bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MR-guided Focused Ultrasound Facilitates Sonodynamic Therapy with 5-Aminolevulinic Acid in a Rat Glioma Model
Authors: Wu Sheng-Kai , Santos Marc A. , Marcus Stuart L. , Hynynen Kullervo 
Published: July 2019

AbstractGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) continues to have a dismal prognosis and significant efforts are being made to develop more effective treatment methods. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is an emerging modality for cancer treatment which combines ultrasound with sonosensitizers to produce a localized cytotoxic effect. It has long been known that ultrasound exposure can cause both thermal and non-thermal bioeffects and it remains an open question to what degree does temperature impact the efficacy of SDT. In order to optimize the ultrasound parameters of SDT, transcranial MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) and real-time MRI thermometry were used to monitor the therapy in a rat brain tumor model. Experiments were performed using a C6 intracranial glioma tumor model in 37 male Sprague Dawley rats. Treatments were performed about 7 days following tumor implantation when the tumor reached 1–3 mm in diameter as determined by MRI. 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) was injected at a dose of 60 mg/kg six hours before sonication. MRgFUS at 1.06 MHz was delivered continuously at an in situ spatial-peak temporal-average intensity of 5.5 W/cm2 for 20 min. MR thermometry was acquired to monitor the temperature change in the brain during sonication. The tumor growth response for animals receiving 5-ALA alone, FUS alone, 5-ALA + FUS and a sham control group were evaluated with MRI every week following treatment. During 20 min of MRgFUS at 5.5 W/cm2, the temperature within the targeted brain tumor was elevated from 32.3 ± 0.5 °C and 37.2 ± 0.7 °C to 33.2 ± 0.9 °C and 38.4 ± 1.1 °C, respectively. Both the tumor growth inhibition and survival were significantly improved in the 5-ALA + FUS group with 32 °C or 37 °C as the starting core body (rectal) temperature. 5-ALA alone and FUS alone did not improve survival. These promising results indicate that relatively low power continuous wave transcranial MRgFUS in conjunction with 5-ALA can produce an inhibitory effect on rat brain tumor growth in the absence of thermal dose. Further investigation of the ultrasound parameters is needed to improve the therapeutic efficacy of MRgFUS and 5-ALA.
Widespread diminishing anthropogenic effects on calcium in freshwaters
Authors: Weyhenmeyer Gesa A. , Hartmann Jens , Hessen Dag O. , Kopáček Jiří , Hejzlar Josef , Jacquet Stéphan , Hamilton Stephen K. , Verburg Piet , Leach Taylor H. , Schmid Martin , Flaim Giovanna , Nõges Tiina , Nõges Peeter , Wentzky Valerie C. , Rogora Michela , Rusak James A. , Kosten Sarian , Paterson Andrew M. , Teubner Katrin , Higgins Scott N. , Lawrence Gregory , Kangur Külli , Kokorite Ilga , Cerasino Leonardo , Funk Clara , Harvey Rebecca , Moatar Florentina , de Wit Heleen A. , Zechmeister Thomas 
Published: July 2019

AbstractCalcium (Ca) is an essential element for almost all living organisms. Here, we examined global variation and controls of freshwater Ca concentrations, using 440 599 water samples from 43 184 inland water sites in 57 countries. We found that the global median Ca concentration was 4.0 mg L−1 with 20.7% of the water samples showing Ca concentrations ≤ 1.5 mg L−1, a threshold considered critical for the survival of many Ca-demanding organisms. Spatially, freshwater Ca concentrations were strongly and proportionally linked to carbonate alkalinity, with the highest Ca and carbonate alkalinity in waters with a pH around 8.0 and decreasing in concentrations towards lower pH. However, on a temporal scale, by analyzing decadal trends in >200 water bodies since the 1980s, we observed a frequent decoupling between carbonate alkalinity and Ca concentrations, which we attributed mainly to the influence of anthropogenic acid deposition. As acid deposition has been ameliorated, in many freshwaters carbonate alkalinity concentrations have increased or remained constant, while Ca concentrations have rapidly declined towards or even below pre-industrial conditions as a consequence of recovery from anthropogenic acidification. Thus, a paradoxical outcome of the successful remediation of acid deposition is a globally widespread freshwater Ca concentration decline towards critically low levels for many aquatic organisms.
In vivo imaging of D2 receptors and corticosteroids predict behavioural responses to captivity stress in a wild bird
Authors: Lattin Christine R. , Merullo Devin P. , Riters Lauren V. , Carson Richard E. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIndividual physiological variation may underlie individual differences in behaviour in response to stressors. This study tested the hypothesis that individual variation in dopamine and corticosteroid physiology in wild house sparrows (Passer domesticus, n = 15) would significantly predict behaviour and weight loss in response to a long-term stressor, captivity. We found that individuals that coped better with captivity (fewer anxiety-related behaviours, more time spent feeding, higher body mass) had lower baseline and higher stress-induced corticosteroid titres at capture. Birds with higher striatal D2 receptor binding (examined using positron emission tomography (PET) with 11C-raclopride 24 h post-capture) spent more time feeding in captivity, but weighed less, than birds with lower D2 receptor binding. In the subset of individuals imaged a second time, D2 receptor binding decreased in captivity in moulting birds, and larger D2 decreases were associated with increased anxiety behaviours 2 and 4 weeks post-capture. This suggests changes in dopaminergic systems could be one physiological mechanism underlying negative behavioural effects of chronic stress. Non-invasive technologies like PET have the potential to transform our understanding of links between individual variation in physiology and behaviour and elucidate which neuroendocrine phenotypes predict stress resilience, a question with important implications for both humans and wildlife.
Detailed Evaluation of Possible Ganglion Cell Loss in the Retina of Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) Rats
Authors: Hajdú Rozina I. , Laurik Lenke K. , Szabó Klaudia , Dékány Bulcsú , Almási Zsuzsanna , Énzsöly Anna , Szabó Arnold , Radovits Tamás , Mátyás Csaba , Oláh Attila , Szél Ágoston , Somfai Gábor M. , Dávid Csaba , Lukáts Ákos 
Published: July 2019

AbstractA thinning of the inner retina is one of the earliest potential markers of neuroretinal damage in diabetic subjects. The histological background is uncertain; retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss and changes in the structure or thickness of the inner plexiform layer (IPL) have been suspected. Studies conducted on animal models on RGC pathology gave contradictory results. Hereby we present RGC numbers, distribution patterns and IPL thickness from Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats. After labelling RGCs on retinal whole mounts, isodensity maps were constructed, RGC numbers and distribution patterns analysed using a custom-built algorithm, enabling point-by-point comparison. There was no change in staining characteristics of the antibodies and no significant difference in average RGC densities was found compared to controls. The distribution patterns were also comparable and no significant difference was found in IPL thickness and stratification or in the number of apoptotic cells in the ganglion cell layer (GCL). Our results provide a detailed evaluation of the inner retina and exclude major RGC loss in ZDF rats and suggest that other factors could serve as a potential explanation for inner retinal thinning in clinical studies. Our custom-built method could be adopted for the assessment of other animal or human retinas.
A newly developed cloning technique in sturgeons; an important step towards recovering endangered species
Authors: Fatira Effrosyni , Havelka Miloš , Labbé Catherine , Depincé Alexandra , Pšenička Martin , Saito Taiju 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSeveral steps of sturgeon somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) have been recently established, but improvements are needed to make it a feasible tool to preserve the natural populations of this group of endangered species. The donor cell position inside the recipient egg seems to be crucial for its reprogramming; therefore by injecting multiple donor somatic cells instead of a single cell with a single manipulation, we increased the potential for embryo development. Using the Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii as a multiple cell donor and sterlet Acipenser ruthenus as the non-enucleated egg recipient, we obtained higher proportion of eggs developing into embryos than previously reported with single-SCNT. Molecular data showed the production of a specimen (0.8%) contained only the donor genome with no contribution from the recipient, while two specimens (1.6%) showed both recipient and donor genome. These findings are the first report of donor DNA integration into a sturgeon embryo after interspecific cloning. In all, we provide evidence that cloning with the multiple donor somatic cells can be feasible in the future. Despite the fact that the sturgeon cloning faces limitations, to date it is the most promising technique for their preservation.
Dynamics and distribution of paxillin, vinculin, zyxin and VASP depend on focal adhesion location and orientation
Authors: Legerstee Karin , Geverts Bart , Slotman Johan A. , Houtsmuller Adriaan B. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractFocal adhesions (FAs) are multiprotein structures that link the intracellular cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix. They mediate cell adhesion and migration, crucial to many (patho-) physiological processes. We examined in two cell types from different species the binding dynamics of functionally related FA protein pairs: paxillin and vinculin versus zyxin and VASP. In photobleaching experiments ~40% of paxillin and vinculin remained stably associated with a FA for over half an hour. Zyxin and VASP predominantly displayed more transient interactions. We show protein binding dynamics are influenced by FA location and orientation. In FAs located close to the edge of the adherent membrane paxillin, zyxin and VASP were more dynamic and had larger bound fractions. Zyxin and VASP were also more dynamic and had larger bound fractions at FAs perpendicular compared to parallel to this edge. Finally, we developed a photoconversion assay to specifically visualise stably bound proteins within subcellular structures and organelles. This revealed that while paxillin and vinculin are distributed evenly throughout FAs, their stably bound fractions form small clusters within the FA-complex. These clusters are more concentrated for paxillin than for vinculin and are mostly found at the proximal half of the FA where actin also enters.
Viral Diversity of Tick Species Parasitizing Cattle and Dogs in Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Sameroff Stephen , Tokarz Rafal , Charles Roxanne Albertha , Jain Komal , Oleynik Alexandra , Che Xiaoyu , Georges Karla , Carrington Christine V. , Lipkin W. Ian , Oura Chris 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTicks are vectors of a wide variety of pathogens that are implicated in mild to severe disease in humans and other animals. Nonetheless, the full range of tick-borne pathogens is unknown. Viruses, in particular, have been neglected in discovery efforts targeting tick-borne agents. High throughput sequencing was used to characterize the virome of 638 ticks, including Rhipicephalus microplus (n = 320), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n = 300), and Amblyomma ovale (n = 18) collected throughout Trinidad and Tobago in 2017 and 2018. Sequences representing nine viruses were identified, including five novel species within Tymovirales, Bunyavirales, Chuviridae, Rhabdoviridae, and Flaviviridae. Thereafter the frequency of detection of viral sequences in individual tick species was investigated.
Rapid determination of trace cadmium in drinking water using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy coupled with chelating resin enrichment
Authors: Tian Hongwu , Jiao Leizi , Dong Daming 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe determination of heavy metals in drinking water is of great importance, but it is hard to realize rapid and in-situ measurement. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy is an effective method for both solid and liquid sample analysis with advantages of fast and micro-destructive. However, the concentrations of heavy metals in drinking water is too low to be directly detected using LIBS. In this study, we enhanced the sensitivity of LIBS by coupling with chelating resin, which is usually used for water purification. The resin provided a rapid enrichment of the heavy metal, so the limits of detection of common LIBS system was much enhanced. Using Cadmium as the representative heavy metal, PLSR model for predicting Cd were built based on the spectral intensity (Cd 214.4 nm) with concentrations from 0 to 100 µg/L, and resulted in correlation coefficient of 0.94433 and RMSE of 7.1517 µg/L. The LoD was 3.6 µg/L. Furthermore, the volume, resin mass, adsorption time, and LIBS system parameters were optimized for practical applications. We also demonstrated that the resin can be recycled without loss in sensing ability. The combination of chelating resin with LIBS provides inexpensive, rapid, and sensitive detection method of trace heavy metal contaminants in drinking water.
Inflammatory Responses Reprogram TREGS Through Impairment of Neuropilin-1
Authors: Chen Tim Hung-Po , Arra Manoj , Mbalaviele Gabriel , Swarnkar Gaurav , Abu-Amer Yousef 
Published: July 2019

AbstractChronic inflammatory insults compromise immune cell responses and ultimately contribute to pathologic outcomes. Clinically, it has been suggested that bone debris and implant particles, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which are persistently released following implant surgery evoke heightened immune, inflammatory, and osteolytic responses that contribute to implant failure. However, the precise mechanism underlying this pathologic response remains vague. TREGS, the chief immune-suppressive cells, express the transcription factor Foxp3 and are potent inhibitors of osteoclasts. Using an intra-tibial injection model, we show that PMMA particles abrogate the osteoclast suppressive function of TREGS. Mechanistically, PMMA particles induce TREG instability evident by reduced expression of Foxp3. Importantly, intra-tibial injection of PMMA initiates an acute innate immune and inflammatory response, yet the negative impact on TREGS by PMMA remains persistent. We further show that PMMA enhance TH17 response at the expense of other T effector cells (TEFF), particularly TH1. At the molecular level, gene expression analysis showed that PMMA particles negatively regulate Nrp-1/Foxo3a axis to induce TREG instability, to dampen TREG activity and to promote phenotypic switch of TREGS to TH17 cells. Taken together, inflammatory cues and danger signals, such as bone and implant particles exacerbate inflammatory osteolysis in part through reprogramming TREGS.
Rationally designed naphthyl substituted amine functionalized ionic liquid platform for covalent immobilization and direct electrochemistry of hemoglobin
Authors: Theyagarajan K. , Saravanakumar Duraisamy , Senthilkumar Sellappan , Thenmozhi Kathavarayan 
Published: July 2019

AbstractHerein, we have designed and demonstrated a facile and effective platform for the covalent anchoring of a tetrameric hemoprotein, hemoglobin (Hb). The platform comprises of naphthyl substituted amine functionalized gel type hydrophobic ionic liquid (NpNH2-IL) through which the heme protein was covalently attached over a glassy carbon electrode (Hb-NpNH2-IL/GCE). UV-vis and FT-IR spectral results confirmed that the Hb on NpNH2-IL retains its native structure, even after being covalently immobilized on NpNH2-IL platform. The direct electron transfer of redox protein could be realized at Hb-NpNH2-IL/GCE modified electrode and a well resolved redox peak with a formal potential of −0.30 V and peak separation of 65 mV was observed. This is due to the covalent attachment of highly conducting NpNH2-IL to the Hb, which facilitates rapid shuttling of electrons between the redox site of protein and the electrode. Further, the fabricated biosensor favoured the electrochemical reduction of bromate in neutral pH with linearity ranging from 12 to 228 µM and 0.228 to 4.42 mM with a detection limit and sensitivities of 3 µM, 430.7 µA mM−1 cm−2 and 148.4 µA mM−1 cm−2 respectively. Notably, the fabricated biosensor showed good operational stability under static and dynamic conditions with high selectivity and reproducibility.
A mouse model of renal fibrosis to overcome the technical variability in ischaemia/reperfusion injury among operators
Authors: Guan Yu , Nakano Daisuke , Zhang Yifan , Li Lei , Tian Ye , Nishiyama Akira 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) model is a widely used model of acute kidney injury (AKI) and renal fibrosis. However, the ischaemia duration that is long enough to cause broad fibrosis shows that a high mortality rate and a short ischaemia duration does not cause fibrosis, resulting in a large variation in fibrosis progression in this experimental model. Inter-operator variation occurs for I/R injury severity because the I/R procedure is complex, which results in poor reproducibility of subsequent fibrosis in the model. In the present study, we developed a renal fibrosis model in which the fibrosis progression for 8 weeks is predictable within 8 days. Three operators independently performed I/R followed by uninephrectomy at day 7 in mice. The aim was to create a model that would show a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level >100 mg/dL at day 8 after I/R (day 1 after uninephrectomy). Although the ischaemia duration to satisfy this BUN criterion differed among operators, the mice developed anaemia, polyuria, and fibrosis in a similar manner under the same BUN criterion with a low mortality rate. Interstitial fibrosis had developed at week 8, which was strongly correlated with the BUN at day 8. This protocol allows operators to adjust the ischaemia duration based on the BUN criterion and to separate mice into the desired number of groups based on the BUN to study interventions against renal fibrosis.
Copper chaperone ATOX1 is required for MAPK signaling and growth in BRAF mutation-positive melanoma
Authors: Kim Ye-Jin , Bond Gavin J , Tsang Tiffany , Posimo Jessica M , Busino Luca , Brady Donita C 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Copper (Cu) is a tightly regulated micronutrient that functions as a structural or catalytic cofactor for specific proteins essential for a diverse array of biological processes. While the study of the extremely rare genetic diseases, Menkes and Wilson, has highlighted the requirement for proper Cu acquisition and elimination in biological systems for cellular growth and proliferation, the importance of dedicated Cu transport systems, like the Cu chaperones ATOX1 and CCS, in the pathophysiology of cancer is not well defined. We found that ATOX1 was significantly overexpressed in human blood, breast, and skin cancer samples, while CCS was significantly altered in human brain, liver, ovarian, and prostate cancer when compared to normal tissue. Further analysis of genetic expression data in Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) revealed that ATOX1 is highly expressed in melanoma cell lines over other cancer cell lines. We previously found that Cu is required for BRAFV600E-driven MAPK signaling and melanomagenesis. Here we show that genetic loss of ATOX1 decreased BRAFV600E-dependent growth and signaling in human melanoma cell lines. Pharmacological inhibition of ATOX1 with a small molecule, DCAC50, decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and reduced the growth of BRAF mutation-positive melanoma cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that targeting the Cu chaperone ATOX1 as a novel therapeutic angle in BRAFV600E-driven melanomas.
Epigenetic regulation of histone H3 in the process of hepatocellular tumorigenesis
Authors: Li Dan , Zeng Zhenguo 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Better understanding of epigenetic regulation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) will help us to cure this most common malignant liver cancer worldwide. The underlying mechanisms of HCC tumorigenesis are genomic aberrations regulated by genetic and epigenetic modifications. Histone H3 lysine modifications regulate histone structure and modulate transcriptional factor binding with target gene promoters. Targetting genes include VASH2, fatty acids synthase, RIZ1, FBP1, MPP1/3, YAP, which affect tumorigenesis, metabolisms, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Signal pathway studies demonstrate that the HGF-MET-MLL axis, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)-PI3K-Akt axis; WNT-β-catenin signal pathway is involved in histone H3 modification. A variety of factors such as virus infection, reactive oxygen species, food-borne toxins, irradiation, or non-coding RNA cause hepatocellular DNA damage or modification. Dysfunctional DNA repair mechanisms, including those at the epigenetic level are also major causes of HCC tumorigenesis. The development of therapies based on epigenetic regulatory mechanisms has great potential to advance the care of HCC patients in the future.
Tinea capitis profunda mit Pediculosis capitis − eine ungewöhnliche Kombination
Authors: Troyanova-Slavkova S. , Nenoff P. , Uhrlaß S. , Ziegler H. , Kowalzick L. 
Published: July 2019

ZusammenfassungHauterkrankungen im Kindesalter stellen immer wieder eine Herausforderung dar. Pilzinfektionen überwiegen gegenüber bakteriellen Hautinfektionen und nehmen an Häufigkeit zu 1. Ektoparasitosen gehören zu den häufigen Dermatosen im Kindesalter, und man beobachtet ebenfalls eine zunehmende Inzidenz 1. Die Pediculosis capitis gilt als die häufigste Epizoonose im Kindesalter. Die Kopfläuse (Pediculi capitis) sind flügellose, blutsaugende Insekten. Sie verursachen stark juckende Papeln, mit darauffolgend entstandenen Kratzartefakten und Ekzematisation. Als mögliche Komplikation eines Läusebefalls kann eine bakterielle Superinfektion auftreten 1. Das Erregerspektrum der Tinea capitis im Kindesalter ist groß und umfasst viele zoophile und anthropophile Dermatophyten. Insbesondere der zoophile Erreger Trichophyton benhamiae (früher Trichophyton-Spezies von Arthroderma benhamiae) wird in letzter Zeit in Deutschland häufiger beobachtet 10. Infektionsquelle sind u. a. Meerschweinchen sowie andere kleine Nagetiere wie Hamster und Ratten 6. Eine Ektoparasitose mit gleichzeitig bestehender Pilzinfektion der Kopfhaut stellt in Europa eine Rarität dar und bedarf höchster Aufmerksamkeit. Wir berichten hier über einen 12-jährigen Knaben mit simultanem Kopflausbefall mit einer Tinea capitis profunda, verursacht durch den zoophilen Dermatophyten Trichophyton benhamiae.