bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Future nitrogen availability and its effect on carbon sequestration in Northern Eurasia
Authors: Kicklighter David W. , Melillo Jerry M. , Monier Erwan , Sokolov Andrei P. , Zhuang Qianlai 
Published: July 2019

AbstractNitrogen (N) availability exerts strong control on carbon storage in the forests of Northern Eurasia. Here, using a process-based model, we explore how three factors that alter N availability—permafrost degradation, atmospheric N deposition, and the abandonment of agricultural land to forest regrowth (land-use legacy)—affect carbon storage in the region’s forest vegetation over the 21st century within the context of two IPCC global-change scenarios (RCPs 4.5 and 8.5). For RCP4.5, enhanced N availability results in increased tree carbon storage of 27.8 Pg C, with land-use legacy being the most important factor. For RCP8.5, enhanced N availability results in increased carbon storage in trees of 13.4 Pg C, with permafrost degradation being the most important factor. Our analysis reveals complex spatial and temporal patterns of regional carbon storage. This study underscores the importance of considering carbon-nitrogen interactions when assessing regional and sub-regional impacts of global change policies.
Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibilities of bacterial pathogens in Chinese pig farms from 2013 to 2017
Authors: Zhang Bingzhou , Ku Xugang , Yu Xuexiang , Sun Qi , Wu Hao , Chen Fangzhou , Zhang Xiaoqian , Guo Long , Tang Xibiao , He Qigai 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBacterial diseases of swine are a kind of multifactorial and uncontrollable diseases that commonly exist in pig farms all over the world and will lead to huge economic losses every year. In this study, a detailed and overall survey was carried out to better understand the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibilities of bacterial diseases from 2013 to 2017 in China. A total of 19673 bacterial strains were isolated from 44175 samples collected from 9661 pig farms that distributed in 16 Chinese major pig breeding provinces. The results showed that the average isolation rates of Streptococcus suis (SS), Haemophilus parasuis (HPS), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Pasteurella multocida (Pm), Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP), Brodetella bronchiseptica (Bb), Salmonella enteria (SE), Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (E. rhusiopathiae) were 16.9%, 9.7%, 6.3%, 3.4%, 0.3%, 1.5%, 2.3% and 0.9%, respectively. The isolate rates of E. coli, APP and SE showed an increasing trend from 2013 to 2017. The seasonal prevalence characteristics of SS, HPS and Pm were obviously higher from April to August for first two bacteria and higher at February, March, April, and October for Pm. The dominant serotypes for SS, HPS were serotype 2 and serotype 5 (changed from serotype 4), respectively. The SS, HPS, and Pm showed very high antibiotic resistance rates to almost 8 common antibiotics (β-lactam, aminoglycoside, macrolides, lincomycin, tetracycline, quinolone, polymyxin, and sulfonamide) and an obvious increasing trend of antibiotic resistance rates from 2013 to 2017. In conclusion, the study provides detailed information on the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibilities of different bacterial pathogens of swine from 2013 to 2017 in China. These data can provide a foundation for monitoring epidemiological patterns of bacterial diseases in the Chinese swine herds, as well as provide insight into potential antibiotic resistance profiles in these pathogens.
Identification and characterisation of the novel endogenous promoter HASP1 and its signal peptide from Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Erdene-Ochir Erdenedolgor , Shin Bok-Kyu , Kwon Byeori , Jung Choonkyun , Pan Cheol-Ho 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAlthough diatoms have been extensively studied as bioreactors, only a limited number of efficient gene promoters are available. Therefore, the development of new endogenous promoters is important for the heterologous production of a variety of recombinant proteins. Herein, we identified the most abundant secreted protein inPhaeodactylum tricornutum, designated ‘highly abundant secreted protein 1’ (HASP1), and characterised the activities of its promoter and signal peptide using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a reporter. TheHASP1promoter strongly drove GFP expression during all growth phases ofP.tricornutumin culture, in contrast to the commonly usedfcpApromoter, which is less active during the stationary phase. The HASP1 signal peptide was also sufficient for facilitating efficient secretion of GFP byP.tricornutum. Our findings suggest that both the promoter and the signal peptide of HASP1 can be utilized as novel tools for the overexpression and secretion of recombinant proteins inP.tricornutum.
CRISPR/Cas9 mediated generation of an ovine model for infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (CLN1 disease)
Authors: Eaton S. L. , Proudfoot C. , Lillico S. G. , Skehel P. , Kline R. A. , Hamer K. , Rzechorzek N. M. , Clutton E. , Gregson R. , King T. , O’Neill C. A. , Cooper J. D. , Thompson G. , Whitelaw C. B. , Wishart T. M. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a group of devastating monogenetic lysosomal disorders that affect children and young adults with no cure or effective treatment currently available. One of the more severe infantile forms of the disease (INCL or CLN1 disease) is due to mutations in the palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1) gene and severely reduces the child’s lifespan to approximately 9 years of age. In order to better translate the human condition than is possible in mice, we sought to produce a large animal model employing CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. Three PPT1 homozygote sheep were generated by insertion of a disease-causing PPT1 (R151X) human mutation into the orthologous sheep locus. This resulted in a morphological, anatomical and biochemical disease phenotype that closely resembles the human condition. The homozygous sheep were found to have significantly reduced PPT1 enzyme activity and accumulate autofluorescent storage material, as is observed in CLN1 patients. Clinical signs included pronounced behavioral deficits as well as motor deficits and complete loss of vision, with a reduced lifespan of 17 ± 1 months at a humanely defined terminal endpoint. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed a significant decrease in motor cortical volume as well as increased ventricular volume corresponding with observed brain atrophy and a profound reduction in brain mass of 30% at necropsy, similar to alterations observed in human patients. In summary, we have generated the first CRISPR/Cas9 gene edited NCL model. This novel sheep model of CLN1 disease develops biochemical, gross morphological and in vivo brain alterations confirming the efficacy of the targeted modification and potential relevance to the human condition.
Peat substrate amended with chitin modulates the N-cycle, siderophore and chitinase responses in the lettuce rhizobiome
Authors: De Tender C. , Mesuere B. , Van der Jeugt F. , Haegeman A. , Ruttink T. , Vandecasteele B. , Dawyndt P. , Debode J. , Kuramae E. E. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractChitin is a valuable peat substrate amendment by increasing lettuce growth and reducing the survival of the zoonotic pathogenSalmonella entericaon lettuce leaves. The production of chitin-catabolic enzymes (chitinases) play a crucial role and are mediated through the microbial community. A higher abundance of plant-growth promoting microorganisms and genera involved in N and chitin metabolism are present in a chitin-enriched substrate. In this study, we hypothesize that chitin addition to peat substrate stimulates the microbial chitinase production. The degradation of chitin leads to nutrient release and the production of small chitin oligomers that are related to plant growth promotion and activation of the plant’s defense response. First a shotgun metagenomics approach was used to decipher the potential rhizosphere microbial functions then the nutritional content of the peat substrate was measured. Our results show that chitin addition increases chitin-catabolic enzymes, bacterial ammonium oxidizing and siderophore genes. Lettuce growth promotion can be explained by a cascade degradation of chitin to N-acetylglucosamine and eventually ammonium. The occurrence of increased ammonium oxidizing bacteria,Nitrosospira, andamoAgenes results in an elevated concentration of plant-available nitrate. In addition, the increase in chitinase and siderophore genes may have stimulated the plant’s systemic resistance.
Antitumor effects of the GM3(Neu5Gc) ganglioside-specific humanized antibody 14F7hT against Cmah-transfected cancer cells
Authors: Dorvignit Denise , Boligan Kayluz F. , Relova-Hernández Ernesto , Clavell Marilyn , López Armando , Labrada Mayrel , Simon Hans-Uwe , López-Requena Alejandro , Mesa Circe , von Gunten Stephan 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe GM3(Neu5Gc) ganglioside represents a tumor-specific antigen that is considered a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. We previously demonstrated that the humanized antibody 14F7hT, specific for this ganglioside, exhibited significant antitumor effects in preclinical hematological tumor models. As this antibody recognizes human tumor tissues from several origins, we addressed its potential effect on different tumor types. The use of cell lines for testing GM3(Neu5Gc)-targeting strategies, in particular for human malignancies, is complicated by the absence in humans of functional cytidine monophospho-N-acetyl-neuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH), the enzyme required for Neu5Gc sialic acid biosynthesis. Quantitative flow cytometry revealed the absence of surface GM3(Neu5Gc) in several human but also mouse cell lines, in the last case due to low expression of the enzyme. Hypoxia-induced expression of this ganglioside on human SKOV3 cells was observed upon culture in Neu5Gc-containing medium without evidence for CMAH-independent biosynthesis. However, only transfection of the mouse Cmah gene into human SKOV3 and mouse 3LL cells induced a stable expression of GM3(Neu5Gc) on the cancer cell surface, resulting in effective models to evaluate the antitumor responses by 14F7hT in vitro and in vivo. This antibody exerted antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and in vivo antitumor effects on these Cmah-transfected non-hematological tumors from both mouse and human origin. These results contribute to validate GM3(Neu5Gc) as a relevant target for cancer immunotherapy and reinforces the value of 14F7hT as a novel anti-cancer drug.
Ki-67, p53 and BCL-2 Expressions and their Association with Clinical Histopathology of Breast Cancer among Women in Tanzania
Authors: Mansouri Hidaya , Mnango Leah F. , Magorosa Erick P. , Sauli Elingarami , Mpolya Emmanuel A. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis study associated Ki-67, p53, and BCL-2 markers with clinical histopathological (CH) features using currently available limited data on these markers in Tanzania. Retrospective chart review study was conducted among females with confirmed breast cancer (BC) at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania between 2016 and 2017. Inclusion criteria were met by 76 patients with a mean age of 51.32 ± 14.28 years. Of these, 86.4% were stage III and IV, whereas 83.5% cases had grade 2 and grade 3. Upon immunostaining, 85.5% and 57.9% were Ki-67 and BCL-2 positive respectively. Log-linear analysis showed no statistically significant association among biomarkers expression and CH features. However, multinomial linear regression showed higher possibility for association between high expression of Ki-67, low expression of p53 and high expression of BCL-2 with age, grade, stage and tumor (T) stage. BCL-2 was positively correlated with Ki-67 expression contrary to p53, which was negatively correlated with BCL-2. Conclusively, there is evidence of correlation between the studied markers with CH features. However, studies with larger sample sizes will likely reveal significant associations that will validate the role of these markers as tools for evaluating treatment response in individualized therapeutic schemes in Tanzania.
Premedication with a cathepsin C inhibitor alleviates early primary graft dysfunction in mouse recipients after lung transplantation
Authors: Rehm Salome R. T. , Smirnova Natalia F. , Morrone Carmela , Götzfried Jessica , Feuchtinger Annette , Pedersen John , Korkmaz Brice , Yildirim Ali Önder , Jenne Dieter E. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractNeutrophil serine proteases (NSPs), like proteinase 3 (PR3) and neutrophil elastase (NE) are implicated in ischemia-reperfusion responses after lung transplantation (LTx). Cathepsin C (CatC) acts as the key regulator of NSP maturation during biosynthesis. We hypothesized that CatC inhibitors would reduce vascular breakdown and inflammation during reperfusion in pretreated lung transplant recipients by blocking NSP maturation in the bone marrow. An orthotopic LTx model in mice was used to mimic the induction of an ischemia-reperfusion response after 18 h cold storage of the graft and LTx. Recipient mice were treated subcutaneously with a chemical CatC inhibitor (ICatC) for 10 days prior to LTx. We examined the effect of the ICatC treatment by measuring the gas exchange function of the left lung graft, protein content, neutrophil numbers and NSP activities in the bone marrow 4 h after reperfusion. Pre-operative ICatC treatment of the recipient mice improved early graft function and lead to the disappearance of active NSP protein in the transplanted lung. NSP activities were also substantially reduced in bone marrow neutrophils. Preemptive NSP reduction by CatC inhibition may prove to be a viable and effective approach to reduce immediate ischemia reperfusion responses after LTx.
Microcrystalline array structures induced by heat treatment of friction-transferred organic semiconductor films
Authors: Inada Yuhi , Koda Masashi , Urabe Yuji , Katagiri Toshifumi , Yamao Takeshi , Yoshida Yuji , Hotta Shu 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe correlation between molecular orientation and optoelectrical properties is most critical to the future design of molecular materials. We made highly-anisotropic microcrystalline array structures with an organic semiconductor, a methoxy-substituted thiophene/phenylene co-oligomer (TPCO), by depositing it on friction-transferred poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) layers fabricated on substrates with several heat treatments. Polarising microscope observation, polarised emission and absorption spectra measurements indicated that the TPCO molecules aligned along the drawing direction of PTFE. Using these films, we fabricated two types of field-effect transistors (FETs) and compared them with those using non-heated TPCO films which provide aligned pleats structures. Ones had the channel length direction parallel to the drawing direction of PTFE and the others had the channel length direction perpendicular to that drawing direction. As for the microcrystalline array films, the mobility ratio of the former FET to that of the latter device was about 27 in the saturation region, while the emission polarisation ratio was 4.5. The heat treatment promoted the crystal growth to enhance the mobility while retaining the high anisotropy. The results demonstrate that the heat treatments of the TPCO films on the friction-transferred layers were useful for controlling crystallinity and orientation of the molecules.
Highly Sensitive NH3 Wireless Sensor Based on Ag-RGO Composite Operated at Room-temperature
Authors: Zhang Lei , Tan Qiulin , Kou Hairong , Wu Dezhi , Zhang Wendong , Xiong Jijun 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe detection of ammonia (NH3) in low concentrations is very important in the chemical industry and for human health. In this paper, we present reduced graphene oxide (RGO) decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a sensing material for NH3. A simple, environmentally friendly, and cost-efficient green approach for the preparation of the sensing material is proposed. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) were used to analyze the crystalline structure, material composition, and surface appearance characteristics of the sensing material. By combining the material with a commercial near-field communication (NFC) tag, a wireless gas sensor was built. The enhanced NH3-sensing performance is mainly due to the synergistic effect between Ag and RGO. More specifically, AgNPs enhanced the adsorption capacity of RGO for NH3 electrons. The excellent performance of the sensor shows that it has potential for applications in food safety, environment, and human health monitoring.
Integrin α7 expression is increased in asthmatic patients and its inhibition reduces Kras protein abundance in airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: Teoh Chun Ming , Tan Sheryl S. L. , Langenbach Shenna Y. , Wong Amanda H. , Cheong Dorothy H. J. , Tam John K. C. , New Chih Sheng , Tran Thai 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAirway smooth muscle (ASM) cells exhibit plastic phenotypic behavior marked by reversible modulation and maturation between contractile and proliferative phenotypic states. Integrins are a class of transmembrane proteins that have been implicated as novel therapeutic targets for asthma treatment. We previously showed that integrin α7 is a novel marker of the contractile ASM phenotype suggesting that targeting this protein may offer new avenues to counter the increase in ASM cell mass that underlies airways hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in asthma. We now determine whether inhibition of integrin α7 expression would revert ASM cells back to a proliferative phenotype to cause an increase in ASM cell mass. This would be detrimental to asthmatic patients who already exhibit increased ASM mass in their airways. Using immunohistochemical analysis of the Melbourne Epidemiological Study of Childhood Asthma (MESCA) cohort, we show for the first time that integrin α7 expression in patients with severe asthma is increased, supporting a clinically relevant role for this protein in asthma pathophysiology. Moreover, inhibition of the laminin-integrin α7 signaling axis results in a reduction in smooth muscle-alpha actin abundance and does not revert ASM cells back to a proliferative phenotype. We determined that integrin α7-induced Kras isoform of p21 Ras acts as a point of convergence between contractile and proliferative ASM phenotypic states. Our study provides further support for targeting integrin α7 for the development of novel anti-asthma therapies.
A Fairy Chemical, Imidazole-4-carboxamide, is Produced on a Novel Purine Metabolic Pathway in Rice
Authors: Takemura Hirohide , Choi Jae-Hoon , Matsuzaki Nobuo , Taniguchi Yuki , Wu Jing , Hirai Hirofumi , Motohashi Reiko , Asakawa Tomohiro , Ikeuchi Kazutada , Inai Makoto , Kan Toshiyuki , Kawagishi Hirokazu 
Published: July 2019

AbstractRings or arcs of fungus-regulated plant growth occurring on the floor of woodlands and grasslands are commonly called “fairy rings”. Fairy chemicals, 2-azahypoxanthine (AHX), imidazole-4-carboxamide (ICA), and 2-aza-8-oxohypoxanthine (AOH), are plant growth regulators involved in the phenomenon. The endogeny and biosynthetic pathways of AHX and AOH in plants have already been proven, however, those of ICA have remained unclear. We developed a high-sensitivity detection method for FCs including ICA and the endogenous ICA was detected in some plants for the first time. The quantitative analysis of the endogenous level of ICA in rice and Arabidopsis were performed using 13C-double labeled ICA. In addition, the incorporation experiment and enzyme assay using the labeled compound into rice and partially purified fraction of rice indicated that ICA is biosynthesized from 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide (AICA), a metabolite on the purine metabolic pathway. The relationship between ICA and AHX was also discussed based on quantitative analysis and gene expression analysis.
Poleward-propagating near-inertial waves enabled by the western boundary current
Authors: Jeon Chanhyung , Park Jae-Hun , Nakamura Hirohiko , Nishina Ayako , Zhu Xiao-Hua , Kim Dong Guk , Min Hong Sik , Kang Sok Kuh , Na Hanna , Hirose Naoki 
Published: July 2019

AbstractNear-inertial waves (NIWs), which have clockwise (anticlockwise) rotational motion in the Northern (Southern) Hemisphere, exist everywhere in the ocean except at the equator; their frequencies are largely determined by the local inertial frequency, f. It is thought that they supply about 25% of the energy for global ocean mixing through turbulence resulting from their strong current shear and breaking; this contributes mainly to upper-ocean mixing which is related to air-sea interaction, typhoon genesis, marine ecosystem, carbon cycle, and climate change. Observations and numerical simulations have shown that the low-mode NIWs can travel many hundreds of kilometres from a source region toward the equator because the lower inertial frequency at lower latitudes allows their free propagation. Here, using observations and a numerical simulation, we demonstrate poleward propagation of typhoon-induced NIWs by a western boundary current, the Kuroshio. Negative relative vorticity, meaning anticyclonic rotational tendency opposite to the Earth’s spin, existing along the right-hand side of the Kuroshio path, makes the local inertial frequency shift to a lower value, thereby trapping the waves. This negative vorticity region works like a waveguide for NIW propagation, and the strong Kuroshio current advects the waves poleward with a speed ~85% of the local current. This finding emphasizes that background currents such as the Kuroshio and the Gulf Stream play a significant role in redistribution of the NIW energy available for global ocean mixing.
Transcription Factors Regulation in Human Peripheral White Blood Cells during Hypobaric Hypoxia Exposure: an in-vivo experimental study
Authors: Malacrida Sandro , Giannella Alessandra , Ceolotto Giulio , Reggiani Carlo , Vezzoli Alessandra , Mrakic-Sposta Simona , Moretti Sarah , Turner Rachel , Falla Marika , Brugger Hermann , Strapazzon Giacomo 
Published: July 2019

AbstractHigh altitude is a natural laboratory, within which the clinical study of human physiological response to hypobaric hypoxia (HH) is possible. Failure in the response results in progressive hypoxemia, inflammation and increased tissue oxidative stress (OxS). Thus, investigating temporal changes in key transcription factors (TFs)HIF-1α,HIF-2α,NF-κB and NRF2mRNA levels, relative to OxS and inflammatory markers, may reveal molecular targets which contrast deleterious effects of hypoxia. Biological samples and clinical data from 15 healthy participants were collected at baseline and after rapid, passive ascent to 3830 m (24 h and 72 h). Gene expression was assessed by qPCR and ROS generation was determined by EPR spectroscopy. Oxidative damage and cytokine levels were estimated by immuno or enzymatic methods. Hypoxia transiently enhancedHIF-1αmRNA levels over time reaching a peak after 24 h. Whereas,HIF-2αandNRF2mRNA levels increased over time. In contrast, theNF-κBmRNA levels remained unchanged. Plasma levels of IL-1β and IL-6 also remained within normal ranges. ROS production rate and markers of OxS damage were significantly increased over time. The analysis of TF-gene expression suggests that HIF-1α is a lead TF during sub-acute HH exposure. The prolongation of the HH exposure led to a switch between HIF-1α and HIF-2α/NRF2, suggesting the activation of new pathways. These results provide new insights regarding the temporal regulation of TFs, inflammatory state, and ROS homeostasis involved in human hypoxic response, potentially also relevant to the mediation of diseases that induce a hypoxic state.