bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced protein adsorption upon bulk phase separation
Authors: Fries Madeleine R. , Stopper Daniel , Skoda Maximilian W. A. , Blum Matthias , Kertzscher Christoph , Hinderhofer Alexander , Zhang Fajun , Jacobs Robert M. J. , Roth Roland , Schreiber Frank 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn all areas related to protein adsorption, from medicine to biotechnology to heterogeneous nucleation, the question about its dominant forces and control arises. In this study, we used ellipsometry and quartz-crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), as well as density-functional theory (DFT) to obtain insight into the mechanism behind a wetting transition of a protein solution. We established that using multivalent ions in a net negatively charged globular protein solution (BSA) can either cause simple adsorption on a negatively charged interface, or a (diverging) wetting layer when approaching liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) by changing protein concentration (cp) or temperature (T). We observed that the water to protein ratio in the wetting layer is substantially larger compared to simple adsorption. In the corresponding theoretical model, we treated the proteins as limited-valence (patchy) particles and identified a wetting transition for this complex system. This wetting is driven by a bulk instability introduced by metastable LLPS exposed to an ion-activated attractive substrate.
Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 2 (LPCAT2) co-localises with TLR4 and regulates macrophage inflammatory gene expression in response to LPS
Authors: Abate W. , Alrammah H. , Kiernan M. , Tonks A. J. , Jackson S. K. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDespite extensive investigations, an effective treatment for sepsis remains elusive and a better understanding of the inflammatory response to infection is required to identify potential new targets for therapy. In this study we have used RNAi technology to show, for the first time, that the inducible lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 2 (LPCAT2) plays a key role in macrophage inflammatory gene expression in response to stimulation with bacterial ligands. Using siRNA- or shRNA-mediated knockdown, we demonstrate that, in contrast to the constitutive LPCAT1, LPCAT2 is required for macrophage cytokine gene expression and release in response to TLR4 and TLR2 ligand stimulation but not for TLR-independent stimuli. In addition, cells transfected to overexpress LPCAT2 exhibited increased expression of inflammatory genes in response to LPS and other bacterial ligands. Furthermore, we have used immunoprecipitation and Western blotting to show that in response to LPS, LPCAT2, but not LPCAT1, rapidly associates with TLR4 and translocates to membrane lipid raft domains. Our data thus suggest a novel mechanism for the regulation of inflammatory gene expression in response to bacterial stimuli and highlight LPCAT2 as a potential therapeutic target for development of anti-inflammatory and anti-sepsis therapies.
Terpolymer resin containing bioinspired borneol and controlled release of camphor: Synthesis and antifouling coating application
Authors: Hu Jiankun , Sun Baoku , Zhang Haichun , Lu Ading , Zhang Huiqiu , Zhang Hailong 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMarine biofouling can cause a biocorrosion, resulting in degradation and failure of materials and structures. In order to prevent sea creatures from attaching to the surface, in this work, a new environmentally friendly antifouling coating by incorporating antibacterial polymers and natural antifouling agents has been designed and synthesized. Surface chemical composition and changes in surface hydrophobicity were studied by FTIR spectroscopy and contact angle measurements, respectively. Measurements of mass loss of antifouling resin were also carried out and the release rate of camphor from antifouling coating was tested by using UPLC. It had been found that the changes in the content of triisopropylsilylacrylate (TIPSA) (from 4% to 12%) and isobornyl methacrylate (IBOMA) (from 50% to 16.7%) did not significantly affect the release of camphor. The content of IBOMA decreased from 50% to 16.7%, the antifouling performance of the resin system appeared slightly reduced. In addition, rosin could help regulate the release rate of the resin system to desorb camphor slowly in water in a controlled manner. Furthermore, the antifouling capability of as-prepared samples was evaluated via algae suppression experiments and marine field tests. This study highlighted the environmentally friendly antifouling coating as a potential candidate and efficient strategy to prohibit biofouling in seawater.
Neuromotor Regulation of Ankle Stiffness is Comparable to Regulation of Joint Position and Torque at Moderate Levels
Authors: Wind Alexander M. , Rouse Elliott J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractJoint mechanical impedance, which describes the instantaneous relationship between kinematic perturbations and the resulting torque response, plays an important role in the way humans ambulate, interact with the environment, and respond to disturbances. Recent studies have quantified how the stiffness component of mechanical impedance varies during walking. However, the extent to which humans can voluntarily regulate leg joint stiffness is not yet known. Our study sought to quantify the accuracy and precision of the neuromotor system to voluntarily regulate ankle joint stiffness while seated, and compare these data to the well-known abilities to regulate ankle joint torque and position. We tested individuals’ ability to to regulate these quantities at three different magnitudes: 20%, 40%, and 60% of a maximum value. Our results showed that subjects were able to voluntarily regulate ankle joint stiffness, and that the normalized accuracy and precision of stiffness regulation were not different than those of position or torque for targets at magnitudes of 20% of a maximum value. However, the accuracy and precision of stiffness regulation were statistically different than those of position and torque for targets at magnitudes of 40% of the maximum values. At moderate targets, the similarity of the ability to regulate ankle joint stiffness when compared to the abilities to regulate joint torque and position highlights the importance of a comprehensive description of lower-limb biomechanics that includes consideration of joint mechanical impedance, in addition to the common descriptions of joint torque and position.
Plasma IP-10 and IL-6 are linked to Child-Pugh B cirrhosis in patients with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Salgüero Sergio , Medrano Luz Maria , González-García Juan , Berenguer Juan , Montes María L. , Diéz Cristina , Garcia-Broncano Pilar , Llop-Herrera Elba , Pérez-Latorre Leire , Bellóno José María , Jiménez-Sousa María Ángeles , Resino Salvador 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe aimed to evaluate the association of plasma biomarkers linked to inflammation (bacterial translocation, inflammatory response, and endothelial dysfunction), coagulopathy, and angiogenesis with the severity of liver cirrhosis (assessed by the Child-Pugh-Turcotte score, CTP) and Child-Pugh B cirrhosis (CTP 7–9) in patients with advanced hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis. We carried out a cross-sectional study in 97 patients with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis (32 HCV-monoinfected and 65 HIV/HCV-coinfected). Plasma biomarkers were measured by ProcartaPlex multiplex immunoassays. The outcome variable was the CTP score and the Child-Pugh B cirrhosis (CTP 7–9). HIV/HCV-coinfected patients and HCV-monoinfected patients with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis had near-equivalent values of plasma biomarkers. Higher values of plasma biomarkers linked to an inflammatory response (IP-10, IL-8, IL-6, and OPG), endothelial dysfunction (sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1), and coagulopathy (D-dimer) were related to higher CTP values. The most significant biomarkers to detect the presence of Child-Pugh B cirrhosis (CTP 7–9) were IP-10 (p-value= 0.008) and IL-6 (p-value=0.002). The AUC-ROC values of IP-10, IL-6, and both biomarkers combined (IP-10+IL-6) were 0.78, 0.88, and 0.96, respectively. In conclusion, HIV infection does not appear to have a significant impact on the analyzed plasma biomarkers in patients with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis. However, plasma biomarkers linked to inflammation (inflammatory response and endothelial dysfunction) were related to the severity of liver cirrhosis (CTP score), mainly IP-10 and IL-6, which discriminated patients with Child-Pugh B concerning Child-Pugh A.
Chronic unpredictable stress induces anxiety-like behaviors in young zebrafish
Authors: Golla Archana , Østby Henrik , Kermen Florence 
Published: June 2020

AbstractExposure to stress during early life affects subsequent behaviors and increases the vulnerability to adult pathologies, a phenomenon that has been well documented in humans and rodents. In this study, we introduce a chronic unpredictable stress protocol adapted to young zebrafish, which is an increasingly popular vertebrate model in neuroscience research. We exposed zebrafish to a series of intermittent and unpredictable mild stressors from day 10 to 17 post-fertilization. The stressed fish showed a reduced exploration of a novel environment one day post-stress and an increased responsiveness to dark-light transition two days post-stress, indicative of heightened anxiety-related behaviors. The stress-induced decrease in exploration lasted for at least three days and returned to control levels within one week. Moreover, stressed fish were on average 8% smaller than their control siblings two days post-stress and returned to control levels within one week. All together, our results demonstrate that young zebrafish exposed to chronic unpredictable stress develop growth and behavioral alterations akin to those observed in rodent models.
The impact of arterial flow complexity on flow diverter outcomes in aneurysms
Authors: Chodzyǹski Kamil Jerzy , Uzureau Pierrick , Nuyens Vincent , Rousseau Alexandre , Coussement Gregory , Zouaoui Boudjeltia Karim 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe flow diverter is becoming a standard device for treating cerebral aneurysms. The aim of thisin vitrostudy was to evaluate the impact of flow complexity on the effectiveness of flow diverter stents in a cerebral aneurysm model. The flow pattern of a carotid artery was decomposed into harmonics to generate four flow patterns with different pulsatility indexes ranging from 0.72 to 1.44. The effect of flow diverters on the aneurysm was investigated by injecting red dye or erythrocytes as markers. The recorded images were postprocessed to evaluate the maximum filling of the aneurysm cavity and the washout time. There were significant differences in the cut-off flows between the markers, linked to the flow complexity. Increasing the pulsatility index altered the performance of the flow diverter. The red dye was more sensitive to changes in flow than the red blood cell markers. The flow cut-off depended on the diverter design and the diverter deployment step was crucial for reproducibility of the results. These results strongly suggest that flow complexity should be considered when selecting a flow diverter.
Cardioprotective effect of succinate dehydrogenase inhibition in rat hearts and human myocardium with and without diabetes mellitus
Authors: Jespersen Nichlas Riise , Hjortbak Marie Vognstoft , Lassen Thomas Ravn , Støttrup Nicolaj Brejnholt , Johnsen Jacob , Tonnesen Pernille Tilma , Larsen Steen , Kimose Hans-Henrik , Bøtker Hans Erik 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIschemia reperfusion (IR) injury may be attenuated through succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) inhibition by dimethyl malonate (DiMAL). Whether SDH inhibition yields protection in diabetic individuals and translates into human cardiac tissue remain unknown. In isolated perfused hearts from 24 weeks old male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) and age matched non-diabetic control rats and atrial trabeculae from patients with and without diabetes, we compared infarct size, contractile force recovery and mitochondrial function. The cardioprotective effect of a 10 minutes DiMAL administration prior to global ischemia and ischemic preconditioning (IPC) was evaluated. In non-diabetic hearts exposed to IR, DiMAL 0.1 mM reduced infarct size compared to IR (55 ± 7% vs. 69 ± 6%, p < 0.05). Mitochondrial respiration was reduced by DiMAL 0.6 mM compared to sham and DiMAL 0.1 mM (p < 0.05). In diabetic hearts an increased concentration of DiMAL (0.6 mM) was required for protection compared to IR (64 ± 13% vs. 79 ± 8%, p < 0.05). Mitochondrial function remained unchanged. In trabeculae from humans without diabetes, IPC and DiMAL improved contractile force recovery compared to IR (43 ± 12% and 43 ± 13% vs. 23 ± 13%, p < 0.05) but in patients with diabetes only IPC provided protection compared to IR (51 ± 15% vs. 21 ± 8%, p < 0.05). Neither IPC nor DiMAL modulated mitochondrial respiration in patients. Cardioprotection by SDH inhibition is possible in human tissue, but depends on diabetes status. The narrow therapeutic range and discrepancy in respiration between experimental and human studies may limit clinical translation.
Circulating TIMP-1 is associated with hematoma volume in patients with spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage
Authors: Navarro-Oviedo Manuel , Muñoz-Arrondo Roberto , Zandio Beatriz , Marta-Enguita Juan , Bonaterra-Pastra Anna , Rodríguez Jose Antonio , Roncal Carmen , Páramo Jose A. , Toledo Estefania , Montaner Joan , Hernández-Guillamon Mar , Orbe Josune 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic zinc-endopeptidases regulated by tissue Inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs). We evaluated the potential of MMPs and TIMPs as clinical tools for Intracranial Haemorrhage (ICH). Spontaneous non‐traumatic ICH patients were recruited from two hospitals: Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra (CHN = 29) and Vall d´Hebron (VdH = 76). Plasmatic levels of MMP-1, −2, −7, −9, −10 and TIMP-1 and their relationship with clinical, radiological and functional variables were evaluated. We further studied the effect of TIMP-1 (0.05–0.2 mg/Kg) in an experimental tail-bleeding model. In CHN, TIMP-1 was associated with admission-hematoma volume and MMP-7 was elevated in patients with deep when compared to lobar hematoma. In VdH, admission-hematoma volume was associated with TIMP-1 and MMP-7. When data from both hospitals were combined, we observed that an increase in 1 ng/ml in TIMP-1 was associated with an increase of 0.14 ml in haemorrhage (combined β = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.08–0.21). Likewise, mice receiving TIMP-1 (0.2 mg/Kg) showed a shorter bleeding time (p < 0.01). Therefore, the association of TIMP-1 with hematoma volume in two independent ICH cohorts suggests its potential as ICH biomarker. Moreover, increased TIMP-1 might not be sufficient to counterbalance MMPs upregulation indicating that TIMP-1 administration might be a beneficial strategy for ICH.
Comparison of anterior and posterior approaches for treatment of traumatic cervical dislocation combined with spinal cord injury: Minimum 10-year follow-up
Authors: Ren Chunpeng , Qin Rujie , Wang Peng , Wang Ping 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAnterior reduction and interbody fusion fixation has not been compared directly with posterior reduction and short-segmental pedicle screw fixation for lower cervical dislocation, and so consensus is lacking as to which is the optimal method. The purpose of this paper is to compare long-term outcomes of the anterior versus posterior approach for traumatic cervical dislocation with spinal cord injury. One hundred and fifty-nine patients could be followed for more than 10 years (follow-up rate 84.1%). Ninety-two patients underwent anterior reduction and interbody fusion and fixation, and 67 patients underwent posterior reduction and short-segmental pedicle screw fixation. Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, the Neck Disability Index (NDI), the American Spinal Injury Association grading (ASIA), Odom’s criteria, cervical kyphosis, operative parameters, and surgical or post-operative complications were evaluated. Patients were followed for 10 to 17 years. There was no significant difference in main JOA scores, NDI scores or ASIA scores between the two groups at follow-up. The posterior approach was associated with greater loss of alignment by two years (P = 0.012) and at final follow-up (P < 0.001). The posterior approach group had more blood loss (P < 0.001), longer operation times (P < 0.001), longer hospital stays (P < 0.001) and fewer complications than the anterior approach group. The anterior approach is better than the posterior approach for preserving cervical lordosis, which is associated with a better long-term effect.
Angulin-2/ILDR1, a tricellular tight junction protein, does not affect water transport in the mouse large intestine
Authors: Hempstock Wendy , Sugioka Shiori , Ishizuka Noriko , Sugawara Taichi , Furuse Mikio , Hayashi Hisayoshi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAngulin-2/ILDR1 is a member of the angulin protein family, which is exclusively expressed at tricellular tight junctions in epithelia. Tricellular tight junctions are found where three cells meet and where three bicellular tight junction strands converge. Tricellular tight junctions are thought to be important for paracellular permeability of ions and water in epithelial tissues. It was recently reported that angulin-2/ILDR1 knockout mice have water transport abnormalities in the kidney. Since angulin-2/ILDR1 is the main tricellular tight junction protein in the large intestine, the goal of this research was to examine the effect of angulin-2/ILDR1 knockout on large intestinal paracellular water transport. We found that Ildr1 knockout mice showed no detectable phenotype other than deafness. In addition, paracellular transport as assessed by Ussing chamber was unchanged in Ildr1 knockout mice. However, we found that in the colon and the kidney of Ildr1 knockout mice, another tricellular tight junction protein, angulin-1/LSR, changes its expression pattern. We propose that with this replacement in tissue localization, angulin-1/LSR compensates for the loss of angulin-2/ILDR1 and maintains the barrier and function of the epithelia in the large intestine as well as the kidney.
Heavy metals and radon content in spring water of Kosovo
Authors: Marković Smiljana , Vučković Biljana , Nikolić-Bujanović Ljiljana , Kurilić Sanja Mrazovac , Todorović Nataša , Nikolov Jovana , Jokić Anja , Đokić Boban 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPaper presents results of researches carried out on various locations and immediate vicinity of mining and industrial activities of the northern and south-eastern part of Kosovo. Concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Rn-222, as well as temperature and pH values of natural spring water were measured at 15 measuring sites (that belong to Zvečan, Leposavić and Novo Brdo municipalities), in April–May and September–October 2019. The quantification of heavy metals’ content was performed by applying ICP-OES method. In analysed samples a high content of As, Pb, Fe and Ni was found. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks due to the content of heavy metals in water were evaluated. Concentration of radon in water was measured by the alpha spectrometric method, and measured values range in the interval from 0.34 ± 0.12 to 341 ± 35 Bq/L. The yearly doses of inhalation and ingestion were determined for the measured concentrations of radon. Mutual correlation by the Pearson correlation coefficient, principal component analysis, cluster analysis and spatial distribution analysis of the researched parameters of sampled water were done. The most expressed mutual dependence of some heavy metals leads to the conclusion that they have the same anthropogenic origin.
Serum neurofilament light chain predicts long term clinical outcomes in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Thebault Simon , Abdoli Mohammad , Fereshtehnejad Seyed-Mohammad , Tessier Daniel , Tabard-Cossa Vincent , Freedman Mark S. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSerum neurofilament light chain (NfL) is emerging as an important biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS). Our objective was to evaluate the prognostic value of serum NfL levels obtained close to the time of MS onset with long-term clinical outcomes. In this prospective cohort study, we identified patients with serum collected within 5 years of first MS symptom onset (baseline) with more than 15 years of routine clinical follow-up. Levels of serum NfL were quantified in patients and matched controls using digital immunoassay (SiMoA HD-1 Analyzer, Quanterix). Sixty-seven patients had a median follow-up of 18.9 years (range 15.0–27.0). The median serum NfL level in patient baseline samples was 10.1 pg/mL, 38.5% higher than median levels in 37 controls (7.26 pg/mL, p = 0.004). Baseline NfL level was most helpful as a sensitive predictive marker to rule out progression; patients with levels less 7.62 pg/mL were 4.3 times less likely to develop an EDSS score of ≥ 4 (p = 0.001) and 7.1 times less likely to develop progressive MS (p = 0.054). Patients with the highest NfL levels (3rd-tertile, > 13.2 pg/mL) progressed most rapidly with an EDSS annual rate of 0.16 (p = 0.004), remaining significant after adjustment for sex, age, and disease-modifying treatment (p = 0.022). This study demonstrates that baseline sNfL is associated with long term clinical disease progression. sNfL may be a sensitive marker of subsequent poor clinical outcomes.
Analysis of genetically independent phenotypes identifies shared genetic factors associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions
Authors: Tsepilov Yakov A. , Freidin Maxim B. , Shadrina Alexandra S. , Sharapov Sodbo Z. , Elgaeva Elizaveta E. , Zundert Jan van , Karssen Lennart С. , Suri Pradeep , Williams Frances M. K. , Aulchenko Yurii S. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractChronic musculoskeletal pain affects all aspects of human life. However, mechanisms of its genetic control remain poorly understood. Genetic studies of pain are complicated by the high complexity and heterogeneity of pain phenotypes. Here, we apply principal component analysis to reduce phenotype heterogeneity of chronic musculoskeletal pain at four locations: the back, neck/shoulder, hip, and knee. Using matrices of genetic covariances, we constructed four genetically independent phenotypes (GIPs) with the leading GIP (GIP1) explaining 78.4% of the genetic variance of the analyzed conditions, and GIP2–4 explain progressively less. We identified and replicated five GIP1-associated loci and one GIP2-associated locus and prioritized the most likely causal genes. For GIP1, we showed enrichment with multiple nervous system-related terms and genetic correlations with anthropometric, sociodemographic, psychiatric/personality traits and osteoarthritis. We suggest that GIP1 represents a biopsychological component of chronic musculoskeletal pain, related to physiological and psychological aspects and reflecting pain perception and processing.