bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive biometric, biochemical and histopathological assessment of nutrient deficiencies in gilthead sea bream fed semi-purified diets
Authors: Ballester-Lozano Gabriel F. , Benedito-Palos Laura , Estensoro Itziar , Sitjà-Bobadilla Ariadna , Kaushik Sadasivam , Pérez-Sánchez Jaume 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSeven isoproteic and isolipidic semi-purified diets were formulated to assess specific nutrient deficiencies in sulphur amino acids (SAA),n-3 long-chain PUFA (n-3 LC-PUFA), phospholipids (PL), P, minerals (Min) and vitamins (Vit). The control diet (CTRL) contained these essential nutrients in adequate amounts. Each diet was allocated to triplicate groups of juvenile gilthead sea bream fed to satiety over an 11-week feeding trial period. Weight gain ofn-3 LC-PUFA, P–Vit and PL–Min–SAA groups was 50, 60–75 and 80–85 % of the CTRL group, respectively. Fat retention was decreased by all nutrient deficiencies except by the Min diet. Strong effects on N retention were found inn-3 LC-PUFA and P fish. Combined anaemia and increased blood respiratory burst were observed inn-3 LC-PUFA fish. Hypoproteinaemia was found in SAA,n-3 LC-PUFA, PL and Vit fish. Derangements of lipid metabolism were also a common disorder, but the lipodystrophic phenotype of P fish was different from that of other groups. Changes in plasma levels of electrolytes (Ca, phosphate), metabolites (creatinine, choline) and enzyme activities (alkaline phosphatase) were related to specific nutrient deficiencies in PL, P, Min or Vit fish, whereas changes in circulating levels of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I primarily reflected the intensity of the nutritional stressor. Histopathological scoring of the liver and intestine segments showed specific nutrient-mediated changes in lipid cell vacuolisation, inflammation of intestinal submucosa, as well as the distribution and number of intestinal goblet and rodlet cells. These results contribute to define the normal range of variation for selected biometric, biochemical, haematological and histochemical markers.
Low-level antimicrobial resistance of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from the nares of pig-exposed persons
Authors: FISCHER J. , HILLE K. , MELLMANN A. , SCHAUMBURG F. , KREIENBROCK L. , KÖCK R. 
Published: July 2015

SUMMARYExtended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) have recently emerged in livestock and humans. Therefore, this study assessed the carriage of Enterobacteriaceae in the anterior nares and associated antimicrobial resistance in pig-exposed persons. Nasal swabs were enriched in non-selective broth and then plated on MacConkey and ESBL-selective agars. Species was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToF MS). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guidelines. Of 114 pig-exposed persons tested, Enterobacteriaceae were detected in the nares of 76 (66·7%) participants. The predominant species were Proteus mirabilis (n = 17, 14·9%), Pantoea agglomerans (n = 13, 11·4%), Morganella morganii (n = 9, 7·9%), Citrobacter koseri (n = 9, 7·9%), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris (each n = 8, 7·0%). ESBL-E were not detected. Of all isolates tested, 3·4% were resistant against ciprofloxacin, 2·3% against gentamicin, 23·9% against trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 44·3% against tigecycline. Despite the high prevalence of ESBL-E in livestock, pig-exposed persons did not carry ESBL-E in their nares. This finding is important, because colonization of the nasal reservoir might cause endogenous infections or facilitate transmission of ESBL-E in the general population.
The temporary and accumulated effects of transcranial direct current stimulation for the treatment of advanced Parkinson’s disease monkeys
Authors: Li Hao , Lei Xiaoguang , Yan Ting , Li Hongwei , Huang Baihui , Li Ling , Xu Liqi , Liu Li , Chen Nanhui , Lü Longbao , Ma Yuanye , Xu Lin , Li Jiali , Wang Zhengbo , Zhang Baorong , Hu Xintian 
Published: July 2015

AbstractTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a useful noninvasive technique of cortical brain stimulation for the treatment of neurological disorders. Clinical research has demonstrated tDCS with anodal stimulation of primary motor cortex (M1) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients significantly improved their motor function. However, few studies have been focused on the optimization of parameters which contributed significantly to the treatment effects of tDCS and exploration of the underline neuronal mechanisms. Here, we used different stimulation parameters of anodal tDCS on M1 for the treatment of aged advanced PD monkeys induced with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) administration and then analyzed the temporary and accumulated effects of tDCS treatment. The results indicated anodal tDCS on M1 very significantly improved motor ability temporarily; importantly, the treatment effects of anodal tDCS on M1 were quantitatively correlated to the accumulated stimulation instead of the stimuli intensity or duration respectively. In addition, c-fos staining showed tDCS treatment effects activated the neurons both in M1 and substantia nigra (SN). Therefore, we propose that long time and continue anodal tDCS on M1 is a better strategy to improve the motor symptoms of PD than individual manipulation of stimuli intensity or duration.
Theme and variations: evolutionary diversification of the HET-s functional amyloid motif
Authors: Daskalov Asen , Dyrka Witold , Saupe Sven J. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIn mammals and fungi, Nod-like receptors (NLR) activate downstream cell death execution proteins by a prion-like mechanism. In Podospora anserina, the NWD2 NLR activates the HET-S Helo-domain pore-forming protein by converting its prion-forming domain into a characteristic β-solenoid amyloid fold. The amyloid forming region of HET-S/s comprises two repetitions of a 21 amino acid motif. Herein, we systematically analyze the sequences of C-terminal regions of fungal HeLo and HeLo-like domain proteins to identify HET-s-related amyloid motifs (HRAM). We now identify four novel HRAM subfamilies in addition to the canonical HET-S/s subfamily. These novel motifs share the pseudo-repeat structure of HET-S/s and a specific pattern of distribution of hydrophobic and polar residues. Sequence co-variance analyses predict parallel in-register β-stacking of the two repeats and residue-residue interactions compatible with the β-solenoid fold. As described for HET-S, most genes encoding the HeLo proteins are adjacent to genes encoding NLRs also displaying HRAMs. The motifs of the NLRs are similar to those of their cognate HeLo-domain protein, indicating concerted evolution between repeats. This study shows that HET-s-related amyloid motifs are more common than anticipated and that they have diversified into discrete subfamilies that apparently share a common overall fold.
The Plasmodium berghei translocon of exported proteins reveals spatiotemporal dynamics of tubular extensions
Authors: Matz Joachim M. , Goosmann Christian , Brinkmann Volker , Grützke Josephine , Ingmundson Alyssa , Matuschewski Kai , Kooij Taco W. A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe erythrocyte is an extraordinary host cell for intracellular pathogens and requires extensive remodelling to become permissive for infection. Malaria parasites modify their host red blood cells through protein export to acquire nutrients and evade immune responses. Endogenous fluorescent tagging of three signature proteins of the Plasmodium berghei translocon of exported proteins (PTEX), heat shock protein 101, exported protein 2 (EXP2) and PTEX88, revealed motile, tubular extensions of the parasitophorous vacuole that protrude from the parasite far into the red blood cell. EXP2 displays a more prominent presence at the periphery of the parasite, consistent with its proposed role in pore formation. The tubular compartment is most prominent during trophozoite growth. Distinct spatiotemporal expression of individual PTEX components during sporogony and liver-stage development indicates additional functions and tight regulation of the PTEX translocon during parasite life cycle progression. Together, live cell imaging and correlative light and electron microscopy permitted previously unrecognized spatiotemporal and subcellular resolution of PTEX-containing tubules in murine malaria parasites. These findings further refine current models for Plasmodium-induced erythrocyte makeover.
A Comparison of Intravenous plus Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy with Intravenous Chemotherapy Alone for the Treatment of Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yang Sheng , Feng Rui , Pan Zhang-Chi , Jiang Tao , Xu Qian , Chen Qiang 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intravenous (IV) plus intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy compared to intravenous (IV) chemotherapy alone for patients with gastric cancer. Electronic databases were searched up to June 2013. Two authors independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed the quality of included studies. The GRADE System was adopted to rate the level of evidence. Of 392 citations, five RCTs involving 1072 patients were included. Overall, a significant improvement in in one- and three- and five-year survival rate was observed in the IV plus IP chemotherapy group (3 RCTs, n = 360, RR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.04 to1.17), (5 RCTs, n = 953, RR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.11 to1.35) and (3 RCTs, n = 347, RR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.80), respectively. Results supported a significant decrease in the rate of metastases (1 RCT, n = 85, RR = 0.41 95% CI 0.19 to 0.89) and peritoneal recurrence (2 RCTs, n = 297, RR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.62) in the IV plus IP chemotherapy group, however, the incidence of adverse events was increased. For patients with gastric cancer, IV plus IP chemotherapy can improve the overall survival rate and prevent the distant or peritoneal metastases. An increased risk of neutropenia, peripheral edema and neuropathy was observed.
Induction of p53-independent apoptosis by ectopic expression of HOXA5 in human liposarcomas
Authors: Lee Dhong Hyun , Forscher Charles , Vizio Dolores Di , Koeffler H. Phillip 
Published: July 2015

AbstractDedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is a highly malignant subtype of human liposarcoma (LPS), whose genomic profile is characterized by chromosomal amplification at 12q13-q22. miR-26a-2 is one of the most frequently amplified genes in the region and inhibition of its downstream target genes likely contributes to LPS tumorigenesis. Our previous study of LPS predicted homeobox protein A5 (HOXA5) as a target of miR-26a-2 and here we explored further the function of HOXA5 and its relationship with miR-26a-2 in DDLPS cells. Compared to normal human adipocytes, all LPS cell lines showed significant downregulation of HOXA5 (p = 0.046) and inhibition of miR-26a-2 using anti-miR-26a-2 substantially upregulated HOXA5 expression in these LPS cells. Interestingly, overexpression of HOXA5 alone induced very strong apoptotic response of LPS cells. HOXA5-induced apoptosis was p53-independent and caspase-dependent. Surprisingly, overexpression of HOXA5 induced nuclear translocation of RELA (p65), which was not associated with the transcriptional activity of RELA. Rather, nucleolar sequestration of RELA was observed. Overall, our study demonstrated for the first time that the downregulation of HOXA5 in LPS cells, partly by overexpression of miR-26a-2 in DDLPS, confers LPS cells resistance to apoptotic death. Further studies are required to understand the relationship of HOXA5 and the NFκB pathway in LPS cells.
β2-adrenergic signal transduction plays a detrimental role in subchondral bone loss of temporomandibular joint in osteoarthritis
Authors: Jiao Kai , Niu Li-Na , Li Qi-hong , Ren Gao-tong , Zhao Chang-ming , Liu Yun-dong , Tay Franklin R. , Wang Mei-qing 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe present study tested whether activation of the sympathetic tone by aberrant joint loading elicits abnormal subchondral bone remodeling in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis. Abnormal dental occlusion was created in experimental rats, which were then intraperitoneally injected by saline, propranolol or isoproterenol. The norepinephrine contents, distribution of sympathetic nerve fibers, expression of β-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) and remodeling parameters in the condylar subchondral bone were investigated. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from condylar subchondral bones were harvested for comparison of their β-ARs, pro-osteoclastic gene expressions and pro-osteoclastic function. Increases in norepinephrine level, sympathetic nerve fiber distribution and β2-AR expression were observed in the condylar subchondral bone of experimental rats, together with subchondral bone loss and increased osteoclast activity. β-antagonist (propranolol) suppressed subchondral bone loss and osteoclast hyperfunction while β-agonist (isoproterenol) exacerbated those responses. MSCs from experimental condylar subchondral bone expressed higher levels of β2-AR and RANKL; norepinephrine stimulation further increased their RANKL expression and pro-osteoclastic function. These effects were blocked by inhibition of β2-AR or the PKA pathway. RANKL expression by MSCs decreased after propranolol administration and increased after isoproterenol administration. It is concluded that β2-AR signal-mediated subchondral bone loss in TMJ osteoarthritisis associated with increased RANKL secretion by MSCs.
Timing of diffusion tensor imaging in the acute spinal cord injury of rats
Authors: Li Xiao-Hui , Li Jian-Bin , He Xi-Jing , Wang Fang , Huang Sheng-Li , Bai Zhi-Lan 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in acute spinal cord following a thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) and to determine the optimal time of examination. Sprague-Dawley rats were used as experimental animals and contusion injuries were made at the T10 vertebral level. The rats were divided into control, mild injury, moderate injury and severe injury groups. Spinal magnetic resonance DTI was scheduled at 6, 24 and 72 hours (h) post-SCI and the DTI parameters such as fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were calculated and the diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) of the spinal cord was also generated. We observed a significant decrease of FA in all the three injured groups and the FA at 24 h post-SCI exhibited the greatest decrease among different set times. For ADC, only the group of severely injured rats saw a significant decrease at 24 and 72 h compared with the control group. DTT showed interruption of nerve fiber tracking in the injured groups. This study demonstrates that FA can differentiate various grades of SCI in the early stage and 24 h after injury might be the optimal time for identifying injury severity.
Towards a tunable graphene-based Landau level laser in the terahertz regime
Authors: Wendler Florian , Malic Ermin 
Published: July 2015

AbstractTerahertz (THz) technology has attracted enormous interest with conceivable applications ranging from basic science to advanced technology. One of the main challenges remains the realization of a well controlled and easily tunable THz source. Here, we predict the occurrence of a long-lived population inversion in Landau-quantized graphene (i.e. graphene in an external magnetic field) suggesting the design of tunable THz Landau level lasers. The unconventional non-equidistant quantization in graphene offers optimal conditions to overcome the counteracting Coulomb- and phonon-assisted scattering channels. In addition to the tunability of the laser frequency, we show that also the polarization of the emitted light can be controlled. Based on our microscopic insights into the underlying many-particle mechanisms, we propose two different experimentally realizable schemes to design tunable graphene-based THz Landau level lasers.
Bone morphogenetic protein 2 promotes primordial follicle formation in the ovary
Authors: Chakraborty Prabuddha , Roy Shyamal K. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPrimordial follicles (PF) are formed when somatic cells differentiate into flattened pregranulosa cells, invaginate into the oocyte nests and encircle individual oocytes. We hypothesize that BMP2 regulates PF formation by promoting the transition of germ cells into oocytes and somatic cells into pregranulosa cells. E15 hamster ovaries were cultured for 8 days corresponding to postnatal day 8 (P8) in vivo, with or without BMP2 and the formation of PF was examined. BMP2 was expressed in the oocytes as well as ovarian somatic cells during development. BMP2 exposure for the first two days or the last two days or the entire 8 days of culture led to increase in PF formation suggesting that BMP2 affected both germ cell transition and somatic cell differentiation. Whereas an ALK2/3 inhibitor completely blocked BMP2-induced PF formation, an ALK2-specific inhibitor was partially effective, suggesting that BMP2 affected PF formation via both ALK2 and ALK3. BMP2 also reduced apoptosis in vitro. Further, more meiotic oocytes were present in BMP2 exposed ovaries. In summary, the results provide the first evidence that BMP2 regulates primordial follicle formation by promoting germ cell to oocyte transition and somatic cell to pre-granulosa cells formation and it acts via both ALK2 and ALK3.
RCF1-dependent respiratory supercomplexes are integral for lifespan-maintenance in a fungal ageing model
Authors: Fischer Fabian , Filippis Christodoulos , Osiewacz Heinz D. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMitochondrial respiratory supercomplexes (mtRSCs) are stoichiometric assemblies of electron transport chain (ETC) complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane. They are hypothesized to regulate electron flow, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to stabilize ETC complexes. Using the fungal ageing model Podospora anserina, we investigated the impact of homologues of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae respiratory supercomplex factors 1 and 2 (termed PaRCF1 and PaRCF2) on mtRSC formation, fitness and lifespan. Whereas PaRCF2’s role seems negligible, ablation of PaRCF1 alters size of monomeric complex IV, reduces the abundance of complex IV-containing supercomplexes, negatively affects vital functions and shortens lifespan. PaRcf1 overexpression slightly prolongs lifespan, though without appreciably influencing ETC organization. Overall, our results identify PaRCF1 as necessary yet not sufficient for mtRSC formation and demonstrate that PaRCF1-dependent stability of complex IV and associated supercomplexes is highly relevant for maintenance of the healthy lifespan in a eukaryotic model organism.
Safety Evaluation of Hemoglobin-Albumin Cluster “HemoAct” as a Red Blood Cell Substitute
Authors: Haruki Risa , Kimura Takuya , Iwasaki Hitomi , Yamada Kana , Kamiyama Ikuo , Kohno Mitsutomo , Taguchi Kazuaki , Nagao Saori , Maruyama Toru , Otagiri Masaki , Komatsu Teruyuki 
Published: July 2015

AbstractA hemoglobin (Hb) wrapped covalently by human serum albumins (HSAs), a core–shell structured hemoglobin-albumin cluster designated as “HemoAct”, is an O2-carrier designed for use as a red blood cell (RBC) substitute. This report describes the blood compatibility, hemodynamic response and pharmacokinetic properties of HemoAct and then explains its preclinical safety. Viscosity and blood cell counting measurements revealed that HemoAct has good compatibility with whole blood. Intravenous administration of HemoAct into anesthetized rats elicited no unfavorable increase in systemic blood pressure by vasoconstriction. The half-life of 125I-labeled HemoAct in circulating blood is markedly longer than that of HSA. Serum biochemical tests conducted 7 days after HemoAct infusion yielded equivalent values to those observed in the control group with HSA. Histopathologic inspections of the vital organs revealed no marked abnormality in their tissues. All results indicate that HemoAct has sufficient preclinical safety as an alternative material for RBC transfusion.
High fT and fMAX for 100 nm unpassivated rectangular gate AlGaN/GaN HEMT on high resistive silicon (111) substrate
Authors: Christy P.D. , Katayama Y. , Wakejima A. , Egawa T. 
Published: July 2015

A high current gain cutoff frequency (fT) of 90 GHz and a peak maximum oscillation frequency (fMAX) as high as 150 GHz are reported for a rectangular‐shaped gate AlGaN/GaN high‐electron mobility transistor (HEMT) on a high resistive silicon (HR‐Si) substrate. The combined high fT/fMAX values for 100 nm unpassivated gate device demonstrate the high‐quality heterostructure on silicon substrate. The reported high‐performance RF device characteristics are comparable and even superior to the existing passivated AlGaN/GaN HEMTs of similar gate length. In addition, good DC characteristics have been recorded with the drain current density and an extrinsic transconductance of 0.6 A/mm and 157 mS/mm, respectively.
A clinicopathological and brain MRI study in Egyptian children with mitochondrial disorders
Authors: Ghaffar Hadeer A. , Hamdi Maha M. , Hagras Amal M. , Nakhla Gina A. , Kamel Ahmed M. , Selim Laila A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis prospective study was undertaken to focus on the clinicopathological aspects as well as the value of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children suffering from mitochondriopathies. Thirty-one patients [15 males (48.4%) and 16 females (51.6%)] gathered from the neuropediatric and metabolic clinic of Cairo University Children Hospital were included in this study. All patients were subjected to a thorough history and a meticulous clinical examination, computerized tomography and (MRI), electromyography and nerve conduction velocity. Muscle biopsies were performed in 18/31 patients and were subjected to both cytochrome c oxidase (COX) staining and electron microscopic (EM) examination. Laboratory tests including serum lactate and pyruvate, serum creatine kinase (CK), urine and plasma aminogram, urine organic acid profile, acyl carnitine profile, enzymatic analysis for arylsulfatase, galactocerebrosidase, very long chain fatty acids, acetyl aspartase were also performed when needed. Patients were classified according to their clinical phenotypes into: mitochondrial leukoencephalopathy (3/31), Leigh syndrome (7/31), neuropathy, ataxia and retinitis pigmentosa (2/31), mitochondrial encephalomyopathy (6/31), Leber’s hereditary opticneuropathy (4/31), mitochondrial encephalopathy, red ragged fibers (MERRF) (1/31). Mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis (MELAS) (1/31), familial dystonia (4/31), and mitochondrial myopathy (3/31). The main neurological manifestations in their order of frequency were global developmental delay (20; 64.5%), spasticity (16; 51.6%), hypotonia (12; 38.7%), convulsions (10; 32.3%), sensory neural deafness (7; 22.6%), dystonia (7; 22.6%) optic atrophy (5; 16.1%), proximal muscle weakness (3; 9.7%), retinitis pigmentosa (2; 6.5%) and ataxia (2; 6.5%). Electromyography and nerve conduction study were normal in 18/31 (58%), myopathic in 7/31 (22.6%) and neuropathic in 6/31 (19.4%) patients. CK was significantly increased in only 3/31 (9.7%) patients. The main MRI findings were basal ganglia abnormalities appearing as bilateral and symmetrical high signal intensity lesions on T2 weighted MRI (11/28; 39.3%). Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was performed in 7 patients and all were showing an increase lactate peak. EM examination revealed a subsarcolemmal aggregation of mitochondria in (12/18; 66.7%) and or a large and bizarre shaped mitochondria in (8/18; 44.4%), nonspecific myopathic changes in (3/18; 16.7%). Histochemical analysis of muscle biopsies using COX staining revealed a COX- vein (5/11; 45.5%), COX + vein (6/11; 54.5%), and myopathic changes in (3/18; 16.7%) patients. In conclusion, MRI and MRS are proved a promising tool in the diagnosis of mitochondrial cytopathies. MRS is a sensitive, non-invasive tool to evaluate the pathological lactate production in metabolic brain disease with disturbed energy production.