bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estrogen receptors in granulosa cells govern meiotic resumption of pre-ovulatory oocytes in mammals
Authors: Liu Wei , Xin Qiliang , Wang Xiao , Wang Sheng , Wang Huarong , Zhang Wenqiang , Yang Ye , Zhang Yanhao , Zhang Zhiyuan , Wang Chao , Xu Yang , Duan Enkui , Xia Guoliang 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn mammals, oocytes are arrested at the diplotene stage of meiosis I until the pre-ovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge triggers meiotic resumption through the signals in follicular granulosa cells. In this study, we show that the estradiol (E2)-estrogen receptors (ERs) system in follicular granulosa cells has a dominant role in controlling oocyte meiotic resumption in mammals. We found that the expression of ERs was controlled by gonadotropins under physiological conditions. E2-ERs system was functional in maintaining oocyte meiotic arrest by regulating the expression of natriuretic peptide C and natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (NPPC/NPR2), which was achieved through binding to the promoter regions of Nppc and Npr2 genes directly. In ER knockout mice, meiotic arrest was not sustained by E2 in most cumulus–oocyte complexes in vitro and meiosis resumed precociously in pre-ovulatory follicles in vivo. In human granulosa cells, similar conclusions are reached that ER levels were controlled by gonadotropins and E2-ERs regulated the expression of NPPC/NPR2 levels. In addition, our results revealed that the different regulating patterns of follicle-stimulating hormone and LH on ER levels in vivo versus in vitro determined their distinct actions on oocyte maturation. Taken together, these findings suggest a critical role of E2-ERs system during oocyte meiotic progression and may propose a novel approach for oocyte in vitro maturation treatment in clinical practice.
Combined transplantation of human mesenchymal stem cells and human retinal progenitor cells into the subretinal space of RCS rats
Authors: Qu Linghui , Gao Lixiong , Xu Haiwei , Duan Ping , Zeng Yuxiao , Liu Yong , Yin Zheng Qin 
Published: March 2017

AbstractRetinitis pigmentosa (RP) is one of hereditary retinal diseases characterized by the loss of photoreceptors. Cell transplantation has been clinically applied to treat RP patients. Human retinal progenitor cells (HRPCs) and human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HBMSCs) are the two commonly and practically used stem cells for transplantation. Since combined transplantation could be a promising way to integrate the advantages of both stem cell types, we transplanted HRPCs and HBMSCs into the subretinal space (SRS) of Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats. We report that HRPCs/HBMSCs combined transplantation maintains the electroretinogram results much better than HRPCs or HBMSCs single transplantations. The thickness of outer nuclear layer also presented a better outcome in the combined transplantation. Importantly, grafted cells in the combination migrated better, both longitudinally and latitudinally, than single transplantation. The photoreceptor differentiation of grafted cells in the retina of RCS rats receiving combined transplantation also showed a higher ratio than single transplantation. Finally, activation of microglia and the gliosis of Müller cells were more effectively suppressed in combined transplantation, indicating better immunomodulatory and anti-gliosis effects. Taken together, combining the transplantation of HRPCs and HBMSCs is a more effective strategy in stem cell-based therapy for retinal degenerative diseases.
Risk factors of postoperative pancreatic fistula in patients after distal pancreatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Peng Yun-Peng , Zhu Xiao-Le , Yin Ling-Di , Zhu Yi , Wei Ji-Shu , Wu Jun-Li , Miao Yi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPostoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a common complication following distal pancreatectomy (DP). However, the risk factors of this complication in patients after DP still remain controversial. The aim of our study is to estimate the association between potential risk factors and POPF. Relevant articles published up to June 21, 2016 were identified via PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library. Studies that examined the risk factors of POPF following DP were enrolled. 20 articles (2070 patients) were finally included in this study. The pooled data suggested that patients with soft pancreas, higher Body Mass Index (BMI), blood transfusion, elevated intraoperative blood loss, and longer operative time had a decreased risk for POPF. However, age, gender, malignant pathology, types of stump closure, octreotide therapy, history of diabetes and chronic pancreatitis, splenectomy, multiorgan resection, main duct ligation, preoperative serum albumin levels, PGA felt wrapping, and extended lymphadenectomy could not be regarded as risk factors for POPF. Our analytic data demonstrated that pancreas texture, BMI, blood transfusion, intraoperative blood loss, and operative time were clinical predictor for POPF. This study may assist surgeons to screen patients with high risk of POPF and select appropriate treatment measures.
Occurrence and functional significance of the transcriptome in bovine (Bos taurus) spermatozoa
Authors: Selvaraju Sellappan , Parthipan Sivashanmugam , Somashekar Lakshminarayana , Kolte Atul P , Krishnan Binsila B. , Arangasamy Arunachalam , Ravindra Janivara Parameshwaraiah 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMammalian spermatozoa deliver various classes of RNAs to the oocyte during fertilization, and many of them may regulate fertility. The objective of the present study was to determine the composition and abundance of spermatozoal transcripts in fresh bull semen. The entire transcriptome of the spermatozoa from bulls (n = 3) was sequenced using two different platforms (Ion Proton and Illumina) to identify the maximum number of genes present in the spermatozoa. The bovine spermatozoa contained transcripts for 13,833 genes (transcripts per million, TPM > 10). Both intact and fragmented transcripts were found. These spermatozoal transcripts were associated with various stages of spermatogenesis, spermatozoal function, fertilization, and embryo development. The presence of intact transcripts of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) in the spermatozoa suggest a possible influence of sperm transcripts beyond early embryonic development. The specific regions (exon, intron, and exon-intron) of the particular spermatozoal transcripts might help regulate fertilization. This study demonstrates that the use of two different RNA-seq platforms provides a comprehensive profile of bovine spermatozoal RNA. Spermatozoal RNA profiling may be useful as a non-invasive method to delineate possible causes of male infertility and to predict fertility in a manner that is more effective than the conventional methods.
De novo computational identification of stress-related sequence motifs and microRNA target sites in untranslated regions of a plant translatome
Authors: Munusamy Prabhakaran , Zolotarov Yevgen , Meteignier Louis-Valentin , Moffett Peter , Strömvik Martina V. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractGene regulation at the transcriptional and translational level leads to diversity in phenotypes and function in organisms. Regulatory DNA or RNA sequence motifs adjacent to the gene coding sequence act as binding sites for proteins that in turn enable or disable expression of the gene. Whereas the known DNA and RNA binding proteins range in the thousands, only a few motifs have been examined. In this study, we have predicted putative regulatory motifs in groups of untranslated regions from genes regulated at the translational level in Arabidopsis thaliana under normal and stressed conditions. The test group of sequences was divided into random subgroups and subjected to three de novo motif finding algorithms (Seeder, Weeder and MEME). In addition to identifying sequence motifs, using an in silico tool we have predicted microRNA target sites in the 3′ UTRs of the translationally regulated genes, as well as identified upstream open reading frames located in the 5′ UTRs. Our bioinformatics strategy and the knowledge generated contribute to understanding gene regulation during stress, and can be applied to disease and stress resistant plant development.
Paired Synchronous Rhythmic Finger Tapping without an External Timing Cue Shows Greater Speed Increases Relative to Those for Solo Tapping
Authors: Okano Masahiro , Shinya Masahiro , Kudo Kazutoshi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn solo synchronization-continuation (SC) tasks, intertap intervals (ITI) are known to drift from the initial tempo. It has been demonstrated that people in paired and group contexts modulate their action timing unconsciously in various situations such as choice reaction tasks, rhythmic body sway, and hand clapping in concerts, which suggests the possibility that ITI drift is also affected by paired context. We conducted solo and paired SC tapping experiments with three tempos (75, 120, and 200 bpm) and examined whether tempo-keeping performance changed according to tempo and/or the number of players. Results indicated that those tapping in the paired conditions were faster, relative to those observed in the solo conditions, for all tempos. For the faster participants, the degree of ITI drift in the solo conditions was strongly correlated with that in the paired conditions. Regression analyses suggested that both faster and slower participants adapted their tap timing to that of their partners. A possible explanation for these results is that the participants reset the phase of their internal clocks according to the faster beat between their own tap and the partners’ tap. Our results indicated that paired context could bias the direction of ITI drift toward decreasing.
The Interaction Effects of Meteorological Factors and Air Pollution on the Development of Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Huang Ching-Hui , Lin Heng-Cheng , Tsai Chen-Dao , Huang Hung-Kai , Lian Ie-Bin , Chang Chia-Chu 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis study investigated the interaction effects of meteorological factors and air pollutants on the onset of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Data of ACS patients were obtained from the Taiwan ACS Full Spectrum Registry and comprised 3164 patients with a definite onset date during the period October 2008 and January 2010 at 39 hospitals. Meteorological conditions and air pollutant concentrations at the 39 locations during the 488-day period were obtained. Time-lag Poisson and logistic regression were used to explore their association with ACS incidence. One-day lag atmospheric pressure (AP), humidity, particulate matter (PM2.5, and PM10), and carbon monoxide (CO) all had significant interaction effects with temperature on ACS occurrence. Days on which high temperatures (>26 °C) and low AP (<1009 hPa) occurred the previous day were associated with a greater likelihood of increased incidence of developing ACS. Typhoon Morakot was an example of high temperature with extremely low AP associated with higher ACS incidence than the daily average. Combinations of high concentrations of PM or CO with low temperatures (<21 °C) and high humidity levels with low temperatures were also associated with increased incidence of ACS. Atmospheric pollution and weather factors have synergistic effects on the incidence of ACS.
Cytochrome P450s in human immune cells regulate IL-22 and c-Kit via an AHR feedback loop
Authors: Effner Renate , Hiller Julia , Eyerich Stefanie , Traidl-Hoffmann Claudia , Brockow Knut , Triggiani Massimo , Behrendt Heidrun , Schmidt-Weber Carsten B. , Buters Jeroen T. M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe mechanisms how environmental compounds influence the human immune system are unknown. The environmentally sensitive transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has immune-modulating functions and responds to small molecules. Cytochrome P4501 enzymes (CYP1) act downstream of the AHR and metabolize small molecules. However, it is currently unknown whether CYP1 activity is relevant for immune modulation. We studied the interdependence of CYP1 and AHR in human primary immune cells using pharmacological methods. CYP1 inhibition increased the expression levels of the stem cell factor receptor (c-Kit) and interleukin (IL)-22 but decreased IL-17. Single cell analyses showed that CYP1 inhibition especially promoted CD4+ helper T (Th) cells that co-express c-Kit and IL-22 simultaneously. The addition of an AHR antagonist reversed all these effects. In addition to T cells, we screened other human immune cells for CYP and found cell-specific fingerprints, suggesting that similar mechanisms are present in multiple immune cells. We describe a feedback loop yet unknown in human immune cells where CYP1 inhibition resulted in an altered AHR-dependent immune response. This mechanism relates CYP1-dependent metabolism of environmental small molecules to human immunity.
Observed and simulated submesoscale vertical pump of an anticyclonic eddy in the South China Sea
Authors: Zhong Yisen , Bracco Annalisa , Tian Jiwei , Dong Jihai , Zhao Wei , Zhang Zhiwei 
Published: March 2017

AbstractOceanic mesoscale eddies with typical sizes of 30–200 km contain more than half of the kinetic energy of the ocean. With an average lifespan of several months, they are major contributors to the transport of heat, nutrients, plankton, dissolved oxygen and carbon in the ocean. Mesoscale eddies have been observed and studied over the past 50 years, nonetheless our understanding of the details of their structure remains incomplete due to lack of systematic high-resolution measurements. To bridge this gap, a survey of a mesoscale anticyclone was conducted in early 2014 in the South China Sea capturing its structure at submesoscale resolution. By modeling an anticyclone of comparable size and position at three horizontal resolutions the authors verify the resolution requirements for capturing the observed variability in dynamical quantities, and quantify the role of ageostrophic motions on the vertical transport associated with the anticyclone. Results indicate that different submesoscale processes contribute to the vertical transport depending on depth and distance from the eddy center, with frontogenesis playing a key role. Vertical transport by anticyclones cannot be reliably estimated by coarse-resolution or even mesoscale-resolving models, with important implications for global estimates of the eddy-driven vertical pumping of biophysical and chemical tracers.
Spatial control of chirality in supramolecular aggregates
Authors: Castriciano Maria A. , Gentili Denis , Romeo Andrea , Cavallini Massimiliano , Scolaro Luigi Monsù 
Published: March 2017

AbstractChirality is one of the most intriguing properties of matter related to a molecule’s lack of mirror symmetry. The transmission of chirality from the molecular level up to the macroscopic scale has major implications in life sciences but it is also relevant for many chemical applications ranging from catalysis to spintronic. These technological applications require an accurate control of morphology, homogeneity and chiral handedness of thin films and nanostructures. We demonstrate a simple approach to specifically transfer chirality to the model supramolecular system of J aggregates of the protonated form of tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)-porphyrin by utilizing a soft lithography technique. This approach successfully allows the fabrication of an ordered distribution of sub-micrometric structures in precise and controllable positions with programmed chirality, providing a fundamental breakthrough toward the exploitation of chiral supramolecular aggregates in technological applications, such as sensors, non-linear optics and spintronic.
Generation of perfect vortex and vector beams based on Pancharatnam-Berry phase elements
Authors: Liu Yachao , Ke Yougang , Zhou Junxiao , Liu Yuanyuan , Luo Hailu , Wen Shuangchun , Fan Dianyuan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPerfect vortex beams are the orbital angular momentum (OAM)-carrying beams with fixed annular intensities, which provide a better source of OAM than traditional Laguerre-Gaussian beams. However, ordinary schemes to obtain the perfect vortex beams are usually bulky and unstable. We demonstrate here a novel generation scheme by designing planar Pancharatnam-Berry (PB) phase elements to replace all the elements required. Different from the conventional approaches based on reflective or refractive elements, PB phase elements can dramatically reduce the occupying volume of system. Moreover, the PB phase element scheme is easily developed to produce the perfect vector beams. Therefore, our scheme may provide prominent vortex and vector sources for integrated optical communication and micromanipulation systems.
In vivo longitudinal visualization of bone marrow engraftment process in mouse calvaria using two-photon microscopy
Authors: Le Viet-Hoan , Lee Seunghun , Lee Seungwon , Wang Taejun , Hyuk Jang Won , Yoon Yeoreum , Kwon Soonjae , Kim Hyekang , Lee Seung-Woo , Hean Kim Ki 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIntravital microscopy of mouse calvarial bone marrow (BM) is a powerful method for studying hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and the BM microenvironment at the cellular level. However, the current method used to access the mouse calvaria allows for only a few imaging times in the same mouse because of scar formation and inflammation induced by multiple surgeries. Longitudinal imaging of the BM may help better understand its microenvironment. In this study, a mouse calvarial window model was developed for longitudinal imaging that involves attaching a cover glass window onto the mouse calvaria and sealing the surrounding exposed area with cyanoacrylate glue and dental cement. The model was used for the longitudinal two-photon microscopy (TPM) imaging of the BM engraftment process. The same BM cavity sites were imaged multiple times over 4 weeks after BM transplantation (BMT). Temporal changes in the BM microenvironment, such as the reconstitution of transplanted BM cells and the recovery of vasculature, were observed and analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. Longitudinal intravital microscopy using the mouse calvarial window model was successfully demonstrated and may be useful for further BM studies.
Flunarizine suppresses endothelial Angiopoietin-2 in a calcium - dependent fashion in sepsis
Authors: Retzlaff Jennifer , Thamm Kristina , Ghosh Chandra C. , Ziegler Wolfgang , Haller Hermann , Parikh Samir M. , David Sascha 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to an infection leading to systemic inflammation and endothelial barrier breakdown. The vascular-destabilizing factor Angiopoietin-2 (Angpt-2) has been implicated in these processes in humans. Here we screened in an unbiased approach FDA-approved compounds with respect to Angpt-2 suppression in endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro. We identified Flunarizine – a well-known anti-migraine calcium channel (CC) blocker – being able to diminish intracellular Angpt-2 protein in a time- and dose-dependent fashion thereby indirectly reducing the released protein. Moreover, Flunarizine protected ECs from TNFα-induced increase in Angpt-2 transcription and vascular barrier breakdown. Mechanistically, we could exclude canonical Tie2 signalling being responsible but found that three structurally distinct T-type - but not L-type - CC blockers can suppress Angpt-2. Most importantly, experimental increase in intracellular calcium abolished Flunarizine’s effect. Flunarizine was also able to block the injurious increase of Angpt-2 in murine endotoxemia in vivo. This resulted in reduced pulmonary adhesion molecule expression (intercellular adhesion molecule-1) and tissue infiltration of inflammatory cells (Gr-1). Our finding could have therapeutic implications as side effects of Flunarizine are low and specific sepsis therapeutics that target the dysregulated host response are highly desirable.
Non-invasive Assessment of Cerebral Blood Flow and Oxygen Metabolism in Neonates during Hypothermic Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Feasibility and Clinical Implications
Authors: Ferradal Silvina L. , Yuki Koichi , Vyas Rutvi , Ha Christopher G. , Yi Francesca , Stopp Christian , Wypij David , Cheng Henry H. , Newburger Jane W. , Kaza Aditya K. , Franceschini Maria A. , Kussman Barry D. , Grant P. Ellen 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe neonatal brain is extremely vulnerable to injury during periods of hypoxia and/or ischemia. Risk of brain injury is increased during neonatal cardiac surgery, where pre-existing hemodynamic instability and metabolic abnormalities are combined with long periods of low cerebral blood flow and/or circulatory arrest. Our understanding of events associated with cerebral hypoxia-ischemia during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) remains limited, largely due to inadequate tools to quantify cerebral oxygen delivery and consumption non-invasively and in real-time. This pilot study aims to evaluate cerebral blood flow (CBF) and oxygen metabolism (CMRO2) intraoperatively in neonates by combining two novel non-invasive optical techniques: frequency-domain near-infrared spectroscopy (FD-NIRS) and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS). CBF and CMRO2 were quantified before, during and after deep hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in nine neonates. Our results show significantly decreased CBF and CMRO2 during hypothermic CPB. More interestingly, a change of coupling between both variables is observed during deep hypothermic CPB in all subjects. Our results are consistent with previous studies using invasive techniques, supporting the concept of FD-NIRS/DCS as a promising technology to monitor cerebral physiology in neonates providing the potential for individual optimization of surgical management.
Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis induces macrophage miR-294 and miR-721 expression and modulates infection by targeting NOS2 and L-arginine metabolism
Authors: Muxel Sandra Marcia , Laranjeira-Silva Maria Fernanda , Zampieri Ricardo Andrade , Floeter-Winter Lucile Maria 
Published: March 2017

AbstractLeishmania (Leishmania)amazonensisis an intracellular protozoan parasite responsible for the cutaneous leishmaniasis. The parasite replicates inside mammalian macrophage to establish infection. Host-pathogen interactions result in microRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation of host genes involved in inflammatory immune response. We analyzed macrophage miRNA profiles duringL. (L.)amazonensisinfection. The regulation of macrophage miRNA expression by the parasite correlates with/depends on parasite arginase activity during infection.L. (L.)amazonensis (La-WT) presented significant miRNA profile alteration (27%) compared toL. (L.)amazonensisarginase knockout (La-arg−) (~40%) in relation to uninfected-macrophages. We observed that 78% of the altered miRNAs were up-regulated inLa-WT infection, while only 32% were up-regulated inLa-arg−-infected macrophages. In contrast toLa-WT, the lack ofL. (L.)amazonensisarginase led to the inhibition of miR-294 and miR-721 expression. The expression of miR-294 and miR-721 was recovered to levels similar toLa-WT inLa-arg−addback mutant. The inhibition of miR-294/Nos2 and miR721/Nos2interactions increased NOS2 expression and NO production, and reducedL. (L.)amazonensisinfectivity, confirmingNos2as target of these miRNAs. The role of miR-294 and miR-721 in the regulation of NOS2 expression duringLeishmaniareplication in infected macrophages pointing these miRNAs as potential new targets for drug development.