bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crystal Protein of a Novel Bacillus thuringiensis Strain Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptotic Cell Death in Human Leukemic Cells
Authors: Beena V. , Ramnath V. , Sreekumar K. P. , Karthiayini K. , Philomina P. T. , Girija D. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractParasporal inclusions of a native non haemolytic Bacillus thuringiensis strain KAU 59 was screened for its cytotoxicity against human lymphocytic leukemic cell line jurkat and normal human lymphocytes. The cytotoxicity of proteinase activated and non activated solubilised parasporal inclusions against both cell lines was assessed by Cell Titer 96 Aqueous Non Radioactive Cell Proliferation Assay Kit using MTS. The 50 per cent effective concentration (EC50) values were deduced from log probit analysis at 48 h. Morphological changes associated with cytotoxicity were evaluated and molecular mechanisms of cell death were elucidated by TUNEL assay at 48 h post-inoculation. The fluorescence assisted cell sorting was done in the flow cytometer to assess the stage of cell cycle arrest. Relative quantification of caspase-3 expression in Jurkat cells treated with parasporal inclusion protein of KAU 59 was done by qRTPCR The results indicated that the protein was cytotoxic to jurkat cells at the same time non toxic to normal lymphocytes. Cytotoxicity was evident only after proteolytic activation. Apoptotic cell death was confirmed in the protein treated cells by TUNEL Assay and also up regulated caspase-3 gene expression (P < 0.001). S phase cell cycle arrest was confirmed by and fluorescence associated cell sorting.
Associations between serum and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor and influence of storage time and centrifugation strategy
Authors: Gejl Anne Kær , Enevold Christian , Bugge Anna , Andersen Marianne Skovsager , Nielsen Claus Henrik , Andersen Lars Bo 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe aims of the study were to clarify the impact of storage time and centrifugation strategy on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in human serum and plasma samples. In addition, we analyzed associations between BDNF levels, cardiorespiratory fitness and waist circumference. Seventeen healthy males (25.2 (4.1) years) were included in the study. Blood samples were drawn after an overnight fast and treated to different protocols, varying in time before centrifugation and centrifugation strategy. BDNF was analyzed in serum, normal plasma (NP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP). Also, waist circumference and cardiorespiratory fitness were measured. A large increase was observed in serum BDNF levels during the first hour of clotting. BDNF in NP correlated with PPP, whereas no correlations were found between BDNF in serum and plasma. Though not statistical significant, correlations between fitness and BDNF in serum changed from positive at 30 min. to negative when clotting time was ≥60 min. In conclusion, BDNF levels in serum were affected by clotting time, whereas BDNF levels in plasma were influenced by centrifugation strategy. Importantly, BDNF in serum and plasma appears to reflect two different pools of BDNF. The biological relevance of the velocity of BDNF release during clotting and its dependence upon fitness must be investigated further.
ABO blood group A transferase and its codon 69 substitution enzymes synthesize FORS1 antigen of FORS blood group system
Authors: Yamamoto Miyako , Tarasco Maria Cristina , Cid Emili , Kobayashi Hidetomo , Yamamoto Fumiichiro 
Published: July 2019

AbstractHuman histo-blood group A transferase (AT) catalyzes the biosynthesis of oligosaccharide A antigen important in blood transfusion and cell/tissue/organ transplantation. This enzyme may synthesize Forssman antigen (FORS1) of the FORS blood group system when exon 3 or 4 of the AT mRNA is deleted and/or the LeuGlyGly tripeptide at codons 266–268 of AT is replaced by GlyGlyAla. The Met69Ser/Thr substitutions also confer weak Forssman glycolipid synthase (FS) activity. In this study, we prepared the human AT derivative constructs containing any of the 20 amino acids at codon 69 with and without the GlyGlyAla substitution, transfected DNA to newly generated COS1(B3GALNT1 + A4GALT) cells expressing an enhanced level of globoside (Gb4), the FS acceptor substrate, and immunologically examined the FORS1 expression. Our results showed that all those substitution constructs at codon 69 exhibited FS activity. The combination with GlyGlyAla significantly increased the activity. The conserved methionine residue in theABO, but notGBGT1, gene-encoded proteins may implicate its contribution to the separation of these genes in genetic evolution. Surprisingly, with increased Gb4 availability, the original human AT with the methionine residue at codon 69 was also demonstrated to synthesize FORS1, providing another molecular mechanism of FORS1 appearance in cancer of ordinary FORS1-negative individuals.
Assessing radiomic feature robustness to interpolation in 18F-FDG PET imaging
Authors: Whybra Philip , Parkinson Craig , Foley Kieran , Staffurth John , Spezi Emiliano 
Published: July 2019

AbstractRadiomic studies link quantitative imaging features to patient outcomes in an effort to personalise treatment in oncology. To be clinically useful, a radiomic feature must be robust to image processing steps, which has made robustness testing a necessity for many technical aspects of feature extraction. We assessed the stability of radiomic features to interpolation processing and categorised features based on stable, systematic, or unstable responses. Here, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET images for 441 oesophageal cancer patients (split: testing = 353, validation = 88) were resampled to 6 isotropic voxel sizes (1.5 mm, 1.8 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.2 mm, 2.5 mm, 2.7 mm) and 141 features were extracted from each volume of interest (VOI). Features were categorised into four groups with two statistical tests. Feature reliability was analysed using an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and patient ranking consistency was assessed using a Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (ρ). We categorised 93 features robust and 6 limited robustness (stable responses), 34 potentially correctable (systematic responses), and 8 not robust (unstable responses). We developed a correction technique for features with potential systematic variation that used surface fits to link voxel size and percentage change in feature value. Twenty-nine potentially correctable features were re-categorised to robust for the validation dataset, after applying corrections defined by surface fits generated on the testing dataset. Furthermore, we found the choice of interpolation algorithm alone (spline vs trilinear) resulted in large variation in values for a number of features but the response categorisations remained constant. This study attempted to quantify the diverse response of radiomics features commonly found in 18F-FDG PET clinical modelling to isotropic voxel size interpolation.
Associated clinical factors for serious infections in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Jung Ju-Yang , Yoon Dukyong , Choi Young , Kim Hyoun-Ah , Suh Chang-Hee 
Published: July 2019

AbstractInfection occurs frequently in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and has been a major cause of morbidity and mortality. However, no large-scale comprehensive studies have estimated the effect of clinical characteristics on serious infection in actual clinical practice yet. We investigated the influence of clinical characteristics on serious infections using electronic medical records data. We conducted a nested case-control study. Patients with SLE who developed serious infection which needs hospitalization or intravenous antibiotics (n = 120) were matched to controls (n = 240) who didn’t. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for infection associated with clinical features were obtained by conditional logistic regression analyses. The conditional logistic regression analysis with adjustment showed that serositis (OR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.33–5.74), hematologic involvement (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.32–4.87), and use of higher than the low dose of glucocorticoids (GCs; >7.5 mg/d prednisolone-equivalent) (OR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.31–5.34) were related to serious infections in SLE. Serositis, hematologic involvement, and use of higher than the low dose of GCs were associated with serious infections in patients with SLE.
Role of keratan sulfate expression in human pancreatic cancer malignancy
Authors: Leiphrakpam Premila D. , Patil Prathamesh P. , Remmers Neeley , Swanson Benjamin , Grandgenett Paul M. , Qiu Fang , Yu Fang , Radhakrishnan Prakash 
Published: July 2019

AbstractKeratan sulfate (KS) is a sulfated linear polymer of N-acetyllactosamine. Proteoglycans carrying keratan sulfate epitopes were majorly observed in cornea, cartilage and brain; and mainly involved in embryonic development, cornea transparency, and wound healing process. Recently, expression of KS in cancer has been shown to be highly associated with advanced tumor grade and poor prognosis. Therefore, we aimed to identify the expression of KS epitope in human pancreatic cancer primary and metastatic tumor lesions. Immunohistochemical analysis of KS expression was performed on primary pancreatic tumors and metastatic tissues. We observed an increased expression of KS epitope on primary tumor tissues compared to uninvolved normal and tumor stroma; and is associated with worse overall survival. Moreover, lung metastatic tumors show a higher-level expression of KS compared to primary tumors. Interestingly, KS biosynthesis specific glycosyltransferases expression was differentially regulated in metastatic pancreatic tumors. Taken together, these results indicate that aberrant expression of KS is predictive of pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis and may serve as a novel prognostic biomarker for pancreatic cancer.
Yellow River water rebalanced by human regulation
Authors: Wang Yaping , Zhao Wenwu , Wang Shuai , Feng Xiaoming , Liu Yanxu 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe streamflow of major global rivers changes under the influences of climate change and human activities and varies greatly in different regions. The Yellow River has undergone a dramatic shift during the last six decades. Its streamflow gradually dwindled away and even dried-up severely in the late 20th century, but in recent years it has recovered and remains stable. Comprehensive understanding of the river streamflow change and its driving forces promotes effective water resource management within this complex human-natural system. Here, we develop a runoff identity attribution approach to analyze 61 years of streamflow observations from the Yellow River. We find that between the 1950s and the 1980s, human water consumption contributed more than 90% to streamflow reduction, but from the 1970s onwards, land cover change became the major factor to decrease streamflow. Since 2000, government management schemes have prevented streamflow from declining further and guarantee its stability. Based on the analysis framework we propose, persistent droughts, which are related to abrupt streamflow abatement, may be the most uncontrollable factor in the future. A more resilient management system should be therefore built to grapple with the expected increased frequency of such extreme climate events in the future.
A comparative study of the radial pulse between primary dysmenorrhea patients and healthy subjects during the menstrual phase
Authors: Kim Jihye , Bae Jang-Han , Ku Boncho , Yim Mi Hong , Ang Lin , Kim Hyunho , Jeon Young Ju 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare radial pulse characteristics between primary dysmenorrhea (PD) patients and healthy subjects throughout the menstrual cycle. A total of 48 females aged 20 to 29 years participated, and all subjects were assigned to two groups according to their visual analogue scale scores. The radial pulse of each subject was obtained using a pulse tonometric device during menstrual, follicular, and luteal phases. In addition, various pulse analysis indices were used to estimate the pulse characteristics. The pulse tension index (PTI) and pulse depth index (PDI) in the patient group were significantly lower than those in the healthy group during the menstrual phase (P < 0.01 and <0.001, respectively). According to univariate logistic regression results, the PTI, PDI and optimal applied pressure (OAP) were significantly correlated with PD, and the model based on the PTI and OAP performed best (AUC = 0.828). This study is the first to analyze pulse tension inferred from the PTI and to apply this parameter to clinical practice. The results of this study confirmed the possibility of quantitatively measuring pulse tension and suggest that the PTI and OAP can serve as potential clinical indicators for pain disorders.
The actual electronic band structure of a rubrene single crystal
Authors: Nitta Jun , Miwa Kazumoto , Komiya Naoki , Annese Emilia , Fujii Jun , Ono Shimpei , Sakamoto Kazuyuki 
Published: July 2019

AbstractA proper understanding on the charge mobility in organic materials is one of the key factors to realize highly functionalized organic semiconductor devices. So far, however, although a number of studies have proposed the carrier transport mechanism of rubrene single crystal to be band-like, there are disagreements between the results reported in these papers. Here, we show that the actual dispersion widths of the electronic bands formed by the highest occupied molecular orbital are much smaller than those reported in the literature, and that the disagreements originate from the diffraction effect of photoelectron and the vibrations of molecules. The present result indicates that the electronic bands would not be the main channel for hole mobility in case of rubrene single crystal and the necessity to consider a more complex picture like molecular vibrations mediated carrier transport. These findings open an avenue for a thorough insight on how to realize organic semiconductor devices with high carrier mobility.
Micro-computed tomography imaging reveals the development of a unique tooth mineralization pattern in mackerel sharks (Chondrichthyes; Lamniformes) in deep time
Authors: Jambura Patrick L. , Kindlimann René , López-Romero Faviel , Marramà Giuseppe , Pfaff Cathrin , Stumpf Sebastian , Türtscher Julia , Underwood Charlie J. , Ward David J. , Kriwet Jürgen 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes) have a rich fossil record which consists mostly of isolated teeth and, therefore, phylogenetic relationships of extinct taxa are mainly resolved based on dental characters. One character, the tooth histology, has been examined since the 19thcentury, but its implications on the phylogeny of Chondrichthyes is still in debate. We used high resolution micro-CT images and tooth sections of 11 recent and seven extinct lamniform sharks to examine the tooth mineralization processes in this group. Our data showed similarities between lamniform sharks and other taxa (a dentinal core of osteodentine instead of a hollow pulp cavity), but also one feature that has not been known from any other elasmobranch fish: the absence of orthodentine. Our results suggest that this character resembles a synapomorphic condition for lamniform sharks, with the basking shark,Cetorhinus maximus, representing the only exception and reverted to the plesiomorphic tooth histotype. Additionally, †Palaeocarcharias stromeri, whose affiliation still is debated, shares the same tooth histology only known from lamniform sharks. This suggests that †Palaeocarcharias stromeriis member of the order Lamniformes, contradicting recent interpretations and thus, dating the origin of this group back at least into the Middle Jurassic.
Mechanical shear controls bacterial penetration in mucus
Authors: Figueroa-Morales Nuris , Dominguez-Rubio Leonardo , Ott Troy L. , Aranson Igor S. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMucus plays crucial roles in higher organisms, from aiding fertilization to protecting the female reproductive tract. Here, we investigate how anisotropic organization of mucus affects bacterial motility. We demonstrate by cryo electron micrographs and elongated tracer particles imaging, that mucus anisotropy and heterogeneity depend on how mechanical stress is applied. In shallow mucus films, we observe bacteria reversing their swimming direction without U-turns. During the forward motion, bacteria burrowed tunnels that last for several seconds and enable them to swim back faster, following the same track. We elucidate the physical mechanism of direction reversal by fluorescent visualization of the flagella: when the bacterial body is suddenly stopped by the mucus structure, the compression on the flagellar bundle causes buckling, disassembly and reorganization on the other side of the bacterium. Our results shed light into motility of bacteria in complex visco-elastic fluids and can provide clues in the propagation of bacteria-born diseases in mucus.
Economic and Efficient phosphonic functional groups mesoporous silica for uranium selective adsorption from aqueous solutions
Authors: Sarafraz H. , Alahyarizadeh Gh. , Minuchehr A. , Modaberi H. , Naserbegi A. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractA novel mesoporous silica with enhanced phosphonic functional groups (PFGs) and without any silane agents was provided by Sol-Gel technique for selective adsorption of U(VI) from aqueous solutions (AqS). The absorbent was synthesized based on the achieving the four best performance characteristics including availability, economically, adsorption efficiency, and selectivity which are undoubtedly defined the usefulness of the adsorbents. The sorption results exhibited the highest uranium adsorption capacity, qe, of 820.7 mg/g at pH ≈ 8 which indicated the adsorbent is the best alternative for uranium adsorption from the nearly neutral solutions such as seawater. The recovery percentages by the adsorbent in the aqueous environments involving other elements such as Mg, Cd, Hg, As, Ca, Na, Ni and the salty environment with high concentration of Cl− ions are indicated that the adsorbent presents the acceptable selectivity for uranium adsorption from the AqS such as industrial wastewater. Several activities and factors including removing the silane agents, using sodium metasilicate as an available and low-cost source of silica, and using the Sol-gel method as an unexpansive synthesis technique caused to reduce the synthesis costs from 222.787 EUR/kg for the template method to 60.078 EUR/kg for Sol-gel method which confirm the synthesis of a cost-effective adsorbent.
Human Corneal Expression of SLC4A11, a Gene Mutated in Endothelial Corneal Dystrophies
Authors: Malhotra Darpan , Loganathan Sampath K. , Chiu Anthony M. , Lukowski Chris M. , Casey Joseph R. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTwo blinding corneal dystrophies, pediatric-onset congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) and some cases of late-onset Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), are caused by SLC4A11 mutations. Three N-terminal SLC4A11 variants: v1, v2 and v3 are expressed in humans. We set out to determine which of these transcripts and what translated products, are present in corneal endothelium as these would be most relevant for CHED and FECD studies. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and quantitative RT-PCR revealed only v2 and v3 mRNA in human cornea, but v2 was most abundant. Immunoblots probed with variant-specific antibodies revealed that v2 protein is about four times more abundant than v3 in human corneal endothelium. Bioinformatics and protein analysis using variant-specific antibodies revealed that second methionine in the open reading frame (M36) acts as translation initiation site on SLC4A11 v2 in human cornea. The v2 variants starting at M1 (v2-M1) and M36 (v2-M36) were indistinguishable in their cell surface trafficking and transport function (water flux). Structural homology models of v2-M36 and v3 suggest structural differences but their significance remains unclear. A combination of bioinformatics, RNA quantification and isoform-specific antibodies allows us to conclude that SLC4A11 variant 2 with start site M36 is predominant in corneal endothelium.
Pleiotropic effects of rfa-gene mutations on Escherichia coli envelope properties
Authors: Pagnout Christophe , Sohm Bénédicte , Razafitianamaharavo Angélina , Caillet Céline , Offroy Marc , Leduc Marjorie , Gendre Héloïse , Jomini Stéphane , Beaussart Audrey , Bauda Pascale , Duval Jérôme F. L. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMutations in the rfa operon leading to severely truncated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structures are associated with pleiotropic effects on bacterial cells, which in turn generates a complex phenotype termed deep-rough. Literature reports distinct behavior of these mutants in terms of susceptibility to bacteriophages and to several antibacterial substances. There is so far a critical lack of understanding of such peculiar structure-reactivity relationships mainly due to a paucity of thorough biophysical and biochemical characterizations of the surfaces of these mutants. In the current study, the biophysicochemical features of the envelopes of Escherichia coli deep-rough mutants are identified from the molecular to the single cell and population levels using a suite of complementary techniques, namely microelectrophoresis, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Isobaric Tag for Relative and Absolute Quantitation (iTRAQ) for quantitative proteomics. Electrokinetic, nanomechanical and proteomic analyses evidence enhanced mutant membrane destabilization/permeability, and differentiated abundances of outer membrane proteins involved in the susceptibility phenotypes of LPS-truncated mutants towards bacteriophages, antimicrobial peptides and hydrophobic antibiotics. In particular, inner-core LPS altered mutants exhibit the most pronounced heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of their Young modulus and stiffness, which is symptomatic of deep damages on cell envelope likely to mediate phage infection process and antibiotic action.
Photodynamic therapy of melanoma by blue-light photoactivation of flavin mononucleotide
Authors: Akasov R. A. , Sholina N. V. , Khochenkov D. A. , Alova A. V. , Gorelkin P. V. , Erofeev A. S. , Generalova A. N. , Khaydukov E. V. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMelanoma is one of the most aggressive and lethal form of cancer. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically approved technique for cancer treatment, including non-melanoma skin cancer. However, the most of conventional photosensitizers are of low efficacy against melanoma due to the possible dark toxicity at high drug concentrations, melanin pigmentation, and induction of anti-oxidant defense mechanisms. In the current research we propose non-toxic flavin mononucleotide (FMN), which is a water-soluble form of riboflavin (vitamin B2) as a promising agent for photodynamic therapy of melanoma. We demonstrated selective accumulation of FMN in melanoma cells in vivo and in vitro in comparison with keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Blue light irradiation with dose 5 J/cm2 of melanoma cells pre-incubated with FMN led to cell death through apoptosis. Thus, the IC50 values of human melanoma A375, Mel IL, and Mel Z cells were in a range of FMN concentration 10–30 µM that can be achieved in tumor tissue under systemic administration. The efficiency of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation under FMN blue light irradiation was measured in single melanoma cells by a label-free technique using an electrochemical nanoprobe in a real-time control manner. Melanoma xenograft regression in mice was observed as a result of intravenous injection of FMN followed by blue-light irradiation of tumor site. The inhibition of tumor growth was 85–90% within 50 days after PDT treatment.