bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protein kinase C‐δ interacts with and phosphorylates ARD1
Authors: Chun Kwang‐Hoon , Cho Seung‐Ju , Lee Ji‐Won , Seo Ji Hae , Kim Kyu‐Won , Lee Seung‐Ki 
Published: June 2020

AbstractProtein kinase C‐δ (PKCδ) is a diacylglycerol‐dependent, calcium‐independent novel PKC isoform that is engaged in various cell signaling pathways, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. In this study, we searched for proteins that bind PKCδ using a yeast two‐hybrid assay and identified murine arrest‐defective 1 (mARD1) as a binding partner. The interaction between PKCδ and mARD1 was confirmed by glutathione S‐transferase pull‐down and co‐immunoprecipitation assays. Furthermore, recombinant PKCδ phosphorylated full‐length mARD1 protein. The NetPhos online prediction tool suggested PKCδ phosphorylates Ser80, Ser108, and Ser114 residues of mARD1 with the highest probability. Based on these results, we synthesized peptides containing these sites and examined their phosphorylations using recombinant PKCδ. Autoradiography confirmed these sites were efficiently phosphorylated. Consequent mass spectrometry and peptide sequencing in combination with MALDI‐TOF MS/MS confirmed that Ser80 and Ser108 were major phosphorylation sites. The alanine mutations of Ser80 and Ser108 abolished the phosphorylation of mARD1 by PKCδ in 293T cells supporting these observations. In addition, kinase assays using various PKC isotypes showed that Ser80 of ARD1 was phosphorylated by PKCβI and PKCζ isotypes with the highest selectivity, while Ser108 and/or Ser114 were phosphorylated by PKCγ with activities comparable to that of the PKCδ isoform. Overall, these results suggest the possibility that PKCδ transduces signals by regulating phosphorylation of ARD1.
Microwave assisted synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of novel substituted thiosemicarbazide derivatives of pyrimidine
Authors: Panneerselvam Theivendren , Mandhadi Jithendar Reddy 
Published: June 2020

AbstractA new series of antimicrobial thiosemicarbazide substituted pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized by using thiosemicarbazide and ethyl 2‐((2‐amino‐5‐carbamoyl‐6‐[substituted benzyl] pyrimidin‐4‐yl)oxy)acetate derivatives and subsequent addition of acetaldehyde and acetone. The designed compounds were screened for Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumonia in comparison with the standard drugs Ciprofloxacin and antifungal effect against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigates in comparison with the standard drug Ketoconazole reveal the potency of synthesized derivatives. In accordance with the data obtained from antimicrobial activity, all the synthesized derivatives have shown good activity against the tested microbes. Among them, compound bearing 2‐hydroxy and 3‐chloro derivatives of thiosemicarbazide substituted pyrimidine has shown good activity against all the tested organisms.
Impact of Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing Outcomes and Dysphagia Management in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Tye Cooper B. , Gardner Philip A. , Dion Gregory R. , Simpson C. Blake , Dominguez Laura M. 
Published: June 2020

Objectives/HypothesisTo determine the incidence of abnormal fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) findings in patients with progressive neurologic disorders and identify the most commonly implemented dysphagia management strategies.Study DesignRetrospective Review.MethodsA retrospective review was performed of patients with neurodegenerative disease who underwent FEES at a tertiary‐care center between 2008 and 2019. Patient demographics, diagnosis, and Eating Assessment Tool‐10 (EAT‐10) scores were recorded. Rates of penetration, aspiration, and functional change in management (FCIM) to include dietary modifications, home exercises, swallow therapy, surgical intervention (injection augmentation or esophageal dilation), or alternative means of nutrition (i.e., percutaneous enteral gastrostomy [PEG] tube) were calculated.ResultsTwo hundred nine FEES assessments were performed in 178 patients with a mean age of 64.8 years (standard deviation = ±14). The most common diagnoses were amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (32%) followed by Parkinson's disease or Parkinsonism (26%). FEES demonstrated penetration in 72.5% of patients and aspiration in 14.6%. Mean EAT‐10 scores differed between patients with aspiration versus penetration versus normal FEES (24.7 vs. 14.9 vs. 13.9, respectively, P < .001). An FCIM was recommended in 88% of patients and most commonly included self‐directed modifications (43%). Overall, 4.5% of patients underwent surgical intervention. A PEG tube was recommended for either supplemental or sole form of nutrition in 19% of the entire cohort.ConclusionsMost patients with neurodegenerative diseases presenting with dysphagia demonstrated abnormal FEES findings necessitating an FCIM, suggesting early dysphagia evaluation may be warranted in this cohort. These findings correlate with worsened EAT‐10 scores in patients with aspiration or penetration on FEES.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 131:726–730, 2021
Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy of Singular Plasmonic Metasurfaces
Authors: Yang Fan , Huidobro Paloma Arroyo , Pendry J. B. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSingular plasmonic metasurfaces, which feature sharp edges or ultra‐small gaps, are characterized by a continuous excitation spectrum that results in broadband light‐harvesting properties. In this paper, an analytical study of the electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) of this kind of metasurfaces is presented. Making use of transformation optics, the response of singular metasurfaces is studied when interacting with a moving electron both in the frequency and time domains. This allows gaining a deeper understanding of the surface plasmon compression at the singularities, which is responsible for the broadband spectra, as well as of the effect of blunt singularities and nonlocality in the metal. Two instances of singular metasurfaces are considered: one with sharp singularities in the form of sharp angle grooves, and one with smooth singularities in the form of two nearly touching surfaces.
Transforming public health using value lens and extended partner networks
Authors: Tanniru Mohan R. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIntroductionOrganizational transformations have focused on creating and fulfilling value for customers, leveraging advanced technologies. Transforming public health (PH) faces an interesting challenge. The value created (preventive practices) to fulfill policy makers’ desire to reduce healthcare costs is realized by several external partners with varying goals and is practiced by the public (value in use), which often places low priority on prevention.MethodsThis paper uses value lens to argue that PH transformation strategy must align the goals of all stakeholders involved. This may include allowing partners and the public to contextualize the preventive practices to see the value in near term and as relevant. It also means extending the number of partners PH uses and helping them connect with the public to seek shared alignment in shared goals of value fulfillment and value‐in‐use.ResultsUsing lessons from Covid‐19 and PH experience with partners in four different sectors: business, healthcare, public and community, the paper illustrates how PH transformation strategy can be implemented going forward.ConclusionsWe conclude the paper with five distinct directions for future research to create and sustain value using the framework of learning health systems.
COQ8B nephropathy: Early detection and optimal treatment
Authors: Song Xiaoxiang , Fang Xiaoyan , Tang Xiaoshan , Cao Qi , Zhai Yihui , Chen Jing , Liu Jialu , Zhang Zhiqing , Xiang Tianchao , Qian Yanyan , Wu Bingbing , Wang Huijun , Zhou Wenhao , Liu Cuihua , Shen Qian , Xu Hong , Rao Jia 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundMutations in COQ8B (*615567) as a defect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) cause steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS).MethodsTo define the clinical course and prognosis of COQ8B nephropathy, we retrospectively assessed the genotype and phenotype in patients with COQ8B mutations from Chinese Children Genetic Kidney Disease Database. We performed the comparing study of renal outcome following CoQ10 treatment and renal transplantation between early genetic detection and delayed genetic detection group.ResultsWe identified 20 (5.8%) patients with biallelic mutations of COQ8B screening for patients with SRNS, non‐nephrotic proteinuria, or chronic kidney disease (CKD) of unknown origin. Patients with COQ8B mutations showed a largely renal‐limited phenotype presenting with proteinuria and/or advanced CKD at the time of diagnosis. Renal biopsy uniformly showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Proteinuria was decreased, whereas the renal function was preserved in five patients following CoQ10 administration combined with angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The renal survival analysis disclosed a significantly better outcome in early genetic detection group than in delayed genetic detection group (Kaplan–Meier plot and log rank test, p = .037). Seven patients underwent deceased donor renal transplantation without recurrence of proteinuria or graft failure. Blood pressure showed decreased significantly during 6 to 12 months post transplantation.ConclusionsCOQ8B mutations are one of the most common causes of adolescent‐onset proteinuria and/or CKD of unknown etiology in the Chinese children. Early detection of COQ8B nephropathy following CoQ10 supplementation combined with ACE inhibitor could slow the progression of renal dysfunction. Renal transplantation in patients with COQ8B nephropathy showed no recurrence of proteinuria.
Novel compact band‐pass filter with three transmission zeros
Authors: Xiao Qian , Wang Hui , Jiao Zhuofan , You Chang Jiang , Cai Jingye 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis article presents a novel compact band‐pass filter (BPF) using two stepped‐impedance resonators. The proposed resonator can work at two modes: quarter‐wavelength resonance mode and half‐wavelength resonance mode. The selectivity of proposed BPF is improved by three transmission zeros (TZs). For these three TZs, one is located at the lower out of band and the other two TZs are placed at the upper out of band. The measured results show that the fabricated filter achieves a pass‐band with insertion losses of 1.02 dB at 4.7 GHz and a stop‐band (both lower and upper) rejection larger than 27 dB. The operating bandwidth is 1.65 GHz and the fractional bandwidth is 30% with a compact size of 23 × 8.5 mm2.
An adaptive isogeometric analysis approach to elasto‐capillary fluid‐solid interaction
Authors: van Brummelen E. H. , Demont T. H. B. , van Zwieten G. J. 
Published: June 2020

SummaryWe present an adaptive isogeometric‐analysis approach to elasto‐capillary fluid‐solid interaction (FSI), based on a diffuse‐interface model for the binary fluid and an Arbitrary‐Lagrangian‐Eulerian formulation for the FSI problem. We consider approximations constructed from adaptive high‐regularity truncated hierarchical splines, as employed in the isogeometric analysis (IGA) paradigm. The considered adaptive strategy comprises a two‐level hierarchical a posteriori error estimate. The hierarchical a posteriori error estimate directs a support‐based refinement procedure. To attain robustness of the solution procedure for the aggregated binary‐fluid‐solid‐interaction problem, we apply a fully monolithic solution procedure and we introduce a continuation process in which the diffuse interface of the binary fluid is artificially enlarged on the coarsest levels of the adaptive‐refinement procedure. To assess the capability of the presented adaptive IGA method for elasto‐capillary FSI, we conduct numerical computations for a configuration pertaining to a sessile droplet on a soft solid substrate.
The effects of cellulosic fillers on the mechanical, morphological, thermal, viscoelastic, and rheological properties of polyhydroxybutyrate biopolymers
Authors: Aydemir Deniz , Gardner Douglas J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the effects of cellulosic fillers on the conventional and dynamic mechanical, thermal, morphological, and rheological properties of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) biopolymers. Polyhydroxybutyrate as a biopolymer matrix and cellulosic fillers including wood flour, microcrystalline cellulose, and cellulose nanofibrils (0.5 and 5 wt%) as reinforcing agents were used to produce the composite. According to the results obtained, the addition of 0.5 wt% cellulose nanofibrils improved both the flexural and tensile moduli of elasticity but other fillers and filler loading levels generally decreased the mechanical properties attributable to aggregations of fillers in the matrix. Thermal analysis results showed that the addition of cellulosic fillers did not influence the glass transition and crystallization temperature of the PHB whereas the crystallinity and melting temperature generally increased with the addition of the cellulosic fillers. Thermal stability of the composites generally improved with addition of the cellulosic fillers. The dynamic mechanical analysis results showed that both storage and loss moduli of all the samples generally decreased with increasing temperature. Elastic and viscous moduli of all the samples initially decreased with frequency but then generally increased according to the rheological analysis.
Impact at school age of early chronic methicillin‐sensitive Staphylococcus aureus infection in children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Galodé François , Dournes Gael , Chateil Jean‐François , Fayon Michael , Collet Cyrielle , Bui Stéphanie 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundBacterial infection early in life may increase structural lung lesions in children with cystic fibrosis (CF).MethodsA 9‐year monocentric (Bordeaux University Hospital, France) retrospective study in children with CF to evaluate the impact of the early‐onset (at 1 year of age, Y1) of chronic meticillin‐sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infection on the severity of bronchiectasis and Bhalla score on CT scan, clinical status, lung function tests, and serum immunoglobulins (IgG) at the age of 6 years (Y6).ResultsA total of 37 children were included: 10 had contracted chronic MSSA infection at Y1 and 27 at a later date. Children with MSSA infection at Y1 showed increased Y6 CT scan bronchiectasis severity scores vs late MSSA infection (mean ± SD: 4.7 ± 0.8 vs 2.5 ± 0.5, P < .05) and Bhalla scores (7.3 ± 1.1 vs 4.7 ± 0.8, P < .05), but no significant decrease in lung function ([% reference values] FEV1: 83.7 ± 6 vs 90.6 ± 2.2, P = .21; FEF25‐75: 67.8 ± 8.9 vs 76.3 ± 3.9, P = .18). In addition, Y6 serum IgG was greater in the early chronic Y1 MSSA group (11.3 ± 0.7 vs 8.9 ± 0.7 g/L, P < .05). Clinical symptoms or nutritional status were similar in both infection groups.ConclusionEarly chronic MSSA infection may enhance the progression of structural lung disease in CF at 6 years.
Conserved buried water molecules enable the β‐trefoil architecture
Authors: Blaber Michael 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAvailable high‐resolution crystal structures for the family of β‐trefoil proteins in the structural databank were queried for buried waters. Such waters were classified as either: (a) unique to a particular domain, family, or superfamily or (b) conserved among all β‐trefoil folds. Three buried waters conserved among all β‐trefoil folds were identified. These waters are related by the threefold rotational pseudosymmetry characteristic of this protein architecture (representing three instances of an identical structural environment within each repeating trefoil‐fold motif). The structural properties of this buried water are remarkable and include: residing in a cavity space no larger than a single water molecule, exhibiting a positional uncertainty (i.e., normalized B‐factor) substantially lower than the average Cα atom, providing essentially ideal H‐bonding geometry with three solvent‐inaccessible main chain groups, simultaneously serving as a bridging H‐bond for three different β‐strands at a point of secondary structure divergence, and orienting conserved hydrophobic side chains to form a nascent core‐packing group. Other published work supports an interpretation that these interactions are key to the formation of an efficient folding nucleus and folded thermostability. The fundamental threefold symmetric structural element of the β‐trefoil fold is therefore, surprisingly, a buried water molecule.
Promotion of epithelial hyperplasia by interleukin‐8—CXCR axis in human prostate
Authors: Smith Diandra K. , Hasanali Sarrah L. , Wang Jiaojiao , Kallifatidis Georgios , Morera Daley S. , Jordan Andre R. , Terris Martha K. , Klaassen Zachary , Bollag Roni , Lokeshwar Vinata B. , Lokeshwar Bal L. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe clinical manifestation of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is causally linked to the inflammatory microenvironment and proliferation of epithelial and stromal cells in the prostate transitional zone. The CXC‐chemokine interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) contributes to inflammation. We evaluated the expression of inflammatory cytokines in clinical specimens, primary cultures, and prostatic lineage cell lines. We investigated whether IL‐8 via its receptor system (IL‐8 axis) promotes BPH.MethodsThe messenger RNA and protein expression of chemokines, including components of the IL‐8 axis, were measured in normal prostate (NP; n = 7) and BPH (n = 21), urine (n = 24) specimens, primary cultures, prostatic lineage epithelial cell lines (NHPrE1, BHPrE1, BPH‐1), and normal prostate cells (RWPE‐1). The functional role of the IL‐8 axis in prostate epithelial cell growth was evaluated by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. The effect of a combination with two natural compounds, oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA), was evaluated on the expression of the IL‐8 axis and epithelial cell growth.ResultsAmong the 19 inflammatory chemokines and chemokine receptors we analyzed, levels of IL‐8 and its receptors (CXCR1, CXCR2), as well as, of CXCR7, a receptor for CXCL12, were 5‐ to 25‐fold elevated in BPH tissues when compared to NP tissues (P ≤ .001). Urinary IL‐8 levels were threefold to sixfold elevated in BPH patients, but not in asymptomatic males and females with lower urinary tract symptoms (P ≤ .004). The expression of the IL‐8 axis components was confined to the prostate luminal epithelial cells in both normal and BPH tissues. However, these components were elevated in BPH‐1 and primary explant cultures as compared to RWPE‐1, NHPrE1, and BHPrE1 cells. Knockout of CXCR7 reduced IL‐8, and CXCR1 expression by 4‐ to 10‐fold and caused greater than or equal to 50% growth inhibition in BPH‐1 cells. Low‐dose OA + UA combination synergistically inhibited the growth of BPH‐1 and BPH primary cultures. In the combination, the drug reduction indices for UA and OA were 16.4 and 7852, respectively, demonstrating that the combination was effective in inhibiting BPH‐1 growth at significantly reduced doses of UA or OA alone.ConclusionThe IL‐8 axis is a promotor of BPH pathogenesis. Low‐dose OA + UA combination inhibits BPH cell growth by inducing autophagy and reducing IL‐8 axis expression in BPH‐epithelial cells.
Evolutionary relationships and sequence‐structure determinants in human SARS coronavirus‐2 spike proteins for host receptor recognition
Authors: Guruprasad Lalitha 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a pandemic infectious disease caused by novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS CoV‐2). The SARS CoV‐2 is transmitted more rapidly and readily than SARS CoV. Both, SARS CoV and SARS CoV‐2 via their glycosylated spike proteins recognize the human angiotensin converting enzyme‐2 (ACE‐2) receptor. We generated multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic trees for representative spike proteins of SARS CoV and SARS CoV‐2 from various host sources in order to analyze the specificity in SARS CoV‐2 spike proteins required for causing infection in humans. Our results show that among the genomes analyzed, two sequence regions in the N‐terminal domain “MESEFR” and “SYLTPG” are specific to human SARS CoV‐2. In the receptor‐binding domain, two sequence regions “VGGNY“ and ”EIYQAGSTPCNGV” and a disulfide bridge connecting 480C and 488C in the extended loop are structural determinants for the recognition of human ACE‐2 receptor. The complete genome analysis of representative SARS CoVs from bat, civet, human host sources, and human SARS CoV‐2 identified the bat genome (GenBank code: MN996532.1) as closest to the recent novel human SARS CoV‐2 genomes. The bat SARS CoV genomes (GenBank codes: MG772933 and MG772934) are evolutionary intermediates in the mutagenesis progression toward becoming human SARS CoV‐2.
High‐temperature mass spectrometric study of thermodynamic properties in the UO2–ZrO2 system
Authors: Stolyarova Valentina L. , Vorozhtcov Viktor A. , Masaki Kurata , Costa Davide 
Published: June 2020

RationaleThe UO2–ZrO2 solid solution at high temperatures is the key system of modern nuclear science and technology in the context of the safety operation of nuclear cycles, the consequences of severe accidents, and the incorporation of nuclear waste. Urgent needs of the continuation of experimental studies of this system at temperatures up to 3000 K are aimed at preventing severe accidents similar to Chernobyl and Fukushima when the thermodynamic approach is used for the prediction of high‐temperature behavior of materials.MethodsThis investigation was carried out using the Knudsen effusion mass spectrometric method using the MS‐1301 magnetic sector mass spectrometer. The samples in the UO2–ZrO2 system were vaporized from a tungsten effusion cell. Vapor species effusing from the cell were ionized at an electron ionization energy of 70 eV.ResultsThe vaporization and thermodynamics of pure UO2 and ZrO2 as well as of the samples in the UO2–ZrO2 system were studied in the range 2000–2730 K. The temperature dependences of the partial vapor pressures of UO and UO2 over pure UO2 were obtained at 2060–2456 K, which agreed with the literature results. The partial vapor pressures of UO, UO2, ZrO, and ZrO2, the vaporization rates, and the UO2 and ZrO2 activities in the UO2–ZrO2 solid solutions were determined at 2370, 2490, 2570, and 2730 K.ConclusionsThe component activities and excess Gibbs energies of the UO2–ZrO2 system indicated a change in deviations from the ideal behavior from positive to negative with the temperature increase from 2370 to 2730 K. The thermodynamic functions of formation from the oxides of the solid solutions in the UO2–ZrO2 system such as Gibbs energies as well as the enthalpies and entropies of formation were obtained for the first time at 2550 K in the composition range 0.89–1.00 ZrO2 mole fraction.