bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reversible Adsorption of Methylene Blue as Cationic Model Cargo onto Polyzwitterionic Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Biehl Philip , von der Lühe Moritz , Schacher Felix H. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe reversible electrostatic adsorption of the cationic dye methylene blue (MB) as a model compound to polydehydroalanine (PDha)‐coated magnetic multicore nanoparticles (MCNP) is presented. The pH responsiveness of the zwitterionic coating material enables reversible switching of the net surface charge of the PDha@MCNP hybrid particles by changes in pH and thus allows reversible adsorption of MB at neutral pH and desorption at low pH values. The resulting hybrid materials can be very interesting systems in the context of water purification, and the reversible adsorption is studied using UV–vis spectroscopy under varying surrounding conditions. The particles are characterized using dynamic light scattering, zeta potential measurements, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis.
Microporous Polycarbazole Materials: From Preparation and Properties to Applications
Authors: Chen Qi , Han Bao‐Hang 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPolycarbazoles with rigid skeletons and electron‐rich conjugated systems are beneficial to form permanent porous materials with intrinsic photoelectric properties. In recent years, the research related to porous polycarbazoles becomes a hot topic in the field of porous organic polymers. The preparation methods for porous polycarbazoles are diverse, commonly represented by the oxidation coupling reaction and the Friedel–Crafts reaction. Other methods such as nitrile‐based trimerization, electrochemical polymerization, and classic C–C coupling reactions are also reported. Porous polycarbazoles generally possess large specific surface area, permanent pore structure, and high thermal and chemical stability, which show potential applications in gas storage and separation, catalysis, sensors, and electronics. In this review, the recent research progress on the synthetic methods, functions, and applications of porous polycarbazoles is summarized.
Seed phytochemicals shape the community structures of cultivable actinobacteria‐inhabiting plant interiors of Thai pigmented rice
Authors: Nakaew Nareeluk , Sungthong Rungroch 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe examined abundance, bioactivity, and endophytism of cultivable actinobacteria isolated from plant interiors of two Thai pigmented rice cultivars: Hom Nin (HN) rice and Luem Pua (LP) glutinous rice. Both rice cultivars housed the same amount of endophytic actinobacteria (33 isolates each). Microbispora (76%) and Streptomyces (73%) were the predominant endophytic actinobacteria of LP glutinous rice and HN rice, respectively. Sphaerisporangium (9%) was found only in LP glutinous rice. Twelve percent of endophytic actinobacteria was the possibility of discovering novel species from both rice cultivars. Most endophytic actinobacteria exhibited plant growth‐promoting potentials, including antimicrobial activity against test bacteria and phytopathogenic fungi, solubilization of phosphate, and production of biostimulants (i.e., ammonia, indole‐3‐acetic acid, and siderophore) and biocatalysts (i.e., amylase, cellulase, chitinase, lipase, and protease). Our findings revealed that seed phytochemicals of pigmented rice (e.g., anthocyanin, γ‐oryzanol, phytate, antioxidants, and content of amylose) were effectors, shaping the community structures and biofunctions of endophytic actinobacteria. We conclude that pigmented rice is yet a challenging source for discovery of bioactive and novel actinobacteria. This study also provides new insights into the plant‐endophyte interactions by which seed phytochemicals act as a primary checkpoint in the natural selection for establishing unique plant endophytomes.
A 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analysis protocol for the Illumina MiniSeq platform
Authors: Pichler Monica , Coskun Ömer K. , Ortega‐Arbulú Ana‐Sofia , Conci Nicola , Wörheide Gert , Vargas Sergio , Orsi William D. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHigh‐throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene on the Illumina platform is commonly used to assess microbial diversity in environmental samples. The MiniSeq, Illumina's latest benchtop sequencer, enables more cost‐efficient DNA sequencing relative to larger Illumina sequencing platforms (e.g., MiSeq). Here we used a modified custom primer sequencing approach to test the fidelity of the MiniSeq for high‐throughput sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region of 16S rRNA genes from complex communities in environmental samples. To this end, we designed additional sequencing primers that enabled application of a dual‐index barcoding method on the MiniSeq. A mock community was sequenced alongside the environmental samples in four different sequencing runs as a quality control benchmark. We were able to recapture a realistic richness of the mock community in all sequencing runs, and identify meaningful differences in alpha and beta diversity in the environmental samples. Furthermore, rarefaction analysis indicated diversity in many environmental samples was close to saturation. These results show that the MiniSeq can produce similar quantities of high‐quality V4 reads compared to the MiSeq, yet is a cost‐effective option for any laboratory interested in performing high‐throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Effect of lactulose intervention on gut microbiota and short chain fatty acid composition of C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Zhai Shixiang , Zhu Limeng , Qin Song , Li Lili 
Published: March 2018

AbstractGut microbiota have strong connections with health. Lactulose has been shown to regulate gut microbiota and benefit host health. In this study, the effect of short‐term (3 week) intervention of lactulose on gut microbiota was investigated. Gut microbiota were detected from mouse feces by 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing, and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were detected by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Lactulose intervention enhanced the α‐diversity of the gut microbiota; increased the abundance of hydrogen‐producing bacteria Prevotellaceae and Rikenellaceae, probiotics Bifidobacteriaceae and Lactobacillaceae, and mucin‐degrading bacteria Akkermansia and Helicobacter; decreased the abundance of harmful bacteria Desulfovibrionaceae and branched‐chain SCFAs (BCFAs). These results suggest that lactulose intervention effectively increased the diversity and improved the structure of the intestinal microbiota, which may be beneficial for host health.
Antimicrobial activity of selected essential oils against Streptococcus suis isolated from pigs
Authors: de Aguiar Fabiana C. , Solarte Ana Lucía , Tarradas Carmen , Luque Inmaculada , Maldonado Alfonso , Galán‐Relaño Ángela , Huerta Belén 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe inhibitory potential by contact and vapor of basil, cinnamon, clove, peppermint, oregano, rosemary, common thyme, and red thyme essential oils (EOs) against 20 strains of Streptococcus suis was determined by the disk diffusion test. The broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimal inhibitory and minimal bactericidal concentration (MIC and MBC) of the four selected oils. Furthermore, the bactericidal power (ratio MBC/MIC) was calculated. The EOs with the major potential in the disk diffusion method were red thyme, common thyme, oregano, and cinnamon (∅ mean 16.5–34.2 mm), whereas cinnamon did not show vapor activity. In the microdilution test, all the EOs showed notable antimicrobial activity (MIC90 and MBC90 312.5–625 μg·ml−1) and a strong bactericidal power (ratio = 1). This is the first study that selects essential oils against S. suis. New studies about the possible synergic effect of EOs with antibiotics and about toxicity and efficacy in in vivo conditions are recommended.
Salt induction and activation of MtlD, the key enzyme in the synthesis of the compatible solute mannitol in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Zeidler Sabine , Hubloher Josephine , König Patricia , Ngu Ngoc Dinh , Scholz Anica , Averhoff Beate , Müller Volker 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMannitol is the major compatible solute, next to glutamate, synthesized by the opportunistic human pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii under low water activities. The key enzyme for mannitol biosynthesis, MtlD, was identified. MtlD is highly similar to the bifunctional mannitol‐1‐phosphate dehydrogenase/phosphatase from Acinetobacter baylyi. After deletion of the mtlD gene from A. baumannii ATCC 19606T cells no longer accumulated mannitol and growth was completely impaired at high salt. Addition of glycine betaine restored growth, demonstrating that mannitol is an important compatible solute in the human pathogen. MtlD was heterologously produced and purified. Enzyme activity was strictly salt dependent. Highest stimulation was reached at 600 mmol/L NaCl. Addition of different sodium as well as potassium salts restored activity, with highest stimulations up to 41 U/mg protein by sodium glutamate. In contrast, an increase in osmolarity by addition of sugars did not restore activity. Regulation of mannitol synthesis was also assayed at the transcriptional level. Reporter gene assays revealed that expression of mtlD is strongly dependent on high osmolarity, not discriminating between different salts or sugars. The presence of glycine betaine or its precursor choline repressed promoter activation. These data indicate a dual regulation of mannitol production in A. baumannii, at the transcriptional and the enzymatic level, depending on high osmolarity.
Potential of Lactobacillus plantarum IBB3036 and Lactobacillus salivarius IBB3154 to persistence in chicken after in ovo delivery
Authors: Aleksandrzak‐Piekarczyk Tamara , Puzia Weronika , Żylińska Joanna , Cieśla Jarosław , Gulewicz Krzysztof A. , Bardowski Jacek K. , Górecki Roman K. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to characterize and compare selected Lactobacillus strains originating from different environments (cow milk and hen feces) with respect to their applicative potential to colonize gastrointestinal track of chickens before hatching from an egg. In vitro phenotypic characterization of lactobacilli strains included the investigation of the important prerequisites for persistence in gastrointestinal tract, such as a capability to survive in the presence of bile salts and at low pH, enzymatic and sugar metabolic profiles, adhesion abilities, and resistance to osmolytes, temperature, and antibiotics. Regarding the resistance of lactobacilli to most of the various stress factors tested, the milk isolate Lactobacillus plantarum IBB3036 showed better abilities than the chicken feces isolate Lactobacillus salivarius IBB3154. However, regarding the acidification tolerance and adherence ability, L. salivarius IBB3154 revealed better characteristics. Use of these two selected lactobacilli isolates together with proper prebiotics resulted in the preparation of two S1 and S2 bioformulations, which were injected in ovo into hen Cobb500 FF fertilized eggs. Furthermore, in vivo tests assessing the persistence of L. plantarum IBB3036 and L. salivarius IBB3154 in the chicken gastrointestinal tract was monitored by PCR‐based classical and quantitative techniques and revealed the presence of both strains in fecal samples collected 3 days after hatching. Subsequently, the number of L. salivarius IBB3154 increased significantly in the chicken intestine, whereas the presence of L. plantarum IBB3036 was gradually decreased.
6‐n‐propylthiouracil taste disruption and TAS2R38 nontasting form in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Cossu Giovanni , Melis Melania , Sarchioto Marianna , Melis Marta , Melis Maurizio , Morelli Micaela , Tomassini Barbarossa Iole 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTBackground: The few studies that evaluated taste function in Parkinson's disease (PD) showed inconsistent results. The inherited ability to taste the bitter compound of 6‐n‐propylthiouracil has been considered to be a paradigm of general taste perception. 6‐n‐propylthiouracil taste perception is mediated by the TAS2R38 receptor, and reduced 6‐n‐propylthiouracil sensitivity has been associated with several diseases not typically related to taste function.Objectives: We evaluated the 6‐n‐propylthiouracil taste perception and the TAS2R38 gene as genetic risk factors for the development of idiopathic PD in PD patients and healthy controls (HC).Methods: The 6‐n‐propylthiouracil taste perception was assessed by testing the responsiveness, and the ability to recognize, 6‐n‐propylthiouracil and sodium chloride. The participants were classified for 6‐n‐propylthiouracil taster status and genotyped for the TAS2R38 gene.Results: A significant increase in the frequency of participants classified as 6‐n‐propylthiouracil nontasters and a reduced ability to recognize bitter taste quality of 6‐n‐propylthiouracil were found in PD patients when compared with healthy controls. The results also showed that only 5% of PD patients had the homozygous genotype for the dominant tasting variant of TAS2R38, whereas most of them carried the recessive nontaster form and a high number had a rare variant.Conclusions: Our results show that 6‐n‐propylthiouracil taster status and TAS2R38 locus are associated with PD. The 6‐n‐propylthiouracil test may therefore represent a novel, simple way to identify increased vulnerability to PD. Moreover, the presence of the nontasting form of TAS2R38 in PD may further substantiate that disease‐associated taste disruption may represent a risk factor associated with the disease. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
New mutations and an updated database for the patched‐1 (PTCH1) gene
Authors: Reinders Marie G. , van Hout Antonius F. , Cosgun Betûl , Paulussen Aimée D. , Leter Edward M. , Steijlen Peter M. , Mosterd Klara , van Geel Michel , Gille Johan J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundBasal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), maxillary keratocysts, and cerebral calcifications. BCNS most commonly is caused by a germline mutation in the patched‐1 (PTCH1) gene. PTCH1 mutations are also described in patients with holoprosencephaly.MethodsWe have established a locus‐specific database for the PTCH1 gene using the Leiden Open Variation Database (LOVD). We included 117 new PTCH1 variations, in addition to 331 previously published unique PTCH1 mutations. These new mutations were found in 141 patients who had a positive PTCH1 mutation analysis in either the VU University Medical Centre (VUMC) or Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC) between 1995 and 2015.ResultsThe database contains 331 previously published unique PTCH1 mutations and 117 new PTCH1 variations.ConclusionWe have established a locus‐specific database for the PTCH1 gene using the Leiden Open Variation Database (LOVD). The database provides an open collection for both clinicians and researchers and is accessible online at http://www.lovd.nl/PTCH1.
Anatomy of medial plantar superficial branch artery perforators: Facilitation of medial plantar superficial branch artery perforator (MPAP) flap harvesting and design for finger pulp reconstruction
Authors: Lohasammakul Suphalerk , Turbpaiboon Chairat , Chaiyasate Kongkrit , Tatsanavivat Parin , Chompoopong Supin , Roham Ali , Ratanalekha Rosarin , Aojanepong Chongdee 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundMedial plantar artery perforator (MPAP) flap was proposed as proper option for finger pulp reconstruction. To provide the previously unavailable vessel information required for this small flap design, this study aimed to gather all necessary anatomy of MPA, MPAP, and their territories of blood supply to apply in clinical MPAP flap reconstruction minimizing perforator injury.MethodsDissection of 30 Thai cadaveric feet for visualizing superficial branch of MPA and its perforators (MPAP) using acrylic dye cannulation were performed. Diameter, length, number of branches, course, distributing areas of these vessels, and also their areas of blood supply were recorded in relation to specified landmarks, eg, C‐MTH line; medial calcaneal tuberosity to plantar side of the first metatarsal head and S point; emerging point of superficial branch of MPA from deep fasciae into subcutaneous layer.ResultsAverage diameter of MPA at its origin and total length are 1.63 ± 0.3 and 52.8 ± 16.1 mm, respectively. It provides 1–3 perforators, with an average size and length of 0.36 ± 0.11 and 23.2 ± 5.47 mm, respectively. Its distribution is mostly in the posteromedial quadrant within 50 and 30 mm from the midpoint of C‐MTH line and the S point, respectively. The estimated perforator flap area is 2.5 cm × 1.5 cm and 4.5 cm × 2.5 cm for single and double perforators, respectively.ConclusionsMPAP flap was proved as another ideal option for finger pulp reconstruction. Its limitation is small size of perforators but this can be overcome by using MPA for microsurgical anastomosis instead.
Reconstruction of undersampled radial free‐breathing 3D abdominal MRI using stacked convolutional auto‐encoders
Authors: Lv Jun , Chen Kun , Yang Ming , Zhang Jue , Wang Xiaoying 
Published: March 2018

PurposeFree‐breathing three‐dimensional (3D) abdominal imaging is a challenging task for MRI, as respiratory motion severely degrades image quality. One of the most promising self‐navigation techniques is the 3D golden‐angle radial stack‐of‐stars (SOS) sequence, which has advantages in terms of speed, resolution, and allowing free breathing. However, streaking artifacts are still clearly observed in reconstructed images when undersampling is applied. This work presents a novel reconstruction approach based on a stacked convolutional auto‐encoder (SCAE) network to solve this problem.MethodsThirty healthy volunteers participated in our experiment. To build the dataset, reference and artifact‐affected images were reconstructed using 451 golden‐angle spokes and the first 20, 40, or 90 golden‐angle spokes corresponding to acceleration rates of 31.4, 15.7, and 6.98, respectively. In the training step, we trained the SCAE by feeding it with patches from artifact‐affected images. The SCAE outputs patches in the corresponding reference images. In the testing step, we applied the trained SCAE to map each input artifact‐affected patch to the corresponding reference image patch.ResultThe SCAE‐based reconstruction images with acceleration rates of 6.98 and 15.7 show nearly similar quality as the reference images. Additionally, the calculation time is below 1 s. Moreover, the proposed approach preserves important features, such as lesions not presented in the training set.ConclusionThe preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed SCAE‐based strategy for correcting the streaking artifacts of undersampled free‐breathing 3D abdominal MRI with a negligible reconstruction time.
HU deviation in lung and bone tissues: Characterization and a corrective strategy
Authors: Ai Hua A. , Meier Joseph G. , Wendt Richard E. 
Published: March 2018

IntroductionIn the era of precision medicine, quantitative applications of x‐ray Computed Tomography (CT) are on the rise. These require accurate measurement of the CT number, also known as the Hounsfield Unit. In this study, we evaluated the effect of patient attenuation‐induced beam hardening of the x‐ray spectrum on the accuracy of the HU values and a strategy to correct for the resulting deviations in the measured HU values.Materials and methodsA CIRS electron density phantom was scanned on a Siemens Biograph mCT Flow CT scanner and a GE Discovery 710 CT scanner using standard techniques that are employed in the clinic to assess the HU deviation caused by beam hardening in different tissue types. In addition, an anthropomorphic ATOM adult male upper torso phantom was scanned on the GE Discovery 710 scanner. Various amounts of Superflab bolus material were wrapped around the phantoms to simulate different patient sizes. The mean HU values that were measured in the phantoms were evaluated as a function of the water‐equivalent area (Aw), a parameter that is described in the report of AAPM Task Group 220. A strategy by which to correct the HU values was developed and tested. The variation in the HU values in the anthropomorphic ATOM phantom under different simulated body sizes, both before and after correction, were compared, with a focus on the lung and bone tissues.ResultsSignificant HU deviations that depended on the simulated patient size were observed. A positive correlation between HU and Aw was observed for tissue types that have an HU of less than zero, while a negative correlation was observed for tissue types with HU values that are greater than zero. The magnitude of the difference increases as the underlying attenuation property deviates further away from that of water. In the electron density phantom study, the maximum observed HU differences between the measured and reference values in the cortical bone and lung materials were 426 and 94 HU, respectively. In the anthropomorphic phantom study, the HU difference was as much as −136.7 ± 8.2 HU (or −7.6% ± 0.5% of the attenuation coefficient, AC) in the spine region, and up to 37.6 ± 1.6 HU (or 17.3% ± 0.8% of AC) in the lung region between scenarios that simulated normal and obese patients. Our HU correction method reduced the HU deviations to 8.5 ± 9.1 HU (or 0.5% ± 0.5%) for bone and to −6.4 ± 1.7 HU (or −3.0% ± 0.8%) for lung. The HU differences in the soft tissue materials before and after the correction were insignificant. Visual improvement of the tissue contrast was also achieved in the data of the simulated obese patient.ConclusionsThe effect of a patient's size on the HU values of lung and bone tissues can be significant. The accuracy of those HU values was substantially improved by the correction method that was developed for and employed in this study.
In‐vitro evaluation of accuracy of dynamic contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (DCEUS)‐based parametric perfusion imaging with respiratory motion‐compensation
Authors: Wang Diya , Xiao Mengnan , Zhang Yu , Su Zhe , Zong Yujin , Wang Supin , Wan Mingxi 
Published: March 2018

PurposeThe accuracy of multi‐parametric perfusion imaging (PPI) based on dynamic contrast‐enhanced ultrasound is disturbed by the respiratory motion in some cases, especially during characterizing hemodynamic features of abdominal tumor angiogenesis. This study aimed to effectively remove those disturbances on PPI and evaluate its accuracy.MethodThe respiratory motion‐compensation (rMoCo) strategy in PPI was modified by employing non‐negative matrix factorization combined with phase‐by‐phase compensation. According to the known and controllable ground truths in in‐vitro perfusion experiments, the accuracy of the modified rMoCo strategy was further evaluated from multiple perspectives in a simulated dual‐vessel flow phantom.ResultsCompared with that of PPIs without rMoCo, the mean correlation coefficient between six PPIs with rMoCo and the corresponding static PPIs was up to 0.98 ± 0.01 and improved by 0.17 ± 0.04 (P < 0.05). The estimated error of vascular diameter decreased from 87.85% (P < 0.05) to 7.25% (P < 0.05) after rMoCo. PPIs with rMoCo were significantly consistent with static PPIs without respiratory motion disturbances.ConclusionsThese quantitative results illustrated the disturbances induced by respiratory motion were effectively removed and the accuracy of PPIs was significantly improved. The partial parabolic and bimodal hemodynamic characteristics and the anatomical structures and sizes were accurately quantified and depicted by PPIs with rMoCo. The modified method can benefit physicians in providing accurate diagnoses and in developing appropriate therapeutic strategies for abdominal diseases.