bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Defective trafficking of Kv2.1 channels in MPTP‐induced nigrostriatal degeneration
Authors: Chao Ru‐Yi , Cheng Chia‐Hui , Wu Sheng‐Nan , Chen Pei‐Chun 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIntracellular protein trafficking is tightly regulated, and improper trafficking might be the fundamental provocateur for human diseases including neurodegeneration. In neurons, protein trafficking to and from the plasma membrane affects synaptic plasticity. Voltage‐gated potassium channel 2.1 (Kv2.1) is a predominant delayed rectifier potassium (K+) current, and electrical activity patterns of dopamine (DA) neurons within the substantia nigra are generated and modulated by the orchestrated function of different ion channels. The pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD) is the progressive loss of these DA neurons, resulting in the degeneration of striatal dopaminergic terminals. However, whether trafficking of Kv2.1 channels contributes to PD remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that MPTP/MPP+ increases the surface expression of the Kv2.1 channel and causes nigrostriatal degeneration by using a subchronic MPTP mouse model. The inhibition of the Kv2.1 channel by using a specific blocker, guangxitoxin‐1E, protected nigrostriatal projections against MPTP/MPP+ insult and thus facilitated the recovery of motor coordination. These findings highlight the importance of trafficking of Kv2.1 channels in the pathogenesis of PD.
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Dissection of the genetic architecture of three seed‐quality traits and consequences for breeding in Brassica napus
Authors: Wang Bo , Wu Zhikun , Li Zhaohong , Zhang Qinghua , Hu Jianlin , Xiao Yingjie , Cai Dongfang , Wu Jiangsheng , King Graham J. , Li Haitao , Liu Kede 
Published: December 2017

SummaryGenome‐wide association studies (GWASs) combining high‐throughput genome resequencing and phenotyping can accelerate the dissection of genetic architecture and identification of genes for plant complex traits. In this study, we developed a rapeseed genomic variation map consisting of 4 542 011 SNPs and 628 666 INDELs. GWAS was performed for three seed‐quality traits, including erucic acid content (EAC), glucosinolate content (GSC) and seed oil content (SOC) using 3.82 million polymorphisms in an association panel. Six, 49 and 17 loci were detected to be associated with EAC, GSC and SOC in multiple environments, respectively. The mean total contribution of these loci in each environment was 94.1% for EAC and 87.9% for GSC, notably higher than that for SOC (40.1%). A high correlation was observed between phenotypic variance and number of favourable alleles for associated loci, which will contribute to breeding improvement by pyramiding these loci. Furthermore, candidate genes were detected underlying associated loci, based on functional polymorphisms in gene regions where sequence variation was found to correlate with phenotypic variation. Our approach was validated by detection of well‐characterized FAE1 genes at each of two major loci for EAC on chromosomes A8 and C3, along with MYB28 genes at each of three major loci for GSC on chromosomes A9, C2 and C9. Four novel candidate genes were detected by correlation between GSC and SOC and observed sequence variation, respectively. This study provides insights into the genetic architecture of three seed‐quality traits, which would be useful for genetic improvement of B. napus.
Diagnostic consistency and interchangeability of schizophrenic disorders and bipolar disorders: A 7‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Hung Yen‐Ni , Yang Shu‐Yu , Kuo Chian‐Jue , Lin Shih‐Ku 
Published: December 2017

AimThe change in psychiatric diagnoses in clinical practice is not an unusual phenomenon. The interchange between the diagnoses of schizophrenic disorders and bipolar disorders is a major clinical issue because of the differences in treatment regimens and long‐term prognoses. In this study, we used a nationwide population‐based sample to compare the diagnostic consistency and interchange rate between schizophrenic disorders and bipolar disorders.MethodsIn total, 25 711 and 11 261 patients newly diagnosed as having schizophrenic disorder and bipolar disorder, respectively, were retrospectively enrolled from the Psychiatric Inpatient Medical Claims database between 2001 and 2005. We followed these two cohorts for 7 years to determine whether their diagnoses were consistent throughout subsequent hospitalizations. The interchange between the two diagnoses was analyzed.ResultsIn the schizophrenic disorder cohort, the overall diagnostic consistency rate was 87.3% and the rate of change to bipolar disorder was 3.0% during the 7‐year follow‐up. Additional analyses of subtypes revealed that the change rate from schizoaffective disorder to bipolar disorder was 12.0%. In the bipolar disorder cohort, the overall diagnostic consistency rate was 71.9% and the rate of change to schizophrenic disorder was 8.3%.ConclusionChanges in the diagnosis of a major psychosis are not uncommon. The interchange between the diagnoses of schizophrenic disorders and bipolar disorders might be attributed to the evolution of clinical symptoms and the observation of preserved social functions that contradict the original diagnosis. While making a psychotic diagnosis, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of the change in diagnosis in the future.
Stress‐responsive regulation of long non‐coding RNA polyadenylation in Oryza sativa
Authors: Yuan Jiapei , Li Jingrui , Yang Yang , Tan Chang , Zhu Yumin , Hu Long , Qi Yijun , Lu Zhi John 
Published: December 2017

SummaryRecently, long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to be involved in many biological processes of plants; however, a systematic study on transcriptional and, in particular, post‐transcriptional regulation of stress‐responsive lncRNAs in Oryza sativa (rice) is lacking. We sequenced three types of RNA libraries (poly(A)+, poly(A)− and nuclear RNAs) under four abiotic stresses (cold, heat, drought and salt). Based on an integrative bioinformatics approach and ~200 high‐throughput data sets, ~170 of which have been published, we revealed over 7000 lncRNAs, nearly half of which were identified for the first time. Notably, we found that the majority of the ~500 poly(A) lncRNAs that were differentially expressed under stress were significantly downregulated, but approximately 25% were found to have upregulated non‐poly(A) forms. Moreover, hundreds of lncRNAs with downregulated polyadenylation (DPA) tend to be highly conserved, show significant nuclear retention and are co‐expressed with protein‐coding genes that function under stress. Remarkably, these DPA lncRNAs are significantly enriched in quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for stress tolerance or development, suggesting their potential important roles in rice growth under various stresses. In particular, we observed substantially accumulated DPA lncRNAs in plants exposed to drought and salt, which is consistent with the severe reduction of RNA 3′‐end processing factors under these conditions. Taken together, the results of this study reveal that polyadenylation and subcellular localization of many rice lncRNAs are likely to be regulated at the post‐transcriptional level. Our findings strongly suggest that many upregulated/downregulated lncRNAs previously identified by traditional RNA‐seq analyses need to be carefully reviewed to assess the influence of post‐transcriptional modification.
Environmental Stress-Induced Bacterial Lysis and Extracellular DNA Release Contribute to Campylobacter jejuni Biofilm Formation
Authors: Feng Jinsong , Ma Lina , Nie Jiatong , Konkel Michael E. , Lu Xiaonan 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

Campylobacter jejuni
is a microaerophilic bacterium and is believed to persist in a biofilm to antagonize environmental stress. This study investigated the influence of environmental conditions on the formation of
C. jejuni
biofilm. We report an extracellular DNA (eDNA)-mediated mechanism of biofilm formation in response to aerobic and starvation stress. The eDNA was determined to represent a major form of constitutional material of
C. jejuni
biofilms and to be closely associated with bacterial lysis. Deletion mutation of the stress response genes
spoT
and
recA
enhanced the aerobic influence by stimulating lysis and increasing eDNA release. Flagella were also involved in biofilm formation but mainly contributed to attachment rather than induction of lysis. The addition of genomic DNA from either
Campylobacter
or
Salmonella
resulted in a concentration-dependent stimulation effect on biofilm formation, but the effect was not due to forming a precoating DNA layer. Enzymatic degradation of DNA by DNase I disrupted
C. jejuni
biofilm. In a dual-species biofilm, eDNA allocated
Campylobacter
and
Salmonella
at distinct spatial locations that protect
Campylobacter
from oxygen stress. Our findings demonstrated an essential role and multiple functions of eDNA in biofilm formation of
C. jejuni
, including facilitating initial attachment, establishing and maintaining biofilm, and allocating bacterial cells.

IMPORTANCE
Campylobacter jejuni
is a major cause of foodborne illness worldwide. In the natural environment, the growth of
C. jejuni
is greatly inhibited by various forms of environmental stress, such as aerobic stress and starvation stress. Biofilm formation can facilitate the distribution of
C. jejuni
by enabling the survival of this fragile microorganism under unfavorable conditions. However, the mechanism of
C. jejuni
biofilm formation in response to environmental stress has been investigated only partially. The significance of our research is in identifying extracellular DNA released by bacterial lysis as a major form of constitution material that mediates the formation of
C. jejuni
biofilm in response to environmental stress, which enhances our understanding of the formation mechanism of
C. jejuni
biofilm. This knowledge can aid the development of intervention strategies to limit the distribution of
C. jejuni
.
Promising Prebiotic Candidate Established by Evaluation of Lactitol, Lactulose, Raffinose, and Oligofructose for Maintenance of a Lactobacillus-Dominated Vaginal Microbiota
Authors: Collins Stephanie L. , McMillan Amy , Seney Shannon , van der Veer Charlotte , Kort Remco , Sumarah Mark W. , Reid Gregor 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTPerturbations to the vaginal microbiota can lead to dysbiosis, including bacterial vaginosis (BV), which affects a large portion of the female population. In a healthy state, the vaginal microbiota is characterized by low diversity and colonization byLactobacillusspp., whereas in BV, these species are displaced by a highly diverse population of bacteria associated with adverse vaginal health outcomes. Since prebiotic ingestion has been a highly effective approach to invigorate lactobacilli for improved intestinal health, we hypothesized that these compounds could stimulate lactobacilli at the expense of BV organisms to maintain vaginal health. Monocultures of commensalLactobacillus crispatus,Lactobacillus vaginalis,Lactobacillus gasseri,Lactobacillus johnsonii,Lactobacillus jensenii, andLactobacillus iners, in addition to BV-associated organisms andCandida albicans, were tested for their ability to utilize a representative group of prebiotics consisting of lactitol, lactulose, raffinose, and oligofructose. The disaccharide lactulose was found to most broadly and specifically stimulate vaginal lactobacilli, including the strongly health-associated speciesL. crispatus, and importantly, not to stimulate BV organisms orC. albicans. Using freshly collected vaginal samples, we showed that exposure to lactulose promoted commensalLactobacillusgrowth and dominance and resulted in healthy acidity partially through lactic acid production. This provides support for further testing of lactulose to prevent dysbiosis and potentially to reduce the need for antimicrobial agents in managing vaginal health.IMPORTANCEBacterial vaginosis (BV) and other dysbioses of the vaginal microbiota significantly affect the quality of life of millions of women. Antimicrobial therapy is often poorly effective, causes side effects, and does not prevent recurrences. We report one of very few studies that have evaluated how prebiotics—compounds that are selectively fermented by beneficial bacteria such asLactobacillusspp.—can modulate the vaginal microbiota. We also report use of a novelin vitropolymicrobial model to study the impact of prebiotics on the vaginal microbiota. The identification of prebiotic lactulose as enhancingLactobacillusgrowth but not that of BV organisms orCandida albicanshas direct application for retention of homeostasis and prevention of vaginal dysbiosis and infection.
The Inoculation Method Could Impact the Outcome of Microbiological Experiments
Authors: Kragh Kasper Nørskov , Alhede Maria , Rybtke Morten , Stavnsberg Camilla , Jensen Peter Ø. , Tolker-Nielsen Tim , Whiteley Marvin , Bjarnsholt Thomas 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTFor the past 150 years, bacteria have been investigated primarily in liquid batch cultures. Contrary to most expectations, these cultures are not homogeneous mixtures of single-cell bacteria, because free-floating bacterial aggregates eventually develop in most liquid batch cultures. These aggregates share characteristics with biofilms, such as increased antibiotic tolerance. We investigated how aggregates develop and what influences this development in liquid batch cultures ofPseudomonas aeruginosa. We focused on how the method of inoculation affected aggregation by assessing aggregate frequency and size using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Several traditional methods of initiating an overnight bacterial culture, i.e., inoculation directly from frozen cultures, inoculation using agar-grown cells, or inoculation using cells grown in liquid cultures, were investigated. We discovered a direct link between the inoculation method and the size and frequency of biofilm aggregates in liquid batch cultures, with inoculation directly from a plate resulting in the most numerous and largest aggregates. These large aggregates had an overall impact on the cultures' subsequent tolerance toward tobramycin, indicating that the inoculation method has a profound impact on antibiotic tolerance. We also observed a mechanism whereby preformed aggregates recruited single cells from the surrounding culture in a “snowball effect,” building up aggregated biomass in the culture. This recruitment was found to rely heavily on the exopolysaccharide Psl. Additionally, we found that bothEscherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureusproduced aggregates in liquid batch cultures. Our results stress the importance of inoculation consistency throughout experiments and the substantial impact aggregate development in liquid batch cultures may have on the outcomes of microbiological experiments.IMPORTANCEPure liquid cultures are fundamental to the field of microbiological research. These cultures are normally thought of as homogeneous mixtures of single-cell bacteria; the present study shows that this is not always true. Bacteria may aggregate in these liquid cultures. The aggregation can be induced by the method chosen for inoculation. The presence of aggregates can significantly change the outcomes of experiments by altering the phenotype of the cultures. The study found a mechanism whereby preformed aggregates are able to recruit surrounding single cells in a form of snowball effect, creating more and larger aggregates in the cultures. Once formed, these aggregates are hard to remove. Aggregates in liquid cultures may be an immense unseen challenge for microbiologists.
Autoimmune-Disease-Prone NOD Mice Help To Reveal a New Genetic Locus for Reducing Pulmonary Disease Caused by Mycoplasma pulmonis
Authors: Wawegama Nadeeka K. , Markham Philip F. , Elso Colleen M. , Kanci Anna , Marenda Marc S. , Browning Glenn F. , Brodnicki Thomas C. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

Mycoplasmas are bacterial pathogens of a range of animals, including humans, and are a common cause of respiratory disease. However, the host genetic factors that affect resistance to infection or regulate the resulting pulmonary inflammation are not well defined. We and others have previously demonstrated that nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice can be used to investigate disease loci that affect bacterial infection and autoimmune diabetes. Here we show that NOD mice are more susceptible than C57BL/6 (B6) mice to infection with
Mycoplasma pulmonis
, a natural model of pulmonary mycoplasmosis. The lungs of infected NOD mice had higher loads of
M. pulmonis
and more severe inflammatory lesions. Moreover, congenic NOD mice that harbored different B6-derived chromosomal intervals enabled identification and localization of a new mycoplasmosis locus, termed
Mpr2
, on chromosome 13. These congenic NOD mice demonstrated that the B6 allele for
Mpr2
reduced the severity of pulmonary inflammation caused by infection with
M. pulmonis
and that this was associated with altered cytokine and chemokine concentrations in the infected lungs.
Mpr2
also colocalizes to the same genomic interval as
Listr2
and
Idd14
, genetic loci linked to listeriosis resistance and autoimmune diabetes susceptibility, respectively, suggesting that allelic variation within these loci may affect the development of both infectious and autoimmune disease.
Development of Zika Virus Serological Testing Strategies in New York State
Authors: Lee William T. , Wong Susan J. , Kulas Karen E. , Dupuis Alan P. , Payne Anne F. , Kramer Laura D. , Dean Amy B. , St. George Kirsten , White Jennifer L. , Sommer Jamie N. , Ledizet Michel , Limberger Ronald J. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT
The recent outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Americas has challenged diagnostic laboratory testing strategies. At the Wadsworth Center, ZIKV serological testing was performed for over 10,000 specimens, using a combination of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgM antibodies (Abs) to ZIKV, a polyvalent microsphere immunoassay (MIA) to detect Abs broadly reactive with flaviviruses, and a plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) for further testing. Overall, 42% of patients showed serological evidence of flavivirus infection (primarily past dengue virus [DENV] infection), while 7% possessed IgM Abs to ZIKV and/or DENV. ZIKV IgM Abs typically arose within 3 to 4 days, with only one instance of duration beyond 100 days after reported symptoms. PRNT analysis of 826 IgM-positive specimens showed 7% positive neutralization to ZIKV alone, 9% to DENV alone, and 85% to both ZIKV and DENV. Thus, the extensive Ab cross-reactivity among flaviviruses significantly reduced the value of performing PRNT analysis, especially when a traditional paired serum algorithm with viral neutralization titering was used. Nevertheless, the finding of a negative ZIKV result by PRNT was invaluable for reassuring both physicians and patients. The MIA detected both IgM and IgG, which enabled us to identify patients who presented without IgM anti-ZIKV Abs but still had ZIKV-specific neutralizing Abs. On the basis of these results, a new algorithm, which included an IgM Ab capture (MAC)-ELISA to detect recent infection, a flavivirus MIA to identify patients no longer producing IgM, and a single-dilution PRNT for ZIKV exclusion and occasional discrimination of ZIKV and DENV, was implemented.
Fine particulate pollution and asthma exacerbations
Authors: Bouazza Naïm , Foissac Frantz , Urien Saik , Guedj Romain , Carbajal Ricardo , Tréluyer Jean-Marc , Chappuy Hélène 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveAs the results from epidemiological studies about the impact of outdoor air pollution on asthma in children are heterogeneous, our objective was to investigate the association between asthma exacerbation in children and exposure to air pollutants.MethodsA database of 1 264 585 paediatric visits during the 2010–2015 period to the emergency rooms from 20 emergency departments (EDs) of ‘Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP)’, the largest hospital group in Europe, was used. A total of 47 107 visits were classified as asthma exacerbations. Concentration of air pollutants (nitrogen dioxide, ozone, fine particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10  µm (PM10) and 2.5 µm (PM2.5)), as well as meteorological data, evolution of respiratory syncytial virus infection and pollen exposition, were collected on an hourly or daily basis for the same period using institutional databases. To assess the association between air pollution and asthma, mixed-effects quasi-Poisson regression modelling was performed.ResultsThe only compound independently associated with ED visits for asthma was PM2.5(P<10−4). The association between asthma exacerbation and PM2.5was not linear, and a sigmoid function described the relationshipsatisfactorily. PM2.5concentration, which gives half the maximum effect, was estimated at 13.5 µg/m3.ConclusionsWe found an association between daily asthma exacerbation in paediatric visits to the ED and fine particulate air pollutants.
Optical coherence tomography angiography analysis of foveal microvascular changes and inner retinal layer thinning in patients with diabetes
Authors: Kim Kiyoung , Kim Eung Suk , Yu Seung-Young 
Published: December 2017

AimTo evaluate the correlation between inner retinal layer thinning and the foveal microvasculature in type 2 diabetes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).MethodsA cross-sectional study involved 155 diabetic eyes. All patients were divided into two groups based on diabetic retinopathy (DR) grade: no DR (NDR, n=80) and mild-to-moderate non-proliferative DR (NPDR, n=75). Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, FAZ circularity index, FAZ perimeter, vessel density and perfusion index of parafoveal and perifoveal area were calculated using OCTA. The thickness of the macular ganglion cell/inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) was measured using OCT.ResultsIn both superficial and deep retinal capillary layers (SRL and DRL), FAZ areas in the NDR (0.38 mm2 , 0.49 mm2) and NPDR (0.38 mm2, 0.48 mm2) were greater than those in the control (0.33 mm2, 0.43 mm2). The FAZ circularity index, vessel density and perfusion index in the NDR (0.63, 17.8/mm, 0.32) and NPDR (0.63, 17.5/mm, 0.32) were smaller than those in the control (0.69, 19.6/mm, 0.39). mGCIPL thickness was significantly correlated with FAZ area in the SRL and DRL, as well as with FAZ circularity index, vessel density and perfusion index in the NDR and NPDR. In multivariate regression analysis, the FAZ circularity index (OR=12.2) and vessel density of the parafovea (OR=1.95) were correlated with mGCIPL thinning.ConclusionOCTA revealed that early foveal microcirculatory alterations in diabetic eyes were related to mGCIPL thickness, regardless of the presence of DR. The decrease in FAZ circularity and parafoveal vessel density were highly correlated with mGCIPL thinning.