bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-latitude neonate and perinate ornithopods from the mid-Cretaceous of southeastern Australia
Authors: Kitchener Justin L. , Campione Nicolás E. , Smith Elizabeth T. , Bell Phil R. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDinosaurs were remarkably climate-tolerant, thriving from equatorial to polar latitudes. High-paleolatitude eggshells and hatchling material from the Northern Hemisphere confirms that hadrosaurid ornithopods reproduced in polar regions. Similar examples are lacking from Gondwanan landmasses. Here we describe two non-iguanodontian ornithopod femora from the Griman Creek Formation (Cenomanian) in New South Wales, Australia. These incomplete proximal femora represent the first perinatal ornithopods described from Australia, supplementing neonatal and slightly older ‘yearling’ specimens from the Aptian–Albian Eumeralla and Wonthaggi formations in Victoria. While pseudomorphic preservation obviates histological examination, anatomical and size comparisons with Victorian specimens, which underwent previous histological work, support perinatal interpretations for the Griman Creek Formation femora. Estimated femoral lengths (37 mm and 45 mm) and body masses (113–191 g and 140–236 g), together with the limited development of features in the smallest femur, suggest a possible embryonic state. Low body masses (<1 kg for ‘yearlings’ and ~20 kg at maturity) would have precluded small ornithopods from long-distance migration, even as adults, in the Griman Creek, Eumeralla, and Wonthaggi formations. Consequently, these specimens support high-latitudinal breeding in a non-iguanodontian ornithopod in eastern Gondwana during the early Late Cretaceous.
Enzymatic activity of a recombinant β-1,4-endoglucanase from the Cotton Boll Weevil (Anthonomus grandis) aiming second generation ethanol production
Authors: Ibarra Liz Nathalia , Alves Ana Elizabeth Oliveira de Araújo , Antonino José Dijair , Prado Guilherme Souza , Pinto Clidia Eduarda Moreira , Soccol Carlos Ricardo , Vasconcelos Érico Augusto Rosas de , Grossi-de-Sa Maria Fátima 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn the last years, the production of ethanol fuel has started to change with the introduction of second-generation ethanol (2 G Ethanol) in the energy sector. However, in Brazil, the process of obtaining 2 G ethanol did not reach a basic standard to achieve relevant and economically viable results. Several studies have currently been addressed to solve these issues. A critical stage in the bioethanol production is the deployment of efficient and stable enzymes to catalyze the saccharification step into the process of biomass conversion. The present study comprises a screening for genes coding for plant biomass degradation enzymes, followed by cloning a selected gene, addressing its heterologous expression, and characterizing enzymatic activity towards cellulose derived substrates, with a view to second-generation ethanol production. A cDNA database of the Cotton Boll Weevil, Anthonomus grandis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), an insect that feeds on cotton plant biomass, was used as a source of plant biomass degradation enzyme genes. A larva and adult midgut-specific β-1,4-Endoglucanase-coding gene (AgraGH45-1) was cloned and expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. Its amino acid sequence, including the two catalytic domains, shares high identity with other Coleoptera Glycosyl Hydrolases from family 45 (GH45). AgraGH45-1 activity was detected in a Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) degradation assay and the optimal conditions for enzymatic activity was pH 5.0 at 50 °C. When compared to commercial cellulase from Aspergillus niger, Agra GH45-1 was 1.3-fold more efficient to degrade HEC substrate. Together, these results show that AgraGH45-1 is a valid candidate to be engineered and be tested for 2 G ethanol production.
Lampreys, the jawless vertebrates, contain three Pax6 genes with distinct expression in eye, brain and pancreas
Authors: Ravi Vydianathan , Bhatia Shipra , Shingate Prashant , Tay Boon-Hui , Venkatesh Byrappa , Kleinjan Dirk A. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe transcription factor Pax6 is crucial for the development of the central nervous system, eye, olfactory system and pancreas, and is implicated in human disease. While a single Pax6 gene exists in human and chicken, Pax6 occurs as a gene family in other vertebrates, with two members in elephant shark, Xenopus tropicalis and Anolis lizard and three members in teleost fish such as stickleback and medaka. However, the complement of Pax6 genes in jawless vertebrates (cyclostomes), the sister group of jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes), is unknown. Using a combination of BAC sequencing and genome analysis, we discovered three Pax6 genes in lampreys. Unlike the paired-less Pax6 present in some gnathostomes, all three lamprey Pax6 have a highly conserved full-length paired domain. All three Pax6 genes are expressed in the eye and brain, with variable expression in other tissues. Notably, lamprey Pax6α transcripts are found in the pancreas, a vertebrate-specific organ, indicating the involvement of Pax6 in development of the pancreas in the vertebrate ancestor. Multi-species sequence comparisons revealed only a single conserved non-coding element, in the lamprey Pax6β locus, with similarity to the PAX6 neuroretina enhancer. Using a transgenic zebrafish enhancer assay we demonstrate functional conservation of this element over 500 million years of vertebrate evolution.
Changes in different salivary biomarkers related to physiologic stress in elite handball players: the case of females
Authors: Mariscal Gonzalo , Vera Pablo , Platero José Luis , Bodí Fernando , de la Rubia Ortí Jose Enrique , Barrios Carlos 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis study evaluates pre- and post-match concentrations of salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase (AA) and immunoglobulin A (lgA) in a group of 21 elite female handball players in the Spanish national women’s league. The players’ mean age was 23.0 ± 5.4 years. The concentration of the biomarkers was determined using ELISA. Mean playing time was 25.2 min. The players’ cortisol concentration increased significantly (p < 0.05) whereas the IgA concentration fell significantly (p < 0.01) at the end of the match. There were no significant changes in the concentrations of AA between pre and post-match timepoints. The changes observed in the study also depended on the position played; defenders exhibited the highest cortisol and lowest IgA concentrations after the match. Larger changes in cortisol and IgA were seen in those who played for more than 30 min. The present study shows that a competitive handball match increases physiologic stress in females, with activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the adrenergic system, resulting in decreased immunocompetence.
A male-produced aggregation-sex pheromone of the beetle Arhopalus rusticus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, Spondylinae) may be useful in managing this invasive species
Authors: Žunič-Kosi Alenka , Stritih-Peljhan Nataša , Zou Yunfan , McElfresh J. Steven , Millar Jocelyn G. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe longhorned beetle Arhopalus rusticus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, Spondylinae) is a common species in conifer forests of the Northern Hemisphere, but with global trade, it has invaded and become established in New Zealand, Australia, and South America. Arhopalus rusticus is a suspected vector of the phytopathogenic nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the causative agent of pine wilt disease, which is a major threat to pine forests worldwide. Here, we report the identification of a volatile, male-produced aggregation-sex pheromone for this species. Headspace odours from males contained a major male-specific compound, identified as (2 S, 5E)-6,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-ol (common name (S)-fuscumol), and a minor component (E)-6,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-one (geranylacetone). Both compounds are known pheromone components for species in the same subfamily. In field trials in its native range in Slovenia, (S)-fuscumol was significantly more attractive to beetles of both sexes, than racemic fuscumol and a blend of host plant volatiles commonly used as an attractant for this species. Fuscumol-baited traps also caught significant numbers of another spondylidine species, Spondylis buprestoides (L.), and a rare click beetle, Stenagostus rufus (De Geer). The pheromone can be exploited as a cost-effective and environmentally safe tool for detection and monitoring of this invasive species at ports of entry, and for monitoring the beetle’s distribution and population trends in both endemic and invasive populations.
Bioaugmentation failed to enhance oil bioremediation in three soil samples from three different continents
Authors: Radwan Samir S. , Al-Mailem Dina M. , Kansour Mayada K. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSoil samples from Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt and Germany were polluted with 3% crude oil. Series of samples were left unbioaugmented, others were bioaugmented with Kuwaiti desert soil with a long history of oil pollution and still others with Kuwaiti marine biofouling material. In the samples from Kuwait, Egypt, and Germany, bioaugmentation did not enhance oil removal, whereas it did in the sample from Lebanon. Taxa from the desert-soil bioaugmented batches, but none of those from the biofouling-material bioaugmented ones, succeeded in colonizing the four studied soils. The dynamics of the hydrocarbonoclastic communities during bioremediation were monitored. Those communities differed in composition, not only according to the type of soil, but also for the same soil; at various phases of bioremediation. Although each soil seemed to have its characteristic microflora, they all were similar in harboring lower and higher actinomycetes and pseudomonads in addition to many other taxa. None of the taxa prevailed through all phases of bioremediation. The most powerful isolate in oil-removal; was Rhodococcus erythropolis (Germany), and the weakest was Arthrobacter phenanthrenivorans (Lebanon). The pure hydrocarbonoclastic isolates tolerated unusually high oil concentrations, up to 30%.
Fabrication of ZnO nanoparticles adorned nitrogen-doped carbon balls and their application in photodegradation of organic dyes
Authors: Thirukumaran Periyasamy , Atchudan Raji , Parveen Asrafali Shakila , Kalaiarasan Koteeswaran , Lee Yong Rok , Kim Seong-Cheol 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn the present study, a novel ZnO nanoparticles adorned nitrogen-doped carbon balls (ZnO@CBs) were successfully synthesized from polybenzoxazine and ZnO nanoparticles through a simple carbonization method. The typical wurtzite hexagonal zinc oxide phase in ZnO@CBs and degree of graphitization were revealed by the X-ray diffraction pattern. The field emission scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the synthesized carbon materials have well dispersed ball-like structure, wherein, the ZnO nanoparticles are distributed evenly on the carbon balls (CBs). The synthesized ZnO@CBs with different wt.% (20, 40, 60 and 80) and bare ZnO nanoparticles were investigated for methylene blue (MB) dye degradation experiment. The synthesized ZnO@CBs exhibited high activity in the degradation of MB. Among the different wt.% of ZnO@CBs, 60 wt.% of ZnO@CBs showed the highest MB degradation ratio (99%) with a fast degradation rate (1.65% min−1) under the following optimum conditions: 20 mg of ZnO@CBs in 50 mL of MB solution at room temperature.
Effect of the ratio of axial length to keratometry on SRK/T intraocular lens power calculations for eyes with long axial lengths
Authors: Mori Yosai , Minami Keiichiro , Tokuda Shota , Lee Jinhee , Miyata Kazunori 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis retrospective study explored the effect of the ratio of axial length (AL) to average keratometry (K) on intraocular lens power calculation in long eyes. The clinical records of eyes that had an AL of 26.0 mm or longer, and underwent cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantations, were reviewed. This study was approved by the institutional review board of Miyata Eye Hospital. Preoperative biometry data were obtained using optical low-coherence reflectometry. Prediction errors in the use of the SRK/T formulas were obtained from manifest refraction spherical equivalents one month postoperatively. Significant factors inducing prediction errors were examined using stepwise multiple regression analysis with descriptive factors of AL, K value, and their ratio (AL/K). Clinical records related to 49 long eyes of 49 patients, and 93 eyes of 93 patients with normal AL, were evaluated. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the AL/K was a significant factor increasing the prediction errors (P = 0.0003). With the regression equation, 98% of prediction errors with the use of the SRK/T formula were within ±1.00 D of differences. For our sample of 49 long eyes, the ratio of AL to K was a significant factor inducing hyperopic prediction errors with the use of SRK/T for long eyes.
Urinary Levels of Titin-N Fragment, a Skeletal Muscle Damage Marker, are Increased in Subjects with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Oshida Natsumi , Shida Takashi , Oh Sechang , Kim Taeho , Isobe Tomonori , Okamoto Yoshikazu , Kamimaki Takashi , Okada Kosuke , Suzuki Hideo , Ariizumi Shun-ichi , Yamamoto Masakazu , Shoda Junichi 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSarcopenia is a pathological condition affecting the development and progression of NAFLD. Urinary levels of titin-N fragment, a biomarker reflecting muscle damage, were measured in NAFLD subjects, and analyzed in a retrospective manner for possible correlations with NAFLD pathophysiology to assess their clinical relevance. This study enrolled 153 NAFLD subjects and 100 subjects without NAFLD, obesity or diabetes mellitus (non-NAFLD). NAFLD subjects had more decreased knee extension strength. NAFLD subjects had greater subcutaneous fat thickness and echo intensity (brightness) of the rectus femoris muscle on ultrasound images; higher levels of the intra- and extra-myocellular lipids (IMCL, EMCL) using 1H-MRS. Urinary titin-N fragment levels were increased with increasing age but not different between males and females. NAFLD subjects had higher titin-N fragment levels than non-NAFLD subjects. The levels were negatively correlated with skeletal muscle mass and knee extension strength and positively correlated with muscle echo intensity, EMCL, and liver fibrosis scores (NAFLD fibrosis score, FIB-4 index). Multivariate analysis revealed that factors affecting the levels were skeletal mass index, leg skeletal muscle mass, liver stiffness, and NAFLD fibrosis score. Urinary levels of titin-N fragment reflected skeletal muscle deterioration and functional decline, and was closely associated with hepatic pathological conditions in NAFLD subjects.
Activating dopamine D2 receptors reduces brown adipose tissue thermogenesis induced by psychological stress and by activation of the lateral habenula
Authors: Brizuela Mariana , Antipov Anna , Blessing William W. , Ootsuka Youichirou 
Published: December 2019

AbstractEmotional hyperthermia is the increase in body temperature that occurs as a response to an animal detecting a salient, survival-relevant stimulus. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis, controlled via its sympathetic innervation, contributes to this temperature increase. Here, we have used an intruder rat experimental model to determine whether quinpirole-mediated activation of dopamine D2 receptors attenuates emotional hyperthermia in conscious rats. In anesthetized rats, we determined whether systemic quinpirole reduces BAT nerve discharge induced by activation of the medullary raphé and the lateral habenula (LHb). We measured BAT and body temperature with chronically implanted thermistors in conscious, freely moving, individually housed, male rats (resident rats). Either vehicle or quinpirole was administered, intraperitoneally, to the resident rat 30 min before introduction of a caged intruder rat. Quinpirole, in a dose-dependent manner, reduced intruder-elicited increases in BAT and body temperature. Pre-treatment with the D2 antagonist spiperone, but not the selective D1 antagonist SCH-23390, prevented this quinpirole-elicited decrease. In anesthetized rats, quinpirole abolished BAT sympathetic nerve discharge elicited by bicuculline-mediated activation of the LHb, but not the medullary raphé. Thus, activation of dopamine D2 receptors reduces the BAT thermogenesis that contributes to emotional hyperthermia. We provide evidence that these dopamine D2 receptors are located in the thermogenic pathway between the LHb and the lower brainstem pre-sympathetic control centre in the medullary raphé.
Corticostriatal functional connectivity of bothersome tinnitus in single-sided deafness
Authors: Henderson-Sabes Jennifer , Shang Yingying , Perez Philip L. , Chang Jolie L. , Pross Seth E. , Findlay Anne M. , Mizuiri Danielle , Hinkley Leighton B. , Nagarajan Srikantan S. , Cheung Steven W. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSubjective tinnitus is an auditory phantom perceptual disorder without an objective biomarker. Bothersome tinnitus in single-sided deafness (SSD) is particularly challenging to treat because the deaf ear can no longer be stimulated by acoustic means. We contrasted an SSD cohort with bothersome tinnitus (TIN; N = 15) against an SSD cohort with no or non-bothersome tinnitus (NO TIN; N = 15) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). All study participants had normal hearing in one ear and severe or profound hearing loss in the other. We evaluated corticostriatal functional connectivity differences by placing seeds in the caudate nucleus and Heschl’s Gyrus (HG) of both hemispheres. The TIN cohort showed increased functional connectivity between the left caudate and left HG, and left and right HG and the left caudate. Within the TIN cohort, functional connectivity between the right caudate and cuneus was correlated with the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) relaxation subscale. And, functional connectivity between the right caudate and superior lateral occipital cortex, and the right caudate and anterior supramarginal gyrus were correlated with the TFI control subscale. These findings support a striatal gating model of tinnitus and suggest tinnitus biomarkers to monitor treatment response and to target specific brain areas for innovative neuromodulation therapies.
Incorporation of zwitterionic materials into light-curable fluoride varnish for biofilm inhibition and caries prevention
Authors: Kim Dohyun , Lee Myung-Jin , Kim Ji-Yeong , Lee Dasun , Kwon Jae-Sung , Choi Sung-Hwan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe incorporated zwitterionic materials into light-curable fluoride varnish (LCFV) in order to inhibit biofilm accumulation and prevent dental caries, and the properties of LCFV with three different zwitterionic materials, namely, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), carboxybetaine methacrylate (CBMA), and sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) polymers (each at a weight percentage of 3%), were compared; unmodified LCFV without any zwitterionic material was used as a control. Material properties including film thickness and degree of conversion (DC) of each type of LCFV were evaluated. In addition, protein-repellent effects and inhibitory effects on Streptococcus mutans adhesion and saliva-derived biofilm accumulation of LCFV were estimated. Finally, the preventive effect of LCFV on enamel demineralization was assessed in vitro on extracted human teeth specimens stored in S. mutans-containing medium. The film thickness of LCFV significantly decreased with the incorporation of zwitterionic materials compared to the control LCFV, whereas there were no significant differences in the DC among all of the LCFV groups. Furthermore, the amount of adsorbed protein, adherent S. mutans colony-forming unit (CFU) counts, and saliva-derived biofilm thickness and biomass were all significantly lower for LCFV with incorporated zwitterionic materials compared with the control. All LCFV groups including the control showed certain preventive effects against enamel demineralization during a 14-day immersion in the medium with S. mutans and sucrose, and the depth of demineralization was significantly lower in LCFV with zwitterionic materials than in the control. Thus, the incorporation of zwitterionic materials such as MPC, CBMA, and SBMA appears to confer superior antifouling effects to LCFV.
JNK-mediated Slit-Robo signaling facilitates epithelial wound repair by extruding dying cells
Authors: Iida Chiaki , Ohsawa Shizue , Taniguchi Kiichiro , Yamamoto Masatoshi , Morata Ginés , Igaki Tatsushi 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMulticellular organisms repair injured epithelium by evolutionarily conserved biological processes including activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling. Here, we show in Drosophila imaginal epithelium that physical injury leads to the emergence of dying cells, which are extruded from the wounded tissue by JNK-induced Slit-Roundabout2 (Robo2) repulsive signaling. Reducing Slit-Robo2 signaling in the wounded tissue suppresses extrusion of dying cells and generates aberrant cells with highly upregulated growth factors Wingless (Wg) and Decapentaplegic (Dpp). The inappropriately elevated Wg and Dpp impairs wound repair, as halving one of these growth factor genes cancelled wound healing defects caused by Slit-Robo2 downregulation. Our data suggest that JNK-mediated Slit-Robo2 signaling contributes to epithelial wound repair by promoting extrusion of dying cells from the wounded tissue, which facilitates transient and appropriate induction of growth factors for proper wound healing.
Risk factors for tuberculous empyema in pleural tuberculosis patients
Authors: Wen Peng , Wei Min , Han Chao , He Yu , Wang Mao-Shui 
Published: December 2019

AbstractTuberculous empyema (TE) is associated with high mortality and morbidity. In the retrospective cohort study, we aimed to find risk factors for TE among pleural tuberculosis (TB) patients. Between July 2011 and September 2015, all culture-confirmed pleural TB patients (474 cases) were enrolled in our study. Empyema was defined as grossly purulent pleural fluid. Demographic and epidemiological data were collected for further analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate risk factors of TE in pleural TB, age–adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to show the risk. The mean age was 35.7 ± 18.1 years old, males comprised 79.1% of the participants (375 cases). Forty-seven patients (9.9%) were multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), 29 (6.1%) had retreatment TB, 26 (5.5%) had diabetes mellitus. The percentage of empyema patients was 8.9% (42 cases). Multivariate analysis revealed that male (adjusted OR = 4.431, 95% CI: 1.411, 13.919), pleural adenosine deaminase (ADA, >88 U/L) (adjusted OR = 3.367, 95% CI: 1.533, 7.395) and white blood cell (WBC, >9.52 109/L) (adjusted OR = 5.763, 95% CI: 2.473, 13.431) were significant risk factors for empyema in pleural TB, while pulmonary TB (adjusted OR = 0.155, 95% CI: 0.072, 0.336) was the protective factor for the patients. TE remains a serious threat to public health in China. Male sex is a significant risk factor for TE while the presence of pulmonary TB is protective, and high levels of pleural ADA and WBC count could aid in early diagnosis of TE. This finding would help towards reducing the mortality and morbidity associated with TE.