bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structural insight into the binding of human galectins to corneal keratan sulfate, its desulfated form and related saccharides
Authors: Miller Michelle C. , Cai Chao , Wichapong Kanin , Bhaduri Sayantan , Pohl Nicola L. B. , Linhardt Robert J. , Gabius Hans-Joachim , Mayo Kevin H. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractGlycosaminoglycan chains of keratan sulfate proteoglycans appear to be physiologically significant by pairing with tissue lectins. Here, we used NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to characterize interactions of corneal keratan sulfate (KS), its desulfated form, as well as di-, tetra- (N-acetyllactosamine and lacto-N-tetraose) and octasaccharides with adhesion/growth-regulatory galectins, in particular galectin-3 (Gal-3). The KS contact region involves the lectin canonical binding site, with estimated KDvalues in the low µM range and stoichiometry of ~ 8 to ~ 20 galectin molecules binding per polysaccharide chain. Compared to Gal-3, the affinity to Gal-7 is relatively low, signaling preferences among galectins. The importance of the sulfate groups was delineated by using desulfated analogs that exhibit relatively reduced affinity. Binding studies with two related di- and tetrasaccharides revealed a similar decrease that underscores affinity enhancement by repetitive arrangement of disaccharide units. MD-based binding energies of KS oligosaccharide-loaded galectins support experimental data on Gal-3 and -7, and extend the scope of KS binding to Gal-1 and -9N. Overall, our results provide strong incentive to further probe the relevance of molecular recognition of KS by galectins in terms of physiological processes in situ, e.g. maintaining integrity of mucosal barriers, intermolecular (lattice-like) gluing within the extracellular meshwork or synaptogenesis.
Limited effect of radial oxygen loss on ammonia oxidizers in Typha angustifolia root hairs
Authors: Hernández-del Amo Elena , Dolinová Iva , la Ramis-Jorba Gal , Gich Frederic , Bañeras Lluís 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe benefits of plant–microbe interactions have been exploited extensively for nutrient removal. Radial oxygen loss in aquatic macrophytes potentially promotes nitrification and accelerates nitrogen removal through coupled nitrification–denitrification process. Nitrification is likely the limiting activity for an effective nitrogen removal in wetlands. In this work, we have quantified the effect of radial oxygen losses in Typha angustifolia plants in environments of contrasting salinities, including a temporary lagoon, a constructed wetland, and a river estuary. In all sites, radial oxygen diffusion occurred mainly at a narrow band, from 1 to 5 cm from the root tip, and were almost absent at the tip and basal sections of the root (> 5 cm). Root sections with active oxygen diffusion tended to show higher bacterial and archaeal densities in the rhizoplane according to 16S rRNA gene abundance data, except at higher salinities. Archaeal amoA /bacterial amoA gene ratios were highly variable among sites. Archaeal nitrifiers were only favoured over bacteria on the root surface of Typha collected from the constructed wetland. Collectively, radial oxygen loss had little effect on the nitrifying microbial community at the smaller scale (differences according to root-section), and observed differences were more likely related to prevailing physicochemical conditions of the studied environments or to long-term effects of the root microenvironment (root vs sediment comparisons).
Retrospective unbiased plasma lipidomic of progressive multiple sclerosis patients-identifies lipids discriminating those with faster clinical deterioration
Authors: Amatruda Mario , Petracca Maria , Wentling Maureen , Inbar Benjamin , Castro Kamilah , Chen Emily Y. , Kiebish Michael A. , Edwards Keith , Inglese Matilde , Casaccia Patrizia 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe disease course of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) is uncertain. In an attempt to identify potential signaling pathways involved in the evolution of the disease, we conducted an exploratory unbiased lipidomic analysis of plasma from non-diseased controls (n = 8) and patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS, n = 19) and either a rapid (PPMS-P, n = 9) or slow (PPMS-NP, n = 10) disease course based on worsening disability and/or MRI-visible appearance of new T2 lesions over a one-year-assessment. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis of the MS/MSALL lipidomic dataset, identified lipids driving the clustering of the groups. Among these lipids, sphingomyelin-d18:1/14:0 and mono-hexosylceramide-d18:1/20:0 were differentially abundant in the plasma of PPMS patients compared to controls and their levels correlated with MRI signs of disease progression. Lyso-phosphatidic acid-18:2 (LPA-18:2) was the only lipid with significantly lower abundance in PPMS patients with a rapidly deteriorating disease course, and its levels inversely correlated with the severity of the neurological deficit. Decreased levels of LPA-18:2 were detected in patients with more rapid disease progression, regardless of therapy and these findings were validated in an independent cohort of secondary progressive (SPMS) patients, but not in a third cohorts of relapsing–remitting (RRMS) patients. Collectively, our analysis suggests that sphingomyelin-d18:1/14:0, mono-hexosylceramide-d18:1/20:0, and LPA-18:2 may represent important targets for future studies aimed at understanding disease progression in MS.
Emergence of complex structures from nonlinear interactions and noise in coevolving networks
Authors: Raducha Tomasz , San Miguel Maxi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe study the joint effect of the non-linearity of interactions and noise on coevolutionary dynamics. We choose the coevolving voter model as a prototype framework for this problem. By numerical simulations and analytical approximations we find three main phases that differ in the absolute magnetisation and the size of the largest component: a consensus phase, a coexistence phase, and a dynamical fragmentation phase. More detailed analysis reveals inner differences in these phases, allowing us to divide two of them further. In the consensus phase we can distinguish between a weak or alternating consensus and a strong consensus, in which the system remains in the same state for the whole realisation of the stochastic dynamics. In the coexistence phase we distinguish a fully-mixing phase and a structured coexistence phase, where the number of active links drops significantly due to the formation of two homogeneous communities. Our numerical observations are supported by an analytical description using a pair approximation approach and an ad-hoc calculation for the transition between the coexistence and dynamical fragmentation phases. Our work shows how simple interaction rules including the joint effect of non-linearity, noise, and coevolution lead to complex structures relevant in the description of social systems.
Investigating PM2.5 responses to other air pollutants and meteorological factors across multiple temporal scales
Authors: Fu Haiyue , Zhang Yiting , Liao Chuan , Mao Liang , Wang Zhaoya , Hong Nana 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIt remains unclear on how PM2.5 interacts with other air pollutants and meteorological factors at different temporal scales, while such knowledge is crucial to address the air pollution issue more effectively. In this study, we explored such interaction at various temporal scales, taking the city of Nanjing, China as a case study. The ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) method was applied to decompose time series data of PM2.5, five other air pollutants, and six meteorological factors, as well as their correlations were examined at the daily and monthly scales. The study results show that the original PM2.5 concentration significantly exhibited non-linear downward trend, while the decomposed time series of PM2.5 concentration by EEMD followed daily and monthly cycles. The temporal pattern of PM10, SO2 and NO2 is synchronous with that of PM2.5. At both daily and monthly scales, PM2.5 was positively correlated with CO and negatively correlated with 24-h cumulative precipitation. At the daily scale, PM2.5 was positively correlated with O3, daily maximum and minimum temperature, and negatively correlated with atmospheric pressure, while the correlation pattern was opposite at the monthly scale.
T. gondii infection induces IL-1R dependent chronic cachexia and perivascular fibrosis in the liver and skeletal muscle
Authors: Melchor Stephanie J. , Hatter Jessica A. , Castillo Érika A. LaTorre , Saunders Claire M. , Byrnes Kari A. , Sanders Imani , Abebayehu Daniel , Barker Thomas H. , Ewald Sarah E. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCachexia is a progressive muscle wasting disease that contributes to death in a wide range of chronic diseases. Currently, the cachexia field lacks animal models that recapitulate the long-term kinetics of clinical disease, which would provide insight into the pathophysiology of chronic cachexia and a tool to test therapeutics for disease reversal.Toxoplasma gondii(T. gondii) is a protozoan parasite that uses conserved mechanisms to infect rodents and human hosts. Infection is lifelong and has been associated with chronic weight loss and muscle atrophy in mice. We have recently shown thatT. gondii-induced muscle atrophy meets the clinical definition of cachexia. Here, the longevity of theT. gondii-induced chronic cachexia model revealed that cachectic mice develop perivascular fibrosis in major metabolic organs, including the adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver by 9 weeks post-infection. Development of cachexia, as well as liver and skeletal muscle fibrosis, is dependent on intact signaling through the type I IL-1R receptor. IL-1α is sufficient to activate cultured fibroblasts and primary hepatic stellate cells (myofibroblast precursors in the liver) in vitro, and IL-1α is elevated in the sera and liver of cachectic, suggesting a mechanism by which chronic IL-1R signaling could be leading to cachexia-associated fibrosis.
Ultrasounds could be considered as a future tool for probing growing bone properties
Authors: Lefevre Emmanuelle , Baron Cécile , Gineyts Evelyne , Bala Yohann , Gharbi Hakim , Allain Jean-Marc , Lasaygues Philippe , Pithioux Martine , Follet Hélène 
Published: September 2020

AbstractJuvenile bone growth is well described (physiological and anatomical) but there are still lacks of knowledge on intrinsic material properties. Our group has already published, on different samples, several studies on the assessment of intrinsic material properties of juvenile bone compared to material properties of adult bone. The purpose of this study was finally to combine different experimental modalities available (ultrasonic measurement, micro-Computed Tomography analysis, mechanical compression tests and biochemical measurements) applied on small cubic bone samples in order to gain insight into the multiparametric evaluation of bone quality. Differences were found between juvenile and adult groups in term of architectural parameters (Porosity Separation), Tissue Mineral Density (TMD), diagonal stiffness coefficients (C33, C44, C55, C66) and ratio between immature and mature cross-links (CX). Diagonal stiffness coefficients are more representative of the microstructural and biochemical parameters of child bone than of adult bone. We also found that compression modulus E was highly correlated with several microstructure parameters and CX in children group while it was not at all correlated in the adult group. Similar results were found for the CX which was linked to several microstructure parameters (TMD and E) only in the juvenile group. To our knowledge, this is the first time that, on a same sample, ultrasonic measurements have been combined with the assessment of mechanical and biochemical properties. It appears that ultrasonic measurements can provide relevant indicators of child bone quality (microstructural and biochemical parameters) which is promising for clinical application since, B-mode ultrasound is the preferred first-line modality over other more constraining imaging modalities (radiation, parent–child accessibility and access to the patient's bed) for pediatric patients.
Glucocorticoid-induced cell-derived matrix modulates transforming growth factor β2 signaling in human trabecular meshwork cells
Authors: Yemanyi Felix , Vranka Janice , Raghunathan Vijay Krishna 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAberrant remodeling of trabecular meshwork (TM) extracellular matrix (ECM) may induce ocular hypertensive phenotypes in human TM (hTM) cells to cause ocular hypertension, via a yet unknown mechanism. Here, we show that, in the absence of exogenous transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGFβ2), compared with control matrices (VehMs), glucocorticoid-induced cell-derived matrices (GIMs) trigger non-Smad TGFβ2 signaling in hTM cells, correlated with overexpression/activity of structural ECM genes (fibronectin, collagen IV, collagen VI, myocilin), matricellular genes (connective tissue growth factor [CTGF], secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine), crosslinking genes/enzymes (lysyl oxidase, lysyl oxidase-like 2–4, tissue transglutaminase-2), and ECM turnover genes/enzymes (matrix metalloproteinases-MMP2,14 and their inhibitors-TIMP2). However, in the presence of exogenous TGFβ2, VehMs and GIMs activate Smad and non-Smad TGFβ2 signaling in hTM cells, associated with overexpression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and differential upregulation of aforementioned ECM genes/proteins with new ones emerging (collagen-I, thrombospondin-I, plasminogen activator inhibitor, MMP1, 9, ADAMTS4, TIMP1); with GIM-TGFβ2-induced changes being mostly more pronounced. This suggests dual glaucomatous insults potentiate profibrotic signaling/phenotypes. Lastly, we demonstrate type I TGFβ receptor kinase inhibition abrogates VehM-/GIM- and/or TGFβ2-induced upregulation of α-SMA and CTGF. Collectively, pathological TM microenvironments are sufficient to elicit adverse cellular responses that may be ameliorated by targeting TGFβ2 pathway.
A novel lung alveolar cell model for exploring volatile biomarkers of particle-induced lung injury
Authors: Chuang Hsiao-Chi , Tsai Shih-Wei , Shie Ruei-Hao , Lu Yi-Chia , Song Sheng-Rong , Huang Sheng-Hsiu , Peng Hsin-Yi , Yang Hsiao-Yu 
Published: September 2020

AbstractQuartz can increase oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and inflammation. The objective of this study was to explore the volatile biomarkers of quartz-induced lung injury using a lung alveolar cell model. We exposed the human alveolar A549 cell line to 0, 200, and 500 μg/mL quartz particles for 24 h and used gas chromatography–mass spectrometry to measure the volatile metabolites in the headspace air of cells. We identified ten volatile metabolites that had concentration–response relationships with particles exposure, including 1,2,4-oxadiazole, 5-(4-nitrophenyl)-3-phenyl- (CAS: 28825-12-9), 2,6-dimethyl-6-trifluoroacetoxyoctane (CAS: 61986-67-2), 3-buten-1-amine, N,N-dimethyl- (CAS: 55831-89-5), 2-propanol, 2-methyl- (CAS: 75-65-0), glycolaldehyde dimethyl acetal (CAS: 30934-97-5), propanoic acid, 2-oxo-, ethyl ester (CAS: 617-35-6), octane (CAS: 111-65-9), octane, 3,3-dimethyl- (CAS: 4110-44-5), heptane, 2,3-dimethyl- (CAS: 3074-71-3) and ethanedioic acid, bis(trimethylsilyl) ester (CAS: 18294-04-7). The volatile biomarkers are generated through the pathways of propanoate and nitrogen metabolism. The volatile biomarkers of the alkanes and methylated alkanes are related to oxidative and lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane. The lung alveolar cell model has the potential to explore the volatile biomarkers of particulate-induced lung injury.
Transcriptome of peanut kernel and shell reveals the mechanism of calcium on peanut pod development
Authors: Yang Sha , Wang Jianguo , Tang Zhaohui , Guo Feng , Zhang Ye , Zhang Jialei , Meng Jingjing , Zheng Lei , Wan Shubo , Li Xinguo 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCalcium is not only a nutrient necessary for plant growth but also a ubiquitous central element of different signaling pathways. Ca2+ deficiency in soil may cause embryo abortion, which can eventually lead to abnormal development of peanut pods during the harvest season. To further study the mechanisms by which Ca2+ affects the shells and kernels of peanuts, transcriptome sequencing was used to explore the genes differentially expressed in shells and kernels during the early stage of peanut pod development between Ca2+ sufficient and deficient treatments. In this study, 38,894 expressed genes were detected. RNA-seq based gene expression profiling showed a large number of genes at the transcriptional level that changed significantly in shells and kernels between the Ca2+ sufficient and deficient treatments, respectively. Genes encoding key proteins involved in Ca2+ signal transduction, hormones, development, ion transport, and nutrition absorption changed significantly. Meanwhile, in the early stage of pod development, calcium first promoted nutrient absorption and development of shells, which has less effect on the formation of seed kernels. These results provide useful information for understanding the relationship between Ca2+ absorption and pod development.
Background luminance effects on pupil size associated with emotion and saccade preparation
Authors: Cherng Yih-Giun , Baird Talia , Chen Jui-Tai , Wang Chin-An 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPupil dilation is consistently evoked by affective and cognitive processing, and this dilation can result from sympathetic activation or parasympathetic inhibition. The relative contributions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems on the pupillary response induced by emotion and cognition may be different. Sympathetic and parasympathetic activity is regulated by global luminance level. Higher luminance levels lead to greater activation of the parasympathetic system while lower luminance levels lead to greater activation of the sympathetic system. To understand the contributions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to pupillary responses associated with emotion and saccade preparation, emotional auditory stimuli were presented following the fixation cue whose color indicated instruction to perform a pro- or anti-saccade while varying the background luminance level. Pupil dilation was evoked by emotional auditory stimuli and modulated by arousal level. More importantly, greater pupil dilation was observed with a dark background, compared to a bright background. In contrast, pupil dilation responses associated with saccade preparation were larger with the bright background than the dark background. Together, these results suggest that arousal-induced pupil dilation was mainly mediated by sympathetic activation, but pupil dilation related to saccade preparation was primarily mediated by parasympathetic inhibition.
A short guide for medical professionals in the era of artificial intelligence
Authors: Meskó Bertalan , Görög Marton 
Published: September 2020

AbstractArtificial intelligence (A.I.) is expected to significantly influence the practice of medicine and the delivery of healthcare in the near future. While there are only a handful of practical examples for its medical use with enough evidence, hype and attention around the topic are significant. There are so many papers, conference talks, misleading news headlines and study interpretations that a short and visual guide any medical professional can refer back to in their professional life might be useful. For this, it is critical that physicians understand the basics of the technology so they can see beyond the hype, evaluate A.I.-based studies and clinical validation; as well as acknowledge the limitations and opportunities of A.I. This paper aims to serve as a short, visual and digestible repository of information and details every physician might need to know in the age of A.I. We describe the simple definition of A.I., its levels, its methods, the differences between the methods with medical examples, the potential benefits, dangers, challenges of A.I., as well as attempt to provide a futuristic vision about using it in an everyday medical practice.
Untethered and ultrafast soft-bodied robots
Authors: Wang Xu , Mao Guoyong , Ge Jin , Drack Michael , Cañón Bermúdez Gilbert Santiago , Wirthl Daniela , Illing Rico , Kosub Tobias , Bischoff Lothar , Wang Changan , Fassbender Jürgen , Kaltenbrunner Martin , Makarov Denys 
Published: September 2020

AbstractActing at high speed enables creatures to survive in their harsh natural environments. They developed strategies for fast actuation that inspire technological embodiments like soft robots. Here, we demonstrate a series of simulation-guided lightweight, durable, untethered, small-scale soft-bodied robots that perform large-degree deformations at high frequencies up to 100 Hz, are driven at very low magnetic fields down to 0.5 mT and exhibit a specific energy density of 10.8 kJ m−3 mT−1. Unforeseen asynchronous strongly nonlinear cross-clapping behavior of our robots is observed in experiments and analyzed by simulation, breaking ground for future designs of soft-bodied robots. Our robots walk, swim, levitate, transport cargo, squeeze into a vessel smaller than their dimensions and can momentarily close around a living fly. Such ultrafast soft robots can rapidly adapt to varying environmental conditions, inspire biomedical applications in confined environments, and serve as model systems to develop complex movements inspired by nature.
Interrogating helical nanorod self-assembly with fractionated cellulose nanocrystal suspensions
Authors: Honorato-Rios Camila , Lagerwall Jan P. F. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe helical self-assembly of cholesteric liquid crystals is a powerful motif in nature, enabling exceptional performance in many biological composites. Attempts to mimic these remarkable materials by drying cholesteric colloidal nanorod suspensions often yield films with a non-uniform mosaic-like character, severely degrading optical and mechanical properties. Here we show—using the example of cellulose nanocrystals—that these problems are due to rod length dispersity: uncontrolled phase separation results from a divergence in viscosity for short rods, and variations in pitch can be traced back to a twisting power that scales with rod length. We present a generic, robust and scalable method for fractionating nanorod suspensions, allowing us to interrogate key aspects of cholesteric self-assembly that were previously hidden by colloid dispersity. By controlled drying of fractionated suspensions, we can obtain mosaic-free films that are uniform in colour. Our findings unify conflicting observations and open routes to biomimetic artificial materials with performance that can compete with that of nature’s originals.
Meningitis/Meningoenzephalitis – ein Chamäleon in der Medizin
Authors: Meyding-Lamadé Uta , Craemer Eva Maria 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA wide range of pathogens can cause meningitis or meningoencephalitis.Guiding symptoms of meningitis are headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and meningism.Guiding symptoms of meningoencephalitis are headache, fever, qualitative or quantitative disturbances of consciousness, signs of meningism are possible, optional focal neurological signs can occur.Crucial prognostic factor in treatment of acute meningitis and meningoencephalitis is rapid diagnosis and early initiation of therapy. An early start of therapy is crucial. In addition to rapid pathogen-specific treatment, specialized neurological intensive care medicine is life-saving.