bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alpha-1 microglobulin as a potential therapeutic candidate for treatment of hypertension and oxidative stress in the STOX1 preeclampsia mouse model
Authors: Erlandsson Lena , Ducat Aurélien , Castille Johann , Zia Isac , Kalapotharakos Grigorios , Hedström Erik , Vilotte Jean-Luc , Vaiman Daniel , Hansson Stefan R. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractPreeclampsia is a human placental disorder affecting 2–8% of pregnancies worldwide annually, with hypertension and proteinuria appearing after 20 weeks of gestation. The underlying cause is believed to be incomplete trophoblast invasion of the maternal spiral arteries during placentation in the first trimester, resulting in oxidative and nitrative stress as well as maternal inflammation and organ alterations. In the Storkhead box 1 (STOX1) preeclampsia mouse model, pregnant females develop severe and early onset manifestations as seen in human preeclampsia e.g. gestational hypertension, proteinuria, and organ alterations. Here we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of human recombinant alpha-1 microglobulin (rA1M) to alleviate the manifestations observed. Human rA1M significantly reduced the hypertension during gestation and significantly reduced the level of hypoxia and nitrative stress in the placenta. In addition, rA1M treatment reduced cellular damage in both placenta and kidneys, thereby protecting the tissue and improving their function. This study confirms that rA1M has the potential as a therapeutic drug in preeclampsia, and likely also in other pathological conditions associated with oxidative stress, by preserving normal organ function.
Phenotypic plasticity of Escherichia coli upon exposure to physical stress induced by ZnO nanorods
Authors: Matuła Kinga , Richter Łukasz , Janczuk-Richter Marta , Nogala Wojciech , Grzeszkowiak Mikołaj , Peplińska Barbara , Jurga Stefan , Wyroba Elżbieta , Suski Szymon , Bilski Henryk , Silesian Adrian , Bluyssen Hans A. R. , Derebecka Natalia , Wesoły Joanna , Łoś Joanna M. , Łoś Marcin , Decewicz Przemyslaw , Dziewit Lukasz , Paczesny Jan , Hołyst Robert 
Published: June 2019

AbstractEvolution of bacteria to selective chemical pressure (e.g. antibiotics) is well studied in contrast to the influence of physical stressors. Here we show that instantaneous physical stress in a homogeneous environment (without concentration gradient) induces fast adaptation of Escherichia coli. We exposed E. coli to a large number of collisions of around 105 per bacterium per second with sharp ZnO nanorods. The pressure exerted on the bacterial cell wall was up to 10 GPa and induced phenotype changes. The bacteria’s shape became more spherical, the density of their periplasm increased by around 15% and the average thickness of the cell wall by 30%. Such E. coli cells appeared almost as Gram-positive bacteria in the standard Gram staining. Additionally, we observed a combination of changes occurring at the genomic level (mutations identified in form of single nucleotide polymorphisms) and down-regulation of expression of 61 genes encoding proteins involved in β-oxidation of fatty acids, glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, as well as uptake of amino acids and enzyme cofactors. Thus, we show that bacteria undergo phenotypic changes upon instantaneous, acute physical stress without any obviously available time for gradual adaptation.
Detection of Fine Radiographic Progression in Finger Joint Space Narrowing Beyond Human Eyes: Phantom Experiment and Clinical Study with Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Authors: Kato Kazuki , Yasojima Nobutoshi , Tamura Kenichi , Ichikawa Shota , Sutherland Kenneth , Kato Masaru , Fukae Jun , Tanimura Kazuhide , Tanaka Yuki , Okino Taichi , Lu Yutong , Kamishima Tamotsu 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe visual assessment of joint space narrowing (JSN) on radiographs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients such as the Genant-modified Sharp score (GSS) is widely accepted but limited by its subjectivity and insufficient sensitivity. We developed a software application which can assess JSN quantitatively using a temporal subtraction technique for radiographs, in which the chronological change in JSN between two radiographs was defined as the joint space difference index (JSDI). The aim of this study is to prove the superiority of the software in terms of detecting fine radiographic progression in finger JSN over human observers. A micrometer measurement apparatus that can adjust arbitrary joint space width (JSW) in a phantom joint was developed to define true JSW. We compared the smallest detectable changes in JSW between the JSDI and visual assessment using phantom images. In a clinical study, 222 finger joints without interval score change on GSS in 15 RA patients were examined. We compared the JSDI between joints with and without synovial vascularity (SV) on power Doppler ultrasonography during the follow-up period. True JSW difference was correlated with JSDI for JSW differences ranging from 0.10 to 1.00 mm at increments of 0.10 mm (R2 = 0.986 and P < 0.001). Rheumatologists were difficult to detect JSW difference of 0.30 mm or less. The JSDI of finger joints with SV was significantly higher than those without SV (P = 0.030). The software can detect fine differences in JSW that are visually unrecognizable.
Preparation and characterization of novel nanocombination of bovine lactoperoxidase with Dye Decolorizing and anti-bacterial activity
Authors: EL-Fakharany Esmail M. , Abd-Elhamid Ahmed I. , El-Deeb Nehal M. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractInteraction between nanoparticles (NPs) and protein is particularly important due to the formation of dynamic nanoparticle-protein complex. The current study indicated that silica NPs were able to induce conformational modification in the adsorbed lactoperoxidase (LPO) which in turns degrades the synthetic dyes. The maximum degradation efficiency was recorded for the LPO modified silica NPs in the presence of H2O2 comparing with either free LPO or silica NPs. Degradation efficiency of crystal violet and commassie blue R250 after 6 h was assessed to be 100(%). Also, degradation efficiency of Congo red reached 90.6% and 79.3% in the presence and absence of H2O2, respectively, however methyl red degradation efficiency recorded 85%. The viability assay experiment indicated that the IC50 value of the LPO modified silica NPs on human fibroblast cells reached 2.8 mg/ml after 48 h incubation. In addition to dye removal, the LPO modified silica NPs were able to inhibit the antibiotic resistant bacterial strains (Salmonell typhii, Staphylococcus areus, Pseudomonas aureginosa, E. coli, Proteus sp. and streptococcus sp.) at concentrations up to 2.5 mg/ml with inhibition activity about 95%. These findings emphasized that the ability of LPO for degradation of the synthetic dyes after adsorption on silica NPs besides it could be a promising agent with potent inhibitory effect targeting a wide range of multidrug resistant bacteria.
Caveolin1 interacts with the glucocorticoid receptor in the lung but is dispensable for its anti-inflammatory actions in lung inflammation and Trichuris Muris infection
Authors: Caratti G. , Poolman T. , Hurst R. J. , Ince L. , Knight A. , Krakowiak K. , Durrington H. J. , Gibbs J. , Else K. J. , Matthews L. C. , Ray D. W. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractGlucocorticoids (Gcs) are widely prescribed anti-inflammatory compounds, which act through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Using an unbiased proteomics screen in lung tissue, we identified the membrane protein caveolin -1 (Cav1) as a direct interaction partner of the GR. In Cav1 knockout mice GR transactivates anti-inflammatory genes, including Dusp1, more than in controls. We therefore determined the role of Cav1 in modulating Gc action in two models of pulmonary inflammation. We first tested innate responses in lung. Loss of Cav1 impaired the inflammatory response to nebulized LPS, increasing cytokine/chemokine secretion from lung, but impairing neutrophil infiltration. Despite these changes to the inflammatory response, there was no Cav1 effect on anti-inflammatory capacity of Gcs. We also tested GR/Cav1 crosstalk in a model of allergic airway inflammation. Cav1 had a very mild effect on the inflammatory response, but no effect on the Gc response – with comparable immune cell infiltrate (macrophage, eosinophils, neutrophils), pathological score and PAS positive cells observed between both genotypes. Pursuing the Th2 adaptive immune response further we demonstrate that Cav1 knockout mice retained their ability to expel the intestinal nematode parasite T.muris, which requires adaptive Th2 immune response for elimination. Therefore, Cav1 regulates innate immune responses in the lung, but does not have an effect on Th2-mediated adaptive immunity in lung or gut. Although we demonstrate that Cav1 regulates GR transactivation of anti-inflammatory genes, this does not translate to an effect on suppression of inflammation in vivo.
Systemic Outcomes of (Pyr1)-Apelin-13 Infusion at Mid-Late Pregnancy in a Rat Model with Preeclamptic Features
Authors: Yamaleyeva Liliya M. , Brosnihan K. Bridget , Elsangeedy Ebrahim , McGee Carolynne , Shi Sara , Caudell David , Miller Cynthia , Varagic Jasmina , Bader Michael , Dechend Ralf , Shaltout Hossam A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractPreeclampsia is a syndrome with diverse clinical presentation that currently has no cure. The apelin receptor system is a pleiotropic pathway with a potential for therapeutic targeting in preeclampsia. We established the systemic outcomes of (Pyr1)-apelin-13 administration in rats with preeclamptic features (TGA-PE, female transgenic for human angiotensinogen mated to male transgenic for human renin). (Pyr1)-apelin-13 (2 mg/kg/day) or saline was infused in TGA-PE rats via osmotic minipumps starting at day 13 of gestation (GD). At GD20, TGA-PE rats had higher blood pressure, proteinuria, lower maternal and pup weights, lower pup number, renal injury, and a larger heart compared to a control group (pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats administered vehicle). (Pyr1)-apelin-13 did not affect maternal or fetal weights in TGA-PE. The administration of (Pyr1)-apelin-13 reduced blood pressure, and normalized heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity in TGA-PE rats compared to controls. (Pyr1)-apelin-13 increased ejection fraction in TGA-PE rats. (Pyr1)-apelin-13 normalized proteinuria in association with lower renal cortical collagen deposition, improved renal pathology and lower immunostaining of oxidative stress markers (4-HNE and NOX-4) in TGA-PE. This study demonstrates improved hemodynamic responses and renal injury without fetal toxicity following apelin administration suggesting a role for apelin in the regulation of maternal outcomes in preeclampsia.
Behaviour reactions of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to multirotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Authors: Fettermann Ticiana , Fiori Lorenzo , Bader Martin , Doshi Ashray , Breen Dan , Stockin Karen A. , Bollard Barbara 
Published: June 2019

AbstractUnmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) represent a novel and cost effective research tool to investigate cetacean behaviour, as conventional aircraft are expensive, limited in the altitude they can fly at and potentially disturb sensitive wildlife. In addition, the aerial observation from the UAVs allows assessment of cetacean behaviour from an advantageous perspective and can collect high spatial and temporal resolution data, providing the opportunity to gather accurate data about group size, age class and subsurface behaviour. However, concerns have been raised about the potential risks of disturbance to animals caused by the UAV’s visual and acoustic stimuli. Boat-based surveys were conducted to assess the short-term behavioural responses of resting bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to a lightweight Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV flown at 10, 25, and 40 m altitude. Changes in group swim direction and frequencies of surface and aerial behavioural events were recorded from an anchored research vessel before (control) and during the aerial survey. The number of reorientation and tail slap events increased significantly between controls and flights when the UAV was flown at 10 m over the animals. In contrast, no significant differences were detected when the aircraft was flown at 25 and 40 m altitude. However, a precautionary approach is recommended for research applications requiring lower flight altitudes, with further research recommended to assess how different cetacean species and age class may respond to the UAV presence.
Comparison of uridine diphosphate-glycosyltransferase UGT76G1 genes from some varieties of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni
Authors: Abdelsalam Nader R. , Botros William A. , Khaled Ahmed E. , Ghonema Mohamed A. , Hussein Shimaa G. , Ali Hayssam M. , Elshikh Mohamed S. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractStevia leaves contain various components, such as flavonoids, labdanes, chlorophylls, sterols, triterpenoids, mono-disaccharides, organic acids and inorganic salts. Stevia is known to accumulate diterpenoid steviol glycosides, which are approximately 300 times sweeter than regular sugar. Stevioside and rebaudioside A are the main diterpenic glycosides in stevia. Steviol glycosides are the secondary metabolites responsible for the sweetness of stevia. The main objectives of the present study were to determine the concentrations of diterpenic glycosides (stevioside and rebaudioside A) in three stevia varieties (Stevia rebaudiana) via the HPLC-UV technique and to amplify the UGT76G1 gene by PCR using gene-specific primers. The expression levels of the UGT76G1 gene were determined in the three stevia varieties. The PCR products were sequenced and analyzed, and the nucleotide sequences of the UGT76G1 gene were submitted to GenBank and assigned to the following three varieties: Egy1 (MH087463), China1 (MH087464) and Sponti (MH087465). Cluster analysis was used to separate the three varieties into two major clusters based on their phylogenetic relationship. In addition, chemical analysis was carried out to evaluate stevioside and rebaudioside A. The present study concluded that Egy1 and Sponti are closely related varieties as they fall in the same cluster, while China1 forms a separate cluster. Bioprospecting studies could be useful for selection of superior ecotypes of Stevia rebaudiana.
Population divergence and gene flow in two East Asian shorebirds on the verge of speciation
Authors: Sadanandan Keren R. , Küpper Clemens , Low Gabriel W. , Yao Cheng-Te , Li Yue , Xu Tao , Rheindt Frank E. , Wu Shaoyuan 
Published: June 2019

AbstractGenetic isolation of populations over evolutionary time leads to the formation of independent species. We examined a pair of shorebirds – the Kentish PloverCharadrius alexandrinusand the enigmatic White-faced PloverC. dealbatus– which display strong plumage differentiation, yet show minimal genetic divergence based on previous mitochondrial and microsatellite work. Two scenarios may lead to this situation: (1) they represent clinal or poorly diverged populations with limited genomic differentiation despite substantial plumage variation, or (2) they are diverging taxa at the cusp of speciation, with ongoing limited gene flow obliterating signals of differentiation in traditional genetic markers. We compared the genotypes of 98 plovers (59 Kentish Plovers, 35 White-faced Plovers and 4 genomic hybrids) sampled in eastern Asia and Europe using ddRADSeq to harvest over 8000 genome-wide SNPs. In contrast to previous studies, our analyses revealed two well defined genomic clusters, with limited hybridization and a narrow contact zone. We also uncovered significant differences in bill length and further sex-specific differences in size, which may signal differences in mate choice between Kentish and White-faced Plovers. Our results support the hypothesis that this shorebird duo is on the verge of speciation.
Infiltrating CCR2+ monocytes and their progenies, fibrocytes, contribute to colon fibrosis by inhibiting collagen degradation through the production of TIMP-1
Authors: Kuroda Naoki , Masuya Masahiro , Tawara Isao , Tsuboi Junya , Yoneda Misao , Nishikawa Kenichiro , Kageyama Yuki , Hachiya Kensuke , Ohishi Kohshi , Miwa Hiroshi , Yamada Reiko , Hamada Yasuhiko , Tanaka Kyosuke , Kato Takuma , Takei Yoshiyuki , Katayama Naoyuki 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIntestinal fibrosis is a serious complication in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Despite the remarkable success of recent anti-inflammatory therapies for IBD, incidence of intestinal fibrosis and need for bowel resection have not significantly changed. To clarify the contribution of haematopoietic-derived cells in intestinal fibrosis, we prepared bone marrow (BM) chimeric mice (chimeras), which were reconstituted with BM cells derived from enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-transgenic mice or CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2)-deficient mice. After 2 months of transplantation, BM chimeras were treated with azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulphate. During chronic inflammation, CCR2+BM-derived monocyte and fibrocyte infiltration into the colon and CC chemokine ligand 2 production increased, leading to colon fibrosis in EGFP BM chimeras. In CCR2-deficient BM chimeras, monocyte and fibrocyte numbers in the colonic lamina propria significantly decreased, and colon fibrosis was attenuated. In colon tissue, mRNA expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 but not of collagen I, transforming growth factor-β1 or matrix metalloproteinases was significantly different between the two chimeras. CCR2+monocytes and fibrocytes showed highTimp1mRNA expression. Our results suggest that infiltrating CCR2+monocytes and their progenies, fibrocytes, promote colon fibrosis by inhibiting collagen degradation through TIMP-1 production.
Long Term Outcomes of The Off-Pump and On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting In A High-Volume Center
Authors: Matkovic Milos , Tutus Vladimir , Bilbija Ilija , Milin Lazovic Jelena , Savic Marko , Cubrilo Marko , Aleksic Nemanja , Atanasijevic Igor , Andrijasevic Vuk , Putnik Svetozar 
Published: June 2019

AbstractCoronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains the most frequent surgery in the practice of an adult cardiac surgeon and the most frequently performed cardiac surgical procedure worldwide. Despite the ongoing debates regarding the superiority or inferiority of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, it still comprises 15–30% of all CABG cases varying in different national registries. We performed a propensity matched study of 302 consecutive CABG patients,143 off -pump cases performed by the four experienced off-pump surgeons and the on-pump CABG cases performed by those surgeons and four other experienced coronary surgeons. The five year follow up was performed and data collected comprised of mortality, rehospitalization due to cardiac origin, repeated revascularization, myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident. Overall, the off-pump group of patients had a higher risk profile than the patients in the on-pump group. After matching, fewer differences were found between the groups. Propensity score matching analysis showed no difference in long-term survival as well as MACCE and repeated revascularization. The higher risk profile of the patients subjected to OPCAB and the comparable survival to lower risk CPB patients in this series indicate that in experienced hands, OPCAB is a valuable option in this important subgroup of patients.
The glutathione degrading enzyme, Chac1, is required for calcium signaling in developing zebrafish: redox as an upstream activator of calcium
Authors: Yadav Shambhu , Chawla Bindia , Khursheed Mohammad Anwar , Ramachandran Rajesh , Bachhawat Anand Kumar 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Calcium signaling is essential for embryonic development but the signals upstream of calcium are only partially understood. Here, we investigate the role of the intracellular glutathione redox potential in calcium signaling using the Chac1 protein of zebrafish. A member of the γ-glutamylcyclotransferase family of enzymes, the zebrafish Chac1 is a glutathione-degrading enzyme that acts only on reduced glutathione. The zebrafish chac1 expression was seen early in development, and in the latter stages, in the developing muscles, brain and heart. The chac1 knockdown was embryonic lethal, and the developmental defects were seen primarily in the myotome, brain and heart where chac1 was maximally expressed. The phenotypes could be rescued by the WT Chac1 but not by the catalytically inactive Chac1 that was incapable of degrading glutathione. The ability of chac1 to alter the intracellular glutathione redox potential in the live animals was examined using Grx1-roGFP2. The chac1 morphants lacked the increased degree of cellular oxidation seen in the WT zebrafish. As calcium is also known to be critical for the developing myotomes, brain and heart, we further investigated if the chac1 knockdown phenotypes were a consequence of the lack of calcium signals. We observed using GCaMP6s, that calcium transients normally seen in the developing embryos were strongly attenuated in these knockdowns. The study thus identifies Chac1 and the consequent change in intracellular glutathione redox potential as important upstream activators of calcium signaling during development.
Polyploidy in halophilic archaea: regulation, evolutionary advantages, and gene conversion
Authors: Ludt Katharina , Soppa Jörg 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
All analyzed haloarachea are polyploid. In addition, haloarchaea contain more than one type of chromosome, and thus the gene dosage can be regulated independently on different replicons. Haloarchaea and several additional archaea have more than one replication origin on their major chromosome, in stark contrast with bacteria, which have a single replication origin. Two of these replication origins of Haloferax volcanii have been studied in detail and turned out to have very different properties. The chromosome copy number appears to be regulated in response to growth phases and environmental factors. Archaea typically contain about two Origin Recognition Complex (ORC) proteins, which are homologous to eukaryotic ORC proteins. However, haloarchaea are the only archaeal group that contains a multitude of ORC proteins. All 16 ORC protein paralogs from H. volcanii are involved in chromosome copy number regulation. Polyploidy has many evolutionary advantages for haloarchaea, e.g. a high resistance to desiccation, survival over geological times, and the relaxation of cell cycle-specific replication control. A further advantage is the ability to grow in the absence of external phosphate while using the many genome copies as internal phosphate storage polymers. Very efficient gene conversion operates in haloarchaea and results in the unification of genome copies. Taken together, haloarchaea are excellent models to study many aspects of genome biology in prokaryotes, exhibiting properties that have not been found in bacteria.