bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative nanoscale MRI with a wide field of view
Authors: Ziem F. , Garsi M. , Fedder H. , Wrachtrup J. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractNovel magnetic sensing modalities using quantum sensors or nanoscale probes have drastically improved the sensitivity and hence spatial resolution of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) down to the nanoscale. Recent demonstrations of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) with paramagnetic colour centres include single molecule sensitivity, and sub-part-per-million spectral resolution. Mostly, these results have been obtained using well-characterised single sensors, which only permit extended imaging by scanning-probe microscopy. Here, we enhance multiplexed MRI with a thin layer of ensemble spin sensors in an inhomogeneous control field by optimal control spin manipulation to improve ensemble sensitivity and field of view (FOV). We demonstrate MRI of fluorine in patterned thin films only 1.2 nm in thickness, corresponding to a net moment of 120 nuclear spins per sensor spin. With the aid of the NMR signal, we reconstruct the nanoscale depth distribution of the sensor spins within the substrate. In addition, we exploit inhomogeneous ensemble control to squeeze the point spread function of the imager to about 100 nm and show that localisation of a point-like NMR signal within 40 nm is feasible. These results pave the way to quantitive NMR ensemble sensing and magnetic resonance microscopy with a resolution of few ten nanometers.
Origin identification of Chinese Maca using electronic nose coupled with GC-MS
Authors: Li Aimin , Duan Shenglin , Dang Yanting , Zhang Xi , Xia Kai , Liu Shiwei , Han Xiaofeng , Wen Jian , Li Zijie , Wang Xi , Liu Jia , Yuan Peng , Gao Xiao-Dong 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMaca (Lepidium meyeniiWalp.), originated in the high Andes of Peru, is rich in nutrients and phytochemicals. As a new resource food in China, Maca suffers marketing disorders due to the limitation of basic research. Due to the close relationship of Maca quality and origin of place, it’s of scientific, economic and social importance to set up a rapid, reliable and efficient method to identify Maca origin. In the present study, 303 Maca samples were collected from 101 villages of the main producing area in China. Using electronic nose and BP neutral network algorithm, a Maca odor database was set up to trace the origin. GC-MS was then employed to analyze the characteristic components qualitatively and semi-quantitatively. As a result, very significant differences (p < 0.01) were detected in the volatile components of Maca from different areas. This study not only constructs a network model to forecast the Maca origin, but also reveals the relationship between Maca odor fingerprints and origins.
Simulation Analyses of tDCS Montages for the Investigation of Dorsal and Ventral Pathways
Authors: Bhattacharjee Sagarika , Kashyap Rajan , Rapp Brenda , Oishi Kenichi , Desmond John E. , Chen S. H. Annabel 
Published: August 2019

AbstractModulating higher cognitive functions like reading with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can be challenging as reading involves regions in the dorsal and ventral cortical areas that lie in close proximity. If the two pathways are stimulated simultaneously, the function of dorsal pathway (predominantly used for graphophonological conversion) might interfere with the function of the ventral pathway (used for semantics), and vice-versa. To achieve functional specificity in tDCS for investigating the two pathways of reading, it is important to stimulate each pathway per session such that the spread of current across the cortical areas due to the two montages has minimal overlap. The present study intends to achieve this by introducing a systematic approach for tDCS analysis. We employed the COMETS2 software to simulate 10 montage configurations (5 for each pathway) for three electrode sizes: 5 × 5, 3 × 3, and 5 × 7 cm2. This diversity in montage configuration is chosen since previous studies found the position and the size of anode and cathode to play an important role. The values of the magnitude of current density (MCD) obtained from the configuration were used to calculate: (i) average MCD in each cortical lobe, (ii) number of overlapping coordinates, and (iii) cortical areas with high MCD. The measures (i) and (iii) ascertained the current spread by each montage within a cortical lobe, and (ii) verified the overlap of the spread of current between a pair of montages. The analyses show that a montage using the electrode size of 5 × 5 cm2 with the anode at CP5 and cathode at CZ, and another with anode at TP7 and cathode at nape of the neck are optimal choices for dorsal and ventral pathways, respectively. To verify, we cross-validated the results with ROAST. This systematic approach was helpful in reducing the ambiguity of montage selection prior to conducting a tDCS study.
In vitro anti-HIV-1 activity of the bioactive compound extracted and purified from two different marine macroalgae (seaweeds) (Dictyota bartayesiana J.V.Lamouroux and Turbinaria decurrens Bory)
Authors: Sanniyasi Elumalai , Venkatasubramanian Gayathri , Anbalagan Madhu Mitra , Raj Preethy P. , Gopal Rajesh Kanna 
Published: August 2019

AbstractHighly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is the only available remedial measure to treat HIV infected patients, as recognized by the WHO. However, it is associated with toxicity (nephrotoxicity), high cost and most preferably drug resistance in the first-line treatment. Wherefore, potential and novel natural source is the only option for the modern world to challenge this global issue. In recent years, sulfated polysaccharide from marine macroalgae shown to be biologically active as anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antitumor, immunomodulatory and antiviral agents. As a direct inhibitor of HIV including other retroviruses, it is considered as a “new generation antiretroviral drug”. In our present study, Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide has been extracted from two different macroalgae Dictyota bartayesiana (DD) and Turbinaria decurrens (TD) based on hot water extraction method and further confirmed by FT-IR and RP-HPLC methods. Both the crude and purified fucoidan samples were evaluated for anti-HIV activity after ion exchange chromatography purification. The maximum inhibitory activity of crude and purified fucoidan samples are 90.5% and 89% in the fucoidan extracts of DD. Whereas, it was 89.7% and 92% in the fucoidan extracts of TD. Simultaneously, the IC50 values were determined and recorded as 1.56 µg/ml and 57.6 ng/ml in both the crude and purified fucoidan extracts of DD respectively. Similarly, for TD, it was 3 µg/ml and 131.7 ng/ml in the fucoidan extracts of TD. Therefore, further extensive research work is the most needful to fill the gaps to develop this sulfated polysaccharide as a potential drug for the treatment of HIV patients.
Differential fracture response to traumatic brain injury suggests dominance of neuroinflammatory response in polytrauma
Authors: Morioka Kazuhito , Marmor Yotvat , Sacramento Jeffrey A. , Lin Amity , Shao Tiffany , Miclau Katherine R. , Clark Daniel R. , Beattie Michael S. , Marcucio Ralph S. , Miclau Theodore , Ferguson Adam R. , Bresnahan Jacqueline C. , Bahney Chelsea S. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractPolytraumatic injuries, specifically long bone fracture and traumatic brain injury (TBI), frequently occur together. Clinical observation has long held that TBI can accelerate fracture healing, yet the complexity and heterogeneity of these injuries has produced conflicting data with limited information on underlying mechanisms. We developed a murine polytrauma model with TBI and fracture to evaluate healing in a controlled system. Fractures were created both contralateral and ipsilateral to the TBI to test whether differential responses of humoral and/or neuronal systems drove altered healing patterns. Our results show increased bone formation after TBI when injuries occur contralateral to each other, rather than ipsilateral, suggesting a role of the nervous system based on the crossed neuroanatomy of motor and sensory systems. Analysis of the humoral system shows that blood cell counts and inflammatory markers are differentially modulated by polytrauma. A data-driven multivariate analysis integrating all outcome measures showed a distinct pathological state of polytrauma and co-variations between fracture, TBI and systemic markers. Taken together, our results suggest that a contralateral bone fracture and TBI alter the local neuroinflammatory state to accelerate early fracture healing. We believe applying a similar data-driven approach to clinical polytrauma may help to better understand the complicated pathophysiological mechanisms of healing.
Specimen Collection for Translational Studies in Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Authors: Byrd A. S. , Dina Y. , Okoh U. J. , Quartey Q. Q. , Carmona-Rivera C. , Williams D. W. , Kerns M. L. , Miller R. J. , Petukhova L. , Naik H. B. , Barnes L. A. , Shipman W. D. , Caffrey J. A. , Sacks J. M. , Milner S. M. , Aliu O. , Broderick K. P. , Kim D. , Liu H. , Dillen C. A. , Ahn R. , Frew J. W. , Kaplan M. J. , Kang S. , Garza L. A. , Miller L. S. , Alavi A. , Lowes M. A. , Okoye G. A. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by painful nodules, sinus tracts, and scars occurring predominantly in intertriginous regions. The prevalence of HS is currently 0.053–4%, with a predominance in African-American women and has been linked to low socioeconomic status. The majority of the reported literature is retrospective, population based, epidemiologic studies. In this regard, there is a need to establish a repository of biospecimens, which represent appropriate gender and racial demographics amongst HS patients. These efforts will diminish knowledge gaps in understanding the disease pathophysiology. Hence, we sought to outline a step-by-step protocol detailing how we established our HS biobank to facilitate the formation of other HS tissue banks. Equipping researchers with carefully detailed processes for collection of HS specimens would accelerate the accumulation of well-organized human biological material. Over time, the scientific community will have access to a broad range of HS tissue biospecimens, ultimately leading to more rigorous basic and translational research. Moreover, an improved understanding of the pathophysiology is necessary for the discovery of novel therapies for this debilitating disease. We aim to provide high impact translational research methodology for cutaneous biology research and foster multidisciplinary collaboration and advancement of our understanding of cutaneous diseases.
High Density Genetic Maps of Seashore Paspalum Using Genotyping-By-Sequencing and Their Relationship to The Sorghum Bicolor Genome
Authors: Qi Peng , Eudy Douglas , Schnable James C. , Schmutz Jeremy , Raymer Paul L. , Devos Katrien M. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAs a step towards trait mapping in the halophyte seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Sw.), we developed an F1 mapping population from a cross between two genetically diverse and heterozygous accessions, 509022 and HI33. Progeny were genotyped using a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach and sequence reads were analyzed for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using the UGbS-Flex pipeline. More markers were identified that segregated in the maternal parent (HA maps) compared to the paternal parent (AH maps), suggesting that 509022 had overall higher levels of heterozygosity than HI33. We also generated maps that consisted of markers that were heterozygous in both parents (HH maps). The AH, HA and HH maps each comprised more than 1000 markers. Markers formed 10 linkage groups, corresponding to the ten seashore paspalum chromosomes. Comparative analyses showed that each seashore paspalum chromosome was syntenic to and highly colinear with a single sorghum chromosome. Four inversions were identified, two of which were sorghum-specific while the other two were likely specific to seashore paspalum. These high-density maps are the first available genetic maps for seashore paspalum. The maps will provide a valuable tool for plant breeders and others in the Paspalum community to identify traits of interest, including salt tolerance.
Spermatogenesis in haploid males of the jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis
Authors: Ferree Patrick M. , Aldrich John C. , Jing Xueyuan A. , Norwood Christopher T. , Van Schaick Mary R. , Cheema Manjinder S. , Ausió Juan , Gowen Brent E. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMales of hymenopteran insects, which include ants, bees and wasps, develop as haploids from unfertilized eggs. In order to accommodate their lack of homologous chromosome pairs, some hymenopterans such as the honeybee have been shown to produce haploid sperm through an abortive meiosis. We employed microscopic approaches to visualize landmark aspects of spermatogenesis in the jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis, a model for hymenopteran reproduction and development. Our work demonstrates that N. vitripennis, like other examined hymenopterans, exhibits characteristics indicative of an abortive meiosis, including slight enlargement of spermatocytes preceding meiotic initiation. However, we saw no evidence of cytoplasmic buds containing centrioles that are produced from the first abortive meiotic division, which occurs in the honeybee. In contrast to other previously studied hymenopterans, N. vitripennis males produce sperm in bundles that vary widely from 16 to over 200, thus reflecting a range of cellular divisions. Our results highlight interesting variations in spermatogenesis among the hymenopteran insects, and together with previous studies, they suggest a pattern of progression from meiosis to a more mitotic state in producing sperm.
Transient multimers modulate conformer abundances of prion protein monomer through conformational selection
Authors: Van der Rest Guillaume , Rezaei Human , Halgand Frédéric 
Published: August 2019

AbstractPrions are known to be involved in neurodegenerative pathologies such as Creutzfeld-Jakob disease. Current models point to a molecular event which rely on a transmissible structural change that leads to the production of β-sheet-rich prion conformer (PrPSc). PrPSc itself has the capability to trigger the structural rearrangement of the ubiquitously present prion (PrPc) substrate in a self-perpetuating cascade. In this article, we demonstrate that recombinant PrPc exists in a conformational equilibrium. The conformers’ abundances were shown to be dependent on PrPc concentration through the formation of transient multimers leading to conformational selection. The study of PrPc mutants that follow dedicated oligomerization pathways demonstrated that the conformers’ relative abundances are modified, thus reinforcing the assertion that the nature of conformers’ interactions orient the oligomerization pathways. Further this result can be viewed as the “signature” of an aborted oligomerization process. This discovery sheds a new light on the possible origin of prion protein diseases, namely that a change in prion protein structure could be transmitted through the formation of transient multimers having different conformer compositions. This could explain the selection of a transient multimeric type that could be viewed as the precursor of PrPSc responsible for structural information transmission, and strain apparition.
High temperature AlInP X-ray spectrometers
Authors: Zhao S. , Butera S. , Lioliou G. , Krysa A. B. , Barnett A. M. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractTwo custom-made Al0.52In0.48P p+-i-n+ mesa photodiodes with different diameters (217 µm ± 15 µm and 409 µm ± 28 µm) and i layer thicknesses of 6 µm have been electrically characterised over the temperature range 0 °C to 100 °C. Each photodiode was then investigated as a high-temperature-tolerant photon counting X-ray detector by connecting it to a custom-made low-noise charge-sensitive preamplifier and illuminating it with an 55Fe radioisotope X-ray source (Mn Kα = 5.9 keV; Mn Kβ = 6.49 keV). At 100 °C, the best energy resolutions (full width at half maximum at 5.9 keV) achieved using the 217 µm ± 15 µm diameter photodiode and the 409 µm ± 28 µm diameter photodiode were 1.31 keV ± 0.04 keV and 1.64 keV ± 0.08 keV, respectively. Noise analysis of the system is presented. The dielectric dissipation factor of Al0.52In0.48P was estimated as a function of temperature, up to 100 °C. The results show the performance of the thickest Al0.52In0.48P X-ray detectors so far reported at high temperature. The work has relevance for the development of novel space science instrumentation for use in hot space environments and extreme terrestrial applications.
Dynamics and diversity of bacteria associated with the disease vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus
Authors: Bennett Kelly L. , Gómez-Martínez Carmelo , Chin Yamileth , Saltonstall Kristin , McMillan W. Owen , Rovira Jose R. , Loaiza Jose R. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus develop in the same aquatic sites where they encounter microorganisms that influence their life history and capacity to transmit human arboviruses. Some bacteria such as Wolbachia are currently being considered for the control of Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika. Yet little is known about the dynamics and diversity of Aedes-associated bacteria, including larval habitat features that shape their tempo-spatial distribution. We applied large-scale 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to 960 adults and larvae of both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes from 59 sampling sites widely distributed across nine provinces of Panama. We find both species share a limited, yet highly variable core microbiota, reflecting high stochasticity within their oviposition habitats. Despite sharing a large proportion of microbiota, Ae. aegypti harbours higher bacterial diversity than Ae. albopictus, primarily due to rarer bacterial groups at the larval stage. We find significant differences between the bacterial communities of larvae and adult mosquitoes, and among samples from metal and ceramic containers. However, we find little support for geography, water temperature and pH as predictors of bacterial associates. We report a low incidence of natural Wolbachia infection for both Aedes and its geographical distribution. This baseline information provides a foundation for studies on the functions and interactions of Aedes-associated bacteria with consequences for bio-control within Panama.
Differential expression of miRNAs and their targets in wax-deficient rapeseed
Authors: Liu Tingting , Tang Jingquan , Chen Li , Zeng Jiayue , Wen Jing , Yi Bin , Ma Chaozhi , Tu Jinxing , Fu Tingdong , Shen Jinxiong 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe cuticle of a plant, composed of cutin and wax, is the outermost hydrophobic layer covering the epidermis of all its aerial organs, protecting it from many abiotic and biotic stresses. The biosynthesis and regulation pathways of wax components have been well studied, whereas there are fewer reports on the small RNA-involved post-transcriptional regulation of wax biosynthesis in plants, particularly in Brassica napus. Previously, we conducted a study on a glossy mutant of rapeseed, and we assumed that there was a dominant repressor to inhibit the expression of wax-related genes. To verify this hypothesis and investigate the function of small RNAs in wax biosynthesis in B. napus, we constructed four small RNA libraries from the stem epidermis of wax-deficient mutant and wild-type plants for sequencing. Subsequently, 43,840,451 clean reads were generated and 24 nt sequences represented the dominant percentage. In total, 300 unique known miRNAs were identified and eight of them showed differential expression. In addition, the expression levels of six novel miRNAs were altered. Surprisingly, we found that four up-regulated miRNAs in the wax-deficient plants, bna-miR408b-5p, bna-miR165b-5p, bna-miR160a-3p, and bna-miR398-5p, were all complementary strands of their corresponding mature strands. Stem-loop qRT-PCR verified that the expression of bna-miR165a-5p was increased in the mutant stems, while its putative target, BnaA06g40560D (CYP96A2), was down-regulated. In addition, the expression of bna-miR827a was detected to be down-regulated in glossy mutant. 5′ RACE experimental data showed that bna-miR827a cleaves three NITROGEN LIMITATION ADAPTATION (NLA) genes (BnaC08g45940D, BnaA10g01450D and BnaC05g01480D). The down-regulation of bna-miR827a resulted in decreased cleavage on its targets, and led to the up-regulation of its targets, especially BnaA10g01450D gene. These results showed that bna-miR165a-5p might participate in wax biosynthesis process by regulating its putative target BnaA06g40560D (CYP96A2). The expression levels of a phosphate (Pi)-related miRNA, bna-miR827a, and its target genes were affected in wax-deficient rapeseeds. These results will promote the study of post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms of wax biosynthesis in B. napus and provide new directions for further research.
Catalytically Impaired TYK2 Variants are Protective Against Childhood- and Adult-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Mexicans
Authors: Contreras-Cubas Cecilia , García-Ortiz Humberto , Velázquez-Cruz Rafael , Barajas-Olmos Francisco , Baca Paulina , Martínez-Hernández Angélica , Barbosa-Cobos Rosa Elda , Ramírez-Bello Julian , López-Hernández Maria A. , Svyryd Yevgeniya , Mutchinick Osvaldo M. , Baca Vicente , Orozco Lorena 
Published: August 2019

AbstractType I interferon (IFN-I) pathway plays a central role in the systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis. Recent data suggest that SLE is associated with variants in IFN-I genes, such as tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), which is crucial in anti-viral immunity. Here, five TYK2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 368 childhood-onset SLE Mexican patients and 516 sex-matched healthy controls. Allele frequencies were also estimated in four indigenous groups. SLE protection was associated with TYK2 risk infection variants affecting residually its catalytic domain, rs12720356 (OR = 0.308; p = 0.041) and rs34536443 (OR = 0.370; p = 0.034), but not with rs2304256, rs12720270, and rs280500. This association was replicated in a 506 adult-onset SLE patients sample (OR = 0.250; p = 0.005, and OR = 0.277; p = 0.008, respectively). The minor alleles of both associated SNPs had a lower frequency in Mestizos than in Spaniards and were absent or rare in indigenous, suggesting that the presence of these alleles in the Mexican Mestizo population was derived from the Spaniards. For the first time, we report genetic variants with a protective effect in childhood- and adult-onset SLE Mexican population. Our results suggest that the frequency of IFN-I alleles associated with SLE, may have been shaped in populations exposed to infectious diseases for long periods, and this could be an explanation why Native American ancestry is associated with a higher SLE prevalence and an earlier onset.