bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlations between mitochondrial DNA haplogroup D5 and chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Yunnan, China
Authors: Li Xiao , Zhou Tai-Cheng , Wu Chang-Hui , Tao Li-Lin , Bi Rui , Chen Li-Jun , Deng De-Yao , Liu Chang , Otecko Newton O. , Tang Yang , Lai Xin , Zhang Liang , Wei Jia 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMitochondrial abnormality is frequently reported in individuals with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, but the associated hosts’ mitochondrial genetic factors remain obscure. We hypothesized that mitochondria may affect host susceptibility to HBV infection. In this study, we aimed to detect the association between chronic HBV infection and mitochondrial DNA in Chinese from Yunnan, Southwest China. A total of 272 individuals with chronic HBV infection (CHB), 310 who had never been infected by HBV (healthy controls, HC) and 278 with a trace of HBV infection (spontaneously recovered, SR) were analysed for mtDNA sequence variations and classified into respective haplogroups. Haplogroup frequencies were compared between HBV infected patients, HCs and SRs. Haplogroup D5 presented a higher frequency in CHBs than in HCs (P = 0.017, OR = 2.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] = (1.21–6.81)) and SRs (P = 0.049, OR = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.01–8.35). The network of haplogroup D5 revealed a distinct distribution pattern between CHBs and non-CHBs. A trend of higher viral load among CHBs with haplogroup D5 was observed. Our results indicate the risk potential of mtDNA haplogroup D5 in chronic HBV infection in Yunnan, China.
The ferroptosis inducer erastin irreversibly inhibits system xc− and synergizes with cisplatin to increase cisplatin’s cytotoxicity in cancer cells
Authors: Sato Mami , Kusumi Ryosuke , Hamashima Shinji , Kobayashi Sho , Sasaki Satoru , Komiyama Yuhei , Izumikawa Takuji , Conrad Marcus , Bannai Shiro , Sato Hideyo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSystem xc− was recently described as the most upstream node in a novel form of regulated necrotic cell death, called ferroptosis. In this context, the small molecule erastin was reported to target and inhibit system xc−, leading to cysteine starvation, glutathione depletion and consequently ferroptotic cell death. Although the inhibitory effect of erastin towards system xc− is well-documented, nothing is known about its mechanism of action. Therefore, we sought to interrogate in more detail the underlying mechanism of erastin’s pro-ferroptotic effects. When comparing with some well-known inhibitors of system xc−, erastin was the most efficient inhibitor acting at low micromolar concentrations. Notably, only a very short exposure of cells with low erastin concentrations was sufficient to cause a strong and persistent inhibition of system xc−, causing glutathione depletion. These inhibitory effects towards system xc− did not involve cysteine modifications of the transporter. More importantly, short exposure of tumor cells with erastin strongly potentiated the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin to efficiently eradicate tumor cells. Hence, our data suggests that only a very short pre-treatment of erastin suffices to synergize with cisplatin to efficiently induce cancer cell death, findings that might guide us in the design of novel cancer treatment paradigms.
Characterization of signaling pathways regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory long form thymic stromal lymphopoietin upon human metapneumovirus infection
Authors: Li Youxian , Lund Cecilie , Nervik Ida , Loevenich Simon , Døllner Henrik , Anthonsen Marit W. , Johnsen Ingvild B. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is associated with several allergic diseases including asthma. Two isoforms of TSLP exist in humans, a long form (lfTSLP) and a short form (sfTSLP), displaying distinct immunological functions. Recently, TSLP was found to be upregulated in human airway cells upon human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection, yet it remains unclear if the two isoforms are regulated differently during hMPV infection. Importantly, the molecular mechanisms underlying hMPV-mediated TSLP induction remain undescribed. In this study, we characterized the expression and regulation of TSLP in hMPV-infected human airway cells. We demonstrated that hMPV strongly induced the expression of pro-inflammatory lfTSLP in human airway epithelial cells and lung fibroblasts. Further, knockdown of pattern recognition receptors retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) or Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), as well as downstream signal transducers, abrogated hMPV-mediated lfTSLP induction. Importantly, silencing of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) also impaired hMPV-mediated lfTSLP induction, which could be attributed to compromised NF-κB activation. Overall, these results suggest that TBK1 may be instrumental for hMPV-mediated activation of NF-κB downstream RIG-I and TLR3, leading to a specific induction of lfTSLP in hMPV-infected human airway cells.
Increased left ventricular mass index is present in patients with type 2 diabetes without ischemic heart disease
Authors: Seferovic Jelena P. , Tesic Milorad , Seferovic Petar M. , Lalic Katarina , Jotic Aleksandra , Biering-Sørensen Tor , Giga Vojislav , Stankovic Sanja , Milic Natasa , Lukic Ljiljana , Milicic Tanja , Macesic Marija , Gajovic Jelena Stanarcic , Lalic Nebojsa M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLeft ventricular mass index (LVMI) increase has been described in hypertension (HTN), but less is known about its association with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). As these conditions frequently co-exist, we investigated the association of T2DM, HTN and both with echocardiographic parameters, and hypothesized that patients with both had highest LVMI, followed by patients with only T2DM or HTN. Study population included 101 T2DM patients, 62 patients with HTN and no T2DM, and 76 patients with T2DM and HTN, excluded for ischemic heart disease. Demographic and clinical data, biochemical measurements, stress echocardiography, transthoracic 2D Doppler and tissue Doppler echocardiography were performed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the independent association with T2DM. Linear regression models and Pearson’s correlation were used to assess the correlations between LVMI and other parameters. Patients with only T2DM had significantly greater LVMI (84.9 ± 20.3 g/m2) compared to patients with T2DM and HTN (77.9 ± 16 g/m2) and only HTN (69.8 ± 12.4 g/m2). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, T2DM was associated with LVMI (OR 1.033, 95%CI 1.003–1.065, p = 0.029). A positive correlation of LVMI was found with fasting glucose (p < 0.001) and HbA1c (p = 0.0003). Increased LVMI could be a potential, pre-symptomatic marker of myocardial structural change in T2DM.
Development and validation of a brief diabetic foot ulceration risk checklist among diabetic patients: a multicenter longitudinal study in China
Authors: Zhou Qiuhong , Peng Min , Zhou Lihuan , Bai Jiaojiao , Tong Ao , Liu Min , Ng In I , Cheng Yuxia , Cai Yunmin , Yang Yujin , Chen Yilian , Gao Suwen , Li Zhong , Fu Xiaoai , Shen Minxue , Zhang Jianglin , Chen Xiang 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe study aims to develop and assess and validate a brief diabetic foot ulceration risk checklist among diabetic patients through a longitudinal study. Patients who had diabetes mellitus and had no foot ulceration and severe systematic disorders were recruited from eleven tertiary hospitals in nine provinces or municipalities of China. Internal consistency reliability, construct validity, concurrent validity, item property, and measurement invariance of the tool were assessed. The predictive capability of the tool was validated by the follow-up data using the receiver operating characteristic curve. At baseline, 477 valid cases were collected. Twelve items were remained after initial selection. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.56. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model had acceptable goodness-of-fit yet local dependency between two items. Item response theory showed that most items had acceptable discrimination and difficulty parameters. Differential item functioning showed that tool had measurement invariance. 278 were followed up one year after the baseline. Follow-up showed that one-year incidence of ulceration among the patients was 3.6%, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.77 (95% confidence interval: 0.61–0.93). The cut-off point of the tool was 4, when sensitivity and specificity were 0.62 and 0.75 respectively. The checklist has good psychometric properties according to mixed evidences from classical and modern test theory, and has good predictive capability.
Critical Shear Stress is Associated with Diabetic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Chung Seung Min , Oh Jung Hyun , Moon Jun Sung , Kim Yu Kyung , Yoon Ji Sung , Won Kyu Chang , Lee Hyoung Woo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCritical shear stress (CSS, mPa) is an index of red blood cell (RBC) aggregability, defined as the minimal shear stress required to disperse RBC aggregates. This study aimed to investigate the association between CSS and the risk of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). A total of 421 (mean age, 58.1 ± 11.5 years; male, 250) individuals with T2DM were enrolled and divided into three groups according to CSS level. CSS was measured using a transient microfluidic technique. DKD was defined as a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 or a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) ≥30 mg/g. CSS was significantly higher in patients with DKD than in those without (317.43 ± 125.11 vs 385.22 ± 182.89, p < 0.001). Compared to the lowest CSS tertile, the highest CSS tertile was independently associated with the risk of DKD after adjusting for age, sex, duration of diabetes, presence of hypertension and haemoglobin. The cut-off value of CSS for DKD was approximately 310 mPa. These results suggest that haemorheologic changes may contribute to DKD, and further prospective studies are warranted to determine the role of CSS as a DKD screening tool.
Computational trans-omics approach characterised methylomic and transcriptomic involvements and identified novel therapeutic targets for chemoresistance in gastrointestinal cancer stem cells
Authors: Konno Masamitsu , Matsui Hidetoshi , Koseki Jun , Asai Ayumu , Kano Yoshihiro , Kawamoto Koichi , Nishida Naohiro , Sakai Daisuke , Kudo Toshihiro , Satoh Taroh , Doki Yuichiro , Mori Masaki , Ishii Hideshi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe investigated the relationship between methylomic [5-methylation on deoxycytosine to form 5-methylcytosine (5mC)] and transcriptomic information in response to chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) exposure and cisplatin (CDDP) administration using the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) degron-positive cancer stem cell model of gastrointestinal tumour. The quantification of 5mC methylation revealed various alterations in the size distribution and intensity of genomic loci for each patient. To summarise these alterations, we transformed all large volume data into a smooth function and treated the area as a representative value of 5mC methylation. The present computational approach made the methylomic data more accessible to each transcriptional unit and allowed to identify candidate genes, including the tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4), as novel therapeutic targets with a strong response to anti-tumour agents, such as 5-FU and CDDP, and whose significance has been confirmed in a mouse model in vivo. The present study showed that 5mC methylation levels are inversely correlated with gene expression in a chemotherapy-resistant stem cell model of gastrointestinal cancer. This mathematical method can be used to simultaneously quantify and identify chemoresistant potential targets in gastrointestinal cancer stem cells.
Sensory neuronal P2RX4 receptors controls BDNF signaling in inflammatory pain
Authors: Lalisse Sarah , Hua Jennifer , Lenoir Manon , Linck Nathalie , Rassendren François , Ulmann Lauriane 
Published: January 2018

AbstractChronic inflammatory and neuropathic pains are major public health concerns. Potential therapeutic targets include the ATP-gated purinergic receptors (P2RX) that contribute to these pathological types of pain in several different cell types. The purinergic receptors P2RX2 and P2RX3 are expressed by a specific subset of dorsal root ganglion neurons and directly shape pain processing by primary afferents. In contrast the P2RX4 and P2RX7 are mostly expressed in myeloid cells, where activation of these receptors triggers the release of various pro-inflammatory molecules. Here, we demonstrate that P2RX4 also controls calcium influx in mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons. P2RX4 is up-regulated in pain-processing neurons during long lasting peripheral inflammation and it co-localizes with Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). In the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, BDNF-dependent signaling pathways, phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and of the GluN1 subunit as well as the down regulation of the co-transporter KCC2, which are triggered by peripheral inflammation are impaired in P2RX4-deficient mice. Our results suggest that P2RX4, expressed by sensory neurons, controls neuronal BDNF release that contributes to hyper-excitability during chronic inflammatory pain and establish P2RX4 in sensory neurons as a new potential therapeutic target to treat hyperexcitability during chronic inflammatory pain.
Vision Status in Older Adults: The Brazilian Amazon Region Eye Survey
Authors: Salomão Solange R. , Berezovsky Adriana , Furtado João M. , Fernandes Arthur G. , Muñoz Sergio , Cavascan Nívea N. , Cypel Marcela C. , Cunha Cristina C. , Vasconcelos Galton C. , Mitsuhiro Márcia R. K. H. , Sacai Paula Y. , Campos Mauro , Morales Paulo H. A. , Cohen Marcos J. , Cohen Jacob M. , Watanabe Sung E. S. , Belfort Rubens 
Published: January 2018

AbstractOlder adults living in remote areas with limited access to health services are at higher risk to develop visual impairment and blindness. We conducted a population-based survey to determine the vision status in subjects 45 years of age and older from urban and rural areas of Parintins city, Brazilian Amazon Region. Participants underwent ophthalmic examination, including uncorrected (UCVA), presenting (PVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Vision status was described as lines of visual acuity (VA) impairment and lines of VA improvement from UCVA to BCVA and from PVA to BCVA in the better-seeing eye. A total of 2384 subjects were enumerated, 2041 (85.6%) were examined, with reliable VA measurements obtained from 2025 participants. Vision status in lines of VA impairment was (mean ± standard deviation): 3.44 ± 3.53 for UCVA, 2.85 ± 3.52 for PVA and 1.50 ± 3.51 for BCVA. Female gender, older age and lower education were associated with ≥6 lines of UCVA impairment. Lines of improvement ≥3 was found in 626 (30.9%) participants and associated with female gender and rural residency. In conclusion, a third of participants could have at least three lines of VA improvement with proper refraction. Strategies to improve access to eye care and affordable glasses are needed.
Phenotypic diversity identified by cardiac magnetic resonance in a large hypertrophic cardiomyopathy family with a single MYH7 mutation
Authors: Wang Jie , Wan Ke , Sun Jiayu , Li Weihao , Liu Hong , Han Yuchi , Chen Yucheng 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLimited data is available on phenotypic variations with the same genotype in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The present study aims to explore the relationship between genotype and phenotype characterized by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in a large Chinese family. A proband diagnosed with HCM from a multigenerational family underwent next-generation sequencing based on a custom sureSelect panel, including 117 candidate pathogenic genes associated with cardiomyopathies. All genetic results were confirmed by the Sanger sequencing method. All confirmed mutation carriers underwent CMR exam and myocardial tissue characterization using T1 mapping and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on a 3T scanner (Siemens Trio, Gemany). After clinical and genetic screening of 36 (including the proband) members of a large Chinese family, nineteen family members are determined to carry the single p.T1377M (c.4130C>T) mutation in the MYH7 gene. Of these 19 mutation carriers, eight are diagnosed with HCM, one was considered as borderline affected and ten are not clinically or phenotypically affected. Different HCM phenotypes are present in the nine affected individuals in this family. In addition, we have found different tissue characteristics assessed by T1 mapping and LGE in these individuals. We describe a family that demonstrates the diverse HCM phenotypes associated with a single MYH7 mutation.
The Hessian Blob Algorithm: Precise Particle Detection in Atomic Force Microscopy Imagery
Authors: Marsh Brendan P. , Chada Nagaraju , Sanganna Gari Raghavendar Reddy , Sigdel Krishna P. , King Gavin M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractImaging by atomic force microscopy (AFM) offers high-resolution descriptions of many biological systems; however, regardless of resolution, conclusions drawn from AFM images are only as robust as the analysis leading to those conclusions. Vital to the analysis of biomolecules in AFM imagery is the initial detection of individual particles from large-scale images. Threshold and watershed algorithms are conventional for automatic particle detection but demand manual image preprocessing and produce particle boundaries which deform as a function of user-defined parameters, producing imprecise results subject to bias. Here, we introduce the Hessian blob to address these shortcomings. Combining a scale-space framework with measures of local image curvature, the Hessian blob formally defines particle centers and their boundaries, both to subpixel precision. Resulting particle boundaries are independent of user defined parameters, with no image preprocessing required. We demonstrate through direct comparison that the Hessian blob algorithm more accurately detects biomolecules than conventional AFM particle detection techniques. Furthermore, the algorithm proves largely insensitive to common imaging artifacts and noise, delivering a stable framework for particle analysis in AFM.
A non-zircon Hf isotope record in Archean black shales from the Pilbara craton confirms changing crustal dynamics ca. 3 Ga ago
Authors: Nebel-Jacobsen Yona , Nebel Oliver , Wille Martin , Cawood Peter A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPlate tectonics and associated subduction are unique to the Earth. Studies of Archean rocks show significant changes in composition and structural style around 3.0 to 2.5 Ga that are related to changing tectonic regime, possibly associated with the onset of subduction. Whole rock Hf isotope systematics of black shales from the Australian Pilbara craton, selected to exclude detrital zircon components, are employed to evaluate the evolution of the Archean crust. This approach avoids limitations of Hf-in-zircon analyses, which only provide input from rocks of sufficient Zr-concentration, and therefore usually represent domains that already underwent a degree of differentiation. In this study, we demonstrate the applicability of this method through analysis of shales that range in age from 3.5 to 2.8 Ga, and serve as representatives of their crustal sources through time. Their Hf isotopic compositions show a trend from strongly positive εHfinitial values for the oldest samples, to strongly negative values for the younger samples, indicating a shift from juvenile to differentiated material. These results confirm a significant change in the character of the source region of the black shales by 3 Ga, consistent with models invoking a change in global dynamics from crustal growth towards crustal reworking around this time.
Angiotensin II Overstimulation Leads to an Increased Susceptibility to Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Higher Mortality in Female Mice
Authors: Mathieu Sophie , El Khoury Nabil , Rivard Katy , Paradis Pierre , Nemer Mona , Fiset Céline 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHeart failure (HF) is associated with high mortality and affects men and women differently. The underlying mechanisms for these sex-related differences remain largely unexplored. Accordingly, using mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of the angiotensin II (ANGII) type 1 receptor (AT1R), we explored male-female differences in the manifestations of hypertrophy and HF. AT1R mice of both sexes feature electrical and Ca2+handling alterations, systolic dysfunction, hypertrophy and develop HF. However, females had much higher mortality (21.0%) rate than males (5.5%). In females, AT1R stimulation leads to more pronounced eccentric hypertrophy (larger increase in LV mass/body weight ratio [+31%], in cell length [+27%], in LV internal end-diastolic [LVIDd, +34%] and systolic [LVIDs, +67%] diameter) and dilation (larger decrease in LV posterior wall thickness, +17%) than males. In addition, in female AT1R mice the cytosolic Ca2+extrusion mechanisms were more severely compromised and were associated with a specific increased in Ca2+sparks (by 187%) and evidence of SR Ca2+leak. Altogether, these results suggest that female AT1R mice have more severe eccentric hypertrophy, dysfunction and compromised Ca2+dynamics. These findings indicate that females are more susceptible to the adverse effects of AT1R stimulation than males favouring the development of HF and increased mortality.
Nanoscale Structural Modulation and Low-temperature Magnetic Response in Mixed-layer Aurivillius-type Oxides
Authors: Sun Shujie , Chen Zezhi , Wang Guopeng , Geng Xiaoju , Xiao Zhenyu , Sun Zhuzhu , Sun Zhihu , Peng Ranran , Lu Yalin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractNanoscale structural modulation with different layer numbers in layer-structured complex oxides of the binary Bi4Ti3O12-BiFeO3 system can give rise to intriguing phenomena and extraordinary properties, originating from the correlated interfaces of two different phases with different strain states. In this work, we studied the nanoscale structural modulation induced by Co-substitution in the Aurivillius-type oxide of Bi11Fe3Ti6O33 with a unique and naturally occurred mixed-layer structure. Nanoscale structural evolution via doping occurred from the phase-modulated structure composed of 4- and 5-layer phases to a homogeneous 4-layer structure was clearly observed utilizing x-ray diffraction and electron micro-techniques. Significantly, magnetic response for the samples under various temperatures was recorded and larger magnetic coercive fields (e.g. H
c
∼ 10 kOe at 50 K) were found in the phase-modulated samples. Analyses of the x-ray absorption spectra and magnetic response confirmed that the low-temperature magnetic behaviour should be intrinsic to the phase-modulated structure inside the structural transformation region, mainly arising from structural distortions at the correlated interfaces.