bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Folate deficiency disturbs hsa‐let‐7 g level through methylation regulation in neural tube defects
Authors: Wang Li , Shangguan Shaofang , Xin Yu , Chang Shaoyan , Wang Zhen , Lu Xiaolin , Wu Lihua , Niu Bo , Zhang Ting 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFolic acid deficiency during pregnancy is believed to be a high‐risk factor for neural tube defects (NTDs). Disturbed epigenetic modifications, including miRNA regulation, have been linked to the pathogenesis of NTDs in those with folate deficiency. However, the mechanism by which folic acid‐regulated miRNA influences this pathogenesis remains unclear. It is believed that DNA methylation is associated with dysregulated miRNA expression. To clarify this issue, here we measured the methylation changes of 22 miRNAs in 57 human NTD cases to explore whether such changes are involved in miRNA regulation in NTD cases through folate metabolism. In total, eight of the 22 miRNAs tested reduced their methylation modifications in NTD cases, which provide direct evidence of the roles of interactions between DNA methylation and miRNA level in these defects. Among the findings, there was a significant association between folic acid concentration and hsa‐let‐7 g methylation level in NTD cases. Hypomethylation of hsa‐let‐7 g increased its own expression level in both NTD cases and cell models, which indicated that hsa‐let‐7 g methylation directly regulates its own expression. Overexpression of hsa‐let‐7 g, along with its target genes, disturbed the migration and proliferation of SK‐N‐SH cells, implying that hsa‐let‐7 g plays important roles in the prevention of NTDs by folic acid. In summary, our data suggest a relationship between aberrant methylation of hsa‐let‐7 g and disturbed folate metabolism in NTDs, implying that improvements in nutrition during early pregnancy may prevent such defects, possibly via the donation of methyl groups for miRNAs.
Expression of PTEN‐long mediated by CRISPR/Cas9 can repress U87 cell proliferation
Authors: Fang Na , Gu Tingxuan , Wang Yahui , Wang Shuzhen , Wang Fengling , An Yang , Wei Wenqiang , Zhang Weijuan , Guo Xiangqian , Nazarali Adil J , Ji Shaoping 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPTEN is a tumour suppressor that is frequently mutated in a variety of cancers. Hence, PTEN has significant potential as a therapeutic molecule. PTEN‐long is an alternative translation variant, with an additional 173 amino acids added to the N‐terminal of the canonical PTEN when CUG of the mRNA is utilized as the start codon. PTEN‐long is secreted into serum and can re‐enter cells throughout the body. One of the major barriers for gene therapy is to efficiently and specifically deliver DNA or RNA material to target cells. As an alternative approach, if a therapeutic protein can be directly delivered to target cell of interest, it should theoretically function well within the cells, particularly for genes that are deficiently expressed in vivo. Most therapeutic proteins are incapable of efficiently permeating the cell membrane. In this study, we have employed CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tool combined with single‐stranded template to edit CTG of PTEN‐long to ATG in the genome. Two guide RNAs close to CTG site were found to have similar efficiency in driving PTEN‐long expression. Furthermore, we detected PTEN‐long expression in transfected whole‐cell lysate and in concentrated culture media in Western blot. Interestingly, the culture media of PTEN‐long expression can reduce Akt phosphorylation level and repress U87 cell proliferation compared to wild‐type U87 or control media. Taken together, PTEN‐long driven by CRISPR/Cas9 imports and exports cells and represses nearby cell proliferation, indicating the PTEN‐long generated by CRISPR/Cas9 has potential to be an alternative strategy for PTEN gene therapy.
PTTG3P promotes gastric tumour cell proliferation and invasion and is an indicator of poor prognosis
Authors: Weng Weiwei , Ni Shujuan , Wang Yiqin , Xu Midie , Zhang Qiongyan , Yang Yusi , Wu Yong , Xu Qinghua , Qi Peng , Tan Cong , Huang Dan , Wei Ping , Huang Zhaohui , Ma Yuqing , Zhang Wei , Sheng Weiqi , Du Xiang 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPseudogenes play a crucial role in cancer progression. However, the role of pituitary tumour‐transforming 3, pseudogene (PTTG3P) in gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown. Here, we showed that PTTG3P expression was abnormally up‐regulated in GC tissues compared with that in normal tissues both in our 198 cases of clinical samples and the cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. High PTTG3P expression was correlated with increased tumour size and enhanced tumour invasiveness and served as an independent negative prognostic predictor. Moreover, up‐regulation of PTTG3P in GC cells stimulated cell proliferation, migration and invasion both in vitro in cell experiments and in vivo in nude mouse models, and the pseudogene functioned independently of its parent genes. Overall, these results reveal that PTTG3P is a novel prognostic biomarker with independent oncogenic functions in GC.
Patulin degradation and cytotoxicity evaluation of UV irradiated apple juice using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Chandra Sharath , Patras Ankit , Pokharel Bharat , Bansode Rishipal R. , Begum Afroza , Sasges Michael 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPatulin, a mycotoxin produced by several genera of fungi, is an important concern in apple‐based products due to its toxicity and health consequences. Ultraviolet (UV‐C) irradiation is a method of disinfection that is effective against many microorganisms and is also applied for chemical contaminant treatment via direct photolysis and advanced oxidation with sensitizers such as hydrogen peroxide. The present study evaluates whether UV‐C could be an effective method to destroy patulin in apple juice. UV‐C irradiation experiments were conducted using a collimated beam system operating at 253.7 nm. It was observed that patulin was not destroyed in pure water, but was degraded in pure and diluted apple juice upon UV‐C irradiation, suggesting that chromophores (such as riboflavin) in the juice were important factors in the photo degradation. From an initial patulin concentration of approximately 200 ppb, UV‐C dose of 400 mJ/cm2 successfully reduced patulin concentration by 69.47 (±0.69) % (p < .05). In cell culture studies, our results showed that increasing UV‐C dose decreased the patulin‐induced cytotoxicity in human peripheral blood cells. Cell viability percentage increased from 47.3% to 81.64% as UV‐C dose increased from 0 to 400 mJ/cm2. These doses would also achieve significant inactivation of viruses, bacteria, and many molds and fungi. This study clearly shows the potential for using UV‐C treatment for patulin degradation in turbid liquid foods such as apple juice.Practical applicationsThis research paper provides scientific evidence of the potential benefits UV‐C irradiation in removing patulin from apple juice. UV‐C dose of 400 mJ/cm2 successfully reduced patulin concentration by 69.47%. In cell culture studies, increasing UV‐C dose decreased the patulin‐induced cytotoxicity in human peripheral blood cells. UV‐C irradiation is an attractive food preservation technology and offers opportunities for horticultural and food processing industries to meet the growing demand from consumers for healthier and safer food products. Knowledge gained through this study will facilitate major advances in the field of food science and engineering. This study would also provide technical support for commercialization of UV‐C technology for patulin degradation in turbid liquid foods such as apple juice.
Effect of intermittent microwave drying on biophysical characteristics of rice
Authors: Xu Fengying , Chen Zhen , Huang Mushui , Li Changyou , Zhou Weibiao 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe dehydration performance of intermittent microwave drying and its effect on the biophysical characteristics of rice (Oryza sativa L.) were quantified. Three pulse ratio levels (PR2, PR3, and PR5) were tested. Two dehydration performances (temperature and drying rate) and seven biophysical quality indices (moisture content, microstructure, glass transition temperature, color, hardness, crack percentage, and germination) of rice were measured. Different semi‐empirical moisture ratio models were optimized to fit the experimental data. The results showed that the temperature of rice treated by PR2, PR3, and PR5 were significantly different from each other during the process. The rice temperature dried by PR5 was the lowest and it tended to be constant at the late stage. The average drying rates of rice treated by PR2, PR3 and PR5 were 0.568, 0.437, 0.265% w.b. gg−1.min−1, respectively. With the increase of pulse ratio, the porosity of kernel glume cross section and the glass transition temperature of dried rice decreased. The moisture content changed significantly (p < .05). However, the hardness and color of rice showed no significant differences (p < .05). The crack quality and germination rate of dried rice treated by PR5 were significantly higher than those of the other treatments (p < .05). Page model was found to be the most fitted model. By considering the drying performance and quality, PR5 was the most suitable microwave drying treatment for rice.Practical applicationsRice is one of the most important staple food sources of human being. Newly harvested rice are wet and easy to mildew, need to be dried for the sack of long‐term storage. Compared with conventional hot air drying, intermittent microwave drying greatly improved the drying rate of rice. High pulse ratio treatment can significantly reduce the temperature rise speed of rice, and comprehensively improve the bio‐physical quality of rice, for example, crack percentage, germination rate and so on. The application of the mathematical model of rice drying performance provided a reference for the design of drying process. The research results are helpful to the application of intermittent microwave drying technology in rice drying industry.
Hygroscopic equilibrium of microencapsulated extract of passion fruit seed and its effect on the antioxidant capacity
Authors: da Silva Marcos Vieira , de Oliveira Franciely dos Santos , Demczuk Junior Bogdan , Haminiuk Charles Windson Isidoro , Visentainer Jesuí Vergílio 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe hygroscopic behavior of microcapsules of antioxidant extract of defatted passion fruit seed, produced using spray drying technique, was analyzed at 20 and 40 °C by the static method with saturated saline solutions. The isosteric heat of sorption of the microcapsules, concentration of phenolic compounds and piceatannol, and the antioxidant capacity using ABTS and DPPH methods were measured during storage at different relative humidities. The isotherms were classified as GAB isotherms, exhibiting a Type II behavior. Isosteric heat of sorption decreased when the relative humidity increased and critical equilibrium moisture reached 61%. The microencapsulated extracts retained their antioxidant capacities within the evaluated conditions, what suggests that it may be applied in food at any of these water activity values.Practical applicationsPiceatannol is a stilbene with expressive antioxidant capacity which can be found in passion fruit seeds. In this work, the seeds were used to obtain the crude hydroethanolic extract which was microencapsulated by spray drying. The hygroscopic behavior of the microencapsulated extract of piceatannol was evaluated by fitting the data on different isotherm theoretical models. It was possible to verify the interference of the water activity in the antioxidant capacity and establish a relationship with possible critical storage conditions of the microencapsulated extract.
Protective effects of tannic acid on pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and underlying mechanisms in rats
Authors: Chu Li , Li Pinya , Song Tao , Han Xue , Zhang Xuan , Song Qiongtao , Liu Tao , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhang Jianping 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this study was to examine the cardioprotective effects and latent mechanism of tannic acid (TA) on cardiac hypertrophy.

Methods
Abdominal aortic banding (AAB) was used to induce pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy in male Wistar rats, sham-operated rats served as controls. AAB rats were treated with TA (20 and 40 mg/kg) or captoril.

Key findings
Abdominal aortic banding rats that received TA showed ameliorated pathological changes in cardiac morphology and coefficients, decreased cardiac hypertrophy and apoptosis, a reduction in over expressions of angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R), angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R), phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) mRNA, and modified expression of matrix metal proteinase-9 (MMP-9) mRNA in AAB rat hearts. Furthermore, TA treatment contributed to a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) activities and content, while it caused an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), nitric oxide (NO) and endothelial NO synthase (e-NOS). Furthermore, TA downregulated expression of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), bax, caspase-3 and upregulated expression of bcl-2.

Conclusions
Tannic acid displayed obvious suppression of AAB-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats. The cardioprotective effects of TA may be attributed to multitargeted inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis and apoptosis in addition to an increase in NO levels, decrease in ET-1 levels, and downregulation of angiotensin receptors and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2.
Tracking Adult Literacy Acquisition With Functional MRI: A Single‐Case Study
Authors: Braga Lucia W. , Amemiya Eduardo , Tauil Alexandre , Suguieda Denis , Lacerda Carolina , Klein Elise , Dehaene‐Lambertz Ghislaine , Dehaene Stanislas 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTWe evaluated neuro‐functional changes associated with late acquisition of reading in an illiterate adult who underwent 20 longitudinal functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans during 2 years, while the participant progressed from complete illiteracy to a modest level of alphabetical decoding. Initially, the participant did not activate neural circuits for reading when he was exposed to words; gradually, however, he began to present activation in left occipitotemporal cortex, at the visual word form area. This increase was accompanied by a decrease in face responses. Reading‐related responses also emerged in language‐related areas of the inferior frontal gyrus and temporal lobe. Additional activations in superior parietal lobe, superior frontal gyrus and posterior medial frontal cortex suggested that reading remained dependent on effortful executive attention and working memory processes. Nevertheless, the results indicate that adult plasticity can be sufficient to induce rapid changes in brain responses to written words and faces in an unschooled and illiterate adult.
Acute skin trauma induces hyperemia, but superficial papillary nutritive perfusion remains unchanged
Authors: Sundheim Liv Kristin , Sporastøyl Ane Halse , Wester Torjus , Salerud Göran , Kvernebo Knut 
Published: June 2017

AbstractObjectivesSuperficial skin papillary capillaries with blood supply from a superficial vascular plexus and regulated by local metabolic needs supply oxygen and nutrients for epithelial cell proliferation. A deep vascular plexus regulated by autonomous nerves serves body thermoregulation. In healthy volunteers, we assessed circulatory effects of a standardized skin trauma by CAVM, DRS, and LDPM to assess the measuring depth of the three techniques and to describe the acute trauma effects on nutritive and thermoregulatory perfusion.MethodsVolunteers (n=12) were examined at baseline and after induction of a 5.0 mm×1.0 mm incision on the forearm; 30 minutes after the trauma induction, data were collected at 0‐1, 2‐3 and 30 mm distances.ResultsLDPM showed hyperemia at 2‐3 mm distance (35.8±15.2 a.u.), but not at 30 mm distance (7.4±2.5 a.u.) compared to baseline (8.8±1.8 a.u.). The DRS saturation increased at 2‐3 mm (71.2±4.8%), but not at 30 mm (49.8±7.9%) compared to baseline (45.8±7.4%). Capillary density and flow velocities were unaffected at all distances.ConclusionsThe results indicate that skin nutritive papillary capillary function can be assessed by CAVM and DRS, but not with LDPM because of its dependence of the deep plexus perfusion.
How Not to Characterise a Hard Choice
Authors: Reuter Kevin , Messerli Michael 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPeople are often faced with so called hard choices – also known as hard cases of comparison. In trying to characterize these hard choices, philosophers have made two central claims. First, failure of transitivity underlies hard cases of comparison. Second, using a random procedure is considered inappropriate in order to arrive at a decision in hard cases. While having some argumentative support, both claims primarily rely on expert intuitions. The results of the experiments we present in this paper challenge both claims, as well as the representativeness of expert intuitions that support these claims, by showing that most people (i) violate transitivity only if a hard choice is important, and (ii) find it appropriate to use a random procedure even in hard cases of comparison.
Rapid and Consistent Evolution of Colistin Resistance in Extensively Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa during Morbidostat Culture
Authors: Dößelmann Bianca , Willmann Matthias , Steglich Matthias , Bunk Boyke , Nübel Ulrich , Peter Silke , Neher Richard A. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

Colistin is a last-resort antibiotic commonly used against multidrug-resistant strains of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. To investigate the potential for
in situ
evolution of resistance against colistin and to map the molecular targets of colistin resistance, we exposed two
P. aeruginosa
isolates to colistin using a continuous-culture device known as a morbidostat. As a result, colistin resistance reproducibly increased 10-fold within 10 days and 100-fold within 20 days, along with highly stereotypic yet strain-specific mutation patterns. The majority of mutations hit the
pmrAB
two-component signaling system and genes involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) synthesis, including
lpxC
,
pmrE
, and
migA
. We tracked the frequencies of all arising mutations by whole-genome deep sequencing every 3 to 4 days to obtain a detailed picture of the dynamics of resistance evolution, including competition and displacement among multiple resistant subpopulations. In 7 out of 18 cultures, we observed mutations in
mutS
along with a mutator phenotype that seemed to facilitate resistance evolution.
Loss of C-5 Sterol Desaturase Activity Results in Increased Resistance to Azole and Echinocandin Antifungals in a Clinical Isolate of Candida parapsilosis
Authors: Rybak Jeffrey M. , Dickens C. Michael , Parker Josie E. , Caudle Kelly E. , Manigaba Kayihura , Whaley Sarah G. , Nishimoto Andrew T. , Luna-Tapia Arturo , Roy Sujoy , Zhang Qing , Barker Katherine S. , Palmer Glen E. , Sutter Thomas R. , Homayouni Ramin , Wiederhold Nathan P. , Kelly Steven L. , Rogers P. David 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

Among emerging non-
albicans Candida
species,
Candida parapsilosis
is of particular concern as a cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections in neonatal and intensive care unit patients. While fluconazole and echinocandins are considered effective treatments for such infections, recent reports of fluconazole and echinocandin resistance in
C. parapsilosis
indicate a growing problem. The present study describes a novel mechanism of antifungal resistance in this organism affecting susceptibility to azole and echinocandin antifungals in a clinical isolate obtained from a patient with prosthetic valve endocarditis. Transcriptome analysis indicated differential expression of several genes in the resistant isolate, including upregulation of ergosterol biosynthesis pathway genes
ERG2
,
ERG5
,
ERG6
,
ERG11
,
ERG24
,
ERG25
, and
UPC2
. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the resistant isolate possessed an
ERG3
mutation resulting in a G111R amino acid substitution. Sterol profiles indicated a reduction in sterol desaturase activity as a result of this mutation. Replacement of both mutant alleles in the resistant isolate with the susceptible isolate's allele restored wild-type susceptibility to all azoles and echinocandins tested. Disruption of
ERG3
in the susceptible and resistant isolates resulted in a loss of sterol desaturase activity, high-level azole resistance, and an echinocandin-intermediate to -resistant phenotype. While disruption of
ERG3
in
C. albicans
resulted in azole resistance, echinocandin MICs, while elevated, remained within the susceptible range. This work demonstrates that the G111R substitution in Erg3 is wholly responsible for the altered azole and echinocandin susceptibilities observed in this
C. parapsilosis
isolate and is the first report of an
ERG3
mutation influencing susceptibility to the echinocandins.
A Low-Molecular-Weight Alginate Oligosaccharide Disrupts Pseudomonal Microcolony Formation and Enhances Antibiotic Effectiveness
Authors: Pritchard Manon F. , Powell Lydia C. , Jack Alison A. , Powell Kate , Beck Konrad , Florance Hannah , Forton Julian , Rye Philip D. , Dessen Arne , Hill Katja E. , Thomas David W. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

In chronic respiratory disease, the formation of dense, 3-dimensional “microcolonies” by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
within the airway plays an important role in contributing to resistance to treatment. An
in vitro
biofilm model of pseudomonal microcolony formation using artificial-sputum (AS) medium was established to study the effects of low-molecular-weight alginate oligomers (OligoG CF-5/20) on pseudomonal growth, microcolony formation, and the efficacy of colistin. The studies employed clinical cystic fibrosis (CF) isolates (
n
= 3) and reference nonmucoid and mucoid multidrug-resistant (MDR) CF isolates (
n
= 7). Bacterial growth and biofilm development and disruption were studied using cell viability assays and image analysis with scanning electron and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Pseudomonal growth in AS medium was associated with increased ATP production (
P
< 0.05) and the formation (at 48 h) of discrete (>10-μm) microcolonies. In conventional growth medium, colistin retained an ability to inhibit growth of planktonic bacteria, although the MIC was increased (0.1 to 0.4 μg/ml) in AS medium compared to Mueller-Hinton (MH) medium. In contrast, in an established-biofilm model in AS medium, the efficacy of colistin was decreased. OligoG CF-5/20 (≥2%) treatment, however, induced dose-dependent biofilm disruption (
P
< 0.05) and led to colistin retaining its antimicrobial activity (
P
< 0.05). While circular dichroism indicated that OligoG CF-5/20 did not change the orientation of the alginate carboxyl groups, mass spectrometry demonstrated that the oligomers induced dose-dependent (>0.2%;
P
< 0.05) reductions in pseudomonal quorum-sensing signaling. These findings reinforce the potential clinical significance of microcolony formation in the CF lung and highlight a novel approach to treat MDR pseudomonal infections.