bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retracted: Gonad histology and serum 11‐KT profile during the annual reproductive cycle in sterlet sturgeon adult males, Acipenser ruthenus
Authors: Golpour A , Broquard C , Milla S , Dadras H , Baloch AR , Saito T , Pšenička M 
Published: January 2017

ContentsThe aim of this study was to assess monthly testicular development in the cultured breeding stock of sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus, using histological and serum sex steroid changes. Testicular development in the adult male was examined monthly and showed four distinct phases including resting, pre‐spawning, spawning and post‐spawning. Also, seasonal changes of the testes were described according to its variations in gonadosomatic index (GSI) during different phases of testicular development. Using histology, we identified continuous spermatogenesis and asynchronous gonad development pattern in the testes of male sterlet, which shows that regulation of annual gonadal cycle is influenced by season. Results also showed variation in the GSI value and number of spermatogenic cells according to each season during annual cycle of gonad, as the highest value of GSI was recorded during spawning phase (spring; March‐May). Hormonal profiles of 11‐ketotestosterone (11‐KT) showed peak, which indicated a seasonal pattern of gonadal development. The 11‐KT concentration increased considerably during the spermatogenesis (pre‐spawning phase) and remained quite high throughout the pre‐spermiation period. In the final phase of testicular development (spawning phase), the 11‐KT markedly dropped. This study undertook an examination of complete reproductive development in cultured sterlet sturgeon to provide a valuable guide for the future sterlet studies, and allows comparison of reproductive development between sturgeon species.
Immune Regulation by T Regulatory Cells in Hepatitis B Virus‐Related Inflammation and Cancer
Authors: Trehanpati N. , Vyas A. K. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of cancer death, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the commonest causes in Asian countries. India has the second largest pool after China for hepatitis B‐infected subjects.HBVclearance is T cell dependent, and one of the reasons for T cells hyporesponsiveness is due to mass production of regulatory T cells (Tregs) through activation of Notch signalling, which suppressCD4/CD8 T cells. Tregs are important to maintain cellular homoeostasis; however, during viral infection increase of Tregs is inversely proportional toHBV DNAtitres. Tregs exert their suppressive effect either via cell‐to‐cell contact or through release of interleukin (IL)‐2,IL‐10,TGF‐βandIL‐35. In Chronic hepatitis B virusCHBVinfection,PD‐1 pathway also gets activated and is involved in promoting tolerance. However, with Tregs induction, virus‐specific T cell responses also get decreased. Circulatory and intratumoural Tregs promote development ofHBV‐specificHCCmore by decreasing and impairing the effector functions ofCD8 T cells. Antiviral therapies andPD‐1 blockade strategy had shown the inhibition of Tregs and reduction inHBV DNA. However, inhibition ofHBV‐specific Tregs is major challenge for future therapies. New cytokine blockade therapies have emerged as potential therapeutic potentials.
Emplacement of Semail–Emirates ophiolite at ridge–trench collision
Authors: Nicolas Adolphe , Boudier Françoise 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe Oman‐Emirates is the largest and best‐exposed ophiolite; consequently, it has attracted significant interest among scientists, together with serious conflicts. Most geologists regard this ophiolite as having formed in an intra‐oceanic subduction zone before being accreted to the Arabian continent. Here, we propose an alternative scenario, supported by detailed field observations and integrated geophysics. The smaller Emirates part of the ophiolite was forced into a nearby continent, in the pre‐collision stage of Tethyan closure. The contraction led to the exhumation of the mantle floor of segmented basins accreted in a rifted system similar to the present‐day Gulf of California. The implied high temperature–high pressure metamorphism and the range of geochemical signatures were introduced during the process of rifting, whereas the larger Oman ophiolite was emplaced by obduction onto and along the subducting continental shore. This Ridge–Trench–Transform system might call for a new process to obduct over continents in particular Tethyan ophiolites.
Antimicrobial Activities of Ceftazidime-Avibactam and Comparator Agents against Clinical Bacteria Isolated from Patients with Cancer
Authors: Hachem Ray , Reitzel Ruth , Rolston Kenneth , Chaftari Anne-Marie , Raad Issam 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

A total of 521 unique clinical isolates from cancer patients with primarily (>90%) bloodstream infections were tested for susceptibility to ceftazidime-avibactam and comparators using broth microdilution methods. Ceftazidime-avibactam inhibited 97.8% of all
Enterobacteriaceae
(
n
= 321) at the susceptibility breakpoint of ≤8/4 μg/ml (there were 7 nonsusceptible strains). It was also active against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(91.7% isolates susceptible,
n
= 121), including many isolates not susceptible to meropenem, cefepime, ceftazidime, piperacillin-tazobactam, or other comparators.
Cyclic Boronates Inhibit All Classes of β-Lactamases
Authors: Cahill Samuel T. , Cain Ricky , Wang David Y. , Lohans Christopher T. , Wareham David W. , Oswin Henry P. , Mohammed Jabril , Spencer James , Fishwick Colin W. G. , McDonough Michael A. , Schofield Christopher J. , Brem Jürgen 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

β-Lactamase-mediated resistance is a growing threat to the continued use of β-lactam antibiotics. The use of the β-lactam-based serine-β-lactamase (SBL) inhibitors clavulanic acid, sulbactam, and tazobactam and, more recently, the non-β-lactam inhibitor avibactam has extended the utility of β-lactams against bacterial infections demonstrating resistance via these enzymes. These molecules are, however, ineffective against the metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs), which catalyze their hydrolysis. To date, there are no clinically available metallo-β-lactamase inhibitors. Coproduction of MBLs and SBLs in resistant infections is thus of major clinical concern. The development of “dual-action” inhibitors, targeting both SBLs and MBLs, is of interest, but this is considered difficult to achieve due to the structural and mechanistic differences between the two enzyme classes. We recently reported evidence that cyclic boronates can inhibit both serine- and metallo-β-lactamases. Here we report that cyclic boronates are able to inhibit all four classes of β-lactamase, including the class A extended spectrum β-lactamase CTX-M-15, the class C enzyme AmpC from
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, and class D OXA enzymes with carbapenem-hydrolyzing capabilities. We demonstrate that cyclic boronates can potentiate the use of β-lactams against Gram-negative clinical isolates expressing a variety of β-lactamases. Comparison of a crystal structure of a CTX-M-15:cyclic boronate complex with structures of cyclic boronates complexed with other β-lactamases reveals remarkable conservation of the small-molecule binding mode, supporting our proposal that these molecules work by mimicking the common tetrahedral anionic intermediate present in both serine- and metallo-β-lactamase catalysis.
Synthesis, Antifungal Activity, and Biocompatibility of Novel 1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]Octane (DABCO) Compounds and DABCO-Containing Denture Base Resins
Authors: Herman Jenny L. , Wang Yapin , Lilly Elizabeth A. , Lallier Thomas E. , Peters Brian M. , Hamdan Suleiman , Xu Xiaoming , Fidel Paul L. , Noverr Mairi C. 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

The fungal pathogen
Candida albicans
causes a variety of oral infections, including denture stomatitis, which is characterized by inflammation of the oral mucosa in direct contact with dentures and affects a significant number of otherwise healthy denture wearers. While antifungal treatment reduces symptoms, infections are often recurrent. One strategy to address this problem is to incorporate compounds with fungicidal activities into denture materials to prevent colonization. Our laboratory synthesized novel derivatives of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), which is an organic compound typically used as a catalyst in polymerization reactions. DABCO derivatives with different aliphatic chain lengths (DC16, DC16F, DC18, and C6DC16), as well as methacrylate monomers conjugated to DABCO compounds (DC11MAF and C2DC11MAF), were synthesized and tested for antimicrobial activity. All the compounds exhibited fungicidal activity against several
Candida
species at concentrations ranging between 2 and 4 μg/ml. Moreover, acrylic denture base resins fabricated to contain 1, 2, or 4 wt% DABCO compounds inhibited surface
C. albicans
biofilm formation, as well as fungal growth, in disc diffusion assays. Remarkably, discs (4 wt%) aged for 2 months also exhibited approximately 100% growth-inhibitory activity. While some DABCO compounds exerted intermediate to high cytotoxicity against mammalian oral cell types, DC11MAF and denture base resin discs containing 2 or 4 wt% C2DC11MAF exhibited relatively low cytotoxicity against periodontal ligament (PDL) cell and gingival fibroblast (GF) lines, as well as primary oral epithelial cells. These studies demonstrate that DABCO derivatives can be incorporated into denture materials and exert fungicidal activity with minimal cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. DC11MAF and C2DC11MAF are considered strong candidates as therapeutic or preventive alternatives against
Candida
-associated denture stomatitis.
Mechanistic Study of Utilization of Water-Insoluble Saccharomyces cerevisiae Glucans by Bifidobacterium breve Strain JCM1192
Authors: Keung Hoi Yee , Li Tsz Kai , Sham Lok To , Cheung Man Kit , Cheung Peter Chi Keung , Kwan Hoi Shan 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Bifidobacteria exert beneficial effects on hosts and are extensively used as probiotics. However, due to the genetic inaccessibility of these bacteria, little is known about their mechanisms of carbohydrate utilization and regulation.
Bifidobacterium breve
strain JCM1192 can grow on water-insoluble yeast (
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
) cell wall glucans (YCWG), which were recently considered as potential prebiotics. According to the results of
1
H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry, the YCWG were composed of highly branched (1→3,1→6)-β-glucans and (1→4,1→6)-α-glucans. Although the YCWG were composed of 78.3% β-glucans and 21.7% α-glucans, only α-glucans were consumed by the
B. breve
strain. The ABC transporter (
malEFG1
) and pullulanase (
aapA
) genes were transcriptionally upregulated in the metabolism of insoluble yeast glucans, suggesting their potential involvement in the process. A nonsense mutation identified in the gene encoding an ABC transporter ATP-binding protein (MalK) led to growth failure of an ethyl methanesulfonate-generated mutant with yeast glucans. Coculture of the wild-type strain and the mutant showed that this protein was responsible for the import of yeast glucans or their breakdown products, rather than the export of α-glucan-catabolizing enzymes. Further characterization of the carbohydrate utilization of the mutant and three of its revertants indicated that this mutation was pleiotropic: the mutant could not grow with maltose, glycogen, dextrin, raffinose, cellobiose, melibiose, or turanose. We propose that insoluble yeast α-glucans are hydrolyzed by extracellular pullulanase into maltose and/or maltooligosaccharides, which are then transported into the cell by the ABC transport system composed of MalEFG1 and MalK. The mechanism elucidated here will facilitate the development of
B. breve
and water-insoluble yeast glucans as novel synbiotics.

IMPORTANCE
In general,
Bifidobacterium
strains are genetically intractable. Coupling classic forward genetics with next-generation sequencing, here we identified an ABC transporter ATP-binding protein (MalK) responsible for the import of insoluble yeast glucan breakdown products by
B. breve
JCM1192. We demonstrated the pleiotropic effects of the ABC transporter ATP-binding protein in maltose/maltooligosaccharide, raffinose, cellobiose, melibiose, and turanose transport. With the addition of transcriptional analysis, we propose that insoluble yeast glucans are broken down by extracellular pullulanase into maltose and/or maltooligosaccharides, which are then transported into the cell by the ABC transport system composed of MalEFG1 and MalK. The mechanism elucidated here will facilitate the development of
B. breve
and water-insoluble yeast glucans as novel synbiotics.
The changing landscape of diabetes prevalence among first-generation Asian immigrants in California from 2003 to 2013
Authors: Fan Wenjun , Lee Debora H , Billimek John , Choi Sarah , Wang Ping H 
Published: January 2017

ObjectiveThe prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing rapidly, particularly in Asia. Asian immigrants in Western countries are a fast-growing population who carry both intrinsic risks due to their genetic background and extrinsic risks associated with Western lifestyles. However, recent trends in diabetes prevalence and associated risk factors among Asian immigrants in the USA are not well understood.Research design and methodsWe examined adults aged 18 and older from the recent California Health Interview Survey data sets from 2003 to 2013 to determine prevalence of known DM among first-generation Asian immigrants and whites. The impact of various DM risk factors in Asian immigrants relative to whites was analyzed and multivariable regression models were constructed to obtain adjusted DM risk in Asian immigrants versus in whites.ResultsAcross the study span, we identified 2007 first-generation Asian immigrants and 14 668 whites as having known DM or prediabetes mellitus (pre-DM). From 2003 to 2013, the prevalence of DM and pre-DM combined rose from 6.8% to 12.4% in Asian immigrants and 5.5% to 6.9% in whites. Much of the increase could be attributed to pre-DM, which rose from 0.7% to 3.2% in Asian immigrants during the study period. The impacts of age and body mass index on DM risk were consistently greater in Asian immigrants than in whites. Non-DM Asian immigrants were found less likely to engage in physical activity than were non-DM whites. After adjustment of various associated factors, Asian immigrants were more likely than whites to have DM and this relative risk for DM gradually increased across the study period.ConclusionsA rising prevalence of known DM and particularly pre-DM among Asian immigrants in California was observed during the previous decade. To reduce the burden of diabetes and its complications, future strategies should consider specific risk factors for this ethnic group, including encouraging physical activity.
Association between soil heavy metals and fatty liver disease in men in Taiwan: a cross sectional study
Authors: Lin Yen-Chih , Lian Ie-Bin , Kor Chew-Teng , Chang Chia-Chu , Su Pei-Yuan , Chang Wan-Tzu , Liang Yu-Fen , Su Wei-Wen , Soon Maw-Soan 
Published: January 2017

ObjectivesMetabolic factors are major risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease although other factors may also contribute to development of fatty liver disease. We explored the association between exposure to soil heavy metals and prevalence of fatty liver disease.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed data from patients diagnosed with fatty liver disease in 2014 at the Health Evaluation Centre of Chang-Hua Christian Hospital (n=1137). We used residency data provided in the records of the Health Evaluation Centre and data for soil metal concentrations from a nationwide survey conducted by the Environmental Protection Administration of Taiwan. We studied the correlations between the severity of fatty liver disease and concentrations of soil heavy metals (arsenic, mercury, cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc).ResultsThe prevalence of moderate to severe fatty liver disease in our study was 26.5%. Using univariate and multivariate analysis, we demonstrated that the presence of soil heavy metals was a significant risk factor for fatty liver disease in men (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.161 to 2.899, p=0.009). With stratification by body mass index (BMI) and gender, lean men with a BMI <24 kg/m2were the most susceptible to soil heavy metals (OR 5.059, 95% CI 1.628 to 15.728, p<0.05).ConclusionsOur study suggested a significant association between exposure to soil heavy metals and fatty liver disease in lean men.
Metabolic biomarker signature to differentiate pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Mayerle Julia , Kalthoff Holger , Reszka Regina , Kamlage Beate , Peter Erik , Schniewind Bodo , González Maldonado Sandra , Pilarsky Christian , Heidecke Claus-Dieter , Schatz Philipp , Distler Marius , Scheiber Jonas A , Mahajan Ujjwal M , Weiss F Ulrich , Grützmann Robert , Lerch Markus M 
Published: January 2017

ObjectiveCurrent non-invasive diagnostic tests can distinguish between pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) in only about two thirds of patients. We have searched for blood-derived metabolite biomarkers for this diagnostic purpose.DesignFor a case–control study in three tertiary referral centres, 914 subjects were prospectively recruited with PDAC (n=271), CP (n=282), liver cirrhosis (n=100) or healthy as well as non-pancreatic disease controls (n=261) in three consecutive studies. Metabolomic profiles of plasma and serum samples were generated from 477 metabolites identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsA biomarker signature (nine metabolites and additionally CA19-9) was identified for the differential diagnosis between PDAC and CP. The biomarker signature distinguished PDAC from CP in the training set with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.96 (95% CI 0.93–0.98). The biomarker signature cut-off of 0.384 at 85% fixed specificity showed a sensitivity of 94.9% (95% CI 87.0%–97.0%). In the test set, an AUC of 0.94 (95% CI 0.91–0.97) and, using the same cut-off, a sensitivity of 89.9% (95% CI 81.0%–95.5%) and a specificity of 91.3% (95% CI 82.8%–96.4%) were achieved, successfully validating the biomarker signature.ConclusionsIn patients with CP with an increased risk for pancreatic cancer (cumulative incidence 1.95%), the performance of this biomarker signature results in a negative predictive value of 99.9% (95% CI 99.7%–99.9%) (training set) and 99.8% (95% CI 99.6%–99.9%) (test set). In one third of our patients, the clinical use of this biomarker signature would have improved diagnosis and treatment stratification in comparison to CA19-9.
YouTube and the single-rod contraceptive implant: a content analysis
Authors: Paul Jennifer , Boraas Christy M , Duvet Mildred , Chang Judy C 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundSince the internet has become an important source of contraceptive information with YouTube.com as the second most visited site, we analysed contraceptive implant YouTube videos for content and clinical accuracy.MethodsUsing the terms ‘contraceptive implant’, ‘Nexplanon’ and ‘Implanon’, the top 20 results on YouTube by relevance and view count were identified. After excluding duplicates, single-rod implant videos in English were included. Videos were classified as providing a professional or patient perspective. Views, duration and comments were noted. Videos were rated for reliability, global quality scale and whether they were positive or negative about the implant. Inter-rater agreement was measured.ResultsA total of 120 videos were retrieved; 52 were eligible for review. Less than 23% were professional videos; the majority reported patient experience (46% testimonials, 27% real-time procedure videos, 4% other). Patient videos had been posted a significantly longer duration of time than professional videos (364 vs 188 days,p=0.02), were less reliable (p≤0.0001) and were of lower global quality (p<0.0001). Some 61% of implant testimonial videos were rated as ‘positive experiences’ and inter-rater agreement was very good (κ=0.81). All testimonials mentioned side effects, commonly irregular bleeding and discomfort with insertion. A minority (26%) reported misinformation.ConclusionsThis study found that most of the information on YouTube pertaining to contraceptive implants is accurate, is presented from the patient's perspective, and promotes the method's use.
Bone Metastasis of Prostate Cancer Can Be Therapeutically Targeted at the TBX2–WNT Signaling Axis
Authors: Nandana Srinivas , Tripathi Manisha , Duan Peng , Chu Chia-Yi , Mishra Rajeev , Liu Chunyan , Jin Renjie , Yamashita Hironobu , Zayzafoon Majd , Bhowmick Neil A. , Zhau Haiyen E. , Matusik Robert J. , Chung Leland W.K. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIdentification of factors that mediate visceral and bone metastatic spread and subsequent bone remodeling events is highly relevant to successful therapeutic intervention in advanced human prostate cancer. TBX2, a T-box family transcription factor that negatively regulates cell-cycle inhibitor p21, plays critical roles during embryonic development, and recent studies have highlighted its role in cancer. Here, we report that TBX2 is overexpressed in human prostate cancer specimens and bone metastases from xenograft mouse models of human prostate cancer. Blocking endogenous TBX2 expression in PC3 and ARCaPM prostate cancer cell models using a dominant-negative construct resulted in decreased tumor cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasion in vitro. Blocking endogenous TBX2 in human prostate cancer mouse xenografts decreased invasion and abrogation of bone and soft tissue metastasis. Furthermore, blocking endogenous TBX2 in prostate cancer cells dramatically reduced bone-colonizing capability through reduced tumor cell growth and bone remodeling in an intratibial mouse model. TBX2 acted in trans by promoting transcription of the canonical WNT (WNT3A) promoter. Genetically rescuing WNT3A levels in prostate cancer cells with endogenously blocked TBX2 partially restored the TBX2-induced prostate cancer metastatic capability in mice. Conversely, WNT3A-neutralizing antibodies or WNT antagonist SFRP-2 blocked TBX2-induced invasion. Our findings highlight TBX2 as a novel therapeutic target upstream of WNT3A, where WNT3A antagonists could be novel agents for the treatment of metastasis and for skeletal complications in prostate cancer patients. Cancer Res; 77(6); 1331–44. ©2017 AACR.
Two-Pore Channel Function Is Crucial for the Migration of Invasive Cancer Cells
Authors: Nguyen Ong Nam Phuong , Grimm Christian , Schneider Lina S. , Chao Yu-Kai , Atzberger Carina , Bartel Karin , Watermann Anna , Ulrich Melanie , Mayr Doris , Wahl-Schott Christian , Biel Martin , Vollmar Angelika M. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Metastatic invasion is the major cause of cancer-related deaths. In this study, we introduce two-pore channels (TPC), a recently described class of NAADP- and PI(3,5)P2–sensitive Ca2+-permeable cation channels in the endolysosomal system of cells, as candidate targets for the treatment of invasive cancers. Inhibition of the channel abrogated migration of metastatic cancer cells in vitro. Silencing or pharmacologic inhibition of the two-pore channel TPC2 reduced lung metastasis of mammary mouse cancer cells. Disrupting TPC function halted trafficking of β1-integrin, leading to its accumulation in EEA1-positive early endosomes. As a consequence, invasive cancer cells were no longer able to form leading edges, which are required for adequate migration. Our findings link TPC to cancer cell migration and provide a preclinical proof of concept for their candidacy as targets to treat metastatic cancers. Cancer Res; 77(6); 1427–38. ©2017 AACR.