bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitrification versus slow freezing for human ovarian tissue cryopreservation: a systematic review and meta-anlaysis
Authors: Shi Qingquan , Xie Yidong , Wang Yan , Li Shangwei 
Published: August 2017

AbstractVitrification is a well-accepted procedure for cryopreservation of gametes and embryos. Less is known, however, about its performance in preserving ovarian tissue, for which slow freezing is the current convention. Increasing interest is being focused on vitrification, but there are as yet no standard protocols for its use with ovarian tissue. In part, this is because of the variety of cell types and complex nature of ovarian tissue. We performed a meta-analysis of 14 studies that compared vitrification with slow freezing for cryopreservation of ovarian tissue. In the pooled analysis, there was no significant difference between the two methods in terms of the proportion of intact primordial follicles, but vitrification was associated with significantly less DNA damage. Secondary endpoints included the number of stromal cells, significantly higher with vitrification, and primordial follicle density, which did not differ between the two methods. The present meta-analysis suggests that vitrification may be more effective than slow freezing, with less primordial follicular DNA strand breaks and better preservation of stromal cells. These advantages should lead to improved ovarian function after transplantation.
Targeted blockade of TGF-β and IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathways inhibits lung cancer growth promoted by bone marrow-derived myofibroblasts
Authors: Shi Jindong , Feng Jingjing , Xie Juan , Mei Zhoufang , Shi Tianyun , Wang Shengmei , Du Yong , Yang Gong , Wu Yougen , Cheng Xiaojiao , Li Shanqun , Zhu Liming , Yang Chung S. , Tu Shuiping , Jie Zhijun 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTo investigate the role of TGF-β and IL-6 in myofibroblasts (MFs) — lung cancer cell interactions, lung cancer cells (Lewis and CTM-167 cell lines) were stimulated by IL-6, MF-conditioned medium (MF-CM) or MFs, with or without TGF-β signaling inhibitor — SB431542 and/or JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor — JSI-124. MFs were stimulated by TGF-β, cancer cell-CM or cancer cells, with or without SB431542 and JSI-124. Cell proliferation, the levels of cytokines, expression of mRNA and protein were determined. Mice bearing xenograft tumors were intraperitoneally treated with SB431542 or JSI-124 and monitored for up to 45 days. In co-culture systems, MFs secreted high levels of IL-6, while cancer cells produced high levels of TGF-β. Recombinant IL-6 and MF-CM activated STAT3 and upregulated TGF-β in cancer cells. In contrast, cancer cell-CM or TGF-β stimulated MFs to produce IL-6. Blockade of JAK2/STAT3 and TGF-β signaling by specific inhibitors significantly inhibited cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo of lung cancer cells. Our study demontrated that the TGF-β and IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways form a positive feedback signaling loop that mediated the interactions between MFs and lung cancer cells. Targeted inhibiton of this signaling loop could be a new approach for lung cancer prevention and therapy.
Vascular Hysteresis Loops and Vascular Architecture Mapping in Patients with Glioblastoma treated with Antiangiogenic Therapy
Authors: Stadlbauer Andreas , Zimmermann Max , Oberndorfer Stefan , Doerfler Arnd , Buchfelder Michael , Heinz Gertraud , Roessler Karl 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the variability of vascular hysteresis loop (VHL) shapes and the spatial heterogeneity of neovascularization and microvascular alterations using vascular architecture mapping (VAM) in patients with recurrent glioblastoma during bevacizumab mono-therapy. VAM data were acquired in 13 patients suffering from recurrent glioblastoma prior to and 3 months after bevacizumab treatment onset using a dual contrast agent injections approach as part of routine MRI. Two patients were additionally examined after the first cycle of bevacizumab to check for early treatment response. VHLs were evaluated as biomarker maps of neovascularization activity: microvessel type indicator (MTI) and curvature (Curv) of the VHL-long-axis. Early response to bevacizumab was dominated by reduction of smaller microvasculature (around 10 µm). In the 3-month follow-up, responding tumors additionally showed a reduction in larger microvasculature (>20 µm). VAM biomarker images revealed spatially heterogeneous microvascular alterations during bevacizumab treatment. Responding, non-responding, progressive, and remote-progressive tumor areas were observed. MTI may be useful to predict responding and non-responding tumor regions, and Curv to assess severity of vasogenic edema. Analysis of VHLs in combination with VAM biomarkers may lead to a new perspective on investigating the spatial heterogeneity of neovascularization and microvascular alterations in glioblastoma during antiangiogenic therapy.
Inflammation and bone mineral density: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Huang Jian V. , Schooling C. Mary 
Published: August 2017

AbstractOsteoporosis is a common age-related disorder leading to an increase in osteoporotic fractures and resulting in significant suffering and disability. Inflammation may contribute to osteoporosis, as it does to many other chronic diseases. We examined whether inflammation is etiologically relevant to osteoporosis, assessed from bone mineral density (BMD), as a new potential target of intervention, or whether it is a symptom/biomarker of osteoporosis. We obtained genetic predictors of inflammatory markers from genome-wide association studies and applied them to a large genome wide association study of BMD. Using two-sample Mendelian randomization, we obtained unconfounded estimates of the effect of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) on BMD at the forearm, femoral neck,﻿ an﻿d lumbar spine. After removing potentially pleiotropic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) possibly acting via obesity-related traits, hsCRP, based on 16 SNPs from genes including CRP, was not associated with BMD. A causal relation of hsCRP with lower BMD was not evident in this study.
Microplastics in Spanish Table Salt
Authors: Iñiguez Maria E. , Conesa Juan A. , Fullana Andres 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMarine debris is widely recognized as a global environmental problem. One of its main components, microplastics, has been found in several sea salt samples from different countries, indicating that sea products are irremediably contaminated by microplastics. Previous studies show very confusing results, reporting amounts of microparticles (MPs) in salt ranging from zero to 680 MPs/kg, with no mention of the possible causes of such differences. Several errors in the experimental procedures used were found and are reported in the present work. Likewise, 21 different samples of commercial table salt from Spain have been analyzed for MPs content and nature. The samples comprise sea salts and well salts, before and after packing. The microplastic content found was of 50–280 MPs/kg salt, being polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) the most frequently found polymer, followed by polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), with no significant differences among all the samples. The results indicate that even though the micro-particles might originate from multiple sources, there is a background presence of microplastics in the environment.
Identification of Endogenous Reference Genes for RT-qPCR Expression Analysis in Urochloa brizantha Under Abiotic Stresses
Authors: Takamori Luciana Midori , Pereira Alyne Valéria Carrion , Maia Souza Gustavo , Vieira Luiz Gonzaga Esteves , Ferreira Ribas Alessandra 
Published: August 2017

AbstractUrochloa brizantha is one of the most important warm season forage grasses in tropical countries. Despite its importance, there are few studies on gene expression in this species under stressful conditions. Real-time (RT-qPCR) is an accurate technique for gene quantification analysis, but reference genes must be validated under the same conditions used to assess the expression of the target genes. Here, we evaluated the stability of nine reference genes: Actin 12, Eukaryotic initiation factor 4 A, Elongation factor-1 alpha, FTSH protease 4, U2 auxiliary fator, Succinol Co-enzyme A, Tubulin alfa-5, Tubulin beta-6, Ubiquitin conjugating enzyme. Total RNA was extract from leaf tissues of U. brizantha subjected to 6, 12 and 24 h of cold and heat stresses (10 and 45 °C, respectively), and drought, including moderate (−0.5 to −0.7 MPa), severe (−1.1 to −1.8 MPa) and recovery after re-watering. The RefFinder web-based tool was used to rank the most stable reference genes for each stress. Elongation factor-1 alpha, Elongation factor-1 alpha or Ubiquitin conjugating enzyme, and Eukaryotic initiation factor 4 A were the most stable genes for heat, cold and drought stress, respectively. The expression of Rubisco large subunit gene was normalized against the most stable gene selected by ReFfinder for each stress.
Characterization of polycrystalline lead oxide for application in direct conversion X-ray detectors
Authors: Semeniuk O. , Grynko O. , Decrescenzo G. , Juska G. , Wang K. , Reznik A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWhile polycrystalline lead oxide (poly-PbO) is known to be one of the most promising photoconductors for utilization in X-ray detectors, its major performance parameters such as charge yield and mobility-lifetime product (μτ) are still not well established and require further investigation. Combining the conventional X-ray induced photocurrent and pulse height spectroscopy techniques we examine the X-ray photogeneration and recombination processes in poly-PbO. The measurements indicate that the amount of energy required to release a single electron hole pair W± (inverse of charge yield) strongly depends on applied electric field and at 10 V/μm reaches ~20 eV/ehp. Fitting the measured pulse height spectra with the Hecht formula provided μτ for holes and electrons to be 4.1 × 10−8 cm2/V and 10−9 cm2/V, respectively. Obtained μτ values combined with recently reported mobility values of charge carriers in PbO suggest a new direction towards improvement of PbO technology by incorporation of Frisch grid or X-ray transistor architectures.
Combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses of metformin effects reveal novel links between metabolic networks in steroidogenic systems
Authors: Udhane Sameer S. , Legeza Balazs , Marti Nesa , Hertig Damian , Diserens Gaëlle , Nuoffer Jean-Marc , Vermathen Peter , Flück Christa E. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMetformin is an antidiabetic drug, which inhibits mitochondrial respiratory-chain-complex I and thereby seems to affect the cellular metabolism in many ways. It is also used for the treatment of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine disorder in women. In addition, metformin possesses antineoplastic properties. Although metformin promotes insulin-sensitivity and ameliorates reproductive abnormalities in PCOS, its exact mechanisms of action remain elusive. Therefore, we studied the transcriptome and the metabolome of metformin in human adrenal H295R cells. Microarray analysis revealed changes in 693 genes after metformin treatment. Using high resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HR-MAS-NMR), we determined 38 intracellular metabolites. With bioinformatic tools we created an integrated pathway analysis to understand different intracellular processes targeted by metformin. Combined metabolomics and transcriptomics data analysis showed that metformin affects a broad range of cellular processes centered on the mitochondrium. Data confirmed several known effects of metformin on glucose and androgen metabolism, which had been identified in clinical and basic studies previously. But more importantly, novel links between the energy metabolism, sex steroid biosynthesis, the cell cycle and the immune system were identified. These omics studies shed light on a complex interplay between metabolic pathways in steroidogenic systems.
Histone/protein deacetylase 11 targeting promotes Foxp3+ Treg function
Authors: Huang Jianbing , Wang Liqing , Dahiya Satinder , Beier Ulf H. , Han Rongxiang , Samanta Arabinda , Bergman Joel , Sotomayor Eduardo M. , Seto Edward , Kozikowski Alan P. , Hancock Wayne W. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCurrent interest in Foxp3+ T-regulatory (Treg) cells as therapeutic targets in transplantation is largely focused on their harvesting pre-transplant, expansion and infusion post-transplantation. An alternate strategy of pharmacologic modulation of Treg function using histone/protein deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) may allow more titratable and longer-term dosing. However, the effects of broadly acting HDACi vary, such that HDAC isoform-selective targeting is likely required. We report data from mice with constitutive or conditional deletion of HDAC11 within Foxp3+ Treg cells, and their use, along with small molecule HDAC11 inhibitors, in allograft models. Global HDAC11 deletion had no effect on health or development, and compared to WT controls, Foxp3+ Tregs lacking HDAC11 showed increased suppressive function, and increased expression of Foxp3 and TGF-β. Likewise, compared to WT recipients, conditional deletion of HDAC11 within Tregs led to long-term survival of fully MHC-mismatched cardiac allografts, and prevented development of transplant arteriosclerosis in an MHC class II-mismatched allograft model. The translational significance of HDAC11 targeting was shown by the ability of an HDAC11i to promote long-term allograft allografts in fully MHC-disparate strains. These data are powerful stimuli for the further development and testing of HDAC11-selective pharmacologic inhibitors, and may ultimately provide new therapies for transplantation and autoimmune diseases.
Genomic signatures of local adaptation reveal source-sink dynamics in a high gene flow fish species
Authors: Cure Katherine , Thomas Luke , Hobbs Jean-Paul A. , Fairclough David V. , Kennington W. Jason 
Published: August 2017

AbstractUnderstanding source-sink dynamics is important for conservation management, particularly when climatic events alter species’ distributions. Following a 2011 ‘marine heatwave’ in Western Australia, we observed high recruitment of the endemic fisheries target speciesChoerodon rubescens, towards the cooler (southern) end of its distribution. Here, we use a genome wide set of 14 559 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to identify the likely source population for this recruitment event. Most loci (76%) showed low genetic divergence across the species’ range, indicating high levels of gene flow and confirming previous findings using neutral microsatellite markers. However, a small proportion of loci showed strong patterns of differentiation and exhibited patterns of population structure consistent with local adaptation. Clustering analyses based on these outlier loci indicated that recruits at the southern end ofC.rubescens’ range originated 400 km to the north, at the centre of the species’ range, where average temperatures are up to 3 °C warmer. Survival of these recruits may be low because they carry alleles adapted to an environment different to the one they now reside in, but their survival is key to establishing locally adapted populations at and beyond the range edge as water temperatures increase with climate change.
Gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase to platelet ratio is not superior to APRI,FIB-4 and RPR for diagnosing liver fibrosis in CHB patients in China
Authors: Huang Rui , Wang Guiyang , Tian Chen , Liu Yong , Jia Bei , Wang Jian , Yang Yue , Li Yang , Sun Zhenhua , Yan Xiaomin , Xia Juan , Xiong Yali , Song Peixin , Zhang Zhaoping , Ding Weimao , Wu Chao 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase to platelet ratio (GPR) is a novel index to estimate liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Few studies compared diagnostic accuracy of GPR with other non-invasive fibrosis tests based on blood parameters. We analyzed diagnostic values of GPR for detecting liver fibrosis and compared diagnostic performances of GPR with APRI (aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index), FIB-4 (fibrosis index based on the four factors), NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio), AAR (aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio) and RPR (red cell distribution width-to-platelet ratio) in HBeAg positive CHB and HBeAg negative CHB. We found AUROCs of GPR in predicting significant liver fibrosis, advanced liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis were 0.732 (95% CI 0.663 to 0.801), 0.788 (95% CI 0.729 to 0.847) and 0.753 (95% CI 0.692 to 0.814), respectively. Further comparisons showed the diagnostic performance of GPR was not significantly different with APRI, FIB-4 and RPR in identifying significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, but it was significantly superior to AAR and NLR in both HBeAg positive CHB and HBeAg negative CHB. In conclusion, GPR does not show advantages than APRI, FIB-4 and RPR in identifying significant liver fibrosis, advanced liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis in both HBeAg positive CHB and HBeAg negative CHB in China.
Constructing the novel ultrafine amorphous iron oxyhydroxide/g-C3N4 nanosheets heterojunctions for highly improved photocatalytic performance
Authors: Yang Hongcen , Zhang Shouwei , Cao Ruya , Deng Xiaolong , Li Zhipeng , Xu Xijin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractUltrafine particles, more heterojunction interfaces and amorphous materials can effectively enhance the photocatalytic activity of photocatalysts. In this work, a facile in-situ precipitation method was developed to prepare ultrafine amorphous iron oxyhydroxide/ultrathin g-C3N4 nanosheets heterojunction composites. The amorphous iron oxyhydroxide possessed an ultrafine particle size and a wide range of visible light absorption. In this process, the ultrafine particles not only shortened the diffusion distance of photogenerated carriers, but also facilitated the formation of more heterojunctions with ultrathin g-C3N4 nanosheets. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated using rhodamine B, methylene blue, and methyl orange as pollution models under visible light irradiation. Notably, the optimal photocatalytic activity of a-FeOOH/CNNS-800 composite is ~17.8 times higher than that of CNNS towards the degradation of rhodamine B under visible light. The outstanding photocatalytic activities were ascribed to the narrower band gap, the enhanced visible light absorbance, abundant heterojunction interfaces, and the effective separation of the photogenerated charges driven by the matched band edge in the heterostructures. We trusted that the facile and easy-to-extend synthesis method can be further expanded to synthesize other ultrafine semiconductors coupled with g-C3N4 for enhancing the photocatalytic activities.
Generation and intracellular trafficking of a polysialic acid-carrying fragment of the neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM to the cell nucleus
Authors: Westphal Nina , Loers Gabriele , Lutz David , Theis Thomas , Kleene Ralf , Schachner Melitta 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPolysialic acid (PSA) and its major protein carrier, the neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM, play important roles in many nervous system functions during development and in adulthood. Here, we show that a PSA-carrying NCAM fragment is generated at the plasma membrane by matrix metalloproteases and transferred to the cell nucleus via endosomes and the cytoplasm. Generation and nuclear import of this fragment in cultured cerebellar neurons is induced by a function-triggering NCAM antibody and a peptide comprising the effector domain (ED) of myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) which interacts with PSA within the plane of the plasma membrane. These treatments lead to activation of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor, phospholipase C (PLC), protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K), and subsequently to phosphorylation of MARCKS. Moreover, the NCAM antibody triggers calmodulin-dependent activation of nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide (NO) production, NO-dependent S-nitrosylation of matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9) as well as activation of matrix metalloprotease 2 (MMP2) and MMP9, whereas the ED peptide activates phospholipase D (PLD) and MMP2, but not MMP9. These results indicate that the nuclear PSA-carrying NCAM fragment is generated by distinct and functionally defined signal transducing mechanisms.
Trends in Perioperative Venous Thromboembolism Associated with Major Noncardiac Surgery
Authors: Smilowitz Nathaniel , Gupta Navdeep , Guo Yu , Maldonado Thomas , Eikelboom John , Goldhaber Samuel , Bangalore Sripal , Berger Jeffrey 
Published: August 2017

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common vascular complication of noncardiac surgery.
Methods We evaluated national trends in perioperative in-hospital VTE incidence, management, and outcomes using a large database of hospital admissions from the United States. Patients aged ≥ 45 years undergoing major noncardiac surgery from 2005 to 2013 were identified from the National Inpatient Sample. In-hospital perioperative VTE was defined as lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), and the incidence was evaluated over time. Multivariable regression models with demographics and comorbidities as covariates were generated to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR).
Results Major noncardiac surgery was performed in 9,431,442 hospitalizations that met inclusion criteria, and perioperative VTE occurred in 99,776 patients (1,057 per 100,000), corresponding to an annual incidence of ≈53,000 after applying sample weights. Over time, perioperative VTE per 100,000 surgeries increased by 135 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 107–163), from 925 in 2005 to 1,060 in 2013 (p for trend <0.001; aOR [for 2013 vs. 2005]: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.19–1.26), due to increases in nonfatal VTE rates (from 840 [per 100,000 surgeries] in 2005 to 987 in 2013; p for trend <0.001). Perioperative VTE occurred most frequently in patients undergoing thoracic (2.0%) and vascular surgery (1.8%). Mortality was higher in patients with VTE than those without VTE (aOR: 3.12, 95% CI: 3.05–3.20).
Conclusion Perioperative VTE occurs in approximately 1% of patients ≥45 years undergoing major noncardiac surgery, with increasing incidence of nonfatal VTE over time.
Spontaneous Labor Onset and Outcomes in Obese Women at Term
Authors: Wang Judy , Conner Shayna , Tuuli Methodius , Macones George , Woolfolk Candice , Cahill Alison , Frolova Antonina 
Published: August 2017

Objective The objective of this study was to compare the rates of spontaneous labor onset and its progression in obese and nonobese women after 37 weeks.
Study Design We performed a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort of all women who were admitted for delivery at ≥ 37 weeks of gestation at a university-based tertiary care center between 2004 and 2010. The cohort was stratified by weeks of gestation at which the patient presented for delivery. The rates of spontaneous labor, vaginal delivery, and augmentation with oxytocin were compared between obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30) and nonobese (BMI < 30) women.
Results Obese women had lower rates of spontaneous labor than nonobese women at every gestational week (37 weeks, 6.1 vs. 9.3%, p < 0.001; 38 weeks, 12.8 vs. 19.2%, p < 0.001; 39 weeks 26.0 vs. 37.0%, p < 0.001; 40 weeks, 39.6 vs. 50.2%, p < 0.001; 41 weeks, 30.8 vs. 38.0%, p < 0.012). Among women who presented in spontaneous labor, obesity was associated with higher rates of augmentation with oxytocin and lower rates of vaginal delivery.
Conclusion Obese women at or beyond 37 weeks are less likely to experience spontaneous labor compared with nonobese women. In addition, obese women presenting in spontaneous labor are less likely that nonobese women to have a vaginal delivery at 37 to 40 weeks, even after oxytocin augmentation.