bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Baroreflex Impairment Precedes Cardiometabolic Dysfunction in an Experimental Model of Metabolic Syndrome: Role of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Bernardes Nathalia , da Silva Dias Danielle , Stoyell-Conti Filipe Fernandes , de Oliveira Brito-Monzani Janaina , Malfitano Christiane , Caldini Elia Garcia , Ulloa Luis , Llesuy Susana Francisca , Irigoyen Maria-Cláudia , De Angelis Kátia 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis study analyzes whether autonomic dysfunction precedes cardiometabolic alterations in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with fructose overload. Animals were randomly distributed into three groups: control, hypertensive and hypertensive with fructose overload. Fructose overload (100 g/L) was initiated at 30 days old, and the animals (n = 6/group/time) were evaluated after 7, 15, 30 and 60 days of fructose consumption. Fructose consumption reduced baroreflex sensitivity by day 7, and still induced a progressive reduction in baroreflex sensitivity over the time. Fructose consumption also increased TNFα and IL-6 levels in the adipose tissue and IL-1β levels in the spleen at days 15 and 30. Fructose consumption also reduced plasmatic nitrites (day 15 and 30) and superoxide dismutase activity (day 15 and 60), but increased hydrogen peroxide (day 30 and 60), lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation (day 60). Fructose consumption increased arterial pressure at day 30 (8%) and 60 (11%). Fructose consumption also induced a late insulin resistance at day 60, but did not affect glucose levels. In conclusion, the results show that baroreflex sensitivity impairment precedes inflammatory and oxidative stress disorders, probably by inducing hemodynamic and metabolic dysfunctions observed in metabolic syndrome.
Characterization of the electrical conductivity of bone and its correlation to osseous structure
Authors: Balmer Thomas Wyss , Vesztergom Soma , Broekmann Peter , Stahel Andreas , Büchler Philippe 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe interaction of osseous tissue with electric fields is an important subject. The electrical stimulation of bone promotes osteogenesis, while bone impedance has been proposed as a measure of osteoporosis, to follow fracture healing, or as a method to improve safety of surgical procedures. However, a deeper understanding of the electrical properties of bone and their relation to the architecture of osseous tissue is required to extend the range of use of electrical measurements to clinical studies. In this paper we apply electrical impedance spectroscopy to study the conductivity of fresh bovine tibia and we correlate the measured conductivities with its structural properties. Impedance was measured using a custom-made cell and a potentiostat. Bone conductivity was determined at 100 kHz, where the phase shift was negligible. A good agreement (R2 = 0.83) was found between the measured conductivity and the bone volume fraction, determined on microCT images. Based on this relationship, an equivalent circuit model was created for bone samples. The results of this ex-vivo study are comparable to previous in-vivo observations reporting bone resistivity as a function of bone density. This information can be used to construct a map of the tissue resistivity directly derived from clinical images.
Screening and characterisation of sex differentiation-related long non-coding RNAs in Chinese soft-shell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis)
Authors: Zhang Jun , Yu Peng , Zhou Qinyan , Li Xilei , Ding Shuquan , Su Shiping , Zhang Xiaohua , Yang Xiaoli , Zhou Weishang , Wan Quan , Gui Jian-Fang 
Published: May 2018

AbstractLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) perform distinct functions in various biological processes in mammals, including sex differentiation. However, the roles of lncRNAs in other vertebrates, especially in the Chinese soft-shell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis), remain to be clarified. In this study, we performed genome-wide analysis of the lncRNA expression profiles in gonad tissues and screened numerous sex-specific lncRNAs in the Chinese soft-shell turtle. Of the 363,310,650 clean reads obtained, 5,994 sequences were typed as lncRNAs, of which 4,463 were novel. A selection of sex-specific lncRNAs (♀ 932, ♂ 449) from female ovaries and male testis were shown to act on target genes in cis and in trans, and most were involved in gonad differentiation based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Furthermore, interactions among the differentially expressed lncRNA-mRNAs and protein coding genes were identified by construction of correlation networks. Overall, our systematic analysis of lncRNA expression profiles in gonad tissues revealed numerous sex-specific lncRNAs in P. sinensis. Thereby, these findings provide new insights into the function of lncRNAs in sex differentiation and highlight a group of candidate lncRNAs for future studies.
Rapamycin attenuates pathological hypertrophy caused by an absence of trabecular formation
Authors: Fleming Nicole D. , Samsa Leigh A. , Hassel David , Qian Li , Liu Jiandong 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCardiac trabeculae are mesh-like muscular structures within ventricular walls. Subtle perturbations in trabeculation are associated with many congenital heart diseases (CHDs), and complete failure to form trabeculae leads to embryonic lethality. Despite the severe consequence of an absence of trabecular formation, the exact function of trabeculae remains unclear. Since ErbB2 signaling plays a direct and essential role in trabecular initiation, in this study, we utilized the erbb2 zebrafish mutant as a model to address the function of trabeculae in the heart. Intriguingly, we found that the trabeculae-deficient erbb2 mutant develops a hypertrophic-like (HL) phenotype that can be suppressed by inhibition of Target of Rapamycin (TOR) signaling in a similar fashion to adult mammalian hearts subjected to mechanical overload. Further, cell transplantation experiments demonstrated that erbb2 mutant cells in an otherwise wildtype heart did not undergo hypertrophy, indicating that erbb2 mutant HL phenotypes are due to a loss of trabeculae. Together, we propose that trabeculae serve to enhance contractility and that defects in this process lead to wall-stress induced hypertrophic remodeling.
Ccl2 deficiency protects against chronic renal injury in murine renovascular hypertension
Authors: Kashyap Sonu , Osman Mazen , Ferguson Christopher M. , Nath Meryl C. , Roy Bhaskar , Lien Karen R. , Nath Karl A. , Garovic Vesna D. , Lerman Lilach O. , Grande Joseph P. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractInflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of renal and cardiovascular disease in renovascular hypertension (RVH). Ccl2 is an important mediator of inflammation, and is induced within 24 hours following surgery to establish RVH in the murine 2 kidney 1 clip model, a time prior to onset of interstitial inflammation, fibrosis, or tubular atrophy. We tested the hypothesis that Ccl2 deficiency protects the stenotic kidney (STK) from development of chronic renal damage in mice with renovascular hypertension due to renal artery stenosis (RAS). RAS surgery was performed on wild type (WT) and Ccl2 knock out (KO) mice; animals were studied for four weeks. Renal blood flow was reduced to similar extent in both WT and Ccl2 KO mice with RVH. Perfusion of the stenotic kidney was significantly reduced in Ccl2 KO mice as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Stenotic kidney volume in WT, but not in Ccl2 KO mice, was significantly reduced following surgery. Cortical hypoxia was observed in the stenotic kidney of Ccl2 KO mice, as assessed by blood oxygen level-dependent MRI (BOLD-MRI). Ccl2 KO mice showed less cortical atrophy than WT RAS mice. Ccl2 deficiency reduced the number of infiltrating mononuclear cells and expression ofCcl5,Ccl7,Ccl8,Ccr2andCd206. We conclude that Ccl2 is a critical mediator of chronic renal injury in RVH.
Reinforcement magnitudes modulate subthalamic beta band activity in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Schroll Henning , Horn Andreas , Runge Joachim , Lipp Axel , Schneider Gerd-Helge , Krauss Joachim K. , Hamker Fred H. , Kühn Andrea A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe set out to investigate whether beta oscillations in the human basal ganglia are modulated during reinforcement learning. Based on previous research, we assumed that beta activity might either reflect the magnitudes of individuals’ received reinforcements (reinforcement hypothesis), their reinforcement prediction errors (dopamine hypothesis) or their tendencies to repeat versus adapt responses based upon reinforcements (status-quo hypothesis). We tested these hypotheses by recording local field potentials (LFPs) from the subthalamic nuclei of 19 Parkinson’s disease patients engaged in a reinforcement-learning paradigm. We then correlated patients’ reinforcement magnitudes, reinforcement prediction errors and response repetition tendencies with task-related power changes in their LFP oscillations. During feedback presentation, activity in the frequency range of 14 to 27 Hz (beta spectrum) correlated positively with reinforcement magnitudes. During responding, alpha and low beta activity (6 to 18 Hz) was negatively correlated with previous reinforcement magnitudes. Reinforcement prediction errors and response repetition tendencies did not correlate significantly with LFP oscillations. These results suggest that alpha and beta oscillations during reinforcement learning reflect patients’ observed reinforcement magnitudes, rather than their reinforcement prediction errors or their tendencies to repeat versus adapt their responses, arguing both against an involvement of phasic dopamine and against applicability of the status-quo theory.
HIV-1 inhibition in cells with CXCR4 mutant genome created by CRISPR-Cas9 and piggyBac recombinant technologies
Authors: Liu Shuai , Wang Qiankun , Yu Xiao , Li Yilin , Guo Yandan , Liu Zhepeng , Sun Fuyun , Hou Wei , Li Chunmei , Wu Li , Guo Deyin , Chen Shuliang 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is one of the major co-receptors for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry and is considered an important therapeutic target. However, its function in maintaining the development of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) makes it difficult to be used for HIV-1 gene therapy with HSC transplantation. A previous report showed that the natural CXCR4 P191A mutant inhibits HIV-1 infection without any defect in HSC differentiation, which could provide a basis for the development of new approaches for HIV-1 gene therapy. In the present study, we used CRISPR-Cas9 combined with the piggyBac transposon technologies to efficiently induce the expression of the CXCR4 P191A mutant in an HIV-1 reporter cell line, leading to no detectable exogenous sequences. In addition, no off-target effects were detected in the genome-edited cells. The decline of HIV-1 replication in biallelic CXCR4 gene-edited cells suggests that individuals equipped with homologous recombination of the CXCR4 P191A mutant could prevent or reduce HIV-1 infection. This study provides an effective approach to create a CXCR4 mutation with HIV-1 infection inhibition function and without leaving any genetic footprint inside cells, thereby shedding light on an application in HIV-1 gene therapy and avoiding side effects caused by deficiency or destruction of CXCR4 function.
Active and passive smoking impacts on asthma with quantitative and temporal relations: A Korean Community Health Survey
Authors: Kim So Young , Sim Songyong , Choi Hyo Geun 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the relations of smoking with asthma and asthma-related symptoms, considering quantitative and temporal influences. The 820,710 Korean adults in the Korean Community Health Survey in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013 were included and classified as non-smoker, past smoker or current smoker. Total smoking years, total pack-years, and age at smoking onset were assessed. Information on wheezing, exercise wheezing, and aggravation of asthma in the past 12 months and asthma diagnosis history and current treatment was collected. Multiple logistic regression analysis with complex sampling was used. Current and former smokers showed significant positive relations with wheezing, exercise wheezing, asthma ever, current asthma, and asthma aggravation. Current smokers demonstrated higher adjusted odd ratios (AORs) for wheezing, exercise wheezing, and asthma aggravation than former smokers. Former smokers showed higher AORs than current smokers for current asthma treatment. Longer passive smoking was related to wheezing and exercise wheezing. Greater age at smoking onset and duration since cessation were negatively related to wheezing, exercise wheezing, and current asthma; total pack-years demonstrated proportional associations with these symptoms. Former, current, and passive smoking was positively correlated with wheezing and exercise wheezing. Total pack-years and early initiation were increasingly related to asthma.
Effect of Qiangji Jianli decoction on mitochondrial respiratory chain activity and expression of mitochondrial fusion and fission proteins in myasthenia gravis rats
Authors: Song Jingwei , Lei Xiaowen , Jiao Wei , Song Yafang , Chen Weijing , Li Jinqiu , Chen Zhiwei 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMyasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by the production of antibodies against acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). Qiangji Jianli (QJJL) decoction is an effective traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that is used to treat MG. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of QJJL decoction on MG and to clarify the mechanism by which QJJL regulates mitochondrial energy metabolism and mitochondrial fusion and fission (MFF). SPF female Lewis rats were administered Rat 97–116 peptides to induce experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG). The treatment groups received QJJL decoction (7.8 g/kg, 15.6 g/kg and 23.4 g/kg). Mitochondria were extracted from gastrocnemius tissue samples to detect respiratory chain complex enzymatic activity. Quantitative PCR and western blot analysis were performed to detect Mfn1/2, Opa1, Drp1 and Fis1 mRNA and protein expression, respectively, in the mitochondria. Transmission electron microscopy examination was performed to show the improvement of mitochondria and myofibrils after QJJL treatment. The results indicated that QJJL decoction may attenuate MG by promoting the enzymatic activity of respiratory chain complexes to improve energy metabolism. Moreover, QJJL decoction increased Mfn1/2, Opa1, Drp1 and Fis1 mRNA and protein expression to exert its curative effect on MFF. Thus, QJJL decoction may be a promising therapy for MG.
Excitatory drive of masseter muscle during mastication with dental implants
Authors: Grigoriadis Anastasios , Trulsson Mats 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPreviously we have reported a biphasic increase in excitatory drive of the masseter muscle during natural chewing in young adults. We now hypothesize that sensory inputs from the periodontal mechanoreceptors (PMRs) are responsible for the late increase in excitatory drive during this biphasic movement. 13 participants with implant-supported bridges in both jaws, and thus lacking PMRs, and 13 participants with natural dentition chewed and swallowed model food of different hardness. Electromyographic (EMG) activity of the masseter muscle was recorded, along with the position of the mandible, and the muscle activity and jaw kinematics during the different phases of the chewing cycle were analyzed. Throughout the entire masticatory sequence, the excitatory drive of the masseter muscle during the jaw closing increased in a biphasic manner for the dentate participants; whereas biphasic elevation was observed only during the middle and last segments in the implant participants. Dentate participants exhibited significantly greater boosting of the EMG activity during late jaw closing than the implant participants, irrespective of food hardness and segment of the masticatory sequence. Sensory information from PMRs are required for boosting the enhancement of masseter muscle activity during the late jaw closing, during tooth-food contact.
Proof-of-Concept Study for an Enhanced Surrogate Marker of Endothelial Function in Diabetes
Authors: Dalan R. , Goh S. , Bing Sun , Seneviratna A. , Phua C. T. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDiabetes mellitus affects distal small vessels earlier and to a greater extent than proximal vessels. Vascular disease starts from activation of the endothelial cells, which if prolonged may lead to reduced distensibility of the vessel when maximally stimulated. Hence a device which measures distensibility of a distal vessel should be a good biomarker for subclinical disease. We have developed a device capable of measuring reactive hyperaemia induced changes in the radial artery flow, volumetric changes and accompanying effects on the vessel wall. The measurement is based on the magnetic flux disturbance upon haemodynamic modulation as blood flows through a uniformly applied magnetic field, and generates what we have termed the radial artery maximum distensibility index (RA-MDI). In a proof-of-concept study we found significant correlations between RA-MDI and cardiovascular risk factors, scoring systems and carotid artery intima-media thickness. Further large scale prospective studies need to be conducted to ascertain the correlations with cardiovascular events.
Comparing Sanger sequencing and high-throughput metabarcoding for inferring photobiont diversity in lichens
Authors: Paul Fiona , Otte Jürgen , Schmitt Imke , Dal Grande Francesco 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe implementation of HTS (high-throughput sequencing) approaches is rapidly changing our understanding of the lichen symbiosis, by uncovering high bacterial and fungal diversity, which is often host-specific. Recently, HTS methods revealed the presence of multiple photobionts inside a single thallus in several lichen species. This differs from Sanger technology, which typically yields a single, unambiguous algal sequence per individual. Here we compared HTS and Sanger methods for estimating the diversity of green algal symbionts within lichen thalli using 240 lichen individuals belonging to two species of lichen-forming fungi. According to HTS data, Sanger technology consistently yielded the most abundant photobiont sequence in the sample. However, if the second most abundant photobiont exceeded 30% of the total HTS reads in a sample, Sanger sequencing generally failed. Our results suggest that most lichen individuals in the two analyzed species,Lasallia hispanicaandL. pustulata, indeed contain a single, predominant green algal photobiont. We conclude that Sanger sequencing is a valid approach to detect the dominant photobionts in lichen individuals and populations. We discuss which research areas in lichen ecology and evolution will continue to benefit from Sanger sequencing, and which areas will profit from HTS approaches to assessing symbiont diversity.
Third-generation Sequencing Reveals Extensive Polycistronism and Transcriptional Overlapping in a Baculovirus
Authors: Moldován Norbert , Tombácz Dóra , Szűcs Attila , Csabai Zsolt , Balázs Zsolt , Kis Emese , Molnár Judit , Boldogkői Zsolt 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) is an insect-pathogen baculovirus. In this study, we applied the Oxford Nanopore Technologies platform for the analysis of the polyadenylated fraction of the viral transcriptome using both cDNA and direct RNA sequencing methods. We identified and annotated altogether 132 novel transcripts and transcript isoforms, including 4 coding and 4 non-coding RNA molecules, 47 length variants, 5 splice isoforms, as well as 23 polycistronic and 49 complex transcripts. All of the identified novel protein-coding genes were 5′-truncated forms of longer host genes. In this work, we demonstrated that in the case of transcript start site isoforms, the promoters and the initiator sequence of the longer and shorter variants belong to the same kinetic class. Long-read sequencing also revealed a complex meshwork of transcriptional overlaps, the function of which needs to be clarified. Additionally, we developed bioinformatics methods to improve the transcript annotation and to eliminate the non-specific transcription reads generated by template switching and false priming.
Induced seismicity response of hydraulic fracturing: results of a multidisciplinary monitoring at the Wysin site, Poland
Authors: López-Comino J. A. , Cesca S. , Jarosławski J. , Montcoudiol N. , Heimann S. , Dahm T. , Lasocki S. , Gunning A. , Capuano P. , Ellsworth W. L. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractShale oil and gas exploitation by hydraulic fracturing experienced a strong development worldwide over the last years, accompanied by a substantial increase of related induced seismicity, either consequence of fracturing or wastewater injection. In Europe, unconventional hydrocarbon resources remain underdeveloped and their exploitation controversial. In UK, fracturing operations were stopped after the Mw 2.3 Blackpool induced earthquake; in Poland, operations were halted in 2017 due to adverse oil market conditions. One of the last operated well at Wysin, Poland, was monitored independently in the framework of the EU project SHEER, through a multidisciplinary system including seismic, water and air quality monitoring. The hybrid seismic network combines surface mini-arrays, broadband and shallow borehole sensors. This paper summarizes the outcomes of the seismological analysis of these data. Shallow artificial seismic noise sources were detected and located at the wellhead active during the fracturing stages. Local microseismicity was also detected, located and characterised, culminating in two events of Mw 1.0 and 0.5, occurring days after the stimulation in the vicinity of the operational well, but at very shallow depths. A sharp methane peak was detected ~19 hours after the Mw 0.5 event. No correlation was observed between injected volumes, seismicity and groundwater parameters.
DNA Barcoding of Freshwater Fishes of Indo-Myanmar Biodiversity Hotspot
Authors: Barman Anindya Sundar , Singh Mamta , Singh Soibam Khogen , Saha Himadri , Singh Yumlembam Jackie , Laishram Martina , Pandey Pramod Kumar 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTo develop an effective conservation and management strategy, it is required to assess the biodiversity status of an ecosystem, especially when we deal with Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot. Importance of this reaches to an entirely different level as the hotspot represents the area of high endemism which is under continuous threat. Therefore, the need of the present study was conceptualized, dealing with molecular assessment of the fish fauna of Indo-Myanmar region, which covers the Indian states namely, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland. A total of 363 specimens, representing 109 species were collected and barcoded from the different rivers and their tributaries of the region. The analyses performed in the present study, i.e. Kimura 2-Parameter genetic divergence, Neighbor-Joining, Automated Barcode Gap Discovery and Bayesian Poisson Tree Processes suggest that DNA barcoding is an efficient and reliable tool for species identification. Most of the species were clearly delineated. However, presence of intra-specific and inter-specific genetic distance overlap in few species, revealed the existence of putative cryptic species. A reliable DNA barcode reference library, established in our study provides an adequate knowledge base to the groups of non-taxonomists, researchers, biodiversity managers and policy makers in sketching effective conservation measures for this ecosystem.