bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A coupled forage-grazer model predicts viability of livestock production and wildlife habitat at the regional scale
Authors: Kowal Virginia A. , Jones Sharon M. , Keesing Felicia , Allan Brian F. , Schieltz Jennifer M. , Chaplin-Kramer Rebecca
Published: December 2019

Informed management of livestock on rangelands underpins both the livelihoods of communities that depend on livestock for sustenance, and the conservation of wildlife that often depend on livestock-dominated landscapes for habitat. Understanding spatial patterns of rangeland productivity is therefore crucial to designing global development strategies that balance social and environmental benefits. Here we introduce a new rangeland production model that dynamically links the Century ecosystem model with a basic ruminant diet selection and physiology model. With lightweight input data requirements that can be met with global sources, the model estimates the viability of broad livestock management decisions, and suggests possible implications of these management decisions for grazing wildlife. Using minimal field data, the new rangeland production model enables the reliable estimation of cattle stocking density; this is an important predictor of the viability of livestock production and forage available for grazing wildlife.
First validation of a novel assessgame quantifying selective voluntary motor control in children with upper motor neuron lesions
Authors: Keller Jeffrey W. , Balzer Julia , Fahr Annina , Lieber Jan , Keller Urs , van Hedel Hubertus J. A.
Published: December 2019

The question whether novel rehabilitation interventions can exploit restorative rather than compensatory mechanisms has gained momentum in recent years. Assessments measuring selective voluntary motor control could answer this question. However, while current clinical assessments are ordinal-scaled, which could affect their sensitivity, lab-based assessments are costly and time-consuming. We propose a novel, interval-scaled, computer-based assessment game using low-cost accelerometers to evaluate selective voluntary motor control. Participants steer an avatar owl on a star-studded path by moving the targeted joint of the upper or lower extremities. We calculate a target joint accuracy metric, and an outcome score for the frequency and amplitude of involuntary movements of adjacent and contralateral joints as well as the trunk. We detail the methods and, as a first proof of concept, relate the results of select children with upper motor neuron lesions (n = 48) to reference groups of neurologically intact children (n = 62) and adults (n = 64). Linear mixed models indicated that the cumulative therapist score, rating the degree of selectivity, was a good predictor of the involuntary movements outcome score. This highlights the validity of this assessgame approach to quantify selective voluntary motor control and warrants a more thorough exploration to quantify changes induced by restorative interventions.
Host exposure history modulates the within-host advantage of virulence in a songbird-bacterium system
Authors: Leon Ariel E. , Fleming-Davies Arietta E. , Hawley Dana M.
Published: December 2019

The host immune response can exert strong selective pressure on pathogen virulence, particularly when host protection against reinfection is incomplete. Since emerging in house finch populations, the bacterial pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) has been increasing in virulence. Repeated exposure to low-doses of MG, a proxy for what birds likely experience while foraging, provides significant but incomplete protection against reinfection. Here we sought to determine if the within-host, pathogen load advantage of high virulence is mediated by the degree of prior pathogen exposure, and thus the extent of immune memory. We created variation in host immunity by experimentally inoculating wild-caught, MG-naïve house finches with varying doses and number of exposures of a single pathogen strain of intermediate virulence. Following recovery from priming exposures, individuals were challenged with one of three MG strains of distinct virulence. We found that the quantitative pathogen load advantage of high virulence was strongly mediated by the degree of prior exposure. The greatest within-host load advantage of virulence was seen in hosts given low-dose priming exposures, akin to what many house finches likely experience while foraging. Our results show that incomplete host immunity produced by low-level prior exposure can create a within-host environment that favors more virulent pathogens.
Differential protein profiling of soil diazotroph Rhodococcus qingshengii S10107 towards low-temperature and nitrogen deficiency
Authors: Suyal Deep Chandra , Joshi Divya , Kumar Saurabh , Soni Ravindra , Goel Reeta
Published: December 2019

Protein-based biomarkers can be a promising approach for identification and real-time monitoring of the bio-inoculants employed under sustainable agricultural plans. In this perspective, differential proteomics of psychrophilic diazotroph Rhodococcus qingshengii S10107 (JX173283) was performed to unravel its adaptive responses towards low-temperature nitrogen deficiency and identification of a biomarker for respective physiological conditions. LC-MS/MS-based proteome analysis mapped more than 4830 proteins including 77 up-regulated and 47 down-regulated proteins (p ≤ 0.05). Differential expression of the structural genes of nif regulon viz. nifH, nifD, and nifK along with their response regulators i.e. nifA, nifL, and nifB indicated that the nitrogenase complex was activated successfully. Besides up-regulating the biosynthesis of certain amino acids viz. Leucine, Lysine, and Alanine; the expression of the peptidoglycan synthesis proteins were also increased; while, the enzymes involved in Lipid biosynthesis were found to decrease. Furthermore, two important enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway viz. Transketolase and Transaldolase along with Ribose import ATP-binding protein RbsA were also found to induce significantly under low temperature a nitrogen deficient condition, which suggests the cellular need for ample ribose sugar instantly. Additionally, comparative protein profiling of S10107 strain with our previous studies revealed that CowN protein was significantly up-regulated in all the cases under low-temperature nitrogen deficient conditions and therefore, can be developed as a biomarker. Conclusively, present study for the first time provides an in-depth proteome profiling of R. qingshengii S10107 and proclaims CowN as a potential protein biomarker for monitoring BNF under cold niches.
Nanometrology: Absolute Seebeck coefficient of individual silver nanowires
Authors: Kockert M. , Kojda D. , Mitdank R. , Mogilatenko A. , Wang Z. , Ruhhammer J. , Kroener M. , Woias P. , Fischer S. F.
Published: December 2019

Thermoelectric phenomena can be strongly modified in nanomaterials. The determination of the absolute Seebeck coefficient is a major challenge for metrology with respect to micro- and nanostructures due to the fact that the transport properties of the bulk material are no more valid. Here, we demonstrate a method to determine the absolute Seebeck coefficient S of individual metallic nanowires. For highly pure and single crystalline silver nanowires, we show the influence of nanopatterning on S in the temperature range between 16 K and 300 K. At room temperature, a nanowire diameter below 200 nm suppresses S by 50% compared to the bulk material to less than S = 1 μVK−1, which is attributed to the reduced electron mean free path. The temperature dependence of the absolute Seebeck coefficient depends on size effects. Thermodiffusion and phonon drag are reduced with respect to the bulk material and the ratio of electron-phonon to phonon-phonon interaction is significantly increased.
CIBER-CLAP (CIBERCV Cardioprotection Large Animal Platform): A multicenter preclinical network for testing reproducibility in cardiovascular interventions
Authors: Rossello Xavier , Rodriguez-Sinovas Antonio , Vilahur Gemma , Crisóstomo Verónica , Jorge Inmaculada , Zaragoza Carlos , Zamorano José L. , Bermejo Javier , Ordoñez Antonio , Boscá Lisardo , Vázquez Jesús , Badimón Lina , Sánchez-Margallo Francisco M. , Fernández-Avilés Francisco , Garcia-Dorado David , Ibanez Borja
Published: December 2019

Despite many cardioprotective interventions have shown to protect the heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury in the experimental setting, only few of them have succeeded in translating their findings into positive proof-of-concept clinical trials. Controversial and inconsistent experimental and clinical evidence supports the urgency of a disruptive paradigm shift for testing cardioprotective therapies. There is a need to evaluate experimental reproducibility before stepping into the clinical arena. The CIBERCV (acronym for Spanish network-center for cardiovascular biomedical research) has set up the “Cardioprotection Large Animal Platform” (CIBER-CLAP) to perform experimental studies testing the efficacy and reproducibility of promising cardioprotective interventions based on a pre-specified design and protocols, randomization, blinding assessment and other robust methodological features. Our first randomized, control-group, open-label blinded endpoint experimental trial assessing local ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in a pig model of acute myocardial infarction (n = 87) will be carried out in three separate sets of experiments performed in parallel by three laboratories. Each set aims to assess: (A) CMR-based outcomes; (B) histopathological-based outcomes; and (C) protein-based outcomes. Three core labs will assess outcomes in a blinded fashion (CMR imaging, histopathology and proteomics) and 2 methodological core labs will conduct the randomization and statistical analysis.
An Experimental Study on the Performance Evaluation and Thermodynamic Modeling of a Thermoelectric Cooler Combined with Two Heatsinks
Authors: Siahmargoi Marzieh , Rahbar Nader , Kargarsharifabad Hadi , Sadati Seyed Esmaeil , Asadi Amin
Published: December 2019

The present study aims to investigate the performance of a one-stage thermoelectric cooler using mathematical and thermodynamic modeling and proposing a new correlation for performance evaluation of a thermoelectric cooler combined with two heatsinks. Validating the results of the proposed correlation, a series of experiments have been carried out on the same system. The system consists of a thermoelectric cooler and a heatsink on each side. Deriving the governing equations of the system, the effects of changing the voltage and the thermal resistance of the cold- and hot-side heatsink on cooling power, the cold-side temperature of thermoelectric, and the coefficient of performance of the system have been investigated. The results indicated that changes in voltage have a considerable effect on the performance of the system. Moreover, the maximum cooling power of the system takes place at the voltage of 14 V, which is the optimum voltage of the system. Furthermore, decreasing the thermal resistance of the hot-side heatsink leads to increasing the cooling power and the cold-side temperature of the thermoelectric cooler. On the other hand, increasing the thermal resistance of the cold-side heatsink leads to decreasing the cooling power of the system.
Ecological and economic benefits of planting winter rapeseed (Brassica rapa L.) in the wind erosion area of northern China
Authors: Ma Li , Wang Xuefang , Pu Yuanyuan , Wu Junyan , Coulter Jeffrey A. , Li Xuecai , Wang Lijun , Liu Lijun , Fang Yan , Niu Zaoxia , Yue Jinli , Bai Jing , Zhao Yuhong , Jin Jiaojiao , Chang Yu , Sun Wancang
Published: December 2019

Winter and early spring wind soil erosion have considerable impacts on ecosystems, human well-being and agricultural production in the low precipitation zones of northern China. Little is known about the impact of growing winter rapeseed on ecological cropping systems and the associated economic benefits in the wind erosion area. To explore the winter rapeseed cover effect, we conducted a field experiment in which we covered the soil with winter rapeseed, winter wheat and wheat stubble at different plant density levels and used the spring bare ground as the control (CK). The effects of wind erosion, the “winter rapeseed + ” multiple cropping system, and the economic benefits were compared. There was a large difference in the dry matter, the maximum water absorption, the maximum water storage, the soil evaporation and total wind erosion, the amount of sediment transported in the stratum and the wind erosion modulus. Among them, the mean wind erosion modulus of spring sowing bare land was as high as 490.9 kg·hm−2·h−1, which was 7 and 13 times that of winter wheat and winter rapeseed, respectively. As the wind speed increased from 14 to 22 m·s−1, from a small density to a large density, the mean wind erosion modulus decreased from 68 to 17 kg·hm−2·h−1 for winter rapeseed, and 150 to 31 kg·hm−2·h−1 for winter wheat. Total wind-erosion of sediment transport of CK was 18.6 g·m−2 min−1, which was 16 and 31 times the mean value of winter wheat and winter rapeseed, respectively. “Winter rapeseed + ” replanting peanuts, potatoes, rice, seed melons and other crops generally increased the production value by 5–74% compared with wheat and corn intercropping, which was 98–255% higher than the traditional wheat single crop. Our results suggested that the suitable area for planting winter rapeseed in northern China was approximately 3.3 × 106 hm2, and in terms of the best economic and ecological effects, the appropriate density was 5 × 105 plants·hm−2 in northern China. Our results indicated that Chinese winter rapeseed was the best choice for preventing wind erosion and improving ecological and economic benefits in winter and spring in northern China; additionally, winter rapeseed has important impacts on agricultural sustainability in semi-arid and arid climates.
Distinct climate influences on the risk of typhoid compared to invasive non-typhoid Salmonella disease in Blantyre, Malawi
Authors: Thindwa Deus , Chipeta Michael G. , Henrion Marc Y. R. , Gordon Melita A.
Published: December 2019

InvasiveSalmonelladiseases, both typhoid and invasive non-typhoidalSalmonella(iNTS), are seasonal bloodstream infections causing important morbidity and mortality globally in Africa. The reservoirs and transmission of both are not fully understood. We hypothesised that differences in the time-lagged relationships of rainfall or temperature with typhoid and iNTS incidence might infer differences in epidemiology. We assessed the dynamics of invasiveSalmonellaincidence over a 16-year period of surveillance, quantifying incidence peaks, seasonal variations, and nonlinear effects of rainfall and temperature exposures on the relative risks of typhoid and iNTS, using monthly lags. An increased relative risk of iNTS incidence was short-lasting but immediate after the onset of the rains, whereas that of typhoid was long-lasting but with a two months delayed start, implying a possible difference in transmission. The relative-risk function of temperature for typhoid was bimodal, with higher risk at both lower (with a 1 month lag) and higher (with a ≥4 months lag) temperatures, possibly reflecting the known patterns of short and long cycle typhoid transmission. In contrast, the relative-risk of iNTS was only increased at lower temperatures, suggesting distinct transmission mechanisms. Environmental and sanitation control strategies may be different for iNTS compared to typhoid disease.
Characterization of a new podovirus infecting Paenibacillus larvae
Authors: Ribeiro Henrique G. , Melo Luís D. R. , Oliveira Hugo , Boon Maarten , Lavigne Rob , Noben Jean-Paul , Azeredo Joana , Oliveira Ana
Published: December 2019

The Paenibacillus larvae infecting phage API480 (vB_PlaP_API480) is the first reported podovirus for this bacterial species, with an 58 nm icosahedral capsid and a 12 × 8 nm short, non-contractile tail. API480 encodes 77 coding sequences (CDSs) on its 45,026 bp dsDNA genome, of which 47 were confirmed using mass spectrometry. This phage has got very limited genomic and proteomic similarity to any other known ones registered in public databases, including P. larvae phages. Comparative genomics indicates API480 is a new species as it’s a singleton with 28 unique proteins. Interestingly, the lysis module is highly conserved among P. larvae phages, containing a predicted endolysin and two putative holins. The well kept overall genomic organisation (from the structural and morphogenetic modules to the host lysis, DNA replication and metabolism related proteins) confirms a common evolutionary ancestor among P. larvae infecting phages. API480 is able to infect 69% of the 61 field strains with an ERIC I genotype, as well as ERIC II strains. Furthermore, this phage is very stable when exposed to high glucose concentrations and to larval gastrointestinal conditions. This highly-specific phage, with its broad lytic activity and stability in hive conditions, might potentially be used in the biocontrol of American Foulbrood (AFB).
Properties of orb weaving spider glycoprotein glue change during Argiope trifasciata web construction
Authors: Opell Brent D. , Stellwagen Sarah D.
Published: December 2019

An orb web’s prey capture thread relies on its glue droplets to retain insects until a spider can subdue them. Each droplet’s viscoelastic glycoprotein adhesive core extends to dissipate the forces of prey struggle as it transfers force to stiffer, support line flagelliform fibers. In large orb webs, switchback capture thread turns are placed at the bottom of the web before a continuous capture spiral progresses from the web’s periphery to its interior. To determine if the properties of capture thread droplets change during web spinning, we characterized droplet and glycoprotein volumes and material properties from the bottom, top, middle, and inner regions of webs. Both droplet and glycoprotein volume decreased during web construction, but there was a progressive increase in the glycoprotein’s Young’s modulus and toughness. Increases in the percentage of droplet aqueous material indicated that these increases in material properties are not due to reduced glycoprotein viscosity resulting from lower droplet hygroscopicity. Instead, they may result from changes in aqueous layer compounds that condition the glycoprotein. A 6-fold difference in glycoprotein toughness and a 70-fold difference in Young’s modulus across a web documents the phenotypic plasticity of this natural adhesive and its potential to inspire new materials.
The C-terminal region affects the activity of photoactivated adenylyl cyclase from Oscillatoria acuminata
Authors: Hirano Minako , Takebe Masumi , Ishido Tomoya , Ide Toru , Matsunaga Shigeru
Published: December 2019

Photoactivated adenylyl cyclase (PAC) is a unique protein that, upon blue light exposure, catalyzes cAMP production. The crystal structures of two PACs, from Oscillatoria acuminata (OaPAC) and Beggiatoa sp. (bPAC), have been solved, and they show a high degree of similarity. However, the photoactivity of OaPAC is much lower than that of bPAC, and the regulatory mechanism of PAC photoactivity, which induces the difference in activity between OaPAC and bPAC, has not yet been clarified. Here, we investigated the role of the C-terminal region in OaPAC, the length of which is the only notable difference from bPAC. We found that the photoactivity of OaPAC was inversely proportional to the C-terminal length. However, the deletion of more than nine amino acids did not further increase the activity, indicating that the nine amino acids at the C-terminal critically affect the photoactivity. Besides, absorption spectral features of light-sensing domains (BLUF domains) of the C-terminal deletion mutants showed similar light-dependent spectral shifts as in WT, indicating that the C-terminal region influences the activity without interacting with the BLUF domain. The study characterizes new PAC mutants with modified photoactivities, which could be useful as optogenetics tools.
Structural analysis of mycobacterial homoserine transacetylases central to methionine biosynthesis reveals druggable active site
Authors: Chaton Catherine T. , Rodriguez Emily S. , Reed Robert W. , Li Jian , Kenner Cameron W. , Korotkov Konstantin V.
Published: December 2019

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the cause of the world’s most deadly infectious disease. Efforts are underway to target the methionine biosynthesis pathway, as it is not part of the host metabolism. The homoserine transacetylase MetX converts l-homoserine to O-acetyl-l-homoserine at the committed step of this pathway. In order to facilitate structure-based drug design, we determined the high-resolution crystal structures of three MetX proteins, including M. tuberculosis (MtMetX), Mycolicibacterium abscessus (MaMetX), and Mycolicibacterium hassiacum (MhMetX). A comparison of homoserine transacetylases from other bacterial and fungal species reveals a high degree of structural conservation amongst the enzymes. Utilizing homologous structures with bound cofactors, we analyzed the potential ligandability of MetX. The deep active-site tunnel surrounding the catalytic serine yielded many consensus clusters during mapping, suggesting that MtMetX is highly druggable.
Salt Mediated Self-Assembly of Poly(ethylene glycol)-Functionalized Gold Nanorods
Authors: Kim Hyeong Jin , Wang Wenjie , Bu Wei , Hossen Md Mir , Londoño-Calderon Alejandra , Hillier Andrew C. , Prozorov Tanya , Mallapragada Surya , Vaknin David
Published: December 2019

Although challenging, assembling and orienting non-spherical nanomaterials into two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) ordered arrays can facilitate versatile collective properties by virtue of their shape-dependent properties that cannot be realized with their spherical counterparts. Here, we report on the self-assembly of gold nanorods (AuNRs) into 2D films at the vapor/liquid interface facilitated by grafting them with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Using surface sensitive synchrotron grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) and specular X-ray reflectivity (XRR), we show that PEG-AuNRs in aqueous suspensions migrate to the vapor/liquid interface in the presence of salt, forming a uniform monolayer with planar-to-surface orientation. Furthermore, the 2D assembled PEG functionalized AuNRs exhibit short range order into rectangular symmetry with side-by-side and tail-to-tail nearest-neighbor packing. The effect of PEG chain length and salt concentration on the 2D assembly are also reported.
Inflammatory bowel disease-associated ubiquitin ligase RNF183 promotes lysosomal degradation of DR5 and TRAIL-induced caspase activation
Authors: Wu Yan , Kimura Yuka , Okamoto Takumi , Matsuhisa Koji , Asada Rie , Saito Atsushi , Sakaue Fumika , Imaizumi Kazunori , Kaneko Masayuki
Published: December 2019

RNF183 is a ubiquitin ligase containing RING-finger and transmembrane domains, and its expression levels are increased in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis mice. Here, we further demonstrate that RNF183 was induced to a greater degree in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-treated IBD model at a very early stage than were inflammatory cytokines. In addition, fluorescence-activated cell sorting and polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that RNF183 was specifically expressed in epithelial cells of DSS-treated mice, which suggested that increased levels of RNF183 do not result from the accumulation of immune cells. Furthermore, we identified death receptor 5 (DR5), a member of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor superfamily, as a substrate of RNF183. RNF183 mediated K63-linked ubiquitination and lysosomal degradation of DR5. DR5 promotes TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis signal through interaction with caspase-8. Inhibition of RNF183 expression was found to suppress TRAIL-induced activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3. Thus, RNF183 promoted not only DR5 transport to lysosomes but also TRAIL-induced caspase activation and apoptosis. Together, our results provide new insights into potential roles of RNF183 in DR5-mediated caspase activation in IBD pathogenesis.
Design and Development of Lubricating Material Database and Research on Performance Prediction Method of Machine Learning
Authors: Jia Dan , Duan Haitao , Zhan Shengpeng , Jin Yongliang , Cheng Bingxue , Li Jian
Published: December 2019

Long developing period and cumbersome evaluation for the lubricating materials performance seriously jeopardize the successful development and application of any database system in tribological field. Such major setback can be solved effectively by implementing approaches with high throughput calculation. However, it often involves with vast number of output files, which are computed on the basis of first principle computation, having different data format from that of their experimental counterparts. Commonly, the input, storage and management of first principle calculation files and their individually test counterparts, implementing fast query and display in the database, adding to the use of physical parameters, as predicted with the performance estimated by first principle approach, may solve such setbacks. Investigation is thus performed for establishing database website specifically for lubricating materials, which satisfies both data: (i) as calculated on the basis of first principles and (ii) as obtained by practical experiment. It further explores preliminarily the likely relationship between calculated physical parameters of lubricating oil and its respectively tribological and anti-oxidative performance as predicted by lubricant machine learning model. Success of the method facilitates in instructing the obtainment of optimal design, preparation and application for any new lubricating material so that accomplishment of high performance is possible.
Effective reinforcements for thermoplastics based on carbon nanotubes of oil fly ash
Authors: Salah Numan , Alfawzan Abdulrahman Muhammad , Saeed Abdu , Alshahrie Ahmed , Allafi Waleed
Published: December 2019

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are widely investigated for preparing polymer nanocomposites, owing to their unique mechanical properties. However, dispersing CNTs uniformly in a polymer matrix and controlling their entanglement/agglomeration are still big technical challenges to be overcome. The costs of their raw materials and production are also still high. In this work, we propose the use of CNTs grown on oil fly ash to solve these issues. The CNTs of oil fly ash were evaluated as reinforcing materials for some common thermoplastics. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) was mainly reinforced with various weight fractions of CNTs. Xylene was used as a solvent to dissolve HDPE and to uniformly disperse the CNTs. Significantly enhanced mechanical properties of HDPE reinforced at a low weight fraction of these CNTs (1–2 wt.%), mainly the tensile strength, Young’s modulus, stiffness, and hardness, were observed. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus were enhanced by ~20 and 38%, respectively. Moreover, the nanoindentation results were found to be in support to these findings. Polycarbonate, polypropylene, and polystyrene were also preliminarily evaluated after reinforcement with 1 wt.% CNTs. The tensile strength and Young’s Modulus were increased after reinforcement with CNTs. These results demonstrate that the CNTs of the solid waste, oil fly ash, might serve as an appropriate reinforcing material for different thermoplastics polymers.
A novel phytocannabinoid isolated from Cannabis sativa L. with an in vivo cannabimimetic activity higher than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol: Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabiphorol
Authors: Citti Cinzia , Linciano Pasquale , Russo Fabiana , Luongo Livio , Iannotta Monica , Maione Sabatino , Laganà Aldo , Capriotti Anna Laura , Forni Flavio , Vandelli Maria Angela , Gigli Giuseppe , Cannazza Giuseppe
Published: December 2019

(-)-Trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) is the main compound responsible for the intoxicant activity of Cannabis sativa L. The length of the side alkyl chain influences the biological activity of this cannabinoid. In particular, synthetic analogues of Δ9-THC with a longer side chain have shown cannabimimetic properties far higher than Δ9-THC itself. In the attempt to define the phytocannabinoids profile that characterizes a medicinal cannabis variety, a new phytocannabinoid with the same structure of Δ9-THC but with a seven-term alkyl side chain was identified. The natural compound was isolated and fully characterized and its stereochemical configuration was assigned by match with the same compound obtained by a stereoselective synthesis. This new phytocannabinoid has been called (-)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol (Δ9-THCP). Along with Δ9-THCP, the corresponding cannabidiol (CBD) homolog with seven-term side alkyl chain (CBDP) was also isolated and unambiguously identified by match with its synthetic counterpart. The binding activity of Δ9-THCP against human CB1 receptor in vitro (Ki = 1.2 nM) resulted similar to that of CP55940 (Ki = 0.9 nM), a potent full CB1 agonist. In the cannabinoid tetrad pharmacological test, Δ9-THCP induced hypomotility, analgesia, catalepsy and decreased rectal temperature indicating a THC-like cannabimimetic activity. The presence of this new phytocannabinoid could account for the pharmacological properties of some cannabis varieties difficult to explain by the presence of the sole Δ9-THC.
A novel experimental approach for studying life-history traits of phytophagous arthropods utilizing an artificial culture medium
Authors: Karpicka-Ignatowska Kamila , Laska Alicja , Kuczyński Lechosław , Rector Brian G. , Lewandowski Mariusz , Puchalska Ewa , Skoracka Anna
Published: December 2019

Experimental approaches to studying life-history traits in minute herbivorous arthropods are hampered by the need to work with detached host plant material and the difficulty of maintaining that material in a suitable condition to support the animal throughout the duration of the test. In order to address this shortcoming, we developed a customizable agar-based medium modified from an established plant cell-culture medium to nourish detached leaves laid atop it while also preventing arthropods from escaping the experimental arena. The artificial culture medium was tested with two herbivorous mite species: the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella; Eriophyidae) and two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae; Tetranychidae). The proposed approach was a major improvement over a standard protocol for prolonged studies of individual eriophyid mites and also provided some benefits for experiments with spider mites. Moreover, the described method can be easily modified according to the requirements of host plant species and applied to a wide range of microherbivore species. Such applications include investigations of life-history traits and other ecological and evolutionary questions, e.g. mating or competitive behaviours or interspecific interactions, assessing invasiveness potential and predicting possible outbreaks. The approach presented here should have a significant impact on the advancement of evolutionary and ecological research on microscopic herbivores.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Risk Factors in Women from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlFaris Nora A. , AlKehayez Nora M. , AlMushawah Fatema I. , AlNaeem AbdulRhman N. , AlAmri Nadia D. , AlMudawah Ebtisam S.
Published: December 2019

Vitamin D deficiency is an epidemic public health problem worldwide. It is common in the Middle East and is more severe in women. This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess vitamin D deficiency and associated risk factors in women living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured in 166 women aged 30–65 years. Socio-demographic, lifestyle and health status characteristics, as well as intake of selected dietary supplements, were collected. Weight and height were measured. Vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL) was reported in 60.2% of participants. Mean of serum 25(OH)D was 20.7 ng/mL. Older age and taking the supplements of vitamin D, multi-vitamins or calcium were identified as factors that associated with a lower risk of hypovitaminosis D. A national strategy is needed to control a hypovitaminosis D crisis in Saudi Arabia. This could be accomplished by raising public awareness regarding vitamin D, regulating and enhancing vitamin D fortification and supplementation and screening vitamin D status among women at high risk.
Dominant Role of the Gut Microbiota in Chemotherapy Induced Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Ramakrishna Chandran , Corleto Jose , Ruegger Paul M. , Logan Geoffrey D. , Peacock Beth B. , Mendonca Stacee , Yamaki Shanni , Adamson Trinka , Ermel Richard , McKemy David , Borneman James , Cantin Edouard M.
Published: December 2019

Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a toxic side effect of some cancer treatments, negatively impacts patient outcomes and drastically reduces survivor’s quality of life (QOL). Uncovering the mechanisms driving chemotherapy-induced CIPN is urgently needed to facilitate the development of effective treatments, as currently there are none. Observing that C57BL/6 (B6) and 129SvEv (129) mice are respectively sensitive and resistant to Paclitaxel-induced pain, we investigated the involvement of the gut microbiota in this extreme phenotypic response. Reciprocal gut microbiota transfers between B6 and 129 mice as well as antibiotic depletion causally linked gut microbes to Paclitaxel-induced pain sensitivity and resistance. Microglia proliferated in the spinal cords of Paclitaxel treated mice harboring the pain-sensitive B6 microbiota but not the pain-resistant 129 microbiota, which exhibited a notable absence of infiltrating immune cells. Paclitaxel decreased the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila, which could compromise barrier integrity resulting in systemic exposure to bacterial metabolites and products – that acting via the gut-immune-brain axis – could result in altered brain function. Other bacterial taxa that consistently associated with both bacteria and pain as well as microglia and pain were identified, lending support to our hypothesis that microglia are causally involved in CIPN, and that gut bacteria are drivers of this phenotype.
Medieval Climate Variability in the eastern Amazon-Cerrado regions and its archeological implications
Authors: Azevedo Vitor , Stríkis Nicolás M. , Santos Rudney A. , de Souza Jonas Gregorio , Ampuero Angela , Cruz Francisco W. , de Oliveira Paulo , Iriarte José , Stumpf Cintia F. , Vuille Mathias , Mendes Vinícius R. , Cheng Hai , Edwards R. Lawrence
Published: December 2019

The South American Monsoon System is responsible for the majority of precipitation in the continent, especially over the Amazon and the tropical savannah, known as ‘Cerrado’. Compared to the extensively studied subtropical and temperate regions the effect of the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) on the precipitation over the tropics is still poorly understood. Here, we present a multiproxy paleoprecipitation reconstruction showing a consistent change in the hydrologic regime during the MCA in the eastern Amazon and ‘Cerrado’, characterized by a substantial transition from humid to drier conditions during the Early (925-1150 C.E.) to Late-MCA (1150-1350 C.E.). We compare the timing of major changes in the monsoon precipitation with the expansion and abandonment of settlements reported in the archeological record. Our results show that important cultural successions in the pre-Columbian Central Amazon, the transition from Paredão to Guarita phase, are in agreement with major changes in the hydrologic regime. Phases of expansion and, subsequent abandonment, of large settlements from Paredão during the Early to Late-MCA are coherent with a reduction in water supply. In this context we argue that the sustained drier conditions during the latter period may have triggered territorial disputes with Guarita leading to the Paredão demise.
Analysis of HDL-microRNA panel in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia subjects with LDL receptor null or defective mutation
Authors: Scicali Roberto , Di Pino Antonino , Pavanello Chiara , Ossoli Alice , Strazzella Arianna , Alberti Antonia , Di Mauro Stefania , Scamporrino Alessandra , Urbano Francesca , Filippello Agnese , Piro Salvatore , Rabuazzo Agata Maria , Calabresi Laura , Purrello Francesco
Published: December 2019

In the last years increasing attention has been given to the connection between genotype/phenotype and cardiovascular events in subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). MicroRNAs (miRs) bound to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) may contribute to better discriminate the cardiovascular risk of FH subjects. Our aim was to evaluate the HDL-miR panel in heterozygous FH (HeFH) patients with an LDLR null or defective mutation and its association with pulse wave velocity (PWV). We evaluated lipid panel, HDL-miR panel and PWV in 32 LDLR null mutation (LDLR-null group) and 35 LDLR defective variant (LDLR-defective group) HeFH patients. HDL-miR-486 and HDL-miR-92a levels were more expressed in the LDLR-null group than the LDLR-defective group. When we further stratified the study population into three groups according to both the LDLR genotype and history of ASCVD (LDLR-null/not-ASCVD, LDLR-defective/not-ASCVD and LDLR/ASCVD groups), both the LDLR/ASCVD and the LDLR-null/not-ASCVD groups had a higher expression of HDL-miR-486 and HDL-miR-92a than the LDLR-defective/not-ASCVD group. Finally, HDL-miR-486 and HDL-miR-92a were independently associated with PWV. In conclusion, the LDLR-null group exhibited HDL-miR-486 and HDL-miR-92a levels more expressed than the LDLR-defective group. Further studies are needed to evaluate these HDL-miRs as predictive biomarkers of cardiovascular events in FH.
Protease Responsive Essential Amino-Acid Based Nanocarriers for Near-Infrared Imaging
Authors: Kumari Anshu , Kumari Kalpana , Gupta Sharad
Published: December 2019

Delivery of the theranostic agents with effective concentration to the desired sites inside the body is a major challenge in disease management. Nanotechnology has gained attention for the delivery of theranostic agents to the targeted location. The use of essential amino-acid based homopolymers for the synthesis of biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles (NPs) could serve as a nanocarrier for delivery applications. In this study, poly-l-lysine (PLL) and salts were used to fabricate the NPs for the delivery of exogenous contrast agents. Here, indocyanine green (ICG) was encapsulated within these NPs, and a simple two-step green chemistry-based self-assembly process was used for the fabrication. The morphological and biochemical characterizations confirm the formation of ICG encapsulating spherical PLL NPs with an average diameter of ~225 nm. Further, a detailed study has been carried out to understand the role of constituents in the assembly mechanism of PLL NPs. Our results show a controlled release of the ICG from PLL NPs in the presence of the proteolytic enzyme. In-vitro cellular studies suggest that the PLL NPs were readily taken up by the cells showing their superior delivery efficiency of ICG in comparison to the free-form of the ICG.
Oncotype DX Breast Cancer recurrence score resists inter-assay reproducibility with RT2-Profiler Multiplex RT-PCR
Authors: Schildgen Verena , Warm Mathias , Brockmann Michael , Schildgen Oliver
Published: December 2019

The Oncotype Dx assay is frequently used to test if breast cancer patients can be spared from chemotherapy without negative effects for their future clinical course. However, due to conflicting data on the assay utility, in the recent past its reimbursement situation in Germany was revised; due to continued requests by clinicians for predictive values, our group decided to implement an Oncotype Dx like alternative assay with the objective of obtaining quality and cost optimization. Customized RT2-Profiler assays covering the 21 gene panel of the Oncotype Dx assay were applied to a pilot cohort of breast cancer patients with known Oncotype Dx Recurrence Score (RS). The Ct values obtained with RT2-Profiler-assays were used to calculate the unscaled Recurrence Score (RSu) values and the thereon based RS according to the Oncotype DX assay rules if available. Despite consistent assay performance it was impossible to establish correlations between RT2-Profiler recurrence scores with the respective Oncotype DX values not to mention exact matches. By following the Oncotype DX assay and its interpretation as close as possible we faced several obstructions such as lack of information on RNA amount used, missing units in the single gene expression report, missing references cited in the original study that should explain the determination of the recurrence score formula, and vague information on the normalization of the gene expression impeding the reproduction of Oncotype Dx results in other laboratories. Unfortunately, the Oncotype Dx assay cannot be confirmed by the customized RT2-profiler assay, not least because of the fact that the individual gene measurements are not provided in the medical report, although these are mandatory for the RS calculation. In fact, the “single gene report” only contains unscaled scores of the ER, PR, and Her2 genes without any internationally accepted unit used to describe a transcript quantity. Therefore a direct comparison with the in-house measurement to evaluate its performance is impossible. With regard to our findings and the fact that the Oncotype RS represents a likelihood of the risk of relapse it thus remains impossible to assess the clinical necessity of this assay.
Deep placement of controlled-release urea effectively enhanced nitrogen use efficiency and fresh ear yield of sweet corn in fluvo-aquic soil
Authors: Liu Wei , Xiong Yousheng , Xu Xiangyu , Xu Fangsen , Hussain Saddam , Xiong Hanfeng , Yuan Jiafu
Published: December 2019

Application of controlled-release urea (CRU) improves crop yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) compared with conventional urea. However, the effectiveness of CRU differs with fertilization placement. A two site-year field experiment was carried out in fluvo-aquic soil in central China to study the effects of two N sources (CRU and urea) and three fertilization placements (band application between two corn rows at 0, 5, and 15 cm soil depths) on fresh ear yield and NUE of sweet corn. The soil inorganic N (NO3−-N and NH4+-N) concentrations at the soil layers of 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm, root morphology characteristics and leaf physiological functions were also measured during the sweet corn growth period. Results showed that the deep placement of CRU at 15 cm soil depth significantly increased the sweet corn fresh ear yield, total N uptake, and NUE by 6.3%–13.4%, 27.9%–39.5%, and 82.9%–140.1%, respectively compared with CRU application at 0 cm depth. Deep placement of CRU at 15 cm also increased the root morphology traits, gas exchange attributes, and soil NO3−-N and NH4+-N concentrations in 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm layer, especially during later crop growth stages. However, the different N placements exerted non-significant effects on NUE and fresh ear yield when urea was applied as the N source. In crux, deep CRU placement instead of urea at 15 cm depth can effectively improve fresh ear yield and NUE of sweet corn in fluvo-aquic soil because of higher root growth, better leaf physiological functions and increased availability of soil NO3−-N and NH4+-N.
A metrological approach to the analysis of choroidal thickness by optical coherence tomography 3D scans in myopia research
Authors: Breher Katharina , Ohlendorf Arne , Wahl Siegfried
Published: December 2019

In myopia research, changes of choroidal thickness in response to optically induced signals serve as predictor for changes in axial length that might be correlated with myopia progression. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides a tool for imaging the choroid, however, with certain difficulties because of a limited visibility of the scleral-choroidal interface. Considering the previously reported effect sizes of thickness change in human myopia research, this study investigated the repeatability of automated 3D choroidal segmentation across the macular area of 6 × 6 mm2. Fifteen subjects underwent nine volume scans in two OCT devices with analysis of the 95% interval of repeatability, intersubject and intrasubject variations, as well as interdevice agreement. Repeatability generally improved with increasing eccentricity from the fovea. The nasal perifoveal region exhibited the best repeatability with ±19 and ±21 μm in both OCT devices, whereas the subfovea showed a repeatability of ±57 and ±44 μm, respectively. High inter- and intrasubject variations were observed, together with a negative bias in the device agreement. Although there is still limited data on thickness changes of the nasal choroid, future studies could focus more on measuring the effect size in the nasal perifoveal area to account for metrological issues in choroidal segmentation.
Environmental impact of tsetse eradication in Senegal
Authors: Ciss Mamadou , Bassène Mireille D. , Seck Momar T. , Mbaye Abdou G. , Sall Baba , Fall Assane G. , Vreysen Marc J. B. , Bouyer Jérémy
Published: December 2019

The sterile insect technique is an environment friendly control tactic and is very species specific. It is not a stand-alone technique and has been used mostly in combination with other control tactics within an area-wide integrated pest management strategy. For a period of eight years, the direct impact of a campaign to eradicate a population of the tsetse flyGlossina palpalis gambiensisin Senegal was monitored using a set of fruit-feeding insect species (Cetoniinae and Nymphalidae) that served as ecological indicators of the health of the ecosystem. Here we show that the eradication campaign had very limited impacts on the apparent densities of the most frequent species as well as three diversity indexes during the reduction phase involving insecticides but reverted to pre-intervention levels as soon as the release of the sterile male insects started. These results greatly expand our understanding of the impact of vector eradication campaigns on non-target species.