bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Susceptibility of bacterial endophthalmitis isolates to vancomycin, ceftazidime, and amikacin
Authors: Chen Kuan-Jen , Sun Ming-Hui , Hou Chiun-Ho , Chen Hung-Chi , Chen Yen-Po , Wang Nan-Kai , Liu Laura , Wu Wei-Chi , Chou Hung-Da , Kang Eugene Yu-Chuan , Lai Chi-Chun 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBacterial endophthalmitis is a rare intraocular infection, and prompt administration of intravitreal antibiotics is crucial for preventing severe vision loss. The retrospective study is to investigate the in vitro susceptibility to the antibiotics vancomycin, amikacin, and ceftazidime of bacterial endophthalmitis isolates in specimens at a tertiary referral center from January 1996 to April 2019 in Taiwan. Overall, 450 (49.9%) isolates were Gram positive, 447 (49.6%) were Gram negative, and 4 (0.4%) were Gram variable. In Gram-positive isolates, coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most commonly cultured bacteria (158, 35.1%), followed by Streptococci (100, 22.2%), Enterococci (75, 16.7%), and Staphylococcus aureus (70, 15.6%). In Gram-negative isolates, they were Klebsiella pneumoniae (166, 37.1%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (131, 29.3%). All Gram-positive organisms were susceptible to vancomycin, with the exception of one Enterococcus faecium isolate (1/450, 0.2%). Of the Gram-negative isolates, 96.9% and 93.7% were susceptible to ceftazidime and amikacin, respectively. Nine isolates (9/447, 2.0%) were multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, comprising K. pneumoniae (4/164, 2.4%), Acinetobacter baumannii (2/3, 67%), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (3/18, 17%). In conclusion, in vitro susceptibility testing revealed that vancomycin remains the suitable antibiotic treatment for Gram-positive endophthalmitis. Ceftazidime and amikacin provide approximately the same degree of Gram-negative coverage. Multidrug-resistant bacterial endophthalmitis was uncommon.
Fomites and the environment did not have an important role in COVID-19 transmission in a Brazilian mid-sized city
Authors: Rocha Ana Luíza Silva , Pinheiro Josilene Ramos , Nakamura Thamilin Costa , da Silva José Domingos Santos , Rocha Beatriz Gonçalves Silva , Klein Raphael Contelli , Birbrair Alexander , Amorim Jaime Henrique 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIt is not clear if COVID-19 can be indirectly transmitted. It is not possible to conclude the role of the environment in transmission of SARS-CoV-2 without studying areas in which people transit in great numbers. In this work we aimed to better understand the role of environment in the spread of COVID-19. We investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in fomites as well as in the air and in the sewage using RT-qPCR. We studied both, a reference market area and a COVID-19 reference hospital at Barreiras city, Brazil. We collected and analyzed a total of 418 samples from mask fronts, cell phones, paper money, card machines, sewage, air and bedding during the ascendant phase of the epidemiological curve of COVID-19 in Barreiras. As a result, we detected the human RNAse P gene in most of samples, which indicates the presence of human cells or their fragments in specimens. However, we did not detect any trace of SARS-CoV-2 in all samples analyzed. We conclude that, so far, the environment and inanimate materials did not have an important role in COVID-19 transmission in Barreiras city. Therefore, similar results can probably be found in other cities, mainly those with COVID-19 epidemiological scenarios similar to that of Barreiras city. Our study is a small piece indicating the possibility that fomites and the environment do not have an important role in COVID-19 transmission. However, further studies are necessary to better understand the world scenario.
Klotho as a biomarker of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease
Authors: Donate-Correa Javier , Ferri Carla M. , Martín-Núñez Ernesto , Pérez-Delgado Nayra , González-Luis Ainhoa , Mora-Fernández Carmen , Navarro-González Juan F. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractChronic kidney disease (CKD) has been associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CKD patients present a decrease in the levels of the protein Klotho that accompanies the decrease in kidney function. This protein has been related to protective effects against CVD. However, it is unclear whether circulating Klotho, and its expression in peripheral blood cells (PBCs) are also associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in CKD. The present study aimed to study the relationship between Klotho and subclinical atherosclerosis in a population of patients with moderate to severe CKD. We determined the serum levels and gene expression in PBCs levels of Klotho and three inflammatory cytokines in 103 patients with CKD and investigated their relationship with two surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerotis: ankle-brachial index (ABI) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Patients with subclinical atherosclerosis presented lower serum and PBCs expression levels of Klotho. Both variables were associated with the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis, being directly related with ABI and inversely with CIMT (P < 0.0001 for both). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that both variables were significant determinants for ABI (adjusted R2 = 0.511, P < 0.0001) and CIMT (adjusted R2 = 0.445, P < 0.0001), independently of traditional and emergent cardiovascular risk factors. Moreover, both constituted protective factors against subclinical atherosclerosis [OR: 0.993 (P = 0.002) and 0.231 (P = 0.025), respectively]. Receiver operating characteristic analysis pointed to the utility of serum Klotho (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.817, 95% CI: 0.736–0.898, P < 0.001) and its gene expression in PBCs (AUC: 0.742, 95% CI: 0.647–0.836, P < 0.001) to distinguish subclinical atherosclerosis. The reductions in serum and PBCs expression levels of Klotho in CKD patients are independently associated with the presence of for subclinical atherosclerosis. Further research exploring whether therapeutic approaches to maintain or elevate Klotho could reduce the impact of CVD in CKD patients is warranted.
Microglial morphology in Alzheimer’s disease and after Aβ immunotherapy
Authors: Franco-Bocanegra Diana K. , Gourari Yamina , McAuley Ciaran , Chatelet David S. , Johnston David A. , Nicoll James A. R. , Boche Delphine 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMicroglia are the brain immune cells and their function is highly dependent on cell motility. It was hypothesised that morphological variability leads to differences in motility, ultimately impacting on the microglial function. Here, we assessed microglial morphology in 32 controls, 44 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cases and 16 AD cases from patients immunised against Aβ42 (iAD) using 2D and 3D approaches. Our 2D assessment showed an increased number of microglia in iAD vs. AD (P = 0.032) and controls (P = 0.018). Ramified microglia were fewer in AD vs. controls (P = 0.041) but increased in iAD compared to AD (P < 0.001) and controls (P = 0.006). 3D reconstructions highlighted larger cell bodies in AD vs. controls (P = 0.049) and increased total process length in iAD vs. AD (P = 0.032), with negative correlations detected for pan-Aβ load with total process length (P < 0.001) in AD and number of primary processes (P = 0.043) in iAD. In summary, reactive/amoeboid microglia are the most represented population in the aged human brain. AD does not affect the number of microglia, but the ramified population is decreased adopting a more reactive morphology. Aβ removal by immunotherapy leads to increased ramified microglia, implying that the cells retain plasticity in an aged disease brain meriting further investigation.
Seasonal and geographic variation in packed cell volume and selected serum chemistry of platypuses
Authors: Stewart Jana , Bino Gilad , Hawke Tahneal , Kingsford Richard T. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPlatypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) inhabit the permanent rivers and creeks of eastern Australia, from north Queensland to Tasmania, but are experiencing multiple and synergistic anthropogenic threats. Baseline information of health is vital for effective monitoring of populations but is currently sparse for mainland platypuses. Focusing on seven hematology and serum chemistry metrics as indicators of health and nutrition (packed cell volume (PCV), total protein (TP), albumin, globulin, urea, creatinine, and triglycerides), we investigated their variation across the species’ range and across seasons. We analyzed 249 unique samples collected from platypuses in three river catchments in New South Wales and Victoria. Health metrics significantly varied across the populations’ range, with platypuses from the most northerly catchment, having lower PCV, and concentrations of albumin and triglycerides and higher levels of globulin, potentially reflecting geographic variation or thermal stress. The Snowy River showed significant seasonal patterns which varied between the sexes and coincided with differential reproductive stressors. Male creatinine and triglyceride levels were significantly lower than females, suggesting that reproduction is energetically more taxing on males. Age specific differences were also found, with juvenile PCV and TP levels significantly lower than adults. Additionally, the commonly used body condition index (tail volume index) was only negatively correlated with urea, and triglyceride levels. A meta-analysis of available literature revealed a significant latitudinal relationship with PCV, TP, albumin, and triglycerides but this was confounded by variation in sampling times and restraint methods. We expand understanding of mainland platypuses, providing reference intervals for PCV and six blood chemistry, while highlighting the importance of considering seasonal variation, to guide future assessments of individual and population condition.
Liver fibrosis is associated with carotid atherosclerosis in patients with liver biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Arai Taeang , Atsukawa Masanori , Tsubota Akihito , Kato Keizo , Abe Hiroshi , Ono Hirotaka , Kawano Tadamichi , Yoshida Yuji , Tanabe Tomohide , Okubo Tomomi , Hayama Korenobu , Nakagawa-Iwashita Ai , Itokawa Norio , Kondo Chisa , Kaneko Keiko , Emoto Naoya , Nagao Mototsugu , Inagaki Kyoko , Fukuda Izumi , Sugihara Hitoshi , Iwakiri Katsuhiko 
Published: August 2021

AbstractNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is related to subclinical atherosclerosis. However, whether the severity of the disease (or which histopathological component) is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between the histopathological severity of NAFLD and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in Japanese patients with liver biopsy-proven NAFLD. Maximum-CIMT (max-CIMT) was measured as an index of carotid atherosclerosis in 195 biopsy-proven NAFLD patients. A significant association was observed between the severity of fibrosis (but not steatosis, inflammation, and ballooning) and max-CIMT. Older age, male gender, hypertension, and advanced fibrosis were independently linked to max-CIMT ≥ 1.2 mm. The prevalence of max-CIMT ≥ 1.2 mm was significantly higher in the advanced fibrosis group than in the non-advanced fibrosis group (75.4% versus 44.0%; p < 0.01). Non-invasive liver fibrosis markers and scoring systems, including fibrosis-4 index, NAFLD fibrosis score, hyaluronic acid, and Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac-2-binding protein, demonstrated that the diagnostic performance for max-CIMT ≥ 1.2 mm was similar to that of biopsy-based fibrosis staging. In conclusion, advanced fibrosis is significantly and independently associated with high-risk CIMT. Non-invasive fibrosis markers and scoring systems could help estimate the risk of atherosclerosis progression in patients with NAFLD.
Early transcriptional responses in Solanum peruvianum and Solanum lycopersicum account for different acclimation processes during water scarcity events
Authors: Tapia G. , González M. , Burgos J. , Vega M. V. , Méndez J. , Inostroza L. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractCultivated tomato Solanum lycopersicum (Slyc) is sensitive to water shortages, while its wild relative Solanum peruvianum L. (Sper), an herbaceous perennial small shrub, can grow under water scarcity and soil salinity environments. Plastic Sper modifies the plant architecture when suffering from drought, which is mediated by the replacement of leaf organs, among other changes. The early events that trigger acclimation and improve these morphological traits are unknown. In this study, a physiological and transcriptomic approach was used to understand the processes that differentiate the response in Slyc and Sper in the context of acclimation to stress and future consequences for plant architecture. In this regard, moderate (MD) and severe drought (SD) were imposed, mediating PEG treatments. The results showed a reduction in water and osmotic potential during stress, which correlated with the upregulation of sugar and proline metabolism-related genes. Additionally, the senescence-related genes FTSH6 protease and asparagine synthase were highly induced in both species. However, GO categories such as “protein ubiquitination” or “endopeptidase inhibitor activity” were differentially enriched in Sper and Slyc, respectively. Genes related to polyamine biosynthesis were induced, while several cyclins and kinetin were downregulated in Sper under drought treatments. Repression of photosynthesis-related genes was correlated with a higher reduction in the electron transport rate in Slyc than in Sper. Additionally, transcription factors from the ERF, WRKY and NAC families were commonly induced in Sper. Although some similar responses were induced in both species under drought stress, many important changes were detected to be differentially induced. This suggests that different pathways dictate the strategies to address the early response to drought and the consequent episodes in the acclimation process in both tomato species.
Wettability and sound absorption of graphene oxide doped polymer hydrogel
Authors: Khosrozadeh A. , Rasuli R. , Hamzeloopak H. , Abedini Y. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we introduce a nanocomposite as a humidity-sensitive sound absorber. The nanocomposites were prepared using hydrogel polymer (HP) as a matrix and graphene oxide (GO) as a filler. Results show that the surface energy of the nanocomposite is 58.4 mJ m−2, and GO sheets increase the nanocomposite porosity from 2.6716 cm2 g−1 (for HP) up to 3.246 cm2 g−1. In addition, the diameter of nanocomposite pores is 8.5202 nm lower than that of HP (10.274 nm). To study the effect of humidity on the sound absorption, we exposed them to moisture for 30 and 60 min and then measured sound absorption. Results show an absorption peak for the HP at 1022 Hz with an attenuation value of 30%, while the nanocomposite shows two main peaks around 1898 and 3300 Hz. In addition, results show that sound absorption peaks shift to higher frequencies according to humidification time.
Erythropoietin promotes hippocampal mitochondrial function and enhances cognition in mice
Authors: Jacobs Robert A. , Aboouf Mostafa A. , Koester-Hegmann Christina , Muttathukunnel Paola , Laouafa Sofien , Arias-Reyes Christian , Thiersch Markus , Soliz Jorge , Gassmann Max , Schneider Gasser Edith M. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractErythropoietin (EPO) improves neuronal mitochondrial function and cognition in adults after brain injury and in those afflicted by psychiatric disorders. However, the influence of EPO on mitochondria and cognition during development remains unexplored. We previously observed that EPO stimulates hippocampal-specific neuronal maturation and synaptogenesis early in postnatal development in mice. Here we show that EPO promotes mitochondrial respiration in developing postnatal hippocampus by increasing mitochondrial content and enhancing cellular respiratory potential. Ultrastructurally, mitochondria profiles and total vesicle content were greater in presynaptic axon terminals, suggesting that EPO enhances oxidative metabolism and synaptic transmission capabilities. Behavioural tests of hippocampus-dependent memory at early adulthood, showed that EPO improves spatial and short-term memory. Collectively, we identify a role for EPO in the murine postnatal hippocampus by promoting mitochondrial function throughout early postnatal development, which corresponds to enhanced cognition by early adulthood.
The structure of an archaeal oligosaccharyltransferase provides insight into the strict exclusion of proline from the N-glycosylation sequon
Authors: Taguchi Yuya , Yamasaki Takahiro , Ishikawa Marie , Kawasaki Yuki , Yukimura Ryuji , Mitani Maki , Hirata Kunio , Kohda Daisuke 
Published: August 2021

AbstractOligosaccharyltransferase (OST) catalyzes oligosaccharide transfer to the Asn residue in the N-glycosylation sequon, Asn-X-Ser/Thr, where Pro is strictly excluded at position X. Considering the unique structural properties of proline, this exclusion may not be surprising, but the structural basis for the rejection of Pro residues should be explained explicitly. Here we determined the crystal structure of an archaeal OST in a complex with a sequon-containing peptide and dolichol-phosphate to a 2.7 Å resolution. The sequon part in the peptide forms two inter-chain hydrogen bonds with a conserved amino acid motif, TIXE. We confirmed the essential role of the TIXE motif and the adjacent regions by extensive alanine-scanning of the external loop 5. A Ramachandran plot revealed that the ring structure of the Pro side chain is incompatible with the ϕ backbone dihedral angle around −150° in the rigid sequon-TIXE structure. The present structure clearly provides the structural basis for the exclusion of Pro residues from the N-glycosylation sequon.
Topological defect-mediated skyrmion annihilation in three dimensions
Authors: Birch Max T. , Cortés-Ortuño David , Khanh Nguyen D. , Seki Shinichiro , Štefančič Aleš , Balakrishnan Geetha , Tokura Yoshinori , Hatton Peter D. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe creation and annihilation of magnetic skyrmions are mediated by three-dimensional topological defects known as Bloch points. Investigation of such dynamical processes is important both for understanding the emergence of exotic topological spin textures, and for future engineering of skyrmions in technological applications. However, while the annihilation of skyrmions has been extensively investigated in two dimensions, in three dimensions the phase transitions are considerably more complex. We report field-dependent experimental measurements of metastable skyrmion lifetimes in an archetypal chiral magnet, revealing two distinct regimes. Comparison to supporting three-dimensional geodesic nudged elastic band simulations indicates that these correspond to skyrmion annihilation into either the helical and conical states, each exhibiting a different transition mechanism. The results highlight that the lowest energy magnetic configuration of the system plays a crucial role when considering the emergence and stability of topological spin structures via defect-mediated dynamics.
Nanoarray heterojunction and its efficient solar cells without negative impact of photogenerated electric field
Authors: Liu Rong , Shen Zhitao , Wan Zhiyang , Zhu Liangxin , Chen Junwei , Dong Chao , Chen Wangwei , Cao Wenbo , Chen Bin , Yuan Xiaogang , Ding Bojiang , Yang Shangfeng , Chen Tao , Tian Xingyou , Chen Chong , Wang Mingtai 
Published: August 2021

AbstractEfficient, stable and low-cost solar cells are being desired for the photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into electricity for sustainable energy production. Nanorod/nanowire arrays of narrow-bandgap semiconductors are the promising light-harvesters for photovoltaics because of their excellent optoelectrical properties. Here, the array of preferentially oriented antimony trisulfide (Sb2S3) single-crystalline nanorods is grown on polycrystalline titania (TiO2) film by a tiny-seed-assisted solution-processing strategy, offering an Sb2S3/TiO2 nanoarray heterojunction system on a large scale. It is demonstrated that the Sb2S3 nanorod growth follows a tiny-seed-governed orientation-competing-epitaxial nucleation/growth mechanism. Using a conjugated polymer hole transporting layer on the heterojunction, we achieve a power conversion efficiency of 5.70% in the stable hybrid solar cell with a preferred p-type/intrinsic/n-type architecture featuring effectively straightforward charge transport channels and no negative impact of photogenerated electric field on device performance. An architecture-dependent charge distribution model is proposed to understand the unique photovoltaic behavior.
Bioactivity screening of pinhão (Araucaria Angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze) seed extracts: the inhibition of cholinesterases and α-amylases, and cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities
Authors: de Oliveira Anielle , Moreira Thaysa Fernandes Moya , Pepinelli Ana Luisa Silva , Costa Luis Gustavo Médice Arabel , Leal Luana Eloísa , da Silva Tamires Barlati Vieira , Gonçalves Odinei Hess , Porto Ineu Rafael , Dias Maria Inês , Barros Lillian , Abreu Rui M. V. , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R. , Bracht Lívia , Leimann Fernanda Vitória 
Published: August 2021

The potential bioactive properties of extracts from bio-residues of pinhão (Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze) seeds were evaluated, namely the α-amylase and cholinesterase inhibition, cytotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Highly sensitive detection of paraquat with pillar[5]arenes as an aptamer in an α-hemolysin nanopore
Authors: Jiang Xiaojia , Zang Mingsong , Li Fei , Hou Chunxi , Luo Quan , Xu Jiayun , Liu Junqiu 
Published: August 2021

We report a highly sensitive biological nanopore sensor by introducing carboxylatopillar[5]arene (CP[5]A) molecule as an aptamer into the lumen of αHL nanopore for the single-molecule detection of paraquat (PQ) via host–guest interactions.
Parathyroid hormone promotes the osteogenesis of lipopolysaccharide-induced human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells through the JNK MAPK pathway
Authors: Qin Ziyue , Hua Shu , Chen Huifen , Wang Zhuo , Wang Haoran , Xu Jiamin , Wang Yuli , Chen Wu , Zhou Weina 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPeriodontitis is a series of inflammatory processes caused by bacterial infection. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) plays a critical role in bone remodeling. The present study aimed to investigate the influences of PTH on human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (HBMSCs) pretreated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The proliferative ability was measured using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry. The optimal concentrations of PTH and LPS were determined using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, ALP staining, and Alizarin Red staining. Osteogenic differentiation was further assessed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence staining. PTH had no effects on the proliferation of HBMSCs. Also, 100 ng/ml LPS significantly inhibited HBMSC osteogenesis, while 10−9 mol/l PTH was considered as the optimal concentration to reverse the adverse effects. Mechanistically, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation was activated by PTH in LPS-induced HBMSCs. SP600125, a selective inhibitor targeting JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, weakened the effects of PTH. Taken together, the findings revealed the role and mechanism of PTH and JNK pathway in promoting the osteogenic differentiation of LPS-induced HBMSCs, which offered an alternative for treating periodontal diseases.