bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Target and Nontarget Toxicity of Cassia fistula Fruit Extract Against Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae), Lung Cells (BEAS-2B) and Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryos
Authors: Abutaha Nael , Al-Mekhlafi Fahd A , Farooq Muhammad 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Mosquitoes transmit serious diseases, which threaten humans and severely affect livestock. The half-lethal concentration (LC50) was calculated by log probit analysis. The LC50 and LC90 values of larvicidal activity of Cassia fistula Linn. hexane-methanol soluble fraction (HMSF) after 24 h of exposure were 21.04 and 34.68 µg/ml, respectively. The LC50 values after 24 h of exposure were 84.09 µg/ml and 108.08 µg/ml for chloroform–methanol soluble fraction (CMSF) and ethyl acetate-methanol soluble fraction (EMSF) respectively. The percent hatchability of eggs exposed to the hexane extract was 90 ± 5.0, 68.33 ± 7.6, 46.6 ± 11.5, 10 ± 0.0, and 0 ± 0.0% at 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 ppm, respectively. The pupicidal activity of the hexane extract at 40 µg/ml was 0.0%. The LC50 value of adulticidal activity of the hexane extract was 12.8 mg/test tube. The biosafety of the hexane extract was assessed in nontarget organisms, i.e., zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and normal lung cells (BEAS-2B). The hexane extract of C. fistula was well tolerated by zebrafish embryos, and no mortality or toxicity was found in the embryos exposed to the highest tested concentration of 300 µg/ml. Similarly, all the concentrations tested against the normal lung cells (BEAS-2B) showed more than 95% survival. The gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy analysis identified 12 compounds, and 2-methyl hexanoic acid and 2-methyl butanoic acid were the major compounds identified in the hexane extract. The larvicidal activity of C. fistula extracts will help in the development of natural substitutes for vector management of mosquito populations.
Urban Landscape Features Influence the Movement and Distribution of the Australian Container-Inhabiting Mosquito Vectors Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) and Aedes notoscriptus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Trewin Brendan J , Pagendam Daniel E , Zalucki Myron P , Darbro Jonathan M , Devine Gregor J , Jansen Cassie C , Schellhorn Nancy A 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Urban landscape features play an important role in the distribution and population spread of mosquito vectors. Furthermore, current insecticide and novel rear-and-release strategies for urban mosquito management rarely consider the spatial structure of the landscape when applying control practices. Here, we undertake a mark-recapture experiment to examine how urban features influence the movement and distribution of Australian container-inhabiting Aedes vectors. We pay attention to the role of semipermanent water storage containers, called rainwater tanks, and the influence of movement barriers, such as roads, on the spread and distribution of vector populations. Results suggest that Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Culicidae) were more likely to be captured around rainwater tanks, and that released males travel throughout residential blocks but do not cross roads. Conversely, female Aedes notoscriptus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) movement was uninhibited by roads and rainwater tanks did not influence female distribution or oviposition behavior. Using an isotropic Gaussian kernel framework, we show that vector movement is likely to be greater when applying a temporal effect, than when estimated by traditional methods. We conclude that a greater understanding on the role of urban features on vector movement will be important in the new age of rear-and-release mosquito control strategies, particularly those where estimations of movement are important for ensuring efficacy of application.
Detection of Leishmania DNA in Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) From a Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Outbreak Area in Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Da Silva Yury Yzabella , Sales Kamila Gaudêncio Da Silva , Miranda Débora Elienai De Oliveira , Figueredo Luciana Aguiar , Brandão-Filho Sinval P , Dantas-Torres Filipe 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) by Leishmania braziliensis Vianna (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) is a widespread disease in the western hemisphere and Brazil is the country reporting the majority of the human cases each year. Several phlebotomine sand flies have been regarded as putative or proven vectors of L. braziliensis and multiple vectors may be involved in the transmission of this parasite in the same endemic foci. In this study, we tested a subset of female phlebotomine sand flies collected in the frame of a previous study conducted in a military training camp, where outbreaks of CL by L. braziliensis have sporadically been reported. In total, 1,807 female phlebotomine sand flies were tested (individually or in pools) by real-time PCR and a minimum infection rate of 0.9% (95% CI: 0.6–1.5%) was detected. Positive females belonged to the species Psychodopygus complexus (Mangabeira) or Psychodopygus wellcomei Fraiha, Shaw & Lainson (females of these species are morphologically indistinguishable), Trichopygomyia longispina (Mangabeira), and Sciopemyia sordellii (Shannon & Del Ponte) (Diptera: Psychodidae). By restriction enzyme analysis, 13 samples (nine of Ty. longispina, two of Ps. complexus/wellcomei, and two of Sc. sordellii) presented a HaeIII restriction profile identical to L. braziliensis. The results of this study reinforce the notion that multiple vectors may be involved in the transmission of L. braziliensis in a single focus, ultimately making the epidemiological picture more complex than currently recognized.
Oxidation resistance 1 prevents genome instability through maintenance of G2/M arrest in gamma-ray-irradiated cells
Authors: Matsui Ako , Kobayashi Junya , Kanno Shin-ichiro , Hashiguchi Kazunari , Miyaji Masahiro , Yoshikawa Yukihiro , Yasui Akira , Zhang-Akiyama Qiu-Mei 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACT
Human oxidation resistance 1 (OXR1) was identified as a protein that decreases genomic mutations in Escherichia coli caused by oxidative DNA damage. However, the mechanism by which OXR1 defends against genome instability has not been elucidated. To clarify how OXR1 maintains genome stability, the effects of OXR1-depletion on genome stability were investigated in OXR1-depleted HeLa cells using gamma-rays (γ-rays). The OXR1-depleted cells had higher levels of superoxide and micronucleus (MN) formation than control cells after irradiation. OXR1-overexpression alleviated the increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and MN formation after irradiation. The increased MN formation in irradiated OXR1-depleted cells was partially attenuated by the ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-L-cysteine, suggesting that OXR1-depeletion increases ROS-dependent genome instability. We also found that OXR1-depletion shortened the duration of γ-ray-induced G2/M arrest. In the presence of the cell cycle checkpoint inhibitor caffeine, the level of MN formed after irradiation was similar between control and OXR1-depleted cells, demonstrating that OXR1-depletion accelerates MN formation through abrogation of G2/M arrest. In OXR1-depleted cells, the level of cyclin D1 protein expression was increased. Here we report that OXR1 prevents genome instability by cell cycle regulation as well as oxidative stress defense.
Risk factors for acquisition of multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales among international travellers: a synthesis of cumulative evidence
Authors: Furuya-Kanamori Luis , Stone Jennifer , Yakob Laith , Kirk Martyn , Collignon Peter , Mills Deborah J , Lau Colleen L 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies have shown that over 50% of people travelling to Southeast Asia return colonized with multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales (MRE) including carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales. Importation of MRE by travellers and subsequent spread to family members, communities and healthcare facilities poses real risks that have not yet been adequately assessed. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to quantify the risk factors and interventions for reducing the risk of MRE acquisition among international travellers.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus for analytical epidemiological studies containing data post-2000 that assessed the risk factors to acquire and/or interventions to reduce the risk of MRE acquisition in travellers. Two researchers independently screened all the studies and extracted the information, and disagreements were resolved through consensus. The proportions of MRE acquisition by the region of destination and the odds ratio (OR) for the different risk factors and/or interventions were pooled using the inverse variance heterogeneity model.ResultsA total of 20 studies (5253 travellers from high-income countries) were included in the meta-analysis. South Asia [58.7%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 44.5–72.5%] and Northern Africa (43.9%; 95% CI 37.6–50.3%) were the travel destinations with the highest proportion of MRE acquisition. Inflammatory bowel disease (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2–3.8), use of antibiotics (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.9–3.0), traveller’s diarrhoea (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.3–2.3) and contact with the healthcare system overseas (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1–2.2) were associated with MRE colonization. Vegetarians (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.0–2.0) and backpackers (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8) were also at increased odds of MRE colonization. Few studies (n = 6) investigated preventive measures and found that consuming only bottled water/beverages, meticulous hand hygiene and probiotics had no protective effect on MRE colonization.ConclusionsInternational travel is an important driver for MRE spread worldwide. Future research needs to identify effective interventions to reduce the risk of MRE acquisition as well as design strategies to reduce local transmission on return.
A lipid transfer protein variant with a mutant eight-cysteine motif causes photoperiod- and thermo-sensitive dwarfism in rice
Authors: Deng Wenjun , Li Riqing , Xu Yiwei , Mao Runyuan , Chen Shuifu , Chen Libin , Chen Letian , Liu Yao-Guang , Chen Yuanling 
Published: November 2019

AbstractPlant height is an important trait for architecture patterning and crop yield improvement. Although the pathways involving gibberellins and brassinosteroids have been well studied, there are still many gaps in our knowledge of the networks that control plant height. In this study, we determined that a dominant photoperiod- and thermo-sensitive dwarf mutant is caused by the active role of a mutated gene Photoperiod-thermo-sensitive dwarfism 1 (Ptd1), the wild-type of which encodes a non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP). Ptd1 plants showed severe dwarfism under long-day and low-temperature conditions, but grew almost normal under short-day and high-temperature conditions. These phenotypic variations were associated with Ptd1 mRNA levels and accumulation of the corresponding protein. Furthermore, we found that the growth inhibition in Ptd1 may result from the particular protein conformation of Ptd1 due to loss of two disulfide bonds in the eight-cysteine motif (8-CM) that is conserved among nsLTPs. These results contribute to our understanding of the novel function of disulfide bonds in the 8-CM, and provide a potential new strategy for regulation of cell development and plant height by modifying the amino acid residues involved in protein conformation patterning.
Spectrally resolved cosmic ray hydrodynamics – I. Spectral scheme
Authors: Girichidis Philipp , Pfrommer Christoph , Hanasz Michał , Naab Thorsten 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Cosmic ray (CR) protons are an important component in many astrophysical systems. Processes like CR injection, cooling, adiabatic changes as well as active CR transport through the medium strongly modify the CR momentum distribution and have to be taken into account in hydrodynamical simulations. We present an efficient novel numerical scheme to accurately compute the evolution of the particle distribution function by solving the Fokker-Planck equation with a low number of spectral bins (10 − 20), which is required to include a full spectrum for every computational fluid element. The distribution function is represented by piecewise power laws and is not forced to be continuous, which enables an optimal representation of the spectrum. The Fokker-Planck equation is solved with a two-moment approach evolving the CR number and energy density. The low numerical diffusion of the scheme reduces the numerical errors by orders of magnitude in comparison to classical schemes with piecewise constant spectral representations. With this method not only the spectral evolution of CRs can be computed accurately in magnetohydrodynamic simulations but also their dynamical impact as well as CR ionisation. This allows for more accurate models for astrophysical plasmas, like the interstellar medium, and direct comparisons with observations.
First stars that could significantly perturb comet motion are finally found.
Authors: Wysoczańska Rita , Dybczyński Piotr A , Królikowska Małgorzata 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Since 1950 when Oort published his paper on the structure of the cloud of comets it is believed that stars passing near this hypothetical cometary reservoir play an important role in the dynamical evolution of long period comets and injecting them into the observability region of the Solar System. The aim of this paper is to discuss two cases in which the data obtained from observations were used and stellar perturbations (of different intensity, strong case of C/2002 A3 LINEAR and weaker case of C/2013 F3 PANSTARRS) on cometary motion were detected. Using the best available data from the Gaia DR2 catalogue and some other sources we searched for close stellar passages near the Sun. Our study took into account that some of the stars are parts of multiple systems. Over 600 stars or systems that approached or will approach the Sun closer than 4.0 pc were found. Having the list of perturbers completed we studied their influence on a sample of 277 Oort spike comets that were observed since 1901 and discovered that two comets might have their orbits fundamentally changed due to a close stellar encounter. Our results show how much different the dynamical evolution of comets would have looked when their motion was considered only in the Galactic potential. Uncertainties both in stellar and cometary data were carefully taken into account. Our analysis indicates that the occurrence of stellar perturbations on cometary motions is very rare and the uncertainties of these effects are hard to estimate.
Probing hot gas around luminous red galaxies through the Sunyaev–Zel’dovich effect
Authors: Tanimura Hideki , Hinshaw Gary , McCarthy Ian G , Van Waerbeke Ludovic , Aghanim Nabila , Ma Yin-Zhe , Mead Alexander , Tröster Tilman , Hojjati Alireza , Moraes Bruno 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACT
We construct the mean thermal Sunyaev–Zel’dovich (tSZ) Comptonization y-profile around luminous red galaxies (LRGs) in the redshift range 0.16 &lt; z &lt; 0.47 from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 using the Planck y-map. We detect a significant tSZ signal out to ∼30 arcmin, which is well beyond the 10 arcmin angular resolution of the y-map and well beyond the virial radii of the LRGs. We compare the measured profile with predictions from the cosmo-OWLS suite of cosmological hydrodynamical simulations. The best agreement is obtained for models that include efficient feedback from active galactic nuclei, over and above feedback associated with star formation. We also compare our results with predictions based on the halo model with a universal pressure profile giving the y-signal. The predicted profile is consistent with the data when using stacked weak lensing measurements to estimate the halo masses of the LRGs, but only if we account for the clustering of neighbouring haloes via a two-halo term.
Constraints on running of non-Gaussianity from large-scale structure probes
Authors: Dai Ji-Ping , Xia Jun-Qing 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACT
In this letter, we present constraints on the scale-dependent ‘local’-type primordial non-Gaussianity, which is described by non-Gaussianity’s spectral index nNG, from the NRAO VLA Sky Survey and the quasar catalogue of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 6, together with the SDSS Data Release 12 photo-z sample. Here, we use the autocorrelation analyses of these three probes and their cross-correlation analyses with the cosmic microwave background (CMB) temperature map, and obtain the tight constraint on the spectral index: $n_{\rm NG}=0.2 ^{+0.7}_{-1.0}$ ($1\sigma$ C.L.), which shows the first competitive constraint on the running of non-Gaussianity from current large-scale structure clustering data. Furthermore, we also perform the forecast calculations and improve the limit of nNG using the future Euclid mission, and obtain the standard deviation at a 68 per cent confidence level: ΔnNG = 1.74 when considering the fiducial value fNL = 3, which provides the complementary constraining power to those from the CMB bispectrum information.
USP14 is a deubiquitinase for Ku70 and critical determinant of non-homologous end joining repair in autophagy and PTEN-deficient cells
Authors: Sharma Arishya , Alswillah Turkeya , Kapoor Isha , Debjani Pal , Willard Belinda , Summers Matthew K , Gong Zihua , Almasan Alexandru 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Ionizing radiation (IR)-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are predominantly repaired by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). IR-induced DNA damage activates autophagy, an intracellular degradation process that delivers cytoplasmic components to the lysosome. We identified the deubiquitinase USP14 as a novel autophagy substrate and a regulator of IR-induced DNA damage response (DDR) signaling. Inhibition of autophagy increased levels and DSB recruitment of USP14. USP14 antagonized RNF168-dependent ubiquitin signaling and downstream 53BP1 chromatin recruitment. Here we show that autophagy-deficient cells are defective in NHEJ, as indicated by decreased IR-induced foci (IRIF) formation by pS2056-, pT2609-DNA-PKcs, pS1778-53BP1, RIF1 and a reporter assay activation. Moreover, chromatin recruitment of key NHEJ proteins, including, Ku70, Ku80, DNA-PKcs and XLF was diminished in autophagy-deficient cells. USP14 inhibition rescued the activity of NHEJ-DDR proteins in autophagy-deficient cells. Mass spectrometric analysis identified USP14 interaction with core NHEJ proteins, including Ku70, which was validated by co-immunoprecipitation. An in vitro assay revealed that USP14 targeted Ku70 for deubiquitination. AKT, which mediates Ser432-USP14 phosphorylation, was required for IRIF formation by USP14. Similar to USP14 block, AKT inhibition rescued the activity of NHEJ-DDR proteins in autophagy- and PTEN-deficient cells. These findings reveal a novel negative PTEN/Akt-dependent regulation of NHEJ by USP14.
DriverDBv3: a multi-omics database for cancer driver gene research
Authors: Liu Shu-Hsuan , Shen Pei-Chun , Chen Chen-Yang , Hsu An-Ni , Cho Yi-Chun , Lai Yo-Liang , Chen Fang-Hsin , Li Chia-Yang , Wang Shu-Chi , Chen Ming , Chung I-Fang , Cheng Wei-Chung 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAn integrative multi-omics database is needed urgently, because focusing only on analysis of one-dimensional data falls far short of providing an understanding of cancer. Previously, we presented DriverDB, a cancer driver gene database that applies published bioinformatics algorithms to identify driver genes/mutations. The updated DriverDBv3 database (http://ngs.ym.edu.tw/driverdb) is designed to interpret cancer omics’ sophisticated information with concise data visualization. To offer diverse insights into molecular dysregulation/dysfunction events, we incorporated computational tools to define CNV and methylation drivers. Further, four new features, CNV, Methylation, Survival, and miRNA, allow users to explore the relations from two perspectives in the ‘Cancer’ and ‘Gene’ sections. The ‘Survival’ panel offers not only significant survival genes, but gene pairs synergistic effects determine. A fresh function, ‘Survival Analysis’ in ‘Customized-analysis,’ allows users to investigate the co-occurring events in user-defined gene(s) by mutation status or by expression in a specific patient group. Moreover, we redesigned the web interface and provided interactive figures to interpret cancer omics’ sophisticated information, and also constructed a Summary panel in the ‘Cancer’ and ‘Gene’ sections to visualize the features on multi-omics levels concisely. DriverDBv3 seeks to improve the study of integrative cancer omics data by identifying driver genes and contributes to cancer biology.
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis Screening and Treatment in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Patients in Malawi: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Ocieczek Paulina , Barnacle James R , Gumulira Joe , Phiri Sam , Heller Tom , Grabska-Liberek Iwona 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Background
Cytomegalovirus retinitis is a treatable cause of blindness in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) typically with CD4 counts <50 cells/mm3. Diagnosis is with indirect fundoscopy, and treatment is with intravitreal ganciclovir injections or systemic therapy. However, diagnosis and treatment are not widely available in Malawi, which has an adult HIV prevalence estimated at 10.6%. This study aimed to establish the prevalence of cytomegalovirus retinitis among people with HIV in Malawi and the feasibility of screening.

Methods
Patients with CD4 counts <200 cells/mm3 were examined from 2 HIV clinics in Lilongwe and the main government hospital. Data were collected on antiretroviral therapy, ocular symptoms, and visual acuity. Fundoscopy was performed to investigate for features of cytomegalovirus retinitis. Retinal photographs were reviewed by an ophthalmologist. Patients diagnosed with cytomegalovirus retinitis were offered weekly ganciclovir injections, because systemic treatment was not available.

Results
Five of the 102 people with HIV screened had cytomegalovirus retinitis (4.9%). All affected patients had CD4 counts <50 cells/mm3 (mean, 15 cells/mm3; range, 3–22 cells/mm3). Visual acuity was unhelpful in identifying those with cytomegalovirus retinitis. Symptomatically, only blurred vision was useful. Two patients consented to treatment, 1 of which improved but relapsed after defaulting.

Conclusions
Cytomegalovirus retinitis screening based on CD4 count is essential to early recognition because visual acuity and symptoms are unreliable. Cytomegalovirus retinitis is a significant yet neglected public health issue in Malawi. Oral valganciclovir is essential to reduce blindness and mortality in those diagnosed but is not yet available. Further screening and advocacy are needed.