bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Primary prevention of atherosclerosis by pretreatment of low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice with sesame oil and its aqueous components
Authors: Aluganti Narasimhulu Chandrakala , Burge Kathryn Young , Doomra Mitsushita , Riad Aladdin , Parthasarathy Sampath 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPharmacological intervention using statins and PCSK9 inhibitors have become first-line therapy in the prevention of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. Currently, no agent is available for the primary prevention of atherosclerosis. However, there is an emerging hypothesis that atherosclerosis could be driven by inflammation. In this study, we tested whether pretreatment with an aqueous extract from sesame oil (SOAE), which showed potent anti-inflammatory properties without hypocholesterolemic actions, would prevent subsequent atherosclerosis development in a mouse model. RAW 264.7 macrophages and female low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLR−/−) mice were used forin vitroandin vivostudies, respectively. Plasma lipids, cytokines and atherosclerotic lesions were quantified at the end of the study. RNA was extracted from the liver and aortic tissues and used for gene analysis. Pre-treatment of SOAE prevented Ox-LDL uptake by RAW macrophages and further inflammationin vitro. SOAE pre-treatment significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions and pro-inflammatory gene expressions in LDLR−/−mice as compared to control mice. No significant change in plasma cholesterol levels was observed. A significant reduction in plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1 and VCAM1 was observed in the SOAE pre-treated animals. This is the first study that demonstrates that pre-treatment with anti-inflammatory agents, could delay/decrease atherosclerosis.
Insight into the molecular mechanism behind PEG-mediated stabilization of biofluid lipases
Authors: Pérez Bianca , Coletta Andrea , Pedersen Jannik N. , Petersen Steen V. , Periole Xavier , Pedersen Jan Skov , Sessions Richard B. , Guo Zheng , Perriman Adam , Schiøtt Birgit 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBioconjugates established between anionic polyethylene glycol (PEG) based polymers and cationic proteins have proven to be a promising strategy to engineer thermostable biocatalysts. However, the enzyme activity of these bioconjugates is very low and the mechanism of non-covalent PEG-stabilization is yet to be understood. This work presents experimental and molecular dynamics simulation studies, using lipase-polymer surfactant nanoconjugates from mesophile Rhizomucor miehei (RML), performed to evaluate the effect of PEG on enzyme stability and activity. Results demonstrated that the number of hydrogen bonds between the cationized RML and PEG chain correlates with enzyme thermostability. In addition, an increase of both the number of PEG-polymers units and cationization degree of the enzyme leads to a decrease of enzyme activity. Modelling with SAXS data of aqueous solutions of the biofluid lipases agrees with previous hypothesis that these enzymes contain a core constituted of folded protein confined by a shell of surfactants. Together results provide valuable insight into the mechanism of non-covalent PEG mediated protein stabilization relevant for engineering active and thermostable biofluids. Furthermore, the first biofluids RML with activity comparable to their cationized counterpart are presented.
The Chinese Medicine Wu-Tou Decoction Relieves Neuropathic Pain by Inhibiting Hippocampal Microglia Activation
Authors: Zhu Chunyan , Xu Qionghong , Mao Zhiyun , Lin Na 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe comorbidity between the nociceptive and mental syndromes adds to the refractoriness of neuropathic pain (NP). Wu-Tou decoction (WTD) has been prescribed for chronic pain for thousands of years in China. Recently, we reported that WTD was helpful for hippocampus and co-curative for the nociceptive, depressive and anxiety behaviors in the spinal cord ligation (SNL) mice. However, the mechanism underlying the rescue of hippocampus, as well as the roles hippocampus assumed in co-curation remain unexplored. In this study, we validated that in SNL mice, the long-lasting damages to limbic system were mainly limited to hippocampus. In addition, hippocampal neurons were proven sensitive to harms induced by microglia and rescued by WTD, which in sum indicated hippocampal microglia as the critical modulator of co-curation. To validate this hypothesis the hippocampal microglia were mal-activated in shamed mice, in which the atrophy of hippocampus and the development of NP syndromes were consolidated and proven rescued by WTD. On the contrary, in the SNL mice, the failure to control hippocampal microglia was sufficient to void all the rescues mediated by WTD. In sum, our study points out that the effective modulation of microglia in hippocampus is of pivotal importance for the co-curation by WTD.
Long-term bat abundance in sagebrush steppe
Authors: Whiting Jericho C. , Doering Bill , Wright Gary , Englestead Devin K. , Frye Justin A. , Stefanic Todd , Sewall Brent J. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBats of western North America face many threats, but little is known about current population changes in these mammals. We compiled 283 surveys from 49 hibernacula over 32 years to investigate population changes of Townsend’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii townsendii) and western small-footed myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum) in Idaho, USA. This area comprises some of the best bat habitat in the western USA, but is threatened by land-use change. Bats in this area also face invasion by the pathogen causing white-nose syndrome. Little is known about long-term trends of abundance of these two species. In our study, estimated population changes for Townsend’s big-eared bats varied by management area, with relative abundance increasing by 186% and 326% in two management areas, but decreasing 55% in another. For western small-footed myotis, analysis of estimated population trend was complicated by an increase in detection of 141% over winter. After accounting for differences in detection, this species declined region-wide by 63% to winter of 1998–1999. The population fully recovered by 2013–2014, likely because 12 of 23 of its hibernacula were closed to public access from 1994 to 1998. Our data clarify long-term population patterns of two bat species of conservation concern, and provide important baseline understanding of western small-footed myotis prior to the arrival of white-nose syndrome in this area.
Epidemic history of hepatitis C virus genotypes and subtypes in Portugal
Authors: Palladino Claudia , Ezeonwumelu Ifeanyi Jude , Marcelino Rute , Briz Verónica , Moranguinho Inês , Serejo Fátima , Velosa José Fernando , Marinho Rui Tato , Borrego Pedro , Taveira Nuno 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAny successful strategy to prevent and control HCV infection requires an understanding of the epidemic behaviour among the different genotypes. Here, we performed the first characterization of the epidemic history and transmission dynamics of HCV subtypes in Portugal. Direct sequencing of NS5B was performed on 230 direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAA)-treatment naïve patients in Lisbon. Phylogenetic analysis was used for subtyping and transmission cluster identification. Bayesian methods were used to reconstruct the epidemic history of HCV subtypes. Sequences were analysed for resistance-associated substitutions (RAS). The majority of strains were HCV-GT1 (62.6%), GT3 (18.3%, all subtype 3a) and GT4 (16.1%). Among GT1, the most frequent were subtypes 1a (75.5%) and 1b (24.5%). Polyphyletic patterns were found in all but 12 lineages suggesting multiple introductions of the different subtypes in this population. Five distinct epidemics were identified. The first significant HCV epidemic in Portugal occurred between 1930s and 1960s, was caused almost exclusively by GT1b and was likely associated with blood transfusions. Rapid expansion of GT3a occurred in the 1960s and GT1a in the 1980s, associated with intravenous drug use. The most recent epidemics were caused by GT4a and GT4d and seem to be associated with the resurgence of opioid use. The C316N substitution was found in 31.4% of GT1b-patients. Close surveillance of patients bearing this mutation and undergoing dasabuvir-based regimens will be important to determine its impact on treatment outcome.
MicroRNA-224 down-regulates Glycine N-methyltransferase gene expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Hung Jung-Hsien , Li Chung-Hsien , Yeh Ching-Hua , Huang Pin-Cheng , Fang Cheng-Chieh , Chen Yen-Fu , Lee Kuo-Jui , Chou Chih-Hung , Cheng Hsin-Yun , Huang Hsien-Da , Chen Marcelo , Tsai Ting-Fen , Lin Anya Maan-Yuh , Yen Chia-Hung , Tsou Ann-Ping , Tyan Yu-Chang , Chen Yi-Ming Arthur 
Published: August 2018

AbstractGlycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) is a tumor suppressor for HCC. It is down-regulated in HCC, but the mechanism is not fully understood. MicroRNA-224 (miR-224) acts as an onco-miR in HCC. This study is the first to investigate miR-224 targeting the coding region of GNMT transcript. The GNMT-MT plasmid containing a miR-224 binding site silent mutation of the GNMT coding sequence can escape the suppression of miR-224 in HEK293T cells. Expression of both exogenous and endogenous GNMT was suppressed by miR-224, while miR-224 inhibitor enhanced GNMT expression. miR-224 counteracts the effects of GNMT on the reduction of cell proliferation and tumor growth. The levels of miR-224 and GNMT mRNA showed a significant inverse relationship in tumor specimens from HCC patients. Utilizing CCl4-treated hepatoma cells and mice as a cell damage of inflammatory or liver injury model, we observed that the decreased expression levels of GNMT were accompanied with the elevated expression levels of miR-224 in hepatoma cells and mouse liver. Finally, hepatic AAV-mediated GNMT also reduced CCl4-induced miR-224 expression and liver fibrosis. These results indicated that AAV-mediated GNMT has potential liver protection activity. miR-224 can target the GNMT mRNA coding sequence and plays an important role in GNMT suppression during liver tumorigenesis.
Estradiol Prevents High Glucose-Induced β-cell Apoptosis by Decreased BTG2 Expression
Authors: Kooptiwut Suwattanee , Kaewin Suchada , Semprasert Namoiy , Sujjitjoon Jatuporn , Junking Mutita , Suksri Kanchana , Yenchitsomanus Pa-thai 
Published: August 2018

AbstractHyperglycemia stimulates several pathways to induce pancreatic β-cell apoptosis. In our previous study by mRNA analysis, we demonstrated that B-cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2) expression was up-regulated in INS-1 cells cultured under high glucose conditions, but this effect was reversed by estrogen. In the present study, we demonstrated that BTG2 mRNA and protein expressions in both INS-1 cells and mouse pancreatic islets increased under high glucose conditions compared to those cultured under basal glucose conditions, while in the presence of estrogen, the BTG2 mRNA and protein expressions decreased. SiRNA-BTG2 significantly reduced cell apoptosis, cleaved-caspase 3, and Bax, compared to the siRNA-control in INS-1 cultured under high glucose conditions. We further demonstrated that BTG2 promoter activity was activated under high glucose conditions whereas estrogen significantly reduced it. The effects of estrogen on BTG2 expression were inhibited by estrogen receptor inhibitors. Also, under high glucose conditions, p53 and Bax mRNA and protein expressions increased, but they decreased in the presence of estrogen. Again, the effect of estrogen on p53 and Bax expression was inhibited by estrogen receptor inhibitors. Taken together, this study demonstrates that estrogen reduces pancreatic β-cell apoptosis under high glucose conditions via suppression of BTG2, p53, and Bax expressions.
Hamming weight and tight constraints of multi-qubit entanglement in terms of unified entropy
Authors: Kim Jeong San 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe establish a characterization of multi-qubit entanglement constraints in terms of non-negative power of entanglement measures based on unified-(q, s) entropy. Using the Hamming weight of the binary vector related with the distribution of subsystems, we establish a class of tight monogamy inequalities of multi-qubit entanglement based on the αth-power of unified-(q, s) entanglement for α ≥ 1. For 0 ≤ β ≤ 1, we establish a class of tight polygamy inequalities of multi-qubit entanglement in terms of the βth-power of unified-(q, s) entanglement of assistance. Thus our results characterize the monogamy and polygamy of multi-qubit entanglement for the full range of non-negative power of unified entanglement.
Rhizobacterial community structure in response to nitrogen addition varied between two Mollisols differing in soil organic carbon
Authors: Lian Tengxiang , Yu Zhenhua , Liu Junjie , Li Yansheng , Wang Guanghua , Liu Xiaobing , Herbert Stephen J. , Wu Junjiang , Jin Jian 
Published: August 2018

AbstractExcessive nitrogen (N) fertilizer input to agroecosystem fundamentally alters soil microbial properties and subsequent their ecofunctions such as carbon (C) sequestration and nutrient cycling in soil. However, between soils, the rhizobacterial community diversity and structure in response to N addition is not well understood, which is important to make proper N fertilization strategies to alleviate the negative impact of N addition on soil organic C and soil quality and maintain plant health in soils. Thus, a rhizo-box experiment was conducted with soybean grown in two soils, i.e. soil organic C (SOC)-poor and SOC-rich soil, supplied with three N rates in a range from 0 to 100 mg N kg−1. The rhizospheric soil was collected 50 days after sowing and MiSeq sequencing was deployed to analyze the rhizobacterial community structure. The results showed that increasing N addition significantly decreased the number of phylotype of rhizobacteria by 12.3%, and decreased Shannon index from 5.98 to 5.36 irrespective of soils. Compared to the SOC-rich soil, the increases in abundances of Aquincolaaffiliated to Proteobacteria, andStreptomycesaffiliated to Actinobacteria were greater in the SOC-poor soil in response to N addition. An opposite trend was observed forRamlibacterbelong to Proteobacteria. These results suggest that N addition reduced the rhizobacterial diversity and its influence on rhizobacterial community structure was soil-specific.
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) production in Escherichia coli
Authors: Marinescu George Cătălin , Popescu Roua-Gabriela , Stoian Gheorghe , Dinischiotu Anca 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDiabetes is a chronic and progressive disease with continuously increasing prevalence, rising financial pressure on the worldwide healthcare systems. Recently, the insulin resistance, hallmark of type 2 diabetes, was cured in mice treated with NAD+ precursor β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), no toxic effects being reported. However, NMN has a high price tag, more cost effective production methods are needed. This study proposes a biotechnological NMN production method in Escherichia coli. We show that bicistronic expression of recombinant nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (Nampt) and phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP) synthetase in the presence of nicotinamide (NAM) and lactose may be a successful strategy for cost effective NMN production. Protein expression vectors carrying NAMPT gene from Haemophilus ducreyi and PRPP synthetase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens with L135I mutation were transformed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)pLysS. NMN production reached a maximum of 15.42 mg per L of bacterial culture (or 17.26 mg per gram of protein) in these cells grown in PYA8 medium supplemented with 0.1% NAM and 1% lactose.
HbA1c Measured in the First Trimester of Pregnancy and the Association with Gestational Diabetes
Authors: Hinkle Stefanie N. , Tsai Michael Y. , Rawal Shristi , Albert Paul S. , Zhang Cuilin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe aimed to examine the prospective association between first trimester HbA1c and gestational diabetes (GDM) and explore the utility of HbA1c for prediction of GDM. We used data from a case-control study within the prospective NICHD Fetal Growth Studies-Singleton Cohort (2009–2013), which enrolled 2,802 women at 12 U.S. clinical centers. HbA1c was measured in GDM cases (n = 107) and matched controls (n = 214) targeted at 8–13, 16–22, 24–29, and 34–37 gestational weeks. We excluded women with HbA1c ≥ 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) at enrollment (n = 3) or who had a hemoglobin variant (n = 6). At 8–13 gestational weeks, women who later developed GDM had significantly higher HbA1c (5.3[standard deviation 0.3]%; 34[4]mmol/mol) than women without GDM (5.1[0.3]%; 32[3] mmol/mol) (P ≤ 0.001); this difference remained significant throughout pregnancy. Each 0.1% (1 mmol/mol) HbA1c increase at 8–13 weeks was associated with an adjusted 22% increased GDM risk (95% confidence interval 1.09–1.36). First trimester HbA1c significantly improved GDM prediction over conventional risk factors (AUC 0.59 vs 0.65; P = 0.04). In conclusion, women who develop GDM may have impaired glucose homeostasis early in or prior to pregnancy, as indicated by their elevated first trimester HbA1c. First trimester HbA1c may aid in early identification of at risk women.
Using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography to evaluate the type and thickness of interdigitation zone band in adult Chinese
Authors: Shao Lei , Zhang Qing Lin , Zhou Ling Xiao , Xu Liang , You Qi Sheng , Wei Wen Bin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTo study types and thickness of interdigitation zone band in adult Chinese subjects, we conducted a cross-sectional study. The population-based Beijing Eye Study 2011 included 3468 individuals with a mean age of 64.6 ± 9.8 years. 263 people (263eyes) with a mean age of 64.8 years were randomly selected cases without macular diseases included in the study. A detailed ophthalmic examination was performed including SD-OCT for measurement of the thickness of interdigitation zone band. There are two types of interdigitation zone band; the type1 which can distinguish RPE–BM complex in 170 eyes; and the Type 2 which the two layers merged involved 93 eyes. In type1, the mean thickness of the interdigitation zone band was significantly thicker in the foveal center (16.46 ± 2.92 μm), then nasal macular region (16.19 ± 2.69 μm), temporal macular region (15.73 ± 2.68 . μm), superior region (15.72 ± 2.70 μm), and inferior macular region (14.84 ± 2.63 μm) (P all < 0.05). And the mean thickness of the interdigitation zone band in the foveal center associated with the subfoveal choroidal thickness (P = 0.025) and level of education (P = 0.033). The increase in the thickness of the interdigitation zone band may play a role in the pathophysiologic features of various age-related ocular conditions.
A comparison between scalp- and source-reconstructed EEG networks
Authors: Lai Margherita , Demuru Matteo , Hillebrand Arjan , Fraschini Matteo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractEEG can be used to characterise functional networks using a variety of connectivity (FC) metrics. Unlike EEG source reconstruction, scalp analysis does not allow to make inferences about interacting regions, yet this latter approach has not been abandoned. Although the two approaches use different assumptions, conclusions drawn regarding the topology of the underlying networks should, ideally, not depend on the approach. The aim of the present work was to find an answer to the following questions: does scalp analysis provide a correct estimate of the network topology? how big are the distortions when using various pipelines in different experimental conditions? EEG recordings were analysed with amplitude- and phase-based metrics, founding a strong correlation for the global connectivity between scalp- and source-level. In contrast, network topology was only weakly correlated. The strongest correlations were obtained for MST leaf fraction, but only for FC metrics that limit the effects of volume conduction/signal leakage. These findings suggest that these effects alter the estimated EEG network organization, limiting the interpretation of results of scalp analysis. Finally, this study also suggests that the use of metrics that address the problem of zero lag correlations may give more reliable estimates of the underlying network topology.
Spondylodesetechniken dorsal
Authors: Matschke Stefan , Wendl Klaus , Gruetzner Paul , Kreinest Michael , Vetter Sven 
Published: August 2018

ZusammenfassungDie dorsale Spondylodese bzw. die dorsale Instrumentierung ist integraler Bestandteil bei der Versorgung von unterschiedlichen Wirbelsäulenpathologien der HWS. Die dorsale Spondylodese ist die Domäne bei der Versorgung von Verletzungen im Bereich der oberen HWS mit der Möglichkeit unterschiedlicher Operationsverfahren. Am häufigsten hierbei kommen die Pedikelschrauben in C I und/oder C II zum Einsatz.Während bei subaxialen Verletzungen die überwiegende Anzahl initial von ventral versorgt wird, stellen gerade die hoch instabilen Verletzungen vom Typ C 21 mit luxierten Gelenken auch im Bereich der subaxialen HWS eine Indikation für ein kombiniertes dorsoventrales Verfahren dar. Durch das technisch einfache Besetzen von Massa-lateralis-Schrauben in den Facetten ist diese Schraubenbesetzung für die allermeisten Fälle der subaxialen HWS ausreichend. Biomechanisch bieten die technisch aufwendigeren Pedikelschrauben im Bereich der subaxialen HWS eine gute Alternative bei langen Hebelwirkungen bspw. bei Osteoporose bei Patienten mit Morbus Bechterew. Standardverfahren sind Massaschrauben und Pedikelschrauben, in der Hand des Erfahrenen treten dabei keine gehäuften Komplikationsraten auf.
Verletzungen der Halswirbelsäule: ventrale Spondylodesetechniken
Authors: Scholz Matti , Pingel Andreas , Schleicher Philipp , Kandziora Frank 
Published: August 2018

ZusammenfassungVentrale Spondylodesetechniken werden regelhaft zur Versorgung von Verletzungen der Halswirbelsäule angewandt. Dieser Beitrag soll Ihnen Indikationen, die technische Umsetzung, Nachbehandlung wie auch die potenziellen Komplikationen ventraler Spondylodesetechniken an der Halswirbelsäule näher bringen.
Inzidenz und Behandlung des nicht stoffgebundenen Delirs in deutschen Haus- und Facharztpraxen
Authors: Bohlken Jens , Hewer Walter , Kostev Karel 
Published: August 2018

Zusammenfassung
Ziel Über die Häufigkeit und die medikamentöse Behandlung des nicht stoffgebundenen Delirs in deutschen Haus- (HA) und Facharzt-Praxen (FA) ist wenig bekannt. Ziel der Studie war die Bestimmung der Delir-Inzidenz und der Delir-Behandlung mit Neuroleptika und Benzodiazepinen in HA.- und FA-Praxen.
Methoden In dem Zeitraum von 2012 bis 2015 wurden 2.999 Patienten > 65 Jahre in 1.262 HA- und 1.425 Patienten in 203 FA-Praxen mit erstmaliger Delir-Diagnose (ICD 10: F05) ausgewählt und hinsichtlich der Verordnung von Neuroleptika (EphMRA ATC: N05A) und Benzodiazepine (N06C) untersucht, die direkt nach der Diagnosestellung des Delirs erfolgte.
Ergebnisse Die kumulative 1-Jahres-Inzidenz des Delirs betrug in HA-Praxen 0,6 und in FA-Praxen 1,9 Patienten pro Praxis. Keine Delir-Diagnose wurde in mehr als 40 % der Praxen gestellt. Im Heim erfolgte die Behandlung bei 31 % der HA- und 21 % der FA Patienten. Häufigste HA-Verordnung: Melperon (9,4 % zu Hause bzw. 13,7 % im Heim), FA: Risperidon (4,3 % zu Hause bzw. 13,4 % im Heim). Die antidelirante Medikation war positiv mit männlichem Geschlecht (OR = 1.26), Wohnen im Seniorenheim (OR = 1,74) Demenz (OR = 1.55) und Depression (OR = 1.32), und negativ mit FA-Behandlung (OR =  0.73) assoziiert.
Schlussfolgerung Die Delir-Diagnose und seine medikamentöse Behandlung ist in deutschen Arzt-Praxen ein relativ seltenes Ereignis. Die Ursachen für die im internationalen Vergleich niedrige Prävalenzrate im ambulanten Versorgungsbereich sollte intensiver untersucht werden.