bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Role of PGE2 in Alveolar Epithelial and Lung Microvascular Endothelial Crosstalk
Authors: Bärnthaler Thomas , Maric Jovana , Platzer Wolfgang , Konya Viktoria , Theiler Anna , Hasenöhrl Carina , Gottschalk Benjamin , Trautmann Sandra , Schreiber Yannick , Graier Wolfgang F. , Schicho Rudolf , Marsche Gunther , Olschewski Andrea , Thomas Dominique , Schuligoi Rufina , Heinemann Akos 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDisruption of the blood-air barrier, which is formed by lung microvascular endothelial and alveolar epithelial cells, is a hallmark of acute lung injury. It was shown that alveolar epithelial cells release an unidentified soluble factor that enhances the barrier function of lung microvascular endothelial cells. In this study we reveal that primarily prostaglandin (PG) E2 accounts for this endothelial barrier-promoting activity. Conditioned media from alveolar epithelial cells (primary ATI-like cells) collected from BALB/c mice and A549 cells increased the electrical resistance of pulmonary human microvascular endothelial cells, respectively. This effect was reversed by pretreating alveolar epithelial cells with a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor or by blockade of EP4 receptors on endothelial cells, and in A549 cells also by blocking the sphingosine-1-phosphate1 receptor. Cyclooxygenase-2 was constitutively expressed in A549 cells and in primary ATI-like cells, and was upregulated by lipopolysaccharide treatment. This was accompanied by enhanced PGE2 secretion into conditioned media. Therefore, we conclude that epithelium-derived PGE2 is a key regulator of endothelial barrier integrity via EP4 receptors under physiologic and inflammatory conditions. Given that pharmacologic treatment options are still unavailable for diseases with compromised air-blood barrier, like acute lung injury, our data thus support the therapeutic potential of selective EP4 receptor agonists.
Facile fabrication of complex networks of memristive devices
Authors: Minnai Chloé , Bellacicca Andrea , Brown Simon A. , Milani Paolo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe describe the memristive properties of cluster-assembled gold films. We show that resistive switching is observed in pure metallic nanostructured films at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, in response to applied voltage inputs. In particular, we observe resistance changes up to 400% and archetypal switching events that have remarkable symmetry with the applied voltage. We associated this symmetry with ‘potentiation’ and ‘anti-potentiation’ processes involving the activation of synapses and of pathways comprising multiple synapses. The stability and reproducibility of the resistance switching, which lasted over many hours, make these devices ideal test-beds for exploration of the basic mechanisms of the switching processes, and allow convenient fabrication of devices that may have neuromorphic properties.
Early changes in plasma DNA levels of mutant KRAS as a sensitive marker of response to chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Del Re Marzia , Vivaldi Caterina , Rofi Eleonora , Vasile Enrico , Miccoli Mario , Caparello Chiara , d’Arienzo Paolo Davide , Fornaro Lorenzo , Falcone Alfredo , Danesi Romano 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPancreatic cancer (PDAC) is still lacking of reliable markers to monitor tumor response. CA 19-9 is the only biomarker approved, despite it has several limitations in sensitivity and specificity. Since mutations of KRAS occur in more than 90% of tumors, its detection in circulating free tumor DNA (cftDNA) could represent a biomarker to monitor chemotherapy response. Twenty-seven advanced PDAC patients given first-line 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan and oxaliplatin or gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel were enrolled. Three ml of plasma were collected: 1) before starting chemotherapy (baseline); 2) at day 15 of treatment; and 3) at each clinical follow-up. cftDNA was extracted and analysed for KRAS mutations (mutKRAS) by digital droplet PCR. Nineteen patients displayed a mutKRAS in baseline plasma samples. There was a statistically significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with increase vs. stability/reduction of cftDNA in the sample collected at day 15 (median PFS 2.5 vs 7.5 months, p = 0.03; median OS 6.5 vs 11.5 months, p = 0.009). The results of this study demonstrate that cftDNA mutKRAS changes are associated with tumor response to chemotherapy and support the evidence that mutKRAS in plasma may be used as a new marker for monitoring treatment outcome and disease progression in PDAC.
Limits of radiomic-based entropy as a surrogate of tumor heterogeneity: ROI-area, acquisition protocol and tissue site exert substantial influence
Authors: Dercle Laurent , Ammari Samy , Bateson Mathilde , Durand Paul Blanc , Haspinger Eva , Massard Christophe , Jaudet Cyril , Varga Andrea , Deutsch Eric , Soria Jean-Charles , Ferté Charles 
Published: August 2017

AbstractEntropy is a promising quantitative imaging biomarker for characterizing cancer imaging phenotype. Entropy has been associated with tumor gene expression, tumor metabolism, tumor stage, patient prognosis, and treatment response. Our hypothesis states that tumor-specific biomarkers such as entropy should be correlated between synchronous metastases. Therefore, a significant proportion of the variance of entropy should be attributed to the malignant process. We analyzed 112 patients with matched/paired synchronous metastases (SM#1 and SM#2) prospectively enrolled in the MOSCATO-01 clinical trial. Imaging features were extracted from Regions Of Interest (ROI) delineated on CT-scan using TexRAD software. We showed that synchronous metastasis entropy was correlated across 5 Spatial Scale Filters: Spearman’s Rho ranged between 0.41 and 0.59 (P = 0.0001, Bonferroni correction). Multivariate linear analysis revealed that entropy in SM#1 is significantly associated with (i) primary tumor type; (ii) entropy in SM#2 (same malignant process); (iii) ROI area size; (iv) metastasis site; and (v) entropy in the psoas muscle (reference tissue). Entropy was a logarithmic function of ROI area in normal control tissues (aorta, psoas) and in mathematical models (P < 0.01). We concluded that entropy is a tumor-specific metric only if confounding factors are corrected.
Acrodictys-like wood decay fungi from southern China, with two new families Acrodictyaceae and Junewangiaceae
Authors: Xia Ji Wen , Ma Ying Rui , Li Zhuang , Zhang Xiu Guo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDuring our continuous survey (2012–2016) of saprobic hyphomycetes from dead branches in the forest ecosystems of southern China, we collected several acrodictys-like species. Acrodictys-like species are characterized by darkly pigmented and muriform conidia produced from holoblastic conidiogenous cells on macronematous, mononematous, cylindrical and unbranched or infrequently branched conidiophores. Phylogenetic analyses of ncLSU, ncSSU, ITS and tub2 sequence data lead us to propose two novel families in Sordariomycetes, Acrodictyaceae and Junewangiaceae. In addition, a new species, Acrodictys hainanensis, two new combinations, Junewangia queenslandica and Distoseptispora martinii, three new Chinese records, Acrodictys liputii, A. peruamazonensis and Junewangia sphaerospora are introduced. Two names, Acrodictys globulosa and A. malabarica, are resurrected.
Pro- and anti-inflammatory responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells induced by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa phages
Authors: Van Belleghem Jonas D. , Clement Frédéric , Merabishvili Maya , Lavigne Rob , Vaneechoutte Mario 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe ability of bacteriophages to kill bacteria is well known, as is their potential use as alternatives to antibiotics. As such, bacteriophages reach high doses locally through infection of their bacterial host in the human body. In this study we assessed the gene expression profile of peripheral blood monocytes from six donors for twelve immunity-related genes (i.e. CD14, CXCL1, CXCL5, IL1A, IL1B, IL1RN, IL6, IL10, LYZ, SOCS3, TGFBI and TNFA) induced by Staphylococcus aureus phage ISP and four Pseudomonas aeruginosa phages (i.e. PNM, LUZ19, 14-1 and GE-vB_Pae-Kakheti25). The phages were able to induce clear and reproducible immune responses. Moreover, the overall immune response was very comparable for all five phages: down-regulation of LYZ and TGFBI, and up-regulation of CXCL1, CXCL5, IL1A, IL1B, IL1RN, IL6, SOCS3 and TNFA. The observed immune response was shown to be endotoxin-independent and predominantly anti-inflammatory. Addition of endotoxins to the highly purified phages did not cause an immune response comparable to the one induced by the (endotoxin containing) phage lysate. In addition, the use of an intermediate level of endotoxins tipped the immune response to a more anti-inflammatory response, i.e. up-regulation of IL1RN and a strongly reduced expression of CXCL1 and CXCL5.
Condition-Dependent Trade-Off Between Weapon Size and Immunity in Males of the European Earwig
Authors: Körner Maximilian , Vogelweith Fanny , Foitzik Susanne , Meunier Joël 
Published: August 2017

AbstractInvestigating the expression of trade-offs between key life-history functions is central to our understanding of how these functions evolved and are maintained. However, detecting trade-offs can be challenging due to variation in resource availability, which masks trade-offs at the population level. Here, we investigated in the European earwig Forficula auricularia whether (1) weapon size trades off with three key immune parameters – hemocyte concentration, phenoloxidase and prophenoloxidase activity - and whether (2) expression and strength of these trade-offs depend on male body condition (body size) and/or change after an immune challenge. Our results partially confirmed condition dependent trade-offs between weapon size and immunity in male earwigs. Specifically, we found that after an immune challenge, weapon size trades off with hemocyte concentrations in low-condition, but not in good-condition males. Contrastingly, weapon size was independent of pre-challenge hemocyte concentration. We also found no trade-off between weapon size and phenoloxidase activity, independent of body condition and immune challenge. Overall, our study reveals that trade-offs with sexual traits may weaken or disappear in good-condition individuals. Given the importance of weapon size for male reproductive success, our results highlight how low-condition individuals may employ alternative life-history investment strategies to cope with resource limitation.
Testing Association between Mixed Type Outcomes and Covariates Jointly by the Use of a Latent Variable
Authors: Zhu Jiayan , Zhang Wei , Li Qizhai , Li Zhengbang 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMultiple outcomes are often collected simultaneously in biomedical fields in order to identify whether a continuous response and an ordinal response are associated with some covariates simultaneously. Here we propose a joint statistical model by the use of a latent variable underlying the ordinal response. Asymptotic results are obtained and a jointly test is proposed for testing the continuous response and the ordinal response are associated with some covariates simultaneously. Extensive simulations and real data analysis results indicate more efficient performances of the proposed method than that of the combined p-values method.
Genetic variations of HvP5CS1 and their association with drought tolerance related traits in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: Xia Yanshi , Li Ronghua , Bai Guihua , Siddique Kadambot H. M. , Varshney Rajeev K. , Baum Michael , Yan Guijun , Guo Peiguo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDelta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase gene1 (P5CS1) is the key gene involved in the biosynthesis of proline and is significantly induced by drought stress. The exploration of genetic variation in HvP5CS1 may facilitate a better understanding of the mechanism of drought adaptation in barley. In the current study, 41 polymorphisms including 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 25 insertions/deletions (indels) were detected in HvP5CS1 among 287 barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) accessions collected worldwide, with 13 distinct haplotypes identified in the barley collection. Five polymorphisms in HvP5CS1 were significantly (P < 0.001) associated with drought tolerance related traits in barley. The phenotypic variation of a given trait explained by each associated polymorphism ranged from 4.43% to 9.81%. Two sequence variations that were significantly (P < 0.0001) associated with grain yield had marginally significant positive Tajima’s D values in the sliding window, so they might have been selected for environmental adaptation. Meanwhile, two haplotypes HvP5CS1_H1 and HvP5CS1_H4, which contained desired alleles of the two variations mentioned above, were significantly (P < 0.001) associated with drought tolerance related traits, and explained 5.00~11.89% of the phenotypic variations. These variations associated with drought tolerance related traits can be used as potential markers for improving drought tolerance in barley.
Effect of X-ray irradiation on hepatocarcinoma cells and erythrocytes in salvaged blood
Authors: Zhang Feng-Jiang , Yang Jin-Ting , Tang Li-Hui , Wang Wen-Na , Sun Kai , Ming Yue , Muhammad Kanhar Ghulam , Zheng Yin-Fei , Yan Min 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe broad clinical acceptance of intraoperative blood salvage and its applications in cancer surgery remain controversial. Until now, a method that can safely eliminate cancer cells while preserving erythrocytes does not exist. Here, we investigated whether X-ray generated from linear accelerator irradiation at a certain dose can kill hepatocarcinoma cells while preserving erythrocytes. HepG2, SK-Hep1 or Huh7 cells were mixed into the aliquots of erythrocytes obtained from healthy volunteers. After the mixed cells were exposed to 30 Gy and 50 Gy X-rays irradiation, the viability, clonogenicity, DNA synthesis and tumorigenicity of the tumor cells were determined by the MTT assay, plate colony formation, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation, and subcutaneous xenograft implantation into immunocompromised mice. The ATP, 2,3-DPG, free Hb, osmotic fragility, blood gas variables in erythrocytes and morphology of erythrocytes at 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h after irradiation were analyzed. X-ray irradiation at 30 Gy effectively inhibited the viability, proliferation, and tumorigenicity of HepG2, SK-Hep1 and Huh7 cells without noticeably damaging the ability of oxygen-carrying, membrane integrity and morphology of erythrocytes. Theses results suggest that X-ray at 30 Gy irradiation might be safe to eliminate hepatocarcinoma cells while preserving erythrocytes in salvaged blood.
Imaging Active Infection in vivo Using D-Amino Acid Derived PET Radiotracers
Authors: Neumann Kiel D. , Villanueva-Meyer Javier E. , Mutch Christopher A. , Flavell Robert R. , Blecha Joseph E. , Kwak Tiffany , Sriram Renuka , VanBrocklin Henry F. , Rosenberg Oren S. , Ohliger Michael A. , Wilson David M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractOccult bacterial infections represent a worldwide health problem. Differentiating active bacterial infection from sterile inflammation can be difficult using current imaging tools. Present clinically viable methodologies either detect morphologic changes (CT/ MR), recruitment of immune cells (111In-WBC SPECT), or enhanced glycolytic flux seen in inflammatory cells (18F-FDG PET). However, these strategies are often inadequate to detect bacterial infection and are not specific for living bacteria. Recent approaches have taken advantage of key metabolic differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, allowing easier distinction between bacteria and their host. In this report, we exploited one key difference, bacterial cell wall biosynthesis, to detect living bacteria using a positron-labeled D-amino acid. After screening several 14C D-amino acids for their incorporation into E. coli in culture, we identified D-methionine as a probe with outstanding radiopharmaceutical potential. Based on an analogous procedure to that used for L-[methyl-11C]methionine ([11C] L-Met), we developed an enhanced asymmetric synthesis of D-[methyl-11C]methionine ([11C] D-Met), and showed that it can rapidly and selectively differentiate both E. coli and S. aureus infections from sterile inflammation in vivo. We believe that the ease of [11C] D-Met radiosynthesis, coupled with its rapid and specific in vivo bacterial accumulation, make it an attractive radiotracer for infection imaging in clinical practice.
Inhibition of hypoxic response decreases stemness and reduces tumorigenic signaling due to impaired assembly of HIF1 transcription complex in pancreatic cancer
Authors: McGinn Olivia , Gupta Vineet K. , Dauer Patricia , Arora Nivedita , Sharma Nikita , Nomura Alice , Dudeja Vikas , Saluja Ashok , Banerjee Sulagna 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPancreatic tumors are renowned for their extremely hypoxic centers, resulting in upregulation of a number of hypoxia mediated signaling pathways including cell proliferation, metabolism and cell survival. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that Minnelide, a water-soluble pro-drug of triptolide (anti-cancer compound), decreases viability of cancer cells in vitro as well as in vivo. However, its mechanism of action remain elusive. In the current study we evaluated the effect of Minnelide, on hypoxia mediated oncogenic signaling as well as stemness in pancreatic cancer. Minnelide has just completed Phase 1 trial against GI cancers and is currently awaiting Phase 2 trials. Our results showed that upon treatment with triptolide, HIF-1α protein accumulated in pancreatic cancer cells even though hypoxic response was decreased in them. Our studies showed even though HIF-1α is accumulated in the treated cells, there was no decrease in HIF-1 binding to hypoxia response elements. However, the HIF-1 transcriptional activity was significantly reduced owing to depletion of co-activator p300 upon treatment with triptolide. Further, treatment with triptolide resulted in a decreased activity of Sp1 and NF-kB the two major oncogenic signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer along with a decreased tumor initiating cell (TIC) population in pancreatic tumor.
Pulsed Laser Beam Welding of Pd43Cu27Ni10P20 Bulk Metallic Glass
Authors: Shao Ling , Datye Amit , Huang Jiankang , Ketkaew Jittisa , Woo Sohn Sung , Zhao Shaofan , Wu Sujun , Zhang Yuming , Schwarz Udo D. , Schroers Jan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe used pulsed laser beam welding method to join Pd43Cu27Ni10P20 (at.%) bulk metallic glass and characterized the properties of the joint. Fusion zone and heat-affected zone in the weld joint can be maintained completely amorphous as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. No visible defects were observed in the weld joint. Nanoindentation and bend tests were carried out to determine the mechanical properties of the weld joint. Fusion zone and heat-affected zone exhibit very similar elastic moduli and hardness when compared to the base material, and the weld joint shows high ductility in bending which is accomplished through the operation of multiple shear bands. Our results reveal that pulsed laser beam welding under appropriate processing parameters provides a practical viable method to join bulk metallic glasses.
Mating-type genes of the anamorphic fungus Ulocladium botrytis affect both asexual sporulation and sexual reproduction
Authors: Wang Qun , Wang Shi , Xiong Chen Lin , James Timothy Y. , Zhang Xiu Guo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractUlocladium was thought to be a strictly asexual genus of filamentous fungi. However, Ulocladium strains were shown to possess both MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 genes as observed in homothallic filamentous Ascomycetes. Here, we demonstrate that the U. botrytis MAT genes play essential roles for controlling asexual traits (conidial size and number). Using reciprocal genetic transformation, we demonstrate that MAT genes from the related heterothallic species Cochliobolus heterostrophus can also influence U. botrytis colony growth, conidial number and size, and have a strong effect on the range of the number of septa/conidium. Moreover, U. botrytis MAT genes can also affect similar aspects of asexual reproduction when expressed in C. heterostrophus. Heterologous complementation using C. heterostrophus MAT genes shows that they have lost the ability to regulate sexual reproduction in U. botrytis, under the conditions we employed, while the reciprocal heterologous complementation demonstrates that U. botrytis MAT genes have the ability to partially induce sexual reproduction in C. heterostrophus. Thus, the genetic backgrounds of C. heterostrophus and U. botrytis play significant roles in determining the function of MAT genes on sexual reproduction in these two fungi species. These data further support the role of MAT genes in controlling asexual growth in filamentous Ascomycetes but also confirm that heterothallic and homothallic Dothideomycete fungi can be interconverted by the exchange of MAT genes.
Investigation into the stability and culturability of Chinese enterotypes
Authors: Yin Yeshi , Fan Bin , Liu Wei , Ren Rongrong , Chen Huahai , Bai Shaofeng , Zhu Liying , Sun Gang , Yang Yunsheng , Wang Xin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAlthough many gut microbial enterotypes have been reported in Europe, Africa and the U.S., their effects on human health are still not yet clear. Culturing gut microbial enterotypes in vitro will be helpful to study their effects and applications. Here, fecal samples from 13 healthy Chinese volunteers were collected and subjected to next-generation sequencing. The results showed that seven of these samples belong to the Bacteroides enterotype and another six to the Prevotella enterotype. Stability of these Chinese gut microbial enterotypes was also evaluated. Results showed that most of the tested volunteer gut microbiota to be very stable. For one volunteer, the bacterial community returned to the state it was in before intestinal lavage and antibiotics treatment after four months. XP medium was found effective for simulating the Bacteroides enterotype independent of the original gut microbial community in an in vitro chemostat culture system. Although, the Prevotella enterotype was not very well simulated in vitro, different culture elements selectively enriched different gut bacteria. Pectin and xylan were found to be related to the enrichment of the genera Bacteroides, Sutterella, and Flavonifractor in this chemostat culture system.