bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safe Brain Tumor Resection Does not Depend on Surgery Alone - Role of Hemodynamics
Authors: Bette Stefanie , Wiestler Benedikt , Wiedenmann Felicitas , Kaesmacher Johannes , Bretschneider Martin , Barz Melanie , Huber Thomas , Ryang Yu-Mi , Kochs Eberhard , Zimmer Claus , Meyer Bernhard , Boeckh-Behrens Tobias , Kirschke Jan S. , Gempt Jens 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAim of this study was to determine if perioperative hemodynamics have an impact on perioperative infarct volume and patients’ prognosis. 201 cases with surgery for a newly diagnosed or recurrent glioblastoma were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical data and perioperative hemodynamic parameters, blood tests and time of surgery were recorded. Postoperative infarct volume was quantitatively assessed by semiautomatic segmentation. Mean diastolic blood pressure (dBP) during surgery (rho −0.239, 95% CI −0.11 – −0.367, p = 0.017), liquid balance (rho 0.236, 95% CI 0.1–0.373, p = 0.017) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during surgery (rho −0.206, 95% CI −0.07 – −0.34, p = 0.041) showed significant correlation to infarct volume. A rank regression model including also age and recurrent surgery as possible confounders revealed mean intraoperative dBP, liquid balance and length of surgery as independent factors for infarct volume. Univariate survival analysis showed mean intraoperative dBP and MAP as significant prognostic factors, length of surgery also remained as significant prognostic factor in a multivariate model. Perioperative close anesthesiologic monitoring of blood pressure and liquid balance is of high significance during brain tumor surgery and should be performed to prevent or minimize perioperative infarctions and to prolong survival.
TRIB1 is a positive regulator of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha
Authors: Soubeyrand Sébastien , Martinuk Amy , McPherson Ruth 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe TRIB1 locus has been linked to both cardiovascular disease and hepatic steatosis. Recent efforts have revealed TRIB1 to be a major regulator of liver function, largely, but not exclusively, via CEBPA degradation. We recently uncovered a functional interaction between TRIB1 and HNF4A, another key regulator of hepatic function, whose molecular underpinnings remained to be clarified. Here we have extended these findings. In hepatoma models, HNF4A levels were found to depend on TRIB1, independently of its impact on CEBPA. Using a reporter assay model, MTTP reporter activity, which depends on HNF4A, positively correlated with TRIB1 levels. Confocal microscopy demonstrated partial colocalization of TRIB1 and HNF4A. Using overexpressed proteins we demonstrate that TRIB1 and HNF4A can form complexes in vivo. Mapping of the interaction interfaces identified two distinct regions within TRIB1 which associated with the N-terminal region of HNF4A. Lastly, the TRIB1-HNF4A interaction resisted competition with a CEPBA-derived peptide, suggesting different binding modalities. Together these findings establish that TRIB1 is required for HNF4A function. This regulatory axis represents a novel CEBPA-independent aspect of TRIB1 function predicted to play an important role in liver physiology.
A mammalian mirtron miR-1224 promotes tube-formation of human primary endothelial cells by targeting anti-angiogenic factor epsin2
Authors: Sakai Eiko , Miura Yusuke , Suzuki-Kouyama Emi , Oka Kengo , Tachibana Masashi , Kawabata Kenji , Sakurai Fuminori , Mizuguchi Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAngiogenesis, new vessel formation from pre-existing vessels, is a highly conserved event through vertebrates. However, the system for tuning angiogenesis by species-intrinsic factors is totally unknown. miR-1224 is a member of mammal-specific mirtrons, which were identified as non-canonical microRNAs. We found that the expression of miR-1224 was upregulated in capillary-like tube-forming human umbilical vein endothelial cells on Matrigel. Enforced expression of miR-1224 stimulated tube formation, whereas repression of endogenous miR-1224 inhibited formation. Enforced expression of miR-1224 enhanced VEGF signaling and repressed NOTCH signaling. The adaptor protein of clathrin-dependent endocytosis, epsin2, which has been shown to be a suppressor of angiogenesis, was a direct target of miR-1224. Knockdown of EPN2 stimulated tube formation, while overexpression of EPN2 repressed miR-1224-mediated stimulation. Our findings indicate that miR-1224 is a mammal specific modulator of angiogenesis.
Neural processing of biological motion in autism: An investigation of brain activity and effective connectivity
Authors: Alaerts Kaat , Swinnen Stephan P. , Wenderoth Nicole 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe superior temporal sulcus (STS) forms a key region for social information processing and disruptions of its function have been associated with socio-communicative impairments characteristic of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Task-based fMRI was applied in 15 adults with ASD and 15 matched typical-controls (TC) to explore differences in activity and effective connectivity of STS while discriminating either ‘intact’ versus ‘scrambled’ biological motion point light displays (explicit processing) or responding to a color-change while the ‘intact’ versus ‘scrambled’ nature of the stimulus was irrelevant for the task (implicit processing). STS responded stronger to ‘intact’ than ‘scrambled’ stimuli in both groups, indicating that the basic encoding of ‘biological’ versus ‘non-biological’ motion seems to be intact in ASD. Only in the TC-group however, explicit attention to the biological motion content induced an augmentation of STS-activity, which was not observed in the ASD-group. Overall, these findings suggest an inadequacy to recruit STS upon task demand in ASD, rather than a generalized alteration in STS neural processing. The importance of attention orienting for recruiting relevant neural resources was further underlined by the observation that connectivity between STS and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a key region in attention regulation, effectively modulated STS-recruitment in the ASD-group.
A clinicopathological analysis of 153 acral melanomas and the relevance of mechanical stress
Authors: Sheen Yi-Shuan , Liao Yi-Hua , Lin Ming-Hsien , Chen Jau-Shiuh , Liau Jau-Yu , Tseng Yu-Ju , Lee Chih-Hung , Chang Yih-Leong , Chu Chia-Yu 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe pathogenesis of melanomas emerging in plantar surfaces remains unclear; however, mechanical stress has been reported to increase the formation of melanomas. In this study, we conducted a multicenter retrospective analysis of 153 acral melanomas diagnosed between 2000 and 2015 in Taiwan. The male-to-female ratio of the patients in question was 1:1.28, and the mean age at diagnosis was 68 years. We examined whether melanomas which developed in different areas of the patients’ soles differed in their associations with various clinicopathological characteristics and survival. Testing by goodness of fit indicated that stress-bearing areas were significantly more conducive to the generation of melanomas than non-stress-bearing areas (P < 0.0001). More specifically, compared to the arch, the rear of the foot and front of the foot were significantly more conducive to the generation of melanomas (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). The distribution pattern was not associated with differences in age, gender, right/left foot involvement, ulceration, mitosis, lymph node metastasis, tumor thickness, or stage. The overall, distant metastasis-free, and recurrence-free survival rates did not differ significantly between the stress-bearing and non-stress-bearing areas. Furthermore, while acral melanomas tended to develop on stress-bearing areas, the distribution pattern was not associated with the prognostic index or survival.
Loss of type 9 adenylyl cyclase triggers reduced phosphorylation of Hsp20 and diastolic dysfunction
Authors: Li Yong , Baldwin Tanya A. , Wang Yan , Subramaniam Janani , Carbajal Anibal Garza , Brand Cameron S. , Cunha Shane R. , Dessauer Carmen W. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAdenylyl cyclase type 9 (AC9) is found tightly associated with the scaffolding protein Yotiao and the IKs ion channel in heart. But apart from potential IKs regulation, physiological roles for AC9 are unknown. We show that loss of AC9 in mice reduces less than 3% of total AC activity in heart but eliminates Yotiao-associated AC activity. AC9−/− mice exhibit no structural abnormalities but show a significant bradycardia, consistent with AC9 expression in sinoatrial node. Global changes in PKA phosphorylation patterns are not altered in AC9−/− heart, however, basal phosphorylation of heat shock protein 20 (Hsp20) is significantly decreased. Hsp20 binds AC9 in a Yotiao-independent manner and deletion of AC9 decreases Hsp20-associated AC activity in heart. In addition, expression of catalytically inactive AC9 in neonatal cardiomyocytes decreases isoproterenol-stimulated Hsp20 phosphorylation, consistent with an AC9-Hsp20 complex. Phosphorylation of Hsp20 occurs largely in ventricles and is vital for the cardioprotective effects of Hsp20. Decreased Hsp20 phosphorylation suggests a potential baseline ventricular defect for AC9−/−. Doppler echocardiography of AC9−/− displays a decrease in the early ventricular filling velocity and ventricular filling ratio (E/A), indicative of grade 1 diastolic dysfunction and emphasizing the importance of local cAMP production in the context of macromolecular complexes.
Fibulin-4 deposition requires EMILIN-1 in the extracellular matrix of osteoblasts
Authors: Schiavinato Alvise , Keene Douglas R. , Imhof Thomas , Doliana Roberto , Sasaki Takako , Sengle Gerhard 
Published: July 2017

AbstractTissue microenvironments formed by extracellular matrix networks play an important role in regulating tissue structure and function. Extracellular microfibrillar networks composed of fibrillins and their associated ligands such as LTBPs, fibulins, and EMILINs are of particular interest in this regard since they provide a specialized cellular microenvironment guiding proper morphology and functional behavior of specialized cell types. To understand how cellular microenvironments composed of intricate microfibrillar networks influence cell fate decisions in a contextual manner, more information about the spatiotemporal localization, deposition, and function of their components is required. By employing confocal immunofluorescence and electron microscopy we investigated the localization and extracellular matrix deposition of EMILIN-1 and -2 in tissues of the skeletal system such as cartilage and bone as well as in in vitro cultures of osteoblasts. We found that upon RNAi mediated depletion of EMILIN-1 in primary calvarial osteoblasts and MC3T3-E1 cells only fibulin-4 matrix deposition was lost while other fibulin family members or LTBPs remained unaffected. Immunoprecipitation and ELISA-style binding assays confirmed a direct interaction between EMILIN-1 and fibulin-4. Our data suggest a new function for EMILIN-1 which implies the guidance of linear fibulin-4 matrix deposition and thereby fibulin-4 fiber formation.
Airborne Bacterial Communities in Three East Asian Cities of China, South Korea, and Japan
Authors: Lee Jae Young , Park Eun Ha , Lee Sunghee , Ko GwangPyo , Honda Yasushi , Hashizume Masahiro , Deng Furong , Yi Seung-muk , Kim Ho 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe global diversity of airborne bacteria has not yet been studied, despite its importance in human health and climate change. Here, we focused on the diversity of airborne bacteria and their correlations with meteorological/environmental conditions in China, South Korea, and Japan. Beijing (China) had more diverse airborne bacteria, followed by Seoul (South Korea) and Nagasaki (Japan), and seasonal variations were observed. Beijing and Seoul had more diverse airborne bacteria during the winter, whereas Nagasaki showed greater diversity during the summer. According to principal component analysis and Bray-Curtis similarity, higher similarity was observed between Beijing and Seoul than between Seoul and Nagasaki during all seasons except summer. Among meteorological/environmental variables, temperature and humidity were highly correlated with the diversity of airborne bacteria on the measurement day, whereas wind speeds and the frequency of northwest winds were highly correlated for 2–3-day moving averages. Thus, proximity and resuspension could enhance bacterial diversity in East Asian cities.
Thermal Diffusivity Mapping of Graphene Based Polymer Nanocomposites
Authors: Gresil Matthieu , Wang Zixin , Poutrel Quentin-Arthur , Soutis Constantinos 
Published: July 2017

AbstractNanoparticle dispersion is widely recognised as a challenge in polymer nanocomposites fabrication. The dispersion quality can affect the physical and thermomechanical properties of the material system. Qualitative transmission electronic microscopy, often cumbersome, remains as the ‘gold standard’ for dispersion characterisation. However, quantifying dispersion at macroscopic level remains a difficult task. This paper presents a quantitative dispersion characterisation method using non-contact infrared thermography mapping that measures the thermal diffusivity (α) of the graphene nanocomposite and relates α to a dispersion index. The main advantage of the proposed method is its ability to evaluate dispersion over a large area at reduced effort and cost, in addition to measuring the thermal properties of the system. The actual resolution of this thermal mapping reaches 200 µm per pixel giving an accurate picture of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) dispersion. The post-dispersion treatment shows an improvement in directional thermal conductivity of the composite of up to 400% increase at 5 wt% of GNP. The Maxwell-Garnet effective medium approximation is proposed to estimate thermal conductivity that compare favourably to measured data. The development of a broadly applicable dispersion quantification method will provide a better understanding of reinforcement mechanisms and effect on performance of large scale composite structures.
Concise and Stereodivergent Synthesis of Carbasugars Reveals Unexpected Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) of SGLT2 Inhibition
Authors: Ng Wai-Lung , Li Ho-Chuen , Lau Kit-Man , Chan Anthony K. N. , Lau Clara Bik-San , Shing Tony K. M. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCarbasugar sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are highly promising drug candidates for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the clinical usage of carbasugar SGLT2 inhibitors has been underexplored, due to the lengthy synthetic routes and the lack of structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of these compounds. Herein, we report a concise and stereodivergent synthetic route towards some novel carbasugar SGLT2 inhibitors, featuring an underexploited, regioselective, and stereospecific palladium-catalyzed allyl-aryl coupling reaction. This synthetic strategy, together with computational modeling, revealed the unexpected SAR of these carbasugar SGLT2 inhibitors, and enabled the discovery of a highly selective and potent SGLT2 inhibitor.
Polymicrobial Infections In Brain Tissue From Alzheimer’s Disease Patients
Authors: Pisa Diana , Alonso Ruth , Fernández-Fernández Ana M. , Rábano Alberto , Carrasco Luis 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSeveral studies have advanced the idea that the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) could be microbial in origin. In the present study, we tested the possibility that polymicrobial infections exist in tissue from the entorhinal cortex/hippocampus region of patients with AD using immunohistochemistry (confocal laser scanning microscopy) and highly sensitive (nested) PCR. We found no evidence for expression of early (ICP0) or late (ICP5) proteins of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in brain sections. A polyclonal antibody against Borrelia detected structures that appeared not related to spirochetes, but rather to fungi. These structures were not found with a monoclonal antibody. Also, Borrelia DNA was undetectable by nested PCR in the ten patients analyzed. By contrast, two independent Chlamydophila antibodies revealed several structures that resembled fungal cells and hyphae, and prokaryotic cells, but most probably were unrelated to Chlamydophila spp. Finally, several structures that could belong to fungi or prokaryotes were detected using peptidoglycan and Clostridium antibodies, and PCR analysis revealed the presence of several bacteria in frozen brain tissue from AD patients. Thus, our results show that polymicrobial infections consisting of fungi and bacteria can be revealed in brain tissue from AD patients.
Genome-wide identification and characterization of circular RNAs by high throughput sequencing in soybean
Authors: Zhao Wei , Cheng Yihui , Zhang Chi , You Qingbo , Shen Xinjie , Guo Wei , Jiao Yongqing 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCircular RNAs (circRNAs) arise during pre-mRNA splicing, in which the 3′ and 5′ ends are linked to each other by a covalent bond. Soybean is an ancient tetraploid, which underwent two whole genome duplications. Most of soybean genes are paralogous genes with multiple copies. Although many circRNAs have been identified in animals and plants, little is known about soybean circRNAs, especially about circRNAs derived from paralogous genes. Here, we used deep sequencing technology coupled with RNase R enrichment strategy and bioinformatic approach to uncover circRNAs in soybean. A total of 5,372 circRNAs were identified, approximately 80% of which were paralogous circRNAs generated from paralogous genes. Despite high sequence homology, the paralogous genes could produce different paralogous circRNAs with different expression patterns. Two thousand and one hundred thirty four circRNAs were predicted to be 92 miRNAs target mimicry. CircRNAs and circRNA isoforms exhibited tissue-specific expression patterns in soybean. Based on the function of circRNA-host genes, the soybean circRNAs may participate in many biological processes such as developmental process, multi-organism process, and metabolic process. Our study not only provided a basis for research into the function of circRNAs in soybean but also new insights into the plant circRNA kingdom.
The inducible blockage of RNAi reveals a role for polyunsaturated fatty acids in the regulation of dsRNA-endocytic capacity in Bactrocera dorsalis
Authors: Dong Xiaolong , Li Xiaoxue , Li Qiujia , Jia Hongmei , Zhang Hongyu 
Published: July 2017

AbstractExogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) can trigger gene silencing through the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. Our previous research established thatBactrocera dorsaliscan block RNAi after an initial priming of exposure to dsRNA. However, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon is not yet fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism pathways play important roles in the blockage of RNAi induced by dsRNA priming. The ratio of linoleic acid (LA) to arachidonic acid (AA) was significantly increased in the hemolymph ofB. dorsalisfollowing dsRNA priming, and further, the endocytosis of dsRNA into the midgut cells ofB. dorsaliswas inhibited in these samples. The expression levels of most genes involved in the fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism pathways were altered following priming with dsRNA. Furthermore, altering the composition of fatty acids via the injection of AA can facilitate the uptake of ingested dsRNA into the midgut cells ofDrosophila melanogasterand successfully induce an RNAi effect, which cannot be achieved via feeding in fruit flies. Our results suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acids are involved in the regulation of the dsRNA-endocytic ability inB. dorsalis.
Transformation of patchouli alcohol to β-patchoulene by gastric juice: β-patchoulene is more effective in preventing ethanol-induced gastric injury
Authors: Liu Yuhong , Liang Jiali , Wu Jiazhen , Chen Hanbin , Zhang Zhenbiao , Yang Hongmei , Chen Liping , Chen Haiming , Su Ziren , Li Yucui 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPogostemonis Herba is a functional food approved in Asian countries. Its major constituent, patchouli alcohol (PA), possesses a gastroprotective effect and is reported to transform into β-patchoulene (β-PAE) under acidic conditions. To investigate whether β-PAE, the metabolite of PA, has a protective effect on the gastrointestinal tract, the formation of β-PAE by gastric juice and the anti-ulcerogenic potential of β-PAE against ethanol-induced gastric injury were evaluated. The Results indicated that PA was converted to β-PAE by rat gastric juice. Additionally, β-PAE was significantly better than PA at reducing the area of gastric ulcer. The overproduction of malondialdehyde, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, Fas, FasL and caspase-3 was markedly inhibited by β-PAE while the underproduction of superoxide dismutase, glutathione and catalase was significantly improved. β-PAE also regulated the NF-κB and ERK1/2 signalling pathways. Our findings suggest that β-PAE has potential therapeutic efficacy for antiulcer treatment.
Titin-mediated thick filament activation, through a mechanosensing mechanism, introduces sarcomere-length dependencies in mathematical models of rat trabecula and whole ventricle
Authors: Marcucci Lorenzo , Washio Takumi , Yanagida Toshio 
Published: July 2017

AbstractRecent experimental evidence in skeletal muscle demonstrated the existence of a thick-filament mechanosensing mechanism, acting as a second regulatory system for muscle contraction, in addition to calcium-mediated thin filament regulation. These two systems cooperate to generate force, but the extent to which their interaction is relevant in physiologically contracting muscle was not yet assessed experimentally. Therefore, we included both regulatory mechanisms in a mathematical model of rat trabecula and whole ventricle. No additional regulatory mechanisms were considered in our model. Our simulations suggested that mechanosensing regulation is not limited to the initial phases of contraction but, instead, is crucial during physiological contraction. An important consequence of this finding is that titin mediated thick filament activation can account for several sarcomere length dependencies observed in contracting muscle. Under the hypothesis that a similar mechanism is acting on cardiac muscle, and within the limits of a finite element left ventricle model, we predict that these two regulatory mechanisms are crucial for the molecular basis of the Frank-Starling law of the heart.
Estimating utility weights and quality-adjusted life year loss for colorectal cancer-related health states in Korea
Authors: Lee Jin Yong , Ock Minsu , Jo Min-Woo , Son Woo-Seung , Lee Hyeon-Jeong , Kim Seon-Ha , Kim Hyun Joo , Lee Jong Lyul 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe aimed to assess utility weight of health states associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) that reflect the societal preference of the Korean population and to estimate the quality-adjusted life year (QALY) loss with CRC. We recruited 607 individuals from the Korean population; they were surveyed via face-to-face computer-assisted interviews. The participants evaluated each CRC-associated health state using standard gamble. Utility weight for each health state was calculated as the possibility of full health restoration. Moreover, we estimated total QALY loss due to CRC in Korean individuals aged ≥30 years in 2013. To calculate QALY due to morbidity, we yielded utility weights and used epidemiologic data of CRC on severity from the National Cancer Control Institute. QALY loss due to mortality was calculated using mortality of CRC and life expectancy data from the Korean Statistical Information Service. The highest and lowest utility weights were assigned to “adenomatous polyps” and “metastatic colon cancer”, respectively. Total QALY loss due to CRC in Korea was 173,662; these patients were more likely to be men or be included in the 70–74-year age group. These utility weights may be useful for conducting cost-utility studies of cancer screening for CRC and for measuring disease burden with QALY.