bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drug vaping applied to cannabis: Is “Cannavaping” a therapeutic alternative to marijuana?
Authors: Varlet Vincent , Concha-Lozano Nicolas , Berthet Aurélie , Plateel Grégory , Favrat Bernard , De Cesare Mariangela , Lauer Estelle , Augsburger Marc , Thomas Aurélien , Giroud Christian 
Published: May 2016

AbstractTherapeutic cannabis administration is increasingly used in Western countries due to its positive role in several pathologies. Dronabinol or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) pills, ethanolic cannabis tinctures, oromucosal sprays or table vaporizing devices are available but other cannabinoids forms can be used. Inspired by the illegal practice of dabbing of butane hashish oil (BHO), cannabinoids from cannabis were extracted with butane gas and the resulting concentrate (BHO) was atomized with specific vaporizing devices. The efficiency of “cannavaping,” defined as the “vaping” of liquid refills for e-cigarettes enriched with cannabinoids, including BHO, was studied as an alternative route of administration for therapeutic cannabinoids. The results showed that illegal cannavaping would be subjected to marginal development due to the poor solubility of BHO in commercial liquid refills (especially those with high glycerin content). This prevents the manufacture of liquid refills with high BHO concentrations adopted by most recreational users of cannabis to feel the psychoactive effects more rapidly and extensively. Conversely, “therapeutic cannavaping” could be an efficient route for cannabinoids administration because less concentrated cannabinoids-enriched liquid refills are required. However, the electronic device marketed for therapeutic cannavaping should be carefully designed to minimize potential overheating and contaminant generation.
Once daily administration of the SGLT2 inhibitor, empagliflozin, attenuates markers of renal fibrosis without improving albuminuria in diabetic db/db mice
Authors: Gallo Linda A. , Ward Micheal S. , Fotheringham Amelia K. , Zhuang Aowen , Borg Danielle J. , Flemming Nicole B. , Harvie Ben M. , Kinneally Toni L. , Yeh Shang-Ming , McCarthy Domenica A. , Koepsell Hermann , Vallon Volker , Pollock Carol , Panchapakesan Usha , Forbes Josephine M. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBlood glucose control is the primary strategy to prevent complications in diabetes. At the onset of kidney disease, therapies that inhibit components of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) are also indicated, but these approaches are not wholly effective. Here, we show that once daily administration of the novel glucose lowering agent, empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor which targets the kidney to block glucose reabsorption, has the potential to improve kidney disease in type 2 diabetes. In male db/db mice, a 10-week treatment with empagliflozin attenuated the diabetes-induced upregulation of profibrotic gene markers, fibronectin and transforming-growth-factor-beta. Other molecular (collagen IV and connective tissue growth factor) and histological (tubulointerstitial total collagen and glomerular collagen IV accumulation) benefits were seen upon dual therapy with metformin. Albuminuria, urinary markers of tubule damage (kidney injury molecule-1, KIM-1 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, NGAL), kidney growth, and glomerulosclerosis, however, were not improved with empagliflozin or metformin, and plasma and intra-renal renin activity was enhanced with empagliflozin. In this model, blood glucose lowering with empagliflozin attenuated some molecular and histological markers of fibrosis but, as per treatment with metformin, did not provide complete renoprotection. Further research to refine the treatment regimen in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy is warranted.
Sec15 links bud site selection to polarised cell growth and exocytosis in Candida albicans
Authors: Guo Pan Pan , Yong Jie Ying Au , Wang Yan Ming , Li Chang Run 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe exocyst plays a crucial role in the targeting of secretory vesicles to the plasma membrane during exocytosis. It has been shown to be involved in diverse cellular processes including yeast budding. However, the mechanism of the exocyst regulating yeast budding has not been fully elucidated. Here we report a novel interaction between the exocyst component Sec15 and the Ras-family GTPase Rsr1, a master regulator of bud-site-selection system, in the fungus Candida albicans. We present several lines of evidence indicating physical and genetic interaction of Sec15 with Rsr1. In vitro binding assays and co-immunoprecipitation studies showed that Sec15 associated physically with Rsr1. Deletion of RSR1 completely abolished the polarised localisation of Sec15 as well as all the other exocyst components in both yeast and hyphal cells, suggesting a functional interaction between Sec15 and Rsr1. We also show that C. albicans Sec15 interacts directly with the polarity determinant Bem1 and the type V myosin, Myo2. Disruption of the interaction by shutting off SEC15 results in mislocaliztion of Bem1-GFP. These findings highlight the important role of Sec15 in polarised cell growth by providing a direct functional link between bud-site-selection and exocytosis.
Automated Axon Counting in Rodent Optic Nerve Sections with AxonJ
Authors: Zarei Kasra , Scheetz Todd E. , Christopher Mark , Miller Kathy , Hedberg-Buenz Adam , Tandon Anamika , Anderson Michael G. , Fingert John H. , Abràmoff Michael David 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe have developed a publicly available tool, AxonJ, which quantifies the axons in optic nerve sections of rodents stained with paraphenylenediamine (PPD). In this study, we compare AxonJ’s performance to human experts on 100x and 40x images of optic nerve sections obtained from multiple strains of mice, including mice with defects relevant to glaucoma. AxonJ produced reliable axon counts with high sensitivity of 0.959 and high precision of 0.907, high repeatability of 0.95 when compared to a gold-standard of manual assessments and high correlation of 0.882 to the glaucoma damage staging of a previously published dataset. AxonJ allows analyses that are quantitative, consistent, fully-automated, parameter-free, and rapid on whole optic nerve sections at 40x. As a freely available ImageJ plugin that requires no highly specialized equipment to utilize, AxonJ represents a powerful new community resource augmenting studies of the optic nerve using mice.
Terminator Operon Reporter: combining a transcription termination switch with reporter technology for improved gene synthesis and synthetic biology applications
Authors: Zampini Massimiliano , Mur Luis A. J. , Rees Stevens Pauline , Pachebat Justin A. , Newbold C. James , Hayes Finbarr , Kingston-Smith Alison 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSynthetic biology is characterized by the development of novel and powerful DNA fabrication methods and by the application of engineering principles to biology. The current study describes Terminator Operon Reporter (TOR), a new gene assembly technology based on the conditional activation of a reporter gene in response to sequence errors occurring at the assembly stage of the synthetic element. These errors are monitored by a transcription terminator that is placed between the synthetic gene and reporter gene. Switching of this terminator between active and inactive states dictates the transcription status of the downstream reporter gene to provide a rapid and facile readout of the accuracy of synthetic assembly. Designed specifically and uniquely for the synthesis of protein coding genes in bacteria, TOR allows the rapid and cost-effective fabrication of synthetic constructs by employing oligonucleotides at the most basic purification level (desalted) and without the need for costly and time-consuming post-synthesis correction methods. Thus, TOR streamlines gene assembly approaches, which are central to the future development of synthetic biology.
Effect of short-term room temperature storage on the microbial community in infant fecal samples
Authors: Guo Yong , Li Sheng-Hui , Kuang Ya-Shu , He Jian-Rong , Lu Jin-Hua , Luo Bei-Jun , Jiang Feng-Ju , Liu Yao-Zhong , Papasian Christopher J. , Xia Hui-Min , Deng Hong-Wen , Qiu Xiu 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSample storage conditions are important for unbiased analysis of microbial communities in metagenomic studies. Specifically, for infant gut microbiota studies, stool specimens are often exposed to room temperature (RT) conditions prior to analysis. This could lead to variations in structural and quantitative assessment of bacterial communities. To estimate such effects of RT storage, we collected feces from 29 healthy infants (0–3 months) and partitioned each sample into 5 portions to be stored for different lengths of time at RT before freezing at −80 °C. Alpha diversity did not differ between samples with storage time from 0 to 2 hours. The UniFrac distances and microbial composition analysis showed significant differences by testing among individuals, but not by testing between different time points at RT. Changes in the relative abundance of some specific (less common, minor) taxa were still found during storage at room temperature. Our results support previous studies in children and adults and provided useful information for accurate characterization of infant gut microbiomes. In particular, our study furnished a solid foundation and justification for using fecal samples exposed to RT for less than 2 hours for comparative analyses between various medical conditions.
Complementary Characteristics of Correlation Patterns in Morphometric Correlation Networks of Cortical Thickness, Surface Area, and Gray Matter Volume
Authors: Yang Jin-Ju , Kwon Hunki , Lee Jong-Min 
Published: May 2016

AbstractMorphometric correlation networks of cortical thickness, surface area, and gray matter volume have statistically different structural topology. However, there is no report directly describing their correlation patterns in view of interregional covariance. Here, we examined the characteristics of the correlation patterns in three morphometric networks of cortical thickness, surface area, and gray matter volume using a Venn diagram concept across 314 normal subjects. We found that over 60% of all nonoverlapping correlation patterns emerged with divergent unique patterns, while there were 10% of all common edges in ipsilateral and homotopic regions among the three morphometric correlation networks. It was also found that the network parameters of the three networks were different. Our findings showed that correlation patterns of the network itself can provide complementary information when compared with network properties. We demonstrate that morphometric correlation networks of distinct structural phenotypes have different correlation patterns and different network properties. This finding implies that the topology of each morphometric correlation network may reflect different aspects of each morphometric descriptor.
Controlled Release of Collagen-Binding SDF-1α Improves Cardiac Function after Myocardial Infarction by Recruiting Endogenous Stem Cells
Authors: Sun Jie , Zhao Yannan , Li Qingguo , Chen Bing , Hou Xianglin , Xiao Zhifeng , Dai Jianwu 
Published: May 2016

AbstractStromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) is a well-characterized chemokine that mobilizes stem cells homing to the ischemic heart, which is beneficial for cardiac regeneration. However, clinically administered native SDF-1α diffuses quickly, thus decreasing its local concentration and results in side effects. Thus, a controlled release system for SDF-1α is required to produce an effective local concentration in the ischemic heart. In this study, we developed a recombinant chemokine, consisting of SDF-1α and a collagen-binding domain, which retains both the SDF-1α and collagen-binding activity (CBD-SDF-1α). In an in vitro assay, CBD-SDF-1α could specifically bind to a collagen gel and achieve sustained release. An intramyocardial injection of CBD-SDF-1α after acute myocardial infarction demonstrated that the protein was largely tethered in the ischemic area and that controlled release had been achieved. Furthermore, CBD-SDF-1α enhanced the recruitment of c-kit positive (c-kit+) stem cells, increased capillary density and improved cardiac function, whereas NAT-SDF-1α had no such beneficial effects. Our findings demonstrate that CBD-SDF-1α can specifically bind to collagen and achieve controlled release both in vitro and in vivo. Local delivery of this protein could mobilize endogenous stem cells homing to the ischemic heart and improve cardiac function after myocardial infarction.
Optimization of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to modify abiotic stress responses in plants
Authors: Osakabe Yuriko , Watanabe Takahito , Sugano Shigeo S , Ueta Risa , Ishihara Ryosuke , Shinozaki Kazuo , Osakabe Keishi 
Published: May 2016

AbstractGenome editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 system can be used to modify plant genomes, however, improvements in specificity and applicability are still needed in order for the editing technique to be useful in various plant species. Here, using genome editing mediated by a truncated gRNA (tru-gRNA)/Cas9 combination, we generated new alleles forOST2, a proton pump in Arabidopsis, with no off-target effects. By following expression of Cas9 and the tru-gRNAs, newly generated mutations in CRIPSR/Cas9 transgenic plants were detected with high average mutation rates of up to 32.8% and no off-target effects using constitutive promoter. Reducing nuclear localization signals in Cas9 decreased the mutation rate. In contrast, tru-gRNA Cas9 cassettes driven by meristematic- and reproductive-tissue-specific promoters increased the heritable mutation rate in Arabidopsis, showing that high expression in the germ line can produce bi-allelic mutations. Finally, the new mutant alleles obtained forOST2exhibited altered stomatal closing in response to environmental conditions. These results suggest further applications in molecular breeding to improve plant function using optimized plant CRISPR/Cas9 systems.
Allele-specific expression of mutated in colorectal cancer (MCC) gene and alternative susceptibility to colorectal cancer in schizophrenia
Authors: Wang Yang , Cao Yanfei , Huang Xiaoye , Yu Tao , Wei Zhiyun , McGrath John , Xu Fei , Bi Yan , Li Xingwang , Yang Fengping , Li Weidong , Zou Xia , Peng Zhihai , Xiao Yanzeng , Zhang Yan , He Lin , He Guang 
Published: May 2016

AbstractEvidence has indicated that the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) among schizophrenia is lower than normal. To explore this potential protective effect, we employed an innovative strategy combining association study with allele-specific expression (ASE) analysis in MCC gene. We first genotyped four polymorphisms within MCC in 312 CRC patients, 270 schizophrenia patients and 270 controls. Using the MassArray technique, we performed ASE measurements in a second sample series consisting of 50 sporadic CRC patients, 50 schizophrenia patients and 52 controls. Rs2227947 showed significant differences between schizophrenia cases and controls, and haplotype analysis reported some significant discrepancies among these three subject groups. ASE values of rs2227948 and rs2227947 presented consistently differences between CRC (or schizophrenia) patients and controls. Of the three groups, highest frequencies of ASE in MCC were concordantly found in CRC group, whereas lowest frequencies of ASE were observed in schizophrenia group. Similar trends were confirmed in both haplotype frequencies and ASE frequencies (i.e. CRC > control > schizophrenia). We provide a first indication that MCC might confer alterative genetic susceptibility to CRC in individuals with schizophrenia promising to shed more light on the relationship between schizophrenia and cancer progression.
Minimal number of runs and the sequential scheme for local discrimination between special unitary operations
Authors: Cao Tian-Qing , Yang Ying-Hui , Zhang Zhi-Chao , Tian Guo-Jing , Gao Fei , Wen Qiao-Yan 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIt has been shown that any two different multipartite unitary operations are perfectly distinguishable by local operations and classical communication with a finite number of runs. Meanwhile, two open questions were left. One is how to determine the minimal number of runs needed for the local discrimination and the other is whether a perfect local discrimination can be achieved by merely a sequential scheme. In this paper, we answer the two questions for some unitary operations U1 and U2 with "Equation missing" locally unitary equivalent to a diagonal unitary matrix in a product basis. Specifically, we give the minimal number of runs needed for the local discrimination, which is the same with that needed for the global discrimination. In this sense, the local operation works the same with the global one. Moreover, when adding the local property to U1 or U2, we present that the perfect local discrimination can be also realized by merely a sequential scheme with the minimal number of runs. Both results contribute to saving the resources used for the discrimination.
Understanding the dimorphic lifestyles of human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori using the SWATH-based proteomics approach
Authors: Loke Mun Fai , Ng Chow Goon , Vilashni Yeespana , Lim Justin , Ho Bow 
Published: May 2016

AbstractHelicobacter pylori may reside in the human stomach as two morphological forms: the culturable spiral form and the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) coccoid form. This bacterium transforms from spiral to coccoid under in vitro suboptimal conditions. However, both spiral and coccoid have demonstrated its infectivity in laboratory animals, suggesting that coccoid may potentially be involved in the transmission of H. pylori. To determine the relevance of the coccoid form in viability and infectivity, we compared the protein profiles of H. pylori coccoids obtained from prolonged (3-month-old) culture with that of 3-day-old spirals of two H. pylori standard strains using SWATH (Sequential Window Acquisition of all Theoretical mass spectra)-based approach. The protein profiles reveal that the coccoids retained basal level of metabolic proteins and also high level of proteins that participate in DNA replication, cell division and biosynthesis demonstrating that coccoids are viable. Most interestingly, these data also indicate that the H. pylori coccoids possess higher level of proteins that are involved in virulence and carcinogenesis than their spiral counterparts. Taken together, these findings have important implications in the understanding on the pathogenesis of H. pylori-induced gastroduodenal diseases, as well as the probable transmission mode of this bacterium.
Differentiation of preadipocytes and mature adipocytes requires PSMB8
Authors: Arimochi Hideki , Sasaki Yuki , Kitamura Akiko , Yasutomo Koji 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe differentiation of adipocytes is tightly regulated by a variety of intrinsic molecules and also by extrinsic molecules produced by adjacent cells. Dysfunction of adipocyte differentiation causes lipodystrophy, which impairs glucose and lipid homeostasis. Although dysfunction of immunoproteasomes causes partial lipodystrophy, the detailed molecular mechanisms remain to be determined. Here, we demonstrate that Psmb8, a catalytic subunit for immunoproteasomes, directly regulates the differentiation of preadipocytes and additionally the differentiation of preadipocytes to mature adipocytes. Psmb8−/− mice exhibited slower weight gain than wild-type mice and this was accompanied by reduced adipose tissue volume and smaller size of mature adipocytes compared with controls. Blockade of Psmb8 activity in 3T3-L1 cells disturbed the differentiation to mature adipocytes. Psmb8−/− mice had fewer preadipocyte precursors, fewer preadipocytes and a reduced ability to differentiate preadipocytes toward mature adipocytes. Our data demonstrate that Psmb8-mediated immunoproteasome activity is a direct regulator of the differentiation of preadipocytes and their ultimate maturation.
Environmental Fate of Chiral Herbicide Fenoxaprop-ethyl in Water-Sediment Microcosms
Authors: Jing Xu , Yao Guojun , Liu Donghui , Liu Mingke , Wang Peng , Zhou Zhiqiang 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe environmental fate of the herbicide fenoxaprop-ethyl (FE) in water, sediment and water-sediment microcosm was studied and degradation products fenoxaprop (FA), ethyl-2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)propanoate (EHPP), 2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)propanoic acid (HPPA) and 6-chloro-2,3-dihydrobenzoxazol-2-one (CDHB) were monitored. FE, FA, EHPP and HPPA were chiral and the environmental behavior was investigated on an enantiomeric level. In water, sediment and water-sediment microcosms, fenoxaprop-ethyl degraded very fast with half-lives less than 1 day and it was found the herbicidally inactive S-enantiomer degraded faster. Fenoxaprop was the main primary degradation product which was quickly formed and the further degradation was relatively slow with half-lives of 6.4–12.4 days, and the S-enantiomer degraded faster too. EHPP, HPPA and CDHB could be found and S-EHPP and S-HPPA were degraded preferentially. The effects of microorganism and water content were investigated and it was found that the enantioselectivity was attributed to microorganisms. In sediment, the main degradation pathway of fenoxaprop-ethyl was hydrolysis and the degradation rate of fenoxaprop-ethyl increased with water content. The degradation products and enantioselectivity should be considered for the impact of fenoxaprop-ethyl on the aquatic system.
A neuroendocrine role for chemerin in hypothalamic remodelling and photoperiodic control of energy balance
Authors: Helfer Gisela , Ross Alexander W. , Thomson Lynn M. , Mayer Claus D. , Stoney Patrick N. , McCaffery Peter J. , Morgan Peter J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractLong-term and reversible changes in body weight are typical of seasonal animals. Thyroid hormone (TH) and retinoic acid (RA) within the tanycytes and ependymal cells of the hypothalamus have been implicated in the photoperiodic response. We investigated signalling downstream of RA and how this links to the control of body weight and food intake in photoperiodic F344 rats. Chemerin, an inflammatory chemokine, with a known role in energy metabolism, was identified as a target of RA. Gene expression of chemerin (Rarres2) and its receptors were localised within the tanycytes and ependymal cells, with higher expression under long (LD) versus short (SD) photoperiod, pointing to a physiological role. The SD to LD transition (increased food intake) was mimicked by 2 weeks of ICV infusion of chemerin into rats. Chemerin also increased expression of the cytoskeletal protein vimentin, implicating hypothalamic remodelling in this response. By contrast, acute ICV bolus injection of chemerin on a 12 h:12 h photoperiod inhibited food intake and decreased body weight with associated changes in hypothalamic neuropeptides involved in growth and feeding after 24 hr. We describe the hypothalamic ventricular zone as a key site of neuroendocrine regulation, where the inflammatory signal, chemerin, links TH and RA signaling to hypothalamic remodeling.