bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro genomic damage induced by urban fine particulate matter on human lymphocytes
Authors: Santovito Alfredo , Gendusa Claudio , Cervella Piero , Traversi Deborah 
Published: June 2020

AbstractUrban air pollution represents a global problem, since everyday many mutagenic and carcinogens compounds are emitted into the atmosphere, with consequent adverse health effects on humans and biota. Specifically, particulate matter air pollution was associated with increased risks in human mortality and morbidity. In this paper, we analyse the genomic effects on human lymphocytes of different concentrations of annual Turin PM2.5 extract by an in vitro micronuclei assay. Samplings were collected from an urban meteorological-chemical station positioned in Turin (Italy), one of the most polluted cities in Europe. PM2.5 sampled on filters was used for organic extraction in monthly pools and successively aggregated to produce a mixture representative for a full year PM2.5 collection. Lymphocytes were exposed to four concentrations of PM2.5: 5, 10, 15 and 20 μg/mL and micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds were scored. With respect to controls, PM2.5 significantly increased the frequencies of all analysed biomarkers at all tested concentrations, whereas the CBPI index was significantly reduced only at the concentration of 20 μg/mL. Such in vitro effects can both to stimulate local authorities to adopt efficient measures for air pollution mitigation and to improve human monitoring to detect early precancer lesions.
Specificity and retention of visual perceptual learning in young children with low vision
Authors: Huurneman Bianca , Nienke Boonstra F. , Goossens Jeroen 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThere is evidence that a pen-and-paper training based on perceptual learning principles improves near visual acuity in young children with visual impairment. The aim of the present study is to measure specificity and retention of its training effects during one year. Sixteen visually impaired children aged 4–8 years were divided in two age- and acuity-matched groups: an early (n = 9) and late treatment group (n = 7). Training consisted of 12 sessions (2× per week for 6 weeks). Studied variables were uncrowded and crowded binocular near visual acuity (40 cm), distance visual acuity (3.0 m) and fine motor skills (Beery VMI, subtest Motor Control). In the early treatment group, we measured at 0 months (pre-training), at 2 months (post-training), at 8 months (6 months post-training) and at 14 months (12 months post-training) since inclusion. In the late treatment group, three pre-training measurements were performed at 0, 2 and 8 months, and two measurements at 0 and 6 months post-training. In the short term, training improved uncrowded and crowded near visual acuity at 0.4 m by 0.13 ± 0.03 and 0.09 ± 0.03 logMAR, respectively (mean ± SEM). Training did not affect distance acuities or Beery scores. Learning effects on uncrowded and crowded near visual acuities remained intact 6–12 months after training. We conclude that the pen-and-paper training specifically improves near visual acuities but does not transfer to distance acuities or fine motor skills. Improvements in near visual acuity are retained over time, bolstering its clinical value.
Effects of an external magnetic field on microbial functional genes and metabolism of activated sludge based on metagenomic sequencing
Authors: Geng Shuying , Fu Weizhang , Chen Weifeng , Zheng Shulian , Gao Qi , Wang Jing , Ge Xiaohong 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis study explored the effect of 70-mT magnetic field on wastewater treatment capacity for activated sludge in long-term laboratory-scale experiments. Metagenomic sequencing were conducted based on Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform after DNA extraction of the activated sludge. Then the effect of the magnetic field on the microbial unigene and metabolic pathways in activated sludge was investigated. As a result, higher pollutant removal was observed at 70 mT, with which the elimination of total nitrogen (TN) was the most effective. Functional genes annotated based on eggNOG database showed that unigenes related to information storage and processing were enhanced by the magnetic field. For CAZy classification, category such as glycosyl transferases was more abundant in the reactor with magnetic field, which has been shown to promote the entire energy supply pathway. Additionally, in the KEGG categories, unigenes related to signaling molecules and interaction were significantly inhibited. Through the enrichment analysis of the nitrogen metabolism pathway, the magnetic field inhibited anabolic nitrate reduction by significantly inhibiting enzymes such as [EC:1.7.7.2], [EC:1.7.7.1], [EC:3.5.5.1], [EC:1.4.1.2] and [EC:4.2.1.1], which are related to the improvement of the denitrification ability. This study can provide insight for future research on the response mechanism of activated sludge to magnetic fields.
Chemical composition, antibacterial activity and action mechanism of different extracts from hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bge.)
Authors: Zhang Liang-Liang , Zhang Li-Fang , Xu Jian-Guo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPresent study was designed to compared the total flavonoids and polyphenols contents and antibacterial activity of hawthorn extracts with different polarities as well as the underlying antibacterial mechanisms. The results showed that among all hawthorn extracts, methanol and ethanol extracts (ME and EE) exhibited high levels of total flavonoids and polyphenols contents, followed by acetone, ethyl acetate, trichloromethane and petroleum ether extracts. ME exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity against tested bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus with a 1.25 μg/mL of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericide concentration (MBC). Further analysis revealed that the main phenolic compounds from ME were epicatechin (281.6 mg/100 g DW), procyanidin B2 (243.5 mg/100 g DW), chlorogenic acid (84.2 mg/100 g DW) and quercetin (78.4 mg/100 g DW). The action mechanism of ME against S. aureus could be ascribed to ME damaging cell wall and cell membrane integrity, inhibiting intracellular enzyme activity, increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), also changing expression of associated genes and then inducing apoptosis of S. aureus. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of ME against S. aureus has also been demonstrated to be efficient in the food matrix (whole milk).
Internal Mammary Vein Valves: A Histological Study
Authors: Kubota Yoshitaka , Yamaji Yoshihisa , Kosaka Kentaro , Tokumoto Hideki , Tezuka Takafumi , Akita Shinsuke , Kuriyama Motone , Mitsukawa Nobuyuki 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIt is widely accepted that the internal mammary vein (IMV) is valveless. However, few anatomical studies are available on the presence or absence of IMV valves. To test the hypothesis that the IMV is valveless, we performed microscopic histological examination of the IMV. IMV samples were collected from 10 human fresh frozen cadavers. For a control, the small saphenous vein (SSV) was obtained. Histological stains were performed. Microscopic examination showed that a venous valve was found in 8 of 20 IMVs. The structure of the valve leaflet consisted of two parts. There was a “thick part” located near the wall of the vein that consisted of smooth muscle cells and fibers. There was also a “thin part” located near the center of the venous lumen that lacked smooth muscle cells. The size of the thick part of the IMV valve was smaller than the SSV valve, whereas there was no difference in the size of the thin part between the IMV and SSV. IMV valves exist. Our results that an IMV valve was present in less than half of IMVs and there was a small-sized valve leaflet suggest that the IMV valve may be rudimentary.
Tailoring the Spectral Absorption Coefficient of a Blended Plasmonic Nanofluid Using a Customized Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Seo Junyong , Qin Caiyan , Lee Jungchul , Lee Bong Jae 
Published: June 2020

AbstractRecently, plasmonic nanofluids (i.e., a suspension of plasmonic nanoparticles in a base fluid) have been widely employed in direct-absorption solar collectors because the localized surface plasmon supported by plasmonic nanoparticles can greatly improve the direct solar thermal conversion performance. Considering that the surface plasmon resonance frequency of metallic nanoparticles, such as gold, silver, and aluminum, is usually located in the ultraviolet to visible range, the absorption coefficient of a plasmonic nanofluid must be spectrally tuned for full utilization of the solar radiation in a broad spectrum. In the present study, a modern design process in the form of a genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to the tailoring of the spectral absorption coefficient of a plasmonic nanofluid. To do this, the major components of a conventional GA, such as the gene description, fitness function for the evaluation, crossover, and mutation function, are modified to be suitable for the inverse problem of tailoring the spectral absorption coefficient of a plasmonic nanofluid. By applying the customized GA, we obtained an optimal combination for a blended nanofluid with the desired spectral distribution of the absorption coefficient, specifically a uniform distribution, solar-spectrum-like distribution, and a step-function-like distribution. The resulting absorption coefficient of the designed plasmonic nanofluid is in good agreement with the prescribed spectral distribution within about 10% to 20% of error when six types of nanoparticles are blended. Finally, we also investigate how the inhomogeneous broadening effect caused by the fabrication uncertainty of the nanoparticles changes their optimal combination.
The atorvastatin metabolic phenotype shift is influenced by interaction of drug-transporter polymorphisms in Mexican population: results of a randomized trial
Authors: León-Cachón Rafael B. R. , Bamford Aileen-Diane , Meester Irene , Barrera-Saldaña Hugo Alberto , Gómez-Silva Magdalena , Bustos María F. García 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAtorvastatin (ATV) is a blood cholesterol-lowering drug used to prevent cardiovascular events, the leading cause of death worldwide. As pharmacokinetics, metabolism and response vary among individuals, we wanted to determine the most reliable metabolic ATV phenotypes and identify novel and preponderant genetic markers that affect ATV plasma levels. A controlled, randomized, crossover, single-blind, three-treatment, three-period, and six-sequence clinical study of ATV (single 80-mg oral dose) was conducted among 60 healthy Mexican men. ATV plasma levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Genotyping was performed by real-time PCR with TaqMan probes. Four ATV metabolizer phenotypes were found: slow, intermediate, normal and fast. Six gene polymorphisms, SLCO1B1-rs4149056, ABCB1-rs1045642, CYP2D6-rs1135840, CYP2B6-rs3745274, NAT2-rs1208, and COMT- rs4680, had a significant effect on ATV pharmacokinetics (P < 0.05). The polymorphisms in SLCO1B1 and ABCB1 seemed to have a greater effect and were especially important for the shift from an intermediate to a normal metabolizer. This is the first study that demonstrates how the interaction of genetic variants affect metabolic phenotyping and improves understanding of how SLCO1B1 and ABCB1 variants that affect statin metabolism may partially explain the variability in drug response. Notwithstanding, the influence of other genetic and non-genetic factors is not ruled out.
Intention to learn modulates the impact of reward and punishment on sequence learning
Authors: Steel Adam , Baker Chris I. , Stagg Charlotte J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn real-world settings, learning is often characterised as intentional: learners are aware of the goal during the learning process, and the goal of learning is readily dissociable from the awareness of what is learned. Recent evidence has shown that reward and punishment (collectively referred to as valenced feedback) are important factors that influence performance during learning. Presently, however, studies investigating the impact of valenced feedback on skill learning have only considered unintentional learning, and therefore the interaction between intentionality and valenced feedback has not been systematically examined. The present study investigated how reward and punishment impact behavioural performance when participants are instructed to learn in a goal-directed fashion (i.e. intentionally) rather than unintentionally. In Experiment 1, participants performed the serial response time task with reward, punishment, or control feedback and were instructed to ignore the presence of the sequence, i.e., learn unintentionally. Experiment 2 followed the same design, but participants were instructed to intentionally learn the sequence. We found that punishment significantly benefitted performance during learning only when participants learned unintentionally, and we observed no effect of punishment when participants learned intentionally. Thus, the impact of feedback on performance may be influenced by goal of the learner.
Experimental evaluation of the cross-protection between Sheeppox and bovine Lumpy skin vaccines
Authors: Hamdi Jihane , Bamouh Zahra , Jazouli Mohammed , Boumart Zineb , Tadlaoui Khalid Omari , Fihri Ouafaa Fassi , EL Harrak Mehdi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe Capripoxvirus genus includes three agents: Sheeppox virus, Goatpox virus and Lumpy skin disease virus. Related diseases are of economic importance and present a major constraint to animals and animal products trade in addition to mortality and morbidity. Attenuated vaccines against these diseases are available, but afforded cross-protection is controversial in each specie. In this study, groups of sheep, goats and cattle were vaccinated with Romania SPPV vaccine and challenged with corresponding virulent strains. Sheep and cattle were also vaccinated with Neethling LSDV vaccine and challenged with both virulent SPPV and LSDV strains. Animals were monitored by clinical observation, rectal temperature as well as serological response. The study showed that sheep and goats vaccinated with Romania SPPV vaccine were fully protected against challenge with virulent SPPV and GTPV strains, respectively. However, small ruminants vaccinated with LSDV Neethling vaccine showed only partial protection against challenge with virulent SPPV strain. Cattle showed also only partial protection when vaccinated with Romania SPPV and were fully protected with Neethling LSDV vaccine. This study showed that SPPV and GTPV vaccines are closely related with cross-protection, while LSDV protects only cattle against the corresponding disease, which suggests that vaccination against LSDV should be carried out with homologous strain.
Bioplastic (poly-3-hydroxybutyrate) production by the marine bacterium Pseudodonghicola xiamenensis through date syrup valorization and structural assessment of the biopolymer
Authors: Mostafa Yasser S. , Alrumman Sulaiman A. , Alamri Saad A. , Otaif Kholod A. , Mostafa Mohamed S. , Alfaify Abdulkhaleg M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBiobased degradable plastics have received significant attention owing to their potential application as a green alternative to synthetic plastics. A dye-based procedure was used to screen poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB)-producing marine bacteria isolated from the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. Among the 56 bacterial isolates, Pseudodonghicola xiamenensis, identified using 16S rRNA gene analyses, accumulated the highest amount of PHB. The highest PHB production by P. xiamenensis was achieved after 96 h of incubation at pH 7.5 and 35 °C in the presence of 4% NaCl, and peptone was the preferred nitrogen source. The use of date syrup at 4% (w/v) resulted in a PHB concentration of 15.54 g/L and a PHB yield of 38.85% of the date syrup, with a productivity rate of 0.162 g/L/h, which could substantially improve the production cost. Structural assessment of the bioplastic by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed the presence of methyl, hydroxyl, methine, methylene, and ester carbonyl groups in the extracted polymer. The derivative products of butanoic acid estimated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry [butanoic acid, 2-amino-4-(methylseleno), hexanoic acid, 4-methyl-, methyl ester, and hexanedioic acid, monomethyl ester] confirmed the structure of PHB. The present results are the first report on the production of a bioplastic by P. xiamenensis, suggesting that Red Sea habitats are a potential biological reservoir for novel bioplastic-producing bacteria.
Strong, tough and bio-degradable polymer-based 3D-ink for fused filament fabrication (FFF) using WS2 nanotubes
Authors: Shalom Hila , Kapishnikov Sergey , Brumfeld Vlad , Naveh Naum , Tenne Reshef , Lachman Noa 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWS2 inorganic nanotubes (WS2-NT) have been incorporated into Polylactic Acid (PLA) by melt mixing to create a bio-degradable, mechanically reinforced nanocomposite filament. The filament was then processed by Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D-printer, and the morphology and characteristics before and after printing were compared. We found that addition of WS2-NT to PLA by extrusion mixing increases the elastic modulus, yield strength and strain-at-failure by 20%, 23% and 35%, respectively. Moreover, we found that the printing process itself improves the dispersion of WS2-NT within the PLA filament, and does not require changing of the printing parameters compared to pure PLA. The results demonstrate the advantage of WS2-NT as reinforcement specifically in 3D-printable polymers, over more traditional nano-reinforcements such as graphene and carbon nanotubes. WS2-NT based 3D-printable nanocomposites can be used for variety of applications from custom-made biodegradable scaffold of soft implants such as cartilage-based organs and biodegradable soft stents to the more general easy-to-apply nano-reinforced polymers.
Bacteriophage K1F targets Escherichia coli K1 in cerebral endothelial cells and influences the barrier function
Authors: Møller-Olsen Christian , Ross Toby , Leppard Keith N. , Foisor Veronica , Smith Corinne , Grammatopoulos Dimitris K. , Sagona Antonia P. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBacterial neonatal meningitis results in high mortality and morbidity rates for those affected. Although improvements in diagnosis and treatment have led to a decline in mortality rates, morbidity rates have remained relatively unchanged. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics in this clinical setting further underlines the need for developing other technologies, such as phage therapy. We exploited an in vitro phage therapy model for studying bacterial neonatal meningitis based on Escherichia coli (E. coli) EV36, bacteriophage (phage) K1F and human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMECs). We show that phage K1F is phagocytosed and degraded by constitutive- and PAMP-dependent LC3-assisted phagocytosis and does not induce expression of inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-6, IL-8 or IFNβ. Additionally, we observed that phage K1F temporarily decreases the barrier resistance of hCMEC cultures, a property that influences the barrier permeability, which could facilitate the transition of immune cells across the endothelial vessel in vivo. Collectively, we demonstrate that phage K1F can infect intracellular E. coli EV36 within hCMECs without themselves eliciting an inflammatory or defensive response. This study illustrates the potential of phage therapy targeting infections such as bacterial neonatal meningitis and is an important step for the continued development of phage therapy targeting antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections generally.
Clearing method for 3-dimensional immunofluorescence of osteoarthritic subchondral human bone reveals peripheral cholinergic nerves
Authors: Courties Alice , Belle Morgane , Senay Simge , Cambon-Binder Adeline , Sautet Alain , Chédotal Alain , Berenbaum Francis , Sellam Jérémie 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe cholinergic system plays a major anti-inflammatory role in many diseases through acetylcholine (Ach) release after vagus nerve stimulation. Osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with local low-grade inflammation, but the regulatory mechanisms are unclear. Local Ach release could have anti-inflammatory activity since articular cells express Ach receptors involved in inflammatory responses. Using the 3DISCO clearing protocol that allows whole-sample 3-dimensional (3D) analysis, we cleared human OA cartilage-subchondral bone samples to search for cholinergic nerve fibres able to produce Ach locally. We analysed 3 plugs of knee cartilage and subchondral bone from 3 OA patients undergoing arthroplasty. We found no nerves in the superficial and intermediate articular cartilage layers, as evidenced by the lack of Peripherin staining (a peripheral nerves marker). Conversely, peripheral nerves were found in the deepest layer of cartilage and in subchondral bone. Some nerves in the subchondral bone samples were cholinergic because they coexpressed peripherin and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), a specific marker of cholinergic nerves. However, no cholinergic nerves were found in the cartilage layers. It is therefore feasible to clear human bone to perform 3D immunofluorescence. Human OA subchondral bone is innervated by cholinergic fibres, which may regulate local inflammation through local Ach release.
Triple-wide-band Ultra-thin Metasheet for transmission polarization conversion
Authors: Fahad Ayesha Kosar , Ruan CunJun , Ali Shafaat A. K. M. , Nazir Rabia , Haq Tanveer Ul , Ullah Shahid , He Wenlong 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPolarization converters play an important role in modern communication systems, but their wide and multiple band operation to facilitate volume and size reduction is quite challenging. In this paper, a triple-band Linear Polarization to Circular Polarization (LP-to-CP) converter is presented using a novel design procedure based on geometric parameters optimization of a metasheet. The proposed converter is ultrathin, wideband, stable over a wide range of incident angles, and polarization diverse. The conductor layer of metasheet is patterned with a square ring and five square-patches diagonally intersecting each other. To validate the proposed method, an LP-to-CP convertor in X-band (7.3~9.6 GHz) and dual Ka-bands (25.4~31.4 GHz, 35.4~42.2 GHz) is presented. The performance is quite stable in wide range of frequencies and against the variation of incident angles from −25° to 25°. After performing model-based theoretical paradigm analysis, and full-wave simulation and optimization, the converter is fabricated and the measurements are performed inside the anechoic chamber. The measured results, close to simulation results, depict the validity and reliability of the proposed design.