bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementation and security analysis of practical quantum secure direct communication
Authors: Qi Ruoyang , Sun Zhen , Lin Zaisheng , Niu Penghao , Hao Wentao , Song Liyuan , Huang Qin , Gao Jiancun , Yin Liuguo , Long Gui-Lu 
Published: February 2019

AbstractRapid development of supercomputers and the prospect of quantum computers are posing increasingly serious threats to the security of communication. Using the principles of quantum mechanics, quantum communication offers provable security of communication and is a promising solution to counter such threats. Quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) is one important branch of quantum communication. In contrast to other branches of quantum communication, it transmits secret information directly. Recently, remarkable progress has been made in proof-of-principle experimental demonstrations of QSDC. However, it remains a technical feat to bring QSDC into a practical application. Here, we report the implementation of a practical quantum secure communication system. The security is analyzed in the Wyner wiretap channel theory. The system uses a coding scheme of concatenation of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes and works in a regime with a realistic environment of high noise and high loss. The present system operates with a repetition rate of 1 MHz at a distance of 1.5 kilometers. The secure communication rate is 50 bps, sufficient to effectively send text messages and reasonably sized files of images and sounds.
Genomic insights from Monoglobus pectinilyticus: a pectin-degrading specialist bacterium in the human colon
Authors: Kim Caroline C , Healey Genelle R , Kelly William J , Patchett Mark L , Jordens Zoe , Tannock Gerald W , Sims Ian M , Bell Tracey J , Hedderley Duncan , Henrissat Bernard , Rosendale Douglas I 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Pectin is abundant in modern day diets, as it comprises the middle lamellae and one-third of the dry carbohydrate weight of fruit and vegetable cell walls. Currently there is no specialized model organism for studying pectin fermentation in the human colon, as our collective understanding is informed by versatile glycan-degrading bacteria rather than by specialist pectin degraders. Here we show that the genome of Monoglobus pectinilyticus possesses a highly specialized glycobiome for pectin degradation, unique amongst Firmicutes known to be in the human gut. Its genome encodes a simple set of metabolic pathways relevant to pectin sugar utilization, and its predicted glycobiome comprises an unusual distribution of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) with numerous extracellular methyl/acetyl esterases and pectate lyases. We predict the M. pectinilyticus degradative process is facilitated by cell-surface S-layer homology (SLH) domain-containing proteins, which proteomics analysis shows are differentially expressed in response to pectin. Some of these abundant cell surface proteins of M. pectinilyticus share unique modular organizations rarely observed in human gut bacteria, featuring pectin-specific CAZyme domains and the cell wall-anchoring SLH motifs. We observed M. pectinilyticus degrades various pectins, RG-I, and galactan to produce polysaccharide degradation products (PDPs) which are presumably shared with other inhabitants of the human gut microbiome (HGM). This strain occupies a new ecological niche for a primary degrader specialized in foraging a habitually consumed plant glycan, thereby enriching our understanding of the diverse community profile of the HGM.
The gut microbiota is largely independent of host genetics in regulating fat deposition in chickens
Authors: Wen Chaoliang , Yan Wei , Sun Congjiao , Ji Congliang , Zhou Qianqian , Zhang Dexiang , Zheng Jiangxia , Yang Ning 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
The gut microbiota has an important role in animal health and performance, but its contribution is difficult to determine, in particular given the effects of host genetic factors. Here, whole-genome sequencing of the hosts and 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the microbiota were performed to separate the effects between host genetics and the microbiota in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum and faeces on fat deposition in 206 yellow broilers reared under identical conditions. Despite the notable spatial variation in the diversity, composition and potential function of the gut microbiota, host genetics exerted limited effects on the gut microbial community. The duodenal and caecal microbiota made greater contributions to fat deposition and could separately account for 24% and 21% of the variance in the abdominal fat mass after correcting for host genetic effects. We further identified two caecal microbial taxa, Methanobrevibacter and Mucispirillum schaedleri, which were significantly correlated with fat deposition. Chickens with a lower Methanobrevibacter abundance had significantly lower abdominal fat content than those with a higher abundance of Methanobrevibacter (35.51 vs. 55.59 g), and the body weights of these chickens did not notably differ. Chickens with a higher M. schaedleri abundance exhibited lower abdominal fat accumulation (39.88 vs. 55.06 g) and body weight (2.23 vs. 2.41 kg) than those with a lower abundance of this species. These findings may aid the development of strategies for altering the gut microbiota to control fat deposition during broiler production.
Epigenetic regulation of NfatC1 transcription and osteoclastogenesis by nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase in the pathogenesis of arthritis
Authors: Li Xuanan , Islam Shamima , Xiong Min , Nsumu Ndona N. , Lee Mark W. , Zhang Li Qin , Ueki Yasuyoshi , Heruth Daniel P. , Lei Guanghua , Ye Shui Qing 
Published: February 2019

AbstractNicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) functions in NAD synthesis, apoptosis, and inflammation. Dysregulation of NAMPT has been associated with several inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The purpose of this study was to investigate NAMPT’s role in arthritis using mouse and cellular models. Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1JNampt+/−mice was evaluated by ELISA, micro-CT, and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). In vitro Nampt loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies on osteoclastogenesis were examined by TRAP staining, nascent RNA capture, luciferase reporter assays, and ChIP-PCR. Nampt-deficient mice presented with suppressed inflammatory bone destruction and disease progression in a CIA mouse model. Nampt expression was required for the epigenetic regulation of the Nfatc1 promoter and osteoclastogenesis. Finally, RNA-seq identified 690 differentially expressed genes in whole ankle joints which associated (P < 0.05) with Nampt expression and CIA. Selected target was validated by RT-PCR or functional characterization. We have provided evidence that NAMPT functions as a genetic risk factor and a potential therapeutic target to RA.
Large piezoelectric response in a family of metal-free perovskite ferroelectric compounds from first-principles calculations
Authors: Wang Hui , Liu Huihui , Zhang Zeyu , Liu Zihan , Lv Zhenlong , Li Tongwei , Ju Weiwei , Li Haisheng , Cai Xiaowu , Han Han 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMetal-free organic perovskite ferroelectric materials have been shown recently to have a number of attractive properties, including high spontaneous polarization and piezoelectric coefficients. In particular, slow evaporation of solutions containing organic amines, inorganic ammoniums, and dilute hydrohalogen acid has been shown to produce several attractive materials in the MDABCO-NH4-I3 family (MDABCO is N-methyl-N’-diazabicyclo[2,2,2] octonium). In the present work, we study by first-principles calculations the origin of polarizaiton, electronic density of state, piezoelectric response, and elastic properties of MDABCO-NH4-X3 (X = Cl, Br, I). We find that the dipole moments of the MDABCO and NH4 groups are negligible, and the large spontaneous polarization of MDABCO-NH4-I3 mainly results from MDABCO and NH4 being off-center relative to I ions. Although the piezoelectric response of organic materials is usually very weak, we observe large piezoelectric strain components, dx4 and dx5; the calculated dx5 is 119 pC/N for MDABCO-NH4-Cl3, 248 pC/N for MDABCO-NH4-Br3 and 178 pC/N for MDABCO-NH4-I3. The large value of dx5 is found to be closely related with the large value of elastic compliance tensor, s44. These results show that MDABCO-NH4-X3 metal-free organic perovskites have large piezoelectric response with soft elastic properties.
Increased Diagnostic Yield of Tuberculous Serositis by Using Serous Fluid Drainage Flocky Precipitate (SFDFP) as a Testing Sample
Authors: Liu Xuhui , Xia Lu , Zhang Aimei , Zhang Yao , Liu Yuhong , Lu Shuihua , Song Yuanlin , Li Shanqun 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA definitive diagnosis of tuberculosis serositis (TS) is still challenging. Our preliminary practice found that Serous Fluid Drainage Flocky Precipitate (SFDFP) was a useful testing sample to diagnose TS. We designed this study to assess the diagnostic performance of SFDPF for TS compared with conventional bacteriology methods on serous fluid (SF). A cohort study was conducted from July 2014 to April 2016. Patients with suspected TS were consecutively screened. SF and SFDFP were collected and tested by Ziehl-Neelsen stain, MTB culture, and Xpert/RIF assay. We compared the diagnostic performance of SF and SFDFP in several test settings. Through this study, 85 patients were enrolled, of whom 70 (82.4%) were confirmed TS or highly probable TS, 13 (15.3%) were none-TS and 2 (2.4%) indeterminate results were ruled out. The overall sensitivity using both SFDFP and SF was significantly higher than each (60% vs. 48% and 41%, p < 0.05). SFDFP and SF samples had similar diagnostic performance (p < 0.05). No false positive was detected in this study. We concluded that SFDFP is a reliable testing sample for diagnosing tuberculous serositis. SFDFP may significantly improve the diagnostic yield as a supplement to conventional tests.
Neural mechanisms of affective matching across faces and scenes
Authors: Preckel Katrin , Trautwein Fynn-Mathis , Paulus Frieder M. , Kirsch Peter , Krach Sören , Singer Tania , Kanske Philipp 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe emotional matching paradigm, introduced by Hariri and colleagues in 2000, is a widely used neuroimaging experiment that reliably activates the amygdala. In the classic version of the experiment faces with negative emotional expression and scenes depicting distressing events are compared with geometric shapes instead of neutral stimuli of the same category (i.e. faces or scenes). This makes it difficult to clearly attribute amygdala activation to the emotional valence and not to the social content. To improve this paradigm, we conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging study in which emotionally neutral and, additionally, positive stimuli within each stimulus category (i.e. faces, social and non-social scenes) were included. These categories enabled us to differentiate the exact nature of observed effects in the amygdala. First, the main findings of the original paradigm were replicated. Second, we observed amygdala activation when comparing negative to neutral stimuli of the same category. However, for negative faces, the amygdala response habituated rapidly. Third, positive stimuli were associated with widespread activation including the insula and the caudate. This validated adaption study enables more precise statements on the neural activation underlying emotional processing. These advances may benefit future studies on identifying selective impairments in emotional and social stimulus processing.
The ability to utilise ammonia as nitrogen source is cell type specific and intricately linked to GDH, AMPK and mTORC1
Authors: Lie Shervi , Wang Tingting , Forbes Briony , Proud Christopher G. , Petersen Janni 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAmmonia can be utilised as an alternative nitrogen source to glutamine to support cell proliferation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms and whether all cells have this ability is not fully understood. We find that eleven cancer and non-cancerous cell lines have opposite abilities to tolerate and utilise ammonia to support proliferation in a glutamine-depleted environment. HEK293, Huh7, T47D and MCF7 cells can use ammonia, when starved of glutamine, to support proliferation to varying degrees. Glutamine depletion reduced mTORC1 activity, while additional ammonia supplementation diminished this mTORC1 inhibition. Depletion of glutamine promoted a rapid and transient activation of AMPK, whereas, additional ammonia supplementation blocked this starvation-induced AMPK activation. As expected, drug-induced AMPK activation reduced cell proliferation in glutamine-depleted cells supplemented with ammonia. Surprisingly, mTORC1 activity was largely unchanged despite the enhanced AMPK activity, suggesting that AMPK does not inhibit mTORC1 signalling under these conditions. Finally, glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) inhibition, a key enzyme regulating ammonia assimilation, leads to AMPK activation, mTORC1 inhibition and reduced proliferation. Ammonia provides an alternative nitrogen source that aids certain cancer cells ability to thrive in nutrient-deprived environment. The ability of cells to utilise ammonia as a nitrogen source is intricately linked to AMPK, mTORC1 and GDH.
Unusual oxidation-induced core-level shifts at the HfO2/InP interface
Authors: Mäkelä Jaakko , Lahti Antti , Tuominen Marjukka , Yasir Muhammad , Kuzmin Mikhail , Laukkanen Pekka , Kokko Kalevi , Punkkinen Marko P. J. , Dong Hong , Brennan Barry , Wallace Robert M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractX-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is one of the most used methods in a diverse field of materials science and engineering. The elemental core-level binding energies (BE) and core-level shifts (CLS) are determined and interpreted in the XPS. Oxidation is commonly considered to increase the BE of the core electrons of metal and semiconductor elements (i.e., positive BE shift due to O bonds), because valence electron charge density moves toward electronegative O atoms in the intuitive charge-transfer model. Here we demonstrate that this BE hypothesis is not generally valid by presenting XPS spectra and a consistent model of atomic processes occurring at HfO2/InP interface including negative In CLSs. It is shown theoretically for abrupt HfO2/InP model structures that there is no correlation between the In CLSs and the number of oxygen neighbors. However, the P CLSs can be estimated using the number of close O neighbors. First native oxide model interfaces for III-V semiconductors are introduced. The results obtained from ab initio calculations and synchrotron XPS measurements emphasize the importance of complementary analyses in various academic and industrial investigations where CLSs are at the heart of advancing knowledge.
Comparison of TCGA and GENIE genomic datasets for the detection of clinically actionable alterations in breast cancer
Authors: Kaur Pushpinder , Porras Tania B. , Ring Alexander , Carpten John D. , Lang Julie E. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWhole exome sequencing (WES), targeted gene panel sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays are increasingly used for the identification of actionable alterations that are critical to cancer care. Here, we compared The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Genomics Evidence Neoplasia Information Exchange (GENIE) breast cancer genomic datasets (array and next generation sequencing (NGS) data) in detecting genomic alterations in clinically relevant genes. We performed an in silico analysis to determine the concordance in the frequencies of actionable mutations and copy number alterations/aberrations (CNAs) in the two most common breast cancer histologies, invasive lobular and invasive ductal carcinoma. We found that targeted sequencing identified a larger number of mutational hotspots and clinically significant amplifications that would have been missed by WES and SNP arrays in many actionable genes such as PIK3CA, EGFR, AKT3, FGFR1, ERBB2, ERBB3 and ESR1. The striking differences between the number of mutational hotspots and CNAs generated from these platforms highlight a number of factors that should be considered in the interpretation of array and NGS-based genomic data for precision medicine. Targeted panel sequencing was preferable to WES to define the full spectrum of somatic mutations present in a tumor.
An experimental genetically attenuated live vaccine to prevent transmission of Toxoplasma gondii by cats
Authors: Ramakrishnan Chandra , Maier Simone , Walker Robert A. , Rehrauer Hubert , Joekel Deborah E. , Winiger Rahel R. , Basso Walter U. , Grigg Michael E. , Hehl Adrian B. , Deplazes Peter , Smith Nicholas C. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAlmost any warm-blooded creature can be an intermediate host for Toxoplasma gondii. However, sexual reproduction of T. gondii occurs only in felids, wherein fertilisation of haploid macrogametes by haploid microgametes, results in diploid zygotes, around which a protective wall develops, forming unsporulated oocysts. Unsporulated oocysts are shed in the faeces of cats and meiosis gives rise to haploid sporozoites within the oocysts. These, now infectious, sporulated oocysts contaminate the environment as a source of infection for people and their livestock. RNA-Seq analysis of cat enteric stages of T. gondii uncovered genes expressed uniquely in microgametes and macrogametes. A CRISPR/Cas9 strategy was used to create a T. gondii strain that exhibits defective fertilisation, decreased fecundity and generates oocysts that fail to produce sporozoites. Inoculation of cats with this engineered parasite strain totally prevented oocyst excretion following infection with wild-type T. gondii, demonstrating that this mutant is an attenuated, live, transmission-blocking vaccine.
S100A8 & S100A9: Alarmin mediated inflammation in tendinopathy
Authors: Crowe Lindsay A. N. , McLean Michael , Kitson Susan M. , Melchor Emma Garcia , Patommel Katharina , Cao Hai Man , Reilly James H. , Leach William J. , Rooney Brain P. , Spencer Simon J. , Mullen Michael , Chambers Max , Murrell George A. C. , McInnes Iain B. , Akbar Moeed , Millar Neal L. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAlarmins S100A8 and S100A9 are endogenous molecules released in response to environmental triggers and cellular damage. They are constitutively expressed in immune cells such as monocytes and neutrophils and their expression is upregulated under inflammatory conditions. The molecular mechanisms that regulate inflammatory pathways in tendinopathy are largely unknown therefore identifying early immune effectors is essential to understanding the pathology. Based on our previous investigations highlighting tendinopathy as an alarmin mediated pathology we sought evidence of S100A8 & A9 expression in a human model of tendinopathy and thereafter, to explore mechanisms whereby S100 proteins may regulate release of inflammatory mediators and matrix synthesis in human tenocytes. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR showed S100A8 & A9 expression was significantly upregulated in tendinopathic tissue compared with control. Furthermore, treating primary human tenocytes with exogenous S100A8 & A9 significantly increased protein release of IL-6, IL-8, CCL2, CCL20 and CXCL10; however, no alterations in genes associated with matrix remodelling were observed at a transcript level. We propose S100A8 & A9 participate in early pathology by modulating the stromal microenvironment and influencing the inflammatory profile observed in tendinopathy. S100A8 and S100A9 may participate in a positive feedback mechanism involving enhanced leukocyte recruitment and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines from tenocytes that perpetuates the inflammatory response within the tendon in the early stages of disease.
Analysis of the Causes on Poor Clinical Efficacy of Kyphoplasty Performed in Unilateral Transpedicular Puncture for the Treatment of Senile Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures
Authors: Yin Hao , He Xuejun , Yi Huijun , Luo Zhiguo , Chen Jianmin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis study intends to analyze the causes on poor clinical efficacy of kyphoplasty performed in unilateral transpedicular puncture for the treatment of senile osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. A retrospective study was conducted on a consecutive series of 70 patients who had underwent kyphoplasty performed in unilateral transpedicular puncture for the treatment of senile osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures between March 2016 to March 2017. These patients were compared for clinical data to investigate the causes on poor clinical efficacy of kyphoplasty performed in unilateral transpedicular puncture for the treatment of senile osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. Comparison result of the indices between these patients showed that the differences in body weight, fracture type and bone cement dispersion were statistically significant. Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed body weight (OR = 0.892, p = 0.042), fracture type 2 (OR = 0.089, p = 0.020) and bone cement dispersion (OR = 4.773, p = 0.025) are risk factors for poor clinical efficacy. The results of corresponding analysis on VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), vertebral height and Cobb angle in patients with poor clinical efficacy showed that there is a correlation between them. We believe that patients’ weight, dispersion degree of bone cement and fracture type of injured vertebra are the risk factors of kyphoplasty with poor clinical efficacy.
Cytotoxicity of eupatorin in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells via cell cycle arrest, anti-angiogenesis and induction of apoptosis
Authors: Razak Nursyamirah Abd , Abu Nadiah , Ho Wan Yong , Zamberi Nur Rizi , Tan Sheau Wei , Alitheen Noorjahan Banu , Long Kamariah , Yeap Swee Keong 
Published: February 2019

AbstractEupatorin has been reported with in vitro cytotoxic effect on several human cancer cells. However, reports on the mode of action and detail mechanism of eupatorin in vitro in breast cancer disease are limited. Hence, eupatorin’s effect on the human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 was investigated. MTT assay showed that eupatorin had cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells but was non-toxic to the normal cells of MCF-10a in a time-dose dependent manner. At 24 h, the eupatorin showed mild cytotoxicity on both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells with IC50 values higher than 20 μg/mL. After 48 h, eupatorin at 5 μg/mL inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells by 50% while the IC50 of MCF-10a was significantly (p < 0.05) high with 30 μg/mL. The concentration of eupatorin at 5 μg/mL induced apoptosis mainly through intrinsic pathway by facilitating higher fold of caspase 9 compared to caspase 8 at 48 h. The cell cycle profile also showed that eupatorin (5 μg/mL) exerted anti-proliferation activity with the cell cycle arrest of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells at sub Gθ/G1 in a time-dependent manner. In addition, wound healing assay showed an incomplete wound closure of scratched MDA-MB-231 cells, and more than 60% of the MDA-MB-231 cells were prevented to migrate and invade the membrane in the Boyden chamber after 24 h. Eupatorin also inhibited angiogenic sprouting of new blood vessels in ex vivo mouse aorta ring assay. In gene expression assay, eupatorin up-regulated pro-apoptotic genes such as Bak1, HIF1A, Bax, Bad, cytochrome c and SMAC/Diablo and blocked the Phospho-Akt pathway. In conclusion, eupatorin is a potent candidate to induce apoptosis and concurrently inhibit the invasion, migration and angiogenesis of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells through inhibition of Phospho-Akt pathway and cell cycle blockade.