bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A New Tool for In Vivo Study of Astrocyte Connexin 43 in Brain
Authors: Droguerre Marine , Tsurugizawa Tomokazu , Duchêne Adeline , Portal Benjamin , Guiard Bruno P. , Déglon Nicole , Rouach Nathalie , Hamon Michel , Mouthon Franck , Ciobanu Luisa , Charvériat Mathieu 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAstrocytes are glial cells organized in dynamic and structured networks in the brain. These plastic networks, involving key proteins such as connexin 43 (Cx43), are engaged in fine neuronal tuning and have recently been considered as emerging therapeutic targets in central nervous system disorders. We developed and validated a new application of the manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) technique allowing in vivo investigations of astrocyte-neuron interactions through quantification of brain Cx43 functional activity. The proof of concept has been achieved by quantification of MEMRI signals in brain after either local astrocyte-specific Cx43 knockdown with shRNA or systemic administration of Cx43 blockers. Unilateral hippocampal Cx43 genetical silencing was associated with an ipsilateral local increase of MEMRI signal. Furthermore, Cx43 blockers also enhanced MEMRI signal responses in hippocampus. Altogether, these data reveal the MEMRI technique as a tool for quantitative imaging of in vivo Cx43-dependent function in astrocytes under physiological and pathological conditions.
The effects of temperature and dispersal on species diversity in natural microbial metacommunities
Authors: Parain Elodie C. , Gray Sarah M. , Bersier Louis-Félix 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDispersal is key for maintaining biodiversity at local- and regional scales in metacommunities. However, little is known about the combined effects of dispersal and climate change on biodiversity. Theory predicts that alpha-diversity is maximized at intermediate dispersal rates, resulting in a hump-shaped diversity-dispersal relationship. This relationship is predicted to flatten when competition increases. We anticipate that this same flattening will occur with increased temperature because, in the rising part of the temperature performance curve, interspecific competition is predicted to increase. We explored this question using aquatic communities of Sarracenia purpurea from early- and late-successional stages, in which we simulated four levels of dispersal and four temperature scenarios. With increased dispersal, the hump shape was observed consistently in late successional communities, but only in higher temperature treatments in early succession. Increased temperature did not flatten the hump-shape relationship, but decreased the level of alpha- and gamma-diversity. Interestingly, higher temperatures negatively impacted small-bodied species. These metacommunity-level extinctions likely relaxed interspecific competition, which could explain the absence of flattening of the diversity-dispersal relationship. Our findings suggest that climate change will cause extinctions both at local- and global- scales and emphasize the importance of intermediate levels of dispersal as an insurance for local diversity.
Sphingosine kinase-2 prevents macrophage cholesterol accumulation and atherosclerosis by stimulating autophagic lipid degradation
Authors: Ishimaru Kazuhiro , Yoshioka Kazuaki , Kano Kuniyuki , Kurano Makoto , Saigusa Daisuke , Aoki Junken , Yatomi Yutaka , Takuwa Noriko , Okamoto Yasuo , Proia Richard L. , Takuwa Yoh 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAtherosclerosis is the major cause of ischemic coronary heart diseases and characterized by the infiltration of cholesterol-accumulating macrophages in the vascular wall. Although sphingolipids are implicated in atherosclerosis as both membrane components and lipid mediators, the precise role of sphingolipids in atherosclerosis remains elusive. Here, we found that genetic deficiency of sphingosine kinase-2 (SphK2) but not SphK1 aggravates the formation of atherosclerotic lesions in mice with ApoE deficiency. Bone marrow chimaera experiments show the involvement of SphK2 expressed in bone marrow-derived cells. In macrophages, deficiency of SphK2, a major SphK isoform in this cell type, results in increases in cellular sphingosine and ceramides. SphK2-deficient macrophages have increases in lipid droplet-containing autophagosomes and autolysosomes and defective lysosomal degradation of lipid droplets via autophagy with an impaired luminal acidic environment and proteolytic activity in the lysosomes. Transgenic overexpression of SphK1 in SphK2-deficient mice rescued aggravation of atherosclerosis and abnormalities of autophagosomes and lysosomes in macrophages with reductions of sphingosine, suggesting at least partial overlapping actions of two SphKs. Taken together, these results indicate that SphK2 is required for autophagosome- and lysosome-mediated catabolism of intracellular lipid droplets to impede the development of atherosclerosis; therefore, SphK2 may be a novel target for treating atherosclerosis.
Comparison of 3T and 7T MRI for the visualization of globus pallidus sub-segments
Authors: Maruyama Shuki , Fukunaga Masaki , Fautz Hans-Peter , Heidemann Robin , Sadato Norihiro 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe success of deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting the internal globus pallidus (GPi) depends on the accuracy of electrode localization inside the GPi. In this study, we sought to compare visualization of the medial medullary lamina (MML) and accessory medullary lamina (AML) between proton density-weighted (PDW) and T2-weighted (T2W) sequences on 3T and 7T MRI scanners. Eleven healthy participants (five men and six women; age, 19–28 years; mean, 21.5) and one 61-year-old man were scanned using two-dimensional turbo spin-echo PDW and T2W sequences on 3T and 7T MRI scanners with a 32-channel receiver head coil and a single-channel transmission coil. Profiles of signal intensity were obtained from the pixel values of straight lines over the GP regions crossing the MML and AML. Contrast ratios (CRs) for GPe/MML, GPie/MML, GPie/AML, and GPii/AML were calculated. Qualitatively, 7T visualized both the MML and AML, whereas 3T visualized the MML less clearly and hardly depicted the AML. The T2W sequence at 7T yielded significantly higher CRs for GPie/MML, GPie/AML, and GPii/AML than the PDW sequence at 7T or 3T. The T2W sequence at 7T allows visualization of the internal structures of GPi segments with high signal intensity and contrast.
Selection of candidate reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis in Argulus siamensis and their validation through screening of drugs and drug targets
Authors: Sahoo Pramoda Kumar , Parida Sonali , Mohapatra Amruta , Mohanty Jyotirmaya 
Published: December 2019

AbstractArgulusspp. are economically important fish ectoparasites. The development of antiparasitic drugs is thus important and real time PCR is an indispensable tool in drug development. The analytical potential of RT-PCR depends upon accurate normalisation by the use of stable reference genes. Here, we identified stable reference genes ofArgulus siamensisfor validation of efficacy of drugs and drug targets. Seven candidate genes were evaluated by evaluating their expression under different states ofArgulususing the RefFinder tool. The four algorithms together generated a comprehensive ranking with elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1α) being the most stable and 18S ribosomal protein (18S) the least stable gene. Taking EF-1α and 18S genes as references, the effectiveness of six anti-parasitic compounds againstArguluswas evaluated by studying their effect on the expression pattern of few ion channel genes; this was to understand their mode of action, besides validating the reference genes. EF-1α was found to be the most stable gene in the validation. Collectively, this study is the first report to validate the optimal reference genes ofA.siamensisfor normalisation, and the potential of the ion channel genes for evaluating effective drug targets in parasite control.
The role of CRP and Pentraxin 3 in the prediction of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and death in acute pancreatitis
Authors: Staubli Sebastian M. , Schäfer Juliane , Rosenthal Rachel , Zeindler Jasmin , Oertli Daniel , Nebiker Christian A. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an acute phase protein. Our goal was to assess PTX3 as a predictor of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), death and disease severity in acute pancreatitis (AP) in comparison to C-reactive protein (CRP) and the APACHE II score. From April 2011 to January 2015, 142 patients with AP were included in this single center post hoc analysis of prospectively collected data at the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland. Disease severity was rated by the revised Atlanta criteria (rAC). Inflammatory response was measured by the SIRS criteria. PTX3, CRP and APACHE II score were measured. Patients median PTX3 plasma concentrations in AP were higher in moderate (3.311 ng/ml) and severe (3.091 ng/ml) than in mild disease (2.461 ng/ml). Overall, 59 occurrences of SIRS or death were observed. In the prediction of SIRS or death, PTX3 was inferior to CRP and APACHE II, with modest predictive discriminatory ability of all three markers and AUC of 0.54, 0.69 and 0.69, respectively. Upon combination of CRP with PTX3, AUC was 0.7. PTX3 seems to be inferior to CRP and APACHE II in the prediction of SIRS or death in AP and does not seem to improve the predictive value of CRP upon combination of both parameters.
Syndecan-1 Predicts Outcome in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Infarction Independent from Infarct-related Myocardial Injury
Authors: Wernly Bernhard , Fuernau Georg , Masyuk Maryna , Muessig Johanna Maria , Pfeiler Susanne , Bruno Raphael Romano , Desch Steffen , Muench Phillip , Lichtenauer Michael , Kelm Malte , Adams Volker , Thiele Holger , Eitel Ingo , Jung Christian 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSyndecan-1 (sdc1) is a surface protein part of the endothelial glycocalyx (eGC). Soluble sdc1 is derived from shedding and indicates damaged eGC. We assessed the predictive value of plasma sdc1 concentrations for future cardiovascular events in acute reperfused ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. A total of 206 patients admitted for STEMI were included in this study (29% female; age 65 ± 12 years) and followed-up for six months. Plasma samples were obtained post-intervention and analyzed for sdc1 by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Primary outcome was six-month-mortality. Sdc1 did not correlate with biomarkers such as creatine kinase (CK) (r = 0.11; p = 0.01) or troponin (r = −0.12; p = 0.09), nor with infarct size (r = −0.04; p = 0.67) and myocardial salvage index (r = 0.11; p = 0.17). Sdc-1 was associated with mortality (changes per 100 ng/mL sdc-1 concentration; HR 1.08 95% 1.03–1.12; p = 0.001). An optimal cut-off was calculated at >120 ng/mL. After correction for known risk factors sdc1 >120 ng/mL was independently associated with mortality after 6 months. In our study, sdc1 is independently associated with six-month-mortality after STEMI. Combining clinical evaluation and different biomarkers assessing both infarct-related myocardial injury and systemic stress response might improve the accuracy of predicting clinical prognosis in STEMI patients.
Suppressing aberrant phospholipase D1 signaling in 3xTg Alzheimer’s disease mouse model promotes synaptic resilience
Authors: Bourne Krystyn Z. , Natarajan Chandramouli , Perez Carlos X. Medina , Tumurbaatar Batbayar , Taglialatela Giulio , Krishnan Balaji 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCurrent approaches in treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is focused on early stages of cognitive decline. Identifying therapeutic targets that promote synaptic resilience during early stages may prevent progressive memory deficits by preserving memory mechanisms. We recently reported that the inducible isoform of phospholipase D (PLD1) was significantly increased in synaptosomes from post-mortem AD brains compared to age-matched controls. Using mouse models, we reported that the aberrantly elevated neuronal PLD1 is key for oligomeric amyloid driven synaptic dysfunction and underlying memory deficits. Here, we demonstrate that chronic inhibition using a well-tolerated PLD1 specific small molecule inhibitor is sufficient to prevent the progression of synaptic dysfunction during early stages in the 3xTg-AD mouse model. Firstly, we report prevention of cognitive decline in the inhibitor-treated group using novel object recognition (NOR) and fear conditioning (FC). Secondly, we provide electrophysiological assessment of better synaptic function in the inhibitor-treated group. Lastly, using Golgi staining, we report that preservation of dendritic spine integrity as one of the mechanisms underlying the action of the small molecule inhibitor. Collectively, these studies provide evidence for inhibition of PLD1 as a potential therapeutic strategy in preventing progression of cognitive decline associated with AD and related dementia.
Characterization of the dielectric properties of water and methanol in the D-band using a quasi-optical spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Xiaoming , Yu Junsheng 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis work presents the measurement of the permittivities of water and methanol in the D-band. Water is a reference medium for dielectric measurement. The dielectric permittivity of water in the millimeter wave range is a fundamental parameter in many applications, and needs to be investigated systematically. The measurement is conducted using a quasi-optical spectroscopy, which is an improved free-space method more suitable for the millimeter wave range. The theoretical formulae are derived using the signal-flow chart method, which is developed specially for multi-layer operation. This model enables one measure liquid samples. A non-calibration method has been developed to retrieve the permittivity. Water and methanol are measured at several temperatures. The measured results agree with published results in a 4% discrepancy. This work will add new measured data to the permittivities of water and methanol over the whole D-band.
μPMU‐based intelligent island detection – the first crucial step toward enhancing grid resilience with MG
Authors: Dutta Soham , Reddy Maddikara Jaya Bharata , Mohanta Dusmanta Kumar , Kushwah Makrand Sing , Sadhu Pradip Kumar 
Published: December 2019

With the increased climatic change and modern grid complexity, extreme grid power outage events caused by natural calamity and human interruptions have led to an urgency to enhance the grid resiliency. Microgrids (MGs) have proved to be a concrete solution to these situations. However, these events are quite uncertain, leading to the unintentional island of MGs that has adverse effects. Thus, as a first step toward increasing grid resiliency with MG, informing the distributed generations about the unintentional island is a critical task. Hence, there is a need to develop a quick and reliable unintentional island detection scheme. Micro phasor measurement units (μPMUs) are becoming popular in MG. Given this, this study proposes an inadvertent island detection scheme in an MG using an intelligent μPMU. With the μPMU, the voltage at solar generator bus is measured, three features are extracted through spectral kurtosis and random forest classifier is employed for island detection. After island detection, a control methodology is proposed to circumvent the post‐effects. The method has zero non‐detection zone, 99.83% accuracy and a detection time of 20 ms. The reliability of the algorithm is ascertained using the analytical hierarchical approach and software fault‐tree analysis.
Degassers in drinking water supply
Authors: Belova Larisa , Zhulin Alexandr , Sidorenko Olga 
Published: December 2019

In the Tyumen region, groundwater is widely used for household and drinking water supply, the chemical composition of which is influenced by the increased marshland and peat resistance of soils and, in some cases, the presence of oil and gas-bearing horizons. Underground water typically has a high content of dissolved organic impurities (permanganate oxidability 11.7 - 23.0 mg/dm3), elevated concentrations of free carbon dioxide (20.0 200.0 mg/dm3), hydrogen sulfide (0.20 - 1.95 mg/dm3) and methane (5.3 - 60.0 mg/dm3), dissolved forms of iron (1.14 - 14.00 mg/dm3), manganese (0.02 - 3.80 mg/dm3).
Analysis of iron removal plants operation was performed. Analysis of the region's iron removal plants showed that the process of iron removal of water depends on the degree of saturation of water with air oxygen with parallel removal of dissolved gases. Pre-degassing of water with high efficiency degassers is a necessary link of the process chain even when reagent purification techniques are used.
Analysis and systematization of existing degassers to remove dissolved carbon dioxide have shown that despite the high-efficiency of some degasser models, they are complex in design and require considerable capital construction and operation costs. There is a need to develop a design not complicated in design, having high degassing efficiency at low economic costs.
Systematic Search For Evidence of Tetrahedral and Octahedral Symmetries in Subatomic Physics: Follow-up of the First Identification Case in152Sm
Authors: Dudek Jerzy , Dedes Irene , Gaamouci Abdelghafar , Yang Jie , Baran Andrzej , Curien Dominique , Dickel Timo , Wang Hua-Lei 
Published: December 2019

In a recent article [1] group-theory representation-methods have been combined with the realistic mean-field calculation results to elaborate new, specifically designed methods of experimental identification of the tetrahedral/octahedral symmetries in atomic nuclei. The authors demonstrated that experimental data on152Sm existing in the literature are fully compatible with the extremely restrictive group-theory criteria of simultaneous presence of tetrahedral and octahedral symmetries, thus identifying these symmetries in subatomic physics for the first time. We discuss theory predictions related to the systematic presence of these symmetries as well as their manifestations throughout the Periodic Table in the form of islands centred around the doublymagic tetrahedral-symmetry nuclei.The corresponding theory predictions are discussed in the context of the planned new experiments, which would employ the advanced mass-spectrometry methods [2], in view of the new experimental search criteria [1]. The addressed field of symmetry-research presents particularly promising potentialities in the domain of exotic nuclei studies. Indeed, as it can be demonstrated, in the exact tetrahedral and/or octahedral symmetry limits the corresponding nuclei emit neither E2 nor E1 radiation generating isomeric states with lifetimes which can become much longer than those of the related ground states. This is expected to open the new research strategies for the whole domain of the exotic nuclei studies throughout the Periodic Table.
Anwendung der D-A-CH-Referenzwerte für die Nährstoffzufuhr
Authors: Richter Margrit , Bechthold Angela 
Published: December 2019

ZusammenfassungEine ausgewogene, den Bedarf an Nährstoffen und Energie deckende (isoenergetische) Ernährung ist eine wichtige Grundlage für Wachstum und Entwicklung sowie für den langfristigen Erhalt von Gesundheit, Leistungsfähigkeit und Wohlbefinden des Menschen. Die D-A-CH-Referenzwerte benennen Mengen für die Nährstoff- und Energiezufuhr gesunder Menschen.
Nahrungsmittelunsicherheit
Authors: Zielinski Johanna 
Published: December 2019

ZusammenfassungUnsicherheit begegnet uns in allen möglichen Bereichen und Facetten des Lebens. Dazu gehören auch die vielen Faktoren, die uns und unsere Umwelt prägen. So wie der Klimawandel, der bereits jetzt spürbare Konsequenzen für unsere Gesundheit und Gesellschaft hat. Die Sicherheit, mit der wir dem Vorhandensein und der Qualität von Nahrung begegnen, kann sich jedoch auch in Unsicherheit wandeln – etwa beim Umgang mit dem Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum.
Systembiologie in der Ophthalmologie – innovative Wirkstoffidentifikation zur spezifischen Vermeidung postoperativer Fibrose
Authors: Stahnke Thomas , Gajda-Derylo Beata , Stachs Oliver , Guthoff Rudolf F. , Jünemann Anselm , Füllen Georg 
Published: December 2019

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Der Langzeiterfolg fistulierender Therapiekonzepte zur Behandlung des Glaukoms wird im Wesentlichen durch überschießende Vernarbungsreaktionen (Fibrose) limitiert. Zytostatika wie Mitomycin C können die Fibrose zwar verhindern, sind jedoch häufig mit Nebenwirkungen assoziiert. Spezifisch wirkende Antifibrotika sind derzeit nicht im klinischen Einsatz. Daher beschreibt diese Studie einen systembiologischen Ansatz, mit dem durch eine dedizierte Bioinformatik-Technologieplattform Wirkstoffe identifiziert und als Antifibrotikum repositioniert werden können.
Material und Methoden Als Basis für den Wirkstoffidentifikationsprozess wurden differenzielle Genexpressionsdaten humaner Tenon-Fibroblasten (hTF) genutzt, die von unbehandelten hTF und von mit Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGF-β1) stimulierten hTF („fibrotische Fibroblasten“) mittels Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) erhoben wurden. Diese Daten wurden mit dem bioinformatischen Werkzeug „FocusHeuristics“ gefiltert. Im Vergleich mit der Connectivity-Map-Datenbank wurden der Fibrose entgegenwirkende Wirkstoffe identifiziert. Die Evaluierung eines potenziell erfolgversprechenden Wirkstoffs als Antifibrotikum wurde an hTF mittels indirekter Immunfluoreszenz in vitro durchgeführt.
Ergebnisse Die Analyse der Genexpressionsdaten führte zur Identifikation mehrerer in fibrotische Prozesse involvierter Interaktionsnetzwerke von Genen bzw. Proteinen. Eines dieser Netzwerke beinhaltet das Zytokin Bone morphogenic Protein 6 (BMP6) sowie Interleukin 6 (IL6) und Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 (FGF1). Ein weiteres relevantes Netzwerk konnte rund um das CD34-Gen (CD34: Cluster of Differentiation 34) identifiziert werden. Der Vergleich dieser Daten mit denen der Connectivity Map ermöglichte die Identifikation eines entsprechend invers wirkenden Wirkstoffs. Dessen Evaluierung im fibrotischen Zellkulturmodell in vitro mittels indirekter Immunfluoreszenz führte zu einer deutlichen Expressionsreduktion der fibrotischen Markerproteine Fibronektin und Alpha-smooth Muscle Actin (α-SMA), womit die vorhergesagte antifibrotische Wirkung bestätigt werden konnte.
Schlussfolgerung Systembiologische Ansätze können für die Identifikation von antifibrotischen Wirkstoffkandidaten zur Vermeidung postoperativer Fibrose genutzt werden und sollten sich über die Erfassung differenzieller Genexpressionsdaten weiterer okularer Zellen oder Gewebe auch auf andere ophthalmologische Anwendungsfelder transferieren lassen.
Omega-3-Fettsäuren bei atopischen Erkrankungen
Authors: Schmiedel Volker 
Published: December 2019

ZusammenfassungAllergien, Bronchialasthma oder Neurodermitis sind auf dem Vormarsch und zählen mittlerweile zu den Volkskrankheiten – und belasten sowohl Patienten, Angehörige als auch das Gesundheitssystem. Die Schulmedizin behandelt meist nur die Symptomatik, indem die Auswirkungen der Immunabwehr gemildert oder unterdrückt werden. Die Naturheilkunde kennt die antiinflammatorische Wirkung von maritimen Omega-3-Fettsäuren und macht sich diese bei der Behandlung von atopischen Erkrankungen zunutze. Dazu gibt es auch gesicherte Daten: Der Beitrag stellt vor allem einige interessante Schwangerschaftsstudien sowie Fallbeispiele aus der Praxis des Autors vor.