bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A detailed EIS study of boron doped diamond electrodes decorated with gold nanoparticles for high sensitivity mercury detection
Authors: McLaughlin Maeve H. S. , Pakpour-Tabrizi Alexander C. , Jackman Richard B. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis work compares the electrochemical impedance response of polished and unpolished boron doped diamond (BDD) electrodes, during mercury detection measurements. For each substrate type both bare electrodes and electrodes decorated with average diameter 30 nm AuNPs were used, to investigate the role of AuNPs during mercury sensing with diamond electrodes. In square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) measurements for mercury detection, the mercury ions in the electrolyte are deposited onto, then stripped from the diamond electrode surface. To investigate the different electrode performances during these steps, the EIS measurements were made at the deposition and stripping potentials, alongside scans at open circuit potential for comparison. The performance of the electrodes is assessed in terms of their electron transfer rate (k0). The electrodes decorated with AuNPs are shown to have lower capacitance and higher reactivity than the bare pBDD and BDD electrodes, until the mercury concentration in the electrolyte is < 500 µM, when the sp2/sp3 carbon ratio at the surface of the electrodes has a greater influence on the sensitivity for mercury detection than the presence of AuNPs.
Surgical outcomes with high and low pulse energy femtosecond laser systems for cataract surgery
Authors: Lin Hung-Yuan , Chuang Ya-Jung , Lin Pi-Jung 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCurrently, there is no clear consensus in cataract surgery if low compared to high energy femto-lasers may enable better capsulotomy quality and induce lower inflammatory response. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the intra-operative outcomes achieved with high and low pulse energy femtosecond laser systems for cataract surgery. The charts of 200 eyes of 200 patients aged 68.3 ± 10.3 years who had undergone femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery using either group 1 high pulse energy: LenSx (Alcon Laboratories) (N = 100) or group 2 low pulse energy: FEMTO LDV Z8 (Ziemer) (N = 100) laser were reviewed retrospectively. Integrity of anterior capsulotomy, classified as (1) complete (free-floating or with minor microadhesions), (2) incomplete and (3) with capsular tears, intraoperative completeness of the clear corneal incisions (CCI, main incision and side port), incidences of intraoperative miosis and incidence of subconjunctival hemorrhage were evaluated and compared between the two groups. The proportion of complete capsulotomies was significantly higher in the group 2 than the group 1 (100% vs 94%; p = 0.03). The incidences of intraoperative miosis (0% vs 19%) and subconjunctival hemorrhage (1% vs 63%) were significantly lower in the group 2 than the group 1 (p < 0.001). Completeness of the main incision was comparable (97% vs 95%; p = 0.721) between the two groups. Although not statistically significant, the completeness of side-port incision was slightly better in the group 2 than the group 1 (91% vs 86%). Low energy laser system performed significantly better in terms of completeness of capsulotomy, intraoperative miosis and sub-conjunctival hemorrhage, compared with high energy laser; the CCI outcomes were comparable.
Conservation concerns associated with low genetic diversity for K’gari–Fraser Island dingoes
Authors: Conroy G. C. , Lamont R. W. , Bridges L. , Stephens D. , Wardell-Johnson A. , Ogbourne S. M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe dingo population on world heritage-listed K’gari-Fraser Island (K’gari) is amongst the most well-known in Australia. However, an absence of population genetic data limits capacity for informed conservation management. We used 9 microsatellite loci to compare the levels of genetic diversity and genetic structure of 175 K’gari dingo tissue samples with 264 samples from adjacent mainland regions. Our results demonstrated that the K'gari population has significantly lower genetic diversity than mainland dingoes (AR,HE,PAR;p < 0.05) with a fourfold reduction in effective population size (Ne = 25.7 vs 103.8). There is also strong evidence of genetic differentiation between the island and mainland populations. These results are in accordance with genetic theory for small, isolated, island populations, and most likely the result of low initial diversity and founder effects such as bottlenecks leading to decreased diversity and drift. As the first study to incorporate a large sample set of K’gari dingoes, this provides invaluable baseline data for future research, which should incorporate genetic and demographic monitoring to ensure long-term persistence. Given that human-associated activities will continue to result in dingo mortality, it is critical that genetic factors are considered in conservation management decisions to avoid deleterious consequences for this iconic dingo population.
Exposure to airborne bacteria depends upon vertical stratification and vegetation complexity
Authors: Robinson Jake M. , Cando-Dumancela Christian , Antwis Rachael E. , Cameron Ross , Liddicoat Craig , Poudel Ravin , Weinstein Philip , Breed Martin F. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractExposure to biodiverse aerobiomes supports human health, but it is unclear which ecological factors influence exposure. Few studies have investigated near-surface green space aerobiome dynamics, and no studies have reported aerobiome vertical stratification in different urban green spaces. We used columnar sampling and next generation sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, combined with geospatial and network analyses to investigate urban green space aerobiome spatio-compositional dynamics. We show a strong effect of habitat on bacterial diversity and network complexity. We observed aerobiome vertical stratification and network complexity that was contingent on habitat type. Tree density, closer proximity, and canopy coverage associated with greater aerobiome alpha diversity. Grassland aerobiomes exhibited greater proportions of putative pathogens compared to scrub, and also stratified vertically. We provide novel insights into the urban ecosystem with potential importance for public health, whereby the possibility of differential aerobiome exposures appears to depend on habitat type and height in the airspace. This has important implications for managing urban landscapes for the regulation of aerobiome exposure.
Cyanobiont genetic diversity and host specificity of cyanobiont-bearing dinoflagellate Ornithocercus in temperate coastal waters
Authors: Kim Miran , Choi Dong Han , Park Myung Gil 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCyanobacteria are ubiquitous in marine environments and play an important role as primary producers. Some cyanobacteria, the so-called cyanobionts (cyanobacterial symbionts), have a symbiotic relationship with unicellular organisms. Among these relationships, in particular, the nature (e.g., genetic diversity, host or cyanobiont specificity, and cyanobiont seasonality) of the cyanobiont-dinoflagellate host consortia remains poorly understood. In this study, 16S rDNA of cyanobionts in 138 single host cells isolated over four seasons from temperate waters were sequenced using the MiSeq platform. Genetic analysis of cyanobionts from the dinoflagellate host Ornithocercus revealed that three genetic types of Synechococcales cyanobionts occurred in a wide range of water temperatures (11–24 °C), and their distribution seemed to be closely associated with variations in salinity. Furthermore, a certain degree of host (or cyanobiont) specificity in cyanobionts (or the host) among Ornithocercus species as well as among other dinophysoid species (i.e. Amphisolenia, Citharistes, and Histioneis), was observed. In addition to the Synechococcales cyanobionts, this study identified OTU sequences affiliated with Vampirovibrionales and Chroococcidiopsidales in some Ornithocercus cells, suggesting that Ornithocercus species are an additional habitat for these bacterial groups.
Periplocin and cardiac glycosides suppress the unfolded protein response
Authors: Tokugawa Muneshige , Inoue Yasumichi , Ishiuchi Kan’ichiro , Kujirai Chisane , Matsuno Michiyo , Ri Masaki , Itoh Yuka , Miyajima Chiharu , Morishita Daisuke , Ohoka Nobumichi , Iida Shinsuke , Mizukami Hajime , Makino Toshiaki , Hayashi Hidetoshi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe unfolded protein response (UPR) controls protein homeostasis through transcriptional and translational regulation. However, dysregulated UPR signaling has been associated with the pathogenesis of many human diseases. Therefore, the compounds modulating UPR may provide molecular insights for these pathologies in the context of UPR. Here, we screened small-molecule compounds that suppress UPR, using a library of Myanmar wild plant extracts. The screening system to track X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) splicing activity revealed that the ethanol extract of the Periploca calophylla stem inhibited the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1)-XBP1 pathway. We isolated and identified periplocin as a potent inhibitor of the IRE1-XBP1 axis. Periplocin also suppressed other UPR axes, protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6). Examining the structure–activity relationship of periplocin revealed that cardiac glycosides also inhibited UPR. Moreover, periplocin suppressed the constitutive activation of XBP1 and exerted cytotoxic effects in the human multiple myeloma cell lines, AMO1 and RPMI8226. These results reveal a novel suppressive effect of periplocin or the other cardiac glycosides on UPR regulation, suggesting that these compounds will contribute to our understanding of the pathological or physiological importance of UPR.
Non-coding RNA suppresses FUS aggregation caused by mechanistic shear stress on pipetting in a sequence-dependent manner
Authors: Hamad Nesreen , Yoneda Ryoma , So Masatomo , Kurokawa Riki , Nagata Takashi , Katahira Masato 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFused in sarcoma/translocated in liposarcoma (FUS/TLS) is a multitasking RNA/DNA binding protein. FUS aggregation is implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases. RNA was suggested to modulate phase transition of FUS. Here, we found that FUS transforms into the amorphous aggregation state as an instant response to the shear stress caused by usual pipetting even at a low FUS concentration, 100 nM. It was revealed that non-coding RNA can suppress the transformation of FUS into aggregates. The suppressive effect of RNA on FUS aggregation is sequence-dependent. These results suggested that the non-coding RNA could be a prospective suppressor of FUS aggregation caused by mechanistic stress in cells. Our finding might pave the way for more research on the role of RNAs as aggregation inhibitors, which could facilitate the development of therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Implementation of a multidisciplinary infections conference improves the treatment of spondylodiscitis
Authors: Ntalos D. , Schoof B. , Thiesen D. M. , Viezens L. , Kleinertz H. , Rohde H. , Both A. , Luebke A. , Strahl A. , Dreimann M. , Stangenberg M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractEstablishing a multidisciplinary approach regarding the treatment of spondylodiscitis and analyzing its effect compared to a single discipline approach. 361 patients diagnosed with spondylodiscitis were included in this retrospective pre-post intervention study. The treatment strategy was either established by a single discipline approach (n = 149, year 2003–2011) or by a weekly multidisciplinary infections conference (n = 212, year 2013–2018) consisting of at least an orthopedic surgeon, medical microbiologist, infectious disease specialist and pathologist. Recorded data included the surgical and antibiotic strategy, complications leading to operative revision, recovered microorganisms, as well as the total length of hospital and intensive care unit stay. Compared to a single discipline approach, performing the multidisciplinary infections conference led to significant changes in anti-infective and surgical treatment strategies. Patients discussed in the conference showed significantly reduced days of total antibiotic treatment (66 ± 31 vs 104 ± 31, p < 0.001). Moreover, one stage procedures and open transpedicular screw placement were more frequently performed following multidisciplinary discussions, while there were less involved spinal segments in terms of internal fixation as well as an increased use of intervertebral cages instead of autologous bone graft (p < 0.001). Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were the most frequently recovered organisms in both patient groups. No significant difference was found comparing inpatient complications between the two groups or the total in-hospital stay. Implementation of a weekly infections conference is an effective approach to introduce multidisciplinarity into spondylodiscitis management. These conferences significantly altered the treatment plan compared to a single discipline approach. Therefore, we highly recommend the implementation to optimize treatment modalities for patients.
Carbon sphere-zinc sulphate nanohybrids for smart delivery of zinc in rice (Oryza sativa L)
Authors: Yuvaraj Muthuraman , Subramanian Kizhaeral Sevathapandian 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe laboratory research was attempted to find nano zinc fertilizer utilizing the carbon sphere as a substrate. Typically the encapsulation techniques are followed in the drug delivery system, the limited work was done in nano-based zinc micronutrient for slow release of nutrients to crop. The use efficiency of zinc micronutrients in the soil is only less than 6 percentage. In universal, the deficiency of zinc micronutrients causes malnutrition problems in human beings, especially in children. After considering this problem we planned to prepare zinc nano fertilizer by using the carbon sphere for need-based slow release and increase the use efficiency of zinc micronutrient in soil. In this study we synthesis the carbon sphere nanoparticle after the formation of carbon sphere the zinc sulphate was loaded and characterized by utilizing Scanning Electron Microscopy, Surface Area and Porosity, X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy. The research result shows that the nano carbon sphere was excellently loaded with zinc sulphate to the tune of 8 percentage and it was confirmed by Energy dispersive X-beam spectroscopy. The zinc loaded carbon sphere release nutrient for a prolonged period of up to 600 h in the case of conventional zinc sulphate zinc release halted after 216 h in percolation reactor studies. The zinc nano fertilizer is recommended in agriculture to increase zinc use efficiency, crop yield without any environmental risk.
The genomic landscape of carcinomas with mucinous differentiation
Authors: Nguyen Bastien , Sanchez-Vega Francisco , Fong Christopher J. , Chatila Walid K. , Boroujeni Amir Momeni , Pareja Fresia , Weigelt Britta , Sotiriou Christos , Larsimont Denis , Reis-Filho Jorge S. , Desmedt Christine , Schultz Nikolaus 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMucinous carcinomas can arise in any organ with epithelial cells that produce mucus. While mucinous tumors from different organs are histologically similar, it remains to be elucidated whether they share molecular alterations. Here we analyzed a total of 902 patients across six cancer types by comparing mucinous and non-mucinous samples, integrating text mining of pathology reports, gene expression, methylation, mutational and copy-number profiling. We found that, in addition to genes involved in mucin processing and secretion, MUC2 up-regulation is a multi-cancer biomarker of mucinous histology and is regulated by DNA methylation in colorectal, breast and stomach cancer. The majority of carcinomas with mucinous differentiation had fewer DNA copy-number alterations than non-mucinous tumors. The tumor mutational burden was lower in breast and lung with mucinous differentiation compared to their non-mucinous counterparts. We found several differences in the frequency of oncogenic gene and pathway alterations between mucinous and non-mucinous carcinomas, including a lower frequency of p53 pathway alterations in colorectal and lung cancer, and a lower frequency of PI-3-Kinase/Akt pathway alterations in breast and stomach cancer with mucinous differentiation. This study shows that carcinomas with mucinous differentiation originating from different organs share transcriptomic and genomic similarities. These results might pave the way for a more biologically relevant taxonomy for these rare cancers.
Synergy between a shallow root system with a DRO1 homologue and localized P application improves P uptake of lowland rice
Authors: Oo Aung Zaw , Tsujimoto Yasuhiro , Mukai Mana , Nishigaki Tomohiro , Takai Toshiyuki , Uga Yusaku 
Published: May 2021

AbstractImproved phosphorus (P) use efficiency for crop production is needed, given the depletion of phosphorus ore deposits, and increasing ecological concerns about its excessive use. Root system architecture (RSA) is important in efficiently capturing immobile P in soils, while agronomically, localized P application near the roots is a potential approach to address this issue. However, the interaction between genetic traits of RSA and localized P application has been little understood. Near-isogenic lines (NILs) and their parent of rice (qsor1-NIL, Dro1-NIL, and IR64, with shallow, deep, and intermediate root growth angles (RGA), respectively) were grown in flooded pots after placing P near the roots at transplanting (P-dipping). The experiment identified that the P-dipping created an available P hotspot at the plant base of the soil surface layer where the qsor1-NIL had the greatest root biomass and root surface area despite no genotyipic differences in total values, whereby the qsor1-NIL had significantly greater biomass and P uptake than the other genotypes in the P-dipping. The superior surface root development of qsor1-NIL could have facilitated P uptakes from the P hotspot, implying that P-use efficiency in crop production can be further increased by combining genetic traits of RSA and localized P application.
Systematic integrated analyses of methylomic and transcriptomic impacts of early combined botanicals on estrogen receptor-negative mammary cancer
Authors: Arora Itika , Li Yuanyuan , Sharma Manvi , Crowley Michael R. , Crossman David K. , Li Shizhao , Tollefsbol Trygve O. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDietary botanicals such as the cruciferous vegetable broccoli sprouts (BSp) as well as green tea polyphenols (GTPs) have shown exciting potential in preventing or delaying breast cancer (BC). However, little is known about their impact on epigenomic aberrations that are centrally involved in the initiation and progression of estrogen receptor-negative [ER(−)] BC. We have investigated the efficacy of combined BSp and GTPs diets on mammary tumor inhibition in transgenic Her2/neu mice that were administered the diets from prepubescence until adulthood. Herein, we present an integrated DNA methylome and transcriptome analyses for defining the early-life epigenetic impacts of combined BSp and GTPs on mammary tumors and our results indicate that a combinatorial administration of BSp and GTPs have a stronger impact at both transcriptome and methylome levels in comparison to BSp or GTPs administered alone. We also demonstrated a streamlined approach by performing an extensive preprocessing, quality assessment and downstream analyses on the genomic dataset. Our identification of differentially methylated regions in response to dietary botanicals administered during early-life will allow us to identify key genes and facilitate implementation of the subsequent downstream functional analyses on a genomic scale and various epigenetic modifications that are crucial in preventing ER(−) mammary cancer. Furthermore, our realtime PCR results were also found to be consistent with our genome-wide analysis results. These results could be exploited as a comprehensive resource for understanding understudied genes and their associated epigenetic modifications in response to these dietary botanicals.
Implicit water model within the Zimm-Bragg approach to analyze experimental data for heat and cold denaturation of proteins
Authors: Badasyan Artem , Tonoyan Shushanik , Valant Matjaz , Grdadolnik Joze 
Published: May 2021

AbstractStudies of biopolymer conformations essentially rely on theoretical models that are routinely used to process and analyze experimental data. While modern experiments allow study of single molecules in vivo, corresponding theories date back to the early 1950s and require an essential update to include the recent significant progress in the description of water. The Hamiltonian formulation of the Zimm-Bragg model we propose includes a simplified, yet explicit model of water-polypeptide interactions that transforms into the equivalent implicit description after performing the summation of solvent degrees of freedom in the partition function. Here we show that our model fits very well to the circular dichroism experimental data for both heat and cold denaturation and provides the energies of inter- and intra-molecular H-bonds, unavailable with other processing methods. The revealed delicate balance between these energies determines the conditions for the existence of cold denaturation and thus clarifies its absence in some proteins.
Reciprocating propagation of laser pulse intensity in free space
Authors: Li Zhaoyang , Gu Yanjun , Kawanaka Junji 
Published: May 2021

AbstractConstant-speed straight-line propagation in free space is a basic characteristic of light, and spatiotemporal couplings recently were used to control light propagation. In the method of flying focus, where temporal chirp and longitudinal chromatism were combined, tunable-velocities and even backward-propagation were demonstrated. We studied the transverse and longitudinal effects of the flying focus in space-time and found in a specific physics interval existing an unusual reciprocating propagation that was quite different from the previous result. By increasing the Rayleigh length in space and the temporal chirp in time, the created flying focus can propagate along a longitudinal axis firstly forward, secondly backward, and lastly forward again, and the longitudinal spatial resolution improves with increasing the temporal chirp. When this light is applied in a radiation pressure simulation, a reciprocating radiation-force can be produced accordingly. This finding extends the control of light and might enable important potential applications.