bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A solution based on melatonin, tryptophan, and vitamin B6 (Melamil Tripto©) for sedation in newborns during brain MRI
Authors: Picone S. , Ariganello P. , Mondì V. , Di Palma F. , Martini L. , Marziali S. , Fariello G. , Paolillo P.
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Melatonin has been studied and used for several years as a sleep-wake cycle modulator in patients with sleep disorders. Experimental evidence has demonstrated the multiple neuroprotective benefits of this indoleamine secreted by the pineal gland. Melatonin is also used in neurological investigations, for its ability to induce sleep in children. In fact, it favors falling asleep during electroencephalogram, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and during brainstem auditory evoked potentials. Previous studies are focused on infants and children. No investigation have been performed in neonates, before or during instrumental assessments.

Material and methods

One hundred ten newborns (term and preterm) undergoing brain MRI were enrolled in the study. Thirty minutes before the planned time for the examination, we administered a single dose solution of melatonin- tryptophan-vitamin B6. Twenty minutes after the initial administration of 2 mg, a second dose of 1 mg was administered, if the baby was still awake. If after further 15 min the baby was still not sleeping, an additional dose of 1 mg was administered.

Results

In 106 patients we obtained adequate sedation without adverse events, allowing us to perform an adequate quality MRI, with a median time of 25 min to reach sleeping. Only in three patients MRI could not be performed. In patients having a large weight, higher doses of melatonin were necessary to reach sleeping. Considering the pro kg dose of melatonin, the average dose that induced sleepiness in neonates was 0,64 ± 0.16 mg/Kg.

Conclusion

A solution based on Melatonin- tryptophan-vitamin B6 can be a helpful sedative to administer to neonates undergoing brain MRI, avoiding the use of anesthetics and achieving adequate assessments.
Domestication of the novel alcohologenic acetogen Clostridium sp. AWRP: from isolation to characterization for syngas fermentation
Authors: Lee Joungmin , Lee Jin Woo , Chae Cheol Gi , Kwon Soo Jae , Kim Yun Jae , Lee Jung-Hyun , Lee Hyun Sook
Published: September 2019

Background

Gas-fermenting acetogens have received a great deal of attention for their ability to grow on various syngas and waste gas containing carbon monoxide (CO), producing acetate as the primary metabolite. Among them, someClostridiumspecies, such asC. ljungdahliiandC. autoethanogenum, are of particular interest as they produce fuel alcohols as well. Despite recent efforts, alcohol production by these species is still unsatisfactory due to their low productivity and acetate accumulation, necessitating the isolation of strains with better phenotypes.

Results

In this study, a novel alcohol-producing acetogen (Clostridiumsp. AWRP) was isolated, and its complete genome was sequenced. This bacterium belongs the same phylogenetic group asC. ljungdahlii,C. autoethanogenum,C. ragsdalei, andC. coskatiibased on 16S rRNA homology; however, the levels of genome-wide average nucleotide identity (gANI) for strain AWRP compared with these strains range between 95 and 96%, suggesting that this strain can be classified as a novel species. In addition, strain AWRP produced a substantial amount of ethanol (70–90 mM) from syngas in batch serum bottle cultures, which was comparable to or even exceeded the typical values obtained using its close relatives cultivated under similar conditions. In a batch bioreactor, strain AWRP produced 119 and 12 mM of ethanol and 2,3-butanediol, respectively, while yielding only 1.4 mM of residual acetate. Interestingly, the alcohologenesis of this strain was strongly affected by oxidoreduction potential (ORP), which has not been reported with other gas-fermenting clostridia.

Conclusion

Considering its ethanol production under low oxidoreduction potential (ORP) conditions,Clostridiumsp. AWRP will be an interesting host for biochemical studies to understand the physiology of alcohol-producing acetogens, which will contribute to metabolic engineering of those strains for the production of alcohols and other value-added compounds from syngas.
Recombinant Sj16 protein with novel activity alleviates hepatic granulomatous inflammation and fibrosis induced by Schistosoma japonicum associated with M2 macrophages in a mouse model
Authors: Shen Jia , Wang Lifu , Peng Mei , Liu Zhen , Zhang Beibei , Zhou Tao , Sun Xi , Wu Zhongdao
Published: September 2019

Background

Potent granulomatous inflammation responses induced by schistosome eggs and resultant fibrosis are the primary causes of morbidity in schistosomiasis. Recombinant Sj16 (rSj16), a 16-kDa protein ofSchistosoma japonicumproduced inEscherichia coli, has been demonstrated to have novel immunoregulatory effectsin vivoandin vitro. Thus, this study investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of rSj16 treatment inS. japonicum-infected mice and demonstrated the immune modulation between the schistosome and the host.

Methods

Schistosoma japonicuminfected mice were treated with the rSj16 protein and Sj16 peptide at different time points post-infection to assess their efficacy at the optimal time point. Sj16 peptide and/or Praziquantel (PZQ) treatments were initiated at week 5 post-infection to compare the therapeutic efficacy of each regimen. Hepatic granulomatous inflammation, fibrosis and cytokine production (pro-inflammatory, Th1, Th2, Th17 and regulatory cytokines IL-10) were detected. Moreover, M2 macrophages were measured to illuminate the mechanisms of Sj16.

Results

The rSj16 protein and Sj16 peptide had significant protective effects inS. japonicum-infected mice, as shown by decreased granuloma formation, areas of collagen deposition and inhibition of pro-inflammatory Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokine production. These protective activities were more obvious when animals were treated with either the Sj16 protein or peptide at early stages post-infection. Interestingly, the combined treatment of PZQ and Sj16 was more effective and upregulated IL-10 production than administration of PZQ alone in infected mice. Furthermore, the Sj16 treatment alleviated the pathological effects associated with activated M2 macrophages.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of rSj16 in schistosomiasis. Therefore, the combination of rSj16 with PZQ could be a viable and promising therapeutic strategy for schistosomiasis. In addition, this investigation provides additional information on schistosome-mediated immune modulation and host-parasite interactions.
Genome-wide RNAi screen in Drosophila reveals Enok as a novel trithorax group regulator
Authors: Umer Zain , Akhtar Jawad , Khan Muhammad Haider Farooq , Shaheen Najma , Haseeb Muhammad Abdul , Mazhar Khalida , Mithani Aziz , Anwar Saima , Tariq Muhammad
Published: September 2019

Background

Polycomb group (PcG) and trithorax group (trxG) proteins contribute to the specialization of cell types by maintaining differential gene expression patterns. Initially discovered as positive regulators of HOX genes in forward genetic screens, trxG counteracts PcG-mediated repression of cell type-specific genes. Despite decades of extensive analysis, molecular understanding of trxG action and regulation are still punctuated by many unknowns. This study aimed at discovering novel factors that elicit an anti-silencing effect to facilitate trxG-mediated gene activation.

Results

We have developed a cell-based reporter system and performed a genome-wide RNAi screen to discover novel factors involved in trxG-mediated gene regulation inDrosophila. We identified more than 200 genes affecting the reporter in a manner similar to trxG genes. From the list of top candidates, we have characterized Enoki mushroom (Enok), a known histone acetyltransferase, as an important regulator of trxG inDrosophila. Mutants ofenokstrongly suppressed extra sex comb phenotype ofPcmutants and enhanced homeotic transformations associated withtrxmutations. Enok colocalizes with both TRX and PC at chromatin. Moreover, depletion of Enok specifically resulted in an increased enrichment of PC and consequently silencing of trxG targets. This downregulation of trxG targets was also accompanied by a decreased occupancy of RNA-Pol-II in the gene body, correlating with an increased stalling at the transcription start sites of these genes. We propose that Enok facilitates trxG-mediated maintenance of gene activation by specifically counteracting PcG-mediated repression.

Conclusion

Our ex vivo approach led to identification of new trxG candidate genes that warrant further investigation. Presence of chromatin modifiers as well as known members of trxG and their interactors in the genome-wide RNAi screen validated our reverse genetics approach. Genetic and molecular characterization of Enok revealed a hitherto unknown interplay between Enok and PcG/trxG system. We conclude that histone acetylation by Enok positively impacts the maintenance of trxG-regulated gene activation by inhibiting PRC1-mediated transcriptional repression.
CGGBP1 regulates CTCF occupancy at repeats
Authors: Patel Divyesh , Patel Manthan , Datta Subhamoy , Singh Umashankar
Published: September 2019

Background

CGGBP1 is a repeat-binding protein with diverse functions in the regulation of gene expression, cytosine methylation, repeat silencing and genomic integrity. CGGBP1 has also been identified as a cooperator of histone-modifying enzymes and as a component of CTCF-containing complexes that regulate the enhancer–promoter looping. CGGBP1–CTCF cross talk in chromatin regulation has been hitherto unknown.

Results

Here, we report that the occupancy of CTCF at repeats depends on CGGBP1. Using ChIP-sequencing for CTCF, we describe its occupancy at repetitive DNA. Our results show that endogenous level of CGGBP1 ensures CTCF occupancy preferentially on repeats over canonical CTCF motifs. By combining CTCF ChIP-sequencing results with ChIP sequencing for three different kinds of histone modifications (H3K4me3, H3K9me3 and H3K27me3), we show that the CGGBP1-dependent repeat-rich CTCF-binding sites regulate histone marks in flanking regions.

Conclusion

CGGBP1 affects the pattern of CTCF occupancy. Our results posit CGGBP1 as a regulator of CTCF and its binding sites in interspersed repeats.
Interaction of HSD11B1 and H6PD polymorphisms in subjects with type 2 diabetes are protective factors against obesity: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chedid Marcio F. , do Nascimento Filipe V. , de Oliveira Fernanda S. , de Souza Bianca M. , Kruel Cleber R. P. , Gurski Richard R. , Canani Luis H. , Crispim Daisy , Gerchman Fernando
Published: September 2019

Background

The enzyme 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD11B1) converts inactive cortisone to active cortisol in a process mediated by the enzyme hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PD). The generation of cortisol from this reaction may increase intra-abdominal cortisol levels and contribute to the physiopathogenesis of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). The relationship of HSD11B1 rs45487298 and H6PD rs6688832 polymorphisms with obesity and MetS was studied. We also studied how HSD11B1 abdominal subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) gene expression is related to body fat distribution.

Methods

Rates of obesity and MetS features were cross-sectionally analyzed according to these polymorphisms in 1006 Brazilian white patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Additionally, HSD11B1 expression was analyzed in VAT and SAT in a different cohort of 28 participants with and without obesity who underwent elective abdominal operations.

Results

Although polymorphisms of the two genes were not individually associated with MetS features, a synergistic effect was observed between both. Carriers of at least three minor alleles exhibited lower BMI compared to those with two or fewer minor alleles adjusting for gender and age (27.4 ± 4.9 vs. 29.3 ± 5.3 kg/m2; P = 0.005; mean ± SD). Obesity frequency was also lower in the first group (24.4% vs. 41.6%, OR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.21–0.87; P = 0.019). In the second cohort of 28 subjects, HSD11B1 gene expression in VAT was inversely correlated with BMI (r = − 0.435, P = 0.034), waist circumference (r = − 0.584, P = 0.003) and waist-to-height ratio (r = − 0.526, P = 0.010).

Conclusions

These polymorphisms might interact in the protection against obesity in T2DM individuals. Obese individuals may have decreased intra-abdominal VAT HSD11B1 gene expression resulting in decreasing intra-abdominal cortisol levels as a compensatory mechanism against central and general adiposity.
Stability and flexibility of full-length human oligodendrocytic QKI6
Authors: Raasakka Arne , Kursula Petri
Published: September 2019

Objective

Oligodendrocytes account for myelination in the central nervous system. During myelin compaction, key proteins are translated in the vicinity of the myelin membrane, requiring targeted mRNA transport. Quaking isoform 6 (QKI6) is a STAR domain-containing RNA transport protein, which binds a conserved motif in the 3′-UTR of certain mRNAs, affecting the translation of myelination-involved proteins. RNA binding has been earlier structurally characterized, but information about full-length QKI6 conformation is lacking. Based on known domains and structure predicitons, we expected full-length QKI6 to be flexible and carry disordered regions. Hence, we carried out biophysical and structural characterization of human QKI6.

Results

We expressed and purified full-length QKI6 and characterized it using mass spectrometry, light scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. QKI6 was monodisperse, folded, and mostly dimeric, being oxidation-sensitive. The C-terminal tail was intrinsically disordered, as predicted. In the absence of RNA, the RNA-binding subdomain is likely to present major flexibility. In thermal stability assays, a double sequential unfolding behaviour was observed in the presence of phosphate, which may interact with the RNA-binding domain. The results confirm the flexibility and partial disorder of QKI6, which may be functionally relevant.
The magnitude and associated factors of postpartum hemorrhage among mothers who delivered at Debre Tabor general hospital 2018
Authors: Habitamu Daniel , Goshu Yitayal Ayalew , Zeleke Likenaw Bewuket
Published: September 2019

Objective

Since data related to postpartum hemorrhage in Ethiopia is scarce, this study was aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of postpartum hemorrhage among mothers who delivered in Debre Tabor general hospital.

Results

In this study, one hundred forty-four mothers’ charts were reviewed which made the response rate 100%. This study revealed that the magnitude of postpartum hemorrhage was 7.6% (CI 6.2, 9.8). Chi-square test revealed that there was an association between postpartum hemorrhage and gravidity, parity, having antenatal care visit, and the previous history postpartum hemorrhage. This finding confirmed that uterine atony, retained placenta, and genital tract trauma were the most common leading cause of postpartum hemorrhage.
The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF): a validation study in Iranian mothers
Authors: Amini Payam , Omani-Samani Reza , Sepidarkish Mahdi , Almasi-Hashiani Amir , Hosseini Mostafa , Maroufizadeh Saman
Published: September 2019

Objective

The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) is a widely used instrument that measures breastfeeding self-efficacy. This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the Persian version of BSES-SF in Iranian mothers.

Results

The English version of BSES-SF was translated into Persian using the standard forward–backward translation procedure. No changes (i.e., neither delete nor rephrase the items) were made to the BSES-SF items. The mean BSES-SF total score was 50.80 ± 8.91. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for internal consistency for the BSES-SF was 0.910. The confirmatory factor analysis results provided evidence for unidimensionality of the scale (χ2/df = 4.42; CFI = 0.96; NFI = 0.95; IFI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.095 and SRMR = 0.054). The divergent validity of the BSES-SF was proved via a significant negative correlation with scores of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (r = − 0.273, P < 0.001). In sum, the Persian version of the BSES-SF is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring breastfeeding self-efficacy in Iranian mothers.

Trial registration numberThis was a cross-sectional study (not clinical trial).
Ability of real-time PCR for differential diagnosis of various forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis: a comparative study with histopathology
Authors: Fekri-SoofiAbadi Maryam , Fekri Meisam , moradabadi Alireza , Vahidi Reza , Shamsi-Meymandi Simin , Dabiri Donya , Dabiri Shahriar
Published: September 2019

Objective

Histopathological studies suggest that parasite load is different between acute and chronic forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). However, highly sensitive detection methods are still needed to distinguish different forms of leishmaniasis. In the present study, we developed a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect and quantifyLeishmania tropicaparasites in paraffin-embedded tissue samples.

Results

The ability of real-time PCR for leishmania detection was higher than histopathological evaluation. The quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) quantified parasite loads were highly correlated with microscopic results (r = 0.598;P < 0.001). Among patients, the parasite load was inversely correlated with disease duration (acute CL lesions had very higher parasite load than chronic CL lesions), but there was no difference in the parasite load according to the patients’ age and sex as well as location of the lesions. In contrast to Ridley scoring system (P < 0.001), there were no statistically significant differences in the relative number of parasites among the lupoid and non-lupoid forms of chronic lesions in real-time PCR (P = 0.549), which indicates the superiority of histopathological evaluation for chronic forms differentiation.
Identifying communication-related predictors of patient satisfaction in a briefing prior to contrast-enhanced computed tomography
Authors: Scholz Valentina , Lange Sandra , Rosenberg Britta , Kromrey Marie-Luise , Syperek Annika , Hosten Norbert , Kohlmann Thomas , Kirsch Michael
Published: September 2019

Background

This study aimed to prospectively investigate patients’ satisfaction with briefings before computed tomography (CT) examinations, determine feasibility, and identify factors influencing patient satisfaction independent of patient and physician characteristics.

Methods

One hundred sixty patients received information by a radiologist prior to contrast-enhanced CT examinations in an open, prospective, two-center, cross-sectional study (including the introduction of the radiologist, procedure, radiation exposure, possible side effects, and alternatives). Afterwards, patients and radiologists evaluated the briefing using a standardized questionnaire. Additionally, factors such as age, socioeconomic status, inpatient/outpatient status, length of the radiologist’s professional experience, duration of the briefing, clarity of the radiologist’s explanations as perceived by patients, and the duration of communication were obtained in this questionnaire. Subsequently, three classes of influencing factors were defined and entered stepwise into a hierarchical regression.

Results

Patient satisfaction ratings differed significantly by type of hospitalization, perceived type of communication, and patient gender. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that perceived clarity was the strongest predictor of patients’ satisfaction when controlling for the patient and physician characteristics.

Conclusions

Patients appeared to be satisfied with the briefing prior to CT examination. The mean briefing time (2 min 35 s) seemed feasible. Patients’ demographics influenced satisfaction. To improve patients’ satisfaction with briefings before contrast-enhanced CT, radiologists should aim to clarify their communication.
Primary effusion lymphoma in a human immunodeficiency virus-negative patient with unexpected unusual complications: a case report
Authors: Fernández-Trujillo Liliana , Bolaños John E. , Velásquez Mauricio , García Carlos , Sua Luz F.
Published: September 2019

Background

Primary effusion lymphoma is a rare, high-grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that usually occurs in immunosuppressed or human immunodeficiency virus-positive individuals in advanced stages of the disease. However, primary effusion lymphoma occasionally affects immunocompetent patients who are infected with human herpes virus type 8 or Epstein-Barr virus. This disease manifests with liquid collections in cavities, producing constitutional symptoms; fever; weight loss; and symptoms related to extrinsic compression, such as dyspnea or abdominal discomfort. Diagnosis is confirmed with cytological or tissue evaluation showing large, multinucleated lymphoid cells with positive specific markers for the disease, such as CD45 and markers related to viral infections, when present. There is no standard treatment for primary effusion lymphoma, but several chemotherapy protocols are recommended, usually with poor results.

Case presentation

We present a case of an adult human immunodeficiency virus-negative Hispanic origin woman with primary effusion lymphoma with pleuritic, pericardial, and peritoneal compromise who also had unusual complications during a diagnostic procedure: the accidental rupture of the left ventricle and the development of a secondary left ventricular pseudoaneurysm. We describe the clinical, radiological, and laboratory characteristics as well as the outcome of this case.

Conclusions

Primary effusion lymphoma is a very rare entity that represents 4% of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases associated with human immunodeficiency virus and 0.1% to 1% of all lymphomas in patients with another type of immunodeficiency in regions where human herpes virus type 8 is not endemic. This reported case is an unusual presentation of primary effusion lymphoma because it occurred in an immunocompetent human immunodeficiency virus-negative adult woman without the presence of Kaposi’s sarcoma or Castleman’s disease and for whom the clinical course after chemotherapy was successful. However, the rupture of the free wall of the left ventricle is a very rare catastrophic event that usually occurs after myocardial infarction. Left ventricle free wall rupture rarely goes unnoticed, but when it occurs, it leads to the development of a ventricular pseudoaneurysm in which the rupture is contained by the pericardium with an organized thrombus and an adjacent hematoma.
Generation of insulin-secreting cells from mouse gallbladder stem cells by small molecules in vitro
Authors: Chen Fei , Li Tuo , Sun Yu , Liu Qinggui , Yang Tao , Chen Jiajia , Zhu Haiying , Shi Yongquan , Hu Yi-Ping , Wang Min-Jun
Published: September 2019

Background

Stem cell-derived pancreatic β-like cells hold great promise for treating diabetes. Gallbladder belongs to the extrahepatic bile duct system and possesses stem-like cells. These stem cells could be expanded in vitro and have the potential of differentiating into hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, or pancreatic cells. As the gallbladder is highly available, gallbladder stem cells provide a new cell source of pancreatic β-like cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate an approach for the generation of pancreatic β-like cells from gallbladder stem cells (GSCs) without genetic modification.

Methods

A CK19CreERT;Rosa26R-GFP mouse was used to isolate CK19+ cells, which represented EpCAM+ stem cells in the gallbladder. They were cultured in the modified Kubota’s medium for expansion and further analyzed. Then, we developed a strategy to screen a combination of small molecules that can generate insulin-secreting cells from gallbladder stem cells. These cells were identified with markers of pancreatic cells. Finally, they were seeded into the cellulosic sponge and transplanted to the diabetic mice for functional examination in vivo.

Results

Gallbladder stem cells could be expanded for more than 15 passages. They expressed typical hepatic stem cell markers including CK19, EpCAM, Sox9, and albumin. By screening method, we found that adding Noggin, FR180204, and cyclopamine could efficiently induce gallbladder stem cells differentiating into insulin-secreting cells. These cells expressed Pdx1, Nkx6.1, and insulin but were negative for Gcg. After transplantation with the cellulosic sponge, they could ameliorate hyperglycemia in the diabetic mice.

Conclusion

This study provides a new approach which can generate insulin-secreting cells from the gallbladder without genetic modification. This offers an option for β cell therapy in treating type 1 diabetes.
Noncoding RNAs: new insights into the odontogenic differentiation of dental tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Fang Fuchun , Zhang Kaiying , Chen Zhao , Wu Buling
Published: September 2019

Odontoblasts are cells that contribute to the formation of the dental pulp complex. The differentiation of dental tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells into odontoblasts comprises many factors and signaling pathways. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), comprising a substantial part of poly-A tail mature RNAs, are considered “transcriptional noise.” Emerging evidence has shown that ncRNAs have key functions in the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. In this review, we discussed two major types of ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), in terms of their role in the odontogenic differentiation of dental tissue-derived stem cells. Recent findings have demonstrated important functions for miRNAs and lncRNAs in odontogenic differentiation. It is expected that ncRNAs will become promising therapeutic targets for dentin regeneration based on stem cells.
Diverse effects of nitric oxide reductase NorV on Aeromonas hydrophila virulence-associated traits under aerobic and anaerobic conditions
Authors: Liu Jin , Dong Yuhao , Wang Nannan , Ma Shuiyan , Lu Chengping , Liu Yongjie
Published: September 2019

NorV has been known to be an anaerobic nitric oxide reductase associated with nitric oxide (NO) detoxification. Recently, we showed that the norV gene of Aeromonas hydrophila was highly upregulated after co-culturing with Tetrahymena thermophila. Here, we demonstrated that the transcription and expression levels of norV were upregulated in a dose-dependent manner after exposure to NO under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. To investigate the roles of norV in resisting predatory protists and virulence of A. hydrophila, we constructed the norV gene-deletion mutant (ΔnorV). Compared to the wild type, the ΔnorV mutant showed no significant difference in growth at various NO concentrations under aerobic conditions but significantly stronger NO-mediated growth inhibition under anaerobic conditions. The deletion of norV exhibited markedly decreased cytotoxicity, hemolytic and protease activities under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Also, the hemolysin co-regulated protein (Hcp) in the ΔnorV mutant showed increased secretion under aerobic conditions but decreased secretion under anaerobic conditions as compared to the wild-type. Moreover, the inactivation of norV led to reduced resistance to predation by T. thermophila, decreased survival within macrophages and highly attenuated virulence in zebrafish. Our data indicate a diverse role for norV in the expression of A. hydrophila virulence-associated traits that is not completely dependent on its function as a nitric oxide reductase. This study provides insights into an unexplored area of NorV, which will contribute to our understanding of bacterial pathogenesis and the development of new control strategies for A. hydrophila infection.
Effects of challenge dose and inoculation route of the virulent Neospora caninum Nc-Spain7 isolate in pregnant cattle at mid-gestation
Authors: Vázquez Patricia , Osoro Koldo , Fernández Miguel , Román-Trufero Alicia , Regidor-Cerrillo Javier , Jiménez-Pelayo Laura , García-Sánchez Marta , Rojo-Montejo Silvia , Benavides Julio , Horcajo Pilar , Ortega-Mora Luis Miguel
Published: September 2019

Parameters such as pathogen dose and inoculation route are paramount in animal models when studying disease pathogenesis. Here, clinical findings, including foetal mortality, parasite transmission rates and lesion severity, and immune responses were evaluated in Asturiana pregnant heifers at day 110 of gestation challenged with a virulent (Nc-Spain7) Neospora caninum isolate. Four different doses of parasite tachyzoites were inoculated intravenously (IV1, 107 parasites, n = 6; IV2, 105, n = 6; IV3, 103, n = 6; and IV4, 102, n = 5), and the subcutaneous (SC) inoculation route was also assessed for the dose of 105 tachyzoites (SC, n = 6). In addition, a control group (n = 4 pregnant heifers) was evaluated. Foetal death was observed in all infected groups from 25 to 62 days post-infection, varying with the dose (IV1:4/6, IV2:3/6; IV4:2/5, IV3:1/6), and was three times less frequently associated with the SC route than IV inoculation (1/6 vs. 3/6). A dose-dependent effect for parasite loads in placental and foetal brain tissues was also detected. After SC challenge, a reduced number of tachyzoites were able to reach foetal brain tissues, and no lesions were observed. In calves, specific IgG responses in precolostral sera were mainly associated with high-dose groups (IV1 [100.0%] and IV2 [66.7%]), and cerebral parasite DNA detection was scarce (3/18). In dams, IFN-γ production and the dynamics of anti-N. caninum IgG antibodies varied with the dose, and the cell-mediated immune response was also found to be route-dependent. Our results confirm the influence of parasite dose and inoculation route on the outcome and dynamics of bovine neosporosis at mid-gestation.
Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis of molting-related proteins of Trichinella spiralis intestinal infective larvae
Authors: Ren Hua Nan , Liu Ruo Dan , Song Yan Yan , Zhuo Tong Xu , Guo Kai Xia , Zhang Yao , Jiang Peng , Wang Zhong Quan , Cui Jing
Published: September 2019

Molting is a key step for body-size expansion and environmental adaptation of parasitic nematodes, and it is extremely important forTrichinella spiralisgrowth and development, but the molting mechanism is not fully understood. In this work, label-free LC–MS/MS was used to determine the proteome differences betweenT. spiralismuscle larvae (ML) at the encapsulated stage and intestinal infective larvae (IIL) at the molting stage. The results showed that a total of 2885T. spiralisproteins were identified, 323 of which were differentially expressed. These proteins were involved in cuticle structural elements, regulation of cuticle synthesis, remodeling and degradation, and hormonal regulation of molting. These differential proteins were also involved in diverse intracellular pathways, such as fatty acid biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, and mucin typeO-glycan biosynthesis. qPCR results showed that fiveT. spiralisgenes (cuticle collagen 14, putative DOMON domain-containing protein, glutamine synthetase, cathepsin F and NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase) had significantly higher transcriptional levels in 10 h IIL than ML (P < 0.05), which were similar to their protein expression levels, suggesting that they might beT. spiralismolting-related genes. Identification and characterization ofT. spiralismolting-related proteins will be helpful for developing vaccines and new drugs against the early enteral stage ofT. spiralis.
Endpoint regularity of discrete multilinear fractional nontangential maximal functions
Authors: Zhang Daiqing
Published: September 2019

Given$m\geq 1$m≥1,$0\leq \lambda \leq 1$0≤λ≤1, and a discrete vector-valued function$\vec{f}=(f_{1},\ldots,f_{m})$f→=(f1,…,fm)with each$f_{j}:\mathbb{Z} ^{d}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}$fj:Zd→R, we consider the discrete multilinear fractional nontangential maximal operator$$ \mathrm{M}_{\alpha,\mathcal{B}}^{\lambda }(\vec{f}) (\vec{n})=\mathop{\sup_{r>0, \vec{x}\in \mathbb{R}^{d}}}_{ \vert \vec{n}-\vec{x} \vert \leq \lambda r}\frac{1}{N(B _{r}(\vec{x}))^{m-\frac{\alpha }{d}}} \prod _{j=1}^{m}\sum_{\vec{k}\in B_{r}(\vec{x})\cap \mathbb{Z}^{d}} \bigl\vert f_{j}(\vec{k}) \bigr\vert , $$Mα,Bλ(f→)(n→)=supr>0,x→∈Rd|n→−x→|≤λr1N(Br(x→))m−αd∏j=1m∑k→∈Br(x→)∩Zd|fj(k→)|,where$\mathcal{B}$Bis the collection of all open balls$B\subset \mathbb{R}^{d}$B⊂Rd,$B_{r}(\vec{x})$Br(x→)is the open ball in$\mathbb{R}^{d}$Rdcentered at$\vec{x}\in \mathbb{R}^{d}$x→∈Rdwith radiusr, and$N(B_{r}(\vec{x}))$N(Br(x→))is the number of lattice points in the set$B_{r}(\vec{x})$Br(x→). We show that the operator$\vec{f}\mapsto |\nabla \mathrm{M}_{\alpha, \mathcal{B}}^{\lambda }(\vec{f})|$f→↦|∇Mα,Bλ(f→)|is bounded and continuous from$\ell ^{1}(\mathbb{Z}^{d})\times \ell ^{1}(\mathbb{Z} ^{d})\times \cdots \times \ell ^{1}(\mathbb{Z}^{d})$ℓ1(Zd)×ℓ1(Zd)×⋯×ℓ1(Zd)to$\ell ^{q}(\mathbb{Z} ^{d})$ℓq(Zd)if$0\leq \alpha < md$0≤α\frac{d}{md- \alpha +1}$q>dmd−α+1. We also prove that the same result also holds for the discrete multilinear fractional nontangential maximal operators associated with cubes. These results we obtained represent significant and natural extensions of what was known previously.
Ethylene-mediated signaling confers thermotolerance and regulates transcript levels of heat shock factors in rice seedlings under heat stress
Authors: Wu Yu-Sian , Yang Chin-Ying
Published: September 2019

Background

Agriculture is highly dependent on climate. Increases in temperature caused by global warming pose challenges for crop production. Heat stress induces oxidative damage to cell membranes and then causes cell death. Plants have developed various responses to elevated temperatures, including hormone signaling pathways and heat shock factors that elevate their thermotolerance. In response to heat stress, the gaseous hormone ethylene is produced through regulation of the expression of signaling-related genes to modulate resource allocation dynamics. For comprehensive understanding of the role of ethylene, this study used an ethylene precursor to analyze the ethylene signaling pathway involved in adjustment of the homeostasis of the antioxidant system and to evaluate heat shock factor expression in rice seedlings under heat stress.

Results

Levels of cell membrane oxidation and ion leakage were reduced in rice seedlings under heat treatment combined with ethylene precursor treatment, conferring enhanced thermotolerance. Reduction of the fresh weight and chlorophyll a/b ratio in rice seedlings was lower in rice seedlings under heat stress with ethylene precursor treatment than in those under heat stress only. Moreover, reduction of antioxidant response caused by heat stress was ameliorated by treatment with ethylene precursors such as catalase and total peroxidase. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction showed higher expression levels of heat shock factors such as HSFA1a and HSFA2a, c, d, e, and f and ethylene-signaling-related genes such as ethylene insensitive 2, ethylene insensitive-like 1, and ethylene insensitive-like 2 in rice seedlings under heat stress with ethylene precursor treatment than in rice seedlings under heat stress only.

Conclusion

Ethylene-mediated signaling was involved in the reduction of oxidative damage, maintenance of chlorophyll content, and enhancement of thermotolerance in rice seedlings under heat stress. Furthermore, this study revealed heat shock factors and ethylene-signaling-related genes involved in complex network regulation that confers thermotolerance to rice seedlings.
Augmented intelligence in educational data mining
Authors: Toivonen Tapani , Jormanainen Ilkka , Tukiainen Markku
Published: September 2019

Educational data mining (EDM) processes have shifted towards open-ended processes with visualizations and parameter and predictive model adjusting. Data and models in hyperdimensions can be visualized for end-users with popular data mining platforms such as Weka and RapidMiner. Multiple studies have shown how the adjusting and even creating the decision tree classifiers help EDM end-users to better comprehend the dataset and the context where the data has been collected. To harness the power of such open-ended approach in EDM, we introduce a novelAugmented Intelligencemethod and a cluster analysis algorithmNeural N-Tree. These contributions allow EDM end-users to analyze educational data in an iterative process where the knowledge discovery and the accuracy of the predictive model generated by the algorithm increases over time through the interactions between the models and the end-users. In contrast to other similar approaches, the key in our method is in the model adjusting and not in parameter tuning. We report a study where the potential EDM end-users clustered data from an education setting and interacted with Neural N-Tree models by following Augmented Intelligence method. The findings of the study suggest that the accuracy of the models evolve over time and especially the end-users who have a adequate level of knowledge from data mining benefit from the method. Moreover, the study indicates that the knowledge discovery is possible through AUI.
A new weighted injury severity scoring system: better predictive power for adult trauma mortality
Authors: Shi Junxin , Shen Jiabin , Zhu Motao , Wheeler Krista K. , Lu Bo , Kenney Brian , Nuss Kathryn E. , Xiang Henry
Published: September 2019

Background

An accurate injury severity measurement is essential in the evaluation of trauma care and in outcome research. The traditional Injury Severity Score (ISS) does not consider the differential risks of the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) from different body regions, and the three AIS involved in the calculation of ISS are given equal weights. The objective of this study was to develop a weighted injury severity scoring (wISS) system for adult trauma patients with better predictive power than the traditional Injury Severity Score (ISS).

Methods

The 2007–2014 National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) Research Datasets were used. We identified adult trauma patients from the NTDB and then randomly split it into a study sample and a test sample. Based on the association between mortality and the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) from each of the six ISS body regions in the study sample, we evaluated 12 different sets of weights for the component AIS scores used in the calculation of ISS and selected one best set of weights. Discrimination (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, concordance) and calibration were compared between the wISS and ISS.

Results

The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves from the wISS and ISS are all 0.83, and 0.76 vs. 0.73 for patients with ISS = 16–74 and 0.68 vs. 0.53 for patients with ISS = 25–74. The wISS showed higher specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and concordance when they were compared at similar levels of sensitivity. The wISS had better calibration than the ISS.

Conclusions

By weighting the AIS from different body regions, the wISS had significantly better predictive power for mortality than the ISS, especially in critically injured adults.
Development of a kinematic GNSS-Acoustic positioning method based on a state-space model
Authors: Tomita Fumiaki , Kido Motoyuki , Honsho Chie , Matsui Ryo
Published: September 2019

GNSS-A (combination of Global Navigation Satellite System and Acoustic ranging) observations have provided important geophysical results, typically based on static GNSS-Acoustic positioning methods. Recently, continuous GNSS-Acoustic observations using a moored buoy have been attempted. Precise kinematic GNSS-Acoustic positioning is essential for these approaches. In this study, we developed a new kinematic GNSS-A positioning method using the extended Kalman filter (EKF). As for the observation model, parameters expressing underwater sound speed structure [nadir total delay (NTD) and underwater delay gradients] are defined in a similar manner to the satellite geodetic positioning. We then investigated the performance of the new method using both the synthetic and observational data. We also investigated the utility of a GNSS-Acoustic array geometry composed of multi-angled transponders for detection of vertical displacements. The synthetic tests successfully demonstrated that (1) the EKF-based GNSS-Acoustic positioning method can resolve the GNSS-Acoustic array displacements, as well as NTDs and underwater delay gradients, more precisely than those estimated by the conventional kinematic positioning methods and (2) precise detection of vertical displacements can be achieved using multi-angled transponders and EKF-based GNSS-Acoustic positioning. Analyses of the observational data also demonstrated superior performance of the EKF-based GNSS-Acoustic positioning method, when assuming a laterally stratified sound speed structure. Further, we found three superior aspects to the EKF-based array positioning method when using observational data: (1) robustness of the solutions when some transponders fail to respond, (2) precise detection for an abrupt vertical displacement, and (3) applicability to real-time positioning when sampling interval of the acoustic ranging is shorter than 30 min. The precision of the detection of abrupt steps, such as those caused by coseismic slips, is ~ 5 cm (1σ) using this method, an improvement on the precision of ~ 10 cm of conventional methods. Using the observational data, the underwater delay gradients and the horizontal array displacements could not be accurately solved even using the new method. This suggests that short-wavelength spatial heterogeneity exists in the actual ocean sound speed structure, which cannot be approximated using a simple horizontally graded sound speed structure.
Enhancing the thermostability and activity of uronate dehydrogenase from Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 by semi-rational engineering
Authors: Su Hui-Hui , Peng Fei , Xu Pei , Wu Xiao-Ling , Zong Min-Hua , Yang Ji-Guo , Lou Wen-Yong
Published: September 2019

Background

Glucaric acid, one of the aldaric acids, has been declared a “top value-added chemical from biomass”, and is especially important in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Biocatalytic production of glucaric acid from glucuronic acid is more environmentally friendly, efficient and economical than chemical synthesis. Uronate dehydrogenases (UDHs) are the key enzymes for the preparation of glucaric acid in this way, but the poor thermostability and low activity of UDH limit its industrial application. Therefore, improving the thermostability and activity of UDH, for example by semi-rational design, is a major research goal.

Results

In the present work, three UDHs were obtained from different Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains. The three UDHs have an approximate molecular weight of 32 kDa and all contain typically conserved UDH motifs. All three UDHs showed optimal activity within a pH range of 6.0–8.5 and at a temperature of 30 °C, but the UDH from A. tumefaciens (At) LBA4404 had a better catalytic efficiency than the other two UDHs (800 vs 600 and 530 s−1 mM−1). To further boost the catalytic performance of the UDH from AtLBA4404, site-directed mutagenesis based on semi-rational design was carried out. An A39P/H99Y/H234K triple mutant showed a 400-fold improvement in half-life at 59 °C, a 5 °C improvement in $$ {\text{T}}_{ 5 0}^{ 1 0} $$

T

50

10

value and a 2.5-fold improvement in specific activity at 30 °C compared to wild-type UDH.

Conclusions

In this study, we successfully obtained a triple mutant (A39P/H99Y/H234K) with simultaneously enhanced activity and thermostability, which provides a novel alternative for the industrial production of glucaric acid from glucuronic acid.
A EEG-based emotion recognition model with rhythm and time characteristics
Authors: Yan Jianzhuo , Chen Shangbin , Deng Sinuo
Published: September 2019

As an advanced function of the human brain, emotion has a significant influence on human studies, works, and other aspects of life. Artificial Intelligence has played an important role in recognizing human emotion correctly. EEG-based emotion recognition (ER), one application of Brain Computer Interface (BCI), is becoming more popular in recent years. However, due to the ambiguity of human emotions and the complexity of EEG signals, the EEG-ER system which can recognize emotions with high accuracy is not easy to achieve. Based on the time scale, this paper chooses the recurrent neural network as the breakthrough point of the screening model. According to the rhythmic characteristics and temporal memory characteristics of EEG, this research proposes a Rhythmic Time EEG Emotion Recognition Model (RT-ERM) based on the valence and arousal of Long–Short-Term Memory Network (LSTM). By applying this model, the classification results of different rhythms and time scales are different. The optimal rhythm and time scale of the RT-ERM model are obtained through the results of the classification accuracy of different rhythms and different time scales. Then, the classification of emotional EEG is carried out by the best time scales corresponding to different rhythms. Finally, by comparing with other existing emotional EEG classification methods, it is found that the rhythm and time scale of the model can contribute to the accuracy of RT-ERM.
“Who’s got the power?”: A critical examination of the anti-bias curriculum
Authors: Escayg Kerry-Ann
Published: September 2019

Ample research data indicate that young children recognize racial characteristics and subsequently exhibit both positive and negative racial attitudes toward their own and other racial groups. In the early childhood field, educators commonly adopt an anti-bias/multicultural curriculum to address such issues with young children and—with rare exceptions—such methods are subject to ongoing endorsement in the scholarly literature. This article, however, offers a more comprehensive critique of the anti-bias curriculum, including an analysis of the conceptual frameworks underpinning several of the associated teaching strategies. In addition, the present article illustrates how the anti-bias curriculum, though presented as congruent with the empirical evidence with respect to the education of young children and race, departs considerably from these data. Furthermore, the curricula under scrutiny fail to engage young children in critical discussions and classroom practices centering on: (i) power relations; (ii) racism; (iii) whiteness; and (iv) white privilege. This critique concludes with a preliminary conceptualization of anti-racism in early childhood education.
The indicative meaning calculator – quantification of paleo sea-level relationships by using global wave and tide datasets
Authors: Lorscheid Thomas , Rovere Alessio
Published: September 2019

The study of past sea levels relies largely on the interpretation and quantification of sea-level indicators. These are fossil coastal landforms, bioconstructions or deposits that have a quantifiable relation to paleo sea level (called the indicative meaning) and can be assigned an age of formation. The calculation of the indicative meaning should always rely on the quantitative comparison between the paleo sea-level indicator and the elevational range of the same feature in the modern environment with respect to modern sea level. This may prove difficult to quantify when no site-specific data is available, for example when compiling databases with large geographic scope. In this paper, we provide a method to quantify the indicative meaning of sea-level indicators using simple hydro- and morphodynamic equations with inputs from global wave and tide datasets. We apply and compare our approach exemplary to data published in a relative sea-level database on the Marine Isotope Stage 5e highstand and show how this approach can help in estimating the indicative meaning if no site-specific data on the modern analog is available. For the easier usability of the described approach in this paper, we also present a stand-alone Java-app (IMCalc), which can be used as a calculator of the indicative meaning.