bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combined effects of body position and sleep status on the cardiorespiratory stability of near-term infants
Authors: Oishi Yoshihisa , Ohta Hidenobu , Hirose Takako , Nakaya Sachiko , Tsuchiya Keiji , Nakagawa Machiko , Kusakawa Isao , Sato Toshihiro , Obonai Toshimasa , Nishida Hiroshi , Yoda Hitoshi 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the effects of body position (prone, supine and lateral) together with sleep status (wake and sleep) on the cardiorespiratory stability of near-term infants. A total of 53 infants (gestational age at birth 33.2 ± 3.5 weeks; birth weight 1,682 ± 521 g; gestational age at recording 38.6 ± 2.1 weeks; weight at recording: 2,273 ± 393 g) were monitored for 24 hours for clinically significant apnea (>15 seconds), bradycardia (<100 bpm), and oxygen desaturation (SpO2 < 90%) in alternating body positions (prone, supine and lateral) by cardiorespiratory monitors and 3-orthogonal-axis accelerometers. Sleep status of the infants was also continuously monitored by actigraphs. No apnea was observed. During wake, severe bradycardia was most frequently observed in the lateral position while, during sleep, severe bradycardia was most frequently observed in the supine position. Desaturation was most frequently observed in the supine and lateral positions during both wake and sleep. Our study suggests that the cardiorespiratory stability of infants is significantly compromised by both body position and sleep status. During both wake and sleep, prone position induces the most stable cardiorespiratory functions of near-term infants.
Comparative analysis of the Liriomyza chinensis mitochondrial genome with other Agromyzids reveals conserved genome features
Authors: Chen Jing-Yun , Chang Ya-Wen , Zheng Si-Zhu , Lu Ming-Xing , Du Yu-Zhou 
Published: June 2018

AbstractLiriomyza chinensis is a serious pest of onions in many countries, especially in East Asia. We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of this species and compared it with five other Agromyzidae species. The L. chinensis mitogenome is a double-stranded 16,175 bp circular molecule with an A + T content of 78.3%. It contains 37 genes and a control region as do the sequenced Liriomyza species. The mitogenomes of L. chinensis and other Agromyzidae species showed a clear bias in nucleotide composition with a positive AT-skew. Most PCGs used standard ATN as start codons, and TAN as termination codons. The tRNAs exhibited the typical clover-leaf structure, except for tRNASer(AGN) and the two rRNA genes are conserved with those of other Agromyzids. The L. chinensis mitogenome control region included several conserved regions, including a poly-T, two (TA)n and one poly-A stretch, which are considered important replication and transcription. The 13 PCGs were used to study the phylogeny of L. chinensis and five related Agromyzids. Analysis by maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference and genetic distance suggest congruent phylogenetic relationships in Liriomyza spp. and provide a useful supplement to taxonomic classification by morphology.
Cancer Drug Response Profile scan (CDRscan): A Deep Learning Model That Predicts Drug Effectiveness from Cancer Genomic Signature
Authors: Chang Yoosup , Park Hyejin , Yang Hyun-Jin , Lee Seungju , Lee Kwee-Yum , Kim Tae Soon , Jung Jongsun , Shin Jae-Min 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn the era of precision medicine, cancer therapy can be tailored to an individual patient based on the genomic profile of a tumour. Despite the ever-increasing abundance of cancer genomic data, linking mutation profiles to drug efficacy remains a challenge. Herein, we report Cancer Drug Response profile scan (CDRscan) a novel deep learning model that predicts anticancer drug responsiveness based on a large-scale drug screening assay data encompassing genomic profiles of 787 human cancer cell lines and structural profiles of 244 drugs. CDRscan employs a two-step convolution architecture, where the genomic mutational fingerprints of cell lines and the molecular fingerprints of drugs are processed individually, then merged by ‘virtual docking’, an in silico modelling of drug treatment. Analysis of the goodness-of-fit between observed and predicted drug response revealed a high prediction accuracy of CDRscan (R2 > 0.84; AUROC > 0.98). We applied CDRscan to 1,487 approved drugs and identified 14 oncology and 23 non-oncology drugs having new potential cancer indications. This, to our knowledge, is the first-time application of a deep learning model in predicting the feasibility of drug repurposing. By further clinical validation, CDRscan is expected to allow selection of the most effective anticancer drugs for the genomic profile of the individual patient.
Genetic diversity and transmissibility of imported Plasmodium vivax in Qatar and three countries of origin
Authors: Abdelraheem Mohammed H. , Bansal Devendra , Idris Mohammed A. , Mukhtar Moawia M. , Hamid Muzamil M. Abdel , Imam Zainb S. , Getachew Sisay , Sehgal Rakesh , Kaur Hargobinder , Gadalla Amal H. , Al-Hamidhi Salam , Al-Hashami Zainab , Al-Jabri Ali , Sultan Ali A. , Babiker Hamza A. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractMalaria control program in the Arabian Peninsula, backed by adequate logistical support, has interrupted transmission with exception of limited sites in Saudi Arabia and sporadic outbreaks in Oman. However, sustained influx of imported malaria represents a direct threat to the above success. Here we examined the extent of genetic diversity among imported P. vivax in Qatar, and its ability to produce gametocytes, compared to parasites in main sites of imported cases, the Indian subcontinent (india) and East Africa (Sudan and Ethiopia). High diversity was seen among imported P. vivax in Qatar, comparable to parasites in the Indian subcontinent and East Africa. Limited genetic differentiation was seen among imported P. vivax, which overlapped with parasites in India, but differentiated from that in Sudan and Ethiopia. Parasite density among imported cases, ranged widely between 26.25–7985934.1 Pv18S rRNA copies/µl blood, with a high prevalence of infections carried gametocytes detectable by qRT-PCR. Parasitaemia was a stronger predictor for P. vivax gametocytes density (r = 0.211, P = 0.04). The extensive diversity of imported P. vivax and its ability to produce gametocytes represent a major threat for re-introduction of malaria in Qatar. The genetic relatedness between P. vivax reported in Qatar and those in India suggest that elimination strategy should target flow and dispersal of imported malaria into the region.
Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 Plays a Critical Role in Long-term Motility Dysfunction after Bowel Obstruction
Authors: Lin You-Min , Fu Yu , Hegde Shrilakshmi , Tang Yanbo , Radhakrishnan Ravi , Shi Xuan-Zheng 
Published: June 2018

AbstractMotility dysfunction is present not only during bowel obstruction (BO), but after obstruction is resolved. Previous studies found that lumen distension associated mechano-transcription of COX-2 and production of PGE2 in gut smooth muscle cells (SMC) account for motility dysfunction during obstruction. We hypothesized that PGE2 may exert autocrine effect in SMC to induce microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1), which contributes to motility dysfunction after obstruction is resolved. Partial colon obstruction was induced in rats with an obstruction band, which was released 7 days later. Rats were further studied in the post-BO state. Circular muscle contractility of the mid colon (previously distended during obstruction) remained suppressed, and colon transit was impaired in the post-BO state. The COX-2, mPGES-1, and PGE2 levels were all increased in the distended bowel during obstruction. However, after obstruction was resolved, COX-2 expression returned to normal, whereas mPGES-1 and PGE2 levels remained increased. Expression of mPGES-1 in colon SMC was inducible by stretch or PGE2. Administration of mPGES-1 inhibitor Cay 10526 either before or after the release of obstruction normalized PGE2 levels and improved motility in the post-BO rats. In conclusion, mPGES-1 plays a critical role in the continuous suppression of motor function in the post-BO state.
Exploring the role of unnatural amino acids in antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Oliva Rosario , Chino Marco , Pane Katia , Pistorio Valeria , De Santis Augusta , Pizzo Elio , D’Errico Gerardino , Pavone Vincenzo , Lombardi Angela , Del Vecchio Pompea , Notomista Eugenio , Nastri Flavia , Petraccone Luigi 
Published: June 2018

AbstractCationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) are a promising alternative to treat multidrug-resistant bacteria, which have developed resistance to all the commonly used antimicrobial, and therefore represent a serious threat to human health. One of the major drawbacks of CAMPs is their sensitivity to proteases, which drastically limits their half-life. Here we describe the design and synthesis of three nine-residue CAMPs, which showed high stability in serum and broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. As for all peptides a very low selectivity between bacterial and eukaryotic cells was observed, we performed a detailed biophysical characterization of the interaction of one of these peptides with liposomes mimicking bacterial and eukaryotic membranes. Our results show a surface binding on the DPPC/DPPG vesicles, coupled with lipid domain formation, and, above a threshold concentration, a deep insertion into the bilayer hydrophobic core. On the contrary, mainly surface binding of the peptide on the DPPC bilayer was observed. These observed differences in the peptide interaction with the two model membranes suggest a divergence in the mechanisms responsible for the antimicrobial activity and for the observed high toxicity toward mammalian cell lines. These results could represent an important contribution to unravel some open and unresolved issues in the development of synthetic CAMPs.
Potent block of potassium channels by MEK inhibitor U0126 in primary cultures and brain slices
Authors: Wang Jin-Zhao , Long Cheng , Li Kai-Yuan , Xu Hua-Tai , Yuan Li-Lian , Wu Gang-Yi 
Published: June 2018

AbstractU0126 (1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis (2-aminophenylthio) butadiene), a widely used mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, was found to accelerate voltage-gated K+ channel (KV) inactivation in heterologous cells expressing several types of KV. The goal of this study was to examine whether U0126 at a concentration thought to specifically inhibit MEK signaling also inhibits KV in native neurons of primary cultures or brain slices. U0126 caused a dose-dependent inhibition of both the transient (IA) and sustained (IDR) components of K+ currents in hippocampal neurons. U0126 also exhibited much higher potency on the IA and IDR than the classical KV blockers 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and tetraethylammonium (TEA). Consistent with its inhibitory effect on KV, U0126 broadened action potential duration, profoundly affected the repolarizing phase, and dramatically reduced firing frequency in response to current pulse injections. Despite the potent and reversible action of U0126 on Kv channels, PD98059, a structurally-unrelated MEK inhibitor, did not induce such an effect, suggesting U0126 may act independently of MEK inhibition. Together, these results raise cautions for using U0126 as a specific inhibitor for studying MEK signaling in neurons; on the other hand, further studies on the blocking mechanisms of U0126 as a potent inhibitor of KV may provide useful insights into the structure-function relationship of KV in general.
Wafer scale BN on sapphire substrates for improved graphene transport
Authors: Vangala Shivashankar , Siegel Gene , Prusnick Timothy , Snure Michael 
Published: June 2018

AbstractWafer scale (2”) BN grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on sapphire was examined as a weakly interacting dielectric substrate for graphene, demonstrating improved transport properties over conventional sapphire and SiO2/Si substrates. Chemical vapor deposition grown graphene was transferred to BN/sapphire substrates for evaluation of more than 30 samples using Raman and Hall effects measurements. A more than 2x increase in Hall mobility and 10x reduction in sheet carrier density was measured for graphene on BN/sapphire compared to sapphire substrates. Through control of the MOCVD process, BN films with roughness ranging from <0.1 nm to >1 nm were grown and used to study the effects of substrate roughness on graphene transport. Arrays of graphene field effect transistors were fabricated on 2” BN/sapphire substrates demonstrating scalability and device performance enhancement.
Effects of Natural Hirudin and Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Preventing Deep Venous Thrombosis in Aged Patients with Intertrochanteric Fracture
Authors: Zhang Zhengdong , Li Zheng , Li Jun , Liu Lei 
Published: June 2018

AbstractOur objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of natural hirudin and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in the prevention of perioperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture. From June 2014 to June 2017, 96 patients with intertrochanteric fractures were treated with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) were randomly divided into two groups. For DVT prevention, 45 patients were treated with oral natural hirudin and subcutaneous LMWH-calcium (test group) and 51 patients were treated with subcutaneous LMWH-calcium (control group). The mean intraoperative bleeding, wound drainage and incisional hematoma were higher in the test group, with no significant differences between the groups. There were significant differences in distal intramuscular venous thrombosis (P = 0.043). Both activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), and prothrombin time (PT) lengthened in both groups postoperatively, and there was a significant difference between the two groups two weeks postoperatively. D-dimer were significantly different and platelet count (PLT) did not differ between groups two weeks postoperatively. In elderly patients with unilateral intertrochanteric fracture after PFNA on anticoagulant therapy, the combination of natural hirudin and LMWH was more effective than that of LMWH-calcium alone, with no significant difference with regard to safety.
Evolutionary histories of coxsackievirus B5 and swine vesicular disease virus reconstructed by phylodynamic and sequence variation analyses
Authors: Huang Hui-Wen , Chu Pei-Huan , Pan Chu-Hsiang , Wang Chu-Feng , Lin Chien-Ching , Lu Po-Liang , Chen Yao-Shen , Shi Yong-Ying , Su Hui-Ju , Chou Li-Chiu , Lin Yi-Ying , Lee Hsiao-Fen , Chen Bao-Chen , Huang Tsi-Shu , Tyan Yu-Chang , Chuang Chih-Hung , Yen Yung-Chang , Chu Pei-Yu 
Published: June 2018

AbstractCoxsackievirus (CV)-B5 is a common human enterovirus reported worldwide; swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV) is a porcine variant of CV-B5. To clarify the transmission dynamics and molecular basis of host switching between CV-B5 and SVDV, we analysed and compared the VP1 and partial 3Dpol gene regions of these two viruses. Spatiotemporal dynamics of viral transmission were estimated using a Bayesian statistical inference framework. The detected selection events were used to analyse the key molecules associated with host switching. Analyses of VP1 sequences revealed six CV-B5 genotypes (A1–A4 and B1–B2) and three SVDV genotypes (I–III). Analyses of partial 3Dpol revealed five clusters (A–E). The genotypes evolved sequentially over different periods, albeit with some overlap. The major hub of CV-B5 transmission was in China whereas the major hubs of SVDV transmission were in Italy. Network analysis based on deduced amino acid sequences showed a diverse extension of the VP1 structural protein, whereas most sequences were clustered into two haplotypes in the partial 3Dpol region. Residue 178 of VP1 showed four epistatic interactions with residues known to play essential roles in viral host tropism, cell entry, and viral decoating.
Carotid vulnerable plaques are associated with circulating leukocytes in acute ischemic stroke patients: an clinical study based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound
Authors: Li Zhaojun , Bai Yun , Li Wanbin , Gao Feng , Kuang Yi , Du Lianfang , Luo Xianghong 
Published: June 2018

AbstractInflammatory activity plays a central role in the development of carotid rupture-vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques, which is one of the major contributors to acute ischemic stroke. Our objective was to characterize carotid intraplaque neovascularizations (INP) using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and evaluate plaque burden through exploring the relationship between INP and cell count of peripheral leukocytes. Sixty-two patients with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) were enrolled in this study. CEUS was performed to characterize the carotid artery plaques. The correlations between the CEUS imaging features of carotid plaques and leukocyte counts were investigated. The results showed that the characteristic parameters derived from CEUS, including peak of time-intensity curve (TIC-P), mean of time-intensity curve (TIC-M), peak (FC-P), sharpness (FC-S) and area under the curve (FC-AUC) compared with the control group, were all increased in the stroke group. TIC-P, TIC-M and FC-P were negatively related to lymphocytes, respectively. FC-S and FC-AUC were positively correlated with neutrophils, respectively. Our study indicated carotid INP was closely related to the peripheral leukocytes count. CEUS may serve as a useful tool to predict vulnerability of plaque.
Leptin Promotes Allergic Airway Inflammation through Targeting the Unfolded Protein Response Pathway
Authors: Zheng Handong , Wu Dandan , Wu Xiang , Zhang Xing , Zhou Qin , Luo Yan , Yang Xin , Chock Cameron J. , Liu Meilian , Yang Xuexian O. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAllergic asthma and obesity are major public health problems in the world. Recent Meta-analysis studies implicated a positive relationship between serum leptin, which is elevated in obese individuals, and the risk of asthma. However, it is not well understood how obesity-associated elevation of leptin increases the risk of asthma. In the current study, we have found that leptin induces the unfolded protein response factor XBP1s in an mTOR- and MAPK-dependent manner in pro-allergic TH2 cells; in vivo, mice fed with high fat diet had increased serum leptin as observed in human obese population and exacerbated asthmatic symptoms, associated with increased XBP1s expression in splenic CD4+ T cells. XBP1s is required for leptin-mediated pro-allergic TH2 cell survival and cytokine production. Our results reveal a previously unappreciated insight that obesity-associated hyperleptinemia contributes to enhanced pro-allergic lymphocyte responses through induction of XBP1s, leading to exacerbation of allergic asthma.
Role of Porphyromonas gingivalis outer membrane vesicles in oral mucosal transmission of HIV
Authors: Dong Xin-Hong , Ho Meng-Hsuan , Liu Bindong , Hildreth James , Dash Chandravanu , Goodwin J. Shawn , Balasubramaniam Muthukumar , Chen Chin-Ho , Xie Hua 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe association between mucosal microbiota and HIV-1 infection has garnered great attention in the field of HIV-1 research. Previously, we reported a receptor-independent HIV-1 entry into epithelial cells mediated by a Gram-negative invasive bacterium, Porphyromonas gingivalis. Here, we present evidence showing that P. gingivalis outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) promote mucosal transmission of HIV-1. We demonstrated, using the Dynabeads technology, a specific interaction between HIV-1 and P. gingivalis OMVs which led to an OMV-dependent viral entry into oral epithelial cells. HIV-1 was detected in human oral keratinocytes (HOKs) after a 20 minute exposure to the HIV-vesicle complexes. After entry, most of the complexes appeared to dissociate, HIV-1 was reverse-transcribed, and viral DNA was integrated into the genome of HOKs. Meanwhile, some of the complexes exited the original host and re-entered neighboring HOKs and permissive cells of HIV-1. Moreover, P. gingivalis vesicles enhanced HIV-1 infection of MT4 cells at low infecting doses that are not able to establish an efficient infection alone. These findings suggest that invasive bacteria and their OMVs with ability to interact with HIV-1 may serve as a vehicle to translocate HIV through the mucosa, establish mucosal transmission of HIV-1, and enhance HIV-1 infectivity.
Transcriptome analysis highlights nuclear control of chloroplast development in the shoot apex
Authors: Dalal Vijay , Dagan Shlomi , Friedlander Gilgi , Aviv Elinor , Bock Ralph , Charuvi Dana , Reich Ziv , Adam Zach 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn dicots, the key developmental process by which immature plastids differentiate into photosynthetically competent chloroplasts commences in the shoot apical meristem (SAM), within the shoot apex. Using laser-capture microdissection and single-cell RNA sequencing methodology, we studied the changes in the transcriptome along the chloroplast developmental pathway in the shoot apex of tomato seedlings. The analysis revealed the presence of transcripts for different chloroplast functions already in the stem cell-containing region of the SAM. Thereafter, an en masse up-regulation of genes encoding for various proteins occurs, including chloroplast ribosomal proteins and proteins involved in photosynthesis, photoprotection and detoxification of reactive oxygen species. The results highlight transcriptional events that operate during chloroplast biogenesis, leading to the rapid establishment of photosynthetic competence.
Threatening levels of cumulative stress due to hydroclimatic extremes in the 21st century
Authors: Giorgi Filippo , Coppola Erika , Raffaele Francesca 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHydroclimatic extremes, such as very intense precipitation and drought, are expected to increase with global warming, with their cumulative effects potentially posing severe threats for human and natural systems. We introduce a new metric of potential cumulative stress due to hydroclimatic extremes, the Cumulative Hydroclimatic Stress index (CHS), expressed in “equivalent reference stress years (ERSY)” (i.e., the mean annual stress during a present day reference period). The CHS is calculated for wet and dry extremes in an ensemble of 21st century Global Climate Model projections under the RCP8.5 and RCP2.6 greenhouse gas scenarios. Under the high-end RCP8.5 scenario, by 2100, increases in wet and dry extremes add ~155 ERSY averaged over global land areas (~125 for wet and ~30 for dry extremes), with wet hotspots (>250 added ERSY) throughout regions of Asia, Eastern Africa and the Americas, and dry hotspots (>100 added ERSY) throughout Central and South America, Europe, West Africa, and coastal Australia. Inclusion of population exposure in the stress index definition generates a maximum total (dry + wet) potential stress level exceeding 400 added ERSY over Africa, North America, and Australia, which are thus projected to be extremely vulnerable to increases in hydroclimatic extremes. Under the RCP2.6 scenario, which is close to the 2 °C global warming stabilization target set in the Paris agreement, the total hydroclimatic stress is considerably reduced.