bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The interaction between ferroptosis and lipid metabolism in cancer
Authors: Li Dingshan , Li Yongsheng 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFerroptosis is a new form of programmed cell death characterized by the accumulation of iron-dependent lethal lipid peroxides. Recent discoveries have focused on alterations that occur in lipid metabolism during ferroptosis and have provided intriguing insights into the interplay between ferroptosis and lipid metabolism in cancer. Their interaction regulates the initiation, development, metastasis, therapy resistance of cancer, as well as the tumor immunity, which offers several potential strategies for cancer treatment. This review is a brief overview of the features characterizing the interaction between ferroptosis and lipid metabolism, and highlights the significance of this interaction in cancer.
A novel 4-aminoquinazoline derivative, DHW-208, suppresses the growth of human breast cancer cells by targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: Wang Shu , Zhang Yingshi , Ren Tianshu , Wu Qiong , Lu Hongyuan , Qin Xiaochun , Liu Yuyan , Ding Huaiwei , Zhao Qingchun 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBreast cancer is one of the most frequent cancers among women worldwide. However, there is still no effective therapeutic strategy for advanced breast cancer that has metastasized. Aberrant activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is an essential step for the growth of human breast cancers. In our previous study, we designed and synthesized DHW-208 (2,4-difluoro-N-(5-(4-((1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)amino)quinazolin-6-yl)-2-methoxypyridin-3-yl)benzenesulfonamide) as a novel pan-PI3K inhibitor. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of DHW-208 in breast cancer and investigate its underlying mechanism. We found that DHW-208 inhibited the growth, proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer cells. Moreover, DHW-208 induced breast cancer cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway and induced G0/G1 cell-cycle arrest. In vitro results show that DHW-208 is a dual inhibitor of PI3K and mTOR, and suppress the growth of human breast cancer cells by targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Consistent with the in vitro results, in vivo studies demonstrated that DHW-208 elicits an antitumor effect by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR-signaling pathway with a high degree of safety in breast cancer. Above all, we report for the first time that DHW-208 suppressed the growth of human breast cancer cells by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR-signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro. Our study may provide evidence for the use of DHW-208 as an effective, novel therapeutic candidate for the treatment of human breast cancers in clinical trials.
HSPG2 overexpression independently predicts poor survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Zhou Xiaojia , Liang Simin , Zhan Qian , Yang Li , Chi Jianxiang , Wang Li 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHeparan sulfate proteoglycan 2 (HSPG2), also known as perlecan, is a large multi-domain extracellular matrix proteoglycan, which contributes to the invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis of solid tumor. However, very little is known about the effect of HSPG2 on acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study aims to investigate the prognostic value of the HSPG2 gene in terms of overall survival and leukemia-free survival in patients with AML. Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) from 4 AML patients and 3 healthy controls were processed for RNA-Sequencing (RNA-seq). The mRNA expression level of HSPG2 in BMMCs and CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) obtained from enrolled participants and human leukemic cell lines was detected by RT-qPCR. Then the correlations between the expression of HSPG2 and a variety of important clinical parameters, such as median white blood cell (WBC) count and bone marrow (BM) blasts, were further analyzed. The expression level of HSPG2 was significantly upregulated in AML patients at the time of diagnosis, downregulated after complete remission and then elevated again at relapse. Moreover, HSPG2 expression was associated with median WBC count (P < 0.001), median hemoglobin (P = 0.02), median platelet count (P = 0.001), and BM blasts (P < 0.001) in AML patients. Patients with high HSPG2 expression had both worse overall survival (OS) (P = 0.001) and poorer leukemia-free survival (LFS) (P = 0.047). In the multivariate analysis model, HSPG2 was identified as an independent prognostic biomarker of AML. Taken together, these results indicate that HSPG2 overexpression was associated with poor prognosis in AML patients, and may be a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target of AML.
Deep learning image segmentation and extraction of blueberry fruit traits associated with harvestability and yield
Authors: Ni Xueping , Li Changying , Jiang Huanyu , Takeda Fumiomi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFruit traits such as cluster compactness, fruit maturity, and berry number per clusters are important to blueberry breeders and producers for making informed decisions about genotype selection related to yield traits and harvestability as well as for plant management. The goal of this study was to develop a data processing pipeline to count berries, to measure maturity, and to evaluate compactness (cluster tightness) automatically using a deep learning image segmentation method for four southern highbush blueberry cultivars (‘Emerald’, ‘Farthing’, ‘Meadowlark’, and ‘Star’). An iterative annotation strategy was developed to label images that reduced the annotation time. A Mask R-CNN model was trained and tested to detect and segment individual blueberries with respect to maturity. The mean average precision for the validation and test dataset was 78.3% and 71.6% under 0.5 intersection over union (IOU) threshold, and the corresponding mask accuracy was 90.6% and 90.4%, respectively. Linear regression of the detected berry number and the ground truth showed anR2value of 0.886 with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.484. Analysis of the traits collected from the four cultivars indicated that ‘Star’ had the fewest berries per clusters, ‘Farthing’ had the least mature fruit in mid-April, ‘Farthing’ had the most compact clusters, and ‘Meadowlark’ had the loosest clusters. The deep learning image segmentation technique developed in this study is efficient for detecting and segmenting blueberry fruit, for extracting traits of interests related to machine harvestability, and for monitoring blueberry fruit development.
MdWRKY11 improves copper tolerance by directly promoting the expression of the copper transporter gene MdHMA5
Authors: Shi Kun , Liu Xuan , Zhu Yunpeng , Bai Yixue , Shan Dongqian , Zheng Xiaodong , Wang Lin , Zhang Haixia , Wang Chanyu , Yan Tianci , Zhou Fangfang , Hu Zehui , Sun Yanzhao , Guo Yan , Kong Jin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractOveruse of fungicides and fertilizers has resulted in copper (Cu) contamination of soils and toxic levels of Cu in apple fruits. To breed Cu-resistant apple (Malus domestica) cultivars, the underlying molecular mechanisms and key genes involved in Cu resistance must be identified. Here, we show that MdWRKY11 increases Cu tolerance by directly promoting the transcription of MdHMA5. MdHMA5 is a Cu transporter that may function in the storage of excess Cu in root cell walls and stems for Cu tolerance in apple. The transcription factor MdWRKY11 is highly induced by excess Cu. MdWRKY11 overexpression in transgenic apple enhanced Cu tolerance and decreased Cu accumulation. Apple calli transformed with an MdWRKY11-RNAi construct exhibited the opposite phenotype. Both an in vivo chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and an in vitro electrophoretic mobility shift assay indicated that MdWRKY11 binds to the promoter of MdHMA5. Furthermore, MdWRKY11 promoted MdHMA5 expression in transgenic apple plants, as revealed by quantitative PCR. Moreover, inhibition of MdWRKY11 expression by RNA interference led to a significant decrease in MdHMA5 transcription. Thus, MdWRKY11 directly regulates MdHMA5 transcription. Our work resulted in the identification of a novel MdWRKY11-MdHMA5 pathway that mediates Cu resistance in apple.
High-density genetic map construction and identification of loci controlling flower-type traits in Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium Ramat.)
Authors: Song Xuebin , Xu Yuhui , Gao Kang , Fan Guangxun , Zhang Fan , Deng Chengyan , Dai Silan , Huang He , Xin Huaigen , Li Yingying 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFlower type is an important and extremely complicated trait of chrysanthemum. The corolla tube merged degree (CTMD) and the relative number of ray florets (RNRF) are the two key factors affecting chrysanthemum flower type. However, few reports have clarified the inheritance of these two complex traits, which limits directed breeding for flower-type improvement. In this study, 305 F1hybrids were obtained from two parents with obvious differences in CTMD and RNRF performance. Using specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) technology, we constructed a high-density genetic linkage map with an average map distance of 0.76 cM. Three major QTLs controlling CTMD and four major QTLs underlying RNRF were repeatedly detected in the 2 years. Moreover, the synteny between the genetic map and other Compositae species was investigated, and weak collinearity was observed. In QTL regions with a high degree of genomic collinearity, eight annotated genes were probed in theHelianthus annuusL. andLactuca sativaL. var. ramosa Hort. genomes. Furthermore, 20 and 11 unigenes were identified via BLAST searches between the SNP markers of the QTL regions and theC. vestitumandC. lavandulifoliumtranscriptomes, respectively. These results lay a foundation for molecular marker-assisted breeding and candidate gene exploration in chrysanthemum without a reference assembly.
Cholangiocarcinoma 2020: the next horizon in mechanisms and management
Authors: Banales Jesus M. , Marin Jose J. G. , Lamarca Angela , Rodrigues Pedro M. , Khan Shahid A. , Roberts Lewis R. , Cardinale Vincenzo , Carpino Guido , Andersen Jesper B. , Braconi Chiara , Calvisi Diego F. , Perugorria Maria J. , Fabris Luca , Boulter Luke , Macias Rocio I. R. , Gaudio Eugenio , Alvaro Domenico , Gradilone Sergio A. , Strazzabosco Mario , Marzioni Marco , Coulouarn Cédric , Fouassier Laura , Raggi Chiara , Invernizzi Pietro , Mertens Joachim C. , Moncsek Anja , Ilyas Sumera I. , Heimbach Julie , Koerkamp Bas Groot , Bruix Jordi , Forner Alejandro , Bridgewater John , Valle Juan W. , Gores Gregory J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCholangiocarcinoma (CCA) includes a cluster of highly heterogeneous biliary malignant tumours that can arise at any point of the biliary tree. Their incidence is increasing globally, currently accounting for ~15% of all primary liver cancers and ~3% of gastrointestinal malignancies. The silent presentation of these tumours combined with their highly aggressive nature and refractoriness to chemotherapy contribute to their alarming mortality, representing ~2% of all cancer-related deaths worldwide yearly. The current diagnosis of CCA by non-invasive approaches is not accurate enough, and histological confirmation is necessary. Furthermore, the high heterogeneity of CCAs at the genomic, epigenetic and molecular levels severely compromises the efficacy of the available therapies. In the past decade, increasing efforts have been made to understand the complexity of these tumours and to develop new diagnostic tools and therapies that might help to improve patient outcomes. In this expert Consensus Statement, which is endorsed by the European Network for the Study of Cholangiocarcinoma, we aim to summarize and critically discuss the latest advances in CCA, mostly focusing on classification, cells of origin, genetic and epigenetic abnormalities, molecular alterations, biomarker discovery and treatments. Furthermore, the horizon of CCA for the next decade from 2020 onwards is highlighted.
A novel predicted model for hypertension based on a large cross-sectional study
Authors: Ren Zhigang , Rao Benchen , Xie Siqi , Li Ang , Wang Lijun , Cui Guangying , Li Tiantian , Yan Hang , Yu Zujiang , Ding Suying 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHypertension is a global public health issue and leading risk for death and disability. It is urgent to search novel methods predicting hypertension. Herein, we chose 73158 samples of physical examiners in central China from June 2008 to June 2018. After strict exclusion processes, 33570 participants with hypertension and 35410 healthy controls were included. We randomly chose 70% samples as the train set and the remaining 30% as the test set. Clinical parameters including age, gender, height, weight, body mass index, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, and creatinine were significantly increased, while high-density lipoprotein was decreased in the hypertension group versus controls. Nine optimal markers were identified by a logistic regression model, and achieved AUC value of 76.52% in the train set and 75.81% in the test set for hypertension. In conclusions, this study is the first to establish predicted models for hypertension using the logistic regression model in Central China, which provide risk factors and novel prediction method to predict and prevent hypertension.
A novel Borrelia species, intermediate between Lyme disease and relapsing fever groups, in neotropical passerine-associated ticks
Authors: Binetruy Florian , Garnier Stéphane , Boulanger Nathalie , Talagrand-Reboul Émilie , Loire Etienne , Faivre Bruno , Noël Valérie , Buysse Marie , Duron Olivier 
Published: June 2020

AbstractLyme disease (LD) and relapsing fevers (RF) are vector-borne diseases caused by bacteria of the Borrelia genus. Here, we report on the widespread infection by a non-described Borrelia species in passerine-associated ticks in tropical rainforests of French Guiana, South America. This novel Borrelia species is common in two tick species, Amblyomma longirostre and A. geayi, which feed on a broad variety of neotropical mammal and bird species, including migratory species moving to North America. The novel Borrelia species is divergent from the LD and RF species, and is more closely related to the reptile- and echidna-associated Borrelia group that was recently described. Genome sequencing showed that this novel Borrelia sp. has a relatively small genome consisting of a 0.9-Mb-large chromosome and an additional 0.3 Mb dispersed on plasmids. It harbors an RF-like genomic organization but with a unique mixture of LD- and RF-specific genes, including genes used by RF Borrelia for the multiphasic antigen-switching system and a number of immune-reactive protein genes used for the diagnosis of LD. Overall, our data indicate that this novel Borrelia is an intermediate taxon between the LD and RF species that may impact a large host spectrum, including American mammals. The designation “Candidatus Borrelia mahuryensis” is proposed for this species.
A Salt Tolerance Evaluation Method for Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) at the Seed Germination Stage
Authors: Li Wenhui , Zhang Huizhen , Zeng Youling , Xiang Lijun , Lei Zhonghua , Huang Qixiu , Li Tianye , Shen Fei , Cheng Quan 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSalinity is a major abiotic stress that affects plant growth and development and leads to crop yield loss. Many crop species are more sensitive to salinity stress at the seed germination stage than at other developmental stages. Some studies have shown that sunflower is tolerant to salinity to a certain degree. However, no systematic screening data for sunflower germplasms are available for salinity stress. In this study, 552 sunflower germplasms with different genetic backgrounds were evaluated for salt tolerance. Among them, 30 and 53 sunflower germplasms were identified as highly salt-tolerant and salt-tolerant germplasms, respectively, while 80 and 23 were grouped as salt-sensitive and highly salt-sensitive materials, respectively. Of all the traits tested, the germination index and the germination vigor index were the two most reliable traits, showing the highest correlation with salt tolerance during the seed germination stage of sunflower. Thus, a highly efficient and reliable method for evaluating salinity tolerance of sunflower seed germination was established. These results provided a good foundation for studying salt-tolerance mechanisms and breeding highly salt-tolerant sunflower cultivars.
Genome-wide high-throughput screening of interactive bacterial metabolite in the algal population using Escherichia coli K-12 Keio collection
Authors: Heo Jina , Cho Kichul , Kim Urim , Cho Dae-Hyun , Ko Sora , Tran Quynh-Giao , Lee Yong Jae , Ryu Choong-Min , Kim Hee-Sik 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAlgae-bacteria interaction is one of the main factors underlying the formation of harmful algal blooms (HABs). The aim of this study was to develop a genome-wide high-throughput screening method to identify HAB-influenced specific interactive bacterial metabolites using a comprehensive collection of gene-disrupted E. coli K-12 mutants (Keio collection). The screening revealed that a total of 80 gene knockout mutants in E. coli K-12 resulted in an approximately 1.5-fold increase in algal growth relative to that in wild-type E. coli. Five bacterial genes (lpxL, lpxM, kdsC, kdsD, gmhB) involved in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (or lipooligosaccharide, LOS) biosynthesis were identified from the screen. Relatively lower levels of LPS were detected in these bacteria compared to that in the wild-type. Moreover, the concentration-dependent decrease in microalgal growth after synthetic LPS supplementation indicated that LPS inhibits algal growth. LPS supplementation increased the 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescence, as well as the levels of lipid peroxidation-mediated malondialdehyde formation, in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that oxidative stress can result from LPS supplementation. Furthermore, supplementation with LPS also remarkably reduced the growth of diverse bloom-forming dinoflagellates and green algae. Our findings indicate that the Keio collection-based high-throughput in vitro screening is an effective approach for the identification of interactive bacterial metabolites and related genes.
Advent of extreme events in predator populations
Authors: Chaurasia Sudhanshu Shekhar , Verma Umesh Kumar , Sinha Sudeshna 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe study the dynamics of a ring of patches with vegetation–prey–predator populations, coupled through interactions of the Lotka–Volterra type. We find that the system yields aperiodic, recurrent and rare explosive bursts of predator density in a few isolated spatial patches from time to time. Further, the global predator biomass also exhibits sudden uncorrelated occurrences of large deviations from the mean as the coupled system evolves. The maximum value of the predator population in a patch, as well as the maximum value of the predator biomass, increases with coupling strength. These trends are further corroborated by fits to Generalized Extreme Value distributions, where the location and scale factor of the distribution increases markedly with coupling strength, indicating the crucial role of coupling interactions in the generation of extreme events. These results indicate how occurrences of extremely large predator populations can emerge in coupled population dynamics, and in a more general context they suggest a generic class of deterministic nonlinear systems that can naturally exhibit extreme events
Role of endothelial microvesicles released by p-cresol on endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Guerrero Fatima , Carmona Andres , Obrero Teresa , Jiménez Maria Jose , Soriano Sagrario , Moreno Juan Antonio , Martín-Malo Alejandro , Aljama Pedro 
Published: June 2020

AbstractProtein bound uremic toxins, such as p-cresol, cannot be effectively removed by conventional dialysis techniques and are accumulated in plasma, thus contributing to progression of both chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Pathological effects of uremic toxins include activation of inflammatory response, endothelial dysfunction and release of endothelial microvesicles. To date, the role of p-cresol in endothelial microvesicles formation has not been analyzed. The aim of the present study was evaluate the effects of endothelial microvesicles released by p-cresol (PcEMV) on endothelial dysfunction. An in vitro model of endothelial damage mediated by p-cresol was proposed to evaluate the functional effect of PcEMV on the endothelial repair process carried out by endothelial cells and microRNA (miRNA) that could be involved in this process. We observed that p-cresol induced a greater release of microvesicles in endothelial cells. These microvesicles altered regenerative capacity of endothelial cells, decreasing their capacity for cell migration and their potential to form vascular structures in vitro. Moreover, we observed increased cellular senescence and a deregulation of miRNA-146b-5p and miRNA-223-3p expression in endothelial cells treated with endothelial microvesicles released by p-cresol. In summary our data show that microvesicles generated in endothelial cells treated with p-cresol (PcEMV) interfere with the endothelial repair process by decreasing the migratory capacity, the ability to form new vessels and increasing the senescence of mature endothelial cells. These alterations could be mediated by the upregulation of miRNA-146b-5p and miRNA-223-3p.
Uncovering transport, deposition and impact of radionuclides released after the early spring 2020 wildfires in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
Authors: Evangeliou Nikolaos , Eckhardt Sabine 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn the beginning of April 2020, large fires that started in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) established after the Chernobyl accident in 1986 caused media and public concerns about the health impact from the resuspended radioactivity. In this paper, the emissions of previously deposited radionuclides from these fires are assessed and their dispersion and impact on the population is examined relying on the most recent data on radioactive contamination and emission factors combined with satellite observations. About 341 GBq of 137Cs, 51 GBq of 90Sr, 2 GBq of 238Pu, 33 MBq of 239Pu, 66 MBq of 240Pu and 504 MBq of 241Am were released in 1st–22nd April 2020 or about 1,000,000,000 times lower than the original accident in 1986 and mostly distributed in Central and East Europe. The large size of biomass burning particles carrying radionuclides prevents long-range transport as confirmed by concentrations reported in Europe. The highest cumulative effective doses (> 15 μSv) were calculated for firefighters and the population living in the CEZ, while doses were much lower in Kiev (2–5 μSv) and negligible in Belarus, Russia and Europe. All doses are radiologically insignificant and no health impact on the European population is expected from the April 2020 fires.