bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impulse dispersion of aerosols during singing and speaking
Authors: Echternach Matthias , Gantner Sophia , Peters Gregor , Westphalen Caroline , Benthaus Tobias , Jakubaß Bernhard , Kuranova Liudmila , Döllinger Michael , Kniesburges Stefan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractGroup singing events have been linked to several outbreaks of infection during the CoVID-19 pandemic, leading to singing activities being banned in many areas across the globe. This link between singing and infection rates supports the possibility that aerosols are partly responsible for person-to-person infection. In contrast to droplets, the smaller aerosol particles do not fall to the ground within a short distance after being expelled by e.g. a singer. Aerosol particles hover and spread via convection in the environmental air. According to the super-spreading theory, choir singing and loud talking (theater and presentations) during rehearsals or performances may constitute a high risk of infectious virus transmission to large numbers of people. Thus, it is essential to define the safety distances between singers in super-spreading situations.The aim of this study is to investigate the impulse dispersion of aerosols during singing and speaking in comparison to breathing and coughing. Ten professional singers (5 males and 5 females) of the Bavarian Radio Chorus performed 9 tasks including singing a phrase of Beethoven’s 9th symphony, to the original German text. The inhaled air volume was marked with small aerosol particles produced via a commercial e-cigarette. The expelled aerosol cloud was recorded with three high definition TV cameras from different perspectives. Afterwards, the dimensions and dynamics of the aerosol cloud was measured by segmenting the video footage at every time point.While the median expansion was below 1m, the aerosol cloud was expelled up to 1.4m in the singing direction for individual subjects. Consonants produced larger distances of aerosol expulsion than vowels. The dispersion in the lateral and vertical dimension was less pronounced than the forward direction. After completion of each task, the cloud continued to distribute in the air increasing its dimensions. Consequently, we propose increasing the current recommendations of many governmental councils for choirs or singing at religious services from 1.5m to the front and 1m to the side to a distance between choir singers of 2m to the front and 1.5m to the sides.
Proteomic Differences in the Hippocampus and Cortex of Epilepsy Brain Tissue
Authors: Pires Geoffrey , Leitner Dominique , Drummond Eleanor , Kanshin Evgeny , Nayak Shruti , Askenazi Manor , Faustin Arline , Friedman Daniel , Debure Ludovic , Ueberheide Beatrix , Wisniewski Thomas , Devinsky Orrin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractEpilepsy is a common neurological disorder affecting over 70 million people worldwide, with a high rate of pharmaco-resistance, diverse comorbidities including progressive cognitive and behavioral disorders, and increased mortality from direct (e.g., Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy [SUDEP], accidents, drowning) or indirect effects of seizures and therapies. Extensive research with animal models and human studies provides limited insights into the mechanisms underlying seizures and epileptogenesis, and these have not translated into significant reductions in pharmaco-resistance, morbidities or mortality. To help define changes in molecular signaling networks associated with epilepsy, we examined the proteome of brain samples from epilepsy and control cases. Label-free quantitative mass spectrometry (MS) was performed on the hippocampal CA1-3 region, frontal cortex, and dentate gyrus microdissected from epilepsy and control cases (n=14/group). Epilepsy cases had significant differences in the expression of 777 proteins in the hippocampal CA1-3 region, 296 proteins in the frontal cortex, and 49 proteins in the dentate gyrus in comparison to control cases. Network analysis showed that proteins involved in protein synthesis, mitochondrial function, G-protein signaling, and synaptic plasticity were particularly altered in epilepsy. While protein differences were most pronounced in the hippocampus, similar changes were observed in other brain regions indicating broad proteomic abnormalities in epilepsy. Among the most significantly altered proteins, G-protein Subunit Beta 1 (GNB1) was one of the most significantly decreased proteins in epilepsy in all regions studied, highlighting the importance of G-protein subunit signaling and G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) in epilepsy. Our results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying epilepsy, which may allow for novel targeted therapeutic strategies.
The “good, the bad and the double-sword” effects of exposure to MPs and their organic additives on N2-fixing bacteria
Authors: Fernández-Juárez Víctor , López-Alforja Xabier , Frank-Comas Aida , Echeveste Pedro , Bennasar-Figueras Antoni , Ramis-Munar Guillem , Gomila Rosa María , Agawin Nona S. R. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe accumulation of microplastics (MPs) pollution at depths suggests the susceptibility of benthic organisms (e.g.seagrasses and their associated macro- and micro-organisms) to the effects of these pollutants. Little is known about the direct effects of MPs and their organic additives on marine bacteria,e.g.in one of the most ecologically significant groups, the diazotrophs or N2-fixing bacteria. To fill this gap of knowledge, we exposed marine diazotrophs found in association with the endemic Mediterranean seagrassPosidonia oceanicato pure MPs which differ in physical properties (e.g.density, hydrophobicity and/or size), namely, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene (PS) and to their most abundant associated organic additives (e.g.fluoranthene, 1,2,5,6,9,10-hexabromocyclododecane [HBCD] and dioctyl-phthalate [DEHP]). Growth, protein overexpression, direct physical interactions between MPs and bacteria, phosphorus (P) acquisition mechanisms and N2-fixation rates were evaluated. Our results show species-specific responses of the autotrophic and heterotrophic N2-fixing bacteria tested and the responses were dependent on the type and concentration of MPs and additives. N2-fixing cyanobacteria were positively affected by environmental and high concentrations of MPs (e.g.PVC), as opposed to heterotrophic strains, that were only positively affected with high concentrations of ∼120 µm-size MPs (detecting the overexpression of proteins related to plastic degradation and C-transport), and negatively affected by 1 µm-size PS beads. Generally, the organic additives (e.g.fluoranthene) had a deleterious effect in both autotrophic and heterotrophic N2-fixing bacteria and the magnitude of the effect is suggested to be dependent on bacterial size. We did not find evidences that specific N2-fixation rates were significantly affected by exposure to MPs, albeit changes in bacterial abundance can affect the bulk N2-fixation rates. In summary, we reported for the first time, the beneficial (the “good”), deleterious (the “bad”) and/or both (the “double-sword”) effects of exposure to MPs and their organic additives on diazotrophs found in association with seagrasses.
Genome analysis of clinical pneumococcal isolates to decipher sequence types, antibiotic resistance mechanisms and virulence gene profiles
Authors: Peela Sreeram Chandra Murthy , Rose Steffi , Sistla Sujatha 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIntroductionStreptococcus pneumoniaeis a common cause of meningitis and pneumonia. Various studies have explored the relationship between genome and phenotypic characteristics like antibiotic resistance.MethodsFour pneumococcal isolates from clinical specimens were included. DNA was extracted and genomes were sequenced in 2×101bp layout. Standard genome analysis tools and pipelines were employed to understand phenotypic characteristics.ResultsThere was almost perfect agreement of genome-based predictions and phenotypic methods for antibiotic resistance. Novel sequence type (ST) was identified in one of the isolates. In total 29 virulence genes were common for all the isolates.
Crosstalk between chloroplast protein import and the SUMO system revealed through genetic and molecular investigation
Authors: Watson Samuel James , Li Na , Ye Yiting , Wu Feijie , Ling Qihua , Jarvis R. Paul 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe chloroplast proteome contains thousands of different proteins that are encoded by the nuclear genome. These proteins are imported into the chloroplast via the action of the TOC translocase and associated downstream systems. Our recent work has revealed that the stability of the TOC complex is dynamically regulated by the ubiquitin-dependent chloroplast-associated protein degradation (CHLORAD) pathway. Here, we demonstrate that the stability of the TOC complex is also regulated by the SUMO system.Arabidopsismutants representing almost the entire SUMO conjugation pathway can partially suppress the phenotype ofppi1, a pale yellow mutant lacking the Toc33 protein. This suppression is linked to the increased stability of TOC proteins and improvements in chloroplast development. In addition, we demonstrate using molecular and biochemical experiments that the SUMO system directly targets TOC proteins. Thus, we have identified a regulatory link between the SUMO system and chloroplast protein import.
Multi-site co-mutations and 5’UTR CpG immunity escape drive the evolution of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Zhang Jingsong , Kang Junyan , Liu Mofang , Han Benhao , Li Li , He Yongqun , Yi Zhigang , Chen Luonan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe SARS-CoV-2 infected cases and the caused mortalities have been surging since the COVID-19 pandemic. Viral mutations emerge during the virus circulating in the population, which is shaping the viral infectivity and pathogenicity. Here we extensively analyzed 6698 SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences with specific sample collection dates in NCBI database. We found that four mutations, i.e., 5’UTR_c-241-t, NSP3_c-3037-t, NSP12_c-14408-t, and S_a-23403-g, became the dominant variants and each of them represented nearly 100% of all virus sequences since the middle May, 2020. Notably, we found that co-occurrence rates of three significant multi-site co-mutational patterns, i.e., (i) S_a-23403-g, NSP12_c-14408-t, 5’UTR_c-241-t, NSP3_c-3037-t, and ORF3a_c-25563-t; (ii) ORF8_t-28144-c, NSP4_c-8782-t, NSP14_c-18060-t, NSP13_a-17858-g, and NSP13_c-17747-t; and (iii) N_g-28881-a, N_g-28882-a, and N_g-28883-c, reached 66%, 90%, and nearly 100% of recent sequences, respectively. Moreover, we found significant decrease of CpG dinucleotide at positions 241(c)-242(g) in the 5’UTR during the evolution, which was verified as a potential target of human zinc finger antiviral protein (ZAP). The four dominant mutations, three significant multi-site co-mutations, and the potential escape mutation of ZAP-target in 5’UTR region contribute to the rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the population, thus shaping the viral infectivity and pathogenicity. This study provides valuable clues and frameworks to dissect the viral replication and virus-host interactions for designing effective therapeutics.One Sentence SummaryFour dominant mutations, three significant multi-site co-mutations, and 5’UTR CpG escape contribute to the rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Protective porcine influenza virus-specific monoclonal antibodies recognize similar haemagglutinin epitopes as humans
Authors: Holzer Barbara , Rijal Pramila , McNee Adam , Paudyal Basu , Clark Becky , Manjegowda Tanuja , Salguero Francisco J. , Bessell Emily , Schwartz John C. , Moffat Katy , Pedrera Miriam , Graham Simon P. , Placido Marie Bonnet-Di , La Ragione Roberto M. , Mwangi William , Beverley Peter , McCauley John W. , Daniels Rodney S. , Hammond John , Townsend Alain R. , Tchilian Elma 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPigs are natural hosts for the same subtypes of influenza A viruses as humans and integrally involved in virus evolution with frequent interspecies transmissions in both directions. The emergence of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus illustrates the importance of pigs in evolution of zoonotic strains. Here we generated pig influenza-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from H1N1pdm09 infected pigs. The mAbs recognized the same two major immunodominant haemagglutinin (HA) epitopes targeted by humans, one of which is not recognized by post-infection ferret antisera that are commonly used to monitor virus evolution. Neutralizing activity of the pig mAbs was comparable to that of potent human anti-HA mAbs. Further, prophylactic administration of a selected porcine mAb to pigs abolished lung viral load and greatly reduced lung pathology but did not eliminate nasal shedding of virus after H1N1pdm09 challenge. Hence mAbs from pigs, which target HA can significantly reduce disease severity. These results, together with the comparable sizes of pigs and humans, indicate that the pig is a valuable model for understanding how best to apply mAbs as therapy in humans and for monitoring antigenic drift of influenza viruses in humans, thereby providing information highly relevant to making influenza vaccine recommendations.
Chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of essential oils from the receptacle of sunflower (Helianthus annuusL.)
Authors: Liu Xinsheng , Li Xinlu , Qiao Zian , Li Wannan , Gao Bo , Han Lu 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSunflower (Helianthus annuusL.) contains active ingredients, such as flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins. However, few studies have focused on essential oils from the receptacle of sunflower (SEOs). The chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of SEOs were assessed whether SEOs could be used as nature preservatives and medicines. The extraction rate of SEOs was 0.4% by using hydro-distillation and solvent with petroleum ether, which is much higher than that by only using hydro-distillation (0.2%) in the previous study. A total of 81 volatile constituents of SEOs were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main constituents of SEOs were α-pinene (31.17%), calamenene (5.66%), α-terpineol (4.71%), verbenone (3.15%), kaur-16-ene (2.52%) and terpinolene (1.47%). The antimicrobial activities of SEOs were assessed against three bacteria (E. coli,P. aeruginosa, andS. aureus) and two fungi (S. cerevisiaeandCandida albicans). The MIC of SEOs againstP. aeruginosaandS. aureuswas 0.2 mg/mL. The MIC of SEOs againstS. cerevisiaewas 3.2 mg/mL. The MIC of SEOs againstE. coliandCandida albicanswas 6.4 mg/mL. The results showed that SEOs had high antibacterial and antifungal actions. The antioxidant activity was determined with three different analytical assays (DPPH, ABTS and iron reducing ability). The results of antioxidant activities showed that SEOs had high antioxidant activities. The results proved that SEOs could be used as natural preservatives and medicines, due to its excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.
Repulsive expansion dynamics in colony growth and patterning
Authors: Cao Yangxiaolu , Neu John , Meldgin David R. , Lu Ting , You Lingchong 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSpatial expansion of a population of cells can arise from growth of microorganisms, plant cells, and mammalian cells. It underlies normal or dysfunctional tissue development and it can be exploited as the foundation for programming spatial patterns. This expansion is often driven by continuous growth and division of cells within a colony, which in turn pushes the peripheral cells outward. This process generates a repulsion velocity field at each location within the colony. Here we show that this process can be approximated as coarse-grained repulsive-expansion kinetics. This framework enables accurate and efficient simulation of growth and gene expression dynamics in radially symmetric colonies with homogenous z-directional distribution. It is robust even if cells are not spherical and vary in size. The simplicity of the resulting mathematical framework also greatly facilitates generation of mechanistic insights.
Cellular events of acute, resolving or progressive COVID-19 in SARS-CoV-2 infected non-human primates
Authors: Fahlberg MD , Blair RV , Doyle-Meyers LA , Midkiff CC , Zenere G , Russell-Lodrigue KE , Monjure CJ , Haupt EH , Penney TP , Lehmicke G , Threeton BM , Golden N , Datta PK , Roy CJ , Bohm RP , Maness NJ , Fischer T , Rappaport J , Vaccari M 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe investigated the immune events following SARS-CoV-2 infection, from the acute inflammatory state up to four weeks post infection, in non-human primates (NHP) with heterogeneous pulmonary pathology. The acute phase was characterized by a robust and rapid migration of monocytes expressing CD16 from the blood and concomitant increase in CD16+ macrophages in the lungs. We identified two subsets of interstitial macrophages (HLA-DR+ CD206–), a transitional CD11c+ CD16+ cell population that was directly associated with IL-6 levels in plasma, and one long lasting CD11b+ CD16+ cell population. Strikingly, levels of monocytes were a correlate of viral replication in bronchial brushes and we discovered TARC (CCL17) as a new potential mediator of myeloid recruitment to the lungs. Worse disease outcomes were associated with high levels of cell infiltration in lungs including CD11b+ CD16hi macrophages and CD11b+ neutrophils. Accumulation of macrophages was long-lasting and detectable even in animals with mild or no signs of disease. Interestingly, animals with anti-inflammatory responses including high IL-10:IL-6 and kynurenine to tryptophan ratios had less signs of disease. Our results unravel cellular mechanisms of COVID-19 and suggest that NHP may be appropriate models to test immune therapies.
Motor and Sensory Cortical Processing of Neural Oscillatory Activities revealed by Human Swallowing using Intracranial Electrodes
Authors: Hashimoto Hiroaki , Takahashi Kazutaka , Kameda Seiji , Yoshida Fumiaki , Maezawa Hitoshi , Oshino Satoru , Tani Naoki , Khoo Hui Ming , Yanagisawa Takufumi , Yoshimine Toshiki , Kishima Haruhiko , Hirata Masayuki 
Published: July 2020

SummarySwallowing, a unique movement, is attributed to the indispensable orchestration of motor-output and sensory-input. We hypothesized that swallowing can illustrate differences between motor and sensory neural processing. Eight epileptic participants fitted with intracranial electrodes over the orofacial cortex were asked to swallow a water bolus. Mouth-opening and swallowing were treated as motor tasks, while water-injection as sensory tasks. Phase-amplitude coupling between lower frequency and high γ (HG) band (75–150 Hz) was investigated. An α (10-16 Hz) -HG coupling appeared before motor-related HG power increase (burst), and a θ (5-9 Hz) -HG coupling appeared during sensory-related HG burst. The motor- and sensory-related HG amplitude were modulated at the trough of α oscillations and peak of θ oscillations, respectively. These contrasting results acquired from the orofacial cortex can help to fully elucidate the sensory-motor function in the brain.
Molecular mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 cell entry inhibition via TMPRSS2 by Camostat and Nafamostat mesylate
Authors: Hempel Tim , Raich Lluís , Olsson Simon , Azouz Nurit P. , Klingler Andrea M. , Rothenberg Marc E. , Noé Frank 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe entry of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 into human cells can be inhibited by the approved drugs camostat and nafamostat. Here we elucidate the molecular mechanism of these drugs by combining experiments and simulations.In vitroassays confirm the hypothesis that both drugs act by inhibiting the human protein TMPRSS2. As no experimental structure is available, we provide a model of the TMPRSS2 equilibrium structure and its fluctuations by relaxing an initial homology structure with extensive 280 microseconds of all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) and Markov modeling. We describe the binding mode of both drugs with TMPRSS2 in a Michaelis complex (MC) state preceding the formation of a long-lived covalent inhibitory state. We find that nafamostat to has a higher MC population, which in turn leads to the more frequent formation of the covalent complex and thus higher inhibition efficacy, as confirmedin vitroand consistent with previous virus cell entry assays. Our TMPRSS2-drug structures are made public to guide the design of more potent and specific inhibitors.
Pleiotropic win-win mutations can rapidly evolve in a nascent cooperative community despite unfavorable conditions
Authors: Hart Samuel F. M. , Chen Chi-Chun , Shou Wenying 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCooperation, paying a cost to benefit other individuals, is widespread. Cooperation can be promoted by pleiotropic “win-win” mutations which directly benefit self and partner. Previously, we showed that “partner-serving” should be defined as increased benefit supply rate per intake benefit (Hart & Pineda et al., 2019). Here, we report that “win-win” mutations can rapidly evolve even in nascent cooperation under conditions unfavorable for cooperation. Specifically, in a well-mixed environment we evolved engineered yeast cooperative communities where two strains exchanged costly metabolites lysine and hypoxanthine. Among cells that consumed lysine and released hypoxanthine,ecm21mutations repeatedly arose.ecm21is “self-serving”, improving self’s growth rate in limiting lysine.ecm21is also “partner-serving”, increasing hypoxanthine release rate per lysine consumption and the steady state growth rate of partner.ecm21also arose in monocultures evolving in lysine-limited chemostats. Thus, even without any pressure to maintain cooperation, pleiotropic win-win mutations may readily evolve.
Evidence of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs from households in Italy
Authors: Patterson E.I. , Elia G. , Grassi A. , Giordano A. , Desario C. , Medardo M. , Smith S.L. , Anderson E.R. , Prince T. , Patterson G.T. , Lorusso E. , Lucente M.S. , Lanave G. , Lauzi S. , Bonfanti U. , Stranieri A. , Martella V. , Basano F. Solari , Barrs V.R. , Radford A.D. , Agrimi U. , Hughes G. L. , Paltrinieri S. , Decaro N. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 originated in animals and is now easily transmitted between people. Sporadic detection of natural cases in animals alongside successful experimental infections of pets, such as cats, ferrets and dogs, raises questions about the susceptibility of animals under natural conditions of pet ownership. Here we report a large-scale study to assess SARS-CoV-2 infection in 817 companion animals living in northern Italy, sampled at a time of frequent human infection. No animals tested PCR positive. However, 3.4% of dogs and 3.9% of cats had measurable SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers, with dogs from COVID-19 positive households being significantly more likely to test positive than those from COVID-19 negative households. Understanding risk factors associated with this and their potential to infect other species requires urgent investigation.One Sentence SummarySARS-CoV-2 antibodies in pets from Italy.