bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microbial decontamination of stainless steel and polyethylene surfaces using GlidArc plasma activated water without chemical additives
Authors: Kamgang‐Youbi Georges , Herry Jean‐Marie , Meylheuc Thierry , Laminsi Samuel , Naïtali Murielle 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDGliding electric discharge (GlidArc) in humid air produces a nonthermal plasma that is efficient for cleaning up contaminated media. However, beyond decontamination, plasma can have significant impacts on the surface of the contaminated material. It has been shown that even distilled water exposed to plasma GlidArc (plasma‐activated water) has antimicrobial properties. This study reports on the performance of GlidArc plasma‐activated water for the decontamination of solid surfaces.RESULTSWater activated for 5 min with plasma GlidArc contains reactive nitrogen and oxygenated species (nitrites, hydrogen peroxide, peroxynitrite). Scanning electron microscopy images showed strong cell damage on four types of microorganisms adhering to stainless steel and polyethylene surfaces, two materials widely used in food industry and hospital environments. The level of cell damage correlated with the quantitative lethal study. Atomic force microscopy images showed that the materials did not exhibit a considerable change (< 2%) to their surface topography after treatment in contrast to effect of bleach (41%), a conventional disinfecting solution.CONCLUSIONThis study confirmed the potential of plasma‐activated water as a means of microbial decontamination without affecting the surface of previously contaminated materials. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Cleaning capacity of octenidine as root canal irrigant: A scanning electron microscopy study
Authors: Coaguila‐Llerena Hernán , Stefanini da Silva Virgínia , Tanomaru‐Filho Mario , Guerreiro Tanomaru Juliane Maria , Faria Gisele 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess the cleaning capacity of the octenidine hydrochloride (OCT) used as root canal irrigant by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Sixty human unirradicular extracted teeth were randomly distributed in 6 groups (n = 10) according to irrigant solutions which were used during root canal preparation: G1, 0.1% OCT; G2, 2% chlorhexidine (CHX); G3, 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); G4, OCT + 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); G5, 2.5% NaOCl + 17% EDTA and G6, distilled water. All specimens were instrumented with ProTaper system up to F4. Teeth were sectioned and prepared for SEM. The smear layer was evaluated using a 5‐score system and the data were analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn (α = 0.05). In all root canal thirds there was no significant difference between OCT, CHX, NaOCl, and water groups (p > .05), and these groups showed higher smear layer values than NaOCl + EDTA and OCT + EDTA groups (p < .05). There was no significant difference between NaOCl + EDTA and OCT + EDTA groups (p > .05). It was concluded that OCT used as a single root canal irrigant presented poor cleaning capacity and could be used in association with a final irrigation with EDTA to obtain smear layer removal.
CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of USP18 enhances type I IFN responsiveness and restricts HIV-1 infection in macrophages
Authors: Taylor Jared P , Cash Melanie N , Santostefano Katherine E , Nakanishi Mahito , Terada Naohiro , Wallet Mark A 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The IFN-stimulated gene ubiquitin-specific proteinase 18 (USP18) encodes a protein that negatively regulates T1 IFN signaling via stearic inhibition of JAK1 recruitment to the IFN-α receptor 2 subunit (IFNAR2). Here, we demonstrate that USP18 expression is induced by HIV-1 in a T1 IFN-dependent manner. Experimental depletion of USP18 by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) gene editing results in a significant restriction of HIV-1 replication in an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived macrophage model. In the absence of USP18, macrophages have increased responsiveness to stimulation with T1 IFNs with prolonged phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT2 and increased expression of IFN-stimulated genes that are key for antiviral responses. Interestingly, HIV-1 requires some signaling through the T1 IFN receptor to replicate efficiently because a neutralizing antibody that inhibits T1 IFN activity reduces HIV-1 replication rate in monocyte-derived macrophages. USP18 induction by HIV-1 tunes the IFN response to optimal levels allowing for efficient transcription from the HIV-1 LTR promoter while minimizing the T1 IFN-induced antiviral response that would otherwise restrict viral replication and spread. Finally, iPSC and CRISPR/Cas9 gene targeting offer a powerful tool to study host factors that regulate innate immune responses.
Endogenous purines modulate K+‐evoked ACh secretion at the mouse neuromuscular junction
Authors: Guarracino Juan F. , Cinalli Alejandro R. , Veggetti Mariela I. , Losavio Adriana S. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAt the mouse neuromuscular junction, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is co‐released with the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), and once in the synaptic cleft, it is hydrolyzed to adenosine. Both ATP/adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine modulate ACh secretion by activating presynaptic P2Y13 and A1, A2A, and A3 receptors, respectively. To elucidate the action of endogenous purines on K+‐dependent ACh release, we studied the effect of purinergic receptor antagonists on miniature end‐plate potential (MEPP) frequency in phrenic diaphragm preparations. At 10 mM K+, the P2Y13 antagonist N‐[2‐(methylthio)ethyl]‐2‐[3,3,3‐trifluoropropyl]thio‐5′‐adenylic acid, monoanhydride with (dichloromethylene)bis[phosphonic acid], tetrasodium salt (AR‐C69931MX) increased asynchronous ACh secretion while the A1, A3, and A2A antagonists 8‐cyclopentyl‐1,3‐dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), (3‐Ethyl‐5‐benzyl‐2‐methyl‐4‐phenylethynyl‐6‐phenyl‐1, 4‐(±)‐dihydropyridine‐3,5‐, dicarboxylate (MRS‐1191), and 2‐(2‐Furanyl)‐7‐(2‐phenylethyl)‐7H‐pyrazolo[4,3‐e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐c]pyrimidin‐5‐amine (SCH‐58261) did not modify neurosecretion. The inhibition of equilibrative adenosine transporters by S‐(p‐nitrobenzyl)‐6‐thioinosine provoked a reduction of 10 mM K+‐evoked ACh release, suggesting that the adenosine generated from ATP is being removed from the synaptic space by the transporters. At 15 and 20 mM K+, endogenous ATP/ADP and adenosine bind to inhibitory P2Y13 and A1 and A3 receptors since AR‐C69931MX, DPCPX, and MRS‐1191 increased MEPP frequency. Similar results were obtained when the generation of adenosine was prevented by using the ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase inhibitor α,β‐methyleneadenosine 5′‐diphosphate sodium salt. SCH‐58261 only reduced neurosecretion at 20 mM K+, suggesting that more adenosine is needed to activate excitatory A2A receptors. At high K+ concentration, the equilibrative transporters appear to be saturated allowing the accumulation of adenosine in the synaptic cleft. In conclusion, when motor nerve terminals are depolarized by increasing K+ concentrations, the ATP/ADP and adenosine endogenously generated are able to modulate ACh secretion by sequential activation of different purinergic receptors.
Diagnostic accuracy of clinical parameters to monitor peri‐implant conditions: A matched case‐control study
Authors: Monje Alberto , Caballé‐Serrano Jordi , Nart Jose , Peñarrocha David , Wang Hom‐Lay , Rakic Mia 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this case‐control study was to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of the standard clinical parameters in diagnosing healthy peri‐implant tissues, peri‐implant mucositis, and peri‐implantitis.MethodsA case‐control study was designed to compare the clinical parameters used in the diagnosis of peri‐implant diseases such as: probingdepth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), mucosal redness (MR), suppuration (SUP), and plaque index (PI). Furthermore, the influence of patient‐ (sex, age) and implant‐related variables (implant neck configuration, time in function after loading) were evaluated to investigate the association with the clinical findings. The inferential analysis consisted of estimation by generalized estimating equations (GEE) of multilevel logistic regression models.ResultsIn total, 1,572 sites were evaluated around 262 implants from 141 patients. Sites with implant mucositis showed significant levels of BOP (OR = 3.56), MR (OR = 7.66) and PD (OR = 1.48) compared to healthy sites. The specificity was 90.3% while the sensitivity was only 43.6%. Likewise, sites exhibiting peri‐implantitis showed significant levels of BOP (OR = 2.32), MR (OR = 7.21), PD (OR = 2.43) and SUP (OR = 6.81) compared to healthy sites. Again, the multiple logistic regressions showed high specificity (92.1%) but modest sensitivity (52.5%). PD was the only diagnostic marker displaying significance comparing peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis sites (OR = 1.76). Moreover, tissue‐level compared to bone‐level implants were less associated with SUP+ (OR = 0.20), and PI (OR = 0.36) and demonstrated statistical significance. In addition, age, sex, and function time significantly influenced the tested clinical parameters.ConclusionsThe diagnosis of peri‐implant diseases cannot rely solely upon individual clinical parameters but rather require a combination of criteria. The clinical parameters, particularly probing depth, might accurately discern between diagnoses among peri‐implant conditions. Nevertheless, the specificity of the clinical parameters surpasses the sensitivity in the detection of peri‐implant diseases, validating its potential use as a diagnostic tool.
Long‐term testosterone depletion attenuates inflammatory bone resorption in the ligature‐induced periodontal disease model
Authors: de Paiva Gonçalves Vinícius , Ortega Adriana Alicia C. , Steffens João Paulo , Spolidorio Denise Madalena Palomari , Rossa Carlos , Spolidorio Luis C. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundTestosterone is known to affect bone in physiological and pathological conditions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of testosterone in experimental periodontal disease in rats.MethodsIn this study we used a ligature model of periodontal disease in rats submitted to orchiectomy (OCX, testosterone depletion) with and without testosterone replacement therapy (TR). Control animals were sham‐operated and retained physiological testosterone levels. Sixty‐two days after orchiectomy and sham operations, ligatures were placed around the lower first molars for 2 weeks to induce experimental periodontal disease. Negative control animals received no ligatures. The outcomes assessed in the periodontal tissues were: inflammatory cytokine expression by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), stereometric analysis of the inflammatory process and quantitation of inflammatory bone resorption by microcomputed tomography (μ‐CT).ResultsThe OCX+TR group showed the greatest increase in fibroblastic cells and blood vessels with reduced inflammatory cell numbers in the gingival tissue with induction of periodontal disease. There were no significant differences between OCX and Sham‐operated groups in all the stereometric parameters assessed. Ligature placement induced inflammatory bone resorption, which was significantly attenuated in OCX animals. Experimental periodontitis induced a significant increase in interleukin (IL)‐1β, but the lowest levels were observed in the periodontitis/OCX group. IL‐6 levels were not affected by OCX, but were significantly reduced in OCX+TR animals.ConclusionThe findings of the present study suggest that testosterone depletion attenuates inflammatory bone resorption in ligature‐induced periodontitis, which may be partly mediated via decreased production of IL‐1β.
Improved potassium nutrition retrieves phosphorus‐induced decrease in zinc uptake and grain zinc concentration of wheat
Authors: Naeem Asif , Aslam Muhammad , Lodhi Asma 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe negative effect of soil‐applied phosphorus (P) on zinc (Zn) uptake by plants and its concentration in food grains could be a possible reason for low dietary intake of Zn. Likewise, owing to its critical role in plant tolerance to other abiotic stresses, potassium (K) was thought to retrieve P‐induced decrease in grain Zn concentration of wheat. To test the above hypothesis, the effect of K application (50 mg kg−1 soil) on Zn concentration in shoot/grains and its shoot‐to‐grain translocation was studied in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Galaxy‐2013) under low and optimal supply of both P (10 and 50 mg kg−1) and Zn (0 and 5 mg kg−1).RESULTSThe response of growth parameters and grain yield to optimal Zn, P and K applications indicated that all nutrients were limiting plant growth at low levels. Irrespective of P level, Zn application at optimal rate increased Zn concentration and uptake by straw and grains of wheat. Contrarily, optimal P application decreased Zn concentration but increased Zn uptake by wheat straw. More specifically, combined application of Zn and P at optimal levels decreased Zn concentration in grains from 43 to 32 mg kg−1 compared with optimal Zn application alone. Potassium application to optimal P‐ and Zn‐supplied plants increased remobilization of pre‐anthesis straw Zn store to grains by 50% and decreased Zn concentration in straw. Consequently, K application along with optimal Zn and P supply to plants completely retrieved P‐induced loss in grain Zn concentration and also increased grain Zn uptake from 891 to 1249 µg per pot without significantly affecting grain yield.CONCLUSIONThe K‐induced increase in grain Zn concentration is attributed to K‐driven higher post‐anthesis Zn uptake and remobilization of pre‐anthesis straw Zn store to grains. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
A novel, simple, economic and effective method for retarding maize tortilla staling
Authors: Alvarez‐Ramirez Jose , Garcia‐Diaz Samuel , Vernon‐Carter Eduardo Jaime , Bello‐Perez Luis Arturo 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDStaling of maize tortillas is a major drawback affecting their manufacture, commercialization and consumption. The development of methods that may help retard staling of maize tortillas is an ongoing research topic. In this work, a novel, simple, economic and effective method is proposed, based on adding completely gelatinized nixtamalized maize flour (GMF) dispersion to the basic masa formulation recipe (water, 600 g kg−1; nixtamalized maize flour, 400 g kg−1) in substitution of 50, 100 and 150 g kg−1 of water.RESULTSMasa added with GMF showed increased water retention capacity, reduced freezable water content and improved flow and dynamic rheological properties and produced tortillas with decreased firmness. The infrared 1047/1022 cm−1 spectral ratio indicated that a more disordered starch granule arrangement was formed, while enthalpy peaks associated with starch retrogradation decreased. All the above indicators were more pronounced the higher was the GMF content.CONCLUSIONThis work showed that GMF can play the role of a self‐hydrocolloid anti‐staling agent by retarding the retrogradation of maize starch and deterring the loss of water and rheological properties of masa and the increase in undesirable sensory characteristics of tortilla such as increased firmness. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Dynamic effects of biochar concentration and particle size on hydraulic properties of sand
Authors: Trifunovic Branimir , Gonzales Howell B. , Ravi Sujith , Sharratt Brenton S. , Mohanty Sanjay K. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractLarge‐scale application of biochar has been promoted as a strategy for improving soil quality in agricultural and contaminated lands, as biochar has the potential to alter soil physical and biogeochemical properties. Biochar at different concentrations has been shown to have inconsistent effects on soil hydrological properties, yet the cause of the inconsistency is not well understood. To investigate the relative roles of biochar size and concentration, we mixed pure sand with a commercially available biochar varying its concentrations and particle sizes and measured saturated (Ksat) and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity and water‐retention characteristics. An increase in the concentration of fine biochar (<2 mm) consistently decreased Ksat and increased saturated moisture content. In contrast, an increase in the concentration of unsieved (mixture of coarse and fine) biochar up to 5% (by volume) increased Ksat, whereas any further increases in unsieved biochar concentration decreased Ksat. Increase in biochar concentration, irrespective of particle size, consistently decreased the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. Measuring the changes in the characteristics of water‐retention curves of biochar–sand mixtures with biochar particle size, we showed that added biochar can either decrease (clog) or increase pore spaces in the mixture on the basis of the quantity of fine biochar fraction, which in turn could decrease or increase the hydraulic conductivity of the mixture. Thus, biochar concentration and particle size must be taken into consideration to maximize the intended hydrological benefits of biochar amendment.
Tree‐DOM: Dissolved organic matter in throughfall and stemflow
Authors: Van Stan John T. , Stubbins Aron 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRainfall onto trees entrains dissolved organic matter (tree‐DOM). Tree‐DOM is then exported down stems in stemflow and through leaves, branches, and gaps as throughfall. We synthesize tree‐DOM literature, presenting trends in and controls of tree‐DOM concentrations, fluxes, and chemistry. Tree‐DOM concentrations are higher in stemflow (7–482 mg‐C L−1) than throughfall (1–61 mg‐C L−1) with both being enriched in DOM compared to rainwater. Per unit area of landscape, trees yield similar amounts of DOM as the streams draining those landscapes, indicating tree‐DOM may provide a quantitatively significant carbon subsidy to stream and soil ecosystems. Tree‐DOM chemistry is indicative of mixed sources likely dominated by organic molecules produced by the trees and supplemented by inputs from epiphytes and atmospheric deposition. Increased research is required to understand the sources of tree‐DOM, the controls on tree‐DOM concentrations and fluxes, and the significance of tree‐DOM to aquatic C cycling.
An expanded study of long‐pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser treatment of basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Ortiz Arisa E. , Anderson R. Rox , DiGiorgio Catherine , Jiang Shang I. Brian , Shafiq Faiza , Avram Mathew M. 
Published: February 2018

Background and ObjectiveBasal cell carcinoma (BCC) is an indolent form of skin cancer that is rarely life threatening, but can cause significant cosmetic and functional morbidity. Surgical treatments often result in disfiguring scars, while topical therapies frequently result in recurrence. The need for a more effective nonsurgical alternative has led to the investigation of laser treatment of BCC. We have previously conducted a pilot study which showed 100% histologic clearance at high fluences. Treatments were well tolerated with no significant adverse events. The objective of this larger study was to confirm preliminary results that the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser is a safe and effective method for treating non‐facial BCC.DesignThis is an IRB‐approved, prospective, multi‐center study evaluating the safety and efficacy of the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of BCC on the trunk and extremities. Thirty‐three subjects seeking treatment for biopsy‐proven BCC that did not meet the criteria for Mohs surgery were recruited. Subjects on current anticoagulation therapy, or with a history of immunosuppression were excluded. Subjects received one treatment with the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser as follows: 5–6 mm spot, fluence of 125–140 J/cm2 and a pulse duration of 7–10 ms. Standard excision with 5 mm clinical margins was performed at 30 days after laser treatment to evaluate clinical and histologic clearance of BCC. Standardized photographs and adverse assessments were taken at the baseline visit, immediately after laser treatment and on the day of excision.ResultsThirty‐one subjects completed the study. BCC tumors had a 90% (28 of 31 BCC tumors) histologic clearance rate after one treatment with the long‐pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser. Treatments were generally well tolerated without any anesthesia. Immediate side effects included edema and erythema. At 1‐month follow‐up, some patients had residual crusting. No significant adverse events occurred.ConclusionThe 1064 nm long‐pulsed Nd:YAG laser is an alternative for treating non‐facial BCC for those that are poor surgical candidates. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:727–731, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fusing Benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole Unit with Thiophene for Constructing Wide‐bandgap High‐performance IDT‐based Polymer Solar Cell Donor Material
Authors: Song Xin , Fan Meijie , Zhang Kaili , Ding Dakang , Chen Weiye , Li Yonghai , Yu Liangmin , Sun Mingliang , Yang Renqiang 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBenzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole (BO) moiety is a strong electron‐withdrawing unit compared to benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (BT). It is usually introduced as an acceptor to construct narrow band‐gap donor‐acceptor (D‐A) materials. Herein, the π‐extended conjugated moiety dithieno[3′,2′:3,4″;2,3″:5,6]benzo[1,2‐c][1,2,5]oxadiazole (BOT) was adopted as the acceptor moiety to design D‐A polymers. Considering the more extended π‐conjugated molecular system of BOT compared to the BO unit, a narrower optical band‐gap is expected for BOT‐based IDT polymer (PIDT‐BOT). Unexpectedly, the UV‐vis absorption spectra of PIDT‐BOT films display a great hypochromatic shift of about 60 nm compared to a BO‐based analog (PIDT‐BO). The optical band‐gaps of the materials are broadened from 1.63 eV (PIDT‐BO) to 2.00 eV (PIDT‐BOT) accordingly. Although the range of external quantum efficiency (EQE) of PIDT‐BOT‐based polymer solar cell (PSC) devices is not as wide as for PIDT‐BO‐based devices, the EQE response intensities of the PIDT‐BOT based device are evidently high. As a result, PSC devices based on PIDT‐BOT reveal the best power conversion efficiency at 6.08%.
Relationship between cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and structural brain network properties in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Abbasi Nooshin , Mohajer Bahram , Abbasi Sima , Hasanabadi Payam , Abdolalizadeh Amirhussein , Rajimehr Reza 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTBackground: Pathological accumulation of α‐synuclein, amyloid‐β42, and tau proteins in the brain is considered critical for development of various neurodegenerative diseases.Objectives: We investigated the association between CSF levels of these biomarkers, brain structural connectivity, and the UPDRS in PD.Methods: Diffusion tensor images and CSF biomarkers (α‐synuclein, amyloid‐β42, total tau, and phosphorylated tau181) from 132 drug‐naïve, nondemented PD patients and 61 healthy controls were obtained from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative database. After network reconstruction of structural connectivity patterns, global interconnectivity measures (including global efficiency, clustering coefficient, and characteristic path length) and local efficiency were calculated. Network properties and CSF biomarkers were compared between PD patients and healthy controls. The association of CSF biomarkers with network properties and UPDRS‐III score was investigated.Results: Global measures (but not local efficiency) and CSF α‐synuclein were significantly lower in PD patients. Global efficiency and clustering coefficient correlated positively with α‐synuclein, Aβ42, and total tau CSF levels. Furthermore, these CSF biomarkers showed no significant association with the UPDRS‐III score.Conclusions: This study examined the association of CSF biomarkers that reflect the brain pathology, with structural brain connectivity and UPDRS‐III in PD. Our results revealed an association between the abnormal aggregation of α‐synuclein, Aβ42, and tau proteins and structural connectivity disruption in PD patients. In summary, a combination of structural imaging and measurement of CSF biomarkers provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis of PD. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society