bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Difference in virulence and composition of a cariogenic biofilm according to substratum direction
Authors: Dang Minh-Huy , Jung Ji-Eun , Choi Hyeon-Mi , Jeon Jae-Gyu 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the difference in composition and virulence of Streptococcus mutans biofilms according to substratum direction. S. mutans biofilms (46-h-old) were formed on three different saliva-coated hydroxyapatite (sHA) disc direction groups: downward (discs placed in the direction of gravity), vertical (discs placed parallel to gravity direction), and upward (discs placed opposite to gravity). The 46-h-old biofilms on sHA discs in the upward direction showed the highest biofilm accumulation, colony forming unit (CFU) count, and extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) amount, followed by those in the vertical and downward directions. In the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) study, the biofilms in the upward direction also showed the highest bacterial count (live or dead cells) and EPS biovolume. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed the microbiological and biochemical results. In addition, biofilm density and acid production were higher in the upward direction than those in the other directions. Our findings suggest that substratum direction, which might be related to gravity, strongly influences the formation and virulence of cariogenic biofilms and subsequent initiation of dental caries. Collectively, the differences in the formation and virulence of cariogenic biofilms are related to the direction of tooth surface (occlusal surfaces of mandibular teeth > proximal surfaces > occlusal surfaces of maxillary teeth).
Characteristics determining host suitability for a generalist parasite
Authors: Stokke Bård G. , Ratikainen Irja I. , Moksnes Arne , Røskaft Eivin , Schulze-Hagen Karl , Leech David I. , Møller Anders Pape , Fossøy Frode 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHost quality is critical for parasites. The common cuckooCuculus canorusis a generalist avian brood parasite, but individual females show strong preference for a specific host species. Here, we use three extensive datasets to investigate different host characteristics determining cuckoo host selection at the species level: (i) 1871 population-specific parasitism rates collected across Europe; (ii) 14 K cases of parasitism in the United Kingdom; and (iii) 16 K cases of parasitism in Germany, with data collected during the period 1735–2013. We find highly consistent effects of the different host species traits across our three datasets: the cuckoo prefers passerine host species of intermediate size that breed in grass- or shrubland and that feed their nestlings with insects, and avoids species that nest in cavities. Based on these results, we construct a novel host suitability index for all passerine species breeding in Europe, and show that host species known to have a corresponding cuckoo host race (gens) rank among the most suitable hosts in Europe. The distribution of our suitability index shows that host species cannot be classified as suitable or not but rather range within a continuum of suitability.
Birth size and gestational age in opposite-sex twins as compared to same-sex twins: An individual-based pooled analysis of 21 cohorts
Authors: Jelenkovic Aline , Sund Reijo , Yokoyama Yoshie , Hur Yoon-Mi , Ullemar Vilhelmina , Almqvist Catarina , Magnusson Patrik KE , Willemsen Gonneke , Bartels Meike , Beijsterveldt Catharina EM van , Bogl Leonie H. , Pietiläinen Kirsi H , Vuoksimaa Eero , Ji Fuling , Ning Feng , Pang Zengchang , Nelson Tracy L , Whitfield Keith E. , Rebato Esther , Llewellyn Clare H. , Fisher Abigail , Bayasgalan Gombojav , Narandalai Danshiitsoodol , Bjerregaard-Andersen Morten , Beck-Nielsen Henning , Sodemann Morten , Tarnoki Adam D. , Tarnoki David L. , Ooki Syuichi , Stazi Maria A. , Fagnani Corrado , Brescianini Sonia , Dubois Lise , Boivin Michel , Brendgen Mara , Dionne Ginette , Vitaro Frank , Cutler Tessa L , Hopper John L. , Krueger Robert F. , McGue Matt , Pahlen Shandell , Craig Jeffrey M. , Saffery Richard , Haworth Claire MA , Plomin Robert , Knafo-Noam Ariel , Mankuta David , Abramson Lior , Burt S Alexandra , Klump Kelly L. , Vlietinck Robert F. , Derom Catherine A. , Loos Ruth JF , Boomsma Dorret I. , Sørensen Thorkild I. A. , Kaprio Jaakko , Silventoinen Karri 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIt is well established that boys are born heavier and longer than girls, but it remains unclear whether birth size in twins is affected by the sex of their co-twin. We conducted an individual-based pooled analysis of 21 twin cohorts in 15 countries derived from the COllaborative project of Development of Anthropometrical measures in Twins (CODATwins), including 67,850 dizygotic twin individuals. Linear regression analyses showed that boys having a co-twin sister were, on average, 31 g (95% CI 18 to 45) heavier and 0.16 cm (95% CI 0.045 to 0.274) longer than those with a co-twin brother. In girls, birth size was not associated (5 g birth weight; 95% CI −8 to −18 and −0.089 cm birth length; 95% CI −0.202 to 0.025) with the sex of the co-twin. Gestational age was slightly shorter in boy-boy pairs than in boy-girl and girl-girl pairs. When birth size was standardized by gestational age, the magnitude of the associations was attenuated in boys, particularly for birth weight. In conclusion, boys with a co-twin sister are heavier and longer at birth than those with a co-twin brother. However, these differences are modest and partly explained by a longer gestation in the presence of a co-twin sister.
Quantifying MRI frequency shifts due to structures with anisotropic magnetic susceptibility using pyrolytic graphite sheet
Authors: Cronin Matthew J. , Bowtell Richard 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMagnetic susceptibility is an important source of contrast in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with spatial variations in the susceptibility of tissue affecting both the magnitude and phase of the measured signals. This contrast has generally been interpreted by assuming that tissues have isotropic magnetic susceptibility, but recent work has shown that the anisotropic magnetic susceptibility of ordered biological tissues, such as myelinated nerves and cardiac muscle fibers, gives rise to unexpected image contrast. This behavior occurs because the pattern of field variation generated by microstructural elements formed from material of anisotropic susceptibility can be very different from that predicted by modelling the effects in terms of isotropic susceptibility. In MR images of tissue, such elements are manifested at a sub-voxel length-scale, so the patterns of field variation that they generate cannot be directly visualized. Here, we used pyrolytic graphite sheet which has a large magnetic susceptibility anisotropy to form structures of known geometry with sizes large enough that the pattern of field variation could be mapped directly using MRI. This allowed direct validation of theoretical expressions describing the pattern of field variation from anisotropic structures with biologically relevant shapes (slabs, spherical shells and cylindrical shells).
Light-induced propulsion of a giant liposome driven by peptide nanofibre growth
Authors: Inaba Hiroshi , Uemura Akihito , Morishita Kazushi , Kohiki Taiki , Shigenaga Akira , Otaka Akira , Matsuura Kazunori 
Published: April 2018

AbstractLight-driven nano/micromotors are attracting much attention, not only as molecular devices but also as components of bioinspired robots. In nature, several pathogens such as Listeria use actin polymerisation machinery for their propulsion. Despite the development of various motors, it remains challenging to mimic natural systems to create artificial motors propelled by fibre formation. Herein, we report the propulsion of giant liposomes driven by light-induced peptide nanofibre growth on their surface. Peptide-DNA conjugates connected by a photocleavage unit were asymmetrically introduced onto phase-separated giant liposomes. Ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation cleaved the conjugates and released peptide units, which self-assembled into nanofibres, driving the translational movement of the liposomes. The velocity of the liposomes reflected the rates of the photocleavage reaction and subsequent fibre formation of the peptide-DNA conjugates. These results showed that chemical design of the light-induced peptide nanofibre formation is a useful approach to fabricating bioinspired motors with controllable motility.
Amino Acid Signature in Human Melanoma Cell Lines from Different Disease Stages
Authors: Wasinger Christine , Hofer Alexandra , Spadiut Oliver , Hohenegger Martin 
Published: April 2018

AbstractCancer cells rewire metabolism to sustain high proliferation rates. Beside glycolysis and glutaminolysis, amino acids substitute as energy source, feed fatty acid biosynthesis and represent part of the secretome of transformed cells, including melanoma. We have therefore investigated acetate, pyruvate and the amino acid composition of the secretome of human melanoma cells representing the early slow (WM35, WM278, WM793b and VM21) and metastatic fast (A375, 518a2, 6F and WM8) growth phase in order to identify possible signalling components within these profiles. Proliferation assays and a principle component analysis revealed a stringent difference between the fast and slow growing melanoma cells. Moreover, upon inhibition of the mevalonate pathway, glutamic acid and alanine were identified as the central difference in the conditional media. A supplementation of the media with glutamic acid and the combination with alanine significantly accelerated the proliferation, migration and invasion of early stage melanoma cells, but not metastatic cells. Finally, the inhibition of the mevalonate pathway abolished the growth advantage of the melanoma cells in a time dependent manner. Taken together, these data corroborate a stage specific response in growth and aggressiveness to extracellular glutamic acid and alanine, indicative for microenvironmental signalling of individual amino acids.
Characterization of the most frequent ATP7B mutation causing Wilson disease in hepatocytes from patient induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Parisi Silvia , Polishchuk Elena V. , Allocca Simona , Ciano Michela , Musto Anna , Gallo Maria , Perone Lucia , Ranucci Giusy , Iorio Raffaele , Polishchuk Roman S. , Bonatti Stefano 
Published: April 2018

AbstractH1069Q substitution represents the most frequent mutation of the copper transporter ATP7B causing Wilson disease in Caucasian population. ATP7B localizes to the Golgi complex in hepatocytes but moves in response to copper overload to the endo-lysosomal compartment to support copper excretion via bile canaliculi. In heterologous or hepatoma-derived cell lines, overexpressed ATP7B-H1069Q is strongly retained in the ER and fails to move to the post-Golgi sites, resulting in toxic copper accumulation. However, this pathogenic mechanism has never been tested in patients’ hepatocytes, while animal models recapitulating this form of WD are still lacking. To reach this goal, we have reprogrammed skin fibroblasts of homozygous ATP7B-H1069Q patients into induced pluripotent stem cells and differentiated them into hepatocyte-like cells. Surprisingly, in HLCs we found one third of ATP7B-H1069Q localized in the Golgi complex and able to move to the endo-lysosomal compartment upon copper stimulation. However, despite normal mRNA levels, the expression of the mutant protein was only 20% compared to the control because of endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation. These results pinpoint rapid degradation as the major cause for loss of ATP7B function in H1069Q patients, and thus as the primary target for designing therapeutic strategies to rescue ATP7B-H1069Q function.
Pedobarographic Analysis following Ponseti Treatment for Unilateral Neglected Congenital Clubfoot
Authors: Xu Chao , Wei Jie , Yan Ya-Bo , Shang Lei , Yang Xiao-Jiang , Huang Lu-Yu , Lei Wei 
Published: April 2018

AbstractRecent trends have led to an interest in Ponseti treatment for correcting neglected congenital clubfoot. Although good clinical and functional outcomes have been reported, the plantar pressure distribution after the treatment of neglected clubfoot has not been explored yet. The present study aimed to investigate whether plantar pressures normalized following Ponseti treatment in patients with neglected congenital clubfoot. Pedobarographic, clinical, and functional examinations were performed in 22 children (aged, 91.0 ± 40.3 months) with unilateral neglected congenital clubfeet, treated using Ponseti method at 27.8 ± 12.1 months of age. Plantar pressure parameters were recorded using a Footscan pressure plate. The contact time, contact area, peak pressure, and pressure-time integral were determined. The data of the affected feet were compared with those of the unaffected feet and healthy controls. Although clinical and functional examinations showed satisfactory results according to the Dimeglio and Pirani scores, considerable differences in plantar pressure parameters were identified among the affected feet, unaffected feet, and healthy controls. Internal foot progression angle and a load transfer from the medial forefoot and hindfoot to the lateral forefoot and midfoot were observed in the affected feet. Future studies should attempt to investigate the factors accounting for plantar pressure deviations and the possible effect of these deviations on the lower limb musculoskeletal development of children.
Acute Hyperthermia Inhibits TGF-β1-induced Cardiac Fibroblast Activation via Suppression of Akt Signaling
Authors: Narikawa Masatoshi , Umemura Masanari , Tanaka Ryo , Fujita Takayuki , Yokoyama Utako , Ishigami Tomoaki , Kimura Kazuo , Tamura Kouichi , Ishikawa Yoshihiro 
Published: April 2018

AbstractTransforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) induces phenotypic changes in fibroblasts to become myofibroblasts with increased production of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and cytokines. It is also known that excessive activation of myofibroblasts accelerates cardiac fibrosis, remodeling, and thus cardiac dysfunction. However, no effective therapy has been established to prevent this process although recent clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of hyperthermia in cardiac dysfunction. The aim of this study was to examine the molecular mechanism of hyperthermia on TGF-β1-mediated phenotypic changes in cardiac fibroblasts. TGF-β1 increased the expression of IL-6, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen in human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs). Hyperthermia (42 °C) significantly prevented these changes, i.e., increases in IL-6, α-SMA, and collagen, as induced by TGF-β1 in a time-dependent manner. Immunoblotting showed that hyperthermia decreased Akt/S6K signaling, but did not affect Smad2 and Smad3 signaling. Pharmacological inhibition of Akt signaling mimicked these effects of hyperthermia. Furthermore, hyperthermia treatment prevented cardiac fibrosis in Ang II infusion mice model. Putting together, our findings suggest that hyperthermia directly inhibits TGF-β-mediated activation of HCFs via suppressing Akt/S6K signaling.
Genome–wide association study for risk taking propensity indicates shared pathways with body mass index
Authors: Clifton Emma A. D. , Perry John R. B. , Imamura Fumiaki , Lotta Luca A. , Brage Soren , Forouhi Nita G. , Griffin Simon J. , Wareham Nicholas J. , Ong Ken K. , Day Felix R. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractRisk-taking propensity is a trait of significant public health relevance but few specific genetic factors are known. Here we perform a genome-wide association study of self-reported risk-taking propensity among 436,236 white European UK Biobank study participants. We identify genome-wide associations at 26 loci (P < 5 × 10−8), 24 of which are novel, implicating genes enriched in the GABA and GABA receptor pathways. Modelling the relationship between risk-taking propensity and body mass index (BMI) using Mendelian randomisation shows a positive association (0.25 approximate SDs of BMI (SE: 0.06);P = 6.7 × 10−5). The impact of individual SNPs is heterogeneous, indicating a complex relationship arising from multiple shared pathways. We identify positive genetic correlations between risk-taking and waist-hip ratio, childhood obesity, ever smoking, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, alongside a negative correlation with women’s age at first birth. These findings highlight that behavioural pathways involved in risk-taking propensity may play a role in obesity, smoking and psychiatric disorders.
Electro‐mechanical properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride‐hexafluoropropylene) reinforced with zinc oxide nanostructure
Authors: Phooplub Kittirat , Muensit Nantakan 
Published: April 2018

The piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride‐hexafluoropropylene) ((P(VDF‐HFP)) has been incorporated with zinc oxide (ZnO) of different forms, i.e. nanoparticles (NPs), nanorods (NRs), and microrods (MRs). The polymer has been activated the piezoelectric phase with the poling filed of 70 MV/m at 90°C for 10 min. ZnO of various particle types is grown into piezoelectric wurtzite. The addition of ZnO has slightly changed the degree of crystallinity of the polymers and clearly increased the elasticity to the best value in the case of inserted MRs. The electroactive phase of the polymer‐based film has been enhanced at 2 wt% of ZnO for both NPs and NRs cases. The dielectric constant of the films increased with ZnO concentration. Finally, a cantilever beam structure with the patch of P(VDF‐HFP) reinforced with ZnO of 2 wt% NRs shows the best performance as a microsource of the energy of about 1 µW. Development of micropower energy harvesting in P(VDF‐HFP) with ZnO NRs has been substantially and highly promising to power small‐scale electronics.‏
The role of general relativity on icy body reservoirs under the effects of an inner eccentric Jupiter
Authors: Zanardi M. , de Elía G. C. , Di Sisto R. P. , Naoz S. 
Published: April 2018

Context. Recent studies have analyzed the dynamical evolution of outer small body populations under the effects of an eccentric inner massive perturber, which result from a planetary scattering event. These investigations suggest that such outer reservoirs are composed of particles on prograde and retrograde orbits, as well as particles whose orbit flips from prograde to retrograde and back again showing a coupling between the inclination i and the ascending node longitude Ω (Type-F particles).
Aims. We analyze the role of the general relativity (GR) on the dynamics of outer particles under the influence of an inner eccentric Jupiter-mass planet produced by a planetary scattering event. In particular, we are interested in studying how the GR affects the dynamical evolution of the outer Type-F particles, which experience an eccentric Lidov–Kozai mechanism.
Methods. To do this, we carried out N-body simulations with and without GR effects. Such a detailed comparative analysis allows us to strengthen our understanding concerning the GR and eccentric Lidov–Kozai combined effects on the dynamical evolution of outer particles.
Results. When the GR is included, the extreme values of Ω are obtained for retrograde inclinations, while the minimum and maximum inclinations allowed for Type-F particles increase in comparison with that derived without GR effects. According to this, if the GR is included in the simulations, the range of prograde (retrograde) inclinations of the libration region is reduced (increased) with respect to that obtained in absence of GR. We find two new classes of particles when GR effects are included in the simulations. On the one hand, there are particles whose orbital plane flips from prograde to retrograde and back again without experiencing a coupling between i and Ω. On the other hand, retrograde particles show a strong coupling between i and Ω. We infer that GR may significantly modify the dynamical properties of the outer reservoirs that evolve under the effects of an eccentric inner perturber.
Aerosol absorption measurements and retrievals in shadow2 campaign
Authors: Hu Qiaoyun , Goloub Philippe , Podvin Thierry , Veselovskiy Igor , Lopatin Anton , Dubovik Oleg , Torres Benjamìn , Revilini Laura , Crumeyrolle Suzanne , Lapionak Tatsiana , Deroo Christine 
Published: April 2018

Dust, maritime and dust-smoke mixture events observed during SHADOW2 (SaHAran Dust Over West Africa) field campaign are selected and analyzed by using Raman and GARRLiC retrievals.
The derived aerosol optical and microphysical properties will be shown. Dust absorption profile and on ground level are derived from GARRLiC retrievals and Aethalometer measurements, respectively. Our results provide a closer insight about dust absorbing properties.
Identification, Isolation and Determination of Biomarkers for Quality Control of Bush Tea (Athrixia phyllicoides)
Authors: Lerotholi Lefa , Chaudhary Sushil , Chen Weiyang , Veale Clinton , Combrinck Sandra , Viljoen Alvaro 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Athrixia phylicoides, known as “bush tea”, grows abundantly in South Africa. An infusion of the leaves is used as a beverage and to treat a multitude of health conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical variation within A. phylicoides and to identify characteristic compounds for quality control. Samples from 12 locations in South Africa were analysed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Hierarchical cluster analysis of the aligned ultra-performance liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry data indicated two groups on the resulting dendrogram, representing 48 samples. Five marker compounds, identified through visual inspection and the construction of a discriminant analysis model, were evident on the ultra-performance liquid chromatography-MS profiles. Four of these compounds were isolated and identified, three as hydroxy methoxyflavones and the fourth as a coumarate, using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array method was developed and validated for the determination of the marker compounds using the isolates as standards. The limits of detection for the four compounds ranged from 0.92 – 2.50 µg/mL. Their recoveries at three concentration levels (1.00, 10.0, and 100 µg/mL) were between 97.0 and 101%, while acceptable intra- and inter-day precision was obtained as reflected by percentage relative standard deviation values below 2.24%. The concentrations of all the marker compounds were found to be higher in samples corresponding to Group 1 of the dendrogram than in those from Group 2. This may be attributable to differences in altitude, climate, and some edaphic factors. Identification of these marker compounds will make a valuable contribution towards the quality control and sustainable commercialisation of bush tea.