bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An uncharacterized FMAG_01619 protein from Fusobacterium mortiferum ATCC 9817 demonstrates that some bacterial macrodomains can also act as poly-ADP-ribosylhydrolases
Authors: García-Saura Antonio Ginés , Zapata-Pérez Rubén , Hidalgo José Francisco , Cabanes Juana , Gil-Ortiz Fernando , Sánchez-Ferrer Álvaro 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMacrodomains constitute a conserved fold widely distributed that is not only able to bind ADP-ribose in its free and protein-linked forms but also can catalyse the hydrolysis of the latter. They are involved in the regulation of important cellular processes, such as signalling, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis, and in host-virus response, and for this, they are considered as promising therapeutic targets to slow tumour progression and viral pathogenesis. Although extensive work has been carried out with them, including their classification into six distinct phylogenetically clades, little is known on bacterial macrodomains, especially if these latter are able to remove poly(ADP-ribose) polymer (PAR) from PARylated proteins, activity that only has been confirmed in human TARG1 (C6orf130) protein. To extend this limited knowledge, we demonstrate, after a comprehensive bioinformatic and phylogenetic analysis, that Fusobacterium mortiferum ATCC 9817 TARG1 (FmTARG1) is the first bacterial macrodomain shown to have high catalytic efficiency towards O-acyl-ADP-ribose, even more than hTARG1, and towards mono- and poly(ADPribosyl)ated proteins. Surprisingly, FmTARG1 gene is also inserted into a unique operonic context, only shared by the distantly related Fusobacterium perfoetens ATCC 29250 macrodomain, which include an immunity protein 51 domain, typical of bacterial polymorphic toxin systems.
Long term corrosion estimation of carbon steel, titanium and its alloy in backfill material of compacted bentonite for nuclear waste repository
Authors: Zhang Qichao , Zheng Min , Huang Yanliang , Kunte Hans Joerg , Wang Xiutong , Liu Yuemiao , Zheng Chuanbo 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe container of high-level radioactive waste (HLRW) being in deep geological disposal, the backfill material is needed to serve as the second defense for HLRW and the highly compacted bentonite is generally selected. As the time goes, the underground water will infiltrate the backfill, causing the corrosion of materials for the building of containers in the formed electrolyte. Carbon steel, titanium and its alloy are the potential candidate materials for the fabrication of HLRW containers. The current investigation aims at assessing the safety of HLRW container in deep geological disposal for hundreds of thousands of years and facilitating the material selection for future container fabrication by estimating their corrosion behavior in compacted bentonite with a series of moisture content at different temperatures through electrochemical methods including open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization curve (PC) measurements. The corrosion rates were estimated for a carbon steel, a pure titanium and a titanium alloy in compacted Gaomiaozi Bentonite infiltrated with simulated underground water in Beishan area of China over an expected disposal period up to 106 years respectively, showing that titanium and its alloy are more reliable materials for building HLRW containers than carbon steel.
Effects of FSH and the weather during induced ovulation and timed artificial insemination to increase jenny conception rates
Authors: Chang Zhong-Le , Li Bao-Xing , Liu Bing , Yao Luo , Yu Jie , Jiang G. M. , Tan Jing-He 
Published: March 2019

AbstractExperiments were conducted to improve jenny conception rates through induced ovulation and timed insemination. Jennies in control, hCG and LH groups were injected intramuscularly with saline alone or saline containing hCG or LH, respectively, when the dominant follicle diameter reached 35 mm. Then, follicle development was checked every 8 h until the dominant follicle ovulated. While 76% of the hCG-treated jennies ovulated between 24 and 48 h, and 84% of the LH-treated ovulated between 24 and 40 h after injection, ovulations in control jennies scattered over an extended period after injection. Conception rates after insemination were significantly higher in LH- or hCG-treated jennies than in the conventionally-bred jennies. The LH preparation used in this study contained more FSH than the hCG preparation did, and supplementing the hCG treatment with FSH significantly improved ovulation synchronization. Ovulations in jennies treated on rainy days were significantly postponed and less synchronized compared to those in jennies treated on sunny days. Together, the results suggested that jenny conception could be significantly improved by inducing ovulation with LH or hCG treatment followed by timed insemination and that FSH and the weather during treatment had profound effects on ovulation induction of jennies.
Mapping a novel positive allosteric modulator binding site in the central vestibule region of human P2X7
Authors: Bidula Stefan M. , Cromer Brett A. , Walpole Samuel , Angulo Jesus , Stokes Leanne 
Published: March 2019

AbstractP2X7 receptors are important in the regulation of inflammatory responses and immune responses to intracellular pathogens such asMycobacterium tuberculosisandToxoplasma gondii. Enhancement of P2X7 receptor responses may be useful in pathogen clearance particularly in individuals with defective microbial killing mechanisms. Ginsenosides fromPanax ginsenghave been discovered to act as positive allosteric modulators of P2X7. Here we describe a novel modulator binding site identified by computational docking located in the central vestibule of P2X7 involving S60, D318, and L320 in the lower body β-sheets lining the lateral portals. Potentiation of ATP-mediated responses by ginsenosides CK and Rd caused enhanced ionic currents, Ca2+influx and YOPRO-1 uptake in stably transfected HEK-293 cells (HEK-hP2X7) plus enhanced cell death responses. Potentiation of ATP responses by CK and Rd was markedly reduced by mutations S59A, S60A, D318L and L320A supporting the proposed allosteric modulator binding site. Furthermore, mutation of the conserved residues S60 and D318 led to alterations in P2X7 response and a higher sensitivity to ATP in the absence of modulators suggesting residues in the connecting rods play an important role in regulating P2X7 gating. Identification of this novel binding site location in the central vestibule may also be relevant for structurally similar channels.
Tensor Decomposition for Colour Image Segmentation of Burn Wounds
Authors: Cirillo Marco D. , Mirdell Robin , Sjöberg Folke , Pham Tuan D. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractResearch in burns has been a continuing demand over the past few decades, and important advancements are still needed to facilitate more effective patient stabilization and reduce mortality rate. Burn wound assessment, which is an important task for surgical management, largely depends on the accuracy of burn area and burn depth estimates. Automated quantification of these burn parameters plays an essential role for reducing these estimate errors conventionally carried out by clinicians. The task for automated burn area calculation is known as image segmentation. In this paper, a new segmentation method for burn wound images is proposed. The proposed methods utilizes a method of tensor decomposition of colour images, based on which effective texture features can be extracted for classification. Experimental results showed that the proposed method outperforms other methods not only in terms of segmentation accuracy but also computational speed.
Correlation between preoperative factors and final visual acuity after successful rhegmatogenous retinal reattachment
Authors: Hirata Norifumi , Iwase Takeshi , Kobayashi Misato , Yamamoto Kentaro , Ra Eimei , Terasaki Hiroko 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe evaluated the preoperative optical coherence tomographic (OCT) findings in eyes with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and determined the factors that were significantly correlated with the postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The length of the preoperative photoreceptors was defined as the distance between the external limiting membrane (ELM) and the outer end of the outer segments of the photoreceptors in the OCT images. The mean length of the photoreceptors was 102.8 ± 28.7 µm with a range of 20 to 159 µm in eyes with RRD. The length of the preoperative photoreceptors was not significantly correlated with the preoperative BCVA but it was significantly correlated with the postoperative BCVA (r = −0.353, P = 0.003). Multivariate regression analyses revealed that the length of the photoreceptors (β = −0.388, P = 0.001) and the preoperative BCVA (β = 0.274, P = 0.021) were the only independent factors that were significantly associated with the postoperative BCVA. The length of the preoperative photoreceptors was significantly correlated with the postoperative photoreceptor length (r = 0.486, P < 0.001). Longer preoperative photoreceptors were significantly correlated with longer postoperative photoreceptors and better BCVA after successful reattachment. These results suggest that the preoperative length of the photoreceptors can be good factor to use for predicting the final BCVA following successful reattachment of macula-off RRD.
Laser-wakefield accelerators for high-resolution X-ray imaging of complex microstructures
Authors: Hussein A. E. , Senabulya N. , Ma Y. , Streeter M. J. V. , Kettle B. , Dann S. J. D. , Albert F. , Bourgeois N. , Cipiccia S. , Cole J. M. , Finlay O. , Gerstmayr E. , González I. Gallardo , Higginbotham A. , Jaroszynski D. A. , Falk K. , Krushelnick K. , Lemos N. , Lopes N. C. , Lumsdon C. , Lundh O. , Mangles S. P. D. , Najmudin Z. , Rajeev P. P. , Schlepütz C. M. , Shahzad M. , Smid M. , Spesyvtsev R. , Symes D. R. , Vieux G. , Willingale L. , Wood J. C. , Shahani A. J. , Thomas A. G. R. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractLaser-wakefield accelerators (LWFAs) are high acceleration-gradient plasma-based particle accelerators capable of producing ultra-relativistic electron beams. Within the strong focusing fields of the wakefield, accelerated electrons undergo betatron oscillations, emitting a bright pulse of X-rays with a micrometer-scale source size that may be used for imaging applications. Non-destructive X-ray phase contrast imaging and tomography of heterogeneous materials can provide insight into their processing, structure, and performance. To demonstrate the imaging capability of X-rays from an LWFA we have examined an irregular eutectic in the aluminum-silicon (Al-Si) system. The lamellar spacing of the Al-Si eutectic microstructure is on the order of a few micrometers, thus requiring high spatial resolution. We present comparisons between the sharpness and spatial resolution in phase contrast images of this eutectic alloy obtainedviaX-ray phase contrast imaging at the Swiss Light Source (SLS) synchrotron and X-ray projection microscopyviaan LWFA source. An upper bound on the resolving power of 2.7 ± 0.3 μm of the LWFA source in this experiment was measured. These results indicate that betatron X-rays from laser wakefield acceleration can provide an alternative to conventional synchrotron sources for high resolution imaging of eutectics and, more broadly, complex microstructures.
A micropatterning platform for quantifying interaction kinetics between the T cell receptor and an intracellular binding protein
Authors: Motsch Viktoria , Brameshuber Mario , Baumgart Florian , Schütz Gerhard J. , Sevcsik Eva 
Published: March 2019

AbstractA complete understanding of signaling processes at the plasma membrane depends on a quantitative characterization of the interactions of the involved proteins. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is a widely used and convenient technique to obtain kinetic parameters on protein interactions in living cells. FRAP experiments to determine unbinding time constants for proteins at the plasma membrane, however, are often hampered by non-specific contributions to the fluorescence recovery signal. On the example of the interaction between the T cell receptor (TCR) and the Syk kinase ZAP70, we present here an approach based on protein micropatterning that allows the elimination of such non-specific contributions and considerably simplifies analysis of FRAP data. Specifically, detection and reference areas are created within single cells, each being either enriched or depleted in TCR, which permits the isolation of ZAP70-TCR binding in a straight-forward manner. We demonstrate the applicability of our method by comparing it to a conventional FRAP approach.
Src in endosomal membranes promotes exosome secretion and tumor progression
Authors: Hikita Tomoya , Kuwahara Atsushi , Watanabe Risayo , Miyata Mamiko , Oneyama Chitose 
Published: March 2019

Abstractc-Src is a membrane-associated tyrosine kinase that has key roles in the signaling transduction that controls cell growth, adhesion, and migration. In the early stage of carcinogenesis, c-Src is activated under the plasma membrane and transduces oncogenic signals. Here we show that c-Src localized to the endosomal membrane has unique functions in c-Src–transformed cells. Our results indicate that activated c-Src in the endosomal membrane promoted the secretion of exosomes, in which c-Src was encapsulated. In addition, the ESCRT-interacting molecule, Alix was identified as a c-Src–interacting protein in exosomes. We revealed that the interaction between the SH3 domain of c-Src and the proline-rich region of Alix activates ESCRT–mediated intra-luminal vesicle (ILV) formation, resulting in the upregulation of exosome secretion in c-Src–transformed cells. We observed also a correlation between malignant phenotypes and Alix–dependent aberrant exosome secretion in Src–upregulated cancer cells. Collectively, our findings provide a unique mechanism for the upregulation of exosomes in cancer cells, as well as new insights into the significance of exosome secretion in cancer progression.
Glycosylation of Staphylococcus aureus cell wall teichoic acid is influenced by environmental conditions
Authors: Mistretta Noëlle , Brossaud Marina , Telles Fabienne , Sanchez Violette , Talaga Philippe , Rokbi Bachra 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWall teichoic acid (WTA) are major constituents of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) cell envelopes with important roles in the bacteria’s physiology, resistance to antimicrobial molecules, host interaction, virulence and biofilm formation. They consist of ribitol phosphate repeat units in which the ribitol residue is substituted with D-alanine (D-Ala) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc). The complete S. aureus WTA biosynthesis pathways was recently revealed with the identification of the two glycosyltransferases, TarM and TarS, respectively responsible for the α- and β-GlcNAc anomeric substitutions. We performed structural analyses to characterize WTAs from a panel of 24 S. aureus strains responsible for invasive infections. A majority of the S. aureus strains produced the β-GlcNAc WTA form in accordance with the presence of the tarS gene in all strains assessed. The β-GlcNAc anomer was preferentially expressed at the expense of the α-GlcNAc anomer when grown on stress-inducing culture medium containing high NaCl concentration. Furthermore, WTA glycosylation of the prototype S. aureus Newman strain was characterized in vivo in two different animal models, namely peritonitis and deep wound infection. While the inoculum used to infect animals produced almost exclusively α-GlcNAc WTA, a complete switch to β-glycosylation was observed in infected kidneys, livers and muscles. Overall, our data demonstrate that S. aureus WTA glycosylation is strongly influenced by environmental conditions and suggest that β-GlcNAc WTA may bring competitive advantage in vivo.
Growth and competitive interaction between seedlings of an invasive Rumex confertus and of co-occurring two native Rumex species in relation to nutrient availability
Authors: Kołodziejek Jeremi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractRumex confertus is an alien invasive perennial plant that has increased its range rapidly within central Europe in the last 100 years. This study examined the effects of a commercial fertilizer on the competition between the invasive Rumex confertus and two non-invasive native species R. acetosa or R. conglomeratus in terms of morphological and physiological traits and relative yield. All three Rumex species were grown in the open field with two levels of nutrient availability in field plots. Competition and fertilizer had significant effects on height, relative growth rate (RGR), specific leaf area (SLA) as well as shoot and root biomass of all three species. The fertilized plants had high macronutrient and nitrate contents in leaf tissue. Relative yield of R. confertus was <1, indicating that for this species the effects of interspecific competition were greater than those of intraspecific competition. The results of this experiment indicate that there is interaction between the nutrient status of the soil and the competition between species. Competitive superiority of R. confertus could explain its dominance in grasslands and in disturbed areas, and might explain its great influence on the occurrence of native species because competition intensity was high in fertilized plots.
Designing color in metallic glass
Authors: Na Jong Hyun , Han Kyung Hee , Garrett Glenn R. , Launey Maximilien E. , Demetriou Marios D. , Johnson William L. 
Published: March 2019

Abstract“Designing” metallic glasses to exhibit properties beyond those offered within the narrow composition ranges where glass formation is possible poses a formidable scientific challenge. This challenge may be tackled by forming composite structures comprising a metallic glass matrix and homogeneously precipitated dendrites, known as “metallic glass matrix composites” (MGMCs). In principle, MGMCs can be designed to exploit the attractive performance characteristics of the metallic glass while alleviating its negative undesirable attributes. In this work we introduce a MGMC development concept for designing color in metallic glass. MGMCs consisting of a white-gold metallic glass matrix with finely dispersed yellow-gold microdendrites are explored. A series of gold MGMCs is developed displaying uniform and visually-unresolved yellow colors over a broad range of chromaticity, along with high overall hardness. This design concept paves the way for the development of a new generation of metal alloys that combine advanced engineering performance with attractive cosmetic attributes.
Children Attending Day Care Centers are a Year-round Reservoir of Gastrointestinal Viruses
Authors: Hebbelstrup Jensen Betina , Jokelainen Pikka , Nielsen Alex Christian Yde , Franck Kristina Træholt , Rejkjær Holm Dorthe , Schønning Kristian , Petersen Andreas M. , Krogfelt Karen A. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractViral gastroenteritis causes high morbidity worldwide. In this study, stool samples from 179 children aged 0–6 years attending Danish day care centers were investigated for gastrointestinal viruses. Each child was observed for one year with submission of samples and questionnaires every two months. Adenovirus, norovirus, rotavirus, and sapovirus were detected in samples using real-time PCR. A total of 229 (33%) of the 688 samples collected tested positive for at least one virus. At the first sampling point, adenovirus was shed by 6%, norovirus genotype I by 3% and genotype II by 12%, rotavirus A by 9%, and sapovirus by 21% of the 142 children included in the risk factor analyses. Increasing age was identified as a protective factor against testing positive for gastrointestinal virus, whereas nausea during the previous two months was positively associated with testing positive. Odds of shedding adenovirus were 9.6 times higher among children treated with antibiotics within the previous two months than among children who were not. Gastrointestinal viruses were shed year-round and high viral loads were observed in samples from both symptomatic and asymptomatic children, suggesting children in day care as a reservoir and a possible source of spreading of viruses into the community.
Morphological, genetic and epigenetic aspects of homoploid hybridization between Salvia officinalis L. and Salvia fruticosa Mill.
Authors: Radosavljević Ivan , Bogdanović Sandro , Celep Ferhat , Filipović Maja , Satovic Zlatko , Surina Boštjan , Liber Zlatko 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe inheritance of phenotypic, genetic and epigenetic traits in hybridization events is difficult to predict, as numerous evolutionary, ecological, and genetic factors can play a crucial role in the process of hybridization. In the middle Adriatic island of Vis, we investigated hybridization betweenSalvia officinalisandS.fruticosaat morphological, genetic and epigenetic levels. SSR results revealed that hybrid individuals were characterized by diploid set of chromosomes suggesting homoploid hybridization. A well-defined group that mostly comprised of F1generation individuals was detected. For the majority of analysed morphological characteristics, hybrids were placed in-between parental taxa, while at the same time, values of different genetic parameters were mostly higher in hybrids than in parental species. The results revealed a high contrast in the levels of phenotypic variability and epigenetic excitation between parental taxa. Environmental niche modelling confirmed that in the studied locationS.officinalisexperiences optimal climatological conditions, whileS.fruticosastruggles with unsuitable conditions. Very low levels of gene flow between the parental species were detected. In addition, contrasting levels of epigenetic excitation in the studied groups clearly demonstrated the importance of an epigenetic response to an altered environment and confirmed the trans-generational nature of the epigenetic changes.
Formation of solid helical filaments at temperatures of superfluid helium as self-organization phenomena in ultracold dusty plasma
Authors: Boltnev Roman E. , Vasiliev Mikhail M. , Kononov Evgenii A. , Petrov Oleg F. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractA multimodal dusty plasma formed in a positive column of the direct current glow discharge at superfluid helium temperatures has been studied for the first time. Formation of a liquid-like dusty plasma structure occurred after injection of polydisperse cerium oxide particles in the glow discharge. The coupling parameter ~10 determined for the dusty plasma structure corresponds very well to its liquid-like type. The cloud of nanoparticles and non-linear waves within the cloud were observed at T < 2 K. Solid helical filaments with length up to 5 mm, diameter up to 22 μm, total charges ~106е, levitating in the gas discharge at the temperature ~2 K and pressure 4 Pa have been observed for the first time. Analysis of the experimental conditions and the filament composition allows us to conclude that the filaments and nanoclusters were formed due to ion sputtering of dielectric material during the experiments.