bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human placental uptake of glutamine and glutamate is reduced in fetal growth restriction
Authors: McIntyre Kirsty R. , Vincent Kirsty M. M. , Hayward Christina E. , Li Xiaojia , Sibley Colin P. , Desforges Michelle , Greenwood Susan L. , Dilworth Mark R. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFetal growth restriction (FGR) is a significant risk factor for stillbirth, neonatal complications and adulthood morbidity. Compared with those of appropriate weight for gestational age (AGA), FGR babies have smaller placentas with reduced activity of amino acid transporter systems A and L, thought to contribute to poor fetal growth. The amino acids glutamine and glutamate are essential for normal placental function and fetal development; whether transport of these is altered in FGR is unknown. We hypothesised that FGR is associated with reduced placental glutamine and glutamate transporter activity and expression, and propose the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway as a candidate mechanism. FGR infants [individualised birth weight ratio (IBR) < 5th centile] had lighter placentas, reduced initial rate uptake of 14C-glutamine and 14C-glutamate (per mg placental protein) but higher expression of key transporter proteins (glutamine: LAT1, LAT2, SNAT5, glutamate: EAAT1) versus AGA [IBR 20th–80th]. In further experiments, in vitro exposure to rapamycin inhibited placental glutamine and glutamate uptake (24 h, uncomplicated pregnancies) indicating a role of mTOR in regulating placental transport of these amino acids. These data support our hypothesis and suggest that abnormal glutamine and glutamate transporter activity is part of the spectrum of placental dysfunction in FGR.
Internet addiction among adolescents in Macau and mainland China: prevalence, demographics and quality of life
Authors: Xu Dan-Dan , Lok Ka-In , Liu Huan-Zhong , Cao Xiao-Lan , An Feng-Rong , Hall Brian J. , Ungvari Gabor S. , Lei Si-Man , Xiang Yu-Tao 
Published: October 2020

AbstractInternet addiction (IA) is common among adolescents and significantly determined by sociocultural and economic factors. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of IA among adolescents between Macau and mainland China and also examine its association with quality of life. A total of 2892 secondary school students were included. Standardized instruments were used to measure IA, depressive symptoms and quality of life. The overall prevalence of IA was 23.7%, with 32.5% in Macau and 19.8% in mainland China. Students in Macau were more likely to suffer from IA than those in mainland China (OR = 2.15, p < 0.001). Correlates of IA included being in higher school grades, poor academic performance, and more severe depressive symptoms. Students with IA reported lower quality of life in physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. IA is common among Chinese adolescents, particularly in Macau. Considering the negative impact of IA on health and quality of life, regular screening and effective interventions should be undertaken for young Internet users.
Effects of pre-oxidation on the corrosion behavior of pure Ti under coexistence of solid NaCl deposit and humid oxygen at 600 °C: the diffusion of chlorine
Authors: Fan Lei , Liu Li , Lv Yuhai , Wang Hao , Fu Anqing , Yuan Juntao , Li Ying , Wang Fuhui , Yin Chengxian 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe effect of pre-oxidation on the corrosion behavior of pure Ti covered with a solid NaCl deposit in the humid O2 flow at 600 °C is studied. The oxide scale, formed by pre-oxidation, protects the substrate from the NaCl induced corrosion during the initial stage. However, the corrosion of the pre-oxidized sample is severely accelerated by solid NaCl after an incubation period. The chlorine, generated from the decomposition of solid NaCl, diffuses into the oxide/substrate interface as ions during the incubation period, which was observed by ToF–SIMS. The chlorine at the oxide/substrate interface induces the fast corrosion after the incubation period although the pre-oxidation scale is complete and compact.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia-associated paraneoplastic pemphigus: potential cause and therapeutic strategies
Authors: Cao Lei , Wang Fei , Du Xin-Yi , Zhu Hua-Yuan , Wang Li , Xu Wei , Li Jian-Yong , Fan Lei 
Published: October 2020

AbstractParaneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is a severe autoimmune syndrome commonly triggered by neoplasms. The prognosis of CLL-associated PNP is dismal due to its refractory course and secondary infection and no standard treatment was recommended. We retrospectively reported six CLL with PNP cases from 842 cases of CLL including diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. The median time between the initial of CLL to PNP was 36 months while the median overall survival from the diagnosis of PNP was 26 months. And three cases died of lung infection while 5 developed pulmonary symptoms. And 5 cases received fludarabine-based chemotherapy before developing PNP, which suggesting fludarabine was one of potential causes of PNP. For the treatment, five patients were rescued by combined regimens including rituximab, methylprednisolone, immunoglobulin, fresh frozen plasma and the last received ibrutinib combined with short-term prednisone. Fludarabine-based regimen may be one of the potential causes of PNP. The combined regimen might shed a new light, while ibrutinib is a promising drug for CLL with PNP, but needs much more evidence. PNP should be carefully treated to guide early diagnosis and intervention for a better prognosis.
Differential side-effects of Bacillus thuringiensis bioinsecticide on non-target Drosophila flies
Authors: Babin Aurélie , Nawrot-Esposito Marie-Paule , Gallet Armel , Gatti Jean-Luc , Poirié Marylène 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBioinsecticides based on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spores and toxins are increasingly popular alternative solutions to control insect pests, with potential impact of their accumulation in the environment on non-target organisms. Here, we tested the effects of chronic exposure to commercial Bt formulations (Bt var. kurstaki and israelensis) on eight non-target Drosophila species present in Bt-treated areas, including D. melanogaster (four strains). Doses up to those recommended for field application (~ 106 Colony Forming Unit (CFU)/g fly medium) did not impact fly development, while no fly emerged at ≥ 1000-fold this dose. Doses between 10- to 100-fold the recommended one increased developmental time and decreased adult emergence rates in a dose-dependent manner, with species-and strain-specific effect amplitudes. Focusing on D. melanogaster, development alterations were due to instar-dependent larval mortality, and the longevity and offspring number of adult flies exposed to bioinsecticide throughout their development were moderately influenced. Our data also suggest a synergy between the formulation compounds (spores, cleaved toxins, additives) might induce the bioinsecticide effects on larval development. Although recommended doses had no impact on non-target Drosophila species, misuse or local environmental accumulation of Bt bioinsecticides could have side-effects on fly populations with potential implications for their associated communities.
In silico analysis and in vivo assessment of a novel epitope-based vaccine candidate against uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Hasanzadeh Sara , Habibi Mehri , Shokrgozar Mohammad Ali , Ahangari Cohan Reza , Ahmadi Khadijeh , Asadi Karam Mohammad Reza , Bouzari Saeid 
Published: October 2020

AbstractUropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are common pathogens in urinary tract infections (UTIs), which show resistance to antibiotics. Therefore, there is a need for a vaccine to reduce susceptibility to the infection. In the present study, bioinformatics approaches were employed to predict the best B and T-cell epitopes of UPEC virulence proteins to develop a multiepitope vaccine candidate against UPEC. Then, the efficacy of the candidate was studied with and without Freund adjuvant. Using bioinformatics methods, 3 epitope-rich domains of IutA and FimH antigens were selected to construct the fusion. Molecular docking and Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were employed to investigate in silico interaction between designed vaccine and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Our results showed that the levels of IgG and IgA antibodies were improved in the serum and mucosal samples of the vaccinated mice, and the IgG responses were maintained for at least 6 months. The fusion protein was also able to enhance the level of cytokines IFN.γ (Th1), IL.4 (Th2), and IL.17. In challenge experiments, all vaccine combinations showed high potency in the protection of the urinary tract even after 6 months post first injection. The present study indicates that the designed candidate is able to evoke strong protective responses which warrant further studies.
Regulating soil bacterial diversity, community structure and enzyme activity using residues from golden apple snails
Authors: Wang Jiaxin , Lu Xuening , Zhang Jiaen , Wei Guangchang , Xiong Yue 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIt has been shown that the golden apple snail (GAS, Pomacea canaliculata), which is a serious agricultural pest in Southeast Asia, can provide a soil amendment for the reversal of soil acidification and degradation. However, the impact of GAS residue (i.e., crushed, whole GAS) on soil bacterial diversity and community structure remains largely unknown. Here, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to measure bacterial abundance and community structure in soils amended with GAS residue and lime. The results suggest that adding GAS residue resulted in a significant variation in soil pH and nutrients (all P < 0.05), and resulted in a slightly alkaline (pH = 7.28–7.75) and nutrient-enriched soil, with amendment of 2.5–100 g kg−1 GAS residue. Soil nutrients (i.e., NO3-N and TN) and TOC contents were increased (by 132–912%), and some soil exocellular enzyme activities were enhanced (by 2–98%) in GAS residue amended soil, with amendment of 1.0–100 g kg−1 GAS residue. Bacterial OTU richness was 19% greater at the 2.5 g kg−1 GAS residue treatment than the control, while it was 40% and 53% lower at 100 g kg−1 of GAS residue and 50 g kg−1 of lime amended soils, respectively. Firmicutes (15–35%) was the most abundant phylum while Bacterioidetes (1–6%) was the lowest abundant one in GAS residue amended soils. RDA results suggest that the contents of soil nutrients (i.e., NO3-N and TN) and soil TOC explained much more of the variations of bacterial community than pH in GAS residue amended soil. Overuse of GAS residue would induce an anaerobic soil environment and reduce bacterial OTU richness. Soil nutrients and TOC rather than pH might be the main factors that are responsible for the changes of bacterial OTU richness and bacterial community structure in GAS residue amended soil.
SecY-mediated quality control prevents the translocation of non-gated porins
Authors: Jung Sebastian , Bader Verian , Natriashvili Ana , Koch Hans-Georg , Winklhofer Konstanze F. , Tatzelt Jörg 
Published: October 2020

AbstractOmpC and OmpF are among the most abundant outer membrane proteins in E. coli and serve as hydrophilic channels to mediate uptake of small molecules including antibiotics. Influx selectivity is controlled by the so-called constriction zone or eyelet of the channel. Mutations in the loop domain forming the eyelet can disrupt transport selectivity and thereby interfere with bacterial viability. In this study we show that a highly conserved motif of five negatively charged amino acids in the eyelet, which is critical to regulate pore selectivity, is also required for SecY-mediated transport of OmpC and OmpF into the periplasm. Variants with a deleted or mutated motif were expressed in the cytosol and translocation was initiated. However, after signal peptide cleavage, import into the periplasm was aborted and the mutated proteins were redirected to the cytosol. Strikingly, reducing the proof-reading capacity of SecY by introducing the PrlA4 substitutions restored transport of OmpC with a mutated channel domain into the periplasm. Our study identified a SecY-mediated quality control pathway to restrict transport of outer membrane porin proteins with a deregulated channel activity into the periplasm.
Cryo-electron microscopy structure of the 70S ribosome from Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Murphy Eileen L. , Singh Kavindra V. , Avila Bryant , Kleffmann Torsten , Gregory Steven T. , Murray Barbara E. , Krause Kurt L. , Khayat Reza , Jogl Gerwald 
Published: October 2020

AbstractEnterococcus faecalis is a gram-positive organism responsible for serious infections in humans, but as with many bacterial pathogens, resistance has rendered a number of commonly used antibiotics ineffective. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of the E. faecalis 70S ribosome to a global resolution of 2.8 Å. Structural differences are clustered in peripheral and solvent exposed regions when compared with Escherichia coli, whereas functional centres, including antibiotic binding sites, are similar to other bacterial ribosomes. Comparison of intersubunit conformations among five classes obtained after three-dimensional classification identifies several rotated states. Large ribosomal subunit protein bL31, which forms intersubunit bridges to the small ribosomal subunit, assumes different conformations in the five classes, revealing how contacts to the small subunit are maintained throughout intersubunit rotation. A tRNA observed in one of the five classes is positioned in a chimeric pe/E position in a rotated ribosomal state. The 70S ribosome structure of E. faecalis now extends our knowledge of bacterial ribosome structures and may serve as a basis for the development of novel antibiotic compounds effective against this pathogen.
Food-borne Lactiplantibacillus plantarum protect normal intestinal cells against inflammation by modulating reactive oxygen species and IL-23/IL-17 axis
Authors: Prete Roberta , Garcia-Gonzalez Natalia , Di Mattia Carla D. , Corsetti Aldo , Battista Natalia 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFood-associated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lpb. plantarum) strains, previously classified as Lactobacillus plantarum, are a promising strategy to face intestinal inflammatory diseases. Our study was aimed at clarifying the protective role of food-borne Lpb. plantarum against inflammatory damage by testing the scavenging microbial ability both in selected strains and in co-incubation with normal mucosa intestinal cells (NCM460). Here, we show that Lpb. plantarum endure high levels of induced oxidative stress through partially neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS), whereas they elicit their production when co-cultured with NCM460. Moreover, pre-treatment with food-borne Lpb. plantarum significantly reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17F and IL-23 levels in inflamed NCM460 cells. Our results suggest that food-vehicled Lpb. plantarum strains might reduce inflammatory response in intestinal cells by directly modulating local ROS production and by triggering the IL-23/IL-17 axis with future perspectives on health benefits in the gut derived by the consumption of functional foods enriched with selected strains.
Exponentially decaying modes and long-term prediction of sea ice concentration using Koopman mode decomposition
Authors: Hogg James , Fonoberova Maria , Mezić Igor 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSea ice cover in the Arctic and Antarctic is an important indicator of changes in the climate, with important environmental, economic and security consequences. The complexity of the spatio-temporal dynamics of sea ice makes it difficult to assess the temporal nature of the changes—e.g. linear or exponential—and their precise geographical loci. In this study, Koopman Mode Decomposition (KMD) is applied to satellite data of sea ice concentration for the Northern and Southern hemispheres to gain insight into the temporal and spatial dynamics of the sea ice behavior and to predict future sea ice behavior. We observe spatial modes corresponding to the mean and annual variation of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice concentration and observe decreases in the mean sea ice concentration from early to later periods, as well as corresponding shifts in the locations that undergo significant annual variation in sea ice concentration. We discover exponentially decaying spatial modes in both hemispheres and discuss their precise spatial extent, and also perform predictions of future sea ice concentration. The Koopman operator-based, data-driven decomposition technique gives insight into spatial and temporal dynamics of sea ice concentration not apparent in traditional approaches.
Diagnostic values of Xpert MTB/RIF, T-SPOT.TB and adenosine deaminase for HIV-negative tuberculous pericarditis in a high burden setting: a prospective observational study
Authors: Hu Xu , Xing Baochun , Wang Wei , Yang Pengwei , Sun Yumei , Zheng Xiangyang , Shang Yaomin , Chen Feifei , Liu Nai , Yang Lu , Zhao Yue , Tan Jiao , Zhang Xueya , Wang Yan , Zhang Zhengxun , Liu Yaqian 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis (TBP) remains challenging. This prospective study evaluated the diagnostic value of Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) and T-SPOT.TB and adenosine deaminase (ADA) for TBP in a high burden setting. A total of 123 HIV-negative patients with suspected TBP were enrolled at a tertiary referral hospital in China. Pericardial fluids were collected and subjected to the three rapid tests, and the results were compared with the final confirmed diagnosis. Of 105 patients in the final analysis, 39 (37.1%) were microbiologically, histopathologically or clinically diagnosed with TBP. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) for Xpert were 66.7%, 98.5%, 96.3%, 83.3%, 44.0, 0.338, and 130.0, respectively, compared to 92.3%, 87.9%, 81.8%, 95.1%, 7.6, 0.088, and 87.0, respectively, for T-SPOT.TB, and 82.1%, 92.4%, 86.5%, 89.7%, 10.8, 0.194, and 55.8, respectively, for ADA (≥ 40 U/L). ROC curve analysis revealed a cut-off point of 48.5 spot-forming cells per million pericardial effusion mononuclear cells for T-SPOT.TB, which had a DOR value of 183.8, while a cut-off point of 41.5 U/L for ADA had a DOR value of 70.9. Xpert (Step 1: rule-in) followed by T-SPOT.TB [cut-off point] (Step 2: rule-out) showed the highest DOR value of 252.0, with only 5.7% (6/105) of patients misdiagnosed. The two-step algorithm consisting of Xpert and T-SPOT.TB could offer rapid and accurate diagnosis of TBP.
Waist-to-height ratio is a better discriminator of cardiovascular disease than other anthropometric indicators in Kurdish adults
Authors: Pasdar Yahya , Moradi Shima , Moludi Jalal , Saiedi Somaiyeh , Moradinazar Mehdi , Hamzeh Behrooz , Jafarabadi Mohammad Asghari , Najafi Farid 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIt has been suggested that abdominal obesity might be a better cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) discriminator than overall obesity. The most appropriate obesity measures for estimating CVD events in Kurdish populations have not been well-recognized. The objective of the present study was, therefore, to determine the cutoff points of BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist to height ratio (WHtR) as the diagnostic cut-offs to discriminate the prevalent cardiovascular diseases. The data collected from Ravansar Non-Communicable Disease (RaNCD) cohort, the first Kurdish population-based study, was analyzed. The information related to BMI, WC, WHR and WHtR of 10,065 adult participants in the age range of 35–65 was analyzed in this study. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were conducted to evaluate the optimum cut-off values and to predict the incidence of cardiac events. The results showed that WHtR had the largest areas under the ROC curve for cardiac events in both male and female participants, and this was followed by WHR, WC, and BMI. The optimal cut-off values for determining the cardiac events in the Kurdish population were BMI = 27.02 kg/m2 for men and BMI = 27.60 kg/m2 for women, WC = 96.05 cm in men and 99.5 cm for women, WHRs = 0.96 in both sexes, and WHtR = 0.56 for men and 0.65 for women. The current study, therefore, showed that WHtR might serve as a better index of prevalent cardiac event than BMI, WHR and WC.
Silencing of Testin expression is a frequent event in spontaneous lymphomas from Trp53-mutant mice
Authors: Weeks Robert J. , Ludgate Jackie L. , Le Mée Gwenn , Khanal Rubina , Mehta Sunali , Williams Gail , Slatter Tania L. , Braithwaite Antony W. , Morison Ian M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe tumour suppressor gene, TES, is frequently methylated in many human tumours. Previously, we demonstrated that TES promoter methylation and transcriptional silencing was the most common molecular abnormality detected in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Trp53-mutant mouse models predominantly develop B- and T-cell lymphomas, which are widely considered equivalent to childhood T and B ALL. In this study, we examined expression of Tes transcript and Testin protein in spontaneous tumours obtained from three Trp53-mutant mouse models. Using immunohistochemistry, we report that 47% of lymphomas lacked Testin protein compared to only 7% of non-lymphoid tumours. Further examination of the lymphomas from Trp53-null and Trp53-mΔpro homozygous mutant mice revealed that 63% and 69% respectively of the isolated lymphomas were Testin negative, which is similar to reported rates in childhood T-ALL. Surprisingly, lymphomas from Trp53-Δ122 mice were frequently Testin positive (> 60%), suggesting that the presence of the Trp53-Δ122 protein appeared to mitigate the requirement for Tes silencing in lymphomagenesis. Quantitative RT-PCR results confirmed that this lack of Testin protein was due to Tes transcriptional silencing, although bisulfite sequencing demonstrated that this was not due to promoter methylation. These results are consistent with the Testin protein having lymphoid tumour suppressor activity in both mice and humans.