bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of real-time reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) for rapid detection of peste des petits ruminants virus in clinical samples and its comparison with real-time PCR test
Authors: Li Yuanli , Li Lin , Fan Xiaoxu , Zou Yanli , Zhang Yongqiang , Wang Qinghua , Sun Chengyou , Pan Shude , Wu Xiaodong , Wang Zhiliang 
Published: December 2018

AbstractPeste des petits ruminants (PPR), caused by small ruminant morbillivirus (SRMV), formerly called peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV), is one of the most important pathogens in small ruminants, and has tremendous negative economic impact on the sheep industry worldwide. Current detection of PPRV in clinical samples mainly relies on real-time RT-PCR. Particularly, samples collected from rural area require highly equipped laboratories for screening. A rapid, real-time reverse-transcription recombinase polymerase amplification assay (RT-RPA), employing primers and exo probe, was thus developed to perform at 42 °C for 20 min, and the detection limit at 95% probability was 14.98 copies per reaction and 0.326 TCID50/mL based on plasmid copy number and tissue culture infectivity titre. All the four lineages of PPRV could be detected with no cross-reaction to other pathogens including measles virus (MeV), goatpox virus (GTPV), canine distemper virus (CDV), foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp). The performance of real-time RT-RPA assay was validated by testing 138 field samples and compared to real-time RT-PCR. The results indicated an excellent diagnostic agreement between real-time RT-RPA and a reference real-time RT-PCR method with the kappa value of 0.968. Compared to real-time RT-PCR, the sensitivity of real-time RT-RPA was 100%, while the specificity was 97.80%. The developed RT-RPA assay offers a promising platform for simple, rapid, and reliable detection of PPRV, especially in the resource-limited settings.
Regulation of germ cell development by ARI1 family ubiquitin ligases in C. elegans
Authors: Poush Julian A. , Blouin Nicolas A. , Di Bona Kristin R. , Lažetić Vladimir , Fay David S. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractRING-between-RING (RBR) E3 ubiquitin ligases are implicated in various developmental processes, and mutations in genes encoding RBR proteins HHARI/ARIH1 and Parkin are associated with human diseases. Here we show by phylogenetic analysis that the ARI1 family has undergone a dramatic expansion within the Caenorhabditis clade in recent history, a characteristic shared by some genes involved in germline development. We then examined the effects of deleting all ARI1 family members in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, which to our knowledge represents the first complete knockout of ARI1 function in a metazoan. Hermaphrodites that lacked or had strongly reduced ARI1 activity had low fecundity and were partially defective in initiation of oocyte differentiation. We provide evidence that the C. elegans ARI1s likely function downstream or in parallel to FBF-1 and FBF-2, two closely related RNA-binding proteins that are required for the switch from spermatogenesis to oogenesis during late larval development. Previous studies have shown that the E2 enzymes UBC-18/UBCH7 and UBC-3/CDC34 can functionally collaborate with ARI1 family members. Our data indicated that UBC-18, but not UBC-3, specifically cooperates with the ARI1s in germline development. These findings provide new insights into the functions of RING-between-RING proteins and Ariadne E3s during development.
Sequencing the mosaic genome of Brahman cattle identifies historic and recent introgression including polled
Authors: Koufariotis L. , Hayes B. J. , Kelly M. , Burns B. M. , Lyons R. , Stothard P. , Chamberlain A. J. , Moore S. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBrahman cattle have a Bos indicus and Bos taurus mosaic genome, as a result of the process used to create the breed (repeat backcrossing of Bos taurus females to Bos indicus bulls). With the aim of identifying Bos taurus segments in the Brahman genome at sequence level resolution, we sequenced the genomes of 46 influential Brahman bulls. Using 36 million variants identified in the sequences, we searched for regions close to fixation for Bos indicus or Bos taurus segments that were longer than expected by chance (from simulation of the breed formation history of Brahman cattle). Regions close to fixation for Bos indicus content were enriched for protein synthesis genes, while regions of higher Bos taurus content included genes of the G-protein coupled receptor family (including genes implicated in puberty, such as THRS). The region with the most extreme Bos taurus enrichment was on chromosome 14 surrounding PLAG1. The introgressed Bos taurus allele at PLAG1 increases stature and the high frequency of the allele likely reflects strong selection for the trait. Finally, we provide evidence that the polled mutation in Brahmans, a desirable trait under very strong recent selection, is of Celtic origin and is introgressed from Bos taurus.
Dichloroacetate and Salinomycin Exert a Synergistic Cytotoxic Effect in Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Skeberdytė Aistė , Sarapinienė Ieva , Aleksander-Krasko Jan , Stankevičius Vaidotas , Sužiedėlis Kęstutis , Jarmalaitė Sonata 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn the present study, we examined a hypothesis that dichloroacetate, a metabolic inhibitor, might efficiently potentiate the cytotoxic effect of salinomycin, an antibiotic ionophore, on two human colorectal cancer derived cell lines DLD-1 and HCT116. First, we performed a series of dose response experiments in the 2D cell culture by applying mono- and combination therapy and by using the Chou-Talalay method found that salinomycin in combination with dichloroacetate acted synergistically in both cell lines. Secondly, in order to recapitulate the in vivo tumor architecture, we tested various doses of these compounds, alone and in combination, in the 3D multicellular spheroid culture. The effect of combination of dichloracetate and salinomycin on multicellular spheroid size was stronger than the sum of both monotherapies, particularly in HCT116 cells. Further, we demonstrate that the synergistic effect of compounds may be related to the inhibitory effect of dichloroacetate on multidrug resistance proteins, and in contrast, it is not related to dichloroacetate-induced reduction of intracellular pH. Our findings indicate that the combination therapy of salinomycin and dichloroacetate could be an effective option for colorectal cancer treatment and provide the first mechanistic explanation of the synergistic action of these compounds.
Aversive Foraging Conditions Modulate Downstream Social Food Sharing
Authors: Finkelstein Abby Basya , Amdam Gro V. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractEusocial insects divide their labour so that individuals working inside the nest are affected by external conditions through a cascade of social interactions. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) transfer food and information via mouth-to-mouth social feeding, ie trophallaxis, a process known to be modulated by the rate of food flow at feeders and familiarity of food’s scent. Little is understood about how aversive foraging conditions such as predation and con-specific competition affect trophallaxis. We hypothesized that aversive conditions have an impact on food transfer inside the colony. Here we explore the effect of foragers’ aversive experience on downstream trophallaxis in a cage paradigm. Each cage contained one group of bees that was separated from feeders by mesh and allowed to feed only through trophallaxis, and another group that had access to feeders and self-specialized to either forage or distribute food. Our results show that aversive foraging conditions increase non-foragers’ trophallaxis with bees restricted from feeder access when food is scented, and have the opposite effect when food is unscented. We discuss potential behavioural mechanisms and implications for the impact of aversive conditions such as malaise inducing toxins, predation, and con-specific competition.
Chromatin accessibility identifies diversity in mesenchymal stem cells from different tissue origins
Authors: Ho Yen-Ting , Shimbo Takashi , Wijaya Edward , Ouchi Yuya , Takaki Eiichi , Yamamoto Ryoma , Kikuchi Yasushi , Kaneda Yasufumi , Tamai Katsuto 
Published: December 2018

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which can differentiate into tri-lineage (osteoblast, adipocyte, and chondrocyte) and suppress inflammation, are promising tools for regenerative medicine. MSCs are phenotypically diverse based on their tissue origins. However, the mechanisms underlying cell-type-specific gene expression patterns are not fully understood due to the lack of suitable strategy to identify the diversity. In this study, we investigated gene expression programs and chromatin accessibilities of MSCs by whole-transcriptome RNA-seq analysis and an assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq). We isolated MSCs from four tissues (femoral and vertebral bone marrow, adipose tissue, and lung) and analysed their molecular signatures. RNA-seq identified the expression of MSC markers and both RNA-seq and ATAC-seq successfully clustered the MSCs based on their tissue origins. Interestingly, clustering based on tissue origin was more accurate with chromatin accessibility signatures than with transcriptome profiles. Furthermore, we identified transcription factors potentially involved in establishing cell-type specific chromatin structures. Thus, epigenome analysis is useful to analyse MSC identity and can be utilized to characterize these cells for clinical use.
SAXS-guided Enhanced Unbiased Sampling for Structure Determination of Proteins and Complexes
Authors: Zhao Chuankai , Shukla Diwakar 
Published: December 2018

AbstractMolecular simulations can be utilized to predict protein structure ensembles and dynamics, though sufficient sampling of molecular ensembles and identification of key biologically relevant conformations remains challenging. Low-resolution experimental techniques provide valuable structural information on biomolecule at near-native conditions, which are often combined with molecular simulations to determine and refine protein structural ensembles. In this study, we demonstrate how small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) information can be incorporated in Markov state model-based adaptive sampling strategy to enhance time efficiency of unbiased MD simulations and identify functionally relevant conformations of proteins and complexes. Our results show that using SAXS data combined with additional information, such as thermodynamics and distance restraints, we are able to distinguish otherwise degenerate structures due to the inherent ambiguity of SAXS pattern. We further demonstrate that adaptive sampling guided by SAXS and hybrid information can significantly reduce the computation time required to discover target structures. Overall, our findings demonstrate the potential of this hybrid approach in predicting near-native structures of proteins and complexes. Other low-resolution experimental information can be incorporated in a similar manner to collectively enhance unbiased sampling and improve the accuracy of structure prediction from simulation.
Joint Speed Discrimination and Augmentation For Prosthesis Feedback
Authors: Earley Eric J. , Johnson Reva E. , Hargrove Levi J. , Sensinger Jon W. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractSensory feedback is critical in fine motor control, learning, and adaptation. However, robotic prosthetic limbs currently lack the feedback segment of the communication loop between user and device. Sensory substitution feedback can close this gap, but sometimes this improvement only persists when users cannot see their prosthesis, suggesting the provided feedback is redundant with vision. Thus, given the choice, users rely on vision over artificial feedback. To effectively augment vision, sensory feedback must provide information that vision cannot provide or provides poorly. Although vision is known to be less precise at estimating speed than position, no work has compared speed precision of biomimetic arm movements. In this study, we investigated the uncertainty of visual speed estimates as defined by different virtual arm movements. We found that uncertainty was greatest for visual estimates of joint speeds, compared to absolute rotational or linear endpoint speeds. Furthermore, this uncertainty increased when the joint reference frame speed varied over time, potentially caused by an overestimation of joint speed. Finally, we demonstrate a joint-based sensory substitution feedback paradigm capable of significantly reducing joint speed uncertainty when paired with vision. Ultimately, this work may lead to improved prosthesis control and capacity for motor learning.
Selective abdominal venous congestion induces adverse renal and hepatic morphological and functional alterations despite a preserved cardiac function
Authors: Cops Jirka , Mullens Wilfried , Verbrugge Frederik H. , Swennen Quirine , De Moor Bart , Reynders Carmen , Penders Joris , Achten Ruth , Driessen Ann , Dendooven Amélie , Rigo Jean-Michel , Hansen Dominique 
Published: December 2018

AbstractVenous congestion is an important contributor to worsening renal function in heart failure and the cardiorenal syndrome. In patients, it is difficult to study the effects of isolated venous congestion on organ function. In this study, the consequences of isolated abdominal venous congestion on morphology and function of the kidneys, liver and heart were studied in a rat model. Twelve sham-operated (SHAM) male Sprague Dawley rats were compared to eleven inferior vena cava-constricted (IVCc) rats for twenty-one weeks. Abdominal venous pressure was significantly higher in the IVCc versus SHAM group (p < 0.0001). Indices of liver and kidney weight, function and morphology, inflammation as well as collagen deposition were significantly increased in the IVCc compared to SHAM group, (p < 0.05). Echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters were largely unaffected by abdominal venous congestion. In this rat model of isolated abdominal venous congestion, retrogradely conducted glomerular hypertension without a concomitant change in glomerular filtration rate was observed. Adverse short-term hepatic morphological alterations were developed which explain the observed organ function dysfunction. Importantly, cardiac function remained comparable between both groups. This study provides relevant insight in the pathophysiology of abdominal congestion on organ function.
A new corrosion-inhibiting strategy for biodegradable magnesium: reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)
Authors: Park Jimin , Park Minjung , Seo Hyunseon , Han Hyung-Seop , Lee Ji-Young , Koo Dongkyu , Kim Kyeongsoo , Cha Pil-Ryung , Edwards James , Kim Young-Woon , Lee Kang-Sik , Ok Myoung-Ryul , Jeon Hojeong , Seok Hyun-Kwang , Kim Yu-Chan 
Published: December 2018

AbstractUtilization of biodegradable metals in biomedical fields is emerging because it avoids high-risk and uneconomic secondary surgeries for removing implantable devices. Mg and its alloys are considered optimum materials for biodegradable implantable devices because of their high biocompatibility; however, their excessive and uncontrollable biodegradation is a difficult challenge to overcome. Here, we present a novel method of inhibiting Mg biodegradation by utilizing reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), an endogenous cofactor present in all living cells. Incorporating NADH significantly increases Mg corrosion resistance by promoting the formation of thick and dense protective layers. The unique mechanism by which NADH enables corrosion inhibition was discovered by combined microscopic and spectroscopic analyses. NADH is initially self-adsorbed onto the surface of Mg oxide layers, preventing Cl−ions from dissolving Mg oxides, and later recruits Ca2+ions to form stable Ca-P protective layers. Furthermore, stability of NADH as a corrosion inhibitor of Mg under physiological conditions were confirmed using cell tests. Moreover, excellent cell adhesion and viability to Mg treated with NADH shows the feasibility of introduction of NADH to Mg-based implantable system. Our strategy using NADH suggests an interesting new way of delaying the degradation of Mg and demonstrates potential roles for biomolecules in the engineering the biodegradability of metals.
FRET biosensor allows spatio-temporal observation of shear stress-induced polar RhoGDIα activation
Authors: Shao Shuai , Liao Xiaoling , Xie Fei , Deng Sha , Liu Xue , Ristaniemi Tapani , Liu Bo 
Published: December 2018

AbstractRho GDP-dissociation inhibitor α (RhoGDIα) is a known negative regulator of the Rho family that shuts off GDP/GTP cycling and cytoplasm/membrane translocation to regulate cell migration. However, to our knowledge, no reports are available that focus on how the RhoGDIα-Rho GTPases complex is activated by laminar flow through exploring the activation of RhoGDIα itself. Here, we constructed a new biosensor using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technology to measure the spatio-temporal activation of RhoGDIα in its binding with Rho GTPases in living HeLa cells. Using this biosensor, we find that the dissociation of the RhoGDIα-Rho GTPases complex is increased by shear stress, and its dissociation rate varies with subcellular location. Moreover, this process is mediated by membrane fluidity, cytoskeleton and Src activity, which indicates that the regulation of RhoGDIα activation under shear stress application represents a relatively separate pathway from the shear stress-induced Rho pathway.
Three-dimensional motion capture data during repetitive overarm throwing practice
Authors: Ozkaya Gizem , Jung Hae Ryun , Jeong In Sub , Choi Min Ra , Shin Min Young , Lin Xue , Heo Woo Seong , Kim Mi Sun , Kim Eonho , Lee Ki-Kwang 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThree-dimensional motion capture analysis is considered the gold standard for any movement research. Motion capture data were recorded for 7 healthy female participants with no prior throwing experience to investigate the learning process for overarm throwing during a selected period. Participants were monitored 3 times a week for 5 weeks. Each session consisted of 15 dominant and 15 nondominant hand side overarm throws. A total of 3,150 trials were recorded and preprocessed (labeling reflective markers) for further analysis. The presented dataset can provide valuable information about upper extremity kinematics of the learning process of overarm throwing without any kind of feedback. Furthermore, this dataset may be used for more advanced analysis techniques, which could lead to more insightful information.
Behandlung von HIV in der Schwangerschaft – Entwicklung über eine Dekade
Authors: Pitzen Isabelle , Otten Lucia , Dresbach Till , Boesecke Christoph , Wasmuth Jan-Christian , Mueller Andreas , Gembruch Ulrich , Merz Waltraut , Strassburg Christian , Haberl Annette , Rockstroh Juergen , Poralla Silvia , Schwarze-Zander Carolynne 
Published: December 2018

Zusammenfassung
Einleitung Mehr als 50% der rund 37 Mio. Menschen, die weltweit mit HIV leben, sind Frauen. Heutzutage kann die MTCT (Mother-to-child Transmission) auf<1% reduziert werden. Intention der vorliegenden Untersuchung war es, die Entwicklung (1) des Schwangerschaftsverlaufs HIV-positiver Frauen, (2) des Entbindungsmodus und (3) der Postexpositionsprophylaxe der Neugeborenen, über den Verlauf der letzten Dekade aufzuzeigen.
Methodik Im Zeitraum 2005–2016 wurden die HIV- und geburtshilflichen Daten aller HIV-positiver, schwangerer Frauen, der Bonner HIV-Kohorte und die neonatalen Daten der HIV-exponierten Kinder ausgewertet. Die HIV-MTCT wurde für diesen Zeitraum untersucht.
Ergebnisse Es wurden 87 Schwangerschaften bei 61 Frauen identifiziert. 70 Kinder wurden an der Universitätsfrauenklinik Bonn lebend geboren. Die Frauen waren zu 53% afrikanischer Herkunft. Der Median der CD4+-Zellzahl betrug präpartal 510 Zellen/μl (IQR 444) und lag bei 32 Frauen (52%) über 500 Zellen/μl. Die HI-Viruslast war präpartal bei 77% vollständig supprimiert (<50 HIV-1-RNA Kopien/ml) und lag bei 92% präpartal<400 HIV-1-RNA Kopien/ml. Im Vergleich zu dem Zeitraum 2005–2011 kam es zu einer deutlichen Reduktion der primären Sectiorate von 77 auf 58% im Zeitraum 2012–2016. Der Anteil der Kinder, die nach der 37 Schwangerschaftswoche geboren wurden, stieg nach 2012 von 60 auf 69% erkennbar an. Während im Zeitraum 2005–2011 78% der Neugeborenen mit ihrem Geburtsgewicht zwischen der 10. und 90. Perzentile lagen, nahm der Anteil nach 2012 auf 92% zu. 54 der 70 Neugeborenen (77%) wurden einem niedrig-normalen Transmissionsrisiko zugeordnet. In keinem Fall (0/70) kam es zu einer HIV-Transmission von Mutter zu Kind.
Zusammenfassung In den Jahren 2005–2016 der Analyse hat keine vertikale HIV-Transmission von Mutter zu Kind stattgefunden. Es kam zu einer deutlichen Reduktion der primären Sectiorate und und zu einem Rückgang der Frühgeborenenrate, was die Änderung der Behandlungsstrategie in diesem Zeitraum widerspiegelt. Eine optimale interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit bleibt Grundlage für eine erfolgreiche Versorgung HIV-positiver, schwangerer Frauen.
Effects of Topical Mandelic Acid Treatment on Facial Skin Viscoelasticity
Authors: Jacobs Stanley , Culbertson Eric 
Published: December 2018

AbstractMandelic acid is an α-hydroxy acid with reported benefit in treating acne and hyperpigmentation. The authors have developed a topical mandelic acid formulation that subjectively improves the quality of aged skin. Although the gold standard for assessing outcomes, photographic documentation is limited by subjective interpretation. Tools for measuring physical skin properties allow for an objective assessment of changes in skin quality. The authors sought to objectively study the viscoelastic changes to the skin following treatment with topical mandelic acid, using the Cutometer MPA 580. Twenty-four patients, twenty females and four males, aged 42 to 68 years, were studied over a four-week period. Mandelic acid was applied topically to the face twice a day for four weeks. The lower eyelid skin viscoelastic properties were assessed weekly using the Cutometer. After four weeks of topical mandelic acid treatment, the elasticity of lower eyelid skin increased 25.4% (P = .003). Skin firmness increased 23.8% (P = .029). Improvement in photographic appearance correlated with these findings. Mandelic acid is another topical treatment option for improving skin quality, and is well tolerated by patients. The authors feel that the Cutometer or similar device should be used routinely in facial plastic surgery to objectively assess outcomes of various treatment modalities.
Thromboinflammation and Vascular Dysfunction
Authors: Karbach Susanne , Lagrange Jérémy , Wenzel Philip 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThromboinflammation and vascular dysfunction are inseparably combined with the innate and the adaptive immune response. While the role of this interplay has gained considerable attention in the arena of atherosclerosis/atherothrombosis and in deep vein thrombosis, its role in other forms of vascular disease and risk factors is currently emerging. In this brief review, we will focus on thromboinflammation with regard to cytokine signalling as well as on the novel role of a vascular coagulation-inflammatory circuit in arterial hypertension.