bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alternative fate of glyoxylate during acetate and hexadecane metabolism in Acinetobacter oleivorans DR1
Authors: Park Chulwoo , Shin Bora , Park Woojun 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe glyoxylate shunt (GS), involving isocitrate lyase (encoded by aceA) and malate synthase G (encoded by glcB), is known to play important roles under several conditions including oxidative stress, antibiotic defense, or certain carbon source metabolism (acetate and fatty acids). Comparative growth analyses of wild type (WT), aceA, and glcB null-strains revealed that aceA, but not glcB, is essential for cells to grow on either acetate (1%) or hexadecane (1%) in Acinetobacter oleivorans DR1. Interestingly. the aceA knockout strain was able to grow slower in 0.1% acetate than the parent strain. Northern Blot analysis showed that the expression of aceA was dependent on the concentration of acetate or H2O2, while glcB was constitutively expressed. Up-regulation of stress response-related genes and down-regulation of main carbon metabolism-participating genes in a ΔaceA mutant, compared to that in the parent strain, suggested that an ΔaceA mutant is susceptible to acetate toxicity, but grows slowly in 0.1% acetate. However, a ΔglcB mutant showed no growth defect in acetate or hexadecane and no susceptibility to H2O2, suggesting the presence of an alternative pathway to eliminate glyoxylate toxicity. A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, encoded by a ldh) could possibly mediate the conversion from glyoxylate to oxalate based on our RNA-seq profiles. Oxalate production during hexadecane degradation and impaired growth of a ΔldhΔglcB double mutant in both acetate and hexadecane-supplemented media suggested that LDH is a potential detoxifying enzyme for glyoxylate. Our constructed LDH-overexpressing Escherichia coli strain also showed an important role of LDH under lactate, acetate, and glyoxylate metabolisms. The LDH-overexpressing E. coli strain, but not wild type strain, produced oxalate under glyoxylate condition. In conclusion, the GS is a main player, but alternative glyoxylate pathways exist during acetate and hexadecane metabolism in A. oleivorans DR1.
LncRNA LUCAT1 as a novel prognostic biomarker for patients with papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Luzón-Toro B. , Fernández R. M. , Martos-Martínez J. M. , Rubio-Manzanares-Dorado M. , Antiñolo G. , Borrego S. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn recent years, long non-coding RNAs have emerged as a novel class of regulators of cancer biological processes. While they are dysregulated in many cancer types, little is known about their expression and functional profiles. This study has been focused on the determination of the role of a specific lncRNA in papillary thyroid cancer. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR was performed to detect the expression levels of 84 lncRNAs in 61 papillary thyroid carcinoma tissues and their adjacent non-tumor tissues. The highest fold-change was obtained for lung cancer associated transcript 1 LUCAT1, and thus, this study determines the expression and biological implication of lncRNA LUCAT1 through different in vitro and ex vivo approaches in this tumor. LUCAT1 was specifically located at the cell nucleus in tumoral regions of patient tissues. Furthermore, LUCAT1 knockdown significantly reduced both cell proliferation and invasion ex vivo and induced cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. These facts were corroborated by an enhanced expression of P21, P57, P53 and BAX, and a reduced expression of EZH2 and HDAC1. In addition, a significant decrease was observed on DNMT1 and NRF2 genes, helping to clarify the role of LUCAT1 on PTC. Our study reveals the involvement of LUCAT1 in PTC development, through acting in cell-cycle regulation, proliferation, epigenetic modifications through LUCAT1/ CDK1/ EZH2/ P57/ P21/ HDAC1/ DNMT1/ P53/ BAX axis and apoptosis, via extrinsic pathway activating caspases. These findings indicate that LUCAT1 is maybe a potential therapeutic target and molecular biomarker for PTC.
Neurotropic and modulatory effects of insulin-like growth factor II in Aplysia
Authors: Kukushkin Nikolay Vadimovich , Williams Sidney Paulina , Carew Thomas James 
Published: October 2019

AbstractInsulin-like growth factor II (IGF2) enhances memory in rodents via the mannose-6-phosphate receptor (M6PR), but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We found that human IGF2 produces an enhancement of both synaptic transmission and neurite outgrowth in the marine mollusk Aplysia californica. These findings were unexpected since Aplysia lack the mammal-specific affinity between insulin-like ligands and M6PR. Surprisingly, this effect was observed in parallel with a suppression of neuronal excitability in a well-understood circuit that supports several temporally and mechanistically distinct forms of memory in the defensive withdrawal reflex, suggesting functional coordination between excitability and memory formation. We hypothesize that these effects represent behavioral adaptations to feeding that are mediated by the endogenous Aplysia insulin-like system. Indeed, the exogenous application of a single recombinant insulin-like peptide cloned from the Aplysia CNS cDNA replicated both the enhancement of synaptic transmission, the reduction of excitability, and promoted clearance of glucose from the hemolymph, a hallmark of bona fide insulin action.
A two-layered brain network model and its chimera state
Authors: Kang Ling , Tian Changhai , Huo Siyu , Liu Zonghua 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBased on the data of cerebral cortex, we present a two-layered brain network model of coupled neurons where the two layers represent the left and right hemispheres of cerebral cortex, respectively, and the links between the two layers represent the inter-couplings through the corpus callosum. By this model we show that abundant patterns of synchronization can be observed, especially the chimera state, depending on the parameters of system such as the coupling strengths and coupling phase. Further, we extend the model to a more general two-layered network to better understand the mechanism of the observed patterns, where each hemisphere of cerebral cortex is replaced by a highly clustered subnetwork. We find that the number of inter-couplings is another key parameter for the emergence of chimera states. Thus, the chimera states come from a matching between the structure parameters such as the number of inter-couplings and clustering coefficient etc and the dynamics parameters such as the intra-, inter-coupling strengths and coupling phase etc. A brief theoretical analysis is provided to explain the borderline of synchronization. These findings may provide helpful clues to understand the mechanism of brain functions.
Static magnetic field regulates Arabidopsis root growth via auxin signaling
Authors: Jin Yue , Guo Wei , Hu Xupeng , Liu Mengmeng , Xu Xiang , Hu Fenhong , Lan Yiheng , Lv Chenkai , Fang Yanwen , Liu Mengyu , Shi Tieliu , Ma Shisong , Fang Zhicai , Huang Jirong 
Published: October 2019

AbstractStatic magnetic field (SMF) plays important roles in biological processes of many living organisms. In plants, however, biological significance of SMF and molecular mechanisms underlying SMF action remain largely unknown. To address these questions, we treated Arabidopsis young seedlings with different SMF intensities and directions. Magnetic direction from the north to south pole was adjusted in parallel (N0) with, opposite (N180) and perpendicular to the gravity vector. We discovered that root growth is significantly inhanced by 600 mT treatments except for N180, but not by any 300 mT treatments. N0 treatments lead to more active cell division of the meristem, and higher auxin content that is regulated by coordinated expression of PIN3 and AUX1 in root tips. Consistently, N0-promoted root growth disappears in pin3 and aux1 mutants. Transcriptomic and gene ontology analyses revealed that in roots 85% of the total genes significantly down-regulated by N0 compared to untreatment are enriched in plastid biological processes, such as metabolism and chloroplast development. Lastly, no difference in root length is observed between N0-treated and untreated roots of the double cryptochrome mutant cry1 cry2. Taken together, our data suggest that SMF-regulated root growth is mediated by CRY and auxin signaling pathways in Arabidopsis.
Microsporidia Nosema spp. – obligate bee parasites are transmitted by air
Authors: Sulborska Aneta , Horecka Beata , Cebrat Malgorzata , Kowalczyk Marek , Skrzypek Tomasz H. , Kazimierczak Waldemar , Trytek Mariusz , Borsuk Grzegorz 
Published: October 2019

AbstractMicrosporidia Nosema are transferred among bees via the faecal-oral route. Nosema spp. spores have been detected on flowers and transferred to hives along with the bee pollen. The aim of the present study was to determine whether Nosema microsporidia are transferred by air in an apiary, in a control area (without the presence of bee colonies), and/or in a laboratory during cage experiments with artificially infected bees. The novel way of transmission by air was investigated by the volumetric method using a Hirst-type aerobiological sampler located on the ground in the apiary, in the Botanical Garden and on the laboratory floor. Concurrently, the mean rate of Nosema infections in the foragers in the apiary was estimated with the Bürker haemocytometer method. Spore-trapping tapes were imaged by means of light microscopy, Nomarski interference contrast microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The highest concentration of Nosema spores per 1m3 of air (4.65) was recorded in August, while the lowest concentration (2.89) was noted in July. This was confirmed by a Real-Time PCR analysis. The presence of N. apis as well as N. ceranae was detected in each of the tested tapes from the apiary. The average copy number of N. apis was estimated at 14.4 × 104 copies per 1 cm2 of the tape; whereas the number of N. ceranae was 2.24 × 104 copies per tape per 1 cm2. The results indicate that Nosema microsporidia were transferred by the wind in the apiary, but not in the Botanical Garden and laboratory by air. This was confirmed by genetic analyses. DNA from immobilised biological material was isolated and subjected to a PCR to detect the Nosema species. A fragment of the 16S rRNA gene, characteristic of Nosema apis and N. ceranae, was detected. Our research adds knowledge about the transfer of Nosema spp. microsporidia in the natural environment and indicates the season associated with the greatest risk of a bee colony infection with Nosema spp.
Non-viral vector based gene transfection with human induced pluripotent stem cells derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Tan Shihua , Tao Zhonghao , Loo Szejie , Su Liping , Chen Xin , Ye Lei 
Published: October 2019

AbstractNon-viral transfection of mammalian cardiomyocytes (CMs) is challenging. The current study aims to characterize and determine the non-viral vector based gene transfection efficiency with human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). hiPSC-CMs differentiated from PCBC hiPSCs were used as a cell model to be transfected with plasmids carrying green fluorescence protein (pGFP) using polyethylenimine (PEI), including Transporter 5 Transfection Reagent (TR5) and PEI25, and liposome, including lipofectamine-2000 (Lipo2K), lipofectamine-3000 (Lipo3K), and Lipofectamine STEM (LipoSTEM). The gene transfection efficiency and cell viability were quantified by flow cytometry. We found that the highest gene transfection efficiency in hiPSC-CMs on day 14 of contraction can be achieved by LipoSTEM which was about 32.5 ± 6.7%. However, it also cuased poor cell viability (60.1 ± 4.5%). Furthermore, a prolonged culture of (transfection on day 23 of contraction) hiPSC-CMs not only improved gene transfection (54.5 ± 8.9%), but also enhanced cell viability (74 ± 4.9%) by LipoSTEM. Based on this optimized gene transfection condition, the highest gene transfection efficiency was 55.6 ± 7.8% or 34.1 ± 4%, respectively, for P1C1 or DP3 hiPSC line that was derived from healthy donor (P1C1) or patient with diabetes (DP3). The cell viability was 80.8 ± 5.2% or 92.9 ± 2.24%, respectively, for P1C1 or DP3. LipoSTEM is a better non-viral vector for gene transfection of hiPSC-CMs. The highest pGFP gene transfection efficiency can reach >50% for normal hiPSC-CMs or >30% for diabetic hiPSC-CMs.
Transgenic soybean expressing a thermostable phytase as substitution for feed additive phytase
Authors: Zhao Yu , Zhu Lixia , Lin Chaoyang , Shen Zhicheng , Xu Chao 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPhytase is one of the most effective feed additives to increase the availability of phosphorus and minerals by catalyzing the hydrolysis of phytic acid. A modified appA gene (mappA) was transformed into soybean (Glycine max) under the control of a seed-specific promoter from common bean (Phaselous vulgaris). The soybean recombinant phytase showed optimal activity at pH 4.5 and 70 °C. A slight increase in enzyme activity occurred when the recombinant enzyme was pre-incubated with n-hexane. In addition, the phytase activity from our transgenic soybean does not reduce even after 2 hours of extraction with n-hexane at 55~65 °C. In conclusion, the oil extraction process using n-hexane does not inactivate the phytase expressed in the mAppA transgenic soybean, and the meal derived from the transgenic soybean processing can be used as feed supplement to livestock.
124J/131J-Theranostik des Natrium-Jodid-Symporters beim Schilddrüsenkarzinom
Authors: Kreißl Michael C. , Jentzen Walter , Janssen Marcel , Gotthardt Martin , Nagarajah James 
Published: October 2019

ZusammenfassungEines der vielversprechendsten Konzepte in der Nuklearmedizin ist die Theranostik, die im Wesentlichen die Diagnostik und Therapie eines bestimmten Targets beinhaltet, insbesondere, wenn es darum geht, Krebstherapien zu optimieren und zu individualisieren. In der Nuklearmedizin werden Theranostika bereits seit über 60 Jahren in der klinischen Routine mit 131J/123J für diagnostische und therapeutische Zwecke bei Schilddrüsenerkrankungen eingesetzt. Dieser Artikel gibt einen kurzen Überblick über die Verwendung von 2 Radiojod-Isotopen (131J und 124J) für das Targeting des Natrium-Jodid-Symporters bei Schilddrüsenkarzinomen und nicht thyreoidalen Tumoren. Insbesondere wird die Rolle der 124J-basierten Dosimetrie diskutiert. Abschließend zeigen wir an einem Patientenbeispiel, wie die Expression des Natrium-Jodid-Symporters bei einem Patienten mit Radiojod-refraktärem fortgeschrittenem Schilddrüsenkarzinom durch Medikamente manipuliert werden kann.
Virucidal Effect of Guggulsterone Isolated from Commiphora gileadensis
Authors: Bouslama Lamjed , Kouidhi Bochra , Alqurashi Yasir Mohammed , Chaieb Kamel , Papetti Adele 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Commiphora gileadensis, locally known as becham, is a plant used in traditional Arabian medicine for treating headache, constipation, stomach, joint pain, and inflammatory disorders. Several studies have reported its antibacterial properties; however, no study has demonstrated its antiviral activity. This study aimed to evaluate the antiviral activity of C. gileadensis as well as to isolate its active compound and investigate its mode of action. This activity was evaluated using 4 viruses, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), respiratory syncytial virus type B (RSV-B), coxsackie virus B type 3, and adenovirus type 5 by performing the plaque reduction assay and the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays for enveloped and nonenveloped viruses, respectively. The methanol extract of C. gileadensis leaves only showed antiviral activity against enveloped viruses with a selectivity index of 11.19 and 10.25 for HSV-2 and RSV-B, respectively. The study of the mechanism underlying antiviral activity demonstrated a virucidal effect by direct contact with these target viruses. The active compound, isolated using bio-guided assays involving TLC, was identified as guggulsterone by HPLC-diode array detection coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Guggulsterone is an antagonist of the bile acid receptor and a modulator of cholesterol metabolism; however, its antimicrobial properties have been reported for the first time in this study.
Assessment of Skin Flaps Above Cranial Defects Following Craniectomy: A Proposed Classification System
Authors: Schwarz Falko , Simon Michèle , Lawson McLean Aaron , Kalff Rolf , Waschke Albrecht 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Objective The assessment of the skin flap above cranial defects (SCD) following craniectomy is routine in neurosurgical practice, and a change in the consistency of the skin flap may indicate raised intracranial pressure or the occurrence of a complication necessitating intervention. The purpose of this study was to develop a clinically useful classification system based on clinical assessment of the degree of skin flap bulging or sinking and its firmness.
Patients and Methods This was a prospective single-center study. The SCDs of consecutive patients who underwent craniectomy were assessed daily by two trained independent examiners. The consistency of the flap and its bulging or sinking in comparison with the level of the cranium were noted. Testing conditions including the positioning of the patient and examiner were standardized.
Results A total of 520 examinations were conducted in 24 patients during their hospital stay. There was 100% interrater reliability (Cohen’s κ = 1.0). In 66.6% of all patients (n = 16/24), a change of the SCD classification in comparison with that recorded on the previous day was noted.
Conclusions The SCD classification facilitates the reproducible and objective assessment of SCDs, enabling reliable monitoring over time and between individuals.
Primary Spinal Cord Melanoma of Intradural Extramedullary Origin
Authors: Sharma Ashish , Sinha Virendra Deo 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPrimary malignant melanoma is the very rare entity of the central nervous system. It accounts only 1% of all melanoma cases. A 67-year-old patient presented to us with lower back pain radiating to the left lower limb and progressive weakness of both lower limbs. She underwent magnetic resonance imaging scan of lumbosacral region that suggested T1 hyperintense, T2 hypointense, extramedullary altered signal intensity lesion at L1 and L2 vertebral level compressing terminal spinal cord, and cauda equine region. On histopathological examination, findings were suggestive of malignant melanoma that was confirmed with immunohistochemistry examination (positive for S-100, Melan-A, and HMB-45). Here, we are discussing an unusual case of primary malignant melanoma of conus and cauda equine region with comprehensive review regarding management and prognosis of the tumor.
Tubercular Meningitis with Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy—Trigger or Chance
Authors: Dalai Siba Prasad , Kabi Shobhitendu , Arve Nikhil R. , Kakollu Vujwal R. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractTuberculosis being a global pandemic causes an array of neurological presentations ranging from tuberculoma, meningitis, radiculomyelitis, brain abscess, and so on.Association of Guillain-Barre syndrome with tuberculosis has been reported five to six times in the past. The authors report a case of a young female with tubercular meningitis on antitubercular therapy and steroids who went on to develop acute areflexic quadriparesis and diagnosed as a case of acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy variety of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) who responded positively to plasmapheresis. The authors present the first case of an association between tubercular meningitis and subsequent development of AIDP.
Validation of phosphor thermometry for industrial surface temperature measurements
Authors: Rosso Lucia , Tabandeh Shahin , Beltramino Giulio , Fernicola Vito 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Surface temperature measurements are required by the aerospace and automotive industries to guarantee high-quality products and optimize production processes. Accurate and reliable measurement of surface temperature is very challenging in an industrial environment. Surface contact probes are widely used but poorly characterized, while non-contact infrared thermometry is severely hampered by the unknown emissivity of the surface and by problems caused by stray radiation from the background. An alternative approach to the above techniques is phosphor thermometry, used here in a hybrid contact/non-contact approach.
In this work, the development of a lifetime-based phosphor thermometer, its application to industrial surface temperature measurement and its validation are reported in a metrologically sound manner. The phosphor thermometer was initially calibrated by contact on a reference calibrator system at the Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica to provide SI traceability to the measurements at the industrial level; the system was later validated by exploiting a metal phase-change method. The robustness of the approach against a strong radiative background was also investigated. A comprehensive uncertainty analysis was carried out, resulting in an expanded uncertainty (k  =  2) lower than 1.4 °C over the temperature range from the ambient to 450 °C.
The phosphor-based thermometer was then tested at industrial manufacturing premises to measure the surface temperature of aluminium alloy billets during the pre-heating phase before forging. The phosphor-based approach was compared with radiation and contact thermometry in both static and dynamic measurement conditions. The experimental results proved that phosphor thermometry, besides being a valid alternative to conventional techniques, may offer better performance in an industrial setting.
Regional-level prediction model with advection PDE model and fine particulate matter (PM
2.5) concentration data
Authors: Wang Yufang 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Real-time and geo-tagged data on PM
2.5 enable researchers to model and predict the trends of air pollution effectively. On the basis of network and clustering, a specific advection partial differential equation (PDE) model is proposed to forecast the spatial-temporal dynamics of PM
2.5 concentration at large scale of city-cluster. The proposed PDE model incorporates the effects of advection, local emission and dispersion. The prediction is performed in real-time with varying model parameters for assessing the current situation. Good simulation results not only demonstrate the proposed PDE has good prediction ability, but also show that the model can quantify the advection and local effects for the air pollution of each city-cluster to some extent. Moreover, the methodology can be extended to other types of air pollution provided that data are available.