bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Signal transmission through elements of the cytoskeleton form an optimized information network in eukaryotic cells
Authors: Frieden B. R. , Gatenby R. A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMultiple prior empirical and theoretical studies have demonstrated wire-like flow of electrons and ions along elements of the cytoskeleton but this has never been linked to a biological function. Here we propose that eukaryotes use this mode of signal transmission to convey spatial and temporal environmental information from the cell membrane to the nucleus. The cell membrane, as the interface between intra- and extra-cellular environments, is the site at which much external information is received. Prior studies have demonstrated that transmembrane ion gradients permit information acquisition when an environmental signal interacts with specialized protein gates in membrane ion channels and producing specific ions to flow into or out of the cell along concentration gradients. The resulting localized change in cytoplasmic ion concentrations and charge density can alter location and enzymatic function of peripheral membrane proteins. This allows the cell to process the information and rapidly deploy a local response. Here we investigate transmission of information received and processed in and around the cell membrane by elements of the cytoskeleton to the nucleus to alter gene expression. We demonstrate signal transmission by ion flow along the cytoskeleton is highly optimized. In particular, microtubules, with diameters of about 30 nm, carry coarse-grained Shannon information to the centrosome adjacent to the nucleus with minimum loss of input source information. And, microfilaments, with diameters of about 4 nm, transmit maximum Fisher (fine-grained) information to protein complexes in the nuclear membrane. These previously unrecognized information dynamics allow continuous integration of spatial and temporal environmental signals with inherited information in the genome.
Transcriptional activation by MafR, a global regulator of Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Ruiz-Cruz Sofía , Moreno-Blanco Ana , Espinosa Manuel , Bravo Alicia 
Published: April 2019

AbstractProteins that act as global transcriptional regulators play key roles in bacterial adaptation to new niches. These proteins recognize multiple DNA sites across the bacterial genome by different mechanisms. Enterococcus faecalis is able to survive in various niches of the human host, either as a commensal or as a leading cause of serious infections. Nonetheless, the regulatory pathways involved in its adaptive responses remain poorly understood. We reported previously that the MafR protein of E. faecalis causes genome-wide changes in the transcriptome. Here we demonstrate that MafR functions as a transcription activator. In vivo, MafR increased the activity of the P12294 and P11486 promoters and also the transcription levels of the two genes controlled by those promoters. These genes are predicted to encode a calcium-transporting P-type ATPase and a QueT transporter family protein, respectively. Thus, MafR could have a regulatory role in calcium homeostasis and queuosine synthesis. Furthermore, MafR recognized in vitro specific DNA sites that overlap the −35 element of each target promoter. The MafR binding sites exhibit a low sequence identity, suggesting that MafR uses a shape readout mechanism to achieve DNA-binding specificity.
Nutrient removal and microalgal biomass production from different anaerobic digestion effluents with Chlorella species
Authors: Yu Hyeonjung , Kim Jaai , Lee Changsoo 
Published: April 2019

AbstractPotential of microalgal cultivation as an alternative approach to the treatment of anaerobic digestion (AD) effluents was examined using two representative Chlorella species, Chlorella vulgaris (CV) and Chlorella protothecoides (CP). Both species effectively removed NH4+-N from the AD effluents from four digesters treating different wastes under different operating conditions. In all experimental cultures on the AD effluents, NH4+-N (initial concentration, 40 mg/L) was completely removed within 10 days without residual NO3−-N or NO2−-N in batch mode. Compared to CP, CV showed greater biomass and lipid yields (advantageous for biodiesel production), regardless of the media used. Prolonged nitrogen starvation significantly increased the lipid accumulation in all cultures on the AD effluents, and the effect was more pronounced in the CV than in the CP cultures. On the other hand, compared to CV, CP showed significantly faster settling (advantageous for biomass harvesting) in all media. Our results suggest that the Chlorella cultivation on AD effluents under non-sterile, mixed-culture conditions may provide a viable way to manage and valorize the problematic effluents. Diverse bacteria derived from the AD effluents co-existed and presumably interacted with the Chlorella species in the cultures.
Metformin acutely lowers blood glucose levels by inhibition of intestinal glucose transport
Authors: Horakova Olga , Kroupova Petra , Bardova Kristina , Buresova Jana , Janovska Petra , Kopecky Jan , Rossmeisl Martin 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMetformin is currently the most prescribed drug for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in humans. It has been well established that long-term treatment with metformin improves glucose tolerance in mice by inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis. Interestingly, a single dose of orally administered metformin acutely lowers blood glucose levels, however, little is known about the mechanism involved in this effect. Glucose tolerance, as assessed by the glucose tolerance test, was improved in response to prior oral metformin administration when compared to vehicle-treated mice, irrespective of whether the animals were fed either the standard or high-fat diet. Blood glucose-lowering effects of acutely administered metformin were also observed in mice lacking functional AMP-activated protein kinase, and were independent of glucagon-like-peptide-1 or N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors signaling. [18F]-FDG/PET revealed a slower intestinal transit of labeled glucose after metformin as compared to vehicle administration. Finally, metformin in a dose-dependent but indirect manner decreased glucose transport from the intestinal lumen into the blood, which was observed ex vivo as well as in vivo. Our results support the view that the inhibition of transepithelial glucose transport in the intestine is responsible for lowering blood glucose levels during an early response to oral administration of metformin.
Characterizing Preferential Adsorption of Phosphate on Binary Sorbents of Goethite and Maghaemite using in situ ATR-FTIR and 2D Correlation Spectroscopy
Authors: Han Junho , Ro Hee-Myong 
Published: April 2019

AbstractRecent developments in analytics using infrared spectroscopy have enabled us to identify the adsorption mechanism at interfaces, but such methods are applicable only for simple systems. In this study, the preferential adsorption of phosphate on binary goethite and maghaemite was investigated. As a result, monodentate and bidentate complexes were the major complexes on goethite and maghaemite, respectively. A shrinking effect in goethite and a swelling effect in maghaemite were identified, and environmental perturbations caused a significant decrease in the integrated absorbance of phosphate complexes on maghaemite, while no effect was observed on goethite, which implies that different adsorption mechanisms were involved. Based on the results, a bridging complex was proposed, and the swelling effect is explained by the negatively charged maghaemite surface resulting from the bidentate complex. The isolation of phosphate by the shrinking effect explains the low phosphate bioavailability in the soil environment, while the colloidal properties of the bidentate complex on maghaemite are the reason for colloidal mobilization. To the best of our knowledge, this study not only addresses the shrinking and swelling properties of iron (hydr)oxide nanoparticles but also demonstrates preferential adsorption on binary sorbents using in situ ATR-FTIR for the first time.
Selenium and tellurium-based nanoparticles as interfering factors in quorum sensing-regulated processes: violacein production and bacterial biofilm formation
Authors: Gómez-Gómez Beatriz , Arregui Lucia , Serrano Susana , Santos Antonio , Pérez-Corona Teresa , Madrid Yolanda 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
A cell-to-cell communication system called quorum sensing (QS) promotes the transcription of certain target genes in bacterial cells leading to the activation of different cellular processes, some of them related to bacterial biofilm formation. The formation of bacterial biofilms favours antibiotic resistance, which is nowadays a significant public-health problem. In this study, the effect of selenium (SeNPs) and tellurium (TeNPs) nanoparticles was examined in two bacterial processes mediated by QS: violacein production by Chromobacterium violaceum and biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. For this purpose, quantification of the pigment production in the presence of these nanoparticles was monitored using the C. violaceum strain. Additionally, a combination of different microscopical imaging techniques was applied to examine the changes in the 3D biofilm structure of P. aeruginosa, which were quantified through performing architectural metric calculations (substratum area, cell area coverage and biovolume). SeNPs produce an 80% inhibition in the violacein production by C. violaceum and a significant effect on the P. aeruginosa biofilm architecture (a reduction of 80% in the biovolume of the bacterial biofilm was obtained). TeNPs similarly affect violacein production and the P. aeruginosa biofilm structure but at lower concentration levels. The results obtained suggest an important disruption of the QS signalling system by SeNPs and TeNPs, supporting nanotechnology as a promising tool to fight against the emerging problem of bacterial resistance related to bacterial biofilm formation.
Association between neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio and arterial stiffness in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Li Yanyan , Chen Xiaofang , Huang Lingzhi , Lu Jinyang 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
The aim of the present study was to assess the association between neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and arterial stiffness and provide a predictive index for diagnosing atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We enrolled patients with ACST who were confirmed by coronary angiography. Data were collected by questionnaire and blood indexes. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured using BP-203RPE III network arteriosclerosis detection equipment. Correlation analysis of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and baPWV was performed, and multivariate line regression analysis was conducted to explore the relevant factors for baPWV. A total of 210 patients were included in the final analyses according to the inclusion criteria. Patients with a high baPWV had a lower lymphocyte count than those with a low baPWV (1.2 ± 0.4 vs. 1.4 ± 0.4, P = 0.004). The NLRs of the low and high bvPWV groups were 3.1 ± 1.5 and 4.0 ± 2.1, respectively; no significant difference was observed. The results suggest that there is a positive relationship between baPWV and NLR (r = 0.403, P = 0.005) and neutrophils (r = 0.319, P = 0.016). Multivariate line regression suggested that NLR was positively associated with baPWV (B = 0.372, P = 0.000). The present results indicate that NLR is independently associated with arterial stiffness in patients with ACS. NLR, an inexpensive, easily measurable, widely available biomarker, could be an additional tool for assessing cardiovascular risk in clinical practice.
NT5E is associated with unfavorable prognosis and regulates cell proliferation and motility in gastric cancer
Authors: Hu Sifeng , Meng Fanmei , Yin Xiankun , Cao Changling , Zhang Guangyong 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Ecto-5′-nucleotidase (NT5E) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchored cell surface protein, and has been suggested to be dysregulated in most types of human cancer including gastric cancer. The aim of the present study was to present more evidence about the clinical and prognostic value of Ecto-5′-nucleotidase in gastric cancer patients, and preliminarily explore the biological function of Ecto-5′-nucleotidase in gastric cancer cells. In our study, high Ecto-5′-nucleotidase expression was observed in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines, respectively, compared with normal gastric mucosa tissues cells. Meanwhile, TCGA database also indicated that Ecto-5′-nucleotidase expression levels were notably elevated in gastric cancer tissues compared with normal gastric mucosa tissues. Furthermore, high-expression of Ecto-5′-nucleotidase was obviously associated with advanced clinical stage, deep tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis in gastric cancer patients. The survival analyses of TCGA database and our study consistent suggested high Ecto-5′-nucleotidase expression was negatively correlated with overall survival time in gastric cancer patients. The univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model showed high Ecto-5′-nucleotidase expression was an independent poor prognostic factor for gastric cancer patients. Moreover, silencing of Ecto-5′-nucleotidase expression suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro in gastric cancer. In conclusion, Ecto-5′-nucleotidase is a credible prognostic biomarker, and serves as a potential therapeutic target in gastric cancer.
SOX21-AS1 is associated with clinical stage and regulates cell proliferation in nephroblastoma
Authors: Zhang Jingxiu , Hou Tianzhao , Qi Xueliang , Wang Jihong , Sun Xiangguo 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
LncRNA SOX21 antisense RNA 1 (SOX21-AS1) dysregulated in many types of human cancer, and functioned as tumor suppressor or promoter depending on tumor types. However, there was no report about the role of SOX21-AS1 in nephroblastoma. In the present study, we first found that SOX21-AS1 expression was elevated in nephroblastoma tissues and cell lines compared with adjacent normal tissues and normal human embryonic kidney cell line, respectively. Moreover, we observed nephroblastoma patients with large tumor size, advanced National Wilms Tumor Study (NWTS) stage or unfavorable histopathological type, and patients that had higher SOX21-AS1 expression levels than nephroblastoma patients with small tumor size, early NWTS stage or favorable histopathological type. The in vitro studies suggested that knockdown of SOX21-AS1 suppressed nephroblastoma cell proliferation and colony formation, and induced cell-cycle arrest through up-regulating p57 expression. In conclusion, our study suggests that SOX21-AS1 functions as oncogenic lncRNA in nephroblastoma, which may provide a novel insight for nephroblastoma carcinogenesis.
Three‐phase buck–boost PFC rectifier with common‐mode free output voltage and low semiconductor blocking voltage stress
Authors: Miniböck Johann , Mauerer Mario , Huber Jonas E. , Kolar Johann W. 
Published: April 2019

Three‐phase buck–boost power‐factor correction (PFC) rectifiers are characterised by a unity power‐factor mains behaviour and/or sinusoidal input currents and are providing a wide‐output voltage range. In this study, an extension of a state‐of‐the‐art three‐phase buck–boost PFC rectifier topology is proposed. The DC output of the new topology does not suffer from a high‐frequency common‐mode voltage with respect to the (grounded) mains star point, which alleviates electromagnetic interference concerns. Also, the blocking voltage requirements of the AC‐side switches are reduced significantly (almost by a factor of two for a 400 V line‐to‐line mains and a 400 V DC output), which facilitates a broad selection of cost‐effective power semiconductors for the system's realisation. The rectifier can be controlled with a simple feedback system and the concept is especially suitable for low‐power applications. A 1 kW hardware demonstrator is employed to verify the results of theoretical considerations. The system seamlessly operates in the buck and boost regime and achieves conversion efficiencies of 95.3% and mains current total harmonic distortion figures in the range of 1–5%.
Multiple nanoparticles for improvement of thermal and dielectric properties of oil nanofluids
Authors: Mansour Diaa‐Eldin A. , Shaalan Essam M. , Ward Sayed A. , El Dein Adel Z. , Karaman Hesham S. , Ahmed Hanaa M. 
Published: April 2019

To improve the performance and increase the lifetime of oil‐filled transformers, the thermal and dielectric properties of the transformer oil should be enhanced. Recently, nanotechnology was used as an effective science in the field of transformer oil development. In this study, barium titanate (BT) nanoparticles were inserted into the base transformer oil by a concentration of 0.005 g/L as an individual nanofluid sample (INFS). This insertion enhances the heat transfer coefficient by 33% but the breakdown voltage (BDV) was decreased by >10%. To overcome this problem of dielectric properties degradation, other three hybrid nanofluid samples (HNFS) were prepared using three different types of metal oxide (MO) nanoparticles; titania, alumina, and silica. These samples were prepared by adding a concentration 0.01 g/L of MO nanoparticles together with 0.005 g/L of BT nanoparticles into the oil. The thermal and dielectric properties of HNFS were measured to study the behaviour of nanoparticles hybridisation on transformer oil properties. HNFS using titania nanoparticles provided the best composition regarding either BDV or heat transfer coefficient. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique was used to evaluate the particle size distribution of hybrid nanoparticles and to clarify the corresponding physical mechanisms behind the obtained enhancement.
Comparison of conventional and cascode drive of SiC BJTs
Authors: McNeill Neville , Broadmeadow Mark A. H. , Roscoe Nina , Finney Stephen 
Published: April 2019

This study compares simple conventional and cascode driver circuits for the SiC bipolar junction transistor (BJT). A low‐voltage silicon metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistor is used in the emitter of the BJT to realise the cascode variant. The circuits are experimentally evaluated when switching a current of 2.5 A and a voltage of 600 V in a buck converter.
Konditionierende Psychose – Eine neue Form der Epilepsiepsychose? Ein Fallbericht über die bidirektionale Verknüpfung von Epilepsie und Psychose
Authors: Öhm Sascha , Kratz Torsten 
Published: April 2019

Zusammenfassung
Einleitung Epilepsiepsychosen bzw. Epilepsie und Psychosen stellen eine wichtige neuropsychiatrische Schnittstelle im klinischen Alltag dar. Epilepsie und Psychosen sind jedoch nicht nur durch klinische Phänomene eng miteinander verknüpft, sondern könnten sich auch bei der Entstehung gegenseitig bedingen. So gibt es Hinweise, dass epileptische Anfälle über viele Jahre chronische Psychosen induzieren können. Zur Klärung der Frage, ob Psychosen auch Epilepsie auslösen können, bedarf es weiterer Belege.
Fallbericht Wir berichten den Fall eines 28-jährigen Patienten mit einer chronischen Psychose seit der Kindheit, der im Verlauf eine Epilepsie entwickelt hat. Unter medikamentöser Behandlung remittierten Psychose und epileptische Anfälle.
Ergebnis 1.) Der vorliegende Fall könnte ein weiterer Beleg für die bidirektionale Kausalität von Epilepsie und Psychose sein. 2.) Als Sonderform einer interiktalen Psychose könnte der Begriff konditionierende Psychose die aktuelle Klassifikation ergänzen.
Quantum system structures of quantum spaces and entanglement breaking maps
Authors: Dosi A. A. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
This paper is devoted to the classification of quantum systems among the quantum spaces. In the normed case we obtain a complete solution to the problem when an operator space turns out to be an operator system. The min and max quantizations of a local order are described in terms of the min and max envelopes of the related state spaces. Finally, we characterize min-max-completely positive maps between Archimedean order unit spaces and investigate entanglement breaking maps in the general setting of quantum systems.
Bibliography: 34 titles.
Cytosolic Fe-superoxide dismutase safeguardsTrypanosoma cruzifrom macrophage-derived superoxide radical
Authors: Martínez Alejandra , Prolo Carolina , Estrada Damián , Rios Natalia , Alvarez María Noel , Piñeyro María Dolores , Robello Carlos , Radi Rafael , Piacenza Lucía 
Published: April 2019

SignificanceIn Chagas disease (CD), macrophages are the first line of defense against its causative agent,Trypanosoma cruzi. Here, we show that superoxide radical (O2•−), a reactive species produced during phagocytosis, diffuses towardT. cruzi, causing toxicity. Much of O2•−permeation involves its protonation inside the acidic phagosome. To deal with host-derived oxidants,T. cruzicontains a broad antioxidant enzyme armamentarium. Herein, we generated parasites overexpressing the cytosolic superoxide dismutase (Fe-SODB) and demonstrate that this enzyme detoxifies host-derived O2•−, preventing its toxicity. These parasites were more resistant to macrophage-dependent killing than the wild type and yielded higher parasitemias and parasite burden in heart tissue of infected mice, underscoring the role of Fe-SODB as a virulence factor for CD.
Deep learning in turbulent convection networks
Authors: Fonda Enrico , Pandey Ambrish , Schumacher Jörg , Sreenivasan Katepalli R. 
Published: April 2019

Significance
Turbulent convection in horizontally extended systems comprises vortices and plumes on many time and length scales. These structures interact nonlinearly to self-organize into slowly evolving turbulent superstructures, which are horizontally more extended than in height. We use a U-shaped deep-learning algorithm to generate a time-varying planar network, resulting in a drastic reduction of degrees of freedom, and use it to detect the 3D superstructures and estimate their effectiveness in transporting heat. We thus demonstrate the likely utility of deep learning for parameterizing convection in global models of atmospheric and stellar convection whenever mesoscale structures are conspicuous.
Lending practices to same-sex borrowers
Authors: Sun Hua , Gao Lei 
Published: April 2019

Significance
We propose a method to infer people’s sexual orientation indirectly through gender disclosure of the borrower and coborrower in a mortgage. Furthermore, we examine lending practices toward same-sex borrowers and its spillover effects. We attempt to extend the research on race/gender discrimination by systematically investigating the potentially different lending treatment toward same-sex borrowers. The data reveal that, compared with otherwise similar different-sex applicants, same-sex applicants are 73.12% more likely to be denied, and they tend to be charged up to 0.2% higher fees/interest. Furthermore, neighborhoods’ higher same-sex population density adversely affects both same-sex and different-sex borrowers’ lending experiences. Our method might approximately measure the US homosexual population distribution up to the census tract level annually over decades.