bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Capability of an Ecosystem Nature-Restoration in Coal Mined Area
Authors: Cui Xiaoqin , Peng Suping , Lines Laurence R. , Zhu Guowei , Hu Zhenqi , Cui Fan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractEcosystem issues have been severely concerned and studied when the coal resource is one of major energy generators, and green mining innovation techniques involving artificial-restorations have addressed and significantly lessened negative impacts on the ecological environment. The ecosystem of a coal-mined area, however, is able to naturally restore with the processes of natural succession, similar to the human body system that has the immune ability to self-heal a wound over time if the wound does not deeply hurt the health. Here we analyze multiple discipline real data from two mining sites, and evidently show an ability of nature that the coal mining related problems such as geological cracks, damaged aquifers and destroyed soils in Quaternary period can naturally recover around a half-year after the end of mining. Our results temporally and spatially demonstrate that the damaged ecosystem has a capability of unaided nature-remediation from the ground to the subsurface, which is very useful to the countries worldwide with abundant coal reserves and intense energy demands for their development.
In search for the sources of plastic marine litter that contaminates the Easter Island Ecoregion
Authors: Gennip Simon Jan van , Dewitte Boris , Garçon Véronique , Thiel Martin , Popova Ekaterina , Drillet Yann , Ramos Marcel , Yannicelli Beatriz , Bravo Luis , Ory Nicolas , Luna-Jorquera Guillermo , Gaymer Carlos F. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSubtropical gyres are the oceanic regions where plastic litter accumulates over long timescales, exposing surrounding oceanic islands to plastic contamination, with potentially severe consequences on marine life. Islands’ exposure to such contaminants, littered over long distances in marine or terrestrial habitats, is due to the ocean currents that can transport plastic over long ranges. Here, this issue is addressed for the Easter Island ecoregion (EIE). High-resolution ocean circulation models are used with a Lagrangian particle-tracking tool to identify the connectivity patterns of the EIE with industrial fishing areas and coastline regions of the Pacific basin. Connectivity patterns for “virtual” particles either floating (such as buoyant macroplastics) or neutrally-buoyant (smaller microplastics) are investigated. We find that the South American shoreline between 20°S and 40°S, and the fishing zone within international waters off Peru (20°S, 80°W) are associated with the highest probability for debris to reach the EIE, with transit times under 2 years. These regions coincide with the most-densely populated coastal region of Chile and the most-intensely fished region in the South Pacific. The findings offer potential for mitigating plastic contamination reaching the EIE through better upstream waste management. Results also highlight the need for international action plans on this important issue.
miR-192-5p suppresses the progression of lung cancer bone metastasis by targeting TRIM44
Authors: Zou Peng , Zhu Menghai , Lian Chong , Wang Jiaqiang , Chen Zhiquan , Zhang Xiaoming , Yang Yongchao , Chen Xinfeng , Cui Xinhui , Liu Jijun , Wang Hexuan , Wen Qi , Yi Ji 
Published: December 2019

AbstractLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with 50–70% of patients suffering from bone metastasis. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that miRNAs are involved in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in malignancy, such as lung cancer bone metastasis. In the present study, we demonstrated that reduced miR-192-5p and increased TRIM44 levels were associated with the proliferation, migration and invasion of lung cancer. Furthermore, the potential functions of miR-192-5p were explored in A549 and NCI-H1299 cells. We found that miR-192-5p upregulation suppressed tumour behaviours in lung cancer cells. To further investigate whether miR-192-5p is associated with TRIM44, we used TargetScan software to predict the binding site between miR-192-5p and TRIM44. Luciferase activity assays were performed to verify this prediction. In addition, the significant role of miR-192-5p in negatively regulating TRIM44 expression was manifested by our research group. our results suggest that miR-192-5p inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of lung cancer through TRIM44.
Structural basis of methotrexate and pemetrexed action on serine hydroxymethyltransferases revealed using plant models
Authors: Ruszkowski Milosz , Sekula Bartosz , Ruszkowska Agnieszka , Contestabile Roberto , Nogues Isabel , Angelaccio Sebastiana , Szczepaniak Andrzej , Dauter Zbigniew 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSerine hydroxymethyltransferases (SHMTs) reversibly transform serine into glycine in a reaction accompanied with conversion of tetrahydrofolate (THF) into 5,10-methylene-THF (5,10-meTHF). In vivo, 5,10-meTHF is the main carrier of one-carbon (1C) units, which are utilized for nucleotide biosynthesis and other processes crucial for every living cell, but hyperactivated in overproliferating cells (e.g. cancer tissues). SHMTs are emerging as a promising target for development of new drugs because it appears possible to inhibit growth of cancer cells by cutting off the supply of 5,10-meTHF. Methotrexate (MTX) and pemetrexed (PTX) are two examples of antifolates that have cured many patients over the years but target different enzymes from the folate cycle (mainly dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthase, respectively). Here we show crystal structures of MTX and PTX bound to plant SHMT isozymes from cytosol and mitochondria—human isozymes exist in the same subcellular compartments. We verify inhibition of the studied isozymes by a thorough kinetic analysis. We propose to further exploit antifolate scaffold in development of SHMT inhibitors because it seems likely that especially polyglutamylated PTX inhibits SHMTs in vivo. Structure-based optimization is expected to yield novel antifolates that could potentially be used as chemotherapeutics.
Selecting Appropriate Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Studies in Isolated and Cultured Ocular Surface Epithelia
Authors: Van Acker Sara I. , Van Acker Zoë P. , Haagdorens Michel , Pintelon Isabel , Koppen Carina , Zakaria Nadia 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe introduction of tissue engineering has allowed scientists to push the boundaries and treat seriously damaged ocular surface epithelia. They have managed to do this through the development of biological substitutes that restore, maintain or improve tissue function. To ensure the generation of a therapeutically safe and effective graft, knowledge on the transcriptional profile of native and cultured ocular surface epithelia is of undeniable value. Gene expression studies are, however, only as reliable as their proper selection of internal reaction controls or reference genes. In this study, we determined the expression stability of a number of reference genes: 18s rRNA, ACTB, ATP5B, CyC1, EIF4A2, GAPDH, RPL13A, SDHA, TOP1, UBC, and YWHAZ in primary isolates as well as in ex vivo cultured ocular surface epithelia explants (day 0 and/or day 14). Expression stability of the reference genes was assessed with both the geNorm and NormFinder software that use a pairwise comparison and a model-based approach, respectively. Our results extend the general recommendation of using multiple reference genes for normalization purposes to our model systems and provide an overview of several references genes that are likely to be stable in similar culture protocols.
A large self-transmissible resistance plasmid from Nigeria contains genes that ameliorate a carrying cost
Authors: Monárrez Rubén , Braun Molly , Coburn-Flynn Olivia , Botelho João , Odetoyin Babatunde W. , Otero-Vera Jose I. , Quartey Naa Kwarley Eyiram , Peixe Luísa , Aboderin Aaron O. , Okeke Iruka N. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAntimicrobial resistance is rapidly expanding, in a large part due to mobile genetic elements. We screened 94 fecal fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from Nigeria for six plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes. Sixteen isolates harbored at least one of the PMQR genes and four were positive for aac-6-Ib-cr. In one strain, aac-6-Ib-cr was mapped to a 125 Kb self-transmissible IncFII plasmid, pMB2, which also bears blaCTX-M-15, seven other functional resistance genes and multiple resistance pseudogenes. Laboratory strains carrying pMB2 grew faster than isogenic strains lacking the plasmid in both rich and minimal media. We excised a 32 Kb fragment containing transporter genes and several open-reading frames of unknown function. The resulting 93 Kb mini-plasmid conferred slower growth rates and lower fitness than wildtype pMB2. Trans-complementing the deletion with the cloned sitABCD genes confirmed that they accounted for the growth advantage conferred by pMB2 in iron-depleted media. pMB2 is a large plasmid with a flexible resistance region that contains loci that can account for evolutionary success in the absence of antimicrobials. Ancillary functions conferred by resistance plasmids can mediate their retention and transmissibility, worsening the trajectory for antimicrobial resistance and potentially circumventing efforts to contain resistance through restricted use.
Ecological genomics of adaptation to unpredictability in experimental rotifer populations
Authors: Tarazona Eva , Hahn Christoph , Franch-Gras Lluís , García-Roger Eduardo M. , Carmona María José , Gómez Africa 
Published: December 2019

AbstractElucidating the genetic basis of phenotypic variation in response to different environments is key to understanding how populations evolve. Facultatively sexual rotifers can develop adaptive responses to fluctuating environments. In a previous evolution experiment, diapause-related traits changed rapidly in response to two selective regimes (predictable vs unpredictable) in laboratory populations of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. Here, we investigate the genomic basis of adaptation to environmental unpredictability in these experimental populations. We identified and genotyped genome-wide polymorphisms in 169 clones from both selective regimes after seven cycles of selection using genotyping by sequencing (GBS). Additionally, we used GBS data from the 270 field clones from which the laboratory populations were established. This GBS dataset was used to identify candidate SNPs under selection. A total of 76 SNPs showed divergent selection, three of which are candidates for being under selection in the particular unpredictable fluctuation pattern studied. Most of the remaining SNPs showed strong signals of adaptation to laboratory conditions. Furthermore, a genotype-phenotype association approach revealed five SNPs associated with two key life-history traits in the adaptation to unpredictability. Our results contribute to elucidating the genomic basis for adaptation to unpredictable environments and lay the groundwork for future evolution studies in rotifers.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Influenza in China, 2005–2018
Authors: Zhang Yewu , Wang Xiaofeng , Li Yanfei , Ma Jiaqi 
Published: December 2019

AbstractInfluenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, as well as in China. Knowledge of the spatial and temporal characteristics of influenza is important in evaluating and developing disease control programs. This study aims to describe an accurate spatiotemporal pattern of influenza at the prefecture level and explore the risk factors associated with influenza incidence risk in mainland China from 2005 to 2018. The incidence data of influenza were obtained from the Chinese Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting System (CNIDRS). The Besag York Mollié (BYM) model was extended to include temporal and space-time interaction terms. The parameters for this extended Bayesian spatiotemporal model were estimated through integrated nested Laplace approximations (INLA) using the package R-INLA in R. A total of 702,226 influenza cases were reported in mainland China in CNIDRS from 2005–2018. The yearly reported incidence rate of influenza increased 15.6 times over the study period, from 3.51 in 2005 to 55.09 in 2008 per 100,000 populations. The temporal term in the spatiotemporal model showed that much of the increase occurred during the last 3 years of the study period. The risk factor analysis showed that the decreased number of influenza vaccines for sale, the new update of the influenza surveillance protocol, the increase in the rate of influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 among all processed specimens from influenza-like illness (ILI) patients, and the increase in the latitude and longitude of geographic location were associated with an increase in the influenza incidence risk. After the adjusting for fixed covariate effects and time random effects, the map of the spatial structured term shows that high-risk areas clustered in the central part of China and the lowest-risk areas in the east and west. Large space-time variations in influenza have been found since 2009. In conclusion, an increasing trend of influenza was observed from 2005 to 2018. The insufficient flu vaccine supplements, the newly emerging influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 and expansion of influenza surveillance efforts might be the major causes of the dramatic changes in outbreak and spatio-temporal epidemic patterns. Clusters of prefectures with high relative risks of influenza were identified in the central part of China. Future research with more risk factors at both national and local levels is necessary to explain the changing spatiotemporal patterns of influenza in China.
Increase of vanillin partitioning using aqueous two phase system with promising nanoparticles
Authors: Nouri Mitra , Shahriari Shahla , Pazuki Gholamreza 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe distinct features of ATPSs (aqueous two-phase systems) have made it possible to promote the extraction efficiency of biomolecules. The purpose of this study is to discover an appropriate nanoparticle to design an economical optimal separation process, and to understand the underlying molecular mechanism which allows the partitioning of vanillin as a phenolic compound using nanoparticle-based ATPSs. To this aim, the capabilities of several different nanoparticles were investigated as additives for boosting the partition coefficient of vanillin in two different ATPSs made up of polyethylene glycol and sodium sulfate/polyethylene glycol and dextran. Also, in an attempt to explain the salting-out effect, the NRTL (Non-random Two Liquid) thermodynamic model was applied. The impact of very small amounts of modified carbon nanotubes on the enhancement of the partition coefficient of vanillin in the ATPS consisting of the biocompatible polymer(s) and salt was quite remarkable. The results showed that the partition coefficient of vanillin grew by almost 127 percent compared to the system without nanoparticle. The molecular mechanism underlying the increase in the partition coefficient was interpreted by taking advantage of structural analyses.
Spermidine protects from age-related synaptic alterations at hippocampal mossy fiber-CA3 synapses
Authors: Maglione Marta , Kochlamazashvili Gaga , Eisenberg Tobias , Rácz Bence , Michael Eva , Toppe David , Stumpf Alexander , Wirth Alexander , Zeug André , Müller Franziska E. , Moreno-Velasquez Laura , Sammons Rosanna P. , Hofer Sebastian J. , Madeo Frank , Maritzen Tanja , Maier Nikolaus , Ponimaskin Evgeni , Schmitz Dietmar , Haucke Volker , Sigrist Stephan J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAging is associated with functional alterations of synapses thought to contribute to age-dependent memory impairment (AMI). While therapeutic avenues to protect from AMI are largely elusive, supplementation of spermidine, a polyamine normally declining with age, has been shown to restore defective proteostasis and to protect from AMI in Drosophila. Here we demonstrate that dietary spermidine protects from age-related synaptic alterations at hippocampal mossy fiber (MF)-CA3 synapses and prevents the aging-induced loss of neuronal mitochondria. Dietary spermidine rescued age-dependent decreases in synaptic vesicle density and largely restored defective presynaptic MF-CA3 long-term potentiation (LTP) at MF-CA3 synapses (MF-CA3) in aged animals. In contrast, spermidine failed to protect CA3-CA1 hippocampal synapses characterized by postsynaptic LTP from age-related changes in function and morphology. Our data demonstrate that dietary spermidine attenuates age-associated deterioration of MF-CA3 synaptic transmission and plasticity. These findings provide a physiological and molecular basis for the future therapeutic usage of spermidine.
Influence of temperature, salinity and Mg2+:Ca2+ ratio on microbially-mediated formation of Mg-rich carbonates by Virgibacillus strains isolated from a sabkha environment
Authors: Al Disi Zulfa Ali , Bontognali Tomaso R. R. , Jaoua Samir , Attia Essam , Al-Kuwari Hamad Al Saad , Zouari Nabil 
Published: December 2019

AbstractStudies have demonstrated that microbes facilitate the incorporation of Mg2+into carbonate minerals, leading to the formation of potential dolomite precursors. Most microbes that are capable of mediating Mg-rich carbonates have been isolated from evaporitic environments in which temperature and salinity are higher than those of average marine environments. However, how such physicochemical factors affect and concur with microbial activity influencing mineral precipitation remains poorly constrained. Here, we report the results of laboratory precipitation experiments using two mineral-formingVirgibacillusstrains and one non-mineral-forming strain ofBacillus licheniformis, all isolated from the Dohat Faishakh sabkha in Qatar. They were grown under different combinations of temperature (20°, 30°, 40 °C), salinity (3.5, 7.5, 10 NaCl %w/v), and Mg2+:Ca2+ratios (1:1, 6:1 and 12:1). Our results show that the incorporation of Mg2+into the carbonate minerals is significantly affected by all of the three tested factors. With a Mg2+:Ca2+ratio of 1, no Mg-rich carbonates formed during the experiments. With a Mg2+:Ca2+ratios of 6 and 12, multivariate analysis indicates that temperature has the highest impact followed by salinity and Mg2+:Ca2+ratio. The outcome of this study suggests that warm and saline environments are particularly favourable for microbially mediated formation of Mg-rich carbonates and provides new insight for interpreting ancient dolomite formations.
Pao Pereira Extract Attenuates Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats by inhibiting 5α-Reductase
Authors: Liu Jiakuan , Fang Tian , Li Meiqian , Song Yuting , Li Junzun , Xue Zesheng , Li Jiaxuan , Bu Dandan , Liu Wei , Zeng Qinghe , Zhang Yidan , Yun Shifeng , Huang Ruimin , Yan Jun 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBenign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases in the urinary system of elderly men. Pao extract is an herbal preparation of the bark of the Amazon rainforest tree Pao Pereira (Geissospermum vellosii), which was reported to inhibit prostate cancer cell proliferation. Herein we investigated the therapeutic potential of Pao extract against BPH development in a testosterone-induced BPH rat model. The administration of testosterone induced the prostate enlargement, compared with the sham operated group with vehicle treatment. The BPH/Pao group showed reduced prostate weight comparable with BPH/finasteride group. Notably, Pao treatment did not significantly reduce body weights and sperm number of rats, compared with the control group. Furthermore, Pao extract treatment reduced the proliferative index in prostate glands and testosterone-induced expression levels of AR, as well as androgen-associated proteins such as SRD5A1 and PSA. Moreover, Pao extract and its active component, flavopereirine, induced cytotoxicity on human prostate epithelial RWPE-1 cells in a dose- and time- dependent manner with G2/M arrest. Consistently, Pao extract and flavopereirine suppressed the expression levels of SRD5A1, AR and PSA, respectively. Together, these data demonstrated that Pao extract suppresses testosterone-induced BPH development through inhibiting AR activity and expression, and suggested that Pao extract may be a promising and relative safe agent for BPH.
Non-contact smartphone-based fundus imaging compared to conventional fundus imaging: a low-cost alternative for retinopathy of prematurity screening and documentation
Authors: Wintergerst Maximilian W. M. , Petrak Michael , Li Jeany Q. , Larsen Petra P. , Berger Moritz , Holz Frank G. , Finger Robert P. , Krohne Tim U. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractRetinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a frequent cause of treatable childhood blindness. The current dependency of telemedicine-based ROP screening on cost-intensive equipment does not meet the needs in economically disadvantaged regions. Smartphone-based fundus imaging (SBFI) allows for affordable and mobile fundus examination and, therefore, could facilitate cost-effective telemedicine-based ROP screening in low-resources settings. We compared non-contact SBFI and conventional contact fundus imaging (CFI) in terms of feasibility for ROP screening and documentation. Twenty-six eyes were imaged with both SBFI and CFI. Field-of-view was smaller (ratio of diameters, 1:2.5), level of detail was equal, and examination time was longer for SBFI as compared to CFI (109.0 ± 57.8 vs. 75.9 ± 36.3 seconds, p < 0.01). Good agreement with clinical evaluation by indirect funduscopy was achieved for assessment of plus disease and ROP stage for both SBFI (squared Cohen’s kappa, 0.88 and 0.81, respectively) and CFI (0.86 and 0.93). Likewise, sensitivity/specificity for detection of plus disease and ROP was high for both SBFI (90%/100% and 88%/93%, respectively) and CFI (80%/100% and 100%/96%). SBFI is a non-contact and low-cost alternative to CFI for ROP screening and documentation that has the potential to considerably improve ROP care in middle- and low-resources settings.
Reduced model-based decision-making in gambling disorder
Authors: Wyckmans Florent , Otto A. Ross , Sebold Miriam , Daw Nathaniel , Bechara Antoine , Saeremans Mélanie , Kornreich Charles , Chatard Armand , Jaafari Nemat , Noël Xavier 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCompulsive behaviors (e.g., addiction) can be viewed as an aberrant decision process where inflexible reactions automatically evoked by stimuli (habit) take control over decision making to the detriment of a more flexible (goal-oriented) behavioral learning system. These behaviors are thought to arise from learning algorithms known as “model-based” and “model-free” reinforcement learning. Gambling disorder, a form of addiction without the confound of neurotoxic effects of drugs, showed impaired goal-directed control but the way in which problem gamblers (PG) orchestrate model-based and model-free strategies has not been evaluated. Forty-nine PG and 33 healthy participants (CP) completed a two-step sequential choice task for which model-based and model-free learning have distinct and identifiable trial-by-trial learning signatures. The influence of common psychopathological comorbidities on those two forms of learning were investigated. PG showed impaired model-based learning, particularly after unrewarded outcomes. In addition, PG exhibited faster reaction times than CP following unrewarded decisions. Troubled mood, higher impulsivity (i.e., positive and negative urgency) and current and chronic stress reported via questionnaires did not account for those results. These findings demonstrate specific reinforcement learning and decision-making deficits in behavioral addiction that advances our understanding and may be important dimensions for designing effective interventions.