bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulation of titin-based cardiac stiffness by unfolded domain oxidation (UnDOx)
Authors: Loescher Christine M. , Breitkreuz Martin , Li Yong , Nickel Alexander , Unger Andreas , Dietl Alexander , Schmidt Andreas , Mohamed Belal A. , Kötter Sebastian , Schmitt Joachim P. , Krüger Marcus , Krüger Martina , Toischer Karl , Maack Christoph , Leichert Lars I. , Hamdani Nazha , Linke Wolfgang A. 
Published: September 2020

Significance
Titin oxidation alters titin stiffness, which greatly contributes to overall myocardial stiffness. This stiffness is frequently increased in heart disease, such as diastolic heart failure. We have quantified the degree of oxidative titin changes in several murine heart and skeletal muscle models exposed to oxidant stress and mechanical load. Importantly, strain enhances in vivo oxidation of titin in the elastic region, but not the inextensible segment. The functional consequences include oxidation type-dependent effects on cardiomyocyte stiffness, titin-domain folding, phosphorylation, and inter-titin interactions. Thus, oxidative modifications stabilize the titin spring in a dynamic and reversible manner and help propagate changes in titin-based myocardial stiffness. Our findings pave the way for interventions that target the pathological stiffness of titin in disease.
Preparation of Ag@PDA@SiO2 electrospinning nanofibrous membranes for direct bacteria SERS detection and antimicrobial activities
Authors: Wan Menghui , Zhao Haodong , Wang Zhihua , Zhao Yanbao , Sun Lei 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
In this paper, a convenient method to fabricate flexible and free-standing surface-enhanced Raman scatting (SERS) substrates for direct bacteria detection without aptamer bonding is presented. SiO2 nanofibers were prepared via electrospinning and calcination by using tetraethyl orthosilicate as the precursor. Subsequently, it was coated with polydopamine (PDA) by self-polymerization. Finally, Ag@PDA@SiO2 nanofibrous membranes were obtained through in situ growth of Ag nanoparticles in Tollens’ reagents. The as-prepared Ag@PDA@SiO2 composite nanofibrous membranes were characterized by techniques of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and thermo gravimetric analysis. The flexibility of the as-prepared nanofibrous membranes were verified simply through manual folding. Small molecule probes of 4-mercaptophenol (4-MPh) and 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) were chosen to investigate the SERS sensitivity of the as-prepared Ag@PDA@SiO2 as free-standing substrates. Furthermore, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), as typical strains of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, were performed to directly SERS detection by dropping bacteria suspension onto the fibrous membranes without any previous treatment, such as aptamer combination. In addition, the antimicrobial properties of the as-prepared Ag@PDA@SiO2 electrospinning nanofibrous membranes were tested by inhibition zone and turbidity methods. The results show that Ag nanoparticles with an average diameter of 50 nm are uniformly deposited on the surface of electrospinning nanofibers, and the as-prepared Ag@PDA@SiO2 nanofibrous membranes are flexible. As SERS substrates, it shows a rather high detection limitation of 10−11 mol l−1 for 4-MPh and 4-MBA. More importantly, this substrate can be applied for bacteria label-free SERS detection, i.e., complicated procedures are avoided. Meanwihile, the as-prepared Ag@PDA@SiO2 nanofibrous membranes exhibit excellent antibacterial properties. Thus, it has application prospects in trace bacteria detection and water purification.
Effect of rubber ash on mechanical properties of Al6061 based hybrid FGMMC
Authors: B Madhu , Ranganath G , Konga Ajaykumar 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The usage of rubber ash as a reinforcement material for aluminium composite has never been used, this work pertains to one such experimentation. In this work rubber ash and boron carbide in varying proportions to reinforce Aluminium based Hybrid functional grade metal matrix composite (FGMMC). The fabrication is done using the centrifugal casting method. The rubbish ash and B4C content are varied and the samples are tested to get the ratio with the optimal mechanical properties. The tensile strength of the Aluminium based Matrix Composites (AMC) seems to increase with an increase in % weight of rubber ash. Further analysis of the composite reveals that the B4C and rubber ash particles were evenly distributed in the AMC. This can be confirmed using SEM imaging. This work studies the usage of boron Carbide and rubber ash to reinforce the FGMMC by comparing its properties to conventional AMC’s. The mechanical properties along with the cost factor are weighed to arrive at a convincing solution.
Population dynamics model and analysis for bacteria transformation and conjugation
Authors: Dong J J , Russo J D , Sampson K 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
We present a two-species population model in a well-mixed environment where the dynamics involves, in addition to birth and death, changes due to environmental factors and inter-species interactions. The novel dynamical components are motivated by two common mechanisms for developing antibiotic resistance in bacteria: plasmid transformation, where external genetic material in the form of a plasmid is transferred inside a host cell; and conjugation by which one cell transfers genetic material to another by direct cell-to-cell contact. Through analytical and numerical methods, we identify the effects of transformation and conjugation individually. With transformation only, the two-species system will evolve towards one species’ extinction, or a stable co-existence in the long-time limit. With conjugation only, we discover interesting oscillations for the system. Further, we quantify the combined effects of transformation and conjugation, and chart the regimes of stable co-existence, a result with ecological implications.
Strichartz estimates and Strauss conjecture on non-trapping asymptotically hyperbolic manifolds
Authors: Sire Yannick , Sogge Christopher , Wang Chengbo , Zhang Junyong 
Published: September 2020

We prove global-in-time Strichartz estimates for the shifted wave equations on non-trapping asymptotically hyperbolic manifolds. The key tools are the spectral measure estimates from [Ann. Inst. Fourier, Grenoble 68 (2018), pp. 1011–1075] and arguments borrowed from [Analysis PDE 9 (2016), pp. 151–192], [Adv. Math. 271 (2015), pp. 91–111]. As an application, we prove the small data global existence for any power

p
∈
(
1
,
1
+

4

n
−
1

)

p\in (1, 1+\frac {4}{n-1})

for the shifted wave equation in this setting, involving nonlinearities of the form

±

|

u

|

p

\pm |u|^p

or

±

|

u

|

p
−
1

u

\pm |u|^{p-1}u

, which answers partially an open question raised in [Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst. 39 (2019), pp. 7081–7099].
Innate Immune Mechanisms of Arterial Hypertension and Autoimmune Disease
Authors: Jung Rebecca , Wild Johannes , Ringen Julia , Karbach Susanne , Wenzel Philip 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The immune system is indispensable in the development of vascular dysfunction and hypertension. The interplay between immune cells and the vasculature, kidneys, heart, and blood pressure regulating nuclei in the central nervous system results in a complex and closely interwoven relationship of the immune system with arterial hypertension. A better understanding of this interplay is necessary for optimized and individualized antihypertensive therapy. Our review article focuses on innate cells in hypertension and to what extent they impact on development and preservation of elevated blood pressure. Moreover, we address the association of hypertension with chronic autoimmune diseases. The latter are ideally suited to learn about immune-mediated mechanisms in cardiovascular disease leading to high blood pressure.
Rice withSUB1QTL possesses greater initial leaf gas film thickness leading to delayed perception of submergence stress
Authors: Chakraborty Koushik , Guru Akankhya , Jena Priyanka , Ray Soham , Guhey Arti , Chattopadhyay Krishnendu , Sarkar Ramani K 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackground and AimsSubmergence tolerance in rice is primarily attributed to the action of the SUB1 gene, but other associated traits such as leaf gas film (LGF) thickness, leaf hydrophobicity, porosity and leaf density have been known to aid submergence tolerance in rice. However, association of these traits with SUB1 quantitative trait locus (QTL) has not been demonstrated. In this study, we aim to investigate (1) whether the presence of the SUB1 QTL in the genetic background has any influence on the thickness of the LGF and (ii) whether its removal has any impact on stress perception and submergence tolerance in Sub1 and non-Sub1 rice.MethodsWe examined 12 genotypes (including both Sub1 and non-Sub1 types) for different leaf traits such as initial LGF thickness, leaf hydrophobicity, tissue porosity and leaf density in order to work out the relatioship of these traits to the SUB1 QTL in rice. Furthermore, we investigated the changes in the gene expression profile and different metabolic processes in selected genotypes in the presence and absence of their LGF to study its impact on stress perception and adaptation.Key ResultsThe initial thickness of the LGF and hydrophobicity seemed to have a highly positive correlation with the presence of the SUB1 QTL in the genetic background of rice; however, other leaf traits such as porosity and density seemed to be independent of it. Artificial removal of the LGF resulted in partial loss of tolerance, showing increased ethylene production and early induction of anoxia-related genes (SUB1A-1, ACS5, Ramy3D and ADH1) which manifested symptoms such as increased stem elongation, faster chlorophyll and starch breakdown, and partial loss of quiescence in SUB1-containing rice genotypes. Stripping of the LGF resulted in early and enhanced induction of SUB1A-1, indicating a quicker perception of stress.ConclusionsThe presence of SUB1 in the genetic background positively influences surface hydrophobicity and the concomitant LGF thickness of rice. Furthermore, LGF helps in terms of providing better ethylene dissipation and reduced in planta accumulation, owing to the slowing down of ethylene-induced leaf senescence under submergence stress.
Verbal Learning Mediates the Relationship Between Executive Functions and a Laboratory Task of Medication Management in HIV Disease
Authors: Sullivan Kelli L , Babicz Michelle A , Woods Steven Paul 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveImpairments in executive functions and learning are common in HIV disease and increase the risk of nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy. The mixed encoding/retrieval profile of HIV-associated deficits in learning and memory is largely driven by dysregulation of prefrontal systems and related executive dysfunction. This study tested the hypothesis that learning may be one pathway by which executive dysfunction disrupts medication management in people living with HIV (PLWH).MethodA total of 195 PLWH completed a performance-based laboratory task of medication management capacity and clinical measures of executive functions, verbal learning and memory, and motor skills.ResultsExecutive functions were significantly associated with verbal learning and medication management performance. In a model controlling for education, learning significantly mediated the relationship between executive functions and medication management, and this mediation was associated with a small effect size. In particular, executive dysfunction was associated with diminished use of higher-order learning strategies. Alternate models showed that executive functions did not mediate the relationship between learning and medication management nor did motor skills mediate the relationship between executive functions and medication management.ConclusionsPLWH with executive dysfunction may demonstrate difficulty in learning new information, potentially due to ineffective strategy use, which may in turn put them at a higher risk for problems managing their medications in the laboratory. Future studies may wish to investigate whether compensatory neurocognitive training (e.g., using more effective learning strategies) may improve medication management among PLWH.
MCCS: a novel recognition pattern-based method for fast track discovery of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs
Authors: Feng Zhiwei , Chen Maozi , Xue Ying , Liang Tianjian , Chen Hui , Zhou Yuehan , Nolin Thomas D , Smith Randall B , Xie Xiang-Qun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractGiven the scale and rapid spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, or 2019-nCoV), there is an urgent need to identify therapeutics that are effective against COVID-19 before vaccines are available. Since the current rate of SARS-CoV-2 knowledge acquisition via traditional research methods is not sufficient to match the rapid spread of the virus, novel strategies of drug discovery for SARS-CoV-2 infection are required. Structure-based virtual screening for example relies primarily on docking scores and does not take the importance of key residues into consideration, which may lead to a significantly higher incidence rate of false-positive results. Our novel in silico approach, which overcomes these limitations, can be utilized to quickly evaluate FDA-approved drugs for repurposing and combination, as well as designing new chemical agents with therapeutic potential for COVID-19. As a result, anti-HIV or antiviral drugs (lopinavir, tenofovir disoproxil, fosamprenavir and ganciclovir), antiflu drugs (peramivir and zanamivir) and an anti-HCV drug (sofosbuvir) are predicted to bind to 3CLPro in SARS-CoV-2 with therapeutic potential for COVID-19 infection by our new protocol. In addition, we also propose three antidiabetic drugs (acarbose, glyburide and tolazamide) for the potential treatment of COVID-19. Finally, we apply our new virus chemogenomics knowledgebase platform with the integrated machine-learning computing algorithms to identify the potential drug combinations (e.g. remdesivir+chloroquine), which are congruent with ongoing clinical trials. In addition, another 10 compounds from CAS COVID-19 antiviral candidate compounds dataset are also suggested by Molecular Complex Characterizing System with potential treatment for COVID-19. Our work provides a novel strategy for the repurposing and combinations of drugs in the market and for prediction of chemical candidates with anti-COVID-19 potential.
Vascular bundle modifications in nodes and internodes of climbing Marantaceae
Authors: Krähmer Hansjörg , Hesse Linnea , Krüger Friederike , Speck Thomas , Claßen-Bockhoff Regine 
Published: September 2020

AbstractNodes are interfaces between stems and leaves. Vascular bundles originate here and elongate into leaves and internodes. In Marantaceae, internodal bundles are highly diverse, including inverted bundles in the climbing genus Haumania. The objective of this paper is to characterize bundle forms, their position across the stem and their connection to leaves and short shoots in Haumania spp. and other unrelated African branch-angle climbers in the family (Hypselodelphys, Trachyphrynium). We question whether bundle inversion is a genus-specific trait in Haumania or related to the climbing growth form. Vascular bundles in internodes are scattered across the stem diameter in a characteristic pattern. Four (to five) bundle types follow each other in a centripetal order from highly sclerenchymatic ‘a’-bundles close to the epidermis to ‘d’-bundles in the centre with a low sclerenchyma proportion. Inverted bundles only appear in internodes of Haumania, making this trait a synapomorphy for the genus. The nodes show stem, leaf and short shoot bundles in a remarkably diverse pattern with partitioned phloem clusters and apparently augmented xylem elements. Our preliminary conclusion is that the inversion of bundles happens when leaf and short shoot traces join the main axis bundle layers.
In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Two Hydroxychloroquine Tablet Formulations: HPLC Assay Development
Authors: Emami Jaber , Kazemi Moloud , Salehi Anahita 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The relative in vitro and in vivo evaluation of two hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) products was conducted. In vitro studies involved assay, content uniformity and dissolution test, and a two-way crossover fashion were used for in vivo studies. Blood samples were collected at appropriate intervals and HCQ levels were measured using a validated reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The drug and the internal standard, chloroquine (CQ), were extracted from blood with diethyl ether, separated and dried under nitrogen gas. Residues were reconstituted in the mobile phase and analyzed at 340 nm on a μ-bondapack C18 (250 × 4.6 mm) HPLC column with acetonitrile:methanol:KH2PO4 (10:10:80) mixture containing 0.01% triethylamine. The standard curve was linear within 50–1,500 ng/mL HCQ (R2 = 0.9996), relative errors were 1.6 to 5%, and the CV% ranged from 7 to 15.4. The resolution factor and RSD were 1.62 and 0.35% and in vitro data of both products met the USP requirements. The 90% confidence intervals for the ratios of the AUC0–96, Cmax and Tmax and their corresponding logarithmically transformed values of generic product over those of Plaquenil® were within the acceptable limit of 0.80–1.20 and 0.80–1.25, respectively. Therefore, the generic HCQ was bioequivalent to the innovator formulation.
Cefiderocol as Rescue Therapy for Acinetobacter baumannii and Other Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative Infections in Intensive Care Unit Patients
Authors: Falcone Marco , Tiseo Giusy , Nicastro Manuela , Leonildi Alessandro , Vecchione Alessandra , Casella Costanza , Forfori Francesco , Malacarne Paolo , Guarracino Fabio , Barnini Simona , Menichetti Francesco 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Ten critically ill patients with either bacteremia or ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, or New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase–producing Klebsiella pneumoniae received cefiderocol. All strains had minimum inhibitory concentration ≤2 μg/mL. Thirty-day clinical success and survival rates were 70% and 90%, respectively. Two patients had a microbiological failure. Future prospective studies are warranted.
Categorizing human phishing difficulty: a Phish Scale
Authors: Steves Michelle , Greene Kristen , Theofanos Mary 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
As organizations continue to invest in phishing awareness training programs, many chief information security officers (CISOs) are concerned when their training exercise click rates are high or variable, as they must justify training budgets to organization officials who question the efficacy of awareness training when click rates are not declining. We argue that click rates should be expected to vary based on the difficulty of the phishing email for a target audience. Past research has shown that when the premise of a phishing email aligns with a user’s work context, it is much more challenging for users to detect a phish. Given this, we propose a Phish Scale, so CISOs and phishing training implementers can easily rate the difficulty of their phishing exercises and help explain associated click rates. We base our scale on past research in phishing cues and user context, and apply the scale to previously published and new data from enterprise-based phishing exercises. The Phish Scale performed well with the current phishing dataset, but future work is needed to validate it with a larger variety of phishing emails. The Phish Scale shows great promise as a tool to help frame data sharing on phishing exercise click rates across sectors.
46 ESOPHAGECTOMY FOR ESOPHAGEAL CANCER TO THE PATIENT ACCOMPANIED WITH PROTEIN C DEFICIENCY
Authors: Ujiie N , Taniyama Y , Sato C , Takaya K , Okamoto H , Fukutomi T , Hatoyama K , Kamei T 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Protein C deficiency is a rare genetic disease that predisposes to thrombotic disease, which is characterized by tendency to form thrombus due to hypercoagulation. The incidence of protein C deficiency with clinical symptoms has been reported to be estimated at 1 in 20,000. Only a few cases of surgery for gastrointestinal cancer with protein C deficiency have been reported, however, there have been no reports regarding the perioperative management in detail for those patients.

Methods
We present. We assess perioperative management for the case of esophagectomy for an esophageal cancer accompanied with protein C deficiency.

Results
A 63-year-old male with protein C deficiency underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy and digestive reconstruction using gastric tube for thoracic esophageal cancer whose clinical stage was T1bN0M0. On postoperative day 3, his gastric tube was removed due to gastric tube necrosis. Digestive reconstruction using free jejunal graft has been attempted after 140 days from first surgery, however, thrombus formation in the jejunal artery and vein caused the reconstruction to failure. Ten days after this surgery, digestive reconstruction using colon was performed with anticoagulation control by administrating intraoperative heparin. The patient went fine without thrombus formation afterward.

Conclusion
During digestive reconstruction in patients with conditions predisposing to thrombus formation as typified by protein C deficiency, the perioperative management should be done with careful attention to prevent thrombus formation. In particular, because there is likely to develop necrosis of reconstructed organ due to thrombus formation, the appropriate anticoagulation control such as intraoperative heparin administration is recommended in patients with protein C deficiency.
55 OPTIMAL LYMPH NODE DISSECTION RANGE FOR ESOPHAGOGASTRIC JUNCTION CANCER
Authors: Okamoto H , Taniyama Y , Sato C , Takaya K , Fukutomi T , Kumagai T , Hatoyama K , Kamei T 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

There is no consensus on the mediastinal lymph node dissection range for esophagogastric junction cancer (EGJC).

Methods
We enrolled 113 patients with EGJC (defined by Nishi’s classification) who underwent R0 resection between January 2001 and December 2016, focusing on comparisons between squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC).

Results
The characteristics of patients with SCC (n = 53) and AC (n = 55) were as follows: age: 65.4 ± 1.4 and 64.1 ± 1.5 years; male/female: 46/12 and 48/7; preoperative treatment (none/NAC/NACRT): 29/19/10 and 53/2/0; surgical method (subtotal esophagectomy/lower esophagectomy and gastrectomy): 39/19 and 34/21; pStage (I/II/III): 15/14/29 and 13/10/32, respectively. Esophageal invasion (EI) exceeding 20 mm was associated with an increased incidence of metastasis to the upper and middle mediastinal LN in patients with SCC and AC. However, for patients with SCC, the upper/middle mediastinal LN dissection effect index was 6.9/6.9 compared with 0/0 for AC patients.

Conclusion
In patients with EI exceeding 20 mm, esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy up to the upper mediastinum should be performed owing to the high incidence of upper and middle mediastinal LNM. However, the dissection effect is very poor in patients with AC; therefore, multidisciplinary treatment should be considered for these patients.