bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple environmental parameters impact lipid cyclization in Sulfolobus acidocaldarius
Authors: Cobban Alec , Zhang Yujiao , Zhou Alice , Weber Yuki , Elling Felix J. , Pearson Ann , Leavitt William D. 
Published: August 2020

SummaryAdaptation of lipid membrane composition is an important component of archaeal homeostatic response. Historically, the number of cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl rings in the glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) Archaeal lipids has been linked to variation in environmental temperature. However, recent work with GDGT‐making archaea highlight the roles of other factors, such as pH or energy availability, in influencing the degree of GDGT cyclization. To better understand the role of multiple variables in a consistent experimental framework and organism, we cultivated the model Crenarchaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius DSM639 at different combinations of temperature, pH, oxygen flux, or agitation speed. We quantified responses in growth rate, biomass yield, and core lipid compositions, specifically the degree of core GDGT cyclization. The degree of GDGT cyclization correlated with growth rate under most conditions. The results suggest the degree of cyclization in archaeal lipids records a universal response to energy availability at the cellular level, both in thermoacidophiles, and in other recent findings in the mesoneutrophilic Thaumarchaea. Although we isolated the effects of key individual parameters, there remains a need for multi‐factor experiments (e.g., pH + temperature + redox) in order to more robustly establish a framework to better understand homeostatic membrane responses.
Effect of energy deprivation on metabolite release by anaerobic marine naphthalene‐degrading sulfate‐reducing bacteria
Authors: Chen Gao , Widdel Friedrich , Musat Florin 
Published: August 2020

SummaryThe aromatic hydrocarbon naphthalene, which occurs in coal and oil, can be degraded by aerobic or anaerobic microorganisms. A wide‐spread electron acceptor for the latter is sulfate. Evidence for in situ naphthalene degradation stems in particular from the detection of 2‐naphthoate and [5,6,7,8]‐tetrahydro‐2‐naphthoate in oil field samples. Because such intermediates are usually not detected in laboratory cultures with high sulfate concentrations, one may suppose that conditions in reservoirs, such as sulfate limitation, trigger metabolite release. Indeed, if naphthalene‐grown cells of marine sulfate‐reducing Deltaproteobacteria (strains NaphS2, NaphS3 and NaphS6) were transferred to sulfate‐free medium, they released 2‐naphthoate and [5,6,7,8]‐tetrahydro‐2‐naphthoate while still consuming naphthalene. With 2‐naphthoate as initial substrate, cells produced [5,6,7,8]‐tetrahydro‐2‐naphthoate and the hydrocarbon, naphthalene, indicating reversibility of the initial naphthalene‐metabolizing reaction. The reactions in the absence of sulfate were not coupled to observable growth. Excretion of naphthalene‐derived metabolites was also achieved in sulfate‐rich medium upon addition of the protonophore carbonyl cyanide4‐(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone or the ATPase inhibitor N,N′‐dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. In conclusion, obstruction of electron flow and energy gain by sulfate limitation offers an explanation for the occurrence of naphthalene‐derived metabolites in oil reservoirs, and provides a simple experimental tool for gaining insights into the anaerobic naphthalene oxidation pathway from an energetic perspective.
Covid‐19 and the Blunders of our Governments: Long‐run System Failings Aggravated by Political Choices
Authors: Gaskell Jen , Stoker Gerry , Jennings Will , Devine Daniel 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMore urgently than ever we need an answer to the question posed by the late Mick Moran in The Political Quarterly nearly two decades ago: ‘if government now invests huge resources in trying to be smart why does it often act so dumb?’. We reflect on this question in the context of governmental responses to Covid‐19 in four steps. First, we argue that blunders occur because of systemic weaknesses that stimulate poor policy choices. Second, we review and assess the performance of governments on Covid‐19 across a range of advanced democracies. Third, in the light of these comparisons we argue that the UK system of governance has proved itself vulnerable to failure at the time when its citizens most needed it. Finally, we outline an agenda of reform that seeks to rectify structural weaknesses of that governance capacity.
Pregnancy outcome and cost‐effectiveness comparisons of artificial cycle‐prepared frozen embryo transfer with or without GnRH agonist pretreatment for polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Luo L , Chen M , Wen Y , Zhang L , Zhou C , Wang Q 
Published: August 2020

ObjectiveTo compare the live birth rate and cost effectiveness of artificial cycle‐prepared frozen embryo transfer (AC‐FET) with or without GnRH agonist (GnRH‐a) pretreatment for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).DesignOpen‐label, randomised, controlled trial.SettingReproductive centre of a university‐affiliated hospital.SampleA total of 343 women with PCOS, aged 24–40 years, scheduled for AC‐FET and receiving no more than two blastocysts.MethodsThe pretreatment group (n = 172) received GnRH‐a pretreatment and the control group (n = 171) did not. Analysis followed the intention‐to‐treat (ITT) principle.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure was live birth rate. Secondary outcome measures included clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate, early pregnancy loss rate and direct treatment costs per FET cycle.ResultsAmong the 343 women randomised, 330 (96.2%) underwent embryo transfer and 328 (95.6%) completed the protocols. Live birth rate according to ITT did not differ between the pretreatment and control groups [85/172 (49.4%) versus 92/171 (53.8%), absolute rate difference −4.4%, 95% CI −10.8% to 2.0% (P = 0.45). Implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and early pregnancy loss rate also did not differ between groups, but median direct cost per FET cycle was significantly higher in the pretreatment group (7799.2 versus 4438.9 RMB, OR = 1.9, 95%CI 1.2–3.4, P < 0.001). Median direct cost per live birth was also significantly higher in the pretreatment group (15663.1 versus 8189.9 RMB, odds ratio [OR] = 1.9, 95% CI 1.2–3.8, P < 0.001).ConclusionsPretreatment with GnRH‐a does not improve pregnancy outcomes for women with PCOS receiving AC‐FET, but significantly increases patient cost.Tweetable abstractFor women with PCOS, artificial cycle‐prepared FET with GnRH agonist pretreatment provides no pregnancy outcome benefit but incurs higher cost.
Substrate‐dependent incorporation of carbon and hydrogen for lipid biosynthesis by Methanosarcina barkeri
Authors: Wu Weichao , Meador Travis B. , Könneke Martin , Elvert Marcus , Wegener Gunter , Hinrichs Kai‐Uwe 
Published: August 2020

SummaryDual stable isotope probing has been used to infer rates of microbial biomass production and modes of carbon fixation. In order to validate this approach for assessing archaeal production, the methanogenic archaeon Methanosarcina barkeri was grown either with H2, acetate or methanol with D2O and 13C‐dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). Our results revealed unexpectedly low D incorporation into lipids, with the net fraction of water‐derived hydrogen amounting to 0.357 ± 0.042, 0.226 ± 0.003 and 0.393 ± 0.029 for growth on H2/CO2, acetate and methanol respectively. The variability in net water H assimilation into lipids during the growth of M. barkeri on different substrates is possibly attributed to different Gibbs free energy yields, such that higher energy yield promoted the exchange of hydrogen between medium water and lipids. Because NADPH likely serves as the portal for H transfer, increased NADPH production and/or turnover associated with high energy yield may explain the apparent differences in net water H assimilation into lipids. The variable DIC and water H incorporation into M. barkeri lipids imply systematic, metabolic patterns of isotope incorporation and suggest that the ratio of 13C‐DIC versus D2O assimilation in environmental samples may serve as a proxy for microbial energetics in addition to microbial production and carbon assimilation pathways.
Induction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 into a viable but non‐culturable state by high temperature and its resuscitation
Authors: Fu Yulong , Jia Yangyang , Fan Jiahui , Yu Chunna , Yu Chungui , Shen Chaofeng 
Published: August 2020

SummaryEscherichia coli O157:H7, a causative agent of haemolytic uremic syndrome, can enter into a viable but non‐culturable (VBNC) state in response to harsh stress. Bacteria in this state can retain membrane integrity, metabolic activity and virulence expression, which may present health risks. However, virulence expression and resuscitation ability of the VBNC state are not well understood. Here, we induced E. coli O157:H7 into a VBNC state by high temperature, which is commonly used to prevent the proliferation of pathogens in process of soil solarization, composting and anaerobic digestion of organic wastes. The virulence genes were highly expressed in the VBNC state and resuscitated daughter cells. The resuscitation of VBNC cells occurred after the removal of heat stress in Luria‐Bertani medium. In addition, E. coli O157: H7 cells can leave the VBNC state and resuscitate with the clearance of protein aggregates. Notably, with the accumulation of protein aggregation and increased levels of reactive oxygen species, cells lost their ability to resuscitate. The results of this study not only can facilitate a better understanding of the health risks associated with the VBNC state but also have the potential to provide a theoretical basis for thermal disinfection processing.
The highly crystalline PET found in plastic water bottles does not support the growth of the PETase‐producing bacterium Ideonella sakaiensis
Authors: Wallace Noah E. , Adams Mary C. , Chafin Andrew C. , Jones Diamonte D. , Tsui Caroline L. , Gruber Todd D. 
Published: August 2020

SummaryIdeonella sakaiensis produces an enzyme, PETase, that is capable of hydrolyzing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. We demonstrate that although I. sakaiensis can grow on amorphous plastic, it does not grow on highly crystalline plastic under otherwise identical conditions. Both amorphous film and amorphous plastic obtained from commercial food containers support the growth of the bacteria, whereas highly crystalline film and the highly crystalline body of a plastic water bottle do not support growth. Highly crystalline PET can be melted and rapidly cooled to make amorphous plastic which then supports bacterial growth, whereas the same plastic can be melted and slowly cooled to make crystalline plastic which does not support growth. We further subject a plastic water bottle to a top‐to‐bottom analysis, finding that only amorphous sections are degraded, namely the finish (threading), the topmost portion of the shoulder which connects to the finish, and the area immediately surrounding the centre of the base. Finally, we use these results to estimate that the percentage of non‐degradable plastic in plastic water bottles ranges from 52% to 82% (depending on size), demonstrating that most of the plastic found in PET water bottles will not be degraded by I. sakaiensis.
Dependence of PINK1 accumulation on mitochondrial redox system
Authors: Gao Feng , Zhang Yan , Hou Xiaoou , Tao Zhouteng , Ren Haigang , Wang Guanghui 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAccumulation of PINK1 on the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) is necessary for PINK‐mediated mitophagy. The proton ionophores, like carbonyl cyanide m‐chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) and carbonyl cyanide‐4‐(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP), inhibit PINK1 import into mitochondrial matrix and induce PINK1 OMM accumulation. Here, we show that the CHCHD4/GFER disulfide relay system in the mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS) is required for PINK1 stabilization when mitochondrial membrane potential is lost. Activation of CHCHD4/GFER system by mitochondrial oxidative stress or inhibition of CHCHD4/GFER system with antioxidants can promote or suppress PINK1 accumulation, respectively. Thus data suggest a pivotal role of CHCHD4/GFER system in PINK1 accumulation. The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis‐related superoxide dismutase 1 mutants dysregulated redox state and CHCHD4/GFER system in the IMS, leading to inhibitions of PINK1 accumulation and mitophagy. Thus, the redox system in the IMS is involved in PINK1 accumulation and damaged mitochondrial clearance, which may play roles in mitochondrial dysfunction‐related neurodegenerative diseases.
Component‐resolved microarray analysis of IgE sensitization profiles to Culicoides recombinant allergens in horses with insect bite hypersensitivity
Authors: Novotny Ella N. , White Samuel J. , Wilson A. Douglas , Stefánsdóttir Sara B. , Tijhaar Edwin , Jonsdóttir Sigridur , Frey Rebekka , Reiche Dania , Rose Horst , Rhyner Claudio , Schüpbach‐Regula Gertraud , Torsteinsdóttir Sigurbjörg , Alcocer Marcos , Marti Eliane 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundAllergy to bites of blood‐sucking insects, including biting midges, can affect both human and veterinary patients. Horses are often suffering from an IgE‐mediated allergic dermatitis caused by bites of midges (Culicoides spp). With the aim to improve allergen immunotherapy (AIT), numerous Culicoides allergens have been produced as recombinant (r‐) proteins. This study aimed to test a comprehensive panel of differently expressed Culicoides r‐allergens on a cohort of IBH‐affected and control horses using an allergen microarray.MethodsIgE levels to 27 Culicoides r‐allergens, including 8 previously unpublished allergens, of which 11 were expressed in more than one expression system, were determined in sera from 347 horses. ROC analyses were carried out, cut‐offs selected using a specificity of 95% and seropositivity rates compared between horses affected with insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) and control horses. The combination of r‐allergens giving the best performing test was determined using logistic regression analysis.ResultsSeropositivity was significantly higher in IBH horses compared with controls for 25 r‐allergens. Nine Culicoides r‐allergens were major allergens for IBH with seven of them binding IgE in sera from > 70% of the IBH‐affected horses. Combination of these top seven r‐allergens could diagnose > 90% of IBH‐affected horses with a specificity of > 95%. Correlation between differently expressed r‐allergens was usually high (mean = 0.69, range: 0.28‐0.91).ConclusionThis microarray will be a powerful tool for the development of component‐resolved, patient‐tailored AIT for IBH and could be useful for the study of allergy to biting midges in humans and other species.
Retrograde ejaculation after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP)—Impact on sexual function and evaluation of patient bother using validated questionnaires
Authors: Gild Philipp , Dahlem Roland , Pompe Raisa S. , Soave Armin , Vetterlein Malte W. , Ludwig Tim A. , Maurer Valentin , Marks Phillip , Ahyai Sascha A. , Chun Felix K.‐H. , Lenke Lukas , Ernst Tabea , Fisch Margit , Rink Michael , Meyer Christian P. , Becker Andreas 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundA vast body of literature has focused on erectile function after Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP). Interestingly, retrograde ejaculation (RE), despite its frequency has sparsely been investigated.ObjectivesTo study patient perception and impact of RE on sexuality following HoLEP.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively analyzed 2,131 patients undergoing HoLEP 2006‐2015 at our institution. Patients were followed via standardized questionnaires namely International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) as well as Male Sexual Health Questionnaire Ejaculatory Short Form (MSHQ‐EjD‐SF). Exclusion criteria were missing/follow‐up <6 months, missing data on MSHQ‐EjD‐SF and IIEF score, resulting in 535 assessable patients. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify independent predictors of satisfaction with overall sex life (IIEF question 13).ResultsMedian follow‐up was 50 months (IQR: 30‐78). Overall, 495 (92.5%) patients reported RE. Patients differed significantly with respect to age (P = .036), IPSS at follow‐up (P = .01), and erectile function (P < .001), whereas no other statistically significant differences were observed. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, presence of RE was not independently associated with satisfaction with overall sex life (OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 0.70‐10.5, P = .1). However, in the cohort of patients exhibiting RE, patients who stated “feeling bothered by RE” had lower satisfaction with overall sex life (OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.13‐0.38, P < .001). Bother by RE varied according to erectile function and did not impact overall satisfaction in men with superior erectile function.ConclusionsRE is a very common event after HoLEP but in this retrospective analysis was not associated with overall satisfaction with sex life. Contrary, satisfaction with sex life is impaired in patients who feel bothered by RE. Proper patient selection will pose key to identify patients in which RE bother will offset the benefits of LUTS relief.
Factors affecting the anxiety levels of adolescents in home‐quarantine during COVID‐19 pandemic in Turkey
Authors: Kılınçel Şenay , Kılınçel Oğuzhan , Muratdağı Gürkan , Aydın Abdülkadir , Usta Miraç Barış 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe long‐term closing of schools and home‐quarantine during the COVID‐19 pandemic cause negative effects on the physical and mental health of young people. Studies evaluating the mental health of adolescents during the pandemic are limited in the literature.AimIn our study, it was aimed to determine the results of home‐quarantine measures taken for adolescents during the pandemic and the affecting factors.MethodThis study was conducted as an online cross‐sectional self‐report questionnaire and included children aged between 12 and 18 years. The data were obtained from the children of volunteer families via Facebook family groups, and Google Forms questionnaires sent by the child psychiatry clinic to their smartphones. Sociodemographic form, State‐Trait anxiety scale, and UCLA loneliness survey were used as data collection tools.ResultsWe examined the data of 745 adolescents. The average age of the study group was 16.83 ± 1.66 years, and 69.5% were females. It was determined that 88.2% of the adolescents followed the developments in the COVID‐19 process and obtained most information from the television. State anxiety was related to “Former psychiatric referral” by 4.39‐fold, “Having a COVID positive patient in the family or your surroundings” by 3.81‐fold, and “The most common medium for obtaining COVID‐related information” by 2.41‐fold.ConclusionsClosure of schools and home‐quarantine during pandemic causes anxiety and loneliness in young people. The identification of risky groups helps to properly support these individuals by various social connections, including healthcare professionals, families, and schools.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: a history of smoking is not associated with a higher risk of pouchitis
Authors: Kani H. Tarik , Ramai Daryl , Caniglia Ellen , Hudesman David , Axelrad Jordan , Nicholson Joseph , Hong Simon , Chang Shannon 
Published: August 2020

SummaryBackgroundIleal pouch‐anal anastomosis is a common surgical procedure in patients with an initial diagnosis of ulcerative colitis or indeterminate colitis. Tobacco smoking has been associated with protection from onset of ulcerative colitis. Smoking has been reported to be both a protective factor and a risk factor for the development of pouchitis.AimTo examine the influence of smoking on the risk of pouchitis.MethodsWe identified 15 studies evaluating smoking as a risk factor for developing pouchitis in ulcerative colitis or indeterminate colitis patients with a history of ileal pouch‐anal anastomosis in a systematic search performed from inception through May 4, 2020. A meta‐analysis was then performed using a random‐effects model to generate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsA history of smoking compared with never smoking was not associated with an increased risk of developing pouchitis (RR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.76‐1.18, I2 = 73.7%). There was also no significant risk of pouchitis when comparing current smokers vs nonsmokers (RR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.70‐1.24, I2 = 78.5%) and former smokers vs nonsmokers (RR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.74‐1.23, I2 = 78.5%).ConclusionsSmoking, past or present, is not associated with an increased risk for the development of pouchitis in patients with ulcerative colitis or indeterminate colitis.
Mesenchymal stem cell–derived small extracellular vesicles and bone regeneration
Authors: Wang Xiaoqin , Thomsen Peter 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSC‐derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are promising candidates for cell‐based and cell‐free regenerative medicine, respectively. By virtue of their multiple lineage differentiation capacity, MSCs have been implicated as an ideal tool for bone and cartilage regeneration. However, later observations attributed such regenerative effects to MSC‐secreted paracrine factors. Exosomes, endosomal originated sEVs carrying lipid, protein and nucleic acid cargoes, were identified as components of the MSC secretome and propagated the key regenerative and immunoregulatory characteristics of parental MSCs. Here, exosome biogenesis, the molecular composition of exosomes, sEV‐cell interactions and the effects on key bone homeostasis cells are reviewed. MSC‐derived sEVs show to promote neovascularization and bone and cartilage regeneration in preclinical disease models. The mechanisms include the transfer of molecules, including microRNAs, mRNAs and proteins, to other key cells. MSC‐derived sEVs are interesting candidates as biopharmaceuticals for drug delivery and for the engineering of biologically functionalized materials. Although major exploratory efforts have been made for therapeutic development, the secretion, distribution and biological effects of MSC‐derived sEVs in bone and cartilage regeneration are not fully understood. Moreover, techniques for high‐yield production, purity and storage need to be optimized before effective and safe MSC‐derived sEVs therapies are realized.
Lithium in drinking water and suicide prevention: The largest nationwide epidemiological study from Japan
Authors: Kugimiya Tsuyoshi , Ishii Nobuyoshi , Kohno Kentaro , Kanehisa Masayuki , Hatano Koji , Hirakawa Hirofumi , Terao Takeshi 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectivesThe aims of the present study thus were (a) to further investigate the association between lithium levels in drinking water and suicide rates by adjusting relevant factors using the so far largest available dataset in Japan, (b) to confirm sex differences, (c) to estimate the effects of long‐term exposure to trace lithium, (d) to investigate the effects of drinking bottled instead of tap water, and (e) to exploratorily investigate which lithium levels may be associated with lower suicide rates.MethodsMean lithium levels in drinking water of all 808 cities and wards (ie, 785 cities of 46 prefectures and 23 wards of Tokyo) in Japan were examined in relation to mean suicide standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) during the 7 years from 2010 to 2016. Multiple regression analyses adjusted for the size of each population were used to investigate the association of lithium levels with suicide SMRs with adjustments for relevant factors.ResultsThe adjusted model showed significant inverse associations of lithium levels with total and male SMRs, but not with female SMRs. Neither the proportion of residents who continued to live in the same city nor the consumption of bottled water changed the association between lithium levels and suicide SMRs. Finally, it was 30 μg/L or more that was associated with lower suicide SMRs.ConclusionsThe present findings reconfirm the inverse association between lithium levels in drinking water and suicide rates particularly in the male population.