bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Somatic and visceral effects of word valence, arousal and concreteness in a continuum lexical space
Authors: Vergallito Alessandra , Petilli Marco Alessandro , Cattaneo Luigi , Marelli Marco 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAlthough affective and semantic word properties are known to independently influence our sensorimotor system, less is known about their interaction. We investigated this issue applying a data-driven mixed-effects regression approach, evaluating the impact of lexical-semantic properties on electrophysiological parameters, namely facial muscles activity (left corrugator supercilii, zygomaticus major, levator labii superioris) and heartbeat, during word processing. 500 Italian words were acoustically presented to 20 native-speakers, while electrophysiological signals were continuously recorded. Stimuli varied for affective properties, namely valence (the degree of word positivity), arousal (the amount of emotional activation brought by the word), and semantic ones, namely concreteness. Results showed that the three variables interacted in predicting both heartbeat and muscular activity. Specifically, valence influenced activation for lower levels of arousal. This pattern was further modulated by concreteness: the lower the word concreteness, the larger affective-variable impact. Taken together, our results provide evidence for bodily responses during word comprehension. Crucially, such responses were found not only for voluntary muscles, but also for the heartbeat, providing evidence to the idea of a common emotional motor system. The higher impact of affective properties for abstract words supports proposals suggesting that emotions play a central role in the grounding of abstract concepts.
Single-Shot Multi-Stage Damage and Ablation of Silicon by Femtosecond Mid-infrared Laser Pulses
Authors: Werner Kevin , Gruzdev Vitaly , Talisa Noah , Kafka Kyle , Austin Drake , Liebig Carl M. , Chowdhury Enam 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAlthough ultrafast laser materials processing has advanced at a breakneck pace over the last two decades, most applications have been developed with laser pulses at near-IR or visible wavelengths. Recent progress in mid-infrared (MIR) femtosecond laser source development may create novel capabilities for material processing. This is because, at high intensities required for such processing, wavelength tuning to longer wavelengths opens the pathway to a special regime of laser-solid interactions. Under these conditions, due to the λ2 scaling, the ponderomotive energy of laser-driven electrons may significantly exceed photon energy, band gap and electron affinity and can dominantly drive absorption, resulting in a paradigm shift in the traditional concepts of ultrafast laser-solid interactions. Irreversible high-intensity ultrafast MIR laser-solid interactions are of primary interest in this connection, but they have not been systematically studied so far. To address this fundamental gap, we performed a detailed experimental investigation of high-intensity ultrafast modifications of silicon by single femtosecond MIR pulses (λ = 2.7–4.2 μm). Ultrafast melting, interaction with silicon-oxide surface layer, and ablation of the oxide and crystal surfaces were ex-situ characterized by scanning electron, atomic-force, and transmission electron microscopy combined with focused ion-beam milling, electron diffractometry, and μ-Raman spectroscopy. Laser induced damage and ablation thresholds were measured as functions of laser wavelength. The traditional theoretical models did not reproduce the wavelength scaling of the damage thresholds. To address the disagreement, we discuss possible novel pathways of energy deposition driven by the ponderomotive energy and field effects characteristic of the MIR wavelength regime.
Reduction in the Incidence of Urological Cancers after the Ban on Chinese Herbal Products Containing Aristolochic Acid: An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis
Authors: Jhuang Jing-Rong , Chiang Chun-Ju , Su Shih-Yung , Yang Ya-Wen , Lee Wen-Chung 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCancer is a public health problem worldwide. Taiwan has a higher incidence rate of urological cancers than many Asian countries do. Aristolochic acid has been considered a potent carcinogen. In this study, we examined whether the cessation of the sales and preparation of aristolochic acid-containing Chinese herbal products (AA-CHPs) in Taiwan contributed to a decline in the incidence rates of bladder cancer, carcinomas of the renal pelvis and other urinary organs, and kidney cancer. We conducted an interrupted time-series analysis of long-term trends in the incidence rates of the aforementioned cancers between 1995 and 2013 in Taiwan. The incidence rates of bladder cancer and carcinomas of the renal pelvis and other urinary organs decreased considerably after 2008 and 2011, respectively. Notably, these change-of-slope time points occurred after the year 2003, when a ban on AA-CHPs was imposed in Taiwan. The ban on AA-CHPs in Taiwan was possibly associated with the reduction in the incidence of bladder cancer and carcinomas of the renal pelvis and other urinary organs.
High prevalence of clarithromycin resistance and effect on Helicobacter pylori eradication in a population from Santiago, Chile: cohort study and meta-analysis
Authors: Arenas A. , Serrano C. , Quiñones L. , Harris P. , Sandoval M. , Lavanderos M. , Sepúlveda R. , Maquilón S. , Echeverría A. , Ríos C. , Fuentes-López E. , Rojas L. , Jorquera A. , Pizarro M. , Camargo M. C. , Riquelme A. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication using standard triple therapy (STT) with proton pump inhibitors (PPI), amoxicillin and clarithromycin (CLA) has been the standard in Latin America. However, CLA resistance is a rising problem affecting eradication rates. Genetic polymorphisms of CYP2C19, a PPI metabolizer may also affect eradication. The primary aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of clarithromycin resistance on H. pylori eradication in a population from Santiago, and to establish the pooled clarithromycin resistance in Santiago, Chile. Symptomatic adult patients attending a tertiary hospital in Santiago were recruited for this study. CLA resistance and the polymorphisms of CYP2C19 were determined on DNA extracted from gastric biopsies, using PCR. The STT was indicated for 14 days and eradication was determined by a urea breath test 4–6 weeks after therapy. A meta-analysis of CLA resistance studies among adult residents in Santiago was performed. Seventy-three out of 121 consecutive patients had positive rapid urease test (RUT) and received STT. Sixty-nine patients (95%) completed the study. The H. pylori eradication rate was 63% and the prevalence of CLA resistance was 26%. According to the CYP2C19 polymorphisms, 79.5% of the RUT-positive patients were extensive metabolizers. Multivariable analyses showed that only CLA resistance was significantly and inversely associated with failure of eradication (OR: 0.13; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.04–0.49). A meta-analysis of two previous studies and our sample set (combined n = 194) yielded to a pooled prevalence of CLA resistance of 31.3% (95% CI 23.9–38.7). Our study shows that CLA resistance is associated with failure of H. pylori eradication. Given the high pooled prevalence of CLA resistance, consideration of CLA free therapies in Santiago is warranted. We could recommend bismuth quadruple therapy or high-dose dual therapy, according to bismuth availability. Further studies need to evaluate the best therapy.
KCa3.1 channel blockade attenuates microvascular remodelling in a large animal model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Derseh Habtamu B. , Dewage Sasika N. Vithana , Perera Kopiyawaththage U. E. , Pagel Charles N. , Koumoundouros Emmanuel , Organ Louise , Snibson Ken J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive lung disease with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. IPF has been associated with aberrant vascular remodelling, however the role of vascular remodelling in pulmonary fibrosis is poorly understood. Here, we used a novel segmental challenge model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in sheep to evaluate the remodelling of the pulmonary vasculature, and to investigate the changes to this remodelling after the administration of the KCa3.1 channel inhibitor, senicapoc, compared to the FDA-approved drug pirfenidone. We demonstrate that in vehicle-treated sheep, bleomycin-infused lung segments had significantly higher blood vessel density when compared to saline-infused control segments in the same sheep. These microvascular density changes were significantly attenuated by senicapoc treatment. The increases in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and endothelial cell proliferation in bleomycin-infused lung segments were significantly reduced in sheep treated with the senicapoc, when compared to vehicle-treated controls. These parameters were not significantly suppressed with pirfenidone treatment. Senicapoc treatment attenuated vascular remodelling through inhibition of capillary endothelial cell proliferation and VEGF expression. These findings suggest a potential new mode of action for the novel drug senicapoc which may contribute to its efficacy in combatting pulmonary fibrosis.
Histone acetyltransferase and Polo-like kinase 3 inhibitors prevent rat galactose-induced cataract
Authors: Kanada Fumito , Takamura Yoshihiro , Miyake Seiji , Kamata Kazuma , Inami Mayumi , Inatani Masaru , Oki Masaya 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDiabetic cataracts can occur at an early age, causing visual impairment or blindness. The detailed molecular mechanisms of diabetic cataract formation remain incompletely understood, and there is no well-documented prophylactic agent. Galactose-fed rats and ex vivo treatment of lenses with galactose are used as models of diabetic cataract. To assess the role of histone acetyltransferases, we conducted cataract prevention screening with known histone acetyltransferase (HAT) inhibitors. Ex vivo treatment with a HAT inhibitor strongly inhibited the formation of lens turbidity in high-galactose conditions, while addition of a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor aggravated turbidity. We conducted a microarray to identify genes differentially regulated by HATs and HDACs, leading to discovery of a novel cataract causative factor, Plk3. Plk3 mRNA levels correlated with the degree of turbidity, and Plk3 inhibition alleviated galactose-induced cataract formation. These findings indicate that epigenetically controlled Plk3 influences cataract formation. Our results demonstrate a novel approach for prevention of diabetic cataract using HAT and Plk3 inhibitors.
Bactericidal Activity of Copper-Zinc Hybrid Nanoparticles on Copper-Tolerant Xanthomonas perforans
Authors: Carvalho Renato , Duman Kamil , Jones Jeffrey B. , Paret Mathews L. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBacterial spot of tomato, caused by Xanthomonas perforans, X. euvesicatoria, X. vesicatoria and X. gardneri, is a major disease, contributing to significant yield losses worldwide. Over dependence of conventional copper bactericides over the last decades has led to the prevalence of copper-tolerant strains of Xanthomonas spp., making copper bactericides ineffective. Thus, there is a critical need to develop new strategies for better management of copper-tolerant Xanthomonas spp. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of a hybrid nanoparticle, copper-zinc (Cu/Zn), on copper-tolerant and sensitive strains. The hybrid nanoparticle significantly reduced bacterial growth in vitro compared to the non-treated and micron-size commercial copper controls. Tomato transplants treated with the hybrid nanoparticle had significantly reduced disease severity compared to the controls, and no phytotoxicity was observed on plants. We also studied the hybrid nanoparticle effect on the bacterial pigment xanthomonadin using Near-Infra Red Raman spectroscopy as an indicator of bacterial degradation. The hybrid nanoparticle significantly affected the ability of X. perforans in its production of xanthomonadin when compared with samples treated with micron-size copper or untreated. This study sheds new light on the potential utilization of this novel multi-site Cu/Zn hybrid nanoparticle for bacterial spot management.
Integrated transcriptomic and functional immunological approach for assessing the invasiveness of bivalve alien species
Authors: Romero Alejandro , Aranguren Raquel , Moreira Rebeca , Novoa Beatriz , Figueras Antonio 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBiological invasions started when humans moved species beyond their normal geographic limits. Bivalves are the most notoriously invasive species in subtidal aquatic environments. Next-generation sequencing technologies are applied to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the invasion. The ecological immunology focuses on the role of immunity in invasion, and its magnitude could help to predict the invasiveness of alien species. A remarkable case of invasion has been reported in the Ría de Vigo (Spain) by the black pygmy mussel Xenostrobus securis. In Galicia, the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is the predominant cultured bivalve species. Can we predict the invasiveness of alien bivalve species by analyzing their immune response? Can X. securis represent a risk for the autochthonous mussel? We evaluated the suitability of the immune-related hypotheses in our model by using an integrated transcriptomic and functional immunological approach. Our analysis suggests lower immune capabilities in X. securis compared to M. galloprovincialis, probably due to the relocation of energetic resources from the immune response to vital physiological processes to cope with salinity stress. This multidisciplinary approach will help us understand how the immune response can be influenced by the adaptive process and how this immune response can influence the invasion process.
Incorporation of humic acid into biomass derived carbon for enhanced adsorption of phenol
Authors: Song Min , Song Bing , Meng Fanyue , Chen Dandan , Sun Fei , Wei Yuexing 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn the present work, the biomass derived carbon decorated with humic acid (HC), was synthesized through impregnation method for the adsorption of phenol from water environment. Humic acids contain more oxygen-containing functional groups and hydrogen bonds, which promotes the binding between HC and phenol molecules. The results indicated that the adsorption performance of HC to phenol was better than that of commercial activated carbon. Moreover, in addition to physical absorption, the chemical reaction between carboxylic groups on the carbon surface and hydroxyl in phenol also played an important role during the process. The adsorption behavior of HC was described by equilibrium and kinetics parameters. Pseudo-second order model can describe the adsorption process well. Langmuir model was more suitable for the equilibrium adsorption data fitting, indicating that the adsorption mechanism of phenol on carbon surface tends to be monolayer adsorption. Considering practical application, UV254, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia from raw wastewater were selected as target contaminants and the corresponding adsorption experiments were carried out. The results displayed that HC exhibited excellent adsorption performance, especially for UV254, indicating that as-prepared carbon material had potential application for the control of certain organic pollutants in actual wastewater.
The mechanism of MYB transcriptional regulation by MLL-AF9 oncoprotein
Authors: Cao Lu , Mitra Partha , Gonda Thomas J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAcute leukaemias express high levels of MYB which are required for the initiation and maintenance of the disease. Inhibition of MYB expression or activity has been shown to suppress MLL-fusion oncoprotein-induced acute myeloid leukaemias (AML), which are among the most aggressive forms of AML, and indeed MYB transcription has been reported to be regulated by the MLL-AF9 oncoprotein. This highlights the importance of understanding the mechanism of MYB transcriptional regulation in these leukaemias. Here we have demonstrated that the MLL-AF9 fusion protein regulates MYB transcription directly at the promoter region, in part by recruiting the transcriptional regulator kinase CDK9, and CDK9 inhibition effectively suppresses MYB expression as well as cell proliferation. However, MYB regulation by MLL-AF9 does not require H3K79 methylation mediated by the methyltransferase DOT1L, which has also been shown to be a key mediator of MLL-AF9 leukemogenicity. The identification of specific, essential and druggable transcriptional regulators may enable effective targeting of MYB expression, which in turn could potentially lead to new therapeutic approaches for acute myeloid leukaemia with MLL-AF9.
Quantification of nitrogen oxides emissions from build-up of pollution over Paris with TROPOMI
Authors: Lorente A. , Boersma K. F. , Eskes H. J. , Veefkind J. P. , van Geffen J. H. G. M. , de Zeeuw M. B. , Denier van der Gon H. A. C. , Beirle S. , Krol M. C. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractNitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a regulated air pollutant that is of particular concern in many cities, where concentrations are high. Emissions of nitrogen oxides to the atmosphere lead to the formation of ozone and particulate matter, with adverse impacts on human health and ecosystems. The effects of emissions are often assessed through modeling based on inventories relying on indirect information that is often outdated or incomplete. Here we show that NO2 measurements from the new, high-resolution TROPOMI satellite sensor can directly determine the strength and distribution of emissions from Paris. From the observed build-up of NO2 pollution, we find highest emissions on cold weekdays in February 2018, and lowest emissions on warm weekend days in spring 2018. The new measurements provide information on the spatio-temporal distribution of emissions within a large city, and suggest that Paris emissions in 2018 are only 5–15% below inventory estimates for 2011–2012, reflecting the difficulty of meeting NOx emission reduction targets.
Decision-making factors for best supportive care alone and prognostic factors after best supportive care in non-small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Kitazawa Haruna , Takeda Yuichiro , Naka Go , Sugiyama Haruhito 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAmong patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), best supportive care (BSC) is well-known to improve patient’s quality of life and prolong survival. This study aimed to clarify (1) the decision-making factors of BSC alone and (2) the prognostic factors after selection of no further anticancer therapies. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of patients with NSCLC between November 2004 and February 2014, who received BSC as only therapy and BSC after completion of anticancer therapies. One hundred eighteen patients received BSC alone. Among 860 patients treated with anticancer therapies, 236 were selected as control group, 160 of whom received BSC after anticancer therapy. The significant reasons for receiving BSC alone were: comorbidities of dementia, poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS), patients’ wishes, pulmonary comorbidities, wild type epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), relevant social background and psychiatric comorbidities. Poor prognostic factors at the start of BSC were poor ECOG-PS, presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and history of anticancer therapy. NSCLC patients with comorbidities, wild type EGFR, and relevant social background factors tended to receive BSC alone. Post-cancer therapy NSCLC patients and those with DIC and declining ECOG-PS have a shorter survival period from the start of BSC.
Proteomic analyses of decellularized porcine ovaries identified new matrisome proteins and spatial differences across and within ovarian compartments
Authors: Henning Nathaniel F. , LeDuc Richard D. , Even Kelly A. , Laronda Monica M. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPremature ovarian insufficiency (POI) affects approximately 1% of women. We aim to understand the ovarian microenvironment, including the extracellular matrix (ECM) and associated proteins (matrisome), and its role in controlling folliculogenesis. We mapped the composition of the matrisome of porcine ovaries through the cortical compartment, where quiescent follicles reside and the medullary compartment, where the larger follicles grow and mature. To do this we sliced the ovaries, uniformly in two anatomical planes, enriched for matrisome proteins and performed bottom-up shotgun proteomic analyses. We identified 42 matrisome proteins that were significantly differentially expressed across depths, and 11 matrisome proteins that have not been identified in previous ovarian protein analyses. We validated these data for nine proteins and confirmed compartmental differences with a second processing method. Here we describe a processing and proteomic analysis pipeline that revealed spatial differences and matrisome protein candidates that may influence folliculogenesis.
AAV-mediated expression of HLA-G1/5 reduces severity of experimental autoimmune uveitis
Authors: Crabtree Elizabeth , Song Liujiang , Llanga Telmo , Bower Jacquelyn J. , Cullen Megan , Salmon Jacklyn H. , Hirsch Matthew L. , Gilger Brian C. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractNon-infectious uveitis (NIU) is an intractable, recurrent, and painful disease that is a common cause of vision loss. Available treatments of NIU, such as the use of topical corticosteroids, are non-specific and have serious side effects which limits them to short-term use; however, NIU requires long-term treatment to prevent vision loss. Therefore, a single dose therapeutic that mediates long-term immunosuppression with minimal side effects is desirable. In order to develop an effective long-term therapy for NIU, an adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy approach was used to exploit a natural immune tolerance mechanism induced by the human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G). To mimic the prevention of NIU, naïve Lewis rats received a single intravitreal injection of AAV particles harboring codon-optimized cDNAs encoding HLA-G1 and HLA-G5 isoforms one week prior to the induction of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). AAV-mediated expression of the HLA-G-1 and -5 transgenes in the targeted ocular tissues following a single intravitreal injection of AAV-HLA-G1/5 significantly decreased clinical and histopathological inflammation scores compared to untreated EAU eyes (p < 0.04). Thus, localized ocular gene delivery of AAV-HLA-G1/5 may reduce the off-target risks and establish a long-term immunosuppressive effect that would serve as an effective and novel therapeutic strategy for NIU, with the potential for applications to additional ocular immune-mediated diseases.