bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pim-3 as a potential predictor of chemoradiotherapy resistance in locally advanced rectal cancer patients
Authors: Zhang Rong-xin , Zhou Zhong-guo , Lu Shi-xun , Lu Zhen-hai , Wan De-sen , Pan Zhi-zhong , Wu Xiao-jun , Chen Gong 
Published: November 2017

AbstractApproximately 30% of locally advanced rectal cancer patients might not benefit from chemoradiotherapy; however, the response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in these cases is difficult to predict. Pim-3 is a member of the provirus integration site for a moloney murine leukemia virus family of proteins that contributes to cell proliferation, survival, and chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, the relationship between Pim-3 expression and response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer patients is important to evaluate. 175 rectal cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant treatment enrolled in this study. The relationship between Pim-3 expression on immunohistochemical analysis of rectal cancer tissue, which was obtained before treatment, the response to chemoradiotherapy and survival was investigated. The patients with no Pim-3 expression were more likely to achieve a pathologic complete response to chemoradiotherapy than patients with Pim-3 expression (P = 0.001). Cox multivariate analysis showed that the significant prognostic factors were Pim-3 expression (P = 0.003) and the number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles (P = 0.005) for overall survival. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles (P = 0.007), adjuvant chemotherapy cycles (P = 0.004) and pathology types (P = 0.049) were significant prognostic factors for disease-free survival. Pim-3 is a potential predictive biomarker for the response of rectal cancer to chemoradiotherapy.
Transcription factor NF-κB is modulated by symbiotic status in a sea anemone model of cnidarian bleaching
Authors: Mansfield Katelyn M. , Carter Nicole M. , Nguyen Linda , Cleves Phillip A. , Alshanbayeva Anar , Williams Leah M. , Crowder Camerron , Penvose Ashley R. , Finnerty John R. , Weis Virginia M. , Siggers Trevor W. , Gilmore Thomas D. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTranscription factor NF-κB plays a central role in immunity from fruit flies to humans, and NF-κB activity is altered in many human diseases. To investigate a role for NF-κB in immunity and disease on a broader evolutionary scale we have characterized NF-κB in a sea anemone (Exaiptasia pallida; called Aiptasia herein) model for cnidarian symbiosis and dysbiosis (i.e., “bleaching”). We show that the DNA-binding site specificity of Aiptasia NF-κB is similar to NF-κB proteins from a broad expanse of organisms. Analyses of NF-κB and IκB kinase proteins fromAiptasiasuggest that non-canonical NF-κB processing is an evolutionarily ancient pathway, which can be reconstituted in human cells. In Aiptasia, NF-κB protein levels, DNA-binding activity, and tissue expression increase when loss of the algal symbiontSymbiodiniumis induced by heat or chemical treatment. Kinetic analysis of NF-κB levels following loss of symbiosis show that NF-κB levels increase only afterSymbiodiniumis cleared. Moreover, introduction ofSymbiodiniuminto naïve Aiptasia larvae results in a decrease in NF-κB expression. Our results suggest thatSymbiodiniumsuppresses NF-κB in order to enable establishment of symbiosis in Aiptasia. These results are the first to demonstrate a link between changes in the conserved immune regulatory protein NF-κB and cnidarian symbiotic status.
The spatiotemporal system dynamics of acquired resistance in an engineered microecology
Authors: Datla Udaya Sree , Mather William H. , Chen Sheng , Shoultz Isaac W. , Täuber Uwe C. , Jones Caroline N. , Butzin Nicholas C. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractGreat strides have been made in the understanding of complex networks; however, our understanding of natural microecologies is limited. Modelling of complex natural ecological systems has allowed for new findings, but these models typically ignore the constant evolution of species. Due to the complexity of natural systems, unanticipated interactions may lead to erroneous conclusions concerning the role of specific molecular components. To address this, we use a synthetic system to understand the spatiotemporal dynamics of growth and to study acquired resistance in vivo. Our system differs from earlier synthetic systems in that it focuses on the evolution of a microecology from a killer-prey relationship to coexistence using two different non-motile Escherichia coli strains. Using empirical data, we developed the first ecological model emphasising the concept of the constant evolution of species, where the survival of the prey species is dependent on location (distance from the killer) or the evolution of resistance. Our simple model, when expanded to complex microecological association studies under varied spatial and nutrient backgrounds may help to understand the complex relationships between multiple species in intricate natural ecological networks. This type of microecological study has become increasingly important, especially with the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Telomerase activity is required for the telomere G-overhang structure in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Sandhu Ranjodh , Li Bibo 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTrypanosoma brucei causes fatal human African trypanosomiasis and evades the host immune response by regularly switching its major surface antigen, VSG, which is expressed exclusively from subtelomeric loci. Telomere length and telomere proteins play important roles in regulating VSG silencing and switching. T. brucei telomerase plays a key role in maintaining telomere length, and T. brucei telomeres terminate in a single-stranded 3′ G-rich overhang. Understanding the detailed structure of the telomere G-overhang and its maintenance will contribute greatly to better understanding telomere maintenance mechanisms. Using an optimized adaptor ligation assay, we found that most T. brucei telomere G-overhangs end in 5′ TTAGGG 3′, while a small portion of G-overhangs end in 5′ TAGGGT 3′. Additionally, the protein and the RNA components of the telomerase (TbTERT and TbTR) and TbKu are required for telomere G-overhangs that end in 5′ TTAGGG 3′ but do not significantly affect the 5′ TAGGGT 3′-ending overhangs, indicating that telomerase-mediated telomere synthesis is important for the telomere G-overhang structure. Furthermore, using telomere oligo ligation-mediated PCR, we showed for the first time that the T. brucei telomere 5′ end sequence – an important feature of the telomere terminal structure – is not random but preferentially 5′ CCTAAC 3′.
Dengue fatal cases present virus-specific HMGB1 response in peripheral organs
Authors: Oliveira Edson R. A. , Póvoa Tiago F. , Nuovo Gerard J. , Allonso Diego , Salomão Natália G. , Basílio-de-Oliveira Carlos A. , Geraldo Luiz H. M. , Fonseca Celina G. , Lima Flávia R. S. , Mohana-Borges Ronaldo , Paes Marciano V. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDengue is an important infectious disease that presents high incidence and yields a relevant number of fatal cases (about 20,000) every year worldwide. Despite its epidemiological relevance, there are many knowledge gaps concerning dengue pathogenesis, especially with regards to the circumstances that drive a mild clinical course to a severe disease. In this work, we investigated the participation of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), an important modulator of inflammation, in dengue fatal cases. Histopathological and ultrastructural analyses revealed that liver, lung and heart post-mortem samples were marked by tissue abnormalities, such as necrosis and apoptotic cell death. These observations go in line with an HMGB1-mediated response and raised concerns regarding the participation of this cytokine in promoting/perpetuating inflammation in severe dengue. Further experiments of immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed increased expression of cytoplasmic HMGB1 in dengue-extracted tissues when compared to non-dengue controls. Co-staining of DENV RNA and HMGB1 in the host cell cytoplasm, as found by in situ hybridization and IHC, confirmed the virus specific induction of the HMGB1-mediated response in these peripheral tissues. This report brings the first in-situ evidence of the participation of HMGB1 in severe dengue and highlights novel considerations in the development of dengue immunopathogenesis.
Coral individuality – confluence of change physical splitting and developmental ability of embryos
Authors: Okubo Nami , Toshino Sho , Nakano Yoshikatsu , Yamamoto Hiromi H. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPrevious studies have suggested that blastomeres from the 2-, 4-, or 8-cell stage of corals have the ability to develop into normal primary polyps. However, it is still not known which developmental stage’s blastomere produces which juvenile. In this study, we demonstrated that only the blastomeres with animal hemispheres have the capacity to develop into normal primary polyps. Individuality was evaluated using blastomeres isolated from the coralsAcropora digitifera,A. intermedia,Dipsastraea lizardensis, andFavites chinensis. On commencement of embryo cleavage, the animal pole was marked using Neutral red staining, and at the 2-, 4-, and 8-cell stages, embryos were divided into individual blastomeres using glass needles. We found that the survival rate and percentage metamorphosis were higher in the larger-sized blastomeres with animal hemispheres. The vegetal hemisphere alone is incapable of developing into a normal primary polyp; however, a ball-shaped embryo with incomplete mesenteries and no pharynx developed in some cases. These results indicate that the animal hemisphere is needed for corals to develop into normal primary polyps, and that the individuality of corals is possibly determined by a combination of the chance physical splitting of embryos by waves and their innate developmental ability.
Automated quantification of protein periodic nanostructures in fluorescence nanoscopy images: abundance and regularity of neuronal spectrin membrane-associated skeleton
Authors: Barabas Federico M. , Masullo Luciano A. , Bordenave Martín D. , A. Giusti Sebastián , Unsain Nicolás , Refojo Damián , Cáceres Alfredo , Stefani Fernando D. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractFluorescence nanoscopy imaging permits the observation of periodic supramolecular protein structures in their natural environment, as well as the unveiling of previously unknown protein periodic structures. Deciphering the biological functions of such protein nanostructures requires systematic and quantitative analysis of large number of images under different experimental conditions and specific stimuli. Here we present a method and an open source software for the automated quantification of protein periodic structures in super-resolved images. Its performance is demonstrated by analyzing the abundance and regularity of the spectrin membrane-associated periodic skeleton (MPS) in hippocampal neurons of 2 to 40 days in vitro, imaged by STED and STORM nanoscopy. The automated analysis reveals that both the abundance and the regularity of the MPS increase over time and reach maximum plateau values after 14 DIV. A detailed analysis of the distributions of correlation coefficients provides indication of dynamical assembly and disassembly of the MPS.
The First 1000 Days of Life Factors Associated with “Childhood Asthma Symptoms”: Brisa Cohort, Brazil
Authors: Nascimento Joelma Ximenes Prado Teixeira , Ribeiro Cecilia Claudia Costa , Batista Rosângela Fernandes Lucena , de Britto Alves Maria Teresa Seabra Soares , Simões Vanda Maria Ferreira , Padilha Luana Lopes , Cardoso Viviane Cunha , Vianna Elcio Oliveira , Bettiol Heloisa , Barbieri Marco Antonio , Silva Antônio Augusto Moura Da 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis prospective study used data from the BRISA Cohort, São Luís, Brazil (n = 1140) and analyzed associations between environmental factors up to the first 1000 days of life and “Childhood Asthma Symptoms”. “Childhood Asthma Symptoms” was a latent variable based on the number of wheezing episodes, emergency care visit due to wheezing, diagnosis of asthma and diagnosis of rhinitis. A theoretical model that included prenatal factors (socioeconomic status, pregestational body mass index-BMI, soft drink and junk food consumption), birth factors (gestational age, smoking and diseases during pregnancy, birth weight and type of delivery), first year of life factors (breastfeeding, environmental aeroallergens and respiratory diseases) and BMI z-score in the second year of life, was analyzed by structural equation modeling. High pregestational BMI, high soft drink consumption, cesarean section without labor, chill in the first three months of life, carpeted floor and child’s exposure to tobacco were associated with higher values of “Childhood Asthma Symptoms”. In contrast, high birth weight, breastfeeding and infant’s age were associated with lower values of “Childhood Asthma Symptoms”. These findings support the hypothesis that environmental factors that are present before conception and up to the first 1000 days of life are associated with asthma.
Whole Transcriptome Sequencing Analyses Reveal Molecular Markers of Blood Pressure Response to Thiazide Diuretics
Authors: Sá Ana Caroline C. , Webb Amy , Gong Yan , McDonough Caitrin W. , Datta Somnath , Langaee Taimour Y. , Turner Stephen T. , Beitelshees Amber L. , Chapman Arlene B. , Boerwinkle Eric , Gums John G. , Scherer Steven E. , Cooper-DeHoff Rhonda M. , Sadee Wolfgang , Johnson Julie A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThiazide diuretics (TD) are commonly prescribed anti-hypertensives worldwide. However, <40% of patients treated with thiazide monotherapy achieve BP control. This study uses whole transcriptome sequencing to identify novel molecular markers associated with BP response to TD. We assessed global RNA expression levels in whole blood samples from 150 participants, representing patients in the upper and lower quartile of BP response to TD from the Pharmacogenomic Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses (PEAR) (50 whites) and from PEAR-2 (50 whites and 50 blacks). In each study cohort, we performed poly-A RNA-sequencing in baseline samples from 25 responders and 25 non-responders to hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) or chlorthalidone. At FDR adjusted p-value < 0.05, 29 genes were differentially expressed in relation to HCTZ or chlorthalidone BP response in whites. For each differentially expressed gene, replication was attempted in the alternate white group and PEAR-2 blacks. CEBPD (meta-analysis p = 1.8 × 10−11) and TSC22D3 (p = 1.9 × 10−9) were differentially expressed in all 3 cohorts, and explain, in aggregate, 21.9% of response variability to TD. This is the first report of the use of transcriptome-wide sequencing data to identify molecular markers of antihypertensive drug response. These findings support CEBPD and TSC22D3 as potential biomarkers of BP response to TD.
Comparative metagenomics of hydrocarbon and methane seeps of the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Vigneron Adrien , Alsop Eric B. , Cruaud Perrine , Philibert Gwenaelle , King Benjamin , Baksmaty Leslie , Lavallée David , P. Lomans Bartholomeus , Kyrpides Nikos C. , Head Ian M. , Tsesmetzis Nicolas 
Published: November 2017

AbstractOil and gas percolate profusely through the sediments of the Gulf of Mexico, leading to numerous seeps at the seafloor, where complex microbial, and sometimes animal communities flourish. Sediments from three areas (two cold seeps with contrasting hydrocarbon composition and a site outside any area of active seepage) of the Gulf of Mexico were investigated and compared. Consistent with the existence of a seep microbiome, a distinct microbial community was observed in seep areas compared to sediment from outside areas of active seepage. The microbial community from sediments without any influence from hydrocarbon seepage was characterized byPlanctomycetesand the metabolic potential was consistent with detrital marine snow degradation. By contrast, in seep samples with methane as the principal hydrocarbon, methane oxidation by abundant members of ANME-1 was likely the predominant process. Seep samples characterized by fluids containing both methane and complex hydrocarbons, were characterized by abundantChloroflexi(Anaerolinaceae) and deltaproteobacterial lineages and exhibited potential for complex hydrocarbon degradation. These different metabolic capacities suggested that microorganisms in cold seeps can potentially rely on other processes beyond methane oxidation and that the hydrocarbon composition of the seep fluids may be a critical factor structuring the seafloor microbial community composition and function.
Dissecting the Re-Os molybdenite geochronometer
Authors: Barra Fernando , Deditius Artur , Reich Martin , Kilburn Matt R. , Guagliardo Paul , Roberts Malcolm P. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractRhenium and osmium isotopes have been used for decades to date the formation of molybdenite (MoS2), a common mineral in ore deposits and the world’s main source of molybdenum and rhenium. Understanding the distribution of parent 187Re and radiogenic daughter 187Os isotopes in molybdenite is critical in interpreting isotopic measurements because it can compromise the accurate determination and interpretation of mineralization ages. In order to resolve the controls on the distribution of these elements, chemical and isotope mapping of MoS2 grains from representative porphyry copper-molybdenum deposits were performed using electron microprobe and nano-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry. Our results show a heterogeneous distribution of 185,187Re and 192Os isotopes in MoS2, and that both 187Re and 187Os isotopes are not decoupled as previously thought. We conclude that Re and Os are structurally bound or present as nanoparticles in or next to molybdenite grains, recording a complex formation history and hindering the use of microbeam techniques for Re-Os molybdenite dating. Our study opens new avenues to explore the effects of isotope nuggeting in geochronometers.
Increased inflammation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial respiration in brown adipose tissue from obese mice
Authors: Alcalá Martín , Calderon-Dominguez María , Bustos Eduviges , Ramos Pilar , Casals Núria , Serra Dolors , Viana Marta , Herrero Laura 
Published: November 2017

AbstractObesity is associated with severe metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer. The pathophysiology of obesity-induced metabolic diseases has been strongly related to white adipose tissue (WAT) dysfunction through several mechanisms such as fibrosis, apoptosis, inflammation, ER and oxidative stress. However, little is known of whether these processes are also present in brown adipose tissue (BAT) during obesity, and the potential consequences on mitochondrial activity. Here we characterized the BAT of obese and hyperglycemic mice treated with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 20 weeks. The hypertrophic BAT from obese mice showed no signs of fibrosis nor apoptosis, but higher levels of inflammation, ER stress, ROS generation and antioxidant enzyme activity than the lean counterparts. The response was attenuated compared with obesity-induced WAT derangements, which suggests that BAT is more resistant to the obesity-induced insult. In fact, mitochondrial respiration in BAT from obese mice was enhanced, with a 2-fold increase in basal oxygen consumption, through the upregulation of complex III of the electron transport chain and UCP1. Altogether, our results show that obesity is accompanied by an increase in BAT mitochondrial activity, inflammation and oxidative damage.
Real-time in vivo imaging reveals localised Nrf2 stress responses associated with direct and metabolism-dependent drug toxicity
Authors: Forootan Shiva S. , Mutter Fiona E. , Kipar Anja , Iwawaki Takao , Francis Ben , Goldring Christopher E. , Park B. Kevin , Copple Ian M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe transcription factor Nrf2 coordinates an adaptive response to chemical and oxidative stress characterised by the upregulated expression of cytoprotective target genes. In order to understand the mechanistic relevance of Nrf2 as a marker of drug-induced stress it is important to know if this adaptive response is truly localised in the context of organ-specific drug toxicity. Here, we address this knowledge gap through real-time bioluminescence imaging of transgenic Nrf2-luciferase (Nrf2-luc) reporter mice following administration of the metabolism-dependent hepatotoxin acetaminophen (APAP) or the direct nephrotoxin cisplatin. We detected localised bioluminescence in the liver (APAP) and kidneys (cisplatin) in vivo and ex vivo, whilst qPCR, Taqman low-density array and immunoblot analysis of these tissues further revealed increases in the expression level of several endogenous Nrf2-regulated genes/proteins, including heme oxygenase 1 (Hmox1). Consistent with the toxic effects of APAP in the liver and cisplatin in the kidney, immunohistochemical analysis revealed the elevated expression of luciferase and Hmox1 in centrilobular hepatocytes and in tubular epithelial cells, respectively. In keeping with the role of reactive metabolite formation in APAP-induced chemical stress, both the hepatotoxicity and localised Nrf2-luc response were ameliorated by the cytochrome P450 inhibitor aminobenzotriazole. Together, these findings show that Nrf2 can reflect highly-localised cellular perturbations associated with relevant toxicological mechanisms.
BD‐SBA for wireless backhauling application
Authors: Zhou Gaonan , Sun Baohua , Liang Qiuyan , Li Jianfeng 
Published: November 2017

A beam‐deflection short backfire antenna (BD‐SBA) is proposed. The BD‐SBA consists of an SBA and a deflection plate. The deflection plate is designed to change the phase of the reflected waves, hence deflecting the beam of the BD‐SBA. The beam deflection can realise different beam pointing within about 20°. An X‐band antenna (10 GHz) with a beam pointing of 12° is fabricated and tested. The measured results demonstrate that the desired beam deflection is obtained. A gain of 14.3 dBi and a sidelobe level of −20.6 dB are realised. The BD‐SBA, with a simple structure, low cost and moderately high gain, is suitable for the application of fifth‐generation wireless backhauling potentially.
Investigating the effect of cavity size within medium‐voltage power cable on partial discharge behaviour
Authors: Gouda Osama E. , ElFarskoury Adel A. , Elsinnary Abd Rabu , Farag Adel A. 
Published: November 2017

One of the common causes of cross‐linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation ageing and finally cable failure is the presence of a cavity within cable insulation. Gas filled cavities can be initiated in XLPE cables during its manufacturing, installing and operating conditions. Once the size of the cavity reaches the critical limit, noticeable partial discharge (PD) activity develops. Therefore, the size of the cavity is one of the important factors that considered when investigating the PD activity in power cable. This work studies the effect of cavity size on PD behaviour within insulation layer of an 18/30 kV XLPE cable specimen; the changing in an artificial spherical cavity depths and diameters is investigated in the laboratory. In addition, 2D model geometry of a cable insulation having an artificial cavity is also developed using COMSOL software and MATLAB program to simulate the PD measurements from the laboratory experiments to imitate the conditions found during measurements, hence interpreting the obtained experimental results and determining the significant parameters influencing PD activity; hence, more a fuller understanding of PD phenomena within a cavity. The results show good coincidence between experimental and simulated data, in terms of PD magnitude and PD inception voltage.