bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic variation for resistance to the specific fly pathogen Entomophthora muscae
Authors: Wang Jonathan B. , Elya Carolyn , St. Leger Raymond J. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe found substantial variation in resistance to the fly-specific pathogen Entomophthora muscae 'Berkeley' (Entomophthoromycota), in 20 lines from the Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP). Resistance to E. muscae is positively (r = 0.55) correlated with resistance to the broad host range ascomycete entomopathogen Metarhizium anisopliae (Ma549), indicative of generalist (non-specific) defenses. Most of the lines showing above average resistance to Ma549 showed cross-resistance to E. muscae. However, lines that succumbed quickly to Ma549 exhibited the full range of resistance to E. muscae. This suggests fly populations differ in E. muscae-specific resistance mechanisms as well as generic defences effective against both Ma549 and E. muscae. We looked for trade-offs that could account for inter-line variation, but increases (decreases) in disease resistance to E. muscae are not consistently associated with increases (decreases) of resistance to oxidative stress, starvation stress and sleep indices. That these pathogens are dynamic agents of selection on hosts is reflected in this genetic variation for resistance in lines derived from wild populations.
Aging in the USA: similarities and disparities across time and space
Authors: Abeliansky Ana Lucia , Erel Devin , Strulik Holger 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe study biological aging of elderly U.S. Americans born 1904–1966. We use thirteen waves of the Health and Retirement Study and construct a frailty index as the number of health deficits present in a person measured relative to the number of potential deficits. We find that, on average, Americans develop 5% more health deficits per year, that men age slightly faster than women, and that, at any age above 50, Caucasians display significantly fewer health deficits than African Americans. We also document a steady time trend of health improvements. For each year of later birth, health deficits decline on average by about 1%. This health trend is about the same across regions and for men and women, but significantly lower for African Americans compared to Caucasians. In non-linear regressions, we find that regional differences in aging follow a particular regularity, akin to the compensation effect of mortality. Health deficits converge for men and women and across American regions and suggest a life span of the American population of about 97 years.
Novel reassortant swine H3N2 influenza A viruses in Germany
Authors: Zell Roland , Groth Marco , Krumbholz Andi , Lange Jeannette , Philipps Anja , Dürrwald Ralf 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAnalysis of 228 H3N2 swine influenza A virus isolates collected between 2003 and 2015 in Germany revealed important changes in molecular epidemiology. The data indicate that a novel reassortant, Rietberg/2014-like swine H3N2, emerged in February 2014 in Northern Germany. It is comprised of a hemagglutinin gene of seasonal H3N2 (A/Denmark/129/2005-like), a neuraminidase gene of Emmelsbuell/2009-like swine H1N2 and the internal gene cassette of pandemic H1N1 viruses. Together with Danish swine H3N2 strains of 2013–2015 with identical genome layout, the Rietberg/2014-like viruses represent a second swine H3N2 lineage which cocirculates with a variant of the Gent/1984-like swine H3N2 lineage. This variant, named Gent1984/Diepholz-like swine H3N2, has a Gent/1984-like HA and a Diepholz/2008-like NA; the origin of the internal gene cassette likely derived from avian-like swine H1N1. The first isolate of the Gent1984/Diepholz reassortant emerged in Northern Germany in September 2011 whereas the last German Gent/1984-like isolate was collected in October 2011.
Elucidating the limiting factors for regeneration and successful establishment of the thermophilic tree Ziziphus spina-christi under a changing climate
Authors: Zait Yotam , Konsens Irit , Schwartz Amnon 
Published: August 2020

AbstractDue to climate change, winter temperatures are predicted to increase worldwide. For thermophilic trees, highly sensitive to low temperatures, an increase in winter temperatures may be beneficial for survival and regeneration. Ziziphus spina-christi is a thermophilic tree that has recently become more abundant and widespread in the eastern Mediterranean, presumably due to a gradual increase in winter temperatures. We aim to define the temperature limitations for seed germination and the growth and survival of young seedlings to broaden our understanding of the future geographical distribution of this species. We studied effects of temperature on germination, growth, and photosynthesis in a controlled environment with four different day/night temperature regimes (34/28 °C, 28/22 °C, 22/16 °C and 16/10 °C). Effects of endocarp on germination and seed germination in the field were also studied. Results showed that germination has a lower thermal optimum (34–22 °C, 63.5–67.5% germination) than growth and photosynthesis (34–28 °C). Moderate cold stress (22/16 °C), did not affect germination capacity, but strongly reduced seedling growth (71%) and photosynthetic capacity (44.6%). Under severe cold stress (16/10 °C), germination still occurs (22%), but seedlings cannot perform growth and photosynthesis. We conclude that slow seedling growth, not germination, is the main barrier for successful establishment of Z. spina-christi under low temperature. Warmer winters could lead to earlier establishment of seedlings and increase their chance of survival the following summer. This may explain the recent increase in the tree’s relative abundance and further highlight the potential spread of this species at higher altitudes and latitudes across the Mediterranean.
Efficient harmonic oscillator chain energy harvester driven by colored noise
Authors: Romero-Bastida M. , López Juan M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe study the performance of an electromechanical harmonic oscillator chain as an energy harvester to extract power from finite-bandwidth ambient random vibrations, which are modelled by colored noise. The proposed device is numerically simulated and its performance assessed by means of the net electrical power generated and its efficiency in converting the external noise-supplied power into electrical power. Our main result is a much enhanced performance, both in the net electrical power delivered and in efficiency, of the harmonic chain with respect to the popular single oscillator resonator. Our numerical findings are explained by means of an analytical approximation, in excellent agreement with numerics.
Tolerance to alkaline ambient pH in Aspergillus nidulans depends on the activity of ENA proteins
Authors: Markina-Iñarrairaegui Ane , Spielvogel Anja , Etxebeste Oier , Ugalde Unai , Espeso Eduardo A. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractTolerance of microorganisms to abiotic stress is enabled by regulatory mechanisms that coordinate the expression and activity of resistance genes. Alkalinity and high salt concentrations are major environmental physicochemical stresses. Here, we analyzed the roles of sodium-extrusion family (ENA) transporters EnaA, EnaB and EnaC in the response to these stress conditions in the filamentous fungusAspergillus nidulans. While EnaC has a minor role, EnaB is a key element for tolerance to Na+and Li+toxicity. Adaptation to alkaline pH requires the concerted action of EnaB with EnaA. Accordingly, expression ofenaAandenaBwas induced by Na+, Li+and pH 8. These expression patterns are altered in asltAΔ background and completely inhibited in a mutant expressing non-functional PacC protein (palH72). However, a constitutively active PacC form was not sufficient to restore maximumenaAexpression. In agreement with their predicted role as membrane ATPases, EnaA localized to the plasma membrane while EnaB accumulated at structures resembling the endoplasmic reticulum. Overall, results suggest different PacC- and SltA-dependent roles for EnaB in pH and salt homeostasis, acting in coordination with EnaA at pH 8 but independently under salt stress.
HPV-EM: an accurate HPV detection and genotyping EM algorithm
Authors: Inkman Matthew J. , Jayachandran Kay , Ellis Thomas M. , Ruiz Fiona , McLellan Michael D. , Miller Christopher A. , Wu Yufeng , Ojesina Akinyemi I. , Schwarz Julie K. , Zhang Jin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAccurate HPV genotyping is crucial in facilitating epidemiology studies, vaccine trials, and HPV-related cancer research. Contemporary HPV genotyping assays only detect < 25% of all known HPV genotypes and are not accurate for low-risk or mixed HPV genotypes. Current genomic HPV genotyping algorithms use a simple read-alignment and filtering strategy that has difficulty handling repeats and homology sequences. Therefore, we have developed an optimized expectation–maximization algorithm, designated HPV-EM, to address the ambiguities caused by repetitive sequencing reads. HPV-EM achieved 97–100% accuracy when benchmarked using cell line data and TCGA cervical cancer data. We also validated HPV-EM using DNA tiling data on an institutional cervical cancer cohort (96.5% accuracy). Using HPV-EM, we demonstrated HPV genotypic differences in recurrence and patient outcomes in cervical and head and neck cancers.
Prevention of acute kidney injury by low intensity pulsed ultrasound via anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis
Authors: Chiang Chih-Kang , Loh Jui-Zhi , Yang Ting-Hua , Huang Kuo-Tong , Wu Cheng-Tien , Guan Siao-Syun , Liu Shing-Hwa , Hung Kuan-Yu 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe therapeutic effects of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) with acute kidney injury (AKI) are still unclear. A renal tubule cell model under H2O2 or hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) conditions with or without LIPUS pre-treatment (1 MHz, 30 and 100 mW/cm2, 15 min) was used to test the in vitro effects of LIPUS. An AKI mouse model of unilateral IRI with nephrectomy of the contralateral kidney for 48 h with or without LIPUS treatment (3 MHz, 100 mW/cm2, 20 min/day) 5 day before IRI were used to investigate the in vivo effects of LIPUS. LIPUS significantly protected the renal tubule cell viability and prevented inflammatory signals against H2O2 challenge. LIPUS could inhibit the apoptosis-related molecular signals and increase the protein levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, α-Klotho, and Sirt1 in renal tubule cells after H/R challenge. LIPUS alleviated the increases in the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and cystatin C, renal pathological changes and apoptosis-related molecular signals, and impaired antioxidant enzymes in AKI mice. The IRI-induced inflammatory responses in the kidneys and spleens could be reversed by LIPUS. These findings suggest that LIPUS treatment displays the benefits for renal protection in IRI-induced AKI mice.
Distinct tumor immune microenvironments in primary and metastatic lesions in gastric cancer patients
Authors: Son Seung-Myoung , Woo Chang Gok , Kim Dae Hoon , Yun Hyo Yung , Kim Hongsik , Kim Hee Kyung , Yang Yaewon , Kwon Jihyun , Kwon Minsuk , Kim Tae-Yong , Kim Hyung-Don , Koh June-Young , Park Su-Hyung , Shin Eui-Cheol , Han Hye Sook 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis study compared the tumor immune microenvironments (TIMEs) of primary gastric cancer (PGC) and paired metastatic gastric cancer (MGC). CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell density and PD-L1 expression were evaluated by multiplex immunohistochemistry, DNA mismatch repair (MMR) by immunohistochemistry, and immune-related genes by RNA sequencing. Twenty-three patients who underwent surgical treatment for PGC and MGC were enrolled in this study. CD8+ T-cell, PD-L1+ cell, and PD-L1+CK+ cell densities were significantly lower in MGC than PGC. PD-L1 positivity using a combined positive score (≥ 1%) and deficient MMR were observed in 52.2% and 8.7% of PGC samples, respectively, whereas both occurred in only 4.3% of MGC samples. The most frequent TIME types were inflamed (34.8%) and adaptive immune resistance (34.8%) in PGC, and immune desert (65.2%) and immunological ignorance (73.9%) in MGC. In transcriptome analysis, the expression of the T-cell inflamed gene set and co-stimulatory gene module was down-regulated in MGC compared to PGC. The total CD8+ T-cell density was an independent prognostic marker in both PGC and MGC (univariate P = 0.002, multivariate P = 0.006). Our result suggest that the TIME of metastatic tumors was less immunologically active compared to that of primary tumors in gastric cancer patients.
Colorimetric sensing of imidacloprid in cucumber fruits using a graphene quantum dot/Au (III) chemosensor
Authors: Babazadeh Saeedeh , Moghaddam Parviz Ahmadi , Keshipour Sajjad , Mollazade Kaveh 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe current research presents a very simple method for the colorimetric detection of imidacloprid using a graphene quantum dot/Au (III) chemosensor. The results demonstrated that there is an interaction between Au3+ ions and the imidazole group of the pesticide toward reduction of Au3+ to Au0 in the presence of graphene quantum dots. This phenomenon changes the color of gold nanoparticles from yellow to grey or red, and causes a shift in the peak of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) as gold nanoparticles are formed or aggregated based on the concentration of imidacloprid. Imidacloprid was determined by the developed sensor in a linear area of 0.01–1 ppm with a detection limit of 0.007 ppm. Therefore, a simple, quick, and sustainable sensor has been developed for the determination of the investigated analyte. Moreover, the sensor was applied to determine imidacloprid in the real cucumber samples fairly successful.
Prevalence and clinical implications of germline predisposition gene mutations in patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Kim Borahm , Yun Woobin , Lee Seung-Tae , Choi Jong Rok , Yoo Keon Hee , Koo Hong Hoe , Jung Chul Won , Kim Sun Hee 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most common types of leukemia. With the recent advances in sequencing technology and the growing body of knowledge on the genetics of AML, there is increasing concern about cancer predisposing germline mutations as well as somatic mutations. As familial cases sharing germline mutations are constantly reported, germline predisposition gene mutations in patients with AML are gaining attention. We performed genomic sequencing of Korean patients diagnosed with AML to identify the prevalence and characteristics of germline predisposition mutations. Among 180 patients, germline predisposition mutations were identified in 13 patients (13/180, 7.2%, eight adults and five children). Germline mutations of BLM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CTC1, DDX41, ERCC4, ERCC6, FANCI, FANCM, PALB2, and SBDS were identified. Most of the mutations are in genes involved in DNA repair and genomic stability maintenance. Patients harboring germline mutations tended to have earlier onset of AML (p = 0.005), however, the presence of germline mutations did not showed significant association with other clinical characteristics or treatment outcome. Since each mutation was rare, further study with a larger number of cases would be needed to establish the effect of the mutations.
Heritability estimates of the novel trait ‘suppressed in ovo virus infection’ in honey bees (Apis mellifera)
Authors: de Graaf Dirk C. , Laget Dries , De Smet Lina , Claeys Boúúaert David , Brunain Marleen , Veerkamp Roel F. , Brascamp Evert W. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHoney bees are under pressure due to abnormal high colony death rates, especially during the winter. The infestation by the Varroa destructor mite and the viruses that this ectoparasite transmits are generally considered as the bees’ most important biological threats. Almost all efforts to remedy this dual infection have so far focused on the control of the Varroa mite alone and not on the viruses it transmits. In the present study, the sanitary control of breeding queens was conducted on eggs taken from drone brood for 4 consecutive years (2015–2018). The screening was performed on the sideline of an ongoing breeding program, which allowed us to estimate the heritabilities of the virus status of the eggs. We used the term ‘suppressed in ovo virus infection’ (SOV) for this novel trait and found moderate heritabilities for the presence of several viruses simultaneously and for the presence of single viral species. Colonies that expressed the SOV trait seemed to be more resilient to virus infections as a whole with fewer and less severe Deformed wing virus infections in most developmental stages, especially in the male caste. The implementation of this novel trait into breeding programs is recommended.
Habitat preference and diverse migration in threespine sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus and G. nipponicus
Authors: Arai Takaomi , Ueno Daisuke , Kitamura Takefumi , Goto Akira 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThreespine sticklebacks of the genusGasterosteus, are small teleost fish that are widely distributed across the northern hemisphere. The fish is believed to have two major types of life history, freshwater resident and anadromous; however little is known about their migration ecology. Comprehensive research on the migratory history, habitat use and relative composition of migratory types was conducted by analysing the otolith strontium and calcium concentrations collected in various environments of northern Japan. The present study first demonstrated that approximately 90% of morphologically anadromous sticklebacks had estuarine resident migration pattern, consistently living in brackish water and/or marine environments through their life cycle without any time spent in freshwater. The dominant occurrence of the estuarine resident was temporally and spatially consistent with their general migration ecology. The estuarine resident is thought to be the ancestral migrations ofG. aculeatusandG. nipponicus, which thereafter gradually immigrated into freshwater habitats and settled in the anadromous form in both species and finally became the freshwater residentG. aculeatus. Thus, this study provides novel insights into the evolutionary migration of these fish, as well as a new discovery regarding the dominant migratory history and habitat use in threespine sticklebacks.
Edge effects on optically detected magnetic resonance of vacancy defects in hexagonal boron nitride
Authors: Sajid A. , Thygesen Kristian S. , Reimers Jeffrey R. , Ford Michael J. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe chemical and structural nature of defects responsible for quantum emission in hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) remain unknown. Optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) measured from these defects was reported in two recent papers. In one case, the ODMR was tentatively attributed to the negatively charged boron vacancy,$$V_{\mathrm{B}}^ -$$VB−. Here we show how the key optical and magnetic properties vary with location within the bulk and along edges of h-BN sheets for this and the negatively charged nitrogen vacancy,$$V_{\mathrm{N}}^ -$$VN−. Sign changes of the axial zero-field interaction parameterDare predicted, as well interchange of singlet and triplet ground states. Based on the latest experimental information, we assign the observed ODMR signal to bulk$$V_{\mathrm{B}}^ -$$VB−. The other observed ODMR has some features reminiscent of our calculations for$$V_{\mathrm{N}}^ -$$VN−edge defects.
Complete spatiotemporal and polarization characterization of ultrafast vector beams
Authors: Alonso Benjamín , Lopez-Quintas Ignacio , Holgado Warein , Drevinskas Rokas , Kazansky Peter G. , Hernández-García Carlos , Sola Íñigo J. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe use of structured ultrashort pulses with coupled spatiotemporal properties is emerging as a key tool for ultrafast manipulation. Ultrafast vector beams are opening exciting opportunities in different fields such as microscopy, time-resolved imaging, nonlinear optics, particle acceleration or attosecond science. Here, we implement a technique for the full characterization of structured time-dependent polarization light waveforms with spatiotemporal resolution, using a compact twofold spectral interferometer, based on in-line bulk interferometry and fibre-optic coupler assisted interferometry. We measure structured infrared femtosecond vector beams, including radially polarized beams and complex-shaped beams exhibiting both temporal and spatial evolving polarization. Our measurements confirm that light waveforms with polarization evolving at the micrometer and femtosecond scales can be achieved through the use of structured waveplates and polarization gates. This new scale of measurement achieved will open the way to predict, check and optimize applications of structured vector beams at the femtosecond and micrometer scales.
Atmospheric convection, dynamics and topography shape the scaling pattern of hourly rainfall extremes with temperature globally
Authors: Moustakis Yiannis , Onof Christian J. , Paschalis Athanasios 
Published: August 2020

AbstractPrecipitation extremes are expected to intensify under climate change as ground temperature rises with a rate similar to the air’s water holding capacity ~7%/K (Clausius-Clapeyron). Recent studies have been inconclusive on the robustness and global consistency of this behavior. Here, we use hourly weather stations, 40 years of climate reanalysis and two convection permitting models to unravel the global pattern of rainfall extremes scaling with temperature at the hourly scale and identify hotspots of divergence from thermodynamical expectations. We show that in high- and mid-latitudes precipitation extremes closely follow a Clausius-Clapeyron scaling, while divergence occurs over the tropics and subtropics. Local features of atmospheric convection, larger-scale dynamics and orography, affect the dependence of extreme rainfall on surface temperature.
Interactions between whey proteins and cranberry juice after thermal or non-thermal processing duringin vitrogastrointestinal digestion
Authors: Rios-Villa Karen A. , Bhattacharya Mrittika , La Ellia H. , Barile Daniela , Bornhorst Gail M. 
Published: August 2020

This study entails the possible interactions between whey protein and cranberry juice after processing, impacting either the protein digestibility or the bioaccessibility of cranberry antioxidants using an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model.