bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flow cytometry‐based TCR‐ligand Koff‐rate assay for fast avidity screening of even very small antigen‐specific T cell populations ex vivo
Authors: Nauerth Magdalena , Stemberger Christian , Mohr Fabian , Weißbrich Bianca , Schiemann Matthias , Germeroth Lothar , Busch Dirk H. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractHigh epitope‐specific sensitivity of CD8+ T cells is required for optimal immune protection against intracellular pathogens as well as certain malignancies. The quality of antigen recognition of CD8+ T cells is usually described as “avidity” to its cognate peptide MHCI complex. T cell avidity is mainly dependent on the structural qualities of the T cell receptor (TCR), as convincingly demonstrated by recombinant TCR re‐expression experiments. Based on reversible MHCI multimer staining and koff‐rate measurements of monomeric peptide MHCI complexes, we recently established a microscopic assay for determining the structural avidity of individual CD8+ T cells. Here we demonstrate that this assay can be adapted for rapid flow‐cytometric avidity screening of epitope‐specific T cell populations. Furthermore, we show that—in combination with conventional nonreversible MHCI multimer staining—even very small epitope‐specific CD8+ T cell populations can be analyzed directly ex vivo without the need for previous TCR cloning or T cell sorting. This simplified approach provides highly accurate mean TCR‐ligand koff‐rate values for poly‐ or oligoclonal T cell populations and is ideally suited for high‐throughput applications in basic research as well as clinical settings. © 2016 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Accurate estimates of age at maturity from the growth trajectories of fishes and other ectotherms
Authors: Honsey Andrew E. , Staples David F. , Venturelli Paul A. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAge at maturity (AAM) is a key life history trait that provides insight into ecology, evolution, and population dynamics. However, maturity data can be costly to collect or may not be available. Life history theory suggests that growth is biphasic for many organisms, with a change‐point in growth occurring at maturity. If so, then it should be possible to use a biphasic growth model to estimateAAMfrom growth data. To test this prediction, we used the Lester biphasic growth model in a likelihood profiling framework to estimateAAMfrom length at age data. We fit our model to simulated growth trajectories to determine minimum data requirements (in terms of sample size, precision in length at age, and the cost to somatic growth of maturity) for accurateAAMestimates. We then applied our method to a large walleyeSander vitreusdata set and show that ourAAMestimates are in close agreement with conventional estimates when our model fits well. Finally, we highlight the potential of our method by applying it to length at age data for a variety of ectotherms. Our method shows promise as a tool for estimatingAAMand other life history traits from contemporary and historical samples.
Grandparentage assignments identify unexpected adfluvial life history tactic contributing offspring to a reintroduced population
Authors: Sard Nicholas M. , Jacobson Dave P. , Banks Michael A. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractDiversity in life history tactics contributes to the persistence of a population because it helps to protect against stochastic environments by varying individuals in space and time. However, some life history tactics may not be accounted for when assessing the demographic viability of a population. One important factor in demographic viability assessments is cohort replacement rate (CRR), which is defined as the number of future adults produced by an adult. We assessed if precocial resident males (<age‐3) and adfluvial Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), adults that reside in freshwater their entire lives, contributed offspring to a reintroduced population from 2008 to 2013. We found that 9 ± 5% of offspring with an unassigned parent remained unexplained after accounting for sources of human error. Using grandparentage assignments, we identified 31 precocial resident males and 48 probable adfluvial Chinook salmon produced by anadromous mate pairs from 2007 to 2012. Previously published CRR estimates for the 2007 and 2008 reintroduced adults, based on only anadromous returning adult offspring, were 0.40 and 0.31, respectively. By incorporating adfluvial females, we found CRR estimates increased by 17% (CRR: 0.46) and 13% (CRR: 0.35) for the 2007 and 2008 cohorts, respectively.
Why fly the extra mile? Latitudinal trend in migratory fuel deposition rate as driver of trans‐equatorial long‐distance migration
Authors: Aharon‐Rotman Yaara , Gosbell Ken , Minton Clive , Klaassen Marcel 
Published: August 2016

AbstractTrans‐equatorial long‐distance migrations of high‐latitude breeding animals have been attributed to narrow ecological niche widths. We suggest an alternative hypothesis postulating that trans‐equatorial migrations result from a possible increase in the rate at which body stores to fuel migration are deposited with absolute latitude; that is, longer, migrations away from the breeding grounds surpassing the equator may actually enhance fueling rates on the nonbreeding grounds and therewith the chance of a successful, speedy and timely migration back to the breeding grounds. To this end, we first sought to confirm the existence of a latitudinal trend in fuel deposition rate in a global data set of free‐living migratory shorebirds and investigated the potential factors causing this trend. We next tested two predictions on how this trend is expected to impact the migratory itineraries on northward migration under the time‐minimization hypothesis, using 56 tracks of high‐latitude breeding shorebirds migrating along the East Asian‐Australasian Flyway. We found a strong positive effect of latitude on fuel deposition rate, which most likely relates to latitudinal variations in primary productivity and available daily foraging time. We next confirmed the resulting predictions that (1) when flying from a stopover site toward the equator, migrants use long jumps that will take them to an equivalent or higher latitude at the opposite hemisphere; and (2) that from here onward, migrants will use small steps, basically fueling only enough to make it to the next suitable staging site. These findings may explain why migrants migrate “the extra mile” across the equator during the nonbreeding season in search of better fueling conditions, ultimately providing secure and fast return migrations to the breeding grounds in the opposite hemisphere.
Silver ion solid‐phase extraction cartridges employing glass housings overcome the limitations observed in the GC analysis of animal lipids with low trans fatty acid content
Authors: Belaunzaran Xabier , Bravo‐Lamas Leire , Kramer John K.G. , Morales Rodrigo , Aldai Noelia 
Published: August 2016

Custom made silver ion solid‐phase extraction (Ag+‐SPE) cartridges with glass housing were evaluated to see whether they could be used to analyze the trans fatty acids (TFA) in animal products when present at low concentration. Previous attempts were not successful to identify and characterize the TFA using commercial Ag+‐SPE cartridges, because of the coelution of artifacts from these cartridges. The glass cartridges proved successful to identify the low levels of TFA present in horse and wild boar meat. It is recommended that the supplier make available Ag+‐SPE cartridges in glass housing to avoid the problem of interferences.Practical applications: It was previously shown that commercially available silver ion solid‐phase extraction (Ag+‐SPE) cartridges could not be used to analyze biological samples with low levels of TFAs, because of interfering contaminants that eluted from the polypropylene housing. Custom made glass cartridges were generously provided by the supplier, and they proved successful to fractionate the geometric isomers of horse and wild boar lipids both of which are known to contain low levels of TFAs. Subsequent gas chromatographic analysis made it possible to identify the trans and cis isomers without interference of contaminants. The unsaturated fatty acid fractions from these glass cartridges were also free of contaminants.Ag+‐SPE cartridges in glass housing are recommended to resolve and identify the trans isomers when present at low concentrations in biological samples.
Regular use of medication for musculoskeletal pain and risk of long‐term sickness absence: A prospective cohort study among the general working population
Authors: Sundstrup E. , Jakobsen M.D. , Thorsen S.V. , Andersen L.L. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe aim was to determine the prospective association between use of pain medication – due to musculoskeletal pain in the low back, neck/shoulder and hand/wrist – and long‐term sickness absence.MethodsCox‐regression analysis was performed to estimate the prospective association between regular use of pain medication and long‐term sickness absence (LTSA; at least 6 consecutive weeks) among 9,544 employees from the general working population (Danish Work Environment Cohort Study 2010) and free from LTSA during 2009–2010. The fully adjusted model was controlled for age, gender, body mass index, smoking, leisure physical activity, job group, physical activity at work, psychosocial work environment, pain intensity, mental health and chronic disease.ResultsIn 2010, the proportion of regular pain medication users due to musculoskeletal disorders was 20.8%: 13.4% as over‐the‐counter (i.e. non‐prescription) and 7.4% as doctor prescribed. In the fully adjusted model, regular use of over‐the‐counter [HR 1.44 (95% CI 1.13–1.83)] and doctor prescribed (HR 2.18 (95% CI 1.67–2.86)) pain medication were prospectively associated with LTSA.ConclusionsRegular use of pain medication due to musculoskeletal pain is prospectively associated with LTSA even when adjusted for pain intensity. This study suggests that use of pain medication can be an important factor to be aware of in the prevention of sickness absence. Thus, regular use of pain medication – and not solely the intensity of pain – can be an early indicator that musculoskeletal pain can lead to serious consequences such as long‐term sickness absence.SignificanceUse of medication due to musculoskeletal pain is prospectively associated with long‐term sickness absence even when adjusted for pain intensity. Use of pain medication can be a red flag to be aware of in the prevention of sickness absence.
Synthesis of Well‐Crystallized, High‐Performance LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Octahedra as Lithium‐Ion‐Battery Electrode Promoted by Metal Manganese Powders
Authors: Liu Haiqiang , Jiang Yi , Tan Xinghua , Chen Jiankun , Guo Yanjun , Wang Hanfu , Chu Weiguo 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMetal Mn powders instead of conventional Mn salts were used for the first time tried as a Mn source to synthesize high‐performance LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (M‐LNMO) using a sol–gel method. Mn powders promote the formation of well‐crystallized octahedra with the Fd3m spinel structure. M‐LNMO has a lower stress, a slightly smaller lattice constant, which arises from the lower amount of Mn3+ because of the lower oxygen deficiency, a higher cation ordering, and longer Li−O and shorter Mn (Ni)−O bonds than LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 synthesized from manganese acetate (MA‐LNMO). The well‐crystallized octahedra, the low stress, the low amount of Mn3+, and the long Li−O and short Mn (Ni)−O bonds for M‐LNMO result in its excellent performance such as a discharge capacity of 68 mAh g−1 at 50 C and a capacity retention of 90 % after 600 cycles at 10 C. This study raises the possibility to promote the synthesis of high‐performance LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 for mass production by using cheap and simple Mn sources such as Mn powders.
Anti‐inflammatory and anti‐insulin resistance activities of aqueous extract from Anoectochilus burmannicus
Authors: Budluang Phatcharaporn , Pitchakarn Pornsiri , Ting Pisamai , Temviriyanukul Piya , Wongnoppawich Ariyaphong , Imsumran Arisa 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis study investigated biological activities including antioxidative stress, anti‐inflammation, and anti‐insulin resistance of Anoectochilus burmannicus aqueous extract (ABE). The results showed abilities of ABE to scavenging DPPH and ABTS free radicals in a dose‐dependent manner. Besides, ABE significantly reduced nitric oxide (NO) production in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐treated RAW 264.7 via inhibition of mRNA and protein expressions of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The LPS‐induced mRNA expressions of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and interleukin 1β (IL‐1β) were suppressed by ABE. Moreover, ABE exerted anti‐insulin resistance activity as it significantly improved the glucose uptake in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α treated 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. In addition, ABE at the concentration of up to 200 μg/mL was not toxic to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and did not induce mutations. Finally, the results of our study suggest the potential use of A. burmannicus as anti‐inflammatory, anti‐insulin resistance agents, or food supplement for prevention of chronic diseases.
Upregulation of cyclin‐dependent kinase 7 and matrix metalloproteinase‐14 expression contribute to metastatic properties of gastric cancer
Authors: Naseh Ghodratolah , Mohammadifard Mahyar , Mohammadifard Mahtab 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the protein and mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinase‐14 (MMP14) and CDK7 in gastric cancer (GC) tissues. Upregulation of MMP14 mRNA level was observed in GC tissues when compared with the matched normal tissues (mean ± SD: 3.92 ± 1.15 vs. 1.35 ± 0.81, P < 0.001). This study indicated that mRNA levels of CDK7 were statistically overexpressed in GC when compared with matched normal tissues (4.12 ± 0.84 vs. 1.43 ± 0.71, P < 0.001). The protein levels of MMP14 were found to be increased in GC (60.41%; P < 0.001). The expression of CDK7 was higher in GC tissues than matched normal tissues (70.83; P < 0.001). We found that high MMP14 expression was related to advanced TNM stage (P = 0.004), tumor grade (P = 0.002), and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.015), but no association with other clinical variables (P > 0.05). In addition, high expression of CDK7 was significantly linked to advanced TNM stage (P = 0.001), pathological grade (P = 0.012), and presence of lymph node metastasis (P = 0.009), while no correlation between CDK7 expression and other clinical variables, such as age and gender, distance metastasis. The patients with high expression of MMP14 and CDK7 exhibited worse survival time than those with higher levels. Cox multivariate regression analysis clearly showed that high expression of MMP14 and CDK7 was independent prognostic factors for overall survival in patients with GC. Taken together, these results indicated the overexpression of above markers in the progression and the tumorigenesis of GC and overall patient survival. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(10):799–805, 2016
Potential Implications for Designing Drugs Against the Brown Spider Venom Phospholipase‐D
Authors: Chaves‐Moreira Daniele , de Moraes Fábio Rogério , Caruso Ícaro Putinhon , Chaim Olga Meiri , Senff‐Ribeiro Andrea , Ullah Anwar , da Silva Luciane Sussuchi , Chahine Jorge , Arni Raghuvir K. , Veiga Silvio Sanches 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTLoxoscelism refers to the clinical symptoms that develop after brown spider bites. Brown spider venoms contain several phospholipase‐D isoforms, which are the main toxins responsible for both the cutaneous and systemic effects of loxoscelism. Understanding of the phospholipase‐D catalytic mechanism is crucial for the development of specific treatment that could reverse the toxic effects caused by the spider bite. Based on enzymatic, biological, structural, and thermodynamic tests, we show some features suitable for designing drugs against loxoscelism. Firstly, through molecular docking and molecular dynamics predictions, we found three different molecules (Suramin, Vu0155056, and Vu0359595) that were able to bind the enzyme's catalytic site and interact with catalytically important residues (His12 or His47) and with the Mg2+co‐factor. The binding promoted a decrease in the recombinant brown spider venom phospholipase‐D (LiRecDT1) enzymatic activity. Furthermore, the presence of the inhibitors reduced the hemolytic, dermonecrotic, and inflammatory activities of the venom toxin in biological assays. Altogether, these results indicate the mode of action of three different LiRecDT1 inhibitors, which were able to prevent the venom toxic effects. This strengthen the idea of the importance of designing a specific drug to treat the serious clinical symptoms caused by the brown spider bite, a public health problem in several parts of the world, and until now without specific treatment. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 726–738, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Integrated care for geriatric frailty and sarcopenia: a randomized control trial
Authors: Chan Ding‐Cheng (Derrick) , Tsou Hsiao‐Hui , Chang Chirn‐Bin , Yang Rong‐Sen , Tsauo Jau‐Yih , Chen Ching‐Yu , Hsiao Chin‐Fu , Hsu Ya‐Ting , Chen Chia‐Hui , Chang Shu‐Fang , Hsiung Chao Agnes , Kuo Ken N. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBackgroundExercise, nutrition, and psychological interventions may all have positive impacts on frailty and sarcopenia. However, it is not known whether an integrated care programme with all three components can be beneficial and the intensity of such programme is also not certain. In this study, we aim to determine the effectiveness of two levels of integrated care on frailty and sarcopenia.MethodsA randomized control trial was conducted at two community hospitals in Taiwan. Older adults (65–79 years of age, N = 289) who scored ≥1 on the Cardiovascular Health Study Phenotypic Classification of Frailty (CHS_PCF) were enrolled in the trial. Low‐level care (LLC) participants received a 2 h education course on frailty, sarcopenia, coping strategy, nutrition, and demonstration of study exercise programme. Educational multimedia material was distributed as reference for home practice with bi‐monthly telephone follow‐ups on adherences. High‐level care (HLC) participants, in addition to LLC instructions, received six sessions of on‐site problem solving therapy and 48 exercise sessions within 6 months. Brief nutrition consultation was also provided during the exercise sessions. Primary outcome was improvement of the CHS_PCF by at least one category (from pre‐frail to robust, or from frail to pre‐frail or robust) from baseline. Secondary outcomes included changes of individual frailty, and sarcopenia indicators. Assessments were done at 3, 6, and 12 months by trained research assistants blinded to randomization status. Intention‐to‐treat analysis was applied.ResultsMean age was 71.6 ± 4.3 years, with 53% females. For the entire cohort, improvement of primary outcome was 35% at 3 months, increased to 40% at 6 months, and remained stable at 39% at 12 months. Improvement rates were similar in both groups. Compared with the LLC group, HLC participants had greater improvements in the following indices: energy expenditure of walking, 5 m walking time, dominant hand grip strength, timed‐up‐and‐go‐test, and one‐leg‐stand time — mainly at 6 and 12 month assessments.ConclusionsThe 6 month integrated care improved frailty and sarcopenia status among community‐dwelling elders, with high‐intensity training yielding greater improvements. Low‐level care could be promoted as a basic intervention, while HLC could be reserved for those at high risk and with high motivation.
In vivo quantification of myocardial stiffness in hypertensive porcine hearts using MR elastography
Authors: Mazumder Ria , Schroeder Samuel , Mo Xiaokui , Clymer Bradley D , White Richard D , Kolipaka Arunark 
Published: August 2016

PurposeTo determine alteration in left ventricular (LV) myocardial stiffness (MS) with hypertension (HTN). Cardiac MR elastography (MRE) was used to estimate MS in HTN induced pigs and MRE‐derived MS measurements were compared against LV pressure, thickness and circumferential strain.Materials and MethodsRenal‐wrapping surgery was performed to induce HTN in eight pigs. LV catheterization (to measure pressure) and cardiac MRI (1.5 Tesla; gradient echo‐MRE and tagging) was performed pre‐surgery at baseline (Bx), and post‐surgery at month 1 (M1) and month 2 (M2). Images were analyzed to estimate LV‐MS, thickness, and circumferential strain across the cardiac cycle. The associations between end‐diastolic (ED) and end‐systolic (ES) MS and (i) mean LV pressure; (ii) ED and ES thickness, respectively; and (iii) circumferential strain were evaluated using Spearman's correlation method.ResultsFrom Bx to M2, mean pressure, MRE‐derived stiffness, and thickness increased while circumferential strain decreased significantly (slope test, P ≤ 0.05). Both ED and ES MS had significant positive correlation with (i) mean pressure (ED MS:
= 0.56; P = 0.005 and ES MS:
= 0.45; P = 0.03); (ii) ED thickness (
= 0.73; P < 0.0001) and ES thickness (
= 0.84; P < 0.0001), respectively; but demonstrated a negative trend with circumferential strain (ED MS:
= 0.31 and ES MS:
= 0.37).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that, in a HTN porcine model, MRE‐derived MS increased with increase in pressure and thickness.Level of Evidence: 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:813–820.
Composite metric R2 − R1ρ (1/T2 − 1/T1ρ) as a potential MR imaging biomarker associated with changes in pain after ACL reconstruction: A six‐month follow‐up
Authors: Russell Colin , Pedoia Valentina , Majumdar Sharmila ,   AF‐ACL Consortium
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTThis study looked to investigate a new quantitative metric, R2 − R1ρ (1/T2 − 1/T1ρ), using magnetic resonance (MR) images and voxel‐based relaxometry (VBR) for detecting early cartilage degeneration and explore the association with patient‐reported outcomes measures (PROMs) in patients 6 months after ACL reconstruction. Sixty‐four patients from three sites were bilaterally scanned on a 3T MR with a combined T1ρ/T2 protocol to calculate R1ρ (1/T1ρ) and R2 (1/T2) values at baseline and 6 months after reconstructive surgery. Non‐rigid registration was applied to align images onto a template, allowing VBR to determine VBR rate differences and explore cross‐sectional and longitudinal differences between injured and uninjured knees, generating Statistical Parametric Maps (SPMs). Baseline R2 − R1ρ differences were further correlated with change in PROMs from the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) from baseline to 6 months. Cross‐sectional results demonstrated low relaxation rate differences in the injured patella (baseline: 21%, p = 0.01; 6‐months: 18%, p = 0.02), lateral tibia (baseline: 25%, p = 0.01; 6‐months: 24%, p = 0.01), and weight‐bearing regions of the tibia and femur. The uninjured patella showed significant longitudinal changes (17%, p = 0.02). R2 − R1ρ differences showed significant correlations with KOOS PROMs, particularly in the lateral tibia, patella, and trochlea. R2 − R1ρ difference VBR analyses provide new and highly sensitive parameters for assessing early cartilage degeneration in patients after ACL injury by integrating findings from both T1ρ and T2, commonly used relaxation time parameters, into a single metric. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:718–729, 2017.