bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Smectite clay minerals reduce the acute toxicity of quaternary alkylammonium compounds towards potentially pathogenic bacterial taxa present in manure and soil
Authors: Heyde Benjamin Justus , Glaeser Stefanie P. , Bisping Linda , Kirchberg Kristin , Ellinghaus Rüdiger , Siemens Jan , Mulder Ines 
Published: September 2020

AbstractQuaternary alkylammonium compounds (QAACs) are a group of cationic surfactants which are disinfectants with numerous industrial and agricultural applications and frequently released into the environment. One recent hypothesis is that bacteria present in soil will be protected from acute toxic effects of QAACs in the presence of expandable layer silicates due to interlayer sorption. We therefore studied bacterial growth kinetics with high temporal resolution and determined minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of two QAACs, benzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride (BAC-C12) and didecyldimethylammonium chlorid (DADMAC-C10), for eight strains of different bacterial taxa (Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas fluorescens) in relation to QAAC sorption to smectite and kaolinite. The MICs of BAC-C12 and DADMAC-C10 were in the absence of smectite and kaolinite in the order of 10 to 30 µg mL−1 and 1.0 to 3.5 µg mL−1 for all strains except the more sensitive Acinetobacter strain. For all tested strains and both tested QAACs, the presence of smectite increased apparent MIC values while kaolinite had no effect on MICs. Sorption curves without bacteria showed that smectite sorbed larger amounts of QAACs than kaolinite. Correcting nominal QAAC concentrations employed in toxicity tests for QAAC sorption using the sorption curves explained well the observed shifts in apparent MICs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrated that the interlayer space of smectite expanded from 13.7 ± 1 Å to 19.9 ± 1.5 Å after addition of BAC-C12. This study provides first evidence that low charge 2:1 expandable layer silicates can play an important role for buffering QAAC toxicity in soils.
Vitamin E is necessary for zebrafish nervous system development
Authors: Head Brian , La Du Jane , Tanguay Robyn L. , Kioussi Chrissa , Traber Maret G. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractVitamin E (VitE) deficiency results in embryonic lethality. Knockdown of the gene ttpa encoding for the VitE regulatory protein [α-tocopherol transfer protein (α-TTP)] in zebrafish embryos causes death within 24 h post-fertilization (hpf). To test the hypothesis that VitE, not just α-TTP, is necessary for nervous system development, adult 5D strain zebrafish, fed either VitE sufficient (E+) or deficient (E−) diets, were spawned to obtain E+ and E− embryos, which were subjected to RNA in situ hybridization and RT-qPCR. Ttpa was expressed ubiquitously in embryos up to 12 hpf. Early gastrulation (6 hpf) assessed by goosecoid expression was unaffected by VitE status. By 24 hpf, embryos expressed ttpa in brain ventricle borders, which showed abnormal closure in E− embryos. They also displayed disrupted patterns of paired box 2a (pax2a) and SRY-box transcription factor 10 (sox10) expression in the midbrain-hindbrain boundary, spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia. In E− embryos, the collagen sheath notochord markers (col2a1a and col9a2) appeared bent. Severe developmental errors in E− embryos were characterized by improper nervous system patterning of the usually carefully programmed transcriptional signals. Histological analysis also showed developmental defects in the formation of the fore-, mid- and hindbrain and somites of E− embryos at 24 hpf. Ttpa expression profile was not altered by the VitE status demonstrating that VitE itself, and not ttpa, is required for development of the brain and peripheral nervous system in this vertebrate embryo model.
Metagenomic sequencing of stool samples in Bangladeshi infants: virome association with poliovirus shedding after oral poliovirus vaccination
Authors: Tan Susanna K. , Granados Andrea C. , Bouquet Jerome , Hoy-Schulz Yana Emmy , Green Lauri , Federman Scot , Stryke Doug , Haggerty Thomas D. , Ley Catherine , Yeh Ming-Te , Jannat Kaniz , Maldonado Yvonne A. , Andino Raul , Parsonnet Julie , Chiu Charles Y. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe potential role of enteric viral infections and the developing infant virome in affecting immune responses to the oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) is unknown. Here we performed viral metagenomic sequencing on 3 serially collected stool samples from 30 Bangladeshi infants following OPV vaccination and compared findings to stool samples from 16 age-matched infants in the United States (US). In 14 Bangladeshi infants, available post-vaccination serum samples were tested for polio-neutralizing antibodies. The abundance (p = 0.006) and richness (p = 0.013) of the eukaryotic virome increased with age and were higher than seen in age-matched US infants (p < 0.001). In contrast, phage diversity metrics remained stable and were similar to those in US infants. Non-poliovirus eukaryotic virus abundance (3.68 log10vs. 2.25 log10, p = 0.002), particularly from potential viral pathogens (2.78log10vs. 0.83log10, p = 0.002), and richness (p = 0.016) were inversely associated with poliovirus shedding. Following vaccination, 28.6% of 14 infants tested developed neutralizing antibodies to all three Sabin types and also exhibited higher rates of poliovirus shedding (p = 0.020). No vaccine-derived poliovirus variants were detected. These results reveal an inverse association between eukaryotic virome abundance and poliovirus shedding. Overall gut virome ecology and concurrent viral infections may impact oral vaccine responsiveness in Bangladeshi infants.
Thermal energy storage and thermal conductivity properties of fatty acid/fatty acid-grafted-CNTs and fatty acid/CNTs as novel composite phase change materials
Authors: Al-Ahmed Amir , Sarı Ahmet , Mazumder Mohammad Abu Jafar , Salhi Billel , Hekimoğlu Gökhan , Al-Sulaiman Fahad A. , Inamuddin  
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn recent year, fatty acids (FAs) are heavily studied for heat storage applications and they have shown promising advantages over other organic phase change materials (PCMs). Among the FAs; capric, palmitic and stearic acids are the most studied PCMs. Several researchers have investigated these FAs and tried to improve their thermal properties, mainly by adding different high conducting fillers, such as graphite, metal foams, CNTs, graphene etc. In most cases, these fillers improved the thermal conductivity and heat transfer property but reduce the heat storage capacity considerably. These composites also lose the mixing uniformity during the charging and discharging process. To overcome these issues, selected FAs were grafted on the functionalized CNT surfaces and used as conductive fillers to prepare FA based composite PCMs. This process significantly contributed to prevent the drastic reduction of the overall heat storage capacity and also showed better dispersion in both solid and liquid state. Thermal cycling test showed the variations in the thermal energy storage values of all composite PCMs, however, within the tolerable grade and they had appreciable phase change stability and good chemical stability even after 2,000 cycles.
How people know their risk preference
Authors: Arslan Ruben C. , Brümmer Martin , Dohmen Thomas , Drewelies Johanna , Hertwig Ralph , Wagner Gert G. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPeople differ in their willingness to take risks. Recent work found that revealed preference tasks (e.g., laboratory lotteries)—a dominant class of measures—are outperformed by survey-based stated preferences, which are more stable and predict real-world risk taking across different domains. How can stated preferences, often criticised as inconsequential “cheap talk,” be more valid and predictive than controlled, incentivized lotteries? In our multimethod study, over 3,000 respondents from population samples answered a single widely used and predictive risk-preference question. Respondents then explained the reasoning behind their answer. They tended to recount diagnostic behaviours and experiences, focusing on voluntary, consequential acts and experiences from which they seemed to infer their risk preference. We found that third-party readers of respondents’ brief memories and explanations reached similar inferences about respondents’ preferences, indicating the intersubjective validity of this information. Our results help unpack the self perception behind stated risk preferences that permits people to draw upon their own understanding of what constitutes diagnostic behaviours and experiences, as revealed in high-stakes situations in the real world.
Prognostic value of long-term gamma-glutamyl transferase variability in individuals with diabetes: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Lee Da Young , Han Kyungdo , Yu Ji Hee , Park Sanghyun , Seo Ji A , Kim Nam Hoon , Yoo Hye Jin , Kim Sin Gon , Kim Seon Mee , Choi Kyung Mook , Baik Sei Hyun , Park Yong Gyu , Kim Nan Hee 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe examined whether long-term gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) variability can predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in individuals with diabetes. We included 698,937 Koreans diabetes patients older than 40 years without histories of CVD, chronic liver disease, or heavy alcoholics who received health exams supported by the Korean government more than once in 2009–2012 (baseline). We used Cox proportional analyses to estimate the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and all-cause mortality until December 31, 2016, according to the quartiles of the average successive variability (ASV) of GGT measured during the five years before the baseline. A total 26,119, 15,103, and 39,982 cases of stroke, MI, and death, respectively, were found. GGT ASV quartile 4 had a significantly higher risk of stroke and all-cause mortality than quartile 1, with adjustment for risk factors, such as baseline glucose and GGT level, and comorbidities. Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for GGT ASV quartile 4 were 1.06 (1.03–1.10) and 1.23 (1.20–1.27) for stroke and mortality, respectively. This significant association was shown consistently across the baseline GGT quartiles. GGT variability was related to the risk of stroke and all-cause mortality. The effect was most pronounced in all-cause mortality, irrespective of baseline GGT level.
Quantitative in vivo bioluminescence imaging of orthotopic patient-derived glioblastoma xenografts
Authors: Koessinger Anna L. , Koessinger Dominik , Stevenson Katrina , Cloix Catherine , Mitchell Louise , Nixon Colin , Gomez-Roman Natividad , Chalmers Anthony J. , Norman Jim C. , Tait Stephen W. G. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDespite extensive research, little progress has been made in glioblastoma therapy, owing in part to a lack of adequate preclinical in vivo models to study this disease. To mitigate this, primary patient-derived cell lines, which maintain their specific stem-like phenotypes, have replaced established glioblastoma cell lines. However, due to heterogenous tumour growth inherent in glioblastoma, the use of primary cells for orthotopic in vivo studies often requires large experimental group sizes. Therefore, when using intracranial patient-derived xenograft (PDX) approaches, it is advantageous to deploy imaging techniques to monitor tumour growth and allow stratification of mice. Here we show that stable expression of near-infrared fluorescent protein (iRFP) in patient-derived glioblastoma cells enables rapid, direct non-invasive monitoring of tumour development without compromising tumour stemness or tumorigenicity. Moreover, as this approach does not depend on the use of agents like luciferin, which can cause variability due to changing bioavailability, it can be used for quantitative longitudinal monitoring of tumour growth. Notably, we show that this technique also allows quantitative assessment of tumour burden in highly invasive models spreading throughout the brain. Thus, iRFP transduction of primary patient-derived glioblastoma cells is a reliable, cost- and time-effective way to monitor heterogenous orthotopic PDX growth.
Neurostimulation stabilizes spiking neural networks by disrupting seizure-like oscillatory transitions
Authors: Rich Scott , Hutt Axel , Skinner Frances K. , Valiante Taufik A. , Lefebvre Jérémie 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAn improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying neuromodulatory approaches to mitigate seizure onset is needed to identify clinical targets for the treatment of epilepsy. Using a Wilson–Cowan-motivated network of inhibitory and excitatory populations, we examined the role played by intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli on the network’s predisposition to sudden transitions into oscillatory dynamics, similar to the transition to the seizure state. Our joint computational and mathematical analyses revealed that such stimuli, be they noisy or periodic in nature, exert a stabilizing influence on network responses, disrupting the development of such oscillations. Based on a combination of numerical simulations and mean-field analyses, our results suggest that high variance and/or high frequency stimulation waveforms can prevent multi-stability, a mathematical harbinger of sudden changes in network dynamics. By tuning the neurons’ responses to input, stimuli stabilize network dynamics away from these transitions. Furthermore, our research shows that such stabilization of neural activity occurs through a selective recruitment of inhibitory cells, providing a theoretical undergird for the known key role these cells play in both the healthy and diseased brain. Taken together, these findings provide new vistas on neuromodulatory approaches to stabilize neural microcircuit activity.
Key factors behind autofluorescence changes caused by ablation of cardiac tissue
Authors: Muselimyan Narine , Asfour Huda , Sarvazyan Narine 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRadiofrequency ablation is a commonly used clinical procedure that destroys arrhythmogenic sources in patients suffering from atrial fibrillation and other types of cardiac arrhythmias. To improve the success of this procedure, new approaches for real-time visualization of ablation sites are being developed. One of these promising methods is hyperspectral imaging, an approach that detects lesions based on changes in the endogenous tissue autofluorescence profile. To facilitate the clinical implementation of this approach, we examined the key variables that can influence ablation-induced spectral changes, including the drop in myocardial NADH levels, the release of lipofuscin-like pigments, and the increase in diffuse reflectance of the cardiac muscle beneath the endocardial layer. Insights from these experiments suggested simpler algorithms that can be used to acquire and post-process the spectral information required to reveal the lesion sites. Our study is relevant to a growing number of multilayered clinical targets to which spectral approaches are being applied.
Synthesis of polypyrrole/nitrogen-doped porous carbon matrix composite as the electrode material for supercapacitors
Authors: Feng Minzhen , Lu Wei , Zhou Yun , Zhen Ranran , He Hongmei , Wang Ya , Li Chunmei 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPolypyrrole complex nitrogen-doped porous carbon matrix (PPy/N-PCM) was synthesized by a simple two-step method. Firstly, graphene oxide was prepared by the modified Hummers method. Secondly, Polypyrrole was compounded on the graphene oxide substrate, and the carbon matrix with a high specific surface area was obtained through high-temperature carbonization and KOH activation, and polypyrrole was used as a nitrogen source for the final nitrogen-doped composite material. The structure characterization of the carbon matrix and the final composite material shows that the carbon matrix surface has obvious porous structure, and the polypyrrole nanospheres grow uniformly on the porous carbon matrix surface. The electrochemical evaluation show that the prepared PPy/N-PCM has excellent supercapacitor performance, and its specific capacitance can reach 237.5 F g−1. When the current density reaches 10 A g−1, it has good cycle stability (the capacitance retention after 1000 charge and discharge is 88.53% of the initial capacitance value, which is better than pure PPy-60.76% and PPy/rGO-C-71.84%). The excellent capacitance performance, good-looking micro-morphology and simple synthesis method of the PPy/N-PCM provide the possibility for its commercialization.
Cellular uptake of extracellular nucleosomes induces innate immune responses by binding and activating cGMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)
Authors: Wang Huawei , Zang Chuanlong , Ren Mengtian , Shang Mengdi , Wang Zhenghua , Peng Xuemei , Zhang Qiangzhe , Wen Xin , Xi Zhen , Zhou Chuanzheng 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe nucleosome is the basic structural repeating unit of chromatin. DNA damage and cell apoptosis release nucleosomes into the blood circulatory system, and increased levels of circulating nucleosomes have been observed to be related to inflammation and autoimmune diseases. However, how circulating nucleosomes trigger immune responses has not been fully elucidated. cGAS (cGMP-AMP synthase) is a recently discovered pattern recognition receptor that senses cytoplasmic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). In this study, we employed in vitro reconstituted nucleosomes to examine whether extracellular nucleosomes can gain access to the cytoplasm of mammalian cells to induce immune responses by activating cGAS. We showed that nucleosomes can be taken up by various mammalian cells. Additionally, we found that in vitro reconstituted mononucleosomes and oligonucleosomes can be recognized by cGAS. Compared to dsDNA, nucleosomes exhibit higher binding affinities to cGAS but considerably lower potency in cGAS activation. Incubation of monocytic cells with reconstituted nucleosomes leads to limited production of type I interferons and proinflammatory cytokines via a cGAS-dependent mechanism. This proof-of-concept study reveals the cGAS-dependent immunogenicity of nucleosomes and highlights the potential roles of circulating nucleosomes in autoimmune diseases, inflammation, and antitumour immunity.
Shift work influences the outcomes of Chlamydia infection and pathogenesis
Authors: Lundy Stephanie R. , Richardson Shakyra , Ramsey Anne , Ellerson Debra , Fengxia Yan , Onyeabor Sunny , Kirlin Ward , Thompson Winston , Black Carolyn M. , DeBruyne Jason P. , Davidson Alec J. , Immergluck Lilly C. , Blas-Machado Uriel , Eko Francis O. , Igietseme Joseph U. , He Qing , Omosun Yusuf O. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractShift work, performed by approximately 21 million Americans, is irregular or unusual work schedule hours occurring after 6:00 pm. Shift work has been shown to disrupt circadian rhythms and is associated with several adverse health outcomes and chronic diseases such as cancer, gastrointestinal and psychiatric diseases and disorders. It is unclear if shift work influences the complications associated with certain infectious agents, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility resulting from genital chlamydial infection. We used an Environmental circadian disruption (ECD) model mimicking circadian disruption occurring during shift work, where mice had a 6-h advance in the normal light/dark cycle (LD) every week for a month. Control group mice were housed under normal 12/12 LD cycle. Our hypothesis was that compared to controls, mice that had their circadian rhythms disrupted in this ECD model will have a higherChlamydiaload, more pathology and decreased fertility rate followingChlamydiainfection. Results showed that, compared to controls, mice that had their circadian rhythms disrupted (ECD) had higherChlamydialoads, more tissue alterations or lesions, and lower fertility rate associated with chlamydial infection. Also, infected ECD mice elicited higher proinflammatory cytokines compared to mice under normal 12/12 LD cycle. These results imply that there might be an association between shift work and the increased likelihood of developing more severe disease fromChlamydiainfection.
Quantification of extracellular volume fraction by cardiac computed tomography for noninvasive assessment of myocardial fibrosis in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Yamada Akimasa , Kitagawa Kakuya , Nakamura Satoshi , Takafuji Masafumi , Goto Yoshitaka , Okamoto Ryuji , Dohi Kaoru , Sakuma Hajime 
Published: September 2020

AbstractExtent of myocardial fibrosis in hemodialysis patients has been associated with poor prognosis. Myocardial extracellular volume (ECV) quantification using contrast enhanced cardiac computed tomography (CT) is a novel method to determine extent of myocardial fibrosis. Cardiac CT-based myocardial ECV in hemodialysis patients with those of propensity-matched non-hemodialysis control subjects were compared. Twenty hemodialysis patients (mean age, 67.4 ± 9.6 years; 80% male) and 20 propensity-matched non-hemodialysis controls (mean age, 66.3 ± 9.1 years; 85% male) who underwent comprehensive cardiac CT consisted of calcium scoring, coronary CT angiography, stress perfusion CT and delayed enhancement CT were evaluated. Myocardial ECV was significantly greater in the hemodialysis group than in the control group (33.8 ± 4.7% versus 26.6 ± 2.9%; P < 0.0001). In the hemodialysis group, modest correlation was evident between myocardial ECV and left atrial volume index (r = 0.54; P = 0.01), while there was no correlation between myocardial ECV and other cardiac parameters including left ventricular mass index and severity of myocardial ischemia. Cardiac CT-based myocardial ECV may offer a potential imaging biomarker for myocardial fibrosis in HD patients.
Enabling precision rehabilitation interventions using wearable sensors and machine learning to track motor recovery
Authors: Adans-Dester Catherine , Hankov Nicolas , O’Brien Anne , Vergara-Diaz Gloria , Black-Schaffer Randie , Zafonte Ross , Dy Jennifer , Lee Sunghoon I. , Bonato Paolo 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe need to develop patient-specific interventions is apparent when one considers that clinical studies often report satisfactory motor gains only in a portion of participants. This observation provides the foundation for “precision rehabilitation”. Tracking and predicting outcomes defining the recovery trajectory is key in this context. Data collected using wearable sensors provide clinicians with the opportunity to do so with little burden on clinicians and patients. The approach proposed in this paper relies on machine learning-based algorithms to derive clinical score estimates from wearable sensor data collected during functional motor tasks. Sensor-based score estimates showed strong agreement with those generated by clinicians. Score estimates of upper-limb impairment severity and movement quality were marked by a coefficient of determination of 0.86 and 0.79, respectively. The application of the proposed approach to monitoring patients’ responsiveness to rehabilitation is expected to contribute to the development of patient-specific interventions, aiming to maximize motor gains.