bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) migration in Australian waters using passive acoustic monitoring
Authors: Aulich Meghan G. , McCauley Robert D. , Saunders Benjamin J. , Parsons Miles J. G. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe fin whale is a globally endangered species and is listed as threatened in Australia, however no peer-reviewed studies are available to indicate the migratory movements of the species in Australian waters. This study uses passive acoustic monitoring as a tool to identify the migratory movements of fin whales in Australian waters. Sampling was conducted from eight locations around Australia between 2009 and 2017, providing a total of 37 annual migratory records. Taken together, our observations provide evidence of fin whale migration through Australian waters, with earliest arrival of the animals recorded on the Western Australian coast, at Cape Leeuwin in April. The whales travel through Cape Leeuwin, migrating northward along the Western Australian coast to the Perth Canyon (May to October), which likely acts as a way-station for feeding. Some whales continue migrating as far north as Dampier (19°S). On Australia’s east coast, at Tuncurry, fin whale seasonal presence each year occurred later, from June to late September/October. A total of only 8,024 fin whale pulses were recorded on the east coast, compared to 177,328 pulses recorded at the Perth Canyon. We suggest these differences, as well as the spatial separation between coasts, provide preliminary evidence that the fin whales present on the east and west coasts constitute separate sub-populations.
An improved method for the heterologous production of soluble human ribosomal proteins in Escherichia coli
Authors: Correddu Danilo , Montaño López José de Jesús , Vadakkedath Praveen G. , Lai Amy , Pernes Jane I. , Watson Paris R. , Leung Ivanhoe K. H. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractHuman ribosomal proteins play important structural and functional roles in the ribosome and in protein synthesis. An efficient method to recombinantly produce and purify these proteins would enable their full characterisation. However, the production of human ribosomal proteins can be challenging. The only published method about the recombinant production of human ribosomal proteins involved the recovery of proteins from inclusion bodies, a process that is tedious and may lead to significant loss of yield. Herein, we explored the use of different Escherichia coli competent cells and fusion protein tags for the recombinant production of human ribosomal proteins. We found that, by using thioredoxin as a fusion protein, soluble ribosomal protein could be obtained directly from cell lysates, thus leading to an improved method to recombinantly produce these proteins.
Soybean (Glycine max L.) triacylglycerol lipase GmSDP1 regulates the quality and quantity of seed oil
Authors: Kanai Masatake , Yamada Tetsuya , Hayashi Makoto , Mano Shoji , Nishimura Mikio 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSeeds of soybean (Glycine max L.) are a major source of plant-derived oils. In the past, improvements have been made in the quantity and quality of seed oil. Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are the principal components of soybean seed oil, and understanding the metabolic regulation of TAGs in soybean seeds is essential. Here, we identified four soybean genes encoding TAG lipases, designated as SUGAR DEPENDENT1-1 (GmSDP1-1), GmSDP1-2, GmSDP1-3 and GmSDP1-4; these are homologous to Arabidopsis thaliana SDP1 (AtSDP1). To characterize the function of these genes during grain filling, transgenic lines of soybean were generated via RNA interference to knockdown the expression of all four GmSDP1 genes. The seed oil content of the transgenic soybean lines was significantly increased compared with the wild type (WT). Additionally, fatty acid profiles of the WT and transgenic soybean lines were altered; the content of linoleic acid, a major fatty acid in soybean seeds, was significantly reduced, whereas that of oleic acid was increased in transgenic soybean seeds compared with the WT. Substrate specificity experiments showed that TAG lipase preferentially cleaved oleic acid than linoleic acid in the oil body membrane in WT soybean. This study demonstrates that the GmSDP1 proteins regulate both the TAG content and fatty acid composition of soybean seeds during grain filling. These results provide a novel strategy for improving both the quantity and quality of soybean seed oil.
Quantitative analysis of the macula with optical coherence tomography angiography in normal Japanese subjects: The Taiwa Study
Authors: Sato Risa , Kunikata Hiroshi , Asano Toshifumi , Aizawa Naoko , Kiyota Naoki , Shiga Yukihiro , Nishiguchi Koji M. , Kato Keiichi , Nakazawa Toru 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis study evaluated age-related changes in the superficial and deep retinal capillary plexus (SCP and DCP, respectively) and in the foveal avascular zone (FAZ). SCP and DCP perfusion density (PD) were measured in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) macular scans of 145 eyes of 145 healthy Japanese subjects, and findings were compared with SCP FAZ and clinical data. We found that age was negatively correlated with SCP and DCP PD (r = −0.17, P = 0.04 and r = −0.20, P = 0.02, respectively) and positively correlated with FAZ area (r = 0.18, P = 0.03). SCP and DCP PD were correlated with each other (r = 0.67, P < 0.001). FAZ area was negatively correlated with SCP PD, DCP PD and central macular thickness (CMT) (r = −0.18, P = 0.03; r = −0.25, P < 0.01; and r = −0.39, P < 0.001, respectively). FAZ was larger and CMT was lower (P = 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively) in women than men. SCP and DCP PD were positively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (r = 0.17, P = 0.03 and r = 0.24, P < 0.01, respectively). Multiple regression analysis confirmed that age independently affected DCP PD and FAZ (P = 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively) and that CMT independently affected FAZ area (P < 0.001). Thus, normal subjects showed age-related decreases in macular PD and renal function. FAZ and CMT were related, suggesting that age-related changes in macular thickness also affect capillary vasculature.
The importance of side branches in modeling 3D hemodynamics from angiograms for patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Vardhan Madhurima , Gounley John , Chen S. James , Kahn Andrew M. , Leopold Jane A. , Randles Amanda 
Published: June 2019

AbstractGenesis of atherosclerotic lesions in the human arterial system is critically influenced by the fluid mechanics. Applying computational fluid dynamic tools based on accurate coronary physiology derived from conventional biplane angiogram data may be useful in guiding percutaneous coronary interventions. The primary objective of this study is to build and validate a computational framework for accurate personalized 3-dimensional hemodynamic simulation across the complete coronary arterial tree and demonstrate the influence of side branches on coronary hemodynamics by comparing shear stress between coronary models with and without these included. The proposed novel computational framework based on biplane angiography enables significant arterial circulation analysis. This study shows that models that take into account flow through all side branches are required for precise computation of shear stress and pressure gradient whereas models that have only a subset of side branches are inadequate for biomechanical studies as they may overestimate volumetric outflow and shear stress. This study extends the ongoing computational efforts and demonstrates that models based on accurate coronary physiology can improve overall fidelity of biomechanical studies to compute hemodynamic risk-factors.
Effects of local climate on loggerhead hatchling production in Brazil: Implications from climate change
Authors: Montero Natalie , Tomillo Pilar Santidrian , Saba Vincent S. , dei Marcovaldi Maria A. G. , López-Mendilaharsu Milagros , Santos Alexsandro S. , Fuentes Mariana M. P. B. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSea turtle eggs are heavily influenced by the environment in which they incubate, including effects on hatching success and hatchling viability (hatchling production). It is crucial to understand how the hatchling production of sea turtles is influenced by local climate and how potential changes in climate may impact future hatchling production. Generalized Additive Models were used to determine the relationship of six climatic variables at different temporal scales on loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) hatchling production at seventeen nesting beaches in Bahia, Espirito Santo, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Using extreme and conservative climate change scenarios throughout the 21st century, potential impacts on future hatching success (the number of hatched eggs in a nest) were predicted using the climatic variable(s) that best described hatchling production at each nesting beach. Air temperature and precipitation were found to be the main drivers of hatchling production throughout Brazil. CMIP5 climate projections are for a warming of air temperature at all sites throughout the 21st century, while projections for precipitation vary regionally. The more tropical nesting beaches in Brazil, such as those in Bahia, are projected to experience declines in hatchling production, while the more temperate nesting beaches, such as those in Rio de Janeiro, are projected to experience increases in hatchling production by the end of the 21st century.
Microbial communities in top- and subsoil of repacked soil columns respond differently to amendments but their diversity is negatively correlated with plant productivity
Authors: Celestina Corinne , Wood Jennifer L. , Manson James B. , Wang Xiaojuan , Sale Peter W. G. , Tang Caixian , Franks Ashley E. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractOrganic and inorganic amendments with equivalent nutrient content may have comparable fertilizer effects on crop yield, but their effects on the soil microbial community and subsequent plant-soil-microbe interactions in this context are unknown. This experiment aimed to understand the relationship between soil microbial communities, soil physicochemical characteristics and crop performance after addition of amendments to soil. Poultry litter and synthetic fertilizer with balanced total nitrogen (N) content equivalent to 1,200 kg ha−1 were added to the topsoil (0–10 cm) or subsoil layer (20–30 cm) of repacked soil columns. Wheat plants were grown until maturity. Soil samples were taken at Zadoks 87–91 (76 days after sowing) for analysis of bacterial and fungal communities using 16S and ITS amplicon sequencing. The interaction between amendment type and placement depth had significant effects on bacterial and fungal community structure and diversity in the two soil layers. Addition of poultry litter and fertilizer stimulated or suppressed different taxa in the topsoil and subsoil leading to divergence of these layers from the untreated control. Both amendments reduced microbial community richness, diversity and evenness in the topsoil and subsoil compared to the nil-amendment control, with these reductions in diversity being consistently negatively correlated with plant biomass (root and shoot weight, root length, grain weight) and soil fertility (soil NH4+, shoot N). These results indicate that in this experimental system, the soil microbial diversity was correlated negatively with plant productivity.
Room-temperature Operation of Low-voltage, Non-volatile, Compound-semiconductor Memory Cells
Authors: Tizno Ofogh , Marshall Andrew R. J. , Fernández-Delgado Natalia , Herrera Miriam , Molina Sergio I. , Hayne Manus 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWhilst the different forms of conventional (charge-based) memories are well suited to their individual roles in computers and other electronic devices, flaws in their properties mean that intensive research into alternative, or emerging, memories continues. In particular, the goal of simultaneously achieving the contradictory requirements of non-volatility and fast, low-voltage (low-energy) switching has proved challenging. Here, we report an oxide-free, floating-gate memory cell based on III-V semiconductor heterostructures with a junctionless channel and non-destructive read of the stored data. Non-volatile data retention of at least 104 s in combination with switching at ≤2.6 V is achieved by use of the extraordinary 2.1 eV conduction band offsets of InAs/AlSb and a triple-barrier resonant tunnelling structure. The combination of low-voltage operation and small capacitance implies intrinsic switching energy per unit area that is 100 and 1000 times smaller than dynamic random access memory and Flash respectively. The device may thus be considered as a new emerging memory with considerable potential.
Characterization of C-nucleoside Antimicrobials from Streptomyces albus DSM 40763: Strepturidin is Pseudouridimycin
Authors: Rosenqvist Petja , Palmu Kaisa , Prajapati Ranjit Kumar , Yamada Keith , Niemi Jarmo , Belogurov Georgiy A. , Metsä-Ketelä Mikko , Virta Pasi 
Published: June 2019

AbstractPseudouridimycin (PUM), a selective inhibitor of bacterial RNA polymerase has been previously detected in microbial-extracts of two strains of Streptomyces species (strain ID38640 and ID38673). Here, we isolated PUM and its deoxygenated analogue desoxy-pseudouridimycin (dPUM) from Streptomyces albus DSM 40763, previously reported to produce the metabolite strepturidin (STU). The isolated compounds were characterized by HRMS and spectroscopic techniques and they selectively inhibited transcription by bacterial RNA polymerase as previously reported for PUM. In contrast, STU could not be detected in the cultures of S. albus DSM 40763. As the reported characteristics reported for STU are almost identical with that of PUM, the existence of STU was questioned. We further sequenced the genome of S. albus DSM 40763 and identified a gene cluster that contains orthologs of all PUM biosynthesis enzymes but lacks the enzymes that would conceivably allow biosynthesis of STU as an additional product.
Reducing Campylobacter jejuni colonization in broiler chickens by in-feed supplementation with hyperimmune egg yolk antibodies
Authors: Vandeputte Jasmien , Martel An , Canessa Stefano , Van Rysselberghe Nathalie , De Zutter Lieven , Heyndrickx Marc , Haesebrouck Freddy , Pasmans Frank , Garmyn An 
Published: June 2019

AbstractCampylobacterinfections sourced mainly to poultry products, are the most important bacterial foodborne zoonoses worldwide. No effective measures to control these infections in broiler production exist to date. Here, we used passive immunization with hyperimmune egg yolks to confer broad protection of broilers againstCampylobacterinfection. Two novel vaccines, a bacterin of thirteenCampylobacter jejuni(C.jejuni) andC.colistrains and a subunit vaccine of six immunodominantCampylobacterantigens, were used for the immunization of layers, resulting in high and prolonged levels of specific immunoglobulin Y (IgY) in the hens’ yolks. In the firstin vivotrial, yolks (sham, bacterin or subunit vaccine derived) were administered prophylactically in the broiler feed. Both the bacterin- and subunit vaccine-induced IgY significantly reduced the number ofCampylobacter-colonized broilers. In the secondin vivotrial, the yolks were administered therapeutically during three days before euthanasia. The bacterin IgY resulted in a significant decrease inC.jejunicounts per infected bird. The hyperimmune yolks showed strong reactivity to a broad representation ofC.jejuniandC.coliclonal complexes. These results indicate that passive immunization with hyperimmune yolks, especially bacterin derived, offers possibilities to controlCampylobactercolonization in poultry.
Opening a new window on MR-based Electrical Properties Tomography with deep learning
Authors: Mandija Stefano , Meliadò Ettore F. , Huttinga Niek R. F. , Luijten Peter R. , van den Berg Cornelis A. T. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIn the radiofrequency (RF) range, the electrical properties of tissues (EPs: conductivity and permittivity) are modulated by the ionic and water content, which change for pathological conditions. Information on tissues EPs can be used e.g. in oncology as a biomarker. The inability of MR-Electrical Properties Tomography techniques (MR-EPT) to accurately reconstruct tissue EPs by relating MR measurements of the transmit RF field to the EPs limits their clinical applicability. Instead of employing electromagnetic models posing strict requirements on the measured MRI quantities, we propose a data driven approach where the electrical properties reconstruction problem can be casted as a supervised deep learning task (DL-EPT). DL-EPT reconstructions for simulations and MR measurements at 3 Tesla on phantoms and human brains using a conditional generative adversarial network demonstrate high quality EPs reconstructions and greatly improved precision compared to conventional MR-EPT. The supervised learning approach leverages the strength of electromagnetic simulations, allowing circumvention of inaccessible MR electromagnetic quantities. Since DL-EPT is more noise-robust than MR-EPT, the requirements for MR acquisitions can be relaxed. This could be a major step forward to turn electrical properties tomography into a reliable biomarker where pathological conditions can be revealed and characterized by abnormalities in tissue electrical properties.
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition of cancer cells using bioengineered hybrid scaffold composed of hydrogel/3D-fibrous framework
Authors: Pal Mintu , Chen Huizhi , Lee Bae Hoon , Lee Justin Yin Hao , Yip Yun Sheng , Tan Nguan Soon , Tan Lay Poh 
Published: June 2019

AbstractCancer cells undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) acquire stem cell-like phenotype associated with malignant behaviour, chemoresistance, and relapse. Current two-dimensional (2D) in-vitro culture models of tumorigenesis are inadequate to replicate the complexity of in-vivo microenvironment. Therefore, the generation of functional three-dimensional (3D) constructs is a fundamental prerequisite to form multi-cellular tumour spheroids for studying basic pathological mechanisms. In this study, we focused on two major points (i) designing and fabrication of 3D hybrid scaffolds comprising electrospun fibers with cancer cells embedded within hydrogels, and (ii) determining the potential roles of 3D hybrid scaffolds associated with EMT in cancer progression and metastasis. Our findings revealed that 3D hybrid scaffold enhances cell proliferation and induces cancer cells to undergo EMT, as demonstrated by significant up-regulation of EMT associated transcriptional factors including Snail1, Zeb1, and Twist2; and mesenchymal markers whereas epithelial marker, E-Cadherin was downregulated. Remarkably, this induction is independent of cancer cell-type as similar results were obtained for breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231 and gastric cancer cells, MKN74. Moreover, the hybrid scaffolds enrich aggressive cancer cells with stem cell properties. We showed that our 3D scaffolds could trigger EMT of cancer cells which could provide a useful model for studying anticancer therapeutics against metastasis.
Anti-aging effects of long-term space missions, estimated by heart rate variability
Authors: Otsuka Kuniaki , Cornelissen Germaine , Kubo Yutaka , Shibata Koichi , Mizuno Koh , Ohshima Hiroshi , Furukawa Satoshi , Mukai Chiaki 
Published: June 2019

AbstractReports that aging slows down in space prompted this investigation of anti-aging effects in humans by analyzing astronauts’ heart rate variability (HRV). Ambulatory 48-hour electrocardiograms from 7 astronauts (42.1 ± 6.8 years; 6 men) 20.6 ± 2.7 days (ISS01) and 138.6 ± 21.8 days (ISS02) after launch were divided into 24-hour spans of relative lower or higher magnetic disturbance, based on geomagnetic measures in Tromso, Norway. Magnetic disturbances were significantly higher on disturbed than on quiet days (ISS01: 72.01 ± 33.82 versus 33.96 ± 17.90 nT, P = 0.0307; ISS02: 71.06 ± 51.52 versus 32.53 ± 27.27 nT, P = 0.0308). SDNNIDX was increased on disturbed days (by 5.5% during ISS01, P = 0.0110), as were other HRV indices during ISS02 (SDANN, 12.5%, P = 0.0243; Triangular Index, 8.4%, P = 0.0469; and TF-component, 17.2%, P = 0.0054), suggesting the action of an anti-aging or longevity effect. The effect on TF was stronger during light (12:00–17:00) than during darkness (0:00–05:00) (P = 0.0268). The brain default mode network (DMN) was activated, gauged by increases in the LF-band (9.7%, P = 0.0730) and MF1-band (9.9%, P = 0.0281). Magnetic changes in the magnetosphere can affect and enhance HRV indices in space, involving an anti-aging or longevity effect, probably in association with the brain DMN, in a light-dependent manner and/or with help from the circadian clock.
Associations of mortality with own blood pressure using
son’s blood pressure as an instrumental variable
Authors: Carslake David , Fraser Abigail , May Margaret T. , Palmer Tom , Silventoinen Karri , Tynelius Per , Lawlor Debbie A. , Davey Smith George 
Published: June 2019

AbstractHigh systolic blood pressure (SBP) causes cardiovascular disease (CVD)
and is associated with mortality from other causes, but conventional
multivariably-adjusted results may be confounded. Here we used a son’s SBP (>1
million Swedish men) as an instrumental variable for parental SBP and examined
associations with parents’ cause-specific mortality, avoiding reverse causation. The
hazard ratio for CVD mortality per SD (10.80 mmHg) of SBP was 1.49 (95% CI: 1.43,
1.56); SBP was positively associated with coronary heart disease and stroke. SBP was
also associated positively with all-cause, diabetes and kidney cancer mortality, and
negatively with external causes. Negative associations with respiratory-related
mortality were probably confounded by smoking. Hazard ratios for other causes were
imprecise or null. Diastolic blood pressure gave similar results to SBP. CVD hazard
ratios were intermediate between those from conventional multivariable studies and
Mendelian randomization and stronger than those from clinical trials, approximately
consistent with an effect of exposure duration on effect sizes. Plots of parental
mortality against offspring SBP were approximately linear, supporting calls for
lower SBP targets. Results suggest that conventional multivariable analyses of
mortality and SBP are not substantially confounded by reverse causation and confirm
positive effects of SBP on all-cause, CVD and diabetes mortality.
Isotopic labelling reveals the efficient adaptation of wheat root TCA cycle flux modes to match carbon demand under ammonium nutrition
Authors: Vega-Mas Izargi , Cukier Caroline , Coleto Inmaculada , González-Murua Carmen , Limami Anis M. , González-Moro M Begoña , Marino Daniel 
Published: June 2019

AbstractProper carbon (C) supply is essential for nitrogen (N) assimilation especially when plants are grown under ammonium (NH4+) nutrition. However, how C and N metabolic fluxes adapt to achieve so remains uncertain. In this work, roots of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants grown under exclusive NH4+ or nitrate (NO3−) supply were incubated with isotope-labelled substrates (15NH4+, 15NO3−, or [13C]Pyruvate) to follow the incorporation of 15N or 13C into amino acids and organic acids. Roots of plants adapted to ammonium nutrition presented higher capacity to incorporate both 15NH4+ and 15NO3− into amino acids, thanks to the previous induction of the NH4+ assimilative machinery. The 15N label was firstly incorporated into [15N]Gln vía glutamine synthetase; ultimately leading to [15N]Asn accumulation as an optimal NH4+ storage. The provision of [13C]Pyruvate led to [13C]Citrate and [13C]Malate accumulation and to rapid [13C]2-OG consumption for amino acid synthesis and highlighted the importance of the anaplerotic routes associated to tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Taken together, our results indicate that root adaptation to ammonium nutrition allowed efficient assimilation of N thanks to the promotion of TCA cycle open flux modes in order to sustain C skeleton availability for effective NH4+ detoxification into amino acids.