bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenotype and Molecular Characterization of Antibiotic Resistance of Salmonella spp. from Cattle in Abidjan District, Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Julien Coulibaly Kalpy , René Yao Kouamé , Komissiri Dagnogo , Konan Bertin Tiékoura , Eugène Koffi Kouassi , Abraham Ajayi , Joseph Djaman Allico , Mireille Dosso , Félix Yapi Houphouët 
Published: October 2019

Aims: The overall objective of this study was to study antibiotic-resistant strains of Salmonella in livestock sales sites in the Abidjan district.
Place and Duration of Study: Researchers team from Institute Pasteur of Ivory Coast and their students collected samples of cattle feces in five townships of the district of Abidjan from April to September 2016.
Methodology: Fresh cow dung has been collected from sales outlets and livestock pens in five municipalities in Abidjan. The prevalence of Salmonella carrying has been studied by classical microbiological techniques. These included strain isolation by culture on the Hektoen medium, biochemical identification using Leminor's reduced rack and strain confirmation by MALDI-TOF MS. Phenotypic determination of antibiotic resistance and detection their genes were carried out respectively by the method of discs diffusion on the Muller-Hinton agar and using PCR simplex.
Results: In this study, we collected 420 samples.
The results showed that the overall prevalence of Salmonella isolated from cattle feceswas 20% (84/420). Twenty-six (26) strains were resistant to at least one antibiotic. The blaCTX-M, blaSHV, blaTEM and TetA resistance genes were detected with the respective frequencies of 7.7%, 57.7% and 7.7%.
Conclusion: The isolation of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella strains in these healthy cattle poses a significant threat to public health. However, a good use of antibiotics in farms could help limit the phenomenon of resistance of Salmonella to antibiotics.
Effectiveness of corticosteroids versus adrenocorticotropic hormone for infantile spasms: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chang Yin‐Hsi , Chen Chiehfeng , Chen Shu‐Huey , Shen Yu‐Chun , Kuo Yung‐Ting 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the therapeutic effectiveness of oral corticosteroids with that of adrenocorticotrophic hormone for infantile spasms.MethodsPubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane library were searched to retrieve studies published before December 2018 to identify pediatric patients with a diagnosis of infantile spasms. The interventions of oral corticosteroids and adrenocorticotrophic hormone were compared. We included only randomized controlled trials that reported the cessation of spasms as treatment response. The primary outcome was clinical spasm cessation on day 13 or 14. The secondary outcomes were the resolution of hypsarrhythmia, side effects, continued spasm control, spasm relapse rate, and subsequent epilepsy rate. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses, the study‐level quality assessment was conducted using the Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool.ResultsAfter extensive review, 39 articles were included for meticulous evaluation. Five randomized controlled trials with a total of 239 individuals were eligible for further analysis. No significant difference was detected between the corticosteroids and adrenocorticotrophic hormone in the cessation of clinical spasms (odds ratio [OR]: 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.16 to 1.81; P = 0.32). The subgroups of high‐dose prednisolone versus adrenocorticotrophic hormone and low‐dose prednisone versus adrenocorticotrophic hormone also exhibited no significant difference. Furthermore, the two subgroups did not differ in terms of hypsarrhythmia resolution, side effects, relapse rate, or subsequent epilepsy rate.InterpretationThis meta‐analysis suggests that high‐dose prednisolone is not inferior to adrenocorticotrophic hormone and that it be considered a safe and effective alternative treatment.
Selenium‐Doped Hierarchically Porous Carbon Nanosheets as an Efficient Metal‐Free Electrocatalyst for CO2 Reduction
Authors: Zhang Bingxing , Zhang Jianling , Zhang Fanyu , Zheng Lirong , Mo Guang , Han Buxing , Yang Guanying 
Published: October 2019

AbstractElectrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) provides a promising pathway for both decreasing atmospheric CO2 concentration and producing valuable carbon‐based fuels. To explore efficient and cost‐effective catalysts for electrochemical CO2RR is of great importance, but remains challenging. Se‐doped carbon nanosheets (Se‐CNs) with a micro‐, meso‐, and macroporous structure are proposed for electrochemical CO2RR. Such an electrocatalyst combines the advantages of Se optimized active sites, hierarchical pores for facilitating reactant or ion penetration, transport and reaction, and large surface area for more accessible active sites. This Se‐CNs electrocatalyst exhibits over 11‐times enhanced partial current density of CO than the CNs without Se doping and high selectivity (90%) for CO2 electroreduction to CO at a low potential of −0.6 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (vs RHE). Density function theoretical calculations reveal that the Se introduction in CNs lowers the free energy barrier of CO2RR and inhibits hydrogen evolution reaction effectively, thus improving the selectivity for CO2 reduction to CO. This work presents a new member of the metal‐free electrocatalyst family, which is easily prepared, low cost, adjustable, and highly efficient for CO2RR.
Biomimetic Meta‐Structured Electro‐Microfluidics
Authors: Gao Bingbing , Liao Junlong , Guo Maoze , Liu Hong , He Bingfang , Gu Zhongze 
Published: October 2019

AbstractFlexible membranes (i.e., paper, cloth, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)) have received extensive attention. The rapid development of flexible microfluidics and electronics and their integration calls for complex substrate structures to allow for multiple functions. Inspired by nature, meta‐structured membranes (MSMs) as substrates for fabricating integrated microfluidics and electronics are presented. These flexible and freestanding MSMs are generated by the self‐assembly of elastic plastic copolymer nanoparticle photonic crystals on micropatterned PDMS templates. The final MSMs constitute with integrated ordered micro‐ and nanostructures and exhibit spontaneous liquid transfer, fluorescence enhancement, and intimate skin contact. MSMs with designed patterns can be fabricated by assembling polymer nanoparticles on patterned molds; complicated and highly integrated electro‐microfluidics are generated on one slice of MSMs by utilizing these patterns as microfluidic channels and electrocircuits. They can be used as chip‐on‐skin sensors for biochemical–physiological hybrid monitoring sensing of the human body and as organ chips for cell culture and metabolite analysis under drug treatment. Their excellent properties show their potential value in cross‐scale sensing and have broad potential applications.
Room‐Temperature‐Formed PEDOT:PSS Hydrogels Enable Injectable, Soft, and Healable Organic Bioelectronics
Authors: Zhang Shiming , Chen Yihang , Liu Hao , Wang Zitong , Ling Haonan , Wang Changsheng , Ni Jiahua , Çelebi‐Saltik Betül , Wang Xiaochen , Meng Xiang , Kim Han‐Jun , Baidya Avijit , Ahadian Samad , Ashammakhi Nureddin , Dokmeci Mehmet R. , Travas‐Sejdic Jadranka , Khademhosseini Ali 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThere is an increasing need to develop conducting hydrogels for bioelectronic applications. In particular, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) hydrogels have become a research hotspot due to their excellent biocompatibility and stability. However, injectable PEDOT:PSS hydrogels have been rarely reported. Such syringe‐injectable hydrogels are highly desirable for minimally invasive biomedical therapeutics. Here, an approach is demonstrated to develop injectable PEDOT:PSS hydrogels by taking advantage of the room‐temperature gelation property of PEDOT:PSS. These PEDOT:PSS hydrogels form spontaneously after syringe injection of the PEDOT:PSS suspension into the desired location, without the need of any additional treatments. A facile strategy is also presented for large‐scale production of injectable PEDOT:PSS hydrogel fibers at room temperature. Finally, it is demonstrated that these room‐temperature‐formed PEDOT:PSS hydrogels (RT‐PEDOT:PSS hydrogel) and hydrogel fibers can be used for the development of soft and self‐healable hydrogel bioelectronic devices.
Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field Lab‐on‐Chip Integrated in Super‐Resolution Microscope for Cytoskeleton Imaging
Authors: Havelka Daniel , Chafai Djamel Eddine , Krivosudský Ondrej , Klebanovych Anastasiya , Vostárek František , Kubínová Lucie , Dráber Pavel , Cifra Michal 
Published: October 2019

AbstractNanosecond pulsed electric field offers novel opportunities in bionanotechnology and biomedicine enabling ultrafast physical control of membrane, and protein‐based processes for the development of novel bionanomaterials and biomedical theranostic methods. However, the mechanisms of nanosecond pulsed electric field action at the nano‐ and molecular scale are not fully understood due to lack of appropriate research tools. In order to overcome this challenge, a technological platform for the exploration of these mechanisms in live biological samples is provided here. This paper describes step by step the proposed chip platform, including the design, fabrication, installation, and testing of the chip. The developed chip is capable of delivering hundreds of volts of nanosecond electric pulses compared to conventional chips using few volts. Moreover, the chip is fully integrated into a super‐resolution microscope. Later on, the chip function is demonstrated by affecting microtubule architecture in living cells. Therefore, the chip‐based technological advancement enables the assessment of pulsed electric field effects on bionanostructures and observing their effects in real‐time. The results contribute to the chip‐based high‐frequency bioelectronics technology for modulating the function of biological matter at the nanoscale level.
Regioselective Cyanation of Six‐Membered N‐Heteroaromatic Compounds Under Metal‐, Activator‐, Base‐ and Solvent‐Free Conditions
Authors: Sarmah Bikash Kumar , Konwar Monuranjan , Bhattacharyya Dipanjan , Adhikari Priyanka , Das Animesh 
Published: October 2019

AbstractA regioselective cyanation of heteroaromatic N‐oxides with trimethylsilyl cyanide has been developed to obtain 2‐substituted N‐heteroaromatic nitrile without the requirement of any external activator‐, metal‐, base‐, and solvent. The present protocol is a straightforward, one‐pot heteroaromatic C−H cyanation process, and proceeds smoothly in conventional heating but also under microwave irradiation with shorter reaction times. This approach now allows access to a broad class of quinoline N‐oxides and other heteroarene N‐oxides with high to good yields and can also be scaled up to obtain gram quantities. Further application of this process was observed and utilized in late‐stage cyanation of the anti‐malarial drug quinine as well as transformation of the 2‐cyanoazines to a series of biologically important molecules. Based on the experimental observations, a plausible mechanism has also been proposed highlighting the dual role of trimethylsilyl cyanide as a nitrile source and as an activating agent.magnified image
Minor Chemistry Changes Alter Surface Hydration to Control Fibronectin Adsorption and Assembly into Nanofibrils
Authors: Bieniek Mateusz K. , Llopis‐Hernandez Virginia , Douglas Katie , Salmeron‐Sanchez Manuel , Lorenz Christian D. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractFibronectin (FN) is a large glycoprotein which links and transmits signals between the cell's cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. FN organization into fibrils and then fibrillogenesis can be induced with the right substrate, such as poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA), on which FN becomes extended. Interestingly, the almost identical polymer poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), which has one less methylene bridge (─CH2─), does not cause fibrillogenesis. To investigate the difference in FN behavior on PEA and PMA, the two substrates are modeled using ethyl acrylate (EA) and methyl acrylate (MA) functionalized self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs). It is confirmed experimentally that the EA and MA SAMs exhibit a similar behavior in vitro to the polymers in terms of fibronectin fibrillogenesis, domain exposure, and cell adhesion. All‐atom molecular dynamics simulations of the FNIII 9‐10 domains interacting with each SAM show the adsorption of these two domains on EA SAMs and no adsorption on MA SAMs. Consistently, the experiments show that FN fibrillogenesis takes place on EA SAMs but not on MA SAMs. It is found that the extra methylene group in the EA headgroup leads to more motion within the headgroup that results in a markedly less dense hydration layer, which facilitates FN fibrillogenesis.
Solar Harvesting: a Unique Opportunity for Organic Thermoelectrics?
Authors: Jurado José P. , Dörling Bernhard , Zapata‐Arteaga Osnat , Roig Anna , Mihi Agustín , Campoy‐Quiles Mariano 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThermoelectrics have emerged as a strategy for solar‐to‐electricity conversion, as they can complement photovoltaic devices as IR harvesters or operate as stand‐alone systems often under strong light and heat concentration. Inspired by the recent success of inorganic‐based solar thermoelectric generators (STEGs), in this manuscript, the potential of benchmark organic thermoelectric materials for solar harvesting is evaluated. It is shown that the inherent properties of organic semiconductors allow the possibility of fabricating organic STEGs (SOTEGs) of extraordinary simplicity. The broadband light absorption exhibited by most organic thermoelectrics combined with their low thermal conductivities results in a significant temperature rise upon illumination as seen by IR thermography. Under 2 sun illumination, a temperature difference of 50 K establishes between the illuminated and the non‐illuminated sides of a poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) film, and ≈40 K for a carbon nanotube/cellulose composite. Moreover, when using light as a heat source, the Seebeck coefficient remains unaffected, while a small photoconductivity effect is observed in PEDOT:PSS and carbon nanotubes. Then, the effect of several geometrical factors on the power output of a solar organic thermoelectric generator is investigated, enabling us to propose simple SOTEG geometries that capitalize on the planar geometry typical of solution‐processable materials. Finally, a proof‐of‐concept SOTEG is demonstrated, generating 180 nW under 2 suns.
Relatively rare root endophytic bacteria drive plant resource allocation patterns and tissue nutrient concentration in unpredictable ways
Authors: Henning Jeremiah A. , Weston David J. , Pelletier Dale A. , Timm Collin M. , Jawdy Sara S. , Classen Aimée T. 
Published: October 2019

PremisePlant endophytic bacterial strains can influence plant traits such as leaf area and root length. Yet, the influence of more complex bacterial communities in regulating overall plant phenotype is less explored. Here, in two complementary experiments, we tested whether we can predict plant phenotype response to changes in microbial community composition.MethodsIn the first study, we inoculated a single genotype of Populus deltoides with individual root endophytic bacteria and measured plant phenotype. Next, data from this single inoculation were used to predict phenotypic traits after mixed three‐strain community inoculations, which we tested in the second experiment.ResultsBy itself, each bacterial endophyte significantly but weakly altered plant phenotype relative to noninoculated plants. In a mixture, bacterial strain Burkholderia BT03, constituted at least 98% of community relative abundance. Yet, plant resource allocation and tissue nutrient concentrations were disproportionately influenced by Pseudomonas sp. GM17, GM30, and GM41. We found a 10% increase in leaf mass fraction and an 11% decrease in root mass fraction when replacing Pseudomonas GM17 with GM41 in communities containing both Pseudomonas GM30 and Burkholderia BT03.ConclusionsOur results indicate that interactions among endophytic bacteria may drive plant phenotype over the contribution of each strain individually. Additionally, we have shown that low‐abundance strains contribute to plant phenotype challenging the assumption that the dominant strains will drive plant function.
Cholinergic neuron‐like D‐U87 cells promote polarization of allergic rhinitis T‐helper 2 cells
Authors: Liu Honghui , Wang Tiansheng , Xia Jinye , Ai Jingang , Li Wei , Song Yexun , Shen Yang , Zhang Xiaowei , Tan Guolin 
Published: October 2019

BackgroundParasympathetic nerve hypersensitivity contributes to the severity of allergic rhinitis (AR), but the precise mechanism underlying neuroimmune regulation in patients with AR remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of cholinergic nerve inhibition on AR CD4+ T‐helper (Th)2‐cell polarization and the underlying regulatory mechanism in vitro.MethodsAn in‐vitro neuroimmune coculture model of D‐U87 cells and CD4+ T cells was established. D‐U87 cells with cholinergic neuron characteristics were used as cholinergic neuron models. CD4+ T cells were derived from peripheral blood monocytes from AR patients (n = 60) and control subjects (n = 40). Th1‐ and Th2‐cell percentages were measured by flow cytometry. Proteins involved in related signaling pathways were analyzed by protein chip assay and Western blotting.ResultsThe Th2‐cell percentage among CD4+ T cells from AR patients was significantly increased after coculture with D‐U87 cells and was decreased by ipratropium bromide (IB) treatment. In contrast, the Th1‐cell percentage among control CD4+ T cells was significantly increased after coculture with D‐U87 cells, but was unaltered by IB treatment. Furthermore, phosphorylated Akt (p‐Akt) protein levels increased in CD4+ T cells from both controls and AR patients after coculture with D‐U87 cells and decreased after IB treatment. However, higher p‐Akt levels were observed in cells from AR patients than in cells from control subjects. Moreover, Akt inhibition decreased Th2‐cell percentage in AR patients.ConclusionIn‐vitro cholinergic nerve inhibition with IB decreased AR CD4+ T‐cell polarization into Th2 cells partially through an Akt‐dependent mechanism.
Layer‐ and Cell‐Specific Recruitment Dynamics during Epileptic Seizures In Vivo
Authors: Aeed Fadi , Shnitzer Tal , Talmon Ronen , Schiller Yitzhak 
Published: October 2019

ObjectiveTo investigate the network dynamics mechanisms underlying differential initiation of epileptic interictal spikes and seizures.MethodsWe performed combined in vivo 2‐photon calcium imaging from different targeted neuronal subpopulations and extracellular electrophysiological recordings during 4‐aminopyridine–induced neocortical spikes and seizures.ResultsBoth spikes and seizures were associated with intense synchronized activation of excitatory layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons (PNs) and to a lesser degree layer 4 neurons, as well as inhibitory parvalbumin‐expressing interneurons (INs). In sharp contrast, layer 5 PNs and somatostatin‐expressing INs were gradually and asynchronously recruited into the ictal activity during the course of seizures. Within layer 2/3, the main difference between onset of spikes and seizures lay in the relative recruitment dynamics of excitatory PNs compared to parvalbumin‐ and somatostatin‐expressing inhibitory INs. Whereas spikes exhibited balanced recruitment of PNs and parvalbumin‐expressing INs, during seizures IN responses were reduced and less synchronized than in layer 2/3 PNs. Similar imbalance was not observed in layers 4 or 5 of the neocortex. Machine learning–based algorithms we developed were able to distinguish spikes from seizures based solely on activation dynamics of layer 2/3 PNs at discharge onset.InterpretationDuring onset of seizures, the recruitment dynamics markedly differed between neuronal subpopulations, with rapid synchronous recruitment of layer 2/3 PNs, layer 4 neurons, and parvalbumin‐expressing INs and gradual asynchronous recruitment of layer 5 PNs and somatostatin‐expressing INs. Seizures initiated in layer 2/3 due to a dynamic mismatch between local PNs and inhibitory INs, and only later spread to layer 5 by gradually and asynchronously recruiting PNs in this layer. ANN NEUROL 2020;87:97–115
Enhanced Diffusion of Molecular Catalysts is Due to Convection
Authors: MacDonald Thomas S. C. , Price William S. , Astumian R. Dean , Beves Jonathon E. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIntriguing reports of enhanced diffusion in enzymes and molecular catalysts have spurred significant interest in experimental and theoretical investigations, and the mechanism of this phenomenon is the topic of lively debate. Here we use time‐resolved diffusion NMR methods to measure the diffusion coefficients (D) of small molecule species involved in chemical reactions with high temporal resolution. We show the enhanced diffusion of small molecules cannot be explained by reaction velocity, and that apparent measurements of enhanced diffusion by small molecules appear to be caused by bulk fluid flow processes such as convection.
A phylogenetic perspective on biodiversity patterns of Afrotropical freshwater crabs (Crustacea, Decapoda, Potamonautidae)
Authors: Wood Louisa E. , De Grave Sammy , Cumberlidge Neil , Kennerley Adam , Daniels Savel R. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Evolutionary‐based measures of biodiversity play an increasingly important role in theoretical conservation biology, complementing more traditional methods such as patterns of species richness and endemicity.
To date, very few studies have used evolutionary data to assess patterns of biodiversity in the Afrotropical region, particularly for freshwater invertebrate taxa.
In the present study, the monophyletic Afrotropical freshwater crab family Potamonautidae was used to investigate how phylogenetic data can be combined with other metrics to help develop conservation plans for regional and species‐based conservation efforts.
The Afrotropical freshwater crabs make an exceptional group to demonstrate the utility of a phylogeny‐based approach to conservation, as there have recently been a number of phylogenetic studies on this family, the IUCN Red List conservation status is available for almost every species, and accurate distributional range data are available for all species.
The conservation priority of this fauna is assessed in relation to the Afrotropical freshwater ecoregions using three traditional measures of biodiversity and two phylogenetic diversity metrics.
The results of Evolutionarily Distinct Globally Endangered and Heightened Evolutionary Distinctiveness and Globally Endangered analyses identify both the freshwater crab species and the areas of high conservation priority in the Afrotropical region.
Sedimentation: Hydraulic improvement of drinking water biofiltration
Authors: Abkar Leili , Stoddart Amina K. , Gagnon Graham A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe performance of drinking water biofiltration systems is commonly measured by the effluent water quality and filter runtime (FRT). At constant flow rates, lower FRTs increase backwashing frequencies and thus lower water recovery and increase the water production cost. This study was conducted on a pilot scale in two parallel trains; one included sedimentation and one did not. Both trains have three matched filter columns. Sedimentation improved FRT by up to 30% and reduced head loss and head loss accumulation rate up to 29% and 35%, respectively. Natural organic matter removal remained unchanged. Adenosine triphosphate levels did not differ, while extracellular polymeric substance was reduced by 36%. In conclusion, sedimentation increased long‐term stability and reliability while reducing the backwash frequency, offering a robust approach for optimizing biofiltration performance. Potential operating cost savings have to be weighed versus the capital costs of retrofitting sedimentation in future studies.