bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of early childhood undernutrition in Nigeria: the role of maternal autonomy
Authors: Agu Ngozichukwuka , Emechebe Nnadozie , Yusuf Korede , Falope Oluyemisi , Kirby Russell S 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjective:To investigate the relationship between maternal autonomy and various indices of child undernutrition among children aged &lt;2 years in Nigeria, considering the cultural context and sociodemographic factors.Design:Population-based, cross-sectional study. Associations between various indices of maternal autonomy and child undernutrition (specifically stunting, underweight and wasting) were determined using weighted bivariate and multivariable logistic regression modelling.Setting:2013 Nigerian Demographic Health Survey.Participants:Children aged between 3 and 24 months (n 7532).Results:Overall, 31·4 % (n 2270), 29·8 % (n 2060) and 25·0 % (n 1755) of children in the sample were stunted, underweight and wasted, respectively. Women with acceptance of domestic violence (low autonomy) were approximately 18 and 14 % less likely to have stunted (OR = 0·82; 95 % CI 0·71, 0·94) and underweight children (OR = 0·86; 95 % CI 0·75, 0·99), respectively. Similarly, women with low power in their couple relations were 17 % less likely to have children who were wasted (OR = 0·83; 95 % CI 0·72, 0·97). Sociodemographic predictors of all indices of undernutrition included maternal education and Hausa ethnicity. Additionally, stunting was predicted by lack of exclusive breast-feeding, low income and being of Fulani ethnicity; wasting by having mothers with low BMI; and underweight by breast-feeding initiation within 1 h hour of birth, polygamous homes, mothers with low BMI and being of Fulani ethnicity.Conclusions:Women with acceptance of domestic violence and low power in couple relations were found to be less likely to have children with indices of undernutrition. This unexpected finding calls for future exploratory research, and policies and interventions that target at-risk subgroups.
Plasma Sheath Formation at Craters on Airless Bodies
Authors: Wang X. , Robertson S. , Horányi M. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe surfaces of airless planetary bodies directly interact with the solar wind plasma and ultraviolet radiation, resulting in surface charging and formation of a sheath above the surface. These interactions are further complicated by the presence of craters with characteristic sizes spanning over orders of magnitude from centimeters to kilometers. Here we present laboratory results to show that the plasma sheath formed in a crater varies significantly, depending on the radius of the crater compared to the Debye length of ambient plasma. When the Debye length is much smaller than the radius of the crater, the plasma expands into the crater and forms a sheath along the crater wall and floor. When the Debye length is comparable to or larger than the radius of the crater, the potential in the crater becomes more homogenous with a largely reduced electric field. A double layer is formed between the crater and ambient plasma. It is likely that the electrons slowed down by the sheath cannot be efficiently reflected back to the plasma due to the reduced electric field and pile up within the crater, causing an increased electron density that crosses over the density of the ions.
Response of a Rheologically Stratified Lithosphere to Subduction of an Indenter‐Shaped Plate: Insights Into Localized Exhumation at Orogen Syntaxes
Authors: Koptev Alexander , Ehlers Todd A. , Nettesheim Matthias , Whipp David M. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis study investigates the influence of the 3‐D geometry of a down‐going plate, the rheological structure of the upper plate, and the migration of the overriding plate toward the trench in relation to the overall subduction velocity on the exhumation pattern in orogen syntaxes. Using a thermomechanical numerical code (DOUAR), we analyze the strain localization, rock uplift, and exhumation response of a rheologically stratified continental lithosphere to subduction of a convex‐upward‐shaped indenter. The models consider three thermorheological lithospheric profiles that determine the degree of mechanical coupling between the upper crust and lithospheric mantle. These models include a strong, cratonic lithosphere; a weaker, younger (and hotter) continental plate; and an intermediate case. The strongly coupled case predicts a localization of high rock uplift rates along narrow linear bands crossing the entire model domain parallel to the trench. In contrast, in a weakly coupled lithosphere, rock uplift is concentrated within a curved ellipse region of anomalously high exhumation rates located above the indenter apex. The aspect ratio of the localized area of rapid rock uplift is controlled by the initial width of the rigid indenter and the relationship between boundary velocities. In particular, the combination of little or no upper plate migration with a narrow indenter causes a nearly circular region (~100‐km diameter) of rapid exhumation that resembles the pattern of thermochronometer ages observed in orogen syntaxes such as the Southeast Alaska and the Olympic Mountains of the Cascadia subduction zone (western USA).
Impressive near-infrared brightness and singlet oxygen generation from strategic lanthanide–porphyrin double-decker complexes in aqueous solution
Authors: Zhang Jing-Xiang , Chan Wai-Lun , Xie Chen , Zhou Yan , Chau Ho-Fai , Maity Partha , Harrison George T. , Amassian Aram , Mohammed Omar F. , Tanner Peter A. , Wong Wai-Kwok , Wong Ka-Leung 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAlthough lanthanide double-decker complexes with hetero-macrocyclic ligands as functional luminescent and magnetic materials have promising properties, their inferior water solubility has negated their biomedical applications. Herein, four water-soluble homoleptic lanthanide (Ln = Gd, Er, Yb and La) sandwiches with diethylene-glycol-disubstituted porphyrins (DD) are reported, with their structures proven by both quantum chemical calculations and scanning tunneling microscopy. Our findings demonstrate that the near-infrared emission intensity and singlet oxygen (1O2) quantum yields of YbDD and GdDD in aqueous media are higher than those of the reported capped lanthanide monoporphyrinato analogues, YbN and GdN; the brightness and luminescence lifetime in water of YbDD are greater than those of YbN. This work provides a new dimension for the future design and development of molecular theranostics-based water-soluble double-decker lanthanide bisporphyrinates.
Prosurvival autophagy is regulated by protein kinase CK1 alpha in multiple myeloma
Authors: Carrino Marilena , Quotti Tubi Laura , Fregnani Anna , Canovas Nunes Sara , Barilà Gregorio , Trentin Livio , Zambello Renato , Semenzato Gianpietro , Manni Sabrina , Piazza Francesco 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMultiple myeloma (MM) is a tumor of plasma cells (PCs). Due to the intense immunoglobulin secretion, PCs are prone to endoplasmic reticulum stress and activate several stress-managing pathways, including autophagy. Indeed, autophagy deregulation is maladaptive for MM cells, resulting in cell death. CK1α, a pro-survival kinase in MM, has recently been involved as a regulator of the autophagic flux and of the transcriptional competence of the autophagy-related transcription factor FOXO3a in several cancers. In this study, we investigated the role of CK1α in autophagy in MM. To study the autophagic flux we generated clones of MM cell lines expressing the mCherry-eGFP-LC3B fusion protein. We observed that CK1 inhibition with the chemical ATP-competitive CK1 α/δ inhibitor D4476 resulted in an impaired autophagic flux, likely due to an alteration of lysosomes acidification. However, D4476 caused the accumulation of the transcription factor FOXO3a in the nucleus, and this was paralleled by the upregulation of mRNA coding for autophagic genes. Surprisingly, silencing of CK1α by RNA interference triggered the autophagic flux. However, FOXO3a did not shuttle into the nucleus and the transcription of autophagy-related FOXO3a-dependent genes was not observed. Thus, while the chemical inhibition with the dual CK1α/δ inhibitor D4476 induced cell death as a consequence of an accumulation of ineffective autophagic vesicles, on the opposite, CK1α silencing, although it also determined apoptosis, triggered a full activation of the early autophagic flux, which was then not supported by the upregulation of autophagic genes. Taken together, our results indicate that the family of CK1 kinases may profoundly influence MM cells survival also through the modulation of the autophagic pathway.
Development of human cGAS-specific small-molecule inhibitors for repression of dsDNA-triggered interferon expression
Authors: Lama Lodoe , Adura Carolina , Xie Wei , Tomita Daisuke , Kamei Taku , Kuryavyi Vitaly , Gogakos Tasos , Steinberg Joshua I. , Miller Michael , Ramos-Espiritu Lavoisier , Asano Yasutomi , Hashizume Shogo , Aida Jumpei , Imaeda Toshihiro , Okamoto Rei , Jennings Andy J. , Michino Mayako , Kuroita Takanobu , Stamford Andrew , Gao Pu , Meinke Peter , Glickman J. Fraser , Patel Dinshaw J. , Tuschl Thomas 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is the primary sensor for aberrant intracellular dsDNA producing the cyclic dinucleotide cGAMP, a second messenger initiating cytokine production in subsets of myeloid lineage cell types. Therefore, inhibition of the enzyme cGAS may act anti-inflammatory. Here we report the discovery of human-cGAS-specific small-molecule inhibitors by high-throughput screening and the targeted medicinal chemistry optimization for two molecular scaffolds. Lead compounds from one scaffold co-crystallize with human cGAS and occupy the ATP- and GTP-binding active site. The specificity and potency of these drug candidates is further documented in human myeloid cells including primary macrophages. These novel cGAS inhibitors with cell-based activity will serve as probes into cGAS-dependent innate immune pathways and warrant future pharmacological studies for treatment of cGAS-dependent inflammatory diseases.
Potentially large post-1505 AD earthquakes in western Nepal revealed by a lake sediment record
Authors: Ghazoui Z. , Bertrand S. , Vanneste K. , Yokoyama Y. , Nomade J. , Gajurel A. P. , van der Beek P. A. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAccording to paleoseismological studies, the last earthquake that ruptured the Main Frontal Thrust in western Nepal occurred in 1505 AD. No evidence of large earthquakes has been documented since, giving rise to the concept of a seismic gap in the central Himalaya. Here, we report on a new record of earthquake-triggered turbidites from Lake Rara, western Nepal. Our lake-sediment record contains eight possibly moderate-to-large earthquake-triggered turbidites during the last 800 years, three of which overlap in age with previously reportedMw ≥ 7 events in western Nepal. Shaking intensity modelling, together with instrumental records, suggests that near-field earthquakes (≤15 km) should have a minimumMw  5.6, and regional earthquakes (≤80 km) aMw > ~ 6.5, to trigger turbidites. We present a likely scenario that western Nepal may be as seismically active as central Nepal; however, more data are needed to revaluate the seismic risk in the central Himalaya.
Diverse MR1-restricted T cells in mice and humans
Authors: Koay Hui-Fern , Gherardin Nicholas A. , Xu Calvin , Seneviratna Rebecca , Zhao Zhe , Chen Zhenjun , Fairlie David P. , McCluskey James , Pellicci Daniel G. , Uldrich Adam P. , Godfrey Dale I. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells express an invariant TRAV1/TRAJ33 TCR-α chain and are restricted to the MHC-I-like molecule, MR1. Whether MAIT cell development depends on this invariant TCR-α chain is unclear. Here we generateTraj33-deficient mice and show that they are highly depleted of MAIT cells; however, a residual population remains and can respond to exogenous antigen in vitro or pulmonaryLegionellachallenge in vivo. These residual cells include some that expressTrav1+TCRs with conservativeTraj-gene substitutions, and others that expressTrav1-TCRs with a broad range ofTrajgenes. We further report that human TRAV1-2-MR1-restricted T cells contain both MAIT-like and non-MAIT-like cells, as judged by their TCR repertoire, antigen reactivity and phenotypic features. These include a MAIT-like population that expresses a public, canonical TRAV36+TRBV28+TCR. Our findings highlight the TCR diversity and the resulting potential impact on antigen recognition by MR1-restricted T cells.
Evaluation of Aminolevulinic Acid-Derived Tumor Fluorescence Yields Disparate Results in Murine and Spontaneous Large Animal Models of Lung Cancer
Authors: Predina Jarrod D. , Runge Jeffrey , Newton Andrew , Mison Michael , Xia Leilei , Corbett Christopher , Shin Michael , Sulyok Lydia Frenzel , Durham Amy , Nie Shuming , Singhal Sunil , Holt David 
Published: May 2019

AbstractFluorescence guided surgery is an emerging technology that may improve accuracy of pulmonary resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Herein we explore optical imaging for NSCLC surgery using the well-studied protoporphyrin IX (PPIX)/5-aminiolevulinic acid (5-ALA) system. More specifically, we evaluate fluorescent patterns observed when using (1) commonly utilized in vitro and murine NSCLC models and with (2) spontaneous canine NSCLCs, which closely mimic human disease. Using flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy, we confirmed that NSCLC models fluoresce after exposure to 5-ALA in vitro. High levels of fluorescence were similarly observed in murine tumors within 2 hours of systemic 5-ALA delivery. When evaluating this approach in spontaneous canine NSCLC, tumor fluorescence was observed in 6 of 7 canines. Tumor fluorescence, however, was heterogenous owing to intratumoral variations in cellularity and necrosis. Margin and lymph node detection was inaccurate. These data demonstrate the importance of incorporating reliable cancer models into preclinical evaluations of optical agents. Utilization of spontaneous large animal models of cancer may further provide an important intermediate in the path to human translation of optical contrast agents.
Quantitative synchrotron X-ray tomography of the material-tissue interface in rat cortex implanted with neural probes
Authors: Böhm Thomas , Joseph Kevin , Kirsch Matthias , Moroni Riko , Hilger André , Osenberg Markus , Manke Ingo , Johnston Midori , Stieglitz Thomas , Hofmann Ulrich G. , Haas Carola A. , Thiele Simon 
Published: May 2019

AbstractNeural probes provide many options for neuroscientific research and medical purposes. However, these implantable micro devices are not functionally stable over time due to host-probe interactions. Thus, reliable high-resolution characterization methods are required to understand local tissue changes upon implantation. In this work, synchrotron X-ray tomography is employed for the first time to image the interface between brain tissue and an implanted neural probe, showing that this 3D imaging method is capable of resolving probe and surrounding tissue at a resolution of about 1 micrometer. Unstained tissue provides sufficient contrast to identify electrode sites on the probe, cells, and blood vessels within tomograms. Exemplarily, we show that it is possible to quantify characteristics of the interaction region between probe and tissue, like the blood supply system. Our first-time study demonstrates a way for simultaneous 3D investigation of brain tissue with implanted probe, providing information beyond what was hitherto possible.
Pt nanoparticles decorated heterostructured g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6 microplates with highly enhanced photocatalytic activities under visible light
Authors: Jia Z. , Lyu F. , Zhang L. C. , Zeng S. , Liang S. X. , Li Y. Y. , Lu J. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractExploring an efficient and photostable heterostructured photocatalyst is a pivotal scientific topic for worldwide energy and environmental concerns. Herein, we reported that Pt decorated g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6heterostructured composites with enhanced photocatalytic performance under visible light were simply synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method for methylene blue (MB) dye degradation. Results revealed that the synthetic Pt decorated g-C3N4/Bi2MoO6composites with Bi2MoO6contents of 20 wt.% (Pt@CN/20%BMO) presented the highest photocatalytic activity, exhibiting 7 and 18 times higher reactivity than the pure g-C3N4and Bi2MoO6, respectively. Structural analyses showed that Bi2MoO6microplates were anchored on the wrinkled flower-like g-C3N4matrix with Pt decoration, leading to a large expansion of specific surface area from 10.79 m2/g for pure Bi2MoO6to 46.09 m2/g for Pt@CN/20%BMO. In addition, the Pt@CN/20%BMO composites exhibited an improved absorption ability in the visible light region, presenting a promoted photocatalytic MB degradation. Quenching experiments were also conducted to provide solid evidences for the production of hydroxyl radicals (•OH), electrons (e−), holes (h+) and superoxide radicals (•O2−) during dye degradation. The findings in this critical work provide insights into the synthesis of heterostructured photocatalysts with the optimization of band gaps, light response and photocatalytic performance in wastewater remediation.
Leukocyte telomere length is associated with elevated plasma glucose and HbA1c in young healthy men independent of birth weight
Authors: Grunnet L. G. , Pilgaard K. , Alibegovic A. , Jensen C. B. , Hjort L. , Ozanne S. E. , Bennett M. , Vaag A. , Brøns C. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractTelomeres are protein-bound regions of repetitive nucleotide sequences (TTAGGG) at the end of human chromosomes, and their length is a marker of cellular aging. Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with shorter blood cell telomeres at birth and individuals with type 2 diabetes have shorter telomeres. Individuals with a low birth weight (LBW) have an increased risk of metabolic disease and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between birth weight and telomere length and the association between birth weight, telomere length and cardiometabolic phenotype in adulthood. Young, healthy men with LBW (n = 55) and normal birth weight (NBW) (n = 65) were examined including blood pressure, blood samples and body composition. Leukocyte telomere length was determined using a high-throughput qPCR method. The LBW men were more insulin resistant as determined by the HOMA-IR index. There was no difference in telomere length between LBW and NBW subjects. When adjusting for birth weight and cohort effect, significant negative associations between telomere length and fasting glucose (P = 0.003) and HbA1c (P = 0.0008) were found. In conclusion, no significant difference in telomere length was found between LBW and NBW men. The telomere length was negatively associated with glucose concentrations and HbA1c levels within the normal non-diabetic range independent of birth weight.
TGFβ-induced cytoskeletal remodeling mediates elevation of cell stiffness and invasiveness in NSCLC
Authors: Gladilin E. , Ohse S. , Boerries M. , Busch H. , Xu C. , Schneider M. , Meister M. , Eils R. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractImportance of growth factor (GF) signaling in cancer progression is widely acknowledged. Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) is known to play a key role in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastatic cell transformation that are characterized by alterations in cell mechanical architecture and behavior towards a more robust and motile single cell phenotype. However, mechanisms mediating cancer type specific enhancement of cell mechanical phenotype in response to TGFβ remain poorly understood. Here, we combine high-throughput mechanical cell phenotyping, microarray analysis and gene-silencing to dissect cytoskeletal mediators of TGFβ-induced changes in mechanical properties of on-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells. Our experimental results show that elevation of rigidity and invasiveness of TGFβ-stimulated NSCLC cells correlates with upregulation of several cytoskeletal and motor proteins including vimentin, a canonical marker of EMT, and less-known unconventional myosins. Selective probing of gene-silenced cells lead to identification of unconventional myosin MYH15 as a novel mediator of elevated cell rigidity and invasiveness in TGFβ-stimulated NSCLC cells. Our experimental results provide insights into TGFβ-induced cytoskeletal remodeling of NSCLC cells and suggest that mediators of elevated cell stiffness and migratory activity such as unconventional cytoskeletal and motor proteins may represent promising pharmaceutical targets for restraining invasive spread of lung cancer.
Thermal Stabilization of Viral Vaccines in Low-Cost Sugar Films
Authors: Leung Vincent , Mapletoft Jonathan , Zhang Ali , Lee Amanda , Vahedi Fatemeh , Chew Marianne , Szewczyk Alexandra , Jahanshahi-Anbuhi Sana , Ang Jann , Cowbrough Braeden , Miller Matthew S. , Ashkar Ali , Filipe Carlos D. M. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMost currently available vaccines, particularly live vaccines, require the cold chain, as vaccine efficacy can be significantly hampered if they are not stored in a temperature range of 2–8 °C at all times. This necessity places a tremendous financial and logistical burden on vaccination programs, particularly in the developing world. The development of thermally stable vaccines can greatly alleviate this problem and, in turn, increase vaccine accessibility worldwide. In this paper, we detail a simple and cost-effective method for stabilizing live vaccines that uses FDA-approved materials. To this end, we dried enveloped DNA (Herpes Simplex Virus type 2) and RNA (Influenza A virus) viral vaccines in a pullulan and trehalose mixture. The results of these studies showed that the live-attenuated HSV-2 vaccine retained its efficacy for at least 2 months of storage at 40 °C, while the inactivated influenza vaccine was able to retain its immunogenicity for at least 3 months of storage at 40 °C. This work presents a simple approach that allows thermo-sensitive vaccines to be converted into thermo-stable vaccines that do not require refrigeration, thus contributing to the improvement of vaccine deployment throughout the world.
Chromosomal integration of aldo-keto-reductase and short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase genes in Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 enhanced tolerance to lignocellulose-derived microbial inhibitory compounds
Authors: Okonkwo Christopher Chukwudi , Ujor Victor , Ezeji Thaddeus Chukwuemeka 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn situ detoxification of lignocellulose-derived microbial inhibitory compounds is an economical strategy for the fermentation of lignocellulose-derived sugars to fuels and chemicals. In this study, we investigated homologous integration and constitutive expression of Cbei_3974 and Cbei_3904, which encode aldo-keto reductase and previously annotated short chain dehydrogenase/reductase, respectively, in Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 (Cb), resulting in two strains: Cb_3974 and Cb_3904. Expression of Cbei_3974 led to 2-fold increase in furfural detoxification relative to Cb_3904 and Cb_wild type. Correspondingly, butanol production was up to 1.2-fold greater in furfural-challenged cultures of Cb_3974 relative to Cb_3904 and Cb_wild type. With 4-hydroxybezaldehyde and syringaldehyde supplementation, Cb_3974 showed up to 2.4-fold increase in butanol concentration when compared to Cb_3904 and Cb_wild type. Syringic and vanillic acids were considerably less deleterious to all three strains of Cb tested. Overall, Cb_3974 showed greater tolerance to furfural, 4-hydroxybezaldehyde, and syringaldehyde with improved capacity for butanol production. Hence, development of Cb_3974 represents a significant progress towards engineering solventogenic Clostridium species that are tolerant to lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysates as substrates for ABE fermentation.