bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Uridine phosphorylase 1 associates to biological and clinical significance in thyroid carcinoma cell lines
Authors: Guan Yaoyao , Bhandari Adheesh , Zhang Xiaohua , Wang Ouchen 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThyroid cancer incidence has been continuity increasing worldwide. Uridine phosphorylase 1 (UPP1) is a protein‐coding gene and has been detected that UPP1 was the higher expression in many solid malignancies, just as head and neck cancers, breast cancer, compared with paired normal tissue. But the act of UPP1 in thyroid cancer is not explicit. In this article, we investigate the function of UPP1 expression in thyroid cancer. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) unpaired thyroid cancer and normal RNA‐seq data were downloaded, and our paired thyroid cancer and normal samples were analysed by a polymerase chain reaction. The expression of UPP1 was regulated by transfected small interfering RNA, and the function of UPP1 was determined via migration, invasion and cell proliferation assays. Western blot assay was achieved to determine the UPP1 expression correlates with the function of 5‐FU regulate epithelial‐mesenchymal transition. The significant upregulation of UPP1 in thyroid cancer tissues compared with normal thyroid tissues was revealed by our data and TCGA data. UPP1 overexpression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, tumour stage and tumour size. In the cell, experiments showed that UPP1 low expression significantly suppressed the migration, invasion and proliferation. Western blot assay proves the effect of UPP1 expression on 5‐FU regulates epithelial‐mesenchymal transition pathway. UPP1 plays a crucial oncogene in thyroid cancer. Our findings indicate that UPP1 might be a biomarker of thyroid cancer and may act by regulating epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT).
Examining the Precision of Cut Scores Within a Generalizability Theory Framework: A Closer Look at the Item Effect
Authors: Clauser Brian E. , Kane Michael , Clauser Jerome C. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAn Angoff standard setting study generally yields judgments on a number of items by a number of judges (who may or may not be nested in panels). Variability associated with judges (and possibly panels) contributes error to the resulting cut score. The variability associated with items plays a more complicated role. To the extent that the mean item judgments directly reflect empirical item difficulties, the variability in Angoff judgments over items would not add error to the cut score, but to the extent that the mean item judgments do not correspond to the empirical item difficulties, variability in mean judgments over items would add error to the cut score. In this article, we present two generalizability‐theory–based analyses of the proportion of the item variance that contributes to error in the cut score. For one approach, variance components are estimated on the probability (or proportion‐correct) scale of the Angoff judgments, and for the other, the judgments are transferred to the theta scale of an item response theory model before estimating the variance components. The two analyses yield somewhat different results but both indicate that it is not appropriate to simply ignore the item variance component in estimating the error variance.
Experiences of safety among patients receiving home dialysis therapies
Authors: Virtanen Heli , Tuominen Riitta , Kiukainen Senni , Koskinen Jenni , Koskenniemi Jaana , Laulaja Johanna , Numanovic Vanesa , Leino‐Kilpi Helena 
Published: September 2019

SUMMARYBackgroundDialysis patients' experience of safety can be seen positively connected with their wellbeing and successful outcomes of their treatment and care. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the factors promoting and weakening the safety experiences and create a basis for empowering interventions.ObjectivesAnalyse patients' experiences of safety with dialysis and the factors promoting and weakening their safety.MethodsA descriptive study design was used. This study analysed Finnish patients' (n = 70) experiences of safety with dialysis and the factors promoting and weakening patients' safety. Data were collected using a questionnaire including one structured question and two open questions.FindingsThe patients experienced their care as safe. Thematic analysis provided three factors promoting patients' safety: certainty of patient's own competence in dialysis self‐management, competence of personnel in dialysis treatment and care, continuity of ensuring patients' state of health, as well as three factors weakening safety: patients' uncertainty of living with chronic kidney disease, insufficient patient education and uncertain realisation of dialysis treatment and care.ConclusionThis study provided new insight into understanding patients' experiences of safety with dialysis. We show that the factors connected with patients' safety were related to the successful realisation of self‐management, support for the self‐management, and delivery of dialysis treatment and care anticipating high‐level outcomes. In light of this study, there are development needs in dialysis treatment and care as a whole in order to ensure patients' safety.
A Qualitative Investigation of Factors that Influence School Employee Health Behaviors: Implications for Wellness Programming
Authors: Schultz Nicole S. , Chui Kenneth K.H. , Economos Christina D. , Lichtenstein Alice H. , Volpe Stella L. , Sacheck Jennifer M. 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDEmployee health promotion in the elementary school setting can support students' health and academic success. School employees can serve as role models, yet evidence suggests poor health in this population. We identified factors that influence school employee health behaviors to inform subsequent development of employee wellness programs.METHODSFocus groups (10 groups, total N = 62) and interviews (N = 5) were conducted with school employees. Participants were recruited from schools in socioeconomically disadvantaged, racially diverse districts in Massachusetts. We used a socioecological framework to identify multi‐level factors that influence employee health behaviors. Factors were characterized as supports (+) or barriers (−) to health‐promoting behaviors.RESULTSEight themes highlighted the importance of an organizational culture that sustains successful employee wellness programming. Intrapersonal themes included: High Stress (+/−), Desire to Adopt Healthy Behaviors (+), and Sufficient Health Knowledge (+). Interpersonal themes included: Strong Social Network (+) and a Desire to Role Model (+). Organizational themes included: Demanding Job (−), Lack of Wellness Culture (−), and Unhealthy Food (−).CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that this population would be receptive to wellness programming. Promising strategies include supporting a dedicated wellness champion and creating recognizable top down wellness support for employees.
Entecavir resistance mutations rtL180M/T184L/M204V combined with rtA200V lead to tenofovir resistance
Authors: Jiang Dong , Wang Jianghua , Zhao Xuesen , Li Yuxin , Zhang Qun , Song Chuan , Zeng Hui , Wang Xianbo 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundTenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) imposes a high genetic barrier to drug resistance and potently inhibits replication of multidrug‐resistant hepatitis B virus. Few clinical cases with confirmed TDF‐resistance have been reported to date.Methods and ResultsHere, we report viral rebound in a patient with chronic hepatitis B who underwent TDF monotherapy and harboured a quadruple mutant consisting of classic entecavir (ETV)‐resistance mutations (rtL180M/T184L/M204V) together with an rtA200V mutation in the reverse transcriptase gene. Sequencing analysis revealed that this quadruple mutant emerged as a major viral population. In vitro phenotyping demonstrated that the rtL180M/T184L/A200V/M204V mutant had moderate resistance to TDF treatment, with a 4.52‐fold higher half maximal effective concentration than that of wild‐type virus. Importantly, this patient with TDF resistance achieved virological suppression after TDF/ETV combination rescue therapy.ConclusionAn rtL180M/T184L/A200V/M204V mutant with moderate resistance to TDF monotherapy was selected during sequential nucleoside analogue (NA) treatment in a stepwise manner. ETV/TDF combination therapy effectively suppressed replication of this TDF‐resistant mutant. Our studies provide novel insights into the treatment of NA‐naïve patients as well as patients with TDF resistance.
Exposure to environmental radionuclides is associated with altered metabolic and immunity pathways in a wild rodent
Authors: Kesäniemi Jenni , Jernfors Toni , Lavrinienko Anton , Kivisaari Kati , Kiljunen Mikko , Mappes Tapio , Watts Phillip C. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractWildlife inhabiting environments contaminated by radionuclides face putative detrimental effects of exposure to ionizing radiation, with biomarkers such as an increase in DNA damage and/or oxidative stress commonly associated with radiation exposure. To examine the effects of exposure to radiation on gene expression in wildlife, we conducted a de novo RNA sequencing study of liver and spleen tissues from a rodent, the bank vole Myodes glareolus. Bank voles were collected from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ), where animals were exposed to elevated levels of radionuclides, and from uncontaminated areas near Kyiv, Ukraine. Counter to expectations, we did not observe a strong DNA damage response in animals exposed to radionuclides, although some signs of oxidative stress were identified. Rather, exposure to environmental radionuclides was associated with upregulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism and fatty acid oxidation in the livers – an apparent shift in energy metabolism. Moreover, using stable isotope analysis, we identified that fur from bank voles inhabiting the CEZ had enriched isotope values of nitrogen: such an increase is consistent with increased fatty acid metabolism, but also could arise from a difference in diet or habitat between the CEZ and elsewhere. In livers and spleens, voles inhabiting the CEZ were characterized by immunosuppression, such as impaired antigen processing, and activation of leucocytes involved in inflammatory responses. In conclusion, exposure to low dose environmental radiation impacts pathways associated with immunity and lipid metabolism, potentially as a stress‐induced coping mechanism.
Fucoidan affects oral squamous cell carcinoma cell functions in vitro by regulating FLNA‐derived circular RNA
Authors: Zhang Nanyang , Gao Ling , Ren Wenhao , Li Shaoming , Zhang Demeng , Song Xianqin , Zhao Chenyang , Zhi Keqian 
Published: September 2019

AbstractOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common cancer types, with a high annual incidence. Although chemotherapy contributes to suppressing OSCC tumorigenesis, the available treatments result in poor prognosis because of local recurrence and regional lymph node metastasis. Thus, it is necessary to discover novel and safe drugs with greater effectiveness and fewer side effects. Fucoidan is a component of the cell wall of brown seaweed that has been shown to produce a wide range of biological activities. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of fucoidan in treating OSCC. In in vitro studies, we found that fucoidan inhibited OSCC growth and suppressed migration and invasion of OSCC cells. In addition, the potential interaction between fucoidan and filamin A (FLNA)–derived circular RNA (circFLNA) was predicted using bioinformatics databases and then confirmed in OSCC samples and cell lines. Indeed, fucoidan increased the expression of circFLNA in OSCC cell lines. Furthermore, both fucoidan and circFLNA could mediate the expression of key proteins related to cell growth, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. In conclusion, our research demonstrated that fucoidan might be considered as a potential natural drug in the treatment of OSCC patients by targeting circFLNA.
Overexpression of a Prefoldin β subunit gene reduces biomass recalcitrance in the bioenergy crop Populus
Authors: Zhang Jin , Xie Meng , Li Mi , Ding Jinhua , Pu Yunqiao , Bryan Anthony C. , Rottmann William , Winkeler Kimberly A. , Collins Cassandra M. , Singan Vasanth , Lindquist Erika A. , Jawdy Sara S. , Gunter Lee E. , Engle Nancy L. , Yang Xiaohan , Barry Kerrie , Tschaplinski Timothy J. , Schmutz Jeremy , Tuskan Gerald A. , Muchero Wellington , Chen Jin‐Gui 
Published: September 2019

SummaryPrefoldin (PFD) is a group II chaperonin that is ubiquitously present in the eukaryotic kingdom. Six subunits (PFD1‐6) form a jellyfish‐like heterohexameric PFD complex and function in protein folding and cytoskeleton organization. However, little is known about its function in plant cell wall‐related processes. Here, we report the functional characterization of a PFD gene from Populus deltoides, designated as PdPFD2.2. There are two copies of PFD2 in Populus, and PdPFD2.2 was ubiquitously expressed with high transcript abundance in the cambial region. PdPFD2.2 can physically interact with DELLA protein RGA1_8g, and its subcellular localization is affected by the interaction. In P. deltoides transgenic plants overexpressing PdPFD2.2, the lignin syringyl/guaiacyl ratio was increased, but cellulose content and crystallinity index were unchanged. In addition, the total released sugar (glucose and xylose) amounts were increased by 7.6% and 6.1%, respectively, in two transgenic lines. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that secondary metabolic pathways, including lignin and flavonoid biosynthesis, were affected by overexpressing PdPFD2.2. A total of eight hub transcription factors (TFs) were identified based on TF binding sites of differentially expressed genes in Populus transgenic plants overexpressing PdPFD2.2. In addition, several known cell wall‐related TFs, such as MYB3, MYB4, MYB7, TT8 and XND1, were affected by overexpression of PdPFD2.2. These results suggest that overexpression of PdPFD2.2 can reduce biomass recalcitrance and PdPFD2.2 is a promising target for genetic engineering to improve feedstock characteristics to enhance biofuel conversion and reduce the cost of lignocellulosic biofuel production.
Tolerance to ozone might impose restrictions to plant disease management in tomato
Authors: Romero A. M. , Menéndez A. I. , Folcia A. M. , Martínez‐Ghersa M. A. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Tropospheric ozone (O3) is considered a major air pollutant having negative effects on plant growth and productivity. Background concentrations are expected to rise in several regions of the world in the next 50 years, affecting plant responses to diseases, thus requiring new management strategies for food production.

The effects of elevated O3 on the severity of a bacterial disease, and the effectiveness of a chemical defence inducer, were examined in two cultivars of tomato, Roma and Moneymaker, which present different tolerance to this pollutant. The two cultivars differ in their ability to produce and accumulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in leaf tissues. Tomato plants were challenged with a strain of Xanthomonas vesicatoria, Xv9, which is pathogenic on tomato.

Ozone consistently increased severity of the disease by over 40% in both cultivars. In the more tolerant cultivar, O3 pollution increased disease intensity, even after applying a commercially available product to enhance resistance (acibenzolar‐S‐methyl, BTH). In the more susceptible cultivar, level of disease attained depended on the oxidative balance that resulted from other stress factors.

The antioxidant capacity of the plant at the time of infection was relevant for controlling development of the disease. Our results suggest that development of O3 tolerance in commercial crops might impose a penalty cost in terms of disease management under projected higher O3 concentrations.
Effects of maternal lifestyle interventions on child neurobehavioral development: Follow‐up of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Menting Malou D. , van de Beek Cornelieke , Rono Kristiina , Hoek Annemieke , Groen Henk , Painter Rebecca C. , Girchenko Polina , Lahti‐Pulkkinen Marius , Koivusalo Saila B. , Räikkönen Katri , Eriksson Johan G. , Roseboom Tessa J. , Heinonen Kati 
Published: September 2019

Obesity is a major public health problem. Children of women who were obese before or during pregnancy are at increased risk for neurobehavioral developmental problems. Whether a maternal lifestyle intervention conducted before and during pregnancy in obese women affects child neurobehavioral development is unknown. This study reports on the follow‐up of a subsample of two randomized controlled trials, the Finnish RADIEL (n = 216) and Dutch LIFEstyle (n = 305) trial. Women with a pre‐pregnancy BMI ≥29 kg/m2 wishing to conceive or who were already pregnant (<20 weeks) were allocated to a lifestyle intervention or to care as usual. Child neurodevelopment was measured with the Ages and Stages Questionnaire and child behavioral problems were measured with the Childhood Behavior Checklist (RADIEL) or the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (LIFEstyle) at age 3‐6 years. We used linear and binary logistic regression analyses to assess the effects of the lifestyle interventions on children's neurobehavioral developmental scores. Follow‐up data was available from 161(38%) RADIEL and 96(32%) LIFEstyle children. Child neurodevelopmental scores did not differ significantly between children in the intervention and the control group (RADIEL:median = 275 vs. 280; LIFEstyle:median = 270 vs 267). Child behavioral problem scores did not differ significantly between children in the intervention and the control group (RADIEL:median = 22 vs. 21; LIFEstyle:median = 8 vs. 8). We did not observe considerable effects of the lifestyle interventions before or during pregnancy in obese women on child neurobehavioral development. With our sample sizes, we were not able to detect subtle differences in neurobehavioral development however.
Ganciclovir‐resistant post‐transplant cytomegalovirus infection due to combined deletion mutation at codons 595‐596 of the UL97 gene
Authors: Leung Po Yee Mia , Tran Thomas , Testro Adam , Paizis Kathy , Kwong Jason , Whitlam John B. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe development of antiviral‐resistant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection complicates the management of transplant recipients. We describe the case of a 65‐year‐old male who developed CMV disease on valganciclovir prophylaxis (donor CMV IgG positive, recipient CMV IgG indeterminate) 30 days after combined liver–kidney transplantation for alcoholic cirrhosis and hepato‐renal syndrome. After an initial complete response to treatment dose oral valganciclovir, he developed recurrent CMV viraemia. Resistance testing revealed a UL97 mutation with in‐frame deletions of codons 595‐596. He was treated successfully with foscarnet and reduction in immunosuppression. This mutation has not been described previously and was suspected to confer ganciclovir resistance. Ganciclovir resistance occurs most commonly due to mutations in the UL97 or UL54 genes, which encode a protein kinase and a DNA polymerase, respectively. The UL97‐encoded protein kinase phosphorylates ganciclovir to ganciclovir triphosphate, which competitively inhibits viral replication. Mutations in the UL97 gene are typically point mutations or deletions. We describe a new mutation, del595‐596 in the CMV UL97 gene, occurring in the context of clinical treatment failure with standard and double‐dose ganciclovir, and successful virological control achieved with foscarnet. This mutation is likely to result in ganciclovir resistance, although recombinant phenotyping is required for confirmation.
Cellulose defects in the Arabidopsis secondary cell wall promote early chloroplast development
Authors: Xu Duorong , Dhiman Ravi , Garibay Adriana , Mock Hans‐Peter , Leister Dario , Kleine Tatjana 
Published: September 2019

SummaryLincomycin (LIN)‐mediated inhibition of protein synthesis in chloroplasts prevents the greening of seedlings, represses the activity of photosynthesis‐related genes in the nucleus, including LHCB1.2, and induces the phenylpropanoid pathway, resulting in the production of anthocyanins. In genomes uncoupled (gun) mutants, LHCB1.2 expression is maintained in the presence of LIN or other inhibitors of early chloroplast development. In a screen using concentrations of LIN lower than those employed to isolate gun mutants, we have identified happy on lincomycin (holi) mutants. Several holi mutants show an increased tolerance to LIN, exhibiting de‐repressed LHCB1.2 expression and chlorophyll synthesis in seedlings. The mutations responsible were identified by whole‐genome single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mapping, and most were found to affect the phenylpropanoid pathway; however, LHCB1.2 expression does not appear to be directly regulated by phenylpropanoids, as indicated by the metabolic profiling of mutants. The most potent holi mutant is defective in a subunit of cellulose synthase encoded by IRREGULAR XYLEM 3, and comparative analysis of this and other cell‐wall mutants establishes a link between secondary cell‐wall integrity and early chloroplast development, possibly involving altered ABA metabolism or sensing.
Transgenic expression of human CD47 reduces phagocytosis of porcine endothelial cells and podocytes by baboon and human macrophages
Authors: Nomura Shunichiro , Ariyoshi Yuichi , Watanabe Hironosuke , Pomposelli Thomas , Takeuchi Kazuhiro , Garcia Gabriela , Tasaki Masayuki , Ayares David , Sykes Megan , Sachs David , Johnson Richard , Yamada Kazuhiko 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundOur initial studies utilizing a galactosyl‐α1‐3‐galactosyltransferase gene knockout (GalTKO) pig‐to‐baboon renal transplant model demonstrated that the early development of nephrotic syndrome has been a significant obstacle to the long‐term survival of baboon recipients. We have recently documented that sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase‐3 (SMPDL3b) and CD80 expressed on podocytes in porcine kidney grafts contribute to this complication. We have hypothesized that one regulator of immune function is CD47 and that incompatibilities in CD47 between pig and baboon could potentially affect macrophage function, increasing the susceptibility of the kidney grafts to immunologically induced injury.MethodsIn order to address this hypothesis in vitro, we isolated and cultured porcine podocytes and ECs from GalTKO alone, human CD47 (hCD47)/hCD55 expressing transgenic (Tg) GalTKO swine, and GalTKO hCD46/hCD55 Tg swine along with baboon or human macrophages.ResultsWe found that baboon macrophages phagocytosed porcine ECs in a similar manner to human macrophages, and this response was significantly reduced when porcine ECs and podocytes expressed hCD47/hCD55 but not hCD46/hCD55 without hCD47. Furthermore, masking hCD47 by anti‐hCD47 antibody on hCD47/hCD55Tg ECs restored phagocytosis. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that CD47 incompatibility plays an important role in promoting macrophage phagocytosis of endogenous cells from the transplanted kidney.ConclusionsThe similar levels of phagocytosis of porcine cells by baboon and human macrophages suggest that the expression of hCD47Tg on glomerular cells in donor porcine kidneys may prove to be a key strategy for preventing proteinuria following kidney xenotransplantation in a pig‐to‐human as well as a pig‐to‐baboon model.