bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stability and anti-proliferative properties of biologically active compounds extracted from Cistus L. after sterilization treatments
Authors: Ammendola Mario , Haponska Monika , Balik Karolina , Modrakowska Paulina , Matulewicz Karolina , Kazmierski Lukasz , Lis Aleksandra , Kozlowska Justyna , Garcia-Valls Ricard , Giamberini Marta , Bajek Anna , Tylkowski Bartosz 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe growing interest of oncologists in natural compounds such as polyphenols and flavonoids is encouraging the development of innovative and efficient carriers for the delivery of those drugs. This study examines carboxymethyl chitosan-based microcapsules created by spray drying as a method for delivering biologically active compounds isolated from the Cistus herb. Effects of sterilization and encapsulation on the polyphenol and flavonoid content of Cistus extract were investigated to optimize the production process. Furthermore, in vitro studies were carried out to examine the anticancer properties of sterilized polyphenols and flavonoids on glioblastoma cells isolated from oncological patients. Acquired results show high anticancer potential towards glioblastoma as well as low cytotoxicity towards non-cancer cell lines by the substances in question. Steam sterilization is shown to affect the content of biologically active compounds the least. We demonstrate that the investigated form of drug encapsulation is both efficient and potentially possible to scale up from the viewpoint of the pharmaceutical industry.
The first Q-Tube based high-pressure synthesis of anti-cancer active thiazolo[4,5-c]pyridazines via the [4 + 2] cyclocondensation of 3-oxo-2-arylhydrazonopropanals with 4-thiazolidinones
Authors: Ibrahim Hamada Mohamed , Behbehani Haider 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA novel and efficient protocol for the synthesis of thiazolo[4,5-c]pyridazine derivatives was developed. The approach utilizes a high pressure Q-Tube reactor to promote cyclocondensation reactions between 3-oxo-2-arylhydrazonopropanals and 4-thiazolidinones. The process has a significantly high atom economy and a broad substrate scope, as well as being applicable to gram scale syntheses. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of the synthesized thiazolo[4,5-c]pyridazine derivatives were examined utilizing a MTT colorimetric assay with doxorubicin as a reference anti-cancer drug and three human cancer cell lines including HCT-116 (colon), MCF-7 (breast) and A549 (lung). The results show that thiazolopyridazines 7c, h, k and p have high cytotoxic activity against the MCF-7 cell line with respective IC50 values of 14.34, 10.39, 15.43 and 13.60 μM. Moreover, the thiazolopyridazine derivative 7s also show promising cytotoxic activity against the HCT-116 cell line with IC50 = 6.90 μM . Observations made in this effort serve as a basis for further investigations into the design and preparation of new anti-cancer drugs.
Genome wide association study of 40 clinical measurements in eight dog breeds
Authors: Momozawa Yukihide , Merveille Anne-Christine , Battaille Géraldine , Wiberg Maria , Koch Jørgen , Willesen Jakob Lundgren , Proschowsky Helle Friis , Gouni Vassiliki , Chetboul Valérie , Tiret Laurent , Fredholm Merete , Seppälä Eija H. , Lohi Hannes , Georges Michel , Lequarré Anne-Sophie 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe domestic dog represents an ideal model for identifying susceptibility genes, many of which are shared with humans. In this study, we investigated the genetic contribution to individual differences in 40 clinically important measurements by a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in a multinational cohort of 472 healthy dogs from eight breeds. Meta-analysis using the binary effects model after breed-specific GWAS, identified 13 genome-wide significant associations, three of them showed experimental-wide significant associations. We detected a signal at chromosome 13 for the serum concentration of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in which we detected four breed-specific signals. A large proportion of the variance of ALT (18.1–47.7%) was explained by this locus. Similarly, a single SNP was also responsible for a large proportion of the variance (6.8–78.4%) for other measurements such as fructosamine, stress during physical exam, glucose, and morphometric measurements. The genetic contribution of single variant was much larger than in humans. These findings illustrate the importance of performing meta-analysis after breed-specific GWAS to reveal the genetic contribution to individual differences in clinically important measurements, which would lead to improvement of veterinary medicine.
Variations in cag pathogenicity island genes of Helicobacter pylori from Latin American groups may influence neoplastic progression to gastric cancer
Authors: Rizzato Cosmeri , Torres Javier , Obazee Ofure , Camorlinga-Ponce Margarita , Trujillo Esperanza , Stein Angelika , Mendez-Tenorio Alfonso , Bravo Maria Mercedes , Canzian Federico , Kato Ikuko 
Published: April 2020

AbstractHelicobacter pylori (HP) colonizes the human stomach and induces acute gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, atrophic gastritis, and gastric adenocarcinoma. Increased virulence in HP isolates derives from harboring the cag (cytotoxin-associated genes) pathogenicity island (cagPAI). We analyzed the microvariants in cagPAI genes with the hypothesis that they may play an important role in determining HP virulence. We tested DNAs from cagA positive patients HP isolates; a total of 74 patients with chronic gastritis (CG, N = 37), intestinal metaplasia (IM, N = 21) or gastric cancer (GC, N = 16) from Mexico and Colombia. We selected 520 non-synonymous variants with at least 7.5% frequency in the original sequence outputs or with a minimum of 5 isolates with minor allele. After adjustment for multiple comparisons, no variants were statistically significantly associated with IM or GC. However, 19 non-synonymous showed conventional P-values < 0.05 comparing the frequency of the alleles between the isolates from subjects with gastritis and isolates from subjects with IM or GC; 12 of these showed a significant correlation with the severity of the disease. The present study revealed that several cagPAI genes from Latin American Western HP strains contains a number of non-synonymous variants in relatively high frequencies which could influence on the clinical outcome. However, none of the associations remained statistically significant after adjustment for multiple comparison.
Warm afterglow from the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event drives the success of deep-adapted brachiopods
Authors: Ullmann C. V. , Boyle R. , Duarte L. V. , Hesselbo S. P. , Kasemann S. A. , Klein T. , Lenton T. M. , Piazza  V. , Aberhan M. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMany aspects of the supposed hyperthermal Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE, Early Jurassic, c. 182 Ma) are well understood but a lack of robust palaeotemperature data severely limits reconstruction of the processes that drove the T-OAE and associated environmental and biotic changes. New oxygen isotope data from calcite shells of the benthic fauna suggest that bottom water temperatures in the western Tethys were elevated by c. 3.5 °C through the entire T-OAE. Modelling supports the idea that widespread marine anoxia was induced by a greenhouse-driven weathering pulse, and is compatible with the OAE duration being extended by limitation of the global silicate weathering flux. In the western Tethys Ocean, the later part of the T-OAE is characterized by abundant occurrences of the brachiopod Soaresirhynchia, which exhibits characteristics of slow-growing, deep sea brachiopods. The unlikely success of Soaresirhynchia in a hyperthermal event is attributed here to low metabolic rate, which put it at an advantage over other species from shallow epicontinental environments with higher metabolic demand.
In-vitro analysis of free radical scavenging activities and suppression of LPS-induced ROS production in macrophage cells by Solanum sisymbriifolium extracts
Authors: More Garland K. , Makola Raymond T. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe current study aims to evaluate the antioxidant, cytotoxicity activities and suppression of LPS-induced oxidative stress production and characterization of phytochemicals in Solanum sisymbriifolium leaf extracts. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity of the leaves of S. sisymbriifolium extracted with solvents of various polarities viz. water: ethanol, ratio 50: 50; ethyl acetate and dichloromethane, was assessed. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was determined using the [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay on RAW 264.7 macrophage (Murine) cells and real-time cell analysis (RTCA) xCELLigence system was used for determining cell viability. Cell-based detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was investigated utilizing a 2′,7′-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCF-DA) assay. The DPPH and ABTS scavenging activity results of extracts revealed a dose-dependent response with significantly lower activity in both DPPH and ABTS. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity was then evaluated and extracts displayed a high SOD enzyme activity with 90–50% activity. Cytotoxicity results revealed that S. sisymbriifolium extracts were not toxic to RAW 264.7 macrophage cells at the tested concentrations. All three extracts decreased the production of ROS in macrophage cells. Phytochemical analysis using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated the presence of metabolite functional groups which may be responsible for the antioxidant activity. The current study indicates that S. sisymbriifolium contains phytochemicals that scavenge free radicals, with less toxicity, and suppresses the LPS-induced ROS production in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.
Enhancing Brain Retention of a KIF11 Inhibitor Significantly Improves its Efficacy in a Mouse Model of Glioblastoma
Authors: Gampa Gautham , Kenchappa Rajappa S. , Mohammad Afroz S. , Parrish Karen E. , Kim Minjee , Crish James F. , Luu Amanda , West Rita , Hinojosa Alfredo Quinones , Sarkaria Jann N. , Rosenfeld Steven S. , Elmquist William F. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractGlioblastoma, the most lethal primary brain cancer, is extremely proliferative and invasive. Tumor cells at tumor/brain-interface often exist behind a functionally intact blood-brain barrier (BBB), and so are shielded from exposure to therapeutic drug concentrations. An ideal glioblastoma treatment needs to engage targets that drive proliferation as well as invasion, with brain penetrant therapies. One such target is the mitotic kinesin KIF11, which can be inhibited with ispinesib, a potent molecularly-targeted drug. Although, achieving durable brain exposures of ispinesib is critical for adequate tumor cell engagement during mitosis, when tumor cells are vulnerable, for efficacy. Our results demonstrate that the delivery of ispinesib is restricted by P-gp and Bcrp efflux at BBB. Thereby, ispinesib distribution is heterogeneous with concentrations substantially lower in invasive tumor rim (intact BBB) compared to glioblastoma core (disrupted BBB). We further find that elacridar—a P-gp and Bcrp inhibitor—improves brain accumulation of ispinesib, resulting in remarkably reduced tumor growth and extended survival in a rodent model of glioblastoma. Such observations show the benefits and feasibility of pairing a potentially ideal treatment with a compound that improves its brain accumulation, and supports use of this strategy in clinical exploration of cell cycle-targeting therapies in brain cancers.
Versatile Single-Element Ultrasound Imaging Platform using a Water-Proofed MEMS Scanner for Animals and Humans
Authors: Choi Seongwook , Kim Jin Young , Lim Hae Gyun , Baik Jin Woo , Kim Hyung Ham , Kim Chulhong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractSingle-element transducer based ultrasound (US) imaging offers a compact and affordable solution for high-frequency preclinical and clinical imaging because of its low cost, low complexity, and high spatial resolution compared to array-based US imaging. To achieve B-mode imaging, conventional approaches adapt mechanical linear or sector scanning methods. However, due to its low scanning speed, mechanical linear scanning cannot achieve acceptable temporal resolution for real-time imaging, and the sector scanning method requires specialized low-load transducers that are small and lightweight. Here, we present a novel single-element US imaging system based on an acoustic mirror scanning method. Instead of physically moving the US transducer, the acoustic path is quickly steered by a water-proofed microelectromechanical (MEMS) scanner, achieving real-time imaging. Taking advantage of the low-cost and compact MEMS scanner, we implemented both a tabletop system for in vivo small animal imaging and a handheld system for in vivo human imaging. Notably, in combination with mechanical raster scanning, we could acquire the volumetric US images in live animals. This versatile US imaging system can be potentially used for various preclinical and clinical applications, including echocardiography, ophthalmic imaging, and ultrasound-guided catheterization.
Exploring dynamic protein-protein interactions in cassava through the integrative interactome network
Authors: Thanasomboon Ratana , Kalapanulak Saowalak , Netrphan Supatcharee , Saithong Treenut 
Published: April 2020

AbstractProtein-protein interactions (PPIs) play an essential role in cellular regulatory processes. Despite, in-depth studies to uncover the mystery of PPI-mediated regulations are still lacking. Here, an integrative interactome network (MePPI-Ux) was obtained by incorporating expression data into the improved genome-scale interactome network of cassava (MePPI-U). The MePPI-U, constructed by both interolog- and domain-based approaches, contained 3,638,916 interactions and 24,590 proteins (59% of proteins in the cassava AM560 genome version 6). After incorporating expression data as information of state, the MePPI-U rewired to represent condition-dependent PPIs (MePPI-Ux), enabling us to envisage dynamic PPIs (DPINs) that occur at specific conditions. The MePPI-Ux was exploited to demonstrate timely PPIs of cassava under various conditions, namely drought stress, brown streak virus (CBSV) infection, and starch biosynthesis in leaf/root tissues. MePPI-Uxdrought and MePPI-UxCBSV suggested involved PPIs in response to stress. MePPI-UxSB,leaf and MePPI-UxSB,root suggested the involvement of interactions among transcription factor proteins in modulating how leaf or root starch is synthesized. These findings deepened our knowledge of the regulatory roles of PPIs in cassava and would undeniably assist targeted breeding efforts to improve starch quality and quantity.
Soil bacterial community structure of mixed bamboo and broad-leaved forest based on tree crown width ratio
Authors: Zhang Mei-man , Fan Shao-hui , Guan Feng-ying , Yan Xin-rong , Yin Zi-xu 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMoso bamboo (Phyllostachysheterocycla (Carr.) Mitford cv. Pubescens) is an economically valuable plant in bamboo production areas of southern China, for which the management mode is crucial for improving the comprehensive benefits of bamboo forest stands. In this respect, mixed forested areas of bamboo and broad-leaved tree species can provide sound ecological management of bamboo in forestry operations. To further this goal, an outstanding question is to better understand the spatial distribution of soil bacterial communities in relation to the proportion of mixed in bamboo and broad-leaved forest. We analyzed soil bacterial community diversity and composition along a proportional gradient of 0–40% mixed-ratio (as represented by the width and size of the broad-leaved tree crown over the plot area) of bamboo and broad-leaved forest in Tianbao Yan Nature Reserve using the highthroughputsequencing of the 16S rRNA gene.Specifically, the sampling plots for the mixed proportions were divided according to the percentage of summed projected area of live broadleaf tree crowns. The main broad-leaved species in the five mixed ratio plots are the same. Each plot was 20 m × 20 m in size, and a total of 15 plots were established, three per forest ratio class. From each plot, soil samples were taken at the surface (0–10 cm depth) in December 2017. Our analysis revealed that soil bacterial diversity community structure and dominant flora changed under different mixing ratios of bamboo and broad-leaved trees. In the stand with a mixed ratio of 10–20%, the bacterial diversity index is higher; however, the diversity was lowest in the 20–30% stands. Among the 20–30% forest soil, Acidobacteria (Solibacteria, Solibacteriales, Acidobacteriales) was more abundant than in soils from other mixed-ratio stands.Redundancy analysis showed that mixed forest stand structure, soil pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, and soil moisture all contributed to shaping the bacterial community structure. Changes in microbial communities were associated with species diversity in tree layers, availability of soil nutrients (SOC and TN), and changes in soil physical properties (MS, pH). Together, these empirical results suggest that different mixing ratios in the bamboo–broad-leaved mixed forest could influence the soil bacterial community structure indirectly, specifically by affecting the soil physical and chemical properties of the forest.
Development of a Nanoparticle-based Lateral Flow Strip Biosensor for Visual Detection of Whole Nervous Necrosis Virus Particles
Authors: Toubanaki Dimitra K. , Margaroni Maritsa , Prapas Athanasios , Karagouni Evdokia 
Published: April 2020

AbstractEffective analysis of pathogens causing human and veterinary diseases demands rapid, specific and sensitive detection methods which can be applied in research laboratory setups and in field for routine diagnosis. Paper lateral flow biosensors (LFBs) have been established as attractive tools for such analytical applications. In the present study a prototype LFB was designed for whole particles (virions) detection of nodavirus or fish nervous necrosis virus. Nodavirus is an important threat in the aquaculture industry, causing severe economic losses and environmental problems. The LFB was based on polyclonal antibodies conjugated on gold nanoparticles for signal visualization. Brain and retinas from fish samples were homogenized, centrifuged and the supernatant was directly applied on the LFB. Formation of a red test line was indicative of nodavirus virions presence. Nodavirus visual detection was completed in short time (30 min). Key factors of the LFB development influencing the assays’ detection limit were characterized and the optimum parameters were determined, enabling increased efficiency, excluding non-specific interactions. Therefore, the proposed LFB assay consists a robust, simple, low cost and accurate method for detection of nodavirus virions in fish samples. The proposed biosensor is ideal for development of a commercial kit to be used on aquaculture facilities by fish farmers. It is anticipated that disease monitoring and environmental safety will benefit from the simplification of time consuming and costly procedures.
Hepatocyte-specific deletion of Pparα promotes NAFLD in the context of obesity
Authors: Régnier Marion , Polizzi Arnaud , Smati Sarra , Lukowicz Céline , Fougerat Anne , Lippi Yannick , Fouché Edwin , Lasserre Frédéric , Naylies Claire , Bétoulières Colette , Barquissau Valentin , Mouisel Etienne , Bertrand-Michel Justine , Batut Aurélie , Saati Talal Al , Canlet Cécile , Tremblay-Franco Marie , Ellero-Simatos Sandrine , Langin Dominique , Postic Catherine , Wahli Walter , Loiseau Nicolas , Guillou Hervé , Montagner Alexandra 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPeroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPARα) acts as a fatty acid sensor to orchestrate the transcription of genes coding for rate-limiting enzymes required for lipid oxidation in hepatocytes. Mice only lackingPparαin hepatocytes spontaneously develop steatosis without obesity in aging. Steatosis can develop into non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which may progress to irreversible damage, such as fibrosis and hepatocarcinoma. While NASH appears as a major public health concern worldwide, it remains an unmet medical need. In the current study, we investigated the role of hepatocyte PPARα in a preclinical model of steatosis. For this, we used High Fat Diet (HFD) feeding as a model of obesity in C57BL/6 J male Wild-Type mice (WT), in whole-bodyPparα-deficient mice (Pparα−/−) and in mice lackingPparαonly in hepatocytes (Pparαhep−/−). We provide evidence thatPparαdeletion in hepatocytes promotes NAFLD and liver inflammation in mice fed a HFD. This enhanced NAFLD susceptibility occurs without development of glucose intolerance. Moreover, our data reveal that non-hepatocytic PPARα activity predominantly contributes to the metabolic response to HFD. Taken together, our data support hepatocyte PPARα as being essential to the prevention of NAFLD and that extra-hepatocyte PPARα activity contributes to whole-body lipid homeostasis.
Peripapillary microvascular changes in patients with systemic hypertension: An optical coherence tomography angiography study
Authors: Shin Yong-Il , Nam Ki-Yup , Lee Woo-Hyuk , Ryu Cheon-Kuk , Lim Hyung-Bin , Jo Young-Joon , Kim Jung-Yeul 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate changes in peripapillary microvasculature using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in systemic hypertension (HTN) patients. This was a cross-sectional study. Based on the duration of HTN, seventy-eight HTN patients were divided into two groups. (HTN group 1: <10 years, 38 eyes; HTN group 2: ≥10 years, 40 eyes) and 90 control subjects. All subjects underwent 6 × 6 mm OCTA scan centered on the optic nerve head. We analyzed peripapillary vessel density (VD) and perfusion density (PD) in superficial capillary plexus among three groups. The average ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses of HTN group 2 were thinner than those of the control group (p = 0.016, and 0.035, respectively). HTN group 2 showed lower peripapillary VD and PD than the control group. However, there were no differences between HTN group 1 and the control group in OCT and peripapillary OCTA parameters. In HTN patients, the peripapillary VD, PD and GC-IPL, RNFL thicknesses correlated significantly. OCTA showed that the peripapillary VD and PD were lower in HTN patients with a duration ≥10 years compared with those of normal controls. Peripapillary microvasculature was correlated with the RNFL and GC-IPL thicknesses. HTN duration should therefore be considered when evaluating peripapillary microvasculature using OCTA.