bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transovarial transmission of Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes ricinus under field conditions extrapolated from DNA detection in questing larvae
Authors: Hauck Daniela , Jordan Daniela , Springer Andrea , Schunack Bettina , Pachnicke Stefan , Fingerle Volker , Strube Christina 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Ixodes ricinus constitutes the main European vector tick for the Lyme borreliosis pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato), the relapsing fever borrelia Borrelia miyamotoi, as well as Anaplasma phagocytophilum and several Rickettsia species. Under laboratory conditions, a transovarial transmission to the next tick generation is described for Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia spp., especially regarding B. miyamotoi, whereas the efficiency of transovarial transfer under field conditions is largely unstudied.

Methods
In order to better estimate the potential infection risk by tick larvae for humans and animals, 1500 I. ricinus larvae from 50 collected “nests” (larvae adhering to the flag in a clumped manner) were individually examined for Borrelia, Rickettsia and A. phagocytophilum DNA using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR).

Results
Thirty-nine of 50 nests each (78.0%, 95% CI: 64.0–88.5%) were positive for Borrelia spp. and Rickettsia spp. DNA, and in three nests (6.0%, 95% CI: 1.3–16.5%) A. phagocytophilum DNA was detected. Overall, DNA from at least one pathogen could be detected in 90.0% (45/50, 95% CI: 78.2–96.7%) of the nests. Of the 1500 larvae, 137 were positive for Borrelia spp. DNA (9.1%, 95% CI: 7.7–10.7%), 341 for Rickettsia spp. DNA (22.7%, 95% CI: 20.6–24.9%) and three for A. phagocytophilum DNA (0.2%, 95% CI: 0–0.6%). Quantity of Borrelia spp. and Anaplasma spp. DNA in positive larvae was low, with 2.7 × 100Borrelia 5S-23S gene copies and 2.4 × 101A. phagocytophilum msp2/p44 gene copies detected on average, while Rickettsia-positive samples contained on average 5.4 × 102gltA gene copies. Coinfections were found in 66.0% (33/50, 95% CI: 51.2–78.8%) of the nests and 8.6% (38/443, 95% CI: 6.1–11.6%) of positive larvae. In fact, larvae had a significantly higher probability of being infected with Borrelia spp. or Rickettsia spp. when both pathogens were present in the nest.

Conclusions
This study provides evidence for transovarial transmission of Rickettsia spp. and Borrelia spp. in I. ricinus under field conditions, possibly facilitating pathogen persistence in the ecosystem and reducing the dependence on the presence of suitable reservoir hosts. Further studies are needed to prove transovarial transmission and to explain the surprisingly high proportion of nests containing Rickettsia and/or Borrelia DNA-positive larvae compared to infection rates in adult ticks commonly reported in other studies.
Does winter cold really limit the dengue vector Aedes aegypti in Europe?
Authors: Kramer Isabelle M. , Kreß Aljoscha , Klingelhöfer Doris , Scherer Christian , Phuyal Parbati , Kuch Ulrich , Ahrens Bodo , Groneberg David A. , Dhimal Meghnath , Müller Ruth 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Aedes aegypti is a potential vector for several arboviruses including dengue and Zika viruses. The species seems to be restricted to subtropical/tropical habitats and has difficulties in establishing permanent populations in southern Europe, probably due to constraints during the winter season. The aim of this study was to systematically analyze the cold tolerance (CT) of Ae. aegypti in its most cold-resistant life stage, the eggs.

Methods
The CT of Ae. aegypti eggs was compared with that of Ae. albopictus which is well established in large parts of Europe. By systematically studying the literature (meta-analysis), we recognized that CT has been rarely tested in Ae. aegypti eggs, but eggs can survive at zero and sub-zero temperatures for certain exposure periods. To overcome potential bias from experimental differences between studies, we then conducted species comparisons using a harmonized high-resolution CT measuring method. From subtropical populations of the same origin, the survival (hatching in %) and emergence of adults of both species were measured after zero and sub-zero temperature exposures for up to 9 days (3 °C, 0 °C and − 2 °C: ≤ 9 days; − 6 °C: ≤ 2 days).

Results
Our data show that Ae. aegypti eggs can survive low and sub-zero temperatures for a short time period similar to or even better than those of Ae. albopictus. Moreover, after short sub-zero exposures of eggs of both species, individuals still developed into viable adults (Ae. aegypti: 3 adults emerged after 6 days at − 2 °C, Ae. albopictus: 1 adult emerged after 1 day at − 6 °C).

Conclusions
Thus, both the literature and the present experimental data indicate that a cold winter may not be the preventing factor for the re-establishment of the dengue vector Ae. aegypti in southern Europe.
Use of alternative bioassays to explore the impact of pyrethroid resistance on LLIN efficacy
Authors: Grossman Marissa K. , Oliver Shüné V. , Brooke Basil D. , Thomas Matthew B. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
There is substantial concern that the spread of insecticide resistance will render long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) ineffective. However, there is limited evidence supporting a clear association between insecticide resistance and malaria incidence or prevalence in the field. We suggest that one reason for this disconnect is that the standard WHO assays used in surveillance to classify mosquito populations as resistant are not designed to determine how resistance might impact LLIN efficacy. The standard assays expose young, unfed female mosquitoes to a diagnostic insecticide dose in a single, forced exposure, whereas in the field, mosquitoes vary in their age, blood-feeding status, and the frequency or intensity of LLIN exposure. These more realistic conditions could ultimately impact the capacity of “resistant” mosquitoes to transmit malaria.

Methods
Here, we test this hypothesis using two different assays that allow female mosquitoes to contact a LLIN as they host-seek and blood-feed. We quantified mortality after both single and multiple exposures, using seven different strains of Anopheles ranging in pyrethroid resistance intensity.

Results
We found that strains classified as 1×-resistant to the pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin in the standard WHO assay exhibited > 90% mortality over 24 h following more realistic LLIN contact. Mosquitoes that were able to blood-feed had increased survival compared to their unfed counterparts, but none of the 1×-resistant strains survived for 12 days post-exposure (the typical period for malaria parasite development within the mosquito). Mosquitoes that were 5×- and 10×-resistant (i.e. moderate or high intensity resistance based on the WHO assays) survived a single LLIN exposure well. However, only about 2–3% of these mosquitoes survived multiple exposures over the course of 12 days and successfully blood-fed during the last exposure.

Conclusions
These results suggest that the standard assays provide limited insight into how resistance might impact LLIN efficacy. In our laboratory setting, there appears little functional consequence of 1×-resistance and even mosquitoes with moderate (5×) or high (10×) intensity resistance can suffer substantial reduction in transmission potential. Monitoring efforts should focus on better characterizing intensity of resistance to inform resistance management strategies and prioritize deployment of next generation vector control products.
Opportunistic infections in immunosuppressed patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: analysis by the Pharmachild Safety Adjudication Committee
Authors:   for the Paediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organisation (PRINTO), Giancane Gabriella , Swart Joost F. , Castagnola Elio , Groll Andreas H. , Horneff Gerd , Huppertz Hans-Iko , Lovell Daniel J. , Wolfs Tom , Herlin Troels , Dolezalova Pavla , Sanner Helga , Susic Gordana , Sztajnbok Flavio , Maritsi Despoina , Constantin Tamas , Vargova Veronika , Sawhney Sujata , Rygg Marite , K. Oliveira Sheila , Cattalini Marco , Bovis Francesca , Bagnasco Francesca , Pistorio Angela , Martini Alberto , Wulffraat Nico , Ruperto Nicolino 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo derive a list of opportunistic infections (OI) through the analysis of the juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients in the Pharmachild registry by an independent Safety Adjudication Committee (SAC).MethodsThe SAC (3 pediatric rheumatologists and 2 pediatric infectious disease specialists) elaborated and approved by consensus a provisional list of OI for use in JIA. Through a 5 step-procedure, all the severe and serious infections, classified as per MedDRA dictionary and retrieved in the Pharmachild registry, were evaluated by the SAC by answering six questions and adjudicated with the agreement of 3/5 specialists. A final evidence-based list of OI resulted by matching the adjudicated infections with the provisional list of OI.ResultsA total of 772 infectious events in 572 eligible patients, of which 335 serious/severe/very severe non-OI and 437 OI (any intensity/severity), according to the provisional list, were retrieved. Six hundred eighty-two of 772 (88.3%) were adjudicated as infections, of them 603/682 (88.4%) as common and 119/682 (17.4%) as OI by the SAC. Matching these 119 opportunistic events with the provisional list, 106 were confirmed by the SAC as OI, and among them infections by herpes viruses were the most frequent (68%), followed by tuberculosis (27.4%). The remaining events were divided in the groups of non-OI and possible/patient and/or pathogen-related OI.ConclusionsWe found a significant number of OI in JIA patients on immunosuppressive therapy. The proposed list of OI, created by consensus and validated in the Pharmachild cohort, could facilitate comparison among future pharmacovigilance studies.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.govNCT 01399281; ENCePP seal: awarded on 25 November 2011.
SCN2A channelopathies in the autism spectrum of neuropsychiatric disorders: a role for pluripotent stem cells?
Authors: Kruth Karina A. , Grisolano Tierney M. , Ahern Christopher A. , Williams Aislinn J. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractEfforts to identify the causes of autism spectrum disorders have highlighted the importance of both genetics and environment, but the lack of human models for many of these disorders limits researchers’ attempts to understand the mechanisms of disease and to develop new treatments. Induced pluripotent stem cells offer the opportunity to study specific genetic and environmental risk factors, but the heterogeneity of donor genetics may obscure important findings. Diseases associated with unusually high rates of autism, such as SCN2A syndromes, provide an opportunity to study specific mutations with high effect sizes in a human genetic context and may reveal biological insights applicable to more common forms of autism. Loss-of-function mutations in the SCN2A gene, which encodes the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.2, are associated with autism rates up to 50%. Here, we review the findings from experimental models of SCN2A syndromes, including mouse and human cell studies, highlighting the potential role for patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell technology to identify the molecular and cellular substrates of autism.
Long-chain n-alkane biodegradation coupling to methane production in an enriched culture from production water of a high-temperature oil reservoir
Authors: Chen Jing , Liu Yi-Fan , Zhou Lei , Irfan Muhammad , Hou Zhao-Wei , Li Wei , Mbadinga Serge Maurice , Liu Jin-Feng , Yang Shi-Zhong , Wu Xiao-Lin , Gu Ji-Dong , Mu Bo-Zhong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractParaffinic n-alkanes (C22–C30), crucial portions of residual oil, are generally considered to be difficult to be biodegraded owing to their general solidity at ambient temperatures and low water solubility, rendering relatively little known about metabolic processes in different methanogenic hydrocarbon-contaminated environments. Here, we established a methanogenic C22–C30 n-alkane-degrading enrichment culture derived from a high-temperature oil reservoir production water. During two-year incubation (736 days), unexpectedly significant methane production was observed. The measured maximum methane yield rate (164.40 μmol L−1 d−1) occurred during the incubation period from day 351 to 513. The nearly complete consumption (> 97%) of paraffinic n-alkanes and the detection of dicarboxylic acids in n-alkane-amended cultures indicated the biotransformation of paraffin to methane under anoxic condition. 16S rRNA gene analysis suggested that the dominant methanogen in n-alkane-degrading cultures shifted from Methanothermobacter on day 322 to Thermoplasmatales on day 736. Bacterial community analysis based on high-throughput sequencing revealed that members of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes exhibiting predominant in control cultures, while microorganisms affiliated with Actinobacteria turned into the most dominant phylum in n-alkane-dependent cultures. Additionally, the relative abundance of mcrA gene based on genomic DNA significantly increased over the incubation time, suggesting an important role of methanogens in these consortia. This work extends our understanding of methanogenic paraffinic n-alkanes conversion and has biotechnological implications for microbial enhanced recovery of residual hydrocarbons and effective bioremediation of hydrocarbon-containing biospheres.
Silver ion bioreduction in nanoparticles using Artemisia annua L. extract: characterization and application as antibacterial agents
Authors: Aghajanyan Anush , Gabrielyan Lilit , Schubert Robin , Trchounian Armen 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe biological synthesis of metal nanoparticles using plant extracts with defined size and morphology is a simple, nontoxic and environmentally friendly method. The present study focused on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) by Artemisia annua L. extract as reducing and stabilising agent. The Ag NPs function, as antibacterial agents, is with that they are further used in human therapy. The effects of pH and temperature on the synthesis of NPs were characterized by UV-absorption spectroscopy and shown by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band at 410 nm. NPs’ size and morphology were measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). TEM images showed that Ag NPs were in a nano-sized range (20–90 nm) and had spherical shape. Our findings demonstrated that lower concentration (100 µg mL−1) of the biogenic Ag NPs exhibited antibacterial activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli BW 25113 and Gram-positive Enterococcus hirae ATCC 9790.
Discriminative features based on modified log magnitude spectrum for playback speech detection
Authors: Yang Jichen , Xu Longting , Ren Bo , Ji Yunyun 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn order to improve the performance of hand-crafted features to detect playback speech, two discriminative features, constant-Q variance-based octave coefficients and constant-Q mean-based octave coefficients, are proposed for playback speech detection in this work. They rely on our findings that variance-based modified log magnitude spectrum and mean-based modified log magnitude spectrum can enhance the discriminative power between genuine speech and playback speech. Then constant-Q variance-based octave coefficients (constant-Q mean-based octave coefficients) can be obtained by combining variance-based modified log magnitude spectrum (mean-based modified log magnitude spectrum), octave segmentation, and discrete cosine transform. Finally, constant-Q variance-based octave coefficients and constant-Q mean-based octave coefficients are evaluated on ASVspoof 2017 corpus version 2.0 and ASVspoof 2019 physical access, respectively. Experimental results show that variance-based modified log magnitude spectrum and mean-based modified log magnitude spectrum can produce discriminative features toward playback speech. Further results on the two databases show that constant-Q variance-based octave coefficients and constant-Q mean-based octave coefficients can perform better than some common features, such as mel frequency cepstral coefficients and constant-Q cepstral coefficients.
A lower bound for the area of Plateau foams
Authors: Gimeno Vicent , Markvorsen Steen , Sotoca José M. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractReal foams can be viewed as geometrically well-organized dispersions of more or less spherical bubbles in a liquid. When the foam is so drained that the liquid content significantly decreases, the bubbles become polyhedral-like and the foam can be viewed now as a network of thin liquid films intersecting each other at the Plateau borders according to the celebrated Plateau’s laws.In this paper we estimate from below the surface area of a spherically bounded piece of a foam. Our main tool is a new version of the divergence theorem which is adapted to the specific geometry of a foam with special attention to its classical Plateau singularities.As a benchmark application of our results, we obtain lower bounds for the fundamental cell of a Kelvin foam, lower bounds for the so-called cost function, and for the difference of the pressures appearing in minimal periodic foams. Moreover, we provide an algorithm whose input is a set of isolated points in space and whose output is the best lower bound estimate for the area of a foam that contains the given set as its vertex set.
Tendon regeneration and muscle hypotrophy after isolated Gracilis tendon harvesting - a pilot study
Authors: Flies Anne , Denecke Timm , Kraus Natascha , Kruppa Philipp , Provencher Matthew T. , Becker Roland , Kopf Sebastian 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPurposeThe gracilis tendon (GT) is a commonly used autologous graft in Orthopaedic surgery. The majority of information on knee function and outcomes after hamstring harvest is related to both semitendinosus and GT harvest. Little is known regarding isolated harvest of a GT. It was hypothesized that isolated GT harvest would lead to altered gait patterns (e.g. augmented anterior-posterior translation or rotation in the tibiofemoral joint) and consequently a higher prevalence of cartilage lesions and meniscal tears in knees.MethodsGT harvesting was performed on patients with chronic acromioclavicular joint instability without previous knee injuries or surgeries. MRI of both knees and thighs were performed. Knee MRI were evaluated using the Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS). Inter- and intraobserver reliabilities, cross-sectional areas of different muscles, fatty infiltration of the gracilis muscle (GM) and GT regeneration were evaluated. The contralateral limb served as reference. The observers were blinded towards the identity of the patients and the operatively treated side.ResultsAfter a mean time of 44 months after surgery testing was performed on 12 patients. No significant side-to-side differences were found using WORMS, although there was a trend towards increased cartilage lesions after GT harvest (median healthy knee 4.8 and GT harvested knee 7.8p = 0.086).Inter- and intraobserver repeatability was high with 0.899 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.708–0.960) and 0.988 (95% CI 0.973–0.995), respectively. A significant hypotrophy of the GM with a mean decrease of 25.3%, 18.4% and 16.9% occurred at 25% (p = 0.016), 50% (p = 0.007) and 75% (p = 0.002) of the length of the femur from distal. No compensatory hypertrophy of other thigh muscles or increased fatty infiltration of the GM was found. Tendon regeneration took place in eight out of 12 patients. In case of regeneration, the regenerated tendon inserted in a more proximal place.ConclusionIsolated harvest of the GT for shoulder procedures did not affect knee MRI significantly indicating therefore in general suitable graft utilization for surgeries outside of the knee. GT regenerated in most patients with just a more proximal insertion and a hypotrophy of the muscle belly.
Interaction of enzymes with lignocellulosic materials: causes, mechanism and influencing factors
Authors: Baig K. S. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractFor the production of biofuel (bioethanol), enzymatic adsorption onto a lignocellulosic biomass surface is a prior condition for the enzymatic hydrolysis process to occur. Lignocellulosic substances are mainly composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The polysaccharide matrix (cellulose and hemicellulose) is capable of producing bioethanol. Therefore, lignin is removed or its concentration is reduced from the adsorption substrates by pretreatments. Selected enzymes are used for the production of reducing sugars from cellulosic materials, which in turn are converted to bioethanol. Adsorption of enzymes onto the substrate surface is a complicated process. A large number of research have been performed on the adsorption process, but little has been done to understand the mechanism of adsorption process. This article reviews the mechanisms of adsorption of enzymes onto the biomass surfaces. A conceptual adsorption mechanism is presented which will fill the gaps in literature and help researchers and industry to use adsorption more efficiently. The process of enzymatic adsorption starts with the reciprocal interplay of enzymes and substrates and ends with the establishment of molecular and cellular binding. The kinetics of an enzymatic reaction is almost the same as that of a characteristic chemical catalytic reaction. The influencing factors discussed in detail are: surface characteristics of the participating materials, the environmental factors, such as the associated flow conditions, temperature, concentration, etc. Pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials and optimum range of shear force and temperature for getting better results of adsorption are recommended.
Systematic characterization of the ubiquitin-specific proteases in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Cai Xuan , Wang Zhao , Hou Yuxi , Liu Caiyun , Hendy Ahmed , Xing Junjie , Chen Xiao-Lin 
Published: April 2020

AbstractUbiquitin-specific protease (UBP) family is the largest group of deubiquitinases, which plays important roles in eukaryotic organisms. Comprehensive analysis ofUBPgenes has not been conducted in the plant pathogenic fungi. In this study, 11 putativeUBPgenes were identified and characterized in the rice blast fungusMagnaporthe oryzae. Expression profile analysis showed thatUBP3,UBP6,UBP12andUBP14were highly expressed in different tissues ofM. oryzae. In allubpmutants, especially Δubp3, Δubp12and previously reported Δubp14,the ubiquitination levels were evidently elevated, which is consistent with their molecular roles in de-ubiquitination. The Δubp1, Δubp3, Δubp4, Δubp8and Δubp14mutants were reduced in colony growth. Most of theubpmutants were severely reduced in conidia production capacity, indicating important roles of theUBPsin conidia formation. Except for Δubp2and Δubp16, all of the other mutants were decreased in virulence to host plants and defective in invasive growth. Theseubpmutants also induced massive ROS accumulation in host cells. We also found that theUBPs may function as both positive and negative regulators in stress response and nutrient utilization ofM. oryzae. Collectively, UBPs are important for development, stress response, nutrient utilization and infection ofM. oryzae.