bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anticonvulsant effect of melatonin through ATP‐sensitive channels in mice
Authors: Mohammadi Fatemeh , Shakiba Saeed , Mehrzadi Saeed , Afshari Khashayar , Rahimnia Amir Hossein , Dehpour Ahmad Reza 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMelatonin is a neurohormone secreted principally by the pineal gland. This molecule has various pharmacological properties including improving immune system, prevent cancer, anti‐aging, and anti‐oxidant effects. The anticonvulsant effects of melatonin have been proved by previous studies. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are considered as an important target in the seizure modulation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the anticonvulsant effect of melatonin in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)‐induced seizures in mice, focusing on its ability to regulate KATP channels. Acute intraperitoneal administration of melatonin (40 and 80 mg/kg) increased clonic seizure threshold induced by intravenous administration of PTZ. Melatonin (40 and 80 mg/kg) increased the latency of clonic seizure and reduced its frequency in mice receiving an intraperitoneal injection of PTZ. Administration of glibenclamide, a KATP channels blocker, before intravenous injection of PTZ reduced melatonin anticonvulsant effect. Diazoxide and cromakalim, as KATP channels openers, increased antiseizure effect of melatonin in PTZ model of seizures. These findings suggest that the antiseizure effect of melatonin probably is gained through increasing the opening of KATP channels.
Structural and functional investigation of the Small Ribosomal Subunit Biogenesis GTPase A (RsgA) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Rocchio Serena , Santorelli Daniele , Rinaldo Serena , Franceschini Mimma , Malatesta Francesco , Imperi Francesco , Federici Luca , Travaglini‐Allocatelli Carlo , Di Matteo Adele 
Published: June 2019

The Small Ribosomal Subunit Biogenesis GTPase A (RsgA) is a bacterial assembly factor involved in the late stages of the 30S subunit maturation. It is a multidomain GTPase in which the central circularly permutated GTPase domain is flanked by an OB domain and a Zn‐binding domain. All three domains participate in the interaction with the 30S particle thus ensuring an efficient coupling between catalytic activity and biological function. In vivo studies suggested the relevance of rsgA in bacterial growth and cellular viability, but other pleiotropic roles of RsgA are also emerging. Here, we report the 3D structure of RsgA from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PaRsgA) in the GDP‐bound form. We also report a biophysical and biochemical characterization of the protein in both the GDP‐bound and its nucleotide‐free form. In particular, we report a kinetic analysis of the RsgA binding to GTP and GDP. We found that PaRsgA is able to bind both nucleotides with submicromolar affinity. The higher affinity towards GDP (KD = 0.011 μm) with respect to GTP (KD = 0.16 μm) is mainly ascribed to a smaller GDP dissociation rate. Our results confirm that PaRsgA, like most other GTPases, has a weak intrinsic enzymatic activity (kCAT = 0.058 min−1). Finally, the biological role of RsgA in P. aeruginosa was investigated, allowing us to conclude that rsgA is dispensable for P. aeruginosa growth but important for drug resistance and virulence in an animal infection model.DatabasesCoordinates and structure factors for the protein structure described in this manuscript have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank (https://www.rcsb.org) with the accession code 6H4D.
The AP2 adaptor enhances clathrin coat stiffness
Authors: Lherbette Michael , Redlingshöfer Lisa , Brodsky Frances M. , Schaap Iwan A. T. , Dannhauser Philip N. 
Published: June 2019

Deformation of the plasma membrane into clathrin‐coated vesicles is a critical step in clathrin‐mediated endocytosis and requires the orchestrated assembly of clathrin and endocytic adaptors into a membrane‐associated protein coat. The individual role of these membrane‐bending and curvature‐stabilizing factors is subject to current debate. As such, it is unclear whether the clathrin coat itself is stiff enough to impose curvature and if so, whether this could be effectively transferred to the membrane by the linking adaptor proteins. We have recently demonstrated that clathrin alone is sufficient to form membrane buds in vitro. Here, we use atomic force microscopy to assess the contributions of clathrin and its membrane adaptor protein 2 (AP2) to clathrin coat stiffness, which determines the mechanics of vesicle formation. We found that clathrin coats are less than 10‐fold stiffer than the membrane they enclose, suggesting a delicate balance between the forces harnessed from clathrin coat formation and those required for membrane bending. We observed that clathrin adaptor protein AP2 increased the stiffness of coats formed from native clathrin, but did not affect less‐flexible coats formed from clathrin lacking the light chain subunits. We thus propose that clathrin light chains are important for clathrin coat flexibility and that AP2 facilitates efficient cargo sequestration during coated vesicle formation by modulating clathrin coat stiffness.
Using PROMs during routine medical consultations: The perspectives of people with Parkinson’s disease and their health professionals
Authors: Damman Olga C. , Verbiest Marjolein E. A. , Vonk Suzanne I. , Berendse Henk W. , Bloem Bastiaan R. , de Bruijne Martine C. , Faber Marjan J. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe use of patient‐reported outcomes measures (PROMs), such as quality of life or symptoms like pain or fatigue, is increasingly embraced within patient‐centred care and shared decision making.ObjectivesTo investigate: (a) how patients and health professionals think about using PROMs during routine medical consultations; (b) for which purpose(s), patients and health professionals want to use PROMs during those consultations; and (c) how patients interpret PROMs information presented in various formats. People with Parkinson's disease and their health professionals served as case example.MethodsWe performed semi‐structured interviews with patients (N = 13) and professionals (N = 7 neurologists; N = 7 physiotherapists). We also used a survey in which patients (N = 115) were shown six figures displaying different information types. Presentation formats of this information varied (line/bar graphs). Interpretation by patients, perceived usefulness of information, attitude towards using information during routine medical consultations and (hypothetical) decisions were assessed.FindingsPatients and professionals were generally positive about using PROMs during medical consultations. Professionals stressed the opportunity to monitor changes in individual PROMs over time. Patients were primarily positive about aggregated PROMs to make treatment decisions. This information was also most often interpreted correctly, especially when presented through a line graph (90.1% correct). Professionals thought patients should take the initiative in discussing PROMs, whereas patients thought professionals should do so.Conclusion/DiscussionWhen used in routine medical consultations, PROMs seem to have potential to support shared decision making and facilitate patient‐professional communication. However, training seems needed for both patients and professionals to facilitate actual discussion and proper interpretation.
Comparing grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) communities on tallgrass prairie reconstructions and remnants in Missouri
Authors: LaRose Joseph P. , Webb Elisabeth B. , Finke Deborah L. 
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Tallgrass prairies, which once occupied a large swath of central North America, face the combined challenges of habitat loss and fragmentation. In Missouri, where less than 1% the historical prairie remains, prairies are being reconstructed from agricultural or wooded land.
Invertebrates are often assumed to colonise reconstructions if native vegetation returns; however, the limited mobility of many invertebrates, the isolation of many tallgrass remnants, and the difficulty in establishing prairie plants raise serious questions as to whether invertebrate communities on reconstructed prairies are and will be equivalent to those found on remnant prairies.
Grasshoppers (Acrididae) display a range of dispersal capabilities and may be valuable for assessing the success of prairie restoration for invertebrates.
Our first objective was to compare grasshopper communities on reconstructed and remnant prairies and, if differences existed, identify species or functional groups associated with each habitat type. The second objective was to evaluate the effect of time because prairie reconstruction on grasshopper communities to determine if communities on reconstructions are converging with communities on remnants.
Our results suggest that prairie reconstructions in Missouri do not support the same communities of grasshoppers as prairie remnants.
Grasshopper diversity was generally greater on remnants. Many species had not colonised nearby reconstructions.
Communities on prairie reconstructions were characterised by a few long‐winged, generalist species that are typically successful in agroecosystems.
Further investigation into the habitat disparities driving low grasshopper diversity on reconstructions could help restore the grasshopper community of reconstructions.
Preparation and characterization of ceramic nanofiltration membrane prepared from hazardous industrial waste
Authors: Amin Shereen K. , Roushdy Mai H. , Abdallah Heba A. M. , Moustafa Ahmed F. , Abadir Magdi F. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractKiln rollers, which are widely used in ceramic tiles production, are usually subjected to surface grinding to remove the contaminations. The resulted fine powder is considered useless waste and a hazardous source of environmental pollution particularly as it contains health‐threatening fine free silica. In the present paper, the grind waste from kiln rollers was reused as raw material in the fabrication of nanofiltration ceramic membrane. The samples of produced ceramic membranes were formed into disks by adding 15% (by weight) organic binder solution with 2% concentration, then pressed at 35 MPa, dried and fired at temperatures range from 1100°C to 1300°C for 1 hour soaking time. It was found that the best firing temperature to produce nanofiltration ceramic membrane is 1250°C, where the ceramic membrane provides high removal of turbidity and high monovalent, divalent, and trivalent salts separation percentage.
A simulation comparison of tournament designs for the World Men's Handball Championships
Authors: Csató László 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe study aims to compare different designs for the World Men's Handball Championships. This event, organized in every two years, has adopted four hybrid formats consisting of knockout and round‐robin stages in recent decades, including a change of design between the two recent championships in 2017 and 2019. They are evaluated under two extremal seeding policies with respect to various outcome measures through Monte Carlo simulations. We find that the ability to give the first four positions to the strongest teams, as well as the expected quality and outcome uncertainty of the final, is not necessarily a monotonic function of the number of matches played: the most frugal format is the second best with respect to these outcome measures, making it a good compromise in an unavoidable trade‐off. A possible error is identified in a particular design. The relative performance of the formats is independent of the seeding rules and the competitive balance of the teams. The recent reform is demonstrated to have increased the probability of winning for the top teams. Our results have useful implications for the organizers of hybrid tournaments.
Incidence and risk factors of PostopeRativE delirium in intensive care unit patients: A study protocol for the PREDICt study
Authors: Cai Shining , Lv Minzhi , Latour Jos M. , Lin Ying , Pan Wenyan , Zheng Jili , Cheng Lihong , Li Jingjing , Zhang Yuxia 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAimThe aims of this study are: (a) to determine the incidence of postoperative delirium (POD) among surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients in China and identify risk factors, especially, which are modifiable and have value for developing a prediction model; (b) to develop and validate a prediction model of delirium to recognize high‐risk patients in surgical ICUs; (c) to investigate the short‐ and long‐term outcomes of delirious patients and identify the predictors of patient outcomes.DesignA single‐centre prospective cohort study.MethodsPatients will be enrolled from three surgical ICUs in a tertiary teaching hospital. Delirium assessment and perioperative data will be collected throughout the hospitalization. Delirious patients will be followed up for 2 years. The study was approved by the ethics committee in May 2018 and was funded by the clinical research grant from Zhongshan hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai.DiscussionDeveloping POD can be a burden to patients both for the short‐ and long‐term period. Due to the lack of effective treatments for POD, prevention remains the best strategy. This study will provide an effective tool for early screening of high‐risk patients of POD and provide a better understanding of the aetiology and outcome of delirium.ImpactIn clinical practice, a prediction model will offer an effective tool for ICU nurses to assess high‐risk patients, which can support them to implement preventive strategies at the early stages to targeted patients. The follow‐up results will help us better understand the impact of delirium on patients’ long‐term outcome.
Large amplicon droplet digital PCR for DNA‐based monitoring of pediatric chronic myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Krumbholz Manuela , Goerlitz Katharina , Albert Christian , Lawlor Jennifer , Suttorp Meinolf , Metzler Markus 
Published: June 2019

AbstractQuantification of tumour‐specific molecular markers at the RNA and DNA level for treatment response monitoring is crucial for risk‐adapted stratification and guidance of individualized therapy in leukaemia and other malignancies. Most pediatric leukaemias and solid tumours of mesenchymal origin are characterized by a relatively low mutation burden at the single nucleotide level and the presence of recurrent chromosomal translocations. The genomic fusion sites resulting from translocations are stable molecular tumour markers; however, repeat‐rich DNA sequences flanking intronic breakpoints limit the design of high sensitivity PCR assays for minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring. Here, we quantitatively evaluated the impact of repeat elements on assay selection and the feasibility of using extended amplicons (≤1330 bp) amplified by droplet digital PCR to monitor pediatric chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Molecular characterization of 178 genomic BCR‐ABL1 fusion sites showed that 64% were located within sequence repeat elements, impeding optimal primer/probe design. Comparative quantification of DNA and RNA BCR‐ABL1 copy numbers in 687 specimens from 55 pediatric patients revealed that their levels were highly correlated. The combination of droplet digital PCR, double quenched probes and extended amplicons represents a valuable tool for sensitive MRD assessment in CML and may be adapted to other translocation‐positive tumours.
CXCL16/CXCR6 is involved in LPS‐induced acute lung injury via P38 signalling
Authors: Tu Guo‐wei , Ju Min‐jie , Zheng Yi‐jun , Hao Guang‐wei , Ma Guo‐guang , Hou Jun‐yi , Zhang Xue‐peng , Luo Zhe , Lu Li‐ming 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAlthough several chemokines play key roles in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI), the roles of chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 16 (CXCL16) and its receptor C‐X‐C chemokine receptor type 6 (CXCR6) in ALI pathogenesis remain to be elucidated. The mRNA and protein expression of CXCL16 and CXCR6 was detected after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation with or without treatment with the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC). Lung injury induced by LPS was evaluated in CXCR6 knockout mice. CXCL16 level was elevated in the serum of ALI patients (n = 20) compared with healthy controls (n = 30). CXCL16 treatment (50, 100, and 200 ng/mL) in 16HBE cells significantly decreased the epithelial barrier integrity and E‐cadherin expression, and increased CXCR6 expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and p38 phosphorylation. Knockdown of CXCR6 or treatment with the p38 inhibitor SB203580 abolished the effects of CXCL16. Moreover, treatment of 16HBE cells with LPS (5, 10, 20 and 50 μg/mL) significantly increased CXCL16 release as well as the mRNA and protein levels of CXCL16 and CXCR6. The effects of LPS treatment (20 μg/mL) were abolished by treatment with PDTC. The results of the luciferase assay further demonstrated that PDTC treatment markedly inhibited the activity of the CXCL16 promoter. In conclusion, CXCL16, whose transcription was enhanced by LPS, may be involved in ROS production, epithelial barrier dysfunction and E‐cadherin down‐regulation via p38 signalling, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of ALI. Importantly, CXCR6 knockout or inhibition of p38 signalling may protect mice from LPS‐induced lung injury by decreasing E‐cadherin expression.
MiR‐140 modulates the inflammatory responses of Mycobacterium tuberculosis‐infected macrophages by targeting TRAF6
Authors: Li Xiaofei , Huang Shan , Yu Tingting , Liang Guiliang , Liu Hongwei , Pu Dong , Peng Niancai 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis study aimed to examine miR‐140 expression in clinical samples from tuberculosis (TB) patients and to explore the molecular mechanisms of miR‐140 in host‐bacterial interactions during Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M tb) infections. The miR‐140 expression and relevant mRNA expression were detected by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR); the protein expression levels were analysed by ELISA and western blot; M tb survival was measured by colony formation unit assay; potential interactions between miR‐140 and the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of tumour necrosis factor receptor‐associated factor 6 (TRAF6) was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. MiR‐140 was up‐regulated in the human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from TB patients and in THP‐1 and U937 cells with M tb infection. Overexpression of miR‐140 promoted M tb survival; on the other hand, miR‐140 knockdown attenuated M tb survival. The pro‐inflammatory cytokines including interleukin 6, tumour necrosis‐α, interleukin‐1β and interferon‐γ were enhanced by M tb infection in THP‐1 and U937 cells. MiR‐140 overexpression reduced these pro‐inflammatory cytokines levels in THP‐1 and U937 cells with M tb infection; while knockdown of miR‐140 exerted the opposite actions. TRAF6 was identified to be a downstream target of miR‐140 and was negatively modulated by miR‐140. TRAF6 overexpression increased the pro‐inflammatory cytokines levels and partially restored the suppressive effects of miR‐140 overexpression on pro‐inflammatory cytokines levels in THP‐1 and U937 cells with M tb infection. In conclusion, our results implied that miR‐140 promoted M tb survival and reduced the pro‐inflammatory cytokines levels in macrophages with M tb infection partially via modulating TRAF6 expression.
Daylight photodynamic therapy of actinic keratosis without curettage is as effective as with curettage: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Heerfordt I.M. , Wulf H.C. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundGuidelines for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of actinic keratosis (AK) recommend pretreatment with curettage. The impact of curettage on cure rate is, however, not well established.ObjectiveThe present study aimed to evaluate whether daylight PDT without curettage could be as effective as daylight PDT with curettage.MethodsTwenty‐five patients with multiple AKs were treated in two even‐sized areas on the face and scalp. One area was treated with standard daylight PDT starting with curettage followed by incubation with methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) for 30 min before 2 h of daylight exposure. The other area was incubated with MAL for 1 h without prior curettage before 2 h of daylight exposure. The longer incubation time was used to obtain a sufficiently high protoporphyrin IX concentration in the non‐curettaged area.ResultsThere was no difference in cure rate 3 months after daylight PDT in areas pretreated with curettage (86%) compared to non‐curettaged areas (84%) (P = 0.1). Neither was there any difference between reported pain during daylight exposure (P > 0.7) or clinically evaluated erythema the day after treatment (P = 1.0).ConclusionDaylight PDT without curettage but with 1 h of MAL incubation before daylight exposure was shown to be as effective in treatment of thin AKs on the face and scalp as standard daylight PDT with curettage. This modification of daylight PDT eases the task for the clinic and makes it more convenient for the patients as well, creating the possibility of performing daylight PDT as an entirely home‐based treatment for AKs of the face and scalp without training the patients to perform pretreatment.
Morphological and histological characterization of an ectopically mineralized structure in a gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata with opercular deformation
Authors: Thuong Nguyen Phuc , Prondvai Edina , De Kegel Barbara , De Wolf Tania , Witten Paul Eckhard , Adriaens Dominique 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIn this study, we describe an abnormal ectopically mineralized structure (EMS) that was found inside the skull of a juvenile Sparus aurata that also showed a bilateral opercular deformation. The overall phenotype and tissue composition were studied using micro‐CT scanning and histological analyses. The ectopic structure occupies a large volume of the brain cavity, partially extruding into the gill cavity. It shows a dense mineralization and an extracellular matrix‐rich phenotype, with variation in both the morphology and size of the cell lacunae, combined with an irregular fibre organization inside the matrix. This study is the first to report such an EMS in a juvenile teleost fish, where the tissue does not resemble any other connective tissue type described in bony fish so far. The tissue phenotype seems to rule out that the EMS corresponds to a tumorous cartilage. Yet, it is rather reminiscent of a highly mineralized structure found in cartilaginous fish, where it is suggested to be associated with damage repair.