bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular interaction studies of Deguelin and its derivatives with Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E in cancer cell signaling pathway: The computational approach
Authors: Lokhande Kiran Bharat , Nagar Shuchi , Swamy K. Venkateswara 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDeguelin is a major active ingredient and principal component in several plants and it is a potential molecule to target proteins of cancer cell signaling pathway. As a complex natural extract, deguelin interacts with various molecular targets to exert its anti-tumor properties at nanomolar level. It induces cell apoptosis by blocking anti-apoptotic pathways, while inhibiting tumor cell multiplication and malignant transformation through p27-cyclin-E-pRb-E2F1- cell cycle control and HIF-1alphaVEGF antiangiogenic pathways. In silico studies of deguelin and its derivatives is performed to explore interactions with Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E to understand the molecular insights of derivatives with the receptors. Deguelin and its derivatives are minimized by Avogadro to achieve stable conformation. All docking simulation are performed with AutoDockVina and virtual screening of docked ligands are carried out based on binding energy and number of hydrogen bonds. Molecular dynamics (MD) and Simulation of Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E1 is performed for 100 ns and stable conformation is obtained at 78 ns and 19 ns respectively. Ligands thus obtained from docking studies may be probable target to inhibit cancer cell signaling pathways.
Phytochemical characterization and comparative studies of four Cecropia species collected in Panama using multivariate data analysis
Authors: Rivera-Mondragón Andrés , Bijttebier Sebastiaan , Tuenter Emmy , Custers Deborah , Ortíz Orlando O. , Pieters Luc , Caballero-George Catherina , Apers Sandra , Foubert Kenn 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPlant species of the genusCecropia(Urticaceae) are used as traditional medicine in Latin-America, and are commercially available as food supplements. The aim of this study was to characterize and compare the phytochemical constituents of fourCecropiaspecies collected in Panama. The structures of 11 compounds isolated from leaves ofC. obtusifoliawere elucidated based on high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analysis; the polyphenolic constituents of leaves of all fourCecropiaspecies and commercial products were characterized using high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-quadrupole time of flight-tandem high resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-QTOF). Forty-seven compounds were fully identified or tentatively characterized. Thirty-nine of these have not been previously reported for the species under investigation. Multivariate analysis revelead thatC. obtusifoliaandC. insignisare the most related species, whileC. hispidissimais the most segregated one. Considering the importance of the description of novel chemical entities and the increasing interest and use of natural products, this study may be of great help for chemotaxonomic purposes, the interpretation of medicinal properties and for quality assessment of herbal supplements containingCecropialeaves.
Spatial distribution of prokaryotic communities in hypersaline soils
Authors: Vera-Gargallo Blanca , Chowdhury Taniya Roy , Brown Joseph , Fansler Sarah J. , Durán-Viseras Ana , Sánchez-Porro Cristina , Bailey Vanessa L. , Jansson Janet K. , Ventosa Antonio 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIncreasing salinization in wetland systems is a major threat to ecosystem services carried out by microbial communities. Thus, it is paramount to understand how salinity drives both microbial community structures and their diversity. Here we evaluated the structure and diversity of the prokaryotic communities from a range of highly saline soils (EC1:5 from 5.96 to 61.02 dS/m) from the Odiel Saltmarshes and determined their association with salinity and other soil physicochemical features by analyzing 16S rRNA gene amplicon data through minimum entropy decomposition (MED). We found that these soils harbored unique communities mainly composed of halophilic and halotolerant taxa from the phyla Euryarchaeota, Proteobacteria, Balneolaeota, Bacteroidetes and Rhodothermaeota. In the studied soils, several site-specific properties were correlated with community structure and individual abundances of particular sequence variants. Salinity had a secondary role in shaping prokaryotic communities in these highly saline samples since the dominant organisms residing in them were already well-adapted to a wide range of salinities. We also compared ESV-based results with OTU-clustering derived ones, showing that, in this dataset, no major differences in ecological outcomes were obtained by the employment of one or the other method.
Leaf-associated microbiomes of grafted tomato plants
Authors: Toju Hirokazu , Okayasu Koji , Notaguchi Michitaka 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBacteria and fungi form complex communities (microbiomes) in above- and below-ground organs of plants, contributing to hosts’ growth and survival in various ways. Recent studies have suggested that host plant genotypes control, at least partly, plant-associated microbiome compositions. However, we still have limited knowledge of how microbiome structures are determined in/on grafted crop plants, whose above-ground (scion) and below-ground (rootstock) genotypes are different with each other. By using eight varieties of grafted tomato plants, we examined how rootstock genotypes could determine the assembly of leaf endophytic microbes in field conditions. An Illumina sequencing analysis showed that both bacterial and fungal community structures did not significantly differ among tomato plants with different rootstock genotypes: rather, sampling positions in the farmland contributed to microbiome variation in a major way. Nonetheless, a further analysis targeting respective microbial taxa suggested that some bacteria and fungi could be preferentially associated with particular rootstock treatments. Specifically, a bacterium in the genus Deinococcus was found disproportionately from ungrafted tomato individuals. In addition, yeasts in the genus Hannaella occurred frequently on the tomato individuals whose rootstock genotype was “Ganbarune”. Overall, this study suggests to what extent leaf microbiome structures can be affected/unaffected by rootstock genotypes in grafted crop plants.
Phosphate binding by sucroferric oxyhydroxide ameliorates renal injury in the remnant kidney model
Authors: Nemoto Yoshikazu , Kumagai Takanori , Ishizawa Kenichi , Miura Yutaka , Shiraishi Takeshi , Morimoto Chikayuki , Sakai Kazuhiro , Omizo Hiroki , Yamazaki Osamu , Tamura Yoshifuru , Fujigaki Yoshihide , Kawachi Hiroshi , Kuro-o Makoto , Uchida Shunya , Shibata Shigeru 
Published: February 2019

AbstractRecent clinical studies indicate that the disturbed phosphate metabolism in chronic kidney disease (CKD) may facilitate kidney injury; nonetheless, the causal role of phosphate in CKD progression remains to be elucidated. Here, we show that intestinal phosphate binding by sucroferric oxyhydroxide (SF) ameliorates renal injury in the rat remnant kidney model. Sprague-Dawley rats received 5/6 nephrectomy (RK) and had a normal chow or the same diet containing SF (RK + SF). RK rats showed increased plasma FGF23 and phosphate levels, which were suppressed by SF administration. Of note, albuminuria in RK rats was significantly ameliorated by SF at both 4 and 8 weeks. SF also attenuated glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial injury. Moreover, several different approaches confirmed the protective effects on podocytes, explaining the attenuation of glomerulosclerosis and albuminuria observed in this study. As a possible mechanism, we found that SF attenuated renal inflammation and fibrosis in RK rats. Interestingly, von Kossa staining of the kidney revealed calcium phosphate deposition in neither RK nor RK + SF rats; however, plasma levels of calciprotein particles were significantly reduced by SF. These data indicate that latent positive phosphate balance accelerates CKD progression from early stages, even when overt ectopic calcification is absent.
Characterization of highly conserved G-quadruplex motifs as potential drug targets in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Mishra Subodh Kumar , Jain Neha , Shankar Uma , Tawani Arpita , Sharma Tarun Kumar , Kumar Amit 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSeveral G-quadruplex forming motifs have been reported to be highly conserved in the regulatory regions of the genome of different organisms and influence various biological processes like DNA replication, recombination and gene expression. Here, we report the highly conserved and three potentially G-quadruplex forming motifs (SP-PGQs) in the essential genes (hsdS, recD, and pmrA) of the Streptococcus pneumoniae genome. These genes were previously observed to play a vital role in providing the virulence to the bacteria, by participating in the host-pathogen interaction, drug-efflux system and recombination- repair system. However, the presence and importance of highly conserved G-quadruplex motifs in these genes have not been previously recognized. We employed the CD spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay to confirm the adaptation of the G-quadruplex structure by the SP-PGQs. Further, ITC and CD melting analysis revealed the energetically favorable and thermodynamically stable interaction between a candidate G4 binding small molecule TMPyP4 and SP-PGQs. Next, TFP reporter based assay confirmed the regulatory role of SP-PGQs in the expression of PGQ harboring genes. All these experiments together characterized the SP-PGQs as a promising drug target site for combating the Streptococcus pneumoniae infection.
Fourth finger dependence of high-functioning autism spectrum disorder in multi-digit force coordination
Authors: Togo Shunta , Itahashi Takashi , Hashimoto Ryuichiro , Cai Chang , Kanai Chieko , Kato Nobumasa , Imamizu Hiroshi 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA number of studies have reported that the digit ratio 2D:4D (length of the second finger divided by length of the fourth finger) is smaller (longer fourth digit) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than in typically developed (TD) controls. Because form and function are closely related in biological systems, we hypothesized that the 4D dominance occurs in not only finger morphology but also physical performance in ASD. Individuals with ASD and TD controls participated in a multi-digit force-producing task. Individuals with ASD showed a significant 4D dependence compared to TD controls in the task. We found a significant correlation between 4D dependence and scores of the standard diagnostic instrument across individuals with ASD. Our analysis of functional connectivity in resting-state functional MRI suggests that connectivity between the visual cortex and the cerebellum contributes to the 4D dependence. Collectively, these results extend the 2D:4D ratio beyond being a morphological marker to being involved in motor functions in the form of 4D dependence in a multi-digit force task.
Illusion for Airborne Sound Source by a Closed Layer with Subwavelength Thickness
Authors: Fan Xu-Dong , Liang Bin , Yang Jing , Cheng Jian-Chun 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe past decade witnesses considerable efforts to design acoustic illusion cloak that produces the desired scattered field for a specific object illuminated by an external field. Yet the possibility of generating acoustic illusion directly for a sound source still remains unexplored despite the great fundamental and practical significance, and previous transformation acoustics-based designs need to have bulky sizes in terms of working wavelength. Here we propose to produce arbitrary illusion for an airborne sound source with no need to resort to coordinate transformation method. Based on an inherently different mechanism that uses acoustic metasurface to provide azimuthally-dependent local phase delay to the radiated wavefront, we shrink the thickness of the single layer enclosing the source to subwavelength scale without modulating the shape of layer. The performance of our scheme is demonstrated via distinct phenomena of virtually shifting the source location and introducing angular momentum. Numerical results verify our theoretical predictions, showing the extraordinary capability of the presented device to freely manipulate the radiation pattern of a simplest point source, making it acoustically appearing like another arbitrarily complicated source. Our findings open new avenues to the design and application of acoustic illusion devices and may have deep implications in many diverse fields such as architectural acoustics and biomedical engineering.
Changes in tinnitus after vestibular schwannoma surgery
Authors: Wang Jing-Jing , Feng Yan-Mei , Wang Hui , Wu Ya-Qin , Shi Hai-Bo , Chen Zheng-Nong , Yin Shan-Kai 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe designed a prospective study to evaluate changes in tinnitus after vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery. Subjects included 41 patients who were diagnosed with a VS and underwent translabyrinthine microsurgery (TLM) between January 2015 and May 2016. All patients underwent related examinations and were asked to answer the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scale and a visual analog scale (VAS) of tinnitus severity both pre- and postoperatively. Of the 41 patients, 31 (75.6%) suffered from tinnitus before surgery. Microsurgery was associated with an overall decrease in tinnitus (p < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in THI and VAS scores after surgery (p = 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). The decrease in THI scores in the low-frequency group was significantly larger than that of the mid- and high-frequency groups after surgery (p = 0.034 and p = 0.001, respectively). The loudness of tinnitus decreased significantly after surgery (p = 0.031). Tinnitus in patients with VS improved after TLM. Patients with mid-/high-frequency tinnitus and louder tinnitus preoperatively seemed to have a worse prognosis than those with low-frequency and quieter tinnitus.
Absence of Stressful Conditions Accelerates Dexterous Skill Acquisition in Surgery
Authors: Pavlidis Ioannis , Zavlin Dmitry , Khatri Ashik R. , Wesley Amanveer , Panagopoulos George , Echo Anthony 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe negative impact of strong sympathetic arousal on dexterous performance during formal surgical training is well-known. This study investigates how this relationship might change if surgical training takes place as a hobby in an informal environment. Fifteen medical students volunteered in a 5-week training regimen and weekly performed two standardized microsurgical tasks: circular cutting and simple interrupted suturing. Time was taken and two independent reviewers evaluated the surgical proficiency. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) questionnaires measured subjective anxiety and workload, respectively. A high-resolution thermal imaging camera recorded facial imagery, from which a computational algorithm extracted the perinasal perspiration signal as indicator of sympathetic arousal. Anxiety scores on STAI questionnaires were indifferent for all five sessions. The continuously measured arousal signal from the thermal facial imagery was moderate and did not correlate with surgical proficiency or speed. Progressive experience was the strongest contributor to improved skill and speed, which were attained in record time. It appears that dexterous skill acquisition is facilitated by the absence of strong arousals, which can be naturally eliminated in the context of informal education. Given the low cost and availability of surgical simulators, this result opens the way for re-thinking the current practices in surgical training and beyond.
Global Implications of Local Unfolding Phenomena, Probed by Cysteine Reactivity in Human Frataxin
Authors: Faraj Santiago E. , Noguera Martín E. , Delfino José María , Santos Javier 
Published: February 2019

AbstractLocal events that affect specific regions of proteins are of utmost relevance for stability and function. The aim of this study is to quantitatively assess the importance of locally-focused dynamics by means of a simple chemical modification procedure. Taking human Frataxin as a working model, we investigated local fluctuations of the C-terminal region (the last 16 residues of the protein) by means of three L → C replacement mutants: L98C, L200C and L203C. The conformation and thermodynamic stability of each variant was assessed. All the variants exhibited native features and high stabilities: 9.1 (wild type), 8.1 (L198C), 7.0 (L200C) and 10.0 kcal mol−1 (L203C). In addition, kinetic rates of Cys chemical modification by DTNB and DTDPy were measured, conformational dynamics data were extracted and free energy for the local unfolding of the C-terminal region was estimated. The analysis of these results indicates that the conformation of the C-terminal region fluctuates with partial independence from global unfolding events. Additionally, numerical fittings of the kinetic model of the process suggest that the local transition occurs in the seconds to minutes timescale. In fact, standard free energy differences for local unfolding were found to be significantly lower than those of the global unfolding reaction, showing that chemical modification results may not be explained in terms of the global unfolding reaction alone. These results provide unequivocal experimental evidence of local phenomena with global effects and contribute to understanding how global and local stability are linked to protein dynamics.
Comparison of neutral outgassing of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko inbound and outbound beyond 3 AU from ROSINA/DFMS
Authors: Luspay-Kuti A. , Altwegg K. , Berthelier J. J. , Beth A. , Dhooghe F. , Fiethe B. , Fuselier S. A. , Gombosi T. I. , Hansen K. C. , Hässig M. , Livadiotis G. , Mall U. , Mandt K. E. , Mousis O. , Petrinec S. M. , Rubin M. , Trattner K. J. , Tzou C.-Y. , Wurz P. 
Published: February 2019

Context.Pre-equinox measurements of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko with the mass spectrometer ROSINA/DFMS on board the Rosetta spacecraft revealed a strongly heterogeneous coma. The abundances of major and various minor volatile species were found to depend on the latitude and longitude of the nadir point of the spacecraft. The observed time variability of coma species remained consistent for about three months up to equinox. The chemical variability could be generally interpreted in terms of surface temperature and seasonal effects superposed on some kind of chemical heterogeneity of the nucleus.Aims.We compare here pre-equinox (inbound) ROSINA/DFMS measurements from 2014 to measurements taken after the outbound equinox in 2016, both at heliocentric distances larger than 3 AU. For a direct comparison we limit our observations to the southern hemisphere.Methods.We report the similarities and differences in the concentrations and time variability of neutral species under similar insolation conditions (heliocentric distance and season) pre- and post-equinox, and interpret them in light of the previously published observations. In addition, we extend both the pre- and post-equinox analysis by comparing species concentrations with a mixture of CO2and H2O.Results.Our results show significant changes in the abundances of neutral species in the coma from pre- to post-equinox that are indicative of seasonally driven nucleus heterogeneity.Conclusions.The observed pre- and post-equinox patterns can generally be explained by the strong erosion in the southern hemisphere that moves volatile-rich layers near the surface.
Spatial power spectrum of the photospheric magnetic field during solar minimum
Authors: Zieger B. , Virtanen I. , Mursula K. 
Published: February 2019

Context. During solar minima the spatial power spectrum of the photospheric magnetic field is dominated by the low-degree zonal (axisymmetric; m = 0) harmonic components, reflecting the large polar coronal holes of unipolar magnetic field. However, measuring polar fields is difficult because of the unequal visibility of the two poles during most of the year and the small line-of-sight component of the roughly radial field at high solar latitudes.
Aims. In this paper we derive the spatial power spectrum of the photospheric magnetic field in terms of the harmonic coefficients of the radial component (Br) as well as in terms of the harmonic coefficients of the internal potential (known as Gauss coefficients). We calculate the zonal spatial power spectrum using Mount Wilson Observatory synoptic maps from 1995–1996, during the solar minimum between solar cycles 22 and 23, and investigate how filling or not filling the polar data gaps affects the zonal harmonic coefficients.
Methods. We eliminated the vantage point effect by removing the highest 5° of the measured magnetic field and calculating the latitudinal profile of the zonal median field over the two years, which ensured equal latitudinal data coverage of both solar hemispheres. We then derived the zonal harmonic coefficients using this latitudinal profile of Br.
Results. We find that when the polar data gaps are left unfilled, a strong artificial power above l = 8 is produced. Only the first five zonal harmonic coefficients can be considered reliable in this case. Therefore polar filling is essential to obtain a realistic spatial power spectrum. Filling the polar gap with a constant (non-zero) value yields zonal harmonics that are reliable up to l = 9. We find that the zonal octupole component contributes most to the total spatial power, more than the zonal dipole, even during the solar minimum conditions. This difference is seen more clearly in the case of polar filling. We also prove that the asymmetry of the polar fields during this solar minimum is statistically significant.
Conclusions. Our results emphasize the importance of filling the polar data gaps in order to obtain a correct estimate of the spatial power spectrum of the photospheric field. This helps in estimating the reliability of polar fields and the large-scale structure in synoptic maps of different origin. Our results also verify the asymmetric nature of the polar fields, which is important for the heliospheric magnetic field and for solar dynamo modeling.