bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The most basal ankylosaurine dinosaur from the Albian–Cenomanian of China, with implications for the evolution of the tail club
Authors: Zheng Wenjie , Jin Xingsheng , Azuma Yoichi , Wang Qiongying , Miyata Kazunori , Xu Xing 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe tail club knob is a highly specialized structure thought to characterize a subgroup of the ankylosaurine ankylosaurians, and the oldest documented tail club knob in the fossil record occurred in the Campanian ankylosaurine Pinacosaurus. Here we report a new ankylosaurid Jinyunpelta sinensis, gen. et sp. nov., from the Albian–Cenomanian Liangtoutang Formation, Jinyun County, Zhejiang, China. This is the first definitive and the best preserved ankylosaurid dinosaur ever found in southern China. Jinyunpelta possesses unique cranial features differs from other ankylosaurs including two paranasal apertures level with and posterior to the external naris, a triangular fossa on the anterodorsal edge of the maxilla, an antorbital fossa in the junction between the maxilla, lacrimal and jugal, and an anterior process of the prearticular that lies ventral to the splenial. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests Jinyunpelta as the most basal ankylosaurine dinosaur. Jinyunpelta has a tail club with interlocking caudal vertebrae and a well-developed tail club knob, it represents the oldest and the most basal ankylosaurian known to have a well-developed tail club knob. The new discovery thus demonstrates that a large and highly modified tail club evolved at the base of the ankylosaurine ankylosaurs at least about 100 million years ago.
Evaluation of Polygenic Determinants of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) By a Candidate Genes Resequencing Strategy
Authors: Di Costanzo Alessia , Belardinilli Francesca , Bailetti Diego , Sponziello Marialuisa , D’Erasmo Laura , Polimeni Licia , Baratta Francesco , Pastori Daniele , Ceci Fabrizio , Montali Anna , Girelli Gabriella , De Masi Bruna , Angeloni Antonio , Giannini Giuseppe , Del Ben Maria , Angelico Francesco , Arca Marcello 
Published: February 2018

AbstractNAFLD is a polygenic condition but the individual and cumulative contribution of identified genes remains to be established. To get additional insight into the genetic architecture of NAFLD, GWAS-identified GCKR, PPP1R3B, NCAN, LYPLAL1 and TM6SF2 genes were resequenced by next generation sequencing in a cohort of 218 NAFLD subjects and 227 controls, where PNPLA3 rs738409 and MBOAT7 rs641738 genotypes were also obtained. A total of 168 sequence variants were detected and 47 were annotated as functional. When all functional variants within each gene were considered, only those in TM6SF2 accumulate in NAFLD subjects compared to controls (P = 0.04). Among individual variants, rs1260326 in GCKR and rs641738 in MBOAT7 (recessive), rs58542926 in TM6SF2 and rs738409 in PNPLA3 (dominant) emerged as associated to NAFLD, with PNPLA3 rs738409 being the strongest predictor (OR 3.12, 95% CI, 1.8-5.5, P < 0.001). A 4-SNPs weighted genetic risk score value >0.28 was associated with a 3-fold increased risk of NAFLD. Interestingly, rs61756425 in PPP1R3B and rs641738 in MBOAT7 genes were predictors of NAFLD severity. Overall, TM6SF2, GCKR, PNPLA3 and MBOAT7 were confirmed to be associated with NAFLD and a score based on these genes was highly predictive of this condition. In addition, PPP1R3B and MBOAT7 might influence NAFLD severity.
Nonlinear radiation effect on MHD Carreau nanofluid flow over a radially stretching surface with zero mass flux at the surface
Authors: Lu Dianchen , Ramzan M. , ul Huda Noor , Chung Jae Dong , Farooq Umer 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA mathematical model is envisaged to study the axisymmetric steady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Carreau nanofluid flow under the influence of nonlinear thermal radiation and chemical reaction past a radially stretched surface. Impact of heat generation/absorption with newly introduced zero mass flux condition of nanoparticles at the sheet is an added feature towards novelty of the problem. Further, for nanofluid the most recently organized model namely Buongiorno’s model is assumed that comprises the effects thermophoresis and Brownian motion. Utilizing suitable self-similar transformations, the set of partial differential equations with high nonlinearity are converted into a dimensionless system of ordinary differential equations. Set of these transmuted equations are numerically solved by MATLAB built-in function bvp4c. Impact of germane parameters on all involved profiles are plotted to examine the heat and mass transfer characteristics. This study reveals that the temperature distribution is an escalating function of the heat generation and nonlinear radiation parameters. Also, it is noted that the incrementing values of chemical reaction parameter lowers the nanoparticles concentration profile. A comparison of the present investigation with already published explorations in limiting case is also added to authenticate the presented results; hence reliable results are being presented.
Potential use of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for in vitro and in vivo bioimaging of human myoblasts
Authors: Wierzbinski Kamil R. , Szymanski Tomasz , Rozwadowska Natalia , Rybka Jakub D. , Zimna Agnieszka , Zalewski Tomasz , Nowicka-Bauer Karolina , Malcher Agnieszka , Nowaczyk Magdalena , Krupinski Michal , Fiedorowicz Michal , Bogorodzki Piotr , Grieb Pawel , Giersig Michal , Kurpisz Maciej K. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMyocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most frequent causes of death in industrialized countries. Stem cells therapy seems to be very promising for regenerative medicine. Skeletal myoblasts transplantation into postinfarction scar has been shown to be effective in the failing heart but shows limitations such, e.g. cell retention and survival. We synthesized and investigated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as an agent for direct cell labeling, which can be used for stem cells imaging. High quality, monodisperse and biocompatible DMSA-coated SPIONs were obtained with thermal decomposition and subsequent ligand exchange reaction. SPIONs’ presence within myoblasts was confirmed by Prussian Blue staining and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). SPIONs’ influence on tested cells was studied by their proliferation, ageing, differentiation potential and ROS production. Cytotoxicity of obtained nanoparticles and myoblast associated apoptosis were also tested, as well as iron-related and coating-related genes expression. We examined SPIONs’ impact on overexpression of two pro-angiogenic factors introduced via myoblast electroporation method. Proposed SPION-labeling was sufficient to visualize firefly luciferase-modified and SPION-labeled cells with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with bioluminescence imaging (BLI) in vivo. The obtained results demonstrated a limited SPIONs’ influence on treated skeletal myoblasts, not interfering with basic cell functions.
Improving RNAi in the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: Identification of target genes and reference genes for RT-qPCR
Authors: Mogilicherla Kanakachari , Howell Jeffrey L. , Palli Subba Reddy 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is native to Asia and recently invaded the USA. RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene silencing mechanism in which the introduction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) inhibits gene function by degrading target mRNA. In dsRNA stability assays, the dsRNases present in the hemolymph and salivary gland secretions of BMSB showed lower activity than those in the hemolymph of Heliothis virescens. We evaluated six housekeeping genes (18S rRNA, EF1-α, Actin, Ubiquitin, 60S RP and β-Tubulin) across dsRNA treatments (injection and feeding) in nymphs and adults of BMSB and identified 18S rRNA and 60S RP as the best genes to use as a reference in reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Homologs of 13 genes that were shown to function as effective RNAi targets in other insects were identified and evaluated by injecting dsRNA targeting these homologs into BMSB adults. Five out of 13 dsRNAs tested caused more than 70% mortality by seven days after injection of dsRNA. Feeding dsRNA targeting five of these genes (IAP, ATPase, SNF7, GPCR, and PPI) to nymphs caused more than 70% mortality by three of the five dsRNAs tested. These data suggest that feeding dsRNA causes target gene knockdown and mortality in BMSB.
Repurposing the anthelmintic drug niclosamide to combat Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Tharmalingam Nagendran , Port Jenna , Castillo Dawilmer , Mylonakis Eleftherios 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThere is an urgent need to discover novel antimicrobial therapies. Drug repurposing can reduce the time and cost risk associated with drug development. We report the inhibitory effects of anthelmintic drugs (niclosamide, oxyclozanide, closantel, rafoxanide) against Helicobacter pylori strain 60190 and pursued further characterization of niclosamide against H. pylori. The MIC of niclosamide against H. pylori was 0.25 μg/mL. Niclosamide was stable in acidic pH and demonstrated partial synergy with metronidazole and proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole and pantoprazole. Niclosamide administration at 1 × MIC concentration, eliminated 3-log10 CFU of H. pylori adhesion/invasion to AGS cells. Interestingly, no resistance developed even after exposure of H. pylori bacteria to niclosamide for 30 days. The cytotoxic assay demonstrated that niclosamide is not hemolytic and has an IC50 of 4 μg/mL in hepatic and gastric cell lines. Niclosamide administration decreased transmembrane pH as determined by DiSC3(5) assay indicating that the mechanism of action of the anti-H. pylori activity of niclosamide was the disruption of H. pylori proton motive force. Niclosamide was effective in the Galleria mellonella-H. pylori infection model (p = 0.0001) and it can be develop further to combat H. pylori infection. However, results need to be confirmed with other H. pylori and clinical strains.
Enhanced intracellular delivery via coordinated acoustically driven shear mechanoporation and electrophoretic insertion
Authors: Meacham J. Mark , Durvasula Kiran , Degertekin F. Levent , Fedorov Andrei G. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractDelivery of large and structurally complex target molecules into cells is vital to the emerging areas of cellular modification and molecular therapy. Inadequacy of prevailing in vivo (viral) and in vitro (liposomal) gene transfer methods for delivery of proteins and a growing diversity of synthetic nanomaterials has encouraged development of alternative physical approaches. Efficacy of injury/diffusion-based delivery via shear mechanoporation is largely insensitive to cell type and target molecule; however, enhanced flexibility is typically accompanied by reduced gene transfer effectiveness. We detail a method to improve transfection efficiency through coordinated mechanical disruption of the cell membrane and electrophoretic insertion of DNA to the cell interior. An array of micromachined nozzles focuses ultrasonic pressure waves, creating a high-shear environment that promotes transient pore formation in membranes of transmitted cells. Acoustic Shear Poration (ASP) allows passive cytoplasmic delivery of small to large nongene macromolecules into established and primary cells at greater than 75% efficiency. Addition of an electrophoretic action enables active transport of target DNA molecules to substantially augment transfection efficiency of passive mechanoporation/diffusive delivery without affecting viability. This two-stage poration/insertion method preserves the compelling flexibility of shear-based delivery, yet substantially enhances capabilities for active transport and transfection of plasmid DNA.
Human protective response induced by meningococcus B vaccine is mediated by the synergy of multiple bactericidal epitopes
Authors: Giuliani M. , Bartolini E. , Galli B. , Santini L. , Lo Surdo P. , Buricchi F. , Bruttini M. , Benucci B. , Pacchiani N. , Alleri L. , Donnarumma D. , Pansegrau W. , Peschiera I. , Ferlenghi I. , Cozzi R. , Norais N. , Giuliani M. M. , Maione D. , Pizza M. , Rappuoli R. , Finco O. , Masignani V. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract4CMenB is the first broad coverage vaccine for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B strains. To gain a comprehensive picture of the antibody response induced upon 4CMenB vaccination and to obtain relevant translational information directly from human studies, we have isolated a panel of human monoclonal antibodies from adult vaccinees. Based on the Ig-gene sequence of the variable region, 37 antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies were identified and produced as recombinant Fab fragments, and a subset also produced as full length recombinant IgG1 and functionally characterized. We found that the monoclonal antibodies were cross-reactive against different antigen variants and recognized multiple epitopes on each of the antigens. Interestingly, synergy between antibodies targeting different epitopes enhanced the potency of the bactericidal response. This work represents the first extensive characterization of monoclonal antibodies generated in humans upon 4CMenB immunization and contributes to further unraveling the immunological and functional properties of the vaccine antigens. Moreover, understanding the mechanistic nature of protection induced by vaccination paves the way to more rational vaccine design and implementation.
A metabolomics study of Qiliqiangxin in a rat model of heart failure: a reverse pharmacology approach
Authors: Fu Junzeng , Chang Liping , Harms Amy C. , Jia Zhenhua , Wang Hongtao , Wei Cong , Qiao Li , Tian Shuyan , Hankemeier Thomas , Wu Yiling , Wang Mei 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe Chinese medicine Qiliqiangxin (QL) has been shown to have a protective role in heart failure. Here, we explore the underlying working mechanism of the key therapeutic component in QL using a rat model of heart failure. Heart failure after myocardial infarction was induced surgically and confirmed using echocardiography; a separate group of rats underwent sham surgery. The rats with heart failure were randomly assigned to receive QL, the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor benazepril, or placebo groups. Blood samples were collected from the rats at four time points for up to 8 weeks and used for biochemical analysis and mass spectrometry‒based metabolomics profiling. In total, we measured nine well-known biochemical parameters of heart failure and 147 metabolites. In the rats with heart failure, QL significantly improved these biochemical parameters and metabolomics profiles, significantly increasing the cardioprotective parameter angiopoietin-like 4 and significantly lowering inflammation-related oxylipins and lysophosphatidic acids compared to benazepril. Mechanistically, QL may improve outcome in heart failure by controlling inflammatory process and cardiac hypertrophy. Clinical studies should be designed in order to investigate these putative mechanisms in patients.
De novo transcriptome analysis and gene expression profiling of an oleaginous microalga Scenedesmus acutus TISTR8540 during nitrogen deprivation-induced lipid accumulation
Authors: Sirikhachornkit Anchalee , Suttangkakul Anongpat , Vuttipongchaikij Supachai , Juntawong Piyada 
Published: February 2018

AbstractNitrogen deprivation (−N) has been used as a technique to promote lipid accumulation in various microalgae. Scenedesmus acutus is a promising oleaginous green microalga that can be cultivated in organic wastewater for biodiesel production. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms controlling S. acutus lipid accumulation in response to −N remain unidentified. Physiological study determined that −N reduced cell growth and photosynthetic pigments. On the other hand, it promoted carbohydrate and neutral lipid accumulation. To find the mechanisms underlying lipid accumulation, we performed de novo transcriptome profiling of the non-model S. acutus in response to −N. The transcriptome analysis revealed that glycolysis and starch degradation were up-regulated; on the contrary, gluconeogenesis, photosynthesis, triacylglycerol (TAG) degradation and starch synthesis were down-regulated by −N. Under −N, the carbon flux was shifted toward fatty acid and TAG synthesis, and the down regulation of TAG lipase genes may contribute to TAG accumulation. A comparative analysis of the −N transcriptomes of oleaginous microalgae identified that the down-regulation of multiple lipase genes was a specific mechanism found only in the −N transcriptome of S. acutus. Our study unraveled the mechanisms controlling −N-induced lipid accumulation in S. acutus, and provided new perspectives for the genetic manipulation of biodiesel-producing microalgae.
Molecular detection of colistin resistance genes (mcr-1, mcr-2 and mcr-3) in nasal/oropharyngeal and anal/cloacal swabs from pigs and poultry
Authors: Zhang Jilei , Chen Li , Wang Jiawei , Yassin Afrah Kamal , Butaye Patrick , Kelly Patrick , Gong Jiansen , Guo Weina , Li Jing , Li Min , Yang Feng , Feng Zhixing , Jiang Ping , Song Chunlian , Wang Yaoyao , You Jinfeng , Yang Yi , Price Stuart , Qi Kezong , Kang Yuan , Wang Chengming 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAntimicrobial resistance against colistin has emerged worldwide and is threatening the efficacy of colistin treatment of multi-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, PCRs were used to detect mcr genes (mcr-1, mcr-2, mcr-3) in 213 anal and 1,339 nasal swabs from pigs (n = 1,454) in nine provinces of China, and 1,696 cloacal and 1,647 oropharyngeal samples from poultry (n = 1,836) at live-bird markets in 24 provinces. The mcr-1 prevalences in pigs (79.2%) and geese (71.7%) were significantly higher than in chickens (31.8%), ducks (34.6%) and pigeons (13.1%). The mcr-2 prevalence in pigs was 56.3%, significantly higher than in chickens (5.5%), ducks (2.3%), geese (5.5%) and pigeons (0%). The mcr-3 prevalences in pigs (18.7%), ducks (13.8%) and geese (11.9%) were significantly higher than in chickens (5.2%) and pigeons (5.1%). In total, 173 pigs and three chickens were positive for all three mcr genes. The prevalences of the mcr were significantly higher in nasal/oropharyngeal swabs than in the anal /cloacal swabs. Phylogenetic studies identified 33 new mcr-2 variants and 12 new mcr-3 variants. This study demonstrates high prevalences of mcr in pigs and poultry in China, and indicates there is need for more thorough surveillance and control programs to prevent further selection of colistin resistance.
Role and regulation of growth plate vascularization during coupling with osteogenesis in tibial dyschondroplasia of chickens
Authors: Huang Shu-cheng , Zhang Li-hong , Zhang Jia-lu , Rehman Mujeeb Ur , Tong Xiao-le , Qiu Gang , Jiang Xiong , Iqbal Mujahid , Shahzad Muhammad , Shen Yao-qin , Li Jia-kui 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is the most-prevalent leg disorder in fast-growing chickens; it is intractable and characterized by abnormal endochondral bone formation of proximal tibial growth-plates (TGPs). Previous studies have shown that bone is a highly vascularized tissue dependent on the coordinated coupling between angiogenesis and osteogenesis, but the underlying mechanisms of bone formation and bone remodeling are poorly defined in TD chickens. Here, we observed that inhibition of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis remarkably impaired vascular invasion in the hypertrophic chondrocyte zone of the TGPs, resulting in the massive death of chondrocytes due to a shortage of blood vessels and nutrients. Moreover, the balance of the OPG (osteoprotegerin)/RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand) system is also severely disrupted during the osteogenesis process while coupling with angiogenesis, both of which eventually lead to abnormal endochondral bone formation in TD chickens. Thus, the process of vascular formation in endochondral bone appears to initiate the pathological changes in TD, and improvement of this process during coupling with osteogenesis may be a potential therapeutic approach to treat this intractable disease.
Parallel graded attention in reading: A pupillometric study
Authors: Snell Joshua , Mathôt Sebastiaan , Mirault Jonathan , Grainger Jonathan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThere are roughly two lines of theory to account for recent evidence that word processing is influenced by adjacent orthographic information. One line assumes that multiple words can be processed simultaneously through a parallel graded distribution of visuo-spatial attention. The other line assumes that attention is strictly directed to single words, but that letter detectors are connected to both foveal and parafoveal feature detectors, as such driving parafoveal-foveal integrative effects. Putting these two accounts to the test, we build on recent research showing that the pupil responds to the brightness of covertly attended (i.e., without looking) locations in the visual field. Experiment 1 showed that foveal target word processing was facilitated by related parafoveal flanking words when these were positioned to the left and right of the target, but not when these were positioned above and below the target. Perfectly in line with this asymmetry, in Experiment 2 we found that the pupil size was contingent with the brightness of the locations of horizontally but not vertically aligned flankers, indicating that attentional resources were allocated to those words involved in the parafoveal-on-foveal effect. We conclude that orthographic parafoveal-on-foveal effects are driven by parallel graded attention.
Influenza A viruses alter the stability and antiviral contribution of host E3-ubiquitin ligase Mdm2 during the time-course of infection
Authors: Pizzorno Andrés , Dubois Julia , Machado Daniela , Cartet Gaëlle , Traversier Aurelien , Julien Thomas , Lina Bruno , Bourdon Jean-Christophe , Rosa-Calatrava Manuel , Terrier Olivier 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe interplay between influenza A viruses (IAV) and the p53 pathway has been reported in several studies, highlighting the antiviral contribution of p53. Here, we investigated the impact of IAV on the E3-ubiquitin ligase Mdm2, a major regulator of p53, and observed that IAV targets Mdm2, notablyviaits non-structural protein (NS1), therefore altering Mdm2 stability, p53/Mdm2 interaction and regulatory loop during the time-course of infection. This study also highlights a new antiviral facet of Mdm2 possibly increasing the list of its many p53-independent functions. Altogether, our work contributes to better understand the mechanisms underlining the complex interactions between IAV and the p53 pathway, for which both NS1 and Mdm2 arise as key players.
Semiconductor nanostructure quantum ratchet for high efficiency solar cells
Authors: Vaquero-Stainer Anthony , Yoshida Megumi , Hylton Nicholas P. , Pusch Andreas , Curtin Oliver , Frogley Mark , Wilson Thomas , Clarke Edmund , Kennedy Kenneth , Ekins-Daukes Nicholas J. , Hess Ortwin , Phillips Chris C. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractConventional solar cell efficiencies are capped by the ~31% Shockley–Queisser limit because, even with an optimally chosen bandgap, some red photons will go unabsorbed and the excess energy of the blue photons is wasted as heat. Here we demonstrate a “quantum ratchet” device that avoids this limitation by inserting a pair of linked states that form a metastable photoelectron trap in the bandgap. It is designed both to reduce non-radiative recombination, and to break the Shockley–Queisser limit by introducing an additional “sequential two photon absorption” (STPA) excitation channel across the bandgap. We realise the quantum ratchet concept with a semiconductor nanostructure. It raises the electron lifetime in the metastable trap by ~104, and gives a STPA channel that increases the photocurrent by a factor of ~50%. This result illustrates a new paradigm for designing ultra-efficient photovoltaic devices.