bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA profiling of CD3+CD56+ cytokine-induced killer cells
Authors: Wang Wenju , Li Ruhong , Meng Mingyao , Wei Chuanyu , Xie Yanhua , Zhang Yayong , Jiang Lihong , Dong Ruiyi , Wang Chunhui , Zhong Yiming , Yang Fang , Tang Weiwei , Jin Xingfang , Liu Baohua , Hou Zongliu 
Published: March 2015

AbstractStudies have proven that IL-2 and IL-15 showed contrasting roles during CIK cells preparation. By employing microarray, we analyzed miRNA expression profiles of PBMC, CIKIL-2 and CIKIL-15. Advanced bioinformatic analyses were performed to explore the key miRNAs which may regulate cell proliferation and anti-tumor activity of CIK. We identified 261 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) between PBMC and CIKIL-2 and 249 DEMs between PBMC and CIKIL-15. MiR-143-3p/miR-145-5p was miRNA cluster which may positively regulate cell proliferation. In contrast, miR-340-5p/miR-340-3p cluster may negatively regulate cell proliferation via induction apoptosis, which may cause decreased cell proliferation capacity of CIKIL-2. MiRNA-target interaction analysis indicated that 10 co-downregulated miRNAs may synergistically turn on the expression of a pool of tumor cytotoxic genes in CIK cells. The DEMs between CIKIL-2 and CIKIL-15 may contribute to enhanced tumor cytotoxic capacity of CIKIL-2. Importantly, we found that repressed miR-193a-5p may regulate the expressions of inhibitory receptor KLRD1. The results of the validation assay have shown that KLRD1 were upregulated in CIK cells. Our findings have provided new insights into mechanisms of CIK cells production and tumor cytotoxic function and shed light on their safety for clinical trial.
Mutagenicity of drinking water sampled from the Yangtze River and Hanshui River (Wuhan section) and correlations with water quality parameters
Authors: Lv Xuemin , Lu Yi , Yang Xiaoming , Dong Xiaorong , Ma Kunpeng , Xiao Sanhua , Wang Yazhou , Tang Fei 
Published: March 2015

AbstractA total of 54 water samples were collected during three different hydrologic periods (level period, wet period and dry period) from Plant A and Plant B (a source for Yangtze River and Hanshui River water, respectively) and several water parameters, such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity and total organic carbon (TOC), were simultaneously analyzed. The mutagenicity of the water samples was evaluated using the Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100. According to the results, the organic compounds in the water were largely frame-shift mutagens, as positive results were found for most of the tests using TA98. All of the finished water samples exhibited stronger mutagenicity than the relative raw and distribution water samples, with water samples collected from Plant B presenting stronger mutagenic strength than those from Plant A. The finished water samples from Plant A displayed a seasonal-dependent variation. Water parameters including COD (r = 0.599, P = 0.009), TOC (r = 0.681, P = 0.02), UV254 (r = 0.711, P = 0.001) and total nitrogen (r = 0.570, P = 0.014) exhibited good correlations with mutagenicity (TA98), at 2.0 L/plate, which bolsters the argument of the importance of using mutagenicity as a new parameter to assess the quality of drinking water.
Correlative in-resin super-resolution and electron microscopy using standard fluorescent proteins
Authors: Johnson Errin , Seiradake Elena , Jones E. Yvonne , Davis Ilan , Grünewald Kay , Kaufmann Rainer 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWe introduce a method for correlative in-resin super-resolution fluorescence and electron microscopy (EM) of biological structures in mammalian culture cells. Cryo-fixed resin embedded samples offer superior structural preservation, performing in-resin super-resolution, however, remains a challenge. We identified key aspects of the sample preparation procedure of high pressure freezing, freeze substitution and resin embedding that are critical for preserving fluorescence and photo-switching of standard fluorescent proteins, such as mGFP, mVenus and mRuby2. This enabled us to combine single molecule localization microscopy with transmission electron microscopy imaging of standard fluorescent proteins in cryo-fixed resin embedded cells. We achieved a structural resolution of 40–50 nm (~17 nm average single molecule localization accuracy) in the fluorescence images without the use of chemical fixation or special fluorophores. Using this approach enabled the correlation of fluorescently labeled structures to the ultrastructure in the same cell at the nanometer level and superior structural preservation.
Behavioural and molecular endophenotypes in psychotic disorders reveal heritable abnormalities in glutamatergic neurotransmission
Authors: Scoriels L , Salek R M , Goodby E , Grainger D , Dean A M , West J A , Griffin J L , Suckling J , Nathan P J , Lennox B R , Murray G K , Bullmore E T , Jones P B 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPsychotic disorders such as schizophrenia are biologically complex and carry huge population morbidity due to their prevalence, persistence and associated disability. Defined by features such as delusions and hallucinations, they involve cognitive dysfunction and neurotransmitter dysregulations that appear mostly to involve the dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems. A number of genetic and environmental factors are associated with these disorders but it has been difficult to identify the biological pathways underlying the principal symptoms. The endophenotype concept of stable, heritable traits that form a mechanistic link between genes and an overt expression of the disorder has potential to reduce the complexity of psychiatric phenotypes. In this study, we used a genetically sensitive design with individuals with a first episode of psychosis, their non-affected first-degree relatives and non-related healthy controls. Metabolomic analysis was combined with neurocognitive assessment to identify multilevel endophenotypic patterns: one concerned reaction times during the performance of cognitive and emotional tests that have previously been associated with the glutamate neurotransmission system, the other involved metabolites involved directly and indirectly in the co-activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, a major receptor of the glutamate system. These cognitive and metabolic endophenotypes may comprise a single construct, such that genetically mediated dysfunction in the glutamate system may be responsible for delays in response to cognitive and emotional functions in psychotic disorders. This focus on glutamatergic neurotransmission should guide drug discovery and experimental medicine programmes in schizophrenia and related disorders.
The role of APOE-ɛ4 and beta amyloid in the differential rate of recovery from ECT: a review
Authors: Sutton T A , Sohrabi H R , Rainey-Smith S R , Bird S M , Weinborn M , Martins R N 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIndividual biological differences may contribute to the variability of outcomes, including cognitive effects, observed following electroconvulsive treatment (ECT). A narrative review of the research literature on carriage of the apolipoprotein E ɛ4 allele (APOE-ɛ4) and the protein biomarker beta amyloid (Aβ) with ECT cognitive outcome was undertaken. ECT induces repeated brain seizures and there is debate as to whether this causes brain injury and long-term cognitive disruption. The majority of ECT is administered to the elderly (over age 65 years) with drug-resistant depression. Depression in the elderly may be a symptom of the prodromal stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Carriage of theAPOE-ɛ4allele and raised cerebral Aβ are consistently implicated in AD, but inconsistently implicated in brain injury (and related syndromes) recovery rates. A paucity of brain-related recovery, genetic and biomarker research in ECT responses in the elderly was found: three studies have examined the effect ofAPOE-ɛ4allele carriage on cognition in the depressed elderly receiving ECT, and two have examined Aβ changes after ECT, with contradictory findings. Cognitive changes in all studies of ECT effects were measured by a variety of psychological tests, making comparisons of such changes between studies problematic. Further, psychological test data-validity measures were not routinely administered, counter to current testing recommendations. The methodological issues of the currently available literature as well as the need for well-designed, hypothesis driven, longitudinal studies are discussed.
Flowering time of butterfly nectar food plants is more sensitive to temperature than the timing of butterfly adult flight
Authors: Kharouba Heather M. , Vellend Mark 
Published: March 2015

SummaryVariation among species in their phenological responses to temperature change suggests that shifts in the relative timing of key life cycle events between interacting species are likely to occur under climate warming. However, it remains difficult to predict the prevalence and magnitude of these shifts given that there have been few comparisons of phenological sensitivities to temperature across interacting species.Here, we used a broad‐scale approach utilizing collection records to compare the temperature sensitivity of the timing of adult flight in butterflies vs. flowering of their potential nectar food plants (days per °C) across space and time in British Columbia, Canada.On average, the phenology of both butterflies and plants advanced in response to warmer temperatures. However, the two taxa were differentially sensitive to temperature across space vs. across time, indicating the additional importance of nontemperature cues and/or local adaptation for many species.Across butterfly–plant associations, flowering time was significantly more sensitive to temperature than the timing of butterfly flight and these sensitivities were not correlated.Our results indicate that warming‐driven shifts in the relative timing of life cycle events between butterflies and plants are likely to be prevalent, but that predicting the magnitude and direction of such changes in particular cases is going to require detailed, fine‐scale data.
Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) thermal ecology and reproductive success along a rainfall cline
Authors: SIEG Annette E. , GAMBONE Megan M. , WALLACE Bryan P. , CLUSELLA‐TRULLAS Susana , SPOTILA James R. , AVERY Harold W. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractDesert resource environments (e.g. microclimates, food) are tied to limited, highly localized rainfall regimes which generate microgeographic variation in the life histories of inhabitants. Typically, enhanced growth rates, reproduction and survivorship are observed in response to increased resource availability in a variety of desert plants and short‐lived animals. We examined the thermal ecology and reproduction of US federally threatened Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii), long‐lived and large‐bodied ectotherms, at opposite ends of a 250‐m elevation‐related rainfall cline within Ivanpah Valley in the eastern Mojave Desert, California, USA. Biophysical operative environments in both the upper‐elevation, “Cima,” and the lower‐elevation, “Pumphouse,” plots corresponded with daily and seasonal patterns of incident solar radiation. Cima received 22% more rainfall and contained greater perennial vegetative cover, which conferred 5°C‐cooler daytime shaded temperatures. In a monitored average rainfall year, Cima tortoises had longer potential activity periods by up to several hours and greater ephemeral forage. Enhanced resource availability in Cima was associated with larger‐bodied females producing larger eggs, while still producing the same number of eggs as Pumphouse females. However, reproductive success was lower in Cima because 90% of eggs were depredated versus 11% in Pumphouse, indicating that predatory interactions produced counter‐gradient variation in reproductive success across the rainfall cline. Land‐use impacts on deserts (e.g. solar energy generation) are increasing rapidly, and conservation strategies designed to protect and recover threatened desert inhabitants, such as desert tortoises, should incorporate these strong ecosystem‐level responses to regional resource variation in assessments of habitat for prospective development and mitigation efforts.
Induction of lcc2 expression and activity by Agaricus bisporus provides defence against Trichoderma aggressivum toxic extracts
Authors: Sjaarda Calvin P. , Abubaker Kamal S. , Castle Alan J. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryLaccases are used by fungi for several functions including defence responses to stresses associated with attack by other fungi. Laccase activity changes and the induction of two laccase genes, lcc1 and lcc2, in Agaricus bisporus were measured in response to toxic extracts of medium in which Trichoderma aggressivum, the cause of green mould disease, was grown. A strain of A. bisporus that shows resistance to the extracts showed higher basal levels and greater enzymatic activity after extract exposure than did a sensitive strain. Furthermore, pre‐incubation of T. aggressivum extract with laccases reduced toxicity. Faster induction and greater numbers of lcc2 transcripts in response to the extract were noted in the resistant strain than in the sensitive strain. The timing and increase in lcc2 transcript abundance mirrored changes in total laccase activity. No correlation between resistance and lcc1 transcription was apparent. Transcript abundance in transformants with a siRNA construct homologous to both genes varied widely. A strong negative correlation between transcript abundance and sensitivity of the transformant to toxic extract was observed in plate assays. These results indicated that laccase activity and in particular that encoded by lcc2 contributes to toxin metabolism and by extension green mould disease resistance.
Evaluation of Rhizoctonia zeae as a potential biological control option for fungal root diseases of sugar beet
Authors: Webb K.M. , Harveson R.M. , West M.S. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractSeveral common root diseases routinely damage sugar beet in Nebraska and other production areas of the Central High Plains, and it is becoming more common to find fields infested simultaneously with multiple pathogens. Owing to the shortage of available fungicides for economic management of soilborne diseases, alternative techniques such as biological control are increasingly being sought for disease management. Over the last several years, unidentified, sterile fungi have been isolated in conjunction with pathogens from infected sugar beet roots and seedlings. At least two promising isolates have been identified from in vitro assays that inhibit the radial growth of multiple sugar beet root pathogens, including Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. betae, Phoma betae and Pythium aphanidermatum. Based on morphological and molecular characterisation, two isolates, ‘Hall’ and ‘R47’, were putatively identified as Rhizoctonia zeae. In vitro pathogenicity testing indicated that these isolates were not pathogens of sugar beet. Both isolates were compared with the well‐established biological control fungus Laetisaria arvalis and tested as potential treatments in a field naturally infested with multiple sugar beet root diseases. Data indicated that these fungi provided some level of protection against a complex of soilborne diseases and suggest that these isolates could have a potential fit in an integrative management strategy for several sugar beet root diseases.
Atopic dermatitis from adolescence to adulthood in the TOACS cohort: prevalence, persistence and comorbidities
Authors: Mortz C. G. , Andersen K. E. , Dellgren C. , Barington T. , Bindslev‐Jensen C. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundWhile much is known about childhood atopic dermatitis, little is known about persistence of atopic dermatitis into adult life. We report, to our knowledge for the first time, the clinical course of atopic dermatitis in an unselected cohort of adolescents followed into adulthood.MethodsThe course of atopic dermatitis from adolescence to adulthood was studied prospectively in a cohort of unselected 8th‐grade schoolchildren established in 1995 and followed up in 2010 with questionnaire and clinical examination.ResultsThe lifetime prevalence of atopic dermatitis was high (34.1%), and a considerable number of adults still suffered from atopic dermatitis evaluated both by questionnaire (17.1%) and clinical examination (10.0%). Persistent atopic dermatitis was found in 50% of those diagnosed in school age, and persistent atopic dermatitis was significantly associated with early onset, childhood allergic rhinitis and hand eczema. A close association was also found with allergic contact dermatitis and increased specific IgE to Malassezia furfur, but not with filaggrin gene defect.ConclusionPersistence of atopic dermatitis in adulthood is common and affects quality of life. Persistent atopic dermatitis is particularly prevalent in those with early onset, allergic rhinitis and hand eczema in childhood. It is important to recognizing atopic dermatitis as a common and disabling disease not only in children but also in adults.
The rs6060566 of the reactive oxygen species modulator 1 (Romo‐1) gene affects Romo‐1 expression and the development of diabetic retinopathy in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Petrovic Mojca Globocnik , Kruzliak Peter , Petrovic Daniel 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to examine the role of the rs6060566 polymorphism of the reactive oxygen species modulator 1 (Romo‐1) gene in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Moreover, another aim was to investigate the effect of Romo‐1 genotypes on Romo‐1 expression in fibrovascular membranes from patients with proliferative DR.MethodsA total of 806 subjects with T2DM were enrolled in cross‐sectional case–control study: 278 patients with DR and 528 subjects without clinical signs of DR. Genetical analysis was performed in 806 subjects with T2DM. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis of 40 fibrovascular membranes of patients with proliferative DR was performed. The number of positive (labelled) cells per area – numerical areal density of the Romo‐1‐positive cells (the number of positive cells/mm2) – was calculated.ResultsA significantly higher frequency of the CC genotype of the rs6060566 polymorphism of the Romo‐1 gene was found in subjects with T2DM with DR compared to those without DR (odds ratio=3.3, 95% confidence interval=1.1–8.8; p = 0.024). Moreover, the Romo‐1 C allele was found to effect Romo‐1 expression in fibrovascular membranes of patients with proliferative DR.ConclusionsThe rs6060566 polymorphism of the Romo‐1 gene was found to be an independent risk factor for DR in Caucasians with T2DM. Moreover, the rs6060566 is most probably functional and its effect might be mediated through the increased expression of Romo‐1 in the retina.
Intrabronchial Microdialysis: Effects of Probe Localization on Tissue Trauma and Drug Penetration into the Pulmonary Epithelial Lining Fluid
Authors: Rottbøll Lisa Amanda Holm , Skovgaard Kerstin , Barington Kristiane , Jensen Henrik Elvang , Friis Christian 
Published: March 2015

AbstractRecent intrabronchial microdialysis data indicate that the respiratory epithelium is highly permeable to drugs. Of concern is whether intrabronchial microdialysis disrupts the integrity of the respiratory epithelium and thereby alters drug penetration into the pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF). The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of intrabronchial microdialysis on the integrity of the bronchial epithelium. Microdialysis sampling in PELF in proximal (n = 4) and distal bronchi (n = 4) was performed after intravenous inulin and florfenicol administration in anaesthetized pigs. Inulin was used as a marker molecule of permeability of the epithelium, and florfenicol was used as test drug. Bronchial tissue was examined by histopathology (distal and proximal bronchi) and gene expression analysis (RT‐qPCR, proximal bronchi) at the termination of the experiment (6.5 hr). The microdialysis probe caused overt tissue trauma in distal bronchi, whereas no histopathological lesions were observed in proximal bronchi. A moderate up‐regulation of the pro‐inflammatory cytokinesIL1B,IL6 and acute‐phase reactant serum amyloidAwas seen in proximal bronchi surrounding the microdialysis probes suggesting initiation of an inflammatory response. The observed up‐regulation is considered to have limited impact on drug penetration during short‐term studies. Inulin penetrated the respiratory epithelium in both proximal and distal bronchi without any correlation to histopathological lesions. Likewise, florfenicol penetration into PELF was unaffected by bronchial histopathology. However, this independency of pathology on drug penetration may not be valid for other antibiotics. We conclude that short‐term microdialysis drug quantification can be performed in proximal bronchi without disruption of tissue integrity.
Nephrectomy for benign disease in the UK: results from the British Association of Urological Surgeons nephrectomy database
Authors: Zelhof Bachar , McIntyre Iain G. , Fowler Sarah M. , Napier‐Hemy Richard D. , Burke Daniel M. , Grey Ben R. ,   the British Association of Urological Surgeons
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo summarize the practice of UK urologists with regard to nephrectomy for benign disease, documenting the indications, procedural techniques and outcomes.MethodsAll patients undergoing nephrectomy for a benign condition in 2012 were identified from the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) nephrectomy database. Recorded variables included the technique of surgery, the type of minimally invasive procedure, operating time, blood loss, transfusion rate, conversion rate, intra‐ and postoperative complications and mortality rate. Cases were also sub‐analysed according to their pathologies to determine the differences in complication rate between stone disease, pyelonephritis, non‐functioning kidney and other benign lesions. To contextualize procedural complexity, the simple nephrectomy data were compared with those obtained from the BAUS stage T1 radical nephrectomy audit.ResultsA total of 1 093 nephrectomies were performed (537 non‐functioning kidneys, 142 stone disease, 129 nephrectomies secondary to pyelonephritis and 285 cases with other benign conditions). Of these, 76% were performed laparoscopically. Blood loss >500 mL was noted in 74 cases with a 4.8% blood transfusion rate. The intra‐ and postoperative complication rates were 5.2 and 11.9%, respectively. Of the 847 minimally invasive procedures, the conversion rate was 5.9%. Patients with stone disease have the highest intra‐ and postoperative complications (9.9 and 23.9%, respectively) compared with other benign pathologies. The total number of T1 radical nephrectomies performed was 1 095. In comparison with T1 radical nephrectomy, simple nephrectomy carries an increased risk of conversion to an open procedure (1.8 times), a higher rate of blood transfusion (4.8 vs 2.8%), and a higher risk of intra‐ and postoperative complications (5.2 vs 3.7% and 11.9 vs 10%, respectively).ConclusionThe present study reports the largest series of nephrectomies performed for benign disease and the resultant data now support the bespoke preoperative counselling of patients. Furthermore, it confirms the commonly held view that simple nephrectomy can be more difficult than its radical counterpart. The authors suggest that the term ‘simple nephrectomy’ is changed to ‘benign nephrectomy’.