bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anthropogenic impact is negatively related to coral health in Sicily (Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Prada Fiorella , Musco Luigi , Alagna Adriana , Agnetta Davide , Beccari Eleonora , D’Anna Giovanni , Giacalone Vincenzo Maximiliano , Pipitone Carlo , Vega Fernández Tomás , Goffredo Stefano , Badalamenti Fabio 
Published: September 2019

AbstractShallow-water marine organisms are among the first to suffer from combined effects of natural and anthropogenic drivers. The orange coralAstroides calycularisis a shallow-water bioconstructor species endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. Although raising conservation interest, also given its special position within the Dendrophylliidae, information about the threats to its health is scant. We investigated the health status ofA. calycularisat five locations in northwestern Sicily along a gradient of cumulative human impact and the most probable origin of the threats to this species, including anthropogenic land-based and sea-based threats. Cumulative human impact appeared inversely related to the performance ofA. calycularisat population, colony, and polyp levels. Sea-based human impacts appeared among the most likely causes of the variation observed. The reduction in polyp length can limit the reproductive performance ofA. calycularis, while the decrease of percent cover and colony area is expected to impair its peculiar feeding behaviour by limiting the exploitable dimensional range of prey and, ultimately, reef functioning. This endangered habitat-forming species appeared susceptible to anthropogenic pressures, suggesting the need to re-assess its vulnerability status. Creating microprotected areas with specific restrictions to sea-based human impacts could be the best practice preserve these bioconstructions.
Deciphering the microbiome shift during fermentation of medicinal plants
Authors: Köberl Martina , Erschen Sabine , Etemadi Mohammad , White Richard Allen , El-Arabi Tarek F. , Berg Gabriele 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe importance of the human-microbiome relationship for positive health outcomes has become more apparent over the last decade. Influencing the gut microbiome via modification of diet represents a possibility of maintaining a healthy gut flora. Fermented food and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) display a preventive way to inhibit microbial dysbioses and diseases, but their ecology on plants is poorly understood. We characterized the microbiome of medicinal plants (Matricaria chamomilla L. and Calendula officinalis L.) using 16S rRNA gene profiling from leaves that were fermented over a six-week time course. The unfermented samples were characterized by a distinct phyllosphere microbiome, while the endosphere revealed a high similarity. During fermentation, significant microbial shifts were observed, whereby LAB were enhanced in all approaches but never numerically dominated. Among the LAB, Enterococcaceae were identified as the most dominant family in both plants. M. chamomilla community had higher relative abundances of Lactobacillaceae and Carnobacteriaceae, while C. officinalis showed a higher presence of Leuconostocaceae and Streptococcaceae. The natural leaf microbiome and the indigenous LAB communities of field-grown Asteraceae medicinal plants are plant-specific and habitat-specific and are subjected to significant shifts during fermentation. Leaf surfaces as well as leaf endospheres were identified as sources for biopreservative LAB.
Detection of dengue using PAMAM dendrimer integrated tapered optical fiber sensor
Authors: Mustapha Kamil Yasmin , Al-Rekabi Sura H. , Yaacob Mohd Hanif , Syahir Amir , Chee Hui Yee , Mahdi Mohd Adzir , Abu Bakar Muhammad Hafiz 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe exponential escalation of dengue cases has indeed become a global health crisis. This work elaborates on the development of a biofunctionalized tapered optical fiber (TOF) based sensor with the integration of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer for the detection of dengue E protein. The dimension of the TOF generated an evanescent field that was sensitive to any changes in the external medium while the integration of PAMAM promoted more adhesion of bio-recognition molecules; anti-DENV II E protein antibodies; that were complementary to the targeted protein. This in return created more active sites for the absorption of DENV II E proteins onto the tapered region. The resolution and detection limit of the sensor are 19.53 nm/nM and 1 pM, respectively with Kd = 1.02 × 10−10 M.
Quantification of wild-type and radiation attenuated Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite motility in human skin
Authors: Winkel Béatrice M. F. , de Korne Clarize M. , van Oosterom Matthias N. , Staphorst Diego , Meijhuis Mark , Baalbergen Els , Ganesh Munisha S. , Dechering Koen J. , Vos Martijn W. , Chevalley-Maurel Séverine C. , Franke-Fayard Blandine , van Leeuwen Fijs W. B. , Roestenberg Meta 
Published: September 2019

AbstractGiven the number of global malaria cases and deaths, the need for a vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) remains pressing. Administration of live, radiation-attenuated Pf sporozoites can fully protect malaria-naïve individuals. Despite the fact that motility of these attenuated parasites is key to their infectivity and ultimately protective efficacy, sporozoite motility in human tissue (e.g. skin) remains wholly uncharacterized to date. We show that the ability to quantitatively address the complexity of sporozoite motility in human tissue provides an additional tool in the development of attenuated sporozoite vaccines. We imaged Pf movement in the skin of its natural host and compared wild-type and radiation-attenuated GFP-expressing Pf sporozoites. Using custom image analysis software and human skin explants we were able to quantitatively study their key motility features. This head-to-head comparison revealed that radiation attenuation impaired the capacity of sporozoites to vary their movement angle, velocity and direction, promoting less refined movement patterns. Understanding and overcoming these changes in motility will contribute to the development of an efficacious attenuated parasite malaria vaccine.
The association between airflow limitation and blood eosinophil levels with treatment outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and prolonged mechanical ventilation
Authors: Huang Wei-Chang , Huang Chen-Cheng , Wu Pi-Chu , Chen Chao-Jung , Cheng Ya-Hua , Chen Hui-Chen , Lee Ching-Hsiao , Wu Ming-Feng , Hsu Jeng-Yuan 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe clinical implications of airflow limitation severity and blood eosinophil level in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) are unknown. Thus, this study aimed to identify whether or not these two indicators were significantly associated with short-term in-respiratory care center (RCC) treatment outcomes in this population. Of all participants (n = 181) in this retrospective cross-sectional study, 41.4%, 40.9%, 8.3%, and 52.5% had prolonged RCC admission (RCC length of stay >21 days), failed weaning, death, and any adverse outcomes of interest, respectively. Compared to participants without any adverse outcomes of interest, moderate (the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) II) and/or severe (GOLD III) airflow limitation were significantly associated with short-term in-RCC adverse outcomes in terms of failed weaning (for III versus I, OR = 15.06, p = 0.003) and having any adverse outcomes of interest (for II versus I, OR = 17.66, p = 0.002; for III versus I, OR = 37.07, p = 0.000) though the severity of airflow limitation did not have associations with prolonged RCC admission and death after adjustment. Meanwhile, blood eosinophilia defined by various cut-off values was not associated with any adverse outcomes. The findings have significant clinical implications and are useful in the management of patients with COPD and PMV.
VX-770-mediated potentiation of numerous human CFTR disease mutants is influenced by phosphorylation level
Authors: Cui Guiying , Stauffer Brandon B. , Imhoff Barry R. , Rab Andras , Hong Jeong S. , Sorscher Eric J. , McCarty Nael A. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractVX-770 (ivacaftor) is approved for clinical use in CF patients bearing multiple CFTR mutations. VX-770 potentiated wildtype CFTR and several disease mutants expressed in oocytes in a manner modulated by PKA-mediated phosphorylation. Potentiation of some other mutants, including G551D-CFTR, was less dependent upon the level of phosphorylation, likely related to the severe gating defects in these mutants exhibited in part by a shift in PKA sensitivity to activation, possibly due to an electrostatic interaction of D551 with K1250. Phosphorylation-dependent potentiation of wildtype CFTR and other variants also was observed in epithelial cells. Hence, the efficacy of potentiators may be obscured by a ceiling effect when drug screening is performed under strongly phosphorylating conditions. These results should be considered in campaigns for CFTR potentiator discovery, and may enable the expansion of VX-770 to CF patients bearing ultra-orphan CFTR mutations.
Circulating microRNA profile as a potential biomarker for obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis
Authors: Santamaria-Martos Fernando , Benítez Iván , Ortega Francisco , Zapater Andrea , Giron Cristina , Pinilla Lucía , Pascual Lydia , Cortijo Anunciación , Dalmases Mireia , Fernandez-Real Jose M. , Barbé Ferran , Sánchez-de-la-Torre Manuel 
Published: September 2019

AbstractEvaluation of microRNAs (miRNAs) could allow characterization of the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and help diagnose it more accurately. We aimed to examine circulating miRNA profiles to establish the differences between non-OSA and OSA patients. Additionally, we aimed to analyse the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on the miRNA profile. This observational, longitudinal study included 230 subjects referred to the Sleep Unit due to suspected OSA. Expression profiling of 188 miRNAs in plasma was performed in 27 subjects by TaqMan-Low-Density-Array. OSA-related miRNAs were selected for validation by RT-qPCR in 203 patients. Prediction models were built to discriminate between non-OSA and OSA: 1) NoSAS-score, 2) differentially expressed miRNAs, and 3) combination of NoSAS-score plus miRNAs. The differentially expressed miRNAs were measured after 6 months of follow-up. From the 14 miRNAs selected for validation, 6 were confirmed to be differentially expressed. The areas under the curve were 0.73 for the NoSAS-score, 0.81 for the miRNAs and 0.86 for the combination. After 6 months of CPAP treatment, miRNA levels in the OSA group seem to approximate to non-OSA levels. A cluster of miRNAs was identified to differentiate between non-OSA and OSA patients. CPAP treatment was associated with changes in the circulating miRNA profile.
Impact of systemic therapy on circulating leukocyte populations in patients with metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Larsson Anna-Maria , Roxå Anna , Leandersson Karin , Bergenfelz Caroline 
Published: September 2019

AbstractTumors affect the immune system, locally and systemically. The frequencies of specific circulating immune cell populations correlate with disease progression as well as prognosis of the patients. Although largely neglected, conventional antitumoral therapies often possess immunomodulatory properties and affect the levels of specific immune cell populations. Most information, however, derive from animal or in vitro studies. As this could impact prognosis as well as response to therapy, further studies of the effects of treatment on circulating immune cells in patients are warranted. In this pilot study, we evaluated a wide panel of circulating immune cells over time (up to six months) in ten patients with metastatic breast cancer receiving standard antitumoral regimens. Overall, endocrine therapy tends to enrich for natural killer (NK) and natural killer T (NKT) cells in the circulation, whereas both chemotherapy and endocrine therapy reduce the levels of circulating monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (Mo-MDSCs). This indicates that the systemic immunosuppressive profile observed in patients tends to revert over the course of systemic therapy and holds promise for future combination treatment with standard antitumoral agents and immunotherapy.
Safety of transcutaneous electrical sensory stimulation of the neck in terms of vital parameters in dysphagia rehabilitation
Authors: Nagami Shinsuke , Maeda Keisuke , Fukunaga Shinya , Ikeno Masahiro , Oku Yoshitaka 
Published: September 2019

AbstractTranscutaneous electrical sensory stimulation (TESS) devices are approved for use in Japan, but their safety when used through the neck skin for dysphagia rehabilitation has not been reported. This study aimed to verify the safety of TESS use through the neck skin. Twenty patients (mean age 86.5 ± 5.1 years) with aspiration pneumonia undergoing dysphagia rehabilitation were included in this retrospective observational and matched control study. We compared vital signs in 10 subjects who underwent swallowing rehabilitation with the TESS device, and matched control patients over 7 days. The results were the following: tachycardia, 0.60 ± 1.07 vs. 0.70 ± 0.67 days; high blood pressure, 0.40 ± 0.70 vs. 0.50 ± 1.08 days; low blood pressure, 0.40 ± 0.70 vs. 0.10 ± 0.32 days; low oxygen saturation, 0.60 ± 1.58 vs. 0.50 ± 1.08 days, p = 0.870; oxygen administration, 0.80 ± 2.20 vs. 1.20 ± 2.15 days; tachypnea, 0.50 ± 0.71 vs. 0.50 ± 0.53 days; elevated body temperature, 2.00 ± 1.41 vs. 1.60 ± 1.96 days. There were no significant differences in clinical stability between the TESS and control groups of patients with aspiration pneumonia. TESS through the neck appears safe as an intervention in dysphagia rehabilitation.
Embedding topography enables fracture guidance in soft solids
Authors: Maiorana Christopher H. , Erbe Mitchell , Blank Travis , Lipsky Zachary , German Guy K. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe natural topographical microchannels in human skin have recently been shown to be capable of guiding propagating cracks. In this article we examine the ability to guide fracture by incorporating similar topographical features into both single, and dual layer elastomer membranes that exhibit uniform thickness. In single layer membranes, crack guidance is achieved by minimizing the nadir thickness of incorporated v-shaped channels, maximizing the release of localized strain energy. In dual layer membranes, crack guidance along embedded channels is achieved via interfacial delamination, which requires less energy to create a new surface than molecular debonding. In both membrane types, guided crack growth is only temporary. However, utilizing multiple embedded channels, non-contiguous crack control can be maintained at angles up to 45° from the mode I fracture condition. The ability to control and deflect fracture holds great potential for improving the robustness and lifespan of flexible electronics and stretchable sensors.
Diversity and geochemical community assembly processes of the living rare biosphere in a sand-and-gravel aquifer ecosystem in the Midwestern United States
Authors: Yamamoto Kyosuke , Hackley Keith C. , Kelly Walton R. , Panno Samuel V. , Sekiguchi Yuji , Sanford Robert A. , Liu Wen-Tso , Kamagata Yoichi , Tamaki Hideyuki 
Published: September 2019

AbstractNatural microbial communities consist of a limited number of abundant species and an extraordinarily diverse population of rare species referred to as the rare biosphere. Recent studies have revealed that the rare biosphere is not merely an inactive dormant population but may play substantial functional roles in the ecosystem. However, structure, activity and community assembly processes of the rare biosphere are poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the present and living microbial community structures including rare populations in an aquifer ecosystem, the Mahomet Aquifer, USA, by both 16S rDNA and rRNA amplicon deep sequencing. The 13 groundwater samples formed three distinct groups based on the “entire” community structure, and the same grouping was obtained when focusing on the “rare” subcommunities (<0.1% of total abundance), while the “abundant” subcommunities (>1.0%) gave a different grouping. In the correlation analyses, the observed grouping pattern is associated with several geochemical factors, and structures of not only the entire community but also the rare subcommunity are correlated with geochemical profiles in the aquifer ecosystem. Our findings first indicate that the living rare biosphere in the aquifer system has the metabolic potential to adapt to local geochemical factors which dictate the community assembly processes.
Effects of cannabinoids on the development of chick embryos in ovo
Authors: Gustafsson Sofia B. , Jacobsson Stig O. P. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractWe have examined the effects of the synthetic cannabinoids HU 210 and HU 211, the plant-derived cannabidiol and the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide on the viability and development of chick embryos. Fertilized White Leghorn chicken eggs were injected with the test compounds or carrier vehicle, via a drilled small hole in the egg, directly into the egg yolk. After nine days of exposure, the embryonal viability, length and wet weight of embryos, and wet weight of brains were measured, and the development stages were assessed according to the Hamburger and Hamilton (HH) scale. The potent synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist HU 210 and the non-psychotropic cannabidiol were embryotoxic at the highest concentrations examined (10 µM and 50 µM, respectively), with no viable embryos after the HU 210 injection, and 20% viability after the cannabidiol injections. The effects of HU 210 on the chick embryo were attenuated by α-tocopherol and the cannabinoid receptor antagonist AM251, whereas only α-tocopherol gave a statistically significant protection against the embryotoxic effects of cannabidiol. This study shows that exposure to plant-derived or synthetic cannabinoids during early embryonal development decreases embryonal viability. Extrapolation of data across species is of course difficult, but the data would argue against the use of cannabinoids, be it recreationally or therapeutically, during pregnancy.
TET2 catalyzes active DNA demethylation of the Sry promoter and enhances its expression
Authors: Okashita Naoki , Kuroki Shunsuke , Maeda Ryo , Tachibana Makoto 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSRY is the master regulator of male sex determination in eutherian mammals. In mice, Sry expression is transcriptionally and epigenetically controlled in a developmental stage-specific manner. The Sry promoter undergoes demethylation in embryonic gonadal somatic cells at the sex-determining period. However, its molecular mechanism and in vivo significance remain unclear. Here, we report that the Sry promoter is actively demethylated during gonadal development, and TET2 plays a fundamental role in Sry demethylation. Tet2-deficient mice showed absence of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in the Sry promoter. Furthermore, Tet2 deficiency diminished Sry expression, indicating that TET2-mediated DNA demethylation regulates Sry expression positively. We previously showed that the deficiency of the H3K9 demethylase Jmjd1a compromises Sry expression and induces male-to-female sex reversal. Tet2 deficiency enhanced the sex reversal phenotype of Jmjd1a-deficient mice. Thus, TET2-mediated active DNA demethylation and JMJD1A-mediated H3K9 demethylation contribute synergistically to sex determination.
High-resolution crystal structure of human asparagine synthetase enables analysis of inhibitor binding and selectivity
Authors: Zhu Wen , Radadiya Ashish , Bisson Claudine , Wenzel Sabine , Nordin Brian E. , Martínez-Márquez Francisco , Imasaki Tsuyoshi , Sedelnikova Svetlana E. , Coricello Adriana , Baumann Patrick , Berry Alexandria H. , Nomanbhoy Tyzoon K. , Kozarich John W. , Jin Yi , Rice David W. , Takagi Yuichiro , Richards Nigel G. J. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractExpression of human asparagine synthetase (ASNS) promotes metastatic progression and tumor cell invasiveness in colorectal and breast cancer, presumably by altering cellular levels of L-asparagine. Human ASNS is therefore emerging as a bona fide drug target for cancer therapy. Here we show that a slow-onset, tight binding inhibitor, which exhibits nanomolar affinity for human ASNS in vitro, exhibits excellent selectivity at 10 μM concentration in HCT-116 cell lysates with almost no off-target binding. The high-resolution (1.85 Å) crystal structure of human ASNS has enabled us to identify a cluster of negatively charged side chains in the synthetase domain that plays a key role in inhibitor binding. Comparing this structure with those of evolutionarily related AMP-forming enzymes provides insights into intermolecular interactions that give rise to the observed binding selectivity. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of developing second generation human ASNS inhibitors as lead compounds for the discovery of drugs against metastasis.
Broadband spectral analysis of MXB 1659−298 in its soft and hard state
Authors: Iaria R. , Mazzola S. M. , Bassi T. , Gambino A. F. , Marino A. , Di Salvo T. , Sanna A. , Riggio A. , Burderi L. , D’Amico N. 
Published: September 2019

Context. The X-ray transient eclipsing source MXB 1659−298 went into outburst in 1999 and 2015. During these two outbursts the source was observed by XMM-Newton, NuSTAR, and Swift/XRT.
Aims. Using these observations, we studied the broadband spectrum of the source to constrain the continuum components and to verify whether it had a reflection component, as is observed in other X-ray eclipsing transient sources.
Methods. We combined the available spectra to study the soft and hard state of the source in the 0.45–55 keV energy range.
Results. We report a reflection component in the soft and hard state. The direct emission in the soft state can be modeled with a thermal component originating from the inner accretion disk plus a Comptonized component associated with an optically thick corona surrounding the neutron star. On the other hand, the direct emission in the hard state is described only by a Comptonized component with a temperature higher than 130 keV; this component is associated with an optically thin corona. We observed narrow absorption lines from highly ionized ions of oxygen, neon, and iron in the soft spectral state. We investigated where the narrow absorption lines form in the ionized absorber. The equivalent hydrogen column density associated with the absorber is close to 6 × 1023 cm−2 and 1.3 × 1023 cm−2 in the soft and hard state, respectively.
The most massive, passive, and oldest galaxies at 0.5 < z < 2.1: Downsizing signature from galaxies selected from MgUV index
Authors: Thomas R. , Le Fèvre O. , Zamorani G. , Lemaux B. C. , Hibon P. , Koekemoer A. , Hathi N. , Maccagni D. , Cassata P. , Cassarà L. P. , Bardelli S. , Talia M. , Zucca E. 
Published: September 2019

Aims. We seek is to identify old and massive galaxies at 0.5 < z < 2.1 on the basis of the magnesium index MgUV and then study their physical properties.
Methods. We computed the MgUV index based on the best spectral fitting template of ∼3700 galaxies using data from the VLT VIMOS Deep Survey (VVDS) and VIMOS Ultra Deep Survey (VUDS) galaxy redshift surveys. Based on galaxies with the largest signal to noise and the best fit spectra we selected 103 objects with the highest spectral MgUV signature. We performed an independent fit of the photometric data of these galaxies and computed their stellar masses, star formation rates, extinction by dust and age, and we related these quantities to the MgUV index.
Results. We find that the MgUV index is a suitable tracer of early-type galaxies at an advanced stage of evolution. Selecting galaxies with the highest MgUV index allows us to choose the most massive, passive, and oldest galaxies at any epoch. The formation epoch tf computed from the fitted age as a function of the total mass in stars supports the downsizing formation paradigm in which galaxies with the highest mass formed most of their stars at an earlier epoch.