bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Opioid antagonists are associated with a reduction in the symptoms of schizophrenia: a meta-analysis of controlled trials
Authors: Clark Samuel D. , Van Snellenberg Jared X. , Lawson Jacqueline M. , Abi-Dargham Anissa 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCurrent treatments for the symptoms of schizophrenia are only effective for positive symptoms in some individuals, and have considerable side effects that impact compliance. Thus, there is a need to investigate the efficacy of other compounds in treating both positive and negative symptoms. We conducted a meta-analysis of English language placebo-controlled clinical trials of naloxone, naltrexone, nalmefene, and buprenorphine in patients with schizophrenia to determine whether opioid antagonists have therapeutic efficacy on positive, negative, total, or general symptoms. We searched online databases Ovid Medline and PsychINFO, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane library/CENTRAL, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from 1970 through February 2019. Following PRISMA guidelines, Hedges g was calculated for each study. Primary study outcomes were the within-subject change on any symptom assessment scale for positive, negative, total, or general symptoms of schizophrenia between active drug and placebo conditions. Thirty studies were included with 434 total patients. We found a significant effect of all drugs on all scales combined with both a standard random effects model: (g = 0.26; P = 0.02; k = 22; CI = 0.03–0.49) and a more inclusive bootstrap model: (g = 0.26; P = 0.0002; k = 30; CI = 0.11–0.51) and a significant effect on total scales with the bootstrap model (g = 0.25288; P = 0.015; k = 19; CI = 0.04–0.35). We also observed a significant effect of all drugs on all positive scales combined with both the random effects (g = 0.33; P = 0.015; k = 17; CI = 0.07–0.60) and bootstrap models (g = 0.32; P < 0.0001; k = 21; CI = 0.13–1.38). This evidence provides support for further testing in randomized clinical trials of a new class of non-D2-receptor drugs, based on opioid mechanisms, for the treatment of positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Competitive traits of coral symbionts may alter the structure and function of the microbiome
Authors: McIlroy Shelby E , Wong Jane C Y , Baker David M 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
In the face of global warming and unprecedented coral bleaching, a new avenue of research is focused on relatively rare algal symbionts and their ability to confer thermal tolerance to their host by association. Yet, thermal tolerance is just one of many physiological attributes inherent to the diversity of symbiodinians, a result of millions of years of competition and niche partitioning. Here, we revealed that competition among cocultured symbiodinians alters nutrient assimilation and compound production with species-specific responses. For Cladocopium goreaui, a species ubiquitous within stable coral associations, temperature stress increased sensitivity to competition eliciting a shift toward investment in cell replication, i.e., putative niche exploitation. Meanwhile, competition led Durusdinium trenchii, a thermally tolerant “background” symbiodinian, to divert resources from immediate growth to storage. As such, competition may be driving the dominance of C. goreaui outside of temperature stress, the destabilization of symbioses under thermal stress, the repopulation of coral tissues by D. trenchii following bleaching, and ultimately undermine the efficacy of symbiont turnover as an adaptive mechanism.
Mitochondria in skin health, aging, and disease
Authors: Sreedhar Annapoorna , Aguilera-Aguirre Leopoldo , Singh Keshav K. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe skin is a high turnover organ, and its constant renewal depends on the rapid proliferation of its progenitor cells. The energy requirement for these metabolically active cells is met by mitochondrial respiration, an ATP generating process driven by a series of protein complexes collectively known as the electron transport chain (ETC) that is located on the inner membrane of the mitochondria. However, reactive oxygen species (ROS) like superoxide, singlet oxygen, peroxides are inevitably produced during respiration and disrupt macromolecular and cellular structures if not quenched by the antioxidant system. The oxidative damage caused by mitochondrial ROS production has been established as the molecular basis of multiple pathophysiological conditions, including aging and cancer. Not surprisingly, the mitochondria are the primary organelle affected during chronological and UV-induced skin aging, the phenotypic manifestations of which are the direct consequence of mitochondrial dysfunction. Also, deletions and other aberrations in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are frequent in photo-aged skin and skin cancer lesions. Recent studies have revealed a more innate role of the mitochondria in maintaining skin homeostasis and pigmentation, which are affected when the essential mitochondrial functions are impaired. Some common and rare skin disorders have a mitochondrial involvement and include dermal manifestations of primary mitochondrial diseases as well as congenital skin diseases caused by damaged mitochondria. With studies increasingly supporting the close association between mitochondria and skin health, its therapeutic targeting in the skin—either via an ATP production boost or free radical scavenging—has gained attention from clinicians and aestheticians alike. Numerous bioactive compounds have been identified that improve mitochondrial functions and have proved effective against aged and diseased skin. In this review, we discuss the essential role of mitochondria in regulating normal and abnormal skin physiology and the possibility of targeting this organelle in various skin disorders.
Evolution of multiple sex-chromosomes associated with dynamic genome reshuffling in Leptidea wood-white butterflies
Authors: Yoshido Atsuo , Šíchová Jindra , Pospíšilová Kristýna , Nguyen Petr , Voleníková Anna , Šafář Jan , Provazník Jan , Vila Roger , Marec František 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSex-chromosome systems tend to be highly conserved and knowledge about their evolution typically comes from macroevolutionary inference. Rapidly evolving complex sex-chromosome systems represent a rare opportunity to study the mechanisms of sex-chromosome evolution at unprecedented resolution. Three cryptic species of wood-white butterflies—Leptidea juvernica, L. sinapis and L. reali—have each a unique set of multiple sex-chromosomes with 3–4 W and 3–4 Z chromosomes. Using a transcriptome-based microarray for comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) and a library of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones, both developed in L. juvernica, we identified Z-linked Leptidea orthologs of Bombyx mori genes and mapped them by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) with BAC probes on multiple Z chromosomes. In all three species, we determined synteny blocks of autosomal origin and reconstructed the evolution of multiple sex-chromosomes. In addition, we identified W homologues of Z-linked orthologs and characterised their molecular differentiation. Our results suggest that the multiple sex-chromosome system evolved in a common ancestor as a result of dynamic genome reshuffling through repeated rearrangements between the sex chromosomes and autosomes, including translocations, fusions and fissions. Thus, the initial formation of neo-sex chromosomes could not have played a role in reproductive isolation between these Leptidea species. However, the subsequent species-specific fissions of several neo-sex chromosomes could have contributed to their reproductive isolation. Then, significantly increased numbers of Z-linked genes and independent neo-W chromosome degeneration could accelerate the accumulation of genetic incompatibilities between populations and promote their divergence resulting in speciation.
Photoluminescence of compact GeSi quantum dot groups with increased probability of finding an electron in Ge
Authors: Zinovieva A. F. , Zinovyev V. A. , Nenashev A. V. , Teys S. A. , Dvurechenskii A. V. , Borodavchenko O. M. , Zhivulko V. D. , Mudryi A. V. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe photoluminescence (PL) of the combined Ge/Si structures representing a combination of large (200–250 nm) GeSi disk-like quantum dots (nanodisks) and four-layered stacks of compact groups of smaller (30 nm) quantum dots grown in the strain field of nanodisks was studied. The multiple increase in the PL intensity was achieved by the variation of parameters of vertically aligned quantum dot groups. The experimental results were analyzed on the basis of calculations of energy spectra, electron and hole wave functions. It was found that the quantum dot arrangement in compact groups provides the effective electron localization in Δx,y-valleys with an almost equal probability of finding an electron in the Si spacer and Ge barrier. As a result, the main channels of radiative recombination in the structures under study correspond to spatially direct optical transitions.
Cell jamming, stratification and p63 expression in cultivated human corneal epithelial cell sheets
Authors: Baba Koichi , Sasaki Kei , Morita Mio , Tanaka Tomoyo , Teranishi Yosuke , Ogasawara Takahiro , Oie Yoshinori , Kusumi Izumi , Inoie Masukazu , Hata Ken-ichiro , Quantock Andrew J. , Kino-oka Masahiro , Nishida Kohji 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCorneal limbal epithelial stem cell transplantation using cultivated human corneal epithelial cell sheets has been used successfully to treat limbal stem cell deficiencies. Here we report an investigation into the quality of cultivated human corneal epithelial cell sheets using time-lapse imaging of the cell culture process every 20 minutes over 14 days to ascertain the level of cell jamming, a phenomenon in which cells become smaller, more rounded and less actively expansive. In parallel, we also assessed the expression of p63, an important corneal epithelial stem cell marker. The occurrence of cell jamming was variable and transient, but was invariably associated with a thickening and stratification of the cell sheet. p63 was present in all expanding cell sheets in the first 9 days of culture, but it’s presence did not always correlate with stratification of the cell sheet. Nor did p63 expression necessarily persist in stratified cell sheets. An assessment of cell jamming, therefore, can shed significant light on the quality and regenerative potential of cultivated human corneal epithelial cell sheets.
The endocast of the Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) reveals insights into its sensory ecology and the evolution of nocturnality in birds
Authors: Iwaniuk Andrew N. , Keirnan Aubrey R. , Janetzki Heather , Mardon Karine , Murphy Stephen , Leseberg Nicholas P. , Weisbecker Vera 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) is a rare, nocturnal parrot species that has largely escaped scientific investigation due to its behaviour and habitat preferences. Recent field studies have revealed some insights into Night Parrot behaviour, but nothing is known of its sensory abilities. Here, we used μCT scans of an intact Night Parrot specimen to determine if its visual system shares similarities with other nocturnal species. The endocast of the Night Parrot revealed relatively small optic lobes and optic foramina, especially compared with closely related grass parakeets, but no apparent differences in orbit dimensions. Our data suggests that the Night Parrot likely has lower visual acuity than most other parrots, including its congener, the Eastern Ground Parrot (P. wallicus). We propose that the visual system of the Night Parrot might represent a compromise between the need to see under low light conditions and the visual acuity required to detect predators, forage, and fly. Based on the endocast and optic foramen measurements, the Night Parrot fits into a common pattern of decreased retinal input to the optic lobes in birds that should be explored more thoroughly in extant and extinct species.
A Hybrid {Silk@Zirconium MOF} Material as Highly Efficient AsIII-sponge
Authors: Georgiou Yiannis , Rapti Sofia , Mavrogiorgou Alexandra , Armatas Gerasimos , Manos Manolis J. , Louloudi Maria , Deligiannakis Yiannis 
Published: June 2020

AbstractExposure of humans to Arsenic from groundwater drinking sources is an acute global public health problem, entailing the urgent need for highly efficient/low-cost Arsenite (AsIII) up-taking materials. Herein we present an innovative hybrid-material, ZrMOF@SFd operating like an “AsIII-sponge” with unprecedented efficiency of 1800 mg AsIII gr−1. ZrMOF@SFd consists of a neutral Zirconium Metal-Organic Framework [ZrMOF] covalently grafted on a natural silk-fiber (SFd). ZrMOF itself exhibits AsIII adsorption of 2200 mg gr−1, which supersedes any -so far- known AsΙΙΙ-sorbent. Using XPS, FTIR, BET-porosimetry data, together with theoretical Surface-Complexation-Modeling (SCM), we show that the high-AsΙΙΙ-uptake is due to a sequence of two phenomena:[i] at low AsIII-concentrations, surface-complexation of H3AsO3 results in AsIII-coated voids of ZrMOF, [ii] at increased AsIII-concentrations, the AsIII-coated voids of ZrMOF are filled-up by H3AsO3via a partitioning-like mechanism. In a more general context, the present research exemplifies a mind-changing concept, i.e. that a “partitioning-like” mechanism can be operating for adsorption of metalloids, such as H3AsO3, by metal oxide materials. So far, such a mechanism has been conceptualized only for the uptake of non-polar organics by natural organic matter or synthetic polymers.
Combining Physiological and Neuroimaging Measures to Predict Affect Processing Induced by Affectively Valent Image Stimuli
Authors: Wilson Kayla A. , James G. Andrew , Kilts Clint D. , Bush Keith A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe importance of affect processing to human behavior has long driven researchers to pursue its measurement. In this study, we compared the relative fidelity of measurements of neural activation and physiology (i.e., heart rate change) in detecting affective valence induction across a broad continuum of conveyed affective valence. We combined intra-subject neural activation based multivariate predictions of affective valence with measures of heart rate (HR) deceleration to predict predefined normative affect rating scores for stimuli drawn from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) in a population (n = 50) of healthy adults. In sum, we found that patterns of neural activation and HR deceleration significantly, and uniquely, explain the variance in normative valent scores associated with IAPS stimuli; however, we also found that patterns of neural activation explain a significantly greater proportion of that variance. These traits persisted across a range of stimulus sets, differing by the polar-extremity of their positively and negatively valent subsets, which represent the positively and negatively valent polar-extremity of stimulus sets reported in the literature. Overall, these findings support the acquisition of heart rate deceleration concurrently with fMRI to provide convergent validation of induced affect processing in the dimension of affective valence.
The trimer to monomer transition of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha is a dynamic process that is significantly altered by therapeutic antibodies
Authors: Daub Herwin , Traxler Lukas , Ismajli Fjolla , Groitl Bastian , Itzen Aymelt , Rant Ulrich 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) readily forms homotrimers at sub-nM concentrations to promote inflammation. For the treatment of inflammatory diseases with upregulated levels of TNF-α, a number of therapeutic antibodies are currently used as scavengers to reduce the active TNF-α concentration in patients. Despite their clinical success, the mode-of-action of different antibody formats with regard to a stabilization of the trimeric state is not entirely understood. Here, we use a biosensor with dynamic nanolevers to analyze the monomeric and trimeric states of TNF-α together with the binding kinetics of therapeutic biologics. The intrinsic trimer-to-monomer decay rate k = 1.7 × 10−3 s−1 could be measured directly using a microfluidic system, and antibody binding affinities were analyzed in the pM range. Trimer stabilization effects are quantified for Adalimumab, Infliximab, Etanercept, Certolizumab, Golimumab for bivalent and monovalent binding formats. Clear differences in trimer stabilization are observed, which may provide a deeper insight into the mode-of-action of TNF-α scavengers.
Shotgun sequencing of honey DNA can describe honey bee derived environmental signatures and the honey bee hologenome complexity
Authors: Bovo Samuele , Utzeri Valerio Joe , Ribani Anisa , Cabbri Riccardo , Fontanesi Luca 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHoney bees are large-scale monitoring tools due to their extensive environmental exploration. In their activities and from the hive ecosystem complex, they get in close contact with many organisms whose traces can be transferred into the honey, which can represent an interesting reservoir of environmental DNA (eDNA) signatures and information useful to analyse the honey bee hologenome complexity. In this study, we tested a deep shotgun sequencing approach of honey DNA coupled with a specifically adapted bioinformatic pipeline. This methodology was applied to a few honey samples pointing out DNA sequences from 191 organisms spanning different kingdoms or phyla (viruses, bacteria, plants, fungi, protozoans, arthropods, mammals). Bacteria included the largest number of species. These multi-kingdom signatures listed common hive and honey bee gut microorganisms, honey bee pathogens, parasites and pests, which resembled a complex interplay that might provide a general picture of the honey bee pathosphere. Based on the Apis mellifera filamentous virus genome diversity (the most abundant detected DNA source) we obtained information that could define the origin of the honey at the apiary level. Mining Apis mellifera sequences made it possible to identify the honey bee subspecies both at the mitochondrial and nuclear genome levels.
Interactions of Multiple Biological Fields in Stored Grain Ecosystems
Authors: Wu Z. D. , Zhang Q. , Yin J. , Wang X. M. , Zhang Z. J. , Wu W. F. , Li F. J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBiological entities such as fungi in stored grain evolve and interact with the environment in similar fashions as physical fields. An experiment was conducted to study the behavior of the biological field of fungi in stored grain, as well as the interactions between the biological field of fungi and the physical fields of temperature and moisture. A framework of the biological field is presented to describe biological systems in which multiple biological entities co-exist and interact among themselves and with the surrounding environment. The proposed biological field describes the spatio-temporal distribution of a biological entity and its ability of influencing (or being influenced by) the surrounding biotic and abiotic entities through exchange of energy, matter, and/or information. The strength of a biological field of fungi was quantified as the rate of energy conversion by fungi from grain starch to heat. The experimental data showed that the strength of biological field of fungi in stored grain varied in both space and time, with the maximum field strength of 120–133 W m−3 occurred at the location where the biological field of fungi interacted strongly with the temperature and moisture fields.
Catalyst-Free One-Pot Synthesis of Densely Substituted Pyrazole-Pyrazines as Anti-Colorectal Cancer Agents
Authors: Xu Jia , Tan Hong-Bo , Zhang Ya-Jun , Tang Dian-Yong , Zhan Fenghuang , Li Hong-yu , Chen Zhong-Zhu , Xu Zhi-Gang 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe first catalyst-free post-Ugi cascade methodology was developed for expeditious access to structurally diverse and complex pyrazole-pyrazines in one-pot. This novel cascade reaction features an intramolecular N2-arylation of pyrazoles with allenes at the C-β position of triple bond. Screening in the colorectal cancer cell lines HCT116 and SW620 validated the feasibility of the methodology for generating bioactive compounds. The lead compound 7h which is active against HCT116 and SW620 with IC50 of 1.3 and 1.8 µM, respectively, can be synthesized and purified in a gram process synthetic scale in 7 hours. The mechanical studies indicated that compound 7h can induce cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and inhibit proliferation and viability in human colon cancer cells. Overall, compound 7h is represented as a promising starting point for the development of new anti-colorectal cancer drugs.
Continuous association of total bile acid levels with the risk of small for gestational age infants
Authors: Li Li , Chen Wei , Ma Li , Liu Zhi Bing , Lu Xue , Gao Xing Xing , Liu Yan , Wang Hua , Zhao Mei , Li Xiao Lan , Cong Lin , Xu De Xiang , Chen Yuan Hua 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe association between maternal serum total bile acid (TBA) levels and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants is unclear. We investigated the association between various degrees of serum TBA levels and the risk of SGA infants in a Chinese population. The current study performed a cohort study among 11811 mothers with singleton pregnancy. Subjects were divided into seven categories according to maternal serum TBA levels. Interestingly, birth sizes were reduced, whereas the rate of SGA infants was increased across increasing categories of serum TBA. Compared to category 1, adjusted ORs (95%CI) for SGA infants were 0.99 (0.82–1.21) in category 2, 1.22 (0.97–1.53) in category 3, 1.99 (1.53–2.58) in category 4, 2.91 (2.16–3.93) in category 5, 4.29 (3.33–5.54) in category 6, and 9.01 (5.99–13.53) in category 7, respectively. Furthermore, adjusted ORs (95%CI) for SGA infants for each 1-SD increase in serum TBA levels were 1.36 (1.29–1.43) among all subjects, 2.40 (1.82–3.45) among subjects without cholestasis, and 1.13 (1.06–1.22) among subjects with cholestasis, respectively. These results suggest that gestational cholestasis increases the risk of SGA infants. Additionally, our results indicate strong, continuous associations of serum TBA levels below those diagnostic of cholestasis with a decreased birth sizes and an increased risk of SGA infants.
Structural Insight of the Full-Length Ros Protein: A Prototype of the Prokaryotic Zinc-Finger Family
Authors: D’Abrosca Gianluca , Paladino Antonella , Baglivo Ilaria , Russo Luigi , Sassano Marica , Grazioso Rinaldo , Iacovino Rosa , Pirone Luciano , Pedone Emilia Maria , Pedone Paolo Vincenzo , Isernia Carla , Fattorusso Roberto , Malgieri Gaetano 
Published: June 2020

AbstractRos/MucR is a widespread family of bacterial zinc-finger (ZF) containing proteins that integrate multiple functions such as virulence, symbiosis and/or cell cycle transcription. NMR solution structure of Ros DNA-binding domain (region 56–142, i.e. Ros87) has been solved by our group and shows that the prokaryotic ZF domain shows interesting structural and functional features that differentiate it from its eukaryotic counterpart as it folds in a significantly larger zinc-binding globular domain. We have recently proposed a novel functional model for this family of proteins suggesting that they may act as H-NS-‘like’ gene silencers. Indeed, the N-terminal region of this family of proteins appears to be responsible for the formation of functional oligomers. No structural characterization of the Ros N-terminal domain (region 1–55) is available to date, mainly because of serious solubility problems of the full-length protein. Here we report the first structural characterization of the N-terminal domain of the prokaryotic ZF family examining by means of MD and NMR the structural preferences of the full-length Ros protein from Agrobacterium tumefaciens.