bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced visible light photodegradation activity of RhB/MB from aqueous solution using nanosized novel Fe-Cd co-modified ZnO
Authors: D. Neena , Kondamareddy Kiran Kumar , Bin Han , Lu Dingze , Kumar Pravin , Dwivedi R. K. , Pelenovich Vasiliy O. , Zhao Xing-Zhong , Gao Wei , Fu Dejun 
Published: July 2018

AbstractA series of novel Fe-Cd co-doped ZnO nanoparticle based photocatalysts are successfully synthesized by sol-gel route and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray emission (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) techniques. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles doped with various atomic weight fraction of Fe and Cd has been investigated under visible light irradiation using the Methylene Blue and Rhodamine B dye in aqueous solution. The FeCd (2%):ZnO (ZFC-1) exhibit the highest photocatalytic activity in terms of rate constant as KMB = 0.01153 min−1 and KRhB = 0.00916 min−1). Further, the re-usability of the ZFC-1 photocatalyst is studied which confirms that it can be reused up to five times with nearly negligible loss of the photocatalytic efficiency. Moreover, the role of photoactive species investigated using a radical scavenger technique. The present investigations show that the doping concentration plays significant role in photocatalytic performance. The visible light absorption shown by Fe-Cd co-doped ZnO nanoparticles is much higher than that of undoped body probably due to co-doping, and the charge carrier recombination is decreased effectively which yields a higher photocatalytic performance. The mechanism for the enhancement of photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation is also proposed.
O2-inducible H2O2-forming NADPH oxidase is responsible for the hyper O2 sensitivity of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis
Authors: Tanaka Kunifusa , Satoh Takumi , Kitahara Jun , Uno Saori , Nomura Izumi , Kano Yasunobu , Suzuki Tohru , Niimura Youichi , Kawasaki Shinji 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBifidobacteria are beneficial anaerobes, and their O2 sensitivity levels differ among species as a function of unknown molecular mechanisms. Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis (B. infantis), a predominant colonizer of the gastrointestinal tract of infants, showed a hyper O2-sensitive growth profile with accompanying a production of H2O2. In this study, we characterized an NADPH oxidase as a key enzyme responsible for this microbe’s hyper O2 sensitivity. A dominant active elution peak of H2O2-forming NADPH oxidase activity was detected in the first step of column chromatography, and the purified NADPH oxidase (NPOX) was identified as a homolog of nitroreductase family proteins. The introduction of the gene encoding B. infantis NPOX (npoxA) into O2-tolerant Bifidobacterium minimum made the strain O2 sensitive and allowed it to produce H2O2. Knockout of the npoxA gene in B. infantis decreased the production of H2O2 and mitigated its B. infantis hyper O2 sensitivity. A transcript of B. infantis npoxA is induced by O2, suggesting that the aerobic production of toxic H2O2 is functionally conserved in B. infantis.
Bioprospection of Basidiomycetes and molecular phylogenetic analysis using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 5.8S rRNA gene sequence
Authors: Mowna Sundari Thangamalai , Alwin Prem Anand A. , Jenifer Packiaraj , Shenbagarathai Rajaiah 
Published: July 2018

AbstractMacrofungi belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota are mostly used as medicinal mushrooms in many countries. In the present study, hundred basidiocarp of macrofungi were collected from Tamilnadu during rainy season. The basidiocarp was found in association with root/trunk of living trees, wood log and decayed matter. Among the hundred basidiocarp, 49 were grown into axenic cultures. Notable variations in the macroscopic characteristics of the basidiome and culture morphology were observed. To study the genetic diversity, the molecular taxonomy of the isolates was carried out using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 5.8S rRNA gene sequence marker. Thirty-two strains belonging to the order Polyporales, Hymenochataeles and Russuales under the division Basidiomycota were classified based on phylogeny analysis. This study provides first evidence for the occurrence of speciesFulvifomes fastuosus(LDCMY39 and LDCMY43) andGanoderma wiiroense(LDCMY02, LDCMY08, LDCMY11, LDCMY17 and LDCMY19) from southern India. Molecular evidence for the existence ofPhellinus badiuswas given for the first time as well. These data enhance our understanding on the diversity of macrofungi in India, which could be further exploited for biomedical applications.
The exercise sex gap and the impact of the estrous cycle on exercise performance in mice
Authors: Aguiar Aderbal S. , Speck Ana Elisa , Amaral Inês M. , Canas Paula M. , Cunha Rodrigo A. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractExercise physiology is different in males and females. Females are poorly studied due to the complexity of the estrous cycle and this bias has created an exercise sex gap. Here, we evaluated the impact of sexual dimorphism and of the estrous cycle on muscle strength and running power of C57BL/6 mice. Like men, male mice were stronger and more powerful than females. Exercise-induced increase of O2 consumption ($$\dot{{\bf{V}}}$$

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O2) and CO2 production ($$\dot{{\bf{V}}}$$

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CO2) were equal between sexes, indicating that running economy was higher in males. Thermoregulation was also more efficient in males. In females, proestrus increased exercise $$\dot{{\bf{V}}}$$

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O2 and $$\dot{{\bf{V}}}$$

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CO2 at low running speeds (30–35% female $$\dot{{\bf{V}}}$$

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O2max) and estrus worsened thermoregulation. These differences translated into different absolute and relative workloads on the treadmill, even at equal submaximal $$\dot{{\bf{V}}}$$

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O2 and belt speeds. In summary, our results demonstrate the better muscle strength, running power and economy, and exercise-induced thermoregulation of males compared to females. Proestrus and estrus still undermined the running economy and exercise-induced thermoregulation of females, respectively. These results demonstrate an important exercise sex gap in mice.
Structural determinants of specificity and regulation of activity in the allosteric loop network of human KLK8/neuropsin
Authors: Debela Mekdes , Magdolen Viktor , Skala Wolfgang , Elsässer Brigitta , Schneider Eric L. , Craik Charles S. , Biniossek Martin L. , Schilling Oliver , Bode Wolfram , Brandstetter Hans , Goettig Peter 
Published: July 2018

AbstractHuman KLK8/neuropsin, a kallikrein-related serine peptidase, is mostly expressed in skin and the hippocampus regions of the brain, where it regulates memory formation by synaptic remodeling. Substrate profiles of recombinant KLK8 were analyzed with positional scanning using fluorogenic tetrapeptides and the proteomic PICS approach, which revealed the prime side specificity. Enzyme kinetics with optimized substrates showed stimulation by Ca2+ and inhibition by Zn2+, which are physiological regulators. Crystal structures of KLK8 with a ligand-free active site and with the inhibitor leupeptin explain the subsite specificity and display Ca2+ bound to the 75-loop. The variants D70K and H99A confirmed the antagonistic role of the cation binding sites. Molecular docking and dynamics calculations provided insights in substrate binding and the dual regulation of activity by Ca2+ and Zn2+, which are important in neuron and skin physiology. Both cations participate in the allosteric surface loop network present in related serine proteases. A comparison of the positional scanning data with substrates from brain suggests an adaptive recognition by KLK8, based on the tertiary structures of its targets. These combined findings provide a comprehensive picture of the molecular mechanisms underlying the enzyme activity of KLK8.
Physical and chemical assessment of 1,3 Propanediol as a potential substitute of propylene glycol in refill liquid for electronic cigarettes
Authors: Bertrand Philippe , Bonnarme Vincent , Piccirilli Antoine , Ayrault Philippe , Lemée Laurent , Frapper Gilles , Pourchez Jérémie 
Published: July 2018

AbstractElectronic cigarette has the potential to serve as a tobacco cessation aid if the prerequisites which are safety and efficacy in term of nicotine delivery are achieved. The nicotine-based liquids are mainly composed by propylene glycol and glycerol playing the important role of airborne carriers. 1,3 propanediol is proposed as a propylene glycol substitute to potentially improve the thermal stability, nicotine delivery and to decrease inhaled flavors concentrations. We have implemented various thermal, physicochemical and computational methods to evaluate the use of 1,3 propanediol as a substitute (or additional ingredient) to propylene glycol in e-liquids compositions. Our results indicate that 1,3 propanediol is stable upon heating when electronic cigarette are used in recommended conditions. We demonstrate that 1,3 propanediol gave better thermic profile compared to propylene glycol and glycerol, showing less thermal decomposition by-products. In addition, 1,3 propanediol gives to nicotine a more basic environment ensuring a high level of free base nicotine form. We have also established a quantum mechanical based computational method to validate e-liquids as flavor enhancer. Our findings showed that globally 1,3 propanediol seems to have better flavoring properties than glycerol and propylene glycol. Finally, 1,3 propanediol seems to induce quite similar aerodynamic properties compared to propylene glycol and glycerol.
The first plastid genome of a filamentous taxon ‘Bangia’ sp. OUCPT-01 in the Bangiales
Authors: Cao Min , Bi Guiqi , Mao Yunxiang , Li Guiyang , Kong Fanna 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRed algae are important primary photosynthetic organisms. The Bangiales comprise a morphologically diverse order of red algae. Until now, complete plastid genomes of the Bangiales were only mapped for foliose species. To date, no filamentous plastomes have been published. The aim of this study was to determine and analyze the complete plastid genome of the filamentous marine species ‘Bangia’ sp. OUCPT-01. It is a circular molecule, 196,913 bps in length with a guanine-cytosine (GC) content of 33.5%. It has a quadripartite structure with two single copy regions separated by two direct non-identical repeats. It has 205 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNAs, and 6 rRNAs. Therefore, it has a high coding capacity and is highly similar to other Bangiales species in terms of content and structure. In particular, it reveals that the genera in the Bangiales have highly conserved gene content and plastome synteny. This plastome and existing data provide insights into the phylogenetic relationships among the Bangiales genera of the Rhodophyta. According to its plastid- and mitochondrial genomes, ‘Bangia 2′ is a sister group to Porphyra. However, the position of Wildemania schizophylla in the Bangiales is still controversial. Our results show that the Bangiales divergence time was ~225 million years ago.
Gene expression profiles of germ-free and conventional piglets from the same litter
Authors: Sun Jing , Zhong Hang , Du Lei , Li Xiaolei , Ding Yuchun , Cao Haoran , Liu Zuohua , Ge Liangpeng 
Published: July 2018

AbstractGerm-free (GF) pigs have clear microbiological backgrounds, and are extensively used as large animal models in the biomedical sciences. However, investigations of the transcriptomic differences between GF and cesarean-derived conventional (CV) piglets are limited. To improve our understanding of GF pigs, and to increase the utility of pigs as an alternative non-rodent model, we used RNA sequencing to profile gene expression in five tissues (the oral mucosae, jejunum, colon, liver, and spleen) of four male GF piglets and four male CV piglets from the same litter. We identified 14 genes that were differentially expressed in all five tissues. Seven of these common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were interferon-inducible genes, and all 14 were consistently downregulated in the GF piglets as compared to the CV piglets. Compared to the other tissues tested, the expression of transcription factors (TFs) in the colon was most affected by the absence of a microbiota. The expression patterns of immune-related genes were downregulated in the GF piglets as compared to the CV piglets, indicating that the intestinal microbiota influenced gene expression in other tissues besides the gut. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis indicated that, in pigs, the intestinal microbiota affected the expression of genes related to immune system function and development.
Probiotics into outer space: feasibility assessments of encapsulated freeze-dried probiotics during 1 month’s storage on the International Space Station
Authors: Sakai Takafumi , Moteki Yasuhiro , Takahashi Takuya , Shida Kan , Kiwaki Mayumi , Shimakawa Yasuhisa , Matsui Akihisa , Chonan Osamu , Morikawa Kazuya , Ohta Toshiko , Ohshima Hiroshi , Furukawa Satoshi 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSuppression of immune function during long spaceflights is an issue that needs to be overcome. The well-established probiotic Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) could be a promising countermeasure, and we have launched a project to investigate the efficacy of its use on the International Space Station (ISS). As a first step, we developed a specialist probiotic product for space experiments, containing freeze-dried LcS in capsule form (Probiotics Package), and tested its stability through 1 month of storage on the ISS. The temperature inside the ISS ranged from 20.0 to 24.5 °C. The absorbed dose rate of the flight sample was 0.26 mGy/day and the dose equivalent rate was 0.52 mSv/day. The number of live LcS was 1.05 × 1011 colony-forming units/g powder (49.5% of the initial value) 6 months after the start of the study; this value was comparable to those in the two ground controls. Profiles of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA, sequence variant frequency, carbohydrate fermentation, reactivity to LcS-specific antibody, and the cytokine-inducing ability of LcS in the flight sample did not differ from those of the ground controls. We can therefore maintain the viability and basic probiotic properties of LcS stored as a Probiotics Package on the ISS.
Intestinal Lymphatic Endothelial Cells Produce R-Spondin3
Authors: Ogasawara Reiki , Hashimoto Daigo , Kimura Shunsuke , Hayase Eiko , Ara Takahide , Takahashi Shuichiro , Ohigashi Hiroyuki , Yoshioka Kosuke , Tateno Takahiro , Yokoyama Emi , Ebata Ko , Kondo Takeshi , Sugita Junichi , Onozawa Masahiro , Iwanaga Toshihiko , Teshima Takanori 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe R-Spondin (R-Spo) family regulates WNT signaling and stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs). R-Spo plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis, but endogenous producers of R-Spo in the intestine remain to be investigated. We found that R-Spo3 was the major R-Spo family member produced in the intestine and it was predominantly produced by CD45−CD90+CD31+ lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in the lamina propria of the intestinal mucosa. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that LECs highly expressed R-Spo receptor, Lgr5, suggesting an autocrine stimulatory loop in LECs. LECs were significantly reduced in number, and their R-Spo3 production was impaired in intestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The impaired production of R-Spo3 in the intestine may be a novel mechanism of delayed tissue repair and defective mucosal defense in intestinal GVHD. We demonstrate a novel role of intestinal LECs in producing R-Spondin3 to maintain intestinal homeostasis.
Activation of basal forebrain purinergic P2 receptors promotes wakefulness in mice
Authors: Yang Chun , Larin Andrei , McKenna James T. , Jacobson Kenneth A. , Winston Stuart , Strecker Robert E. , Kalinchuk Anna , Basheer Radhika , Brown Ritchie E. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe functions of purinergic P2 receptors (P2Rs) for extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) are poorly understood. Here, for the first time, we show that activation of P2Rs in an important arousal region, the basal forebrain (BF), promotes wakefulness, whereas inhibition of P2Rs promotes sleep. Infusion of a non-hydrolysable P2R agonist, ATP-γ-S, into mouse BF increased wakefulness following sleep deprivation. ATP-γ-S depolarized BF cholinergic and cortically-projecting GABAergic neurons in vitro, an effect blocked by antagonists of ionotropic P2Rs (P2XRs) or glutamate receptors. In vivo, ATP-γ-S infusion increased BF glutamate release. Thus, activation of BF P2XRs promotes glutamate release and excitation of wake-active neurons. Conversely, pharmacological antagonism of BF P2XRs decreased spontaneous wakefulness during the dark (active) period. Together with previous findings, our results suggest sleep-wake regulation by BF extracellular ATP involves a balance between excitatory, wakefulness-promoting effects mediated by direct activation of P2XRs and inhibitory, sleep-promoting effects mediated by degradation to adenosine.
Growth of mountain belts in central Asia triggers a new collision zone in central India
Authors: Koulakov I. , Gerya T. , Rastogi B. K. , Jakovlev A. , Medved I. , Kayal J. R. , El Khrepy S. , Al-Arifi N. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSeveral unusual strong earthquakes occurred in central India along the Narmada-Son Lineament (NSL) zone, far from active plate boundaries. To understand the role of collisional processes in the origin of this seismicity, we develop a numerical thermomechanical model of shortening between the Indian Plate and Asia. We show that at the final stage of collision, the shortening rate of the high mountain areas slows. The continuing convergence of India and Asia triggers the initiation of a new collision zone in continental part of India. Various geological and geophysical observations indicate that the NSL is a weakest zone with northward thrusting of the thinner central Indian lithosphere underneath the thicker northern part of the Indian Plate. We hypothesize that the NSL was reactivated during the final stage of the India Asia convergence and it will possibly form a new mountain belt within the Indian continent.
Forecasting Events in the Complex Dynamics of a Semiconductor Laser with Optical Feedback
Authors: Colet Meritxell , Aragoneses Andrés 
Published: July 2018

AbstractComplex systems performing spiking dynamics are widespread in Nature. They cover from earthquakes, to neurons, variable stars, social networks, or stock markets. Understanding and characterizing their dynamics is relevant in order to detect transitions, or to predict unwanted extreme events. Here we study, under an ordinal patterns analysis, the output intensity of a semiconductor laser with feedback in a regime where it develops a complex spiking behavior. We unveil that, in the transitions towards and from the spiking regime, the complex dynamics presents two competing behaviors that can be distinguished with a thresholding method. Then we use time and intensity correlations to forecast different types of events, and transitions in the dynamics of the system.
The Consequences of Biofilm Dispersal on the Host
Authors: Fleming Derek , Rumbaugh Kendra 
Published: July 2018

AbstractChronic infections are often associated with the presence of a biofilm, a community of microorganisms coexisting within a protective matrix of extracellular polymeric substance. Living within a biofilm can make resident microbes significantly more tolerant to antibiotics in comparison to planktonic, free-floating cells. Thus, agents that can degrade biofilms are being pursued for clinical applications. While biofilm degrading and dispersing agents may represent attractive adjunctive therapies for biofilm-associated chronic infections, very little is known about how the host responds to the sudden dispersal of biofilm cells. In this study, we found that large-scale, in vivo dispersal of motile biofilm bacteria by glycoside hydrolases caused lethal septicemia in the absence of antibiotic therapy in a mouse wound model. However, when administered prudently, biofilm degrading enzymes had the potential to potentiate the efficacy of antibiotics and help resolve biofilm-associated wound infections.
Non-viral-mediated suppression of AMIGO3 promotes disinhibited NT3-mediated regeneration of spinal cord dorsal column axons
Authors: Almutiri Sharif , Berry Martin , Logan Ann , Ahmed Zubair 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAfter injury to the mature central nervous system (CNS), myelin-derived inhibitory ligands bind to the Nogo-66 tripartite receptor complex expressed on axonal growth cones, comprised of LINGO-1 and p75NTR/TROY and induce growth cone collapse through the RhoA pathway. We have also shown that amphoterin-induced gene and open reading frame-3 (AMIGO3) substitutes for LINGO-1 and can signal axon growth cone collapse. Here, we investigated the regeneration of dorsal root ganglion neuron (DRGN) axons/neurites after treatment with a short hairpin RNA (sh) AMIGO3 plasmid delivered with a non-viral in vivo-jetPEI vector, and the pro-survival/axogenic neurotrophin (NT) 3 in vitro and in vivo. A bicistronic plasmid, containing both shAMIGO3 and NT3 knocked down >75% of AMIGO3 mRNA in cultured DRGN and significantly overexpressed NT3 production. In vivo, intra-DRG injection of in vivo-jetPEI plasmids containing shAMIGO3/gfp and shAMIGO3/nt3 both knocked down AMIGO3 expression in DRGN and, in combination with NT3 overexpression, promoted DC axon regeneration, recovery of conduction of compound action potentials across the lesion site and improvements in sensory and locomotor function. These findings demonstrate that in vivo-jetPEI is a potential non-viral, translatable DRGN delivery vehicle in vivo and that suppression of AMIGO3 disinhibits the growth of axotomised DRGN enabling NT3 to stimulate the regeneration of their DC axons and enhances functional recovery.
A Novel Multi-Gene Detection Platform for the Analysis of miRNA Expression
Authors: Hsieh Chia-Hsun , Chen Wei-Ming , Hsieh Yi-Shan , Fan Ya-Chun , Yang Pok Eric , Kang Shih-Ting , Liao Chun-Ta 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe study of miRNAs and their roles as non-invasive biomarkers has been intensely conducted in cancer diseases over the past decade. Various platforms, ranging from conventional qPCRs to Next Generation Sequencers (NGS), have been widely used to analyze miRNA expression. Here we introduced a novel platform, PanelChip™ Analysis System, which provides a sensitive solution for the analysis of miRNA levels in blood. After conducting miRQC analysis, the system’s analytical performance compared favorably against similar nanoscale qPCR-based array technologies. Because PanelChip™ requires only a minimal amount of miRNA for analysis, we used it to screen for potential diagnostic biomarkers in the plasma of patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Combining the platform with a machine learning algorithm, we were able to discover miRNA expression patterns capable of separating healthy subjects from patients with OSCC.