bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Juvenile Hormone receptor Met is essential for ovarian maturation in the Desert Locust, Schistocerca gregaria
Authors: Gijbels Marijke , Lenaerts Cynthia , Vanden Broeck Jozef , Marchal Elisabeth 
Published: July 2019

AbstractJuvenile hormones (JH) are key endocrine regulators produced by the corpora allata (CA) of insects. Together with ecdysteroids, as well as nutritional cues, JH coordinates different aspects of insect postembryonic development and reproduction. The function of the recently characterized JH receptor, Methoprene-tolerant (Met), appears to be conserved in different processes regulated by JH. However, its functional interactions with other hormonal signalling pathways seem highly dependent on the feeding habits and on the developmental and reproductive strategies employed by the insect species investigated. Here we report on the effects of RNA interference (RNAi) mediated SgMet knockdown during the first gonadotrophic cycle in female desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria). This voracious, phytophagous pest species can form migrating swarms that devastate field crops and harvests in several of the world’s poorest countries. A better knowledge of the JH signalling pathway may contribute to the development of novel, more target-specific insecticides to combat this very harmful swarming pest. Using RNAi, we show that the JH receptor Met is essential for ovarian maturation, vitellogenesis and associated ecdysteroid biosynthesis in adult female S. gregaria. Interestingly, knockdown of SgMet also resulted in a significant decrease of insulin-related peptide (SgIRP) and increase of neuroparsin (SgNP) 3 and 4 transcript levels in the fat body, illustrating the existence of an intricate regulatory interplay between different hormonal factors. In addition, SgMet knockdown in females resulted in delayed display of copulation behaviour with virgin males, when compared with dsGFP injected control animals. Moreover, we observed an incapacity of adult dsSgMet injected female locusts to oviposit during the time of the experimental setup. As such, SgMet is an essential gene playing crucial roles in the endocrine communication necessary for successful reproduction of the desert locust.
Imbricated Coastal Boulder Deposits are Formed by Storm Waves, and Can Preserve a Long-Term Storminess Record
Authors: Cox Rónadh , O’Boyle Louise , Cytrynbaum Jacob 
Published: July 2019

AbstractCoastal boulder deposits (CBD) are archives of extreme wave events. They are emplaced well above high tide, and may include megagravel clasts weighing tens or even hundreds of tonnes. But do they represent storms or tsunami? Many are interpreted as tsunami deposits based simply on clast size and inferences about transport, despite the fact that there are no direct observations documenting formation of these inbricated boulder clusters and ridges. In this study, we use force-balanced, dynamically scaled wave-tank experiments to model storm wave interactions with boulders, and show that storm waves can produce all the features of imbricated CBD. This means that CBD, even when containing megagravel, cannot be used as de facto tsunami indicators. On the contrary, CBD should be evaluated for inclusion in long-term storminess analysis.
Anatomical variants of renal veins: A meta-analysis of prevalence
Authors: Hostiuc Sorin , Rusu Mugurel Constantin , Negoi Ionut , Dorobanțu Bogdan , Grigoriu Mihai 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe main aim of this article is to establish the actual prevalence of renal vein variations (circumaortic renal vein, retroaortic renal vein, double renal vein), and to increase awareness about them. To this purpose, we have performed a meta-analysis of prevalence, using the MetaXL package, We included 105 articles in the final analysis of prevalence, of which 88 contained data about retroaortic renal vein, 84 – about circumaortic renal vein, and 51 - about multiple renal veins. The overall prevalence for retroaortic renal vein was 3% (CI:2.4–3.6%), for circumaortic renal vein − 3.5% (CI:2.8–4.4%), and for multiple renal veins - 16.7% (14.3–19.2%), much higher on the right 16.6 (14.2–19.1%) than on the left side 2.1 (1.3–3.2%). The results were relatively homogenous between studies, with only a minor publication bias overall.
Temperature Assessment Of Microwave-Enhanced Heating Processes
Authors: García-Baños B. , Reinosa J. J. , Peñaranda-Foix F. L. , Fernández J. F. , Catalá-Civera J. M. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn this study, real-time and in-situ permittivity measurements under intense microwave electromagnetic fields are proposed as a powerful technique for the study of microwave-enhanced thermal processes in materials. In order to draw reliable conclusions about the temperatures at which transformations occur, we address how to accurately measure the bulk temperature of the samples under microwave irradiation. A new temperature calibration method merging data from four independent techniques is developed to obtain the bulk temperature as a function of the surface temperature in thermal processes under microwave conditions. Additionally, other analysis techniques such as Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) or Raman spectroscopy are correlated to dielectric permittivity measurements and the temperatures of thermal transitions observed using each technique are compared. Our findings reveal that the combination of all these procedures could help prove the existence of specific non-thermal microwave effects in a scientifically meaningful way.
Microbiological diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in children by oral swab polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Nicol Mark P. , Wood Rachel C. , Workman Lesley , Prins Margaretha , Whitman Cynthia , Ghebrekristos Yonas , Mbhele Slindile , Olson Alaina , Jones-Engel Lisa E. , Zar Heather J. , Cangelosi Gerard A. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMicrobiological diagnosis of pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is challenging due to the difficulty of collecting and testing sputum from children. We investigated whether easily-obtained oral swab samples are useful alternatives or supplements to sputum. Oral swabs and induced sputum (IS) were collected from 201 South African children with suspected pulmonary TB. IS samples were tested by mycobacterial culture and Xpert MTB/RIF. Oral swabs were tested by PCR targeting IS6110. Children were categorized as Confirmed TB (microbiologic confirmation on IS), Unconfirmed TB (clinical diagnosis only), or Unlikely TB (recovery without TB treatment). Relative to Confirmed TB, PCR on two oral swabs per child was 43% sensitive and 93% specific. This sensitivity fell below that of sputum Xpert (64%). Among children with either Confirmed or Unconfirmed TB, PCR on two oral swabs per child was 31% sensitive and 93% specific, which was more sensitive than sputum testing among this group (21%). Although oral swab analysis had low sensitivity in sputum-positive children, it detected TB in a significant proportion of sputum-negative children who were clinically diagnosed with TB. Specificity at 93% was suboptimal but may improve with the use of automated methods. With further development, oral swabs may become useful supplements to sputum as samples for diagnosis of pulmonary TB in children.
Protein tertiary structure and the myoglobin phase diagram
Authors: Begun Alexander , Molochkov Alexander , Niemi Antti J. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe develop an effective theory approach to investigate the phase properties of globular proteins. Instead of interactions between individual atoms or localized interaction centers, the approach builds directly on the tertiary structure of a protein. As an example we construct the phase diagram of (apo)myoglobin with temperature (T) and acidity (pH) as the thermodynamical variables. We describe how myoglobin unfolds from the native folded state to a random coil when temperature and acidity increase. We confirm the presence of two molten globule folding intermediates, and we predict an abrupt transition between the two when acidity changes. When temperature further increases we find that the abrupt transition line between the two molten globule states terminates at a tricritical point, where the helical structures fade away. Our results also suggest that the ligand entry and exit is driven by large scale collective motions that destabilize the myoglobin F-helix.
Nano-viscosimetry analysis of the membrane disrupting action of the bee venom peptide melittin
Authors: Pandidan Sara , Mechler Adam 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMelittin is one of the most studied α-helical cationic membrane disrupting peptides. It is the main component of bee venom, however it is considered an antimicrobial peptide for its ability to kill bacteria. Melittin is believed to act by opening large toroidal pores in the plasma membrane of the targeted cells/bacteria, although this is questioned by some authors. Little is known, however, about the molecular mechanism leading to this activity. In this study the mechanism of action of melittin was studied by dye leakage and quartz crystal microbalance fingerprinting analysis in biomimetic model membranes. The results revealed the existence of multiple stages in the membrane disrupting action with characteristic differences between different membrane types. In bacterial-mimetic (charged) lipid mixtures the viscoelastic fingerprints suggest a surface-acting mechanism, whereas in mammalian-mimetic (neutral) membranes melittin appears to penetrate the bilayer already at low concentrations. In domain-forming mixed membranes melittin shows a preference for the domain containing predominantly zwitterionic lipids. The results confirm membrane poration but are inconsistent with the insertion-to-toroidal pore pathway. Therefore hypotheses of the two membrane disrupting pathways were developed, describing the membrane disruption as either surface tension modulation leading to toroidal pore formation, or linear aggregation leading to fissure formation in the membrane.
Elemental imaging by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy to evaluate selenium enrichment effects in edible mushrooms
Authors: de Oliveira Aline Pereira , de Oliveira Leme Flávio , Nomura Cassiana Seimi , Naozuka Juliana 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMushrooms are bioaccumulating organisms commonly used in selenium (Se) enrichment studies. However, the addition of Se in the culture medium may alter the distribution of other essential elements in the mushroom fruiting body. To evaluate the effects of the Se enrichment, Ca, Mg, and K distributions in pink oyster (Pleurotus djamor) and K and Mg distributions in white oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) mushrooms were mapped by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), which can be used at room temperature and requires minimal or no sample preparation. It was verified that Se enrichment favoured the accumulation of Ca in the lower part of the pink oyster mushroom and prevented the transport of this element to the edges and tops. The Se enrichment also altered the distribution of K and Mg, decreasing the numerical correlation between the K and Mg distributions (R² = 0.5871). In the white oyster mushroom, however, despite the changes in the morphological characteristics of the fruiting bodies after enrichment, there were generally nonsignificant differences in the K and Mg distributions between the control and the Se-enriched mushrooms.
DNA gyrase could be a crucial regulatory factor for growth and survival of Mycobacterium leprae
Authors: Kim Hyun , Fukutomi Yasuo , Nakajima Chie , Kim Youn Uck , Mori Shigetarou , Shibayama Keigo , Nakata Noboru , Suzuki Yasuhiko 
Published: July 2019

AbstractLeprosy, an important infectious disease in humans caused by Mycobacterium leprae (Mle), remains endemic in many countries. Notably, the pathogen cannot be cultured in vitro, except in mouse footpads in vivo. The molecular basis of these characteristics and the mechanisms remain unknown. Consequently, analysis of Mle growth and survival is urgently needed to develop novel therapies against leprosy, including rapid, simple, and specific methods to detect infection. Here, we demonstrated the functional role and contribution of Mle-DNA gyrase, which regulates DNA topology, DNA replication, and chromosome segregation to promote bacterial growth and survival, in Mle growth and survival in vitro and in vivo. The optimum temperature for Mle-DNA gyrase activity was 30 °C. When the DNA gyrB-gyrA genes in Mycobacterium smegmatis were replaced with the Mle gyrase genes by allelic exchange, the recombinants could not grow at 37 °C. Moreover, using radiorespirometry analysis for viability of Mle bacilli, we found that Mle growth was more vigorous at 25–30 °C than at 37 °C, but was inhibited above 40 °C. These results propose that DNA gyrase is a crucial factor for Mle growth and survival and its sensitivity to temperature may be exploited in heat-based treatment of leprosy.
Fine-scale modelling finds that breeding site fragmentation can reduce mosquito population persistence
Authors: McCormack Clare P. , Ghani Azra C. , Ferguson Neil M. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractFine-scale geographic variation in the transmission intensity of mosquito-borne diseases is primarily caused by variation in the density of female adult mosquitoes. Therefore, an understanding of fine-scale mosquito population dynamics is critical to understanding spatial heterogeneity in disease transmission and persistence at those scales. However, mathematical models of dengue and malaria transmission, which consider the dynamics of mosquito larvae, generally do not account for the fragmented structure of larval breeding sites. Here, we develop a stochastic metapopulation model of mosquito population dynamics and explore the impact of accounting for breeding site fragmentation when modelling fine-scale mosquito population dynamics. We find that, when mosquito population densities are low, fragmentation can lead to a reduction in population size, with population persistence dependent on mosquito dispersal and features of the underlying landscape. We conclude that using non-spatial models to represent fine-scale mosquito population dynamics may substantially underestimate the stochastic volatility of those populations.
KRT18 is correlated with the malignant status and acts as an oncogene in colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhang Jingfeng , Hu Sifeng , Li Yansen 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Keratin 18 (KRT18) has been suggested to be overexpressed in most types of human tumor, but the expression pattern of KRT18 in colorectal cancer (CRC) remained unknown. In our research, KRT18 protein expression was markedly increased in CRC cancer tissues and cell lines compared with adjacent normal colorectal tissues and normal colonic epithelial cell line, respectively. Meanwhile, we observed high KRT18 expression was associated with advanced clinical stage, deep tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, poor differentiation and unfavorable prognosis in CRC patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed high expression of KRT18 was an unfavorable independent predictor for overall survival in CRC patients. The in vitro studies indicated down-regulation of KRT18 expression depressed CRC cell viability, migration and invasion. In conclusion, KRT18 serves as an oncogenic role in CRC progression and may be a therapeutic target for promoting CRC patients’ prognosis.
Material recognition based on the time delay of secondary reflections using wideband sonar pulses
Authors: Dmitrieva Mariia , Brown Keith , Heald Gary , Lane David 
Published: July 2019

The study presents an underwater acoustic signal processing approach for the identification of the material of an object using wideband chirp pulses. The echo from the target is formed by a number of processes that occur during reflection of the pulse from an object. The timing of these reflected components and geometry of their wave paths determine speed of sound in the wave propagating material. The calculated speed of sound is then used to identify the material. The novel method enables automated material identification without any training data. The object of the material identification is a two‐layer metal spherical shell filled with liquid and placed in a fresh water tank. The presented approach identifies the shell and filler materials of the sphere. In this work, the sphere thickness is limited by 2% in relation to the radius. Results are evaluated for the sphere's radius in a range from 0.05 to 0.15 m. The approach yields 83.5% success rate for the shell material identification and 79.9% success rate for the filler material on the synthetic data. For the experimental data, 67.3 and 80% success rates were obtained for shell and filler material identification, respectively.
Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Sealing Agents and Antioxidants Protect Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Induced by Naproxen, Diclofenac and Celecoxib
Authors: Salimi Ahmad , Neshat Mohammad Reza , Naserzadeh Parvaneh , Pourahmad Jalal 
Published: July 2019

AbstractNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen, diclofenac and celecoxib used to reduce pain. Many of these drugs have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The molecular mechanism(s) by which NSAIDs induce CVD up to now is unknown. We investigated the effects of naproxen, diclofenac and celecoxib with different structures and mechanism action on isolated rat heart mitochondria. All tested NSAIDs increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, mitochondrial membrane collapse (MMP), mitochondrial swelling, lipid peroxidation, and glutathione and ATP depletion, which all of them play important roles in developing cardiotoxicity. We reported that mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore sealing agents and antioxidants have the capacity to significantly prevent mitochondrial toxicity. Therefore, the inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction by MPT pore sealing agents and antioxidants can double confirm NSAID-induced cardiomyocytes toxicity is resulted from induction of apoptosis signaling trough ROS-mediated mitochondrial permeability transition.
Albtraum Kalziphylaxie
Authors: Ulrich Mathias , Götz Max , Krah Xaver 
Published: July 2019

ZusammenfassungDie Kalziphylaxie (auch „Calcific Uremic Arteriolopathy“) ist ein äußerst seltenes und komplexes Krankheitsbild, das insbesondere bei Patienten mit terminaler Niereninsuffizienz auftritt. Aufgrund einer Störung im Kalzium-Phosphat-Haushalt kommt es zu einem Kalzifikationsprozess in der Tunica media peripherer Gefäße mit konsekutiver Gefäßdysfunktion. Schwere Wundheilungsstörungen mit septischem Verlauf sind die Folge. Wir berichten den seltenen Fall eines 53-jährigen Patienten mit gleichzeitigem Vorliegen eines Fournier Gangräns und einer Kalziphylaxie unter besonderer Berücksichtigung diagnostischer und therapeutischer Aspekte.
Die künstliche Niere
Authors: Babic Milen , Markus van der Giet 
Published: July 2019

ZUSAMMENFASSUNGAngesichts des weltweiten Mangels an Transplantatnieren mehren sich die Bemühungen um eine künstliche Quelle für einen dauerhaften Nierenersatz. Durch ein besseres Verständnis der embryologischen Nierenentwicklung können mittlerweile Organoide aus induzierten Stammzellen gebildet werden, die auf niedrigem Niveau funktional sind. Problematisch bleibt die Herstellung einer höheren 3-dimensionalen Strukturierung, eine adäquate Blutversorgung und der Anschluss an die ableitenden Harnwege. Zur Lösung dieser Probleme werden verschiedene Ansätze verfolgt: Transplantation embryonaler Nierenanlagen, Neubesiedlung von dezellularisierten Nierengerüsten oder modernen Dialysefiltern sowie der Versuch der Strukturierung durch 3D-Drucken. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden die gegenwärtig verfolgten Strategien zur Organogenese der Niere mitsamt der aktuell zu lösenden Probleme erörtert.
Prevalencia de complicaciones mayores en nefrolitotomía percutánea en una clínica de tercer nivel en Medellín entre 2015–2017
Authors: Toro-Bermúdez Rodrigo , Ruiz-Londoño David , Benavides-Martínez Johana Andrea , Velásquez-Ossa Diego Alberto , Castellanos Rafael Ignacio , Henao-Velásquez Matilde , Gómez-Hoyos Andrés , Londoño-Cano Juan Camilo 
Published: July 2019

Objetivo La Urolitiasis constituye un motivo de consulta común, con una alta incidencia y prevalencia. Cuando los cálculos renales son mayores a 20 mm, la primera línea de tratamiento es la nefrolitotomía percutánea. En Colombia existe poca información sobre la evaluación de las características de los pacientes y las complicaciones asociadas a ese procedimiento quirúrgico. Este estudio, busca determinar la prevalencia de las complicaciones en nefrolitotomía percutánea en una clínica de Medellín entre los años 2015 y 2017.
Métodos Estudio observacional retrospectivo en el que se analiza la prevalencia de complicaciones mayores que presentaron los pacientes sometidos a nefrolitotomía percutánea en una clínica de tercer nivel en la ciudad de Medellín entre los años 2015 y 2017.
Resultados a 176 pacientes se les realizó Nefrolitotomía percutánea entre el 2015 y el 2017. Se encontró una prevalencia de complicaciones mayores de 11,4%. El 60,2% de los pacientes que presentaron complicaciones fueron mujeres y la edad media fue de 45,1 años (DE ± 12,5 años). El 60% de los cálculos eran coraliformes. El 45% ubicados en el caliz inferior; siendo bilaterales en el 40% de ellos. La complicación más frecuente, fueron los cálculos residuales en el 6,8% seguido de complicaciones pulmonares en el 6,3% e infecciosas en el 6,3%.
Conclusiones La nefrolitotomía percutánea representa un procedimiento quirúrgico relativamente seguro para el abordaje de pacientes con alta carga litiásica con un porcentaje de complicaciones relativamente bajo.
Knowledge and Acceptance towards Vasectomy in a Sample of Medicine Students, Meta 2018
Authors: Torrado Arenas Daniel , González Jessica Lorena , Ramírez-Blanco Iván Jasser , Castro Molano Sandra Lizeth , Alzamora Taborda Luis , Sepúlveda Agudelo Janer 
Published: July 2019

Introduction The low adherence to vasectomy is associated with the cultural environment, with false beliefs, and with lack of knowledge. In Colombia, the practice of vasectomy increased 3% between 1990 and 2015. Medical education seeks to have an impact on the general population; therefore, medicine students should have knowledge and attitudes toward birth control that include a significant participation of the male gender.
Objective To describe the level of knowledge, beliefs, and acceptance of vasectomy in a sample of Colombian medicine students.
Methods Cross-sectional descriptive study, nonprobabilistic sample by convenience with a total of 112 medicine students from different universities of the country attending at a university event. A total of 20 dichotomous questions were used.
Results A total of 72.3% of the students answered correctly most of the answers; the knowledge level was grouped in high (53.35%), medium (41.07%), and low (5.35%). Up to 95.5% of the students recognized vasectomy as a male birth control method. Regarding beliefs, > 99% considered that family planning is not just a responsibility of women, although only 75% of the men would accept undergo a vasectomy.
Conclusions Colombian medicine students have a good level of knowledge about vasectomy, they recommend performing the surgery, and recognize the active participation of males in contraception; nevertheless, a higher willingness to perform a vasectomy would be expected from this population. Training on the subject would break barriers about beliefs and promote proper counseling in birth control consultations.