bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ectoine can enhance structural changes in DNA in vitro
Authors: Meyer S. , Schröter M.-A. , Hahn M. B. , Solomun T. , Sturm H. , Kunte H. J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractStrand breaks and conformational changes of DNA have consequences for the physiological role of DNA. The natural protecting molecule ectoine is beneficial to entire bacterial cells and biomolecules such as proteins by mitigating detrimental effects of environmental stresses. It was postulated that ectoine-like molecules bind to negatively charged spheres that mimic DNA surfaces. We investigated the effect of ectoine on DNA and whether ectoine is able to protect DNA from damages caused by ultraviolet radiation (UV-A). In order to determine different isoforms of DNA, agarose gel electrophoresis and atomic force microscopy experiments were carried out with plasmid pUC19 DNA. Our quantitative results revealed that a prolonged incubation of DNA with ectoine leads to an increase in transitions from supercoiled (undamaged) to open circular (single-strand break) conformation at pH 6.6. The effect is pH dependent and no significant changes were observed at physiological pH of 7.5. After UV-A irradiation in ectoine solution, changes in DNA conformation were even more pronounced and this effect was pH dependent. We hypothesize that ectoine is attracted to the negatively charge surface of DNA at lower pH and therefore fails to act as a stabilizing agent for DNA in our in vitro experiments.
Thermoneutral housing temperature regulates T-regulatory cell function and inhibits ovabumin-induced asthma development in mice
Authors: Liao Wenjing , Zhou Libo , Zhao Xiaolong , Song Lijuan , Lu Yingshen , Zhong Nanshan , Yang Pingchang , Sun Baoqing , Zhang Xiaowen 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe change in ambient temperature is one of the risk factors for the aggravation of bronchial asthma (BA). Yet, whether the ambient temperature influences the immune functions associated with allergic asthma remains unknown. In this study, we treated asthmatic mice with standard temperature (ST, 20 °C) or thermoneutral temperature (TT, 30 °C). The results showed that the airway inflammatory cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) were significantly reduced in the mice treated with TT as compared with the mice treated with ST. The imbalance of Th1/Th2 response in the lung was improved following housing the mice at TT. In addition, the pulmonary Treg cells were increased in asthmatic mice after TT treatment. The temperature stress (29 °C and 41 °C) drove naïve CD4T cells towards Th2 cells. Our data demonstrate that the change of ambient temperature was a risk factor to aggravate experimental asthma.
Dynamics of angiogenesis in ischemic areas of the infarcted heart
Authors: Kobayashi Koichi , Maeda Kengo , Takefuji Mikito , Kikuchi Ryosuke , Morishita Yoshihiro , Hirashima Masanori , Murohara Toyoaki 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCardiomyocytes are susceptible to apoptosis caused by hypoxia during the acute and subacute phases of myocardial infarction (MI). Angiogenesis can reduce MI-induced damage by mitigating hypoxia. It has been speculated that the ischemic border zone is a unique area rescued by angiogenic therapy. However, the mechanism and timing for new vessel formation in the mammalian heart following hypoxia are unclear. Identifying targets that benefit from angiogenesis treatment is indispensable for the development of revolutionary therapies. Here, we describe a novel circulatory system wherein new vessels develop from the endocardium of the left ventricle to perfuse the hypoxic area and salvage damaged cardiomyocytes at 3–14 days after MI by activating vascular endothelial growth factor signaling. Moreover, enhanced angiogenesis increased cardiomyocyte survival along the endocardium in the ischemic zone and suppressed ventricular remodeling in infarcted hearts. In contrast, cardiomyocytes in the border zone’s hypoxic area underwent apoptosis within 12 h of MI, and the border area that was amenable to treatment disappeared. These data indicate that the non-perfused area along the endocardium is a site of active angiogenesis and a promising target for MI treatment.
Connexin 43 is required for the maintenance of mitochondrial integrity in brown adipose tissue
Authors: Kim Sang-Nam , Kwon Hyun-Jung , Im Seo-Woo , Son Yeon-Ho , Akindehin Seun , Jung Young-Suk , Lee Se Jeong , Rhyu Im Joo , Kim Il Yong , Seong Je-Kyoung , Lee Jinu , Yoo Hee-Chan , Granneman James G. , Lee Yun-Hee 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe investigated the role of connexin 43 (Cx43) in maintaining the integrity of mitochondria in brown adipose tissue (BAT). The functional effects of Cx43 were evaluated using inducible, adipocyte-specific Cx43 knockout in mice (Gja1
adipoq
KO) and by overexpression and knockdown of Cx43 in cultured adipocytes. Mitochondrial morphology was evaluated by electron microscopy and mitochondrial function and autophagy were assessed by immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, and qPCR. The metabolic effects of adipocyte-specific knockout of Cx43 were assessed during cold stress and following high fat diet feeding. Cx43 expression was higher in BAT compared to white adipose tissue. Treatment with the β3-adrenergic receptor agonist CL316,243 increased Cx43 expression and mitochondrial localization. Gja1
adipoq
KO mice reduced mitochondrial density and increased the presence of damaged mitochondria in BAT. Moreover, metabolic activation with CL316,243 further reduced mitochondrial integrity and upregulated autophagy in the BAT of Gja1
adipoq
KO mice. Inhibition of Cx43 in cultured adipocytes increased the generation of reactive oxygen species and induction of autophagy during β-adrenergic stimulation. Gja1
adipoq
KO mice were cold intolerant, expended less energy in response to β3-adrenergic receptor activation, and were more insulin resistant after a high-fat diet challenge. Collectively, our data demonstrate that Cx43 is required for maintaining the mitochondrial integrity and metabolic activity of BAT.
Discovery of novel therapeutic properties of drugs from transcriptional responses based on multi-label classification
Authors: Xie Lingwei , He Song , Wen Yuqi , Bo Xiaochen , Zhang Zhongnan 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDrug repositioning strategies have improved substantially in recent years. At present, two advances are poised to facilitate new strategies. First, the LINCS project can provide rich transcriptome data that reflect the responses of cells upon exposure to various drugs. Second, machine learning algorithms have been applied successfully in biomedical research. In this paper, we developed a systematic method to discover novel indications for existing drugs by approaching drug repositioning as a multi-label classification task and used a Softmax regression model to predict previously unrecognized therapeutic properties of drugs based on LINCS transcriptome data. This approach to complete the said task has not been achieved in previous studies. By performing in silico comparison, we demonstrated that the proposed Softmax method showed markedly superior performance over those of other methods. Once fully trained, the method showed a training accuracy exceeding 80% and a validation accuracy of approximately 70%. We generated a highly credible set of 98 drugs with high potential to be repositioned for novel therapeutic purposes. Our case studies included zonisamide and brinzolamide, which were originally developed to treat indications of the nervous system and sensory organs, respectively. Both drugs were repurposed to the cardiovascular category.
Bark and wood tissues of American elm exhibit distinct responses to Dutch elm disease
Authors: Sherif S. M. , Erland L. A. , Shukla M. R. , Saxena P. K 
Published: July 2017

AbstractTolerance to Dutch elm disease (DED) has been linked to the rapid and/or high induction of disease-responsive genes after infection with the fungusOphiostoma novo-ulmi. Although the fungal infection byO.novo-ulmiprimarily takes places in xylem vessels, it is still unclear how xylem contributes to the defense against DED. Taking advantage of the easy separation of wood and bark tissues in young American elm saplings, here we show that most disease-responsive genes exhibited higher expression in wood compared to bark tissues after fungal infection. On the other hand, the stress-related phytohormones were generally more abundant in the bark compared to wood tissues. However, only endogenous levels of jasmonates (JAs), but not salicylic acid (SA) and abscisic acid (ABA) increased in the inoculated tissues. This, along with the upregulation of JA-biosynthesis genes in inoculated bark and core tissues further suggest that phloem and xylem might contribute to the de novo biosynthesis of JA after fungal infection. The comparison between two tolerant elm varieties, ‘Valley Forge’ and ‘Princeton,’ also indicated that tolerance against DED might be mediated by different mechanisms in the xylem. The present study sheds some light on the amplitude and kinetics of defense responses produced in the xylem and phloem in response to DED.
Stretching Micro Metal Particles into Uniformly Dispersed and Sized Nanoparticles in Polymer
Authors: Javadi Abdolreza , Zhao Jingzhou , Cao Chezheng , Pozuelo Marta , Yang Yingchao , Hwang Injoo , Lin Ting Chang , Li Xiaochun 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThere is a longstanding challenge to disperse metal nanoparticles uniformly in bulk polymers for widespread applications. Conventional scale-down techniques often are only able to shrink larger elements (such as microparticles and microfibers) into micro/nano-elements (i.e. nanoparticles and nanofibers) without much altering their relative spatial and size distributions. Here we show an unusual phenomenon that tin (Sn) microparticles with both poor size distribution and spatial dispersion were stretched into uniformly dispersed and sized Sn nanoparticles in polyethersulfone (PES) through a stack and draw technique in thermal drawing. It is believed that the capillary instability plays a crucial role during thermal drawing. This novel, inexpensive, and scalable method overcomes the longstanding challenge to produce bulk polymer-metal nanocomposites (PMNCs) with a uniform dispersion of metallic nano-elements.
Flower-Like Internal Emission Distribution of LEDs with Monolithic Integration of InGaN-based Quantum Wells Emitting Narrow Blue, Green, and Red Spectra
Authors: Lee Kwanjae , Choi Ilgyu , Lee Cheul-Ro , Chung Tae-Hoon , Kim Yoon Seok , Jeong Kwang-Un , Chung Dong Chul , Kim Jin Soo 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe report a phosphor-free white light-emitting diodes (LED) realized by the monolithic integration of In0.18Ga0.82N/GaN (438 nm, blue), In0.26Ga0.74N/GaN (513 nm, green), and In0.45Ga0.55N/In0.13Ga0.87N (602 nm, red) quantum wells (QWs) as an active medium. The QWs corresponding to blue and green light were grown using a conventional growth mode. For the red spectral emission, five-stacked In0.45Ga0.55N/In0.13Ga0.87N QWs were realized by the so-called Ga-flow-interruption (Ga-FI) technique, wherein the Ga supply was periodically interrupted during the deposition of In0.3Ga0.7N to form an In0.45Ga0.55N well. The vertical and lateral distributions of the three different light emissions were investigated by fluorescence microscope (FM) images. The FM image measured at a focal point in the middle of the n-GaN cladding layer for the red-emitting LED shows that light emissions with flower-like patterns with six petals are periodically observed. The chromaticity coordinates of the electroluminescence spectrum for the white LEDs at an injection current of 80 mA are measured to be (0.316, 0.312), which is close to ideal white light. In contrast with phosphor-free white-light-emitting devices based on nanostructures, our white light device exhibits a mixture of three independent wavelengths by monolithically grown InGaN-based QWs, thus demonstrating a more facile technique to obtain white LEDs.
Pulmonary Sarcoidosis
Authors: Bonifazi Martina , Gasparini Stefano , Alfieri Veronica , Renzoni Elisabetta 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disorder of unknown etiology, with a predilection for the respiratory system, involved in more than 90% of cases, with considerable variability in terms of patterns and prognostic implications. A protean interplay between genetic susceptibility and antigen exposure in selected environmental contexts is likely to define not only the risk for disease but also the different clinical phenotypes. Advances in imaging and functional tests over the past decades have increasingly broadened the awareness of the wide spectrum of features potentially occurring in pulmonary sarcoidosis, while the evolution of diagnostic techniques in interventional pulmonology has increased the possibility of obtaining tissue characterization more easily, by means of ultrasound-guided tools and cryotechnology. However, histological proof is not always needed, as, in selected scenarios with compatible clinical and imaging picture, a confirmatory biopsy is perceived as redundant. The diagnostic workup should be tailored on a case-by-case basis, according to an integrated assessment of clinical features, local resources, and expertise availability. Owing to the heterogeneity of possible clinical scenarios and the paucity of evidence-based data on treatments, a standardized clinical management has yet to be established, and general approach usually reflects expert opinion from accumulated clinical data. Key elements of decision-making process are to assess the baseline severity of disease, to stratify the risk of progression, and to define the goals of treatment.
Sarcoidosis: Drugs under Investigation
Authors: Schupp Jonas , Frye Björn , Zissel Gernot , Müller-Quernheim Joachim 
Published: July 2017

AbstractEtiology of sarcoidosis is still elusive, yet there has been considerable progress in various areas of basic and clinical research. In this review, we focus on ongoing or recently completed clinical–pharmacological studies in patients with sarcoidosis. Positive studies were published in well-characterized and homogenous subcohorts of sarcoid patients. Several drugs have shown a positive effect on sarcoidosis-associated fatigue, cutaneous sarcoidosis, and pulmonary hypertension in sarcoid patients. It seems that the recruitment of clinically precisely defined subcohorts is necessary to achieve positive outcomes in studies on sarcoidosis.
Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery for Mitral Valve Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Seeburger Joerg , Garbade Jens , Schon Uta , Misfeld Martin , Mohr Friedrich , Pfannmueller Bettina , Folkmann Sandra 
Published: July 2017

Background The feasibility of minimally invasive mitral valve (MV) surgery in infective endocarditis (IE) has not been reported in detail. We assessed the safety, efficacy, and durability of the minimally invasive approach through a right anterolateral minithoracotomy for surgical treatment of MV IE.
Methods A review of the Leipzig Heart Center database revealed 92 eligible patients operated on between 2002 and 2013. All patients had undergone minimally invasive surgery for IE. The indication for surgery was isolated IE of the MV in all patients. Baseline and intraoperative data, as well as clinical outcomes and short-term follow-up were analyzed retrospectively.
Results The patients' mean age was 60.9 ±  15.3 years, the logistic EuroSCORE II was 19.6 ± 19.1%, and 64.1% (59) were male. MV repair was feasible in 23.9% (22/92) of patients. Repair techniques included annuloplasty ring implantation, anterior mitral leaflet resection, posterior mitral leaflet resection, and implantation of neochordae. MV replacement was performed in 69 patients (75%), a mitral annulus patch in 1 patient, and concomitant tricuspid valve surgery for tricuspid regurgitation in 5 patients. Bacteriological analysis showed staphylococcus infection in 45.5%, streptococcus in 36.4%, enterococcus in 13.6%, and others in 4.5%. The 30-day-mortality rate was 9.8% (9 patients). The 1-year follow-up showed a 1-year survival rate of 77.7 ± 4.4% and freedom from reoperation within 1 year due to reendocarditis of 93.3 ± 2.1%.
Conclusions The minimally invasive approach is suitable for the treatment of IE of the MV. It is a good technique in IE in selected patients.
Imaging in Nontraumatic Pediatric Head and Neck Emergencies
Authors: Chadha Meghna , Yang Zhiyun , Ellika Shehanaz 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPediatric patients often present to the emergency department with a wide variety of infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic lesions of the head and neck. Evaluation of pediatric patients in the emergency setting is complicated by limited history and physical examination. Imaging plays an important role in arriving at an accurate diagnosis. The fascial spaces and compartments of the neck provide an approach to differential diagnosis, and knowledge of the typical clinical and imaging manifestations of common pediatric head and neck emergencies allows the radiologist to identify the condition and associated complications that may require emergent surgical management. Computed tomography (CT) is the first-line imaging modality in the emergency setting; however, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important secondary role.
Long-term Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life in Elderly Patients Treated with Interspinous Devices for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Authors: Miscusi Massimo , Forcato Stefano , Ramieri Alessandro , Polli Filippo , Raco Antonino , Trungu Sokol 
Published: July 2017

Background and Objective Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common degenerative condition that occurs in the spine with increasing age. Clinically, LSS causes a progressive reduction in walking autonomy, resulting in a poor quality of life and impaired functional capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome and quality of life of elderly patients presenting with LSS and associated comorbidities after a 5-year follow-up who were treated with an interspinous process device (IPD).
Material and Methods Sixty patients > 75 years of age presenting with symptomatic degenerative LSS were included. All were treated with an IPD under local anesthesia. American Society of Anesthesiology score, Zurich Claudication Questionnaire, and Short Form 36 were evaluated pre- and postoperatively and at the follow-up visit each year for 5 years.
Results The mean surgery time while under local anesthesia was 20 minutes. Forty-eight patients were followed for 5 years. Significant clinical improvements in all outcome scores (p < 0.05) both postoperatively or at follow-up were found.
Conclusions IPD seems to be an effective and safe treatment for LSS in elderly patients with general comorbidities. In our study, all followed up patients had a meaningful improvement of their quality of life even at 5 years after surgery.
Atorvastatin-Therapie in der Praxis – LDL-Werte bei Patienten mit sehr hohem kardiovaskulären Risiko
Authors: Laufs Ulrich , Jannowitz Christina , Pittrow David 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCurrent information on the utilisation of atorvastatin under clinical practice conditions is limited. The cross sectional study DISCOVER documented in the period from June until December 2014 dose and effects on lipids in ambulatory patients at very high cardiovascular risk, who were treated with atorvastatin monotherapy (original drug or generics). Of 2625 patients (mean age 66.1 ± 10.8 years, 62.1 % males), 47.0 % had coronary heart disease (CHD), 25.1 % type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and 27.9 % CHD plus concomitant DM. Mean treatment duration on atorvastatin was 92.6 ± 109.6 weeks, mean atorvastatin dose at time of documentation was 27.9 ± 15.8 mg/d. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) < 70 mg/dL was achieved by 10.5 % of the total cohort (7.5 % in DM, 9.3 % in CHD, and 15.2 % in CHD+DM). In contrast, according to physicians’ subjective assessment, 62.7 % of patients reached their individual LDL-C target (with small differences between groups). In conclusion, the LDL-C target level < 70 mg/dL as recommended by current guidelines is achieved only in a minority of atorvastatin treated patients at very high cardiovascular risk.
Environmental Risk Factors for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Development
Authors: Antonela Boljat , Ivana Gunjača , Ivan Konstantinović , Nikolina Vidan , Vesna Boraska , Marina Pehlić , Veselin Škrabić , Tatijana Zemunik 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
Background Although environmental factors induce development of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in genetically susceptible individuals, many of those factors have been uncovered. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze associations of T1DM with a wide range of environmental factors.
Material and Methods A case-control study was conducted on 249 diabetic and 255 healthy individuals from the Dalmatian region of South Croatia. Data regarding risk factors during pregnancy and early life period of the child were evaluated.
Results History of antihypertensive intake (p=0.04) and frequency of stressful life events during pregnancy (p=0.01) were associated with higher risk of T1DM, while hypertension was associated with lower risk of T1DM (p=0.01). Maternal age<25 years at delivery was associated with a higher risk of T1DM (p=0.01).Diabetic patients had a positive family history of T1DM or T2DM (p=0.002) more frequently than controls, while history of infectious diseases was inversely associated with the risk of T1DM (p=0.03). A higher risk of T1DM was significantly associated with earlier introduction of cow’s milk (p=0.001), higher number of meals consumed per day (p=0.02), higher frequency of carbohydrate (p=0.001) and meat (p=0.01) consumption and stressful life events during childhood (p=0.02) while earlier introduction of fruit was associated with a lower risk of T1DM (p=0.03)
Conclusion This case-control study confirmed associations of a large number of environmental factors with development of T1DM with emphasis on the association of mother’s antihypertensive intake during pregnancy, which extends our knowledge about environmental factors related with development of T1DM.