bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of an apnea and hypopnea detection algorithm implemented in implantable cardioverter defibrillators. The AIRLESS study
Authors: Defaye Pascal , Mendelson Monique , Tamisier Renaud , Jacon Peggy , Venier Sandrine , Arnol Nathalie , Pépin Jean-Louis 
Published: July 2019

AbstractDiagnosis of sleep apnea (SA) using simple tools has the potential to improve the efficacy of cardiac implants in the prevention of cardiac arrhythmias. The aim of the present study was to validate a transthoracic impedance sensor for SA diagnosis in patients with cardiac implants. We compared the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) obtained from polysomnography (AHIPSG) with the AHI obtained from autoscoring algorithms of the ApneaScan implantable impedance respiration sensor (AHIAS) three months after implantation of cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) devices. Twenty-five patients with indications for implantation of ICD or CRT-D (INCEPTA; Boston Scientific) (24 men, 59.9 ± 14.4 years; LVEF 30.3 ± 6.4%; body mass index 25.9 ± 4.2 kg/m²) were included. Mean AHI-PSG was 21.9 ± 19.1 events/hr. A significant correlation was found between AHIPSG and AHIAS especially for the most severe SA (Spearman correlation: 0.71, p < 0.001). Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (was in the expected range: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.39–0.84. The mean bias was 5.4 events per hour (mean AHI: 23.3 ± 14.6 versus 29.7 ± 13.7 for AHI-PSG and AHI-AS, respectively). An optimal cutoff value for the AHIAS at 30 events/h was obtained from the Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, which yielded a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 80%, PPV = 67%, NPV = 100%. Using an advanced algorithm for autoscoring of transthoracic impedance included in ICDs is reliable to identify SA and has the potential to improve the management of patients with cardiac implants.
HyperFoods: Machine intelligent mapping of cancer-beating molecules in foods
Authors: Veselkov Kirill , Gonzalez Guadalupe , Aljifri Shahad , Galea Dieter , Mirnezami Reza , Youssef Jozef , Bronstein Michael , Laponogov Ivan 
Published: July 2019

AbstractRecent data indicate that up-to 30–40% of cancers can be prevented by dietary and lifestyle measures alone. Herein, we introduce a unique network-based machine learning platform to identify putative food-based cancer-beating molecules. These have been identified through their molecular biological network commonality with clinically approved anti-cancer therapies. A machine-learning algorithm of random walks on graphs (operating within the supercomputing DreamLab platform) was used to simulate drug actions on human interactome networks to obtain genome-wide activity profiles of 1962 approved drugs (199 of which were classified as “anti-cancer” with their primary indications). A supervised approach was employed to predict cancer-beating molecules using these ‘learned’ interactome activity profiles. The validated model performance predicted anti-cancer therapeutics with classification accuracy of 84–90%. A comprehensive database of 7962 bioactive molecules within foods was fed into the model, which predicted 110 cancer-beating molecules (defined by anti-cancer drug likeness threshold of >70%) with expected capacity comparable to clinically approved anti-cancer drugs from a variety of chemical classes including flavonoids, terpenoids, and polyphenols. This in turn was used to construct a ‘food map’ with anti-cancer potential of each ingredient defined by the number of cancer-beating molecules found therein. Our analysis underpins the design of next-generation cancer preventative and therapeutic nutrition strategies.
Intracellular Trafficking Network and Autophagy of PHBHHx Nanoparticles and their Implications for Drug Delivery
Authors: Sun Xiangyu , Cheng Cheng , Zhang Jinxie , Jin Xing , Sun Shuqing , Mei Lin , Huang Laiqiang 
Published: July 2019

Abstract3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate (PHBHHx), which is naturally generated by biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates synthesized by bacteria, is an attractive material for drug delivery due to its controllable physical properties, non-toxicity, environmental friendliness, degradable properties and good biocompatibility. However, the intracellular trafficking network pathways, especially the autophagy mechanism of PHBHHx nanoparticles (NPs), have rarely been investigated. In this paper, we successfully prepared the NPs used solvent displacement method and investigated the autophagy pathways and other intracellular trafficking mechanisms based on NPs with the assistance of Rab proteins. We found that NPs were internalized in cells mainly via clathrin endocytosis and caveolin endocytosis. Beside the classical pathways, we discovered two new pathways: the micropinocytosis early endosome (EEs)-micropinocytosis-lysosome pathway and the EEs-liposome-lysosome pathway. NPs were delivered to cells through endocytosis recycling vesicles and GLUT4 exocytosis vesicles. Similar to other nanoparticles, NPs also induced intracellular autophagy and were then degraded via endolysosomal pathways. 3-MA and CQ were used as autophagy inhibitors to avoid the degradation of NPs through lysosomes by blocking endolysosomal pathways. Tumor volumes and weights were significantly decreased when autophagy inhibitors and chemical drugs packaged in NPs were cooperatively used.
MicroRNA profiling and identification of let-7a as a target to prevent chemotherapy-induced primordial follicles apoptosis in mouse ovaries
Authors: Alexandri C. , Stamatopoulos B. , Rothé F. , Bareche Y. , Devos M. , Demeestere I. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractCancer treatments as cyclophosphamide and its active metabolites are highly gonadotoxic leading to follicle apoptosis and depletion. Considering the risk of subsequent infertility, fertility preservation is recommended. Beside the germ cells and gametes cryopreservation options, ovarian pharmacological protection during treatment appears to be very attractive. Meanwhile, the advances in the field of oncology have brought microRNAs into spotlight as a potential feature of cancer treatment. Herein, we investigated miRNAs expressions in response to chemotherapy using postnatal-day-3 (PND3) mouse ovaries. Our results revealed that several miRNAs are differently expressed during chemotherapy exposure. Amongst them, let-7a was the most profoundly downregulated and targets genes involved in crucial cellular processes including apoptosis. Thus we developed a liposome-based system to deliver the let-7a mimic in whole PND3 ovariesin vitro. We showed that let-7a mimic prevented the upregulation of genes involved in cell death and reduced the chemotherapy-induced ovarian apoptosis, suggesting that it can be an interesting target to preserve ovarian function. However, its impact on subsequent follicular development has to be further elucidatedin vivousing an appropriate delivery system. In this study, we demonstrated that miRNA replacement approaches can be a useful tool to reduce chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage in the future.
CCR8 leads to eosinophil migration and regulates neutrophil migration in murine allergic enteritis
Authors: Blanco-Pérez Frank , Kato Yoichiro , Gonzalez-Menendez Irene , Laiño Jonathan , Ohbayashi Masaharu , Burggraf Manja , Krause Maren , Kirberg Jörg , Iwakura Yoichiro , Martella Manuela , Quintanilla-Martinez Leticia , Shibata Noriyuki , Vieths Stefan , Scheurer Stephan , Toda Masako 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAllergic enteritis (AE) is a gastrointestinal form of food allergy. This study aimed to elucidate cellular and molecular mechanisms of AE using a murine model. To induce AE, BALB/c wild type (WT) mice received intraperitoneal sensitization with ovalbumin (an egg white allergen) plus ALUM and feeding an egg white (EW) diet. Microarray analysis showed enhanced gene expression of CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 8 and its ligand, chemokine CC motif ligand (CCL) 1 in the inflamed jejunum. Histological and FACS analysis showed that CCR8 knock out (KO) mice exhibited slightly less inflammatory features, reduced eosinophil accumulation but accelerated neutrophil accumulation in the jejunums, when compared to WT mice. The concentrations of an eosinophil chemoattractant CCL11 (eotaxin-1), but not of IL-5, were reduced in intestinal homogenates of CCR8KO mice, suggesting an indirect involvement of CCR8 in eosinophil accumulation in AE sites by inducing CCL11 expression. The potential of CCR8 antagonists to treat allergic asthma has been discussed. However, our results suggest that CCR8 blockade may promote neutrophil accumulation in the inflamed intestinal tissues, and not be a suitable therapeutic target for AE, despite the potential to reduce eosinophil accumulation. This study advances our knowledge to establish effective anti-inflammatory strategies in AE treatment.
Increased levels of the megakaryocyte and platelet expressed cysteine proteases stefin A and cystatin A prevent thrombosis
Authors: Mezzapesa Anna , Bastelica Delphine , Crescence Lydie , Poggi Marjorie , Grino Michel , Peiretti Franck , Panicot-Dubois Laurence , Dupont Annabelle , Valero René , Maraninchi Marie , Bordet Jean-Claude , Alessi Marie-Christine , Dubois Christophe , Canault Matthias 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIncreased platelet activity occurs in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and such platelet dysregulation likely originates from altered megakaryopoiesis. We initiated identification of dysregulated pathways in megakaryocytes in the setting of T2DM. We evaluated through transcriptomic analysis, differential gene expressions in megakaryocytes from leptin receptor-deficient mice (db/db), exhibiting features of human T2DM, and control mice (db/+). Functional gene analysis revealed an upregulation of transcripts related to calcium signaling, coagulation cascade and platelet receptors in diabetic mouse megakaryocytes. We also evidenced an upregulation (7- to 9.7-fold) of genes encoding stefin A (StfA), the human ortholog of Cystatin A (CSTA), inhibitor of cathepsin B, H and L. StfA/CSTA was present in megakaryocytes and platelets and its expression increased during obesity and diabetes in rats and humans. StfA/CSTA was primarily localized at platelet membranes and granules and was released upon agonist stimulation and clot formation through a metalloprotease-dependent mechanism. StfA/CSTA did not affect platelet aggregation, but reduced platelet accumulation on immobilized collagen from flowing whole blood (1200 s−1). In-vivo, upon laser-induced vascular injury, platelet recruitment and thrombus formation were markedly reduced in StfA1-overexpressing mice without affecting bleeding time. The presence of CA-074Me, a cathepsin B specific inhibitor significantly reduced thrombus formation in-vitro and in-vivo in human and mouse, respectively. Our study identifies StfA/CSTA as a key contributor of platelet-dependent thrombus formation in both rodents and humans.
Study on the Relationship between Seed Absorbed Dose and Seed Composition of 252Cf Neutron Source Irradiated Bean Seed
Authors: Xu Dapeng , Li Yingguo , Yao Ze’en , Yin Yongzhi , Feng Huyuan , Wei Zheng 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis study aims to further identify the biological effects of neutron-irradiated plants and provides insights into the mutation breeding of such plants. In this study, the neutron irradiation device designed by our institute was used to analyze the relationship between the seed components in different legume crops and their neutron absorption dose rate, fission gamma absorption dose rate, and induced gamma absorption dose rate. The results show that the effect sizes of the components on the neutron absorbed dose rate are as follows: ash > fat > moisture > carbohydrate > protein. The effect sizes of the components on the absorbed dose rate of fission gamma are as follows: ash > moisture > fat > carbohydrate > protein. There is a positive correlation between fission gamma absorbed dose rate and the weight of ash, water and fat, while a negative correlation with carbohydrate and protein. However, the linear relationship between each component and the absorbed dose rate of induced gamma is not significant, this needs to be identified by further researches. Based on the results of the present study, we conclude that the neutron absorbed dose can be calculated without taking into account the fat composition of bean crop seeds (except for soybean seeds) in the process of mutation breeding induced by radiation. In special cases where the accuracy requirement of the dose rate is not high, it is possible to use protein instead of legume crop seeds for neutron absorption dose calculations.
Common BACE2 Polymorphisms are Associated with Altered Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and CSF Amyloid Biomarkers in APOE ε4 Non-Carriers
Authors: Huentelman Matt , De Both Matthew , Jepsen Wayne , Piras Ignazio S. , Talboom Joshua S. , Willeman Mari , Reiman Eric M. , Hardy John , Myers Amanda J. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIt was recently suggested that beta-site amyloid precursor protein (APP)-cleaving enzyme 2 (BACE2) functions as an amyloid beta (Aβ)-degrading enzyme; in addition to its better understood role as an APP secretase. Due to this finding we sought to understand the possible genetic risk contributed by the BACE2 locus to the development of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, we report that common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variation in BACE2 is associated with altered AD risk in apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) epsilon 4 variant (ε4) non-carriers. In addition, in ε4 non-carriers diagnosed with AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), SNPs within the BACE2 locus are associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of Aβ1-42. Further, SNP variants in BACE2 are also associated with BACE2 RNA expression levels suggesting a potential mechanism for the CSF Aβ1-42 findings. Lastly, overexpression of BACE2 in vitro resulted in decreased Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 fragments in a cell line model of Aβ production. These findings suggest that genetic variation at the BACE2 locus modifies AD risk for those individuals who don’t carry the ε4 variant of APOE. Further, our data indicate that the biological mechanism associated with this altered risk is linked to amyloid generation or clearance possibly through BACE2 expression changes.
Acoustic impact of a wave energy converter in Mediterranean shallow waters
Authors: Buscaino Giuseppa , Mattiazzo Giuliana , Sannino Gianmaria , Papale Elena , Bracco Giovanni , Grammauta Rosario , Carillo Adriana , Kenny Jose Maria , De Cristofaro Norma , Ceraulo Maria , Mazzola Salvatore 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn this study, underwater noise from a full-scale wave energy converter system (ISWEC), installed on the coast of Pantelleria Island (central Mediterranean Sea), was characterized. The noise was measured using an autonomous acoustic recorder anchored to the sea bottom 40 m from the ISWEC hull. Acoustic monitoring continued for 15 months, starting 7 months before (PRE), 2 months during (INST) and 6 months after the ISWEC installation (POST). The levels of noise, assessed with power spectrum density and octave and third-octave band sound pressure levels (BSPLs), were higher during the POST period than during the PRE period at lower frequencies up to 4 kHz and increased with wave height. During the ISWEC activation for energy production (POST_ON) in the wave height range 1–2.9 m, the BSPLs increased much more at lower frequencies up to 4 kHz (the median BSPLs at 63 Hz for the PRE, POST, and POST_ON conditions were 73, 106, and 126 dB re 1μPa, respectively). Considering the biophonies that make up the soundscape of the area, we examined the possible masking of fish choruses due to ISWEC noise and highlighted that at a distance of 1000 m, the 800 Hz peak frequency was 10 dB above the ISWEC signal. Within this distance from ISWEC, a possible masking effect is supposed.
A Novel Etchant System for Orthodontic Bracket Bonding
Authors: Ibrahim A. I. , Thompson V. P. , Deb S. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractOrthodontic treatment is widely used to correct irregular teeth and/or jaw discrepancies to improve oral function and facial aesthetics. However, it is frequently associated with enamel damage that include chipping, demineralisation, and white spot formation. So far, current bonding systems that can maintain shear bond strengths (SBS) suitable for clinical performance are unable to limit enamel demineralisation, adhesive remnants and damage caused on removal of brackets after treatment. This study reports a novel “safe enamel etch” clinically viable procedure that was accomplished via application of novel etchant pastes developed with β-tricalcium phosphate and monocalcium phosphate monohydrate powders mixed with citric acid (5 M) or phosphoric acid (37% PA) to yield BCA and BPA etchants respectively. Although enamel etched with clinically used PA gel yielded higher SBS than the BCA/BPA etchants, it exhibited greater adhesive remnants with evidence of enamel damage. In contrast, the experimental etchants resulted in unblemished enamel surfaces with zero or minimal adhesive residue and clinically acceptable SBS. Furthermore, the BPA etchant caused lower enamel decalcification with extensive calcium-phosphate precipitation. The study conclusively showed that BPA facilitated in vitro enamel adhesion without detrimental effects of the aggressive PA gel with potential for remineralisation and saving time at the post-debonding step.
Impacts of the synthetic androgen Trenbolone on gonad differentiation and development – comparisons between three deeply diverged anuran families
Authors: Rozenblut-Kościsty Beata , Ogielska Maria , Hahn Juliane , Kleemann Denise , Kossakowski Ronja , Tamschick Stephanie , Schöning Viola , Krüger Angela , Lutz Ilka , Lymberakis Petros , Kloas Werner , Stöck Matthias 
Published: July 2019

AbstractUsing a recently developed approach for testing endocrine disruptive chemicals (EDCs) in amphibians, comprising synchronized tadpole exposure plus genetic and histological sexing of metamorphs in a flow-through-system, we tested the effects of 17β-Trenbolone (Tb), a widely used growth promoter in cattle farming, in three deeply diverged anuran families: the amphibian model species Xenopus laevis (Pipidae) and the non-models Bufo(tes) viridis (Bufonidae) and Hyla arborea (Hylidae). Trenbolone was applied in three environmentally and/or physiologically relevant concentrations (0.027 µg/L (10−10 M), 0.27 µg/L (10−9 M), 2.7 µg/L (10−8 M)). In none of the species, Tb caused sex reversals or masculinization of gonads but had negative species-specific impacts on gonad morphology and differentiation after the completion of metamorphosis, independently of genetic sex. In H. arborea and B. viridis, mounting Tb-concentration correlated positively with anatomical abnormalities at 27 µg/L (10−9 M) and 2.7 µg/L (10−8 M), occurring in X. laevis only at the highest Tb concentration. Despite anatomical aberrations, histologically all gonadal tissues differentiated seemingly normally when examined at the histological level but at various rates. Tb-concentration caused various species-specific mortalities (low in Xenopus, uncertain in Bufo). Our data suggest that deep phylogenetic divergence modifies EDC-vulnerability, as previously demonstrated for Bisphenol A (BPA) and Ethinylestradiol (EE2).
Machine learning approaches to predict lupus disease activity from gene expression data
Authors: Kegerreis Brian , Catalina Michelle D. , Bachali Prathyusha , Geraci Nicholas S. , Labonte Adam C. , Zeng Chen , Stearrett Nathaniel , Crandall Keith A. , Lipsky Peter E. , Grammer Amrie C. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe integration of gene expression data to predict systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity is a significant challenge because of the high degree of heterogeneity among patients and study cohorts, especially those collected on different microarray platforms. Here we deployed machine learning approaches to integrate gene expression data from three SLE data sets and used it to classify patients as having active or inactive disease as characterized by standard clinical composite outcome measures. Both raw whole blood gene expression data and informative gene modules generated by Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis from purified leukocyte populations were employed with various classification algorithms. Classifiers were evaluated by 10-fold cross-validation across three combined data sets or by training and testing in independent data sets, the latter of which amplified the effects of technical variation. A random forest classifier achieved a peak classification accuracy of 83 percent under 10-fold cross-validation, but its performance could be severely affected by technical variation among data sets. The use of gene modules rather than raw gene expression was more robust, achieving classification accuracies of approximately 70 percent regardless of how the training and testing sets were formed. Fine-tuning the algorithms and parameter sets may generate sufficient accuracy to be informative as a standalone estimate of disease activity.
Robust Surface-Engineered Tape-Cast and Extrusion Methods to Fabricate Electrically-Conductive Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/Carbon Nanotube Filaments for Corrosion-Resistant 3D Printing Applications
Authors: Almazrouei Asma , Susantyoko Rahmat Agung , Wu Chieh-Han , Mustafa Ibrahim , Alhammadi Ayoob , Almheiri Saif 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe developed a poly(vinylidene fluoride)/carbon nanotube (PVDF-MWCNT) filament as a feed for printing of electrically-conductive and corrosion-resistant functional material by fused filament fabrication (FFF). Using an environment-friendly procedure to fabricate PVDF-MWCNT filament, we achieved the best reported electrical conductivity of printable PVDF-MWCNT filament of 28.5 S cm−1 (90 wt% PVDF and 10 wt% CNT). The PVDF-MWCNT filaments are chemically stable in acid, base, and salt solution, with no significant changes in electrical conductivity and mass of the filaments. Our processing method is robust and allow a uniform mixture of PVDF and CNT with a wide range of CNT percentage up to 99.9%. We demonstrated the printing of PVDF-MWCNT filaments to create 3D shapes; printed using a low-cost commercial consumer-grade FFF 3D printer. We found many adjustments of printer parameters are needed to print filament with CNT content >10 wt%, but easier printing for CNT content ≤10 wt%. Since this was due to printer limitation, we believed that PVDF-MWCNT with higher CNT percentage (to a certain limit) and larger electrical conductivity could be printed with a custom-built printer (for example stronger motor). PVDF-MWCNT filament shows higher electrical conductivity (28.5 S cm−1) than compressed composite (8.8 S cm−1) of the same 10 wt% of CNT, due to more alignment of CNT in the longitudinal direction of the extruded filament. Printable PVDF-MWCNT-Fe2O3 (with a functional additive of Fe2O3) showed higher electrical conductivity in the longitudinal direction at the filament core (42 S cm−1) compared to that in the longitudinal direction at the filament shell (0.43 S cm−1) for sample with composition of 60 wt% PVDF, 20 wt% CNT, and 20 wt% Fe2O3, due to extrusion skin effect with segregation of electrically insulating Fe2O3 at the shell surface of PVDF-MWCNT-Fe2O3.