bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization and functional assay of a fatty acyl‐CoA reductase gene in the scale insect, Ericerus pela Chavannes (Hemiptera: Coccoidae)
Authors: Hu Yan‐Hong , Chen Xiao‐Ming , Yang Pu , Ding Wei‐Feng 
Published: December 2017

AbstractEricerus pela Chavannes (Hemiptera: Coccoidae) is an economically important scale insect because the second instar males secrete a harvestable wax‐like substance. In this study, we report the molecular cloning of a fatty acyl‐CoA reductase gene (EpFAR) of E. pela. We predicted a 520‐aa protein with the FAR family features from the deduced amino acid sequence. The EpFAR mRNA was expressed in five tested tissues, testis, alimentary canal, fat body, Malpighian tubules, and mostly in cuticle. The EpFAR protein was localized by immunofluorescence only in the wax glands and testis. EpFAR expression in High Five insect cells documented the recombinant EpFAR reduced 26‐0:(S) CoA and to its corresponding alcohol. The data illuminate the molecular mechanism for fatty alcohol biosynthesis in a beneficial insect, E. pela.
Manipulation of the sodium‐potassium ratio as a lever for controlling cell growth and improving cell specific productivity in perfusion CHO cell cultures
Authors: Wang Samantha B. , Lee‐Goldman Alexandria , Ravikrishnan Janani , Zheng Lili , Lin Henry 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPerfusion processes typically require removal of a continuous or semi‐continuous volume of cell culture in order to maintain a desired target cell density. For fast growing cell lines, the product loss from this stream can be upwards of 35%, significantly reducing the overall process yield. As volume removed is directly proportional to cell growth, the ability to modulate growth during perfusion cell culture production thus becomes crucial. Leveraging existing media components to achieve such control without introducing additional supplements is most desirable because it decreases process complexity and eliminates safety and clearance concerns. Here, the impact of extracellular concentrations of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) on cell growth and productivity is explored. High throughput small‐scale models of perfusion revealed Na:K ratios below 1 can significantly suppress cell growth by inducing cell cycle arrest in the G0/1 phase. A concomitant increase in cell specific productivity was also observed, reaching as high as 115 pg/cell/day for one cell line studied. Multiple recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines demonstrated similar responses to lower Na:K media, indicating the universal applicability of such an approach. Product quality attributes were also assessed and revealed that effects were cell line specific, and can be acceptable or manageable depending on the phase of the drug development. Drastically altering Na and K levels in perfusion media as a lever to impact cell growth and productivity is proposed.
Computer‐assisted engineering of hyperstable fibroblast growth factor 2
Authors: Dvorak Pavel , Bednar David , Vanacek Pavel , Balek Lukas , Eiselleova Livia , Stepankova Veronika , Sebestova Eva , Kunova Bosakova Michaela , Konecna Zaneta , Mazurenko Stanislav , Kunka Antonin , Vanova Tereza , Zoufalova Karolina , Chaloupkova Radka , Brezovsky Jan , Krejci Pavel , Prokop Zbynek , Dvorak Petr , Damborsky Jiri 
Published: December 2017

AbstractFibroblast growth factors (FGFs) serve numerous regulatory functions in complex organisms, and their corresponding therapeutic potential is of growing interest to academics and industrial researchers alike. However, applications of these proteins are limited due to their low stability. Here we tackle this problem using a generalizable computer‐assisted protein engineering strategy to create a unique modified FGF2 with nine mutations displaying unprecedented stability and uncompromised biological function. The data from the characterization of stabilized FGF2 showed a remarkable prediction potential of in silico methods and provided insight into the unfolding mechanism of the protein. The molecule holds a considerable promise for stem cell research and medical or pharmaceutical applications.
Personality and breast cancer screening in women of the GAZEL cohort study
Authors: Lemogne Cédric , Turinici Monica , Panjo Henri , Ngo Charlotte , Canoui‐Poitrine Florence , Chauvet‐Gelinier Jean‐Christophe , Limosin Frédéric , Consoli Silla M. , Goldberg Marcel , Zins Marie , Ringa Virginie 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe potential benefit of breast cancer screening is mitigated by the risk of false positives and overdiagnosis, thus advocating for a more personalized approach, based on the individual benefit‐harm balance. Since personality might influence the women's appraisal of this balance, this prospective observational cohort study examined whether it could influence mammography use. A total of 2691 postmenopausal women of the GAZEL Cohort Study completed the Bortner Type A Rating Scale and the Buss and Durkee Hostility Inventory in 1993. Associations between personality scores and subsequent mammography use, self‐reported through up to five triennial follow‐up questionnaires, were estimated with Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) with logistic mixed model regressions, adjusting for age, occupational grade, marital status, family history of breast cancer, age at menarche, age at first delivery, gynecological follow‐up, hormone therapy use, and depressive symptoms. Individual propensity scores were used to weight the analyses to control for potential selection biases. More than 90% of the participants completed at least two follow‐up questionnaires. Type A personality, but not hostility, was associated with mammography use in both univariate (crude OR [95% CI]: 1.62 [1.24–2.11], P < 0.001) and multivariate analyses (OR [95% CI]: 1.46 [1.13–1.90], P < 0.01). Type A personality traits (i.e., sense of time urgency, high job involvement, competitiveness) independently predicted mammography use among postmenopausal women. While paying more attention to the adherence of women with low levels of these traits, clinicians may help those with higher levels to better consider the risks of false positives and overdiagnosis.
Effects of Th17 cells and IL‐17 in the progression of cervical carcinogenesis with high‐risk human papillomavirus infection
Authors: Xue JiSen , Wang YuLi , Chen Cheng , Zhu XueJie , Zhu Hua , Hu Yan 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe existence of Th17 cells and IL‐17 was recently shown in several types of infectious diseases, but their distribution and functions in cervical lesions with high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection have not been fully elucidated. In this study, the frequency of Th17 cells in peripheral blood samples obtained from 28 cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients, 26 CIN1 patients, 30 CIN2 patients, 29 CIN3 patients, 25 high‐risk HPV‐infected women with normal cervical cytology, and 30 healthy controls was determined by flow cytometry. Besides, the levels of IL‐17 in peripheral blood samples as well as in supernatant of cervical tissue homogenate were assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) simultaneously. We found that during the disease progression of cervical lesions, the proportion of Th17 cells in the total CD4+ cells showed a gradually increased tendency compared with the controls (P < 0.05). Moreover, levels of IL‐17 in serum and supernatant of cervical tissue homogenate showed the same tendency as the proportion of Th17 cells (P < 0.05). When compared in pairs, the levels of IL‐17 in supernatant differed significantly among the study groups and the control group (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed in serum (P > 0.05). In conclusions, the results indicate that Th17 cells and IL‐17 may play a role of immune enhancement in the infection of high‐risk HPV especially in the cervical microenvironment, which contribute to the disease progression of its associated cervical lesions.
Antiviral Activity of Faramea hyacinthina and Faramea truncata Leaves on Dengue Virus Type‐2 and Their Major Compounds
Authors: Barboza Rodolfo S. , Valente Ligia M. M. , Wolff Thiago , Assunção‐Miranda Iranaia , Neris Rômulo L. S. , Guimarães‐Andrade Iris P. , Gomes Mário 
Published: December 2017

The defatted fractions of the Faramea hyacinthina and F. truncata (Rubiaceae) leaf MeOH extracts showed in vitro non‐cytotoxic and anti‐dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV2) activity in human hepatocarcinoma cell lineage (HepG2). Submitting these fractions to the developed RP‐SPE method allowed isolating the antiviral flavanone (2S)‐isosakuranetin‐7‐O‐β‐d‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (1) from both species and yielded less active sub‐fractions. The new diastereoisomeric epimer pair (2S) + (2R) of 5,3′,5′‐trihydroxyflavanone‐7‐O‐β‐d‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (2a/2b) from F. hyacinthina; the known narigenin‐7‐O‐β‐d‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (3) from both species; rutin (4) and quercetin‐4′‐β‐d‐O‐glucopyranosyl‐3‐O‐rutinoside (5) from F. hyacinthina, and kaempferol‐3‐O‐rutinoside (6), erythroxyloside A (7) and asperuloside (8) from F. truncata have been isolated from these sub‐fractions. Compounds 4 – 8 are reported for the first time in Faramea spp.
Pathological lesions and global DNA methylation in rat prostate under streptozotocin‐induced diabetes and melatonin supplementation
Authors: Gobbo Marina Guimarães , Tamarindo Guilherme Henrique , Ribeiro Daniele Lisboa , de Campos Silvana Gisele Pegorin , Taboga Sebastião Roberto , Góes Rejane Maira 
Published: December 2017

AbstractChronic hyperglycemia increases production of reactive oxygen species, which favors carcinogenesis. The association between diabetes and prostate cancer is controversial. Melatonin has antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antiproliferative properties. We investigated whether low doses of melatonin prevent the tissue alterations caused by diabetes and alter prostate histology of healthy rats. We also investigated whether experimental diabetes promoted the development of pathological lesions in the ventral prostate of rats. Melatonin was provided in drinking water (10 μg/kg/day) from age 5 weeks until the end of experiment. Diabetes was induced at 13 weeks by administration of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg, ip). Rats were euthanized at 14 or 21 weeks. Histological and stereological analyses were carried out and the incidence and density of malignant and pre‐malignant lesions were assessed. Immunohistochemical assays of α‐actin, cell proliferation (PCNA), Bcl‐2, glutathione S‐transferase (GSTPI), and DNA methylation (5‐methylcytidine) were performed. Melatonin did not elicit conspicuous changes in the prostate of healthy animals; in diabetic animals there was a higher incidence of atrophy (93%), microinvasive carcinoma (10%), proliferative inflammatory atrophy, PIA (13%), prostatitis (26%), and prostate intraepithelial neoplasia, PIN (20%) associated with an increase of 40% in global DNA methylation. Melatonin attenuated epithelial and smooth muscle cell (smc) atrophy, especially at short‐term diabetes—and normalized incidence of PIN (11%), inflammatory cells infiltrates, prostatitis (0%) and PIA (0%) at long‐term diabetes. MLT was effective in preventing inflammatory disorders and PIN under diabetic condition. Although MLT has antioxidant action, it did not influence DNA methylation and not avoid carcinogenesis at low doses.
RNA Characterization by Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Yang Yufei , Wang Shenlin 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe structures of RNAs, which play critical roles in various biological processes, provide important clues and insights into the biological functions of these molecules. However, RNA structure determination remains a challenging topic. In recent years, magic‐angle‐spinning solid‐state NMR (MAS SSNMR) has emerged as an alternative technique for structural and dynamic characterization of RNA. MAS SSNMR has been successfully applied to provide atomic‐level structural information about several RNA molecules and RNA–protein complexes. In this Minireview, we give an overview of recent progress in the field of MAS SSNMR based RNA structural characterization, and introduce sample preparation strategies and SSNMR spectroscopic techniques that have been incorporated to identify RNA structural elements. We also highlight a few impressive examples of RNAs that have been investigated extensively by SSNMR. Finally, we briefly discuss future technical trends in the use of MAS SSNMR to facilitate RNA structure determination.
Association between ideal cardiovascular health metrics and risk of cardiovascular events or mortality: A meta‐analysis of prospective studies
Authors: Guo Leilei , Zhang Shangshu 
Published: December 2017

BackgroundObservational studies evaluating the relationship between ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics and risk of cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality yielded inconsistent results.HypothesisImprovement in CVH metrics can result in substantial reductions in the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, and mortality.MethodsWe examined associations between ideal CVH metrics and CV events and mortality by conducting a meta‐analysis of data from prospective cohort studies identified by searching PubMed and Web of Science from their inception to February 2017 and reviewing the reference lists of the retrieved articles.ResultsThirteen prospective studies involving a total of 193 126 cohort members were included in this meta‐analysis. When comparing the most to the least category of ideal CVH metrics, the overall relative risks (RRs) were 0.54 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.41‐0.69) for all‐cause mortality, 0.30 (95% CI: 0.18‐0.51) for CV mortality, 0.22 (95% CI: 0.11‐0.42) for CVD, and 0.33 (95% CI: 0.20‐0.55) for stroke, respectively. A linear dose–response relationship was seen in all‐cause and CV mortality. The risk decreased by 11% and 19% for each increase in ideal CVH metrics. For the analyses of ideal health status in relation to all‐cause and CV mortality, significant results were obtained from smoking, diet, physical activity, plasma glucose levels, and blood pressure.ConclusionsIdeal CVH status, or even 1 point increase in CVH metrics, can result in substantial reductions in the risk of CVD, stroke, and mortality. Improving metrics of smoking, diet, physical activity, plasma glucose levels, and blood pressure will achieve the highest benefits.
Intended and unintended consequences: Ethics, communication, and prognostic disclosure in pediatric oncology
Authors: Marron Jonathan M. , Cronin Angel M. , Kang Tammy I. , Mack Jennifer W. 
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUNDThe majority of patients desire all available prognostic information, but some physicians hesitate to discuss prognosis. The objective of the current study was to examine outcomes of prognostic disclosure among the parents of children with cancer.METHODSThe authors surveyed 353 parents of children with newly diagnosed cancer at 2 tertiary cancer centers, and each child's oncologist. Using multivariable logistic regression, the authors assessed associations between parental report of elements of prognosis discussions with the oncologist (quality of information/communication and prognostic disclosure) and potential consequences of these discussions (trust, hope, peace of mind, prognostic understanding, depression, and anxiety). Analyses were stratified by oncologist‐reported prognosis.RESULTSPrognostic disclosure was not found to be associated with increased parental anxiety, depression, or decreased hope. Among the parents of children with less favorable prognoses (<75% chance of cure), the receipt of high‐quality information from the oncologist was associated with greater peace of mind (odds ratio [OR], 5.23; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.81‐15.16) and communication‐related hope (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.00‐6.40). High‐quality oncologist communication style was associated with greater trust in the physician (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.09‐5.48) and hope (OR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.26‐7.19). Accurate prognostic understanding was less common among the parents of children with less favorable prognoses (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.17‐0.88). Receipt of high‐quality information, high‐quality communication, and prognostic disclosure were not found to be significantly associated with more accurate prognostic understanding.CONCLUSIONSThe results of the current study demonstrate no evidence that disclosure is associated with anxiety, depression, or decreased hope. Communication processes may increase peace of mind, trust, and hope. It remains unclear how best to enhance prognostic understanding. Cancer 2018;124:1232‐41. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Feasibility of systematic handgrip strength testing in digestive cancer patients treated with chemotherapy: The FIGHTDIGO study
Authors: Ordan Marie‐Amélie , Mazza Camille , Barbe Coralie , Perrier Marine , Botsen Damien , Renard Yohann , Moreau Johanna , Brasseur Mathilde , Taillière Barbara , Bertin Éric , Bouché Olivier 
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUNDHandgrip strength (HGS) is a widely studied noninvasive test. Weak strength (dynapenia) seems to be associated with high morbidity and mortality in different populations, notably oncology populations. Despite this, HGS testing is not used in daily practice in oncology. The study was aimed at evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of HGS testing in patients with digestive cancer treated with ambulatory chemotherapy.METHODSIn this prospective, single‐center study, enrolled patients were followed for 6 months. Two consecutive bilateral measures were performed with a Jamar dynamometer during each patient's appointments in the unit for intravenous treatment. A questionnaire was completed by patients and medical team members.RESULTSThere were 203 consecutive patients, and 201 were recruited. In all, 1704 of 1716 measurements (99.3%) were performed, and 201 patients (99.0%) performed at least 1 measure; 190 (94.5%) performed all expected measures. One hundred sixty‐four of 171 participating patients (95.9%) found the test easy to perform, and 167 (97.7%) did not find the test restrictive. All of the 14 medical team members found the test easy to perform, unrestrictive, and undisruptive in their daily practice.CONCLUSIONSHGS testing is routinely feasible, inexpensive, and well accepted by patients and medical teams in an ambulatory digestive cancer unit. Cancer 2018;124:1501‐6. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Implementing The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology results in a decrease in the rate of the “atypical” category and an increase in its prediction of subsequent high‐grade urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yujing , Auger Manon , Kanber Yonca , Caglar Derin , Brimo Fadi 
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUNDIn the current study, the authors evaluated the impact of implementing The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology (PSRUC) on the prevalence of various cytological categories and their association with a subsequent diagnosis of high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC).METHODSA comparative study was conducted over the 6‐month period before PSRUC implementation (2013), including 1653 patients and 2371 specimens versus a 6‐month period after implementation of the PSRUC (2016), including 1478 patients and 2392 specimens. The following cytological categories were correlated with the subsequent biopsy result when available (355 cases): negative for HGUC (NHGUC), atypical urothelial cells (AUC), suspicious for HGUC, and HGUC.RESULTSAlthough 18.6% of specimens were diagnosed as AUC in 2013, the percentage was 14.4% in 2016 (P < .0001). Concurrently, the prevalence of the “benign” category increased from 2013 to 2016 (75.4% vs 80%; P < .0001). After implementation of the PSRUC, there was no significant change noted with regard to the association between the categories of NHGUC, suspicious for HGUC, and HGUC and a subsequent HGUC biopsy diagnosis. However, the predictive value of an AUC diagnosis increased from 28.3% to 46.1% (P = .077). Most important, after the implementation of the PSRUC, there was a significant difference noted with regard to the predictive association for HGUC between the NHGUC and AUC groups (13.6% vs 46.1%; P = .003), a difference that was not found to be statistically significant before implementation of the PSRUC (18% vs 28.3%; P = .175).CONCLUSIONSThere was a much higher risk of HGUC conveyed by AUC cytology after implementation of the PSRUC, justifying more aggressive investigations of patients who receive an AUC diagnosis. Cancer Cytopathol 2018;126:207‐14. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Synaptic localization of the SUMOylation‐regulating protease SENP5 in the adult mouse brain
Authors: Akiyama Hiroki , Nakadate Kazuhiko , Sakakibara Shin‐ichi 
Published: December 2017

AbstractCovalent conjugation of small ubiquitin‐like modifiers (SUMOs) or SUMOylation is a reversible post‐translational modification that regulates the stability and function of target proteins. SUMOs are removed from substrate proteins by sentrin/SUMO‐specific proteases (SENPs). Numerous studies have implicated SUMOylation in various physiological and pathological processes in neurons. To understand the functional roles of SUMOylation, it is necessary to determine the distribution of enzymes regulating SUMO conjugation and deconjugation; yet, the localization of SENPs has not been described in detail in intact brain tissue. Here, we report the distribution and subcellular localization of SENP3 and 5 in the adult murine brain. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed the ubiquitous distribution of both SENPs across different brain regions. Within individual cells, SENP3 was confined to the nucleus, consistent with the conventional view that SENPs regulate nuclear events. In contrast, SENP5 was detected in the neuropil but not in cell bodies. Moreover, strong SENP5 immunoreactivity was observed in regions with high numbers of synapses such as the cerebellar glomeruli, suggesting that SENP5 localizes to pre‐ and/or postsynaptic structures. We performed double immunolabeling in cultured neurons and found that SENP5 co‐localized with pre‐ and post‐synaptic markers, as well as a mitochondrial marker. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed this finding and revealed that SENP5 was localized to presynaptic terminals, postsynaptic spines, and mitochondria in axon terminals. These findings advance the current understanding of the functional roles of SUMOylation in neurons, especially in synaptic regulation, and have implications for future therapeutic strategies in neurodegenerative disorders mediated by mitochondrial dysfunction.
Generalized backpropagation algorithm for training second‐order neural networks
Authors: Fan Fenglei , Cong Wenxiang , Wang Ge 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe artificial neural network is a popular framework in machine learning. To empower individual neurons, we recently suggested that the current type of neurons could be upgraded to second‐order counterparts, in which the linear operation between inputs to a neuron and the associated weights is replaced with a nonlinear quadratic operation. A single second‐order neurons already have a strong nonlinear modeling ability, such as implementing basic fuzzy logic operations. In this paper, we develop a general backpropagation algorithm to train the network consisting of second‐order neurons. The numerical studies are performed to verify the generalized backpropagation algorithm.