bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stretchable Hydrophobic Surfaces and Self-Cleaning Applications
Authors: Yilbas Bekir Sami , Hassan Ghassan , Al-Qahtani Hussain , Al-Aqeeli Naser , Al-Sharafi Abdullah , Al-Merbati Abdulrahman S. , Baroud Turki N. , Adukwu Johnny Adukwu Ebaika 
Published: October 2019

AbstractHydrophobizing of stretchable elastomer surfaces is considered and the reversible behavior of the resulting surface wetting state is examined after stretching and relaxing the hydrophobized samples. The environmental dust are analyzed in terms of elemental constitutes and size, and the dust pinning on the hydrophobized surface is measured. The dust removal mechanisms, by the water droplets on the hydrophobized surface, are investigated. We demonstrated that deposition of functionalized nano-size silica units on the elastomer surface gives rise to hydrophobicity with 135° ± 3° contact angle and low hysteresis of 3° ± 1°. Stretching hydrophobized elastomer surface by 50% (length) reduces the contact angle to 122° ± 3° and enhances the hysteresis to 6° ± 1°. However, relaxing the stretched sample causes exchanging surface wetting state reversibly. Water droplet rolling and sliding can clean the dusty hydrophobized surface almost 95% (mass ratio of the dust particles removed). Droplet puddling causes striations like structures along the droplet path and close examination of the few residues of the dust reveals that the droplet takes away considerably large amount of dust from surface.
Evolutionary, genetic, structural characterization and its functional implications for the influenza A (H1N1) infection outbreak in India from 2009 to 2017
Authors: Jones Sara , Nelson-Sathi Shijulal , Wang Yejun , Prasad Raji , Rayen Sabrina , Nandel Vibhuti , Hu Yueming , Zhang Wei , Nair Radhakrishnan , Dharmaseelan Sanjai , Chirundodh Dhanya Valaveetil , Kumar Rakesh , Pillai Radhakrishna Madhavan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractInfluenza A (H1N1) continues to be a major public health threat due to possible emergence of a more virulent H1N1 strain resulting from dynamic changes in virus adaptability consequent to functional mutations and antigenic drift in the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) surface proteins. In this study, we describe the genetic and evolutionary characteristics of H1N1 strains that circulated in India over a period of nine years from 2009 to 2017 in relation to global strains. The finding is important from a global perspective since previous phylogenetic studies have suggested that the tropics contributed substantially to the global circulation of influenza viruses. Bayesian phylogenic analysis of HA sequences along with global strains indicated that there is a temporal pattern of H1N1 evolution and clustering of Indian isolates with globally circulating strains. Interestingly, we observed four new amino acid substitutions (S179N, I233T, S181T and I312V) in the HA sequence of H1N1 strains isolated during 2017 and two (S181T and I312V) were found to be unique in Indian isolates. Structurally these two unique mutations could lead to altered glycan specificity of the HA gene. Similarly, sequence and structural analysis of NA domain revealed that the presence of K432E mutation in H1N1 strains isolated after 2015 from India and in global strains found to induce a major loop shift in the vicinity of the catalytic site. The findings presented here offer an insight as to how these acquired mutations could be associated to an improved adaptability of the virus for efficient human transmissibility.
Genetic variation regulates the activation and specificity of Restriction-Modification systems in Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Sánchez-Busó Leonor , Golparian Daniel , Parkhill Julian , Unemo Magnus , Harris Simon R. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractRestriction-Modification systems (RMS) are one of the main mechanisms of defence against foreign DNA invasion and can have an important role in the regulation of gene expression. The obligate human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae carries one of the highest loads of RMS in its genome; between 13 to 15 of the three main types. Previous work has described their organization in the reference genome FA1090 and has inferred the associated methylated motifs. Here, we studied the structure of RMS and target methylated motifs in 25 gonococcal strains sequenced with Single Molecule Real-Time (SMRT) technology, which provides data on DNA modification. The results showed a variable picture of active RMS in different strains, with phase variation switching the activity of Type III RMS, and both the activity and specificity of a Type I RMS. Interestingly, the Dam methylase was found in place of the NgoAXI endonuclease in two of the strains, despite being previously thought to be absent in the gonococcus. We also identified the real methylation target of NgoAXII as 5′-GCAGA-3′, different from that previously described. Results from this work give further insights into the diversity and dynamics of RMS and methylation patterns in N. gonorrhoeae.
Engineered Ureolytic Microorganisms Can Tailor the Morphology and Nanomechanical Properties of Microbial-Precipitated Calcium Carbonate
Authors: Heveran Chelsea M. , Liang Liya , Nagarajan Aparna , Hubler Mija H. , Gill Ryan , Cameron Jeffrey C. , Cook Sherri M. , Srubar Wil V. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWe demonstrate for the first time that the morphology and nanomechanical properties of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) can be tailored by modulating the precipitation kinetics of ureolytic microorganisms through genetic engineering. Many engineering applications employ microorganisms to produce CaCO3. However, control over bacterial calcite morphology and material properties has not been demonstrated. We hypothesized that microorganisms genetically engineered for low urease activity would achieve larger calcite crystals with higher moduli. We compared precipitation kinetics, morphology, and nanomechanical properties for biogenic CaCO3 produced by two Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains that were engineered to display either high or low urease activity and the native producer Sporosarcina pasteurii. While all three microorganisms produced calcite, lower urease activity was associated with both slower initial calcium depletion rate and increased average calcite crystal size. Both calcite crystal size and nanoindentation moduli were also significantly higher for the low-urease activity E. coli compared with the high-urease activity E. coli. The relative resistance to inelastic deformation, measured via the ratio of nanoindentation hardness to modulus, was similar across microorganisms. These findings may enable design of novel advanced engineering materials where modulus is tailored to the application while resistance to irreversible deformation is not compromised.
Kawasaki Disease following administration of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in young children
Authors: Yung Chee Fu , Ma Xiangmei , Cheung Yin Bun , Oh Bee Khiam , Soh Sally , Thoon Koh Cheng 
Published: October 2019

AbstractKawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis mainly affecting young children and the leading cause of acquired heart disease in developed countries. We performed a self-controlled case series analysis to investigate the association between PCV13 and KD. All hospitalized KD cases <2 y old from our hospital in Singapore from 2010 to 2014 were included. Complete KD cases were classified based on the definitions of the American Heart Association. During the study period, 288 KD cases were identified. A total of 21 KD cases (12 were classified as Complete KD) had date of onset within the risk interval of day 1 to day 28 post PCV13. The age-adjusted Relative Incidence (RI) for KD following PCV13 dose 1, dose 2 and dose 3 were 1.40 (95% CI, 0.72 to 2.71), 1.23 (95% CI, 0.62 to 2.44) and 0.34 (95% CI, 0.08 to 1.40) respectively. There were seven Complete KD cases with onset during the risk interval after dose 1 of PCV13 (age-adjusted RI 2.59, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.16 to 5.81). We did not detect a significant increased risk for overall KD among PCV13 recipients.
The MTH1 inhibitor TH588 is a microtubule-modulating agent that eliminates cancer cells by activating the mitotic surveillance pathway
Authors: Gul Nadia , Karlsson Joakim , Tängemo Carolina , Linsefors Sanna , Tuyizere Samuel , Perkins Rosie , Ala Chandu , Zou Zhiyuan , Larsson Erik , Bergö Martin O. , Lindahl Per 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe mut-T homolog-1 (MTH1) inhibitor TH588 has shown promise in preclinical cancer studies but its targeting specificity has been questioned. Alternative mechanisms for the anti-cancer effects of TH588 have been suggested but the question remains unresolved. Here, we performed an unbiased CRISPR screen on human lung cancer cells to identify potential mechanisms behind the cytotoxic effect of TH588. The screen identified pathways and complexes involved in mitotic spindle regulation. Using immunofluorescence and live cell imaging, we showed that TH588 rapidly reduced microtubule plus-end mobility, disrupted mitotic spindles, and prolonged mitosis in a concentration-dependent but MTH1-independent manner. These effects activated a USP28-p53 pathway – the mitotic surveillance pathway – that blocked cell cycle reentry after prolonged mitosis; USP28 acted upstream of p53 to arrest TH588-treated cells in the G1-phase of the cell cycle. We conclude that TH588 is a microtubule-modulating agent that activates the mitotic surveillance pathway and thus prevents cancer cells from re-entering the cell cycle.
Garnet, the archetypal cubic mineral, grows tetragonal
Authors: Cesare B. , Nestola F. , Johnson T. , Mugnaioli E. , Della Ventura G. , Peruzzo L. , Bartoli O. , Viti C. , Erickson T. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractGarnet is the archetypal cubic mineral, occurring in a wide variety of rock types in Earth’s crust and upper mantle. Owing to its prevalence, durability and compositional diversity, garnet is used to investigate a broad range of geological processes. Although birefringence is a characteristic feature of rare Ca–Fe3+garnet and Ca-rich hydrous garnet, the optical anisotropy that has occasionally been documented in common (that is, anhydrous Ca–Fe2+–Mg–Mn) garnet is generally attributed to internal strain of the cubic structure. Here we show that common garnet with a non-cubic (tetragonal) crystal structure is much more widespread than previously thought, occurring in low-temperature, high-pressure metamorphosed basalts (blueschists) from subduction zones and in low-grade metamorphosed mudstones (phyllites and schists) from orogenic belts. Indeed, a non-cubic symmetry appears to be typical of common garnet that forms at low temperatures (<450 °C), where it has a characteristic Fe–Ca-rich composition with very low Mg contents. We propose that, in most cases, garnet does not initially grow cubic. Our discovery indicates that the crystal chemistry and thermodynamic properties of garnet at low-temperature need to be re-assessed, with potential consequences for the application of garnet as an investigative tool in a broad range of geological environments.
RGS2 drives male aggression in mice via the serotonergic system
Authors: Mark Melanie D. , Wollenweber Patric , Gesk Annika , Kösters Katja , Batzke Katharina , Janoschka Claudia , Maejima Takashi , Han Jing , Deneris Evan S. , Herlitze Stefan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAggressive behavior in our modern, civilized society is often counterproductive and destructive. Identifying specific proteins involved in the disease can serve as therapeutic targets for treating aggression. Here, we found that overexpression of RGS2 in explicitly serotonergic neurons augments male aggression in control mice and rescues male aggression in Rgs2−/− mice, while anxiety is not affected. The aggressive behavior is directly correlated to the immediate early gene c-fos induction in the dorsal raphe nuclei and ventrolateral part of the ventromedial nucleus hypothalamus, to an increase in spontaneous firing in serotonergic neurons and to a reduction in the modulatory action of Gi/o and Gq/11 coupled 5HT and adrenergic receptors in serotonergic neurons of Rgs2-expressing mice. Collectively, these findings specifically identify that RGS2 expression in serotonergic neurons is sufficient to drive male aggression in mice and as a potential therapeutic target for treating aggression.
Active FHOD1 promotes the formation of functional actin stress fibers
Authors: Shi Xuemeng , Zhao Shuangshuang , Cai Jinping , Wong Gary , Jiu Yaming 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The formin FHOD1 acts as a nucleating, capping and bundling protein of actin filaments. In cells, release from the C-terminal diaphanous autoregulatory domain (DAD) of FHOD1 stimulates the protein into the active form. However, the cellular physiological relevance of active form FHOD1 and the phenotypic regulation by FHOD1 depletion are not completely understood. Here, we show that in contrast with the cytosolic diffused expression of auto-inhibited FHOD1, active FHOD1 by C-terminal truncation was recruited into all three types of actin stress fibers in human osteosarcoma cells. Notably, the recruited active FHOD1 was more incorporated with myosin II than α-actinin, and associated with both naïve and mature focal adhesions. Active FHOD1 displayed faster turnover than actin molecules on ventral stress fibers. Moreover, we witnessed the emergence of active FHOD1 from the cell periphery, which subsequently moved centripetally together with transverse arcs. Furthermore, FHOD1 knockdown resulted in defective maturation of actomyosin bundles and subsequently longer non-contractile dorsal stress fibers, whereas the turnover of both actin and myosin II were maintained normally. Importantly, the loss of FHOD1 led to slower actin centripetal flow, resulting in abnormal cell spreading and migration defects. Taken together, these results reveal a critical role of FHOD1 in temporal- and spatial- control of the morphology and dynamics of functional actin stress fibers during variable cell behavior.
Wild-type menin is rapidly degraded via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in a rat insulinoma cell line
Authors: Jiang Zongzhe , Wan Shengrong , Xing Bowen 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Menin is encoded by multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) gene, the germ line mutations of which are the main cause of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs). To date, a large number of frameshift, nonsense and missense mutations of MEN1 have been identified to be responsible for part of MEN1-defficient PNETs patients due to truncation or rapid degradation of menin protein. However, the stability of the wild-type (WT) menin in PNETs is totally unknown. In the present study, we observed ubiquitination of WT menin in 293T cells by transfection of ectopic WT menin and HA-ubiquitin. As expected, either endogenous or ectopic WT menin is stable in 293T cells, whereas in INS-1 cells, a rat insulinoma cell line derived from PNETs, either endogenous or ectopic WT menin is rapidly degraded through ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Furthermore, the degradation of WT menin is more rapid in the presence of serum. Our findings suggest that in part of PNETs patients with WT MEN1, a ubiquitin-proteasome system targeting menin is untimely activated.
A novel mass assay to measure phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate from cells and tissues
Authors: Ghosh Avishek , Sharma Sanjeev , Shinde Dhananjay , Ramya Visvanathan , Raghu Padinjat 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPhosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate (PI5P) is a low abundance lipid proposed to have functions in cell migration, DNA damage responses, receptor trafficking and insulin signalling in metazoans. However, studies of PI5P function are limited by the lack of scalable techniques to quantify its level from cells and tissues in multicellular organisms. Currently, PI5P measurement requires the use of radionuclide labelling approaches that are not easily applicable in tissues or in vivo samples. In the present study, we describe a simple and reliable, non-radioactive mass assay to measure total PI5P levels from cells and tissues of Drosophila, a genetically tractable multicellular model. We use heavy oxygen-labelled ATP (18O-ATP) to label PI5P from tissue extracts while converting it into PI(4,5)P2 using an in vitro kinase reaction. The product of this reaction can be selectively detected and quantified with high sensitivity using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) platform. Further, using this method, we capture and quantify the unique acyl chain composition of PI5P from Drosophila cells and tissues. Finally, we demonstrate the use of this technique to quantify elevations in PI5P levels, from Drosophila larval tissues and cultured cells depleted of phosphatidylinositol 5 phosphate 4-kinase (PIP4K), that metabolizes PI5P into PI(4,5)P2 thus regulating its levels. Thus, we demonstrate the potential of our method to quantify PI5P levels with high sensitivity from cells and tissues of multicellular organisms thus accelerating understanding of PI5P functions in vivo.
Association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase tagging polymorphisms and susceptibility of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case–control study
Authors: Zhang Sheng , Lin Jing , Jiang Jiakai , Chen Yu , Tang Weifeng , Liu Longgen 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPolymorphisms in one-carbon metabolism genes may influence the susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, we studied methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) tagging polymorphisms in 584 HCC cases and 923 controls. Polymerase chain reaction was harnessed to detect MTHFR genotype. Overall, our results showed that genotype distribution of MTHFR rs4846048 and rs4845882 polymorphisms was not different between HCC patients and controls. MTHFR rs9651118 and rs1801133 loci were protective factors for HCC (rs9651118: CT vs. TT: adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.49–0.90, P=0.008 and TC/CC vs. TT: adjusted OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.53–0.93, P=0.015; rs1801133: GA vs. GG: adjusted OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.54–0.97, P=0.031, AA/GA vs. GG: adjusted OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.57–0.99, P=0.045). However, MTHFR rs3753584 locus was a candidate for susceptibility to HCC (CT vs. TT: adjusted OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.20–2.32, P=0.003 and TC/CC vs. TT: adjusted OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.15–2.20, P=0.005). Results of haplotype analysis suggested that MTHFR Grs1801133Trs3753584Grs4845882Ars4846048Trs9651118 was associated with the risk of HCC (OR = 1.55, 95% CI: 1.16–2.07, P=0.003). The power of our study also confirmed these associations (the value of power >0.80). In summary, our findings suggested that MTHFR rs3753584, rs9651118 and rs1801133 polymorphisms may affect the risk of HCC in Chinese Han population. In future, our findings should be further validated in additional case–control studies.
Inhibition of human lung adenocarcinoma growth and metastasis by JC polyomavirus-like particles packaged with an SP-B promoter-driven CD59-specific shRNA
Authors: Lin Mien-Chun , Shen Cheng-Huang , Chang Deching , Wang Meilin 
Published: October 2019

AbstractLung cancer ranks first in both incidence and mortality and is a major health concern worldwide. Upon recognition of specific antigens on tumor cells, complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) is activated, arresting cell growth or inducing apoptosis. However, by overexpressing CD59, a membrane complement regulatory protein (mCRP), lung cancer cells develop resistance to CDC. We previously showed that virus-like particles (VLPs) of human JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) could be used as a gene therapy vector to carry a suicide gene expression plasmid with a lung-specific promoter (SP-B (surfactant protein B)) for lung adenocarcinomas. Herein, we designed a CD59-specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression plasmid driven by SP-B (pSPB-shCD59) to effectively and specifically inhibit CD59 overexpression in lung cancer cells. Treatment of lung cancer cells in vitro with JCPyV VLPs containing pSPB-shCD59 (pSPB-shCD59/VLPs) induces CDC and death of cancer cells. Mice that were subcutaneously injected with human lung cancer cells showed an 87% inhibition in tumor growth after tail vein injection of pSPB-shCD59/VLPs. Moreover, in a mouse model of lung cancer metastasis, a reduction in the lung weight by 39%, compared with the control group, was observed in mice treated with pSPB-shCD59/VLPs after tail vein injection of human lung cancer cells. Furthermore, tissue sectioning showed that the number and size of tumors produced was significantly reduced in the lungs of mice in the treatment group than those of the untreated group, indicating inhibition of metastasis by pSPB-shCD59/VLPs. Together, these results demonstrate the potential of pSPB-shCD59/VLPs as a therapeutic agent for CD59 overexpressed lung cancer.
Recombinant DNA technology and DNA sequencing
Authors: Roberts Mark A. J. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
DNA present in all our cells acts as a template by which cells are built. The human genome project, reading the code of the DNA within our cells, completed in 2003, is undoubtedly one of the great achievements of modern bioscience. Our ability to achieve this and to further understand and manipulate DNA has been tightly linked to our understanding of the bacterial and viral world. Outside of the science, the ability to understand and manipulate this code has far-reaching implications for society. In this article, we explore some of the basic techniques that enable us to read, copy and manipulate DNA sequences alongside a brief consideration of some of the implications for society.
Differential Long-Term Outcomes for Individuals With Histories of Preschool Speech Sound Disorders
Authors: Lewis Barbara A. , Freebairn Lisa , Tag Jessica , Igo Robert P. , Ciesla Allison , Iyengar Sudha K. , Stein Catherine M. , Taylor H. Gerry 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
The goal of this study was to determine whether adolescent outcomes for individuals with histories of early speech sound disorders (SSD) could be differentiated by speech and language skills at earlier ages (preschool, 4–6 years, and school age, 7–10 years).

Method
The study used a retrospective longitudinal design. Participants with and without histories of early SSD were classified in adolescence as having no SSD, resolved SSD, low multisyllabic word (MSW; difficulty with MSW repetition but no errors in conversational speech), or persistent speech disorders (errors in both conversational speech and MSW repetition). Analysis of variance was employed to determine whether early speech, language, and literacy skills distinguished these adolescent outcome groups.

Results
Preschool and school-age skills differed for adolescents whose SSD had resolved from those who had persistent speech errors. Adolescents with errors solely in production of MSWs (Low MSW) did not differ in early speech and language skills from adolescents who had difficulty with both MSWs and persistent errors in conversation.

Conclusions
Speech and language assessments earlier in childhood can help establish risks for persistent SSD and other language and literacy difficulties in adolescence. Early identification of these clinically relevant subgroups of SSD may allow for early targeted interventions.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.9932279