bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Theoretical and experimental investigation of Xenotime-type rare earth phosphate REPO4, (RE = Lu, Yb, Er, Y and Sc) for potential environmental barrier coating applications
Authors: Han Jing , Wang Yanfei , Liu Rongjun , Wan Fan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe mechanical and thermophysical properties of Xenotime-type REPO4(RE = Lu, Yb, Er, Y and Sc) have been theoretically and experimentally investigated for a potential environmental barrier coating (EBC) topcoat application. The results show that the current studied REPO4exhibits a quasi-ductile property, suggesting a potential long life expectancy of its made coatings. Further, from the study of underlying parameters governing thermophysical properties of a ceramic, low thermal expansion coefficients (TECs) and low thermal conductivities cannot be achieved simultaneously, due to mutual exclusive nature of above two parameters. REPO4has been unveiled to have rather small TECs, attributing partly to its weak lattice anharmonicity, and is thus well-matched with silicon carbide based ceramic matrix composites. Last, the current investigated REPO4exhibits very good high-temperature water vapor corrosion resistance, excellent calcium-magnesium aluminosilicates (CMAS) resistance as well as excellent chemical compatibility with silicon bond coats at elevated temperatures. Therefore, the Xenotime-type rare earth phosphates are a promising EBC topcoat material.
Sprouty2 regulates positioning of retinal progenitors through suppressing the Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway
Authors: Sun Jian , Yoon Jaeho , Lee Moonsup , Hwang Yoo-Seok , Daar Ira O. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSproutys are negative regulators of the Ras/Raf/MAPK signaling pathway and involved in regulation of organogenesis, differentiation, cell migration and proliferation. Although the function of Sproutys have been extensively studied during embryonic development, their role and mode of action during eye formation in vertebrate embryonic development is still unknown. Here we show that Xenopus sprouty2 is expressed in the optic vesicle at late neurula stage and knockdown of Sprouty2 prevents retinal progenitors from populating the retina, which in turn gives rise to small eyes. In the absence of Sprouty2, progenitor cell population of the retina can be restored by blocking the MAPK signaling pathway through overexpression of DN-Ras or DN-Raf. In contrast, activation of the MAPK pathway through overexpression of a constitutively active form of c-Raf (ca-Raf) inhibits progenitor population of the retina, similar to the Sprouty2 loss-of-function phenotype. Moreover, we present evidence that the retinal defect observed in Sprouty2 morphants is attributed to the failure of proper movement of retinal progenitors into the optic vesicle, rather than an effect on progenitor cell survival. These results suggest that Sprouty2 is required for the positioning of retinal progenitors within the optic vesicle through suppressing Ras/Raf/MAPK signaling pathway.
Nanoscale light element identification using machine learning aided STEM-EDS
Authors: Kim Hong-Kyu , Ha Heon-Young , Bae Jee-Hwan , Cho Min Kyung , Kim Juyoung , Han Jeongwoo , Suh Jin-Yoo , Kim Gyeung-Ho , Lee Tae-Ho , Jang Jae Hoon , Chun Dongwon 
Published: August 2020

AbstractLight element identification is necessary in materials research to obtain detailed insight into various material properties. However, reported techniques, such as scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM)-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) have inadequate detection limits, which impairs identification. In this study, we achieved light element identification with nanoscale spatial resolution in a multi-component metal alloy through unsupervised machine learning algorithms of singular value decomposition (SVD) and independent component analysis (ICA). Improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the STEM-EDS spectrum images was achieved by combining SVD and ICA, leading to the identification of a nanoscale N-depleted region that was not observed in as-measured STEM-EDS. Additionally, the formation of the nanoscale N-depleted region was validated using STEM–electron energy loss spectroscopy and multicomponent diffusional transformation simulation. The enhancement of SNR in STEM-EDS spectrum images by machine learning algorithms can provide an efficient, economical chemical analysis method to identify light elements at the nanoscale.
Finite element analysis of load transition on sacroiliac joint during bipedal walking
Authors: Toyohara Ryota , Kurosawa Daisuke , Hammer Niels , Werner Michael , Honda Keita , Sekiguchi Yusuke , Izumi Shin-Ichi , Murakami Eiichi , Ozawa Hiroshi , Ohashi Toshiro 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is burdened with variant loads. However, no methods have allowed to measure objectively how the SIJ deforms during bipedal walking. In this study, in-vivo walking conditions were replicated in a kinematic model combining the finite element method with 3D walking analysis data divided into five phases in order to visualize the load transition on the SIJ and clarify the role of the SIJ. Both models with and without inclusion of the SIJ were investigated. In models with bilateral SIJs, the displacement differed greatly between the sacrum and both hip bones on the SIJ as the boundary. The movements of the sacrum involved a nutation movement in the stance phase and a counter-nutation in the swing phase relative to the ilium. In models without SIJs, the displacement of the pelvis and loads of pelvic ligaments decreased, and the equivalent stress of the SIJs increased compared to the model with SIJs. The walking loads cause distortion of the entire pelvis, and stress concentration at the SIJ are seen due to the morphology of the pelvic ring. However, the SIJs help dissipate the resulting stresses, and the surrounding ligaments are likewise involved in load transmission.
Administration of small-molecule guanabenz acetate attenuates fatty liver and hyperglycemia associated with obesity
Authors: Yoshino Satoshi , Iwasaki Yusaku , Matsumoto Shunichi , Satoh Tetsurou , Ozawa Atsushi , Yamada Eijiro , Kakizaki Satoru , Trejo Juan Alejandro Oliva , Uchiyama Yasuo , Yamada Masanobu , Mori Masatomo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive accumulation of hepatic triglycerides (TG) and hyperglycemia arising due to persistent insulin resistance, and is profoundly linked to obesity. However, there is currently no established treatment for NAFLD in obese human subjects. We previously isolated Helz2, the expression of which was upregulated in human and mouse NAFLD, and its deletion activated the hepatic expression of functional leptin receptor long form (Leprb) and suppressed NAFLD development and body weight (BW) gain in obese mice. A high-throughput assay of small-molecule drugs revealed that guanabenz acetate (Ga), originally used to treat hypertension, possesses a high affinity constant against HELZ2, and its administration activates LEPRB expression in HepG2 cells in vitro. The chronic oral administration of Ga shows the selective leptin sensitization in the liver via upregulation of hepatic Leprb expression, which affects expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and fatty acid β-oxidation and diminishes hepatocyte hypertrophy with droplets enriched in TG in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. This activity significantly improves insulin resistance to decrease hyperglycemia and hepatocyte and adipocyte weights, resulting in BW reduction without reducing food intake. Regarding drug repositioning, Ga has the potential to effectively treat NAFLD and hyperglycemia in obese patients.
Neuronal subclass-selective proteomic analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Aburaya Shunsuke , Yamauchi Yuji , Hashimoto Takashi , Minakuchi Hiroyoshi , Aoki Wataru , Ueda Mitsuyoshi 
Published: August 2020

AbstractNeurons are categorised into many subclasses, and each subclass displays different morphology, expression patterns, connectivity and function. Changes in protein synthesis are critical for neuronal function. Therefore, analysing protein expression patterns in individual neuronal subclass will elucidate molecular mechanisms for memory and other functions. In this study, we used neuronal subclass-selective proteomic analysis with cell-selective bio-orthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging. We selected Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism because it shows diverse neuronal functions and simple neural circuitry. We performed proteomic analysis of all neurons or AFD subclass neurons that regulate thermotaxis in C. elegans. Mutant phenylalanyl tRNA synthetase (MuPheRS) was selectively expressed in all neurons or AFD subclass neurons, and azido-phenylalanine was incorporated into proteins in cells of interest. Azide-labelled proteins were enriched and proteomic analysis was performed. We identified 4,412 and 1,834 proteins from strains producing MuPheRS in all neurons and AFD subclass neurons, respectively. F23B2.10 (RING-type domain-containing protein) was identified only in neuronal cell-enriched proteomic analysis. We expressed GFP under the control of the 5′ regulatory region of F23B2.10 and found GFP expression in neurons. We expect that more single-neuron specific proteomic data will clarify how protein composition and abundance affect characteristics of neuronal subclasses.
Evaluation of biochemical and hematological parameters in adults with Down syndrome
Authors: de Gonzalo-Calvo David , Barroeta Isabel , Nan Madalina Nicoleta , Rives José , Garzón Diana , Carmona-Iragui María , Benejam Bessy , Videla Laura , Fernández Susana , Altuna Miren , Valldeneu Sílvia , Blesa Rafael , Lleó Alberto , Blanco-Vaca Francisco , Fortea Juan , Tondo Mireia 
Published: August 2020

AbstractDown syndrome (DS) is the most common worldwide cause of intellectual disability of genetic origin and the most common chromosomal disorder affecting live-born infants. In addition to intellectual disability, individuals with DS have other comorbidities and complex medical conditions. The increase in the life expectancy of patients with DS requires expanding the knowledge about their clinical characteristics and related laboratory parameters. Several studies exploring laboratory tests in DS patients exist, but their focus is limited to specific areas of metabolism. Therefore, our main goal was to describe the biochemical and hematological findings in a DS cohort and to compare the values to those of a control population. A total of 248 DS individuals and 84 control subjects were enrolled. DS individuals had a higher frequency of several clinical conditions compared to control individuals and presented with significant differences with respect to the controls in both biochemical and hematological parameters. We found age- and sex-related differences in several of the parameters. A good understanding of the differences in our cohort might be of aid in the clinical follow-up of adults with DS, especially considering that the lifespan of DS individuals may reach 60 years of age in developed countries.
Effects of a microbial restoration substrate on plant growth and rhizosphere bacterial community in a continuous tomato cropping greenhouse
Authors: Zheng Xuefang , Wang Ziran , Zhu Yujing , Wang Jieping , Liu Bo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractContinuous cropping of tomato is increasingly practiced in greenhouse cultivation, leading to several soil-related obstacles. In this study, a type of microbial restoration substrate (MRS) was used to amend soils from the re-cropping of tomato for 8 years under greenhouse-cultivated conditions. Two treatments were established: using 1,500 kg hm−2 of MRS to amend soil as treatment (TR), and non-MRS as control (CK). The severity of bacterial wilt (BW), soil properties and rhizobacterial community composition under two different treatments were compared. The application of MRS led to an average 83.75% reduction in the severity of BW, and significantly increased the plant height, root activity and yield. Meanwhile, soil pH, soil organic contents (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and exchangeable calcium were significantly increased (P < 0.05) by MRS treatment. Illumina-MiSeq sequencing analysis of the 16S rRNA genes revealed that MRS increased the diversity of the tomato rhizobacterial community. The relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes were enhanced, whereas those of Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, TM7 and Firmicutes were decreased by MRS. The redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that the severity of tomato BW was negatively correlated with the relative abundances of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, but positively correlated with those of Gemmatimonadetes, Firmicutes and Acidobacteria. In addition, the effects of MRS on rhizobacterial metabolic potentials were predicted using a Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, implying that MRS could significantly increase nitrogen metabolisms and reduce carbon metabolism. Together, our results indicated that the use of MRS could reestablish soil microbial communities, which was beneficial to plant health compared with the control.
Antibiotic use and hygiene interact to influence the distribution of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in low-income communities in Guatemala
Authors: Ramay Brooke M. , Caudell Mark A. , Cordón-Rosales Celia , Archila L. Diego , Palmer Guy H. , Jarquin Claudia , Moreno Purificación , McCracken John P. , Rosenkrantz Leah , Amram Ofer , Omulo Sylvia , Call Douglas R. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractTo examine the effects of poor sanitation and hygiene on the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, we surveyed households in two rural and two urban communities in Guatemala (N = 196 randomly selected households). One adult (≥ 18-years old) and, when available, one child (≤ 5 years-old) provided a stool sample. Up to 48 presumptive Escherichia coli isolates were collected from each stool sample (n = 21,256 total) and were subjected to breakpoint assays for ten antibiotics. Mixed-effects logistic models were used to identify potential factors influencing the likelihood of harboring antibiotic-resistant bacteria. For nine out of ten antibiotics, the odds of detecting resistant bacteria decreased by ~ 32% (odds ratios, OR 0.53–0.8, P < 0.001) for every unit of improvement of a hygiene scale. Hygiene differences between households had a greater impact on prevalence compared to antibiotic use differences. The likelihood of detecting resistant isolates was lower for five antibiotics among households that boiled raw milk before consumption (OR 0.31–0.69), and higher for nine antibiotics in urban households (OR > 1.89–9.6). Poor hygiene conditions likely obscure effects of individual antibiotic use, presumably due to enhanced microbial transmission. Consequently, efforts to improve antibiotic stewardship should be coupled with improving hygiene conditions.
Risk factors of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related interstitial lung disease in patients with lung cancer: a single-institution retrospective study
Authors: Okada Naoto , Matsuoka Rie , Sakurada Takumi , Goda Mitsuhiro , Chuma Masayuki , Yagi Kenta , Zamami Yoshito , Nishioka Yasuhiko , Ishizawa Keisuke 
Published: August 2020

AbstractImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) elicit antitumour effects by activating the host immunity and cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs). ICI-related interstitial lung disease (ICI-ILD) is a fatal irAE that is difficult to treat; moreover, its incidence is relatively higher in patients with lung cancer. Therefore, early ICI-ILD detection and intervention are important for patient safety. However, a risk assessment method for ICI-ILD has not been established and the prediction of ICI-ILD occurrence is difficult. The aim of our study was to identify the risk factors associated with ICI-ILD. To this end, we retrospectively analysed 102 patients with lung cancer who first received ICI and completed the treatment between April 2016 and December 2019 at Tokushima University Hospital. Nineteen patients had all grades of ICI-ILD and 10 had grade ≥ 3 ICI-ILD. The 30-day mortality rate of patients with grade ≥ 3 ICI-ILD was the highest among all patients (P < 0.01). The multivariate logistic analysis indicated that the performance status ≥ 2 alone and both performance status ≥ 2 and ≥ 50 pack-year were independent risk factors of ICI-ILD of grade ≥ 3 and all grades, respectively. Overall, our study provides insights to predict ICI-ILD occurrence.
Upregulation of circ_0000199 in circulating exosomes is associated with survival outcome in OSCC
Authors: Luo Yanwei , Liu Fengxia , Guo Jie , Gui Rong 
Published: August 2020

AbstractStudies have found that circRNA in exosomes is associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) progression. In this study, we examined the expression of circ_0000199 in circulating exosomes from patients with OSCC and its role in the evaluation of relapse and prognosis. Real‐time quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction was performed to assess circ_0000199 expression in circulating exosomes from 108 patients with OSCC and 50 healthy people. Gain- and loss-functional experiments were performed to assess the role of circ_0000199 on cell proliferation and apoptosis in OSCC cells. Our results showed that the high level of circ_0000199 in circulating exosomes was significantly associated with betel quid chewing, tumor size, lymphatic metastasis, and TNM stage in patients with OSCC. In addition, the patients with high exosomal circ_0000199 had higher tumor recurrence rate and higher mortality rate than the patients with low exosomal circ_0000199. Overexpression of circ_0000199 promoted, while knockdown of circ_0000199 inhibited OSCC cell growth. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that circ_0000199 interacted with miR-145-5p and miR-29b-3p simultaneously, which were involved in multiple tumor‐related signaling pathways. In conclusion, upregulation of circ_0000199 in circulating exosomes from patients with OSCC is positively associated with poor survival outcome. Circulating exosomal circ_0000199 can be used as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target for OSCC.
Structural insights of the enzymes from the chitin utilization locus of Flavobacterium johnsoniae
Authors: Mazurkewich Scott , Helland Ronny , Mackenzie Alasdair , Eijsink Vincent G. H. , Pope Phillip B. , Brändén Gisela , Larsbrink Johan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractChitin is one of the most abundant renewable organic materials found on earth. The chitin utilization locus in Flavobacterium johnsoniae, which encodes necessary proteins for complete enzymatic depolymerization of crystalline chitin, has recently been characterized but no detailed structural information on the enzymes was provided. Here we present protein structures of the F. johnsoniae chitobiase (FjGH20) and chitinase B (FjChiB). FjGH20 is a multi-domain enzyme with a helical domain not before observed in other chitobiases and a domain organization reminiscent of GH84 (β-N-acetylglucosaminidase) family members. The structure of FjChiB reveals that the protein lacks loops and regions associated with exo-acting activity in other chitinases and instead has a more solvent accessible substrate binding cleft, which is consistent with its endo-chitinase activity. Additionally, small angle X-ray scattering data were collected for the internal 70 kDa region that connects the N- and C-terminal chitinase domains of the unique 158 kDa multi-domain chitinase A (FjChiA). The resulting model of the molecular envelope supports bioinformatic predictions of the region comprising six domains, each with similarities to either Fn3-like or Ig-like domains. Taken together, the results provide insights into chitin utilization by F. johnsoniae and reveal structural diversity in bacterial chitin metabolism.
Haptoglobin polymorphisms in Latin American populations
Authors: Soejima Mikiko , Koda Yoshiro 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSeveral genetic polymorphisms of the haptoglobin gene (HP) or haptoglobin-related gene (HPR) were reported to show a population-specific distribution and to be associated with not only serum haptoglobin (HP) but also cholesterol levels. For such association studies, it is important to know the distribution of polymorphisms or their haplotypes in the populations concerned. However, no comprehensive genetic studies have explored this in Latin Americans, and not every human variation or genotype is available in a database. In this study, we determined the genotypes of common HP (HP1 and HP2), HPdel, rs5471, rs5472, and rs2000999 in several Latin American populations. Haplotypes of rs5472-common HP-rs2000999 polymorphisms were estimated. We did not encounter any HPdel, and the frequencies of rs5471 A, rs5472 A, HP1, and rs2000999 G were higher than their counterpart alleles in studied populations. All of the alleles with higher frequency in the Latin Americans are associated with higher serum HP and lower cholesterol levels. Both A-1-G (probably HP1S) and G-1-G (probably HP1F) haplotypes were higher in Latin American populations than those in other geographic regions. In addition, the genetic influx from populations of other continents into Peruvians seems to be relatively lower than that into other Latin Americans.
Transient binding and jumping dynamics of p53 along DNA revealed by sub-millisecond resolved single-molecule fluorescence tracking
Authors: Subekti Dwiky Rendra Graha , Murata Agato , Itoh Yuji , Takahashi Satoshi , Kamagata Kiyoto 
Published: August 2020

AbstractCharacterization of the target search dynamics of DNA-binding proteins along DNA has been hampered by the time resolution of a standard single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. Here, we achieved the time resolution of 0.5 ms in the fluorescence microscopy measurements by optimizing the fluorescence excitation based on critical angle illumination and by utilizing the time delay integration mode of the electron-multiplying charge coupled device. We characterized the target search dynamics of the tumor suppressor p53 along nonspecific DNA at physiological salt concentrations. We identified a short-lived encounter intermediate before the formation of the long-lived p53–DNA complex. Both the jumps and the one-dimensional diffusion of p53 along DNA were accelerated at higher salt concentrations, suggesting the rotation-uncoupled movement of p53 along DNA grooves and conformational changes in the p53/DNA complex. This method can be used to clarify the unresolved dynamics of DNA-binding proteins previously hidden by time averaging.
Nanostructured selenium-doped biphasic calcium phosphate with in situ incorporation of silver for antibacterial applications
Authors: Nie Lei , Hou Mengjuan , Wang Tianwen , Sun Meng , Hou Ruixia 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSelenium-doped nanostructure has been considered as an attractive approach to enhance the antibacterial activity of calcium phosphate (CaP) materials in diverse medical applications. In this study, the selenium-doped biphasic calcium phosphate nanoparticles (SeB-NPs) were first synthesized. Then, silver was in situ incorporated into SeB-NPs to obtain nanostructured composite nanoparticles (AgSeB-NPs). Both SeB-NPs and AgSeB-NPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectra. The results confirmed that the SeO32− was doped at the PO43− position and silver nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of SeB-NPs. Next, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis displayed that the prepared AgSeB-NPs had a needle-cluster-like morphology. CCK-8 analysis revealed SeB-NPs and AgSeB-NPs had good cytocompatibility with osteoblasts. The antibacterial activity of the prepared AgSeB-NPs was confirmed by using Gram-negative E. coli and Gram-positive S. aureus. The above results manifested the significance of the final AgSeB-NPs for biomedical applications.