bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of BAFF receptors in muscle tissue of myositis patients with anti-Jo-1 or anti-Ro52/anti-Ro60 autoantibodies
Authors: Kryštůfková Olga , Helmers Sevim Barbasso , Venalis Paulius , Malmström Vivianne , Lindroos Eva , Vencovský Jiří , Lundberg Ingrid E 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Anti-Jo-1 and anti-Ro52 autoantibodies are common in patients with myositis, but the mechanisms behind their production are not known. Survival of autoantibody-producing cells is dependent on B-cell-activating factor of the tumour necrosis factor family (BAFF). BAFF levels are elevated in serum of anti-Jo-1-positive myositis patients and are influenced by type-I interferon (IFN). IFN-producing cells and BAFF mRNA expression are present in myositis muscle. We investigated expression of the receptors for BAFF in muscle tissue in relation to anti-Jo-1 and anti-Ro52/anti-Ro60 autoantibodies and type-I IFN markers.

Methods
Muscle biopsies from 23 patients with myositis selected based on autoantibody profile and 7 healthy controls were investigated for expression of BAFF receptor (BAFF-R), B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and transmembrane activator and calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI). Nineteen samples were assessed for plasma (CD138) and B-cell (CD19) markers. The numbers of positive cells per area were compared with the expression of plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) marker blood dendritic cell antigen-2 (BDCA-2) and IFNα/β-inducible myxovirus resistance-1 protein (MX-1).

Results
BAFF-R, BCMA and TACI were expressed in five, seven and seven patients, respectively, and more frequently in anti-Jo-1-positive and/or anti-Ro52/anti-Ro60-positive patients compared to controls and to patients without these autoantibodies (P = BAFF-R: 0.007, BCMA: 0.03 and TACI: 0.07). A local association of receptors with B and plasma cells was confirmed by confocal microscopy. The numbers of CD138-positive and BCMA-positive cells were correlated (r = 0.79; P = 0.001). Expression of BDCA-2 correlated with numbers of CD138-positive cells and marginally with BCMA-positive cells (r = 0.54 and 0.42, respectively; P = 0.04 and 0.06, respectively). There was a borderline correlation between the numbers of positively stained TACI cells and MX-1 areas (r = 0.38, P = 0.08).

Conclusions
The expression pattern of receptors for BAFF on B and plasma cells in muscle suggests a local role for BAFF in autoantibody production in muscle tissues of patients with myositis who have anti-Jo-1 or anti-Ro52/anti-Ro60 autoantibodies. BAFF production could be influenced by type-I IFN produced by pDCs. Thus, B-cell-related molecular pathways may participate in the pathogenesis of myositis in this subset of patients.
Successful nucleofection of rat adipose-derived stroma cells with Ambystoma mexicanum epidermal lipoxygenase (AmbLOXe)
Authors: Fülbier Angela , Schnabel Reinhild , Michael Stefanie , Vogt Peter M , Strauß Sarah , Reimers Kerstin , Radtke Christine 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Adipose-derived stroma cells (ASCs) are attractive cells for cell-based gene therapy but are generally difficult to transfect. Nucleofection has proven to be an efficient method for transfection of primary cells. Therefore, we used this technique to transfect ASCs with a vector encoding for Ambystoma mexicanum epidermal lipoxygenase (AmbLOXe) which is a promising bioactive enzyme in regenerative processes. Thereby, we thought to even further increase the large regenerative potential of the ASCs.

Methods
ASCs were isolated from the inguinal fat pad of Lewis rats and were subsequently transfected in passage 1 using Nucleofector® 2b and the hMSC Nucleofector kit. Transfection efficiency was determined measuring co-transfected green fluorescent protein (GFP) in a flow cytometer and gene expression in transfected cells was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Moreover, cell migration was assessed using a scratch assay and results were tested for statistical significance with ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s post hoc test.

Results
High initial transfection rates were achieved with an average of 79.8 ± 2.82% of GFP positive cells although longer cultivation periods reduced the number of positive cells to below 5% after four passages. Although successful production of AmbLOXe transcript could be proven the gene product had no measureable effect on cell migration.

Conclusions
Our study demonstrates the feasibility of ASCs to serve as a vehicle of AmbLOXe transport for gene therapeutic purposes in regenerative medicine. One potential field of applications could be peripheral nerve injuries.
Understanding the structure of flowers—The wonderful tool of floral formulae: A response to Prenner & al.
Authors: Ronse de Craene Louis , Iwamoto Akitoshi , Bull-Hereñu Kester , Dos Santos Patricia , Luna Javier A. , Farrar Jennifer 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis paper is a discussion and elaboration of a paper by Prenner & al. (2010), entitled “Floral formulae updated for routine inclusion in formal taxonomic descriptions”. The aim of the Prenner paper was to promote the use of floral formulae in botany and to reach a consensus among botanists for best practice. An important purpose of floral formulae is to induce users to observe and describe flowers accurately. It is proposed that additional information on anther, ovule, style and stigma should be included. Also, only visible organs should be included in a formula and theoretical speculations should be illustrated with floral diagrams, which are complementary to formulae, unless there is good reason to include absent organs. We propose a universal, standardized method to accurately shorthand a description of a flower. The level of detail given in the formula can be highly flexible and depends on the intentions of the user.
Modeling College Graduation GPA Considering Equity in Admissions: Evidence from the University of Puerto Rico
Authors: Matos-Diaz Horacio , Garcia Dwight 
Published: October 2014

Over concerns about private school students’ advantages in standardized tests, beginning in 1995–96 the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) implemented a new admissions formula that reduced the weight they previously had in the General Admissions Index (GAI), on which its admissions decisions are based. This study seeks to determine the possible effects of the new GAI regarding both its objective of promoting equity in the student body composition and as a measure of academic aptitude capable of predicting student success. With these aims, the study compares the old and new GAI averages of 11 consecutive entering cohorts at the Bayamón campus of the UPR, and models the graduation GPA (GGPA) of 6 of these cohorts. Evidence shows that (a) the new GAI eliminated private school students’ advantage over those from public schools and reduced to a minimum the gap between genders; (b) female students obtain significantly higher GGPAs and exhibit other advantages when compared to males, while public and private school students’ academic outcomes are broadly similar; (c) the probability of accessing a determined boundary in the GGPA distribution is significantly and nonlinearly related to the GAI; (d) GGPAs exhibit an uptrend that varies inversely and significantly with the GAI, and (e) the probability of being in the lower bounds of the GGPA distribution increases to the extent that graduates exceed graduation required time.
Meeting report: present state of molecular genetics in clinical laboratories. Report on the VII European Symposium on Clinical Laboratory and In Vitro Diagnostic Industry in Barcelona
Authors: Padró-Miquel Ariadna , Candás-Estébanez Beatriz 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe VII European Symposium of the Clinical Laboratory and In Vitro Diagnostic Industry, co-organized between the Catalan Association for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (ACCLC) and the Catalan Society of Biology, was held on May 28th–29th, 2013 in Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain) under the IFCC auspices and the IUPAC sponsorship. The subject of the present Symposium was “Molecular Genetics in the Clinical Laboratory” and began with an opening conference that was a stroll through the history of molecular genetics in the context of the clinical laboratory. The scientific program was structured in several 2-h length roundtables that dealt with the following topics: recent advances in molecular genetics for clinical microbiology, latest evidences and real applicability of pharmacogenetics in the clinical practice, quality assurance of a molecular genetics laboratory, and latest trends in prenatal genetic diagnosis. The aim of the Symposium was the discussion of the transformation that molecular genetics has generated on clinical laboratories in terms of organization, specialization, interpretation of results and fast technical and knowledge evolution. High-qualified professionals from several countries together with in-country experts formed the roundtables. Attendants participated actively in the debates, increasing the overall interest.
When two turn into one: evolution of membrane transporters from half modules
Authors: Keller Rebecca , Ziegler Christine , Schneider Dirk 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
The recently increasing number of atomic structures for active transporters has not only revealed strong conservation in the architecture of sequence-unrelated transporter families, but also identified a unifying element called the ‘inverted repeat topology,’ which is found in nearly all transporter folds to date. Indeed, most membrane transporters consist of two or more domains with similar structure, so-called repeats. It is tempting to speculate that transporters have evolved by duplication of one repeat followed by gene fusion and modification events. An intriguing question is, whether recent genes encoding such a ‘half-transporter’ still exist as independent folding units. Although it seems likely that the evolution of membrane transport proteins, which harbor internal repeats, is linked to these minimal structural building blocks, their identification in the absence of structural data represents a major challenge, as sequence homology is not an issue. In this review we discuss two protein families, the DedA family and the SWEET family, being potential half-transporters and putative ancestors for two of the most abundant secondary transporter families, the MFS family and the LeuT-fold family.
Delivery outcomes after day and night onset of labour
Authors: Kanwar Sandeep , Rabindran Ranjit , Lindow Stephen W. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractTo describe the outcome of night onset of labour as compared with the day onset of labour to investigate if labour that begins at night is more efficient.Retrospective review of labour and delivery data.A large United Kingdom maternity service.Over the period of 10 years, there were 30,022 deliveries, of which 19,842 were studied.A United Kingdom maternity department database was used to identify deliveries over a 10-year period, and the delivery outcomes were retrieved from these records. The 19,842 labours were divided into two categories: night onset (22.00–06.00 h) and day onset (10.00–18.00 h).Rates of operative intervention, augmentation, epidural usage and labour duration.A significant difference in delivery outcome was noted (P=0.004) with the night-onset labours having more normal deliveries (83.6% vs. 82.5%), fewer caesarean sections (8.7% vs. 10.1%), fewer labour augmentations with syntocinon (14.9% vs. 19.5%, P<0.001), fewer artificial rupture of membranes (14.1% vs. 15.6% P<0.001) and a significantly shorter mean first stage duration (4 h 58 min vs. 5 h 7 min, P<0.05). The proportion of women from each group who delivered between 09.00 and 17.00 h was 3660 (31.1%) in the night-onset group and 2414 (30%) in the day-onset group (χLabours that start at night appear to be more efficient than labours that start during the day.
Spectroscopic characterization and microbial degradation of engineered bio-elastomers from linseed oil
Authors: Das Rakesh , Pramanik Nilkamal , Kundu Patit P. 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
The microbial degradation of elastomers synthesized through the cationic polymerization reaction of linseed oil, styrene, and divinylbenzene was investigated by using the Alkaliphilus oremlandii OhILAs strain. In Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, the bound oil content in the elastomers was found to vary from 29.63 to 45.5 wt%, whereas the percentage of unreacted oil in the elastomers were in the range of 12.9–38 wt%. In 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum analysis, the unreacted oil and unreacted aromatic components in the elastomers were obtained in the ranges of 13.2–39 wt% and 6.8–16 wt%, respectively. The amount of unreacted oil in the elastomers enhanced the percentage of biodegradation, which varied from 26 to 51 wt%. The biodegradation of elastomers was also confirmed by FTIR and scanning electron micrograph analyses.
Nanostructural characterization of poly (vinylidene fluoride)-clay nanocomposites prepared by a one-step reactive extrusion process
Authors: Benabid Fatma-Zohra , Rong Lixia , Benachour Djafer , Cagiao M. Esperanza , Ponçot Marc , Zouai Foued , Bouhelal Said , Baltá Calleja Francisco J. 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-untreated clay nanocomposites were successfully prepared using an innovative one-step reactive melt extrusion process. Through specific temperature and shear conditions, the chemical reactions took place between the polymer matrix, the inorganic clay particles, and three main reactive agents: an organic peroxide, sulfur, and a specific activator led finally to the PVDF-clay nanocomposites. The materials were formulated with various amounts of clay in order to identify the best conditions, enabling to obtain the optimal particle exfoliation in the polymer matrix at the nanometric scale. The microstructure and nanostructure modifications were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS and SAXS). The relationship between nanostructure and mechanical behavior was investigated by tensile experiments, impact tests, and microhardness measurements. The FTIR results suggest that there is a chemical interaction between the clay and the polymer. Furthermore, the WAXS study shows that no intercalation step takes place in any composition. In addition to this, the sample with 2.5 wt.% clay could present a total exfoliation of the clay particles. The PVDF matrix is found to be exclusively of the α-form in all compositions. The final microhardness slightly increases with both nanoclay content and degree of crystallinity.
Effects of added phthalate plasticizers on photodegradation of irradiated poly (α-methylstyrene) films
Authors: Ramadhan Afrah E. 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
The effects of UV irradiation and blending on the stability of poly (α-methylstyrene) (PαMS) in solid films were studied at different intervals of irradiation time in the presence of air, by absorption, emission and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The increase in irradiation time caused an increase in the intensity of the absorption band of the polymer, and an increase in the intensity of absorption of a new broad band at a longer wavelength, thus indicating the possibility of photodegradation of polymeric chains. The influence of added plasticizers, dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), diethyl terephthalate (DET), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dioctyl phthalate (DOP) and dioctyl terephthalate (DOT) on photoquenching of the polymer fluorescence band was also investigated, and found to increase the photoquenching processes with increase in the amount of added plasticizers. By contrast, the intensity of excimer and monomer fluorescence bands was also found to decrease with increase in irradiation times. These changes may be attributed to the formation of new photoproducts which resulted from the photodegradation and photooxidation of irradiated polymeric chains. In addition, the observed increase in the intensities of the carbonyl and hydroxyl regions of the FT-IR spectra provides evidence for the photooxidation of polymeric chains. The increase in the intensity of some bands and the disappearance of new bands indicate the photodegradation of polymeric chains.
Mechanical properties and toughening mechanisms of epoxy/graphene nanocomposites
Authors: Eqra Rahim , Janghorban Kamal , Daneshmanesh Habib 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Because of extraordinary physical, chemical and mechanical properties, graphene nanosheets (GNS) are suitable fillers for optimizing the properties of different polymers. In this research, the effect of GNS content (up to 1 wt.%) on tensile and flexural properties, morphology of fracture surface, and toughening mechanism of epoxy were investigated. Results of mechanical tests showed a peak for tensile and flexural strength of samples with 0.1 wt.% GNS such that the tensile and flexural strength improved by 13% and 3.3%, respectively. The Young’s modulus and flexural modulus increased linearly with GNS content, although the behavior of the Young’s modulus was more remarkable. Morphological investigations confirmed this behavior because the GNS dispersion in the epoxy matrix was uniform at lower contents and agglomerated at higher contents. Finally, microscopical observation showed that the major toughening mechanism of graphene-epoxy nanocomposites was crack path deflection, which changed the mirror fracture surface of the pure epoxy to rough surface.
OPA1‐dependent cristae modulation is essential for cellular adaptation to metabolic demand
Authors: Patten David A , Wong Jacob , Khacho Mireille , Soubannier Vincent , Mailloux Ryan J , Pilon‐Larose Karine , MacLaurin Jason G , Park David S , McBride Heidi M , Trinkle‐Mulcahy Laura , Harper Mary‐Ellen , Germain Marc , Slack Ruth S 
Published: October 2014

AbstractCristae, the organized invaginations of the mitochondrial inner membrane, respond structurally to the energetic demands of the cell. The mechanism by which these dynamic changes are regulated and the consequences thereof are largely unknown. Optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) is the mitochondrial GTPase responsible for inner membrane fusion and maintenance of cristae structure. Here, we report that OPA1 responds dynamically to changes in energetic conditions to regulate cristae structure. This cristae regulation is independent of OPA1's role in mitochondrial fusion, since an OPA1 mutant that can still oligomerize but has no fusion activity was able to maintain cristae structure. Importantly, OPA1 was required for resistance to starvation‐induced cell death, for mitochondrial respiration, for growth in galactose media and for maintenance of ATP synthase assembly, independently of its fusion activity. We identified mitochondrial solute carriers (SLC25A) as OPA1 interactors and show that their pharmacological and genetic blockade inhibited OPA1 oligomerization and function. Thus, we propose a novel way in which OPA1 senses energy substrate availability, which modulates its function in the regulation of mitochondrial architecture in a SLC25A protein‐dependent manner.
Escargot maintains stemness and suppresses differentiation in Drosophila intestinal stem cells
Authors: Korzelius Jerome , Naumann Svenja K , Loza‐Coll Mariano A , Chan Jessica SK , Dutta Devanjali , Oberheim Jessica , Gläßer Christine , Southall Tony D , Brand Andrea H , Jones D Leanne , Edgar Bruce A 
Published: October 2014

AbstractSnail family transcription factors are expressed in various stem cell types, but their function in maintaining stem cell identity is unclear. In the adult Drosophila midgut, the Snail homolog Esg is expressed in intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and their transient undifferentiated daughters, termed enteroblasts (EB). We demonstrate here that loss of esg in these progenitor cells causes their rapid differentiation into enterocytes (EC) or entero‐endocrine cells (EE). Conversely, forced expression of Esg in intestinal progenitor cells blocks differentiation, locking ISCs in a stem cell state. Cell type‐specific transcriptome analysis combined with Dam‐ID binding studies identified Esg as a major repressor of differentiation genes in stem and progenitor cells. One critical target of Esg was found to be the POU‐domain transcription factor, Pdm1, which is normally expressed specifically in differentiated ECs. Ectopic expression of Pdm1 in progenitor cells was sufficient to drive their differentiation into ECs. Hence, Esg is a critical stem cell determinant that maintains stemness by repressing differentiation‐promoting factors, such as Pdm1.
Iro/IRX transcription factors negatively regulate Dpp/TGF‐β pathway activity during intestinal tumorigenesis
Authors: Martorell Òscar , Barriga Francisco M , Merlos‐Suárez Anna , Stephan‐Otto Attolini Camille , Casanova Jordi , Batlle Eduard , Sancho Elena , Casali Andreu 
Published: October 2014

AbstractActivating mutations in Wnt and EGFR/Ras signaling pathways are common in colorectal cancer (CRC). Remarkably, clonal co‐activation of these pathways in the adult Drosophila midgut induces “tumor‐like” overgrowths. Here, we show that, in these clones and in CRC cell lines, Dpp/TGF‐β acts as a tumor suppressor. Moreover, we discover that the Iroquois/IRX‐family‐protein Mirror downregulates the transcription of core components of the Dpp pathway, reducing its tumor suppressor activity. We also show that this genetic interaction is conserved in human CRC cells, where the Iro/IRX proteins IRX3 and IRX5 diminish the response to TGF‐β. IRX3 and IRX5 are upregulated in human adenomas, and their levels correlate inversely with the gene expression signature of response to TGF‐β. In addition, Irx5 expression confers a growth advantage in the presence of TGF‐β, but is selected against in its absence. Together, our results identify a set of Iro/IRX proteins as conserved negative regulators of Dpp/TGF‐β activity. We propose that during the characteristic adenoma‐to‐carcinoma transition of human CRC, the activity of IRX proteins could reduce the sensitivity to the cytostatic effect of TGF‐β, conferring a growth advantage to tumor cells prior to the acquisition of mutations in TGF‐β pathway components.