bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AnnexinA5-pHrodo: a new molecular probe for measuring efferocytosis
Authors: Stöhr R. , Deckers N. , Schurgers L. , Marx N. , Reutelingsperger C. P. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractEfferocytosis, the clearing of dead or dying cells from living tissues, is a highly programmed, vital process to maintain the healthy functioning of every organism. Disorders of efferocytosis have been linked to several chronic diseases including atherosclerosis and auto-immune diseases. To date several different assays to determine phagocytosis, using microscopy or FACS analysis with labelled targets, have been developed. However, many of these are unable to differentiate between cells that have truly been phagocytosed and those still present on the surface of the macrophages hindering exact assessment of efferocytotic capacity. We herein describe AnxA5-pHrodo and its negative control M1234-pHrodo as new molecular probes to measure in vitro as well as ex-vivo efferocytotic capacity.
Effect of thermal treatment with water, H2SO4 and NaOH aqueous solution on color, cell wall and chemical structure of poplar wood
Authors: Shi Jiangtao , Lu Yu , Zhang Yaoli , Cai Liping , Shi Sheldon Q. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThermal treatments with water, diluted acid, and diluted alkali aqueous solution of poplar wood blocks were carried out in a Teflon-lined autoclave at three temperatures. The effects of different liquids and temperatures on wood surface color, cell wall microstructure, and chemical structures were investigated by the chromameter, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). From the chromameter, it was observed that the lightness value decreased with temperature for all treatment conditions. The a* value increased with temperature in all liquid treatments. The b* value increased with temperature in hydrothermal and thermal with H2SO4 treatment but decreased with temperature in thermal with NaOH treatment. The total color difference (ΔE) was slightly changed in the hydrothermal treatment, but dramatically changed in the thermal with H2SO4 and NaOH aqueous treatments. SEM showed that the cell wall structure was damaged differently with different reagents and temperature. Middle lamella layers were always fractured in hydrothermal and NaOH treatments. However, both middle lamella and secondary cell wall were damaged after the H2SO4 treatment and intensified with temperature. These fractures usually parallel with the S2 layer microfibril angle (MFA) in the fiber cell wall. The FTIR analysis suggested that the chemical structure was obviously changed after the thermal with H2SO4 and NaOH treatments. And the missing or decreasing C=O absorption peak indicated hemicellulose is degraded and new compounds produced during thermal with H2SO4 and NaOH treatment. On the other hand, lignin was partly degraded in the H2SO4 treatment and guaiacyl nuclei was degraded before syringyl nuclei.
Strong improvement of the transport characteristics of YBa2Cu3O7−x grain boundaries using ionic liquid gating
Authors: Fête A. , Senatore C. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractFor more than 30 years, the remarkable superconducting properties of REBa2Cu3O7−x (RE = rare earth) compounds have triggered research studies across the world. Accordingly, significant progresses have been made both from a basic understanding and a fabrication processes perspective. Yet, today, the major technological bottleneck towards the spread of their practical uses remains the exponential decay of their critical current with grain misorientation in polycrystalline samples. In this work, we used an ionic liquid to apply extremely high transverse electric fields to YBa2Cu3O7−x thin films containing a single well-defined low-angle grain boundary. Our study shows that this technique is very effective to tune the IV characteristics of these weak-links. In-magnetic field measurements allow us to discuss the type of the vortices present at the grain boundary and to unveil a large variation of the local depairing current density with gating. Comparing our results with the ones obtained on chemically-doped grain boundaries, we discuss routes to evaluate the role of local strain in the loss of transparency at cuprates low-angle grain boundaries. In short, this study offers a new opportunity to discuss scenarios leading to the reduced transport capabilities of grain boundaries in cuprates.
The reduced activity of PP-1α under redox stress condition is a consequence of GSH-mediated transient disulfide formation
Authors: Singh Simranjit , Lämmle Simon , Giese Heiko , Kämmerer Susanne , Meyer-Roxlau Stefanie , Alfar Ezzaldin Ahmed , Dihazi Hassan , Guan Kaomei , El-Armouche Ali , Richter Florian 
Published: December 2018

AbstractHeart failure is the most common cause of morbidity and hospitalization in the western civilization. Protein phosphatases play a key role in the basal cardiac contractility and in the responses to β-adrenergic stimulation with type-1 phosphatase (PP-1) being major contributor. We propose here that formation of transient disulfide bridges in PP-1α might play a leading role in oxidative stress response. First, we established an optimized workflow, the so-called “cross-over-read” search method, for the identification of disulfide-linked species using permutated databases. By applying this method, we demonstrate the formation of unexpected transient disulfides in PP-1α to shelter against over-oxidation. This protection mechanism strongly depends on the fast response in the presence of reduced glutathione. Our work points out that the dimerization of PP-1α involving Cys39 and Cys127 is presumably important for the protection of PP-1α active surface in the absence of a substrate. We finally give insight into the electron transport from the PP-1α catalytic core to the surface. Our data suggest that the formation of transient disulfides might be a general mechanism of proteins to escape from irreversible cysteine oxidation and to prevent their complete inactivation.
Xrp1 is a transcription factor required for cell competition-driven elimination of loser cells
Authors: Baillon Ludovic , Germani Federico , Rockel Claudia , Hilchenbach Jochen , Basler Konrad 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe elimination of unfit cells from a tissue is a process known in Drosophila and mammals as cell competition. In a well-studied paradigm “loser” cells that are heterozygous mutant for a haploinsufficient ribosomal protein gene are eliminated from developing tissues via apoptosis when surrounded by fitter wild-type cells, referred to as “winner” cells. However, the mechanisms underlying the induction of this phenomenon are not fully understood. Here we report that a CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein (C/EBP), Xrp1, which is known to help maintaining genomic stability after genotoxic stress, is necessary for the elimination of loser clones in cell competition. In loser cells, Xrp1 is transcriptionally upregulated by an autoregulatory loop and is able to trigger apoptosis - driving cell elimination. We further show that Xrp1 acts in the nucleus to regulate the transcription of several genes that have been previously involved in cell competition. We therefore speculate that Xrp1 might play a fundamental role as a molecular caretaker of the genomic integrity of tissues.
Phosphorylation of nuclear Tau is modulated by distinct cellular pathways
Authors: Ulrich Giorgio , Salvadè Agnese , Boersema Paul , Calì Tito , Foglieni Chiara , Sola Martina , Picotti Paola , Papin Stéphanie , Paganetti Paolo 
Published: December 2018

AbstractPost-translational protein modification controls the function of Tau as a scaffold protein linking a variety of molecular partners. This is most studied in the context of microtubules, where Tau regulates their stability as well as the distribution of cellular components to defined compartments. However, Tau is also located in the cell nucleus; and is found to protect DNA. Quantitative assessment of Tau modification in the nucleus when compared to the cytosol may elucidate how subcellular distribution and function of Tau is regulated. We undertook an unbiased approach by combing bimolecular fluorescent complementation and mass spectrometry in order to show that Tau phosphorylation at specific residues is increased in the nucleus of proliferating pluripotent neuronal C17.2 and neuroblastoma SY5Y cells. These findings were validated with the use of nuclear targeted Tau and subcellular fractionation, in particular for the phosphorylation at T181, T212 and S404. We also report that the DNA damaging drug Etoposide increases the translocation of Tau to the nucleus whilst reducing its phosphorylation. We propose that overt phosphorylation of Tau, a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders defined as tauopathies, may negatively regulate the function of nuclear Tau in protecting against DNA damage.
Structure-function-guided exploration of the antimicrobial peptide polybia-CP identifies activity determinants and generates synthetic therapeutic candidates
Authors: Torres Marcelo D. T. , Pedron Cibele N. , Higashikuni Yasutomi , Kramer Robin M. , Cardoso Marlon H. , Oshiro Karen G. N. , Franco Octávio L. , Silva Junior Pedro I. , Silva Fernanda D. , Oliveira Junior Vani X. , Lu Timothy K. , de la Fuente-Nunez Cesar 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAntimicrobial peptides (AMPs) constitute promising alternatives to classical antibiotics for the treatment of drug-resistant infections, which are a rapidly emerging global health challenge. However, our understanding of the structure-function relationships of AMPs is limited, and we are just beginning to rationally engineer peptides in order to develop them as therapeutics. Here, we leverage a physicochemical-guided peptide design strategy to identify specific functional hotspots in the wasp-derived AMP polybia-CP and turn this toxic peptide into a viable antimicrobial. Helical fraction, hydrophobicity, and hydrophobic moment are identified as key structural and physicochemical determinants of antimicrobial activity, utilized in combination with rational engineering to generate synthetic AMPs with therapeutic activity in a mouse model. We demonstrate that, by tuning these physicochemical parameters, it is possible to design nontoxic synthetic peptides with enhanced sub-micromolar antimicrobial potency in vitro and anti-infective activity in vivo. We present a physicochemical-guided rational design strategy to generate peptide antibiotics.
Pushing the mass limit for intact launch and photoionization of large neutral biopolymers
Authors: Schätti Jonas , Rieser Philipp , Sezer Ugur , Richter Georg , Geyer Philipp , Rondina Gustavo G. , Häussinger Daniel , Mayor Marcel , Shayeghi Armin , Köhler Valentin , Arndt Markus 
Published: December 2018

AbstractSince their first discovery by Louis Dunoyer and Otto Stern, molecular beams have conquered research and technology. However, it has remained an outstanding challenge to isolate and photoionize beams of massive neutral polypeptides. Here we show that femtosecond desorption from a matrix-free sample in high vacuum can produce biomolecular beams at least 25 times more efficiently than nanosecond techniques. While it has also been difficult to photoionize large biomolecules, we find that tailored structures with an abundant exposure of tryptophan residues at their surface can be ionized by vacuum ultraviolet light. The combination of these desorption and ionization techniques allows us to observe molecular beams of neutral polypeptides with a mass exceeding 20,000 amu. They are composed of 50 amino acids – 25 tryptophan and 25 lysine residues – and 26 fluorinated alkyl chains. The tools presented here offer a basis for the preparation, control and detection of polypeptide beams.
Crystallized lithium titanate nanosheets prepared via spark plasma sintering for ultra-high rate lithium ion batteries
Authors: Li Junqin , Zhang Tengfei , Han Cuiping , Li Hongfei , Shi Ruiying , Tong Jing , Li Baohua 
Published: December 2018

Crystalline lithium titanate nanosheets are successfully prepared by the spark plasma sintering (SPS) method at 500 °C within only 5 minutes and deliver excellent rate capability and cycling performance.
Clinical utility of microRNA-451 as diagnostic biomarker for human cancers
Authors: Li Zhanzhan , Li Yanyan , Fu Jun , Li Na , Shen Liangfang 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
We conducted comprehensive analyses to assess the diagnostic ability of miRNA-451 in cancers. A systematic online search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, China’s national knowledge infrastructure, and VIP databases from inception to July 31, 2017. The bivariate random effect model was used for calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and area under cure (AUC). The whole pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.85 (0.77–0.90) and 0.85 (0.78–0.90) with their 95% confidence interval (95%CI), respectively. The pooled AUC was 0.91 (95%CI: 0.89–0.94). Positive likelihood ratio was 5.57 (95%CI: 3.74–8.31), negative likelihood ratio was 0.18 (95%CI: 0.11–0.28), and diagnostic odds ratio was 31.33 (95%CI: 15.19–64.61). Among Asian population, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.85 (95%CI: 0.77–0.91) and 0.86 (95%CI: 0.78–0.91), respectively. The positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 5.87 (95%CI: 3.78–9.12) and 0.17 (95%CI: 0.11–0.28). The diagnostic odds ratio and AUC were 34.31 (15.51–75.91) and 0.92 (0.89–0.94). The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and AUC for digestive system cancer were 0.83, 0.88, 6.87, 0.20, 35.13, and 0.92, respectively. The other cancers were 0.87, 0.81, 4.55, 0.16, 28.51, and 0.90, respectively. For sample source, the results still remain consistent. Our results indicated miRNA-451 has a moderate diagnostic ability for cancers, and could be a potential early screening biomarker, and considered as an adjuvant diagnostic index when being combined with other clinical examinations.
A trial sequential meta-analysis ofTNF-α –308G&gt;A (rs800629) gene polymorphism and susceptibility to colorectal cancer
Authors: Mandal Raju K. , Khan Munawwar Ali , Hussain Arif , Akhter Naseem , Jawed Arshad , Dar Sajad A. , Wahid Mohd , Panda Aditya K. , Lohani Mohtashim , Mishra Bhartendu N. , Haque Shafiul 
Published: December 2018

AbstractPurpose: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), secreted by the activated macrophages, may participate in the onset and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). The association of TNF-α –308 G&gt;A (rs1800629) single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with CRC risk has been investigated by many studies but the results are inconclusive. A trial sequential meta-analysis was performed for precise estimation of the relationship between TNF-α –308 G&gt;A gene polymorphism with CRC risk.Methods: Medline (PubMed), EMBASE (Excerpta-Medica) and Google Scholar were mined for relevant articles. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the significance of association.Results: The pooled analysis indicated no risk associated with TNF-α –308 G&gt;A SNP and overall CRC risk in five genetic comparison models, i.e. allelic (A vs. G: P = 0.524; OR = 1.074, 95% CI = 0.863–1.335), homozygous (AA vs. GG: P = 0.489; OR = 1.227, 95% CI = 0.688–2.188), heterozygous (AG vs. GG: P = 0.811; OR = 1.024, 95% CI = 0.843–1.244), dominant (AA+AG vs. GG: P = 0.630; OR = 1.055, 95% CI = 0.849–1.311) and recessive (AA vs. AG+GG: P = 0.549; OR = 1.181, 95% CI = 0.686–2.033). Subgroup analysis revealed that TNF-α –308 G&gt;A SNP is associated with reduced risk of CRC in Asian ethnicity. The study showed no publication bias.Conclusions: No association of TNF-α –308 G&gt;A SNP with overall CRC risk was found. This SNP is likely to be protective against CRC in Asian population when compared with Caucasian population. Larger prospective-epidemiological studies are warranted to elucidate the roles of TNF-α –308 G&gt;A SNP in the etiology of CRC and to endorse the present findings.
Shock deceleration in interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) beyond Mercury’s orbit until one AU
Authors: Grison Benjamin , Souček Jan , Krupar Vratislav , Píša David , Santolík Ondrej , Taubenschuss Ulrich , Nĕmec František 
Published: December 2018

The CDPP propagation tool is used to propagate interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) observed at Mercury by MESSENGER to various targets in the inner solar system (VEX, ACE, STEREO-A and B). The deceleration of ICME shock fronts between the orbit of Mercury and 1 AU is studied on the basis of a large dataset. We focus on the interplanetary medium far from the solor corona, to avoid the region where ICME propagation modifications in velocity and direction are the most drastic. Starting with a catalog of 61 ICMEs recorded by MESSENGER, the propagation tool predicts 36 ICME impacts with targets. ICME in situ signatures are investigated close to predicted encounter times based on velocities estimated at MESSENGER and on the default propagation tool velocity (500 km s−1). ICMEs are observed at the targets in 26 cases and interplanetary shocks (not followed by magnetic ejecta) in two cases. Comparing transit velocities between the Sun and MESSENGER ($ {\bar{v}}_{\mathrm{SunMess}}$) and between MESSENGER and the targets ($ {\bar{v}}_{\mathrm{MessTar}}$), we find an average deceleration of 170 km s−1 (28 cases). Comparing $ {\bar{v}}_{\mathrm{MessTar}}$ to the velocities at the targets (v
Tar), average ICME deceleration is about 160 km s−1 (13 cases). Our results show that the ICME shock deceleration is significant beyond Mercury’s orbit. ICME shock arrival times are predicted with an average accuracy of about six hours with a standard deviation of eleven hours. Focusing on two ICMEs detected first at MESSENGER and later on by two targets illustrates our results and the variability in ICME propagations. The shock velocity of an ICME observed at MESSENGER, then at VEX and finally at STEREO-B decreases all the way. Predicting arrivals of potentially effective ICMEs is an important space weather issue. The CDPP propagation tool, in association with in situ measurements between the Sun and the Earth, can permit to update alert status of such arrivals.
Sjögren-Syndrom: früher diagnostizieren, wirksam behandeln
Authors: Witte Torsten 
Published: December 2018

Was ist neu?
Therapiestudien Fortschritte im Verständnis der Pathophysiologie des primären Sjögren-Syndroms und die Erarbeitung von Aktivitätscores führten zur Entwicklung und Erprobung neuer Therapieansätze. Aktuell laufen mindestens 17 kontrollierte Studien beim primären Sjögren-Syndrom.
Früherkennung Neue Klassifikationskriterien wurden etabliert, mit denen die Erkrankung schon im Frühstadium und bei extraglandulären Manifestationen erfasst werden kann. Die Sonografie der Speicheldrüsen bietet weiteres Potenzial für die Verbesserung der Sensitivität der Diagnostik.
Incidence of and Causes for Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Failure in Children Younger Than 2 Years: A Systematic Review
Authors: Abdullah Ahmed , Alsawy Mohamed , Soliman Mohamed , Ghaleb Ammar , Elwy Reem , Ezzat Ahmed , Al Menabbawy Ahmed , Marei Ahmed , Abd el Razik Bassante , El Hamaky Mostafa , Schroeder Henry , Fleck Steffen , El Damaty Ahmed , Marx Sascha , Nowak Stephan , Baldauf Jörg , Zohdi Ahmed , El Refaee Ehab , Hasanain Amr 
Published: December 2018

Objectives Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting is commonly used to treat pediatric hydrocephalus, but failure rates are high. VP shunt failure in children is mostly caused by infection and/or proximal/distal shunt obstruction. However, to our knowledge, no previous reviews have discussed this topic using only clinical studies when age-related data could be obtained. This systematic review aimed at reevaluating what is already known as the most common causes of shunt failure and to determine the incidence and causes of VP shunt failure during the first 2 years of life as a step to establish solid evidence-based guidelines to avoid VP shunt failure in infants.
Methods We performed a search using the search terms “Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts” (Medical Subject Headings [MeSH]) AND failure [All Fields] AND (“humans” [MeSH] AND English [lang] AND “infant” [MeSH]). Only articles that specifically discussed VP shunt complications in children < 2 years were included.
Results We found that the most common causes of VP shunt failure in children < 2 years were shunt obstruction and infection, both observed in a range.
Conclusion VP shunt failure is very common in infants, mostly resulting from obstruction and infection. Future studies should focus on methods designed to avoid these complications or on alternative treatments for hydrocephalus.
Disparities in 17-Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate Offer and Uptake in Pregnancies at a Risk of Preterm Birth
Authors: Berhie Saba H. , Riley Laura E. , Bryant Allison S. 
Published: December 2018

Objective To evaluate the offer, acceptance, uptake, and patient experience with 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17OHP-C) over the course of 10 years.
Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study with a qualitative component. We identified all women with spontaneous preterm deliveries with subsequent births in our hospital between 2005 and 2015. We used linear regression to calculate unadjusted odds ratios for 17OHP-C offer, acceptance, and doses received associated with predictors of interest, and multivariable modeling further adjusted for potential confounders. A grounded theory approach was used to glean recurrent themes surrounding the patient experience.
Results A total of 265 women fit the eligibility criteria; 39.6% were offered 17OHP-C and 83.8% accepted 17OHP-C. The mean number of documented 17OHP-C doses was 15.7 ± 5.4. Women were less likely to be offered 17OHP-C if they had public insurance or if their earliest preterm birth was of greater gestational age. Non-Hispanic black women were documented to have received four fewer doses than white women. We also identified recurrent themes that hindered acceptance and adherence to 17OHP-C: insurance difficulties, unstable housing, lack of childcare, and job inflexibility.
Conclusion Women at a risk of preterm birth are more likely to be offered and receive 17OHP-C if they have private insurance and have had an earlier preterm birth. Non-Hispanic black women were documented to have received fewer doses of 17OHP-C than white women. Further inquiry into the structural causes that lead to disparities in care for women at a risk for preterm birth is important.
Bronchopulmonary Sequestration with Fetal Hydrops in a Monochorionic Twin Successfully Treated with Multiple Courses of Betamethasone
Authors: Pock Radovan , Straňák Zbyněk , Vojtěch Jiří , Hašlík Lubomír , Feyereisl Jaroslav , Krofta Ladislav 
Published: December 2018

Aim We present a case of severe bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) and fetal hydrops in one of the monochorionic twin successfully treated with multiple courses of betamethasone.
Case Report A 21-year-old gravida 2 para 1 was referred to our hospital for suspected twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) at 280/7 weeks of gestational age. However, prenatal ultrasound of the larger twin revealed a chest lesion that was associated with significant ascites, massive hydrothorax, scant hepatomegaly, subcutaneous edema, and severe polyhydramnios. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of BPS and fetal hydrops. The estimated fetal weight discrepancy between the fetuses was 39% but the criteria for TTTS were not met. Repeated courses of betamethasone (3 courses, each with 2 × 14 mg of betamethasone intramuscularly/week) were administered with subsequent recovery from hydrops and reduction in BPS parameters. Amniodrainage was performed twice to reduce the amniotic fluid amount in affected twin. Postnatally, surgery of BPS was not required and follow-up at 6 months of corrected age revealed no side effects of antenatal steroids in either twin.
Conclusion Antenatal steroids might be considered for noninvasive therapy in high-risk fetal patients with BPS especially when fetal intervention is unsuitable or not available.