bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of dengue virus‐specific polyfunctional T‐cell responses with clinical disease severity in acute dengue infection
Authors: Wijeratne Dulharie T. , Fernando Samitha , Gomes Laksiri , Jeewandara Chandima , Jayarathna Geethal , Perera Yashoda , Wickramanayake Samurdhi , Wijewickrama Ananda , Ogg Graham S. , Malavige Gathsaurie N. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIntroductionAlthough the role of dengue virus (DENV)‐specific T cells in the pathogenesis of acute dengue infection is emerging, the functionality of virus‐specific T cells associated with milder clinical disease has not been well studied. We sought to investigate how the functionality of DENV–NS3 and DENV–NS5 protein‐specific T cells differ in patients with dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).MethodsUsing intracellular cytokine assays, we assessed the production of interferon γ (IFNγ), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), macrophage inflammatory protein‐1β (MIP‐1β), and CD107a expression in adult patients with acute DF (n = 21) and DHF (n = 22).ResultsQuadruple cytokine‐producing, polyfunctional DENV–NS3‐ and DENV–NS5‐specific T cells were more frequent in those with DF when compared to those with DHF. While DENV–NS3‐ and DENV–NS5‐specific T cells in patients with DF expressed IFNγ > TNF‐α > MIP‐β > CD107a, T cells of those with DHF predominantly expressed CD107a > MIP‐1β > IFNγ > TNF‐α. Overall production of IFNγ or TNF‐α by DENV–NS3‐ and DENV–NS5‐specific T cells was significantly higher in patients with DF. The majority of NS3‐specific T cells in patients with DF (78.6%) and DHF (68.9%) were single‐cytokine producers; 76.6% of DENV–NS5‐specific T cells in those with DF and 77.1% of those with DHF, produced only a single cytokine. However, no significant association was found with polyfunctional T‐cell responses and the degree of viraemia.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the functional phenotype of DENV‐specific T cells are likely to associate with clinical disease severity.
Randomized controlled trial of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist microdose flare‐up versus flare‐up among poor responders undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection
Authors: Ghaffari Firouzeh , Jahangiri Nadia , Madani Tahereh , Khodabakhshi Shabnam , Chehrazi Mohammad 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the effect of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist microdose flare‐up and GnRH agonist flare‐up protocols among women with poor ovarian reserve undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.MethodsRandomized controlled trial study among 131 women with poor ovarian reserve who underwent ICSI cycles at a single center in Tehran, Iran, between September 2008 and May 2014. Eligible women were randomly assigned to either the microdose flare‐up (n=66) or flare‐up (n=65) protocol. The primary outcome measure was live birth rate.ResultsBoth groups were comparable in cycle cancellation, mean number of dominant follicles, retrieved oocytes, and metaphase II oocytes. Number of stimulation days (P=032) and endometrial thickness (P=0.001) were significantly higher, and gonadotropin dose was non‐significantly higher (P=0.075) in the microdose flare‐up group than in the flare‐up group. No difference in clinical pregnancy, implantation, or abortion rate was observed between the two protocols. Live birth was higher in the microdose flare‐up group than in the flare‐up group (P=0.036).ConclusionThe microdose flare‐up protocol seemed to be superior to the flare‐up protocol, but it required a higher dose of gonadotropins and a longer duration of stimulation. Further prospective clinical trials of the microdose flare‐up protocol are recommended.ClinicalTrials.govNCT01006954
Two‐ and three‐photon absorption cross‐section characterization for high‐brightness, cell‐specific multiphoton fluorescence brain imaging
Authors: Lanin Aleksandr A. , Chebotarev Artem S. , Pochechuev Matvei S. , Kelmanson Ilya V. , Kotova Daria A. , Bilan Dmitry S. , Ermakova Yulia G. , Fedotov Andrei B. , Ivanov Anatoly A. , Belousov Vsevolod V. , Zheltikov Aleksei M. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWe demonstrate an accurate quantitative characterization of absolute two‐ and three‐photon absorption (2PA and 3PA) action cross sections of a genetically encodable fluorescent marker Sypher3s. Both 2PA and 3PA action cross sections of this marker are found to be remarkably high, enabling high‐brightness, cell‐specific two‐ and three‐photon fluorescence brain imaging. Brain imaging experiments on sliced samples of rat's cortical areas are presented to demonstrate these imaging modalities. The 2PA action cross section of Sypher3s is shown to be highly sensitive to the level of pH, enabling pH measurements via a ratiometric readout of the two‐photon fluorescence with two laser excitation wavelengths, thus paving the way toward fast optical pH sensing in deep‐tissue experiments.
Association of vitamin d with glycemic control in Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes: A retrospective chart review study in an emerging university hospital
Authors: Al Dossari Khaled K. , Ahmad Gulfam , Aljowair Abdulrahman , Alqahtani Naif , Shibrayn Mohammed Bin , Alshathri Mohammed , Alshehri Dahfer , Akhlaq Suhair , Hejab Faisal Bin , Alqahtani Abdulelah , Razzak Hira Abdul 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundVitamin D (mainly 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, 25[OH]D) has stimulated increasing interest in Saudi Arabia over the current years due to its association with several different chronic diseases such as diabetes. This study aims to ascertain whether the vitamin D level has any influence on glycemic control in Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).MethodThis retrospective study included 200 patients with T2DM who visited Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University Hospital between January 2015 and December 2015. Venous blood was collected and examined for “serum/plasma levels of 25(OH)D” and related variables using kit methods. HbA1C levels <7% and ≥7% were taken as indicators of good and poor glycemic control, respectively. An association between vitamin D deficiency and poor glycemic control was determined using multinomial logistic regression analysis.ResultsAmong the total of 200 patients with type 2 diabetes, 118 (59%) were female and 82 (41%) were males with the mean age 42.4 ± 14.8 years. Good glycemic control (HbA1c < 7) was observed in 127 (63.5%), and poor glycemic control (HbA1c > 7) was found in 73(36.5%). The mean serum 25(OH)vit D was 20.27 ± 8.66 ng/mL, with (52% vs 82%; P ≤ .001) of subjects identified to have vitamin D deficiency in good and poor glycemic control groups, respectively.ConclusionTaken together, our results demonstrated an association of vitamin D level with poor glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, additional studies with larger sample size from local population are warranted in future to confirm and extend the findings of the present study.
LINC00205 modulates the expression of EPHX1 through the inhibition of miR‐184 in hepatocellular carcinoma as a ceRNA
Authors: Long Xi , Li Qian , Zhi Li‐Jun , Li Jin‐Mao , Wang Zheng‐Yu 
Published: October 2019

AbstractSeveral studies have shown that low expression of epoxide hydrolase 1 (EPHX1) is closely associated with varying human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aims to explore the potential mechanism of EPHX1 silencing and revealed a novel regulatory pathway in the pathogenesis of HCC. In this study, micro ribonucleic acid (miR)‐184 was predicted and validated to be a regulator of EPHX1 through experiments, and its expression was negatively correlated with the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of EPHX1 in primary tumors. Elevation of EPHX1 suppressed cell proliferation and migration as well as cell cycle progression, and induced apoptosis, while downregulation of miR‐184 exhibited the opposite effect on cellular processes. Moreover, LINC00205 interacted with miR‐184 and was markedly downregulated in tumors. The effects of the miR‐184 inhibitor on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration were reversed in part by the transfection with LINC00205 small interfering RNAs. In addition, LINC00205 acted as a molecular sponge to positively regulate the mRNA and protein levels of EPHX1 via regulating miR‐184. The tumorigenicity of HCC cells was enhanced by LINC00205 shRNA but diminished by overexpression of EPHX1 in vivo. Clinically, the EPHX1 expression in patients with HCC was markedly downregulated. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that as a competing endogenous RNA, LINC00205 may regulate EPHX1 by inhibiting miR‐184 in the progression of HCC and that targeting the LINC00205/miR‐184/EPHX1 axis may provide a treatment protocol for patients.
Upregulation of microRNA‐218 reduces cardiac microvascular endothelial cells injury induced by coronary artery disease through the inhibition of HMGB1
Authors: Gao Wenhui , Cui Hanbin , Li Qianjun , Zhong Hai , Yu Jingjing , Li Ping , He Xijie 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis study is performed to examine the impacts of microRNA‐218 (miR‐218) on cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) injury induced by coronary artery disease (CAD). Reverse‐transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) was applied for detecting miR‐218 expression in serum of patients with CAD and healthy controls, and the correlation between miR‐218 expression and the clinical indexes such as creatine kinase, creatine kinase‐myocardial band, cardiac troponin I, and coronary Gensini score was analyzed. CMECs were coincubated with homocysteine for 24 hr for CMECs injury, and the cells were transfected with miR‐218 mimics or miR‐218 inhibitors. Besides, we used oxidized low density lipoprotein as an inducer to incubate with CMECs for 24 hr, and the model of CMECs injury was established to be transfected with miR‐218 mimics. RT‐qPCR and western blot analysis were used to detect miR‐218 and HMGB1 expression in CMECs. A series of experiments were used to determine cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and angiogenesis ability of CMECs. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression and inflammatory factor contents were measured. The obtained results suggested that miR‐218 expression in peripheral blood of patients with CAD descended substantially versus that of healthy controls. Low miR‐218 expression was found in CAD‐induced CMECs injury. Overexpressed miR‐218 promoted the proliferation, migration, angiogenesis ability, induced apoptosis, and alleviated the inflammatory injury of CAD‐induced CMECs. miR‐218 may negatively regulate the expression of HMGB1 in CAD. This study demonstrates that upregulation of miR‐218 reduces CMECs injury induced by CAD through the inhibition of HMGB1.
MiR‐20a‐containing exosomes from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells alleviates liver ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Zhang Lin , Song Yaolin , Chen Lei , Li Donghang , Feng Haohao , Lu Zilong , Fan Tao , Chen Zubin , Livingston Man J. , Geng Qing 
Published: October 2019

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been proved to exert considerable therapeutic effects on ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R)‐induced injury, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential molecular mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of MSCs‐derived exosome reinforced with miR‐20a in reversing liver I/R injury. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and IHC were carried out to compare the differential expressions of miR‐20a, Beclin‐I, FAS, Caspase‐3, mTOR and P62 in IR rats and normal rats. TUNEL was performed to assess IR‐induced apoptosis in IR rats, and luciferase assay was used to confirm the inhibitory effect of miR‐20a on Beclin‐I and FAS expression. Among the 12 candidate microRNAs (miRNAs), miR‐486, miR‐25, miR‐24, miR‐20a,miR‐466 and miR‐433‐3p were significantly downregulated in I/R. In particular, miR‐20a, a miRNA highly expressed in umbilical cord‐derived mesenchymal stem cells, was proved to bind to the 3ʹ UTR of Beclin‐I and FAS to exert an inhibitory effect on their expressions. Since Beclin‐I and FAS were aberrantly upregulated in IR, exosomes separated from UC‐MSCs showed therapeutic efficacy in reversing I/R induced apoptosis. In addition, exosomes reinforced with miR‐20a and separated from UC‐MSCs almost fully alleviated I/R injury. Furthermore, our results showed that miR‐20a could alleviate the abnormal expression of genes related to apoptosis and autophagy, such as active Caspase‐3, mTOR, P62, and LC3II. This study presented detailed evidence to clarify the mechanism underlying the therapeutic efficacy of UC‐MSCs in the treatment of I/R injury.
Thyroid‐stimulating hormone is an independent risk factor of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Tahara Kazuki , Akahane Takemi , Namisaki Tadashi , Moriya Kei , Kawaratani Hideto , Kaji Kosuke , Takaya Hiroaki , Sawada Yasuhiko , Shimozato Naotaka , Sato Shinya , Saikawa Soichiro , Nakanishi Keisuke , Kubo Takuya , Fujinaga Yukihisa , Furukawa Masanori , Kitagawa Koh , Ozutsumi Takahiro , Tsuji Yuuki , Kaya Daisuke , Ogawa Hiroyuki , Takagi Hirotetsu , Ishida Koji , Mitoro Akira , Yoshiji Hitoshi 
Published: October 2019

Background and AimHypothyroidism might play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The association of subclinical hypothyroidism with NAFLD has been inconsistent. The relationship of NAFLD with thyroid function parameters and subclinical hypothyroidism was determined.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study included 70 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and 70 controls with euthyroidism matched according to gender, age, and body mass index (BMI). NAFLD was diagnosed via abdominal ultrasonography. The association between NAFLD and subclinical hypothyroidism was analyzed.ResultsThe prevalence of NAFLD was significantly higher in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism than in those with euthyroidism. Multivariate analysis showed that subclinical hypothyroidism was an independent risk factor of NAFLD adjusted by metabolic‐related factors, such as BMI, triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes. Thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) was an independent risk factor of NAFLD adjusted by the same metabolic‐related factors, but free thyroxine (FT4) was not a risk factor. The FIB‐4 index, a noninvasive marker of liver fibrosis was significantly higher in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism than in those with euthyroidism. Compared with patients with euthyroidism, the proportion of the FIB‐4 index ≥2.67 was significantly higher, and the proportion of the FIB‐4 index <1.30 was lower in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.ConclusionsTSH elevation even within the euthyroid range is an independent risk factor of NAFLD and may influence the progression of liver fibrosis, even with a normal FT4 level.
Regional analysis of trend and non‐stationarity of hydro‐climatic time series in the Southern Alborz Region, Iran
Authors: Mirdashtvan Mahsa , Najafinejad Ali , Malekian Arash , Sa'doddin Amir 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAnalysis of the trend of climatic records is necessary for better climate modelling and subsequently adopting effective planning and management strategies. In this research, the Southern Alborz Range, Iran was selected to analyse the trends and stationarity of hydro‐climatic time series. The Mann–Kendall (M‐K) classic test was considered to identify the monotonic trend, while trend free pre‐whitening approach was applied for eliminating serial correlation from the time series. Meanwhile, time series stationarity was tested by Kwiatkowski–Phillips–Schmidt–Shin (KPSS) test. The results indicated both increasing and decreasing trends for precipitation, mean air temperature and pan evaporation in annual time‐scale which were insignificant in most of the stations. The western parts of the area illustrated the highest positive trend (2.018 mm⋅year–1) in annual precipitation; while the south of the study region showed the highest negative trend (−0.999 mm⋅year–1). The highest warming trend belongs to the northern parts of the region (0.035°C⋅year–1); while the western parts show the highest negative trend in temperature variable (–0.07°C⋅year–1); on the other hand, in the entire of the region, an insignificant decreasing trend is observed in most of the evaporation records. Non‐stationarity tested with the KPSS suggested annual time series to be significantly stationary after de‐trending and removing lag‐1 serial correlation. The findings of this investigation may provide important information about the climate of the region and consequently help to implement better management and planning strategies for scarce water resources of the region.
On the relationship between intensity changes and rainfall distribution in tropical cyclones over the North Indian Ocean
Authors: Ankur Kumar , Busireddy Nanda Kishore Reddy , Osuri Krishna K. , Niyogi Dev 
Published: October 2019

AbstractUsing Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission rain estimates the relationship between rainfall and intensity changes in tropical cyclones (TCs) over the North Indian Ocean (NIO) based on 71 TCs during 1997–2017 is investigated. The axisymmetric analyses revealed that climatologically the Bay of Bengal (BoB) TCs produce extremely heavy rainfall (~9–10 mm⋅hr−1) and Arabian Sea TCs produce very heavy rainfall (~7–8 mm⋅hr−1) in the storm inner core region (0–100 km). The inner‐core region receives three times higher rainfall than the outer region (100–300 km). The left‐forward sector experiences the maximum rainfall for any TC intensity over the NIO basin. A significant increase (decrease) in the rain rate is seen during normal to rapid intensification (weakening) phase. A notable decrease in rainfall of ~4.3 mm⋅hr−1 is observed for the rapidly weakening TCs. Slow‐moving TCs are generally stronger and produce heavy rainfall (2–4 mm⋅hr−1) up to ~300 km storm radius. As the translation speed increases, rainfall gradually shifts from rear to the forward sector of the TC. The asymmetry (wavenumber‐1) in TC rainfall structures revealed that rainfall maximum is located in the left‐forward sector for almost all intensity stages. The amplitude of wave number‐1 asymmetry in TC rainfall shows cyclonic shift as the TC intensity increases and is particularly prevalent in the BoB region. These analyses would be helpful as a baseline for evaluating the performance of numerical models and to identify the vulnerable areas for TC heavy rainfall.
Niemann‐Pick C1‐like 1 Promotes Intestinal Absorption of Siphonaxanthin
Authors: Manabe Yuki , Ichihara Misato , Fukuda Kyoko , Tomonaga Nami , Li Zhuo‐Si , Yamanashi Yoshihide , Suzuki Hiroshi , Takada Tappei , Matsuo Michinori , Sugawara Tatsuya 
Published: October 2019

AbstractSiphonaxanthin is a carotenoid found in certain green algae, and its promising beneficial properties, such as its anti‐obesity effect, have recently been demonstrated. However, there is little information about the molecular mechanisms underlying intestinal absorption of siphonaxanthin. In this study, we aimed to elucidate how siphonaxanthin is transported across the intestinal epithelium using differentiated Caco‐2 cells (dCaco‐2 cells), recombinant proteins, and an animal model. Siphonaxanthin was taken up by dCaco‐2 cells, a model of intestinal epithelial cells, and its uptake linearly increased up to at least 6 h. Pharmacological inhibition of Nieman‐Pick C1‐like 1 (NPC1L1), but not that of scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR‐B1), significantly suppressed siphonaxanthin uptake by dCaco‐2 cells. Results from an in vitro binding assay suggested that the N‐terminal domain of NPC1L1, which is an extracellular domain of NPC1L1, binds with siphonaxanthin. Moreover, pretreatment with ezetimibe, an inhibitor of NPC1L1, significantly decreased the plasma level of siphonaxanthin following oral administration in mice. Considered together, we concluded that NPC1L1 promotes siphonaxanthin transport across the intestinal epithelium.
[Gly14]‐Humanin Prevents Lipid Deposition and Endothelial Cell Apoptosis in a Lectin‐like Oxidized Low‐density Lipoprotein Receptor‐1‐Dependent Manner
Authors: Ding Yu , Feng Yue , Zhu Wawa , Zou Yutian , Xie Ying , Wang Fen , Liu Chun‐Feng , Zhang Yanlin , Liu Huihui 
Published: October 2019

AbstractOxidized low‐density lipoprotein (Ox‐LDL) may induce apoptosis and dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells, contributing to the initiation and development of atherosclerosis and lectin‐like oxidized low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐1 (LOX‐1) plays a central role in Ox‐LDL uptake in the course of atherogenesis. Humanin (HN), a mitochondrial‐derived peptide, was recently demonstrated to exert a protective role against endothelial dysfunction and Ox‐LDL‐induced progression of atherosclerosis. The HN analog HNGF6A (HNG) modulates cholesterol metabolism in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. However, whether HNG affects Ox‐LDL metabolism in endothelial cells is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of HNG on Ox‐LDL accumulation in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) and its underlying mechanisms. HUVEC were preincubated with HNG for 1 h before addition of Ox‐LDL. Total cholesterol content was measured by using a tissue total cholesterol assay kit and flow cytometry. Cell viability was measured by CCK8 assay. Protein content was examined by Western blot assays. Flow cytometry was used to identify apoptotic cells. Flow cytometry and tissue total cholesterol assays showed that HNG reduced Ox‐LDL accumulation in HUVEC. In addition, HNG inhibited Ox‐LDL‐induced apoptosis of HUVEC. Western blot results showed that HNG reduced LOX‐1 protein content. However, when LOX‐1 was knocked down or inhibited, the effect of HNG in reducing Ox‐LDL aggregation and apoptosis in HUVEC disappeared. Our study demonstrated that HNG reduces lipid aggregation and apoptosis in HUVEC in a LOX‐1‐dependent manner.
Plastic particles adsorb to the roots of freshwater vascular plant Spirodela polyrhiza but do not impair growth
Authors: Dovidat Lena C. , Brinkmann Bregje W. , Vijver Martina G. , Bosker Thijs 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWe investigated the effect of nano‐ and microplastics on the freshwater duckweed species Spirodela polyrhiza, a vascular plant. S. polyrhiza was exposed for 120 h to concentrations ranging from 102 to 106 particles·mL−1. We assessed effects on growth and chlorophyll production, and explored adsorption and absorption by way of confocal microscopy. For both nano‐ and microsized particles, no concentration‐dependent effects on growth were found (expressed as fresh weight, frond, and root sizes). In addition, chlorophyll concentrations were not significantly affected. Confocal microscopy indicated that nanosized plastic particles adsorbed externally to the duckweed, especially to the roots. Internalized plastic particles could not be detected. Nevertheless, given their important role in ecosystems as a food source for a range of organisms, the adsorption of plastic particles to S. polyrhiza roots as detected in this study can result in the transfer of plastic particles to diverse herbivorous species within the ecosystem.