bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bacterial evolution in PCD and CF patients follows the same mutational steps
Authors: Sommer Lea M. , Alanin Mikkel Christian , Marvig Rasmus L. , Nielsen Kim Gjerum , Høiby Niels , von Buchwald Christian , Molin Søren , Johansen Helle Krogh 
Published: June 2016

AbstractInfections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa increase morbidity in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Both diseases are associated with a defect of the mucociliary clearance; in PCD caused by non-functional cilia, in CF by changed mucus. Whole genome sequencing of P. aeruginosa isolates from CF patients has shown that persistence of clonal lineages in the airways is facilitated by genetic adaptation. It is unknown whether this also applies to P. aeruginosa airway infections in PCD. We compared within-host evolution of P. aeruginosa in PCD and CF patients. P. aeruginosa isolates from 12 PCD patients were whole genome sequenced and phenotypically characterised. Ten out of 12 PCD patients were infected with persisting clone types. We identified convergent evolution in eight genes, which are also important for persistent infections in CF airways: genes related to antibiotic resistance, quorum sensing, motility, type III secretion and mucoidity. We document phenotypic and genotypic parallelism in the evolution of P. aeruginosa across infected patients with different genetic disorders. The parallel changes and convergent adaptation and evolution may be caused by similar selective forces such as the intensive antibiotic treatment and the inflammatory response, which drive the evolutionary processes.
Stereotactic Comparison Study of 18F-Alfatide and 18F-FDG PET Imaging in an LLC Tumor-Bearing C57BL/6 Mouse Model
Authors: Wei Yu-Chun , Gao Yongsheng , Zhang Jianbo , Fu Zheng , Zheng Jinsong , Liu Ning , Hu Xudong , Hou Wenhong , Yu Jinming , Yuan Shuanghu 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThis study aimed to stereotactically compare the PET imaging performance of 18F-Alfatide (18F-ALF-NOTA-PRGD2, denoted as 18F-Alfatide) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mouse model. 18F-FDG standard uptake values (SUVs) were higher than 18F-Alfatide SUVs in tumors, most of the normal tissues and organs except for the bladder. Tumor-to-brain, tumor-to-lung and tumor-to-heart ratios of 18F-Alfatide PET were significantly higher than those of 18F-FDG PET (P < 0.001). The spatial heterogeneity of the tumors was detected and the tracer accumulation enhanced from the outer layer to the inner layer consistently using the two tracers. The parameters of the tumors were significantly correlated with each other between 18F-FDG SUV and GLUT-1 (R = 0.895, P < 0.001), 18F-Alfatide SUV and αvβ3 (R = 0.595, P = 0.019), 18F-FDG SUV and 18F-Alfatide SUV (R = 0.917, P < 0.001) and GLUT-1 and αvβ3 (R = 0.637, P = 0.011). Therefore, 18F-Alfatide PET may be an effective tracer for tumor detection, spatial heterogeneity imaging and an alternative supplement to 18F-FDG PET, particularly for patients with enhanced characteristics in the brain, chest tumors or diabetes, meriting further study.
Potassium Channel Interacting Protein 2 (KChIP2) is not a transcriptional regulator of cardiac electrical remodeling
Authors: Winther Sine V. , Tuomainen Tomi , Borup Rehannah , Tavi Pasi , Antoons Gudrun , Thomsen Morten B. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe heart-failure relevant Potassium Channel Interacting Protein 2 (KChIP2) augments CaV1.2 and KV4.3. KChIP3 represses CaV1.2 transcription in cardiomyocytes via interaction with regulatory DNA elements. Hence, we tested nuclear presence of KChIP2 and if KChIP2 translocates into the nucleus in a Ca2+ dependent manner. Cardiac biopsies from human heart-failure patients and healthy donor controls showed that nuclear KChIP2 abundance was significantly increased in heart failure; however, this was secondary to a large variation of total KChIP2 content. Administration of ouabain did not increase KChIP2 content in nuclear protein fractions in anesthetized mice. KChIP2 was expressed in cell lines and Ca2+ ionophores were applied in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The cell lines had KChIP2-immunoreactive protein in the nucleus in the absence of treatments to modulate intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Neither increasing nor decreasing intracellular Ca2+ concentrations caused translocation of KChIP2. Microarray analysis did not identify relief of transcriptional repression in murine KChIP2−/− heart samples. We conclude that although there is a baseline presence of KChIP2 in the nucleus both in vivo and in vitro, KChIP2 does not directly regulate transcriptional activity. Moreover, the nuclear transport of KChIP2 is not dependent on Ca2+. Thus, KChIP2 does not function as a conventional transcription factor in the heart.
Guanine-rich sequences inhibit proofreading DNA polymerases
Authors: Zhu Xiao-Jing , Sun Shuhui , Xie Binghua , Hu Xuemei , Zhang Zunyi , Qiu Mengsheng , Dai Zhong-Min 
Published: June 2016

AbstractDNA polymerases with proofreading activity are important for accurate amplification of target DNA. Despite numerous efforts have been made to improve the proofreading DNA polymerases, they are more susceptible to be failed in PCR than non-proofreading DNA polymerases. Here we showed that proofreading DNA polymerases can be inhibited by certain primers. Further analysis showed that G-rich sequences such as GGGGG and GGGGHGG can cause PCR failure using proofreading DNA polymerases but not Taq DNA polymerase. The inhibitory effect of these G-rich sequences is caused by G-quadruplex and is dose dependent. G-rich inhibitory sequence-containing primers can be used in PCR at a lower concentration to amplify its target DNA fragment.
Analyzing the performance of fluorescence parameters in the monitoring of leaf nitrogen content of paddy rice
Authors: Yang Jian , Gong Wei , Shi Shuo , Du Lin , Sun Jia , Song Shalei , Chen Biwu , Zhang Zhenbing 
Published: June 2016

AbstractLeaf nitrogen content (LNC) is a significant factor which can be utilized to monitor the status of paddy rice and it requires a reliable approach for fast and precise quantification. This investigation aims to quantitatively analyze the correlation between fluorescence parameters and LNC based on laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) technology. The fluorescence parameters exhibited a consistent positive linear correlation with LNC in different growing years (2014 and 2015) and different rice cultivars. TheR2of the models varied from 0.6978 to 0.9045. Support vector machine (SVM) was then utilized to verify the feasibility of the fluorescence parameters for monitoring LNC. Comparison of the fluorescence parameters indicated that F740 is the most sensitive (theR2of linear regression analysis of the between predicted and measured values changed from 0.8475 to 0.9226, and REs ranged from 3.52% to 4.83%) to the changes in LNC among all fluorescence parameters. Experimental results demonstrated that fluorescence parameters based on LIF technology combined with SVM is a potential method for realizing real-time, non-destructive monitoring of paddy rice LNC, which can provide guidance for the decision-making of farmers in their N fertilization strategies.
Novel Therapeutic Effects of Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma for Muscle Regeneration and Differentiation
Authors: Choi Jae Won , Kang Sung Un , Kim Yang Eun , Park Ju Kyeong , Yang Sang Sik , Kim Yeon Soo , Lee Yun Sang , Lee Yuijina , Kim Chul-Ho 
Published: June 2016

AbstractSkeletal muscle can repair muscle tissue damage, but significant loss of muscle tissue or its long-lasting chronic degeneration makes injured skeletal muscle tissue difficult to restore. It has been demonstrated that non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NTP) can be used in many biological areas including regenerative medicine. Therefore, we determined whether NTP, as a non-contact biological external stimulator that generates biological catalyzers, can induce regeneration of injured muscle without biomaterials. Treatment with NTP in the defected muscle of a Sprague Dawley (SD) rat increased the number of proliferating muscle cells 7 days after plasma treatment (dapt) and rapidly induced formation of muscle tissue and muscle cell differentiation at 14 dapt. In addition, in vitro experiments also showed that NTP could induce muscle cell proliferation and differentiation of human muscle cells. Taken together, our results demonstrated that NTP promotes restoration of muscle defects through control of cell proliferation and differentiation without biological or structural supporters, suggesting that NTP has the potential for use in muscle tissue engineering and regenerative therapies.
RIG-I inhibits pancreatic β cell proliferation through competitive binding of activated Src
Authors: Pan Yi , Li GuangMing , Zhong HengGao , Chen MeiJuan , Chen TingTing , Gao LiLi , Wu HuiWen , Guo Jun 
Published: June 2016

AbstractNutrition is a necessary condition for cell proliferation, including pancreatic β cells; however, over-nutrition, and the resulting obesity and glucolipotoxicity, is a risk factor for the development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and causes inhibition of pancreatic β-cells proliferation and their loss of compensation for insulin resistance. Here, we showed that Retinoic acid (RA)-inducible gene I (RIG-I) responds to nutrient signals and induces loss of β cell mass through G1 cell cycle arrest. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes (e.g., glucolipotoxicity, TNF-α and LPS) activate Src in pancreatic β cells. Elevated RIG-I modulated the interaction of activated Src and STAT3 by competitive binding to STAT3. Elevated RIG-I downregulated the transcription of SKP2, and increased the stability and abundance of P27 protein in a STAT3-dependent manner, which was associated with inhibition of β cell growth elicited by Src. These results supported a role for RIG-I in β cell mass loss under conditions of metabolic surplus and suggested that RIG-I-induced blocking of Src/STAT3 signalling might be involved in G1 phase cycle arrest through the Skp2/P27 pathway in pancreatic β cells.
Environmental and Pharmacological Manipulations Blunt the Stress Response of Zebrafish in a Similar Manner
Authors: Giacomini Ana Cristina V. V. , Abreu Murilo S. , Zanandrea Rodrigo , Saibt Natália , Friedrich Maria Tereza , Koakoski Gessi , Gusso Darlan , Piato Angelo L. , Barcellos Leonardo J. G. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractHere we provide evidence that both pharmacological and environmental manipulations similarly blunt the cortisol release in response to an acute stressor in adult zebrafish. Different groups of fish were maintained isolated or group-housed in barren or enriched tanks, and then exposed or not to diazepam or fluoxetine. Acute stress increased cortisol levels in group-housed zebrafish maintained in barren environment. Single-housed zebrafish displayed a blunted cortisol response to stress. Environmental enrichment also blunted the stress response and this was observed in both isolated and group-housed fish. The same blunting effect was observed in zebrafish exposed to diazepam or fluoxetine. We highlighted environmental enrichment as an alternative and/or complimentary therapeutic for reducing stress and as a promoter of animal welfare.
A trans-diagnostic review of anxiety disorder comorbidity and the impact of multiple exclusion criteria on studying clinical outcomes in anxiety disorders
Authors: Goldstein-Piekarski A N , Williams L M , Humphreys K 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAnxiety disorders are highly comorbid with each other and with other serious mental disorders. As our field progresses, we have the opportunity to pursue treatment study designs that consider these comorbidities. In this perspective review, we first characterized the prevalence of multiple anxiety disorder comorbidity by reanalyzing national survey data, then conducted an English-language PubMed search of studies analyzing the impact of exclusion criteria on treatment outcome data. In the prevalence data, 60% of people with an anxiety disorder had one or more additional anxiety or depression diagnosis. Because our commonly applied exclusion criteria focus on a single diagnosis and do not consider a multiple comorbidity profile, the impact of the criteria may be to exclude up to 92% of anxiety disorder treatment seekers. Moreover, the findings do not suggest a consistent relationship between the number of exclusion criteria and the effect size of treatment outcomes. Thus, future studies might consider a more trans-diagnostic rationale for determining exclusion criteria, one that is generalizable to real-world settings in which multiple diagnoses commonly co-occur. The findings also encourage a more systematic reporting of rationales for the choice of—and the implications of—each exclusion criterion.
Design of reactive power regulator of synchronous generators by considering grid impedance angle for characteristic index objectives
Authors: Raboni Pietro , Chaudhary Sanjay , Chen Zhe 
Published: June 2016

Effects of low reactance to resistance ratio in distribution networks are widely studied but little work dealing with the tuning of voltage and reactive power regulators of small synchronous generators has been reported. This study endeavours the design of a proportional integral controller for the reactive power regulator to fulfil the characteristic index (CI) objectives, which are based on the step‐response characteristics. Two small‐signal models of the reactive power regulator have been developed from the well‐known k‐parameter model and they are validated. Apart from offline tuning of the regulator, these models can be used to assess system robustness and stability. In addition to the analytical approach, the same regulator is tuned optimally by means of multiple simulations. Proposed objective functions rely on the CIs tracked during the sequence of runs, whereas the traditional cost functions are formulated on the basis of the integral of an error. This difference makes them suitable for the cases where the entire step‐response data series are unavailable. The performances of differently tuned regulators are compared considering a test system including a 100 kW Diesel Generator Set equipped with a brushless exciter.
Embolic Protection using the WIRION Embolic Protection System with JetStream Atherectomy in a Patient with Superficial Femoral Artery Chronic total Occlusion
Authors: Shammas Nicolas 
Published: June 2016

AbstractDistal embolization is a common occurrence with peripheral arterial interventions and is more frequent with the use of atherectomy devices. We report the first case of JetStream atherectomy (Boston Scientific, Maple Grove, MN) with the use of the novel WIRION embolic protection system filter. The procedure was performed successfully with no distal embolizations beyond the filter and with no complications in the delivery or retrieval of the filter. The pros and cons of the off label use of this filter with JetStream atherectomy are discussed.
Water-soluble fullerenes for medical applications
Authors: Rašović I. 
Published: June 2016

Research on fullerenes occupies a unique position in the scientific arena. Synthesis and characterisation of this nanomaterial blur the line between materials science and chemistry; careful tuning of the processing methods gives birth to a whole family of molecules and their functionalised derivatives, whose unusual properties at this nanoscopic scale can be exploited in cutting-edge technological applications. This review focuses on the functionalisation of fullerenes for use in medical applications. The first half gives an introduction to the fullerenes themselves and how their fundamental properties lead to a very rich chemistry, enabling both exohedral (external) and endohedral (internal) functionalisations of the cage. Emphasis is placed on the need for safe and reproducible synthesis routes if fullerenes are ever going to make it to the pharmaceutical market. In line with this, a selection of exohedral functionalisation protocols receives particular attention. Coverage of endohedral fullerene synthesis routes is limited to the endohedral metallofullerenes. In the second half, myriad applications of fullerenes in biomedical contexts are introduced and certain synthesis routes are critically evaluated. Discussion of the need to water solubilise the hydrophobic fullerene cages precedes an overview of fullerene-based diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. A final moment is spent on toxicity studies of fullerenes. The concluding remarks emphasise the positive effects of incorporating fullerenes into biomedical technologies, while looking at how these are perceived by the general public. A case is made for fullerenes being the optimal choice as standard bearers in the advance of nanomaterials into the medical field. This is the winning review of the 2016 Materials Literature Review Prize of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, run by the Editorial Board of MST. Sponsorship of the prize by TWI Ltd is gratefully acknowledged.
The ABLA-BOX: An in Vitro Module of Hybrid Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Authors: Lozekoot Pieter W. J. , de Jong Monique M. J. , Parise Orlando , Matteucci Francesco , Lucà Fabiana , Kumar Narendra , Bani Daniele , Czapla Jens , Pison Laurent , Crijns Harry J. G. M. , Maessen Jos G. , La Meir Mark , Gelsomino Sandro 
Published: June 2016

Objective We present the first testing study on the ABLA-BOX, a new in vitro module of hybrid atrial fibrillation ablation. Methods ABLA-BOX consists of two chambers that mimic the epicardial and endocardial sides of the heart. The septum between chambers provides catheter access on both sites of the cardiac tissue. A circuit, filled with freshly obtained porcine blood, including a pump, an oxygenator, and a heating device, circulate the blood inside the system. Left atrial fresh tissue is mounted on a tissue holder and magnetically fixed. Epicardial and endocardial catheters are fixed on the catheter holders and blocked with the locker knob. The system allows control of ablation force, flow rate, temperature, and flow pattern. Results Epicardial contact force of 100 g and endocardial force of 30 g resulted in larger lesion volumes (P < 0.001), areas (P < 0.001), and lesion diameters (P = 0.03 and P = 0.008), than the combination of 100/20 g. In addition, with a flow rate of 5 L/min, lesion volumes (P = 0.02), areas (P < 0.001), and diameters (both, P < 0.001) were significantly larger in comparison with those of 3 L/min. Furthermore, dimensions (both, P < 0.001), volume (P < 0.001), and area (P < 0.001) of the lesions at a circulating blood temperature of 38.0°C were larger than with a lower blood temperature (36.0°C). Finally, ablations made under stable flow pattern resulted in greater lesion diameters P = 0.04 and P = 0.03) as well as larger volumes (P = 0.02) and areas (P = 0.03) than under turbulent-like flow reproduced with the system rotor set to 400 rpm. Conclusions The ABLA-BOX allowed easy hybrid ablation with different setups, which can provide cardiologists and cardiac surgeons with reliable and more valuable insights.
Limitations of the TheraMon®‐microsensor in monitoring occlusion therapy
Authors: Schramm Charlotte , Abaza Annegret , Blumenstock Gunnar , Bechtold Till E. , Rickmann Annekatrin , Bartz‐Schmidt Karl‐Ulrich , Besch Dorothea , Januschowski Kai 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPurposeA proof of principle study showed that the TheraMon®‐microsensor can reliably measure wearing times of glasses and occlusion patches while having no discomfort for the bearer. The goal of this study was to identify specific temperature profiles in a larger patient group wearing the microsensor with an occlusion patch on the eye, the forehead or in the trouser pocket.MethodsTemperature measurements with microsensors were performed at the orbital rim of the eye, at the forehead and in a trousers pocket of 20 healthy adults. The temperature measurements were analysed comparing the three locations using a repeated‐measures anova with a 0.050 two‐sided significance level.ResultsThere was no significant temperature difference in wearing the microsensors at the orbital rim compared to forehead (p = 0.507). A significant difference could be detected if the microsensors had been in trousers pockets as compared to being positioned at orbital rim/forehead (p = 0.001). The study participants reported easy handling and comfortable wearing.ConclusionThis study demonstrates for the first time that TheraMon®‐microsensors are fully operational in monitoring occlusion therapy in a larger group of patients (20 adult study participants). Because of the microsensor's ease of handling further studies in a larger group of children is recommended.
Inhibition of PI3K promotes dilation of human small airways in a rho kinase‐dependent manner
Authors: Koziol‐White Cynthia J , Yoo Edwin J , Cao Gaoyuan , Zhang Jie , Papanikolaou Eleni , Pushkarsky Ivan , Andrews Adam , Himes Blanca E , Damoiseaux Robert D , Liggett Stephen B , Di Carlo Dino , Kurten Richard C , Panettieri Reynold A 
Published: June 2016

Background and PurposeAsthma manifests as a heterogeneous syndrome characterized by airway obstruction, inflammation and hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Although the molecular mechanisms remain unclear, activation of specific PI3K isoforms mediate inflammation and AHR. We aimed to determine whether inhibition of PI3Kδ evokes dilation of airways and to elucidate potential mechanisms.Experimental ApproachHuman precision cut lung slices from non‐asthma donors and primary human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells from both non‐asthma and asthma donors were utilized. Phosphorylation of Akt, myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1) and myosin light chain (MLC) were assessed in HASM cells following either PI3K inhibitor or siRNA treatment. HASM relaxation was assessed by micro‐pattern deformation. Reversal of constriction of airways was assessed following stimulation with PI3K or ROCK inhibitors.Key ResultsSoluble inhibitors or PI3Kδ knockdown reversed carbachol‐induced constriction of human airways, relaxed agonist‐contracted HASM and inhibited pAkt, pMYPT1 and pMLC in HASM. Similarly, inhibition of Rho kinase also dilated human PCLS airways and suppressed pMYPT1 and pMLC. Baseline pMYPT1 was significantly elevated in HASM cells derived from asthma donors in comparison with non‐asthma donors. After desensitization of the β2‐adrenoceptors, a PI3Kδ inhibitor remained an effective dilator. In the presence of IL‐13, dilation by a β agonist, but not PI3K inhibitor, was attenuated.Conclusion and ImplicationsPI3Kδ inhibitors act as dilators of human small airways. Taken together, these findings provide alternative approaches to the clinical management of airway obstruction in asthma.