bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Removal of Staphylococcus aureus from skin using a combination antibiofilm approach
Authors: Wang Yi , Tan Xiaojuan , Xi Chuanwu , Phillips K. Scott 
Published: July 2018

AbstractStaphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) including methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is one of the primary microorganisms responsible for surgical site infection (SSI). Since S. aureus contamination is known to originate from the skin, eradicating it on the skin surface at surgical sites is an important intervention to reduce the chance of SSIs. Here we developed and evaluated the efficacy of a combination probiotic/brush sonication strategy for skin preparation at surgical, injection and insertion sites in medicine. A 24 h biofilm on porcine skin explants was used as a worst-case scenario for the evaluation of preparation strategies. Conventional ethanol wipes achieved 0.8~2 log reduction in viable bacteria depending on how many times wiped (x4 or x6). Brush sonication or probiotic supernatant pre-treatment alone achieved a similar reduction as ethanol wipes (1.4 and 0.7~1.4 log reduction, respectively). Notably, combining sonication and probiotic pre-treatment achieved a 4 log reduction in viable bacteria. In addition, probiotic supernatant incubation times as short as 2 h achieved the full effect of this reduction in the combined strategy. These findings suggest the promising potential of combination-format skin preparation strategies that can be developed to more effectively penetrate cracks and folds in the skin to remove biofilms.
Loss of glutamate signaling from the thalamus to dorsal striatum impairs motor function and slows the execution of learned behaviors
Authors: Melief Erica J. , McKinley Jonathan W. , Lam Jonathan Y. , Whiteley Nicole M. , Gibson Alec W. , Neumaier John F. , Henschen Charles W. , Palmiter Richard D. , Bamford Nigel S. , Darvas Martin 
Published: July 2018

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is primarily associated with the degeneration of midbrain dopamine neurons, but it is now appreciated that pathological processes like Lewy-body inclusions and cell loss affect several other brain regions, including the central lateral (CL) and centromedian/parafascicular (CM/PF) thalamic regions. These thalamic glutamatergic neurons provide a non-cortical excitatory input to the dorsal striatum, a major projection field of dopamine neurons. To determine how thalamostriatal signaling may contribute to cognitive and motor abnormalities found in PD, we used a viral vector approach to generate mice with loss of thalamostriatal glutamate signaling specifically restricted to the dorsal striatum (CAV2Cre-Slc17a6lox/lox mice). We measured motor function and behaviors corresponding to cognitive domains (visuospatial function, attention, executive function, and working memory) affected in PD. CAV2Cre-Slc17a6lox/lox mice were impaired in motor coordination tasks such as the rotarod and beam-walk tests compared with controls (CAV2Cre-Slc17a6+/+ mice). They did not demonstrate much cognitive impairment in the Morris water maze or a water U-maze, but had slower processing reaction times in those tests and in a two-way active avoidance task. These mice could model an aspect of bradyphrenia, the slowness of thought that is often seen in patients with PD and other neurological disorders.
Spatial noise filtering through error correction for quantum sensing
Authors: Layden David , Cappellaro Paola 
Published: July 2018

AbstractQuantum systems can be used to measure various quantities in their environment with high precision. Often, however, their sensitivity is limited by the decohering effects of this same environment. Dynamical decoupling schemes are widely used to filter environmental noise from signals, but their performance is limited by the spectral properties of the signal and noise at hand. Quantum error correction schemes have therefore emerged as a complementary technique without the same limitations. To date, however, they have failed to correct the dominant noise type in many quantum sensors, which couples to each qubit in a sensor in the same way as the signal. Here we show how quantum error correction can correct for such noise, which dynamical decoupling can only partially address. Whereas dynamical decoupling exploits temporal noise correlations in signal and noise, our scheme exploits spatial correlations. We give explicit examples in small quantum devices and demonstrate a method by which error-correcting codes can be tailored to their noise.
Food Patterns are Associated with Likelihood of CKD in US Adults
Authors: Mazidi Mohsen , Gao Hong-kai , Kengne Andre Pascal 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWe investigated the association between dietary patterns and prevalent chronic kidney diseases (CKD), in participants of the 2005–2012 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2005 and 2012, who had measured data on dietary intake and kidney function. Analyse of covariance (ANCOVA) and logistic regression models were employed to account for the survey design and sample weights. A total of 21,649 eligible participants (634 with and 20,015 without prevalent CKD) were included in the final analysis. Three food patterns together explained 50.8% of the variance of the dietary nutrients consumption. The first food pattern was representative of a diet containing high levels of saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids; the second food pattern comprised vitamins and trace elements; and the third food pattern was mainly representative of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The odd of prevalent CKD decreased across increasing quarters of vitamins and trace elements, so that the top quarter was associated with a 53% (95%CI: 42–62%) lower odds of CKD in age, sex and race adjusted logistic regression models. These results suggest that vitamins and trace elements intake are associated with lower risk of prevalent CKD.
Transcriptional profiling and genes involved in acquired thermotolerance in Banana: a non-model crop
Authors: Vidya S. M. , Kumar H. S. Vijay , Bhatt R. M. , Laxman R. H. , Ravishankar K. V. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBanana is a non- model crop plant, and one of the most important crops in the tropics and sub tropics. Heat stress is the major abiotic stress affecting banana crop production because of its long growth period and is likely to become a threat due to global warming. To understand an acquired thermotolerance phenomenon at the molecular level, the RNA-seq approach was employed by adapting TIR method. A total of 136.38 million high quality reads were assembled. Differentially expressed genes under induction (I) was 3936, I + L was 2268 and lethal stress was 907 compared to control. Gene ontology and DGE analysis showed that genes related to heat shock factors, heat shock proteins, stress associated proteins, ROS scavenging, fatty acid metabolism, protein modification were significantly up regulated during induction, thus preparing the organism or tissue at molecular and cellular level for acquired thermotolerance. KEGG pathway analysis revealed the significant enrichment of pathways involved in protein processing, MAPK signaling and HSPs which indicates that these processes are conserved and involved in thermo tolerance. Thus, this study provides insights into the acquired thermotolerance phenomena in plants especially banana.
A CpG-adjuvanted intranasal enterovirus 71 vaccine elicits mucosal and systemic immune responses and protects human SCARB2-transgenic mice against lethal challenge
Authors: Lin Yu-Li , Chow Yen-Hung , Huang Li-Min , Hsieh Szu-Min , Cheng Pei-Yun , Hu Kai-Chieh , Chiang Bor-Luen 
Published: July 2018

AbstractEnterovirus 71 (EV71) is an aetiological agent responsible for seasonal epidemics of hand-foot-and-mouth disease, which causes considerable mortality among young children. Mucosal vaccines can efficiently induce secretory IgA at mucosal surfaces and thereby prevent or limit infection at the site of virus entry. CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs), which resemble bacterial DNA, can induce the innate immune response through activation of Toll-like receptor 9. Here, we used CpG ODNs as adjuvants to investigate an EV71 mucosal vaccine in mice. In the EV71 + CpG group, the EV71-specific IgG and IgA titres in the serum, nasal wash, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and faeces were substantially higher than those in the EV71- and phosphate-buffered saline-treated groups. Moreover, the number of EV71-specific IgG- and IgA-producing cells was also higher in the EV71 + CpG group. Furthermore, T-cell proliferative responses and interleukin-17 secretion were markedly increased when CpG-adjuvanted EV71 was delivered intranasally. More importantly, the induced antibodies neutralised infection by EV71 of the C2 genotype and crossneutralised infection by EV71 of the B4 and B5 genotypes. Lastly, human scavenger receptor class B, member 2-transgenic mice intranasally immunised with the CpG-adjuvanted EV71 vaccine resisted a subsequent lethal challenge with EV71, indicating that CpG was an effective intranasal adjuvant for EV71 mucosal-vaccine development.
Quantitative proteomic characterization of cellular pathways associated with altered insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle following high-fat diet feeding and exercise training
Authors: Kleinert Maximilian , Parker Benjamin L. , Jensen Thomas E. , Raun Steffen H. , Pham Phung , Han Xiuqing , James David E. , Richter Erik A. , Sylow Lykke 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRegular exercise elicits advantageous metabolic adaptations in skeletal muscle, such as improved insulin sensitivity. However, the underpinning molecular mechanisms and the effect of diet on muscle exercise training benefits are unclear. We therefore characterized the skeletal muscle proteome following exercise training (ET) in mice fed chow or high-fat diet (HFD). ET increased exercise performance, lowered body-weight, decreased fat mass and improved muscle insulin action in chow- and HFD-fed mice. At the molecular level, ET regulated 170 muscle proteins in chow-fed mice, but only 29 proteins in HFD-fed mice. HFD per se altered 56 proteins, most of which were regulated in a similar direction by ET. To identify proteins that might have particular health-related bearing on skeletal muscle metabolism, we filtered for differentially regulated proteins in response to ET and HFD. This yielded 15 proteins, including the major urinary protein 1 (MUP1), which was the protein most decreased after HFD, but increased with ET. The ET-induced Mup1 expression was absent in mouse muscle lacking functional AMPK. MUP1 also potentiated insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation in cultured muscle cells. Collectively, we provide a resource of ET-regulated proteins in insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant skeletal muscle. The identification of MUP1 as a diet-, ET- and AMPK-regulated skeletal muscle protein that improves insulin sensitivity in muscle cells demonstrates the usefulness of these data.
A wavelength-convertible quantum memory: Controlled echo
Authors: Ham Byoung S. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractQuantum coherence control is reinvestigated for a new physical insight in quantum nonlinear optics and applied for a wavelength-convertible quantum memory in a solid ensemble whose spin states are inhomogeneously broadened. Unlike typical atomic media whose spin decays are homogeneous, a spin inhomogeneously broadened solid ensemble requires a counter-intuitive quantum coherence control to avoid spontaneous emission-caused quantum noises. Such a quantum coherence control in a solid ensemble satisfying both near perfect retrieval efficiency and ultralong photon storage offers a solid framework to quantum repeaters, scalable qubit generations, quantum cryptography, and highly sensitive magnetometry. Here, the basic physics of the counter-intuitive quantum coherence control is presented not only for a fundamental understanding of collective ensemble phase control but also for a coherence conversion mechanism between optical and spin states involving Raman rephasing.
Dispersion-Solvent Control of Ionomer Aggregation in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell
Authors: Lee Ji Hye , Doo Gisu , Kwon Sung Hyun , Choi Sungyu , Kim Hee-Tak , Lee Seung Geol 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn this study, we examined the influence of the dispersion solvent in three dipropylene-glycol/water (DPG/water) mixtures, with DPG contents of 0, 50, and 100 wt%, on ionomer morphology and distribution, using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and molecular-dynamics (MD) simulation techniques. The DLS results reveal that Nafion-ionomer aggregation increases with decreasing DPG content of the solvent. Increasing the proportion of water in the solvent also led to a gradual decrease in the radius of gyration (Rg) of the Nafion ionomer due to its strong backbone hydrophobicity. Correspondingly, MD simulations predict Nafion-ionomer solvation energies of −147 ± 9 kcal/mol in water, −216 ± 21 kcal/mol in the DPG/water mixture, and −444 ± 9 kcal/mol in DPG. These results suggest that higher water contents in mixed DPG/water solvents result in increased Nafion-ionomer aggregation and the subsequent deterioration of its uniform dispersion in the solvent. Moreover, radial distribution functions (RDFs) reveal that the (-CF2CF2-) backbones of the Nafion ionomer are primarily enclosed by DPG molecules, whereas the sulfonate groups (SO3−) of its side chains mostly interact with water molecules.
A V-to-F substitution in SK2 channels causes Ca2+ hypersensitivity and improves locomotion in a C. elegans ALS model
Authors: Nam Young-Woo , Baskoylu Saba N. , Gazgalis Dimitris , Orfali Razan , Cui Meng , Hart Anne C. , Zhang Miao 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSmall-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channels mediate medium afterhyperpolarization in the neurons and play a key role in the regulation of neuronal excitability. SK channels are potential drug targets for ataxia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). SK channels are activated exclusively by the Ca2+-bound calmodulin. Previously, we identified an intrinsically disordered fragment that is essential for the mechanical coupling between Ca2+/calmodulin binding and channel opening. Here, we report that substitution of a valine to phenylalanine (V407F) in the intrinsically disordered fragment caused a ~6 fold increase in the Ca2+ sensitivity of SK2-a channels. This substitution resulted in a novel interaction between the ectopic phenylalanine and M411, which stabilized PIP2-interacting residue K405, and subsequently enhanced Ca2+ sensitivity. Also, equivalent valine to phenylalanine substitutions in SK1 or SK3 channels conferred Ca2+ hypersensitivity. An equivalent phenylalanine substitution in the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) SK2 ortholog kcnl-2 partially rescued locomotion defects in an existing C. elegans ALS model, in which human SOD1G85R is expressed at high levels in neurons, confirming that this phenylalanine substitution impacts channel function in vivo. This work for the first time provides a critical reagent for future studies: an SK channel that is hypersensitive to Ca2+ with increased activity in vivo.
A community-based study on the association between Helicobacter pylori Infection and obesity
Authors: Chen Li-Wei , Kuo Sheng-Fong , Chen Chih-Hung , Chien Cheng-Hung , Lin Chih-Lang , Chien Rong-Nan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection can induce chronic inflammation and is associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) changes. This study aimed to evaluate the association between H. pylori infection and overweight/obesity. This research was a cross-sectional study conducted from March 2014 to November 2016, using data from the three districts in the northeastern region of Taiwan. The inclusion criteria were an age >30 years and the absence of pregnancy. Ultimately, 2686 subjects (1713 women) were included in this study. Among the subjects aged less than 50 years, the subjects with H. pylori infection had higher mean BMI values than those without H. pylori infection (40–49 years: 25.7 ± 4.4 vs. 24.7 ± 3.8, P = 0.025; 30–39 years: 24.9 ± 4.4 vs. 24.0 ± 4.1, P = 0.063). H. pylori infection increased the risk of being obese 2 (BMI ≥30) (odds ratio, OR = 1.836, 95% CI = 1.079–3.125, P = 0.025) with adjustments for demographic factors in subjects aged less than 50 years. In conclusions, subjects with H. pylori infection and age less than 50 years may increase a risk of being obesity (BMI ≥30) compared to those without this type of infection.
Metabolomic Profiles Reveal Potential Factors that Correlate with Lactation Performance in Sow Milk
Authors: Tan Chengquan , Zhai Zhenya , Ni Xiaojun , Wang Hao , Ji Yongcheng , Tang Tianyue , Ren Wenkai , Long Hongrong , Deng Baichuan , Deng Jinping , Yin Yulong 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSow milk contains necessary nutrients for piglets; however, the relationship between the levels of metabolites in sow milk and lactation performance has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. In this study, we analysed the metabolites in sow milk from Yorkshire sows with high lactation (HL) or low lactation (LL) performance; these categories were assigned based on the weight gain of piglets during the entire lactation period (D1 to D21). The concentration of milk fat in the colostrum tended to be higher in the HL group (P = 0.05), the level of mannitol was significantly lower in the HL group (P < 0.05) and the level of glucuronic acid lactone was significantly higher in the HL group (P < 0.05) compared to those in LL group. In mature milk, the levels of lactose, creatine, glutamine, glutamate, 4-hydroxyproline, alanine, asparagine, and glycine were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the HL group than those in LL group. The level of fatty acids showed no significant difference between the two groups in both the colostrum and mature milk. This study suggested that lactation performance may be associated with the levels of lactose and several amino acids in sow milk, and these results can be used to develop new feed additives to improve lactation performance in sows.
Incineration of Nanoclay Composites Leads to Byproducts with Reduced Cellular Reactivity
Authors: Wagner Alixandra , White Andrew P. , Tang Man Chio , Agarwal Sushant , Stueckle Todd A. , Rojanasakul Yon , Gupta Rakesh K. , Dinu Cerasela Zoica 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAddition of nanoclays into a polymer matrix leads to nanocomposites with enhanced properties to be used in plastics for food packaging applications. Because of the plastics’ high stored energy value, such nanocomposites make good candidates for disposal via municipal solid waste plants. However, upon disposal, increased concerns related to nanocomposites’ byproducts potential toxicity arise, especially considering that such byproducts could escape disposal filters to cause inhalation hazards. Herein, we investigated the effects that byproducts of a polymer polylactic acid-based nanocomposite containing a functionalized montmorillonite nanoclay (Cloisite 30B) could pose to human lung epithelial cells, used as a model for inhalation exposure. Analysis showed that the byproducts induced toxic responses, including reductions in cellular viability, changes in cellular morphology, and cytoskeletal alterations, however only at high doses of exposure. The degree of dispersion of nanoclays in the polymer matrix appeared to influence the material characteristics, degradation, and ultimately toxicity. With toxicity of the byproduct occurring at high doses, safety protocols should be considered, along with deleterious effects investigations to thus help aid in safer, yet still effective products and disposal strategies.
Validation of reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR in tiger beetles across sexes, body parts, sexual maturity and immune challenge
Authors: García-Reina Andrés , Rodríguez-García María Juliana , Galián José 
Published: July 2018

AbstractReference genes are frequently used as normalizers for expression studies despite not being previously verified to present suitable stabilities. Considering the interest that tiger beetles have generated in the past years, resulting in a variety of studies, it is crucial to dispose of a validated reference gene panel for expression studies. Nine candidate genes were tested in Cicindela campestris and Calomera littoralis across several conditions and their transcription levels were assessed with geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and ΔCTmethod algorithms. Results showed high stabilities across sexes, immune challenge and gonad developmental stages for all genes tested, while body parts comparison presented less constant expression values. Only two genes are sufficient to perform a proper normalization for most of the conditions tested, except for the body parts comparison in C. littoralis, which requires the use of at least three reference genes. On the whole, no universal gene is found to be suitable for all situations, but according to the acceptable range of values, NADH, B-t, Vatpase and ArgKin seem to present the most constant expression stability, indicating their suitability as reference genes in most of the conditions. This is the first report evaluating the stability of housekeeping genes in adephagan beetles.
Amelioratory Effects of Testosterone Propionate on Age-related Renal Fibrosis via Suppression of TGF-β1/Smad Signaling and Activation of Nrf2-ARE Signaling
Authors: Zhang Guoliang , Kang Yunxiao , Zhou Chenming , Cui Rui , Jia Min , Hu Shen , Ji Xiaoming , Yuan Jiayu , Cui Huixian , Shi Geming 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAndrogen plays a pivotal role in the progression of renal fibrosis. However, whether exogenous androgen treatment to aged male rats can improve the age-related renal fibrosis was not explored. In our study, the changes of morphological structure, renal fibrosis, ultrastructure and renal function, the expressions of extracellular matrix (ECM), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and its tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), the expressions of tumor growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling and oxidative stress parameters as well as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE) signaling were tested in kidney of aged male Wistar rats after subcutaneous testosterone propionate (TP, 2 mg/kg/d, 84-day) injection. Aged rats showed significantly renal histopathological changes, increased renal fibrosis, increased thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and the Bowman’s capsule basement membrane, declined renal functional, increased ECM, lower expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and higher expressions of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in renal tissues and higher expressions of TGF-β1/Smad signaling, as well as lower expressions of Nrf2-ARE signaling compared to young rats. TP treatment significantly improved age-related above indexes. These results suggested that TP supplement may alleviate age-related renal fibrosis via suppression of TGF-β1/Smad signaling and activation of Nrf2-ARE signaling in aged rats.