bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Iron homeostasis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is essential for persistence
Authors: Pandey Manitosh , Talwar Sakshi , Bose Sutapa , Pandey Amit Kumar 
Published: November 2018

AbstractTuberculosis, caused by the obligate intracellular pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is responsible for 2–3 million deaths annually worldwide. Intracellular adaptability, which is critical for long-term persistence, requires the pathogen to neutralize host-mediated insults. The iron–sulphur (Fe–S) cofactor is essential for many enzymes critical for such ‘adaptation’. The Mtb genome harbors only one putative iron–sulphur cluster (ISC) operon (rv1460-66) predicted to be involved in the generation of the Fe–S cofactor. Except for rv1460, all other genes in this operon are anticipated to be essential. The current study investigated the role of rv1460, an sufR homologue of Mtb (sufRTB), in maintaining intracellular Fe homeostasis and its implications on mycobacterial pathogenesis. We found that Mtb ISC locus (rv1461–66) was transcribed as a single multigene transcript. We successfully generated the sufRTB null mutant strain (ΔsufRTB) of Mtb, suggesting nonessentiality of the gene under normal growth conditions. The mutant strain demonstrated enhanced biofilm generation and failed to grow under a low-Fe condition. Growth characterization studies indicated that SufRTB-mediated intracellular Fe homeostasis is essential for Mtb to persist in the host. Targeting mycobacterial persistence by inhibiting SufRTB protein activity may be a novel intervention strategy in tuberculosis treatment.
Natural variation in acyl editing is a determinant of seed storage oil composition
Authors: Menard Guillaume N. , Bryant Fiona M. , Kelly Amélie A. , Craddock Christian P. , Lavagi Irene , Hassani-Pak Keywan , Kurup Smita , Eastmond Peter J. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSeeds exhibit wide variation in the fatty acid composition of their storage oil. However, the genetic basis of this variation is only partially understood. Here we have used a multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) population to study the genetic control of fatty acid chain length in Arabidopsis thaliana seed oil. We mapped four quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the quantity of the major very long chain fatty acid species 11-eicosenoic acid (20:1), using multiple QTL modelling. Surprisingly, the main-effect QTL does not coincide with FATTY ACID ELONGASE1 and a parallel genome wide association study suggested that LYSOPHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE ACYLTRANSFERASE 2 (LPCAT2) is a candidate for this QTL. Regression analysis also suggested that LPCAT2 expression and 20:1 content in seeds of the 19 MAGIC founder accessions are related. LPCAT is a key component of the Lands cycle; an acyl editing pathway that enables acyl-exchange between the acyl-Coenzyme A and phosphatidylcholine precursor pools used for microsomal fatty acid elongation and desaturation, respectively. We Mendelianised the main-effect QTL using biparental chromosome segment substitution lines and carried out complementation tests to show that a single cis-acting polymorphism in the LPCAT2 promoter causes the variation in seed 20:1 content, by altering the LPCAT2 expression level and total LPCAT activity in developing siliques. Our work establishes that oilseed species exhibit natural variation in the enzymic capacity for acyl editing and this contributes to the genetic control of storage oil composition.
FOXO1 overexpression and loss of pSerine256-FOXO1 expression predicts clinical outcome in esophageal adenocarcinomas
Authors: Grupp Katharina , Uzunoglu Faik Güntac , Melling Nathaniel , Hofmann Bianca , El Gammal Alexander Tarek , Grotelüschen Rainer , Heumann Asmus , Bellon Eugen , Reeh Matthias , Wolters-Eisfeld Gerrit , Ghabdan Tarik , Nentwich Michael , Bachmann Kai , Bockhorn Maximillian , Bogoevski Dean , Izbicki Jakob Robert , Kutup Asad 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe function of Forkhead box O 1 (FOXO1) and pSerine256-FOXO1 immunostaining in esophageal cancer is unclear. To clarify the prognostic role of nuclear FOXO1 and cytoplasmic pSerine256-FOXO1 immunostaining, a tissue microarray containing more than 600 esophageal cancers was analyzed. In non-neoplastic esophageal mucosae, FOXO1 expression was detectable in low and pSerine256-FOXO1 expression in high intensities. Increased FOXO1 and decreased pSerine256-FOXO1 expression were linked to advanced tumor stage and high UICC stage in esophageal adenocarcinomas (EACs) (tumor stage: p = 0.0209 and p < 0.0001; UICC stage: p = 0.0201 and p < 0.0001) and squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) (tumor stage: p = 0.0003 and p = 0.0016; UICC stage: p = 0.0026 and p = 0.0326). Additionally, overexpression of FOXO1 and loss of pSerine256-FOXO1 expression predicted shortened survival of patients with EACs (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.0133) but were unrelated to outcome in patients with ESCCs (p = 0.7785 and p = 0.8426). In summary, our study shows that overexpression of nuclear FOXO1 and loss of cytoplasmic pSerine256-FOXO1 expression are associated with poor prognosis in patients with EACs. Thus, evaluation of FOXO1 and pSerine256-FOXO1 protein expression - either alone or in combination with other markers - might be useful for prediction of clinical outcome in patients with EAC.
IL-34 promotes foam cell formation by enhancing CD36 expression through p38 MAPK pathway
Authors: Liu Qingyan , Fan Jiao , Bai Jing , Peng Liang , Zhang Tao , Deng Lei , Wang Gaokun , Zhao Yu , Nong Jingguo , Zhang Minghua , Wang Yu 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAtherosclerosis is characterized as a chronic inflammatory disease and macrophage-derived foam cells play a central role during the pathologic processes. A newly discovered cytokine interleukin-34 (IL-34) is closely associated with various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Expression of IL-34 in obesity, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus nephritis and coronary artery diseases (CAD) are significantly elevated. However, the role of IL-34 in atherosclerosis remains unknown. In our present study, we found that IL-34 treatment markedly increased the uptake of oxLDL, intracellular total and esterified cholesterol content but not cholesterol efflux, subsequently promoted foam cell formation through up-regulating CD36 expression via p38 MAPK signal pathway in bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs). Furthermore, treatment with IL-34 significantly elevated the oxLDL-induced up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our results conclude that IL-34 facilitates foam cell formation by increasing CD36-mediated lipid uptake and suggest a potential new risk biomarker for atherosclerosis.
Influence of visual cues on oviposition site searching and learning behavior in the parasitic beetle Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Bothrideridae)
Authors: Lyu Fei , Hai Xiao-xia , Wang Zhi-gang , Bi Yongguo 
Published: November 2018

AbstractColor cues play a key role in the location of hosts and host habitats; learning behavior can allow parasitoids to explore different hosts and reduce environmental uncertainty. However, it remains unclear whether the parasitic beetle Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire) uses and learns visual cues to locate oviposition sites. In this study, we investigated the ability of females to respond to colors and associate the presence of a simulated oviposition site—wood with a trough—with colored substrates after training. Two sets of experiments were conducted: (i) investigating the innate preference for substrate coloration and (ii) investigating the ability to learn to associate substrate color with the presence of simulated oviposition sites, with the beetles being trained to respond to different substrate colors with simulated oviposition sites in sessions on 10 consecutive days. The parasitic beetles displayed an innate preference for the black substrate, but this preference changed after the beetles were trained on substrates of different colors. In the associative learning tests, these beetles laid more eggs on the reward-conditioned substrates than on the black substrate after being trained. Our results suggest that visual cues are learned and used by D. helophoroides during their search for and selection of oviposition sites.
DNA methylation dynamics during embryonic development and postnatal maturation of the mouse auditory sensory epithelium
Authors: Yizhar-Barnea Ofer , Valensisi Cristina , Jayavelu Naresh Doni , Kishore Kamal , Andrus Colin , Koffler-Brill Tal , Ushakov Kathy , Perl Kobi , Noy Yael , Bhonker Yoni , Pelizzola Mattia , Hawkins R. David , Avraham Karen B. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe inner ear is a complex structure responsible for hearing and balance, and organ pathology is associated with deafness and balance disorders. To evaluate the role of epigenomic dynamics, we performed whole genome bisulfite sequencing at key time points during the development and maturation of the mouse inner ear sensory epithelium (SE). Our single-nucleotide resolution maps revealed variations in both general characteristics and dynamics of DNA methylation over time. This allowed us to predict the location of non-coding regulatory regions and to identify several novel candidate regulatory factors, such as Bach2, that connect stage-specific regulatory elements to molecular features that drive the development and maturation of the SE. Constructing in silico regulatory networks around sites of differential methylation enabled us to link key inner ear regulators, such as Atoh1 and Stat3, to pathways responsible for cell lineage determination and maturation, such as the Notch pathway. We also discovered that a putative enhancer, defined as a low methylated region (LMR), can upregulate the GJB6 gene and a neighboring non-coding RNA. The study of inner ear SE methylomes revealed novel regulatory regions in the hearing organ, which may improve diagnostic capabilities, and has the potential to guide the development of therapeutics for hearing loss by providing multiple intervention points for manipulation of the auditory system.
Topological properties of a bipartite lattice of domain wall states
Authors: Munoz F. , Pinilla Fernanda , Mella J. , Molina Mario I. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractWe propose a generalization of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model of the bipartite lattice, consisting of a periodic array of domain walls. The low-energy description is governed by the superposition of localized states at each domain wall, forming an effective mono-atomic chain at a larger scale. When the domain walls are dimerized, topologically protected edge states can appear, just like in the original SSH model. These new edge states are formed exclusively by soliton-like states and therefore, the new topological states are qualitatively different from the regular SSH edge states. They posses a much longer localization length and are more resistant to on-site disorder, in marked contrast to the standard SSH case.
Benzothiadiazole, a plant defense inducer, negatively regulates sheath blight resistance in Brachypodium distachyon
Authors: Kouzai Yusuke , Noutoshi Yoshiteru , Inoue Komaki , Shimizu Minami , Onda Yoshihiko , Mochida Keiichi 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPlant defense inducers that mimic functions of the plant immune hormone salicylic acid (SA) often affect plant growth. Although benzothiadiazole (BTH), a synthetic analog of SA, has been widely used to protect crops from diseases by inducing plant defense responses, we recently demonstrated that SA, but not BTH, confers resistance against Rhizoctonia solani, the causal agent of sheath blight disease, in Brachypodium distachyon. Here, we demonstrated that BTH compromised the resistance of Bd3-1 and Gaz4, the two sheath blight-resistant accessions of B. distachyon, which activate SA-dependent signaling following challenge by R. solani. Moreover, upon analyzing our published RNA-seq data from B. distachyon treated with SA or BTH, we found that BTH specifically induces expression of genes related to chloroplast function and jasmonic acid (JA) signaling, suggesting that BTH attenuates R. solani resistance by perturbing growth-defense trade-offs and/or by inducing a JA response that may increase susceptibility to R. solani. Our findings demonstrated that BTH does not work as a simple mimic of SA in B. distachyon, and consequently may presumably cause unfavorable side effects through the transcriptional alteration, particularly with respect to R. solani resistance.
The effect of Euphorbia szovitsii Fisch. & C.A.Mey extract on the viability and the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cell line
Authors: Asadi-Samani Majid , Rafieian-Kopaei Mahmoud , Lorigooini Zahra , Shirzad Hedayatollah 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
Some medicinal herbs and compounds are known to target cancer cells, but the success of them as anticancer compounds depends to a large extent on their ability to activate pathways that kill cancer cells by arresting cell cycle and inducing apoptosis. The aim of the present study was to determine the anticancer effects of Euphorbia szovitsii Fisch. & C.A.Mey. on the breast cancer cells to reveal the underlying mechanism of its anti-breast cancer properties. In this experimental study, triple negative breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) was cultivated in RPMI-1640 medium. Hydroalcoholic extract (70:30) of aerial parts of the plant was prepared. The cultured cells were treated with different concentrations (0–1000 μg/ml) of E. szovitsii extract for 24 and 48 h. Toxicity of the extract on MDA-MB-231 cells was examined using MTT (3-[4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl]-2, 5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) test. The Annexin V–FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit was used to evaluate apoptosis and necrosis. Flow cytometry technique was employed to differentiate different phases of the cell cycle in the cells. Data were analyzed by GraphPad Prism and SPSS software. After 24 and 48 h, the IC50 values were respectively 76.78 (95% CI = 60.75–97.05; R = 0.8588) and 59.71 (95% CI = 46.25–77.09; R = 0.8543) μg/ml for E. szovitsii. The extract exhibited antiproliferative effects against MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Annexin V-FITC/PI assay confirmed that the extract was able to induce apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, treatment with the extract resulted in cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. Therefore, E. szovitsii could induce apoptosis and cycle arrest in the MDA-MB-231 cell line. It might be a good resource of natural products for producing anti-breast cancer drugs.
An Integrative Analysis of Spontaneous Storytelling Discourse in Aphasia: Relationship With Listeners' Rating and Prediction of Severity and Fluency Status of Aphasia
Authors: Kong Anthony Pak-Hin , Wong Cherie Wan-Yin 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThis study investigated which of the three analytic approaches of oral discourse, including linguistically based measures, proposition-based measures, and story grammar, best correlated with aphasia severity and with naïve listeners' ratings on aphasic productions. The predictive power of these analytic approaches to aphasia severity and fluency status of people with aphasia (PWA) was examined. Finally, which approach best discriminated fluent versus nonfluent PWA was determined.MethodAudio files and orthographic transcriptions of the storytelling task “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” from 68 PWA and 68 controls were extracted from the Cantonese AphasiaBank. Each transcript was analyzed using these 3 systems.ResultsThe linguistic approach of discourse analysis best correlated with aphasia severity and naïve listeners' subjective ratings. Although both linguistically based and proposition-based measures significantly predicted aphasia severity, a subset of linguistic measures focusing on the quantity and efficiency of production were particularly useful for clinical estimation of the fluency status of aphasia.ConclusionsThe linguistically based measures appeared to be the most clinically effective and powerful in reflecting PWA's performance of spoken discourse.
Gesundheitsversorgung von Asylsuchenden in Deutschland nach Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz: Wahrnehmung und Präferenzen der Bevölkerung
Authors: Samarappuli Katharina , Schorling Elisabeth , Gumbert Laura , Lauerer Michael , Nagel Eckhard 
Published: November 2018

Zusammenfassung
Ziel Die Studie analysiert die Wahrnehmung und Präferenzen der Bevölkerung zu Umfang, Zugang und Finanzierung der Gesundheitsversorgung von Asylsuchenden (AS).
Methodik Standardisierte schriftliche Befragung der Bevölkerung >18 Jahre, kombiniertes Quota-Verfahren, deskriptive und inferenzstatistische Auswertung.
Ergebnisse Die Stichprobe (n=419) war eher schlecht über die Thematik informiert. Es zeigten sich heterogene Präferenzen. 47,0% favorisierten eine Beibehaltung der Regelungen zum Versorgungsumfang, 22,7% eine Ausweitung. Für eine Gesundheitskarte sprachen sich 56,1% aus. Die EU, Steuerzahler, Herkunftsländer und AS selbst wurden als Finanziers der Versorgung präferiert.
Schlussfolgerung Eine Berücksichtigung von Präferenzen kann die Akzeptanz und Legitimation von Entscheidungen stärken. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass dies zu moderaten Anpassungen der Gesundheitsversorgung für AS führen würde. Aufgrund der mangelnden subjektiven Informiertheit der Befragten ist qualitative Forschung angezeigt.
Bubble Formation in Children and Adolescents after Two Standardised Shallow Dives
Authors: Geyer Lisa , Brockmeier Konrad , Graf Christine , Kretzschmar Benno , Schmitz Karl-Heinz , Webering Ferdinand , Hoffmann Uwe 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCirculating venous bubbles after dives are associated with symptoms of decompression sickness in adults. Up to now it is not known to what extent children and adolescents are subjected to a bubble formation during their shallow dives and if there are possible indications for that. The aim of this pilot study is to investigate whether bubbles and/or symptoms occur after standardised repeated dives performed by young divers. 28 children and adolescents (13.5±1.1 years) carried out two 25 min dives to a depth of 10 m with a 90 min surface interval. Before and after, echocardiographic data were recorded and evaluated with regard to circulating bubbles with an extended Eftedal-Brubakk-Scale by 2 different examiners. Bubbles were observed for a total of 6 subjects, Grade I (n=5) and Grade III (n=1). None of them showed any symptoms of decompression sickness. No differences were established regarding potential influencing factors on bubble formation between the groups with and without bubbles. The results indicate that even relatively shallow and short dives can generate venous bubbles in children and adolescents. To what extent this relates to the decompression sickness or clinical symptoms cannot be validated at this point.
Role of Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns and Uncontrolled Inflammation in Pediatric Sepsis-Induced Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome
Authors: Pang Diana , Bashir Dalia , Carcillo Joseph , Nguyen Trung , Aneja Rajesh , Alcamo Alicia 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in sepsis varies from 17 to 73% and furthermore, increases the risk of death by 60% when controlled for the number of dysfunctional organs. Several MODS phenotypes exist, each unique in presentation and pathophysiology. Common to the phenotypes is the stimulation of the immune response by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), or danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) causing an unremitting inflammation. Two of the MODS phenotypes are discussed in detail, thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure (TAMOF) and the hyperinflammatory phenotype–macrophage activating syndrome (MAS) and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). In the end, we will briefly review the role of mitochondrial dysfunction as a significant contributor to the pathogenesis of MODS.
Propionibacterium acnes related anti-inflammation and skin hydration activities of madecassoside, a pentacyclic triterpene saponin from Centella asiatica
Authors: Shen Xueqing , Guo Miaomiao , Yu Haiyuan , Liu Dan , Lu Zhi , Lu Yanhua 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACT
Madecassoside is a major pentacyclic triterpene saponin from Centella asiatica with multiple pharmaceutical activities. In this study, we focused on its Propionibacterium acnes related anti-inflammation and skin hydration activities, both of which play important roles in skin homeostasis and barrier function. Madecassoside significantly inhibited the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, TLR2 and nuclear translocation of NF-κB in P. acnes stimulated THP-1 human monocytic cells. In addition, madecasssoside exhibited significant effects on enhancement of skin hydration through increasing the key moisturizing contributors of aquaporin-3, loricrin and involucrin in HaCaT keratinocytes as well as hyaluronan (HA) secretion in human dermal fibroblasts. The upregulation of HA synthases (HAS1, HAS2, HAS3) and inhibition to ROS formation accounted for the increment of HA content. Together, the in vitro study implied the potential medical and cosmetic application of madecassoside in skin protection.
Reciprocal Dynamics of Solo-Living and Health Among Older Adults in Contemporary China
Authors: Gu Danan , Feng Qiushi , Yeung Wei-Jun Jean 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Objectives
Solo-living has far-reaching implications for older adults’ well-being. The causal impacts and the pathways of solo-living on health and well-being of older adults are still unclear. This study examines the correlates of solo-living and subsequent health outcomes of solo-living among older adults in mainland China.

Methods
We draw data from four waves of a nationwide survey with a total of 9,714 older adults aged 65 or older who had at least three interviews in 2005–2014. A generalized structural equation modeling approach was applied to examine what factors are associated with solo-living status and whether and how the antecedent of solo-living status subsequently affects well-being and health.

Results
Owning a home, having no living child, and a preference to live independently are positively correlated with living alone, whereas living in a city, having economic independence, being educated, and having poor physical and cognitive functions are associated with lower odds of solo-living. Older Chinese adults who live alone are more likely to feel lonely and have a lower life satisfaction, yet they are more likely to be involved in social/leisure activities, and have fewer physical disabilities and a lower mortality risk.

Discussion
There is a bi-directional relationship between solo-living and well-being/health among the Chinese older adults. Solo-living is a conditioned choice of a set of critical factors among older Chinese. The greater involvement in social/leisure activities is likely a key for Chinese solo-living older adults to mitigate the negative impact of their lower psychological well-being on subsequent mortality.