bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The reduction of miR146b-5p in monocytes and T cells could contribute to the immunopathogenesis of hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Kondo Yasuteru , Kogure Takayuki , Ninomiya Masashi , Fukuda Ryo , Monma Norikazu , Ikeo Kazuho , Tanaka Yasuhito 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIt has been reported that various kinds of miRNAs could affect the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus infection. Recently, our group reported that deep-sequencing analysis was useful to detect disease-specific miRNAs. The aim of this study is to identify the HCV-specific miRNAs that could contribute to the immunopathogenesis of HCV by using clinical samples and in vitro analysis. Five miRNAs (hsa-miR181a-2-3p, hsa-miR-374a-3p, hsa-miR374a-5p, hsa-miR-204-5p and hsa-miR146b-5p) were shown to be significantly downregulated in CH-C by deep sequence analysis. The average ratio (PBMCs miRNAs/serum miRNAs) of hsa-miR146b-5p was highest among all the miRNAs. Moreover, serum hsa-miR146b-5p was significantly down-regulated in CH-C patients in comparison to CH-B patients and healthy subjects. The expression of hsa-miR146b-5p in CD3+ T cells and CD14+ monocytes of CH-C patients was significantly lower than that of the other groups. The hsa-miR146b-5p expression in CD14+ monocytes of SVR patients treated with Peg-IFN/RBV was significantly higher than in those of non-SVR patients treated with Peg IFN/RBV. However, the hsa-miR146b-5p expression in CD14+ monocytes of SVR patients treated with DCV and ASV was comparable to that in monocytes of non-SVR patients treated with DCV and ASV. Moreover, the expression levels of hsa-miR146b-5p in CD14+ monocytes were significantly increased after achieving SVR and 1(OH)Vitamin D3 treatment. Further, the expression of HCV-Core could suppress miR146b-5p expression in immune cells and affect the expression of various kinds of cytokines by affecting the NF-κB signaling. In conclusion, the reduction of miR146b-5p in monocytes and T cells could contribute to the immunopathogenesis of hepatitis C virus infection.
Study of vertebral fracture and Scanographic Bone Attenuation Coefficient in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis vs. controls
Authors: Fauny Marine , Albuisson Eliane , Bauer Elodie , Perrier-Cornet Julia , Chary-Valckenaere Isabelle , Loeuille Damien 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe objective of this study is to identify the prevalence of vertebral fractures (VFs) and to measure the scanographic bone attenuation coefficient of the first lumbar vertebra (SBAC-L1) based CT-scan, a biomarker of bone fragility in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and in a control group. This monocentric and retrospective study included patients with RA and AS, based on ACR/EULAR or New-York criteria, respectively. A control group was constituted. All of the patients received a CT-scan. VFs were determined via CT-scans according to the Genant classification, and the SBAC-L1 was measured in Hounsfield units (HU). SBAC-L1 ≤145 HU (fracture threshold) defined patients at risk of VFs. 244 patients were included (105 RA, 83 AS, 56 controls). Of the 4.365 vertebrae studied, 66 osteoporotic VFs were found in 36 patients: 18 (17.1%) RA, 13 (15.7%) AS and 5 (8.9%) controls. The mean SBAC-L1 was 142.2 (±48.4) HU for RA, 142.8 (±48.2) for AS, both of which were significantly lower than that of the control group (161.8 (±42.7) HU). Of the 36 patients with VFs and rheumatism, 28% had a T-score ≤−2.5 SD and 71.4% a SBAC-L1 ≤145 HU. A T-score ≤−2.5 SD and a SBAC-L1 ≤145 HU were associated with VF (OR = 3.07 (CI 95%: 1.07; 8.81), and 2.31 (CI 95%: 1.06; 5.06)), respectively. The SBAC-L1 was significantly lower in the RA and AS groups than in the control group. Furthermore, SBAC-L1 ≤145 HU was associated with a higher risk of VFs, with an odds ratio similar to that of a DXA.
Comparing Remote Sensing Methods for Monitoring Karst Rocky Desertification at Sub-pixel Scales in a Highly Heterogeneous Karst Region
Authors: Qi Xiangkun , Zhang Chunhua , Wang Kelin 
Published: September 2019

AbstractRugged karst terrain relief that creates shadows in satellite imagery, combined with high karst landscape heterogeneity stand in the way of fractional cover retrieval on karst rocky desertification (KRD) monitoring. In this study, we explored the feasibility of applying multispectral high spatial resolution Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) imagery for the fractional cover extraction of rocky outcrops. Dimidiate pixel model (DPM) and spectral mixture analysis (SMA) approaches (including simple endmember spectral mixture analysis and multiple endmember spectral mixture analysis) were selected to explore their feasibility for KRD monitoring through accuracy improvement for fraction estimation. Results showed fractional cover retrievals at the sub-pixel scale is essential in highly heterogeneous karst landscapes. Indeed, mixed pixels accounted for 93.7% of the study area in southwest China. Multiple endmember spectral mixture analysis achieved high overall accuracy (80.5%) in monitoring the percentage of rocky outcrop land cover. Furthermore, the predicted exposed bedrock coverage via spectral mixture analysis were similar in sunlit and shadow areas for the same surface types. This reflected that SMA methods could effectively reduce topographic effects of satellite imagery to improve the accuracy of fractional cover extraction at sub-pixel level in heterogeneous and rugged landscapes.
Interactive Studies on Synthetic Nanopolymer decorated with Edible Biopolymer and its Selective Electrochemical determination of L-Tyrosine
Authors: Dhananjayan Nathiya , Jeyaraj Wilson , Karuppasamy Gurunathan 
Published: September 2019

AbstractHerein, an edible biopolymer amine Modified Gum Acacia (MGA), successfully encumbered with Electron Beam irradiated Polypyrrole Nanospheres (EB-PPy NSs), was investigated for the effective role in L-Tyrosine (Tyr) biosensing application. The morphology of EB-PPy NSs decorated MGA (EB-PPy/MGA) hybrid nanobiocomposite has been studied by Scanning electron microscopy and its affirmed interactions were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman, FT-IR spectroscopy, UV-Visible spectroscopy, Thermo Gravimetric Analysis and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer. The hybrid nanobiocomposite manifested diamagnetic behavior with reduced saturation magnetization (Ms = 1.412 × 10−4 emu/g) to produce more adhesive surface. Amine chains in EB-PPy NSs and hydroxyl groups of MGA contributed to effective immobilization, thus enabling suitable orientation for Tyr determination. The electrochemical analysis illustrated that the proposed nanobiocomposite based sensor exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic activity toward selective determination of Tyr in the linear range of 0.4 to 600 µM with a lower detection limit of 85 nM, low oxidation potential of 0.72 V and good selectivity. Finally, the reliability of the constructed EB-PPy/MGA for Tyr detection was demonstrated in real samples.
Hemoperfusion leads to impairment in hemostasis and coagulation process in patients with acute pesticide intoxication
Authors: Park Samel , Islam Md-Imtiazul , Jeong Ji-Hun , Cho Nam-Jun , Song Ho-yeon , Lee Eun-Young , Gil Hyo-Wook 
Published: September 2019

AbstractHemoperfusion (HP) is one of the important treatment modalities in extracorporeal therapy for patients with acute intoxication. Its use has declined during the past 20 years despite its efficacy, because of its side effects, especially an increased risk of bleeding. Mechanisms of hemostasis impairment have not been clearly elucidated and studies demonstrating the mechanism are lacking. It is not clear which step of the hemostatic process is impaired during HP, and whether it leads to an increased risk of bleeding. We performed both in vivo and in vitro studies to elucidate the mechanism of impairment in the hemostatic process. In patients with acute pesticide intoxication who underwent HP, the platelet count decreased rapidly during the first 30 minutes from 242.4 ± 57.7 × 103/μL to 184.8 ± 49.6 × 103/μL, then gradually decreased even lower to 145.4 ± 61.2 × 103/μL over time (p < 0.001). As markers of platelet activation, platelet distribution width increased continuously during HP from 41.98 ± 9.28% to 47.69 ± 11.18% (p < 0.05), however, mean platelet volume did not show significant change. In scanning electron microscopy, activated platelets adhered to modified charcoal were observed, and delayed closure time after HP in PFA-100 test suggested platelet dysfunction occurred during HP. To confirm these conflicting results, changes of glycoprotein expression on the platelet surface were evaluated when platelets were exposed to modified charcoal in vitro. Platelet expression of CD61, fibrinogen receptor, significantly decreased from 95.2 ± 0.9% to 73.9 ± 1.6%, while those expressing CD42b, von Willebrand factor receptor, did not show significant change. However, platelet expression of CD49b, collagen receptor, significantly increased from 24.6 ± 0.7% to 51.9 ± 2.3%. Thrombin-antithrombin complex, a marker for thrombin generation, appeared to decrease, however, it was not statistically significant. Fibrin degradation products and d-dimers, markers for fibrinolysis, increased significantly during HP. Taken together, our data suggests that hemoperfusion leads to impairment of platelet aggregation with incomplete platelet activation, which was associated with reduced thrombin generation, accompanied by increased fibrinolysis.
Lineage specific conservation of cis-regulatory elements in Cytokinin Response Factors
Authors: Powell Rachel V. , Willett Cipher R. , Goertzen Leslie R. , Rashotte Aaron M. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractExpression patterns of genes are controlled by short regions of DNA in promoter regions known as cis-regulatory elements. How expression patterns change due to alterations in cis-regulatory elements in the context of gene duplication are not well studied in plants. Over 300 promoter sequences from a small, well-conserved family of plant transcription factors known as Cytokinin Response Factors (CRFs) were examined for conserved motifs across several known clades present in Angiosperms. General CRF and lineage specific motifs were identified. Once identified, significantly enriched motifs were then compared to known transcription factor binding sites to elucidate potential functional roles. Additionally, presence of similar motifs shows that levels of conservation exist between different CRFs across land plants, likely occurring through processes of neo- or sub-functionalization. Furthermore, significant patterns of motif conservation are seen within and between CRF clades suggesting cis-regulatory regions have been conserved throughout CRF evolution.
Role of protein conformation and weak interactions on γ-gliadin liquid-liquid phase separation
Authors: Sahli Line , Renard Denis , Solé-Jamault Véronique , Giuliani Alexandre , Boire Adeline 
Published: September 2019

AbstractWheat storage proteins, gliadins, were found to form in vitro condensates in 55% ethanol/water mixture by decreasing temperature. The possible role of this liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) process on the in vivo gliadins storage is elusive and remains to be explored. Here we use γ-gliadin as a model of wheat proteins to probe gliadins behavior in conditions near physiological conditions. Bioinformatic analyses suggest that γ-gliadin is a hybrid protein with N-terminal domain predicted to be disordered and C-terminal domain predicted to be ordered. Spectroscopic data highlight the disordered nature of γ-gliadin. We developed an in vitro approach consisting to first solubilize γ-gliadin in 55% ethanol (v/v) and to progressively decrease ethanol ratio in favor of increased aqueous solution. Our results show the ability of γ-gliadin to self-assemble into dynamic droplets through LLPS, with saturation concentrations ranging from 25.9 µM ± 0.85 µM (35% ethanol (v/v)) to 3.8 µM ± 0.1 µM (0% ethanol (v/v)). We demonstrate the importance of the predicted ordered C-terminal domain of γ-gliadin in the LLPS by highlighting the protein condensates transition from a liquid to a solid state under reducing conditions. We demonstrate by increasing ionic strength the role displayed by electrostatic interactions in the phase separation. We also show the importance of hydrogen bonds in this process. Finally, we discuss the importance of gliadins condensates in their accumulation and storage in the wheat seed.
Identification and Molecular Characterization of Superoxide Dismutases Isolated From A Scuticociliate Parasite: Physiological Role in Oxidative Stress
Authors: Folgueira Iria , Lamas Jesús , de Felipe Ana Paula , Sueiro Rosa Ana , Leiro José Manuel 
Published: September 2019

AbstractPhilasterides dicentrarchi is a free-living microaerophilic scuticociliate that can become a facultative parasite and cause a serious parasitic disease in farmed fish. Both the free-living and parasitic forms of this scuticociliate are exposed to oxidative stress associated with environmental factors and the host immune system. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the host are neutralized by the ciliate by means of antioxidant defences. In this study we aimed to identify metalloenzymes with superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity capable of inactivating the superoxide anion (•O2−) generated during induction of oxidative stress. P. dicentrarchi possesses the three characteristic types of SOD isoenzymes in eukaryotes: copper/zinc-SOD, manganese-SOD and iron-SOD. The Cu/Zn-SOD isoenzymes comprise three types of homodimeric proteins (CSD1-3) of molecular weight (MW) 34–44 kDa and with very different AA sequences. All Cu/Zn-SODs are sensitive to NaCN, located in the cytosol and in the alveolar sacs, and one of them (CSD2) is extracellular. Mn- and Fe-SOD transcripts encode homodimeric proteins (MSD and FSD, respectively) in their native state: a) MSD (MW 50 kDa) is insensitive to H2O2 and NaN3 and is located in the mitochondria; and b) FSD (MW 60 kDa) is sensitive to H2O2, NaN3 and the polyphenol trans-resveratrol and is located extracellularly. Expression of SOD isoenzymes increases when •O2− is induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and the increase is proportional to the dose of energy applied, indicating that these enzymes are actively involved in cellular protection against oxidative stress.
Genome-wide identification of and functional insights into the late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) gene family in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Authors: Liu Hao , Xing Mingyan , Yang Wenbo , Mu Xiaoqian , Wang Xin , Lu Feng , Wang Yao , Zhang Linsheng 
Published: September 2019

AbstractLate embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are involved in the responses and adaptation of plants to various abiotic stresses, including dehydration, salinity, high temperature, and cold. Here, we report the first comprehensive survey of the LEA gene family in “Chinese Spring” wheat (Triticum aestivum). A total of 179TaLEAgenes were identified inT.aestivumand classified into eight groups. AllTaLEAgenes harbored the LEA conserved motif and had few introns.TaLEAgenes belonging to the same group exhibited similar gene structures and chromosomal locations. Our results revealed that mostTaLEAgenes contained abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive elements (ABREs) and variouscis-acting elements associated with the stress response in the promoter region and were induced under ABA and abiotic stress treatments. In addition, 8 genes representing each group were introduced intoE.coliand yeast to investigate the protective function of TaLEAs under heat and salt stress. TaLEAs enhanced the tolerance ofE.coliand yeast to salt and heat, indicating that these proteins have protective functions in host cells under stress conditions. These results increase our understanding of LEA genes and provide robust candidate genes for future functional investigations aimed at improving the stress tolerance of wheat.
Hydrogel-Based Organic Subdural Electrode with High Conformability to Brain Surface
Authors: Oribe Shuntaro , Yoshida Shotaro , Kusama Shinya , Osawa Shin-ichiro , Nakagawa Atsuhiro , Iwasaki Masaki , Tominaga Teiji , Nishizawa Matsuhiko 
Published: September 2019

AbstractA totally soft organic subdural electrode has been developed by embedding an array of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-modified carbon fabric (PEDOT-CF) into the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel substrate. The mesh structure of the stretchable PEDOT-CF allowed stable structural integration with the PVA substrate. The electrode performance for monitoring electrocorticography (ECoG) was evaluated in saline solution, on ex vivo brains, and in vivo animal experiments using rats and porcines. It was demonstrated that the large double-layer capacitance of the PEDOT-CF brings low impedance at the frequency of brain wave including epileptic seizures, and PVA hydrogel substrate minimized the contact impedance on the brain. The most important unique feature of the hydrogel-based ECoG electrode was its shape conformability to enable tight adhesion even to curved, grooved surface of brains by just being placed. In addition, since the hydrogel-based electrode is totally organic, the simultaneous ECoG-fMRI measurements could be conducted without image artifacts, avoiding problems induced by conventional metallic electrodes.
An anticancer Os(II) bathophenanthroline complex as a human breast cancer stem cell-selective, mammosphere potent agent that kills cells by necroptosis
Authors: Novohradsky Vojtech , Markova Lenka , Kostrhunova Hana , Trávníček Zdeněk , Brabec Viktor , Kasparkova Jana 
Published: September 2019

AbstractConventional chemotherapy is mostly effective in the treatment of rapidly-dividing differentiated tumor cells but has limited application toward eliminating cancer stem cell (CSC) population. The presence of a very small number of CSCs may contribute to the development of therapeutic resistance, metastases, and relapse. Thus, treatment failure by developing novel anticancer drugs capable of effective targeting of CSCs is at present a major challenge for research focused on chemotherapy of cancer. Here, we show that Os(II) complex 2 [Os(η6-pcym)(bphen)(dca)]PF6 (pcym = p-cymene, bphen = bathophenanthroline, and dca = dichloroacetate), is capable of efficient and selective killing CSCs in heterogeneous populations of human breast cancer cells MCF-7 and SKBR-3. Notably, its remarkable submicromolar potency to kill CSCs is considerably higher than that of its Ru analog, [Ru(η6-pcym)(bphen)(dca)]PF6 (complex 1) and salinomycin, one of the most selective CSC-targeting compounds hitherto identified. Furthermore, Os(II) complex 2 reduces the formation, size, and viability of three-dimensional mammospheres which more closely reflect the tumor microenvironment than cells in traditional two-dimensional cultures. The antiproliferation studies and propidium iodide staining using flow cytometry suggest that Os(II) complex 2 induces human breast cancer stem cell death predominantly by necroptosis, a programmed form of necrosis. The results of this study demonstrate the promise of Os(II) complex 2 in treating human breast tumors. They also represent the foundation for further preclinical and clinical studies and applications of Os(II) complex 2 to comply with the emergent need for human breast CSCs-specific chemotherapeutics capable to treat chemotherapy-resistant and relapsed human breast tumors.
Energy-efficiency of Cardiomyocyte Stimulation with Rectangular Pulses
Authors: Laasmaa Martin , Lu Pengfei , Veletić Mladen , Louch William E. , Bergsland Jacob , Balasingham Ilangko , Vendelin Marko 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn cardiac pacemaker design, energy expenditure is an important issue. This work aims to explore whether varying stimulation pulse configuration is a viable optimization strategy for reducing energy consumption by the pacemaker. A single cardiomyocyte was used as an experimental model. Each cardiomyocyte was stimulated with different stimulation protocols using rectangular waveforms applied in varying number, in short succession. The amplitude, the width of each pulse, and the interval between consecutive pulses were modified. The application of multiple pulses in a short sequence led to a reduction of the threshold voltage required for stimulation when compared to a single pulse. However, none of the employed multi-pulse sequences reduced the overall energy expenditure of cell stimulation when compared to a single pulse stimulation. Among multiple pulse protocols, a combination of two short pulses (1 ms) separated with a short interval (0.5 ms) had the same energy requirements as a single short pulse (1 ms), but required the application of significantly less voltage. While increasing the number of consecutive pulses does not reduce the energy requirements of the pacemaker, the reduction in threshold voltage can be considered in practice if lower stimulation voltages are desired.
Prognostic Significance of Left Ventricular Fibrosis Assessed by T1 Mapping in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure
Authors: Zhao Lei , Li Songnan , Ma Xiaohai , Bai Rong , Liu Nian , Li Ning , Schoenhagen Paul , Ma Changsheng 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis study sought to investigate whether left ventricular (LV) fibrosis quantified by T1 mapping can be used as a biomarker to predict outcome in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF). 108 patients with AF and HF were included in this study. They underwent cardiac magnetic resonance, including T1 mapping sequence to assess LV fibrosis between May 2014 to May 2016. Patients received catheter ablation for AF and pharmacological treatment for HF. The primary endpoint was a composite adverse outcome of cardiac death, subsequent HF or stroke, subsequent HF was the secondary endpoint. During follow up (median: 23 months, Q1-Q3: 11 to 28 months), 1 cardiac death, 12 strokes, and 42 HF episodes occurred. LV extracellular volume fraction (ECV) was predictive of composite adverse outcome and subsequent HF (all p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, LV ECV was an independent predictor of composite adverse outcome (hazard ratio (HR): 1.258, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.140–1.388, p < 0.001) and subsequent HF (HR: 1.223, 95% CI: 1.098–1.363, p < 0.001). LV fibrosis measured by T1 mapping indices significantly predicts composite adverse outcomes and subsequent HF in patients with AF and HF.
Lethal Effect of Total Dissolved Gas-Supersaturated Water with Suspended Sediment on River Sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus)
Authors: Liu Xiaoqing , Li Na , Feng Cuixia , Fu Chenghua , Gong Quan , Lai Jiansheng , Jiang Zhu , Yang Yao , Shi Haoran 
Published: September 2019

AbstractHigh total dissolved gas (TDG) levels and excessive suspended sediment (SS) concentrations pose serious threats to fish survival during flood season. However, little information is available on the effects of TDG supersaturation with varying SS concentrations on fish. In this study, laboratory experiments were performed to investigate the effects of TDG supersaturation with varying SS concentrations on five-month-old river sturgeons (Acipenser dabryanus). The test fish were exposed to combinations of SS concentrations (0, 200, 600 and 1,000 mg/L) and TDG levels (125, 130, 135 and 140%), and their mortality and median lethal time (LT50) were quantified. The fish showed abnormal behaviors (e.g., quick breathing, fast swimming and an agitated escape response) and symptoms of gas bubble disease (GBD). SS increased the mortality of river sturgeon exposed to TDG supersaturation. Furthermore, the LT50 values at 125% TDG were 4.47, 3.11, 3.07 and 2.68 h for the different SS concentrations (0, 200, 600 and 1,000 mg/L, respectively), representing a significant decrease in LT50 with increasing SS. However, at higher TDG levels (130–140%), there was no significant increase in LT50 with increasing SS. Therefore, river sturgeon showed weak tolerance of TDG-supersaturated water with SS.