bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immobilization stress-induced Escherichia coli causes anxiety by inducing NF-κB activation through gut microbiota disturbance
Authors: Jang Hyo-Min , Lee Kyung-Eon , Lee Hae-Ji , Kim Dong-Hyun 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe present study aimed to understand the crosstalk between anxiety and gut microbiota. Exposure of mice to immobilization stress (IS) led to anxiety-like behaviors, increased corticosterone and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in the blood, increased nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation and microglia/monocyte populations in the hippocampus, and suppressed brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus. Furthermore, IS exposure increased NF-κB activation and monocyte population in the colon and increased Proteobacteria and Escherichia coli populations in the gut microbiota and fecal and blood lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels while decreasing the lactobacilli population. Oral administration of the fecal microbiota of mice treated with IS (FIS) or E. coli led to the increased NF-κB activation and monocyte population in the colon. These treatments increased blood corticosterone and LPS levels and anxiety-like behaviors, decreased BDNF expression, and induced NF-κB activation and microglia/monocyte populations in the hippocampus. Intraperitoneal injection of LPS purified from E. coli also led to anxiety and colitis in mice. Oral administration of commensal lactobacilli, particularly Lactobacillus johnsonii, attenuated IS- or E. coli-induced colitis and anxiety-like behaviors and biomarkers. These findings suggest that exposure to stressors can increase Proteobacteria populations and fecal LPS levels and cause gastrointestinal inflammation, resulting in the deterioration of anxiety through NF-κB activation. However, the amelioration of gastrointestinal inflammation by treatment with probiotics including L. johnsonii can alleviate anxiety.
Large diurnal bottom temperature oscillations around the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago
Authors: Lazure Pascal , Le Cann Bernard , Bezaud Marion 
Published: September 2018

AbstractHere, we report large, near-daily oscillations of near-bottom temperatures, with ranges of up to 11.5 °C at depths of 30–60 m in September 2011 around the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago (south-eastern Canada). These oscillations were detected on velocity and temperature profiles from moorings in Miquelon Bay and on an array of near-bottom temperature sensors around the archipelago. The oscillations coincided with the seasonal stratification period. In addition to their remarkable range, they exhibited a near-diurnal period centred on the O1 tidal component (~26 h), contrasting with the dominant semi-diurnal sea-level periodicity in the area. They appear to be the manifestation of an internal wave, triggered by the diurnal surface tide and trapped by the bathymetric configuration of the area. We argue that the archipelago is nearly resonant for island-trapped waves at near-diurnal frequencies. Our data demonstrate that these coastal-trapped waves propagate clockwise around the archipelago in roughly two days, and thus approximate an azimuthal, mode 2 pattern. Simplified calculations show that cross-shore motions are bottom-amplified. In addition, bottom friction acts to rotate the axes of the diurnal tidal current ellipses with depth, and this combination of effects explains the large range of observed bottom temperature oscillations.
Detection and characterisation of multiple herpesviruses in free-living Western European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)
Authors: Hydeskov Helle B. , Dastjerdi Akbar , Hopkins Kevin P. , Ryser-Degiorgis Marie-Pierre , Widén Frederik , Cunningham Andrew A. , Lawson Becki 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSporadic cases of herpesvirus-associated disease have been reported in the Western European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), but there has been little surveillance for, nor any sequence characterisation of, herpesviruses in this species to date. A nested pan-herpesvirus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting a region of the DNA polymerase gene was used to test 129 Western European hedgehogs from across Great Britain, 2011–2016; 59 (46%) of which were PCR-positive. In addition, samples from two previously published cases of fatal herpesvirus infection in E. europaeus, from Sweden and Switzerland, were positive using this PCR. No statistically significant relationship was detected between PCR result and sex, age class, year or season for the British hedgehogs tested. In most PCR-positive animals (19/22) from which liver and brain were tested separately, both were PCR-positive. Sanger sequencing of amplicons from 59 British hedgehogs revealed at least two novel viruses within the Gammaherpesvirinae. Thirteen of these hedgehogs had liver and brain tissues screened for microscopic abnormalities, of which one had non-suppurative meningoencephalitis, but neither intranuclear inclusion bodies nor herpesvirus virions (on electron microscopical examination) were identified. Sequencing of the whole DNA polymerase gene confirmed two genetically different Human alphaherpesvirus 1 viruses in the Swedish and Swiss hedgehogs.
Immobilizing Laccase on Different Species Wood Biochar to Remove the Chlorinated Biphenyl in Wastewater
Authors: Li Na , Xia Qiuyang , Niu Meihong , Ping Qingwei , Xiao Huining 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBiochars produced from two different wood species over a microwave assisted pyrolysis process were used as novel and green-based supports for immobilizing enzyme, laccase in particular. The results obtained from FT-IR, SEM and BET measurements indicated that Maple biochar with honeycomb structure has higher surface area and pore volume than Spruce biochar; and there exist O-H, C-H, C=O and C=C groups in biochars for potential chemical modification. The best laccase immobilization conditions identified from an orthogonal experiment were pH = 3, laccase concentration 16 g/L and contact time 8 h. Under such conditions, the high immobilization yield (64.2%) and amount (11.14 mg/g) of laccase on Maple biochar were achieved, leading to the significantly improved thermal stability of laccase. Moreover, the immobilized laccase is reusable and enhanced the enzymatic degradation of 4-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorobiphenyl (71.4% yield), thus creating a promising and novel type of adsorbent in the removal of polychlorinated biphenyls from wastewater.
Structural robustness of mammalian transcription factor networks reveals plasticity across development
Authors: Caldu-Primo J. L. , Alvarez-Buylla E. R. , Davila-Velderrain J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractNetwork biology aims to understand cell behavior through the analysis of underlying complex biomolecular networks. Inference of condition-specific interaction networks from epigenomic data enables the characterization of the structural plasticity that regulatory networks can acquire in different tissues of the same organism. From this perspective, uncovering specific patterns of variation by comparing network structure among tissues could provide insights into systems-level mechanisms underlying cell behavior. Following this idea, here we propose an empirical framework to analyze mammalian tissue-specific networks, focusing on characterizing and contrasting their structure and behavior in response to perturbations. We structurally represent the state of the cell/tissue by condition specific transcription factor networks generated using DNase-seq chromatin accessibility data, and we profile their systems behavior in terms of the structural robustness against random and directed perturbations. Using this framework, we unveil the structural heterogeneity existing among tissues at different levels of differentiation. We uncover a novel and conserved systems property of regulatory networks underlying embryonic stem cells (ESCs): in contrast to terminally differentiated tissues, the promiscuous regulatory connectivity of ESCs produces a globally homogeneous network resulting in increased structural robustness. We show that this property is associated with a more permissive, less restrictive chromatin accesibility state in ESCs. Possible biological consequences of this property are discussed.
A new Eocene anagalid (Mammalia: Euarchontoglires) from Mongolia and its implications for the group’s phylogeny and dispersal
Authors: López-Torres Sergi , Fostowicz-Frelik Łucja 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAnagalidae are extinct primitive Euarchontoglires from Asia, regarded as relatively closely related to basal Glires. So far, the group has been reported only from China and stratigraphically spans from the early Paleocene to the latest Eocene/earliest Oligocene. Anagalids are characterized by a relatively full dental formula featuring slightly enlarged semi-procumbent incisors, prominent canines, and tall cheek teeth with usually heavily worn crowns, indicative of an abrasive diet. Here we report a new genus and species from the late Eocene Ergilin Dzo Formation in southern Mongolia. The first non-Chinese anagalid is also the northernmost record of the family. Zofiagale ergilinensis gen. and sp.nov. is remarkable for its relatively small size (comparable only to the Paleocene genera Huaiyangale and Stenanagale), lack of P1, and molariform teeth showing almost no wear, suggesting a different diet than most Anagalidae. Furthermore, its molars display a strong buccal cingulum, a character in anagalids shared only with Wanogale. Our phylogenetic analysis of representatives of all anagalid genera based on 82 dental characters places Anagale and Anaptogale as the most basal lineages and clusters Zofiagale gen. nov. together with Qipania and Hsiuannania. These results suggest three independent northward dispersal events within the family in the late Eocene.
Impact of timing of surgery in elderly hip fracture patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Klestil Thomas , Röder Christoph , Stotter Christoph , Winkler Birgit , Nehrer Stefan , Lutz Martin , Klerings Irma , Wagner Gernot , Gartlehner Gerald , Nussbaumer-Streit Barbara 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe aimed to assess the impact of timing of surgery in elderly patients with acute hip fracture on morbidity and mortality. We systematically searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and trial registries from 01/1997 to 05/2017, as well as reference lists of relevant reviews, archives of orthopaedic conferences, and contacted experts. Eligible studies had to be randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or prospective cohort studies, including patients 60 years or older with acute hip fracture. Two authors independently assessed study eligibility, abstracted data, and critically appraised study quality. We conducted meta-analyses using the generic inverse variance model. We included 28 prospective observational studies reporting data of 31,242 patients. Patients operated on within 48 hours had a 20% lower risk of dying within 12 months (risk ratio (RR) 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66–0.97). No statistical significant different mortality risk was observed when comparing patients operated on within or after 24 hours (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.67–1.01). Adjusted data demonstrated fewer complications (8% vs. 17%) in patients who had early surgery, and increasing risk for pressure ulcers with increased time of delay in another study. Early hip surgery within 48 hours was associated with lower mortality risk and fewer perioperative complications.
Shape transformable bifurcated stents
Authors: Kim Taeyoung , Lee Yong-Gu 
Published: September 2018

AbstractNon-invasive delivery of artificial implants, stents or devices in patients is vital for rapid and successful recovery. Unfortunately, because the delivery passage is often narrower than the size of the delivered object, a compromise between the shape that is effective at the targeted location and a thin form that allows smooth unobstructed travel to the destination is needed. We address this problem through two key technologies: 3D printing and shape memory polymers (SMPs). 3D printing can produce patient-customizable objects, and SMPs can change their initially formed shape to the final desired shape through external stimulation. Using these two technologies, we examine the design and fabrication of bifurcated stents. This study presents a mock-up where blood vessels are fabricated using moulded silicon, which supports the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results reveal that a bifurcated stent with a kirigami structure can smoothly travel inside a vessel without being obstructed by branched parts. We believe that this work can improve the success rate of stent insertion operations in medicine.
Epitopes identified in GAPDH from Clostridium difficile recognized as common antigens with potential autoimmunizing properties
Authors: Razim Agnieszka , Pacyga Katarzyna , Aptekorz Małgorzata , Martirosian Gayane , Szuba Andrzej , Pawlak-Adamska Edyta , Brzychczy-Włoch Monika , Myc Andrzej , Gamian Andrzej , Górska Sabina 
Published: September 2018

AbstractClostridium difficile (CD) infections are a growing threat due to the strain resistance to antibiotic treatment and the emergence of hypervirulent strains. One solution to this problem is the search for new vaccine antigens, preferably surface-localized that will be recognized by antibodies at an early stage of colonization. The purpose of the study was to assess the usefulness of novel immunoreactive surface proteins (epitopes) as potential vaccine antigens. Such approach might be tough to pursue since pathogens have acquired strategies to subvert adaptive immune response to produce humoral response against non-essential proteins for their survival. In this study CD surface proteins were isolated, immunoreactive proteins identified and mapped to select potential epitopes. The results of the study exclude the use of CD glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase as a vaccine antigen, especially as a whole protein. Sequences P9 (201AAGNIVPNTTGAAKAI218) and P10 (224KGKLDGAAQRVPVVTG241) recognized by patients sera are conserved and widespread among CD strains. They show cross-reactivity with sera of people suffering from other bacterial infections and are recognized by sera of autoimmune disease patients. Our study documents that special care in analyzing the sequence of new epitope should be taken to avoid side effects prior to consider it as a vaccine antigen.
Extracts of Polypore Mushroom Mycelia Reduce Viruses in Honey Bees
Authors: Stamets Paul E. , Naeger Nicholas L. , Evans Jay D. , Han Jennifer O. , Hopkins Brandon K. , Lopez Dawn , Moershel Henry M. , Nally Regan , Sumerlin David , Taylor Alex W. , Carris Lori M. , Sheppard Walter S. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWaves of highly infectious viruses sweeping through global honey bee populations have contributed to recent declines in honey bee health. Bees have been observed foraging on mushroom mycelium, suggesting that they may be deriving medicinal or nutritional value from fungi. Fungi are known to produce a wide array of chemicals with antimicrobial activity, including compounds active against bacteria, other fungi, or viruses. We tested extracts from the mycelium of multiple polypore fungal species known to have antiviral properties. Extracts from amadou (Fomes) and reishi (Ganoderma) fungi reduced the levels of honey bee deformed wing virus (DWV) and Lake Sinai virus (LSV) in a dose-dependent manner. In field trials, colonies fed Ganoderma resinaceum extract exhibited a 79-fold reduction in DWV and a 45,000-fold reduction in LSV compared to control colonies. These findings indicate honey bees may gain health benefits from fungi and their antimicrobial compounds.
Effects of Unusual Gate Current on the Electrical Properties of Oxide Thin-Film Transistors
Authors: Lee Jinwon , Lim Keon-Hee , Kim Youn Sang 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe wide research and development on oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) have led to considerable changes in mainstream technology in various electronic applications. Up to now, much research has been focusing on enhancing the performance of oxide TFTs and simplifying fabricating process. At the stage of research and development in the oxide TFT, unexpectedly high gate current phenomena have been continuously reported by several groups, but the origins have not been yet studied in detail. The unusual gate current interferes with the conductance of the oxide TFT, which makes it difficult to interpret the performance of the TFT. Here we present the origin and control factors of the unconventional gate currents flow in the oxide TFT. The gate current is due to the conduction of electrons through trap sites in insulators, and the current is sophisticatedly controlled by the structural factors of TFT. Furthermore, the gate current flows only in one direction due to the charge state of the oxide semiconductor at the interface with the insulator. We also demonstrate that the vertical current path functions as a diode unit can protect the TFT from unintended gate electrostatic shock.
Super-resolution ultrasound imaging method for microvasculature in vivo with a high temporal accuracy
Authors: Yu Jaesok , Lavery Linda , Kim Kang 
Published: September 2018

AbstractTraditional ultrasound imaging techniques are limited in spatial resolution to visualize angiogenic vasa vasorum that is considered as an important marker for atherosclerotic plaque progression and vulnerability. The recently introduced super-resolution imaging technique based on microbubble center localization has shown potential to achieve unprecedented high spatial resolution beyond the acoustic diffraction limit. However, a major drawback of the current super-resolution imaging approach is low temporal resolution because it requires a large number of imaging frames. In this study, a new imaging sequence and signal processing approach for super-resolution ultrasound imaging are presented to improve temporal resolution by employing deconvolution and spatio-temporal-interframe-correlation based data acquisition. In vivo feasibility of the developed technology is demonstrated and evaluated in imaging vasa vasorum in the rabbit atherosclerosis model. The proposed method not only identifies a tiny vessel with a diameter of 41 μm, 5 times higher spatial resolution than the acoustic diffraction limit at 7.7 MHz, but also significantly improves temporal resolution that allows for imaging vessels over cardiac motion.
Asymmetric-Fluidic-Reservoirs Induced High Rectification Nanofluidic Diode
Authors: Nandigana Vishal V. R. , Jo Kyoo , Timperman Aaron , Aluru Narayana R. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe demonstrate a novel nanofluidic diode that produces rectification factors in excess of 1000. The nanofluidic diode consists of ion permselective nanopores that connect two reservoirs of different diameters- a micropore reservoir and a macropore reservoir. On the application of +100 V to the micropore, a low OFF state current is observed. The OFF state is caused by formation of the ion depleted zone in the micropore because the anions are prevented from entering the nanopores from the micropore and the cations are depleted in this region to maintain charge neutrality. On the application of −100 V, we observe a high ON state current. The ON state is caused by formation of the ion enriched zone in the microchannel because the anions cannot pass through the nanopores and accumulate in the microchannel. To maintain charge neutrality the cations also become enriched in the microchannel. The ratio of ON state current to the OFF state current gives the rectification of current. Here, plasma oxidation is used to achieve a nanopore with a large wall surface charge density of σn = −55 mC/m2 which yields a rectification of current on the order of 3500 that is nearly two orders of magnitude higher than those reported thus far. In contrast to the other nanofluidic diodes, this nanofluidic diode does not introduce asymmetry to the nanopore, but asymmetry is produced by having the nanopores join a micropore and a macropore. Introduction of asymmetry into the fluidic reservoirs which the nanopores connect is quite simple. Hence, the nanofluidic diode is easy to scale up to industrial level.
Important contributions of sea-salt aerosols to atmospheric bromine cycle in the Antarctic coasts
Authors: Hara Keiichiro , Osada Kazuo , Yabuki Masanori , Takashima Hisahiro , Theys Nicolas , Yamanouchi Takashi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPolar sunrise activates reactive bromine (BrOx) cycle on the Antarctic coasts. BrOx chemistry relates to depletion of O3 and Hg in polar regions. Earlier studies have indicated “blowing snow” as a source of atmospheric BrOx. However, surface O3 depletion and BrO enhancement occurs rarely under blowing snow conditions at Syowa Station, Antarctica. Therefore, trigger processes for BrOx activation other than the heterogeneous reactions on blowing snow particles must be considered. Results of this study show that enhancement of sea-salt aerosols (SSA) and heterogeneous reactions on SSA are the main key processes for atmospheric BrOx cycle activation. Blowing snow had Br− enrichment, in contrast to strong Br− depletion in SSA. In-situ aerosol measurements and satellite BrO measurements demonstrated clearly that a BrO plume appeared simultaneously in SSA enhancement near the surface. Results show that surface O3 depletion at Syowa Station occurred in aerosol enhancement because of SSA dispersion during the polar sunrise. Amounts of depleted Br− from SSA were matched well to the tropospheric vertical column density of BrO and BrOx concentrations found in earlier work. Our results indicate that SSA enhancement by strong winds engenders activation of atmospheric BrOx cycles via heterogeneous reactions on SSA.
Oxidative DNA damage induced by ROS-modulating agents with the ability to target DNA: A comparison of the biological characteristics of citrus pectin and apple pectin
Authors: Salehi Fahimeh , Behboudi Hossein , Kavoosi Gholamreza , Ardestani Sussan K. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDNA targeting anticancer agents have been very successful in clinic, especially, when used in combinatorial therapy. But unfortunately, they often exhibit high levels of toxicity towards normal cells. Hence, much effort has been put into finding agents with more selectivity, and less toxicity. Pectins are natural polysaccharides, and beneficial nutritional fibers that have attracted attentions due to their antitumor properties. However, their molecular targets, and mechanism of action are widely unknown. Here, we have reported that citrus pectin (CP) and apple pectin (AP) selectively suppress viability in MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and T47D human Breast cancer cells, while non-toxic to L929 normal cells. Upon CP, and AP treatments, cancer cells’ ROS content increased rapidly, and led to the collapse of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential which functions upstream of the caspase-dependent apoptosis. CP and AP treated cancer cells were also arrested at the S and G1 or G2/M phases of the cell cycle, respectively. Furthermore, mRNA expression of Galectin-3 (a multi-functional lectin involved in cell adhesion, cell cycle, and apoptosis) reduced in both CP and AP treated cells. Growth inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cells by CP, and AP was concomitant with DNA damage (oxidation, and strand breaks). In this context, in an effort to clarify the mechanism of action, we showed that CP, and AP are able to interact with DNA. The strength and mode of DNA binding were established by spectroscopy techniques. We demonstrated that CP, and AP bind to dsDNA by intercalation, and groove binding/partial intercalation, respectively. In conclusion, our findings suggest that CP, and AP induce apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells by increasing the release of ROS, which may be related to the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, and direct interactions with DNA. Our data indicate that these compounds may be potentially useful in cancer treatment.