bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
mTOR inhibitor INK128 attenuates dextran sodium sulfate‐induced colitis by promotion of MDSCs on Treg cell expansion
Authors: Shi Guoping , Li Dan , Ren Jing , Li Xiaojing , Wang Tingting , Dou Huan , Hou Yayi 
Published: August 2018

Accumulating evidence has shown that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are involved in pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). INK128 is a novel mTOR kinase inhibitor in clinical development. However, the exact roles of MDSCs and INK128 in IBD are unclear. Here, we showed that the INK128 treatment enhanced the resistance of mice to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)–induced colitis and inhibited the differentiation of MDSCs into macrophages. Moreover, interferon (IFN)‐α level was elevated in INK128‐treated colitis mice. When stimulated with IFN‐α in vitro, MDSCs showed a superior immunosuppression activity. Of note, the regulatory T cells (Tregs) increased but Th1 cells decreased in INK128‐treated colitis mice. These results indicate that mTOR inhibitor INK128 attenuates DSS‐induced colitis via Treg expansion promoted by MDSCs. Our work provides a new evidence that INK128 is potential to be a therapeutic drug on DSS‐induced colitis via regulating MDSCs as well as maintaining Treg expansion.
FOXO3a is essential for murine endometrial decidualization through cell apoptosis during early pregnancy
Authors: Long Jing , Yang Cheng‐Shun , He Jun‐Lin , Liu Xue‐Qing , Ding Yu‐Bin , Chen Xue‐Mei , Tong Chao , Peng Chuan , Wang Ying‐Xiong , Gao Ru‐Fei 
Published: August 2018

AbstractEmbryo implantation is essential for normal pregnancy, and the process of decidualization is critical for embryo implantation. However, the mechanism of decidualization during early pregnancy is still unknown. Forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a) is the most important functional transcription factor of the forkhead box family and is a highly conserved transcription factor of apoptosis‐related genes. In the mouse uterus, FOXO3a was found to be expressed regularly from Days 1–7 of early pregnancy. Upon further exploration, it was found that FOXO3a was expressed at significantly higher levels at the implantation site than at the interimplantation site on Days 5–7 of pregnancy. Under artificial decidualization, FOXO3a was highly expressed in the first and second decidual zones. After decidualization, the expression of FOXO3a was significantly increased both in vivo and vitro. In primary stromal cells, apoptosis was reduced by decreased expression of FOXO3a after inducing decidualization. Moreover, when FOXO3a‐small interfering RNA was transfected into the uteri of mice, the expression of decidualization‐ and apoptosis‐related factors was impaired. Thus, FOXO3a might play an important role in decidualization during early pregnancy, and cell apoptosis might be one of pathways for FOXO3a‐regulated decidualization.
Epigenetic alterations of CYLD promoter modulate its expression in gastric adenocarcinoma: A footprint of infections
Authors: Ghadami Elham , Nikbakhsh Novin , Fattahi Sadegh , Kosari‐Monfared Mohadeseh , Ranaee Mohammad , Taheri Hassan , Amjadi‐Moheb Fatemeh , Godazandeh Gholamali , Shafaei Shahryar , Nosrati Anahita , Pilehchian Langroudi Maryam , Samadani Ali Akbar , Amirbozorgi Galia , Mirnia Vahideh , Akhavan‐Niaki Haleh 
Published: August 2018

AbstractGastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common causes of cancer‐related death in the world, with multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations involved in disease development. CYLD tumor suppressor gene encodes a multifunctional deubiquitinase which negatively regulates various signaling pathways. Deregulation of this gene has been found in different types of cancer. This study aimed to evaluate for the first time the CpG island methylation pattern of CYLD gene promoter, and its expression level in gastric adenocarcinoma. CYLD messenger RNA expression and promoter methylation in 53 tumoral and their non‐neoplastic counterpart tissues were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and bisulfite sequencing. Also, we investigated the impacts of the infectious agents including Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), EBV, and CMV on CYLD expression and promoter methylation in GC. Results showed that the expression level of CYLD was downregulated in GC, and was significantly associated with gender (female), patient’s age (<60), high grade, and no lymph‐node metastasis (p = 0.001, 0.002, 0.03, and 0.003, respectively). Among the 31 analyzed CpG sites located in about 600 bp region within the promoter, two CpG sites were hypermethylated in GC tissues. We also found a significant inverse association between DNA promoter methylation and CYLD expression (p = 0.02). Furthermore, a direct association between H. pylori, EBV, and CMV infections with hypermethylation and reduced CYLD expression was observed (p = 0.04, 0.03, and 0.03, respectively). Our findings indicate that CYLD is downregulated in GC. Infectious agents may influence CYLD expression.
Different Effects of Atorvastatin on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Young Women With and Without Hyperprolactinemia
Authors: Krysiak Robert , Szkróbka Witold , Okopień Bogusław 
Published: August 2018

AbstractLong‐term prolactin excess is often accompanied by numerous metabolic complications. No previous study has compared the effect of statin therapy on circulating levels of cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with elevated and normal prolactin levels. The study population consisted of 3 age‐, weight‐, and lipid‐matched groups of young women: 19 women with untreated hyperprolactinemia (group A), 20 normoprolactinemic women receiving bromocriptine treatment (because of previous hyperprolactinemia) (group B), and 20 untreated women with prolactin levels within the reference range (group C). Because of elevated total and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, all women were then treated with atorvastatin (40 mg daily). Apart from measuring plasma lipids, glucose homeostasis markers, and hormone levels at the beginning of the study and 12 weeks later, we measured circulating levels of uric acid, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, homocysteine, and fibrinogen. Despite similar baseline levels of plasma lipids, levels of uric acid, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, homocysteine, and fibrinogen as well as the degree of insulin resistance were higher in group A than in the remaining 2 groups. Atorvastatin reduced total and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in all study groups. However, only in normoprolactinemic women (groups B and C) did atorvastatin reduce circulating levels of nonlipid cardiometabolic risk factors, whereas only in group A did the drug slightly impair insulin sensitivity. The results of the study suggest that cardiometabolic effects of atorvastatin depend on the prolactin status of patients.
Investigation of fluorapatite crystallization in a fluidized bed reactor for the removal of fluoride from groundwater
Authors: Deng Linyu , Zhang Xiao , Huang Tinglin , Zhou Jianqi 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis work further investigates fluoride removal from groundwater by induced crystallization in batch experiments and in a fluidized bed reactor (FBR). Phosphate rock (PR), which is an abundant ore and represents the basic raw material for the phosphatic fertilizer industry, was used as seed crystal in the induced crystallization process.RESULTSInduced crystallization in FBR reduced the concentration of F− in synthetic groundwater from 9.5 mg L‐1 to <1.0 mg L‐1. Phases with the potential for precipitation were calculated through thermodynamic equilibrium modeling. The formed precipitates were identified by powder x‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy, coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS). Finally, fluorapatite crystallization mechanisms were confirmed by the induced crystallization of Ca5(PO4)3F on the surface of PR.CONCLUSIONThe fluorapatite crystallization process in FBR removed F− from groundwater, and the used seed crystal PR was rich in phosphorus and that could be recovered as raw material for the phosphatic fertilizer industry. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Amino‐functionalized material from a bio‐template for silver adsorption: process evaluation in batch and fixed bed
Authors: Romero‐Cano Luis A , García‐Rosero Helena , del Olmo‐Iruela Monsalud , Carrasco‐Marín Francisco , González‐Gutiérrez Linda V 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe modification of an organic matrix as a bio‐template (grapefruit peel) using urea and melamine was carried out to introduce amino groups on its surface and favor Ag(I) adsorption in aqueous solution for metal recovery.RESULTSAdsorption capacity in batch mode was proportional to the nitrogen content within the adsorbents, the maximum being the one obtained with the adsorbent functionalized with urea, 72.33 mg g−1, which was tested as a fixed bed in a column to evaluate the metal adsorption in a continuous flow model. The adsorption capacity of the fixed bed was 15.14 mg g−1, and its use was proved over three adsorption–desorption cycles.CONCLUSIONAmino‐functionalized adsorbent achieved a high Ag+ uptake capacity; from the characterization it is proposed that the adsorption mechanism consists in the formation of the complex R‐NH2Ag+ and R‐COOAg. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Carbon recovery and the impact of start‐up conditions on the performance of an unsaturated Pseudomonas putida biofilm compared with soil under controlled environmental parameters in a differential biofilter
Authors: Bordoloi Achinta , Gostomski Peter A 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDMicrobial functionalities deciphered from batch/microcosm studies often do not truly represent the environmental conditions microbes are exposed to in a traditional column biofilter. Investigations under biofilter conditions with pure culture of active communities along with the fate of degraded pollutants is needed. This work explicitly tracked and quantified the various carbon end‐points, CO2, EPS (extracellular polymeric substances) and soluble microbial products of an unsaturated Pseudomonas putida biofilm degrading airborne toluene using a unique differential biofiltration system under controlled environmental conditions. Further, the impact of start‐up conditions on the degradation rates was evaluated under two bed configurations (biofilm vs soil).RESULTSCarbon balance closure was achieved to 97% ± 5%. The percentage of toluene converted to CO2 ranged from 90% to 50% and dropped as toluene concentrations in the air increased over a range of 20 to 140 ppmv toluene. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy with lectin binding stain WGA‐647 demonstrated carbon accumulation as EPS, further validating the quantitative data. Start‐up at an inlet toluene concentration of 75 ppmv before increasing to 120 ppmv, approximately doubled toluene removal rates for both the pure culture biofilm and soil compared with starting at 120 ppmv—surface elimination capacity (SEC) increased from 0.040 to 0.080 g m−2 h−1 and elimination capacity (EC) from 55 to 80 g m−3 h−1.CONCLUSIONSThe carbon end‐point pattern provided valuable insights to the metabolic response linked to the operating parameters. Optimized start‐up conditions can help improve process efficacy and address operational problems like clogging. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Neutrophil priming that turns natural FFA2R agonists into potent activators of the superoxide generating NADPH-oxidase
Authors: Mårtensson Jonas , Holdfeldt André , Sundqvist Martina , Gabl Michael , Kenakin Terry P , Björkman Lena , Forsman Huamei , Dahlgren Claes 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Acetate, an agonist for the free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2R/GPR43), triggers an increase in the cytosolic concentration of free Ca2+ in neutrophils without any assembly of the superoxide generating NADPH-oxidase. We show that the phenylacetamide compound 58 (Cmp 58; (S)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3,3-dimethyl-N-(5-phenylthiazol-2-yl)butanamide), lacking a direct activating effect on neutrophils, acts as a positive FFA2R modulator that turns acetate into a potent activating agonist that triggers an assembly of the NADPH-oxidase. The NADPH-oxidase activity could be further increased in neutrophils treated with the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Many neutrophil chemoattractant receptors are stored in secretory organelles but no FFA2R mobilization was induced in neutrophils treated with TNF-α. The receptor selectivity was demonstrated through the inhibition of the neutrophil response induced by the combined action of acetate and Cmp 58 by the FFA2R antagonist CATPB. Receptor modulators that positively co-operate with natural FFA2R agonists and prime neutrophils in their response to such agonists, may serve as good tools for further unraveling the physiological functions of FFA2R and its involvement in various diseases. In this study, we show that neutrophils primed with a presumed allosteric FFA2R modulator produce increased amounts of reactive oxygen species when activated by receptor specific agonists.
Allosteric modulation of FFA2R, a novel receptor selective mechanism, primes neutrophils to produce increased amounts of reactive oxygen species.
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) signal intensity at 7T MRI of WHO IV° gliomas is dependent on the anatomic location
Authors: Dreher Constantin , Oberhollenzer Johanna , Meissner Jan‐Eric , Windschuh Johannes , Schuenke Patrick , Regnery Sebastian , Sahm Felix , Bickelhaupt Sebastian , Bendszus Martin , Wick Wolfgang , Unterberg Andreas , Zaiss Moritz , Bachert Peter , Ladd Mark E. , Schlemmer Heinz‐Peter , Radbruch Alexander , Paech Daniel 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundChemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) is a novel MRI technique applied to brain tumor patients.PurposeTo investigate the anatomic location dependence of CEST MRI obtained at 7T and histopathological/molecular parameters in WHO IV° glioma patients.Study TypeAnalytic prospective study.PopulationTwenty‐one patients with newly diagnosed WHO IV° gliomas were studied prior to surgery; 11 healthy volunteers were investigated.Field Strength/SequenceConventional MRI (contrast‐enhanced, T2w and diffusion‐weighted imaging) at 3T and T2w and CEST MRI at 7T was performed for patients and both patients and volunteers.AssessmentMean CEST signal intensities (nuclear‐Overhauser‐enhancement [NOE], amide‐proton‐transfer [APT], downfield NOE‐suppressed APT [dns‐APT]), ADC values, and histopathological/molecular parameters were evaluated with regard to hemisphere location and contact with the subventricular zone. CEST signal intensities of cerebral tissue of healthy volunteers were evaluated with regard to hemisphere discrimination.Statistical TestsSpearman correlation, Mann–Whitney U‐test, Wilcoxon signed‐rank‐test, Fisher's exact test, and area under the receiver operating curve.ResultsMaximum APT and dns‐APT signal intensities were significantly different in right vs. left hemisphere gliomas (P = 0.037 and P = 0.007), but not in right vs. left hemisphere cerebral tissue of healthy subjects (P = 0.062‐0.859). Mean ADC values were significantly decreased in right vs. left hemisphere gliomas (P = 0.044). Mean NOE signal intensity did not differ significantly between gliomas of either hemisphere (P = 0.820), but in case of subventricular zone contact (P = 0.047). A significant correlation was observed between APT and dns‐APT and ADC signal intensities (rs = –0.627, P = 0.004 and rs = –0.534, P = 0.019), but not between NOE and ADC (rs = –0.341, P = 0.154). Histopathological/molecular parameters were not significantly different concerning the tumor location (P = 0.104–1.000, P = 0.286–0.696).Data ConclusionAPT, dns‐APT, and ADC were inversely correlated and depended on the gliomas' hemisphere location. NOE showed significant dependence on subventricular zone contact. Location dependency of APT‐ and NOE‐mediated CEST effects should be considered in clinical investigations of CEST MRI.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 3J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:777–785.
Circulating microRNAs as predictive biomarkers for liver disease progression of chronic hepatitis C (genotype‐4) Egyptian patients
Authors: El‐Hefny Mohamed , Fouad Shawky , Hussein Tarek , Abdel‐Hameed Rehab , Effat Heba , Mohamed Haitham , Abdel Wahab Abdel Hady 
Published: August 2018

Egypt is one of the highest prevalence rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection worldwide. HCV is among major reasons for chronic liver diseases. MicroRNA (miRNAs), small noncoding regulatory molecules play a key role in the pathogenesis of liver. Circulating miRNAs represent potential noninvasive biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring patients with liver diseases progression. To investigate the potential role of circulating miRNAs for surveillance of liver disease progression, we assessed the expression of 20 liver‐related miRNAs in sera of 47 chronic hepatitis C Egyptian patients compared with 25 controls using quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction assay. The sensitivity and specificity were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The correlations between their levels and the clinicopathological features were assessed. Fourteen miRNAs showed upregulation and six miRNAs showed downregulation. ROC curve analyses revealed that the explored miRNAs could serve as valuable biomarkers for chronic hepatitis with an area under the curve ranged from 0.708 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.587 to 0.829; P = 0.004) for miR‐199 up to 0.974 (95% CI, 0.943 to 1.00; P < 0.001) for miR‐23b. The expression level of miR‐21 demonstrated significant correlation with age, liver enzymes, ALT/AST, and α‐fetoprotein level. AST level was directly correlated with miR‐122, while an inversely correlated with miR‐23b. Fibrosis and steatosis stages possessed positive correlation with miR‐199 expression and negative correlation with miR‐27a and miR‐93. In conclusion, miR‐23b and miR‐106 might be a useful biomarker for chronic hepatitis C (CHC). MiR‐27a, miR‐93, and miR‐199 might have a potential role in the progression of liver diseases. Unravel the role of these miRNAs in CHC patients might lead to precise prognosis and management.
Trial measurement of brain activity underlying olfactory–gustatory synchrony perception using event‐related potentials from five female participants
Authors: Gotow Naomi , Kobayakawa Tatsu 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTemporal synchrony between odor and taste plays an important role in flavor perception. When we investigate temporal synchrony between odor and taste, it is necessary to pay attention not only to physical simultaneity of the presentation of olfactory and gustatory stimuli, but also to the perceptual simultaneity between the two stimuli. In this study, we examined short‐latency brain activity underlying synchrony perception for olfactory–gustatory combinations. While five female participants performed a simultaneity judgment (SJ) task using soy sauce odor and salt solution, single‐channel event‐related potentials (ERPs) were recorded at the position of Cz. In each trial, the participant was asked whether olfactory and gustatory stimuli were perceived simultaneously or successively. Based on the judgment responses acquired from participants (i.e., simultaneous or successive), ERP data were classified into two datasets. The means of ERPs from each participant were calculated for each type of judgment response, considering the onset of olfactory or gustatory stimuli (OERPs or GERPs, respectively) as the starting point. The latencies of the P1 component of GERPs were very similar between simultaneous and successive judgment responses, whereas the P1 amplitudes differed significantly. These results indicated that neural activity affecting SJ for an olfactory–gustatory combination is generated during a period of about 130 ms from the onset of gustatory stimulus. Thus, olfactory and gustatory information processing related to flavor perception (more specially, synchrony perception between odor and taste) might be initiated at a relatively early stage of the central pathway.
Sorsby fundus dystrophy: Insights from the past and looking to the future
Authors: Anand‐Apte Bela , Chao Jennifer R. , Singh Ruchira , Stöhr Heidi 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSorsby fundus dystrophy (SFD), an autosomal dominant, fully penetrant, degenerative disease of the macula, is manifested by symptoms of night blindness or sudden loss of visual acuity, usually in the third to fourth decades of life due to choroidal neovascularization (CNV). SFD is caused by specific mutations in the Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase‐3, (TIMP3) gene. The predominant histo‐pathological feature in the eyes of patients with SFD are confluent 20–30 m thick, amorphous deposits found between the basement membrane of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the inner collagenous layer of Bruch's membrane. SFD is a rare disease but it has generated significant interest because it closely resembles the exudative or “wet” form of the more common age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). In addition, in both SFD and AMD donor eyes, sub‐retinal deposits have been shown to accumulate TIMP3 protein. Understanding the molecular functions of wild‐type and mutant TIMP3 will provide significant insights into the patho‐physiology of SFD and perhaps AMD. This review summarizes the current knowledge on TIMP3 and how mutations in TIMP3 cause SFD to provide insights into how we can study this disease going forward. Findings from these studies could have potential therapeutic implications for both SFD and AMD.
Impact of hexamine addition to a nitrite‐based additive on fermentation quality, Clostridia and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a white lupin‐wheat silage
Authors: König Walter , König Emilia , Weiss Kirsten , Tuomivirta Tero T , Fritze Hannu , Elo Kari , Vanhatalo Aila , Jaakkola Seija 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDNitrite and hexamine are used as silage additives because of their adverse effects on Clostridia and Clostridia spores. The effect of sodium nitrite and sodium nitrite/hexamine mixtures on silage quality was investigated. A white lupin‐wheat mixture was treated with sodium nitrite (NaHe0) (900 g t−1 forage), or mixtures of sodium nitrite (900 g t−1) and hexamine. The application rate of hexamine was 300 g t−1 (NaHe300) or 600 g t−1 (NaHe600). Additional treatments were the untreated control (Con), and formic acid (FA) applied at a rate of 4 L t−1 (1000 g kg−1).RESULTSAdditives improved silage quality noticeably only by reducing silage ammonia content compared with the control. The addition of hexamine to a sodium nitrite solution did not improve silage quality compared with the solution containing sodium nitrite alone. The increasing addition of hexamine resulted in linearly rising pH values (P < 0.001) and decreasing amounts of lactic acid (P < 0.01). Sodium nitrite based additives were more effective than formic acid in preventing butyric acid formation. Additives did not restrict the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae compared to the control.CONCLUSIONThe addition of hexamine did not improve silage quality compared with a solution of sodium nitrite. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry