bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modelling gastrointestinal parasitism infection in a sheep flock over two reproductive seasons:in silicoexploration and sensitivity analysis
Authors: SACCAREAU M. , MORENO C. R. , KYRIAZAKIS I. , FAIVRE R. , BISHOP S. C. 
Published: June 2016

SUMMARYIn reproducing ewes, a periparturient breakdown of immunity is often observed to result in increased fecal egg excretion, making them the main source of infection for their immunologically naive lambs. In this study, we expanded a simulation model previously developed for growing lambs to explore the impact of the genotype (performance and resistance traits) and host nutrition on the performance and parasitism of both growing lambs and reproducing ewes naturally infected withTeladorsagia circumcincta. Our model accounted for nutrient-demanding phases, such as gestation and lactation, and included a supplementary module to manage the age structure of the ewe flock. The model was validated by comparison with published data. Because model parameters were unknown or poorly estimated, detailed sensitivity analysis of the model was performed for the sheep mortality and the level of infection, following a preliminary screening step. The parameters with the greatest effect on parasite-related outputs were those driving animal growth and milk yield. Our model enables different parasite-control strategies (host nutrition, breeding for resistance and anthelmintic treatments) to be assessed on the long term in a sheep flock. To optimizein silicoexploration, the parameters highlighted by the sensitivity analysis should be refined with real data.
Quasi-isometries between groups with two-ended splittings
Authors: CASHEN CHRISTOPHER H. , MARTIN ALEXANDRE 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWe construct a ‘structure invariant’ of a one-ended, finitely presented group that describes the way in which the factors of its JSJ decomposition over two-ended subgroups fit together. For hyperbolic groups satisfying a very general condition, these invariants completely reduce the problem of classifying such groups up to quasi-isometry to a relative quasi-isometry classification of the factors of their JSJ decomposition. Under some additional assumption, our results extend to more general finitely presented groups, yielding a far-reaching generalisation of the quasi-isometry classification of some 3–manifolds obtained by Behrstock and Neumann.The same approach also allows us to obtain such a reduction for the problem of determining when two hyperbolic groups have homeomorphic Gromov boundaries.
Global Meningococcal Initiative: guidelines for diagnosis and confirmation of invasive meningococcal disease
Authors: VÁZQUEZ J. A. , TAHA M. K. , FINDLOW J. , GUPTA S. , BORROW R. 
Published: June 2016

SUMMARYThe Global Meningococcal Initiative (GMI) is an international group of scientists and clinicians with recognized expertise in meningococcal disease including microbiology, immunology, epidemiology, public health and vaccinology. The GMI was established to promote the global prevention of meningococcal disease through education, research and international cooperation. The GMI held its second summit meeting in 2013 to discuss the different aspects of existing meningococcal immunization programmes and surveillance systems. Laboratory confirmation and characterization were identified as essential for informing evidence-based vaccine implementation decisions. The relative merits of different confirmatory methodologies and their applications in different resource settings were a key component of the discussions. This paper summarizes the salient issues discussed, with special emphasis on the recommendations made and any deficiencies that were identified.
Protein structural changes during processing of vegetable feed ingredients used in swine diets: implications for nutritional value
Authors: Salazar-Villanea S. , Hendriks W. H. , Bruininx E. M. A. M. , Gruppen H. , van der Poel A. F. B. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractProtein structure influences the accessibility of enzymes for digestion. The proportion of intramolecular β-sheets in the secondary structure of native proteins has been related to a decrease in protein digestibility. Changes to proteins that can be considered positive (for example, denaturation and random coil formation) or negative (for example, aggregation and Maillard reactions) for protein digestibility can occur simultaneously during processing. The final result of these changes on digestibility seems to be a counterbalance of the occurrence of each phenomenon. Occurrence of each phenomenon depends on the conditions applied, but also on the source and type of the protein that is processed. The correlation between denaturation enthalpy after processing and protein digestibility seems to be dependent on the protein source. Heat seems to be the processing parameter with the largest influence on changes in the structure of proteins. The effect of moisture is usually limited to the simultaneous application of heat, but increasing level of moisture during processing usually increases structural changes in proteins. The effect of shear on protein structure is commonly studied using extrusion, although the multifactorial essence of this technology does not allow disentanglement of the separate effects of each processing parameter (for example, heat, shear, moisture). Although most of the available literature on the processing of feed ingredients reports effects on protein digestibility, the mechanisms that explain these effects are usually lacking. Clarifying these mechanisms could aid in the prediction of the nutritional consequences of processing conditions.
Targeting long non-coding RNA-TUG1 inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis in hepatoblastoma
Authors: Dong R , Liu G-B , Liu B-H , Chen G , Li K , Zheng S , Dong K-R 
Published: June 2016

AbstractHepatoblastoma is the most common liver tumor of early childhood, which is usually characterized by unusual hypervascularity. Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) have emerged as gene regulators and prognostic markers in several cancers, including hepatoblastoma. We previously reveal that lnRNA-TUG1 is upregulated in hepatoblastoma specimens by microarray analysis. In this study, we aim to elucidate the biological and clinical significance of TUG1 upregulation in hepatoblastoma. We show that TUG1 is significantly upregulated in human hepatoblastoma specimens and metastatic hepatoblastoma cell lines. TUG1 knockdown inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo, and decreases hepatoblastoma cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. TUG1, miR-34a-5p, and VEGFA constitutes to a regulatory network, and participates in regulating hepatoblastoma cell function, tumor progression, and tumor angiogenesis. Overall, our findings indicate that TUG1 upregulation contributes to unusual hypervascularity of hepatoblastoma. TUG1 is a promising therapeutic target for aggressive, recurrent, or metastatic hepatoblastoma.
TC-N19, a novel dual inhibitor of EGFR and cMET, efficiently overcomes EGFR-TKI resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Wu D-W , Chen T-C , Huang H-S , Lee H 
Published: June 2016

AbstractEpidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) show a clinical benefit when used to treat patients with EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but this treatment unfortunately fails in patients with TKI-resistant tumors. We here provide evidence that TC-N19 (N19), a novel dual inhibitor of EGFR and cMET, efficiently overcomes the EGFR-TKI resistance in EGFR-mutated NSCLC cells via simultaneous degradation of both proteins by ubiquitin proteasomes. Comparison with HSP90 inhibitor treatment and knockdown of EGFR and cMET by small hairpin RNAs reveal that the reduction of EGFR and cMET expression by N19 is responsible for overcoming the intrinsic TKI resistance mediated by paxillin (PXN) in high PXN-expressing cells, PXN-overexpressing PC9 cells (PC9-PXN), the EGFR-T790M-mediated TKI resistance in H1975 and CL97 cells, and the acquired resistance to gefitinib in gefitinib-resistant PC9 cells (PC9GR). Annexin V-PI staining assay showed that the induction of apoptosis in NSCLC cells by N19 depended on the reduction in levels of both proteins. Xenograft tumor formation in nude mice induced by a PC9-PXN-stable clone and by PC9GR cells was nearly completely suppressed by N19 treatment, with no changes in animal body weight. MTT assays of normal lung cells and reticulocytes showed no cytotoxicity responses to N19. In summary, N19 may act as a novel dual inhibitor of EGFR and cMET that induces apoptosis in TKI-resistant EGFR-mutated NSCLC cells and suppresses xenograft tumor formation. We suggest that N19 may be a potential new-generation TKI or HSP90 inhibitor used for treatment of NSCLC patients who show resistance to current TKI-targeting therapies.
IL-13 from intraepithelial lymphocytes regulates tissue homeostasis and protects against carcinogenesis in the skin
Authors: Dalessandri Tim , Crawford Greg , Hayes Mark , Castro Seoane Rocio , Strid Jessica 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe skin is under constant renewal and exposure to environmental challenges. How homeostasis is maintained alongside protective mechanisms against damage is unclear. Among the basal epithelial cells (ECs) is a population of resident intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) that provide host-protective immune surveillance. Here we show that IELs cross-communicate with ECs via the production of IL-13. Skin ECs are activated by IEL-derived IL-13, enabling a canonical EC stress response. In the absence of IL-13, or canonical IEL, the skin has decreased ability to repair its barrier and increased susceptibility to cutaneous carcinogenesis. IL-13 controls the rate of EC movement through the epidermis, which might explain the importance of IL-13 for epidermal integrity and its suppressive effect on skin carcinogenesis. These findings show that IL-13 acts as a molecular bridge between IELs and ECs, and reveal a critical host-defensive role for type-2 immunity in regulating EC tissue homeostasis and carcinogenesis.
Systemic desensitization through TRPA1 channels by capsazepine and mustard oil - a novel strategy against inflammation and pain
Authors: Kistner Katrin , Siklosi Norbert , Babes Alexandru , Khalil Mohammad , Selescu Tudor , Zimmermann Katharina , Wirtz Stefan , Becker Christoph , Neurath Markus F. , Reeh Peter W. , Engel Matthias A. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWe demonstrate a novel dual strategy against inflammation and pain through body-wide desensitization of nociceptors via TRPA1. Attenuation of experimental colitis by capsazepine (CPZ) has long been attributed to its antagonistic action on TRPV1 and associated inhibition of neurogenic inflammation. In contrast, we found that CPZ exerts its anti-inflammatory effects via profound desensitization of TRPA1. Micromolar CPZ induced calcium influx in isolated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from wild-type (WT) but not TRPA1-deficient mice. CPZ-induced calcium transients in human TRPA1-expressing HEK293t cells were blocked by the selective TRPA1 antagonists HC 030031 and A967079 and involved three cysteine residues in the N-terminal domain. Intriguingly, both colonic enemas and drinking water with CPZ led to profound systemic hypoalgesia in WT and TRPV1−/− but not TRPA1−/− mice. These findings may guide the development of a novel class of disease-modifying drugs with anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects.
Climate change and the loss of organic archaeological deposits in the Arctic
Authors: Hollesen Jørgen , Matthiesen Henning , Møller Anders Bjørn , Westergaard-Nielsen Andreas , Elberling Bo 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe Arctic is warming twice as fast as the global average with overlooked consequences for the preservation of the rich cultural and environmental records that have been stored for millennia in archaeological deposits. In this article, we investigate the oxic degradation of different types of organic archaeological deposits located in different climatic zones in West and South Greenland. The rate of degradation is investigated based on measurements of O2 consumption, CO2 production and heat production at different temperatures and water contents. Overall, there is good consistency between the three methods. However, at one site the, O2 consumption is markedly higher than the CO2 production, highlighting the importance of combining several measures when assessing the vulnerability of organic deposits. The archaeological deposits are highly vulnerable to degradation regardless of age, depositional and environmental conditions. Degradation rates of the deposits are more sensitive to increasing temperatures than natural soils and the process is accompanied by a high microbial heat production that correlates significantly with their total carbon content. We conclude that organic archaeology in the Arctic is facing a critical challenge that requires international action.
The entire mean weighted first-passage time on a family of weighted treelike networks
Authors: Dai Meifeng , Sun Yanqiu , Sun Yu , Xi Lifeng , Shao Shuxiang 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIn this paper, we consider the entire mean weighted first-passage time (EMWFPT) with random walks on a family of weighted treelike networks. The EMWFPT on weighted networks is proposed for the first time in the literatures. The dominating terms of the EMWFPT obtained by the following two methods are coincident. On the one hand, using the construction algorithm, we calculate the receiving and sending times for the central node to obtain the asymptotic behavior of the EMWFPT. On the other hand, applying the relationship equation between the EMWFPT and the average weighted shortest path, we also obtain the asymptotic behavior of the EMWFPT. The obtained results show that the effective resistance is equal to the weighted shortest path between two nodes. And the dominating term of the EMWFPT scales linearly with network size in large network.
Insights into Campylobacter jejuni colonization and enteritis using a novel infant rabbit model
Authors: Shang Yuwei , Ren Fangzhe , Song Zhaojun , Li Qiuchun , Zhou Xiaohui , Wang Xiaobo , Xu Zhonglan , Bao Guangyu , Wan Ting , Lei Tianyao , Wang Nan , Jiao Xin-an , Huang Jinlin 
Published: June 2016

AbstractA lack of relevant disease models for Campylobacter jejuni has long been an obstacle to research into this common enteric pathogen. Here we used an infant rabbit to study C. jejuni infection, which enables us to define several previously unknown but key features of the organism. C. jejuni is capable of systemic invasion in the rabbit, and developed a diarrhea symptom that mimicked that observed in many human campylobacteriosis. The large intestine was the most consistently colonized site and produced intestinal inflammation, where specific cytokines were induced. Genes preferentially expressed during C. jejuni infection were screened, and acs, cj1385, cj0259 seem to be responsible for C. jejuni invasion. Our results demonstrates that the infant rabbit can be used as an alternative experimental model for the study of diarrheagenic Campylobacter species and will be useful in exploring the pathogenesis of other related pathogens.
Diverse distribution of Toxin-Antitoxin II systems in Salmonella enterica serovars
Authors: Di Cesare Andrea , Losasso Carmen , Barco Lisa , Eckert Ester M. , Conficoni Daniele , Sarasini Giulia , Corno Gianluca , Ricci Antonia 
Published: June 2016

AbstractType II Toxin-Antitoxin systems (TAs), known for their presence in virulent and antibiotic resistant bacterial strains, were recently identified in Salmonella enterica isolates. However, the relationships between the presence of TAs (ccdAB and vapBC) and the epidemiological and genetic features of different non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars are largely unknown, reducing our understanding of the ecological success of different serovars. Salmonella enterica isolates from different sources, belonging to different serovars and epidemiologically unrelated according to ERIC profiles, were investigated for the presence of type II TAs, plasmid content and antibiotic resistance. The results showed the ubiquitous presence of the vapBC gene in all the investigated Salmonella isolates, but a diverse distribution of ccdAB, which was detected in the most widespread Salmonella serovars, only. Analysis of the plasmid toxin ccdB translated sequence of four selected Salmonella isolates showed the presence of the amino acid substitution R99W, known to impede in vitro the lethal effect of CcdB toxin in the absence of its cognate antitoxin CcdA. These findings suggest a direct role of the TAs in promoting adaptability and persistence of the most prevalent Salmonella serovars, thus implying a wider eco-physiological role for these type II TAs.
Wide-field imaging of birefringent synovial fluid crystals using lens-free polarized microscopy for gout diagnosis
Authors: Zhang Yibo , Lee Seung Yoon Celine , Zhang Yun , Furst Daniel , Fitzgerald John , Ozcan Aydogan 
Published: June 2016

AbstractGout is a form of crystal arthropathy where monosodium urate (MSU) crystals deposit and elicit inflammation in a joint. Diagnosis of gout relies on identification of MSU crystals under a compensated polarized light microscope (CPLM) in synovial fluid aspirated from the patient’s joint. The detection of MSU crystals by optical microscopy is enhanced by their birefringent properties. However, CPLM partially suffers from the high-cost and bulkiness of conventional lens-based microscopy and its relatively small field-of-view (FOV) limits the efficiency and accuracy of gout diagnosis. Here we present a lens-free polarized microscope which adopts a novel differential and angle-mismatched polarizing optical design achieving wide-field and high-resolution holographic imaging of birefringent objects with a color contrast similar to that of a standard CPLM. The performance of this computational polarization microscope is validated by imaging MSU crystals made from a gout patient’s tophus and steroid crystals used as negative control. This lens-free polarized microscope, with its wide FOV (>20 mm2), cost-effectiveness and field-portability, can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of gout diagnosis, reduce costs and can be deployed even at the point-of-care and in resource-limited clinical settings.
Human Organotypic Cultured Cardiac Slices: New Platform For High Throughput Preclinical Human Trials
Authors: Kang C. , Qiao Y. , Li G. , Baechle K. , Camelliti P. , Rentschler S. , Efimov I. R. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractTranslation of novel therapies from bench to bedside is hampered by profound disparities between animal and human genetics and physiology. The ability to test for efficacy and cardiotoxicity in a clinically relevant human model system would enable more rapid therapy development. We have developed a preclinical platform for validation of new therapies in human heart tissue using organotypic slices isolated from donor and end-stage failing hearts. A major advantage of the slices when compared with human iPS-derived cardiomyocytes is that native tissue architecture and extracellular matrix are preserved, thereby allowing investigation of multi-cellular physiology in normal or diseased myocardium. To validate this model, we used optical mapping of transmembrane potential and calcium transients. We found that normal human electrophysiology is preserved in slice preparations when compared with intact hearts, including slices obtained from the region of the sinus node. Physiology is maintained in slices during culture, enabling testing the acute and chronic effects of pharmacological, gene, cell, optogenetic, device and other therapies. This methodology offers a powerful high-throughput platform for assessing the physiological response of the human heart to disease and novel putative therapies.
Clinical characterization and outcome of primary bone lymphoma: a retrospective study of 61 Chinese patients
Authors: Zhang XuanYe , Zhu Jun , Song YuQin , Ping LingYan , Zheng Wen 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPrimary bone lymphoma(PBL) is a rare disease. To assess the clinical characteristics, outcome, and prognostic factors of this entity in Chinese population, we retrospectively analyzed 61 PBL patients initially treated in our institution between 1997 and 2014. The median age was 45 years. The most common histological subtype was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (55.7%), followed by T-cell lymphoma (18.0%). All patients underwent systemic chemotherapy as initial treatment while 24 patients (39.3%) were additionally treated with radiotherapy. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and the 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates of 57 cases with completed follow-up were 52.3% and 40.1%, respectively. In further analysis of the primary bone DLBCL (PB-DLBCL) subgroup, the 5-year OS and PFS rates were 53.0% and 47.0%, and a multivariable analysis revealed that baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score and response to initial treatment (complete remission versus no complete remission) were independent prognostic factors for both OS and PFS. The proportion of T-cell lymphoma is higher in China than in western populations. High baseline ECOG scores (≥2) and unachieved CR in initial therapy were factors for poor PB-DLBCL prognosis. The role of radiotherapy and rituximab in PLB therapy remains to be confirmed in further investigation.
Real-time observations of lithium battery reactions—operando neutron diffraction analysis during practical operation
Authors: Taminato Sou , Yonemura Masao , Shiotani Shinya , Kamiyama Takashi , Torii Shuki , Nagao Miki , Ishikawa Yoshihisa , Mori Kazuhiro , Fukunaga Toshiharu , Onodera Yohei , Naka Takahiro , Morishima Makoto , Ukyo Yoshio , Adipranoto Dyah Sulistyanintyas , Arai Hajime , Uchimoto Yoshiharu , Ogumi Zempachi , Suzuki Kota , Hirayama Masaaki , Kanno Ryoji 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAmong the energy storage devices for applications in electric vehicles and stationary uses, lithium batteries typically deliver high performance. However, there is still a missing link between the engineering developments for large-scale batteries and the fundamental science of each battery component. Elucidating reaction mechanisms under practical operation is crucial for future battery technology. Here, we report an operando diffraction technique that uses high-intensity neutrons to detect reactions in non-equilibrium states driven by high-current operation in commercial 18650 cells. The experimental system comprising a time-of-flight diffractometer with automated Rietveld analysis was developed to collect and analyse diffraction data produced by sequential charge and discharge processes. Furthermore, observations under high current drain revealed inhomogeneous reactions, a structural relaxation after discharge and a shift in the lithium concentration ranges with cycling in the electrode matrix. The technique provides valuable information required for the development of advanced batteries.