bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel way to synthesize pantothenate in bacteria involves β‐alanine synthase present in uracil degradation pathway
Authors: López‐Sámano Mariana , Beltrán Luis Fernando Lozano‐Aguirre , Sánchez‐Thomas Rosina , Dávalos Araceli , Villaseñor Tomás , García‐García Jorge Donato , García‐de los Santos Alejandro 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPantothenate is an indispensable vitamin precursor of the synthesis of coenzyme A (CoA), a key metabolite required in over 100 metabolic reactions. β‐Alanine (β‐ala) is an indispensable component of pantothenate. Due to the metabolic relevance of this pathway, we assumed that orthologous genes for ß‐alanine synthesis would be present in the genomes of bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. However, comparative genomic studies revealed that orthologous gene replacement and loss of synteny occur at high frequency in panD genes. We have previously reported the atypical plasmid‐encoded location of the pantothenate pathway genes panC and panB (two copies) in R. etli CFN42. This study also revealed the unexpected absence of a panD gene encoding the aspartate decarboxylase enzyme (ADC), required for the synthesis of β‐ala. The aim of this study was to identify the source of β‐alanine in Rhizobium etli CFN42. In this study, we present a bioinformatic analysis and an experimental validation demonstrating that the source of β‐ala in this R. etli comes from β‐alanine synthase, the last enzyme of the uracil degradation pathway.
Phytoplankton‐derived zwitterionic gonyol and dimethylsulfonioacetate interfere with microbial dimethylsulfoniopropionate sulfur cycling
Authors: Gebser Björn , Thume Kathleen , Steinke Michael , Pohnert Georg 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe marine sulfur cycle is substantially fueled by the phytoplankton osmolyte dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP). This metabolite can be metabolized by bacteria, which results in the emission of the volatile sulfur species methanethiol (MeSH) and the climate‐cooling dimethylsulfide (DMS). It is generally accepted that bacteria contribute significantly to DMSP turnover. We show that the other low molecular weight zwitterionic dimethylsulfonio compounds dimethylsulfonioacetate (DMSA) and gonyol are also widely distributed in phytoplankton and can serve as alternative substrates for volatile production. DMSA was found in 11 of the 16 surveyed phytoplankton species, and gonyol was detected in all haptophytes and dinoflagellates. These prevalent zwitterions are also metabolized by marine bacteria. The patterns of bacterial MeSH and DMS release were dependent on the zwitterions present. Certain bacteria metabolize DMSA and gonyol and release MeSH, in others gonyol inhibited DMS‐producing enzymes. If added in addition to DMSP, gonyol entirely inhibited the formation of volatiles in Ruegeria pomeroyi. In contrast, no substantial effect of this compound was observed in the DMSP metabolism of Halomonas sp. We argue that the production of DMSA and gonyol and their inhibitory properties on the release of volatiles from DMSP has the potential to modulate planktonic sulfur cycling between species.
Rationally designed chimeric solid‐binding peptides for tailoring solid interfaces
Authors: Yucesoy Deniz T. , Khatayevich Dimitry , Tamerler Candan , Sarikaya Mehmet 
Published: February 2020

AbstractJoining biology with materials science requires the ability to design, engineer and control biology/solid‐state materials interfaces at the molecular level. The specific molecular interactions that take place among biomolecules, known as molecular recognition, enable all aspects of molecular processes in living systems prerequisite to the biological functions. Having the ability to establish specific biological interactions between the solid materials and biological constituents is essential for precise design of biologically viable soft interfaces that are molecularly tailored at solid surfaces. Solid‐binding peptides offer excellent opportunities in surface biofunctionalization over the traditionally utilized chemical approaches which generally make use of covalent bonds for surface molecular attachments with limited flexibility. Solid‐binding peptides are selected using directed evolution techniques using genotype to phenotype relationships and therefore referred also as genetically engineered peptides for inorganics (GEPI) and exclusively bind to solid materials using molecular recognition. Here, the peptide has weak interactions at multiple contact points that are established between the biomolecule and the solid lattice, and then folds into a conformation coherent with the underlying solid lattice through self‐organization on the surface. Solid‐binding peptides provide an unprecedented biological advantage as modular building blocks to couple biological and synthetic entities at the bio–solid interfaces. Taking full advantage of biology's versatility, they can easily be engineered to form chimeric molecules with inherent multifunctionality displaying biofunctional molecular entities, such as enzymes, co‐factors, antimicrobial peptides, antibodies, nucleic acids and molecular probes that target biomarkers. This minireview provides an insight into the key principles of solid‐binding peptides for advancing surfaces biofunctionalization by a selected set of examples on chimeric functions built upon linking, displaying and assembling functional molecular moieties at solid surfaces ranging from enzymatic biocatalysis to antimicrobial coatings. Modular multifunctional peptide design offers to tune molecular processes with coupled biological functions for a wide variety of applications in biotechnology, nanotechnology and medicine.
Surface modification of TiO2 for photoelectrochemical DNA biosensors
Authors: Sakib Sadman , Pandey Richa , Soleymani Leyla , Zhitomirsky Igor 
Published: February 2020

AbstractA photoelectrochemical (PEC) DNA biosensor is developed using surface‐modified TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) as a sensitive transducer. Different catecholates and gallates are used as sensitizers for TiO2 NPs. The molecules are adsorbed on TiO2 via the catecholate type bonding mechanism to enhance light absorption in the visible range. The adsorbed molecules act as charge transfer mediators and enhance photocurrent. Despite the similar bonding mechanism of the molecules, the TiO2 NPs exhibit significant differences in photocurrent. The modified TiO2 films showed photocurrent increase in the order: 3,4‐dihydroxy‐L‐phenylalanine < 2,3,4‐trihydroxybenzoic acid < 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid < 2,3,4‐trihydroxybenzaldehyde < 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid < 3,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde < caffeic acid. Testing results provide an insight into the influence of the structure and properties of the organic molecules on their adsorption and photocurrents of modified TiO2 films. The TiO2 NPs modified with caffeic acid are used for the fabrication of PEC DNA biosensor by forming photoelectrodes and immobilizing probe single‐stranded DNA on their surface. The caffeic acid‐modified TiO2‐based photoelectrodes offer the required signal magnitude to distinguish between complementary and non‐complementary DNA sequences in the 100 nM–1 pM DNA concentration range and with a limit of detection of 1.38 pM, paving the way towards PEC DNA sensing.
Targeting the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Le Bagge Selena , Fotheringham Amelia K. , Leung Sherman S. , Forbes Josephine M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractType 1 diabetes (T1D) is one of the most common chronic diseases manifesting in early life, with the prevalence increasing worldwide at a rate of approximately 3% per annum. The prolonged hyperglycaemia characteristic of T1D upregulates the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and accelerates the formation of RAGE ligands, including advanced glycation end products, high‐mobility group protein B1, S100 calcium‐binding proteins, and amyloid‐beta. Interestingly, changes in the expression of RAGE and these ligands are evident in patients before the onset of T1D. RAGE signals via various proinflammatory cascades, resulting in the production of reactive oxygen species and cytokines. A large number of proinflammatory ligands that can signal via RAGE have been implicated in several chronic diseases, including T1D. Therefore, it is unsurprising that RAGE has become a potential therapeutic target for the treatment and prevention of disease. In this review, we will explore how RAGE might be targeted to prevent the development of T1D.
Hormonal Dysregulation and Unbalanced Specialized Pro‐Resolving Mediator Biosynthesis Contribute toward Impaired B Cell Outcomes in Obesity
Authors: Crouch Miranda , Al‐Shaer Abrar , Shaikh Saame Raza 
Published: February 2020

AbstractDiet‐induced obesity is associated with impaired B‐cell‐driven humoral immunity, which coincides with chronic inflammation and has consequences for responses to infections and vaccinations. Key nutritional, cellular, and molecular mechanisms by which obesity may impair aspects of humoral immunity such as B cell development, class switch recombination, and formation of long‐lived antibody secreting cells are reviewed. A key theme to emerge is the central role of white adipose tissue on the formation and function of pro‐inflammatory B cell subsets that exacerbate insulin resistance. The underlying role of select hormones such as leptin is highlighted, which may be driving the formation of pro‐inflammatory B cells in the absence of antigen stimulation. This review also extensively covers the regulatory role of lipid metabolites such as prostaglandins and specialized pro‐resolving mediators (SPMs) that are synthesized from polyunsaturated fatty acids. Notably, SPM biosynthesis is impaired in obesity and contributes toward impaired antibody production. Future directions for research, including avenues for therapeutic intervention, are included.
A compact triple‐mode bandpass filter based on isosceles right‐angled triangular resonator
Authors: Zhang Qiao , Chen Chang , Ji Qin , Chen Weidong , Zhang Hualiang 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn this letter, a triple‐mode bandpass filter based on isosceles right‐angled triangular (RAT) resonator with three magnetic walls is proposed. To realize the triple‐mode filter, the RAT resonator is perturbed by two metalized via‐holes around the center. These via‐holes form an LC resonant unit with the patch. Also, the via‐holes make mode shifting of the TM010Z mode while not affecting the TM110Z mode in order to form the passband. The proposed filter is fabricated and measured. The center frequency is 5.51 GHz and the fractional bandwidth is 20%. The minimum in‐band insertion loss and return loss are measured to be 1.26 dB and 20.5 dB. The measurement results show that the filter has featured both compact size and excellent in‐band responses.
Rapamycin preserves the primordial follicle pool during cisplatin treatment in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Xie Yanqiu , Li Song , Zhou Linyan , Lin Haiyan , Jiao Xuedan , Qiu Qi , Liang Yihua , Zhang Qingxue 
Published: February 2020

AbstractRapamycin has been proven to effectively inhibit the activation of primordial follicles while cisplatin‐induced the loss of primordial follicles due to the over‐activation of the primordial follicle stockpile. Whether rapamycin could inhibit the loss of primordial follicles induced by cisplatin is still unknown. The ovaries of neonatal Sprague Dawley rats were cultured in vitro in different doses of rapamycin (0.08, 0.16, and 0.32 μg/ml) and cisplatin (0.1, 0.4, and 0.8 μg/ml). The immature BALB/c mice were administered cisplatin with or without rapamycin by intraperitoneal injection. Ovaries were collected to analyze the histomorphology, the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of anti‐Mullerian hormone (AMH), growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and the expression of key proteins of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Growing follicle counts of ovaries cultured in vitro in the R0.16 and R0.32 groups were decreased and the ratio of growing to primordial follicles was also decreased in a dose‐dependent manner. In the C0.8 group, growing follicles were decreased compared with the other groups while the ratio was substantially increased in the C0.4 and C0.8 group. Co‐treatment attenuated primordial follicle loss and reduced the upregulated ratio induced by cisplatin. Ovarian follicle dynamics in vivo was consistent with the in vitro results. Primordial follicles counts were statistically increased and the ratio was reduced in the rapamycin group compared with the control group. Primordial follicle counts were dramatically reduced in the cisplatin group whereas co‐treatment with rapamycin slightly recovered its counts. There was no obvious difference in the number of growing follicles between the cisplatin group and other groups. The ratio was significantly increased in cisplatin‐treated mice whereas decreased in the co‐treatment group. The apoptosis rate of antral follicles in cisplatin‐treated mice was higher than the other groups while the apoptosis rate was decreased in the co‐treatment group in vivo. Compared with the control and rapamycin group, the mRNA expression of AMH, GDF9, and BMP15 were downregulated in the cisplatin group. The co‐treatment group recovered the mRNA expression of BMP15. In addition, the expression of key protein of mTOR pathway rpS6 and its phosphorylated forms were increased in the cisplatin‐treated group while co‐treatment decreased their expression. Rapamycin attenuated the loss of primordial follicles induced by cisplatin through the inhibitory effect of rapamycin on the mTOR pathway. These results suggest that rapamycin may be an effective drug for the protection of ovarian function during chemotherapy.
Comprehensively improved mechanical properties of silane crosslinked polypropylene/ethylene propylene diene monomer elastomer blends
Authors: Peng Hui , Lu Min , Wang Hao , Zhang Zhongzhou , Lv Fucheng , Niu Mingjun , Wang Wanjie 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe properties and structure of silane crosslinked polypropylene (PP)/ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) elastomer blends had been carried out. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gel content tests were employed to evaluate the crosslinking reaction of PP/EPDM blends. Crosslinking efficiency of PP/EPDM blends was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimeter, dynamic mechanical analysis, dynamic rheology, and tensile testing. Tanδcurves of silane crosslinked PP/EPDM blends exhibited an obvious “gel point” originated from the formation of dynamic crosslinking network. The blend corresponding to the “gel point” presented comprehensively improved mechanical properties. These results demonstrated that characteristic rheological parameters showed close correlations with key mechanical properties of silane crosslinked PP/EPDM blends. Scanning electron microscopy images illustrated that crosslinking had remarkably changed the morphologies of PP/EPDM blends. The large deformation mechanism of these blends had been suggested.
Surface modification of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) films via environmental crazing
Authors: Yarysheva Alena , Strel'tsov Dmitry , Malakhov Sergey , Arzhakova Olga , Yarysheva Larisa , Volynskii Alexandr 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThis work addresses the phenomenon of the development of a patterned surface relief on polymer films via different modes of environmental crazing. Commercial films of semicrystalline poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) and amorphous glassy poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were subjected to tensile drawing in the presence of physically active liquid environments (carbon tetrachloride or aliphatic alcohols). The structure parameters and wettability of the modified films were studied by AFM, SEM, profilometer measurements and contact angle measurements. Environmental intercrystallite crazing of PTFE is accompanied by the development of an unstable structure with a high free surface, which experiences marked strain recovery upon unloading. As a result of the relief formation, PTFE hydrophobicity is enhanced (the water contact angle increases by 25°). Classical environmental crazing of PET films is accompanied by the formation of an anisotropic surface relief which is an assembly of crazes oriented perpendicular to the direction of tensile drawing, thus leading to the phenomenon of anisotropic wetting. The proposed approach for structural surface modification makes it possible to use the advantages of surface instability and spontaneous self‐organization of the polymer towards the development of a unique surface microrelief. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Optimal clutch size for quality control of bisexual and Wolbachia‐infected thelytokous lines of Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) mass reared on eggs of a substitutive host, Antheraea pernyi Guérin‐Méneville (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)
Authors: Zhou Jin‐Cheng , Liu Quan‐Quan , Wang Qian‐Ru , Ning Su‐Fang , Che Wu‐Nan , Dong Hui 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDTrichogramma dendrolimi has been widely used in augmentative biocontrol of lepidopteran pests in China. In mass production of T. dendrolimi using Antheraea pernyi eggs as substitutive hosts, which are large in size, as clutch size is a parameter of importance to produce high quality parasitoids. Here, we aimed to determine the optimal clutch size for the bisexual Wolbachia‐uninfected line (TdB) and Wolbachia‐infected thelytokous line (TdT) of T. dendrolimi reared on A. pernyi eggs.RESULTSA medium clutch size of 42.75 to 62.27 for TdB and 52.93 to 57.14 for TdT was optimal to maximize fitness‐correlated traits of parasitoid individual. The optimal clutch sizes with maximized parameters included adult emergence rate, adult body size, adult longevity, fecundity, and sum of fecundity of all females per brood were 58.31 (86.00%), 42.75 (231.11 μm), 50.92 (2.69 days), 62.27 (150.89 eggs), and 83.25 (7926.33 eggs) for TdB and 57.14 (94.54%), 52.93 (236.97 μm), 53.64 (2.62 days), 56.80 (161.01 eggs), and 70.10 (8579.71 eggs) for TdT. The TdT had a shorter adult longevity, longer development time, and higher adult emergence rate than did its non‐infected bisexual counterpart.CONCLUSIONA medium brood size in a A. pernyi egg host was optimal to produce offspring parasitoids with higher fitness parameters for both bisexual Wolbachia‐uninfected and thelytokous Wolbachia‐infected lines of T. dendrolimi. The determination of optimal clutch size for T. dendrolimi will provide the reference for the quality control of T. dendrolimi production and improvement of the field performance of the wasps. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
The analysis of commercially available natural products recommended for use in electronic cigarettes
Authors: Peace Michelle R. , Smith Mika E. , Poklis Justin L. 
Published: February 2020

RationaleNatural plant products have been used to promote health, prevent sickness, and treat various ailments. These products often consist of leaves, flowers, bark, roots, seeds, and/or other parts of the plant. Many of the pharmacologically active constituents of these products are known, but the pharmacology of these constituents may not be fully elucidated. Natural plant‐based products are also available in various forms other than the raw plant material. A wide array of commercial products such as capsules, powders, extracts, and electronic cigarette (e‐cigarette) electronic liquids (e‐liquids) are readily available and can be purchased from various outlets, both store‐based retailers and online. Newer e‐cigarettes are often advertised as “heat not burn” and are used for “vaping” various forms of extracts including “waxes” and “dabs” and raw plant material.MethodsA single manufacturer was found online selling “24 different herbs” in powders, extracts, or e‐liquids. These were advertised as “legal in the USA” and each product listed multiple effects. Eight e‐liquids, six extracts (resins), and four powders from eight different “herbs,” namely African dream, areca nut, blue lotus, damiana, kra thum na, kra thum kok, klip dagga, and wild lettuce, were purchased. An advertisement for these products stated, “Most people use the leaves, powder or resin in vaporizers.” Direct analysis in real time AccuTOF™ mass spectrometry (DART‐MS) was used to identify the psychoactive components in the natural products.ResultsThe psychoactive compounds that were identified in only two of the eight e‐liquids, three of the five resins, and three of the four powders were arecaidine, arecoline, coumarin, entadamide, mitragynine, 7‐hydroxymitragynine, and nuciferine.ConclusionsPsychoactive and potentially harmful substances were present in the powders and resins of the natural products. The newer types of e‐cigarettes made for consuming natural products may increase their abuse potential.
Preliminary clinical application of the robot‐assisted CT‐guided irreversible electroporation ablation for the treatment of pancreatic head carcinoma
Authors: He Xiao F. , Xiao Yue Y. , Zhang Xiao , Zhang Xiao B. , Zhang Xin , Wei Ying T. , Zhang Zhong L. , Wiggermann Philipp 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate the feasibility and safety of a robot‐guided irreversible electroporation (IRE) ablation system for the treatment of pancreatic head carcinoma.MethodsA total of 20 cases with pancreatic head carcinoma were divided into two groups: 11 cases in group A with manual probe placement and 9 cases in group B with robotic navigated probe placement. The two groups were compared in terms of planning time before puncture, puncture time, the total time of electrode deployment, number of scans, and punctual accuracy of the single electrode.ResultsEach probe was successfully punctured, and no complications were detected. P‐values were calculated for all the parameters, using the SPSS 25.0 software and the t test.ConclusionsThe new robot can reduce the total operating time as compared to the manual probe placement with the same accuracy in the IRE of pancreatic head carcinoma.
Effect of the OSA Esterification of Oxalis tuberosa Starch on the Physicochemical, Molecular, and Emulsification Properties
Authors: Velásquez‐Barreto Frank F. , Bello‐Pérez Luis A. , Yee‐Madeira Hernani , Alvarez‐Ramirez Jose , Velezmoro‐Sánchez Carmen E. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThis work studies the physicochemical, molecular, and emulsification properties of Oxalis tuberosa (oca) starch modified with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA). Freshly harvested oca tubers are washed and selected, and starch is extracted by tuber size reductions and successive washes. Modifications are performed with OSA for 6 h at pH 8.5–9. Mean particle size increases, while temperature and enthalpy of gelatinization decrease with OSA modification. In addition, peak, breakdown, and final viscosities increase as caused by partial disorganization of starch components during chemical modifications, an effect that is exhibited by variations of X‐ray diffraction type and crystallinity. Oca‐OSA starch produces pastes with pseudoplastic behavior and emulsions with higher emulsification properties in comparison with the native starch. These results indicate that esterification of oca starch with OSA can be used to produce starches with desired physicochemical and emulsification properties.