AbstractHuman functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) typically employs the blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) contrast mechanism. In non-human primates (NHP), contrast enhancement is possible using monocrystalline iron-oxide nanoparticles (MION) contrast agent, which has a more temporally extended response function. However, using BOLD fMRI in NHP is desirable for interspecies comparison, and the BOLD signal’s faster response function promises to be beneficial for rapid event-related (rER) designs. Here, we used rER BOLD fMRI in macaque monkeys while viewing real-world images, and found visual responses and category selectivity consistent with previous studies. However, activity estimates were very noisy, suggesting that the lower contrast-to-noise ratio of BOLD, suboptimal behavioural performance, and motion artefacts, in combination, render rER BOLD fMRI challenging in NHP. Previous studies have shown that rER fMRI is possible in macaques with MION, despite MION’s prolonged response function. To understand this, we conducted simulations of the BOLD and MION response during rER, and found that no matter how fast the design, the greater amplitude of the MION response outweighs the contrast loss caused by greater temporal smoothing. We conclude that although any two of the three elements (rER, BOLD, NHP) have been shown to work well, the combination of all three is particularly challenging.
Identification and Prediction of Tuberculosis in Eastern China: Analyses from 10-year Population-based Notification Data in Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Liu Kui , Li Tao , Vongpradith Avina , Wang Fei , Peng Ying , Wang Wei , Chai Chengliang , Chen Songhua , Zhang Yu , Zhou Lin , Chen Xinyi , Bian Qiao , Chen Bin , Wang Xiaomeng , Jiang Jianmin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractTuberculosis, a severe infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis, arouses huge concerns globally. In this study, a total of 331,594 TB cases in Zhejiang Province were notified during the period of 2009–2018 with the gender ratio of male to female 2.16:1. The notified TB incidences demonstrated a continuously declining trend from 75.38/100,000 to 52.25/100,000. Seasonally, the notified TB cases presented as low in January and February closely followed an apparent rise in March and April. Further stratification analysis by both genders demonstrated the double peak phenomenon in the younger population (“15–35”) and the elders (“>55”) of the whole group. Results from the rate difference (RD) analysis showed that the rising TB incidence mainly presented in the young group of “15–20” and elder group of “65–70”, implying that some implementations such as the increased frequency of checkup in specific student groups and strengthening of elder health examination could be explored and integrated into available health policy. Finally, the SARIMA (2,0,2) (0,1,1)12 was determined as the optimal prediction model, which could be used in the further prediction of TB in Zhejiang Province.
Chemical identification of an aggregation pheromone in the termite Reticulitermes speratus
Authors: Mitaka Yuki , Matsuyama Shigeru , Mizumoto Nobuaki , Matsuura Kenji , Akino Toshiharu 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSocial behaviours in termites are regulated by sophisticated chemical communication systems. The majority of subterranean termites continuously forage for new wood resources to expand their nesting areas; an aggregation pheromone is presumed to regulate this process. However, the chemical components of this pheromone have never been determined. We identified the chemical properties of the aggregation pheromone that signals nestmate presence and induces arrest in the termite Reticulitermes speratus. The results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses and bioassays indicated that R. speratus worker release the pheromone to their nesting site. The pheromone consists of an aromatic compound (2-phenylundecane), cuticular hydrocarbons (pentacosane and heptacosane), fatty acids (palmitic acid and trans-vaccenic acid), and cholesterol; the pheromone induces long-term aggregation at new nesting and feeding sites. Although 2-phenylundecane alone attracted workers, the combination of all six compounds showed greater arrestant activity than 2-phenylundecane alone. This suggests that 2-phenylundecane functions as an attractant, whereas the remaining five components function as arrestants. Our results indicate that foraging worker termites produce a multi-component aggregation pheromone by combining a volatile hydrocarbon and non-volatile lipids with cuticular hydrocarbons. This pheromone enables rapid, long-lasting aggregation of termite workers, which contributes to efficient feeding and colonisation of new wood. Our work furthers the understanding of chemical communication systems underlying social assembly in social insects.
The Impact of Liposomal Irinotecan on the Treatment of Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Real-World Experience in a Taiwanese Cohort
Authors: Su Yung-Yeh , Chiang Nai-Jung , Tsai Hui-Jen , Yen Chia-Jui , Shan Yan‐Shen , Chen Li‐Tzong 
Published: May 2020

AbstractLiposomal irinotecan plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV) has shown to provide survival benefits for patients with gemcitabine-refractory metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in NAPOLI-1 trial, in which Asian patients experienced more hematological toxicity and subsequent dose modification. A retrospective chart review to investigate the administration pattern, therapeutic efficacy and safety profile of nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV in 44 consecutive patients with gemcitabine-refractory advanced PDAC treated between December 2016 and December 2018 in National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Taiwan. Most of them had metastatic diseases (88.6%), one-line of prior treatment (72.7%), ECOG PS 0-1 (72.7%) and starting dose of nal-IRI at 60 mg/m2 (≈52 mg/m2 irinotecan free-base) in 65.9%. The overall response rate was 9.1%. The median OS was 6.6 months for the entire cohort, and 7.8 and 2.7 months for patients of ECOG PS 0-1 and>2, respectively. The median OS of ECOG PS 0-1 patients with nal-IRI starting doses at 80 mg/m2 (≈70 mg/m2 irinotecan free-base, n = 13) and 60 mg/m2 (n = 19) were 7.5 and 8.4 months, respectively. Thirty-four percent of patients experienced manageable grade 3-4 hematological toxicity. Our results confirm the clinical benefit of nal-IRI + 5-FU/LV for patients of gemcitabine-refractory advanced PDAC with good performance status in a real-world setting.
Identification and characterisation of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli subtypes associated with human disease
Authors: Ellis Samuel J. , Crossman Lisa C. , McGrath Conor J. , Chattaway Marie A. , Hölken Johanna M. , Brett Bernard , Bundy Leah , Kay Gemma L. , Wain John , Schüller Stephanie 
Published: May 2020

AbstractEnteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) are a major cause of diarrhoea worldwide. Due to their heterogeneity and carriage in healthy individuals, identification of diagnostic virulence markers for pathogenic strains has been difficult. In this study, we have determined phenotypic and genotypic differences between EAEC strains of sequence types (STs) epidemiologically associated with asymptomatic carriage (ST31) and diarrhoeal disease (ST40). ST40 strains demonstrated significantly enhanced intestinal adherence, biofilm formation, and pro-inflammatory interleukin-8 secretion compared with ST31 isolates. This was independent of whether strains were derived from diarrhoea patients or healthy controls. Whole genome sequencing revealed differences in putative virulence genes encoding aggregative adherence fimbriae, E. coli common pilus, flagellin and EAEC heat-stable enterotoxin 1. Our results indicate that ST40 strains have a higher intrinsic potential of human pathogenesis due to a specific combination of virulence-related factors which promote host cell colonization and inflammation. These findings may contribute to the development of genotypic and/or phenotypic markers for EAEC strains of high virulence.
Invasion of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells by Porphyromonas gingivalis leading to Vacuolar/Cytosolic localization and Autophagy dysfunction In-Vitro
Authors: Arjunan Pachiappan , Swaminathan Radhika , Yuan Jessie , Al-Shabrawey Mohamed , Espinosa-Heidmann Diego G. , Nussbaum Julian , Martin Pamela M. , Cutler Christopher W. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractRecent epidemiological studies link Periodontal disease(PD) to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We documented earlier that Porphyromonas gingivalis(Pg), keystone oral-pathobiont, causative of PD, efficiently invades human gingival epithelial and blood-dendritic cells. Here, we investigated the ability of dysbiotic Pg-strains to invade human-retinal pigment epithelial cells(ARPE-19), their survival, intracellular localization, and the pathological effects, as dysfunction of RPEs leads to AMD. We show that live, but not heat-killed Pg-strains adhere to and invade ARPEs. This involves early adhesion to ARPE cell membrane, internalization and localization of Pg within single-membrane vacuoles or cytosol, with some nuclear localization apparent. No degradation of Pg or localization inside double-membrane autophagosomes was evident, with dividing Pg suggesting a metabolically active state during invasion. We found significant downregulation of autophagy-related genes particularly, autophagosome complex. Antibiotic protection-based recovery assay further confirmed distinct processes of adhesion, invasion and amplification of Pg within ARPE cells. This is the first study to demonstrate invasion of human-RPEs, begin to characterize intracellular localization and survival of Pg within these cells. Collectively, invasion of RPE by Pg and its prolonged survival by autophagy evasion within these cells suggest a strong rationale for studying the link between oral infection and AMD pathogenesis in individuals with periodontitis.
Metabolic and Non-metabolic Roles of Pyruvate Kinase M2 Isoform in Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Rajala Ammaji , Soni Krutik , Rajala Raju V. S. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe main therapeutic goal for diabetic retinopathy (DR) is to prevent vision loss in patients with diabetes mellitus. Identifying the visual complications at a preclinical juncture will offer an early therapeutic window for diagnosis and intervention. Very recently, we found that pyruvate kinase M2 isoform (PKM2) regulates visual function through regulation of a key enzyme, phosphodiesterase 6β (Pde6β), involved in modulating photoreceptor functions. A recent study showed that the activation of PKM2 protects mitochondrial integrity in diabetic nephropathy. In the present study, we examined the role of PKM2 in DR in a mouse model that has both phenotypes of obesity and type II diabetes. In DR, we found decreased expression of PKM2 and Pde6β expression, but not PKM1. Consistent with decreased Pde6β expression, the db/db mice had reduced rod photoreceptor function. We found increased pyruvate kinase activity and a decreased ratio of reduced/oxidized redox in db/db mouse retina compared with control retinas. There was no significant difference in the levels of lactate between db/db and control mouse retina. Our findings suggest that reduced expression of PKM2 with unchanged PKM1 expression might be responsible for higher pyruvate kinase activity in db/db mouse retina. Our studies suggest that PKM2 has a role in DR. The results support that PKM2 may serve as a therapeutic target in the treatment of DR.
Homeostatic maintenance and age-related functional decline in the Drosophila ear
Authors: Keder Alyona , Tardieu Camille , Malong Liza , Filia Anastasia , Kashkenbayeva Assel , Newton Fay , Georgiades Marcos , Gale Jonathan E. , Lovett Michael , Jarman Andrew P. , Albert Joerg T. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAge-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a threat to future human wellbeing. Multiple factors contributing to the terminal auditory decline have been identified; but a unified understanding of ARHL - or the homeostatic maintenance of hearing before its breakdown - is missing. We here present an in-depth analysis of homeostasis and ageing in the antennal ears of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We show that Drosophila, just like humans, display ARHL. By focusing on the phase of dynamic stability prior to the eventual hearing loss we discovered a set of evolutionarily conserved homeostasis genes. The transcription factors Onecut (closest human orthologues: ONECUT2, ONECUT3), Optix (SIX3, SIX6), Worniu (SNAI2) and Amos (ATOH1, ATOH7, ATOH8, NEUROD1) emerged as key regulators, acting upstream of core components of the fly’s molecular machinery for auditory transduction and amplification. Adult-specific manipulation of homeostatic regulators in the fly’s auditory neurons accelerated - or protected against - ARHL.
Myrrh induces the apoptosis and inhibits the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells through down-regulating cyclooxygenase-2 expression
Authors: Sun Mengxue , Hua Jie , Liu Gaoshuang , Huang Peiyun , Liu Ningsheng , He Xiaopu 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Objective: The present study is designed to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of myrrh on human gastric cancer both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The gastric cancer cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 staining. Wound healing was performed to evaluate the effects of myrrh on the migration. COX-2, PCNA, Bcl-2, and Bax expressions were detected by Western blot analysis. A xenograft nude mice model of human gastric cancer was established to evaluate the anti-cancer effect of myrrh in vivo. Results: Myrrh significantly inhibited cellular proliferation, migration, and induced apoptosis in vitro as well as inhibited tumor growth in vivo. In addition, myrrh inhibited the expression of PCNA, COX-2, and Bcl-2 as well as increased Bax expression in gastric cancer cells. Conclusion: Myrrh may inhibit the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells, as well as induced their apoptosis by down-regulating the expression of COX-2.
Prophylaxe der Migräne mit monoklonalen Antikörpern gegen CGRP oder den CGRP-Rezeptor
Authors: Förderreuther Stefanie , Gaul Charly , Giese Florian , Hamann Till , Holle-Lee Dagny , Jürgens Tim P. , Kamm Katharina , Kraya Torsten , Lampl Christian , May Arne , Reuter Uwe , Scheffler Armin , Tfelt-Hansen Peer , Diener Hans-Christoph 
Published: May 2020

ZUSAMMENFASSUNGMonoclonal antibodies against the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor (erenumab) or against CGRP (eptinezumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab) are new substances for the preventive treatment of migraine. They represent an extension of the therapeutic options which already exist in migraine prevention. In registration studies, the efficacy and good tolerability of these specific substances have been demonstrated in patients with episodic and chronic migraine. The following treatment recommendation presents a summary of the pivotal studies. Recommendations are given for the targeted selection of patients as well as for the evaluation of therapeutic success and the duration of treatment. Finally, possible restrictions in the use of this new substance group are discussed.
Impact of Ice Slurry Ingestion During Break-Times on Repeated-Sprint
Exercise in the Heat
Authors: Naito Takashi , Haramura Miki , Muraishi Koji , Yamazaki Misa , Takahashi Hideyuki 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe study aimed to investigate the effects of ice slurry ingestion during break
times and half-time (HT) on repeated-sprint performance and core temperature in
the heat. Seven males performed two different trials as follows: ice slurry
(−1°C) or room temperature water ingestion at each break and HT
break at 36.5°C, 50% relative humidity. Participants performed
30 sets of 1-min periods of repeated- sprint exercises protocol using a cycling
ergometer. Each period consisted of 5 sec of maximal pedaling, 25 sec of
pedaling with no workload, and 30 sec of rest; two sets of exercise periods were
separated by 10 min of rest. Each break was implemented for 1 min after every 5
sets. The rectal temperature in ice slurry ingestion was significantly lower
than that of the room temperature water at 45 set (p=0.04). Total and
mean work done was greater in ice slurry ingestion compared to room temperature
water ingestion (p < 0.05). These results suggested that ice slurry
ingestion during break times and HT break may be an effective cooling strategy
to attenuate the rise of core temperature in the second half of exercise and
improve the repeated-sprint exercise capacity in the heat.
Age-related Changes in Motor Function (I). Mechanical and
Neuromuscular Factors
Authors: Wu Rui , De Vito Giuseppe , Delahunt Eamonn , Ditroilo Massimiliano 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis two-part narrative review aims to provide an insight into the age-related
mechanical and neuromuscular factors contributing to: (1) decreased maximal
muscle strength and power; (2) decreased force control; and (3) increased
fatigability. Structural and functional changes from the macro-level of the
muscle-tendon unit to the micro-level of the single muscle fibre have been
reviewed and are described. At the muscle-tendon unit level, muscle volume,
thickness and cross-sectional area, as well as pennation angle and fascicle
length all decrease as part of the natural ageing process. These changes
negatively affect muscle quality, muscle and tendon stiffness and
Young’s modulus and account for impairment in motor performance. A
progressive age-related alteration in neuromuscular function is also
well-established, with reduction in number and firing rate of the motor unit,
contractile velocity and specific tension of muscle fibres, and stability of
neuromuscular junction. These could be the result of structural alterations in
the: (i) motor neuron, with number reduced, size and collateral sprouting
increased; (ii) neuromuscular junction, with decreased post-synaptic junctional
fold and density of active zones and increased pre-synaptic branching and
post-synaptic area; and (iii) muscle fibre, with decreased number and size and
increased type I and co-expression of myosin heavy chain.
Successful Management of Recurrent Subacute Thyroiditis by Adding Colchicine to Glucocorticoid Treatment: A Case Series Study
Authors: Tian Zhenhua , Su Yu , Zhang Meijie , Zhang Xiujuan , Guan Qingbo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAlthough subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is thought to be a self-limited inflammatory
thyroid disease, the recurrence rate of SAT is approximately
10–20%. It is difficult for these patients to stop
glucocorticoid treatment, and they are usually bothered with recurrent pain and
the side effects of glucocorticoids for more than several months. We describe
three cases who were diagnosed with recurrent subacute thyroiditis after a
reduction in prednisolone (PSL) dose, either immediately upon the cessation of
PSL or shortly thereafter. Their symptoms, including the adverse effects of PSL,
severely impacted their quality of life. After a complete assessment, we
administered colchicine at 1 mg per day for 1–2 months to control the
recurrence of SAT and monitored their routine blood parameters every two weeks.
All 3 patients were successfully tapered off of PSL treatment and were free of
frequently recurrent SAT. Colchicine may be therapeutic in patients with
prednisolone-refractory, recurrent SAT. However, a large-scale, double-blind,
controlled, prospective multicenter study is required to provide a solid body of
evidence.
Trifluoperazine an Antipsychotic Drug and Inhibitor of Mitochondrial
Permeability Transition Protects Cytarabine and Ifosfamide-Induced
Neurotoxicity
Authors: Kiani Amir , Nik Shadi Heydari , Khodadoost Adineh , Salimi Ahmad , Pourahmad Jalal 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe link between Ca2+ dysregulation, mitochondria damages,
oxidative stress and cellular derangement is particularly evident in
neurotoxicity induced by chemotherapeutic agents. In the current study, we
investigated effects of trifluoperazine (TFP) as an inhibitor of calmodulin
against the cytotoxicity induced by cytarabine (Ara-C) and Ifosfamide (IFOS) on
isolated rat neurons and also the mechanisms involved in this toxicity. Isolated
rat neurons were pretreated with TFP (100 µM) for 5 min
at 37°C, then Ara-C (226 µM) and IFOS
(290 µM) were added in separate experiments. After 3 h,
the cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), lysosomal membrane
destabilization, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), lipid peroxidation
(LP), glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) levels were measured.
Ara-C and IFOS treatments caused a significant decrease in cellular viability,
which was accompanied by ROS generation, GSSG/GSH ratio, lipid
peroxidation and lysosomal and mitochondrial damages. On the other hand, TFP
(100 µM) pre-treatment attenuated Ara-C and IFOS -induced
decrease in cell viability. In addition, TFP (100 µM)
pre-treatment significantly protected against Ara-C and IFOS -induced increase
in ROS generation, lysosomal and mitochondrial damages, lipid peroxidation
levels and decrease in GSH/GSSG ratio. Our data provided insights into
the mechanism of protection by TFP against Ara-C and IFOS neurotoxicity, which
is related, to neuronal ROS formation and mitochondrial damages.
Effects of Short Term Metformin Treatment on Brown Adipose Tissue Activity and Plasma Irisin Levels in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Oliveira Flávia R. , Mamede Marcelo , Bizzi Mariana F. , Rocha Ana Luiza L. , Ferreira Cláudia N. , Gomes Karina B. , Cândido Ana L. , Reis Fernando M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic dysfunction associated with obesity and metabolic disorders that can be ameliorated by treatment with metformin. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has been recently identified in adult humans, and irisin is a myokine that induces BAT formation. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate whether a short term treatment with metformin alters BAT activity and plasma irisin levels in women with PCOS. The participants were randomly assigned to receive metformin (1500 mg/day, n=21) or placebo (n=24) during 60 days. BAT activity was assessed by 18F-FDG positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and plasma irisin levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The groups were similar in age, body measures, metabolic profile and PCOS phenotypes. BAT activity did not change significantly in the women treated with metformin (median Δ SUVmax=–0.06 g/ml, interquartile interval –2.81 to 0.24 g/ml, p=0.484, Wilcoxon’s test) or placebo (median Δ SUVmax=0.98 g/ml, interquartile interval –2.94 to 4.60 g/ml, p=0.386). In addition, plasma irisin levels remained unchanged in the groups treated with metformin (median Δ=–98 ng/ml, interquartile interval –366 to 60 ng/ml, p=0.310) and placebo (median Δ=28 ng/ml, interquartile interval –1260 to 215 ng/ml, p=0.650). These results suggest that in PCOS women BAT activity and plasma irisin levels may not change after a brief treatment with metformin.