bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analyses of HIV-1 integrase sequences prior to South African national HIV-treatment program and availability of integrase inhibitors in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Brado Dominik , Obasa Adetayo Emmanuel , Ikomey George Mondinde , Cloete Ruben , Singh Kamalendra , Engelbrecht Susan , Neogi Ujjwal , Jacobs Graeme Brendon 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHIV-Integrase (IN) has proven to be a viable target for highly specific HIV-1 therapy. We aimed to characterize the HIV-1 IN gene in a South African context and identify resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) against available first and second generation Integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (InSTIs). We performed genetic analyses on 91 treatment-naïve HIV-1 infected patients, as well as 314 treatment-naive South African HIV-1 IN-sequences, downloaded from Los Alamos HIV Sequence Database. Genotypic analyses revealed the absence of major RAMs in the cohort collected before the broad availability of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and INSTI in South Africa, however, occurred at a rate of 2.85% (9/314) in database derived sequences. RAMs were present at IN-positions 66, 92, 143, 147 and 148, all of which may confer resistance to Raltegravir (RAL) and Elvitegravir (EVG), but are unlikely to affect second-generation Dolutegravir (DTG), except mutations in the Q148 pathway. Furthermore, protein modeling showed, naturally occurring polymorphisms impact the stability of the intasome-complex and therefore may contribute to an overall potency against InSTIs. Our data suggest the prevalence of InSTI RAMs, against InSTIs, is low in South Africa, but natural polymorphisms and subtype-specific differences may influence the effect of individual treatment regimens.
Schizophyllum commune induced genotoxic and cytotoxic effects in Spodoptera litura
Authors: Kaur Mandeep , Chadha Pooja , Kaur Sanehdeep , Kaur Amarjeet , Kaur Rajvir , Yadav Arun Kumar , Kaur Ramandeep 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn search for ecofriendly alternatives to chemical insecticides the present study was conducted to assess the insecticidal potential of an endophytic fungusSchizophyllum communeand its mechanism of toxicity by studying genotoxic and cytotoxic effects as well as repair potential usingSpodoptera litura(Fabricius) as a model. Different endophytic fungi were isolated and tested for their insecticidal potential againstS. litura. Among the tested endophytic fungi maximum mortality againstS. liturawas exhibited byS. communeisolated fromAloe vera. Extended development, reduced adult emergence was observed in larvae fed on diet supplemented with fungal extract. In addition to it the fungus also has propensity to increase oxidative stress which leads to significantly higher DNA damage. The significantly lower frequency of living haemocytes and increased frequency of apoptotic and necrotic cells was also observed in larvae treated with fungal extract. The extent of recovery of damage caused by fungus was found to be very low indicating long term effect of treatment. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various phenolics, terpenoids and protein in fungal extract. Biosafety analysis indicated the non toxic nature of extract. This is the first report showing the insecticidal potential ofS. communeand the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects associated with it.
Seed dormancy-life form profile for 358 species from the Xishuangbanna seasonal tropical rainforest, Yunnan Province, China compared to world database
Authors: Lan Qinying , Yin Shouhua , He Huiyin , Tan Yunhong , Liu Qiang , Xia Yongmei , Wen Bin , Baskin Carol C. , Baskin Jerry M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSeed dormancy profiles are available for the major vegetation regions/types on earth. These were constructed using a composite of data from locations within each region. Furthermore, the proportion of species with nondormant (ND) seeds and the five classes of dormancy is available for each life form in each region. Using these data, we asked: will the results be the same if many species from a specific area as opposed to data compiled from many locationsare considered? Germination was tested for fresh seeds of 358 species in 95 families from the Xishuangbanna seasonal tropical rainforest (XSTRF): 177 trees, 66 shrubs, 57 vines and 58 herbs. Seeds of 12.3% of the species were ND, and 0.3, 14.8, 60.6, 12.0 and 0% of the species had morphological (MD), morphophysiological (MPD), physiological (PD), physical (PY), and combinational (PY + PD) dormancy, respectively. PD was more important than ND in all life forms, PY was highest in shrubs, MD was not important in any life form and MPD was most common for herb and vines. The seed dormancy profile for XSTRF differs considerably from the composite profile for this vegetation type worldwide, most obviously in ND being much lower and PD much higher in XSTRF.
Phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibition enhances nitric oxide- and hydrogen sulfide-mediated bladder neck inhibitory neurotransmission
Authors: Agis-Torres Ángel , Recio Paz , López-Oliva María Elvira , Martínez María Pilar , Barahona María Victoria , Benedito Sara , Bustamante Salvador , Jiménez-Cidre Miguel Ángel , García-Sacristán Albino , Prieto Dolores , Fernandes Vítor S. , Hernández Medardo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractNitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) play a pivotal role in nerve-mediated relaxation of the bladder outflow region. In the bladder neck, a marked phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) expression has also been described and PDE4 inhibitors, as rolipram, produce smooth muscle relaxation. This study investigates the role of PDE4 isoenzyme in bladder neck gaseous inhibitory neurotransmission. We used Western blot and double immunohistochemical staining for the detection of NPP4 (PDE4) and PDE4A and organ baths for isometric force recording to roflumilast and tadalafil, PDE4 and PDE5, respectively, inhibitors in pig and human samples. Endogenous H2S production measurement and electrical field stimulation (EFS) were also performed. A rich PDE4 and PDE4A expression was observed mainly limited to nerve fibers of the smooth muscle layer of both species. Moreover, roflumilast produced a much more potent smooth muscle relaxation than that induced by tadalafil. In porcine samples, H2S generation was diminished by H2S and NO synthase inhibition and augmented by roflumilast. Relaxations elicited by EFS were potentiated by roflumilast. These results suggest that PDE4, mainly PDE4A, is mostly located within nerve fibers of the pig and human bladder neck, where roflumilast produces a powerful smooth muscle relaxation. In pig, the fact that roflumilast increases endogenous H2S production and EFS-induced relaxations suggests a modulation of PDE4 on NO- and H2S-mediated inhibitory neurotransmission.
Evidence that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is rapidly accumulating plastic
Authors: Lebreton L. , Slat B. , Ferrari F. , Sainte-Rose B. , Aitken J. , Marthouse R. , Hajbane S. , Cunsolo S. , Schwarz A. , Levivier A. , Noble K. , Debeljak P. , Maral H. , Schoeneich-Argent R. , Brambini R. , Reisser J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractOcean plastic can persist in sea surface waters, eventually accumulating in remote areas of the world’s oceans. Here we characterise and quantify a major ocean plastic accumulation zone formed in subtropical waters between California and Hawaii: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). Our model, calibrated with data from multi-vessel and aircraft surveys, predicted at least 79 (45–129) thousand tonnes of ocean plastic are floating inside an area of 1.6 million km2; a figure four to sixteen times higher than previously reported. We explain this difference through the use of more robust methods to quantify larger debris. Over three-quarters of the GPGP mass was carried by debris larger than 5 cm and at least 46% was comprised of fishing nets. Microplastics accounted for 8% of the total mass but 94% of the estimated 1.8 (1.1–3.6) trillion pieces floating in the area. Plastic collected during our study has specific characteristics such as small surface-to-volume ratio, indicating that only certain types of debris have the capacity to persist and accumulate at the surface of the GPGP. Finally, our results suggest that ocean plastic pollution within the GPGP is increasing exponentially and at a faster rate than in surrounding waters.
Mapping the virome in wild-caught Aedes aegypti from Cairns and Bangkok
Authors: Zakrzewski Martha , Rašić Gordana , Darbro Jonathan , Krause Lutz , Poo Yee S. , Filipović Igor , Parry Rhys , Asgari Sassan , Devine Greg , Suhrbier Andreas 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMedically important arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses are primarily transmitted by the globally distributed mosquito Aedes aegypti. Increasing evidence suggests that transmission can be influenced by mosquito viromes. Herein RNA-Seq was used to characterize RNA metaviromes of wild-caught Ae. aegypti from Bangkok (Thailand) and from Cairns (Australia). The two mosquito populations showed a high degree of similarity in their viromes. BLAST searches of assembled contigs suggest up to 27 insect-specific viruses may infect Ae. aegypti, with up to 23 of these currently uncharacterized and up to 16 infecting mosquitoes from both Cairns and Bangkok. Three characterized viruses dominated, Phasi Charoen-like virus, Humaita-Tubiacanga virus and Cell fusing agent virus, and comparisons with other available RNA-Seq datasets suggested infection levels with these viruses may vary in laboratory-reared mosquitoes. As expected, mosquitoes from Bangkok showed higher mitochondrial diversity and carried alleles associated with knock-down resistance to pyrethroids. Blood meal reads primarily mapped to human genes, with a small number also showing homology with rat/mouse and dog genes. These results highlight the wide spectrum of data that can be obtained from such RNA-Seq analyses, and suggests differing viromes may need to be considered in arbovirus vector competence studies.
Sites associated with Kalydeco binding on human Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator revealed by Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange
Authors: Byrnes Laura J. , Xu Yingrong , Qiu Xiayang , Hall Justin D. , West Graham M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCystic Fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR). Mutations associated with CF cause loss-of-function in CFTR leading to salt imbalance in epithelial tissues. Kalydeco (also called VX-770 or ivacaftor) was approved for CF treatment in 2012 but little is known regarding the compound’s interactions with CFTR including the site of binding or mechanisms of action. In this study we use hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) coupled with mass spectrometry to assess the conformational dynamics of a thermostabilized form of CFTR in apo and ligand-bound states. We observe HDX protection at a known binding site for AMPPNP and significant protection for several regions of CFTR in the presence of Kalydeco. The ligand-induced changes of CFTR in the presence of Kalydeco suggest a potential binding site.
Abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adipocyte size, lipolysis and inflammation relate to insulin resistance in male obese humans
Authors: Verboven K. , Wouters K. , Gaens K. , Hansen D. , Bijnen M. , Wetzels S. , Stehouwer C. D. , Goossens G. H. , Schalkwijk C. G. , Blaak E. E. , Jocken J. W. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObesity is associated with a disturbed adipose tissue (AT) function characterized by adipocyte hypertrophy, an impaired lipolysis and pro-inflammatory phenotype, which contributes to insulin resistance (IR). We investigated whether AT phenotype in different AT depots of obese individuals with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with whole-body IR. Subcutaneous (SC) and visceral (V) AT biopsies from 18 lean, 17 obese and 8 obese T2DM men were collected. AT phenotype was characterized by ex vivo measurement of basal and stimulated lipolysis (mature adipocytes), adipocyte size distribution (AT tissue sections) and AT immune cells (flow cytometry). In VAT, mean adipocyte size, CD45+ leukocytes and M1 macrophages were significantly increased in both obese groups compared to lean individuals. In SCAT, despite adipocyte hypertrophy, no significant differences in immune cell populations between groups were found. In SCAT, multiple linear regression analysis showed that none of the AT phenotype markers independently contributed to HOMA-IR while in VAT, mean adipocyte size was significantly related to HOMA-IR. In conclusion, beside adipocyte hypertrophy in VAT, M1 macrophage- or B-cell-mediated inflammation, may contribute to IR, while inflammation in hypertrophic SCAT does not seem to play a major role in IR.
Mapping road network communities for guiding disease surveillance and control strategies
Authors: Strano Emanuele , Viana Matheus P. , Sorichetta Alessandro , Tatem Andrew J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHuman mobility is increasing in its volume, speed and reach, leading to the movement and introduction of pathogens through infected travelers. An understanding of how areas are connected, the strength of these connections and how this translates into disease spread is valuable for planning surveillance and designing control and elimination strategies. While analyses have been undertaken to identify and map connectivity in global air, shipping and migration networks, such analyses have yet to be undertaken on the road networks that carry the vast majority of travellers in low and middle income settings. Here we present methods for identifying road connectivity communities, as well as mapping bridge areas between communities and key linkage routes. We apply these to Africa, and show how many highly-connected communities straddle national borders and when integrating malaria prevalence and population data as an example, the communities change, highlighting regions most strongly connected to areas of high burden. The approaches and results presented provide a flexible tool for supporting the design of disease surveillance and control strategies through mapping areas of high connectivity that form coherent units of intervention and key link routes between communities for targeting surveillance.
Solvent-dependent self-assembly of two dimensional layered perovskite (C6H5CH2CH2NH3)2MCl4 (M = Cu, Mn) thin films in ambient humidity
Authors: Park Garam , Oh In-Hwan , Park J. M. Sungil , Jung Jinyong , You Chun-Yeol , Kim June-Seo , Kim Yonghwan , Jung Jong Hoon , Hur Namjung , Kim Younghak , Kim J.-Y. , Hong Chang Seop , Kim Ki-Yeon 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTwo dimensional layered organic-inorganic halide perovskites offer a wide variety of novel functionality such as solar cell and optoelectronics and magnetism. Self-assembly of these materials using solution process (ex. spin coating) makes crystalline thin films synthesized at ambient environment. However, flexibility of organic layer also poses a structure stability issue in perovskite thin films against environment factors (ex. moisture). In this study, we investigate the effect of solvents and moisture on structure and property in the (C6H5(CH2)2NH3)2(Cu, Mn)Cl4 (Cu-PEA, Mn-PEA) perovskite thin films spin-coated on Si wafer using three solvents (H2O, MeOH, MeOH + H2O). A combination of x-ray diffraction (XRD) and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) show that relative humidity (RH) has a profound effect on perovskite thin films during sample synthesis and storage, depending on the kind of solvent used. The ones prepared using water (Cu-PEA:H2O, Mn-PEA:H2O) show quite different behavior from the other cases. According to time-dependent XRD, reversible crystalline-amorphous transition takes place depending on RH in the former cases, whereas the latter cases relatively remain stable. It also turns out from XAS that Mn-PEA thin films prepared with solvents such as MeOH and MeOH + H2O are disordered to the depth of about 4 nm from surface.
Spittlebugs produce foam as a thermoregulatory adaptation
Authors: Tonelli Mateus , Gomes Guilherme , Silva Weliton D. , Magri Nathália T. C. , Vieira Durval M. , Aguiar Claudio L. , Bento José Maurício S. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractInsects have evolved multiple mechanisms to adapt to variations in environmental temperatures, including postural control of solar input, variations in diurnal activity, external morphological structures and selecting/generating microhabitats. Foam produced byMahanarva fimbriolatanymphs (also known as root spittlebugs) was found to aid in creating a constant thermal microhabitat despite environmental temperature fluctuations. The temperature within the foam was found to be similar to that of soil during the day and remained constant despite fluctuating external temperatures. In chemically analysing the composition of the foam, palmitic and stearic acids, carbohydrates and proteins were detected. These substances have previously been shown to act as a surfactant to stabilize and modulate foams. Since the immature ancestor of the spittlebug developed below ground, it is speculated that the foam may function as an ‘extension’ of the soil and, thus, may have enabled the spittlebug to emerge from the soil and adopt an epigean lifestyle.
Differences in microbial community structure and nitrogen cycling in natural and drained tropical peatland soils
Authors: Espenberg Mikk , Truu Marika , Mander Ülo , Kasak Kuno , Nõlvak Hiie , Ligi Teele , Oopkaup Kristjan , Maddison Martin , Truu Jaak 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTropical peatlands, which play a crucial role in the maintenance of different ecosystem services, are increasingly drained for agriculture, forestry, peat extraction and human settlement purposes. The present study investigated the differences between natural and drained sites of a tropical peatland in the community structure of soil bacteria and archaea and their potential to perform nitrogen transformation processes. The results indicate significant dissimilarities in the structure of soil bacterial and archaeal communities as well as nirK, nirS, nosZ, nifH and archaeal amoA gene-possessing microbial communities. The reduced denitrification and N2-fixing potential was detected in the drained tropical peatland soil. In undisturbed peatland soil, the N2O emission was primarily related to nirS-type denitrifiers and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium, while the conversion of N2O to N2 was controlled by microbes possessing nosZ clade I genes. The denitrifying microbial community of the drained site differed significantly from the natural site community. The main reducers of N2O were microbes harbouring nosZ clade II genes in the drained site. Additionally, the importance of DNRA process as one of the controlling mechanisms of N2O fluxes in the natural peatlands of the tropics revealed from the results of the study.
Transcytosis of TrkA leads to diversification of dendritic signaling endosomes
Authors: Barford Kelly , Keeler Austin , McMahon Lloyd , McDaniel Kathryn , Yap Chan Choo , Deppmann Christopher D. , Winckler Bettina 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe development of the peripheral nervous system relies on long-distance signaling from target organs back to the soma. In sympathetic neurons, this long-distance signaling is mediated by target derived Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) interacting with its axonal receptor, TrkA. This ligand receptor complex internalizes into what is commonly referred to as the signaling endosome which is transported retrogradely to the soma and dendrites to mediate survival signaling and synapse formation, respectively. The molecular identity of signaling endosomes in dendrites has not yet been determined. Here, we perform a detailed analysis of TrkA endosomal compartments and trafficking patterns. We find that signaling endosomes are not uniform but molecularly diversified into Rab7 (late endosome) and Rab11 (recycling endosome) populations in axons and dendrites in vitro and in the soma in vivo. Surprisingly, TrkA-NGF signaling endosomes in dendrites undergo dynamic trafficking events, including putative fusion and fission. Overall, we find that signaling endosomes do not remain as a singular endosomal subtype but instead exist in multiple populations that undergo dynamic endosomal trafficking events. These dynamic events might drive functional diversification of the signaling endosome.
Health promoting potential of herbal teas and tinctures from Artemisia campestris subsp. maritima: from traditional remedies to prospective products
Authors: Pereira Catarina Guerreiro , Barreira Luísa , Bijttebier Sebastiaan , Pieters Luc , Marques Cátia , Santos Tamára F. , Rodrigues Maria João , Varela João , Custódio Luísa 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis work explored the biotechnological potential of the medicinal halophyte Artemisia campestris subsp. maritima (dune wormwood) as a source of health promoting commodities. For that purpose, infusions, decoctions and tinctures were prepared from roots and aerial-organs and evaluated for in vitro antioxidant, anti-diabetic and tyrosinase-inhibitory potential, and also for polyphenolic and mineral contents and toxicity. The dune wormwood extracts had high polyphenolic content and several phenolics were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–photodiode array–mass-spectrometry (UHPLC-PDA-MS). The main compounds were quinic, chlorogenic and caffeic acids, coumarin sulfates and dicaffeoylquinic acids; several of the identified phytoconstituents are here firstly reported in this A. campestris subspecies. Results obtained with this plant’s extracts point to nutritional applications as mineral supplementary source, safe for human consumption, as suggested by the moderate to low toxicity of the extracts towards mammalian cell lines. The dune wormwood extracts had in general high antioxidant activity and also the capacity to inhibit α-glucosidase and tyrosinase. In summary, dune wormwood extracts are a significant source of polyphenolic and mineral constituents, antioxidants and α-glucosidase and tyrosinase inhibitors, and thus, relevant for different commercial segments like the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and/or food industries.
18F-AV-1451 in Parkinson’s Disease with and without dementia and in Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Authors: Smith Ruben , Schöll Michael , Londos Elisabet , Ohlsson Tomas , Hansson Oskar 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMixed pathologies of α-synuclein, β-amyloid and tau are relatively common in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). We therefore wanted to study the retention patterns of 18F-AV-1451 in PD, PD-dementia (PDD), and DLB. To do this 44 healthy controls, 11 non-demented patients with PD, 18 patients with PDD, and six patients with DLB underwent MRI and 18F-AV-1451 PET scanning and cognitive testing. We found that parietal 18F-AV-1451 retention was increased in patients with DLB compared to controls and PD patients, while 18F-AV-1451 uptake was reduced in the substantia nigra in PDD. Increased parietal 18F-AV-1451 PET uptake was associated with impaired performance on verbal fluency tests, and the decreased uptake in the substantia nigra correlated with worse motor function. We found no effect of the monoamine oxidase B inhibitor rasagiline on 18F-AV-1451 binding. In conclusion DLB patients have increased parietal 18F-AV-1451 uptake. Increased parietal tau is associated with executive impairment in patients with synucleinopathies, while decreased uptake in the substantia nigra is associated with parkinsonism. Further, our data indicate that 18F-AV-1451 does not significantly bind to MAO-B in vivo.