bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolic property of acetaldehyde production from ethanol and glucose by oral Streptococcus and Neisseria
Authors: Tagaino Ryo , Washio Jumpei , Abiko Yuki , Tanda Naoko , Sasaki Keiichi , Takahashi Nobuhiro 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAcetaldehyde is known to be carcinogenic and produced by oral bacteria. Thus, bacterial acetaldehyde production might contribute to oral cancer. Therefore, we examined bacterial acetaldehyde production from ethanol and glucose under various conditions mimicking the oral cavity and clarified the metabolic pathways responsible for bacterial acetaldehyde production. Streptococcus mitis, S. salivarius, S. mutans, Neisseria mucosa and N. sicca were used. The bacterial metabolism was conducted at pH 5.0–8.0 under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The production of acetaldehyde and organic acids was measured with gas chromatography and HPLC, respectively. Bacterial enzymes were also assessed. All of the bacteria except for S. mutans exhibited their greatest acetaldehyde production from ethanol at neutral to alkaline pH under aerobic conditions. S. mutans demonstrated the greatest acetaldehyde from glucose under anaerobic conditions, although the level was much lower than that from ethanol. Alcohol dehydrogenase and NADH oxidase were detected in all of the bacteria. This study revealed that oral indigenous bacteria, Streptococcus and Neisseria can produce acetaldehyde, and that such acetaldehyde production is affected by environmental conditions. It was suggested that alcohol dehydrogenase and NADH oxidase are involved in ethanol-derived acetaldehyde production and that the branched-pathway from pyruvate is involved in glucose-derived acetaldehyde production.
A novel mouse tail lymphedema model for observing lymphatic pump failure during lymphedema development
Authors: Weiler Michael J. , Cribb Matthew T. , Nepiyushchikh Zhanna , Nelson Tyler S. , Dixon J. Brandon 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIt has been suggested that many forms of secondary lymphedema in humans are driven by a progressive loss of lymphatic pump function after an initial risk-inducing event. However, the link between pump failure and disease progression has remained elusive due to experimental challenges in the clinical setting and a lack of adequate animal models. Using a novel surgical model of lymphatic injury, we track the adaptation and functional decline of the lymphatic network in response to surgery. This model mimics the histological hallmarks of the typical mouse tail lymphedema model while leaving an intact collecting vessel for analysis of functional changes during disease progression. Lymphatic function in the intact collecting vessel negatively correlated with swelling, while a loss of pumping pressure generation remained even after resolution of swelling. By using this model to study the role of obesity in lymphedema development, we show that obesity exacerbates acquired lymphatic pump failure following lymphatic injury, suggesting one mechanism through which obesity may worsen lymphedema. This lymphatic injury model will allow for future studies investigating the molecular mechanisms leading to lymphedema development.
Risk of Kidney Dysfunction from Polypharmacy among Older Patients: A Nested Case-Control Study of the South Korean Senior Cohort
Authors: Kang Hyeonjin , Hong Song Hee 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPolypharmacy, the concurrent use of multiple medicines, could increase the risk of kidney dysfunction among older adults because it likely burdens the aging kidneys to excrete multiple pharmaceutical ingredients and their metabolites. This study aimed to examine the relation between polypharmacy and kidney dysfunction among older patients. A nested case-control study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Service – Senior Cohort (NHIS-SC, 2009–2013), representative of the Korean senior population. It consisted of all health insurance claims linked to records of mandatory health examination. Kidney dysfunction was defined as having an eGFR lower than 60, with a decline rate of 10% or more compared to the baseline eGFR. Polypharmacy was defined based on daily counts of pharmaceutical ingredients during one year prior to the case’s event date. It was classified into polypharmacy (five to 10 ingredients) and excessive polypharmacy (10 or more ingredients). After matching case and control groups based on a range of potential confounders, conditional logistic regression was performed incorporating adjustments on disease-specific, medication-specific, and lifestyle-related risk factors. The matching resulted in 14,577 pairs of cases and controls. Exposure to polypharmacy was significantly associated with increase in the risk of kidney dysfunction; i.e., crude model (polypharmacy: OR = 1.572, 95% CI = 1.492–1.656; excessive polypharmacy: OR = 2.069, 95% CI = 1.876–2.283) and risk adjustment model (polypharmacy: OR = 1.213, 95% CI = 1.139–1.292; excessive polypharmacy: OR = 1.461, 95% CI = 1.303–1.639). The significant associations were robust across different definitions of kidney dysfunction. These findings inform healthcare providers and policy makers of the importance of polypharmacy prevention to protect older adults from kidney dysfunction.
Prevalence and risk factors of chronic kidney disease and diabetic kidney disease in Chinese rural residents: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Duan Jiayu , Wang Chongjian , Liu Dongwei , Qiao Yingjin , Pan Shaokang , Jiang Dengke , Zhao Zihao , Liang Lulu , Tian Fei , Yu Pei , Zhang Yu , Zhao Huanhuan , Liu Zhangsuo 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe conducted a cross-sectional survey including 23869 participants and aimed to measure the prevalences of and risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in a Chinese rural population. CKD and DKD status was defined according to the combination of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and presence of albuminuria Participant completed a questionnaire involving life-style and relevant medical history, and the blood and urinary specimen were taken. The age- and gender- adjusted prevalences of CKD and DKD were calculated and risk factors associated with the presence of CKD and DKD were analyzed by logistic regression. The overall prevalence of CKD was 16.4% (15.9–16.8%) and of DKD was 2.9% (2.7–3.1%). In participants with diabetes, the overall prevalence of CKD was 35.5% (95% CI = 33.7–37.3%). Factors independently associated with renal damage were age, gender, education, personal income, alcohol consumption, overweight, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Our study shows current prevalences of CKD and DKD in Chinese rural residents. Further researches could identify potential factors explaining the observed differences and implement the interventions to relieve the high burden of CKD and DKD in rural population.
Metabolic signatures of germination triggered by kinetin in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Araújo Susana , Pagano Andrea , Dondi Daniele , Lazzaroni Simone , Pinela Eduardo , Macovei Anca , Balestrazzi Alma 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn the present work, non-targeted metabolomics was used to investigate the seed response to kinetin, a phytohormone with potential roles in seed germination, still poorly explored. The aim of this study was to elucidate the metabolic signatures of germination triggered by kinetin and explore changes in metabolome to identify novel vigor/stress hallmarks in Medicago truncatula. Exposure to 0.5 mM kinetin accelerated seed germination but impaired seedling growth. Metabolite composition was investigated in seeds imbibed with water or with 0.5 mM kinetin collected at 2 h and 8 h of imbibition, and at the radicle protrusion stage. According to Principal Component Analysis, inositol pentakisphosphate, agmatine, digalactosylglycerol, inositol hexakisphosphate, and oleoylcholine were the metabolites that mostly contributed to the separation between 2 h, 8 h and radicle protrusion stage, irrespective of the treatment applied. Overall, only 27 metabolites showed significant changes in mean relative contents triggered by kinetin, exclusively at the radicle protrusion stage. The observed metabolite depletion might associate with faster germination or regarded as a stress signature. Results from alkaline comet assay, highlighting the occurrence of DNA damage at this stage of germination, are consistent with the hypothesis that prolonged exposure to kinetin induces stress conditions leading to genotoxic injury.
Circulating microRNAs as Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Jin Yu , Wong Ye Shen , Goh Brian K. P. , Chan Chung Yip , Cheow Peng Chung , Chow Pierce K. H. , Lim Tony K. H. , Goh George B. B. , Krishnamoorthy Thinesh Lee , Kumar Rajneesh , Ng Tze Pin , Chong Samuel S. , Tan Hwee Huang , Chung Alexander Y. F. , Ooi London Lucien P. J. , Chang Jason P. E. , Tan Chee Kiat , Lee Caroline G. L. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer with high mortality, due to late diagnosis and limited treatment options. Blood miRNAs, which circulate in a highly stable, cell-free form, show promise as novel potential biomarkers for early detection of HCC. Whole miRNome profiling was performed to identify deregulated miRNAs between HCC and normal healthy (NH) volunteers. These deregulated miRNAs were validated in an independent cohort of HCC, NH and chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) volunteers and finally in a 3rd cohort comprising NH, CHB, cirrhotic and HCC volunteers to evaluate miRNA changes during disease progression. The associations between circulating miRNAs and liver-damage markers, clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes were analysed to identify prognostic markers. Twelve miRNAs are differentially expressed between HCC and NH individuals in all three cohorts. Five upregulated miRNAs (miR-122-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-885-5p, miR-100-5p and miR-148a-3p) in CHB, cirrhosis and HCC patients are potential biomarkers for CHB infection, while miR-34a-5p can be a biomarker for cirrhosis. Notably, four miRNAs (miR-1972, miR-193a-5p, miR-214-3p and miR-365a-3p) can distinguish HCC from other non-HCC individuals. Six miRNAs are potential prognostic markers for overall survival.
Approaching Higher Dimension Imaging Data Using Cluster-Based Hierarchical Modeling in Patients with Heart Failure Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Kobayashi Yukari , Tremblay-Gravel Maxime , Boralkar Kalyani A. , Li Xiao , Nishi Tomoko , Amsallem Myriam , Moneghetti Kegan J. , Bouajila Sara , Selej Mona , Ozen Mehmet O. , Demirci Utkan , Ashley Euan , Wheeler Matthew , Knowlton Kirk U. , Kouznetsova Tatiana , Haddad Francois 
Published: July 2019

AbstractHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, accounting for the majority of heart failure (HF) hospitalization. To identify the most complementary predictors of mortality among clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic data, we used cluster based hierarchical modeling. Using Stanford Translational Research Database, we identified patients hospitalized with HFpEF between 2005 and 2016 in whom echocardiogram and NT-proBNP were both available at the time of admission. Comprehensive echocardiographic assessment including left ventricular longitudinal strain (LVLS), right ventricular function and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was performed. The outcome was defined as all-cause mortality. Among patients identified, 186 patients with complete echocardiographic assessment were included in the analysis. The cohort included 58% female, with a mean age of 78.7 ± 13.5 years, LVLS of −13.3 ± 2.5%, an estimated RVSP of 38 ± 13 mmHg. Unsupervised cluster analyses identified six clusters including ventricular systolic-function cluster, diastolic-hemodynamic cluster, end-organ function cluster, vital-sign cluster, complete blood count and sodium clusters. Using a stepwise hierarchical selection from each cluster, we identified NT-proBNP (standard hazard ratio [95%CI] = 1.56 [1.17–2.08]) and RVSP (1.37 [1.09–1.78]) as independent correlates of outcome. When adding these parameters to the well validated Get with the Guideline Heart Failure risk score, the Chi-square was significantly improved (p = 0.01). In conclusion, NT-proBNP and RVSP were independently predictive in HFpEF among clinical, imaging, and biomarker parameters. Cluster-based hierarchical modeling may help identify the complementally predictive parameters in small cohorts with higher dimensional clinical data.
Proteo-metabolomic investigation of transgenic rice unravels metabolic alterations and accumulation of novel proteins potentially involved in defence against Rhizoctonia solani
Authors: Karmakar Subhasis , Datta Karabi , Molla Kutubuddin Ali , Gayen Dipak , Das Kaushik , Sarkar Sailendra Nath , Datta Swapan K. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe generation of sheath blight (ShB)-resistant transgenic rice plants through the expression of Arabidopsis NPR1 gene is a significant development for research in the field of biotic stress. However, to our knowledge, regulation of the proteomic and metabolic networks in the ShB-resistant transgenic rice plants has not been studied. In the present investigation, the relative proteome and metabolome profiles of the non–transformed wild-type and the AtNPR1-transgenic rice lines prior to and subsequent to the R. solani infection were investigated. Total proteins from wild type and transgenic plants were investigated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by mass spectrometry (MS). The metabolomics study indicated an increased abundance of various metabolites, which draws parallels with the proteomic analysis. Furthermore, the proteome data was cross-examined using network analysis which identified modules that were rich in known as well as novel immunity-related prognostic proteins, particularly the mitogen-activated protein kinase 6, probable protein phosphatase 2C1, probable trehalose-phosphate phosphatase 2 and heat shock protein. A novel protein, 14–3–3GF14f was observed to be upregulated in the leaves of the transgenic rice plants after ShB infection, and the possible mechanistic role of this protein in ShB resistance may be investigated further.
Inverse dose-rate effect of ionising radiation on residual 53BP1 foci in the eye lens
Authors: Barnard Stephen G. R. , McCarron Roisin , Moquet Jayne , Quinlan Roy , Ainsbury Elizabeth 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe influence of dose rate on radiation cataractogenesis has yet to be extensively studied. One recent epidemiological investigation suggested that protracted radiation exposure increases radiation-induced cataract risk: cumulative doses of radiation mostly <100 mGy received by US radiologic technologists over 5 years were associated with an increased excess hazard ratio for cataract development. However, there are few mechanistic studies to support and explain such observations. Low-dose radiation-induced DNA damage in the epithelial cells of the eye lens (LECs) has been proposed as a possible contributor to cataract formation and thus visual impairment. Here, 53BP1 foci was used as a marker of DNA damage. Unexpectedly, the number of 53BP1 foci that persisted in the mouse lens samples after γ-radiation exposure increased with decreasing dose-rate at 4 and 24 h. The C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 0.5, 1 and 2 Gy ƴ-radiation at 0.063 and 0.3 Gy/min and also 0.5 Gy at 0.014 Gy/min. This contrasts the data we obtained for peripheral blood lymphocytes collected from the same animal groups, which showed the expected reduction of residual 53BP1 foci with reducing dose-rate. These findings highlight the likely importance of dose-rate in low-dose cataract formation and, furthermore, represent the first evidence that LECs process radiation damage differently to blood lymphocytes.
The possible involvement of oxidative stress in the oocyte ageing process in goldfish Carassius auratus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Samarin Azadeh Mohagheghi , Samarin Azin Mohagheghi , Østbye Tone-Kari Knutsdatter , Ruyter Bente , Sampels Sabine , Burkina Viktoriia , Blecha Miroslav , Policar Tomas 
Published: July 2019

AbstractDecreasing egg quality following oocyte ageing is a major restricting factor for the breeding programs. The mechanisms behind this process has not yet been clarified. To examine the possible involvement of oxidative stress in the oocyte ageing process, the relative mRNA abundance of specific transcripts were determined in oocytes collected from 6 females and incubated in vitro for 18 hours post stripping at 20 °C in goldfish Carassius auratus. During the 18 hour-post-stripping ageing of the oocytes, relative mRNA levels of candidate transcripts involved in oxidative injury, mitochondrial function and stress response, cell cycles, apoptosis, reproduction and germ line speciation and developmental competence were measured by real-time PCR. None of the relative mRNA abundance of the examined genes were significantly altered through oocyte ageing. In addition, the amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), an indicator of lipid peroxidation, did not change over time following stripping. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes also remained constant during oocyte ageing. The results of the current study indicated that oxidative stress unlikely plays a role as an initiator or promotor in the progress of oocyte ageing in goldfish.
Shortening time scale to reduce thermal effects in quantum transistors
Authors: de Ponte M. A. , Santos Alan C. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn this article, we present a quantum transistor model based on a network of coupled quantum oscillators destined to quantum information processing tasks in linear optics. To this end, we show in an analytical way how a set of N quantum oscillators (data-bus) can be used as an optical quantum switch, in which the energy gap of the data bus oscillators plays the role of an adjustable “potential barrier”. This enables us to “block or allow” the quantum information to flow from the source to the drain. In addition, we discuss how this device can be useful for implementing single qubit phase-shift quantum gates with high fidelity, so that it can be used as a useful tool. To conclude, during the study of the performance of our device when considering the interaction of this with a thermal reservoir, we highlight the important role played by the set of oscillators which constitute the data-bus in reducing the unwanted effects of the thermal reservoir. This is achieved by reducing the information exchange time (shortening time scale) between the desired oscillators. In particular, we have identified a non-trivial criterion in which the ideal size of the data-bus can be obtained so that it presents the best possible performance. We believe that our study can be perfectly adapted to a large number of thermal reservoir models.
Co-cultivation of the marine sponge Halichondria panicea and its associated microorganisms
Authors: Knobloch Stephen , Jóhannsson Ragnar , Marteinsson Viggó 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMarine sponges host bacterial symbionts with biotechnological potential, yet isolation of true sponge symbionts remains difficult due to their host dependency. Moreover, attempts to grow sponges for their pharmacologically-active compounds outside of their habitat often results in a shift of their microbial community. In this study we evaluate suitable sponge cultivation methods that allow maintenance of both the marine sponge Halichondria panicea and its associated bacteria in an ex situ environment. In addition, we present a method for co-cultivation of sponge explants and microbes separated by a membrane in a multi-chamber device. Tests on ex situ cultivation of H. panicea under different controlled conditions showed that only high water exchange rates in the aquarium enabled maintenance of its dominant symbiont “Candidatus Halichondribacter symbioticus” at a high relative abundance in the sponge body, a prerequisite for co-cultivation. The bacterial enrichment retrieved from co-cultivation contained bacteria from nine different classes in addition to sequences corresponding to “Ca. H. symbioticus”. This represents an increase of the cultivable bacterial classes from H. panicea compared to standard isolation techniques on solid media plates. The current study provides insights into sponge-microbe maintenance under ex situ conditions and proposes a new method for the isolation of sponge-associated bacteria.
Evolution and diversity of alpha-carbonic anhydrases in the mantle of the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis)
Authors: Cardoso João C. R. , Ferreira Vinicius , Zhang Xushuai , Anjos Liliana , Félix Rute C. , Batista Frederico M. , Power Deborah M. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe α-carbonic anhydrases (α-CAs) are a large and ancient group of metazoan-specific enzymes. They generate bicarbonate from metabolic carbon dioxide and through calcium carbonate crystal formation play a key role in the regulation of mineralized structures. To better understand how α-CAs contribute to shell mineralization in the marine Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) we characterized them in the mantle. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that mollusc α-CA evolution was affected by lineage and species-specific events. Ten α-CAs were found in the Mediterranean mussel mantle and the most abundant form was named, MgNACR, as it grouped with oyster nacreins (NACR). Exposure of the Mediterranean mussel to reduced water salinity (18 vs 37 ppt), caused a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in mantle esterase activity and MgNACR transcript abundance (p < 0.05). Protonograms revealed multiple proteins in the mantle with α–CA hydratase activity and mapped to a protein with a similar size to that deduced for monomeric MgNACR. Our data indicate that MgNACR is a major α–CA enzyme in mantle and that by homology with oyster nacreins likely regulates mussel shell production. We propose that species-dependent α-CA evolution may contribute to explain the diversity of bivalve shell structures and their vulnerability to environmental changes.
Overweight/obesity affects histological features and inflammatory gene signature of synovial membrane of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Alivernini Stefano , Tolusso Barbara , Gigante Maria Rita , Petricca Luca , Bui Laura , Fedele Anna Laura , Di Mario Clara , Benvenuto Roberta , Federico Francesco , Ferraccioli Gianfranco , Gremese Elisa 
Published: July 2019

AbstractOverweight/obesity influence disease burden and clinical outcome of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The impact of overweight/obesity on synovial tissue (ST) inflammation is largely unknown. Here, we investigated the histological and transcriptional signature of ST obtained from RA in different disease phases (disease onset, failure to first-line conventional DMARDs and in sustained clinical and ultrasound remission) finding that overweight/obese DMARDs naive RA showed higher likelihood of follicular synovitis, higher IHC scores for sublining inflammatory cells (CD68+, CD21+ and CD20+) and higher IL-1RA plasma levels than normal weight RA. Regardless to the synovitis pattern, overweight/obese DMARDs naive RA showed a worse clinical response to “Treat-to-target” (T2T) than normal weight RA at 6 and 12 months follow-up. Conversely, MTX-IR RA did not show significant differences in synovial inflammation based on BMI category. Overweight/obese RA in stable clinical and US remission showed higher degree of residual synovitis in terms of sublining CD68+, CD20+ cells and lining and sublining CD3+ compared to normal weight RA. Finally, gene expression profile analysis revealed that ST of overweight/obese DMARDs naive RA is enriched by CCL3 and MyD88 compared to normal weight RA in sustained disease remission, the latter correlating with BMI and IHC scores for synovial CD68+ cells. These findings suggest that indeed overweight/obese RA show higher degree of synovitis at disease onset and after remission achievement that influences the response rate to T2T and should be considered within the management of patients with RA.