bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of novel antibodies for detection of mobile colistin-resistant bacteria contaminated in meats
Authors: He Xiaohua , Mavrici Daniela , Patfield Stephanie , Rubio Fernando M. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe recent discovery and rapid spread of mobile colistin-resistant gene, mcr-1, among bacteria isolated from a broad range of sources is undermining our ability to treat bacterial infections and threatening human health and safety. To prevent further transfer of colistin resistance, practical and reliable methods for mcr-1-containing bacteria are need. In this study, standards and novel polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against MCR-1 were developed. Among nine mAbs, three were MCR-1 specific and six cross-reacted with both MCR-1 and MCR-2. A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was established using the polyclonal antibody as a capturer and the mAb MCR-1-7 as a detector. The assay had a limit of detection of 0.01 ng/mL for MCR-1 and 0.1 ng/mL for MCR-2 in buffer with coefficients of variation (CV) less than 15%. When applied to ground beef, chicken and pork, this ELISA identified samples inoculated with less than 0.4 cfu/g of meat, demonstrating its strong tolerance to complex food matrices. To our knowledge, this is the first immunoassay developed for MCR-1 and MCR-2. It should be useful for prompt and reliable screening of meat samples contaminated with plasmid-borne colistin-resistant bacteria, thus reducing human risk of foodborne infections with possibly no antibiotic treatment options.
Association of Serum Aluminum Levels with Mortality in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis
Authors: Tsai Ming-Hsien , Fang Yu-Wei , Liou Hung-Hsiang , Leu Jyh-Gang , Lin Bing-Shi 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDespite reported evidence on the relationship between higher serum aluminum levels and poor outcomes in patients on chronic hemodialysis (CHD), the acceptable cutoff value of serum aluminum for mortality remains unclear. A retrospective observational cohort study with 636 Taiwanese patients on CHD was conducted to investigate the impact of serum aluminum levels on mortality. The predictors were bivariate serum aluminum level (<6 and ≥6 ng/mL) and the Outcomes were all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality. During the mean follow-up of 5.3 ± 2.9 years, 253 all-cause and 173 CV deaths occurred. Crude analysis showed that a serum aluminum level of ≥6 ng/mL was a significant predictor of all-cause [hazard ratio (HR), 1.80; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.40–2.23] and CV (HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.36–2.50) mortality. After multivariable adjustment, the serum aluminum level of ≥6 ng/mL remained a significant predictor of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.37, 95% CI, 1.05–1.81) but became insignificant for CV mortality (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.92–1.81). Therefore, our study revealed that a serum aluminum level of ≥6 ng/mL was independently associated with all-cause death in patients on CHD, suggesting that early intervention for aluminum level in patients on CHD might be beneficial even in the absence of overt aluminum toxicity.
Characterization of coumarin-6 polycrystalline films growth from vacuum deposition at various substrate temperatures
Authors: Chen Ko-Lun , Liu Hui-Ting , Yu Jang-Hung , Tung Yung-Hsiang , Chou Yun-Syuan , Yang Chun-Chuen , Wang Jyh-Shyang , Shen Ji-Lin , Chiu Kuan-Cheng 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCoumarin-6 polycrystalline films were fabricated from vacuum deposition at various substrate temperatures Tsub from 106 to 178 °C with a fixed source temperature of 185 °C. Because of its slenderer and more asymmetric structure, the adhered coumarin-6 molecule on top of the growing interface encounters a larger steric energetic barrier of 0.92 eV as estimated from the Arrhenius plot of growth rate versus 1/Tsub. From top-view SEM pictures, the as-deposited coumarin-6 thin films exhibit a twisted pattern and a kinematic roughness for Tsub < 150 °C; while clear facets emerge for Tsub ≥ 150 °C due to the increase of surface diffusion energy of the adhered molecules. From XRD analysis, besides the confirmation of the triclinic structure two anomalous peaks observed at 2θ ~ 9.007° and 7.260° are explained due to the co-existence of N- and S-coumarin-6-isomers within the crystalline grains. Furthermore, for coumarin-6 polycrystalline films deposited at Tsub = 150 °C with high crystallinity of the constituent grains, the bandgap determined from optical transmission is around 2.392 eV; and from photoluminescence spectra, the fitted four emission components are assigned to the Frenkel and charge transfer excitons recombination with participation of molecular vibrational states.
Single-Crystal MoO3 Micrometer and Millimeter Belts Prepared from Discarded Molybdenum Disilicide Heating Elements
Authors: Hou Xiaolong , Huang Juntong , Liu Mingqiang , Li Xibao , Hu Zhihui , Feng Zhijun , Zhang Meng , Luo Junming 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSingle-crystal MoO3 micrometer to millimeter even centimeter belts were prepared via a novel route of oxidizing a discarded molybdenum disilicide heating element at 1000 °C for 3 h. The morphology and structure features, and growth mechanism of the products were evidently investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that the powdery and fibrous products were typical α-MoO3 belt-like structures which size could develop from micrometer to several millimeter even centimeter in length and up to 0.5 mm in width. It should be formed preferentially along the [001] direction via layer by layer growth to form 1-D single MoO3 belts by vapor-solid mechanism. Thermal and luminescence properties of the products were revealed by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis and photoluminescence spectra that the resultant α-MoO3 belts had good thermal stability and characteristics of luminescence with a central peak at 481 nm. The MoO3 belts are of good potential being applied to luminescent and high temperature devices.
Mobilisation Mechanism of Pathogenicity Islands by Endogenous Phages in Staphylococcus aureus clinical strains
Authors: Cervera-Alamar Mercedes , Guzmán-Markevitch Katerina , Žiemytė Miglė , Ortí Leticia , Bernabé-Quispe Patricia , Pineda-Lucena Antonio , Pemán Javier , Tormo-Mas María Ángeles 
Published: November 2018

AbstractStaphylococcus aureus pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) are a type of mobile genetic element that play a significant role in the pathogenesis and virulence of this microorganism. SaPIs are integrated in the chromosome under the control of the master repressor Stl, but they can be horizontally transferred at a high frequency due to certain bacteriophages. Thus, a phage protein can bind to the SaPI Stl and induce the SaPI cycle, spreading the SaPI virulence factors to other bacterial populations. We report the dissemination mechanism of SaPIs mediated by endogenous prophages in S. aureus clinical strains. We reveal the induction of SaPIs by a co-resident prophage in seven clinically relevant strains, and we further study this mechanism in MW2, a community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus strain that contains two bacteriophages (ɸSa2mw and ɸSa3mw) and one SaPI (SaPImw2) encoding for three enterotoxins (sec, sel and ear). ɸSa2mw was identified as responsible for SaPImw2 induction, and the specific phage derepressor protein DUF3113 was determined. The Stl-DUF3113 protein interaction was demonstrated, along with the existence of variants of this protein in S. aureus phages with different abilities to induce SaPI. Both Stl and DUF3113 are present in other Staphylococcus species, which indicates that this is a generalised mechanism.
Patterns and drivers of movement for a coastal benthopelagic fish, Pseudocaranx georgianus, on Australia’s southeast coast
Authors: Fowler Ashley M. , Chick Rowan C. , Stewart John 
Published: November 2018

AbstractKnowledge of connectivity and population structure is integral to the sustainable management of fished populations, yet such information is unavailable for many species over scales relevant to their exploitation. We examined broad-scale patterns and drivers of adult movement for a putatively mobile carangid (Pseudocaranx georgianus) on Australia’s southeast coast using an angler tag-recapture dataset. More than 6300 individuals were tagged and released across 1007 km of coastline, with anglers recapturing 157 (2.48%) individuals during a 14-year period. Median distance moved was 5 km and a substantial proportion of individuals (19%) were recaptured at their release location. Recapture latitude was also strongly predicted by release latitude (r2 = 0.87). However, a broad range of movements were observed (0–508 km), with 6% of individuals moving further than 100 km. Most individuals recaptured in areas now designated as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) were originally released in the same area (79.2%). Larger body size, longer periods at liberty, and releases during Spring all positively influenced distance moved. Results support restricted movement over an intermediate scale, punctuated by occasional large movements. Our findings suggest adult movement of P. georgianus in southeastern Australia primarily occurs over smaller distances than the current spatial scale of management.
Modulating Fundamental Resonance in Capacitive Coupled Asymmetric Terahertz Metamaterials
Authors: Rao S. Jagan Mohan , Srivastava Yogesh Kumar , Kumar Gagan , Roy Chowdhury Dibakar 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn this work, we experimentally investigate near-field capacitive coupling between a pair of single-gap split ring resonators (SRRs) in a terahertz metamaterial. The unit cell of our design comprises of two coupled SRRs with the split gaps facing each other. The coupling between two SRRs is examined by changing the gap of one resonator with respect to the other for several inter resonator separations. When split gap size of one resonator is increased for a fixed inter-resonator distance, we observe a split in the fundamental resonance mode. This split ultimately results in the excitation of narrow band low frequency resonance mode along with a higher frequency mode which gets blue shifted when the split gap increases. We attribute resonance split to the excitation of symmetric and asymmetric modes due to strong capacitive or electric interaction between the near-field coupled resonators, however blue shift of the higher frequency mode occurs mainly due to the reduced capacitance. The ability of near-field capacitive coupled terahertz metamaterials to excite split resonances could be significant in the construction of modulator and sensing devices beside other potential applications for terahertz domain.
Proteomics reveals ablation of PlGF increases antioxidant and neuroprotective proteins in the diabetic mouse retina
Authors: Saddala Madhu Sudhana , Lennikov Anton , Grab Dennis J. , Liu Guei-Sheung , Tang Shibo , Huang Hu 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPlacental growth factor (PlGF or PGF), a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) sub-family, plays a crucial role in pathological angiogenesis and inflammation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that PlGF mediates regarding the complications of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) remain elusive. Using an LC-MS/MS-based label-free quantification proteomic approach we characterized the alterations in protein expression caused by PlGF ablation in the retinas obtained from C57BL6, Akita, PlGF−/− and Akita.PlGF−/− mice. After extraction and enzymatic digestion with Trypsin/LysC, the retinal proteins were analyzed by Q-Exactive hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in four comparisons based on Z-score normalization and reproducibility by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The gene ontology (GO), functional pathways, and protein-protein network interaction analysis suggested that several proteins involved in insulin resistance pathways (Gnb1, Gnb2, Gnb4, Gnai2, Gnao1, Snap2, and Gngt1) were significantly down-regulated in PlGF ablated Akita diabetic mice (Akita.PlGF−/− vs. Akita) but up-regulated in Akita vs. C57 and PlGF−/− vs. C57 conditions. Two proteins involved in the antioxidant activity and neural protection pathways, Prdx6 and Map2 respectively, were up-regulated in the Akita.PlGF−/− vs. Akita condition. Overall, we predict that down-regulation of proteins essential for insulin resistance, together with the up-regulation of antioxidant and neuroprotection proteins highlight and epitomize the potential mechanisms important for future anti-PlGF therapies in the treatment of DR.
Chemically modified hCFTR mRNAs recuperate lung function in a mouse model of cystic fibrosis
Authors: Haque A. K. M. Ashiqul , Dewerth Alexander , Antony Justin S. , Riethmüller Joachim , Schweizer Georg R. , Weinmann Petra , Latifi Ngadhnjim , Yasar Hanzey , Pedemonte Nicoletta , Sondo Elvira , Weidensee Brian , Ralhan Anjali , Laval Julie , Schlegel Patrick , Seitz Christian , Loretz Brigitta , Lehr Claus-Michael , Handgretinger Rupert , Kormann Michael S. D. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractGene therapy has always been a promising therapeutic approach for Cystic Fibrosis (CF). However, numerous trials using DNA or viral vectors encoding the correct protein resulted in a general low efficacy. In the last years, chemically modified messenger RNA (cmRNA) has been proven to be a highly potent, pulmonary drug. Consequently, we first explored the expression, function and immunogenicity of human (h)CFTR encoded by cmRNAhCFTRin vitro and ex vivo, quantified the expression by flow cytometry, determined its function using a YFP based assay and checked the immune response in human whole blood. Similarly, we examined the function of cmRNAhCFTRin vivo after intratracheal (i.t.) or intravenous (i.v.) injection of the assembled cmRNAhCFTR together with Chitosan-coated PLGA (poly-D, L-lactide-co-glycolide 75:25 (Resomer RG 752 H)) nanoparticles (NPs) by FlexiVent. The amount of expression of human hCFTR encoded by cmRNAhCFTR was quantified by hCFTR ELISA, and cmRNAhCFTR values were assessed by RT-qPCR. Thereby, we observed a significant improvement of lung function, especially in regards to FEV0.1, suggesting NP-cmRNAhCFTR as promising therapeutic option for CF patients independent of their CFTR genotype.
Efficient silica synthesis from tetra(glycerol)orthosilicate with cathepsin- and silicatein-like proteins
Authors: Povarova Natalia V. , Barinov Nikolay A. , Baranov Mikhail S. , Markina Nadezhda M. , Varizhuk Anna M. , Pozmogova Galina E. , Klinov Dmitry V. , Kozhemyako Valery B. , Lukyanov Konstantin A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSilicateins play a key role in biosynthesis of spicules in marine sponges; they are also capable to catalyze formation of amorphous silica in vitro. Silicateins are highly homologous to cathepsins L – a family of cysteine proteases. Molecular mechanisms of silicatein activity remain controversial. Here site-directed mutagenesis was used to clarify significance of selected residues in silica polymerization. A number of mutations were introduced into two sponge proteins – silicatein A1 and cathepsin L from Latrunculia oparinae, as well as into human cathepsin L. First direction was alanine scanning of the proposed catalytic residues. Also, reciprocal mutations were introduced at selected positions that differ between cathepsins L and silicateins. Surprisingly, all the wild type and mutant proteins were capable to catalyze amorphous silica formation with a water-soluble silica precursor tetra(glycerol)orthosilicate. Some mutants possessed several-fold enhanced silica-forming activity and can potentially be useful for nanomaterial synthesis applications. Our findings contradict to the previously suggested mechanisms of silicatein action via a catalytic triad analogous to that in cathepsins L. Instead, a surface-templated biosilification by silicateins and related proteins can be proposed.
Empirical Dynamic Modelling Identifies different Responses of Aedes Polynesiensis Subpopulations to Natural Environmental Variables
Authors: Grziwotz Florian , Strauß Jakob Friedrich , Hsieh Chih-hao , Telschow Arndt 
Published: November 2018

AbstractTo control mosquito populations for managing vector-borne diseases, a critical need is to identify and predict their response to causal environmental variables. However, most existing attempts rely on linear approaches based on correlation, which cannot apply in complex, nonlinear natural systems, because correlation is neither a necessary nor sufficient condition for causation. Applying empirical dynamic modelling that acknowledges nonlinear dynamics on nine subpopulations of tiger mosquitos from three neighbouring reef islets of the Raiatea atoll, we identified temperature, precipitation, dew point, air pressure, and mean tide level as causal environmental variables. Interestingly, responses of subpopulations in close proximity (100–500 m) differed with respect to their causal environmental variables and the time delay of effect, highlighting complexity in mosquito-environment causality network. Moreover, we demonstrated how to explore the effects of changing environmental variables on number and strength of mosquito outbreaks, providing a new framework for pest control and disease vector ecology.
Testing bio-efficacy of insecticide-treated nets with fewer mosquitoes for enhanced malaria control
Authors: Boyer Sebastien , Pothin Emilie , Randriamaherijaona Sanjiarizaha , Rogier Christophe , Kesteman Thomas 
Published: November 2018

AbstractMalaria control programs implementing Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) are encouraged to conduct field monitoring of nets’ survival, fabric integrity and insecticidal bio-efficacy. The reference method for testing the insecticide activity of LLINs needs 100 two-to-five-day-old female mosquitoes per net, which is highly resource-intensive. We aimed at identifying an alternative protocol, using fewer mosquitos, while ensuring a precision in the main indicator of ±5 percentage points (pp). We compared different laboratory methods against the probability of the LLIN to fail the test as determined by a hierarchical Bayesian model. When using 50 mosquitoes per LLIN and considering mortality only instead of mortality or knock-down as validity criteria, the average error in the measure of the proportion of nets considered as valid was 0.40 pp. The 95% confidence interval of this value never exceed 5 pp when the number of LLIN tested was ≥40. This method slightly outperforms the current recommendations. As a conclusion, testing the bio-efficacy of LLINs with half as many mosquitoes provides a valid evaluation of the proportion of valid LLINs. This approach could increase entomology labs’ testing capacity and decrease costs, with no impact in the decision process for public health purposes.
A machine learning approach for reliable prediction of amino acid interactions and its application in the directed evolution of enantioselective enzymes
Authors: Cadet Frédéric , Fontaine Nicolas , Li Guangyue , Sanchis Joaquin , Ng Fuk Chong Matthieu , Pandjaitan Rudy , Vetrivel Iyanar , Offmann Bernard , Reetz Manfred T. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDirected evolution is an important research activity in synthetic biology and biotechnology. Numerous reports describe the application of tedious mutation/screening cycles for the improvement of proteins. Recently, knowledge-based approaches have facilitated the prediction of protein properties and the identification of improved mutants. However, epistatic phenomena constitute an obstacle which can impair the predictions in protein engineering. We present an innovative sequence-activity relationship (innov’SAR) methodology based on digital signal processing combining wet-lab experimentation and computational protein design. In our machine learning approach, a predictive model is developed to find the resulting property of the protein when the n single point mutations are permuted (2n combinations). The originality of our approach is that only sequence information and the fitness of mutants measured in the wet-lab are needed to build models. We illustrate the application of the approach in the case of improving the enantioselectivity of an epoxide hydrolase from Aspergillus niger. n = 9 single point mutants of the enzyme were experimentally assessed for their enantioselectivity and used as a learning dataset to build a model. Based on combinations of the 9 single point mutations (29), the enantioselectivity of these 512 variants were predicted, and candidates were experimentally checked: better mutants with higher enantioselectivity were indeed found.
Serum selenoprotein P, but not selenium, predicts future hyperglycemia in a general Japanese population
Authors: Oo Swe Mar , Misu Hirofumi , Saito Yoshiro , Tanaka Mutsumi , Kato Seiji , Kita Yuki , Takayama Hiroaki , Takeshita Yumie , Kanamori Takehiro , Nagano Toru , Nakagen Masatoshi , Urabe Takeshi , Matsuyama Naoto , Kaneko Shuichi , Takamura Toshinari 
Published: November 2018

AbstractWe aimed to test the hypothesis that selenoprotein P (SELENOP), a hepatokine involved in the development of both insulin resistance and impaired insulin production in mice, is related to future onset of hyperglycemia in humans. 76 healthy non-pregnant human subjects without diabetes underwent oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at baseline and 4-years follow-up. Nine subjects developed either impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes at follow-up. At baseline, SELENOP concentrations correlated negatively with insulinogenic index, but not with homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Multivariate analysis showed that baseline SELENOP predicted fasting plasma glucose at follow-up independently of the other parameters. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that baseline concentrations of serum SELENOP, but not of selenium, were a reliable test to predict future onset of glucose intolerance. In conclusion, elevation of circulating SELENOP, but not of circulating selenium, was positively and independently associated with future onset of glucose intolerance in a general Japanese population.
A novel adiposity index as an integrated predictor of cardiometabolic disease morbidity and mortality
Authors: Park Yousung , Kim Nam Hoon , Kwon Tae Yeon , Kim Sin Gon 
Published: November 2018

AbstractWe propose a new anthropometric index, weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI), to assess adiposity by standardizing waist circumference (WC) for weight. WWI, calculated as WC (cm) divided by the square root of weight (kg) (cm/√kg), was measured from 465,629 subjects in the Korean nationwide cohort (2008–2013). Cox regression analysis was used to compare WWI with BMI, WC, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and a body shape index (ABSI) for cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality risk in diagnostic and prognostic prediction models. For incident hypertension, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), BMI had the strongest predictive power, followed by WWI and WC. However, WWI showed the best predictive performance for CVD mortality. Also, a linear positive association between adiposity indices and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality was only shown in WWI and ABSI, not BMI, WC and WHtR which showed inverse J-shaped patterns. In the test of joint effects of each index, WWI combined with BMI was the strongest in both diagnostic and prognostic models. WWI is a unique adiposity index that shows linear positive association with both cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality. It also predicts incident cardiometabolic disease, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risk with excellence in predictive power, especially when combined with BMI.