bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental Zika Virus Inoculation in a New World Monkey Model Reproduces Key Features of the Human Infection
Authors: Chiu Charles Y. , Sánchez-San Martín Claudia , Bouquet Jerome , Li Tony , Yagi Shigeo , Tamhankar Manasi , Hodara Vida L. , Parodi Laura M. , Somasekar Sneha , Yu Guixia , Giavedoni Luis D. , Tardif Suzette , Patterson Jean 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA monkey model of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is urgently needed to better understand transmission and pathogenesis, given its proven association with fetal brain defects in pregnant women and acute neurological illness. Here we experimentally infected 4 male marmosets with ZIKV (prototype 1947 African strain) and monitored them clinically with sampling of various body fluids and tissues for nearly 3 months. We show that the course of acute infection with ZIKV in these New World monkeys resembles the human illness in many respects, including (1) lack of apparent clinical symptoms in most cases, (2) persistence of the virus in body fluids such as semen and saliva for longer periods of time than in serum, and (3) generation of neutralizing antibodies as well as an antiviral immunological host response. Importantly, ZIKV-infected saliva samples (in addition to serum) were found to be infectious, suggesting potential capacity for viral transmission by the oral route. Re-challenge of a previously infected marmoset with a contemporary outbreak strain SPH2015 from Brazil resulted in continued protection against infection, no viral shedding, and boosting of the immune response. Given the key similarities to human infection, a marmoset model of ZIKV infection may be useful for testing of new drugs and vaccines.
A PLAG1 mutation contributed to stature recovery in modern cattle
Authors: Utsunomiya Yuri Tani , Milanesi Marco , Utsunomiya Adam Taiti Harth , Torrecilha Rafaela Beatriz Pintor , Kim Eui-Soo , Costa Márcio Silva , Aguiar Tamíris Sayuri , Schroeder Steven , do Carmo Adriana Santana , Carvalheiro Roberto , Neves Haroldo Henrique Rezende , Padula Romulo Cláudio Morozini , Sussai Thayla Souza , Zavarez Ludmilla Balbo , Cipriano Rafael Silva , Caminhas Maria Margareth Theodoro , Hambrecht George , Colli Licia , Eufemi Elisa , Ajmone-Marsan Paolo , Cesana Deneb , Sannazaro Marco , Buora Maurizio , Morgante Michele , Liu George , Bickhart Derek , Van Tassell Curtis Paul , Sölkner Johann , Sonstegard Tad Stewart , Garcia José Fernando 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe recent evolution of cattle is marked by fluctuations in body size. Height in the Bos taurus lineage was reduced by a factor of ~1.5 from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages, and increased again only during the Early Modern Ages. Using haplotype analysis, we found evidence that the bovine PLAG1 mutation (Q) with major effects on body size, weight and reproduction is a >1,000 years old derived allele that increased rapidly in frequency in Northwestern European B. taurus between the 16th and 18th centuries. Towards the 19th and 20th centuries, Q was introgressed into non-European B. taurus and Bos indicus breeds. These data implicate a major role of Q in recent changes in body size in modern cattle, and represent one of the first examples of a genomic sweep in livestock that was driven by selection on a complex trait.
Magnetic Frustration Driven by Itinerancy in Spinel CoV2O4
Authors: Lee J. H. , Ma J. , Hahn S. E. , Cao H. B. , Lee M. , Hong Tao , Lee H.-J. , Yeom M. S. , Okamoto S. , Zhou H. D. , Matsuda M. , Fishman R. S. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractLocalized spins and itinerant electrons rarely coexist in geometrically-frustrated spinel lattices. They exhibit a complex interplay between localized spins and itinerant electrons. In this paper, we study the origin of the unusual spin structure of the spinel CoV2O4, which stands at the crossover from insulating to itinerant behavior using the first principle calculation and neutron diffraction measurement. In contrast to the expected paramagnetism, localized spins supported by enhanced exchange couplings are frustrated by the effects of delocalized electrons. This frustration produces a non-collinear spin state even without orbital orderings and may be responsible for macroscopic spin-glass behavior. Competing phases can be uncovered by external perturbations such as pressure or magnetic field, which enhances the frustration.
Rapid and effective enrichment of mononuclear cells from blood using acoustophoresis
Authors: Urbansky Anke , Ohlsson Pelle , Lenshof Andreas , Garofalo Fabio , Scheding Stefan , Laurell Thomas 
Published: December 2017

AbstractEffective separation methods for fractionating blood components are needed for numerous diagnostic and research applications. This paper presents the use of acoustophoresis, an ultrasound based microfluidic separation technology, for label-free, gentle and continuous separation of mononuclear cells (MNCs) from diluted whole blood. Red blood cells (RBCs) and MNCs behave similar in an acoustic standing wave field, compromising acoustic separation of MNC from RBC in standard buffer systems. However, by optimizing the buffer conditions and thereby changing the acoustophoretic mobility of the cells, we were able to enrich MNCs relative to RBCs by a factor of 2,800 with MNC recoveries up to 88%. The acoustophoretic microchip can perform cell separation at a processing rate of more than 1 × 105 cells/s, corresponding to 5 µl/min undiluted whole blood equivalent. Thus, acoustophoresis can be easily integrated with further down-stream applications such as flow cytometry, making it a superior alternative to existing MNC isolation techniques.
Risk, Predictors, and Outcomes of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units in Egypt
Authors: Abd ElHafeez Samar , Tripepi Giovanni , Quinn Robert , Naga Yasmine , Abdelmonem Sherif , AbdelHady Mohamed , Liu Ping , James Matthew , Zoccali Carmine , Ravani Pietro 
Published: December 2017

AbstractEpidemiology of acute kidney injury (AKI) in developing countries is under-studied. We evaluated the risk and prognosis of AKI in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) in Egypt. We recruited consecutive adults admitted to ICUs in Alexandria Teaching Hospitals over six months. We used the KDIGO criteria for AKI. We followed participants until the earliest of ICU discharge, death, day 30 from entry or study end. Of the 532 participants (median age 45 (Interquartile range [IQR]: 30–62) years, 41.7% male, 23.7% diabetics), 39.6% had AKI at ICU admission and 37.4% developed AKI after 24 hours of ICU admission. Previous need of diuretics, sepsis and low education were associated with AKI at ICU admission; APACHE II score independently predicted AKI after ICU admission. A total of 120 (22.6%) patients died during 30-day follow-up. Compared to patients who remained AKI-free, mortality was significantly higher in patients who had AKI at study entry (Hazard Ratio [HR] 2.14; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.02–4.48) or developed AKI in ICU (HR 2.74; 95% CI 1.45–5.17). The risk of AKI is high in critically ill people and predicts poor outcomes. Further studies are needed to estimate the burden of AKI among patients before ICU admission.
Transplantation of a quaternary structure neutralizing antibody epitope from dengue virus serotype 3 into serotype 4
Authors: Widman Douglas G. , Young Ellen , Nivarthi Usha , Swanstrom Jesica A. , Royal Scott R. , Yount Boyd L. , Debbink Kari , Begley Matthew , Marcet Stephanie , Durbin Anna , de Silva Aravinda M. , Messer William B. , Baric Ralph S. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractDengue vaccine trials have revealed deficits in our understanding of the mechanisms of protective immunity, demonstrating a need to measure epitope-specific antibody responses against each DENV serotype. HmAb 5J7 binds to a complex, 3-monomer spanning quaternary epitope in the DENV3 envelope (E) protein, but it is unclear whether all interactions are needed for neutralization. Structure guided design and reverse genetics were used to sequentially transplant larger portions of the DENV3-specific 5J7 mAb epitope into dengue virus serotype 4 (DENV4). We observed complete binding and neutralization only when the entire 3 monomer spanning epitope was transplanted into DENV4, providing empirical proof that cooperative monomer-hmAb 5J7 interactions maximize activity. The rDENV4/3 virus containing the most expanded 5J7 epitope was also significantly more sensitive than WT DENV4 to neutralization by DENV3 primary immune sera. We conclude that the hinge-spanning region of the 5J7 quaternary epitope is a target for serotype-specific neutralizing antibodies after DENV3 infection.
Influence of genetic ancestry and socioeconomic status on type 2 diabetes in the diverse Colombian populations of Chocó and Antioquia
Authors: Chande Aroon T. , Rowell Jessica , Rishishwar Lavanya , Conley Andrew B. , Norris Emily T. , Valderrama-Aguirre Augusto , Medina-Rivas Miguel A. , Jordan I. King 
Published: December 2017

AbstractDifferences in genetic ancestry and socioeconomic status (SES) among Latin American populations have been linked to health disparities for a number of complex diseases, such as diabetes. We used a population genomic approach to investigate the role that genetic ancestry and socioeconomic status (SES) play in the epidemiology of type 2 diabetes (T2D) for two Colombian populations: Chocó (Afro-Latino) and Antioquia (Mestizo). Chocó has significantly higher predicted genetic risk for T2D compared to Antioquia, and the elevated predicted risk for T2D in Chocó is correlated with higher African ancestry. Despite its elevated predicted genetic risk, the population of Chocó has a three-times lower observed T2D prevalence than Antioquia, indicating that environmental factors better explain differences in T2D outcomes for Colombia. Chocó has substantially lower SES than Antioquia, suggesting that low SES in Chocó serves as a protective factor against T2D. The combination of lower prevalence of T2D and lower SES in Chocó may seem surprising given the protective nature of elevated SES in many populations in developed countries. However, low SES has also been documented to be a protective factor in rural populations in less developed countries, and this appears to be the case when comparing Chocó to Antioquia.
mTORC1 Signaling is a Critical Regulator of Postnatal Tendon Development
Authors: Lim Joohyun , Munivez Elda , Jiang Ming-Ming , Song I-Wen , Gannon Francis , Keene Douglas R. , Schweitzer Ronen , Lee Brendan H. , Joeng Kyu Sang 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTendons transmit contractile forces between musculoskeletal tissues. Whereas the biomechanical properties of tendons have been studied extensively, the molecular mechanisms regulating postnatal tendon development are not well understood. Here we examine the role of mTORC1 signaling in postnatal tendon development using mouse genetic approaches. Loss of mTORC1 signaling by removal of Raptor in tendons caused severe tendon defects postnatally, including decreased tendon thickness, indicating that mTORC1 is necessary for postnatal tendon development. By contrast, activation of mTORC1 signaling in tendons increased tendon cell numbers and proliferation. In addition, Tsc1 conditional knockout mice presented severely disorganized collagen fibers and neovascularization in the tendon midsubstance. Interestingly, collagen fibril diameter was significantly reduced in both Raptor and Tsc1 conditional knockout mice, albeit with variations in severity. We performed RNA-seq analysis using Achilles tendons to investigate the molecular changes underlying these tendon phenotypes. Raptor conditional knockout mice showed decreased extracellular matrix (ECM) structure-related gene expression, whereas Tsc1 conditional knockout mice exhibited changes in genes regulating TGF-β/BMP/FGF signaling, as well as in genes controlling ECM structure and disassembly. Collectively, our studies suggest that maintaining physiological levels of mTORC1 signaling is essential for postnatal tendon development and maturation.
Additive manufacture of complex 3D Au-containing nanocomposites by simultaneous two-photon polymerisation and photoreduction
Authors: Hu Qin , Sun Xue-Zhong , Parmenter Christopher D. J. , Fay Michael W. , Smith Emily F. , Rance Graham A. , He Yinfeng , Zhang Fan , Liu Yaan , Irvine Derek , Tuck Christopher , Hague Richard , Wildman Ricky 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe fabrication of complex three-dimensional gold-containing nanocomposite structures by simultaneous two-photon polymerisation and photoreduction is demonstrated. Increased salt delivers reduced feature sizes down to line widths as small as 78 nm, a level of structural intricacy that represents a significant advance in fabrication complexity. The development of a general methodology to efficiently mix pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA) with gold chloride hydrate (HAuCl4∙3H2O) is reported, where the gold salt concentration is adjustable on demand from zero to 20 wt%. For the first-time 7-Diethylamino-3-thenoylcoumarin (DETC) is used as the photoinitiator. Only 0.5 wt% of DETC was required to promote both polymerisation and photoreduction of up to 20 wt% of gold salt. This efficiency is the highest reported for Au-containing composite fabrication by two-photon lithography. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis confirmed the presence of small metallic nanoparticles (5.4 ± 1.4 nm for long axis / 3.7 ± 0.9 nm for short axis) embedded within the polymer matrix, whilst X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that they exist in the zero valent oxidation state. UV-vis spectroscopy defined that they exhibit the property of localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). The capability demonstrated in this study opens up new avenues for a range of applications, including plasmonics, metamaterials, flexible electronics and biosensors.
Design and synthesis of 5-aryl-4-(4-arylpiperazine-1-carbonyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole derivatives as colchicine binding site inhibitors
Authors: Wu Yue , Feng Dongjie , Gao Meiqi , Wang Zhiwei , Yan Peng , Gu Zhenzhen , Guan Qi , Zuo Daiying , Bao Kai , Sun Jun , Wu Yingliang , Zhang Weige 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA series of 5-aryl-4-(4-arylpiperazine-1-carbonyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazol derivatives were designed as potential microtubule targeting agents. The regioselective alkylation of 5-aryl-4-(4-arylpiperazine-1-carbonyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole was predicted by computations and confirmed by an unambiguous synthetic route. The antiproliferative activity of the synthesized compounds was tested in vitro using three human cancer cell lines and some compounds exhibited significant antiproliferative activity, which suggested the reasonability of introduction of the 1,2,3-triazole fragment. Among them, compound 7p showed highest activity with the IC50 values at nanomolar level towards all three cell lines, which were comparable to the positive control, CA-4. Tubulin polymerization assay, immunofluorescence studies, cell cycle analysis and competitive tubulin-binding assay strongly proved that 7p is a colchicine binding site inhibitor of tubulin. Thus, 7p was identified as a promising drug candidate for further development of colchicine binding site inhibitors.
Damage of the right dorsal superior longitudinal fascicle by awake surgery for glioma causes persistent visuospatial dysfunction
Authors: Nakajima Riho , Kinoshita Masashi , Miyashita Katsuyoshi , Okita Hirokazu , Genda Ryoji , Yahata Tetsutaro , Hayashi Yutaka , Nakada Mitsutoshi 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPatients with glioma frequently present with neuropsychological deficits preoperatively and/or postoperatively, and these deficits may remain after the chronic phase. However, little is known about postoperative recovery course of right hemispheric function. We therefore studied the characteristics and causes of persistent cognitive dysfunction in right cerebral hemispheric glioma. Eighteen patients who underwent awake surgery participated in this study. All patients who received preoperative neuropsychological examinations were assigned to two groups according to their test results: preoperative deficit and normal. They were reassessed 1 week and 3 months after surgery. The rates of remaining deficits in the deficit group at chronic phase were higher than those of the normal group for all functions. Despite preoperative normal function, the remaining rate for visuospatial cognitive deficits was the highest among all functions. The voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping analysis for visuospatial cognition revealed that a part of the medial superior and middle frontal gyri were resected with high probability in patients with low visuospatial cognitive accuracy. Our study indicates that in patients with preoperative neuropsychological deficits, these deficits tend to remain until the chronic phase. Visuospatial dysfunction frequently persists until the chronic phase, which might reflect damage to the superior longitudinal fasciclus I and II.
The myokinetic control interface: tracking implanted magnets as a means for prosthetic control
Authors: Tarantino S. , Clemente F. , Barone D. , Controzzi M. , Cipriani C. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractUpper limb amputation deprives individuals of their innate ability to manipulate objects. Such disability can be restored with a robotic prosthesis linked to the brain by a human-machine interface (HMI) capable of decoding voluntary intentions, and sending motor commands to the prosthesis. Clinical or research HMIs rely on the interpretation of electrophysiological signals recorded from the muscles. However, the quest for an HMI that allows for arbitrary and physiologically appropriate control of dexterous prostheses, is far from being completed. Here we propose a new HMI that aims to track the muscles contractions with implanted permanent magnets, by means of magnetic field sensors. We called this a myokinetic control interface. We present the concept, the features and a demonstration of a prototype which exploits six 3-axis sensors to localize four magnets implanted in a forearm mockup, for the control of a dexterous hand prosthesis. The system proved highly linear (R2 = 0.99) and precise (1% repeatability), yet exhibiting short computation delay (45 ms) and limited cross talk errors (10% the mean stroke of the magnets). Our results open up promising possibilities for amputees, demonstrating the viability of the myokinetic approach in implementing direct and simultaneous control over multiple digits of an artificial hand.
Melanization in response to wounding is ancestral in arthropods and conserved in albino cave species
Authors: Bilandžija Helena , Laslo Mara , Porter Megan L. , Fong Daniel W. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMany species adapted to aphotic subterranean habitats have lost all body pigmentation. Yet, melanization is an important component of wound healing in arthropods. We amputated appendages in a variety of cave-adapted and surface-dwelling arthropods. A dark clot formed at the site of injury in most species tested, including even albino cave-adapted species. The dark coloration of the clots was due to melanin deposition. The speed of wound melanization was uncorrelated with a difference in metabolic rate between surface and cave populations of an amphipod. The chelicerate Limulus polyphemus, all isopod crustaceans tested, and the cave shrimp Troglocaris anophthalmus did not melanize wounds. The loss of wound melanization in T. anophthalmus was an apomorphy associated with adaptation to subterranean habitats, but in isopods it appeared to be a symplesiomorphy unrelated to colonization of subterranean habitats. We conclude that wound melanization i) is an important part of innate immunity because it was present in all major arthropod lineages, ii) is retained in most albino cave species, and iii) has been lost several times during arthropod evolution, indicating melanization is not an indispensable component of wound healing in arthropods.
Pharmacological inhibition of REV-ERB stimulates differentiation, inhibits turnover and reduces fibrosis in dystrophic muscle
Authors: Welch Ryan D. , Billon Cyrielle , Valfort Aurore-Cecile , Burris Thomas P. , Flaveny Colin A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a debilitating X-linked disorder that is fatal. DMD patients lack the expression of the structural protein dystrophin caused by mutations within the DMD gene. The absence of functional dystrophin protein results in excessive damage from normal muscle use due to the compromised structural integrity of the dystrophin associated glycoprotein complex. As a result, DMD patients exhibit ongoing cycles of muscle destruction and regeneration that promote inflammation, fibrosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, satellite cell (SC) exhaustion and loss of skeletal and cardiac muscle function. The nuclear receptor REV-ERB suppresses myoblast differentiation and recently we have demonstrated that the REV-ERB antagonist, SR8278, stimulates muscle regeneration after acute injury. Therefore, we decided to explore whether the REV-ERB antagonist SR8278 could slow the progression of muscular dystrophy. In mdx mice SR8278 increased lean mass and muscle function, and decreased muscle fibrosis and muscle protein degradation. Interestingly, we also found that SR8278 increased the SC pool through stimulation of Notch and Wnt signaling. These results suggest that REV-ERB is a potent target for the treatment of DMD.
Removal of sulfur by adding zinc during the digestion process of high-sulfur bauxite
Authors: Liu Zhanwei , Ma Wenhui , Yan Hengwei , Xie Keqiang , Li Dunyong , Zheng Licong , Li Pengfei 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper proposes a novel approach to sulfur removal by adding zinc during the digestion process. The effects of zinc dosage on the concentrations of different valence sulfur in sodium aluminate solution were investigated at length to find that high-valence sulfur (S2O32−, SO32−, SO42−) concentration in sodium aluminate solution decreases, but the concentration of the S2− in the sodium aluminate solution increases as zinc dosage increases. This suggests that zinc can react with high-valence sulfur to generate S2− at digestion temperature, which is consistent with our thermodynamic calculation results. In this study, as zinc dosage increases, sulfur digestion rate decreases while sulfur content in red mud markedly increases when zinc dosage was below 4%; the digestion rates of sulfur and sulfur content in red mud remains stable when zinc dosage was above 4%; the alumina digestion rate, conversely, increased slightly throughout the experiment. This suggests that high-valence sulfur in sodium aluminate solution can be converted to S2− and then enter red mud to be removed completely by adding zinc during the digestion process.