bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation appraisal of antibiotic resistance with fecal, metal and microplastic contamination in a tropical Indian river, lakes and sewage
Authors: Ram Bhagwana , Kumar Manish 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe present study compares the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in the urban water of Ahmedabad (India), to understand the correlation of ARB with the fecal, metal, and microplastic contamination. Eleven samples, i.e., three locations of Sabarmati River along with one sample each from two (Chandola and Kankaria) lakes, and influents and effluents from three Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) were analyzed in this study. E. coli isolated from the samples were subjected to three fluoroquinolones (Levofloxacin (LVX), Ciprofloxacin (CIP), and Norfloxacin (NFX)) and three non-fluoroquinolones (Kanamycin Monosulphate (KM), Tetracycline (TC), and Sulfamethoxazole (ST)) antibiotics for resistance quantification. Prevalence of the E. coli in the Sabarmati River (19,467–76,600 cfu mL−1) was higher than the lakes and STP(s), except the influent sample at Juhapura STP. Among the lake samples, Kankaria Lake (KL) exhibited 0% resistance towards all six antibiotics despite 5× prevalence of E. coli than that of Chandola Lake (CL) exhibiting up to 60% resistance for non-fluoroquinolones and 40% resistance to NFX. Multivariate statistical analyses suggest that resistance for ST, KM, and TC is more prevalent and correlated with electrical conductivity (EC), finer size microplastic, manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni), whereas the resistance for fluoroquinolones (LVX, CIP, and NFX) seems highly influenced by seasonal temperature variation. Larger size microplastic clustered with salinity, ORP, and Pb. Further, fecal contamination and antibiotic resistance seem to be governed by the same source and processes, yet it does not show good correlation except for the river samples. This result may be attributed to the dynamic river–human interface, substantial wastewater discharge into the river, stagnant water flow, and urbanization-related discharge conditions rather than the upstream condition.
Multisensory Gains in Simple Detection Predict Global Cognition in Schoolchildren
Authors: Denervaud Solange , Gentaz Edouard , Matusz Pawel J. , Murray Micah M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe capacity to integrate information from different senses is central for coherent perception across the lifespan from infancy onwards. Later in life, multisensory processes are related to cognitive functions, such as speech or social communication. During learning, multisensory processes can in fact enhance subsequent recognition memory for unisensory objects. These benefits can even be predicted; adults’ recognition memory performance is shaped by earlier responses in the same task to multisensory – but not unisensory – information. Everyday environments where learning occurs, such as classrooms, are inherently multisensory in nature. Multisensory processes may therefore scaffold healthy cognitive development. Here, we provide the first evidence of a predictive relationship between multisensory benefits in simple detection and higher-level cognition that is present already in schoolchildren. Multiple regression analyses indicated that the extent to which a child (N = 68; aged 4.5–15years) exhibited multisensory benefits on a simple detection task not only predicted benefits on a continuous recognition task involving naturalistic objects (p = 0.009), even when controlling for age, but also the same relative multisensory benefit also predicted working memory scores (p = 0.023) and fluid intelligence scores (p = 0.033) as measured using age-standardised test batteries. By contrast, gains in unisensory detection did not show significant prediction of any of the above global cognition measures. Our findings show that low-level multisensory processes predict higher-order memory and cognition already during childhood, even if still subject to ongoing maturation. These results call for revision of traditional models of cognitive development (and likely also education) to account for the role of multisensory processing, while also opening exciting opportunities to facilitate early learning through multisensory programs. More generally, these data suggest that a simple detection task could provide direct insights into the integrity of global cognition in schoolchildren and could be further developed as a readily-implemented and cost-effective screening tool for neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly in cases when standard neuropsychological tests are infeasible or unavailable.
Proteomic analyses of sheep (ovis aries) embryonic skeletal muscle
Authors: Wang Xinyue , Shi Tianpei , Zhao Zhida , Hou Haobin , Zhang Li 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe growth and development of embryonic skeletal muscle plays a crucial role in sheep muscle mass. But proteomic analyses for embryonic skeletal development in sheep had been little involved in the past research. In this study, we explored differential abundance proteins during embryonic skeletal muscle development by the tandem mass tags (TMT) and performed a protein profile analyses in the longissimus dorsi of Chinese merino sheep at embryonic ages Day85 (D85N), Day105 (D105N) and Day135 (D135N). 5,520 proteins in sheep embryonic skeletal muscle were identified, and 1,316 of them were differential abundance (fold change ≥1.5 and p-value < 0.05). After the KEGG enrichment analyses, these differential abundance proteins were significant enriched in the protein binding, muscle contraction and energy metabolism pathways. After validation of the protein quantification with the parallel reaction monitoring (PRM), 41% (16/39) significant abundance proteins were validated, which was similar to the results of protein quantification with TMT. All results indicated that D85N to D105N was the stage of embryonic muscle fibers proliferation, while D105N to D135N was the stage of their hypertrophy. These findings provided a deeper understanding of the function and rules of proteins in different phases of sheep embryonic skeletal muscle growth and development.
Porphyromonas gingivalis triggers the shedding of inflammatory endothelial microvesicles that act as autocrine effectors of endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Bugueno Isaac Maximiliano , Zobairi El-Ghazouani Fatiha , Batool Fareeha , El Itawi Hanine , Anglès-Cano Eduardo , Benkirane-Jessel Nadia , Toti Florence , Huck Olivier 
Published: February 2020

AbstractA link between periodontitis and atherothrombosis has been highlighted. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of Porphyromonas gingivalis on endothelial microvesicles (EMVPg) shedding and their contribution to endothelial inflammation. Endothelial cells (EC) were infected with P. gingivalis (MOI = 100) for 24 h. EMVPg were isolated and their concentration was evaluated by prothrombinase assay. EMVPg were significantly increased in comparison with EMVCtrl shedded by unstimulated cells. While EMVCtrl from untreated EC had no effect, whereas, the proportion of apoptotic EC was increased by 30 nM EMVPg and viability was decreased down to 25%, a value elicited by P. gingivalis alone. Moreover, high concentration of EMVPg (30 nM) induced a pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidative cell response including up-regulation of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 as well as an altered expression of iNOS and eNOS at both mRNA and protein level. An increase of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 mRNA expression (4.5 folds and 3 folds respectively (p < 0.05 vs untreated) was also observed after EMVPg (30 nM) stimulation whereas P. gingivalis infection was less effective, suggesting a specific triggering by EMVPg. Kinasome analysis demonstrated the specific effect induced by EMVPg on main pro-inflammatory pathways including JNK/AKT and STAT. EMVPg are effective pro-inflammatory effectors that may have detrimental effect on vascular homeostasis and should be considered as potential autocrine and paracrine effectors involved in the link between periodontitis and atherothrombosis.
Association of past dengue fever epidemics with the risk of Zika microcephaly at the population level in Brazil
Authors: Carvalho Marilia Sá , Freitas Laís Picinini , Cruz Oswaldo Gonçalves , Brasil Patrícia , Bastos Leonardo Soares 
Published: February 2020

AbstractDespite all the research done on the first Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemics, it was only after the Brazilian epidemic that the Congenital Zika Syndrome was described. This was made possible due to the large number of babies born with microcephaly in the Northeast region (NE) in a narrow time. We hypothesize that the fivefold difference in the rate of microcephalic neonates between the NE and other regions is partially an effect of the population prior immunity against Dengue viruses (DENV), that cross-react with ZIKV. In this ecological study, we analysed the interaction between dengue fever epidemics from 2001 to 2014 and the 2015/2016 microcephaly epidemic in 400 microregions in Brazil using random-effects models under a Bayesian approach. The estimated effect of the time lag between the most recent large dengue epidemic (>400/100,000 inhabitants) and the microcephaly epidemic ranged from protection (up to 6 years prior) to an increased risk (from 7 to 12 years). This sustained window of protection, larger than described in previous longitudinal studies, is possibly an effect of herd immunity and of multiple exposures to DENV that could boost immunity.
RyR1-targeted drug discovery pipeline integrating FRET-based high-throughput screening and human myofiber dynamic Ca2+ assays
Authors: Rebbeck Robyn T. , Singh Daniel P. , Janicek Kevyn A. , Bers Donald M. , Thomas David D. , Launikonis Bradley S. , Cornea Razvan L. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractElevated cytoplasmic [Ca2+] is characteristic in severe skeletal and cardiac myopathies, diabetes, and neurodegeneration, and partly results from increased Ca2+ leak from sarcoplasmic reticulum stores via dysregulated ryanodine receptor (RyR) channels. Consequently, RyR is recognized as a high-value target for drug discovery to treat such pathologies. Using a FRET-based high-throughput screening assay that we previously reported, we identified small-molecule compounds that modulate the skeletal muscle channel isoform (RyR1) interaction with calmodulin and FK506 binding protein 12.6. Two such compounds, chloroxine and myricetin, increase FRET and inhibit [3H]ryanodine binding to RyR1 at nanomolar Ca2+. Both compounds also decrease RyR1 Ca2+ leak in human skinned skeletal muscle fibers. Furthermore, we identified compound concentrations that reduced leak by > 50% but only slightly affected Ca2+ release in excitation-contraction coupling, which is essential for normal muscle contraction. This report demonstrates a pipeline that effectively filters small-molecule RyR1 modulators towards clinical relevance.
Number of teeth is associated with facial size in humans
Authors: Oeschger Elias S. , Kanavakis Georgios , Halazonetis Demetrios J. , Gkantidis Nikolaos 
Published: February 2020

AbstractDuring human evolution there has been an increase in the size of the brain and the cranium, whereas the size of the face, as well as the size and number of teeth have decreased. In modern humans, the occurrence of missing permanent teeth, namely tooth agenesis, is common. It could be attributed to a biological mechanism of tooth number reduction that has evolved during time and might still be active. Although, if evident, it would add support to this theory, the relationship between this phenotype and craniofacial size remains largely unknown. The present case-control study shows that modern individuals with tooth agenesis have indeed smaller facial configurations. For example, a 15-year-old female with no, one, or ten missing teeth would have a facial centroid size of 511.83, 510.81, or 501.70 mm, respectively. No such effect was observable in the cranial base and the cranium. Our results suggest that common gene regulatory mechanisms that have evolved over time, continue to regulate the number of teeth and facial size of modern humans in a coordinated manner. We anticipate our findings to enrich our understanding of the evolution and development of the human head and kindle future developmental research on this field.
A Nursing Care Intervention Model for Elderly People to Ascertain General Profiles of Functionality and Self Care Needs
Authors: Goes Margarida , Lopes Manuel José , Oliveira Henrique , Fonseca César , Marôco João 
Published: February 2020

AbstractA core set of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health codes was used to ascertain general profiles of functionality as a function of biological and sociodemographic characteristics and to develop structured nursing interventions in accordance with self care deficits identified by studying self care behavior for elderly people living in both extensively and sparsely populated rural areas. Data were collected by health professionals in the participants’ houses. An exploratory factor analysis enabled reduced data dimensions, and factorial validity was assessed by a confirmatory factor analysis. An ordinal regression model was built to identify general profiles of functionality as a function of age. A bar graph was used as a measurement tool for nursing care needs as a function of self care behavior and functional profile level. No functional problems were expected among people under the age of 74 years, while mild functionality problems were expected among people older than 74 years. Regarding nursing care needs, the results of the constructed model suggested that the functional concept “Support and Relationships” is associated with higher levels of functional problems and thus a greater need for self care interventions and that people aged 85 years and older always show therapeutic self care deficits.
Nationwide prediction of type 2 diabetes comorbidities
Authors: Dworzynski Piotr , Aasbrenn Martin , Rostgaard Klaus , Melbye Mads , Gerds Thomas Alexander , Hjalgrim Henrik , Pers Tune H. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIdentification of individuals at risk of developing disease comorbidities represents an important task in tackling the growing personal and societal burdens associated with chronic diseases. We employed machine learning techniques to investigate to what extent data from longitudinal, nationwide Danish health registers can be used to predict individuals at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) comorbidities. Leveraging logistic regression-, random forest- and gradient boosting models and register data spanning hospitalizations, drug prescriptions and contacts with primary care contractors from >200,000 individuals newly diagnosed with T2D, we predicted five-year risk of heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), stroke (ST), cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). For HF, MI, CVD, and CKD, register-based models outperformed a reference model leveraging canonical individual characteristics by achieving area under the receiver operating characteristic curve improvements of 0.06, 0.03, 0.04, and 0.07, respectively. The top 1,000 patients predicted to be at highest risk exhibited observed incidence ratios exceeding 4.99, 3.52, 1.97 and 4.71 respectively. In summary, prediction of T2D comorbidities utilizing Danish registers led to consistent albeit modest performance improvements over reference models, suggesting that register data could be leveraged to systematically identify individuals at risk of developing disease comorbidities.
Inferring quantity and qualities of superimposed reaction rates from single molecule survival time distributions
Authors: Reisser Matthias , Hettich Johannes , Kuhn Timo , Popp Achim P. , Große-Berkenbusch Andreas , Gebhardt J. Christof M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractActions of molecular species, for example binding of transcription factors to chromatin, may comprise several superimposed reaction pathways. The number and the rate constants of such superimposed reactions can in principle be resolved by inverse Laplace transformation of the corresponding distribution of reaction lifetimes. However, current approaches to solve this transformation are challenged by photobleaching-prone fluorescence measurements of lifetime distributions. Here, we present a genuine rate identification method (GRID), which infers the quantity, rates and amplitudes of dissociation processes from fluorescence lifetime distributions using a dense grid of possible decay rates. In contrast to common multi-exponential analysis of lifetime distributions, GRID is able to distinguish between broad and narrow clusters of decay rates. We validate GRID by simulations and apply it to CDX2-chromatin interactions measured by live cell single molecule fluorescence microscopy. GRID reveals well-separated narrow decay rate clusters of CDX2, in part overlooked by multi-exponential analysis. We discuss the amplitudes of the decay rate spectrum in terms of frequency of observed events and occupation probability of reaction states. We further demonstrate that a narrow decay rate cluster is compatible with a common model of TF sliding on DNA.
Altruistic food sharing behavior by human infants after a hunger manipulation
Authors: Barragan Rodolfo Cortes , Brooks Rechele , Meltzoff Andrew N. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAltruistic behavior entails giving valuable benefits to others while incurring a personal cost. A distinctively human form of altruistic behavior involves handing nutritious food to needy strangers, even when one desires the food. Engaging in altruistic food transfer, instead of keeping the food, is costly, because it reduces the caloric intake of the benefactor vis-à-vis the beneficiary. Human adults engage in this form of altruistic behavior during times of war and famine, when giving food to others threatens one’s own survival. Our closest living primate relatives, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and bonobos (Pan paniscus), exhibit notable constraints on the proclivity to engage in such food transfer (particularly chimpanzees), although they share many social-cognitive commonalities with humans. Here we show that in a nonverbal test, 19-month-old human infants repeatedly and spontaneously transferred high-value, nutritious natural food to a stranger (Experiment 1) and more critically, did so after an experimental manipulation that imposed a feeding delay (Experiment 2), which increased their own motivation to eat the food. Social experience variables moderated the expression of this infant altruistic behavior, suggesting malleability.
One-step Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Isoimperatorin: Evaluation of Photocatalytic, and Electrochemical Activities
Authors: Mavaei Maryamosadat , Chahardoli Azam , Shokoohinia Yalda , Khoshroo Alireza , Fattahi Ali 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn the current study, isoimperatorin, a natural furanocoumarin, is used as a reducing reagent to synthesize isoimperatorin mediated silver nanoparticles (Iso-AgNPs), and photocatalytic and electrocatalytic activities of Iso-AgNPs are evaluated. Iso-AgNPs consisted of spherically shaped particles with a size range of 79–200 nm and showed catalytic activity for the degradation (in high yields) of New Fuchsine (NF), Methylene Blue (MB), Erythrosine B (ER) and 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) under sunlight irradiation. Based on obtained results, Iso-AgNPs exhibited 96.5%, 96.0%, 92%, and 95% degradation rates for MB, NF, ER, and 4-CP, respectively. The electrochemical performance showed that the as-prepared Iso-AgNPs exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity toward hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) reduction. It is worth noticing that the Iso-AgNPs were used as electrode materials without any binder. The sensor-based on binder-free Iso-AgNPs showed linearity from 0.1 µM to 4 mM with a detection limit of 0.036 μM for H2O2. This binder-free and straightforward strategy for electrode preparation by silver nanoparticles may provide an alternative technique for the development of other nanomaterials based on isoimperatorin under green conditions. Altogether, the application of isoimpratorin in the synthesis of nano-metallic electro and photocatalysts, especially silver nanoparticles, is a simple, cost-effective and efficient approach.
Nucleus accumbens pathways control cell-specific gene expression in the medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Hikida Takatoshi , Yao Shuhei , Macpherson Tom , Fukakusa Ayumi , Morita Makiko , Kimura Haruhide , Hirai Keisuke , Ando Tatsuya , Toyoshiba Hiroyoshi , Sawa Akira 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is a critical component of a cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical loop regulating limbic and cognitive functions. Within this circuit, two distinct nucleus accumbens (NAc) output neuron types, dopamine D1 or D2 receptor-expressing neurons, dynamically control the flow of information through basal ganglia nuclei that eventually project back to the mPFC to complete the loop. Thus, chronic dysfunction of the NAc may result in mPFC transcriptomal changes, which in turn contribute to disease conditions associated with the mPFC and basal ganglia. Here, we used RNA sequencing to analyse differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the mPFC following a reversible neurotransmission blocking technique in D1 or D2 receptor-expressing NAc neurons, respectively (D1-RNB, or D2-RNB). Gene Set Enrichment Analysis revealed that gene sets of layer 5b and 6 pyramidal neurons were enriched in DEGs of the mPFC downregulated in both NAc D1- and D2-RNB mice. In contrast, gene sets of layer 5a pyramidal neurons were enriched in upregulated DEGs of the mPFC in D1-RNB mice, and downregulated DEGs of the mPFC in D2-RNB mice. These findings reveal for the first time that NAc output pathways play an important role in controlling mPFC gene expression.
Cyclosporine H Improves the Multi-Vector Lentiviral Transduction of Murine Haematopoietic Progenitors and Stem Cells
Authors: Olender Leonid , Bujanover Nir , Sharabi Omri , Goldstein Oron , Gazit Roi 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHaematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have the potential for lifetime production of blood and immune cells. The introduction of transgenes into HSCs is important for basic research, as well as for multiple clinical applications, because HSC transplantation is an already established procedure. Recently, a major advancement has been reported in the use of cyclosporine H (CsH), which can significantly enhance the lentivirus (LV) transduction of human haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). In this study, we employed CsH for LV transduction of murine HSCs and defined haematopoietic progenitors, confirming previous findings in more specific subsets of primitive haematopoietic cells. Our data confirm increased efficiencies, in agreement with the published data. We further experimented with the transduction with the simultaneous use of several vectors. The use of CsH yielded an even more robust increase in rates of multi-vector infection than the increase for a single-vector. CsH was reported to reduce the innate resistance mechanism against LV infection. We indeed found that additional pretreatment could increase the efficiency of transduction, in agreement with the originally reported results. Our data also suggest that CsH does not reduce the efficiency of transplantation into immune-competent hosts or the differentiation of HSCs while enhancing stable long-term expression in vivo. This new additive will surely help many studies in animal models and might be very useful for the development of novel HSC gene therapy approaches.