bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ablation of ventricular arrhythmia originating from the aortic sinus of Valsalva in an adolescent with anomalous origin of the right coronary artery
Authors: Grant Elena K. , Berul Charles I. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA 16-year-old patient underwent successful ablation of ventricular arrhythmia originating from the aortic sinus of Valsalva following surgical unroofing of an anomalous right coronary artery. This case illustrates the complexity of decision making in the management of patients with anomalous coronary arteries and the importance of keeping an open mind when determining ventricular arrhythmia aetiology and origin.
Cardiomyopathy in children: Can we rely on echocardiographic tricuspid regurgitation gradient estimates of right ventricular and pulmonary arterial pressure?
Authors: Lee Simon , Lytrivi Irene D. , Roytman Zhanna , Ko Hyun-Sook Helen , Vinograd Cheryl , Srivastava Shubhika 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIntroductionAgreement between echocardiography and right heart catheterisation-derived right ventricular systolic pressure is modest in the adult heart failure population, but is unknown in the paediatric cardiomyopathy population.MethodsAll patients at a single centre from 2001 to 2012 with a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy who underwent echocardiography and catheterisation within 30 days were included in this study. The correlation between tricuspid regurgitation gradient and catheterisation-derived right ventricular systolic pressure and mean pulmonary artery pressure was determined. Agreement between echocardiography and catheterisation-derived right ventricular systolic pressure was assessed using Bland–Altman plots. Analysis was repeated for patients who underwent both procedures within 7 days. Haemodynamic data from those with poor agreement and good agreement between echocardiography and catheterisation were compared.ResultsA total of 37 patients who underwent 48 catheterisation procedures were included in our study. The median age was 11.8 (0.1–20.6 years) with 22 males (58% total). There was a modest correlation (r=0.65) between echocardiography and catheterisation-derived right ventricular systolic pressure, but agreement was poor. Agreement between tricuspid regurgitation gradient and right ventricular systolic pressure showed wide 95% limits of agreement. There was a modest correlation between the tricuspid regurgitation gradient and mean pulmonary artery pressure (r=0.6). Shorter time interval between the two studies did not improve agreement. Those with poor agreement between echocardiography and catheterisation had higher right heart pressures, but this difference became insignificant after accounting for right atrial pressure.ConclusionTransthoracic echocardiography estimation of right ventricular systolic pressure shows modest correlation with right heart pressures, but has limited agreement and may underestimate the degree of pulmonary hypertension in paediatric cardiomyopathy patients.
The impact of breast size on mean lung dose for patients receiving tangential radiotherapy to the whole breast
Authors: Schembri Ashley , Mercieca Susan , Courtier Nick , Zarb Francis 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPurposeTo explore the impact of breast size on mean lung dose (MLD) for patients receiving breast radiotherapy.MethodologyChest wall separation (CWS), volume of tissue receiving 95% isodose and MLD were measured on 80 radiotherapy treatment plans of patients receiving tangential radiotherapy treatment to the whole breast. Breast size was categorised as small (CWS<25 cm and planned target volume (PTV)<1,500 cm3) and large (CWS>25 cm and PTV>1500 cm3). Pearson’s correlation and independent sample t-test were used to analyse data.ResultsMLD was not affected by CWS (r=−0·13, p=0·24) nor volume of tissue receiving 95% isodose (r=−0·08, p=0·49). Significant variation between small and large breasts was noted for CWS (t=8·24, p=0·00) and volume of tissue receiving 95% isodose (t=5·68, p=0·00). No significant variation was noted between small and large breast for MLD (t=−0·26, p=0·80) and between left and right breasts for CWS (t=1·42, p=0·16) and volume of tissue receiving 95% isodose (t=−1·08, p=0·28). Significant difference between left (18–808 cGy) and right breast (325–365 cGy) was demonstrated for MLD (t=3·03, p=0·00).ConclusionThis study demonstrated lack of correlation between breast size and MLD. Further research is recommended for justification of alternative techniques for this subgroup of patients to provide optimised radiotherapy delivery.
Predicting taxonomic and functional structure of microbial communities in acid mine drainage
Authors: Kuang Jialiang , Huang Linan , He Zhili , Chen Linxing , Hua Zhengshuang , Jia Pu , Li Shengjin , Liu Jun , Li Jintian , Zhou Jizhong , Shu Wensheng 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPredicting the dynamics of community composition and functional attributes responding to environmental changes is an essential goal in community ecology but remains a major challenge, particularly in microbial ecology. Here, by targeting a model system with low species richness, we explore the spatial distribution of taxonomic and functional structure of 40 acid mine drainage (AMD) microbial communities across Southeast China profiled by 16S ribosomal RNA pyrosequencing and a comprehensive microarray (GeoChip). Similar environmentally dependent patterns of dominant microbial lineages and key functional genes were observed regardless of the large-scale geographical isolation. Functional and phylogenetic β-diversities were significantly correlated, whereas functional metabolic potentials were strongly influenced by environmental conditions and community taxonomic structure. Using advanced modeling approaches based on artificial neural networks, we successfully predicted the taxonomic and functional dynamics with significantly higher prediction accuracies of metabolic potentials (average Bray–Curtis similarity 87.8) as compared with relative microbial abundances (similarity 66.8), implying that natural AMD microbial assemblages may be better predicted at the functional genes level rather than at taxonomic level. Furthermore, relative metabolic potentials of genes involved in many key ecological functions (for example, nitrogen and phosphate utilization, metals resistance and stress response) were extrapolated to increase under more acidic and metal-rich conditions, indicating a critical strategy of stress adaptation in these extraordinary communities. Collectively, our findings indicate that natural selection rather than geographic distance has a more crucial role in shaping the taxonomic and functional patterns of AMD microbial community that readily predicted by modeling methods and suggest that the model-based approach is essential to better understand natural acidophilic microbial communities.
Chasing the elusive Euryarchaeota class WSA2: genomes reveal a uniquely fastidious methyl-reducing methanogen
Authors: Nobu Masaru Konishi , Narihiro Takashi , Kuroda Kyohei , Mei Ran , Liu Wen-Tso 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
The ecophysiology of one candidate methanogen class WSA2 (or Arc I) remains largely uncharacterized, despite the long history of research on Euryarchaeota methanogenesis. To expand our understanding of methanogen diversity and evolution, we metagenomically recover eight draft genomes for four WSA2 populations. Taxonomic analyses indicate that WSA2 is a distinct class from other Euryarchaeota. None of genomes harbor pathways for CO2-reducing and aceticlastic methanogenesis, but all possess H2 and CO oxidation and energy conservation through H2-oxidizing electron confurcation and internal H2 cycling. As the only discernible methanogenic outlet, they consistently encode a methylated thiol coenzyme M methyltransferase. Although incomplete, all draft genomes point to the proposition that WSA2 is the first discovered methanogen restricted to methanogenesis through methylated thiol reduction. In addition, the genomes lack pathways for carbon fixation, nitrogen fixation and biosynthesis of many amino acids. Acetate, malonate and propionate may serve as carbon sources. Using methylated thiol reduction, WSA2 may not only bridge the carbon and sulfur cycles in eutrophic methanogenic environments, but also potentially compete with CO2-reducing methanogens and even sulfate reducers. These findings reveal a remarkably unique methanogen ‘Candidatus Methanofastidiosum methylthiophilus’ as the first insight into the sixth class of methanogens ‘Candidatus Methanofastidiosa’.
Two-colour live-cell nanoscale imaging of intracellular targets
Authors: Bottanelli Francesca , Kromann Emil B. , Allgeyer Edward S. , Erdmann Roman S. , Wood Baguley Stephanie , Sirinakis George , Schepartz Alanna , Baddeley David , Toomre Derek K. , Rothman James E. , Bewersdorf Joerg 
Published: March 2016

AbstractStimulated emission depletion (STED) nanoscopy allows observations of subcellular dynamics at the nanoscale. Applications have, however, been severely limited by the lack of a versatile STED-compatible two-colour labelling strategy for intracellular targets in living cells. Here we demonstrate a universal labelling method based on the organic, membrane-permeable dyes SiR and ATTO590 as Halo and SNAP substrates. SiR and ATTO590 constitute the first suitable dye pair for two-colour STED imaging in living cells below 50 nm resolution. We show applications with mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane and Golgi-localized proteins, and demonstrate continuous acquisition for up to 3 min at 2-s time resolution.
DHA Suppresses Primary Macrophage Inflammatory Responses via Notch 1/ Jagged 1 Signaling
Authors: Ali Mehboob , Heyob Kathryn , Rogers Lynette K. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPersistent macrophages were observed in the lungs of murine offspring exposed to maternal LPS and neonatal hyperoxia. Maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation prevented the accumulation of macrophages and improved lung development. We hypothesized that these macrophages are responsible for pathologies observed in this model and the effects of DHA supplementation. Primary macrophages were isolated from adult mice fed standard chow, control diets, or DHA supplemented diets. Macrophages were exposed to hyperoxia (O2) for 24 h and LPS for 6 h or 24 h. Our data demonstrate significant attenuation of Notch 1 and Jagged 1 protein levels in response to DHA supplementation in vivo but similar results were not evident in macrophages isolated from mice fed standard chow and supplemented with DHA in vitro. Co-culture of activated macrophages with MLE12 epithelial cells resulted in the release of high mobility group box 1 and leukotriene B4 from the epithelial cells and this release was attenuated by DHA supplementation. Collectively, our data indicate that long term supplementation with DHA as observed in vivo, resulted in deceased Notch 1/Jagged 1 protein expression however, DHA supplementation in vitro was sufficient to suppress release LTB4 and to protect epithelial cells in co-culture.
Fermented Sipjeondaebo-tang Alleviates Memory Deficits and Loss of Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Scopolamine-induced Amnesia in Mice
Authors: Park Hee Ra , Lee Heeeun , Park Hwayong , Cho Won-Kyung , Ma Jin Yeul 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe investigated the anti-amnesic effects of SJ and fermented SJ (FSJ) on scopolamine (SCO)-induced amnesia mouse model. Mice were orally co-treated with SJ or FSJ (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) and SCO (1 mg/kg), which was injected intraperitoneally for 14 days. SCO decreased the step-through latency and prolonged latency time to find the hidden platform in the passive avoidance test and Morris water maze test, respectively, and both SCO effects were ameliorated by FSJ treatment. FSJ was discovered to promote hippocampal neurogenesis during SCO treatment by increasing proliferation and survival of BrdU-positive cells, immature/mature neurons. In the hippocampus of SCO, oxidative stress and the activity of acetylcholinesterase were elevated, whereas the levels of acetylcholine and choline acetyltransferase were diminished; however, all of these alterations were attenuated by FSJ-treatment. The alterations in brain-derived neurotrophic factor, phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein, and phosphorylated Akt that occurred following SCO treatment were protected by FSJ administration. Therefore, our findings are the first to suggest that FSJ may be a promising therapeutic drug for the treatment of amnesia and aging-related or neurodegenerative disease-related memory impairment. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism by which FSJ exerts its effects may involve modulation of the cholinergic system and BDNF/CREB/Akt pathway.
Lepidopteran defence droplets - a composite physical and chemical weapon against potential predators
Authors: Pentzold Stefan , Zagrobelny Mika , Khakimov Bekzod , Engelsen Søren Balling , Clausen Henrik , Petersen Bent Larsen , Borch Jonas , Møller Birger Lindberg , Bak Søren 
Published: March 2016

AbstractInsects often release noxious substances for their defence. Larvae of Zygaena filipendulae (Lepidoptera) secrete viscous and cyanogenic glucoside-containing droplets, whose effectiveness was associated with their physical and chemical properties. The droplets glued mandibles and legs of potential predators together and immobilised them. Droplets were characterised by a matrix of an aqueous solution of glycine-rich peptides (H-WG11-NH2) with significant amounts of proteins and glucose. Among the proteins, defensive proteins such as protease inhibitors, proteases and oxidases were abundant. The neurotoxin β-cyanoalanine was also found in the droplets. Despite the presence of cyanogenic glucosides, which release toxic hydrogen cyanide after hydrolysis by a specific β-glucosidase, the only β-glucosidase identified in the droplets (ZfBGD1) was inactive against cyanogenic glucosides. Accordingly, droplets did not release hydrogen cyanide, unless they were mixed with specific β-glucosidases present in the Zygaena haemolymph. Droplets secreted onto the cuticle hardened and formed sharp crystalline-like precipitates that may act as mandible abrasives to chewing predators. Hardening followed water evaporation and formation of antiparallel β-sheets of the peptide oligomers. Consequently, after mild irritation, Zygaena larvae deter predators by viscous and hardening droplets that contain defence proteins and β-cyanoalanine. After severe injury, droplets may mix with exuding haemolymph to release hydrogen cyanide.
Suppression of the invasive potential of Glioblastoma cells by mTOR inhibitors involves modulation of NFκB and PKC-α signaling
Authors: Chandrika Goparaju , Natesh Kumar , Ranade Deepak , Chugh Ashish , Shastry Padma 
Published: March 2016

AbstractGlioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive type of brain tumors in adults with survival period <1.5 years of patients. The role of mTOR pathway is documented in invasion and migration, the features associated with aggressive phenotype in human GBM. However, most of the preclinical and clinical studies with mTOR inhibitors are focused on antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity in GBM. In this study, we demonstrate that mTOR inhibitors-rapamycin (RAP), temisirolimus (TEM), torin-1 (TOR) and PP242 suppress invasion and migration induced by Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα) and tumor promoter, Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and also reduce the expression of the TNFα and IL1β suggesting their potential to regulate factors in microenvironment that support tumor progression. The mTOR inhibitors significantly decreased MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA, protein and activity that was enhanced by TNFα and PMA. The effect was mediated through reduction of Protein kinase C alpha (PKC-α) activity and downregulation of NFκB. TNFα- induced transcripts of NFκB targets -VEGF, pentraxin-3, cathepsin-B and paxillin, crucial in invasion were restored to basal level by these inhibitors. With limited therapeutic interventions currently available for GBM, our findings are significant and suggest that mTOR inhibitors may be explored as anti-invasive drugs for GBM treatment.
Prognostic value of platelet to lymphocyte ratio in non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Hua , Gao Liuwei , Zhang Bin , Zhang Lianmin , wang Changli 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe prognostic value of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis of published studies to determine the prognostic value of PLR in NSCLC. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science and Embase for relevant studies. The data and characteristics of each study were extracted, and the hazard ratio (HR) at a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to estimate the effect. We also performed subgroup and meta-regression analyses. A total of 2,889 patients in 12 studies were enrolled in this meta-analysis, and the pooled HR of 1.492 (95% CI: 1.231–1.807, P < 0.001) indicated that patients with an elevated PLR are expected to have a shorter overall survival (OS) after treatment. This meta-analysis indicates that a high PLR might be a predictive factor of poor prognosis in NSCLC. Further large-cohort studies are needed to confirm these findings.
The pathway of ligand entry from the membrane bilayer to a lipid G protein-coupled receptor
Authors: Stanley Nathaniel , Pardo Leonardo , Fabritiis Gianni De 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe binding process through the membrane bilayer of lipid-like ligands to a protein target is an important but poorly explored recognition process at the atomic level. In this work we succeeded in resolving the binding of the lipid inhibitor ML056 to the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1R) using unbiased molecular dynamics simulations with an aggregate sampling of over 800 μs. The binding pathway is a multi-stage process consisting of the ligand diffusing in the bilayer leaflet to contact a “membrane vestibule” at the top of TM 7, subsequently moving from this lipid-facing vestibule to the orthosteric binding cavity through a channel formed by TMs 1 and 7 and the N-terminal of the receptor. Unfolding of the N-terminal alpha-helix increases the volume of the channel upon ligand entry, helping to reach the crystallographic pose that also corresponds to the predicted favorable pose. The relaxation timescales of the binding process show that the binding of the ligand to the “membrane vestibule” is the rate-limiting step in the multi microseconds timescale. We comment on the significance and parallels of the binding process in the context of other binding studies.
A remote-controlled generation of gold@polydopamine (core@shell) nanoparticles via physical-chemical stimuli of polydopamine/gold composites
Authors: Lee Yi Seul , Bae Ji Young , Koo Hye Young , Lee Young Boo , Choi Won San 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe present the synthesis of polydopamine particle-gold composites (PdopP-Au) and unique release of Au@Pdop core@shell nanoparticles (NPs) from the PdopP-Au upon external stimuli. The PdopP-Au was prepared by controlled synthesis of AuNPs on the Pdop particles. Upon near infrared (NIR) irradiation or NaBH4 treatment on the PdopP-Au, the synthesized AuNPs within the PdopPs could be burst-released as a form of Au@Pdop NPs. The PdopP-Au composite showed outstanding photothermal conversion ability under NIR irradiation due to the ultrahigh loading of the AuNPs within the PdopPs, leading to a remote-controlled explosion of the PdopP-Au and rapid formation of numerous Au@Pdop NPs. The release of the Au@Pdop NPs could be instantly stopped or re-started by off or reboot of NIR, respectively. The structure of the released Au@Pdop NPs is suitable for a catalyst or adsorbent, thus we demonstrated that the PdopP-Au composite exhibited excellent and sustained performances for environmental remediation due to its capability of the continuous production of fresh catalysts or adsorbents during the reuse.
The Silk-protein Sericin Induces Rapid Melanization of Cultured Primary Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells by Activating the NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Eidet J. R. , Reppe S. , Pasovic L. , Olstad O. K. , Lyberg T. , Khan A. Z. , Fostad I. G. , Chen D. F. , Utheim T. P. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractRestoration of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to prevent further loss of vision in patients with age-related macular degeneration represents a promising novel treatment modality. Development of RPE transplants, however, requires up to 3 months of cell differentiation. We explored whether the silk protein sericin can induce maturation of primary human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells. Microarray analysis demonstrated that sericin up-regulated RPE-associated transcripts (RPE65 and CRALBP). Upstream analysis identified the NF-κB pathway as one of the top sericin-induced regulators. ELISA confirmed that sericin stimulates the main NF-κB pathway. Increased levels of RPE-associated proteins (RPE65 and the pigment melanin) in the sericin-supplemented cultures were confirmed by western blot, spectrophotometry and transmission electron microscopy. Sericin also increased cell density and reduced cell death following serum starvation in culture. Inclusion of NF-κB agonists and antagonists in the culture medium showed that activation of the NF-κB pathway appears to be necessary, but not sufficient, for sericin-induced RPE pigmentation. We conclude that sericin promotes pigmentation of cultured primary hRPE cells by activating the main NF-κB pathway. Sericin’s potential role in culture protocols for rapid differentiation of hRPE cells derived from embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells should be investigated.
Tight-binding approach to penta-graphene
Authors: Stauber T. , Beltrán J. I. , Schliemann J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe introduce an effective tight-binding model to discuss penta-graphene and present an analytical solution. This model only involves the π-orbitals of the sp2-hybridized carbon atoms and reproduces the two highest valence bands. By introducing energy-dependent hopping elements, originating from the elimination of the sp3-hybridized carbon atoms, also the two lowest conduction bands can be well approximated - but only after the inclusion of a Hubbard onsite interaction as well as of assisted hopping terms. The eigenfunctions can be approximated analytically for the effective model without energy-dependent hopping elements and the optical absorption is discussed. We find large isotropic absorption ranging from 7.5% up to 24% for transitions at the Γ-point.