bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The expression of four pyridoxal kinase (PDXK) human variants in Drosophila impacts on genome integrity
Authors: Mascolo Elisa , Barile Anna , Mecarelli Lorenzo Stufera , Amoroso Noemi , Merigliano Chiara , Massimi Arianna , Saggio Isabella , Hansen Torben , Tramonti Angela , Di Salvo Martino Luigi , Barbetti Fabrizio , Contestabile Roberto , Vernì Fiammetta 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn eukaryotes, pyridoxal kinase (PDXK) acts in vitamin B6salvage pathway to produce pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP), the active form of the vitamin, which is implicated in numerous crucial metabolic reactions. In Drosophila, mutations in the dPdxk gene cause chromosome aberrations (CABs) and increase glucose content in larval hemolymph. Both phenotypes are rescued by the expression of the wild type human PDXK counterpart. Here we expressed, in dPdxk1 mutant flies, four PDXK human variants: three (D87H, V128I and H246Q) listed in databases, and one (A243G) found in a genetic screening in patients with diabetes. Differently from human wild type PDXK, none of the variants was able to completely rescue CABs and glucose content elicited by dPdxk1 mutation. Biochemical analysis of D87H, V128I, H246Q and A243G proteins revealed reduced catalytic activity and/or reduced affinity for PLP precursors which justify this behavior. Although these variants are rare in population and carried in heterozygous condition, our findings suggest that in certain metabolic contexts and diseases in which PLP levels are reduced, the presence of these PDXK variants could threaten genome integrity and increase cancer risk.
Balanced, bi-planar magnetic field and field gradient coils for field compensation in wearable magnetoencephalography
Authors: Holmes Niall , Tierney Tim M. , Leggett James , Boto Elena , Mellor Stephanie , Roberts Gillian , Hill Ryan M. , Shah Vishal , Barnes Gareth R. , Brookes Matthew J. , Bowtell Richard 
Published: October 2019

AbstractTo allow wearable magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings to be made on unconstrained subjects the spatially inhomogeneous remnant magnetic field inside the magnetically shielded room (MSR) must be nulled. Previously, a large bi-planar coil system which produces uniform fields and field gradients was used for this purpose. Its construction presented a significant challenge, six distinct coils were wound on two 1.6 × 1.6 m2 planes. Here, we exploit shared coil symmetries to produce coils simultaneously optimised to generate homogenous fields and gradients. We show nulling performance comparable to that of a six-coil system is achieved with this three-coil system, decreasing the strongest field component Bx by a factor of 53, and the strongest gradient dBx/dz by a factor of 7. To allow the coils to be used in environments with temporally-varying magnetic interference a dynamic nulling system was developed with a shielding factor of 40 dB at 0.01 Hz. Reducing the number of coils required and incorporating dynamic nulling should allow for greater take-up of this technology. Interactions of the coils with the high-permeability walls of the MSR were investigated using a method of images approach. Simulations show a degrading of field uniformity which was broadly consistent with measured values. These effects should be incorporated into future designs.
Chitin–glucan and pomegranate polyphenols improve endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Neyrinck Audrey M. , Catry Emilie , Taminiau Bernard , Cani Patrice D. , Bindels Laure B. , Daube Georges , Dessy Chantal , Delzenne Nathalie M. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe vascular dysfunction is the primary event in the occurrence of cardio-vascular risk, and no treatment exists until now. We tested for the first time the hypothesis that chitin-glucan (CG) - an insoluble fibre with prebiotic properties- and polyphenol-rich pomegranate peel extract (PPE) can improve endothelial and inflammatory disorders in a mouse model of cardiovascular disease (CVD), namely by modulating the gut microbiota. Male Apolipoprotein E knock-out (ApoE−/−) mice fed a high fat (HF) diet developed a significant endothelial dysfunction attested by atherosclerotic plaques and increasing abundance of caveolin-1 in aorta. The supplementation with CG + PPE in the HF diet reduced inflammatory markers both in the liver and in the visceral adipose tissue together with a reduction of hepatic triglycerides. In addition, it increased the activating form of endothelial NO-synthase in mesenteric arteries and the heme-nitrosylated haemoglobin (Hb-NO) blood levels as compared with HF fed ApoE−/− mice, suggesting a higher capacity of mesenteric arteries to produce nitric oxide (NO). This study allows to pinpoint gut bacteria, namely Lactobacillus and Alistipes, that could be implicated in the management of endothelial and inflammatory dysfunctions associated with CVD, and to unravel the role of nutrition in the modulation of those bacteria.
Reduced network extremal ensemble learning (RenEEL) scheme for community detection in complex networks
Authors: Guo Jiahao , Singh Pramesh , Bassler Kevin E. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWe introduce an ensemble learning scheme for community detection in complex networks. The scheme uses a Machine Learning algorithmic paradigm we call Extremal Ensemble Learning. It uses iterative extremal updating of an ensemble of network partitions, which can be found by a conventional base algorithm, to find a node partition that maximizes modularity. At each iteration, core groups of nodes that are in the same community in every ensemble partition are identified and used to form a reduced network. Partitions of the reduced network are then found and used to update the ensemble. The smaller size of the reduced network makes the scheme efficient. We use the scheme to analyze the community structure in a set of commonly studied benchmark networks and find that it outperforms all other known methods for finding the partition with maximum modularity.
Modeling the global distribution of Culicoides imicola: an Ensemble approach
Authors: Leta Samson , Fetene Eyerusalem , Mulatu Tesfaye , Amenu Kebede , Jaleta Megarsa Bedasa , Beyene Tariku Jibat , Negussie Haileleul , Revie Crawford W. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCulicoides imicola is a midge species serving as vector for a number of viral diseases of livestock, including Bluetongue, and African Horse Sickness. C. imicola is also known to transmit Schmallenberg virus experimentally. Environmental and demographic factors may impose rapid changes on the global distribution of C. imicola and aid introduction into new areas. The aim of this study is to predict the global distribution of C. imicola using an ensemble modeling approach by combining climatic, livestock distribution and land cover covariates, together with a comprehensive global dataset of geo-positioned occurrence points for C. imicola. Thirty individual models were generated by ‘biomod2’, with 21 models scoring a true skill statistic (TSS) >0.8. These 21 models incorporated weighted runs from eight of ten algorithms and were used to create a final ensemble model. The ensemble model performed very well (TSS = 0.898 and ROC = 0.991) and indicated high environmental suitability for C. imicola in the tropics and subtropics. The habitat suitability for C. imicola spans from South Africa to southern Europe and from southern USA to southern China. The distribution of C. imicola is mainly constrained by climatic factors. In the ensemble model, mean annual minimum temperature had the highest overall contribution (42.9%), followed by mean annual maximum temperature (21.1%), solar radiation (13.6%), annual precipitation (11%), livestock distribution (6.2%), vapor pressure (3.4%), wind speed (0.8%), and land cover (0.1%). The present study provides the most up-to-date predictive maps of the potential distributions of C. imicola and should be of great value for decision making at global and regional scales.
ADMA as a possible marker of endothelial damage. A study in young asymptomatic patients with cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Janes Francesco , Cifù Adriana , Pessa Maria Elena , Domenis Rossana , Gigli Gian Luigi , Sanvilli Nova , Nilo Annacarmen , Garbo Riccardo , Curcio Francesco , Giacomello Roberta , Fabris Martina , Valente Mariarosaria 
Published: October 2019

AbstractSporadic small vessel disease (SVD) has high prevalence in aging population and stroke patients, but also in younger asymptomatic subjects. In this last group it can represents a prelude to stroke and cognitive impairment. Still nowadays, its pathogenesis is unclear. 35 consecutive patients with SVD at brain MRI and 35 age- and sex-matched controls, between January 2016 and February 2018, underwent an extended screening for thrombophilia, autoimmunity and evaluated levels of blood markers of inflammation and endothelial activation. Asymmetric DiMethyl Arginine (ADMA) levels proved higher in patients (70.44 ± 36.25 ng/ml vs. 46.58 ± 30.67 ng/ml; p = 0.004), also after controlling for confounding factors. ADMA levels showed positive correlation with Fazekas score (r = 0.304; p = 0.01). ROC curve analysis showed a moderate accuracy in discriminating patients and controls (AUC = 0.70; CI 0.57–0.82; p = 0.004): a cut-off of 46 ng/ml is associated with 80% sensitivity, but limited (54%) specificity. Higher ADMA levels characterize selected subjects with sporadic SVD, asymptomatic for vascular diseases and without latent inflammatory conditions or coagulopathy. This reinforces the hypothesis of the key role of endothelial dysfunction in SVD. Further studies should explore the cause-effect relationship between ADMA pathway and SVD.
Strain diversity of Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue suggests rare interspecies transmission in African nonhuman primates
Authors: Chuma Idrissa S. , Roos Christian , Atickem Anagaw , Bohm Torsten , Anthony Collins D. , Grillová Linda , Hallmaier-Wacker Luisa K. , Kazwala Rudovick R. , Keyyu Julius D. , Lüert Simone , Maloueki Ulrich , Oppelt Jan , Petrželková Klára J. , Piel Alexander , Stewart Fiona A. , Šmajs David , Knauf Sascha 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn our most recent study, we found that in Tanzania infection with Treponema pallidum (TP) subsp. pertenue (TPE) is present in four different monkey species. In order to gain information on the diversity and epidemiological spread of the infection in Tanzanian nonhuman primates (NHP), we identified two suitable candidate genes for multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). We demonstrate the functionality of the MLST system in invasively and non-invasively collected samples. While we were not able to demonstrate frequent interspecies transmission of TPE in Tanzanian monkeys, our results show a clustering of TPE strains according to geography and not host species, which is suggestive for rare transmission events between different NHP species. In addition to the geographic stability, we describe the relative temporal stability of the strains infecting NHPs and identified multi-strain infection. Differences between TPE strains of NHP and human origin are highlighted. Our results show that antibiotic resistance does not occur in Tanzanian TPE strains of NHP origin.
Decoding multifarious role of cow dung bacteria in mobilization of zinc fractions along with growth promotion of C. annuum L.
Authors: Bhatt Kalpana , Maheshwari Dinesh Kumar 
Published: October 2019

AbstractZinc is one of the micronutrients, required by all types of crops. About 10–100ppm of zinc is present in soil which is generally immobile. The cow dung sustains all life and being practice since aeons. Exploitation of cow dung bacteria can mobilize nutrients besides contributing in sustainable agriculture. Therefore, to examine mobilization of Zn, cow dung is used as a source of bacteria. The objectives of the present study were to isolate an array of bacteria from cow dung and to characterize them for their Zn (ZnO and ZnCO3) mobilization ability in addition to establish the optimum conditions for dissolution of zinc. A total of seventy bacterial isolates have been screened for Zn mobilization. Out of which most potent (CDK15 and CDK25) were selected to study the effect of various parameters viz. pH, temperature and concentration of Zn. These parameters were assessed qualitatively in diverse growth medium and quantitatively using Atomic absorption spectroscopy. Optimum pH and temperature for mobilization was recorded at pH 5 (ZnO) and 37 °C (ZnCO3) by CDK25, whereas, optimum zinc concentration for mobilization was recorded at 0.05% (ZnO) by CDK15. Maximum amount of Zn solubilized was recorded by CDK25 in ZnO (20ppm). Considering the abilities of most potent bacterial isolates with reference to P-mobilization and growth promoting traits, pot culture assay of C. annuum L. was carried out. The findings of which conclude that, bacterium CDK25 (Bacillus megaterium) could be exploited for factors viz. nutrient management of Zn, growth promoting agent, and Zn augmentation in soil.
MMP-2 and MMP-9 plasma levels are potential biomarkers for indeterminate and cardiac clinical forms progression in chronic Chagas disease
Authors: Medeiros Nayara I. , Gomes Juliana A. S. , Fiuza Jacqueline A. , Sousa Giovane R. , Almeida Eliane F. , Novaes Renata O. , Rocha Virgínia L. S. , Chaves Ana T. , Dutra Walderez O. , Rocha Manoel O. C. , Correa-Oliveira Rodrigo 
Published: October 2019

AbstractOne of the major challenges in chronic Chagas disease is to understand the mechanisms that predict the clinical evolution from asymptomatic to severe cardiac clinical forms. Our cohort consisted of twenty-eight Chagas disease patients followed for twenty years. Plasma levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 gelatinases and TIMPs were evaluated by multiplexed immunoassay at two points in time with an average interval of six years. MMP-2 plasma levels, but not MMP-9, increased in cardiac patients over time. TIMP-1 levels diminished in cardiac patients, while TIMP-3 dropped in asymptomatic patients in the course of the evaluated interval. An inversion of time lines was observed relative to the clinical asymptomatic and cardiac forms for MMP-2. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis identified MMP-2 as a biomarker to distinguish asymptomatic from cardiac clinical forms, while MMP-9 is a biomarker that segregates infected from non-infected patients. We have pointed out that MMP-2 and MMP-9 together can predict clinical evolution in Chagas disease. MMP-2 was suggested as a biomarker for fibrosis replacement in early remodeling and a sensitive predictor for initial changes in asymptomatic patients that may evolve into the cardiac clinical form. MMP-9 seems to be a biomarker for late fibrosis and severe cardiac remodeling in cardiac patients.
Acquisition of a side population fraction augments malignant phenotype in ovarian cancer
Authors: Yamanoi Koji , Baba Tsukasa , Abiko Kaoru , Hamanishi Junzo , Yamaguchi Ken , Murakami Ryusuke , Taki Mana , Hosoe Yuko , Murphy Susan K. , Konishi Ikuo , Mandai Masaki , Matsumura Noriomi 
Published: October 2019

AbstractSide population (SP) cells harbor malignant phenotypes in cancer. The aim of this study was to identify genes that modulate the proportion of ovarian cancer SP cells. Using a shRNA library targeting 15,000 genes, a functional genomics screen was performed to identify genes whose suppression increased the SP percentage. The biological effects caused by alteration of those identified genes were investigated in vitro and in vivo. We found that suppression of MSL3, ZNF691, VPS45, ITGB3BP, TLE2, and ZNF498 increased the proportion of SP cells. Newly generated SP cells exhibit greater capacity for sphere formation, single cell clonogenicity, and in vivo tumorigenicity. On the contrary, overexpression of MSL3, VPS45, ITGB3BP, TLE2, and ZNF498 decreased the proportion of SP cells, sphere formation capacity and single cell clonogenicity. In ovarian cancer cases, low expression of MSL3, ZNF691 and VPS45 was related to poor prognosis. Suppression of these six genes enhanced activity of the hedgehog pathway. Cyclopamine, a hedgehog pathway inhibitor, significantly decreased the number of SP cells and their sphere forming ability. Our results provide new information regarding molecular mechanisms favoring SP cells and suggest that Hedgehog signaling may provide a viable target for ovarian cancer.
Pollinators enhance crop yield and shorten the growing season by modulating plant functional characteristics: A comparison of 23 canola varieties
Authors: Adamidis George C. , Cartar Ralph V. , Melathopoulos Andony P. , Pernal Stephen F. , Hoover Shelley E. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractInsect pollination of flowers should change the within-season allocation of resources in plants. But the nature of this life-history response, particularly regarding allocation to roots, photosynthetic structures, and flowers, is empirically unresolved. This study uses a greenhouse experiment to investigate the effect of insect pollination on the reproductive output of 23 varieties of a globally important crop—canola (Brassica napus). Overall, insect pollination modified the functional characteristics (flower timing & effort, plant size & shape, seed packaging, root biomass) of canola, increasing seed production and quality, and pollinator dependence. Reproductive output and pollinator dependence were defined by strong trait trade-offs, which ranged from more pollinator-dependent plants favouring early reproductive effort, to less pollinator-dependent plants favouring a prolonged phenology with smaller plant size and lower seed quality. Seed production decreased with pollinator dependence in the absence of pollinators. The agricultural preference for hybrid varieties will increase seed production compared to open-pollinated varieties, but, even so, pollinators typically enhance seed production of both types. Our study elucidates how insect pollination alters the character and function of a globally important crop, supporting optimization of yield via intensification of insect pollination, and highlights the beneficial effects of insect pollination early in the season.
X-Ray Diffraction Tomography Recovery of the 3D Displacement-Field Function of the Coulomb-Type Point Defect in a Crystal
Authors: Chukhovskii F. N. , Konarev P. V. , Volkov V. V. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractA successive approach to the solution of the inverse problem of the X-ray diffraction tomography (XRDT) is proposed. It is based on the semi-kinematical solution of the dynamical Takagi–Taupin equations for the σ-polarized diffracted wave amplitude. Theoretically, the case of the Coulomb-type point defect in a single crystal Si(111) under the exact conditions of the symmetric Laue diffraction for a set of the tilted X-ray topography 2D-images (2D projections) is considered provided that the plane-parallel sample is rotated around the diffraction vector [$$\bar{{\bf{2}}}$$

2
¯

20]. The iterative simulated annealing (SA) and quasi-Newton gradient descent (qNGD) algorithm codes are used for a recovery of the 3D displacement-field function of the Coulomb-type point defect. The computer recovery data of the 3D displacement-field function related to the one XRDT 2D projection are presented. It is proved that the semi-kinematical approach to the solution of the dynamical Takagi–Taupin equations is effective for recovering the 3D displacement-field function even for the one XRDT 2D projection.
Thyroid endocrine status and biochemical stress responses in adult male Wistar rats chronically exposed to pristine polystyrene nanoplastics
Authors: Amereh Fatemeh , Eslami Akbar , Fazelipour Simin , Rafiee Mohammad , Zibaii Mohammad Ismail , Babaei Mohammad 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Toxicity evaluations of micro- or nano-sized plastics in rodent species commonly employed for toxicity analyses based on which risk assessment for humans could be performed are still largely lacking. Given this knowledge gap, the present work was aimed at determining the potential impact of chronic exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (PS NPs) on the thyroid endocrine status and biochemical stress in a rat model. Young adult male rats were orally administered with PS NPs (1, 3, 6 and 10 mg kg−1 day−1) for five weeks. Thyroid hormones (THs) l-thyroxine (T4), l-triiodothyronine (T3), l-free triiodothyronine (FT3), and l-free thyroxine (FT4) as well as thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) serum levels of normal rats and those exposed to PS NPs were compared. Serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol, and creatinine, as well as glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) enzymes were also measured. Exposure to PS NPs suppressed the serum levels of T3 and circulating levels of THs, whereas TSH increased significantly. Though exposure to PS NPs did not affect the molar ratios of T3/T4, it induced a slight, but significant, increase in FT3/FT4. In addition, exposure to plastic nanoparticles showed signs of nephrotoxicity induction and kidney injury in exposed organisms as can be inferred from the significantly higher serum levels of creatinine in exposed groups. Our results provide clear evidence of an association between exposure to plastic NPs and thyroid endocrine disruption as well as metabolic deficit, and generate new leads for future research efforts.
Origin of hydrogen fluoride emission in the Orion Bar
Authors: Kavak Ü. , van der Tak F. F. S. , Tielens A. G. G. M. , Shipman R. F. 
Published: October 2019

Context. The hydrogen fluoride (HF) molecule is seen in absorption in the interstellar medium (ISM) along many lines of sight. Surprisingly, it is observed in emission toward the Orion Bar, which is an interface between the ionized region around the Orion Trapezium stars and the Orion molecular cloud.
Aims. We aim to understand the origin of HF emission in the Orion Bar by comparing its spatial distribution with other tracers. We examine three mechanisms to explain the HF emission: thermal excitation, radiative dust pumping, and chemical pumping.
Methods. We used a Herschel/HIFI strip map of the HF J = 1 → 0 line, covering 0.5′ by 1.5′ that is oriented perpendicular to the Orion Bar. We used the RADEX non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) code to construct the HF column density map. We use the Meudon PDR code to explain the morphology of HF.
Results. The bulk of the HF emission at 10 km s−1 emerges from the CO-dark molecular gas that separates the ionization front from the molecular gas that is deeper in the Orion Bar. The excitation of HF is caused mainly by collisions with H2 at a density of 105 cm−3 together with a small contribution of electrons in the interclump gas of the Orion Bar. Infrared pumping and chemical pumping are not important.
Conclusions. We conclude that the HF J = 1 → 0 line traces CO-dark molecular gas. Similarly, bright photodissociation regions associated with massive star formation may be responsible for the HF emission observed toward active galactic nuclei.
Top-Ten Tips for Effective Imaging of Axial Spondyloarthritis
Authors: Reijnierse Monique , Eshed Iris , Gaalen Floris van 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAxial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory condition that encompasses ankylosing spondylitis as well as nonradiographic axSpA and can lead to chronic pain, structural damage, and disability. The disease is strongly associated with the presence of human leukocyte antigen-B27. Early diagnosis of axSpA is significant due to new treatment regimens leading to reduction of inflammation and potentially delaying disease progression. Imaging of the sacroiliac joints and the spine plays an important role in the early diagnosis of spondyloarthritis. In the current review, the top-ten tips for the effective imaging of axSpA are presented to help both radiologists and rheumatologists in using imaging properly and effectively in their clinical practice.