bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Premature termination codon readthrough in Drosophila varies in a developmental and tissue-specific manner
Authors: Chen Yanan , Sun Tianhui , Bi Zhuo , Ni Jian-Quan , Pastor-Pareja Jose C. , Javid Babak 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDespite their essential function in terminating translation, readthrough of stop codons occurs more frequently than previously supposed. However, little is known about the regulation of stop codon readthrough by anatomical site and over the life cycle of animals. Here, we developed a set of reporters to measure readthrough in Drosophila melanogaster. A focused RNAi screen in whole animals identified upf1 as a mediator of readthrough, suggesting that the stop codons in the reporters were recognized as premature termination codons (PTCs). We found readthrough rates of PTCs varied significantly throughout the life cycle of flies, being highest in older adult flies. Furthermore, readthrough rates varied dramatically by tissue and, intriguingly, were highest in fly brains, specifically neurons and not glia. This was not due to differences in reporter abundance or nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) surveillance between these tissues. Readthrough rates also varied within neurons, with cholinergic neurons having highest readthrough compared with lowest readthrough rates in dopaminergic neurons. Overall, our data reveal temporal and spatial variation of PTC-mediated readthrough in animals, and suggest that readthrough may be a potential rescue mechanism for PTC-harboring transcripts when the NMD surveillance pathway is inhibited.
Assessing the Big Five personality traits using real-life static facial images
Authors: Kachur Alexander , Osin Evgeny , Davydov Denis , Shutilov Konstantin , Novokshonov Alexey 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThere is ample evidence that morphological and social cues in a human face provide signals of human personality and behaviour. Previous studies have discovered associations between the features of artificial composite facial images and attributions of personality traits by human experts. We present new findings demonstrating the statistically significant prediction of a wider set of personality features (all the Big Five personality traits) for both men and women using real-life static facial images. Volunteer participants (N = 12,447) provided their face photographs (31,367 images) and completed a self-report measure of the Big Five traits. We trained a cascade of artificial neural networks (ANNs) on a large labelled dataset to predict self-reported Big Five scores. The highest correlations between observed and predicted personality scores were found for conscientiousness (0.360 for men and 0.335 for women) and the mean effect size was 0.243, exceeding the results obtained in prior studies using ‘selfies’. The findings strongly support the possibility of predicting multidimensional personality profiles from static facial images using ANNs trained on large labelled datasets. Future research could investigate the relative contribution of morphological features of the face and other characteristics of facial images to predicting personality.
Enhanced skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity after acute resistance-type exercise is upregulated by rapamycin-sensitive mTOR complex 1 inhibition
Authors: Kido Kohei , Sase Kohei , Yokokawa Takumi , Fujita Satoshi 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAcute aerobic exercise (AE) increases skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity for several hours, caused by acute activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Acute resistance exercise (RE) also activates AMPK, possibly improving insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. However, RE-induced rapamycin-sensitive mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activation is higher and has a longer duration than after AE. In molecular studies, mTORC1 was shown to be upstream of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) Ser phosphorylation residue, inducing insulin resistance. Therefore, we hypothesised that although RE increases insulin sensitivity through AMPK activation, prolonged mTORC1 activation after RE reduces RE-induced insulin sensitising effect. In this study, we used an electrical stimulation–induced RE model in rats, with rapamycin as an inhibitor of mTORC1 activation. Our results showed that RE increased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake following AMPK signal activation. However, mTORC1 activation and IRS-1 Ser632/635 and Ser612 phosphorylation were elevated 6 h after RE, with concomitant impairment of insulin-stimulated Akt signal activation. By contrast, rapamycin inhibited these prior exercise responses. Furthermore, increases in insulin-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose uptake 6 h after RE were higher in rats with rapamycin treatment than with placebo treatment. Our data suggest that mTORC1/IRS-1 signaling inhibition enhances skeletal muscle insulin-sensitising effect of RE.
Mediterranean precipitation isoscape preserved in bone collagen δ2H
Authors: Reynard Linda M. , Ryan Saskia E. , Guirguis Michele , Contreras-Martínez Miguel , Pompianu Elisa , Ramis Damià , van Dommelen Peter , Tuross Noreen 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe prehistory of the Mediterranean region has long been a subject of considerable interest, particularly the links between human groups and regions of origin. We utilize the spatial variation in the δ2H and δ18O values of precipitation (isoscapes) to develop proxies for geographic locations of fauna and humans. Bone collagen hydrogen isotope ratios (δ2H) in cattle (and to a lesser extent, ovicaprids) across the Mediterranean reflect the isotopic differences observed in rainfall (but δ18O values do not). We conclude that δ2H in herbivore bone collagen can be used as a geolocation tracer and for palaeoenvironmental studies such as tracing past isotopic variations in the global hydrological cycle. In contrast, human bone δ2H values are relatively tightly grouped and highly distinct from precipitation δ2H values, likely due to human-specific food practices and environmental modifications. Given the inter-species variability in δ2H, care should be taken in the species selected for study.
Bactericidal activity and recovery effect of hydroxyl radicals generated by ultraviolet irradiation and silver ion application on an infected titanium surface
Authors: Tenkumo Taichi , Ishiyama Kirika , Prymak Oleg , Nakamura Keisuke , Shirato Midori , Ogawa Toru , Miyashita Makiko , Takahashi Masatoshi , Epple Matthias , Kanno Taro , Sasaki Keiichi 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis study investigated the bactericidal effect, the underlying mechanisms of treatment, and recovery of biocompatibility of the infected titanium surface using a combination treatment of silver ion application and ultraviolet-A (UV-A) light irradiation. Streptococcus mutans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans were used in suspension and as a biofilm on a titanium surface to test for the bactericidal effect. The bactericidal effect of the combination treatment was significantly higher than that of silver ion application or UV-A light irradiation alone. The bactericidal effect of the combination treatment was attributable to hydroxyl radicals, which generated from the bacterial cell wall and whose yield increased with the silver concentration. To assess the biocompatibility, proliferation and calcification of MC3T3E1 cells were evaluated on the treated titanium surface. The treated titanium screws were implanted into rat tibias and the removal torques were measured 28 days post-surgery. The titanium surface that underwent the combination treatment exhibited recovery of biocompatibility by allowing cellular proliferation or calcification at levels observed in the non-infected titanium surfaces. The removal torque 28 days after surgery was also comparable to the control values. This approach is a novel treatment option for peri-implantitis.
Vaccine adjuvant activity of a TLR4-activating synthetic glycolipid by promoting autophagy
Authors: Chou Yi-Ju , Lin Ching-Cheng , Dzhagalov Ivan , Chen Nien-Jung , Lin Chao-Hsiung , Lin Chun-Cheng , Chen Szu-Ting , Chen Kuo-Hsin , Fu Shu-Ling 
Published: May 2020

AbstractToll-like receptors (TLRs) play crucial roles in host immune defenses. Recently, TLR-mediated autophagy is reported to promote immune responses via increasing antigen processing and presentation in antigen presenting cells. The present study examined whether the synthetic TLR4 activator (CCL-34) could induce autophagy to promote innate and adaptive immunity. In addition, the potential of CCL-34 as an immune adjuvant in vivo was also investigated. Our data using RAW264.7 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages showed that CCL-34 induced autophagy through a TLR4-NF-κB pathway. The autophagy-related molecules (Nrf2, p62 and Beclin 1) were activated in RAW264.7 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages under CCL-34 treatment. CCL-34-stimulated macrophages exhibited significant antigen-processing activity and induced the proliferation of antigen-specific CD4+T cells as well as the production of activated T cell-related cytokines, IL-2 and IFN-γ. Furthermore, CCL-34 immunization in mice induced infiltration of monocytes in the peritoneal cavity and elevation of antigen-specific IgG in the serum. CCL-34 treatment in vivo did not cause toxicity based on serum biochemical profiles. Notably, the antigen-specific responses induced by CCL-34 were attenuated by the autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine. In summary, we demonstrated CCL-34 can induce autophagy to promote antigen-specific immune responses and act as an efficient adjuvant.
KLOTHO polymorphisms and age-related outcomes in community-dwelling older subjects: The São Paulo Ageing & Health (SPAH) Study
Authors: Pereira Rosa Maria R. , Freitas Thiago Quadrante , Franco André Silva , Takayama Liliam , Caparbo Valeria F. , Domiciano Diogo S. , Machado Luana G. , Figueiredo Camille P. , Menezes Paulo R. , Onuchic Luiz Fernando , de Castro Isac 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDefective KLOTHO gene expression in mice led to a syndrome resembling human ageing. This study evaluated three KLOTHO polymorphisms, namely G395A, C1818T, and C370S, in an elderly population (mean age of 73 years) and their associations with ageing-related outcomes (cardiovascular events, kidney function, osteoporosis, sarcopenia) and mortality. Estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) was lower in subjects with 1818TT (P = 0.047) and 370SS (P = 0.046) genotypes. The 1818TT genotype (P = 0.006) and 1818T allele were associated with higher frequency of myocardial infarction (MI) (CC:1.7% vs. CT + TT:7.0%; P = 0.002). The 370SS genotype was associated with lower stroke frequency (P = 0.001). MI (OR 3.35 [95% CI: 1.29–8.74]) and stroke (OR 3.64 [95% CI: 1.48–8.97]) were associated with mortality. Regarding MI, logistic regression showed 1818T allele was a risk factor for death-related MI (OR 4.29 [95% CI: 1.60–11.52]; P = 0.003), while 370C was protective (OR 0.03 [95% CI: 0.01–0.08]; P < 0.001). Regarding stroke, the 395A and 370C alleles were protective factors (respectively: OR 0.28 [95% CI: 0.20–0.80]; P = 0.018; OR 0.10 [95% CI: 0.05–0.18]; P < 0.001). This is the first study to determine potential associations between common ageing-related outcomes/mortality and KLOTHO polymorphisms. The 1818T allele was a risk factor for MI-related death. The 395A and 370C alleles were protective factors for stroke-related death in elderly from community.
Urban aliens and threatened near-naturals: Land-cover affects the species richness of alien- and threatened species in an urban-rural setting
Authors: Petersen Tanja K. , Speed James D. M. , Grøtan Vidar , Austrheim Gunnar 
Published: May 2020

AbstractUrbanisation has strong effects on biodiversity patterns, but impacts vary among species groups and across spatial scales. From a local biodiversity management perspective, a more general understanding of species richness across taxonomic groups is required. This study aims to investigate how fine-scale land-cover variables influence species richness patterns of locally threatened and alien species. The study was performed in Trondheim, Norway, covering a steep urbanisation gradient. Spatially correlated Generalised Linear Mixed Effects Models predicting the number of all-, threatened-and alien species by taxon, habitat, habitat heterogeneity and mean aspect within 500 m×500 m grid cells were constructed. The habitat categories were based on detailed land-cover maps. The highest number of threatened species was found in habitats relatively less affected by humans, whereas the number of alien species were only dependent on taxonomic group and spatial correlation. It is shown that land-cover variables within an administrative border can be used to make predictions on species richness within overarching species groups. Recommendations to biodiversity management agencies are to ensure protection of natural habitats to favour locally threatened species, and closely monitor urban areas to mitigate the introduction and spread of alien species.
Curcumin Encapsulated Lecithin Nanoemulsions: An Oral Platform for Ultrasound Mediated Spatiotemporal Delivery of Curcumin to the Tumor
Authors: Prasad Chandrashekhar , Bhatia Eshant , Banerjee Rinti 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSystemic toxicity caused by conventional chemotherapy is often regarded as one of the major challenges in the treatment of cancer. Over years, the trigger-based modality has gained much attention as it holds the spatiotemporal control over release and internalization of the drug. In this article, we are reporting an increase in the anti-tumor efficacy of curcumin due to ultrasound pulses. MDA MB 231 breast cancer and B16F10 melanoma cells were incubated with lecithin-based curcumin encapsulated nanoemulsions and exposed to ultrasound in the presence and absence of microbubble. Ultrasound induced sonoporation enhanced the cytotoxicity of curcumin in MDA MB 231 and B16F10 cancer cells in the presence of microbubble by 100- and 64-fold, respectively. To study the spatiotemporal delivery of curcumin, we developed B16F10 melanoma subcutaneous tumor on both the flanks of C57BL/6 mice but only the right tumor was exposed to ultrasound. Insonation of the right tumor spatially enhanced the cytotoxicity and enabled the substantial regression of the right tumor compared to the unexposed left tumor which grew continuously in size. This study showed that the ultrasound has the potential to target and increase the drug’s throughput to the tumor and enable effective treatment.
Humidity governs the wall-inhabiting fungal community composition in a 1600-year tomb of Emperor Yang
Authors: Li Yonghui , Huang Zhi , Petropoulos Evangelos , Ma Yan , Shen Yang 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBiodeterioration caused by filamentous fungi is often a threat to the architectural heritage (i.e. tombs and historic sites). To specifically understand the deterioration phenomena caused by microorganisms in tombs and how these are shaped due to various environmental factors, the fungal communities in the coffin chamber of the Chinese emperor Yang (BC 569–618) were investigated at different heights using denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprinting. The associated environmental conditions, such as humidity, temperature, height and illumination, were also assessed. The results showed that a great diversity of fungal species (Cordyceps, Fusarium, Harpochytrium, Emericellopsis, Volutella, Cladosporium, Stachybotrys, Trichoderma, Cochlonema and two unknown fungal species) was present in emperor Yang’s coffin chamber. The predominant species were Stachybotrys, Fusarium, Trichoderma and Cochlonema. Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that humidity, temperature, height and illumination were the most significantly related factors shaping the fungal communities. Humidity showed the highest degree of variance description (19.2%) than all other environmental factors, followed by illumination (18.3%) and height (12.8%). Furthermore, fungal richness and diversity indices showed a positive correlation with humidity (p < 0.05). These results help in understanding the fungal community in tombs, promoting the mitigation of deterioration phenomena of such building heritage for the present and future.
Increased alpha-synuclein tear fluid levels in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Maass Fabian , Rikker Sebastian , Dambeck Vivian , Warth Carmina , Tatenhorst Lars , Csoti Ilona , Schmitz Matthias , Zerr Inga , Leha Andreas , Bähr Mathias , Lingor Paul 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe objective of the study was to estimate if altered levels of alpha-synuclein can be detected in tear fluid of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Therefore, tear fluid samples of 75 PD patients, 75 control subjects and 31 atypical Parkinsonian patients were collected and analyzed in triplicates using an ultra-sensitive single molecule array (SIMOA) system and applying a human alpha-synuclein immunoassay. In PD, levels of total soluble alpha-synuclein were significantly increased compared to control subjects (p = 0.03; AUC PD vs. controls 0.60). There was no difference comparing PD patients stratified by Hoehn & Yahr stages and atypical Parkinsonian syndromes stratified by tauopathies and non-PD-synucleinopathies against each other (p > 0.05). In conclusion, alpha-synuclein can be detected and quantified in tear fluid, revealing small but significant differences in total alpha-synuclein levels between PD and control subjects. Tear fluid can be collected non-invasively and risk-free, therefore presenting a promising source for further biomarker research.
Surrogate endpoints for overall survival in randomised controlled trials of localised osteosarcoma: A meta-analytic evaluation
Authors: Tanaka Kazuhiro , Kawano Masanori , Iwasaki Tatsuya , Matsuda Shogo , Itonaga Ichiro , Tsumura Hiroshi 
Published: May 2020

AbstractEvent-free survival (EFS) is considered the most reliable surrogate endpoint for overall survival (OS) in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adjuvant therapies for malignant tumours. However, the surrogacy of intermediate endpoints such as EFS for OS in trials of patients with osteosarcoma has not been investigated to date. In this study, we investigated the correlation between OS and intermediate endpoints in RCTs of localised osteosarcoma. A systematic search identified 20 relevant RCTs. The correlations between the surrogate endpoints and OS were evaluated using weighted linear regression analyses and by calculating the Spearman rank correlation coefficients (ρ). The strength of the correlation was determined by calculating the coefficient of determination (R2). A total of 5,620 patients were randomly assigned to 45 treatment arms in the eligible 20 RCTs. The correlation between the hazard ratios for EFS and OS was moderate (R2 = 0.456, ρ = 0.440); this correlation tended to be weaker for patients with localised osteosarcoma excluding the patients with metastases. Overall, the trial-level correlation between the surrogate endpoints and OS was not robust in RCTs of osteosarcoma published to date. Hence, the suitability of the intermediate endpoints as surrogates for OS could not be confirmed.
Attenuation of oxidative stress and chromosomal aberrations in cultured macrophages and pulmonary cells following self-sustained high temperature synthesis of asbestos
Authors: La Maestra Sebastiano , Micale Rosanna T. , Ferretti Maurizio , Izzotti Alberto , Gaggero Laura 
Published: May 2020

AbstractInhalation of asbestos fibres can cause lung and pleural diseases in humans and constitutes a severe public health threat worldwide. The aim of the present study was to assess the biological effects induced in both pulmonary cells (A549) and monocyte/macrophage (RAW 264.7) cell lines by combustion slags obtained from asbestos through a self-sustained high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reaction. The SHS reaction involves rapid thermal treatment and displays great ability to neutralise asbestos. Cytotoxicity, redox status imbalance, lipid peroxide production, DNA strand breaks (comet assay) and chromosomal aberrations (cytokinesis block micronucleus test) were evaluated in cells exposed either to untreated asbestos fibres or to grinded SHS-generated slags of different granulometry, tested in cultured cells at varying doses and for varying exposure times. Our results show that asbestos fibres cause redox status imbalance, especially in monocyte/macrophage cell lines. Moreover, they promote lipid peroxidation and trigger genomic alterations. When the cells were exposed to slag powders, which are the products of SHS asbestos treatment, generation of lipid peroxides and induction of DNA strand breaks still persisted, due to the high content in iron and other metals detected in these samples. However, there was an attenuation of redox status imbalance and an absence of chromosomal aberrations, which probably reflects the loss of the asbestos fibrous structure following SHS reaction, as demonstrated by electron microscopy analyses. In conclusions, SHS-treated asbestos wastes can potentially have deleterious health effects due to the oxidative stress induced by inhaled powders but they loose the asbestos ability to induce chromosomal alterations.
Homeostasis as a proportional–integral control system
Authors: Veen Lennaert van , Morra Jacob , Palanica Adam , Fossat Yan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAccording to medical guidelines, the distinction between “healthy” and “unhealthy” patients is commonly based on single, discrete values taken at an isolated point in time (e.g., blood pressure or core temperature). Perhaps a more robust and insightful diagnosis can be obtained by studying the functional interdependence of such indicators and the homeostasis that controls them. This requires quasi-continuous measurements and a procedure to map the data onto a parsimonious control model with a degree of universality. The current research illustrates this approach using glucose homeostasis as a target. Data were obtained from 41 healthy subjects wearing over-the-counter glucose monitors, and projected onto a simple proportional–integral (PI) controller, widely used in engineering applications. The indicators quantifying the control function are clustered for the great majority of subjects, while a few outliers exhibit less responsive homeostasis. Practical implications for healthcare and education are further discussed.
Temporal sequences of brain activity at rest are constrained by white matter structure and modulated by cognitive demands
Authors: Cornblath Eli J. , Ashourvan Arian , Kim Jason Z. , Betzel Richard F. , Ciric Rastko , Adebimpe Azeez , Baum Graham L. , He Xiaosong , Ruparel Kosha , Moore Tyler M. , Gur Ruben C. , Gur Raquel E. , Shinohara Russell T. , Roalf David R. , Satterthwaite Theodore D. , Bassett Danielle S. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractA diverse set of white matter connections supports seamless transitions between cognitive states. However, it remains unclear how these connections guide the temporal progression of large-scale brain activity patterns in different cognitive states. Here, we analyze the brain’s trajectories across a set of single time point activity patterns from functional magnetic resonance imaging data acquired during the resting state and an n-back working memory task. We find that specific temporal sequences of brain activity are modulated by cognitive load, associated with age, and related to task performance. Using diffusion-weighted imaging acquired from the same subjects, we apply tools from network control theory to show that linear spread of activity along white matter connections constrains the probabilities of these sequences at rest, while stimulus-driven visual inputs explain the sequences observed during the n-back task. Overall, these results elucidate the structural underpinnings of cognitively and developmentally relevant spatiotemporal brain dynamics.