bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Multiwell-Based Detection Platform with Integrated PDMS Concentrators for Rapid Multiplexed Enzymatic Assays
Authors: Wei Xi , Do Vu Q. , Pham Sang V. , Martins Diogo , Song Yong-Ak 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWe report an integrated system for accelerating assays with concentrators in a standard 12-well plate (ISAAC-12) and demonstrate its versatility for rapid detection of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression in the cell culture supernatant of breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 by accelerating the enzymatic reaction and end-point signal intensity via electrokinetic preconcentration. Using direct printing of a conductive ion-permselective polymer on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) channel, the new microfluidic concentrator chip can be built without modifying the underlying substrate. Through this decoupling fabrication strategy, our microfluidic concentrator chip can easily be integrated with a standard multiwell plate, the de facto laboratory standard platform for high-throughput assays, simply by reversible bonding on the bottom of each well. It increases the reaction rate of enzymatic assays by concentrating the enzyme and the reaction product inside each well simultaneously for rapid multiplexed detection.
Culture of haploid blastocysts in FGF4 favors the derivation of epiblast stem cells with a primed epigenetic and transcriptional landscape
Authors: He Runsheng , Kidder Benjamin L. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractPluripotent stem cells within the inner cell mass and epiblast of mammalian embryos have the capacity to form all lineages in the adult organism, while multipotent trophoblast stem (TS) cells derived from the trophectoderm are capable of differentiating into fetal lineages of the placenta. While mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) exhibit distinct expression patterns and utilize distinct external signaling pathways for self-renewal, because mouse EpiSCs resemble human ES cells they are a useful model to investigate mechanisms of human ES cell self-renewal and differentiation. Recent studies have shown that haploid embryos and ES cells can be generated from chemically-activated unfertilized mouse oocytes. However, it is unclear whether EpiSCs or TS cells can be derived from haploid embryos. Here, we describe the derivation of EpiSCs from haploid blastocyst-stage embryos using culture conditions that promote TS cell self-renewal. Maternal (parthenogenetic/gynogenetic) EpiSCs (maEpiSCs) functionally and morphologically resemble conventional EpiSCs. Established maEpiSCs and conventional EpiSCs are diploid and exhibit a normal number of chromosomes. Moreover, global expression analyses and epigenomic profiling revealed that maEpiSCs and conventional EpiSCs exhibit similarly primed transcriptional programs and epigenetic profiles, respectively. Altogether, our results describe a useful experimental model to generate EpiSCs from haploid embryos, provide insight into self-renewal mechanisms of EpiSCs, and suggest that FGF4 is not sufficient to derive TS cells from haploid blastocyst-stage embryos.
Feasibility and safety of shared EEG/EOG and vision-guided autonomous whole-arm exoskeleton control to perform activities of daily living
Authors: Crea Simona , Nann Marius , Trigili Emilio , Cordella Francesca , Baldoni Andrea , Badesa Francisco Javier , Catalán José Maria , Zollo Loredana , Vitiello Nicola , Aracil Nicolas Garcia , Soekadar Surjo R. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractArm and finger paralysis, e.g. due to brain stem stroke, often results in the inability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) such as eating and drinking. Recently, it was shown that a hybrid electroencephalography/electrooculography (EEG/EOG) brain/neural hand exoskeleton can restore hand function to quadriplegics, but it was unknown whether such control paradigm can be also used for fluent, reliable and safe operation of a semi-autonomous whole-arm exoskeleton restoring ADLs. To test this, seven abled-bodied participants (seven right-handed males, mean age 30 ± 8 years) were instructed to use an EEG/EOG-controlled whole-arm exoskeleton attached to their right arm to perform a drinking task comprising multiple sub-tasks (reaching, grasping, drinking, moving back and releasing a cup). Fluent and reliable control was defined as average ‘time to initialize’ (TTI) execution of each sub-task below 3 s with successful initializations of at least 75% of sub-tasks within 5 s. During use of the system, no undesired side effects were reported. All participants were able to fluently and reliably control the vision-guided autonomous whole-arm exoskeleton (average TTI 2.12 ± 0.78 s across modalities with 75% successful initializations reached at 1.9 s for EOG and 4.1 s for EEG control) paving the way for restoring ADLs in severe arm and hand paralysis.
Differential profiling of lacrimal cytokines in patients suffering from thyroid-associated orbitopathy
Authors: Kishazi Edina , Dor Marianne , Eperon Simone , Oberic Aurélie , Turck Natacha , Hamedani Mehrad 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe aim was to investigate the levels of cytokines and soluble IL-6R in the tears of patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) disease. Schirmer’s test was adopted to collect tears from TAO patients (N = 20, 17 women, mean age (±SD): 46.0 years (±13.4)) and healthy subjects (N = 18, 10 women, 45.4 years (±18.7)). Lacrimal cytokines and soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R) were measured using a 10-plex panel (Meso Scale Discovery Company) and Invitrogen Human sIL-6R Elisa kit, respectively. Tear levels of IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-6 and TNF-α appeared significantly higher in TAO patients than in healthy subjects. Interestingly, IL-10, IL-12p70 and IL-8 levels increased in tears whatever the form of TAO whereas IL-13, IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly elevated in inflammatory TAO patients, meaning with a clinical score activity (CAS) ≥ 3, compared to controls. Furthermore, only 3 cytokines were strongly positively correlated with CAS (IL-13 Spearman coeff. r: 0.703, p = 0.0005; IL-6 r: 0.553, p = 0.011; IL-8 r: 0.618, p = 0.004, respectively). Finally, tobacco use disturbed the levels of several cytokines, especially in patient suffering of TAO. The differential profile of lacrimal cytokines could be useful for the diagnosis of TAO patients. Nevertheless, the tobacco use of these patients should be taken into account in the interpretation of the cytokine levels.
Various roles of heme oxygenase-1 in response of bone marrow macrophages to RANKL and in the early stage of osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Florczyk-Soluch Urszula , Józefczuk Ewelina , Stępniewski Jacek , Bukowska-Strakova Karolina , Mendel Mateusz , Viscardi Monika , Nowak Witold Norbert , Józkowicz Alicja , Dulak Józef 
Published: July 2018

AbstractHeme oxygenase-1 (HO-1; encoded by Hmox1), a downstream target of the Nrf2 transcription factor, has been postulated to be a negative regulator of osteoclasts (OCLs) differentiation. Here, we further explored such a hypothesis by examining HO-1 effects in different stages of osteoclastogenesis. We confirmed the inhibition of the expression of OCLs markers by Nrf2. In contrast, both the lack of the active Hmox1 gene or HO-1 silencing in OCLs precursor cells, bone marrow macrophages (BMMs), decreased their differentiation towards OCLs, as indicated by the analysis of OCLs markers such as TRAP. However, no effect of HO-1 deficiency was observed when HO-1 expression was silenced in BMMs or RAW264.7 macrophage cell line pre-stimulated with RANKL (considered as early-stage OCLs). Moreover, cobalt protoporphyrin IX (CoPPIX) or hemin, the known HO-1 inducers, inhibited OCLs markers both in RANKL-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and BMMs. Strikingly, a similar effect occurred in HO-1−/− cells, indicating HO-1-independent activity of CoPPIX and hemin. Interestingly, plasma of HO-1−/− mice contained higher TRAP levels, which suggests an increased number of bone-resorbing OCLs in the absence of HO-1 in vivo. In conclusion, our data indicate that HO-1 is involved in the response of bone marrow macrophages to RANKL and the induction of OCLs markers, but it is dispensable in early-stage OCLs. However, in vivo HO-1 appears to inhibit OCLs formation.
Microbial Community Composition Reveals Spatial Variation and Distinctive Core Microbiome of the Weaver Ant Oecophylla smaragdina in Malaysia
Authors: Chua Kah-Ooi , Song Sze-Looi , Yong Hoi-Sen , See-Too Wah-Seng , Yin Wai-Fong , Chan Kok-Gan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe weaver antOecophylla smaragdinais an aggressive predator of other arthropods and has been employed as a biological control agent against many insect pests in plantations. Despite playing important roles in pest management, information about the microbiota ofO.smaragdinais limited. In this work, a number ofO.smaragdinacolonies (n = 12) from Malaysia had been studied on their microbiome profile using Illumina 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. We characterized the core microbiota associated with theseO.smaragdinaand investigated variation between colonies from different environments. Across all 12 samples, 97.8% of the sequences were assigned to eight bacterial families and most communities were dominated by families Acetobacteraceae and Lactobacillaceae. Comparison among colonies revealed predominance of Acetobacteraceae inO.smaragdinafrom forest areas but reduced abundance was observed in colonies from urban areas. In addition, our findings also revealed distinctive community composition inO.smaragdinashowing little taxonomic overlap with previously reported ant microbiota. In summary, our work provides information regarding microbiome ofO.smaragdinawhich is essential for establishing healthy colonies. This study also forms the basis for further study on microbiome ofO.smaragdinafrom other regions.
Stress related epigenetic changes may explain opportunistic success in biological invasions in Antipode mussels
Authors: Ardura Alba , Clusa Laura , Zaiko Anastasija , Garcia-Vazquez Eva , Miralles Laura 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDifferent environmental factors could induce epigenetic changes, which are likely involved in the biological invasion process. Some of these factors are driven by humans as, for example, the pollution and deliberate or accidental introductions and others are due to natural conditions such as salinity. In this study, we have analysed the relationship between different stress factors: time in the new location, pollution and salinity with the methylation changes that could be involved in the invasive species tolerance to new environments. For this purpose, we have analysed two different mussels’ species, reciprocally introduced in antipode areas: the Mediterranean blue musselMytilus galloprovincialisand the New Zealand pygmy musselXenostrobus securis, widely recognized invaders outside their native distribution ranges. The demetylathion was higher in more stressed population, supporting the idea of epigenetic is involved in plasticity process. These results can open a new management protocols, using the epigenetic signals as potential pollution monitoring tool. We could use these epigenetic marks to recognise the invasive status in a population and determine potential biopollutants.
Tobacco biomarkers and genetic/epigenetic analysis to investigate ethnic/racial differences in lung cancer risk among smokers
Authors: Murphy Sharon E. , Park Sungshim Lani , Balbo Silvia , Haiman Christopher A. , Hatsukami Dorothy K. , Patel Yesha , Peterson Lisa A. , Stepanov Irina , Stram Daniel O. , Tretyakova Natalia , Hecht Stephen S. , Le Marchand Loïc 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe Multiethnic Cohort Study has demonstrated that African Americans and Native Hawaiians have a higher risk for lung cancer due to cigarette smoking than Whites while Latinos and Japanese Americans have a lower risk. These findings are consistent with other epidemiologic studies in the literature. In this review, we summarize tobacco carcinogen and toxicant biomarker studies and genetic analyses which partially explain these differences. As determined by measurement of total nicotine equivalents in urine, which account for about 85% of the nicotine dose, African Americans take up greater amounts of nicotine than Whites per cigarette while Japanese Americans take up less. There are corresponding differences in the uptake of tobacco smoke carcinogens such as tobacco-specific nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 1,3-butadiene, and other toxic volatiles. The lower nicotine uptake of Japanese Americans is clearly linked to the preponderance of low activity forms of the primary nicotine metabolizing enzyme CYP2A6 in this ethnic group, leading to more unchanged nicotine in the body and thus lower smoking intensity. But the relatively high risk of Native Hawaiians and the low risk of Latino smokers for lung cancer are not explained by these factors. The possible role of epigenetics in modifying lung cancer risk among smokers is also discussed here. The results of these published studies may lead to a better understanding of susceptibility factors for lung cancer in cigarette smokers thus potentially identifying biomarkers that can detect those individuals at highest risk so that preventive approaches can be initiated at an early stage of the lung cancer development process.
Determination of chirality and density control of Néel-type skyrmions with in-plane magnetic field
Authors: Zhang Senfu , Zhang Junwei , Wen Yan , Chudnovsky Eugene M. , Zhang Xixiang 
Published: July 2018

AbstractMagnetic skyrmions are topologically protected nanoscale spin textures exhibiting fascinating physical behaviors. Recent observations of room temperature Néel-type skyrmions in magnetic multilayer films are an important step towards their use in ultra-low power devices. Here, we investigate the magnetization reversal in [Pt/Co/Ta]n multilayer samples under a tilted magnetic field using in-situ Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. On decreasing the magnetic field, individual skyrmions appear to subsequently evolve into snake-like structures growing in the direction opposite to the in-plane magnetic field. We show that this unusual relation between the velocity vector and the magnetic field is dominated by the chirality of the Néel-type skyrmions. It allows one to extract the sign of the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya constant. We also demonstrate that high concentration of skyrmions can be achieved on increasing the in-plane component of the field or increasing the disorder of the film. Our micromagnetic simulations agree with our experimental results.
Finales en sandhi en aquitanopyrénéen Langue de France - Occitan
Authors: Rivière Vincent 
Published: July 2018

La forme dels/deus est réalisée indistinctement [des] en occitan dans la zone toulousaine, alors que nous trouvons la forme [del] au singulier côté languedocien et [du] côté gascon. Je pose l’hypothèse suivante : la structure syllabique va conditionner cette réalisation dans le sens où la permissivité de la syllabe dans cette zone ne laisse qu’une position dans laquelle le morphème du pluriel est prioritaire. Gascon oriental et languedocien occidental relèvent d’un modèle où il faut clairement admettre que la finale dépasse la structure syllabique régulière. Cela peut s’expliquer d’une part par des syllabes à noyaux nuls, d’autre part par une conception récursive de la syllabe qui peut être schématisée de la façon suivante : mot = (syllabe)*+ (Consonne facultative). Cela rejoint la formule proposée pour le français dans Dell (1995). Certaines finales sont ainsi des attaques d’une syllabe à noyau nul :
a)[l'up] : (lu)(p0) b) [s'ɛrp] : (sɛr)(p0)
L’hypothèse du noyau nul explique que la particule excédentaire soit une attaque. Il faut cependant limiter les syllabes (C0) aux finales : serps - [s'rs] = (s'r)(s0). Le morphème du pluriel /s/ occupera prioritairementla position d’attaque en finale à la place des autres consonnes. Ce mécanisme sera appliqué à la contraction préposition – article.
Therapieresistente Fusarienkeratitis mit intraokularer Beteiligung – potenzielle Quellen für eine persistierende Infektion
Authors: Löffler Karin , Holz Frank , Herwig-Carl Martina 
Published: July 2018

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Die Pilz-Keratitis zeigt ein klinisch sehr variables Erscheinungsbild und wird nicht zuletzt auch deshalb oft erst spät diagnostiziert. Pilze sind generell sehr resistente Keime, und die Therapie gestaltet sich aufgrund der wenigen und speziell anzufertigenden Medikamente zusätzlich schwierig.
Material und Methoden/Ergebnisse Es wird der besonders ungünstige Verlauf bei einer jungen Patientin mit Fusarien-Keratitis dargestellt, bei der das Auge zuletzt trotz maximaler medikamentöser und auch chirurgischer Therapie entfernt werden musste. Die histologische Aufarbeitung zeigte massive (post-)entzündliche Veränderungen im gesamten vorderen Augenabschnitt, persistierende Pilzelemente aber lediglich in der nach Katarakt-Operation verblieben Linsenkapsel und der peripheren Descemet-Membran.
Schlussfolgerung Pilze als Verursacher einer therapierefraktären Keratitis sollten möglichst rasch in die Differentialdiagnose miteinbezogen werden. Falls chirurgische Maßnahmen notwendig werden, sollte die Keratoplastik so groß wie möglich gewählt und bei einer Katarkat-Operation die Kapsel mitentfernt werden, um potentielle Keimreservoire zu beseitigen.
Lidtumoren: Klinische Aspekte der Ophthalmopathologie
Authors: Herwig-Carl Martina , Löffler Karin 
Published: July 2018

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Lidtumoren insgesamt weisen ein sehr heterogenes Erscheinungsbild auf. Auch Tumoren, die einige Malignitätskriterien aufweisen, können sich histologisch als entzündliche Läsion ohne Nachweis einer Neoplasie darstellen. Umgekehrt können maligne Tumoren zu einer klinisch im Vordergrund stehenden, zumeist therapieresistenten Entzündungsreaktion führen, die entsprechend diagnostiziert und therapiert werden muss.
Material und Methoden/Ergebnisse Anhand ausgewählter Beispiele von Lidtumoren werden potenzielle Problemfälle sowie klinisch unklare Fälle dargestellt und mit dem histopathologischen Befund korreliert.
Schlussfolgerung Lidtumoren können von verschiedenen Strukturen ausgehen und weisen ein breites Spektrum an klinischen Erscheinungsbildern auf. In unklaren Fällen bzw. bei V. a. einen malignen Tumor ist eine Biopsie/Exzision zur histologischen Diagnosestellung erforderlich. Inadäquat behandelte benigne Läsionen wie z. B. inkomplett exzidierte Nävi oder ein Molluscum contagiosum können zu klinisch relevanten Problemen führen.
Taurine Ameliorates Thyroid Hypofunction and Renal Injury in L-NAME-Induced Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Adedara Isaac , Alake Sanmi , Olajide Laide , Adeyemo Mercy , Ajibade Temitayo , Farombi Ebenezer 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThere is a growing global interest in hypertension due to its associated complications including renal dysfunction in patients. The thyroid system reportedly regulates renal function in both animal and human. The present study investigated the therapeutic efficacy of taurine on renal and thyroid dysfunctions in hypertensive rats. Hypertension was induced by oral administration of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N-nitro L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME), at 40 mg/kg body weight to the male Wistar rats for 14 consecutive days. The hypertensive rats were subsequently treated with either taurine (100 and 200 mg/kg) or reference drug atenolol (10 mg/kg) for another 14 consecutive days. Hypertensive rats showed renal damage evidenced by elevated plasma creatinine and urea levels when compared with normotensive control rats. Furthermore, L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats showed decreased circulatory concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroxine, triiodothyronine and the ratio of triiodothyronine to thyroxine. The marked decrease in the renal antioxidant enzyme activities and nitric oxide level was accompanied by significant increase in myeloperoxidase activity and biomarkers of oxidative stress in hypertensive rats. Histological examination of kidneys from hypertensive rats revealed congestion of blood vessels, hemorrhagic lesion and disorganized glomerular structure. However, treatment with taurine or atenolol significantly reversed the suppression of thyroid function, ameliorated renal oxidative stress and histopathological lesions in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Taurine may be a useful chemotherapeutic supplement in enhancing renal and thyroid functions in hypertensive patients.
A3 Domain Is Essential for Interaction of von Willebrand Factor with Collagen Type III
Authors: Lankhof Hanneke L , van Hoeij Maggy , Schiphorst Marion E , Bracke Madelon , Wu Ya-Ping , Ijsseldijk Martin J W , Vink Tom , de Groot Philip G , Sixma Jan J 
Published: July 2018

Summaryvon Willebrand factor (vWF) mediates platelet adhesion at sites of vascular damage. It acts as a bridge between receptors on platelets and collagens present in the connective tissue. Two collagen binding sites have been identified on the A1 and A3 domain of the vWF subunit. To study the functional importance of these binding sites, we have made two deletion mutants that lack the A1 domain (residues 478-716; ΔA1-vWF; Sixma et al. Eur. J. Biochem. 196,369,1991 [1]) or the A3 domain (residues 910-1113; ΔA3-vWF). After transfection in baby hamster kidney cells overexpressing furin, the mutants were processed and secreted efficiently. Ristocetin or botrocetin induced platelet binding was normal for ΔA3-vWF as was binding to heparin and factor VIII. As reported by Sixma et al. (1) ΔAl-vWF still binds to collagen type III, indicating that the A3 domain is sufficient for the interaction. In the current study, we investigated the binding of ΔA3-vWF to collagen type III. When preincubated on collagen type III it did not support platelet adhesion under flow conditions, whereas it was able to support platelet adhesion when coated directly to a glass surface. The binding of 125I-ΔA3-vWF to collagen was specific but maximal binding was about 40 times less compared to 125I-vWF. When added at 25 times excess, ΔA3-vWF did not compete with 125I-vWF for binding to collagen type III, whereas ΔAl-vWF did. The binding of 125I-ΔA3-vWF could be blocked by excess unlabeled vWF but not by ΔA1-vWF. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the A3 domain in vWF contains the major collagen binding site. The major binding site present on the A3 domain and the minor site present on A1 bind to different sites on collagen.
Plasminogen Activation by Invasive Human Pathogens
Authors: Boyle Michael D P , Lottenberg Richard 
Published: July 2018

SummaryIn this review the interaction between invasive human pathogens expressing plasmin(ogen) receptors and/or producing plasminogen activators with the human plasmin(ogen) system is described. Evidence is presented for multiple mechanisms by which human pathogens can acquire a surface bound form of plasmin that cannot be regulated by host serpins. The potential importance of these pathways in providing the organisms with the ability to cross tissue barriers is discussed.