bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developmental potential of clinically discarded human embryos and associated chromosomal analysis
Authors: Yao Guidong , Xu Jiawei , Xin Zhimin , Niu Wenbin , Shi Senlin , Jin Haixia , Song Wenyan , Wang Enyin , Yang Qingling , Chen Lei , Sun Yingpu 
Published: April 2016

AbstractClinically discarded human embryos, which are generated from both normal and abnormal fertilizations, have the potential of developing into blastocysts. A total of 1,649 discarded human embryos, including zygotes containing normal (2PN) and abnormal (0PN, 1PN, 3PN and ≥4PN) pronuclei and prematurely cleaved embryos (2Cell), were collected for in vitro culture to investigate their developmental potential and chromosomal constitution using an SNP array-based chromosomal analysis. We found that blastocyst formation rates were 63.8% (for 2Cell embryos), 22.6% (2PN), 16.7% (0PN), 11.2% (3PN) and 3.6% (1PN). SNP array-based chromosomal analysis of the resultant blastocysts revealed that the percentages of normal chromosomes were 55.2% (2Cell), 60.7% (2PN), 44.4% (0PN) and 47.4% (0PN). Compared with clinical preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) data generated with clinically acceptable embryos, results of the SNP array-based chromosome analysis on blastocysts from clinically discarded embryos showed similar values for the frequency of abnormal chromosome occurrence, aberrant signal classification and chromosomal distribution. The present study is perhaps the first systematic analysis of the developmental potential of clinically discarded embryos and provides a basis for future studies.
Consolidative treatment after salvage chemotherapy improves prognosis in patients with relapsed extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma
Authors: Nie Man , Bi Xi-wen , Zhang Wen-wen , Sun Peng , Xia Yi , Liu Pan-pan , Huang Hui-qiang , Jiang Wen-qi , Li Zhi-ming 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe optimal treatment strategy for relapsed natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) remains largely unknown. We retrospectively reviewed the treatment modalities and prognosis of 56 relapsed NKTCL patients. Chemotherapy was the initial salvage treatment, followed by radiotherapy (RT) or autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) as consolidative therapy, depending on the status of remission and the pattern of relapse. For patients with locoregional relapse alone, consolidative RT after salvage chemotherapy significantly improved prognosis compared with follow-up (5-year OS: 83.3 vs. 41.7%, P = 0.047). For patients with distant relapse, consolidative AHSCT after salvage chemotherapy significantly prolonged survival compared with follow-up (2-year OS: 100.0 vs. 20.0%, P = 0.004). Patients without consolidative treatment after response to salvage chemotherapy exhibited a comparable survival to those who experienced stable or progressive disease after chemotherapy. Asparaginase (ASP)-containing salvage chemotherapy failed to confer a survival advantage over ASP-absent chemotherapy (5-year OS: 44.2 vs. 39.3%, P = 0.369). In conclusion, consolidative RT or AHSCT improved prognosis in patients with relapsed NKTCL who responded to initial salvage chemotherapy, and the role of ASP in salvage chemotherapy requires further exploration in prospective studies.
The rational search for selective anticancer derivatives of the peptide Trichogin GA IV: a multi-technique biophysical approach
Authors: Dalzini Annalisa , Bergamini Christian , Biondi Barbara , De Zotti Marta , Panighel Giacomo , Fato Romana , Peggion Cristina , Bortolus Marco , Maniero Anna Lisa 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPeptaibols are peculiar peptides produced by fungi as weapons against other microorganisms. Previous studies showed that peptaibols are promising peptide-based drugs because they act against cell membranes rather than a specific target, thus lowering the possibility of the onset of multi-drug resistance, and they possess non-coded α-amino acid residues that confer proteolytic resistance. Trichogin GA IV (TG) is a short peptaibol displaying antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity. In the present work, we studied thirteen TG analogues, adopting a multidisciplinary approach. We showed that the cytotoxicity is tuneable by single amino-acids substitutions. Many analogues maintain the same level of non-selective cytotoxicity of TG and three analogues are completely non-toxic. Two promising lead compounds, characterized by the introduction of a positively charged unnatural amino-acid in the hydrophobic face of the helix, selectively kill T67 cancer cells without affecting healthy cells. To explain the determinants of the cytotoxicity, we investigated the structural parameters of the peptides, their cell-binding properties, cell localization, and dynamics in the membrane, as well as the cell membrane composition. We show that, while cytotoxicity is governed by the fine balance between the amphipathicity and hydrophobicity, the selectivity depends also on the expression of negatively charged phospholipids on the cell surface.
A novel fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 inhibitor protects against cartilage degradation in a murine model of osteoarthritis
Authors: Xu Wei , Xie Yangli , Wang Quan , Wang Xiaofeng , Luo Fengtao , Zhou Siru , Wang Zuqiang , Huang Junlan , Tan Qiaoyan , Jin Min , Qi Huabing , Tang Junzhou , Chen Liang , Du Xiaolan , Zhao Chengguang , Liang Guang , Chen Lin 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe attenuated degradation of articular cartilage by cartilage-specific deletion of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) in adult mice suggests that FGFR1 is a potential target for treating osteoarthritis (OA). The goal of the current study was to investigate the effect of a novel non-ATP-competitive FGFR1 inhibitor, G141, on the catabolic events in human articular chondrocytes and cartilage explants and on the progression of cartilage degradation in a murine model of OA. G141 was screened and identified via cell-free kinase-inhibition assay. In the in vitro study, G141 decreased the mRNA levels of catabolic markers ADAMTS-5 and MMP-13, the phosphorylation of Erk1/2, JNK and p38 MAPK and the protein level of MMP-13 in human articular chondrocytes. In the ex vivo study, proteoglycan loss was markedly reduced in G141 treated human cartilage explants. For the in vivo study, intra-articular injection of G141 attenuated the surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) induced cartilage destruction and chondrocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis in mice. Our data suggest that pharmacologically antagonize FGFR1 using G141 protects articular cartilage from osteoarthritic changes and intra-articular injection of G141 is potentially an effective therapy to alleviate OA progression.
Human Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Shows Cardiac Nos1 Translocation and its Increased Levels are Related to Left Ventricular Performance
Authors: Roselló-Lletí Esther , Carnicer Ricardo , Tarazón Estefanía , Ortega Ana , Gil-Cayuela Carolina , Lago Francisca , González-Juanatey Jose Ramón , Portolés Manuel , Rivera Miguel 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe role of nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1) as a major modulator of cardiac function has been extensively studied in experimental models; however, its role in human ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) has never been analysed. Thus, the objectives of this work are to study NOS1 and NOS-related counterparts involved in regulating physiological function of myocyte, to analyze NOS1 localisation, activity, dimerisation, and its relationship with systolic function in ICM. The study has been carried out on left ventricular tissue obtained from explanted human hearts. Here we demonstrate that the upregulation of cardiac NOS1 is not accompanied by an increase in NOS activity, due in part to the alterations found in molecules involved in the regulation of its activity. We observed partial translocation of NOS1 to the sarcolemma in ischemic hearts, and a direct relationship between its protein levels and systolic ventricular function. Our findings indicate that NOS1 may be significant in the pathophysiology of human ischemic heart disease with a preservative role in maintaining myocardial homeostasis.
Narrow band perfect absorber for maximum localized magnetic and electric field enhancement and sensing applications
Authors: Yong Zhengdong , Zhang Senlin , Gong Chensheng , He Sailing 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPlasmonics offer an exciting way to mediate the interaction between light and matter, allowing strong field enhancement and confinement, large absorption and scattering at resonance. However, simultaneous realization of ultra-narrow band perfect absorption and electromagnetic field enhancement is challenging due to the intrinsic high optical losses and radiative damping in metals. Here, we propose an all-metal plasmonic absorber with an absorption bandwidth less than 8 nm and polarization insensitive absorptivity exceeding 99%. Unlike traditional Metal-Dielectric-Metal configurations, we demonstrate that the narrowband perfect absorption and field enhancement are ascribed to the vertical gap plasmonic mode in the deep subwavelength scale, which has a high quality factor of 120 and mode volume of about 10−4 × (λres/n)3. Based on the coupled mode theory, we verify that the diluted field enhancement is proportional to the absorption and thus perfect absorption is critical to maximum field enhancement. In addition, the proposed perfect absorber can be operated as a refractive index sensor with a sensitivity of 885 nm/RIU and figure of merit as high as 110. It provides a new design strategy for narrow band perfect absorption and local field enhancement and has potential applications in biosensors, filters and nonlinear optics.
Ethylene positively regulates cold tolerance in grapevine by modulating the expression of ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR 057
Authors: Sun Xiaoming , Zhao Tingting , Gan Shuheng , Ren Xiaodie , Fang Linchuan , Karungo Sospeter Karanja , Wang Yi , Chen Liang , Li Shaohua , Xin Haiping 
Published: April 2016

AbstractEthylene (ET) is a gaseous plant hormone that plays essential roles in biotic and abiotic stress responses in plants. However, the role of ET in cold tolerance varies in different species. This study revealed that low temperature promotes the release of ET in grapevine. The treatment of exogenous 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate increased the cold tolerance of grapevine. By contrast, the application of the ET biosynthesis inhibitor aminoethoxyvinylglycine reduced the cold tolerance of grapevine. This finding suggested that ET positively affected cold stress responses in grapevine. The expression ofVaERF057, an ET signaling downstream gene, was strongly induced by low temperature. The overexpression ofVaERF057also enhanced the cold tolerance ofArabidopsis. Under cold treatment, malondialdehyde content was lower and superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase activities were higher in transgenic lines than in wild-type plants. RNA-Seq results showed that 32 stress-related genes, such asCBF1-3, were upregulated inVaERF057-overexpressing transgenic line. Yeast one-hybrid results further demonstrated thatVaERF057specifically binds to GCC-box and DRE motifs. Thus,VaERF057may directly regulate the expression of its target stress-responsive genes by interacting with a GCC-box or a DRE element. Our work confirmed that ET positively regulates cold tolerance in grapevine by modulating the expression ofVaERF057.
Comparative transcriptome analyses of seven anurans reveal functions and adaptations of amphibian skin
Authors: Huang Li , Li Jun , Anboukaria Housseni , Luo Zhenhua , Zhao Mian , Wu Hua 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAnimal skin, which is the tissue that directly contacts the external surroundings, has evolved diverse functions to adapt to various environments. Amphibians represent the transitional taxon from aquatic to terrestrial life. Exploring the molecular basis of their skin function and adaptation is important to understand the survival and evolutionary mechanisms of vertebrates. However, comprehensive studies on the molecular mechanisms of skin functions in amphibians are scarce. In this study, we sequenced the skin transcriptomes of seven anurans belonging to three families and compared the similarities and differences in expressed genes and proteins. Unigenes and pathways related to basic biological processes and special functions, such as defense, immunity and respiration, were enriched in functional annotations. A total of 108 antimicrobial peptides were identified. The highly expressed genes were similar in species of the same family but were different among families. Additionally, the positively selected orthologous groups were involved in biosynthesis, metabolism, immunity and defense processes. This study is the first to generate extensive transcriptome data for the skin of seven anurans and provides unigenes and pathway candidates for further studies on amphibian skin function and adaptation.
Construction of the first high-density genetic linkage map of Salvia miltiorrhiza using specific length amplified fragment (SLAF) sequencing
Authors: Liu Tian , Guo Linlin , Pan Yuling , Zhao Qi , Wang Jianhua , Song Zhenqiao 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSalvia miltiorrhizais an important medicinal crop in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Knowledge of its genetic foundation is limited because sufficient molecular markers have not been developed and therefore a high-density genetic linkage map is incomplete. Specific length amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) is a recently developed high-throughput strategy for large-scale SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) discovery and genotyping based on next generation sequencing (NGS). In this study, genomic DNA extracted from two parents and their 96 F1 individuals was subjected to high-throughput sequencing and SLAF library construction. A total of 155.96 Mb of data containing 155,958,181 pair-end reads were obtained after preprocessing. The average coverage of each SLAF marker was 83.43-fold for the parents compared with 10.36-fold for the F1offspring. The final linkage map consists of 5,164 SLAFs in 8 linkage groups (LGs) and spans 1,516.43 cM, with an average distance of 0.29 cM between adjacent markers. The results will not only provide a platform for mapping quantitative trait loci but also offer a critical new tool forS. miltiorrhizabiotechnology and comparative genomics as well as a valuable reference for TCM studies.
BDNF-Val66Met variant and adolescent stress interact to promote susceptibility to anorexic behavior in mice
Authors: Madra M , Zeltser L M 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThere is an urgent need to identify therapeutic targets for anorexia nervosa (AN) because current medications do not impact eating behaviors that drive AN’s high mortality rate. A major obstacle to developing new treatments is the lack of animal models that recapitulate the pattern of disease onset typically observed in human populations. Here we describe a translational mouse model to study interactions between genetic, psychological and biological risk factors that promote anorexic behavior. We combined several factors that are consistently associated with increased risk of AN—adolescent females, genetic predisposition to anxiety imposed by theBDNF-Val66Met gene variant, social isolation stress and caloric restriction (CR). Approximately 40% of the mice with all of these risk factors will exhibit severe self-imposed dietary restriction, sometimes to the point of death. We systematically varied the risk factors outlined above to explore how they interact to influence anorexic behavior. We found that the Val66Met genotype markedly increases the likelihood and severity of abnormal feeding behavior triggered by CR, but only when CR is imposed in the peri-pubertal period. Incidence of anorexic behavior in our model is dependent on juvenile exposure to social stress and can be extinguished by adolescent handling, but is discordant from anxiety-like behavior. Thus, this study characterized gene × environment interactions during adolescence that could be the underlying driver of abnormal eating behavior in certain AN patients, and represents a promising system to identify possible targets for therapeutic intervention.
Plantar Sweating as an Indicator of Lower Risk of Compensatory Sweating after Thoracic Sympathectomy
Authors: Kargi Ahmet 
Published: April 2016

Background Hyperhidrosis is a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system that results in regional excessive sweating, mostly in the hands, armpits, and feet. A permanent and effective treatment of hyperhidrosis can be achieved by interruption of the thoracic sympathetic chain with endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS). However, some side effects, particularly compensatory sweating (CS), are the limitations of this procedure. The mechanism of CS and the associated risk factors are still controversial. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the relationship with various parameters associated with CS in patients undergoing ETS.
Materials and Methods ETS was performed on a total of 95 patients for palmar hyperhidrosis, axillary hyperhidrosis and facial blushing by the same surgeon. The mean age of the patients was 26.41 (± 7) years, and 54 (56.8%) were males. Palmar hyperhidrosis was present in 54 (56.8%) patients, axillary hyperhidrosis in 33 (34.7%) patients, and facial blushing in 8 (8.5%) patients. Moreover, 38 (40%) patients also had plantar sweating. The severity of CS was rated into three scales as less, moderate, and severe.
Results Regarding the severity of CS, 55 (57.9%) patients had no or less CS, 28 (29.5%) had moderate CS, and 12 (12.6%) patients had severe CS. Higher age group had a significant increased risk of severe CS (p = 0.03) (r = 0.262). Patients with body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2 had a statistically significantly increased risk of severe CS (p = 0.016). Facial blushing resulted in severe CS in a significantly higher proportion of patients than by palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis (p = 0.001). The level of surgery was another important risk factor for CS, with the T2 level showing an increased risk of severe CS compared with T3 level (p < 0.001). Furthermore, plantar sweating was inversely and significantly related to the development of CS. Patients with plantar sweating had a significantly decreased incidence of developing CS (p = 0.015).
Conclusion CS after thoracic sympathectomy for primary hyperhidrosis is the most displeasing and restrictive side effect. This study demonstrates that older age, operation level, facial blushing, and high BMI are risk factors for CS, as have been shown in several similar studies. An interesting finding of the present study is that there was a decreased incidence of CS among patients with plantar sweating. This situation may help us to distinguish high risk for CS before ETS operation.
Synergistic Effect of Nerve Growth Factor and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 on Anti-Apoptosis and Extracellular Matrix Synthesis of Rat Intervertebral Disc Cells
Authors: Park Jong-Beom , Park Eun-Young 
Published: April 2016

Introduction Decreased cellularity due to excessive apoptosis of disc cells is a major predisposing factor for disc degeneration. Therefore, the inhibition of apoptosis of disc cells might be a possible therapeutic approach for modulating the process of disc degeneration. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in preventing apoptosis and increasing extracellular matrix synthesis in rat intervertebral disc cells. Material and Methods Expression of tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA) receptor for NGF and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) for IGF-1 was examined in rat annulus fibrosus cells. In addition, rat annulus fibrosus cells were isolated, cultured, and placed in either 10% (normal control) or 0% (apoptosis-promoting condition) fetal bovine serum (FBS). We identified and quantified the degree of expression of TrkA and IGF-1R and apoptosis of the cells. Finally, we analyzed the effect of NGF (100 ng/ml) and IGF-1 (500 ng/ml) in preventing apoptosis and increasing synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins, such as aggrecan, collagen-1 and -2, in the cells, in 0% FBS. Results In situ expression of TrkA and IGF-1R was identified in rat annulus fibrosus cells. In addition, the degree of expression of TrkA and IGF-1R was decreased in the cells treated with 0% FBS but some degree of expression was still maintained. Apoptosis of the cells was increased in 0% FBS compared with 10% FBS ( p < 0.001). Despite extreme survival condition (0% FBS), each application of NGF (100 ng/ml) and IGF-1 (500 ng/ml) reduced apoptosis of the cells by 2% and 5%, respectively, which led to subsequently increased synthesis of aggrecan, collagen-1 and -2 (all, p < 0.05). The combined application of NGF (100 ng/ml) and IGF-1 (500 ng/ml) more significantly decreased apoptosis of the cells by 9% and increased synthesis of aggrecan, collagen-1 and -2 in the cells (all, p < 0.01). Conclusion The current findings demonstrate that apoptosis of intervertebral disc cells can be attenuated by NGF and IGF-1, which lead to increased extracellular matrix synthesis. Combined application of NGF and IGF-1 has a synergistic effect than single use of NGF and IGF-1. Our result suggests that NGF and IGF-1 may play a therapeutic role in slowing disc degeneration, which is due to inappropriate or excessive apoptosis of intervertebral disc cells.
The Role of Diabetes Type I in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Authors: Russo Fabrizio , Vadalà Gianluca , Ngo Kevin , Fan Yong , Trucco Massimo , Sowa Gwendolyn A. , Kang James D. , Vo Nam , Denaro Vincenzo 
Published: April 2016

Introduction Diabetes Mellitus (DM) affects 25.8 million people of all ages. Previous studies suggest a link between DM and several connective tissue pathologies including those of cartilage and bone, however the role of DM in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is unclear. The goal of this study was to measure disc degenerative changes in a murine model of human type I diabetes to establish the contributive role of DM in IDD. Material and Methods Intervertebral discs (IVDs) were obtained from spines of Wt (C57Bl/6) mice and B6 Akita mouse model of type I DM. B6 Akita mice are hyperglycemic due to the Ins2Akita insulin mutation, which causes the insulin producing β cells to undergo apoptosis. Total disc proteoglycan (PG) content was measured by DMMB assay and safranin O/fast green histology. Glut1, a major glucose transporter in discs, was measured by quantitative RT-PCR, and cell death was assessed by TUNEL assay. Results DMMB assay and Safranin-O staining both showed decreased disc GAG content in diabetic B6 Akita mice compared with that in age-matched nondiabetic Wt controls. Discs of B6 Akita mice also exhibited decreased level (~5 fold) of Glut1 mRNA and increased level of TUNEL-positive cells. Conclusion IVDs of diabetic B6 Akita mice exhibit an overall decrease in PG content and increased cell death. These changes correlate with a decrease in Glut1 gene expression. Experiments are being done to evaluate that increased cell death in the IVDs of B6 Akita mice is a result of diminished glucose uptake (decreased Glut1) in disc tissue. These diabetic mice may represent a useful model to explore the mechanism of how diabetes affects IDD through its impacts on glucose metabolism in disc tissue.