bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dendrimer-coated carbon nanotubes deliver dsRNA and increase the efficacy of gene knockdown in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Edwards Catriona H. , Christie Craig R. , Masotti Andrea , Celluzzi Antonella , Caporali Andrea , Campbell Ewan M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this study, the use of dendrimer-coated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a delivery vehicle for dsRNA was assessed in Tribolium castaneum. Exposure to low dosages of polyamidoamine dendrimer carbon nanotubes (PAMAM-CNTs) did not affect T. castaneum larval mortality. Expression of key apoptotic factors, Dronc (Tc12580), Dredd (Tcn-like, Tc014026) and Buffy, (Tcinhib apop1), which can act as toxicity indicators, were not altered in T. castaneum larvae following injection of PAMAM-CNTs. The level of knockdown of two target genes, α-tubulin and mitochondrial RNA polymerase (mtpol), were significantly increased when larvae were injected with double-stranded RNA bound to CNTs (PAMAM-CNT-dsRNA), compared to those injected with target dsRNA alone. PAMAM-CNTs were visualised in cellular vacuoles and in the cell nucleus. Increase occurrence of a blistered wing phenotype was found in a subset of PAMAM-CNT-dsRNAαtub injected larvae, relative to the level seen in larvae injected with naked dsRNAαtub alone. These results suggest that the use of functionalised CNTs for dsRNA delivery could increase the efficacy of RNA interference in insect pest species.
Architectured ZnO–Cu particles for facile manufacturing of integrated Li-ion electrodes
Authors: Bargardi Fabio L. , Billaud Juliette , Villevieille Claire , Bouville Florian , Studart André R. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDesigning electrodes with tailored architecture is an efficient mean to enhance the performance of metal-ion batteries by minimizing electronic and ionic transport limitations and increasing the fraction of active material in the electrode. However, the fabrication of architectured electrodes often involves multiple laborious steps that are not directly scalable to current manufacturing platforms. Here, we propose a processing route in which Cu-coated ZnO powders are directly shaped into architectured electrodes using a simple uniaxial pressing step. Uniaxial pressing leads to a percolating Cu phase with enhanced electrical conductivity between the active ZnO particles and improved mechanical stability, thus dispensing the use of carbon-based additives and polymeric binders in the electrode composition. The additive-free percolating copper network obtained upon pressing leads to highly loaded integrated anodes displaying volumetric charge capacity 6–10 fold higher than Cu-free ZnO films and that matches the electrochemical performance reported for advanced cathode structures. Achieving this high charge capacity using a readily available pressing tool makes this approach a promising route for the facile manufacturing of high-performance electrodes at large industrial scales.
Differentially expressed serum proteins from obese Wistar rats as a risk factor for obesity-induced diseases
Authors: Gabuza Kwazikwakhe Bethuel , Sibuyi Nicole Remaliah Samantha , Mobo Mmabatho Peggy , Madiehe Abram Madimabe 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObesity is a chronic disease that negatively affects life expectancy through its association with life-threatening diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Expression proteomics combined with in silico interaction studies are used to uncover potential biomarkers and the pathways that promote obesity-related complications. These biomarkers can either aid in the development of personalized therapies or identify individuals at risk of developing obesity-related diseases. To determine the serum protein changes, Wistar rats were fed standard chow (low fat, LF), or chow formulated high fat (HF) diets (HF1, HF2 and HF3) for 8 and 42 weeks to induce obesity. Serum samples were collected from lean and obese rats at these time points. The serum samples were precipitated using trichloroacetic acid (TCA)/acetone and analyzed by 2-Dimensional SDS-PAGE. Serum protein profiles were examined using mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics and validated by western blotting. Protein–protein interactions among the selected proteins were studied in silico using bioinformatics tools. Several proteins showed differences in expression among the three HF diets when compared to the LF diet, and only proteins with ≥ twofold expression levels were considered differentially expressed. Apolipoprotein-AIV (APOA4), C-reactive protein (CRP), and alpha 2-HS glycoprotein (AHSG) showed differential expression at both 8 and 42 weeks, whereas alpha 1 macroglobulin (AMBP) was differentially expressed only at 8 weeks. Network analysis revealed some interactions among the proteins, an indication that these proteins might interactively play a crucial role in development of obesity-induced diseases. These data show the variation in the expression of serum proteins during acute and chronic exposure to high fat diet. Based on the expression and the in-silico interaction these proteins warrant further investigation for their role in obesity development.
Selectivity of deltamethrin doses on Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitizing Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Authors: Pereira Costa Elizangela Souza , Soares Marcus Alvarenga , Caldeira Zaira Vieira , Von dos Santos Veloso Ronnie , da Silva Ludmila Aglai , da Silva Derly José Henriques , de Lima Santos Isabel Carolina , de Castro e Castro Bárbara Monteiro , Zanuncio José Cola , Legaspi Jesusa Crisostomo 
Published: July 2020

AbstractInsecticides are the main method of controlling lepidopteran pests of eucalyptus plantations and those selective to natural enemies, such as the endoparasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare et LaSalle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), are preferable. The objective of this study was to evaluate the selectivity and effects on biological parameters of the insecticide deltamethrin, registered for the control of defoliator caterpillars of eucalyptus, to the parasitoid P. elaeisis aiming the rational use of this insecticide and its compatibility with parasitoids. The experiment was in a completely randomized design. The treatments were the doses of 0.64, 1.40, 3.10, 6.83, 15.03, 33.05, 72.7 and 160 mg a.i./L of deltamethrin and the control (distilled water) with 10 replications, each with a pupae of the alternative host Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) exposed by the immersion method. The parasitism, biological cycle, emergence, longevity, head width and metatibia length of the natural enemy were evaluated. Deltamethrin reduced parasitism and the emergence rates of P. elaeisis. The duration of the biological cycle of this parasitoid, emerged from T. molitor pupae exposed to 15.03 mg a.i./L of deltamethrin, was higher. The morphometric parameters of P. elaeisis exposed to the doses of 0.64 and 1.40 mg a.i./L of the insecticide were lower. However, the morphometric parameter values were higher with the doses above 3.10 mg a.i./L than in the control. The parasitism and emergence of P. elaeisis were also reduced by the deltamethrin doses lower than the commercially recommended one and therefore, this insecticide is not selective for this natural enemy.
A novel therapeutic antibody screening method using bacterial high-content imaging reveals functional antibody binding phenotypes of Escherichia coli ST131
Authors: Maes Mailis , Dyson Zoe A. , Smith Sarah E. , Goulding David A. , Ludden Catherine , Baker Stephen , Kellam Paul , Reece Stephen T. , Dougan Gordon , Bartholdson Scott Josefin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe increase of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and lack of new classes of licensed antimicrobials, have made alternative treatment options for AMR pathogens increasingly attractive. Recent studies have demonstrated anti-bacterial efficacy of a humanised monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting the O25b O-antigen of Escherichia coli ST131. To evaluate the phenotypic effects of antibody binding to diverse clinical E. coli ST131 O25b bacterial isolates in high-throughput, we designed a novel mAb screening method using high-content imaging (HCI) and image-based morphological profiling to screen a mAb targeting the O25b O-antigen. Screening the antibody against a panel of 86 clinical E. coli ST131 O25:H4 isolates revealed 4 binding phenotypes: no binding (18.60%), weak binding (4.65%), strong binding (69.77%) and strong agglutinating binding (6.98%). Impaired antibody binding could be explained by the presence of insertion sequences or mutations in O-antigen or lipopolysaccharide core biosynthesis genes, affecting the amount, structure or chain length of the O-antigen. The agglutinating binding phenotype was linked with lower O-antigen density, enhanced antibody-mediated phagocytosis and increased serum susceptibly. This study highlights the need to screen candidate mAbs against large panels of clinically relevant isolates, and that HCI can be used to evaluate mAb binding affinity and potential functional efficacy against AMR bacteria.
Stochastic master equation for early protein aggregation in the transthyretin amyloid disease
Authors: Liu Ruo-Nan , Kang Yan-Mei 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIt is significant to understand the earliest molecular events occurring in the nucleation of the amyloid aggregation cascade for the prevention of amyloid related diseases such as transthyretin amyloid disease. We develop chemical master equation for the aggregation of monomers into oligomers using reaction rate law in chemical kinetics. For this stochastic model, lognormal moment closure method is applied to track the evolution of relevant statistical moments and its high accuracy is confirmed by the results obtained from Gillespie’s stochastic simulation algorithm. Our results show that the formation of oligomers is highly dependent on the number of monomers. Furthermore, the misfolding rate also has an important impact on the process of oligomers formation. The quantitative investigation should be helpful for shedding more light on the mechanism of amyloid fibril nucleation.
Savanna tree evolutionary ages inform the reconstruction of the paleoenvironment of our hominin ancestors
Authors: Davies T. Jonathan , Daru Barnabas H. , Bezeng Bezeng S. , Charles-Dominique Tristan , Hempson Gareth P. , Kabongo Ronny M. , Maurin Olivier , Muasya A. Muthama , van der Bank Michelle , Bond William J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIdeas on hominin evolution have long invoked the emergence from forests into open habitats as generating selection for traits such as bipedalism and dietary shifts. Though controversial, thesavanna hypothesiscontinues to motivate research into the palaeo-environments of Africa. Reconstruction of these ancient environments has depended heavily on carbon isotopic analysis of fossil bones and palaeosols. The sparsity of the fossil record, however, imposes a limit to the strength of inference that can be drawn from such data. Time-calibrated phylogenies offer an additional tool for dating the spread of savanna habitat. Here, using the evolutionary ages of African savanna trees, we suggest an initial tropical or subtropical expansion of savanna between 10 and 15 Ma, which then extended to higher latitudes, reaching southern Africa ca. 3 Ma. Our phylogenetic estimates of the origin and latitudinal spread of savannas broadly correspond with isotopic age estimates and encompass the entire hominin fossil record. Our results are consistent with the savanna hypothesis of early hominin evolution and reignite the debate on the drivers of savanna expansion. Our analysis demonstrates the utility of phylogenetic proxies for dating major ecological transitions in geological time, especially in regions where fossils are rare or absent or occur in discontinuous sediments.
Preparation and characterization of TiO2 based on wood templates
Authors: Liu Yu , Zhu Xiaodong , Yuan Diliang , Wang Weicong , Gao Lijiao 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTitanium dioxide (TiO2) was prepared from four natural wood spices that served as templates. The wood templates were impregnated by a titanium dioxide precursor and then underwent high-temperature calcination to obtain TiO2 with a wood-like hierarchical porous structure. The microstructure of TiO2 based on the wood template was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and nitrogen adsorption–desorption tests. The formaldehyde adsorption and degradation properties of TiO2 based on a wood template are discussed. The results showed that TiO2 based on a wood template could effectively replicate the micro- and mesoscopic pore structure of wood, and the pore size distribution in the TiO2 ranged from 1 to 100 nm. The TiO2 that was prepared based on a wood template showed a certain adsorption effect on formaldehyde under visible light, and the photocatalytic degradation of a formaldehyde solution was achieved when irritated by ultraviolet light. In addition, the properties of the TiO2 prepared by different tree species was also different. The TiO2 prepared by larch and Chinese fir exhibited a large specific surface area, pore volume, and high degradation efficiency of formaldehyde solution. After 280 min of irradiation with an ultraviolet light source, the degradation rates of the formaldehyde solution were 19.91% and 18.85%.
Comparison of bone-to-implant contact and bone volume around implants placed with or without site preparation: a histomorphometric study in rabbits
Authors: Folkman Merav , Becker Alina , Meinster Isabelle , Masri Mahmoud , Ormianer Zeev 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe objective of this in vivo study was to compare bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO) values of a new implant, designed to be inserted without bone preparation, using two different preparation protocols: no site preparation and prior limited cortical perforation, versus the values of a control implant using a conventional drilling protocol. Forty-one implants were inserted in 13 rabbits. Thirteen test implants with a new thread design were inserted using no bone preparation (NP), 14 test implants were inserted with limited cortical perforation (CP), and 14 conventional implants served as control. Five animals were sacrificed after 21 days and eight animals after 42 days. Histomorphometric analysis was performed and percentage of BIC and BAFO values were measured. ANOVA with Tukey post hoc and Mann–Whitney nonparametric tests were calculated to compare between the groups. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in the measured values between any of the groups, neither compered by implant nor by compered day. The results demonstrated that biological osseointegration parameters of implant that was inserted without any bone preparation was non-inferior compared to conventional preparation. The clinical relevance is that novel implant designs may not require bone preparation prior to placement.
Increased rainfall stimulates permafrost thaw across a variety of Interior Alaskan boreal ecosystems
Authors: Douglas Thomas A. , Turetsky Merritt R. , Koven Charles D. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractEarth’s high latitudes are projected to experience warmer and wetter summers in the future but ramifications for soil thermal processes and permafrost thaw are poorly understood. Here we present 2750 end of summer thaw depths representing a range of vegetation characteristics in Interior Alaska measured over a 5 year period. This included the top and third wettest summers in the 91-year record and three summers with precipitation close to mean historical values. Increased rainfall led to deeper thaw across all sites with an increase of 0.7 ± 0.1 cm of thaw per cm of additional rain. Disturbed and wetland sites were the most vulnerable to rain-induced thaw with ~1 cm of surface thaw per additional 1 cm of rain. Permafrost in tussock tundra, mixed forest, and conifer forest was less sensitive to rain-induced thaw. A simple energy budget model yields seasonal thaw values smaller than the linear regression of our measurements but provides a first-order estimate of the role of rain-driven sensible heat fluxes in high-latitude terrestrial permafrost. This study demonstrates substantial permafrost thaw from the projected increasing summer precipitation across most of the Arctic region.
Equilibrium and thermodynamic studies of chromic overcrowded fluorenylidene-acridanes with modified fluorene moieties
Authors: Wang Ya , Ma Yue , Ogumi Keisuke , Wang Bing , Nakagawa Takafumi , Fu Yao , Matsuo Yutaka 
Published: July 2020

AbstractChromic materials, an important class of stimuli-responsive materials, have aroused extensive attention in recent years. Normally, their color is based on changes in morphology. Few examples of chromic material based on conformational isomerization, such as in overcrowded alkenes, have been reported previously. Furthemore, experimental thermodynamic studies of overcrowded bistricyclic aromatic enes have not been carried out to our knowledge. Here, we show that N-phenyl-substituted fluorenylidene-acridanes, with a properly modified fluorene moiety, performs chromisms originating from conformational changes. Thermodynamic studies determine equilibrium constants, changes in enthalpy, entropy, and free energy in solution, enabling in-depth understanding of the equilibrium behavior of overcrowded alkenes and providing useful information for designing functional chromic compounds. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of fluorenylidene-acridanes in this work clearly shows well-tuned charge transfer from the acridane to the fluorene moiety. Various chromic behaviors such as mechanochromism, thermochromism, solvatochromism, vapochromism, and proton-induced chromism also support understanding of conformational isomerism.
Fibrinogen is a promising biomarker for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: evidence from a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhou Bo , Liu Shufang , He Danni , Wang Kundi , Wang Yunfeng , Yang Ting , Zhang Qi , Zhang Zhixin , Niu Wenquan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgrounds: Some studies have reported association of circulating fibrinogen with the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the results are conflicting. To yield more information, we aimed to test the hypothesis that circulating fibrinogen is a promising biomarker for COPD by a meta-analysis.Methods: Data extraction and quality assessment were independently completed by two authors. Effect-size estimates are expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI).Results: Forty-five articles involving 5586/18604 COPD patients/controls were incorporated. Overall analyses revealed significantly higher concentrations of circulating fibrinogen in COPD patients than in controls (WMD: 84.67 mg/dl; 95% CI: 64.24–105.10). Subgroup analyses by COPD course showed that the degree of increased circulating fibrinogen in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) relative to controls (WMD: 182.59 mg/dl; 95% CI: 115.93–249.25) tripled when compared in patients with stable COPD (WMD: 56.12 mg/dl; 95% CI: 34.56–77.67). By COPD severity, there was a graded increase in fibrinogen with the increased severity of COPD relative to controls (Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) I, II, III, and IV: WMD: 13.91, 29.19, 56.81, and 197.42 mg/dl; 95% CI: 7.70–20.11, 17.43–40.94, 39.20–74.41, and −7.88 to 402.73, respectively). There was a low probability of publication bias.Conclusion: Our findings indicate a graded, concentration-dependent, significant relation between higher circulating fibrinogen and more severity of COPD.
Structural, kinematic and kinetostatic analysis of a manure spreader equipped by a mobile platform with articulated elements
Authors: Popa Lucretia , Moise Stefan-Iulian , Moise Victor , Stefan Vasilica , Ganea-Christu Ioan 
Published: July 2020

Organic fertilization involves working with machines by a special construction, suitable for the material to be spread, machines that have, in most cases, chain conveyors with scrapers attached to the chains. In some cases, the conveyor chain may break, due to the jams, and the need for manual unloading of the bunker (bucket) appears, which requires a great physical effort, the unloading being made by the operator, using a shovel. The construction of the platform using mobile, articulated elements would greatly facilitate the unloading at the bottom of the bunker and would eliminate the physical effort of the operator. This article presents the structural, kinematic and kinetostatic analysis of a mechanism designed for actuating a mobile platform, which is part of a manure spreader, composed of articulated elements driven by hydraulic cylinders.
For the kinematic analysis of the mobile element platform’s mechanism, calculation procedures written in the Matlab syntax are used.
After the kinematic analysis of the mechanism, the kinetostatic analysis is performed, i.e. the determination of the reactions from the kinematic couplings, as well as the hydraulic force from the hydraulic cylinder. The results can be used for dimensional verification of the mechanism components, thus contributing to the optimization of the mechanism.
The Antinociceptive Activities of Certain NSAIDS Combinations in Murine Orofacial Test
Authors: Miranda Hugo F. , Noriega Viviana , Sierralta Fernando , Sotomayor-Zárate Ramón , Prieto Juan Carlos 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPain models are mostly in rodents and between them formalin orofacial test allow discrimination among antinociception and anti-inflammation. This assay use a formalin solution injected into the upper right lip of each mouse which produces two periods of pain separated by an inactive period. The aims of the present study were to evaluate, by means of the isobolographic analysis, the antinociception and anti-inflammatory activities of the following NSAIDs: dexketoprofen, diclofenac, piroxicam and metamizole in an orofacial. The NSAIDs administered intraperitoneally produced a dose-dependent activity with the following order of potency of the rubbing behavior, in phase I: diclofenac>dexketoprofen>piroxicam>metamizole and in the phase II: metamizole>diclofenac>piroxicam>dexketoprofen. The coadministration of NSAIDs resulted in a synergistic interaction, which according to the value of the potency of the combination (II) presents the following range: dexketoprofen plus metamizole>dexketoprofen plus diclofenac>dexketoprofen plus piroxicam, in phase I and dexketoprofen plus metamizole>dexketoprofen plus piroxicam>dexketoprofen plus diclofenac, on the phase II. Data obtained in this work corroborate that NSAIDs alone or in combination inducing activities by additional mechanism of action supplementary to inhibition of COXs. This fact represent a novel approach that could be used as multimodal management of orofacial pain, since with this treatment strategies, by the reduction of doses, can help to diminish side effects of other dugs such opioids.