bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thymosin beta 4 up‐regulates miR‐200a expression and induces differentiation and survival of rat brain progenitor cells
Authors: Santra Manoranjan , Chopp Michael , Santra Sutapa , Nallani Ankita , Vyas Shivam , Zhang Zheng Gang , Morris Daniel C. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), a secreted 43 amino acid peptide, promotes oligodendrogenesis, and improves neurological outcome in rat models of neurologic injury. We demonstrated that exogenous Tβ4 treatment up‐regulated the expression of the miR‐200a in vitro in rat brain progenitor cells and in vivo in the peri‐infarct area of rats subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The up‐regulation of miR‐200a down‐regulated the expression of the following targets in vitro and in vivo models: (i) growth factor receptor‐bound protein 2 (Grb2), an adaptor protein involved in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/Grb2/Ras/MEK/ERK1/c‐Jun signaling pathway, which negatively regulates the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP), a marker of mature oligodendrocyte; (ii) ERRFI‐1/Mig‐6, an endogenous potent kinase inhibitor of EGFR, which resulted in activation/phosphorylation of EGFR; (iii) friend of GATA 2, and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted in chromosome 10 (PTEN), which are potent inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway, and resulted in marked activation of AKT; and (iv) transcription factor, p53, which induces pro‐apoptotic genes, and possibly reduced apoptosis of the progenitor cells subjected to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). Anti‐miR‐200a transfection reversed all the effects of Tβ4 treatment in vitro. Thus, Tβ4 up‐regulated MBP synthesis, and inhibited OGD‐induced apoptosis in a novel miR‐200a dependent EGFR signaling pathway. Our findings of miR‐200a‐mediated protection of progenitor cells may provide a new therapeutic importance for the treatment of neurologic injury.
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Tβ4‐induced micro‐RNA‐200a (miR‐200a) regulates EGFR signaling pathways for MBP synthesis and apoptosis: up‐regulation of miR‐200a after Tβ4 treatment, increases MBP synthesis after targeting Grb2 and thereby inactivating c‐Jun from inhibition of MBP synthesis; and also inhibits OGD‐mediated apoptosis after targeting EGFR inhibitor (Mig‐6), PI3K inhibitors (FOG2 and Pten) and an inducer (p53) of pro‐apoptotic genes, for AKT activation and down‐regulation of p53. These findings may contribute the therapeutic benefits for stroke and other neuronal diseases associated with demyelination disorders.
A Novel Method to Evaluate Precision of Optical Implant Impressions with Commercial Scan Bodies—An Experimental Approach
Authors: Fluegge Tabea , Att Wael , Metzger Marc , Nelson Katja 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPurposeOptical transfer is realized with system‐specific transfer posts (scan bodies) mounted on dental implants or on implant analogs. This study presents a novel algorithm for creation of geometry on the surface of dental implant scan bodies and examines the precision of the optical acquisition of scan bodies and the precision of the position of the screw‐tightened scan bodies on dental implant analogs.Materials and MethodsScan bodies of two different implant manufacturers (S1, S2), one with a horizontal and two with different conical implant‐abutment geometries were screw tightened to implant analogs in stone casts with a 10 Ncm torque. The stone casts were scanned ten times with a dental lab scanner. Each scan body was removed and positioned ten times; after each repositioning, a scan was performed. The cylinder axis of every scan body and the occlusal horizontal scan body surface was virtually reconstructed. At the intersection of the cylinder axis and the horizontal plane a point was marked. The mean deviation of this point in consecutive scans and the angle between the scan body axes in the virtual models were measured, and the standard deviation was calculated. Statistical significance of the results was tested with a Kruskal‐Wallis Test and Mann‐Whitney U‐test for pairwise comparison (p < 0.05).ResultsThe mean deviation of the angle between two scan bodies was 0.05° (SD 0.04°) (S1) and 0.14° (SD 0.08°) (S2). After detachment and repositioning of the scan bodies the mean deviation was 0.05° (SD 0.03°) (S1) and 0.16° (SD 0.08°) (S2). The mean deviation of the central point was 5.7 μm (SD 3.4 μm) without detachment and 4.9 μm (SD 2.6 μm) after detachment and repositioning (S1). For system S2 the mean deviation of the central point was 13.4 μm (SD 7.2 μm) after repeated scanning and 15 μm (SD 5 μm) after detachment, repositioning, and repeated scanning.ConclusionsThe precision of extraoral scanning of scan bodies is dependent on the scan body surface design and geometry. The precision of scanning with an extraoral model scanner differed between the scan body geometries and inter‐scan body distances. The precision of dental implant scan body scanning was not significantly influenced by detachment and repositioning of the scan body.
Melatonin sensitizes human cervical cancer HeLa cells to cisplatin‐induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis: effects on oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation
Authors: Pariente Roberto , Pariente José A. , Rodríguez Ana B. , Espino Javier 
Published: October 2015

AbstractMelatonin has antitumor activity via several mechanisms including its antiproliferative and pro‐apoptotic effects as well as its potent antioxidant actions, although recent evidence has indicated that melatonin may perform pro‐oxidant actions in tumor cells. Therefore, melatonin may be useful in the treatment of tumors in association with chemotherapy drugs. This study was intended to evaluate the in vitro effect of melatonin on the cytotoxic and pro‐apoptotic actions of various chemotherapeutic agents in cervical cancer HeLa cells. Herein, we found that both melatonin and three of the chemotherapeutic drugs tested, namely cisplatin (CIS), 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), and doxorubicin, induced a decrease in HeLa cell viability. Furthermore, melatonin significantly increased the cytotoxic effect of such chemotherapeutic agents. Consistently, costimulation of HeLa cells with any chemotherapeutic agent in the presence of melatonin further increased caspase‐3 activation, particularly in CIS‐ and 5‐FU‐challenged cells. Likewise, concomitant treatments with melatonin and CIS significantly enhanced the ratio of cells entering mitochondrial apoptosis due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, substantially augmented the population of apoptotic cells, and markedly enlarged DNA fragmentation compared to the treatments with CIS alone. Nonetheless, melatonin only displayed moderate chemosensitizing effects in 5‐FU‐stimulated HeLa cells, as suggested by slight increments in the percentage of cells stimulated for ROS production and in the proportion of early apoptotic cells compared to the treatments with 5‐FU alone. In summary, our findings provided evidence that in vitro melatonin strongly enhances CIS‐induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in HeLa cells and, hence, the indoleamine could be potentially applied to cervical cancer treatment as a powerful synergistic agent.
Estimating the modal mineralogy of eucrite and diogenite meteorites using visible–near infrared reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Li Shuai , Milliken Ralph E. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractReliable quantitative mapping of minerals exposed on Vesta's surface is crucial for understanding the crustal composition, petrologic evolution, and surface modification of the howardite, eucrite, and diogenite (HED) parent body. However, mineral abundance estimates derived from visible–near infrared (VIS–NIR) reflectance spectra are complicated by multiple scattering, particle size, and nonlinear mixing effects. Radiative transfer models can be employed to accommodate these issues, and here we assess the utility of such models to accurately and efficiently determine modal mineralogy for a suite of eucrite and olivine‐bearing (harzburgitic) diogenite meteorites. Hapke and Shkuratov radiative transfer models were implemented to simultaneously estimate mineral abundances and particle size from VIS–NIR reflectance spectra of these samples. The models were tested and compared for laboratory‐made binary (pyroxene–plagioclase) and ternary mixtures (pyroxene–olivine–plagioclase) as well as eucrite and diogenite meteorite samples. Results for both models show that the derived mineral abundances are commonly within 5–10% of modal values and the estimated particle sizes are within the expected ranges. Results for the Hapke model suggest a lower detection limit for olivine in HEDs when compared with the Shkuratov model (5% versus 15%). Our current implementation yields lower uncertainties in mineral abundance (commonly <5%) for the Hapke model, though both models have an advantage over typically used parameters such as band depth, position, and shape in that they provide quantitative information on mineral abundance and particle size. These results indicate that both the Hapke and Shkuratov models may be applied to Dawn VIR data in a computationally efficient manner to quantify the spatial distribution of pyroxene, plagioclase, and olivine on the surface of Vesta.
A novel peptidoglycan D,L‐endopeptidase induced by Salmonella inside eukaryotic cells contributes to virulence
Authors: Rico‐Pérez Gadea , Pezza Alejandro , Pucciarelli M. Graciela , de Pedro Miguel A. , Soncini Fernando C. , García‐del Portillo Francisco 
Published: October 2015

SummaryBacteria remodel peptidoglycan structure in response to environmental changes. Many enzymes are involved in peptidoglycan metabolism; however, little is known about their responsiveness in a defined environment or the modes they assist bacteria to adapt to new niches. Here, we focused in peptidoglycan enzymes that intracellular bacterial pathogens use inside eukaryotic cells. We identified a peptidoglycan enzyme induced by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in fibroblasts and epithelial cells. This enzyme, which shows γ‐D‐glutamyl‐meso‐diaminopimelic acid D,L‐endopeptidase activity, is also produced by the pathogen in media with limited nutrients and in resting conditions. The enzyme, termed EcgA for endopeptidase responding to cessation of growth’, is encoded in a S. Typhimurium genomic island absent in Escherichia coli. EcgA production is strictly dependent on the virulence regulator PhoP in extra‐ and intracellular environments. Consistent to this regulation, a mutant lacking EcgA is attenuated in the mouse typhoid model. These findings suggest that specialised peptidoglycan enzymes, such as EcgA, might facilitate Salmonella adaptation to the intracellular lifestyle. Moreover, they indicate that readjustment of peptidoglycan metabolism inside the eukaryotic cell is essential for host colonisation.
50 years of Arabidopsis research: highlights and future directions
Authors: Provart Nicholas J. , Alonso Jose , Assmann Sarah M. , Bergmann Dominique , Brady Siobhan M. , Brkljacic Jelena , Browse John , Chapple Clint , Colot Vincent , Cutler Sean , Dangl Jeff , Ehrhardt David , Friesner Joanna D. , Frommer Wolf B. , Grotewold Erich , Meyerowitz Elliot , Nemhauser Jennifer , Nordborg Magnus , Pikaard Craig , Shanklin John , Somerville Chris , Stitt Mark , Torii Keiko U. , Waese Jamie , Wagner Doris , McCourt Peter 
Published: October 2015

SummaryThe year 2014 marked the 25th International Conference on Arabidopsis Research. In the 50 yr since the first International Conference on Arabidopsis Research, held in 1965 in Göttingen, Germany, > 54 000 papers that mention Arabidopsis thaliana in the title, abstract or keywords have been published. We present herein a citational network analysis of these papers, and touch on some of the important discoveries in plant biology that have been made in this powerful model system, and highlight how these discoveries have then had an impact in crop species. We also look to the future, highlighting some outstanding questions that can be readily addressed in Arabidopsis. Topics that are discussed include Arabidopsis reverse genetic resources, stock centers, databases and online tools, cell biology, development, hormones, plant immunity, signaling in response to abiotic stress, transporters, biosynthesis of cells walls and macromolecules such as starch and lipids, epigenetics and epigenomics, genome‐wide association studies and natural variation, gene regulatory networks, modeling and systems biology, and synthetic biology.

Contents

Summary
922

I.
Introduction and a brief survey of 54 033 Arabidopsis publications
922

II.
Arabidopsis reverse genetics: paving the way for gene function studies
922

III.
Arabidopsis stock centers
925

IV.
Databases and online tools
925

V.
Cell biology
926

VI.
Development
927

VII.
Hormones
928

VIII.
The plant immune system and Arabidopsis research
929

IX.
Signaling in response to abiotic stress
930

X.
Pumps, channels, transporters and the like
931

XI.
Cell walls, starch and lipids
932

XII.
Epigenetics and epigenomics: from genotype to phenotype
933

XIII.
Natural variation and genome‐wide association studies
934

XIV.
Gene regulatory networks
934

XV.
Modeling, bioinformatics, systems biology
935

XVI.
Synthetic biology
936

XVII.
Conclusions and outlook
937

Acknowledgements
937

References
937
Increased temperatures negatively affect Juniperus communis seeds: evidence from transplant experiments along a latitudinal gradient
Authors: Gruwez R. , De Frenne P. , Vander Mijnsbrugge K. , Vangansbeke P. , Verheyen K. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWith a distribution range that covers most of the Northern hemisphere, common juniper (Juniperus communis) has one of the largest ranges of all vascular plant species. In several regions in Europe, however, populations are decreasing in size and number due to failing recruitment. One of the main causes for this failure is low seed viability. Observational evidence suggests that this is partly induced by climate warming, but our mechanistic understanding of this effect remains incomplete. Here, we experimentally assess the influence of temperature on two key developmental phases during sexual reproduction, i.e. gametogenesis and fertilisation (seed phase two, SP2) and embryo development (seed phase three, SP3). Along a latitudinal gradient from southern France to central Sweden, we installed a transplant experiment with shrubs originating from Belgium, a region with unusually low juniper seed viability. Seeds of both seed phases were sampled during three consecutive years, and seed viability assessed. Warming temperatures negatively affected the seed viability of both SP2 and SP3 seeds along the latitudinal gradient. Interestingly, the effect on embryo development (SP3) only occurred in the third year, i.e. when the gametogenesis and fertilisation also took place in warmer conditions. We found strong indications that this negative influence mostly acts via disrupting growth of the pollen tube, the development of the female gametophyte and fertilisation (SP2). This, in turn, can lead to failing embryo development, for example, due to nutritional problems. Our results confirm that climate warming can negatively affect seed viability of juniper.
Implication of peroxynitrite in defence responses of potato to Phytophthora infestans
Authors: Arasimowicz‐Jelonek M. , Floryszak‐Wieczorek J. , Izbiańska K. , Gzyl J. , Jelonek T. 
Published: October 2015

In this study peroxynitrite (ONOO−) is proposed as an important player in defence responses during the interaction of potato (Solanum tuberosum) and the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans. The potato–avr P. infestans model system exhibited a transient programme of boosted ONOO− formation correlated in time with the burst of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide during the first 6 h post‐inoculation (hpi). The early ONOO− over‐accumulation was not accompanied by TPx gene expression. In contrast, the compatible interaction revealed a 24 h delay of ONOO− formation; however, an enhanced level of NO and superoxide correlated with TPx up‐regulation was recorded within the earlier stages of pathogen infection. Peroxynitrite over‐accumulation in the susceptible potato coincided with an enhanced level of protein tyrosine nitration starting from 24 hpi. Surprisingly, the nitroproteome profile of the resistant potato did not show any visible difference after inoculation, apart from one band containing subtilisin‐like protease‐like proteins, which appeared 48 h after pathogen attack. An additional pharmacological approach showed that treatment of the susceptible genotype with ONOO− followed by inoculation with P. infestans contributed to slowing down of the colonization of host tissues by the pathogen via a faster and stronger up‐regulation of the key defence markers, including the PR‐1 gene. Taken together, the results obtained indicate that a precise control of emitted NO and superoxide in cooperation with thioredoxin‐dependent redox sensors in sites of pathogen ingress could generate a sufficient threshold of ONOO−, triggering defence responses.
Services Trade Protection and Economic Isolation
Authors: Borchert Ingo , Gootiiz Batshur , Grover Goswami Arti , Mattoo Aaditya 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPoor connectivity is conventionally blamed on difficult geography and low income. But economic isolation could also result from policy choices in key ‘linking’ services such as air transportation and telecommunications. A new database on applied services trade policies reveals that many countries restrict trade in the very services that connect them with the rest of the world. We present evidence that restrictive policies lead to more concentrated market structures and limited access to services, even after taking into account the influence of geography and income. Moving from an intermediate level of restrictiveness to an open regime could lead to a 20 percentage point increase in cellular teledensity in the telecommunications sector and to a 25 per cent increase in flight connections per airline in the aviation sector, respectively.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia transformation into high‐grade lymphoma: a description of Richter's syndrome in eight dogs
Authors: Comazzi S. , Martini V. , Riondato F. , Poggi A. , Stefanello D. , Marconato L. , Albonico F. , Gelain M. E. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractRichter's syndrome (RS) is the development of an aggressive lymphoma in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). In humans, RS occurs in 2–20% of CLL, which transform into diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma but reports in dogs are scarce. This study retrospectively describes eight dogs with CLL progressing into RS. A database including 153 dogs with CLL (93T CD8+ and 55 B‐CLL) was interrogated and RS was demonstrated in eight cases (representing 5.2% of total CLL): two with T‐cell (2.2% of T CLL) and six with a B‐cell immunophenotype (10.9% of B‐CLL). When RS occurred, lymphocytes were decreased compared to CLL. Five dogs had anaemia and two dogs thrombocytopenia. Frequent clinical signs included lymph node swelling, coughing, vomiting, neurological signs and weight loss. Independently from the therapy, RS was associated with a short survival (median 41 days). RS should be considered as an unfavourable evolution in canine CLL.
Analysis of the chronic wound microbiota of 2,963 patients by 16S rDNA pyrosequencing
Authors: Wolcott Randall D. , Hanson John D. , Rees Eric J. , Koenig Lawrence D. , Phillips Caleb D. , Wolcott Richard A. , Cox Stephen B. , White Jennifer S. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe extent to which microorganisms impair wound healing is an ongoing controversy in the management of chronic wounds. Because the high diversity and extreme variability of the microbiota between individual chronic wounds lead to inconsistent findings in small cohort studies, evaluation of a large number of chronic wounds using identical sequencing and bioinformatics methods is necessary for clinicians to be able to select appropriate empiric therapies. In this study, we utilized 16S rDNA pyrosequencing to analyze the composition of the bacterial communities present in samples obtained from patients with chronic diabetic foot ulcers (N = 910), venous leg ulcers (N = 916), decubitus ulcers (N = 767), and nonhealing surgical wounds (N = 370). The wound samples contained a high proportion of Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species in 63 and 25% of all wounds, respectively; however, a high prevalence of anaerobic bacteria and bacteria traditionally considered commensalistic was also observed. Our results suggest that neither patient demographics nor wound type influenced the bacterial composition of the chronic wound microbiome. Collectively, these findings indicate that empiric antibiotic selection need not be based on nor altered for wound type. Furthermore, the results provide a much clearer understanding of chronic wound microbiota in general; clinical application of this new knowledge over time may help in its translation to improved wound healing outcomes.
Presepsin as a predictor of critical colonization in CLI hemodialysis patients
Authors: Shiota Jun , Ohura Norihiko , Higashikawa Shingo , Yamato Tsunee , Kasahara Hitoshi , Itatani Keiichi , Tagawa Hitoshi 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTInfection during critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a challenging issue. Plasma presepsin is a novel biomarker for infection, which is related to bacterial phagocytosis by macrophages. The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of presepsin as an indicator and predictor for early detection of infectious CLI. A retrospective observational study was conducted among 20 CLI patients (Rutherford 5 and 6) on hemodialysis (HD). Twenty CLI patients on HD (mean age 70.7 ± 5.6 years, male 85%) and 15 healthy patients on HD without CLI and infection (control group) were analyzed. All CLI patients received appropriate revascularization and plastic surgical treatment. CLI patients were classified into two groups: the healing group with complete epithelialization without discharge and the nonhealing group with infection signs. Plasma presepsin was measured and compared among the two groups and the control group using an automated immunoanalyzer, PATHFAST, based on a noncompetitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. The median plasma presepsin and its interquartile range were 1,320 (1,055–1,465) pg/mL in the control group, 1,320 (1,050–1,613) pg/mL in the healing group and 3,193 (2,519–3,832) pg/mL in the nonhealing group. The plasma presepsin concentrations were significantly higher in the nonhealing group compared with the control group (p < 0.001) and the healing group (p < 0.01). A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that presepsin had highest accuracy (0.979) among various inflammatory markers, including C‐reactive protein and the white blood cell count. The diagnostic cutoff value of 2,083 pg/mL was able to distinguish the nonhealing group and healing group with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 88.9%. Our results suggest that plasma presepsin may be useful for predicting “critical colonization” and “infection” in nonhealing CLI in HD patients, therefore, the definitive cutoff value may be used for determinating the indication for reintervention and/or major limb amputation.