bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Local factors associated with on‐host flea distributions on prairie dog colonies
Authors: Russell Robin E. , Abbott Rachel C. , Tripp Daniel W. , Rocke Tonie E. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractOutbreaks of plague, a flea‐vectored bacterial disease, occur periodically in prairie dog populations in the western United States. In order to understand the conditions that are conducive to plague outbreaks and potentially predict spatial and temporal variations in risk, it is important to understand the factors associated with flea abundance and distribution that may lead to plague outbreaks. We collected and identified 20,041 fleas from 6,542 individual prairie dogs of four different species over a 4‐year period along a latitudinal gradient from Texas to Montana. We assessed local climate and other factors associated with flea prevalence and abundance, as well as the incidence of plague outbreaks. Oropsylla hirsuta, a prairie dog specialist flea, and Pulex simulans, a generalist flea species, were the most common fleas found on our pairs. High elevation pairs in Wyoming and Utah had distinct flea communities compared with the rest of the study pairs. The incidence of prairie dogs with Yersinia pestis detections in fleas was low (n = 64 prairie dogs with positive fleas out of 5,024 samples from 4,218 individual prairie dogs). The results of our regression models indicate that many factors are associated with the presence of fleas. In general, flea abundance (number of fleas on hosts) is higher during plague outbreaks, lower when prairie dogs are more abundant, and reaches peak levels when climate and weather variables are at intermediate levels. Changing climate conditions will likely affect aspects of both flea and host communities, including population densities and species composition, which may lead to changes in plague dynamics. Our results support the hypothesis that local conditions, including host, vector, and environmental factors, influence the likelihood of plague outbreaks, and that predicting changes to plague dynamics under climate change scenarios will have to consider both host and vector responses to local factors.
Coastal acidification impacts on shell mineral structure of bivalve mollusks
Authors: Fitzer Susan C. , Torres Gabarda Sergio , Daly Luke , Hughes Brian , Dove Michael , O'Connor Wayne , Potts Jaimie , Scanes Peter , Byrne Maria 
Published: August 2018

AbstractOcean acidification is occurring globally through increasing CO2 absorption into the oceans creating particular concern for calcifying species. In addition to ocean acidification, near shore marine habitats are exposed to the deleterious effects of runoff from acid sulfate soils which also decreases environmental pH. This coastal acidification is being exacerbated by climate change‐driven sea‐level rise and catchment‐driven flooding. In response to reduction in habitat pH by ocean and coastal acidification, mollusks are predicted to produce thinner shells of lower structural integrity and reduced mechanical properties threatening mollusk aquaculture. Here, we present the first study to examine oyster biomineralization under acid sulfate soil acidification in a region where growth of commercial bivalve species has declined in recent decades. Examination of the crystallography of the shells of the Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea glomerata, by electron back scatter diffraction analyses revealed that the signal of environmental acidification is evident in the structure of the biomineral. Saccostrea glomerata, shows phenotypic plasticity, as evident in the disruption of crystallographic control over biomineralization in populations living in coastal acidification sites. Our results indicate that reduced sizes of these oysters for commercial sale may be due to the limited capacity of oysters to biomineralize under acidification conditions. As the impact of this catchment source acidification will continue to be exacerbated by climate change with likely effects on coastal aquaculture in many places across the globe, management strategies will be required to maintain the sustainable culture of these key resources.
An Air‐breathing Carbon Cloth‐based Screen‐printed Electrode for Applications in Enzymatic Biofuel Cells
Authors: Marković Nikola , Conzuelo Felipe , Szczesny Julian , González García María Begoña , Hernández Santos David , Ruff Adrian , Schuhmann Wolfgang 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe report a prototype air‐breathing carbon cloth‐based electrode that was fabricated starting from a commercially available screen‐printed electrode equipped with a transparent ITO working electrode (DropSens, ref. ITO10). The fabrication of the air‐breathing electrodes is straightforward, shows satisfactory reproducibility and a good electrochemical response as evaluated by means of [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− voltammetry. The gas‐diffusion electrodes were successfully modified with the O2 reducing enzyme bilirubin oxidase from Myrothecium verrucaria in a direct electron transfer regime. The enzyme modified electrodes showed a remarkable high current density for O2 reduction in passive air‐breathing mode of up to 5 mA cm−2. Moreover, the enzyme modified electrodes were applied as O2 reducing biocathodes in a glucose/air enzymatic biofuel cell in combination with a high current density glucose oxidase/redox polymer bioanode. The biofuel cell provides a high maximum power density of (0.34±0.02) mW cm−2 at 0.25 V. The straightforward design, low cost and the high reproducibility of these electrodes are considered as basis for standardized measurements under gas‐breathing conditions and for high throughput screening of gas converting (bio‐)catalysts.
Polypyrrole Nanopipes as a Promising Cathode Material for Li‐ion Batteries and Li‐ion Capacitors: Two‐in‐One Approach
Authors: Dubal Deepak , Jagadale Ajay , Chodankar Nilesh R. , Kim Do‐Heyoung , Gomez‐Romero Pedro , Holze Rudolf 
Published: August 2018

AbstractLithium ion capacitor (LIC) is a promising energy storage system that can simultaneously provide high energy with high rate (high power). Generally, LIC is fabricated using capacitive cathode (activated carbon, AC) and insertion‐type anode (graphite) with Li‐ion based organic electrolyte. However, the limited specific capacities of both anode and cathode materials limit the performance of LIC, in particular energy density. In this context, we have developed “two in one” synthetic approach to engineer both cathode and anode from single precursor for high performance LIC. Firstly, we have engineered a low cost 1D polypyrrole nanopipes (PPy‐NPipes), which was utilized as cathode material and delivered a maximum specific capacity of 126 mAh/g, far higher than that of conventional AC cathodes (35 mAh/g). Later, N doped carbon nanopipes (N‐CNPipes) was derived from direct carbonization of PPy‐NPipes and successfully applied as anode material in LIC. Thus, a full LIC was fabricated using both pseudo‐capacitive cathode (PPy‐NPipes) and anode (N‐CNPipes) materials, respectively. The cell delivered a remarkable specific energy of 107 Wh/kg with maximum specific power of 10 kW/kg and good capacity retention of 93 % over 2000 cycles. Thus, this work provide a new approach of utilization of nanostructured conducting polymers as a promising pseudocapacitive cathode for high performance energy storage systems.
Variation in the vertical zonality of erodibility and critical shear stress of rill erosion in China's Hengduan Mountains
Authors: Su Zhengan , Xiong Donghong , Zhang Jianhui , Zhou Tao , Yang Hongkun , Dong Yifan , Fang Haidong , Shi Liangtao 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSoil erodibility is an essential parameter used in soil erosion prediction. This study selected the Liangshan town watershed to quantify variation in the vertical zonality of rill erodibility (kr) in China's ecologically fragile Hengduan Mountains. Soil types comprised of yellow–brown (soil A), purple (soil B), and dry‐red (soil C) in a descending order of occurrence from the summit to the valley, which roughly corresponds to the vertical climate zone (i.e. cool‐high mountain, warm‐low mountain, and dry‐hot valley sections) of the study area. With elevation, vertical soil zonality varied in both soil organic matter (SOM) content and soil particle‐size fractions. A series of rill erosion‐based scour experiments were conducted, using water discharge rates of 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 mL min‐1. Additionally, detachment rates (Dr) were measured under three hydrological conditions (the drainage, saturation, and seepage treatments). Results show that both Dr and flow shear stress (Ʈ) values increased as discharge increased. As elevation increased, the kr values decreased, while the vertical zonality of critical shear stress (Ʈc) values showed no obvious variation. The highest kr values were observed during the seepage treatment, followed by the saturation treatment then drainage treatment, indicating that variation in vertical hydraulic gradients could significantly alter kr values. This study also found that land‐use types could also alter kr and Ʈc values. Further research, however, is necessary to better quantify the effects of subsurface hydrological conditions and land‐use types on kr under different soil zonalities in China's Hengduan Mountains. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coadapted genomes and selection on hybrids: Fisher's geometric model explains a variety of empirical patterns
Authors: Simon Alexis , Bierne Nicolas , Welch John J. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractNatural selection plays a variety of roles in hybridization, speciation, and admixture. Most research has focused on two extreme cases: crosses between closely related inbred lines, where hybrids are fitter than their parents, or crosses between effectively isolated species, where hybrids suffer severe breakdown. But many natural populations must fall into intermediate regimes, with multiple types of gene interaction, and these are more difficult to study. Here, we develop a simple fitness landscape model, and show that it naturally interpolates between previous modeling approaches, which were designed for the extreme cases, and invoke either mildly deleterious recessives, or discrete hybrid incompatibilities. Our model yields several new predictions, which we test with genomic data from Mytilus mussels, and published data from plants (Zea, Populus, and Senecio) and animals (Mus, Teleogryllus, and Drosophila). The predictions are generally supported, and the model explains a number of surprising empirical patterns. Our approach enables novel and complementary uses of genome-wide datasets, which do not depend on identifying outlier loci, or “speciation genes” with anomalous effects. Given its simplicity and flexibility, and its predictive successes with a wide range of data, the approach should be readily extendable to other outstanding questions in the study of hybridization.
Determination of furanic compounds and acidity for Italian honey quality
Authors: Apriceno Azzurra , Girelli Anna Maria , Scuto Francesca Romana , Tarola Anna Maria 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe quality of honey is influenced by botanical origins and acidity. 5‐Hydroxymethyl‐2‐furaldehyde (HMF) is a well‐monitored indicator for freshness and quality, whereas no restriction is reported for 2‐furfural. The aim of the study is the determination of these compounds in 21 Italian honey samples through high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In order to validate the HPLC method, the detection and quantification limits (LOD and LOQ, respectively), recovery, precision (repeatability), and linearity were determined. The quantity of HMF extracted ranges from 3.35 to 43.21 mg/kg, and 2‐furfural is found only in chestnut and wood samples in the range of 0.3–1.7 mg/kg. In addition, the effect of storage time effect was investigated for HMF, 2‐furfural, and free and lactone acidities over a 4‐month period. Finally, another compound was revealed and, on the basis of attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy, HPLC mass spectrometry, UV spectra, and chromatographic results, is hypothesized to be 2‐(furan‐2‐methyl)‐4‐methoxyfuran‐3‐(2H)‐one. The absence of any aldehyde group in the proposed compound is confirmed by the 2,4‐dinitrophenylhydrazine spectroscopic method. Profiles of HMF, 2‐furfural, and the hypothesized furanic compound have been outlined according to the floral origin of the honey.
Driver mutations of young lung adenocarcinoma patients with malignant pleural effusion
Authors: Wu Shang‐Gin , Liu Yi‐Nan , Yu Chong‐Jen , Yang James Chih‐Hsin , Shih Jin‐Yuan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractYoung lung cancer patients have several distinct characteristics. However, there are limited epidemiological data of genetic abnormalities in this population. We conducted a prospective cohort study to delineate the various oncogenic driver mutations of lung adenocarcinoma in young Asian patients. We consecutively collected malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) from lung adenocarcinoma patients. RNA was extracted from MPEs for mutation analysis by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Selected gene mutations for testing included EGFR, HER2, BRAF, KRAS, PIK3CA, JAK2, MEK1, NRAS, and AKT2 mutations, as well as EML4‐ALK, ROS1, and RET fusions. We collected MPEs from 142 patients aged ≤50 years and 730 patients aged >50 years. Patients aged ≤50 years (91%) had a higher incidence of driver gene mutations than those aged >50 years (84%; P = .036), especially EML4‐ALK (P < .001) and ROS1 (P < .001). Among patients aged ≤50 years, EGFR mutation was the major oncogenic driver mutation. The mutation rates of other genes were 18% EML4‐ALK, 6% ROS1, 5% HER2, 1% RET, 1% BRAF, and 1% KRAS. We did not detect PIK3CA, JAK2, MEK1, NRAS, or AKT2 mutations. No difference in gender or smoking history was noted among those with different driver mutations. Patients who had a good performance status or received appropriate targeted therapy had longer overall survival. In conclusion, lung adenocarcinoma in Asian patients aged ≤50 years had a higher gene mutation rate than in those aged >50 years, especially EML4‐ALK and ROS1 fusion. Mutation analysis may be helpful in determining targeted therapy for the majority of these patients.
Identification of PfENR inhibitors: A hybrid structure‐based approach in conjunction with molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Manhas Anu , Patel Anjali , Lone Mohsin Y. , Jha Prafulla K. , Jha Prakash C. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn the current study, we have constructed receptor‐based pharmacophore models by exploiting the Plasmodium falciparum enoyl‐acyl carrier protein reductase (PfENR) structural proteome. The derived models were subjected to a series of validation procedures to list the representative hypotheses that can be used for the screening of the Drug‐like Diverse Database. A set of 739 molecules was retrieved and analyzed for the adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) and drug‐likeness attributes. The filtered drug‐like molecules (64) were then subjected to molecular docking and HYDE assessment studies. The hybrid structure‐based approach yielded 4 molecules, UKR1308259, ENA1096786, UKR403454, and ASI51224, as PfENR inhibitors. The stability of these inhibitors was assessed using molecular mechanics‐generalized born surface area approach‐based free binding energy calculations and molecular dynamics simulations. Molecular mechanics‐generalized born surface area calculations and molecular dynamics simulations showed that UKR1308259, ENA1096786, and ASI51224 were more potent PfENR inhibitors. The rationale behind the current work was to identify orally available inhibitor molecules with diverse scaffolds that could serve as initial leads for the drug design against PfENR.
Retracted: Platelet‐derived growth factor subunit B is required for tendon‐bone healing using bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells after rotator cuff repair in rats
Authors: Wang Lin‐Liang , Yin Xue‐Feng , Chu Xiu‐Cheng , Zhang Yong‐Bing , Gong Xiao‐Nan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAs a common cause of shoulder pain and disability, rotator cuff injury (RCI) represents a debilitating condition affecting an individual’s quality of life. Although surgical repair has been shown to be somewhat effective, many patients may still suffer from reduced shoulder function. The aim of the current study was to identify a more effective mode of RCI treatment by investigating the effect of platelet‐derived growth factor subunit B (PDGF‐B) on tendon‐bone healing after RCI repair by modifying bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Surface markers of BMSCs were initially detected by means of flow cytometry, followed by establishment of the rat models and construction of the lentiviral vector. 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2‐H‐tetrazolium bromide, Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay, alizarin red staining, and oil red O staining were used to provide verification that PDGF‐B was indeed capable of promoting BMSC viability, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation capability. Furthermore, biomechanical assessment results indicated that PDGF‐B could increase the ultimate load and stiffness of the tendon tissue. Real‐time reverse‐transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis methods provided evidence suggesting that PDGF‐B facilitated the expression of tendon‐bone healing–related genes and proteins, while contrasting results were obtained after PDGF‐B silencing. Taken together, the key findings of the current study provided evidence suggesting that overexpressed PDGF‐B could act to enhance tendon‐bone healing after RCI repair, thus highlighting the potential of the functional promotion of PDGF‐B as a future RCI therapeutic approach.
Genome‐scale analysis to identify prognostic markers and predict the survival of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Yan‐Yan , Yang Chun , Zhou Pingting , Zhang Shijie , Yao Yuan , Li Dong 
Published: August 2018

AbstractLung cancer is one of the most malignant cancers worldwide, and lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) remains the most common histologic subtype. However, the functional significance of RNA expression–based prognosis prediction in LAC is still unclear and needs to be further studied. By utilizing the Cox multivariate regression, we established a risk score staging system to predict the outcome of patients with LAC and subsequently identified 10 genes, including PTPRH, OGFRP1, LDHA, AL365203.1, LINC02178, AL512488.1, LINC01312, AL353746.1, DRAXINP1, and LINC02310, which were closely related to the prognosis of patients with LAC. The identified genes allowed us to classify patients into high‐risk group with poor outcome and low‐risk group with better outcome. Compared with other clinical factors, the risk score performs better in predicting the outcome of LAC patients. We used Gene‐Set Enrichment Analysis to identify the differences between the 2 groups in biological pathways. In conclusion, we identified 10 genes by utilizing Cox regression model and developed a risk staging model for LAC, which might prove significant for the clinical management of LAC patients.
Silencing of angiotensin receptor 1 interferes with angiotensin II oncogenic activity in endometrial cancer
Authors: Matysiak‐Burzyńska Zuzanna E. , Nowakowska Magdalena , Domińska Kamila , Kowalska Karolina , Płuciennik Elżbieta , Piastowska‐Ciesielska Agnieszka W. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn mammalian cells, angiotensin II (AngII) binds to 2 distinct high‐affinity plasma membrane receptors: angiotensin receptor 1 (AT1R) and angiotensin receptor 2 (AT2R). Healthy human endometrium from women of reproductive age expresses all of the components of the renin‐angiotensin system. Many studies suggest that AngII, acting via AT1R, may have a role in the development and progression of cancer, which changes the expression of angiogenic factors, AngII and AT1R are correlated with the presence of endometrial cancer (EC). The aim of the current study was to identify the effects of AngII on the proliferation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis and mobility of ISHIKAWA, MFE296 and MFE280 EC cells with silenced AT1R. It also examines epithelial‐mesenchymal transition markers by gene expression analysis. The obtained results suggest that the silencing of AT1R expression alters the migration and invasion ability of EC cells. However, this silencing is not sufficient to inhibit the effects of AngII on EC cells, suggesting that AngII plays a more complex role in the development of EC.
Comparative genome‐wide analysis of codon usage of different bacterial species infecting Oryza sativa
Authors: Vasanthi S , Dass J Febin Prabhu 
Published: August 2018

AbstractOryza sativa is vastly affected by microbial pathogen, causing blight‐related diseases, which in turn deplete the growth and productivity of rice. In this study, we analyzed four bacterial rice pathogen genomes and reported on their codon usage that might have greater implication in mutation‐related research. Differential codon usage indices, such as codon adaptation index (CAI), codon bias index (CBI), effective number of codons (ENc), relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU), correspondence analysis (COA), and parity plots, were applied on coding sequences of Pseudomonas fuscovaginae, Pseudomonas syringae, Xanthomonas oryzae, and Pseudomonas avenae speices. The RSCU results proposed a high‐frequency usage of CUG and CGC that codes for leucine and arginine in all of the species. The CBI and CAI values between the genomes range from 0.17 to 0.3 and from 0.26 to 0.35, respectively, indicating a direct proportionality between these indexes. The mean ENc value of P. avenae coding sequence showed high codon bias compared with other genomes. The axis I variation from COA analysis shows a mean value of 42.28% codon variations in these bacterial species. Correlation studies between axis I and ENc‐GC3, along with CAI and CBI, suggested the presence of nucleotide bias and mutational pressure as major forces for codon bias within these species. Hence, certain genes with high CAI‐CBI have been correlated for better gene expression. Our study highlights the importance of nucleotide biasness, mutation pressure, and natural selection in shaping protein‐coding genes in these four rice‐affecting bacteria. This would further help in investigating the evolution of pathogenic gene families, which may direct research toward synthetic genes that could be suppressed or overrepresented based on their codon usage pattern toward pathogenicity.