bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TNF‐α‐Induced NOD2 and RIP2 Contribute to the Up‐Regulation of Cytokines Induced by MDP in Monocytic THP‐1 Cells
Authors: Chen Xiaobin , Xiao Zhilin , Xie Xiumei , Liu Xueting , Jiang Manli , Yuan Chuang , Yang Li , Hu Jinyue 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTNucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain containing 2 (NOD2)‐induced signal transduction and cytokine production is regulated by a number of factors. However, the feedback effect of the pro‐inflammatory TNF‐α on NOD2‐induced inflammation is not fully understood. In this study, we found unexpectedly that TNF‐α up‐regulated NOD2 ligand MDP‐induced production of the CXC chemokines, including CXCL1, 2, and 8, and the pro‐inflammatory cytokines, including IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α, in a dose‐dependent manner at both mRNA and protein levels in monocytic THP‐1 cells. Though TNF‐α induced the up‐regulation of ubiquitin‐editing enzyme A20, an important negative regulator for Toll‐like receptor‐ and NOD2‐induced inflammatory responses, the over‐expression of A20 by gene transfer did not reversed MDP‐induced production of cytokines, suggested that A20 did not regulate the functions of NOD2 in THP‐1 cells. Meanwhile, we found that TNF‐α up‐regulated NOD2 and its down‐stream adaptor protein RIP2 at both mRNA and protein levels. MDP induced the activation of ERK, JNK, p38 and NF‐κB, and TNF‐α pre‐treatment augmented this activation. The results from pharmacological inhibition assay showed that cytokine production was dependent on MAPK signaling. In addition, we found that the pre‐treatment of THP‐1 cells with MDP down‐regulated the mRNA levels of cytokine induced by MDP re‐treatment. MDP pre‐treatment up‐regulated NOD2, but down‐regulated RIP2, and down‐regulated NOD2 signal transduction induced by MDP re‐stimulation. Taking together, these results suggested that TNF‐α is a positive regulator for NOD2 functions via up‐regulation of NOD2 and its signal adaptor RIP2, and TNF‐α‐induced A20 does not regulate MDP‐induced inflammatory responses in THP‐1 cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 5072–5081, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Changes in the biomechanical properties of a single cell induced by nonthermal atmospheric pressure micro‐dielectric barrier discharge plasma
Authors: Choi Hyeongwon , Choi Eun Ha , Kim Kyung Sook 
Published: June 2017

AbstractMechanical properties of a single cell are closely related to the fate and functions of the cell. Changes in mechanical properties may cause diseases or cell apoptosis. Selective cytotoxic effects of nonthermal atmospheric pressure micro‐dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma have been demonstrated on cancer cells. In this work, changes in the mechanical properties of a single cell induced by nonthermal atmospheric pressure micro‐DBD plasma were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Two cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa and SiHa) and normal human fibroblast cells (HFBs) were exposed to micro‐DBD plasma for various exposure times. The elasticity of a single cell was determined by force–distance curve measurement using AFM. Young's modulus was decreased by plasma treatment for all cells. The Young's modulus of plasma‐treated HeLa cells was decreased by 75% compared to nontreated HeLa cells. In SiHa cells and HFBs, elasticity was decreased slightly. Chemical changes induced by the plasma treatment, which were observed by Raman spectroscopy, were also significant in HeLa cells compared to SiHa cells and HFBs. These results suggested that the molecular changes induced by micro‐DBD plasma were related to cell mechanical changes.
Odd 4‐edge‐colorability of graphs
Authors: Petruševski Mirko 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAn odd k‐edge‐coloring of a graph G is a (not necessarily proper) edge‐coloring with at most k colors such that each nonempty color class induces a graph in which every vertex is of odd degree. Pyber (1991) showed that every simple graph is odd 4‐edge‐colorable, and Lužar et al. (2015) showed that connected loopless graphs are odd 5‐edge‐colorable, with one particular exception that is odd 6‐edge‐colorable. In this article, we prove that connected loopless graphs are odd 4‐edge‐colorable, with two particular exceptions that are respectively odd 5‐ and odd 6‐edge‐colorable. Moreover, a color class can be reduced to a size at most 2.
Development and characterization of a 99mTc‐tricarbonyl–labelled estradiol derivative obtained by “Click Chemistry” with potential application in estrogen receptors imaging
Authors: Tejería María Emilia , Giglio Javier , Dematteis Silvia , Rey Ana 
Published: June 2017

SummaryAssessment of the presence of estrogen receptors in breast cancer is crucial for treatment planning. With the objective to develop a potential agent for estrogen receptors imaging, we present the development and characterization of a 99mTc‐tricarbonyl–labelled estradiol derivative. Using ethinylestradiol as starting material, an estradiol derivative bearing a 1,4‐disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazole–containing tridentate ligand system was synthesized by “Click Chemistry” and fully characterized. Labelling with high yield and radiochemical purity was achieved through the formation of a 99mTc‐tricarbonyl complex. The radiolabelled compound was stable, exhibited moderate binding to plasma protein (approximately 33%) and lipophilicity in the adequate range (logP 1.3 ± 0.1 at pH 7.4). Studies in MCF7 showed promising uptake values (approximately 2%). However, more than 50% of the activity is quickly released from the cell. Biodistribution experiments in normal rats confirmed the expected “in vivo” stability of the radiotracer but showed very high gastrointestinal and liver activity, which is inconvenient for in vivo applications. Taking into consideration the well‐documented influence of the chelating system in the physicochemical and biological behaviour of technetium‐labelled small biomolecules, research will be continued using the same pharmacophore but different complexation modalities of technetium.
Magnetic resonance spin–spin relaxation time estimation in a rat model of fatty liver disease
Authors: Alghamdi Sami , Sinclair Benjamin , Cowin Gary , Brereton Ian , Tesiram Yasvir A. 
Published: June 2017

PurposeTo compare mono‐ and bi‐exponential relaxation model equations to discriminate between normal and fatty liver disease.Materials and MethodsSix rats on a choline deficient amino acid modified (CDAA) diet and six on normal chow were studied. Multiple spin echo images with increasing echo times (TEs) were collected at 9.4T. Pixel‐wise T2 maps were generated using mono‐exponential decay function to calculate T2M, and a bi‐exponential to calculate, short T2 component (T2S), long T2 component (T2L), and fractions of these components (ρS, ρL), respectively. Statistical F‐tests and Akaike's information criterion (AIC) were used to assess the relative performance of the two models.ResultsF‐test and AIC showed that in the CDAA group, T2 bi‐exponential model described the signal of T2 weighted imaging of the liver better than the mono‐exponential model. Controls were best described by the mono‐exponential model. Mean values for T2M, T2L, T2S, ρS, ρL were 31.2 ± 0.7 ms, 72.8 ± 3.3 ms, 8.2 ± 0.6 ms,71.2 ± 2.1%, 30.4 ± 1.3%, respectively, in CDAA rats, compared with 18.8 ± 0.5 ms, 32.3 ± 0.7 ms, 9.2 ± 1.8 ms, 79 ± 2%, 21.0 ± 1.1% in controls.ConclusionIn the fatty liver of CDAA rats we have shown that T2 weighted images fit the bi‐exponential model better than mono‐exponential decays thus providing a better description of the data.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:468–476.
Whole‐lesion histogram analysis of the apparent diffusion coefficient: Evaluation of the correlation with subtypes of mucinous breast carcinoma
Authors: Guo Yuan , Kong Qing‐cong , Zhu Ye‐qing , Liu Zhen‐zhen , Peng Ling‐rong , Tang Wen‐Jie , Yang Rui‐meng , Xie Jia‐jun , Liu Chun‐ling 
Published: June 2017

PurposeTo evaluate the utility of the whole‐lesion histogram apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for characterizing the heterogeneity of mucinous breast carcinoma (MBC) and to determine which ADC metrics may help to best differentiate subtypes of MBC.Materials and MethodsThis retrospective study involved 52 MBC patients, including 37 pure MBC (PMBC) and 15 mixed MBC (MMBC). The PMBC patients were subtyped into PMBC‐A (20 cases) and PMBC‐B (17 cases) groups. All patients underwent preoperative diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) at 1.5T and the whole‐lesion ADC assessments were generated. Histogram‐derived ADC parameters were compared between PMBC vs. MMBC and PMBC‐A vs. PMBC‐B, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine optimal histogram parameters for differentiating these groups.ResultsThe PMBC group exhibited significantly higher ADC values for the mean (P = 0.004), 25th (P = 0.004), 50th (P = 0.004), 75th (P = 0.006), and 90th percentiles (P = 0.013) and skewness (P = 0.021) than did the MMBC group. The 25th percentile of ADC values achieved the highest area under the curve (AUC) (0.792), with a cutoff value of 1.345 × 10−3mm2/s, in distinguishing PMBC and MMBC. The PMBC‐A group showed significantly higher ADC values for the mean (P = 0.049), 25th (P = 0.015), and 50th (P = 0.026) percentiles and skewness (P = 0.004) than did the PMBC‐B group. The 25th percentile of the ADC cutoff value (1.476 × 10−3mm2/s) demonstrated the best AUC (0.837) among the ADC values for distinguishing PMBC‐A and PMBC‐B.ConclusionWhole‐lesion ADC histogram analysis enables comprehensive evaluation of an MBC in its entirety and differentiating subtypes of MBC. Thus, it may be a helpful and supportive tool for conventional MRI.Level of Evidence: 4Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:391–400.
Trace determination of five triazole fungicide residues in traditional Chinese medicine samples by dispersive solid‐phase extraction combined with ultrasound‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and UHPLC–MS/MS
Authors: Ma Shuping , Yuan Xucan , Zhao Pengfei , Sun Hong , Ye Xiu , Liang Ning , Zhao Longshan 
Published: June 2017

A novel and reliable method for determination of five triazole fungicide residues (triadimenol, tebuconazole, diniconazole, flutriafol, and hexaconazol) in traditional Chinese medicine samples was developed using dispersive solid‐phase extraction combined with ultrasound‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction before ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The clean up of the extract was conducted using dispersive solid‐phase extraction by directly adding sorbents into the extraction solution, followed by shaking and centrifugation. After that, a mixture of 400 μL trichloromethane (extraction solvent) and 0.5 mL of the above supernatant was injected rapidly into water for the dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure. The factors affecting the extraction efficiency were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration curves showed good linearity in the range of 2.0–400 (tebuconazole, diniconazole, and hexaconazole) and 4.0–800 ng/g (triadimenol and flutriafol) with the regression coefficients higher than 0.9958. The limit of detection and limit of quantification for the present method were 0.5–1.1 and 1.8–4.0 ng/g, respectively. The recoveries of the target analytes ranged from 80.2 to 103.2%. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the analysis of five triazole fungicides in traditional Chinese medicine samples, and satisfactory results were obtained.
Evaluation of a novel metal–organic framework as an adsorbent for the extraction of multiclass pesticides from coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.): An analytical approach using matrix solid‐phase dispersion and liquid chromatography
Authors: de Jesus Jemmyson Romário , Wanderley Kaline Amaral , Alves Júnior Severino , Navickiene Sandro 
Published: June 2017

We report the synthesis, characterization, and application of [Zn(1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)(H2O)2]n, Zn(1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.99(NH2‐1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.01(H2O)2]n, [Zn(1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.95(NH2‐1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.05(H2O)2]n, and [Zn(1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.9(NH2‐1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.1(H2O)2]n as sorbents for the extraction of multiclass pesticides from coconut palm. Liquid chromatography with ultraviolet diode array detection was used as the analysis technique, and the experiments were performed at one fortification level (0.1 μg/g). The recoveries were 47–67, 51–70, 58–72, and 64–76% for [Zn(1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)(H2O)2]n, Zn(1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.99(NH2‐1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.01(H2O)2]n, [Zn(1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.95(NH2‐1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.05(H2O)2]n, and [Zn(1,4‐benzenelate)0.95(NH2‐1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.05(H2O)2]n, and [Zn(1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.9(NH2‐1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.1(H2O)2]n, respectively, with relative standard deviation ranging from 1 to 7% (n = 3). Detection and quantification limits were 0.01–0.05 and 0.05–0.2 μg/g, respectively, for the different pesticides studied. The method developed was linear over the range tested (0.01–10.0 μg/g) with r2 > 0.9991. A direct comparison of [Zn(1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.9(NH2‐1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.1(H2O)2]n with the commercially available neutral alumina showed that [Zn(1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.9(NH2‐1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate)0.1(H2O)2]n was a similar extracting phase for the pesticides investigated.
Insurance status as a predictor of mortality in patients undergoing head and neck cancer surgery
Authors: Rohlfing Matthew L. , Mays Ashley C. , Isom Scott , Waltonen Joshua D. 
Published: June 2017

ObjectiveExplore relationship between insurance status and survival, determine outcomes that vary based on insurance status, and identify potential areas of intervention.Study DesignRetrospective cohort analysis of patients who underwent resection of an upper aerodigestive tract malignancy at a single tertiary care hospital during a 5‐year period.MethodsPatients were categorized into four groups by insurance status: Medicaid or uninsured, Medicare and under 65 years of age, Medicare and 65 years or older, and private insurance. Data were collected from the medical record and analyzed with respect to survival and other outcomes.ResultsThe final cohort consisted of 860 patients. Survival analysis demonstrated a hazard ratio of 2.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5–3.0) for the Medicaid/uninsured group when compared to the private insurance group. When adjusted for other variables, mortality was still different across insurance groups (P = 0.002). The following also were different across insurance groups: tumor stage (P < 0.001), American Society of Anesthesiologists score (P < 0.001), length of stay (P < 0.001), and complications (P = 0.021). The Medicaid/uninsured group was most likely to have a complication (odds ratio [OR] = 2.10, 95% CI 1.24–3.56, P = 0.006).ConclusionMedicaid/uninsured patients present with more advanced tumors and have poorer survival than privately insured patients. Insurance status is predictive of tumor stage, comorbidity burden, length of stay, and complications. Specifically, the Medicaid/uninsured group had high rates of tobacco use and alcohol abuse, advanced stage tumors, and postoperative complications. Because alcohol abuse and advanced stage also were predictors of poor survival, they may contribute to the survival disparity for socially disadvantaged patients.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 127:2784–2789, 2017
Frequency‐dependent inhibition of bladder function by saphenous nerve stimulation in anesthetized rats
Authors: Moazzam Zainab , Yoo Paul B. 
Published: June 2017

AimsPercutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is an effective neuromodulation therapy for treating overactive bladder (OAB). The therapeutic effects are achieved by repeatedly applying electrical stimulation through a percutaneous needle electrode that is used to target the tibial nerve (TN). Anatomical studies indicate there can be multiple saphenous nerve (SAFN) branches located near the site of electrical stimulation, and therefore we investigated the possibility of evoking a bladder‐inhibitory reflex by electrically activating the SAFN.Materials and MethodsAcute experiments were conducted in 26 urethane‐anesthetized rats. Changes in bladder contraction rate (BCR) and bladder capacity were measured in response to 10‐min SAFN stimulation trials. Electrical pulses were applied at 25 µA and at stimulation frequencies between 2 Hz and 50 Hz.ResultsWe report that SAFN stimulation at 20 Hz was most effective at reflexively decreasing the BCR (53.8 ± 5.4% from baseline) and also increasing the bladder capacity (145.8 ± 43.5% from baseline). In contrast, SAFN stimulation at other frequencies yielded inconsistent changes in bladder function. Carry‐over effects were minimized by randomizing the sequence of SAFN stimulation trials and also by allowing the bladder to return to the baseline conditions.ConclusionsWith notable changes in both the BCR and bladder capacity, our findings provide evidence of a novel bladder‐inhibitory reflex in anesthetized rats that is mediated by the SAFN. Further work is needed to determine the clinical relevance of this neural pathway.
Coupled finite particle method with a modified particle shifting technology
Authors: Huang C. , Zhang D. H. , Shi Y. X. , Si Y. L. , Huang B. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryThe conventional SPH method has been frustrated with the low accuracy originated from the particle inconsistency. The finite particle method (FPM) is an improved SPH method with a higher‐order accuracy. However, the numerical accuracy and stability of FPM depend on the uniformity of particles. Facing the disorder particles, the conventional FPM may suffer from an ill‐conditioned corrective matrix and is difficult to conduct longtime simulations. A popular and robust particle regularization scheme is the so‐called particle shifting technology (PST), which can effectively enhance the accuracy and stability of particle methods. In the context of FPM, PST is analyzed and discussed, and a modified PST (MPST) is proposed. Modified PST saves great amount of computational cost with respect to the conventional PST and acquires better features of accuracy and stability. Finally, the coupled FPM method by combining MPST and δ‐SPH is developed to simulate a series of viscous flows. The numerical results indicate that MPST is effective in improving accuracy, stability, and efficiency of PST, and the coupled FPM is shown to be robust for simulating viscous flows and has a higher accuracy and stability.
Elastin‐like polypeptide switches: A design strategy to detect multimeric proteins
Authors: Dhandhukia Jugal P. , Brill Dab A. , Kouhi Aida , Pastuszka Martha K. , MacKay J. Andrew 
Published: June 2017

AbstractElastin‐Like Polypeptides (ELPs) reversibly phase separate in response to changes in temperature, pressure, concentration, pH, and ionic species. While powerful triggers, biological microenvironments present a multitude of more specific biological cues, such as antibodies, cytokines, and cell‐surface receptors. To develop better biosensors and bioresponsive drug carriers, rational strategies are required to sense and respond to these target proteins. We recently reported that noncovalent association of two ELP fusion proteins to a “chemical inducer of dimerization” small molecule (1.5 kDa) induces phase separation at physiological temperatures. Having detected a small molecule, here we present the first evidence that ELP multimerization can also detect a much larger (60 kDa) protein target. To demonstrate this strategy, ELPs were biotinylated at their amino terminus and mixed with tetrameric streptavidin. At a stoichiometric ratio of [4:1], two to three biotin‐ELPs associate with streptavidin into multimeric complexes with an apparent Kd of 5 nM. The increased ELP density around a streptavidin core strongly promotes isothermal phase separation, which was tuned to occur at physiological temperature. This phase separation reverses upon saturation with excess streptavidin, which only favors [1:1] complexes. Together, these findings suggest that ELP association with multimeric biomolecules is a viable strategy to deliberately engineer ELPs that respond to multimeric protein substrates.
Rigidity of the extracellular part of HER2: Evidence from engineering subdomain interfaces and shared‐helix DARPin‐DARPin fusions
Authors: Jost Christian , Stüber Jakob C. , Honegger Annemarie , Wu Yufan , Batyuk Alexander , Plückthun Andreas 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe second member of the human ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases, HER2/hErbB2, is regarded as an exceptional case: The four extracellular subdomains could so far only be found in one fixed overall conformation, designated “open” and resembling the ligand‐bound form of the other ErbB receptors. It thus appears to be different from the extracellular domains of the other family members that show inter‐subdomain flexibility and exist in a “tethered” form in the absence of ligand. For HER2, there was so far no direct evidence for such a tethered conformation on the cell surface. Nonetheless, alternative conformations of HER2 in vivo could so far not be excluded. We now demonstrate the rigidity of HER2 on the surface of tumor cells by employing two orthogonal approaches of protein engineering: To directly test the potential of the extracellular domain of HER2 to adopt a pseudo‐tethered conformation on the cell surface, we first designed HER2 variants with a destabilized interface between extracellular subdomains I and III that would favor deviation from the “open” conformation. Secondly, we used differently shaped versions of a Designed Ankyrin Repeat Protein (DARPin) fusion, recognizing subdomain I of HER2, devised to work as probes for a putative pseudo‐tethered extracellular domain of HER2. Combining our approaches, we exclude, on live cells and in vitro, that significant proportions of HER2 deviate from the “open” conformation.
Distributed event‐triggered consensus control with fully continuous communication free for general linear multi‐agent systems under directed graph
Authors: Liu Xiangdong , Du Changkun , Liu Haikuo , Lu Pingli 
Published: June 2017

SummaryThis paper considers the distributed event‐triggered consensus problem for multi‐agent systems with general linear dynamics under a directed graph. We propose a novel distributed event‐triggered consensus controller with state‐dependent threshold for each agent to achieve consensus. In this strategy, continuous communication in both controller update and triggering condition monitoring is not required, which means the proposed strategy is fully continuous communication free. Each agent only needs to monitor its own state continuously to determine if the event is triggered. Additionally, the approach shown here provides consensus with guaranteed positive inter‐event time intervals. Therefore, there is no Zeno behavior under the proposed consensus control algorithm. Finally, numerical simulations are given to illustrate the theoretical results.