bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Astragaloside suppresses tumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factor 5 signaling pathway and alleviates neurodegenerative changes in retinal pigment epithelial cells induced by isoflurane
Authors: Chen Pei‐Jun , Shang An‐Quan , Wang Wei‐Wei , Yang Jian‐Ping 
Published: September 2018

AbstractEpidemiological studies showed that isoflurane, a general anesthetic widely used in surgery including those for the children, is associated with impairment of neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), which are related to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Astragaloside (AS) is an antioxidant derivative from a traditional Chinese herbal medicine Astragalus membraneaceus Bunge. In this study, we used retinal pigment epithelial cells, which share plenty of features with neurodegenerative diseases such as AD and AMD to investigate the effect of AS. Cell cycle re‐entry and proapoptosis were seen in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells treated with isoflurane, which was alleviated by pretreatment of AS. Further, tumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factor 5 (TRAF5) and downstream nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) were investigated to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying protective effect of AS. RPE cells exposed to isoflurane expressed higher TRAF5 and NF‐κB than those pretreated with AS, suggesting a critical role of TRAF5 therein. In Morris water maze (MWM) assay, Sprague‐Dawley rats pretreated with AS and then exposed to isoflurane spent less time in swimming to the platform, and their TRAF5 expression was significantly lower than those received anesthesia alone. Further studies on the consequence of forced downregulation or upregulation are warranted that may employ cutting‐edge technologies such as optogenetics to overcome the difficulties in manipulating expression of TRAF5. Although the link between TRAF5 and neurodegeneration requires more in‐depth investigations, our study provide a novel hint on the pathological mechanism of isoflurane and suggest a potential target for eliminating persistent side effect of anesthesia.
Subcellular compartmentalization of glutathione peroxidase 1 allelic isoforms differentially impact parameters of energy metabolism
Authors: Aashique Md , Roy Amrita , Diamond Alan , Bera Soumen 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSpecific genetic variations in the gene for the selenium‐containing antioxidant protein glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) are associated with the risk of a variety of common diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders. Two common variations have been focused upon, one resulting in leucine or proline at codon 198 and another resulting in 5, 6, or 7 alanine repeats were previously shown to affect the distribution of GPX1 between the cytoplasm and mitochondria. Human MCF7 cells engineered to exclusively express GPX1 with five alanine repeats at amino terminus and proline at codon 198 (A5P) and seven alanine repeats at amino terminus and leucine at codon 198 (A7L), as well as derivatives targeted to the mitochondria by the addition of a mitochondrial localization sequence (mA5P and mA7L) were used to assess the consequences of the expression of these proteins on the cellular redox state and bioenergetics. Ectopic expression of A5P and A7L reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species, and the mitochondrially targeted derivatives exhibited better activity in these assays. Bioenergetics and mitochondrial integrity were assessed by measuring mitochondrial membrane potential, oxygen consumption, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase. The results of these assays indicated distinctively, and sometimes opposing, patterns with regard to differences between the consequences of the expression of A5P, A7L, mA5P, and mA7L. These data provide new information on the consequences of differences in the primary structure and cellular location of GPX1 proteins and contribute to the understanding of how these effects might contribute to human disease.
Interleukin 17 is an important pathogenicity gene in pediatric sepsis
Authors: Han Yujie , Li Xiaoying , Gao Shasha , Liu Xianghong , Kang Lili , Li Xiaomei , Lang Yujie , Li Xiao , Sun Mingying , Gai Zhongtao , Yu Shenglin 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveSepsis represents a complex disease with the dysregulated inflammatory response. The purpose of this study is to explore the role of interleukin 17 (IL‐17, also known as IL‐17A) in the occurrence and development of pediatric sepsis.MethodsWe established the sepsis neonatal rat model with the method of intraperitoneal injection of Escherichia coli (E coli). At each target time point, we got the blood from heart after anesthetizing animals, and the lung and liver tissues were fixed in formalin. Immunohistochemistry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay assay was used to analyze the expression of IL‐17A in the lung/liver and plasma respectively. A public data set of neonatal sepsis gene microarray was used to verify our result, and explore main functions of IL‐17A in sepsis.ResultsThe expression levels of IL‐17A in the plasma, lung and liver gradually increased with the extension of the experimental time in sepsis group, and were significantly higher than control group at 4 hours after injection of E coli (P < 0.01). In our study, we found the levels of IL‐17A mRNA in pediatric sepsis group were significantly higher than control group, which is consistent with the neonatal rat septicemia model. In addition, through the functional (GO) enrichment analysis, we found the genes associated with IL‐17A in pediatric sepsis are mainly enriched in the functions of immune response and cell membrane formation.ConclusionIL‐17A might be a potential therapeutic target for pediatric sepsis.
Therapeutic agency, in‐session behavior, and patient–therapist interaction
Authors: Huber Julia , Born Ann‐Kathrin , Claaß Christine , Ehrenthal Johannes C. , Nikendei Christoph , Schauenburg Henning , Dinger Ulrike 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate associations between patients’ subjective agency, their observable in‐session behavior, and the patient–therapist interaction during the early phase of psychotherapy.MethodsThe sample included 52 depressed patients in psychodynamic psychotherapy. After Session 5, the patients’ agency and the quality of the therapeutic alliance were assessed. Based on session recordings, two independent observers rated the patients’ involvement, their interpersonal behavior, and the therapists’ directiveness.ResultsHigher agency was associated with stronger therapeutic alliances. Patients who indicated higher agency in their therapy participated more actively in the session and showed less hostile impact messages. Patients’ agency was not related to therapists’ directiveness.ConclusionsPatients’ sense of agency in psychotherapy was associated with more active involvement and affiliative interaction. The findings support the idea that patients need to feel capable of acting within and having an influence on their therapy to benefit from it.
Regulatory role of microRNA‐320a in the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of trophoblasts and endothelial cells by targeting estrogen‐related receptor γ
Authors: Liu Rong‐Hua , Meng Qin , Shi Yan‐Ping , Xu Huai‐Sheng 
Published: September 2018

AbstractRecently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to participate in many physiological and biological processes, especially by acting as circulating biomarkers or modulators in cell differentiation. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to clarify whether microRNA‐320a (miR‐320a) regulates the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of trophoblasts and endothelial cells. In this study, miR‐320a mimics and inhibitors were transfected into HTR.8/SVneo cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) using liposomes. Subsequently, the expression of miR‐320a and estrogen‐related receptor γ (ERRγ) mRNA was detected by a reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, whereas the protein expression of ERRγ, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiogenin 1 (Ang‐1), human 3beta‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD3B1), and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was detected by western blot analysis. Furthermore, the proliferation, invasion/migration, and apoptosis of cells were analyzed by the cell counting kit‐8 assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. The results showed that overexpression of miR‐320a decreased the optical density (OD) values and the proliferation rate of HTR.8/SVneo cells and HUVECs, while inhibiting the expression of VEGF, Ang‐1, HSD3B1, and HCG in these cells. Furthermore, miR‐320a reduced the ability of cell invasion and migration, while increasing the rate of cell apoptosis. After cotransfecting the cells with miR‐320a and ERRγ small (or short) interfering RNA (siRNA), the decreased ERRγ expression led to inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion, but increased apoptosis of HTR.8/SVneo cells and HUVECs. Our results further revealed that miR‐320a induced the apoptosis of trophoblasts and endothelial cells while inhibiting their proliferation, migration, and invasion by decreasing the expression of ERRγ and by indirectly suppressing the expression of VEGF, Ang‐1, HSD3B1, and HCG.
Surgical trauma‐induced CCL18 promotes recruitment of regulatory T cells and colon cancer progression
Authors: Sun Zhirong , Du Chunchun , Xu Pingbo , Miao Changhong 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackground: Surgical stress has been suggested to facilitate colon cancer growth and metastasis. However, the precise mechanisms by which surgical trauma promotes colon cancer progression remain poorly understood.Methods: To unravel the mechanisms underlying surgery‐induced colon cancer progression, a syngenic transplantation tumor model was established with CT26 cells, and the effect of laparotomy on tumor progression was investigated. Especially, the expression of several chemokines was assessed, and their roles in recruiting CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) after surgery were analyzed.Results: Tregs population was significantly increased in the tumor tissue and peripheral blood of tumor‐bearing mice after laparotomy. C‐C motif chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18) expression was significantly upregulated after laparotomy in tumor tissue and the peritoneal cavity of tumor‐bearing mice, and it was positively correlated with the recruitment of Tregs. Functionally, CCL18 knockdown significantly reduces tumor growth and angiogenesis compared with control. Through analysis of Tregs, we found an upregulated proportion of Tregs in tumor tissue, peritoneal cavity, and peripheral blood after laparotomy, but this enhancement was blocked after CCL18 knockdown. In patients with colon cancer, a higher Tregs proportion is positively correlated to more advanced clinical TNM stages and shorter survival. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between the serum CCL18 level and the Treg proportion in clinical samples.Conclusion: Surgical trauma contributes to colon cancer progression by increasing CCL18 expression and hence promotes Treg recruitment, which leads to an immunosuppressive environment.
Antimicrobial effects of mesenchymal stem cells primed by modified LPS on bacterial clearance in sepsis
Authors: Saeedi Pardis , Halabian Raheleh , Fooladi Abbas Ali Imani 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)‐based regenerative therapy is now considered as an alternative approach to revive infectious diseases, including sepsis. Nevertheless, the efficiency of MSC application is limited by the poor survival rate of engrafted MSCs. Hence, preconditioning was established as a strategy to increase the cells’ efficiency.MethodsMSCs were preconditioned with 1 μg/ml of three different lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) of
Pseudomonas (Pse‐LPS),
Acinetobacter (Ac‐LPS), and
Acinetobacter inactivated lipid A by PagL (Ac‐LPS‐PagL). Then, preconditioned MSCs were exposed to oxidative stress and serum deprivation followed by evaluation of the antibacterial activity, survival, and apoptosis of MSCs. Then, the murine sepsis model treated with 100 μl phosphate‐buffered saline (control group, sepsis group), 100 μl of 1 × 10
6 wild MSCs (MSC group), and three remained groups received 100 μl of 1 × 10
6 LPS‐preconditioned MSCs (Pse‐LPS‐MSCs group: LPS purified from
Pseudomonas, or Ac‐LPS‐MSCs group: LPS purified from
Acinetobacter, and Ac‐PagL‐LPS‐MSCs group: detoxified LPS Pagl).ResultsAfter 4 days, LPS‐preconditioned MSC transplantation modulated the immune response and reduced inflammation in septic mice. Apoptosis of Pse‐LPS/Ac‐LPS‐preconditioned‐MSCs was obviously reduced in vitro, and the survival rate of engrafted mice was evidently elevated in Pse‐LPS‐MSCs and Ac‐LPS‐MSCs groups compared with other three groups.ConclusionLPS preconditioning provides an innovative strategy for evolving functional and biological properties of MSCs and ameliorates the survival rate of the mouse model of sepsis after MSC transplantation, protects cells from apoptosis and organ damages, and evaluates therapeutic properties, including immunemodulatory.
Effect of glucocorticoids on androgen biosynthesis in the testes of the toad Rhinella arenarum (Amphibia, Anura)
Authors: Czuchlej Silvia Cristina , Volonteri María Clara , Regueira Eleonora , Ceballos Nora Raquel 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn rat Leydig cells, glucocorticoids (GCs) inhibit testosterone production through the interaction with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). However, the sensitivity of those cells to GCs is regulated by the enzyme 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase Type 1 (11β‐HSD1). In the testes of the toad Rhinella arenarum, the presence of an 11β‐HSD similar to type 2 and a cytosolic GR has also been described. However, there is a lack of information regarding the effects of GCs on amphibian testicular steroidogenesis. In this study, the effects of corticosterone on androgen production, and the activity of two steroidogenic enzymes in toad testes were reported. Corticosterone inhibits androgen production via the GR because the GR antagonist RU486 prevents corticosterone‐induced inhibition of testosterone. Corticosterone also reduced the activity of the cytochrome P450 17‐hydroxylase, C17,20‐lyase (Cyp450
c17) without affecting the 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase activity. This effect on Cyp450
c17 was likewise inhibited by RU486. On the other hand, corticosterone had no effect on the amount of steroidogenic acute regulator protein. These results suggest that GCs inhibit steroidogenesis in toad testes by reducing of Cyp450
c17 activity via a GR‐mediated mechanism.
Development of sensitive ddPCR assays to reliably quantify the proviral DNA reservoir in all common circulating HIV subtypes and recombinant forms
Authors: Bosman Kobus J , Wensing Annemarie MJ , Pijning Aster E , van Snippenberg Wilco J , van Ham Petra M , de Jong Dorien MC , Hoepelman Andy IM , Nijhuis Monique 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe latent reservoir is the main barrier on the road to HIV cure, and clinical approaches towards eradication are often evaluated by their effect on proviral DNA. To ensure inclusiveness and representativeness in HIV cure studies, proviral DNA quantification assays that are able to detect all common circulating HIV clades are urgently needed. Here, three HIV DNA assays targeting three different genomic regions were evaluated for their sensitivity and subtype‐tolerance using digital PCR.MethodsA subtype‐B‐specific assay targeting gag (GAG) and two assays targeting conserved sequences in ltr and pol (LTR and JO) were assessed for their sensitivity and subtype‐tolerance in digital PCR (Bio‐Rad QX200), using a panel of serially diluted subtype reference plasmids as well as a panel of clinical isolates. Both panels represent subtypes A, B, C, D, F, G and circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) AE and AG, which together are responsible for 94% of HIV infections worldwide.ResultsHIV subtype was observed to greatly affect HIV DNA quantification results. Robust regression analysis of the serially diluted plasmid panel showed that the GAG assay was only able to linearly quantify subtype B, D and G isolates (4/13 reference plasmids, average R2 = 0.99), whereas LTR and JO were able to quantify all tested isolates (13/13 reference plasmids, respective average R2 = 0.99 and 0.98). In the clinical isolates panel, isolates were considered detectable if all replicates produced a positive result. The GAG assay could detect HIV DNA in four out of five subtype B and one out of two subtype D isolates, whereas the LTR and JO assays detected HIV DNA in all twenty‐nine tested isolates. LTR and JO results were found to be equally precise but more precise than GAG.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate the need for a careful validation of proviral reservoir quantification assays prior to investigations into non‐B subtype reservoirs. The LTR and JO assays can sensitively and reliably quantify HIV DNA in a panel that represents the worldwide most prevalent subtypes and CRFs (A, B, C, D, AE, F, G and AG), justifying their application in future trials aimed at global HIV cure.
Diversity and environmental adaptation of phagocytic cell metabolism
Authors: Davies Luke C , Rice Christopher M , McVicar Daniel W , Weiss Jonathan M 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Phagocytes are cells of the immune system that play important roles in phagocytosis, respiratory burst and degranulation—key components of innate immunity and response to infection. This diverse group of cells includes monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils—heterogeneous cell populations possessing cell and tissue-specific functions of which cellular metabolism comprises a critical underpinning. Core functions of phagocytic cells are diverse and sensitive to alterations in environmental- and tissue-specific nutrients and growth factors. As phagocytic cells adapt to these extracellular cues, cellular processes are altered and may contribute to pathogenesis. The considerable degree of functional heterogeneity among monocyte, neutrophil, and other phagocytic cell populations necessitates diverse metabolism. As we review our current understanding of metabolism in phagocytic cells, gaps are focused on to highlight the need for additional studies that hopefully enable improved cell-based strategies for counteracting cancer and other diseases.
Review on the recent advances and current understanding of how phagocytic cells adapt to meet niche-specific metabolic demands.
Prognostic role of inflammatory biomarkers in HIV‐infected patients with a first diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: A single‐center study
Authors: Quiros‐Roldan Eugenia , Properzi Martina , Amadasi Silvia , Raffetti Elena , Ferraresi Alice , Biasi Luciano , Focà Emanuele , Castelli Francesco 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesTo assess hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) survival and to investigate the prognostic role of immunonutritional biomarkers, as neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI), in a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patients.MethodsAll HIV‐positive patients diagnosed with HCC at our Department from January 2000 to December 2013 were included. The outcomes were overall survival (OS), recurrence‐free survival (RFS), and liver‐related death (LRD). To examine the role of inflammatory biomarkers on the outcomes, univariate and multivariable Cox regression models were used. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were implemented to evaluate the prediction role of NLR, PLR, and PNI.ResultsA total of 40 patients (90% males) with a mean age of 48.3 years (SD = 5.6) were recruited. NLR ≥ 2.9 was associated with all causes mortality, as well as, PLR ≥ 126. NLR and PLR were predictors of OS, RFS, and LRD, while PNI did not emerge as a prognostic marker. According to the multivariate analysis, no HCC treatment was the only risk factor associated with risk of death. The areas under the ROC curves were 68.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 54.5‐82.1) for PLR and 66.3 (95% CI, 54.3‐78.2) for NLR at 3 years; similar results were found at 5 years of follow‐up.ConclusionsAlthough, if examined singularly, NLR and PLR are prognostic factors for HCC recurrence and survival in HIV‐infected patients, at the multivariate analysis, “no HCC treatment” remains the only independent risk factor associated with fatal outcome.
Phase Transitions of Branched Fatty‐Acid Calcium Salt/Water Systems
Authors: Yamamoto Yoshiaki , Kakehashi Rie , Aramaki Kenji , Nonomura Yoshimune 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCalcium (Ca) salts of fatty acids are powder materials, which exhibit lubricant, hydrophobic, and bactericidal properties. These physical and biological properties depend on the chemical structure of the alkyl chain of the fatty acids. In this study, the phase behavior of iso‐stearic acid Ca salt/water binary systems was studied, and the effect of the branched structure in the alkyl chain was analyzed. Herein, calcium chloride is added to the iso‐stearic acid aqueous solution. The state of the binary systems changed with the molar ratio (R) of [Ca2+]/[iso‐stearic acid]. Precipitation occurred when R was more than 0.05, whereas the mixture changed from a micelle phase (Wm) to an oil phase (O) through a liquid crystalline phase (LC) when R was less than 0.01. The polarized microscopy images and small‐angle X‐ray scattering profiles showed that the LC is in a lamellar liquid crystalline state. In addition, we evaluated the crystal structure of the precipitated material. These results showed that the iso‐stearic acid Ca salt was in the amorphous state. In contrast, the n‐stearic acid Ca salt formed only the Wm and gel phases. These findings suggest that the branched structure of fatty acids induces loose intermolecular packing of liquid crystalline structures.
Transcriptomic analysis dissects the mechanistic insight into the Daphnia clonal variation in tolerance to toxic Microcystis
Authors: Lyu Kai , Gu Lei , Wang Hui , Zhu Xuexia , Zhang Lu , Sun Yunfei , Huang Yuan , Yang Zhou 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCyanobacteria have become more prevalent than other phytoplankton in freshwater assemblages during summer. In such conditions, cyanobacterial traits may reduce zooplankton fitness and the energy flow efficiency from primary producers to aquatic herbivores. Cladocerans, as the dominant zooplankton grazers in freshwater ecosystems, exhibit clonal variation in their tolerance to cyanobacteria with an increasing gradient in eutrophication history. Hitherto, research on the full modes of action (MoAs) of Daphnia clonal differences in tolerance to toxic Microcystis still remains in its infancy. We conducted fitness and transcriptome analyses on two Daphnia clones, clone TH09 and TH14. A significant decline in body growth rate was detected in the sensitive clone TH09 compared with the tolerant clone TH14 at the presence of toxic Microcystis. Furthermore, transcriptional analysis indicated that major MoAs such as glutathione metabolism, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, amino sugar/nucleotide sugar metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism were linked to the tolerance fitness in Daphnia similoides. These results provided mechanistic insights into the pathways of genetic and biological processes involved in cyanobacteria tolerance in the Daphnia clonal variation, and propose that the genetic architecture of this fitness‐related trait would be helpful to clarify how zooplankton clones adapt to harmful algal blooms.