bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Candida albicans morphogenesis by chitinase from Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
Authors: Allonsius Camille Nina , Vandenheuvel Dieter , Oerlemans Eline F. M. , Petrova Mariya I. , Donders Gilbert G. G. , Cos Paul , Delputte Peter , Lebeer Sarah 
Published: February 2019

AbstractLactobacilli have been evaluated as probiotics against Candida infections in several clinical trials, but with variable results. Predicting and understanding the clinical efficacy of Lactobacillus strains is hampered by an overall lack of insights into their modes of action. In this study, we aimed to unravel molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of lactobacilli on hyphal morphogenesis, which is a crucial step in C. albicans virulence. Based on a screening of different Lactobacillus strains, we found that the closely related taxa L. rhamnosus, L. casei and L. paracasei showed stronger activity against Candida hyphae formation compared to other Lactobacillus species tested. By exploring the activity of purified compounds and mutants of the model strain L. rhamnosus GG, the major peptidoglycan hydrolase Msp1, conserved in the three closely related taxa, was identified as a key effector molecule. We could show that this activity of Msp1 was due to its ability to break down chitin, the main polymer in the hyphal cell wall of C. albicans. This identification of a Lactobacillus-specific protein with chitinase activity having anti-hyphal activity will assist in better strain selection and improved application in future clinical trials for Lactobacillus-based Candida-management strategies.
Evolutionary Insight into the Clock-Associated PRR5 Transcriptional Network of Flowering Plants
Authors: Toda Yosuke , Kudo Toru , Kinoshita Toshinori , Nakamichi Norihito 
Published: February 2019

AbstractCircadian clocks regulate the daily timing of metabolic, physiological, and behavioral activities to adapt organisms to day-night cycles. In the model plantArabidopsis thaliana, transcript-translational feedback loops (TTFL) constitute the circadian clock, which is conserved among flowering plants. Arabidopsis TTFL directly regulates key genes in the clock-output pathways, whereas the pathways for clock-output control in other plants is largely unknown. Here, we propose that the transcriptional networks of clock-associated pseudo-response regulators (PRRs) are conserved among flowering plants. Most PRR genes from Arabidopsis, poplar, and rice encode potential transcriptional repressors. The PRR5-target-like gene group includes genes that encode key transcription factors for flowering time regulation, cell elongation, and chloroplast gene expression. The 5′-upstream regions of PRR5-target-like genes from poplar and rice tend to contain G-box-like elements that are potentially recognized by PRRsin vivoas has been shown in Arabidopsis. Expression of PRR5-target-like genes from poplar and rice tends to decrease whenPRRs are expressed, possibly suggesting that the transcriptional network of PRRs is evolutionarily conserved in these plants.
Neutrophil Dysfunction in the Airways of Children with Acute Respiratory Failure Due to Lower Respiratory Tract Viral and Bacterial Coinfections
Authors: Grunwell Jocelyn R. , Giacalone Vincent D. , Stephenson Susan , Margaroli Camilla , Dobosh Brian S. , Brown Milton R. , Fitzpatrick Anne M. , Tirouvanziam Rabindra 
Published: February 2019

AbstractNeutrophils are recruited to the airways of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) where they acquire an activated pro-survival phenotype with an enhanced respiratory burst thought to contribute to ARDS pathophysiology. Our in vitro model enables blood neutrophil transepithelial migration into cell-free tracheal aspirate fluid from patients to recapitulate the primary airway neutrophil phenotype observed in vivo. Neutrophils transmigrated through our model toward airway fluid from children with lower respiratory viral infections coinfected with bacteria had elevated levels of neutrophil activation markers but paradoxically exhibited an inability to kill bacteria and a defective respiratory burst compared with children without bacterial coinfection. The airway fluid from children with bacterial coinfections had higher levels of neutrophil elastase activity, as well as myeloperoxidase levels compared to children without bacterial coinfection. Neutrophils transmigrated into the aspirate fluid from children with bacterial coinfection showed decreased respiratory burst and killing activity against H. influenzae and S. aureus compared to those transmigrated into the aspirate fluid from children without bacterial coinfection. Use of a novel transmigration model recapitulates this pathological phenotype in vitro that would otherwise be impossible in a patient, opening avenues for future mechanistic and therapeutic research.
ZeBRα a universal, multi-fragment DNA-assembly-system with minimal hands-on time requirement
Authors: Richter David , Bayer Katharina , Toesko Thomas , Schuster Stefan 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe recently evolved field of synthetic biology has revolutionized the way we think of biology as an “engineerable” discipline. The newly sprouted branch is constantly in need of simple, cost-effective and automatable DNA-assembly methods. We have developed a reliable DNA-assembly system, ZeBRα (Zero-Background Redα), for cloning multiple DNA-fragments seamlessly with very high efficiency. The hallmarks of ZeBRα are the greatly reduced hands-on time and costs and yet excellent efficiency and flexibility. ZeBRα combines a “zero-background vector” with a highly efficient in vitro recombination method. The suicide-gene in the vector acts as placeholder, and is replaced by the fragments-of-interest, ensuring the exclusive survival of the successful recombinants. Thereby the background from uncut or re-ligated vector is absent and screening for recombinant colonies is unnecessary. Multiple fragments-of-interest can be assembled into the empty vector by a recombinogenic E. coli-lysate (SLiCE) with a total time requirement of less than 48 h. We have significantly simplified the preparation of the high recombination-competent E. coli-lysate compared to the original protocol. ZeBRα is the least labor intensive among comparable state-of-the-art assembly/cloning methods without a trade-off in efficiency.
Antennal grooming facilitates courtship performance in a group-living insect, the German cockroach Blattella germanica
Authors: Wada-Katsumata Ayako , Schal Coby 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe antennae of adult male German cockroaches detect a contact sex pheromone embedded in the female’s cuticular lipids. The female pheromone stimulates courtship behavior in males, notably a wing-raising (WR) display. Within aggregations, however, cuticular lipids are disseminated by contact among group members, including nymphs and adults of both sexes, and “contamination” of cockroaches with the cuticular lipids of another stage or sex may interfere with sex discrimination and disrupt courtship. We used behavioral observations, bioassays and chemical analysis to determine how males maintain their sensitivity to sex pheromone in aggregations. Males contaminated with female pheromone displayed lower courtship, because residual female pheromone on their antennae adapted their peripheral sensilla and habituated the central nervous system. Female pheromone that contaminated the male’s antennae also elicited courtship from other non-contaminated males, disrupting their sex discrimination in the group. However, antennal grooming effectively removed female pheromone from males’ antennae and maintained their chemosensory acuity and sexual discrimination among group members. Thus, grooming of the antennae and other sensory appendages is an important strategy to enhance sensory acuity, especially in group-living insects like the German cockroach.
Corneal lymphangiogenesis ameliorates corneal inflammation and edema in late stage of bacterial keratitis
Authors: Narimatsu Akitomo , Hattori Takaaki , Koike Naohito , Tajima Kazuki , Nakagawa Hayate , Yamakawa Naoyuki , Usui Yoshihiko , Kumakura Shigeto , Matsumoto Tetsuya , Goto Hiroshi 
Published: February 2019

AbstractLymphatic vessels play a crucial role in systemic immune response and regulation of tissue fluid homeostasis. Corneal lymphangiogenesis in bacterial keratitis has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the mechanism and the role of corneal lymphangiogenesis in a murine bacterial keratitis model using Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We first demonstrated that corneal lymphangiogenesis was enhanced mainly in the late stage of bacterial keratitis, contrary to corneal angiogenesis that started earlier. Corresponding to the delayed lymphangiogenesis, expression of the pro-lymphangiogenic factors VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 increased in the late stage of bacterial keratitis. We further found that F4/80 and CD11b positive macrophages played an essential role in corneal lymphangiogenesis. Notably, macrophages were specifically involved in corneal lymphangiogenesis in the late stage of bacterial keratitis. Finally, we demonstrated the beneficial role of corneal lymphangiogenesis in ameliorating the clinical course of bacterial keratitis. Our study showed that bacterial activity was not directly involved in the late stage of keratitis, while corneal lymphangiogenesis reduced corneal edema and clinical manifestation in the late stage of bacterial keratitis. These findings suggest that the process of lymphangiogenesis in bacterial keratitis ameliorates corneal inflammation and edema in the late stage of bacterial keratitis.
Understanding carbon utilization routes between high and low starch-producing cultivars of cassava through Flux Balance Analysis
Authors: Chiewchankaset Porntip , Siriwat Wanatsanan , Suksangpanomrung Malinee , Boonseng Opas , Meechai Asawin , Tanticharoen Morakot , Kalapanulak Saowalak , Saithong Treenut 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAnalysis of metabolic flux was used for system level assessment of carbon partitioning in Kasetsart 50 (KU50) and Hanatee (HN) cassava cultivars to understand the metabolic routes for their distinct phenotypes. First, the constraint-based metabolic model of cassava storage roots, rMeCBM, was developed based on the carbon assimilation pathway of cassava. Following the subcellular compartmentalization and curation to ensure full network connectivity and reflect the complexity of eukaryotic cells, cultivar specific data on sucrose uptake and biomass synthesis were input, and rMeCBM model was used to simulate storage root growth in KU50 and HN. Results showed that rMeCBM-KU50 and rMeCBM-HN models well imitated the storage root growth. The flux-sum analysis revealed that both cultivars utilized different metabolic precursors to produce energy in plastid. More carbon flux was invested in the syntheses of carbohydrates and amino acids in KU50 than in HN. Also, KU50 utilized less flux for respiration and less energy to synthesize one gram of dry storage root. These results may disclose metabolic potential of KU50 underlying its higher storage root and starch yield over HN. Moreover, sensitivity analysis indicated the robustness of rMeCBM model. The knowledge gained might be useful for identifying engineering targets for cassava yield improvement.
A comparative analysis of response times shows that multisensory benefits and interactions are not equivalent
Authors: Innes Bobby R. , Otto Thomas U. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMultisensory signals allow faster responses than the unisensory components. While this redundant signals effect (RSE) has been studied widely with diverse signals, no modelling approach explored the RSE systematically across studies. For a comparative analysis, here, we propose three steps: The first quantifies the RSE compared to a simple, parameter-free race model. The second quantifies processing interactions beyond the race mechanism: history effects and so-called violations of Miller’s bound. The third models the RSE on the level of response time distributions using a context-variant race model with two free parameters that account for the interactions. Mimicking the diversity of studies, we tested different audio-visual signals that target the interactions using a 2 × 2 design. We show that the simple race model provides overall a strong prediction of the RSE. Regarding interactions, we found that history effects do not depend on low-level feature repetition. Furthermore, violations of Miller’s bound seem linked to transient signal onsets. Critically, the latter dissociates from the RSE, demonstrating that multisensory interactions and multisensory benefits are not equivalent. Overall, we argue that our approach, as a blueprint, provides both a general framework and the precision needed to understand the RSE when studied across diverse signals and participant groups.
The roles of ANRIL polymorphisms in coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis
Authors: Hu Lina , Su Guoyi , Wang Xia 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Background: The relationship between antisense non-coding RNA (ncRNA) in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) polymorphisms and coronary artery disease (CAD) remains inconclusive. Thus, we conducted this meta-analysis to better evaluate the roles of ANRIL polymorphisms in CAD. Methods: Systematic literature search of PubMed, Medline, and Embase was performed to identify potential relevant articles. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the strength of association. Results: Fifteen studies were finally enrolled for analyses. Overall analyses suggested that rs1333040 (dominant model: P&lt;0.0001; recessive model: P&lt;0.0001; allele model: P&lt;0.0001), rs1333049 (dominant model: P=0.02; allele model: P=0.02) and rs2383207 (additive model: P=0.004) polymorphisms were significantly associated with the risk of CAD. Further subgroup analyses showed that rs1333040, rs1333049, and rs2383207 polymorphisms were significantly correlated with the risk of CAD in East Asians, rs2383206 and rs10757274 polymorphisms were significantly correlated with the risk of CAD in West Asians, while rs2383206, rs10757274, and rs10757278 polymorphisms were significantly correlated with the risk of CAD in Caucasians. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that rs1333040, rs1333049, rs2383206, rs2383207, rs10757274, and rs10757278 polymorphisms might serve as genetic biomarkers of CAD in certain ethnicities.
One Tool in the Toolkit Is Not Enough: Making the Case for Using Multisensory Approaches in Aural Habilitation of Children With Reduced Hearing
Authors: Gibbons Susan Mumby , Szarkowski Amy 
Published: February 2019

PurposeThis article proposes modifications to current rehabilitation methods for infants and children who are deaf or have reduced hearing. The widespread implementation of newborn hearing screening has resulted in numerous benefits to infants with reduced hearing and their families. Collectively, despite the enormous audiologic benefit that many children receive from both hearing assistive technologies and the provision of direct services aimed to support their development, numerous children with reduced hearing continue to perform below the levels of their counterparts with typical hearing in their ability to demonstrate age-appropriate functional use of language skills.ConclusionsStudies suggest that the brains of all infants and children (including those who are deaf, who have reduced hearing, and/or who utilize hearing assistance technology) benefit from the input of multiple senses. Cognitive neuroscience and hearing science suggest a significant benefit to engaging multiple modalities for communication and increasing the amount of information that is accessible to infants and young children who are deaf or hard of hearing.By using brain science to inform the rehabilitation of children with reduced hearing, this article concludes that therapy should be multimodal while minimizing use of discrete skills, thinking of language and communication opportunities as a continuum. Further recommendations for rehabilitation are provided.
Scheduling of grid‐tied battery energy storage system participating in frequency response services and energy arbitrage
Authors: Mantar Gundogdu Burcu , Gladwin Dan T. , Nejad Shahab , Stone David Andrew 
Published: February 2019

Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are widely used to smooth power fluctuations and maintain the voltage and frequency of the power feeder at a desired level. The National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), the primary electricity transmission network operator in the UK, has introduced various frequency response services that are designed to provide a real‐time response to deviations in the grid frequency. In this study, a control algorithm is developed which generates a charge/discharge power output with respect to deviations in the grid frequency and the requisite service specifications. Using historical UK electricity prices, a new balancing service scheduling approach has also been developed to maximise energy arbitrage revenue by layering different types of balancing services throughout the day. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm delivers both dynamic and non‐dynamic firm frequency response and also an enhanced frequency response to NGET specifications while generating arbitrage revenue as well as service availability payments in the balancing market. A comparative study is also presented to compare the yearly arbitrage revenue obtained from the work presented in this study and a previous reference study. Finally,, experimental results of a grid‐tied 2 MW/1 MWh BESS have been used for verification purposes.
The blue straggler population of the old open cluster Berkeley 17
Authors: Bhattacharya Souradeep , Vaidya Kaushar , Chen W. P. , Beccari Giacomo 
Published: February 2019

Context. Blue straggler stars (BSSs) are observed in Galactic globular clusters and old open clusters. The radial distribution of BSSs has been used to diagnose the dynamical evolution of globular clusters. For the first time, with a reliable sample of BSSs identified with Gaia DR2, we conduct such an analysis for an open cluster.
Aims. We aim to identify members, including BSSs, of the oldest known Galactic open cluster Berkeley 17 with the Gaia DR2 proper motions and parallaxes. We study the radial distribution of the BSS population to understand the dynamical evolution of the cluster.
Methods. We selected cluster members to populate the colour magnitude diagram in the Gaia filters. Cluster parameters are derived using the brightest members. The BSSs and giant branch stars are identified, and their radial distributions are compared. The segregation of BSSs is also evaluated with respect to the giant branch stars using the minimum spanning tree (MST) analysis.
Results. We determine Berkeley 17 to be at 3138.6−352.9+285.5 pc. We find 23 BSS cluster members, only two of which were previously identified. We find a bimodal radial distribution of BSSs supported by findings from the MST method.
Conclusions. The bimodal radial distribution of BSSs in Berkeley 17 indicates that they have just started to sink towards the cluster centre, placing Berkeley 17 with globular clusters of intermediate dynamical age. This is the first such determination for an open cluster.
Detectability of atmospheric features of Earth-like planets in the habitable zone around M dwarfs
Authors: Wunderlich Fabian , Godolt Mareike , Grenfell John Lee , Städt Steffen , Smith Alexis M. S. , Gebauer Stefanie , Schreier Franz , Hedelt Pascal , Rauer Heike 
Published: February 2019

Context.The characterisation of the atmosphere of exoplanets is one of the main goals of exoplanet science in the coming decades.Aims.We investigate the detectability of atmospheric spectral features of Earth-like planets in the habitable zone (HZ) around M dwarfs with the futureJames WebbSpace Telescope (JWST).Methods.We used a coupled 1D climate-chemistry-model to simulate the influence of a range of observed and modelled M-dwarf spectra on Earth-like planets. The simulated atmospheres served as input for the calculation of the transmission spectra of the hypothetical planets, using a line-by-line spectral radiative transfer model. To investigate the spectroscopic detectability of absorption bands with JWST we further developed a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) model and applied it to our transmission spectra.Results.High abundances of methane (CH4) and water (H2O) in the atmosphere of Earth-like planets around mid to late M dwarfs increase the detectability of the corresponding spectral features compared to early M-dwarf planets. Increased temperatures in the middle atmosphere of mid- to late-type M-dwarf planets expand the atmosphere and further increase the detectability of absorption bands. To detect CH4, H2O, and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere of an Earth-like planet around a mid to late M dwarf observing only one transit with JWST could be enough up to a distance of 4 pc and less than ten transits up to a distance of 10 pc. As a consequence of saturation limits of JWST and less pronounced absorption bands, the detection of spectral features of hypothetical Earth-like planets around most early M dwarfs would require more than ten transits. We identify 276 existing M dwarfs (including GJ 1132, TRAPPIST-1, GJ 1214, and LHS 1140) around which atmospheric absorption features of hypothetical Earth-like planets could be detected by co-adding just a few transits.Conclusions.The TESS satellite will likely find new transiting terrestrial planets within 15 pc from the Earth. We show that using transmission spectroscopy, JWST could provide enough precision to be able to partly characterise the atmosphere of TESS findings with an Earth-like composition around mid to late M dwarfs.
Sind Frauen noch immer schlechter dran?
Authors: Buck Günther 
Published: February 2019

Zusammenfassung
Im 20. Jahrhundert durchgeführte Studien zur Herzinsuffizienz (HF) zeigten viele Unterschiede zwischen Männern und Frauen auf. Ein wichtiges Ergebnis war die Feststellung, dass Frauen im Vergleich zu Männern eine weniger intensive Therapie erhielten. Die Erkenntnisse der letzten 20 Jahre haben zu einer anderen Einschätzung und Vorgehensweise geführt. Diese Veränderungen können auch Frauen mit Herzinsuffizienz und reduzierter Auswurfleistung (HFrEF) neue Perspektiven eröffnen.
„GRÜNAU BEWEGT sich”
Authors: Igel U. , Gausche R. , Lück M. , Garz M. , Lipek T. , Kiess W. , Grande G. 
Published: February 2019

ZusammenfassungAuf Grundlage der Erkenntnis, dass die Prävention von Adipositas im Kindesalter komplexe Interventionen unter Berücksichtigung individueller und umweltbezogener Faktoren benötigt, werden im Projekt „GRÜNAU BEWEGT sich” über einen par-tizipativen, gemeinwesenorientierten Ansatz gesundheitsförderliche Verhältnisse geschaffen, die die Entstehung von Adipositas bei Kindern verhindern sollen. Mittels der Planungsmodelle PRECEDE-PROCEED und dem Intervention Mapping Ansatz (IMA) werden systematisch und theoriegeleitet Interventionen in den Bereichen Ernährung, Bewegung und Kapazitätsentwicklung entwickelt. Sie berücksichtigen lokale Gegebenheiten und setzen auf verschiedenen Ebenen (Kind, Familie, Institution, Quartier) an. Die Umsetzung der entwickelten Interventionen erfolgt seit 2016. Die Maßnahmen adressieren pädagogische Fachkräfte aus Kitas und Schulen, Kinder und Eltern und beziehen verschiedene Akteure (Verwaltung, Vereine, Krankenkassen, Handel) ein. Im Spannungsfeld von medizinischem und sozialem Problemverständnis werden auch die begrenzte Handlungsfähigkeit und Wirksamkeit von Interventionen auf gesellschaftlich bedingte Problemlagen sichtbar.