bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression profiling of circulating miRNAs in mouse serum in response to Echinococcus multilocularis infection
Authors: GUO XIAOLA , ZHENG YADONG 
Published: March 2017

SUMMARYEchinococcus multilocularis is a most pathogenic zoonotic tapeworm that causes devastating echinococcosis in both humans and animals. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are stably existed in the serum/plasma of mammalian hosts during helminthic infection. In this study, we compared the host-circulating miRNA expression in the sera from the E. multilocularis-infected and uninfected mice. A total of 58 host-origin serum miRNAs were differentially expressed (2 ⩾ fold change, P < 0·05), of which 21 were upregulated and 37 were significantly downregulated. Consistent with the sequencing data, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results showed that the expression levels of four miRNAs were elevated gradually and one decreased gradually at the E. multilocularis infection time points. Moreover, seven of E. multilocularis specific miRNAs were identified in the sera. Real-time PCR analyses further demonstrated that only two parasite-derived miRNAs (emu-miR-10 and emu-miR-227) were specifically amplified in all the sera from mice infected with E. multilocularis. These findings will be helpful to understand the roles of miRNAs in host–parasite interaction and to potentiate serum miRNAs as diagnostic targets for echinococcosis.
Inuit perspectives of polar bear research: lessons for community-based collaborations
Authors: Wong Pamela B.Y. , Dyck M.G. ,   Arviat Hunters and Trappers,   Ikajutit Hunters and Trappers,   Mayukalik Hunters and Trappers, Murphy R.W. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTResearch partnerships with northern communities hold promise for capacity and resilience against environmental changes. Given their historical ecological and cultural relationship with and, thus, ongoing concern for polar bears, Inuit communities are keen to participate in monitoring programmes. In spite of this, northern communities continue to meet polar bear research and collaborations with some resistance. Here, we summarise and report interviews with Nunavummiut from four communities on Inuit experiences with polar bears and research perspectives. Research interactions reveal ongoing cultural, socio-ecological and ethical barriers to polar bear research projects. Research licenses and standardised ethics procedures do not always guarantee collaborations. Adaptable research methods, mutual understanding and open dialogue are essential to form strong research partnerships with northern communities.
Differences between migrants and Spanish-born population through the HIV care cascade, Catalonia: an analysis using multiple data sources
Authors: REYES-URUEÑA J. , CAMPBELL C. , HERNANDO C. , VIVES N. , FOLCH C. , FERRER L. , FERNÁNDEZ-LÓPEZ L. , ESTEVE A. , CASABONA J. 
Published: March 2017

SUMMARYMigrants are considered a key group at risk for HIV infection. This study describes differences between migrants and the Spanish-born population as they progress through the HIV care cascade in Catalonia, Spain. This study found that among people reached by prevention activities, migrants had a higher number of barriers to access HIV testing services than Spanish-born people, driven primarily by shared risk factors. Between 2001 and 2013, 9829 new HIV diagnoses were reported in Catalonia, the proportion of migrants increasing from 24% in 2001 to 41% in 2013. Compared with Spanish-born people, migrants had a higher proportion of women at diagnosis (24·6% vs. 16·7%), and were younger (median age of 33 vs. 37). The most frequent at-risk population was MSM (men who have sex with men) in both migrants and Spanish-born people, (40% and 43%, respectively), although there were significant differences by region of origin. People from sub-Saharan Africa had the highest proportion of late diagnosis (63·7%). Compared with the Spanish-born population, migrants on follow-up had a lower proportion of people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (93·7% vs. 90·8%, P < 0·001) and with viral suppression (87·2% vs. 82·9%, P < 0·001). Migrants have higher number of barriers to access HIV testing services, lower retention rates and proportions on ART as compared with Spanish-born people, these differences not being uniform between migrants from different regions.
Paediatric cardiac catheterisation in Norway: rates and types of complications in new terms
Authors: Ravndal Maren E. A. , Christensen Anders H. , Døhlen Gaute , Holmstrøm Henrik 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe determined the incidence, type, and severity of complications after cardiac catheterisation in children with heart disease in Norway, and we present the results in terms of the International Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Code (IPCCC) nomenclature for complications. All paediatric cardiac catheterisations in Norway are performed in one clinical centre. All procedures performed during a 5-year period beginning in 2010 were prospectively registered, and medical records for cases with complications were reviewed to confirm the event and to re-classify the type, severity, and attributability of the complication according to the IPCCC nomenclature. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify possible risk predictors. A total of 1318 catheterisations performed on 941 patients were included in the present study, of which 68% were interventional. The complication and major complication rates were 5.5 and 1.4%, respectively. Trauma to the vessels or the myocardium, haemodynamic adverse events, and arrhythmias were the most common types of complications. In the multivariate model, weight <4 kg (odds ratios, 3.0; 95% confidence intervals: 1.6–5.8) and risk category 5 (odds ratios, 5.1; 95% confidence intervals: 2.1–12.3) were significant risk predictors for any complication. In spite of a high rate of interventions, the complication rates in this study were similar to older studies, but diverging methods and terminology limit the comparability. We strongly suggest general use of the proposed IPCCC classification system for registration and reports of complications for paediatric cardiac catheterisations.
What is the diagnostic value of the paediatric exercise tolerance test? Results from a UK centre
Authors: Sajnach-Menke Magdalena A. , Walpole Sarah C. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to determine whether the exercise tolerance test can provide diagnostic and prognostic information regarding children and young adults and help predict outcome.MethodsA total of 87 patients, aged 7–29 years (median 13, mean 13.4) were selected retrospectively. They underwent exercise test at the Freeman Hospital from December, 2015 to May, 2016. There were two groups of patients – 46 had symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, syncope, or dyspnoea on exertion and no cardiac diagnosis, and 40 patients had a cardiac diagnosis such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, transposition of the great arteries with post-arterial switch operation, aortic stenosis or regurgitation, tetralogy of Fallot, abnormal coronary arteries, Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome, or supraventricular tachycardia.ResultsIn the group of patients with symptoms and no cardiac diagnosis, exercise test was negative and there was no exercise-induced arrhythmia; 31 patients were discharged from follow-up. In the group of patients with a cardiac diagnosis, four patients had to be treated – one had ablation, one the Ross procedure, one aortic valve repair, and one aortic valve ballooning; in addition, seven patients had to be further investigated – one had signal average electrocardiogram, one stress cardiac MRI, two cardiac MRI, one lung function test, one reveal device, and one 24 hours electrocardiogram. In all, 43 patients were further followed-up from both groups.ConclusionThe exercise tolerance test is useful for clinical decision making in children and young adults with a cardiac diagnosis. In this study, the exercise tolerance test in patients with symptoms suggestive of cardiac disease but no cardiac diagnosis did not reveal any new diagnoses.
Effects of an invasive predator cascade to plants via mutualism disruption
Authors: Rogers Haldre S. , Buhle Eric R. , HilleRisLambers Janneke , Fricke Evan C. , Miller Ross H. , Tewksbury Joshua J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractInvasive vertebrate predators are directly responsible for the extinction or decline of many vertebrate species, but their indirect impacts often go unmeasured, potentially leading to an underestimation of their full impact. When invasives extirpate functionally important mutualists, dependent species are likely to be affected as well. Here, we show that the invasive brown treesnake, directly responsible for the extirpation of forest birds from the island of Guam, is also indirectly responsible for a severe decline in plant recruitment as a result of disrupting the fruit-frugivore mutualism. To assess the impact of frugivore loss on plants, we compare seed dispersal and recruitment of two fleshy-fruited tree species on Guam and three nearby islands with intact disperser communities. We conservatively estimate that the loss of frugivorous birds caused by the brown treesnake may have caused a 61–92% decline in seedling recruitment. This case study highlights the potential for predator invasions to cause indirect, pervasive and easily overlooked interaction cascades.
Defined chromosome structure in the genome-reduced bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Authors: Trussart Marie , Yus Eva , Martinez Sira , Baù Davide , Tahara Yuhei O. , Pengo Thomas , Widjaja Michael , Kretschmer Simon , Swoger Jim , Djordjevic Steven , Turnbull Lynne , Whitchurch Cynthia , Miyata Makoto , Marti-Renom Marc A. , Lluch-Senar Maria , Serrano Luís 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDNA-binding proteins are central regulators of chromosome organization; however, in genome-reduced bacteria their diversity is largely diminished. Whether the chromosomes of such bacteria adopt defined three-dimensional structures remains unexplored. Here we combine Hi-C and super-resolution microscopy to determine the structure of the Mycoplasma pneumoniae chromosome at a 10 kb resolution. We find a defined structure, with a global symmetry between two arms that connect opposite poles, one bearing the chromosomal Ori and the other the midpoint. Analysis of local structures at a 3 kb resolution indicates that the chromosome is organized into domains ranging from 15 to 33 kb. We provide evidence that genes within the same domain tend to be co-regulated, suggesting that chromosome organization influences transcriptional regulation, and that supercoiling regulates local organization. This study extends the current understanding of bacterial genome organization and demonstrates that a defined chromosomal structure is a universal feature of living systems.
MAX inactivation is an early event in GIST development that regulates p16 and cell proliferation
Authors: Schaefer Inga-Marie , Wang Yuexiang , Liang Cher-wei , Bahri Nacef , Quattrone Anna , Doyle Leona , Mariño-Enríquez Adrian , Lauria Alexandra , Zhu Meijun , Debiec-Rychter Maria , Grunewald Susanne , Hechtman Jaclyn F. , Dufresne Armelle , Antonescu Cristina R. , Beadling Carol , Sicinska Ewa T. , van de Rijn Matt , Demetri George D. , Ladanyi Marc , Corless Christopher L. , Heinrich Michael C. , Raut Chandrajit P. , Bauer Sebastian , Fletcher Jonathan A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractKIT, PDGFRA, NF1 and SDH mutations are alternate initiating events, fostering hyperplasia in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs), and additional genetic alterations are required for progression to malignancy. The most frequent secondary alteration, demonstrated in ∼70% of GISTs, is chromosome 14q deletion. Here we report hemizygous or homozygous inactivating mutations of the chromosome 14q MAX gene in 16 of 76 GISTs (21%). We find MAX mutations in 17% and 50% of sporadic and NF1-syndromic GISTs, respectively, and we find loss of MAX protein expression in 48% and 90% of sporadic and NF1-syndromic GISTs, respectively, and in three of eight micro-GISTs, which are early GISTs. MAX genomic inactivation is associated with p16 silencing in the absence of p16 coding sequence deletion and MAX induction restores p16 expression and inhibits GIST proliferation. Hence, MAX inactivation is a common event in GIST progression, fostering cell cycle activity in early GISTs.
Meta-analysis identifies novel risk loci and yields systematic insights into the biology of male-pattern baldness
Authors: Heilmann-Heimbach Stefanie , Herold Christine , Hochfeld Lara M. , Hillmer Axel M. , Nyholt Dale R. , Hecker Julian , Javed Asif , Chew Elaine G. Y. , Pechlivanis Sonali , Drichel Dmitriy , Heng Xiu Ting , del Rosario Ricardo C. -H. , Fier Heide L. , Paus Ralf , Rueedi Rico , Galesloot Tessel E. , Moebus Susanne , Anhalt Thomas , Prabhakar Shyam , Li Rui , Kanoni Stavroula , Papanikolaou George , Kutalik Zoltán , Deloukas Panos , Philpott Michael P. , Waeber Gérard , Spector Tim D. , Vollenweider Peter , Kiemeney Lambertus A. L. M. , Dedoussis George , Richards J. Brent , Nothnagel Michael , Martin Nicholas G. , Becker Tim , Hinds David A. , Nöthen Markus M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMale-pattern baldness (MPB) is a common and highly heritable trait characterized by androgen-dependent, progressive hair loss from the scalp. Here, we carry out the largest GWAS meta-analysis of MPB to date, comprising 10,846 early-onset cases and 11,672 controls from eight independent cohorts. We identify 63 MPB-associated loci (P<5 × 10−8, METAL) of which 23 have not been reported previously. The 63 loci explain ∼39% of the phenotypic variance in MPB and highlight several plausible candidate genes (FGF5, IRF4, DKK2) and pathways (melatonin signalling, adipogenesis) that are likely to be implicated in the key-pathophysiological features of MPB and may represent promising targets for the development of novel therapeutic options. The data provide molecular evidence that rather than being an isolated trait, MPB shares a substantial biological basis with numerous other human phenotypes and may deserve evaluation as an early prognostic marker, for example, for prostate cancer, sudden cardiac arrest and neurodegenerative disorders.
Serum hepatitis B core-related antigen is a satisfactory surrogate marker of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA in chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Chen En-Qiang , Feng Shu , Wang Meng-Lan , Liang Ling-Bo , Zhou Ling-Yun , Du Ling-Yao , Yan Li-Bo , Tao Chuan-Min , Tang Hong 
Published: March 2017

AbstractRecently, hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) has been suggested as an additional marker of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aimed to investigate whether serum quantitative HBcrAg (qHBcrAg) was a satisfactory surrogate marker of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). A total of 139 patients with liver biopsy were enrolled, consisting of 59 patients in immune tolerance (IT) phase, 52 patients in immune clearance (IC) phase, 18 patients in low-replication (LR) phase, and 10 patients in reactivation phase. All patients in IC phase have received entecavir (ETV) therapy, and 32 of them undergone a second liver biopsy at 24 months. Among those patients, qHBcrAg was strongly correlated with intrahepatic cccDNA, which is superior to that of qHBsAg and HBV DNA. And similar findings were also observed in patients in IT, IC, LR and reactivation phases. Among the 32 ETV-treated patients with a second liver biopsy in IC phase, the decline of intrahepatic cccDNA was accompanied by changes in both qHBcrAg and qHBsAg. However, as compared to qHBsAg, the change of qHBcrAg was more strongly associated with intrahepatic cccDNA-decline. In summary, serum qHBcrAg should be a satisfactory surrogate of intrahepatic HBV cccDNA in CHB patients.
New platform for simple and rapid protein-based affinity reactions
Authors: Kubota Kei , Kubo Takuya , Tanigawa Tetsuya , Naito Toyohiro , Otsuka Koji 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe developed a spongy-like porous polymer (spongy monolith) consisting of poly(ethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate) with continuous macropores that allowed efficientin situreaction between the epoxy groups and proteins of interest. Immobilization of protein A on the spongy monolith enabled high-yield collection of immunoglobulin G (IgG) from cell culture supernatant even at a high flow rate. In addition, immobilization of pepsin on the spongy monolith enabled efficient online digestion at a high flow rate.
Post-translational modifications in PrP expand the conformational diversity of prions in vivo
Authors: Aguilar-Calvo Patricia , Xiao Xiangzhu , Bett Cyrus , Eraña Hasier , Soldau Katrin , Castilla Joaquin , Nilsson K. Peter R. , Surewicz Witold K. , Sigurdson Christina J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMisfolded prion protein aggregates (PrPSc) show remarkable structural diversity and are associated with highly variable disease phenotypes. Similarly, other proteins, including amyloid-β, tau, α-synuclein, and serum amyloid A, misfold into distinct conformers linked to different clinical diseases through poorly understood mechanisms. Here we use mice expressing glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchorless prion protein, PrPC, together with hydrogen-deuterium exchange coupled with mass spectrometry (HXMS) and a battery of biochemical and biophysical tools to investigate how post-translational modifications impact the aggregated prion protein properties and disease phenotype. Four GPI-anchorless prion strains caused a nearly identical clinical and pathological disease phenotype, yet maintained their structural diversity in the anchorless state. HXMS studies revealed that GPI-anchorless PrPSc is characterized by substantially higher protection against hydrogen/deuterium exchange in the C-terminal region near the N-glycan sites, suggesting this region had become more ordered in the anchorless state. For one strain, passage of GPI-anchorless prions into wild type mice led to the emergence of a novel strain with a unique biochemical and phenotypic signature. For the new strain, histidine hydrogen-deuterium mass spectrometry revealed altered packing arrangements of β-sheets that encompass residues 139 and 186 of PrPSc. These findings show how variation in post-translational modifications may explain the emergence of new protein conformations in vivo and also provide a basis for understanding how the misfolded protein structure impacts the disease.
Meta-analysis of remote ischemic conditioning in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Man Changfeng , Gong Dandan , Zhou Yongjing , Fan Yu 
Published: March 2017

AbstractEffects of remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients remain conflicting. We performed this meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to evaluate the benefits of the RIC in patients with AMI. Potentially relevant RCTs were identified by searching PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, VIP, CNKI, and Wanfang database until November 2016. RCTs evaluating RIC using intermittent limb ischemia-reperfusion in AMI patients were included. Thirteen RCTs were identified and analyzed. Meta-analysis showed that RIC significantly reduced the area under the curve (AUC) of creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) (standardized mean difference [SMD] −0.29; 95% confidence intervals [CI] −0.44 to −0.14; P = 0.0002) and AUC of troponin T (SMD −0.22; 95% CI −0.37 to −0.08; P = 0.003). Risk ratio (RR) for ≥70% ST-segment resolution favored RIC group than the control group (RR 1.39; 95% CI 1.03–1.86; P = 0.03). RIC also significantly reduced all-cause mortality (RR 0.33; 95%CI 0.17–0.64; P = 0.001). Subgroup analyses on the CK-MB AUC and ST-segment resolution ≥70% rate showed that the effects of RIC appeared to be affected by the limb used, duration of RIC, and clinical setting. RIC may offer cardioprotective effects by improving ST-segment resolution and reducing the infarct size in AMI patients.
Effects of different kinds of essentiality on sequence evolution of human testis proteins
Authors: Schumacher Julia , Zischler Hans , Herlyn Holger 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe asked if essentiality for either fertility or viability differentially affects sequence evolution of human testis proteins. Based on murine knockout data, we classified a set of 965 proteins expressed in human seminiferous tubules into three categories: proteins essential for prepubertal survival (“lethality proteins”), associated with male sub- or infertility (“male sub-/infertility proteins”), and nonessential proteins. In our testis protein dataset, lethality genes evolved significantly slower than nonessential and male sub-/infertility genes, which is in line with other authors’ findings. Using tissue specificity, connectivity in the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and multifunctionality as proxies for evolutionary constraints, we found that of the three categories, proteins linked to male sub- or infertility are least constrained. Lethality proteins, on the other hand, are characterized by broad expression, many PPI partners, and high multifunctionality, all of which points to strong evolutionary constraints. We conclude that compared with lethality proteins, those linked to male sub- or infertility are nonetheless indispensable, but evolve under more relaxed constraints. Finally, adaptive evolution in response to postmating sexual selection could further accelerate evolutionary rates of male sub- or infertility proteins expressed in human testis. These findings may become useful forin silicodetection of human sub-/infertility genes.
Accuracy and safety verification of ovarian reserve assessment technique for ovarian tissue transplantation using optical coherence tomography in mice ovary
Authors: Takae Seido , Tsukada Kosuke , Sato Yorino , Okamoto Naoki , Kawahara Tai , Suzuki Nao 
Published: March 2017

AbstractExcept for histological study, there are currently no suitable techniques available for the detection and identification of primordial follicles in ovary of primary ovarian insufficiency patients who have undetectable AMH levels. Also, the ability to locate and quantify follicles on ovarian cortex strips, without fixation, is valuable for patients who could undergo subsequent successful ovarian tissue transplantation. Although optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a well-established high resolution imaging technique without fixation commonly applied in biomedicine, few reports are available on ovarian tissue imaging. In present study, we established standard OCT follicle images at each developmental stage, including the primordial follicle, and demonstrated the efficacy of OCT to estimate IVF outcome in transplanted mice ovary like ovarian reserve tests. Unfortunately, the current commercial OCT could not be used to accurate follicle count the number of follicles for whole ovary, because the maximum depth of examination was 100 μm. And we demonstrated the safety of OCT examination, it did not affect IVF outcome and birth defect rate, and reproductive ability. Although there is room for improvement, these findings will be first step to bring OCT examination a step closer to clinical application for measuring true ovarian reserve and localizing follicles.