bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Mechanism of Action of the Anti-Dandruff Agent Zinc Pyrithione against Malassezia restricta
Authors: Park Minji , Cho Yong-Joon , Lee Yang Won , Jung Won Hee 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDandruff is known to be associated with Malassezia restricta. Zinc pyrithione (ZPT) has been used as an ingredient in anti-dandruff treatments. The mechanism of ZPT has been investigated in several studies; however, a non-pathogenic model yeast, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae was most often used. The aim of the present study was to understand how ZPT inhibits the growth of M. restricta. We analyzed the cellular metal content and transcriptome profile of ZPT-treated M. restricta cells and found that ZPT treatment dramatically increased cellular zinc levels, along with a small increase in cellular copper levels. Moreover, our transcriptome analysis showed that ZPT inhibits Fe-S cluster synthesis in M. restricta. We also observed that ZPT treatment significantly reduced the expression of lipases, whose activities contribute to the survival and virulence of M. restricta on human skin. Therefore, the results of our study suggest that at least three inhibitory mechanisms are associated with the action of ZPT against M. restricta: (i) an increase in cellular zinc levels, (ii) inhibition of mitochondrial function, and (iii) a decrease in lipase expression.
Sensitivity of Colorectal Cancer to Arginine Deprivation Therapy is Shaped by Differential Expression of Urea Cycle Enzymes
Authors: Alexandrou Constantinos , Al-Aqbi Saif Sattar , Higgins Jennifer A. , Boyle William , Karmokar Ankur , Andreadi Catherine , Luo Jin-Li , Moore David A. , Viskaduraki Maria , Blades Matthew , Murray Graeme I. , Howells Lynne M. , Thomas Anne , Brown Karen , Cheng Paul N. , Rufini Alessandro 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTumors deficient in the urea cycle enzymes argininosuccinate synthase-1 (ASS1) and ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) are unable to synthesize arginine and can be targeted using arginine-deprivation therapy. Here, we show that colorectal cancers (CRCs) display negligible expression of OTC and, in subset of cases, ASS1 proteins. CRC cells fail to grow in arginine-free medium and dietary arginine deprivation slows growth of cancer cells implanted into immunocompromised mice. Moreover, we report that clinically-formulated arginine-degrading enzymes are effective anticancer drugs in CRC. Pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20), which degrades arginine to citrulline and ammonia, affects growth of ASS1-negative cells, whereas recombinant human arginase-1 (rhArg1peg5000), which degrades arginine into urea and ornithine, is effective against a broad spectrum of OTC-negative CRC cell lines. This reflects the inability of CRC cells to recycle citrulline and ornithine into the urea cycle. Finally, we show that arginase antagonizes chemotherapeutic drugs oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), whereas ADI-PEG20 synergizes with oxaliplatin in ASS1-negative cell lines and appears to interact with 5-fluorouracil independently of ASS1 status. Overall, we conclude that CRC is amenable to arginine-deprivation therapy, but we warrant caution when combining arginine deprivation with standard chemotherapy.
Impact on predictability of tropical and mid-latitude cyclones by extra Arctic observations
Authors: Sato Kazutoshi , Inoue Jun , Yamazaki Akira , Kim Joo-Hong , Makshtas Alexander , Kustov Vasilli , Maturilli Marion , Dethloff Klaus 
Published: August 2018

AbstractRecent research has demonstrated that additional winter radiosonde observations in Arctic regions enhance the predictability of mid-latitude weather extremes by reducing uncertainty in the flow of localised tropopause polar vortices. The impacts of additional Arctic observations during summer are usually confined to high latitudes and they are difficult to realize at mid-latitudes because of the limited scale of localised tropopause polar vortices. However, in certain climatic states, the jet stream can intrude remarkably into the mid-latitudes, even in summer; thus, additional Arctic observations might improve analysis validity and forecast skill for summer atmospheric circulations over the Northern Hemisphere. This study examined such cases that occurred in 2016 by focusing on the prediction of the intensity and track of tropical cyclones (TCs) over the North Atlantic and North Pacific, because TCs are representative of extreme weather in summer. The predictabilities of three TCs were found influenced by additional Arctic observations. Comparisons with ensemble reanalysis data revealed that large errors propagate from the data-sparse Arctic into the mid-latitudes, together with high-potential-vorticity air. Ensemble forecast experiments with different reanalysis data confirmed that additional Arctic observations sometimes improve the initial conditions of upper-level troposphere circulations.
Impact of herbivory and competition on lake ecosystem structure: underwater experimental manipulation
Authors: Vejříková Ivana , Vejřík Lukáš , Lepš Jan , Kočvara Luboš , Sajdlová Zuzana , Čtvrtlíková Martina , Peterka Jiří 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTwo basic ecological relationships, herbivory and competition, distinctively influence terrestrial ecosystem characteristics, such as plant cover, species richness and species composition. We conducted a cage experiment under natural conditions in an aquatic ecosystem to test the impacts of two treatments combined in a factorial manner: (i) a pulse treatment – removal of dominant competitors among primary producers (macroalgae Chara sp. and Vaucheria sp.), and (ii) a press treatment – preventing herbivore (fish, crayfish) access to caged plots. The plots were sampled once before the treatments were established and four more times within two years. Both treatments had a significantly positive impact on macrophyte cover and species richness and changed the macrophyte species composition. The effect of the macroalgae removal was immediate with the highest species richness occurrence during the first post-treatment monitoring, but the positive effect vanished with time. In contrast, preventing herbivore access had a gradual but long-lasting effect and reached a more steady-state over time. Two of the most common species showed contrasting responses, the palatable Potamogeton pectinatus was most supported by caging, while the distasteful Myriophyllum spicatum preferred open plots. Our findings may be applicable during the revitalisation of aquatic ecosystems that aims to increase macrophyte biodiversity.
The role of Prefrontal Cortex in a Battle of the Sexes Dilemma involving a Conflict between Tribal and Romantic love
Authors: Duarte Isabel Catarina , Brito-Costa Sónia , Cayolla Ricardo , Castelo-Branco Miguel 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe neural basis of dilemmas involving decisions with profound affective impact, such as in romantic life, remains to be understood. The “Battle of the Sexes” is a paradigm from Game Theory that can be used to experimentally address such dilemmas. A form of in-group love, tribal love in football fans, provides the opportunity to study strong affective dilemmas when tribal and romantic love compete for hedonic decision-making. Here, we used for the first time a “Battle of the Sexes” dilemma using fMRI. We investigated, in 44 male football fans, the neural correlates of cooperative behaviour under conflicting choices in the context of romantic versus tribal love. We identified a critical functional segregation of prefrontal regions in affective decision-making. The orbitofrontal cortex signalled emotional appraisal of the dilemma. The medial anterolateral and the ventromedial prefrontal cortices reflected reciprocal cooperation instead of selfish engagement in football-related activities. The lateral portion of anterolateral prefrontal cortex was recruited during ultimate deliberation. In sum, emotional appraisal and rational choice reflected a contiguous functional parcellation in anterolateral prefrontal cortex: appraisal (medial) vs. choice (lateral region).
Strong increase in the autofluorescence of cells signals struggle for survival
Authors: Surre Jérémy , Saint-Ruf Claude , Collin Valérie , Orenga Sylvain , Ramjeet Mahendrasingh , Matic Ivan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractProkaryotic and eukaryotic cells exhibit an intrinsic natural fluorescence due to the presence of fluorescent cellular structural components and metabolites. Therefore, cellular autofluorescence (AF) is expected to vary with the metabolic states of cells. We examined how exposure to the different stressors changes the AF of Escherichia coli cells. We observed that bactericidal treatments increased green cellular AF, and that de novo protein synthesis was required for the observed AF increase. Excitation and emission spectra and increased expression of the genes from the flavin biosynthesis pathway, strongly suggested that flavins are major contributors to the increased AF. An increased expression of genes encoding diverse flavoproteins which are involved in energy production and ROS detoxification, indicates a cellular strategy to cope with severe stresses. An observed increase in AF under stress is an evolutionary conserved phenomenon as it occurs not only in cells from different bacterial species, but also in yeast and human cells.
Lily Pollen Tubes Pulse According to a Simple Spatial Oscillator
Authors: Hemelryck Milenka Van , Bernal Roberto , Ispolatov Yaroslav , Dumais Jacques 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPolar growth is a fundamental mode of cell morphogenesis observed in nearly all major groups of organisms. Among polarly growing cells, the angiosperm pollen tubes have emerged as powerful experimental systems in large part because of their oscillatory growth, which provides a window into the network of interactions regulating morphogenesis. Empirical studies of oscillatory pollen tubes have sought to uncover the temporal sequence of cellular and molecular events that constitutes an oscillatory cycle. Here we show that in lily pollen tubes the distance or wavelength (λ = 6.3 ± 1.7 μm) over which an oscillatory cycle unfolds is more robust than the period of oscillation (τ = 39.1 ± 17.6 s) (n = 159 cells). Moreover, the oscillatory cycle is divided into slow and fast phases, with each phase unfolding over precisely one half of the wavelength. Using these observations, we show that a simple spatial bi-oscillator predicts the most common modes of oscillation observed in pollen tubes. These results call into question the traditional view of pollen tube morphogenesis as a temporal succession of cellular events. Space, not time, may be the most natural metric to inteprete the morphogenetic dynamics of these cells.
Integrated analysis of lncRNA and mRNA expression in rainbow trout families showing variation in muscle growth and fillet quality traits
Authors: Ali Ali , Al-Tobasei Rafet , Kenney Brett , Leeds Timothy D. , Salem Mohamed 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMuscle yield and quality traits are important for the aquaculture industry and consumers. Genetic selection for these traits is difficult because they are polygenic and result from multifactorial interactions. To study the genetic architecture of these traits, phenotypic characterization of whole body weight (WBW), muscle yield, fat content, shear force and whiteness were measured in ~500 fish representing 98 families from a growth-selected line. RNA-Seq was used to sequence the muscle transcriptome of different families exhibiting divergent phenotypes for each trait. We have identified 240 and 1,280 differentially expressed (DE) protein-coding genes and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), respectively, in fish families exhibiting contrasting phenotypes. Expression of many DE lncRNAs (n = 229) was positively correlated with overlapping, neighboring or distantly located protein-coding genes (n = 1,030), resulting in 3,392 interactions. Three DE antisense lncRNAs were co-expressed with sense genes known to impact muscle quality traits. Forty-four DE lncRNAs had potential sponge functions to miRNAs that affect muscle quality traits. This study (1) defines muscle quality associated protein-coding and noncoding genes and (2) provides insight into non-coding RNAs involvement in regulating growth and fillet quality traits in rainbow trout.
The establishment of a marine focused biorefinery for bioethanol production using seawater and a novel marine yeast strain
Authors: Zaky Abdelrahman Saleh , Greetham Darren , Tucker Gregory A. , Du Chenyu 
Published: August 2018

AbstractCurrent technologies for bioethanol production rely on the use of freshwater for preparing the fermentation media and use yeasts of a terrestrial origin. Life cycle assessment has suggested that between 1,388 to 9,812 litres of freshwater are consumed for every litre of bioethanol produced. Hence, bioethanol is considered a product with a high-water footprint. This paper investigated the use of seawater-based media and a novel marine yeast strain ‘Saccharomyces cerevisiae AZ65’ to reduce the water footprint of bioethanol. Results revealed that S. cerevisiae AZ65 had a significantly higher osmotic tolerance when compared with the terrestrial reference strain. Using 15-L bioreactors, S. cerevisiae AZ65 produced 93.50 g/L ethanol with a yield of 83.33% (of the theoretical yield) and a maximum productivity of 2.49 g/L/h when using seawater-YPD media. This approach was successfully applied using an industrial fermentation substrate (sugarcane molasses). S. cerevisiae AZ65 produced 52.23 g/L ethanol using molasses media prepared in seawater with a yield of 73.80% (of the theoretical yield) and a maximum productivity of 1.43 g/L/h. These results demonstrated that seawater can substitute freshwater for bioethanol production without compromising production efficiency. Results also revealed that marine yeast is a potential candidate for use in the bioethanol industry especially when using seawater or high salt based fermentation media.
A manganese porphyrin-based T1 contrast agent for cellular MR imaging of human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Venter Andrei , Szulc Daniel A. , Loai Sadi , Ganesh Tameshwar , Haedicke Inga E. , Cheng Hai-Ling Margaret 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMRI for non-invasive cell tracking is recognized for enabling pre-clinical research on stem cell therapy. Yet, adoption of cellular imaging in stem cell research has been restricted to sites with experience in MR contrast agent synthesis and to small animal models that do not require scaled-up synthesis. In this study, we demonstrate the use of a gadolinium-free T1 contrast agent for tracking human embryonic stem cells. The agent, MnPNH2, is an easily synthesized manganese porphyrin that can be scaled for large cell numbers. MRI was performed on a 3 T clinical scanner. Cell pellets labeled at different MnPNH2 concentrations for 24 hours demonstrated a decrease in T1 relaxation time of nearly two-fold (P < 0.05), and cellular contrast was maintained for 24 hours (P < 0.05). Cell viability (Trypan blue) and differentiation (embryoid body formation) were unaffected. Cell uptake of Mn on inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy corroborated MRI findings, and fluorescence microscopy revealed the agent localized mainly in cell-cell boundaries and cell nuclei. Labeled cells transplanted in rats demonstrated the superior sensitivity of MnPNH2 for in-vivo cell tracking.
Nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 strut subsidence after one-level corpectomy: underlying mechanism and effect on cervical neurological function
Authors: Zhong Weiyang , Liang Xinjie , Tang Ke , Luo Xiaoji , Quan Zhengxue , Jiang Dianming 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate n-HA/PA66 strut subsidence after one-level in Anterior cervical corpectomy decompression and fusion (ACCF) and its effect on treatment outcomes to better understand the underlying mechanism and related risk factors. In total, 56 patients undergoing ACCF using n-HA/PA66 struts were analysed retrospectively. After a 12-month follow-up, the height of the fused segments and fused intervertebral heights were measured, the neurological findings were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) and axial pain was assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale(VAS). Subsidence was defined as a decrease in the height of the fused segments or the fused intervertebral body greater than 3 mm compared with that on postoperative day one, and all patients were assigned to the n-HA/PA66 strut subsidence and control groups. In total, 45 patients experienced n-HA/PA66 strut subsidence during the postoperative (3 ± 2.42/3.11 ± 2.01) months. No significant differences were observed in sex, age, hospitalization time, surgical haemorrhage,bone mineral density (BMD), or height in the n-HA/PA66 strut group. The JOA and VAS of neck pain in the control group improved more than those in the subsidence group, suggesting that subsidence might be correlated with poor improvement of neurological function. In conclusion, n-HA/PA66 strut subsidence is a common complication after ACCF, and the reduced height of the postoperative fused segments and the height reduction in the postoperative fused intervertebral bodies are independent risk factors of n-HA/PA66 strut subsidence.
A Mixture of Atropisomers Enhances Neutral Lipid Degradation in Mammalian Cells with Autophagy Induction
Authors: Kobayashi Keisuke , Ohte Satoshi , Ohshiro Taichi , Ugaki Narihiro , Tomoda Hiroshi 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAtropisomers with a biaryl dihydronaphthopyranone structure, dinapinones A1 (DPA1) (M position) and A2 (DPA2) (P position), were isolated from the fungus culture broth of Talaromyces pinophilus FKI-3864 as inhibitors of [14C]neutral lipid ([14C]triacylglycerol (TG) and [14C]cholesteryl ester (CE)) synthesis from [14C]oleic acid in Chinese hamster ovary-K1 (CHO-K1) cells. DPA2 inhibited [14C]TG and [14C]CE synthesis (IC50s, 0.65 and 5.6 μM, respectively), but DPA1 had no inhibitory activity on [14C]TG and [14C]CE synthesis even at 12 μM. However, a 1:1 mixture of DPA1 and DPA2 (DPAmix) had the most potent inhibitory activity on [14C]TG and [14C]CE synthesis (IC50s, 0.054 and 0.18 μM, respectively). The mechanism of action of DPAmix was investigated. DPAmix had no effects on the enzymes involved in neutral lipid synthesis, while DPAmix enhanced the degradation of [14C]neutral lipids with concomitant decrease in cytosolic lipid droplets accumulated in CHO-K1 cells. From analysis of autophagy marker proteins, DPAmix caused dose-dependent induction of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC3-II) and degradation of p62. In the autophagic flux assay using bafilomycin A1, DPAmix upregulated autophagosome turnover. These results reveal that DPAmix enhances neutral lipid degradation together with induction of autophagy.
TiOxNy Modified TiO2 Powders Prepared by Plasma Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition for Highly Visible Light Photocatalysis
Authors: Cao Yan-Qiang , Zhao Xi-Rui , Chen Jun , Zhang Wei , Li Min , Zhu Lin , Zhang Xue-Jin , Wu Di , Li Ai-Dong 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this work, TiN film deposited by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) is adopted to modify the commercial anatase TiO2 powders. A series of analyses indicate that the surface modification of 20, 50 and 100 cycles of TiN by PEALD does not change the morphology, crystal size, lattice parameters, and surface area of TiO2 nano powders, but forms an ultrathin amorphous layer of nitrogen doped TiO2 (TiOxNy) on the powder surfaces. This ultrathin TiOxNy can facilitate the absorption of TiO2 in visible light spectrum. As a result, TiOxNy coated TiO2 powders exhibit excellent photocatalytic degradation towards methyl orange under the visible light with good photocatalytic stability compared to pristine TiO2 powders. TiOxNy (100 cycles PEALD TiN) coated TiO2 powders exhibit the excellent photocatalytic activity with the degradation efficiency of 96.5% in 2 hours, much higher than that of pristine TiO2 powder of only 4.4%. These results clearly demonstrate that only an ultrathin surface modification layer can dramatically improve the visible light photocatalytic activity of commercial TiO2 powders. Therefore, this surface modification using ALD is an extremely promising route to prepare visible light active photocatalysts.
Superior adhesion of graphene nanoscrolls
Authors: Li Hu , Papadakis Raffaello , Jafri S. Hassan. M. , Thersleff Thomas , Michler Johann , Ottosson Henrik , Leifer Klaus 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAn emerging material in the carbon family, a graphene nanoscroll (GNS) is composed of tubularly scrolled monolayer graphene and has shown superlubricity and large current sustainability, surpassing the properties of monolayer graphene itself. Here we report on the superior adhesion of GNS prepared with a high yield synthesis method that allows for mass production of high quality GNSs. Raman spectra indicate that the GNS still maintains the signature of monolayer graphene, implying the lacking of π-stacking between adjacent layers. Importantly, adhesion measurements using atomic force microscopy reveal these GNSs with height range of 120–130 nm show a 2.5-fold stronger adhesion force than pristine graphene. This result potentially indicates that the GNS has higher adhesion than monolayer graphene and even higher than the liquid–solid and hydrogen-bonding enhanced interfaces which are essential types of adhesions involved in the field of physical adhesions and thus, GNS could be a new candidate for super-strong and lightweight devices.
Belastungsfaktoren von Pflegekräften in der spezialisierten Palliativversorgung – Ergebnisse einer qualitativen Studie
Authors: Diehl Elisabeth , Rieger Sandra , Gutendorf Michael , Geißler Britta , Letzel Stephan , Escobar Pinzon Luis 
Published: August 2018

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Für Deutschland liegen keine Studien und kein Erhebungsinstrument vor, welches die Belastungen von Pflegekräften in der spezialisierten Palliativversorgung auf Palliativstationen, Hospizen und der spezialisierten ambulanten Palliativversorgung (SAPV) vergleichend erhebt. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es, die gemeinsamen Belastungen dieser Pflegekräfte zu explorieren.
Methode Es wurden 10 Interviews mit Fachleuten unterschiedlicher Disziplinen in der Palliativversorgung durchgeführt und mittels qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet.
Ergebnisse Es wurden Belastungen, die aufgrund einer mangelhaften flächendeckenden Versorgung der SAPV in Rheinland-Pfalz entstehen, und Belastungen, die aus der Betreuung von Angehörigen sowie dem Zeitaufwand zum Informationsaustausch mit anderen (Fach-)Kräften hervorgehen, berichtet. Zudem wurden physische Belastungen genannt.
Schlussfolgerungen Durch die Interviews konnten Belastungen aufgedeckt werden, die in bisherigen Studien nicht bzw. nicht in ausreichendem Maße untersucht wurden. Neben psychischen sollten zukünftig physische Belastungen erhoben werden.