bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiac-derived CTRP9 protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury via calreticulin-dependent inhibition of apoptosis
Authors: Zhao Dajun , Feng Pan , Sun Yang , Qin Zhigang , Zhang Zhengbin , Tan Yanzhen , Gao Erhe , Lau Wayne Bond , Ma Xinliang , Yang Jian , Yu Shiqiang , Xu Xuezeng , Yi Dinghua , Yi Wei 
Published: June 2018

AbstractCardiokines play an essential role in maintaining normal cardiac functions and responding to acute myocardial injury. Studies have demonstrated the heart itself is a significant source of C1q/TNF-related protein 9 (CTRP9). However, the biological role of cardiac-derived CTRP9 remains unclear. We hypothesize cardiac-derived CTRP9 responds to acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury as a cardiokine. We explored the role of cardiac-derived CTRP9 in MI/R injury via genetic manipulation and a CTRP9-knockout (CTRP9-KO) animal model. Inhibition of cardiac CTRP9 exacerbated, whereas its overexpression ameliorated, left ventricular dysfunction and myocardial apoptosis. Endothelial CTRP9 expression was unchanged while cardiomyocyte CTRP9 levels decreased after simulated ischemia/`reperfusion (SI/R) in vitro. Cardiomyocyte CTRP9 overexpression inhibited SI/R-induced apoptosis, an effect abrogated by CTRP9 antibody. Mechanistically, cardiac-derived CTRP9 activated anti-apoptotic signaling pathways and inhibited endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related apoptosis in MI/R injury. Notably, CTRP9 interacted with the ER molecular chaperone calreticulin (CRT) located on the cell surface and in the cytoplasm of cardiomyocytes. The CTRP9–CRT interaction activated the protein kinase A-cAMP response element binding protein (PKA-CREB) signaling pathway, blocked by functional neutralization of the autocrine CTRP9. Inhibition of either CRT or PKA blunted cardiac-derived CTRP9’s anti-apoptotic actions against MI/R injury. We further confirmed these findings in CTRP9-KO rats. Together, these results demonstrate that autocrine CTRP9 of cardiomyocyte origin protects against MI/R injury via CRT association, activation of the PKA-CREB pathway, ultimately inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
Reciprocity of social influence
Authors: Mahmoodi Ali , Bahrami Bahador , Mehring Carsten 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHumans seek advice, via social interaction, to improve their decisions. While social interaction is often reciprocal, the role of reciprocity in social influence is unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that our influence on others affects how much we are influenced by them. Participants first made a visual perceptual estimate and then shared their estimate with an alleged partner. Then, in alternating trials, the participant either revised their decisions or observed how the partner revised theirs. We systematically manipulated the partner’s susceptibility to influence from the participant. We show that participants reciprocated influence with their partner by gravitating toward the susceptible (but not insusceptible) partner’s opinion. In further experiments, we showed that reciprocity is both a dynamic process and is abolished when people believed that they interacted with a computer. Reciprocal social influence is a signaling medium for human-to-human communication that goes beyond aggregation of evidence for decision improvement.
Spectroscopic ellipsometry study of thickness and porosity of the alteration layer formed on international simple glass surface in aqueous corrosion conditions
Authors: Ngo Dien , Liu Hongshen , Sheth Nisha , Lopez-Hallman Raymond , Podraza Nikolas J. , Collin Marie , Gin Stéphane , Kim Seong H. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe porosity and pore-size distribution in the glass play an important role in glass corrosion; however, such information is difficult to be obtained non-destructively. Here we report the use of spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) under controlled humidity environments to determine those structural parameters in the alteration layers formed on international simple glass (ISG), a model nuclear waste glass, in aqueous corrosion conditions. The SE results show that the ISG sample corroded for nearly 4.5 years develops pores larger than 2 nm in diameter, while the alteration layers formed initially in less than 1 month do not have such large pores. The development of larger pores over a long period of corrosion time, while the overall thickness remains relatively constant, implies structural rearrangements of the silicate network occurring within the alteration layer, which could eventually affect the transport of reactants and products as well as the structural stability.
Cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease: a report from a multidisciplinary symposium on unmet needs and future directions to maintain cognitive health
Authors: Goldman Jennifer G. , Vernaleo Beth A. , Camicioli Richard , Dahodwala Nabila , Dobkin Roseanne D. , Ellis Terry , Galvin James E. , Marras Connie , Edwards Jerri , Fields Julie , Golden Robyn , Karlawish Jason , Levin Bonnie , Shulman Lisa , Smith Glenn , Tangney Christine , Thomas Cathi A. , Tröster Alexander I. , Uc Ergun Y. , Coyan Noreen , Ellman Crystal , Ellman Mike , Hoffman Charlie , Hoffman Susan , Simmonds Don 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPeople with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their care partners frequently report cognitive decline as one of their greatest concerns. Mild cognitive impairment affects approximately 20–50% of people with PD, and longitudinal studies reveal dementia in up to 80% of PD. Through the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Community Choice Research Award Program, the PD community identified maintaining cognitive function as one of their major unmet needs. In response, a working group of experts across multiple disciplines was organized to evaluate the unmet needs, current challenges, and future opportunities related to cognitive impairment in PD. Specific conference goals included defining the current state in the field and gaps regarding cognitive issues in PD from patient, care partner, and healthcare professional viewpoints; discussing non-pharmacological interventions to help maintain cognitive function; forming recommendations for what people with PD can do at all disease stages to maintain cognitive health; and proposing ideas for how healthcare professionals can approach cognitive changes in PD. This paper summarizes the discussions of the conference, first by addressing what is currently known about cognitive dysfunction in PD and discussing several non-pharmacological interventions that are often suggested to people with PD. Second, based on the conference discussions, we provide considerations for people with PD for maintaining cognitive health and for healthcare professionals and care partners when working with people with PD experiencing cognitive impairment. Furthermore, we highlight key issues and knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in order to advance research in cognition in PD and improve clinical care.
“A palliative end-stage COPD patient does not exist”: a qualitative study of barriers to and facilitators for early integration of palliative home care for end-stage COPD
Authors: Scheerens Charlotte , Deliens Luc , Van Belle Simon , Joos Guy , Pype Peter , Chambaere Kenneth 
Published: June 2018

AbstractEarly integration of palliative home care (PHC) might positively affect people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, PHC as a holistic approach is not well integrated in clinical practice at the end-stage COPD. General practitioners (GPs) and community nurses (CNs) are highly involved in primary and home care and could provide valuable perspectives about barriers to and facilitators for early integrated PHC in end-stage COPD. Three focus groups were organised with GPs (n = 28) and four with CNs (n = 28), transcribed verbatim and comparatively analysed. Barriers were related to the unpredictability of COPD, a lack of disease insight and resistance towards care of the patient, lack of cooperation and experience with PHC for professional caregivers, lack of education about early integrated PHC, insufficient continuity of care from hospital to home, and lack of communication about PHC between professional caregivers and with end-stage COPD patients. Facilitators were the use of trigger moments for early integrating PHC, such as after a hospital admission or when an end-stage COPD patient becomes oxygen-dependent or housebound, positive attitudes towards PHC in informal caregivers, more focus on early integration of PHC in professional caregivers’ education, implementing advance care planning in healthcare and PHC systems, and enhancing communication about care and PHC. The results provide insights for clinical practice and the development of key components for successful practice in a phase 0–2 Early Integration of PHC for end-stage COPD (EPIC) trial, such as improving care integration, patients’ disease insight and training PHC nurses in care for end-stage COPD.
From metagenomic data to personalized in silico microbiotas: predicting dietary supplements for Crohn’s disease
Authors: Bauer Eugen , Thiele Ines 
Published: June 2018

AbstractCrohn’s disease (CD) is associated with an ecological imbalance of the intestinal microbiota, consisting of hundreds of species. The underlying complexity as well as individual differences between patients contributes to the difficulty to define a standardized treatment. Computational modeling can systematically investigate metabolic interactions between gut microbes to unravel mechanistic insights. In this study, we integrated metagenomic data of CD patients and healthy controls with genome-scale metabolic models into personalized in silico microbiotas. We predicted short chain fatty acid (SFCA) levels for patients and controls, which were overall congruent with experimental findings. As an emergent property, low concentrations of SCFA were predicted for CD patients and the SCFA signatures were unique to each patient. Consequently, we suggest personalized dietary treatments that could improve each patient’s SCFA levels. The underlying modeling approach could aid clinical practice to find dietary treatment and guide recovery by rationally proposing food aliments.
Simultaneous hyperaccumulation of nickel and cobalt in the tree Glochidion cf. sericeum (Phyllanthaceae): elemental distribution and chemical speciation
Authors: van der Ent Antony , Mak Rachel , de Jonge Martin D. , Harris Hugh H. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHyperaccumulation is generally highly specific for a single element, for example nickel (Ni). The recently-discovered hyperaccumulator Glochidion cf. sericeum (Phyllanthaceae) from Malaysia is unusual in that it simultaneously accumulates nickel and cobalt (Co) with up to 1500 μg g−1 foliar of both elements. We set out to determine whether distribution and associated ligands for Ni and Co complexation differ in this species. We postulated that Co hyperaccumulation coincides with Ni hyperaccumulation operating on similar physiological pathways. However, the ostensibly lower tolerance for Co at the cellular level results in the exudation of Co on the leaf surface in the form of lesions. The formation of such lesions is akin to phytotoxicity responses described for manganese (Mn). Hence, in contrast to Ni, which is stored principally inside the foliar epidermal cells, the accumulation response to Co consists of an extracellular mechanism. The chemical speciation of Ni and Co, in terms of the coordinating ligands involved and principal oxidation state, is similar and associated with carboxylic acids (citrate for Ni and tartrate or malate for Co) and the hydrated metal ion. Some oxidation to Co3+, presumably on the surface of leaves after exudation, was observed.
Betamethasone prevents human rhinovirus- and cigarette smoke- induced loss of respiratory epithelial barrier function
Authors: Waltl Eva E. , Selb Regina , Eckl-Dorna Julia , Mueller Christian A. , Cabauatan Clarissa R. , Eiwegger Thomas , Resch-Marat Yvonne , Niespodziana Katarzyna , Vrtala Susanne , Valenta Rudolf , Niederberger Verena 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe respiratory epithelium is a barrier against pathogens and allergens and a target for therapy in respiratory allergy, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We investigated barrier-damaging factors and protective factors by real-time measurement of respiratory cell barrier integrity. Barrier integrity to cigarette smoke extract (CSE), house dust mite (HDM) extract, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) or human rhinovirus (HRV) infection alone or in combination was assessed. Corticosteroids, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and nasal mucus proteins were tested for their ability to prevent loss of barrier integrity. Real-time impedance-based measurement revealed different patterns of CSE-, HDM-, IFN-γ- and HRV-induced damage. When per se non-damaging concentrations of harmful factors were combined, a synergetic effect was observed only for CSE and HDM. Betamethasone prevented the damaging effect of HRV and CSE, but not damage caused by HDM or IFN-γ. Real-time impedance-based measurement of respiratory epithelial barrier function is useful to study factors, which are harmful or protective. The identification of a synergetic damaging effect of CSE and HDM as well as the finding that Betamethasone protects against HRV- and CSE-induced damage may be important for asthma and COPD.
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Affects the Rat Gut Microbiome
Authors: Callejo María , Mondejar-Parreño Gema , Barreira Bianca , Izquierdo-Garcia José L. , Morales-Cano Daniel , Esquivel-Ruiz Sergio , Moreno Laura , Cogolludo Ángel , Duarte Juan , Perez-Vizcaino Francisco 
Published: June 2018

AbstractWe have analysed whether pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) alters the rat faecal microbiota. Wistar rats were injected with the VEGF receptor antagonist SU5416 (20 mg/kg s.c.) and followed for 2 weeks kept in hypoxia (10% O2, PAH) or injected with vehicle and kept in normoxia (controls). Faecal samples were obtained and microbiome composition was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. No effect of PAH on the global microbiome was found (α- or β-diversity). However, PAH-exposed rats showed gut dysbiosis as indicated by a taxonomy-based analysis. Specifically, PAH rats had a three-fold increase in Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio. Within the Firmicutes phylum, there were no large changes in the relative abundance of the bacterial families in PAH. Among Bacteroidetes, all families were less abundant in PAH. A clear separation was observed between the control and PAH clusters based on short chain fatty acid producing bacterial genera. Moreover, acetate was reduced in the serum of PAH rats. In conclusion, faecal microbiota composition is altered as a result of PAH. This misbalanced bacterial ecosystem might in turn play a pathophysiological role in PAH by altering the immunologic, hormonal and metabolic homeostasis.
Synthesis of Pure Enantiomers of Titanium(IV) Complexes with Chiral Diaminobis(phenolato) Ligands and Their Biological Reactivity
Authors: Miller Maya , Tshuva Edit Y. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractRacemic and enantiomerically pure titanium(IV) complexes with ortho-brominated or para-nitrated chiral diaminobis(phenolato) ligands were prepared with NH and NMe cyclohexyldiamino bridges through ligand to metal chiral induction. The hydrolytic behavior of the complexes was evaluated, identifying the N-methylated complex as the most stable. A representative NH complex hydrolyzed to first give a dimeric structure in solution as deduced by NMR diffusion measurements, followed by formation of clusters with higher nuclearity, as was supported by X-ray characterization of a tetranuclear cluster obtained in trace amounts following 30 days in water solutions. The cytotoxicity of the enantiomerically pure and racemic complexes was measured on HT-29 human colon cancer cell line based on the MTT assay; all stereochemical configurations of the N-methylated complex were inactive, whereas for the NH complexes, the racemic mixtures were mostly inactive but the pure enantiomers exhibited similarly high cytotoxicity, supporting a polynuclear active species. Analysis of the two enantiomers of the most active brominated complex for their cytotoxicity on human ovarian A2780, cisplatin resistant A2780cp and multi-drug-resistant A2780adr cell lines as well as for their apoptosis induction on the A2780 line revealed similar reactivity, supporting a similar mechanism for the two enantiomers.
Warfarin maintenance dose Prediction for Patients undergoing heart valve replacement— a hybrid model with genetic algorithm and Back-Propagation neural network
Authors: Li Qian , Tao Huan , Wang Jing , Zhou Qin , Chen Jie , Qin Wen Zhe , Dong Li , Fu Bo , Hou Jiang Long , Chen Jin , Zhang Wei-Hong 
Published: June 2018

AbstractWarfarin is the most recommended anticoagulant drug for patients undergoing heart valve replacement. However, due to the narrow therapeutic window and individual dose, the use of warfarin needs more advanced technology. We used the data collected from a multi-central registered clinical system all over China about the patients who have undergone heart valve replacement, subsequently divided into three groups (training group: 10673 cases; internal validation group: 3558 cases; external validation group: 1463 cases) in order to construct a hybrid model with genetic algorithm and Back-Propagation neural network (BP-GA), For testing the model’s prediction accuracy, we used Mean absolute error (MAE), Root mean squared error (RMSE) and the ideal predicted percentage of total and dose subgroups. In results, whether in internal or in external validation group, the total ideal predicted percentage was over 58% while the intermediate dose subgroup manifested the best. Moreover, it showed higher prediction accuracy, lower MAE value and lower RMSE value in the external validation group than that in the internal validation group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, BP-GA model is promising to predict warfarin maintenance dose.
C2orf71a/pcare1 is important for photoreceptor outer segment morphogenesis and visual function in zebrafish
Authors: Corral-Serrano Julio C. , Messchaert Muriël , Dona Margo , Peters Theo A. , Kamminga Leonie M. , van Wijk Erwin , Collin Rob W. J. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractMutations in C2orf71 are causative for autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa and occasionally cone-rod dystrophy. We have recently discovered that the protein encoded by this gene is important for modulation of the ciliary membrane through the recruitment of an actin assembly module, and have therefore renamed the gene to PCARE (photoreceptor cilium actin regulator). Here, we report on the identification of two copies of the c2orf71/pcare gene in zebrafish, pcare1 and pcare2. To study the role of the gene most similar to human PCARE, pcare1, we have generated a stable pcare1 mutant zebrafish model (designated pcare1
rmc100/rmc100
) in which the coding sequence was disrupted using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Retinas of both embryonic (5 dpf) and adult (6 mpf) pcare1
rmc100/rmc100
zebrafish display a clear disorganization of photoreceptor outer segments, resembling the phenotype observed in Pcare−/− mice. Optokinetic response and visual motor response measurements indicated visual impairment in pcare1
rmc100/rmc100
zebrafish larvae at 5 dpf. In addition, electroretinogram measurements showed decreased b-wave amplitudes in pcare1
rmc100/rmc100
zebrafish as compared to age- and strain-matched wild-type larvae, indicating a defect in the transretinal current. Altogether, our data show that lack of pcare1 causes a retinal phenotype in zebrafish and indicate that the function of the PCARE gene is conserved across species.
Linking minimum inhibitory concentrations to whole genome sequence-predicted drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from Romania
Authors: Ruesen Carolien , Riza Anca Lelia , Florescu Adriana , Chaidir Lidya , Editoiu Cornelia , Aalders Nicole , Nicolosu Dragos , Grecu Victor , Ioana Mihai , van Crevel Reinout , van Ingen Jakko 
Published: June 2018

AbstractMycobacterium tuberculosis drug resistance poses a major threat to tuberculosis control. Current phenotypic tests for drug susceptibility are time-consuming, technically complex, and expensive. Whole genome sequencing is a promising alternative, though the impact of different drug resistance mutations on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) remains to be investigated. We examined the genomes of 72 phenotypically drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from 72 Romanian patients for drug resistance mutations. MICs for first- and second-line drugs were determined using the MycoTB microdilution method. These MICs were compared to macrodilution critical concentration testing by the Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) platform and correlated to drug resistance mutations. Sixty-three (87.5%) isolates harboured drug resistance mutations; 48 (66.7%) were genotypically multidrug-resistant. Different drug resistance mutations were associated with different MIC ranges; katG S315T for isoniazid, and rpoB S450L for rifampicin were associated with high MICs. However, several mutations such as in rpoB, rrs and rpsL, or embB were associated with MIC ranges including the critical concentration for rifampicin, aminoglycosides or ethambutol, respectively. Different resistance mutations lead to distinct MICs, some of which may still be overcome by increased dosing. Whole genome sequencing can aid in the timely diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug resistance and guide clinical decision-making.
Cerebral photoreception in mantis shrimp
Authors: Donohue Mary W. , Cohen Jonathan H. , Cronin Thomas W. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe currently unsurpassed diversity of photoreceptors found in the eyes of stomatopods, or mantis shrimps, is achieved through a variety of opsin-based visual pigments and optical filters. However, the presence of extraocular photoreceptors in these crustaceans is undescribed. Opsins have been found in extraocular tissues across animal taxa, but their functions are often unknown. Here, we show that the mantis shrimp Neogonodactylus oerstedii has functional cerebral photoreceptors, which expands the suite of mechanisms by which mantis shrimp sense light. Illumination of extraocular photoreceptors elicits behaviors akin to common arthropod escape responses, which persist in blinded individuals. The anterior central nervous system, which is illuminated when a mantis shrimp’s cephalothorax protrudes from its burrow to search for predators, prey, or mates, appears to be photosensitive and to feature two types of opsin-based, potentially histaminergic photoreceptors. A pigmented ventral eye that may be capable of color discrimination extends from the cerebral ganglion, or brain, against the transparent outer carapace, and exhibits a rapid electrical response when illuminated. Additionally, opsins and histamine are expressed in several locations of the eyestalks and cerebral ganglion, where any photoresponses could contribute to shelter-seeking behaviors and other functions.