bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single nucleotide polymorphisms of nucleotide excision repair pathway are significantly associated with outcomes of platinum-based chemotherapy in lung cancer
Authors: Song Xiao , Wang Shiming , Hong Xuan , Li Xiaoying , Zhao Xueying , Huai Cong , Chen Hongyan , Gao Zhiqiang , Qian Ji , Wang Jiucun , Han Baohui , Bai Chunxue , Li Qiang , Wu Junjie , Lu Daru 
Published: September 2017

AbstractNucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway plays critical roles in repairing DNA disorders caused by platinum. To comprehensively understand the association between variants of NER and clinical outcomes of platinum-based chemotherapy, 173 SNPs in 27 genes were selected to evaluate association with toxicities and efficiency in 1004 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The results showed that consecutive significant signals were observed inXPA, RPA1, POLD1, POLD3. Further subgroup analysis showed thatGTF2H4presented consecutive significant signals in clinical benefit among adenocarcimoma. In squamous cell carcinoma, rs4150558, rs2290280, rs8067195 were significantly associated with anemia, rs3786136 was significantly related to thrombocytopenia,ERCC5presented consecutive significant signals in response rate. In patients receiving TP regimen, significant association presented in neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and gastrointestinal toxicity. Association with anemia and neutropenia were found in GP regimen. rs4150558 showed significant association with anemia in NP regimen. In patients > 58,ERCC5showed consecutive significant signals in gastrointestinal toxicity. Survival analysis showed SNPs inPOLD2,XPA,ERCC6andPOLEwere significantly associated with progression free survival, SNPs inGTF2H4,ERCC6,GTF2HA,MAT1,POLD1were significantly associated with overall survival. This study suggests SNPs in NER pathway could be potential predictors for clinical outcomes of platinum-based chemotherapy among NSCLC.
Coupling and dynamics of cortical and autonomic signals are linked to central inhibition during the wake-sleep transition
Authors: Ulke Christine , Huang Jue , Schwabedal Justus T. C. , Surova Galina , Mergl Roland , Hensch Tilman 
Published: September 2017

AbstractMaintaining temporal coordination across physiological systems is crucial at the wake-sleep transition. As shown in recent studies, the degree of coordination between brain and autonomic arousal influences attention, which highlights a previously unrecognised point of potential failure in the attention system. To investigate how cortical and autonomic dynamics are linked to the attentive process we analysed electroencephalogram, electrocardiogram and skin conductance data of 39 healthy adults recorded during a 2-h resting-state oddball experiment. We related cross-correlations to fluctuation periods of cortical and autonomic signals and correlated obtained measures to event-related potentials N1 and P2, reflecting excitatory and inhibitory processes. Increasing alignment of cortical and autonomic signals and longer periods of vigilance fluctuations corresponded to a larger and earlier P2; no such relations were found for N1. We compared two groups, with (I) and without measurable (II) delay in cortico-autonomic correlations. Individuals in Group II had more stable vigilance fluctuations, larger and earlier P2 and fell asleep more frequently than individuals in Group I. Our results support the hypothesis of a link between cortico-autonomic coupling and dynamics and central inhibition. Quantifying this link could help refine classification in psychiatric disorders with attention and sleep-related symptoms, particularly in ADHD, depression, and insomnia.
Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and Galactooligosaccharide (GOS) Increase Bifidobacterium but Reduce Butyrate Producing Bacteria with Adverse Glycemic Metabolism in healthy young population
Authors: Liu Feitong , Li Pan , Chen Muxuan , Luo Yuemei , Prabhakar M , Zheng Huimin , He Yan , Qi Qi , Long Haoyu , Zhang Yi , Sheng Huafang , Zhou Hongwei 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe gut microbiota has been implicated in glucose intolerance and its progression towards type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Relevant randomized clinical trial with prebiotic intervention was inadequate. We sought to evaluate the impact of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) on glycemia during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and intestinal microbiota. A randomized double-blind cross-over study was performed with 35 adults treated with FOS and GOS for 14 days (16 g/day). Faeces sampling, OGTT and anthropometric parameters were performed. Short-term intake of high-dose prebiotics had adverse effect on glucose metabolism, as in FOS intervention demonstrated by OGTT (P < 0.001), and in GOS intervention demonstrated by fasting glucose (P < 0.05). A significant increase in the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium was observed both in FOS and GOS group, while the butyrate-producing bacteria like Phascolarctobacterium in FOS group and Ruminococcus in GOS group were decreased. A random forest model using the initial microbiota was developed to predict OGTT levels after prebiotic intervention with relative success (R = 0.726). Our study alerted even though FOS and GOS increased Bifidobacterium, they might have adverse effect on glucose metabolism by reducing butyrate-producing microbes. Individualized prebiotics intervention based on gut microbiome needs to be evaluated in future.
Genome-wide Association Analysis of Powdery Mildew Resistance in U.S. Winter Wheat
Authors: Liu Na , Bai Guihua , Lin Meng , Xu Xiangyang , Zheng Wenming 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWheat powdery mildew (PM), caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is a major fungal disease of wheat worldwide. It can cause considerable yield losses when epidemics occur. Use of genetic resistance is the most effective approach to control the disease. To determine the genomic regions responsible for PM resistance in a set of U.S. winter wheat and identify DNA markers in these regions, we conducted a genome-wide association study on a set of 185 U.S. winter wheat accessions using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers from 90 K wheat SNP arrays. We identified significant SNP markers linked to nine quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers linked to three QTLs for PM resistance. Most of the QTLs in the US winter wheat population have been reported previously, but some such as these on chromosomes 1A, 6A and 1B have not been reported previously, and are likely new QTLs for PM resistance in U.S. winter wheat. The germplasm with immunity to PM are good sources of resistance for PM resistance breeding and the markers closely linked to the QTLs can be used in marker-assisted selection to improve wheat PM resistance after further validation.
Linoleic and palmitoleic acid block streptokinase-mediated plasminogen activation and reduce severity of invasive group A streptococcal infection
Authors: Rox Katharina , Jansen Rolf , Loof Torsten G. , Gillen Christine M. , Bernecker Steffen , Walker Mark J. , Chhatwal Gursharan Singh , Müller Rolf 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn contrast to mild infections of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) invasive infections of GAS still pose a serious health hazard: GAS disseminates from sterile sites into the blood stream or deep tissues and causes sepsis or necrotizing fasciitis. In this case antibiotics do not provide an effective cure as the bacteria are capable to hide from them very quickly. Therefore, new remedies are urgently needed. Starting from a myxobacterial natural products screening campaign, we identified two fatty acids isolated from myxobacteria, linoleic and palmitoleic acid, specifically blocking streptokinase-mediated activation of plasminogen and thereby preventing streptococci from hijacking the host’s plasminogen/plasmin system. This activity is not inherited by other fatty acids such as oleic acid and is not attributable to the killing of streptococci. Moreover, both fatty acids are superior in their inhibitory properties compared to two clinically used drugs (tranexamic or ε-amino caproic acid) as they show 500–1000 fold lower IC50 values. Using a humanized plasminogen mouse model mimicking the clinical situation of a local GAS infection that becomes systemic, we demonstrate that these fatty acids ameliorate invasive GAS infection significantly. Consequently, linoleic and palmitoleic acid are possible new options to combat GAS invasive diseases.
Prenatal Glucocorticoid Exposure Modifies Endocrine Function and Behaviour for 3 Generations Following Maternal and Paternal Transmission
Authors: Moisiadis Vasilis G. , Constantinof Andrea , Kostaki Alisa , Szyf Moshe , Matthews Stephen G. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractFetal exposure to high levels of glucocorticoids programs long-term changes in the physiologic stress response and behaviours. However, it is not known whether effects manifest in subsequent generations of offspring following maternal (MT) or paternal (PT) transmission. We treated pregnant guinea pigs with three courses of saline or synthetic glucocorticoid (sGC) at a clinically relevant dose. Altered cortisol response to stress and behaviours transmitted to juvenile female and male F2 and F3 offspring from both parental lines. Behavioural effects of sGC in F1-F3 PT females associated with altered expression of genes in the prefrontal cortex and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Exposure to sGC programmed large transgenerational changes in PVN gene expression, including type II diabetes, thermoregulation, and collagen formation gene networks. We demonstrate transgenerational programming to F3 following antenatal sGC. Transmission is sex- and generation-dependent, occurring through both parental lines. Paternal transmission to F3 females strongly implicates epigenetic mechanisms of transmission.
Corona discharge induced snow formation in a cloud chamber
Authors: Ju Jingjing , Wang Tie-Jun , Li Ruxin , Du Shengzhe , Sun Haiyi , Liu Yonghong , Tian Ye , Bai Yafeng , Liu Yaoxiang , Chen Na , Wang Jingwei , Wang Cheng , Liu Jiansheng , Chin S. L. , Xu Zhizhan 
Published: September 2017

AbstractArtificial rainmaking is in strong demand especially in arid regions. Traditional methods of seeding various Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN) into the clouds are costly and not environment friendly. Possible solutions based on ionization were proposed more than 100 years ago but there is still a lack of convincing verification or evidence. In this report, we demonstrated for the first time the condensation and precipitation (or snowfall) induced by a corona discharge inside a cloud chamber. Ionic wind was found to have played a more significant role than ions as extra CCN. In comparison with another newly emerging femtosecond laser filamentation ionization method, the snow precipitation induced by the corona discharge has about 4 orders of magnitude higher wall-plug efficiency under similar conditions.
Gender differences measured by the MATRICS consensus cognitive battery in chronic schizophrenia patients
Authors: Zhang Baohua , Han Mei , Tan Shuping , De Yang Fu , Tan Yunlong , Jiang Shurong , Zhang Xiangyang , Huang Xu-Feng 
Published: September 2017

AbstractUsing Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), previous study showed significant gender differences for cognitive deficits in immediate and delayed memory in schizophrenia patients. However, RBANS does not include reasoning and problem solving, and social cognition. These cognitive functions can significantly affect the outcomes and daily life in patients. This study examined the gender differences of cognition using the measurement and treatment research to improve cognition in schizophrenia (MATRICS) consensus cognitive battery (MCCB), especially focusing on reasoning and problem solving, and social cognition in schizophrenia patients. The results showed that healthy controls exemplified better cognition than patients in both genders in all examined MCCB scores. Male healthy controls had better reasoning and problem solving and working memory than females, but these gender differences were not presented in schizophrenia patients. Also, male schizophrenia patients showed worse cognition than females on social cognition, processing speed, verbal learning and visual learning. Our results support that male schizophrenia patients had more cognitive impairment than females on reasoning and problem solving, social cognition, processing speed, working memory, verbal learning and visual learning.
Kinase inhibitor screening using artificial neural networks and engineered cardiac biowires
Authors: Conant Genevieve , Ahadian Samad , Zhao Yimu , Radisic Milica 
Published: September 2017

AbstractKinase inhibitors are often used as cancer targeting agents for their ability to prevent the activation of cell growth and proliferation signals. Cardiotoxic effects have been identified for some marketed kinase inhibitors that were not detected during clinical trials. We hypothesize that more predictive cardiac functional assessments of kinase inhibitors on human myocardium can be established by combining a high-throughput two-dimensional (2D) screening assay and a high-content three-dimensional (3D) engineered cardiac tissue (BiowireTM) based assay, and using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived CMs (hiPSC-CMs). A subset (80) of compounds from the GlaxoSmithKline published kinase inhibitor set were tested on hiPSC-CM monolayers and significant effects on cell viability, calcium transients, and contraction frequency were observed. Artificial neural network modelling was then used to analyze the experimental results in an efficient and unbiased manner to select for kinase inhibitors with minimal effects on cell viability and function. Inhibitors of specific interest based on the modeling were evaluated in the 3D Biowire tissues. The three-dimensional Biowire platform eliminated oversensitivity in detecting both Ca2+ transient amplitude enhancements as well as the acute detrimental effects on cell viability due to the kinase inhibitor application as compared to the monolayer testing.
Bio-butanol sorption performance on novel porous-carbon adsorbents from corncob prepared via hydrothermal carbonization and post-pyrolysis method
Authors: Han Mengjun , Jiang Kangkang , Jiao Pengfei , Ji Yingchun , Zhou Jingwei , Zhuang Wei , Chen Yong , Liu Dong , Zhu Chenjie , Chen Xiaochun , Ying Hanjie , Wu Jinglan 
Published: September 2017

AbstractA series of porous-carbon adsorbents termed as HDPC (hydrochar-derived pyrolysis char) were prepared from corncob and used for the 1-butanol recovery from aqueous solution. The influences of pyrolysis temperature on properties of the adsorbents were systematically investigated. The results showed that hydrophobicity, surface area, and pore volume of HDPC samples increased with an increase in pyrolysis temperature. Furthermore, the adsorption mechanism of 1-butanol on the adsorbents was explored based on correlation of the samples properties with adsorption parameters extracted from the 1-butanol adsorption isotherms (K
F
and Q
e12
). Overall, the 1-butanol adsorption capacity increased with a decrease in polarity and an increase in aromaticity, surface area and pore volume of HDPC samples. However, at different pyrolysis temperature, the factors causing the increase of 1-butanol adsorption on the adsorbents are variable. The kinetic experiments revealed that the pores played a vital role in the 1-butonal adsorption process. The intraparticle diffusion model was used to predict the adsorption kinetic process. The simulation results showed that intraparticle diffusion was the main rate-controlling step in the 1-butanol adsorption process.
Two Step Excitation in Hot Atomic Sodium Vapor
Authors: Docters Bernd , Wrachtrup Jörg , Gerhardt Ilja 
Published: September 2017

AbstractA two step excitation scheme in hot atomic sodium vapor is experimentally investigated. The observed effects reflect a coupling between the 32S, 32P and the 32D states. We present the relative dependence on detuning of the two utilized lasers around λ = 589 nm and 819 nm. Unlike expected, we achieve a higher detuning dependence of the probe and the coupling laser by a factor of approximately three. The presented work aimed for a Rydberg excitation and quantum light storage. Such schemes are usually implemented with a red laser on the D-line transition and a coupling laser of shorter (typically blue) wavelength. Due to the fact that higher P-Rydberg states are approximately two times higher in energy than the 32D state, a two photon transition from the atomic excited 32P state to a Rydberg P state is feasible. This might circumvent laser frequency doubling whereby only two lasers might mediate a three photon process. The scheme of adding three k-vectors allows for electromagnetically induced transparency experiments in which the resulting k-vector can be effectively reduced to zero. By measurements utilizing electric fields and an analysis of the emission spectrum of the atomic vapor, we can exclude the excitation of the P-P two photon transition.
Refinement of ectopic protein expression through the GAL4/UAS system in Bombyx mori: application to behavioral and developmental studies
Authors: Hara Chiho , Morishita Koudai , Takayanagi-Kiya Seika , Mikami Akihisa , Uchino Keiro , Sakurai Takeshi , Kanzaki Ryohei , Sezutsu Hideki , Iwami Masafumi , Kiya Taketoshi 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSilkmoth, Bombyx mori, is one of the important model insects in which transgenic techniques and the GAL4/UAS system are applicable. However, due to cytotoxicity and low transactivation activity of GAL4, effectiveness of the GAL4/UAS system and its application in B. mori are still limited. In the present study, we refined the previously reported UAS vector by exploiting transcriptional and translational enhancers, and achieved 200-fold enhancement of reporter GFP fluorescence in the GAL4/UAS system. Enhanced protein expression of membrane-targeted GFP and calcium indicator protein (GCaMP5G) drastically improved visualization of fine neurite structures and neural activity, respectively. Also, with the refined system, we generated a transgenic strain that expresses tetanus toxin light chain (TeTxLC), which blocks synaptic transmission, under the control of GAL4. Ectopic TeTxLC expression in the sex pheromone receptor neurons inhibited male courtship behavior, proving effectiveness of TeTxLC on loss-of-function analyses of neural circuits. In addition, suppression of prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) or insulin-like peptide (bombyxin) secretion impaired developmental timing and growth rate, respectively. Furthermore, we revealed that larval growth is sex-differentially regulated by these peptide hormones. The present study provides important technical underpinnings of transgenic approaches in silkmoths and insights into mechanisms of postembryonic development in insects.
Pharmacological inhibition of CaMKK2 with the selective antagonist STO-609 regresses NAFLD
Authors: York Brian , Li Feng , Lin Fumin , Marcelo Kathrina L. , Mao Jianqiang , Dean Adam , Gonzales Naomi , Gooden David , Maity Suman , Coarfa Cristian , Putluri Nagireddy , Means Anthony R. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBinding of calcium to its intracellular receptor calmodulin (CaM) activates a family of Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinases. CaMKK2 (Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase kinase 2) is a central member of this kinase family as it controls the actions of a CaMK cascade involving CaMKI, CaMKIV or AMPK. CaMKK2 controls insulin signaling, metabolic homeostasis, inflammation and cancer cell growth highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for a variety of diseases. STO-609 is a selective, small molecule inhibitor of CaMKK2. Although STO-609 has been used extensively in vitro and in cells to characterize and define new mechanistic functions of CaMKK2, only a few studies have reported the in vivo use of STO-609. We synthesized functional STO-609 and assessed its pharmacological properties through in vitro (kinase assay), ex vivo (human liver microsomes) and in vivo (mouse) model systems. We describe the metabolic processing of STO-609, its toxicity, pharmacokinetics and bioavailability in a variety of mouse tissues. Utilizing these data, we show STO-609 treatment to inhibit CaMKK2 function confers protection against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. These data provide a valuable resource by establishing criteria for use of STO-609 to inhibit the in vivo functions of CaMKK2 and demonstrate its utility for treating metabolically-related hepatic disease.
Longitudinal Association of Sleep Duration with Depressive Symptoms among Middle-aged and Older Chinese
Authors: Li Yujie , Wu Yili , Zhai Long , Wang Tong , Sun Yongye , Zhang Dongfeng 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the associations of nighttime sleep duration and midday napping with risk of depressive symptoms incidence and persistence among middle-aged and older Chinese. Data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, CHARLS (2011–2013), were analyzed. Depressive symptoms were identified by the 10-item version of the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CESD-10). Multivariate binary logistic regression models were fitted. There were 7156 individuals with CESD-10 scores < 10 and 3896 individuals with CESD-10 scores ≥ 10 at baseline included in this study. After controlling for potential covariates, nighttime sleep duration <6 hours was associated with high risk of incident depressive symptoms (OR = 1.450, 95%CI: 1.193, 1.764 for middle aged population, and OR = 2.084, 95%CI:1.479, 2.936 for elderly) and persistent depressive symptoms (OR = 1.404, 95%CI: 1.161, 1.699 for middle aged population, and OR = 1.365, 95%CI: 0.979, 1.904 for elderly). For depressed individuals, longer midday napping (≥60 minutes) was associated with lower persistent depressive symptoms (OR = 0.842, 95%CI: 0.717, 0.989). Our study concluded that short nighttime sleep duration was an independent risk factor of depressive symptoms incidence and persistence. Depressed individuals with long midday napping were more likely to achieve reversion than those who have no siesta habit.
Ephrin-A2 regulates excitatory neuron differentiation and interneuron migration in the developing neocortex
Authors: Homman-Ludiye Jihane , Kwan William C. , de Souza Mitchell J. , Rodger Jennifer , Bourne James A. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe development of the neocortex requires co-ordination between proliferation and differentiation, as well as the precise orchestration of neuronal migration. Eph/ephrin signaling is crucial in guiding neurons and their projections during embryonic development. In adult ephrin-A2 knockout mice we consistently observed focal patches of disorganized neocortical laminar architecture, ranging in severity from reduced neuronal density to a complete lack of neurons. Loss of ephrin-A2 in the pre-optic area of the diencephalon reduced the migration of neocortex-bound interneurons from this region. Furthermore, ephrin-A2 participates in the creation of excitatory neurons by inhibiting apical progenitor proliferation in the ventricular zone, with the disruption of ephrin-A2 signaling in these cells recapitulating the abnormal neocortex observed in the knockout. The disturbance to the architecture of the neocortex observed following deletion of ephrin-A2 signaling shares many similarities with defects found in the neocortex of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.