bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A macromolecular approach to eradicate multidrug resistant bacterial infections while mitigating drug resistance onset
Authors: Chin Willy , Zhong Guansheng , Pu Qinqin , Yang Chuan , Lou Weiyang , De Sessions Paola Florez , Periaswamy Balamurugan , Lee Ashlynn , Liang Zhen Chang , Ding Xin , Gao Shujun , Chu Collins Wenhan , Bianco Simone , Bao Chang , Tong Yen Wah , Fan Weimin , Wu Min , Hedrick James L. , Yang Yi Yan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPolymyxins remain the last line treatment for multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections. As polymyxins resistance emerges, there is an urgent need to develop effective antimicrobial agents capable of mitigating MDR. Here, we report biodegradable guanidinium-functionalized polycarbonates with a distinctive mechanism that does not induce drug resistance. Unlike conventional antibiotics, repeated use of the polymers does not lead to drug resistance. Transcriptomic analysis of bacteria further supports development of resistance to antibiotics but not to the macromolecules after 30 treatments. Importantly, high in vivo treatment efficacy of the macromolecules is achieved in MDR A. baumannii-, E. coli-, K. pneumoniae-, methicillin-resistant S. aureus-, cecal ligation and puncture-induced polymicrobial peritonitis, and P. aeruginosa lung infection mouse models while remaining non-toxic (e.g., therapeutic index—ED50/LD50: 1473 for A. baumannii infection). These biodegradable synthetic macromolecules have been demonstrated to have broad spectrum in vivo antimicrobial activity, and have excellent potential as systemic antimicrobials against MDR infections.
Spin-controlled atom–ion chemistry
Authors: Sikorsky Tomas , Meir Ziv , Ben-shlomi Ruti , Akerman Nitzan , Ozeri Roee 
Published: February 2018

AbstractQuantum control of chemical reactions is an important goal in chemistry and physics. Ultracold chemical reactions are often controlled by preparing the reactants in specific quantum states. Here we demonstrate spin-controlled atom–ion inelastic (spin-exchange) processes and chemical (charge-exchange) reactions in an ultracold Rb-Sr+ mixture. The ion’s spin state is controlled by the atomic hyperfine spin state via spin-exchange collisions, which polarize the ion’s spin parallel to the atomic spin. We achieve ~ 90% spin polarization due to the absence of strong spin-relaxation channel. Charge-exchange collisions involving electron transfer are only allowed for (RbSr)+ colliding in the singlet manifold. Initializing the atoms in various spin states affects the overlap of the collision wave function with the singlet molecular manifold and therefore also the reaction rate. Our observations agree with theoretical predictions.
Transcriptome analysis provides insights into xylogenesis formation in Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) shoot
Authors: Zhang Hui , Ying Ye-qing , Wang Jie , Zhao Xian-hai , Zeng Wei , Beahan Cherie , He Jun-bo , Chen Xiao-yang , Bacic Antony , Song Li-li , Wu Ai-min 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMaturation-related changes in cell wall composition and the molecular mechanisms underlying cell wall changes were investigated from the apical, middle and basal segments in moso bamboo shoot (MBS). With maturation extent from apical to basal regions in MBS, lignin and cellulose content increased, whereas heteroxylan exhibited a decreasing trend. Activities of phenylalanine amonnialyase (PAL), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) and cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (C4H), which are involved in lignin biosynthesis, increased rapidly from the apex to the base sections. The comparative transcriptomic analysis was carried out to identify some key genes involved in secondary cell walls (SCW) formation underlying the cell wall compositions changes including 63, 8, 18, and 31 functional unigenes encoding biosynthesis of lignin, cellulose, xylan and NAC-MYB-based transcription factors, respectively. Genes related to secondary cell wall formation and lignin biosynthesis had higher expression levels in the middle and basal segments compared to those in the apical segments. Furthermore, the expression profile of PePAL gene showed positive relationships with cellulose-related gene PeCESA4, xylan-related genes PeIRX9 and PeIRX10. Our results indicated that lignification occurred in the more mature middle and basal segments in MBS at harvest while lignification of MBS were correlated with higher expression levels of PeCESA4, PeIRX9 and PeIRX10 genes.
In vivo virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis depends on a single homologue of the LytR-CpsA-Psr proteins
Authors: Malm S. , Maaß S. , Schaible U. E. , Ehlers S. , Niemann S. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractLytR-cpsA-Psr (LCP) domain containing proteins fulfil important functions in bacterial cell wall synthesis. In Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (Mtbc) strains, the causative agents of tuberculosis (TB), the genes Rv3484 and Rv3267 encode for LCP proteins which are putatively involved in arabinogalactan transfer to peptidoglycan. To evaluate the significance of Rv3484 for Mtbc virulence, we generated a deletion mutant in the Mtbc strain H37Rv and studied its survival in mice upon aerosol infection. The deletion mutant failed to establish infection demonstrating that Rv3484 is essential for growth in mice. Following an initial phase of marginal replication in the lungs until day 21, the Rv3484 deletion mutant was almost eliminated by day 180 post-infectionem. Interestingly, the mutant also showed higher levels of resistance to meropenem/clavulanate and lysozyme, both targeting peptidoglycan structure. We conclude that Rv3484 is essential for Mtbc virulence in vivo where its loss of function cannot be compensated by Rv3267.
Deletion of the Syncytin A receptor Ly6e impairs syncytiotrophoblast fusion and placental morphogenesis causing embryonic lethality in mice
Authors: Langford Michael B. , Outhwaite Jennifer E. , Hughes Martha , Natale David R. C. , Simmons David G. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFetal growth and survival is dependent on the elaboration and propinquity of the fetal and maternal circulations within the placenta. Central to this is the formation of the interhaemal membrane, a multi-cellular lamina facilitating exchange of oxygen, nutrients and metabolic waste products between the mother and fetus. In rodents, this cellular barrier contains two transporting layers of syncytiotrophoblast, which are multinucleated cells that form by cell-cell fusion. Previously, we reported the expression of the GPI-linked cell surface protein LY6E by the syncytial layer closest to the maternal sinusoids of the mouse placenta (syncytiotrophoblast layer I). LY6E has since been shown to be a putative receptor for the fusogenic protein responsible for fusion of syncytiotrophoblast layer I, Syncytin A. In this report, we demonstrate that LY6E is essential for the normal fusion of syncytiotrophoblast layer I, and for the proper morphogenesis of both fetal and maternal vasculatures within the placenta. Furthermore, specific inactivation ofLy6ein the epiblast, but not in placenta, is compatible with embryonic development, indicating the embryonic lethality reported forLy6e−/−embryos is most likely placental in origin.
High Sensitivity of T-Ray for Thrombus Sensing
Authors: Sun Chi-Kuang , Chen Hui-Yuan , Tseng Tzu-Fang , You Borwen , Wei Ming-Liang , Lu Ja-Yu , Chang Ya-Lei , Tseng Wan-Ling , Wang Tzung-Dau 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAtherosclerotic plaque rupture or erosion and subsequent development of platelet-containing thrombus formation is the fundamental cause of cardiovascular disease, which is the most common cause of death and disability worldwide. Here we show the high sensitivity of 200–270 GHz T-ray to distinguish thrombus formation at its early stage from uncoagulated blood. A clinical observational study was conducted to longitudinally monitor the T-ray absorption constant of ex-vivo human blood during the thrombus formation from 29 subjects. Compared with the control group (28 subjects) with uncoagulated blood samples, our analysis indicates the high sensitivity of 200–270 GHz T-Ray to detect thrombus with a low p-value < 10−5. Further analysis supports the significant role of platelet-activated thrombotic cascade, which modified the solvation dynamics of blood and occurred during the early coagulation stage, on the measured T-Ray absorption change. The ability to sense the thrombus formation at its early stage would hold promise for timely identification of patients at risk of various atherothrombotic disorders and save billions of lives.
Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles by thermophilic filamentous fungi
Authors: Molnár Zsófia , Bódai Viktória , Szakacs George , Erdélyi Balázs , Fogarassy Zsolt , Sáfrán György , Varga Tamás , Kónya Zoltán , Tóth-Szeles Eszter , Szűcs Rózsa , Lagzi István 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAlternative methods, including green synthetic approaches for the preparation of various types of nanoparticles are important to maintain sustainable development. Extracellular or intracellular extracts of fungi are perfect candidates for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles due to the scalability and cost efficiency of fungal growth even on industrial scale. There are several methods and techniques that use fungi-originated fractions for synthesis of gold nanoparticles. However, there is less knowledge about the drawbacks and limitations of these techniques. Additionally, identification of components that play key roles in the synthesis is challenging. Here we show and compare the results of three different approaches for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles using either the extracellular fraction, the autolysate of the fungi or the intracellular fraction of 29 thermophilic fungi. We observed the formation of nanoparticles with different sizes (ranging between 6 nm and 40 nm) and size distributions (with standard deviations ranging between 30% and 70%) depending on the fungi strain and experimental conditions. We found by using ultracentrifugal filtration technique that the size of reducing agents is less than 3 kDa and the size of molecules that can efficiently stabilize nanoparticles is greater than 3 kDa.
Improved isolation strategies to increase the yield and purity of human urinary exosomes for biomarker discovery
Authors: Gheinani Ali Hashemi , Vögeli Mike , Baumgartner Ulrich , Vassella Erik , Draeger Annette , Burkhard Fiona C. , Monastyrskaya Katia 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCirculating miRNAs are detected in extracellular space and body fluids such as urine. Circulating RNAs can be packaged in secreted urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) and thus protected from degradation. Urinary exosome preparations might contain specific miRNAs, relevant as biomarkers in renal and bladder diseases. Major difficulties in application of uEVs into the clinical environment are the high variability and low reproducibility of uEV isolation methods. Here we used five different methods to isolate uEVs and compared the size distribution, morphology, yield, presence of exosomal protein markers and RNA content of uEVs. We present an optimized ultracentrifugation and size exclusion chromatography approach for highly reproducible isolation for 50–150 nm uEVs, corresponding to the exosomes, from 50 ml urine. We profiled the miRNA content of uEVs and total urine from the same samples with the NanoString platform and validated the data using qPCR. Our results indicate that 18 miRNAs, robustly detected in uEVs were always present in the total urine. However, 15 miRNAs could be detected only in the total urine preparations and might represent naked circulating miRNA species. This is a novel unbiased and reproducible strategy for uEVs isolation, content normalization and miRNA cargo analysis, suitable for biomarker discovery studies.
Trichostatin A reverses the chemoresistance of lung cancer with high IGFBP2 expression through enhancing autophagy
Authors: Tang Dongfang , Yao Ruyong , Zhao Dandan , Zhou Lin , Wu Yun , Yang Yang , Sun Yifeng , Lu Liming , Gao Wen 
Published: February 2018

AbstractInsulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling plays an important role in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Here, we analyzed insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein-2 (IGFBP2) expression in 81 lung cancer patients and 36 controls consisting of healthy and benign pulmonary lesion participants for comparison, then validated the IGFBP2 expression in additional 84 lung cancer patients, and evaluated the prognostic and chemoresistant significance of IGFBP2 in two cohorts respectively. Next we detected the reversal effect of trichostatin A (TSA) on chemoresistance in cell lines with high IGFBP2 expression. As a result, the mean expression of IGFBP2 in lung cancer patients was significantly higher than that in controls and increased with lung cancer progressed to advanced stage. In addition, high IGFBP2 expression was independently predictive for chemoresistance; over-expressed IGFBP2 enhances cell activity and TSA can reverse the chemoresistance induced by high IGFBP2 expression through enhancing autophagy. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that lung cancer patients whose blood IGFBP2 was higher had a poor survival outcome, with a hazard ratio of 8.22 (95%CI 1.78–37.92, P = 0.007) after adjustment for stage, histopathology, EGFR mutation, age, smoking and surgery.
Ferromagnetic domain walls as spin wave filters and the interplay between domain walls and spin waves
Authors: Chang Liang-Juan , Liu Yen-Fu , Kao Ming-Yi , Tsai Li-Zai , Liang Jun-Zhi , Lee Shang-Fan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractSpin waves (SW) are low energy excitations of magnetization in magnetic materials. In the promising field of magnonics, fundamental SW modes, magnons, are accessible in magnetic nanostructure waveguides and carry information. The SW propagates in both metals and insulators via magnetization dynamics. Energy dissipation through damping can be low compared to the Joule heating in conventional circuits. We performed simulations in a quasi-one-dimensional ferromagnetic strip and found that the transmission of the propagating SW across the domain wall (DW) depends strongly on the tilt angle of the magnetization at low frequencies. When the SW amplitude is large, the magnetization tilt angle inside the DW changes due to the effective fields. The SW transmission, the DW motion, and the magnetization tilt angle couple to each other, which results in complex DW motion and SW transmission. Both SW filtering and DW motions are key ingredients in magnonics.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of GRAS family transcription factors in tea plant (Camellia sinensis)
Authors: Wang Yong-Xin , Liu Zhi-Wei , Wu Zhi-Jun , Li Hui , Wang Wen-Li , Cui Xin , Zhuang Jing 
Published: February 2018

AbstractGRAS proteins are important transcription factors that play multifarious roles in regulating the growth and development as well as stress responses of plants. Tea plant is an economically important leaf -type beverage crop. Information concerning GRAS family transcription factors in tea plant is insufficient. In this study, 52 CsGRAS genes encoding GRAS proteins were identified from tea plant genome database. Phylogenetic analysis of the identified GRAS proteins from tea plant, Arabidopsis, and rice divided these proteins into at least 13 subgroups. Conserved motif analysis revealed that the gene structure and motif compositions of the proteins were considerably conserved among the same subgroup. Functional divergence analysis indicated that the shifted evolutionary rate might act as a major evolutionary force driving subfamily-specific functional diversification. Transcriptome analysis showed that the transcriptional levels of CsGRAS genes under non-stress conditions varied among different tea plant cultivars. qRT-PCR analysis revealed tissue and development stage-specific expression patterns of CsGRAS genes in tea plant. The expression patterns of CsGRAS genes in response to abiotic stresses and gibberellin treatment suggested the possible multiple functions of these genes. This study provides insights into the potential functions of GRAS genes.
Low Threshold Room Temperature Amplified Spontaneous Emission in 0D, 1D and 2D Quantum Confined Systems
Authors: Chhantyal Parva , Naskar Suraj , Birr Tobias , Fischer Tim , Lübkemann Franziska , Chichkov Boris N. , Dorfs Dirk , Bigall Nadja C. , Reinhardt Carsten 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe address optical amplification properties of quantum nanoparticles of the cadmium selenide/cadmium sulfide (CdSe/CdS) material system with different dimensionality of spatial confinement. CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots (QDs), core/shell quantum rods (QRs) and 5 monolayer thick core/crown nanoplatelets (NPLs) at ambient temperature are considered, exhibiting 0D, 1D and 2D spatial confinement dimensionality of the electronic system, respectively. Continuous films of all these nanoparticles are synthesised, and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) spectra are measured under femtosecond pumping at wavelengths of 400 nm and 800 nm, respectively. The lowest threshold is found for NPLs and the highest for QDs, demonstrating the influence of the rod-like and plate-like CdS structures. To emphasize this effect, ASE is demonstrated also in CdSe/CdS QRs and NPLs under nanosecond pumping at 355 nm in the same material films. The amplification has been achieved without use of any feedback structure, emphazising the efficiency of the antenna effect. The pumping threshold fluences for NPLs and QRs are observed to be similar, but no ASE is observed in QDs up to the damage threshold of the nanoparticle layers. The length variation investigation with nanosecond pumping resulted in the gain coefficients of 29 cm−1 and 37 cm−1 for QRs and NPLs, respectively.
Structured Review of Dichotic Tests of Binaural Integration: Clinical Performance in Children
Authors: Kelley Kairn Stetler , Littenberg Benjamin 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThe aim of the study was to evaluate the evidence of clinical utility for dichotic speech tests of binaural integration used to assess auditory processing in English-speaking children 6–14 years old.MethodDichotic speech test recordings and pertinent research studies were identified from iterative searches of the Internet and bibliographic databases, as well as communication with colleagues and test publishers. Test documentation and peer-reviewed literature were evaluated for evidence of reliability, accuracy, usefulness, and value.ResultsEleven dichotic tests of binaural integration were identified for children. Evidence of test–retest reliability was found for 5 tests and demonstrated moderate to good correlation between results on repeated administration (r= .59–.92). Evidence of accuracy was identified for 5 tests but was either inconsistent with accurate performance or was not generalizable due to significant limitations in study design. No evidence was found to either support or dispute claims of usefulness or value.ConclusionsA medical diagnostic framework is useful for evaluating dichotic tests. Although dichotic procedures show moderate reliability, the absence of a widely accepted gold standard reference test limits our ability to assess their value. Overall, the data available at the time of this review do not support the routine use of dichotic tests of binaural integration for clinical evaluation of children.
A reliable mixed method for singular integro-differential equations of non-integer order
Authors: Baleanu Dumitru , Darzi Rahmat , Agheli Bahram 
Published: February 2018

It is our goal in this article to apply a method which is based on the assumption that combines two methods of conjugating collocation and multiple shooting method. The proposed method can be used to find the numerical solution of singular fractional integro-differential boundary value problems (SFIBVPs)
Dϑ y(t) + η ∫0t  (t−s)ς−1 y(s) ds = g(t),    1 < ϑ ≤ 2,    0 < ς< 1,    η ∈ ℝ,
where Dϑ denotes the Caputo derivative of order ϑ. Meanwhile, in a separate section the existence and uniqueness of this method is also discussed. Two examples are presented to illustrate the application and further understanding of the methods.
Orbitopterional Craniotomy Resection of Pediatric Suprasellar Craniopharyngioma
Authors: LeFever Devon , Storey Chris , Guthikonda Bharat 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe orbitopterional approach provides an excellent combination of basal access and suprasellar access. This approach also allows for less brain retraction when resecting larger suprasellar tumors that are more superiorly projecting due to a more frontal and inferior trajectory. In this operative video, the authors thoroughly detail an orbitopterional craniotomy utilizing a one-piece modified orbitozygomatic technique. This technique involves opening the craniotomy through a standard pterional incision. The craniotomy is performed using the standard three burr holes of a pterional approach; however, the osteotomy is extended anteriorly through the frontal process of the zygomatic bone as well as through the supraorbital rim. In this operative video atlas, the authors illustrate the operative anatomy, as well as surgical strategy and techniques to resect a large suprasellar craniopharyngioma in a 4-year-old male. Other reasonable approach options for a lesion of this size would include a standard pterional approach, a supraorbital approach, or expanded endoscopic transsphenoidal approach. The lesion was quite high and thus, the supraorbital approach may confine access to the superior portion of the tumor. While recognizing that some groups may have chosen the endoscopic expanded transsphenoidal approach for this lesion, the authors describe more confidence in achieving the goal of a safe and maximal resection with the orbitopterional approach.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/eznsK16BzR8.
Transitory microbial habitat in the hyperarid Atacama Desert
Authors: Schulze-Makuch Dirk , Wagner Dirk , Kounaves Samuel P. , Mangelsdorf Kai , Devine Kevin G. , de Vera Jean-Pierre , Schmitt-Kopplin Philippe , Grossart Hans-Peter , Parro Victor , Kaupenjohann Martin , Galy Albert , Schneider Beate , Airo Alessandro , Frösler Jan , Davila Alfonso F. , Arens Felix L. , Cáceres Luis , Cornejo Francisco Solís , Carrizo Daniel , Dartnell Lewis , DiRuggiero Jocelyne , Flury Markus , Ganzert Lars , Gessner Mark O. , Grathwohl Peter , Guan Lisa , Heinz Jacob , Hess Matthias , Keppler Frank , Maus Deborah , McKay Christopher P. , Meckenstock Rainer U. , Montgomery Wren , Oberlin Elizabeth A. , Probst Alexander J. , Sáenz Johan S. , Sattler Tobias , Schirmack Janosch , Sephton Mark A. , Schloter Michael , Uhl Jenny , Valenzuela Bernardita , Vestergaard Gisle , Wörmer Lars , Zamorano Pedro 
Published: February 2018

Significance
It has remained an unresolved question whether microorganisms recovered from the most arid environments on Earth are thriving under such extreme conditions or are just dead or dying vestiges of viable cells fortuitously deposited by atmospheric processes. Based on multiple lines of evidence, we show that indigenous microbial communities are present and temporally active even in the hyperarid soils of the Atacama Desert (Chile). Following extremely rare precipitation events in the driest parts of this desert, where rainfall often occurs only once per decade, we were able to detect episodic incidences of biological activity. Our findings expand the range of hyperarid environments temporarily habitable for terrestrial life, which by extension also applies to other planetary bodies like Mars.