bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient light harvesting using simple porphyrin-oxide perovskite system
Authors: Sharma Shalu , Chhoker Sandeep 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHere, we report the systematic studies on photoanodes of phase pure polycrystalline microrods of Barium Stannate (BaSnO3) microrods for application in porphyrin dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). We were able to establish the effect of vacuum annealing on BaSnO3 thin films on its electrical, optical and adsorption properties using XPS, UV–Vis, photoluminescence and adsorption isotherm studies. Increase in oxygen vacancy with annealing is found to increase the room temperature (RT) electron mobility from 49.1 to 82.4 cm2/V sec whereas macroporous nature of samples were found suitable for faster dye adsorption (~ 30 min). Post TiCl4 treatment studies, the maximum efficiency (η) of 4.7% is achieved in BSO films with current density Jsc ~ value as 10.4 mA/cm2; whereas DSSC fabricated using annealed BSO films gave maximum efficiency of 6.1% with Jsc value as 12.2 mA/cm2, during which the value of FF increased from 73.4 to 81%. The IPCE and proposed electron transfer mechanism suggested the potential application of macroporous BSO with unconventional dyes such as metallised-porphyrin. Our results strengthen the idea of using phase-pure, visible transparent porous BSO nanostructures with induced oxygen vacancies due to annealing process post-synthesis which eventually increased DSSC performance from by 84%.
Universal size ratios of Gaussian polymers with complex architecture: radius of gyration vs hydrodynamic radius
Authors: Haydukivska Khristine , Blavatska Viktoria , Paturej Jarosław 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe study the impact of arm architecture of polymers with a single branch point on their structure in solvents. Many physical properties of polymer liquids strongly dependent on the size and shape measures of individual macromolecules, which in turn are determined by their topology. Here, we use combination of analytical theory, based on path integration method, and molecular dynamics simulations to study structural properties of complex Gaussian polymers containing $$f^c$$

f
c

linear branches and $$f^r$$

f
r

closed loops grafted to the central core. We determine size measures such as the gyration radius $$R_g$$

R
g

and the hydrodynamic radii $$R_H$$

R
H

, and obtain the estimates for the size ratio $$R_g /R_H$$

R
g

/

R
H

with its dependence on the functionality $$f=f^c+f^r$$

f
=

f
c

+

f
r

of grafted polymers. In particular, we obtain the quantitative estimate of the degree of compactification of these polymers with increasing number of closed loops $$f^r$$

f
r

as compared to linear or star-shape molecules of the same total molecular weight. Numerical simulations corroborate theoretical prediction that $$R_g /R_H$$

R
g

/

R
H

decreases towards unity with increasing f. These findings provide qualitative description of polymers with complex architecture in $$\theta $$
θ
solvents.
DNA damage response and preleukemic fusion genes induced by ionizing radiation in umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Kosik Pavol , Durdik Matus , Jakl Lukas , Skorvaga Milan , Markova Eva , Vesela Gabriela , Vokalova Lenka , Kolariková Lucia , Horvathova Eva , Kozics Katarina , Belyaev Igor 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThere is clear evidence that ionizing radiation (IR) causes leukemia. For many types of leukemia, the preleukemic fusion genes (PFG), as consequences of DNA damage and chromosomal translocations, occur in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) in utero and could be detected in umbilical cord blood (UCB) of newborns. However, relatively limited information is available about radiation-induced apoptosis, DNA damage and PFG formation in human HSPC. In this study we revealed that CD34+ HSPC compared to lymphocytes: (i) are extremely radio-resistant showing delayed time kinetics of apoptosis, (ii) accumulate lower level of endogenous DNA damage/early apoptotic γH2AX pan-stained cells, (iii) have higher level of radiation-induced 53BP1 and γH2AX/53BP1 co-localized DNA double stranded breaks, and (iv) after low dose of IR may form very low level of BCR-ABL PFG. Within CD34+ HSPC we identified CD34+CD38+ progenitor cells as a highly apoptosis-resistant population, while CD34+CD38− hematopoietic stem/multipotent progenitor cells (HSC/MPP) as a population very sensitive to radiation-induced apoptosis. Our study provides critical insights into how human HSPC respond to IR in the context of DNA damage, apoptosis and PFG.
Acapsular Staphylococcus aureus with a non-functional agr regains capsule expression after passage through the bloodstream in a bacteremia mouse model
Authors: Suligoy Carlos M. , Díaz Rocío E. , Gehrke Ana-Katharina , Ring Natalie , Yebra Gonzalo , Alves Joana , Gómez Marisa I. , Wendler Sindy , FITZGERALD J. Ross , Tuchscherr Lorena , Löffler Bettina , Sordelli Daniel O. , Llana Mariángeles Noto , Buzzola Fernanda R. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSelection pressures exerted onStaphylococcus aureusby host factors during infection may lead to the emergence of regulatory phenotypes better adapted to the infection site. Traits convenient for persistence may be fixed by mutation thus turning these mutants into microevolution endpoints. The feasibility that stable, non-encapsulatedS. aureusmutants can regain expression of key virulence factors for survival in the bloodstream was investigated.S. aureus agrmutant HU-14 (IS256insertion inagrC) from a patient with chronic osteomyelitis was passed through the bloodstream using a bacteriemia mouse model and derivative P3.1 was obtained. Although IS256remained inserted inagrC, P3.1 regained production of capsular polysaccharide type 5 (CP5) and staphyloxanthin.Furthermore, P3.1 expressed higher levels ofasp23/SigB when compared with parental strain HU-14. Strain P3.1 displayed decreased osteoclastogenesis capacity, thus indicating decreased adaptability to bone compared with strain HU-14 and exhibited a trend to be more virulent than parental strain HU-14. Strain P3.1 exhibited the loss of one IS256copy, which was originally located in the HU-14 noncoding region betweendnaG(DNA primase) andrpoD(sigA). This loss may be associated with the observed phenotype change but the mechanism remains unknown. In conclusion,S. aureusorganisms that escape the infected bone may recover the expression of key virulence factors through a rapid microevolution pathway involving SigB regulation of key virulence factors.
Physical fitness status modulates the inflammatory proteins in peripheral blood and circulating monocytes: role of PPAR-gamma
Authors: Antunes Barbara Moura , Rosa-Neto José Cesar , Batatinha Helena Angélica Pereira , Franchini Emerson , Teixeira Ana Maria , Lira Fábio Santos 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyze the metabolic and molecular profile according to physical fitness status (Low or High VO2max) and its impacts on peripheral and cellular inflammatory responses in healthy men. First (Phase I), inflammatory profile (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10) was analyzed at baseline and post-acute exercise sessions performed at low (< 60% VO2max) and high (> 90% VO2max) intensities considering the individual endotoxin concentrations. Next (Phase II), monocyte cell cultures were treated with LPS alone or associated with Rosiglitazone (PPAR-γ agonist drug) to analyze cytokine production and gene expression. Monocyte subsets were also evaluated by flow cytometry. A positive relationship was observed between LPS concentrations and oxygen uptake (VO2max) (r = 0.368; p = 0.007); however, in the post-exercise an inverse correlation was found between LPS variation (Δ%) and VO2max (r = -0.385; p = 0.004). With the low-intensity exercise session, there was inverse correlation between LPS and IL-6 concentrations post-exercise (r = -0.505; p = 0.046) and a positive correlation with IL-10 in the recovery (1 h post) (r = 0.567; p = 0.011), whereas with the high-intensity exercise an inverse correlation was observed with IL-6 at pre-exercise (r = -0.621; p = 0.013) and recovery (r = -0.574; p = 0.016). When monocyte cells were treated with LPS, High VO2max individuals showed higher PPAR-γ gene expression whereas Low VO2max individuals displayed higher IL-10 production. Additionally, higher TLR-4, IKK1, and PGC-1α gene expression were observed in the High VO2max group than Low VO2max individuals. In conclusion, even with elevated endotoxemia, individuals with High VO2max exhibited higher IL-6 concentration in peripheral blood post-acute aerobic exercise and lower IL-10 concentration during recovery (1 h post-exercise). The anti-inflammatory effects linked with exercise training and physical fitness status may be explained by a greater gene expression of IKK1, TLR-4, and PGC-1α, displaying an extremely efficient cellular framework for the PPAR-γ responses.
Palaeontological evidence reveals convergent evolution of intervertebral joint types in amniotes
Authors: Wintrich Tanja , Scaal Martin , Böhmer Christine , Schellhorn Rico , Kogan Ilja , van der Reest Aaron , Sander P. Martin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe intervertebral disc (IVD) has long been considered unique to mammals. Palaeohistological sampling of 17 mostly extinct clades across the amniote tree revealed preservation of different intervertebral soft tissue types (cartilage, probable notochord) seen in extant reptiles. The distribution of the fossilised tissues allowed us to infer the soft part anatomy of the joint. Surprisingly, we also found evidence for an IVD in fossil reptiles, including non-avian dinosaurs, ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and marine crocodiles. Based on the fossil dataset, we traced the evolution of the amniote intervertebral joint through ancestral character state reconstruction. The IVD evolved at least twice, in mammals and in extinct diapsid reptiles. From this reptilian IVD, extant reptile groups and some non-avian dinosaurs independently evolved a synovial ball-and-socket joint. The unique birds dorsal intervertebral joint evolved from this dinosaur joint. The tuatara and some geckos reverted to the ancestral persisting notochord.
Synchronized moulting behaviour in trilobites from the Cambrian Series 2 of South China
Authors: Corrales-García Alejandro , Esteve Jorge , Zhao Yuanlong , Yang Xinglian 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe study of moulting behaviour in the fossil record is relatively well known in arthropods and this is especially true for trilobites. Nevertheless, while studies focusing on the style of moulting in social and semi-social groups of modern animals (e.g. arthropods) are common, very few works investigate moulting adaptations in deep time. Here we report a trilobite assemblage from the Cambrian Series 2 “Tsinghsutung” Formation of South China. Around 850 specimens were used for this study from three different levels across one section near Balang (SE Guizhou Province, South China). These levels preserve numerous trilobite clusters in some cases containing around 400 individual specimens. Up to four species have been found in these clusters, but two species are more common. Trilobite clusters bear a high percentage of disarticulated specimens that we interpret as moults. Additionally, measurements of bioclast orientation and the dorsoventral attitude suggests very quiet water conditions followed by rapid burial events, prior to scavenger disturbance. Together, this indicates that the fossil assemblages were a result of a biological phenomenon rather than mechanical processes, allowing us to interpret the position of the fossil parts as different moulting configurations. Since the trilobite assemblage seems to be in situ, the large number of exuviae suggests a local place of migration. This was triggered by the need for group protection while moulting, which is suggestive of gregarious behaviour, possibly synchronized. These trilobites from the Cambrian Epoch 2, Age 4 constitute one of the earliest known gregarious community of trilobites and has important implications for understanding the ecology of this group during their emergence in the Cambrian.
Salinity-independent dissipation of antibiotics from flooded tropical soil: a microcosm study
Authors: Sentek Valerie , Braun Gianna , Braun Melanie , Sebesvari Zita , Renaud Fabrice G. , Herbst Michael , Frindte Katharina , Amelung Wulf 
Published: August 2020

AbstractRiver deltas are frequently facing salinity intrusion, thus challenging agricultural production in these areas. One adaption strategy to increasing salinity is shrimp production, which however, heavily relies on antibiotic usage. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of increasing salinity on the dissipation rates of antibiotics in tropical flooded soil systems. For this purpose, paddy top soil from a coastal Vietnamese delta was spiked with selected frequently used antibiotics (sulfadiazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim) and incubated with flood water of different salt concentrations (0, 10, 20 g L−1). Antibiotic concentrations were monitored in water and soil phases over a period of 112 days using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. We found that sulfamethazine was the most persistent antibiotic in the flooded soil system (DT50 = 77 days), followed by sulfadiazine (DT50 = 53 days), trimethoprim (DT50 = 3 days) and sulfamethoxazole (DT50 = 1 days). With the exception of sulfamethoxazole, the apparent distribution coefficient increased significantly (p < 0.05) for all antibiotics in course of the incubation, which indicates an accumulation of antibiotics in soil. On a whole system basis, including soil and water into the assessment, there was no overall salinity effect on the dissipation rates of antibiotics, suggesting that common e-fate models remain valid under varying salinity.
Myotendinous junction adaptations to ladder-based resistance training: identification of a new telocyte niche
Authors: Pimentel Neto Jurandyr , Rocha Lara Caetano , Barbosa Gabriela Klein , Jacob Carolina dos Santos , Krause Neto Walter , Watanabe Ii-sei , Ciena Adriano Polican 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe present study shows chronic adjustments in the myotendinous junction (MTJ) in response to different ladder-based resistance training (LRT) protocols. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were divided into groups: sedentary (S), calisthenics (LRT without additional load [C]), and resistance-trained (LRT with extra weight [R]). We demonstrated longer lengths of sarcoplasmatic invaginations in the trained groups; however, evaginations were seen mainly in group R. We showed a greater thickness of sarcoplasmatic invaginations in groups C and R, in addition to greater evaginations in R. We also observed thinner basal lamina in trained groups. The support collagen layer (SCL) adjacent to the MTJ and the diameters of the transverse fibrils were larger in R. We also discovered a niche of telocytes in the MTJ with electron micrographs of the plantar muscle and with immunostaining with CD34+ in the gastrocnemius muscle near the blood vessels and pericytes. We concluded that the continuous adjustments in the MTJ ultrastructure were the result of tissue plasticity induced by LRT, which is causally related to muscle hypertrophy and, consequently, to the remodeling of the contact interface. Also, we reveal the existence of a collagen layer adjacent to MTJ and discover a new micro anatomic location of telocytes.
Bifidobacterium adolescentis as a key member of the human gut microbiota in the production of GABA
Authors: Duranti Sabrina , Ruiz Lorena , Lugli Gabriele Andrea , Tames Héctor , Milani Christian , Mancabelli Leonardo , Mancino Walter , Longhi Giulia , Carnevali Luca , Sgoifo Andrea , Margolles Abelardo , Ventura Marco , Ruas-Madiedo Patricia , Turroni Francesca 
Published: August 2020

AbstractGamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter playing a key role in anxiety and depression disorders in mammals. Recent studies revealed that members of the gut microbiota are able to produce GABA modulating the gut–brain axis response. Among members of the human gut microbiota, bifidobacteria are well known to establish many metabolic and physiologic interactions with the host. In this study, we performed genome analyses of more than 1,000 bifidobacterial strains publicly available revealing that Bifidobacterium adolescentis taxon might represent a model GABA producer in human gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, the in silico screening of human/animal metagenomic datasets showed an intriguing association/correlation between B. adolescentis load and mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Interestingly, in vitro screening of 82 B. adolescentis strains allowed identifying two high GABA producers, i.e. B. adolescentis PRL2019 and B. adolescentis HD17T2H, which were employed in an in vivo trial in rats. Feeding Groningen rats with a supplementation of B. adolescentis strains, confirmed the ability of these microorganisms to stimulate the in vivo production of GABA highlighting their potential implication in gut–brain axis interactions.
Ten years of vaccinovigilance in Italy: an overview of the pharmacovigilance data from 2008 to 2017
Authors: Moretti F. , Gonella L. , Gironi S. , Marra A. R. , Santuccio C. , Felicetti P. , Petronzelli F. , Marchione P. , Barnaba S. A. , Poli A. , Zanoni G. , Moretti U. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractReporting and analysis of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFIs) are the cornerstones of vaccine safety surveillance prompting causality assessment and signal detection. This paper describes the impact of the Italian Pharmacovigilance System of vaccines over a 10-year period (2008–2017). The reporting rate (RR) per all distributed dose was calculated. Serious AEFIs and causality assessments for fatal cases were described. The main results from signal detection were reported. During the study period, 46,430 AEFIs were reported with an overall RR of 17.2 per 100,000 distributed doses. Italy showed the highest number of reports among European countries. Only 4.4% of the reports came from citizens. Of the total, 12.7% were classified as serious with a RR over the study period of 2.20 per 100,000 distributed doses. They were mainly related to hyperpyrexia and usually had a positive outcome. Fatal outcomes were reported in 0.3% of the cases and were primarily associated with the influenza vaccine in elderly patients. None of these outcomes had a consistent causal association with the vaccination. Febrile convulsions by the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccines and intussusception by the rotavirus vaccine were among the highlighted signals. The reporting rate and the analysis of serious events from 10 years support the good risk/benefit profiles of vaccines.
Global identification of a marine diatom long noncoding natural antisense transcripts (NATs) and their response to phosphate fluctuations
Authors: Cruz de Carvalho Maria Helena , Bowler Chris 
Published: August 2020

AbstractOften ignored and regarded as mere transcriptional noise, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are starting to be considered key regulators of gene expression across the Eukarya domain of life. In the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, we have previously reported the occurrence of 1,510 intergenic lncRNAs (lincRNAs), many of which displaying specific patterns of expression under phosphate fluctuation (Pi). Using strand-specific RNA-sequencing data we now expand the repertoire of P. tricornutum lncRNAs by identifying 2,628 novel natural antisense transcripts (NATs) that cover 21.5% of the annotated genomic loci. We found that NAT expression is tightly regulated by phosphate depletion and other naturally occurring environmental stresses. Furthermore, we identified 121 phosphate stress responsive NAT-mRNA pairs, the great majority of which showing a positive correlation (concordant pairs) and a small fraction with negative correlation (discordant pairs). Taken together our results show that NATs are highly abundant transcripts in P. tricornutum and that their expression is under tight regulation by nutrient and environmental stresses. Furthermore, our results suggest that in P. tricornutum Pi stress response NAT pairs predominantly regulate positively the expression of their cognate sense genes, the latter being involved in several biological processes underlying the control of cellular homeostasis under stress.
Revealing the thermal oxidation stability and its mechanism of rice bran oil
Authors: Rahmania Halida , Kato Shunji , Sawada Kazue , Hayashi Chieko , Hashimoto Hiroyuki , Nakajima Shigeo , Otoki Yurika , Ito Junya , Nakagawa Kiyotaka 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAlthough the stability of rice bran oil (RBO) has been showed on several studies, the factors which make it capable on maintaining its stability under thermal oxidation has not been sure yet. We hypothesized that its fatty acid composition [high composition of oleic acid (OA), lower composition of linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (LnA)] and/or its antioxidant agents [γ-oryzanol (OZ)] and vitamin E [tocopherol (Toc), tocotrienol (T3)] might be the biggest factor.

To prove the hypothesis, we thermally oxidized RBO under 40 °C for 17 days to mimic the harsh daily storage condition, and compared it with soybean oil (SO) and rapeseed oil (RPO) then monitoring their primary oxidation products [triacylglycerol hydroperoxide (TGOOH)] from easily oxidized fatty acid contained in triacylglycerol (TG) and the amount loss of antioxidant agents. As a result, RBO showed the lowest TGOOH/TG ratio, followed by RPO and SO. The superior stability RPO compared SO might occur due to because of the influence of the fatty acid profile (higher OA and lower LA). For RBO’s case, besides its fatty acid profile, the existence of OZ and the synergistic effect of OZ and vitamin E might have a greater contribution in maintaining its stability under thermal oxidation.