bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Staurosporine from Streptomyces sanyensis activates Programmed Cell Death in Acanthamoeba via the mitochondrial pathway and presents low in vitro cytotoxicity levels in a macrophage cell line
Authors: Cartuche Luis , Sifaoui Ines , Cruz Darío , Reyes-Batlle María , López-Arencibia Atteneri , Javier Fernández José , Díaz-Marrero Ana R. , Piñero José E. , Lorenzo-Morales Jacob 
Published: August 2019

AbstractRecently, the search for novel therapeutic agents against Acanthamoeba species has been focused on the evaluation of natural resources. Among them, marine microorganisms have risen as a source of bioactive compounds with the advantage of the ability to obtain unlimited and constant amounts of the compounds in contrast to other natural sources such as plants. Furthermore, marine actinomycetes have recently been reported as highly rich in bioactive agents including salinosporamides, xiamycines, indolocarbazoles, naphtyridines, phenols, dilactones such as antimycines and macrolides among others. In this study, staurosporine (STS) was isolated from a strain of Streptomyces sanyensis and tested against Acanthamoeba to characterize the therapeutic potential of STS against this protozoan parasite. We have established that STS is active against both stages of the Acanthamoeba life cycle, by the activation of Programmed Cell Death via the mitochondrial pathway of the trophozoite. We have also established that STS has relatively low toxicity towards a macrophage cell line. However, previous studies have highlighted higher toxicity levels induced on other vertebrate cell lines and future research to lower these toxicity issues should be developed.
Shift of Sensitivity in Botrytis cinerea to Benzimidazole Fungicides in Strawberry Greenhouse Ascribing to the Rising-lowering of E198A Subpopulation and its Visual, On-site Monitoring by Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification
Authors: Liu Y. H. , Yuan S. K. , Hu X. R. , Zhang C. Q. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractGrey mold disease results from Botrytis cinerea, a classical “high-risk” plant pathogenic fungus in meaning of resistance development to fungicides, and its management depends largely on the frequent applications of fungicides. The evolution of resistance to benzimidazole chemicals during 2008 and 2016 was monitored continuously in strawberry greenhouses located in Zhejiang province. Results showed that extensive applications of the mixture of carbendazim and diethofencarb caused the rapid spread of Ben MR subpopulation. The withdraw of this mixture lead to the sharply decrease of Ben MR and re-dominance of Ben HR isolates of B. cinerea with the E198A mutation in β-tubulin gene. The LAMP primers, based on the E198A point mutation, were designed to detect the E198A genotype specifically. HNB (Hydroxynaphthol blue), a metalion indicator, acted as a visual LAMP reaction indicator that turned the violet colored into a sky-blue color. The detection limit of concentration of DNA was 100 × 10−2 ng/μL and this LAMP assay could be applied to detect the E198A genotype with 100% accuracy in strawberry greenhouses of three Province and was more rapid and easier to operate. In summary, we establish a simple and sensitive on-field LAMP assay which can be adopted to determine within 1.5 h whether the benzimidazoles or the mixture of a benzimidazole fungicide and diethofencarb is suitable for management of B. cinerea.
Light needle microscopy with spatially transposed detection for axially resolved volumetric imaging
Authors: Kozawa Yuichi , Sato Shunichi 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe demand for rapid three-dimensional volumetric imaging is increasing in various fields, including life science. Laser scanning fluorescence microscopy has been widely employed for this purpose; however, a volumetric image is constructed by two-dimensional image stacking with a varying observation plane, ultimately limiting the acquisition speed. Here we propose a method enabling axially resolved volumetric imaging without a moving observation plane in the framework of laser scanning microscopy. A scanning light needle spot with an extended focal depth provides excitation, which normally produces a deep focus image with a loss of depth information. In our method, the depth information is retrieved from transposed lateral information on an array detector by utilising non-diffracting and self-bending characteristics imposed on fluorescent signals. This technique, implemented in two-photon microscopy, achieves truly volumetric images constructed from a single raster scan of a light needle, which has the capability to significantly reduce the acquisition time.
Supratentorial Cerebral Arterial Territories for Computed Tomograms: A Mapping Study in 1160 Large Artery Infarcts
Authors: Kim Dong-Eog , Jang Jinseong , Schellingerhout Dawid , Ryu Wi-Sun , Park Jong-Ho , Lee Su-Kyoung , Kim Dongmin , Bae Hee-Joon 
Published: August 2019

AbstractWe recently generated a high-resolution supratentorial vascular topographic atlas using diffusion-weighed MRI in a population of large artery infarcts. These MRI-based topographic maps are not easily applicable to CT scans, because the standard-reference-lines for axial image orientation (i.e., anterior-posterior commissure line versus orbito-meatal line, respectively) are ‘not parallel’ to each other. Moreover, current, widely-used CT-based vascular topographic diagrams omit demarcation of the inter-territorial border-zones. Thus, we aimed to generate a CT-specific high-resolution atlas, showing the supratentorial cerebrovascular territories and the inter-territorial border-zones in a statistically rigorous way. The diffusion-weighted MRI lesion atlas is based on 1160 patients (67.0 ± 13.3 years old, 53.7% men) with acute (<1-week) cerebral infarction due to significant (>50%) stenosis or occlusion of a single large cerebral artery: anterior, middle, or posterior cerebral artery. We developed a software package enabling the transformation of our MR-based atlas into a re-oriented CT space corresponding to the axial slice orientations used in clinical practice. Infarct volumes are individually mapped to the three vascular territories on the CT template-set, generating brain maps showing the voxelwise frequency of infarct by the affected parent vessel. We then mapped the three vascular territories collectively, generating a dataset of Certainty-Index (CI) maps to reflect the likelihood of a voxel being a member of a specific vascular territory. Border-zones could be defined by using either relative infarct frequencies or CI differences. The topographic vascular territory atlas, revised for CT, will allow for easier and more accurate delineation of arterial territories and borders on CT images.
Trichoderma harzianum favours the access of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to non-host Brassicaceae roots and increases plant productivity
Authors: Poveda Jorge , Hermosa Rosa , Monte Enrique , Nicolás Carlos 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe family Brassicaceae includes plants that are non-host for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) such as the model plantArabidopsis thaliana(arabidopsis) and the economically important crop plantBrassica napus(rapeseed). It is well known thatTrichodermaspecies have the ability to colonize the rhizosphere of Brassicaceae plants, promoting growth and development as well as stimulating systemic defenses. The aim of the present work is to ascertain that Brassicaceae plants increase productivity when AMF andTrichodermaare combinedly applied, and how such an effect can be ruled. This simultaneous application of aTrichoderma harzianumbiocontrol strain and an AMF formulation produces a significant increase in the colonization byTrichodermaand the presence of AMF in arabidopsis and rapeseed roots, such colonization accompanied by improved productivity in both Brassicaceae species. Expression profiling of defense-related marker genes suggests that the phytohormone salicylic acid plays a key role in the modulation of the root colonization process when both fungi are jointly applied.
Proteomics-based functional studies reveal that galectin-3 plays a protective role in the pathogenesis of intestinal Behçet’s disease
Authors: Lee Hyun Jung , Kim Jae Hyeon , Hong Sujeong , Hwang Inhwa , Park Soo Jung , Kim Tae Il , Kim Won Ho , Yu Je-Wook , Kim Seung Won , Cheon Jae Hee 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe pathogenesis of intestinal Behçet’s disease (BD) remains poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to discover and validate biomarkers using proteomics analysis and subsequent functional studies. After two-dimensional electrophoresis, candidate proteins were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS). We validated these results by evaluating the protein levels and their functions in vitro using HT-29 colorectal cancer cells, colon tissues from patients and mice, and murine bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs). Of the 30 proteins differentially expressed in intestinal BD tissues, we identified seven using MALDI-TOF/TOF MS. Focusing on galectin-3, we found that TGF-B and IL-10 expression was significantly lower in shLGALS3-transfected cells. Expression of GRP78 and XBP1s and apoptosis rates were all higher in shLGALS3-transfected cells upon the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress. In response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B accumulated and lysosomes decreased in these cells. Finally, Salmonella typhimurium infection induced caspase-1 activation and increased IL-1β production, which facilitated activation of the NLRC4 inflammasome, in Lgals3−/− murine BMDMs compared to wild type BMDMs. Our data suggest that galectin-3 may play a protective role in the pathogenesis of intestinal BD via modulation of ER stress, autophagy, and inflammasome activation.
The chronic effect of amorphous silica nanoparticles and benzo[a]pyrene co-exposure at low dose in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells
Authors: Wu Jing , Zhang Jie , Nie Jihua , Duan Junchao , Shi Yanfeng , Feng Lin , Yang Xiaozhe , An Yan , Sun Zhiwei 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
As the main components of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) have attracted increasing attention recently. However, co-exposure to SiNPs and B[a]P causes pulmonary injury by aggravating toxicity via an unknown mechanism. This study aimed at investigating the toxicity caused due to long-term co-exposure to SiNPs and B[a]P on pulmonary systems at low dose using human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells. The characterizations of SiNPs and B[a]P were done by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and zeta potential granulometry. Cytotoxicity is evaluated using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity; oxidative stress, cell cycle and apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry, and inflammatory factors were detected using a Luminex xMAP system. Results show an obvious inhibition of cell proliferation and a marked increase in the LDH expression in the BEAS-2B cells after long-term co-exposure. Furthermore, long-term co-exposure is the most potent in generating intracellular ROS, thus causing inflammation. Cellular apoptotic rate is enhanced in the co-exposed group at low dose. Moreover, the long-term co-exposure induces significant cell cycle arrest, increasing the proportion of cells at the G2/M phase, while decreasing those at the G0/G1 phase. This study is the first attempt to reveal the severe synergistic and additive toxic effects induced by SiNPs and B[a]P co-exposure for long-term in BEAS-2B cells even at low dose.
Neuroprotection of reduced thyroid hormone with increased estrogen and progestogen in postpartum depression
Authors: Li Dan , Li Yangyao , Chen Yun , Li Haiyan , She Yuqi , Zhang Xialan , Chen Shuang , Chen Wanying , Qiu Guodong , Huang Haiqing , Zhang Shuyao 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackground: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common serious mental health problem. Recent studies have demonstrated that hormone therapy serves as a promising therapeutic approach in managing PPD. The present study aims at exploring the role of thyroid hormone (TH), estrogen and progestogen in patients with PPD.Methods: Initially, PPD patients were enrolled and a PPD mouse model was established. The serum levels of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were subsequently measured. Next, in order to identify the effects of TH, estrogen and progestogen on PPD progression, mice were administrated with E2, P, contraceptives (CA), Euthyrox and methimazole (MMI). Besides, the body weight, activities, basolateral amygdala (BLA) neuron cell structure and the related gene expression of mice were analyzed.Results: The PPD patients and the mice showed elevated serum levels of T3, T4, FT3 and FT4 along with diminished E2, P and TSH levels. In the mice administered with a combination of E2, P, and MMI, decreased TH and increased estrogen and progestogen were detected, which resulted in increased body weight, normal activities, and BLA neuron cell structure. Moreover, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) were both up-regulated in PPD mice administrated with a combination of E2, P, and MMI, which was accompanied by decreased TH and elevated estrogen and progestogen.Conclusion: Taken together, reduced TH combined with enhanced estrogen and progestogen confers neuroprotection in PPD, highlighting a potential target in prevention and treatment of PPD.
Applying vibration in early postmenopausal osteoporosis promotes osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and suppresses postmenopausal osteoporosis progression
Authors: Li Huiming , Wu Wenchao , He Xueling , Cao Chengjian , Yu Xiaoqin , Zeng Ye , Li Liang 
Published: August 2019

AbstractWe aimed to evaluate whether applying low magnitude vibration (LMV) in early postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) suppresses its progression, and to investigate underlying mechanisms. Rats were randomly divided into Sham (Sham-operated), Sham+V, OVX (ovariectomized), OVX+E2 (estradiol benzoate), OVX+V (LMV at 12–20 weeks postoperatively), and OVX+Vi (LMV at 1–20 weeks postoperatively) groups. LMV was applied for 20 min once daily for 5 days weekly. V rats were loaded with LMV at 12–20 weeks postoperatively. Vi rats were loaded with LMV at 1–20 weeks postoperatively. Estradiol (E2) rats were intramuscularly injected at 12–20 weeks postoperatively once daily for 3 days. The bone mineral densities (BMDs), biomechanical properties, and histomorphological parameters of tibiae were analyzed. In vitro, rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) were subjected to LMV for 30 min daily for 5 days, or 17β-E2 with or without 1-day pretreatment of estrogen receptor (ER) inhibitor ICI 182,780 (ICI). The mRNA and protein expresion were performed. Data showed that LMV increased BMD, bone strength, and bone mass of rats, and the effects of Vi were stronger than those of E2. In vitro, LMV up-regulated the mRNA and protein expressions of Runx2, Osx, Col I, and OCN and down-regulated PPARγ, compared with E2. The effects of both LMV and E2 on rBMSCs were inhibited by ICI. Altogether, LMV in early PMO suppresses its progression, which is associated with osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs via up-regulation of ERα and activation of the canonical Wnt pathway. LMV may therefore be superior to E2 for the suppression of PMO progression.
Average Formant Trajectories
Authors: Sandoval Steven , Utianski Rene L. , Lehnert-LeHouillier Heike 
Published: August 2019

Purpose
The use and study of formant frequencies for the description of vowels is commonplace in acoustic phonetics and in attempts to understand results of speech perception studies. Numerous studies have shown that listeners are better able to distinguish vowels when the acoustic parameters are based on spectral information extracted at multiple time points during the duration of the vowel, rather than at a single point in time. The purpose of this study was to validate an automated method for extracting formant trajectories, using information across the time course of production, and subsequently characterize the formant trajectories of vowels using a large, diverse corpus of speech samples.

Method
Using software tools, we automatically extract the 1st 2 formant frequencies (F1/F2) at 10 equally spaced points over a vowel's duration. Then, we compute the average trajectory for each vowel token. The 1,600 vowel observations in the Hillenbrand database and the more than 50,000 vowel observations in the TIMIT database are analyzed.

Results
First, we validate the automated method by comparing against the manually obtained values in the Hillenbrand database. Analyses reveal a strong correlation between the automated and manual formant estimates. Then, we use the automated method on the 630 speakers in the TIMIT database to compute average formant trajectories. We noted that phonemes that have close F1 and F2 values at the temporal midpoint often exhibit formant trajectories progressing in different directions, hence highlighting the importance of formant trajectory progression.

Conclusions
The results of this study support the importance of formant trajectories over single-point measurements for the successful discrimination of vowels. Furthermore, this study provides a baseline for the formant trajectories for men and women across a broad range of dialects of Standard American English.
Comparison of time–distance inversion methods applied to SDO/HMI Dopplergrams
Authors: Korda David , Švanda Michal , Zhao Junwei 
Published: August 2019

Context. The Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) satellite has been observing the Sun since 2010. The uninterrupted series of Dopplergrams are ideal for studying the dynamics of the upper solar convection zone. Within the Joint Science Operations Center (JSOC) the time–distance inversions for flows and sound-speed perturbations were introduced. The automatic pipeline has produced flow and sound-speed maps every 8 h. We verify the results of JSOC inversions by comparing the data products to equivalent results from inverse modelling obtained by an independent inversion pipeline.
Aims. We compared the results from the JSOC pipeline for horizontal flow components and the perturbations of the speed of sound at set of depths with equivalent results from an independently implemented pipeline using a different time–distance inversion scheme. Our inversion pipeline allows inversion for all quantities at once while allowing minimisation of the crosstalk between them. This gives us an opportunity to discuss the possible biases present in the JSOC data products.
Methods. For the tests we used the subtractive optimally localised averaging (SOLA) method with a minimisation of the cross-talk. We compared three test inversions for each quantity at each target depth. At first, we used the JSOC setup to reproduce the JSOC results. Subsequently, we used the extended pipeline to improve these results by incorporating more independent travel-time measurements but keeping the JSOC-indicated localisation in the Sun. Finally, we inverted for flow components and sound-speed perturbations using a localisation kernel with properties advertised in the JSOC metadata.
Results. We successfully reproduced the horizontal flow components. The sound-speed perturbations are strongly affected by the high level of the cross-talk in JSOC products. This leads to larger amplitudes in the inversions for the sound-speed perturbations. Different results were obtained when a target function localised around the target depth was used. This is a consequence of non-localised JSOC averaging kernels. We add that our methodology also allows inversion for the vertical flow.
Progesterone for the Prevention of Preterm Birth – an Update of Evidence-Based Indications
Authors: Kuon Ruben-J. , Voß Pauline , Rath Werner 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe prevention and treatment of preterm birth remains one of the biggest challenges in obstetrics. Worldwide, 11% of all children are born prematurely with far-reaching consequences for the children concerned, their families and the health system. Experimental studies suggest that progesterone inhibits uterine contractions, stabilises the cervix and has immunomodulatory effects. Recent years have seen the publication of numerous clinical trials using progestogens for the prevention of preterm birth. As a result of different inclusion criteria and the use of different progestogens and their methods of administration, it is difficult to draw comparisons between these studies. A critical evaluation of the available studies was therefore carried out on the basis of a search of the literature (1956 to 09/2018). Taking into account the most recent randomised, controlled studies, the following evidence-based recommendations emerge: In asymptomatic women with singleton pregnancies and a short cervical length on ultrasound of ≤ 25 mm before 24 weeks of gestation (WG), daily administration of vaginal progesterone (200 mg capsule or 90 mg gel) up until 36 + 6 WG leads to a significant reduction in the preterm birth rate and an improvement in neonatal outcome. The latest data also suggest positive effects of treatment with progesterone in cases of twin pregnancies with a short cervical length on ultrasound of ≤ 25 mm before 24 WG. The study data for the administration of progesterone in women with singleton pregnancies with a previous preterm birth have become much more heterogeneous, however. It is not possible to make a general recommendation for this indication at present, and decisions must therefore be made on a case-by-case basis. Even if progesterone use is considered to be safe in terms of possible long-term consequences, exposure should be avoided where it is not indicated. Careful patient selection is crucial for the success of treatment.
Engaging an Unstably Housed Population with Low-Barrier Buprenorphine Treatment at a Syringe Services Program: Lessons Learned from Seattle, Washington
Authors: Hood Julia E. , Banta-Green Caleb J. , Duchin Jeffrey S. , Breuner Joseph , Dell Wendy , Finegood Brad , Glick Sara N. , Hamblin Malin , Holcomb Shayla , Mosse Darla , Oliphant-Wells Thea , Shim Mi-Hyun Mia 
Published: August 2019

Background: Clinic-imposed barriers can impede access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). We evaluated a low-barrier buprenorphine program that is co-located with a syringe services program (SSP) in Seattle, Washington, USA. Methods: We analyzed medical record data corresponding to patients who enrolled into the buprenorphine program in its first year of operation. We used descriptive statistics and tests of association to longitudinally evaluate retention, cumulative number of days buprenorphine was prescribed, and toxicology results. Results: Demand for buprenorphine among SSP clients initially surpassed programmatic capacity. Of the 146 enrolled patients, the majority (82%) were unstably housed. Patients were prescribed buprenorphine for a median of 47 days (interquartile range [IQR] = 8–147) in the 180 days following enrollment. Between the first and sixth visits, the percentage of toxicology tests that was positive for buprenorphine significantly increased (33% to 96%, P < .0001) and other opioids significantly decreased (90% to 41%, P < .0001) and plateaued thereafter. Toxicology test results for stimulants, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates did not significantly change. Conclusions: SSP served as an effective point of entry for a low-barrier MOUD program. A large proportion of enrolled patients demonstrated sustained retention and reductions in opioid use, despite housing instability and polysubstance use.