bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Methylmercury exposure, genetic variation in metabolic enzymes, and the risk of glioma
Authors: Creed Jordan H. , Peeri Noah C. , Anic Gabriella M. , Thompson Reid C. , Olson Jeffrey J. , LaRocca Renato V. , Chowdhary Sajeel A. , Brockman John D. , Gerke Travis A. , Nabors Louis B. , Egan Kathleen M. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMethylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental neurotoxin with human exposure mainly from dietary intake of contaminated fish. Exposure to MeHg has been implicated in neurological damage, but research on its role in cancers, specifically glioma, is limited. In a glioma case-control study, we examined associations between toenail mercury (Hg) and glioma risk. We also examined genetic polymorphisms in 13 genes related to MeHg metabolism for association with glioma risk; genetic associations were also studied in the UK Biobank cohort. Median toenail Hg in cases and controls, respectively, was 0.066 μg/g and 0.069 μg/g (interquartile range (IQR): 0.032–0.161 and 0.031–0.150 μg/g). Toenail Hg was not found to be significantly associated with glioma risk (Odds Ratio: 1.02; 95% Confidence Interval: 0.91, 1.14; p = 0.70 in analysis for ordinal trend with increasing quartile of toenail MeHg). No genetic variant was statistically significant in both of the studies; one variant, rs11859163 (MMP2) had a combined p-value of 0.02 though it was no longer significant after adjustment for multiple testing (Bonferroni corrected p = 1). This study does not support the hypothesis that exposure to MeHg plays a role in the development of glioma at levels of exposure found in this study population.
Intensification of hot Eurasian summers by climate change and land–atmosphere interactions
Authors: Sato Tomonori , Nakamura Tetsu 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPersistent abnormal hot weather can cause considerable damage to human society and natural environments. In northern Eurasia, the recent change in summer surface air temperature exhibits a heterogeneous pattern with accelerated warming around the Eastern European Plain and Central Siberia, forming a wave train-like structure. However, the key factors that determine the magnitude and spatial distribution of this summer temperature trend remain unclear. Here, a huge ensemble of general circulation model (GCM) simulations show that the recent summer temperature trend has been intensified by two factors: steady warming induced by external forcing and inhomogeneous warming induced by internal atmosphere–land interactions that amplify quasi-stationary waves. The latter is sensitive to both snow cover and soil moisture anomalies in the spring, suggesting the potential of land surface monitoring for better seasonal prediction of summer temperatures. Dramatic changes in the circumpolar environment, characterised by Eurasian snow variation and Arctic Ocean warming, collectively affect summertime climate via memory effects of the land surface.
High frequency of the exoU+/exoS+ genotype associated with multidrug-resistant “high-risk clones” of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates from Peruvian hospitals
Authors: Horna Gertrudis , Amaro Catherine , Palacios Aida , Guerra Humberto , Ruiz Joaquim 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe type III secretion system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important virulence factor contributing to the cytotoxicity and the invasion process of this microorganism. The current study aimed to determine the presence of the exoU+/exoS+ genotype in P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. The presence of exoS, exoT, exoU and exoY was determined in 189 P. aeruginosa by PCR, and the presence/absence of exoU was analysed according to source infection, clonal relationships, biofilm formation, motility and antimicrobial susceptibility. The gyrA, parC, oprD, efflux pump regulators and β-lactamases genes were also analysed by PCR/sequencing. The exoS, exoT and exoY genes were found in 100% of the isolates. Meanwhile, exoU was present in 43/189 (22.8%) of the isolates, being significantly associated with multidrug resistance, extensively drug resistance as well as with higher level quinolone resistance. However, the presence of β-lactamases, mutations in gyrA and parC, and relevant modifications in efflux pumps and OprD were not significantly associated with exoU+ isolates. MLST analysis of a subset of 25 isolates showed 8 different STs displaying the exoU+/exoS+ genotype. The MDR basis of the exoU+ isolates remain to be elucidated. Furthermore, the clinical implications and spread of exoU+/exoS+ P. aeruginosa isolates need to be established.
Adding an anaerobic step can rapidly inhibit sludge bulking in SBR reactor
Authors: Yao Junqin , Liu Jiaqi , Zhang Yanjiang , Xu Shuang , Hong Ying , Chen Yinguang 
Published: July 2019

AbstractActivated sludge from wastewater treatment plants was seeded into a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) in which synthetic wastewater was used as the influent. The sludge was bulked by decreasing the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO). By adding a 30 min step of anaerobic stirring after the water inflow, the sludge bulking was rapidly inhibited after 10 running cycles, and the sludge volume index (SVI) decreased from 222 to 74 mL·g−1. The results of high-throughput sequencing showed that the relative abundance of bacteria Thiothrix, bacteria norank_o_Sphingobacteriales and fungi Trichosporon was increased by 6.3, 4.3 and 81.2%, after initial SBR stages, but these bacteria were inhibited by the addition of an anaerobic step, as their relative abundances decreased by 0.7, 0.8 and 14.7%, respectively. The proliferation of Thiothrix, norank_o_Sphingobacteriales and Trichosporon was the primary reason for the observed sludge bulking in the reactor. After the anaerobic step was added, the sludge extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) concentration was increased from 84.4 to 104.0 mg·(gMLSS)−1 (grams of mixed liquor suspended solids). Thus, the addition of an anaerobic step can inhibit the growth of filamentous bacteria, increasing the sludge EPS concentration and promoting the precipitation of activated sludge.
Genetic comparison of sickle cell anaemia cohorts from Brazil and the United States reveals high levels of divergence
Authors: Cruz Pedro R. S. , Ananina Galina , Gil-da-Silva-Lopes Vera Lucia , Simioni Milena , Menaa Farid , Bezerra Marcos A. C. , Domingos Igor F. , Araújo Aderson S. , Pellegrino Renata , Hakonarson Hakon , Costa Fernando F. , de Melo Mônica Barbosa 
Published: July 2019

AbstractGenetic analysis of admixed populations raises special concerns with regard to study design and data processing, particularly to avoid population stratification biases. The point mutation responsible for sickle cell anaemia codes for a variant hemoglobin, sickle hemoglobin or HbS, whose presence drives the pathophysiology of disease. Here we propose to explore ancestry and population structure in a genome-wide study with particular emphasis on chromosome 11 in two SCA admixed cohorts obtained from urban populations of Brazil (Pernambuco and São Paulo) and the United States (Pennsylvania). Ancestry inference showed different proportions of European, African and American backgrounds in the composition of our samples. Brazilians were more admixed, had a lower African background (43% vs. 78% on the genomic level and 44% vs. 76% on chromosome 11) and presented a signature of positive selection and Iberian introgression in the HbS region, driving a high differentiation of this locus between the two cohorts. The genetic structures of the SCA cohorts from Brazil and US differ considerably on the genome-wide, chromosome 11 and HbS mutation locus levels.
Postoperative brain volumes are associated with one-year neurodevelopmental outcome in children with severe congenital heart disease
Authors: Meuwly Eliane , Feldmann Maria , Knirsch Walter , von Rhein Michael , Payette Kelly , Dave Hitendu , Tuura Ruth O’ Gorman , Kottke Raimund , Hagmann Cornelia , Latal Beatrice , Jakab András ,   on behalf of the Research Group Heart and Brain*, Liamlahi Rabia , Hackenberg Annette , Kretschmar Oliver , Kellenberger Christian , Bürki Christoph , Weiss Markus 
Published: July 2019

AbstractChildren with congenital heart disease (CHD) remain at risk for neurodevelopmental impairment despite improved perioperative care. Our prospective cohort study aimed to determine the relationship between perioperative brain volumes and neurodevelopmental outcome in neonates with severe CHD. Pre- and postoperative cerebral MRI was acquired in term born neonates with CHD undergoing neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Brain volumes were measured using an atlas prior-based automated method. One-year neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed with the Bayley-III. CHD infants (n = 77) had lower pre- and postoperative total and regional brain volumes compared to controls (n = 44, all p < 0.01). CHD infants had poorer cognitive and motor outcome (p ≤ 0.0001) and a trend towards lower language composite score compared to controls (p = 0.06). Larger total and selected regional postoperative brain volumes were found to be associated with better cognitive and language outcomes (all p < 0.04) at one year. This association was independent of length of intensive care unit stay for total, cortical, temporal, frontal and cerebellar volumes. Therefore, reduced cerebral volume in CHD neonates undergoing bypass surgery may serve as a biomarker for impaired outcome.
A mathematical model of combined CD8 T cell costimulation by 4-1BB (CD137) and OX40 (CD134) receptors
Authors: Konstorum Anna , Vella Anthony T. , Adler Adam J. , Laubenbacher Reinhard C. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractCombined agonist stimulation of the TNFR costimulatory receptors 4-1BB (CD137) and OX40(CD134) has been shown to generate supereffector CD8 T cells that clonally expand to greater levels, survive longer, and produce a greater quantity of cytokines compared to T cells stimulated with an agonist of either costimulatory receptor individually. In order to understand the mechanisms for this effect, we have created a mathematical model for the activation of the CD8 T cell intracellular signaling network by mono- or dual-costimulation. We show that supereffector status is generated via downstream interacting pathways that are activated upon engagement of both receptors, and in silico simulations of the model are supported by published experimental results. The model can thus be used to identify critical molecular targets of T cell dual-costimulation in the context of cancer immunotherapy.
Novel high-coverage targeted metabolomics method (SWATHtoMRM) for exploring follicular fluid metabolome alterations in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion undergoing in vitro fertilization
Authors: Song Jingyan , Wang Xiaoming , Guo Ying , Yang Yi , Xu Kaiyue , Wang Tianqi , Sa Yuanhong , Yuan Lihua , Jiang Huaying , Guo Jiayin , Sun Zhengao 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe complexity of follicular fluid metabolome presents a significant challenge for qualitative and quantitative metabolite profiling, and for discovering the comprehensive biomarkers. In order to address this challenge, a novel SWATHtoMRM metabolomics method was used for providing broad coverage and excellent quantitative capability to discover the human follicular fluid metabolites related to recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, and to evaluate their relationship with pregnancy outcome. The follicular fluid samples from the spontaneous abortion group (n = 22) and the control group (n = 22) were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry. A novel, high-coverage, targeted metabolomics method (SWATH to MRM) and a targeted metabolomics method were used to find and validate the differential metabolites between the two groups. A total of 18 follicular fluid metabolites, including amino acids, cholesterol, vitamins, fatty acids, cholic acid, lysophosphatidylcholine and other metabolites, were identified. In the RSA group, 8 metabolites, namely dehydroepiandrosterone, lysoPC(16:0), lysoPC(18:2), lysoPC(18:1), lysoPC(18:0), lysoPC(20:5), lysoPC(20:4), and lysoPC(20:3), were up-regulated, and 10 metabolites, namely phenylalanine, linoleate, oleic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, lithocholic acid, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, hydroxycholesterol, 13-hydroxy-alpha-tocopherol, leucine, and tryptophan, were down-regulated. These differential metabolites related to RSA may provide a possible diagnostic basis and therapeutic target for RSA, as well as a scientific basis for elucidating the mechanism of RSA.
Performance of a glucose-reactive enzyme-based biofuel cell system for biomedical applications
Authors: Jeon Won-Yong , Lee Jung-Hwan , Dashnyam Khandmaa , Choi Young-Bong , Kim Tae-Hyun , Lee Hae-Hyoung , Kim Hae-Won , Kim Hyug-Han 
Published: July 2019

AbstractA glucose-reactive enzyme-based biofuel cell system (EBFC) was recently introduced in the scientific community for biomedical applications, such as implantable artificial organs and biosensors for drug delivery. Upon direct contact with tissues or organs, an implanted EBFC can exert effects that damage or stimulate intact tissue due to its byproducts or generated electrical cues, which have not been investigated in detail. Here, we perform a fundamental cell culture study using a glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) as an anode enzyme and bilirubin oxidase (BOD) as a cathode enzyme. The fabricated EBFC had power densities of 15.26 to 38.33 nW/cm2 depending on the enzyme concentration in media supplemented with 25 mM glucose. Despite the low power density, the GDH-based EBFC showed increases in cell viability (~150%) and cell migration (~90%) with a relatively low inflammatory response. However, glucose oxidase (GOD), which has been used as an EBFC anode enzyme, revealed extreme cytotoxicity (~10%) due to the lethal concentration of H2O2 byproducts (~1500 µM). Therefore, with its cytocompatibility and cell-stimulating effects, the GDH-based EBFC is considered a promising implantable tool for generating electricity for biomedical applications. Finally, the GDH-based EBFC can be used for introducing electricity during cell culture and the fabrication of organs on a chip and a power source for implantable devices such as biosensors, biopatches, and artificial organs.
Salpingitis Impairs Bovine Tubal Function and Sperm-Oviduct Interaction
Authors: Owhor Loveth E. , Reese Sven , Kölle Sabine 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSalpingitis is a common cause for subfertility and infertility both in humans and animals. However, the effects of salpingitis on tubal function and reproductive success are largely unknown. Therefore we set out to investigate the effects of inflammation on sperm and oocyte transport and gameto-maternal interaction in the oviduct using the bovine as a model. For this purpose, oviducts revealing mild (n = 45), moderate (n = 55) and severe (n = 45) inflammation were obtained from cows immediately after slaughter and investigated by live cell imaging, histochemistry and scanning electron microscopy. Our studies showed that endometritis was always correlated with salpingitis. Moderate and severe inflammation caused a significant increase in the thickness of tubal folds (p < 0.05). Severe inflammation was characterized by luminal accumulations of mucus and glycoproteins, increased apoptosis, loss of tight junctions and shedding of tubal epithelial cells. The mean ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in the ampulla was significantly reduced as compared to the controls (p < 0.05). The higher the grade of inflammation, the lower was the CBF (p < 0.001). In severe inflammation, spermatozoa were stuck in mucus resulting in decreased sperm motility. Our results imply that tubal inflammation impairs proper tubal function and leads to reduced sperm fertilizing capacity.
Multi-omic analysis in transgenic mice implicates omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid imbalance as a risk factor for chronic disease
Authors: Kaliannan Kanakaraju , Li Xiang-Yong , Wang Bin , Pan Qian , Chen Chih-Yu , Hao Lei , Xie Shanfu , Kang Jing X. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAn unbalanced increase in dietary omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and decrease in omega-3 (n-3) PUFA in the Western diet coincides with the global rise in chronic diseases. Whether n-6 and n-3 PUFA oppositely contribute to the development of chronic disease remains controversial. By using transgenic mice capable of synthesizing PUFA to eliminate confounding factors of diet, we show here that alteration of the tissue n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio leads to correlated changes in the gut microbiome and fecal and serum metabolites. Transgenic mice able to overproduce n-6 PUFA and achieve a high tissue n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio exhibit an increased risk for metabolic diseases and cancer, whereas mice able to convert n-6 to n-3 PUFA, and that have a lower n-6/n-3 ratio, show healthy phenotypes. Our study demonstrates that n-6 PUFA may be harmful in excess and suggests the importance of a low tissue n-6/n-3 ratio in reducing the risk for chronic diseases.
Transient heat release during induced mitochondrial proton uncoupling
Authors: Rajagopal Manjunath C. , Brown Jeffrey W. , Gelda Dhruv , Valavala Krishna V. , Wang Huan , Llano Daniel A. , Gillette Rhanor , Sinha Sanjiv 
Published: July 2019

AbstractNon-shivering thermogenesis through mitochondrial proton uncoupling is one of the dominant thermoregulatory mechanisms crucial for normal cellular functions. The metabolic pathway for intracellular temperature rise has widely been considered as steady-state substrate oxidation. Here, we show that a transient proton motive force (pmf) dissipation is more dominant than steady-state substrate oxidation in stimulated thermogenesis. Using transient intracellular thermometry during stimulated proton uncoupling in neurons ofAplysia californica, we observe temperature spikes of ~7.5 K that decay over two time scales: a rapid decay of ~4.8 K over ~1 s followed by a slower decay over ~17 s. The rapid decay correlates well in time with transient electrical heating from proton transport across the mitochondrial inner membrane. Beyond ~33 s, we do not observe any heating from intracellular sources, including substrate oxidation and pmf dissipation. Our measurements demonstrate the utility of transient thermometry in better understanding the thermochemistry of mitochondrial metabolism.
Metal-organic framework functionalization and design strategies for advanced electrochemical energy storage devices
Authors: Baumann Avery E. , Burns David A. , Liu Bingqian , Thoi V. Sara 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMetal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous materials with unprecedented chemical and structural tunability. Their synthetic versatility, long-range order, and rich host–guest chemistry make MOFs ideal platforms for identifying design features for advanced functional materials. This review addresses synthetic approaches to control MOF attributes for realizing material properties such as charge conductivity, stability, surface area, and flexibility. Along with an updated account on MOFs employed in batteries and supercapacitors, new directions are outlined for advancing MOF research in emergent technologies such as solid-state electrolytes and battery operation in extreme environments.
Methods for the analysis of transcriptome dynamics
Authors: Rodrigues Daniela F. , Costa Vera M. , Silvestre Ricardo , Bastos Maria L. , Carvalho Félix 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The transcriptome is the complete set of transcripts in a cell or tissue and includes ribosomal RNA (rRNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and regulatory noncoding RNA. At steady-state, the transcriptome results from a compensatory variation of the transcription and decay rate to maintain the RNA concentration constant. RNA transcription constitutes the first stage in gene expression, and thus is a major and primary mode of gene expression control. Nevertheless, regulation of RNA decay is also a key factor in gene expression control, involving either selective RNA stabilization or enhanced degradation. Transcriptome analysis allows the identification of gene expression alterations, providing new insights regarding the pathways and mechanisms involved in physiological and pathological processes. Upon perturbation of cell homeostasis, rapid changes in gene expression are required to adapt to new conditions. Thus, to better understand the regulatory mechanisms associated with gene expression alterations, it is vital to acknowledge the relative contribution of RNA synthesis and decay to the transcriptome. To the toxicology field, the study of gene expression regulation mechanisms can help identify the early and mechanistic relevant cellular events associated with a particular response. This review aims to provide a critical comparison of the available methods used to analyze the contribution of RNA transcription and decay to gene expression dynamics. Notwithstanding, an integration of the data obtained is necessary to understand the entire repercussions of gene transcription changes at a system-level. Thus, a brief overview of the methods available for the integration and analysis of the data obtained from transcriptome analysis will also be provided.
Design of an omnidirectional antenna with a compact size
Authors: Yang Chuo , Huo Xiao‐ning , Wang Xiao‐fei , Yang Bo‐kun , Zhang Geng 
Published: July 2019

An omnidirectional antenna with a compact size is presented. The diameter of the proposed antenna is 100 mm and the height is ∼0.1λ L (12 mm). It consists of two dipoles and four shorting pins. With this configuration, the impedance bandwidth of the proposed antenna covers 2.4–2.6 GHz. Within the bandwidth, the proposed antenna has a stable bidirectional radiation pattern in the E‐plane and the omnidirectional radiation pattern in the H‐plane. The geometry of the antenna is investigated and optimised by the ANSYS high‐frequency structure simulator. The fabricated antenna is compact enough to be integrated into a communication system. Measured and simulated results are also obtained and compared at the end of this work.
Legionella und Legionellose
Authors: Kolditz Martin , Lück Christian 
Published: July 2019

Was ist neu?
Epidemiologie In den letzten Jahren ist eine geringe Zunahme diagnostizierter und gemeldeter Legionella-Pneumonien zu verzeichnen. Dies ist vermutlich auch der häufigeren Diagnostik zuzuschreiben.
Diagnostik Neben dem L. pneumophila Serogruppe 1-Urin-Antigen-Test sollten besonders bei schweren Verläufen zusätzlich Nukleinsäure-Amplifikationsverfahren angewendet werden. Letztere besitzen ein breiteres Spektrum und eine höhere Sensitivität.
Therapie In-vitro Resistenztestungen geben erste Hinweise, dass eine Therapie mit Levofloxacin gegenüber einer Therapie mit Makroliden überlegen sein könnte. Dies deckt sich mit aktuellen klinischen Daten aus Kohortenstudien. Levofloxacin (750–1000 mg/d) gilt bei gesicherter Legionellose als Mittel der Wahl, Alternativen sind Azithromycin oder Moxifloxacin. Eine Therapiedauer von 7 Tagen reicht in der Regel aus. Eine Resistenzentwicklung ist bisher nur vereinzelt beobachtet worden und erfordert keine routinemäßige Resistenztestung.