bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel inducible prophage from the mycosphere inhabitant Paraburkholderia terrae BS437
Authors: Pratama Akbar Adjie , van Elsas Jan Dirk 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBacteriophages constitute key gene transfer agents in many bacteria. Specifically, they may confer gene mobility to Paraburkholderia spp. that dwells in soil and the mycosphere. In this study, we first screened mycosphere and bulk soils for phages able to produce plaques, however found these to be below detection. Then, prophage identification methods were applied to the genome sequences of the mycosphere-derived Paraburkholderia terrae strains BS001, BS007, BS110 and BS437, next to P. phytofirmans strains BS455, BIFAS53, J1U5 and PsJN. These analyses revealed all bacterial genomes to contain considerable amounts [up to 13.3%] of prophage-like sequences. One sequence predicted to encode a complete phage was found in the genome of P. terrae BS437. Using the inducing agent mitomycin C, we produced high-titered phage suspensions. These indeed encompassed the progeny of the identified prophage (denoted ɸ437), as evidenced using phage major capsid gene molecular detection. We obtained the full sequence of phage ɸ437, which, remarkably, had undergone a reshuffling of two large gene blocks. One predicted moron gene was found, and it is currently analyzed to understand the extent of its ecological significance for the host.
Potential Use of MALDI-ToF Mass Spectrometry for Rapid Detection of Antifungal Resistance in the Human Pathogen Candida glabrata
Authors: Vella Antonietta , De Carolis Elena , Mello Enrica , Perlin David S. , Sanglard Dominique , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Posteraro Brunella 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe echinocandins are relatively new antifungal drugs that represent, together with the older azoles, the recommended and/or preferred agents to treat candidaemia and other forms of invasive candidiasis in human patients. If “time is of the essence” to reduce the mortality for these infections, the administration of appropriate antifungal therapy could be accelerated by the timely reporting of laboratory test results. In this study, we attempted to validate a MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry-based assay for the antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) of the potentially multidrug-resistant pathogen Candida glabrata against anidulafungin and fluconazole. The practical applicability of the assay, reported here as MS-AFST, was assessed with a panel of clinical isolates that were selected to represent phenotypically and genotypically/molecularly susceptible or resistant strains. The data show the potential of our assay for rapid detection of antifungal resistance, although the MS-AFST assay performed at 3 h of the in vitro antifungal exposure failed to detect C. glabrata isolates with echinocandin resistance-associated FKS2 mutations. However, cell growth kinetics in the presence of anidulafungin revealed important cues about the in vitro fitness of C. glabrata isolates, which may lead to genotypic or phenotypic antifungal testing in clinical practice.
Direct evidence of correlation between the second harmonic generation anisotropy patterns and the polarization orientation of perovskite ferroelectric
Authors: Wang Jie-su , Jin Kui-juan , Gu Jun-xing , Wan Qian , Yao Hong-bao , Yang Guo-zhen 
Published: August 2017

AbstractFor ferroelectric materials, where the polar state breaks the inversion symmetry, second harmonic generation is a useful tool to prove their ferroelectric properties. However, the correlation between the anisotropy patterns and the polarization orientation of the ferroelectric domains has not been clarified yet. In this work, we systematically investigated this correlation in a typical perovskite oxide ferroelectric, Barium Titanate (BaTiO3) crystal, by second harmonic generation and the piezoresponse force microscopy technique. The evolution of polarization-dependent anisotropy patterns proves that there is a linear relationship between the rotation angle of second harmonic generation anisotropy patterns and the polarization angle of BaTiO3 single crystals. It is a direct evidence illustrating that the polarization of BaTiO3 crystal can be qualitatively identified in 0°–180° by second harmonic generation technology. This work gives a glance at improving a nonintrusive and convenient method to identify the polarization of perovskite ferroelectric materials.
Abnormal skin in toe webs is a marker for abnormal glucose metabolism. A cross-sectional survey among 1,849 adults in Finland
Authors: Sinikumpu Suvi-Päivikki , Auvinen Juha , Jokelainen Jari , Huilaja Laura , Puukka Katri , Ruokonen Aimo , Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi Sirkka , Tasanen Kaisa , Timonen Markku 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDiabetes is undiagnosed disease and easy screening tools for it are warranted. Because foot complications are usual in diabetes, we aimed to test hypothesis that skin abnormalities are found already from patients who are not aware of having diabetes, by studying the possible association between unhealthy toe web skin and abnormal glucose metabolism. 1,849 cases without previously diagnosed diabetes participated to the 46-year follow-up study of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort. A skin investigation was performed for all, and abnormal skin findings in toe web spaces were taken as explanatory variables. Abnormal glucose tolerance was the main outcome and it was tested with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), glycosylated haemoglobin fraction (HbA1c) Values are numbers (percentages) of sub and fasting blood glucose. The participants who had any abnormal skin findings in toe webs were associated with 2.5-fold (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.3–4.9) and 6-fold (OR 6.2, 1.4–27.6) increased risk of having previously undiagnosed diabetes detected by a 2-hour OGTT and HbA1c, respectively. The predictive power of toe web findings was comparable with FINDRISC score. Abnormal skin findings in the toe webs show increased risk of occult diabetes, and may, thus serve as an additional sign of undiagnosed diabetes.
Maskless X-Ray Writing of Electrical Devices on a Superconducting Oxide with Nanometer Resolution and Online Process Monitoring
Authors: Mino Lorenzo , Bonino Valentina , Agostino Angelo , Prestipino Carmelo , Borfecchia Elisa , Lamberti Carlo , Operti Lorenza , Fretto Matteo , De Leo Natascia , Truccato Marco 
Published: August 2017

AbstractX-ray nanofabrication has so far been usually limited to mask methods involving photoresist impression and subsequent etching. Herein we show that an innovative maskless X-ray nanopatterning approach allows writing electrical devices with nanometer feature size. In particular we fabricated a Josephson device on a Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ (Bi-2212) superconducting oxide micro-crystal by drawing two single lines of only 50 nm in width using a 17.4 keV synchrotron nano-beam. A precise control of the fabrication process was achieved by monitoring in situ the variations of the device electrical resistance during X-ray irradiation, thus finely tuning the irradiation time to drive the material into a non-superconducting state only in the irradiated regions, without significantly perturbing the crystal structure. Time-dependent finite element model simulations show that a possible microscopic origin of this effect can be related to the instantaneous temperature increase induced by the intense synchrotron picosecond X-ray pulses. These results prove that a conceptually new patterning method for oxide electrical devices, based on the local change of electrical properties, is actually possible with potential advantages in terms of heat dissipation, chemical contamination, miniaturization and high aspect ratio of the devices.
Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Primary Giant Cell Tumors of the Distal Radium: A Multicenter Retrospective Study in China
Authors: Cao Hongbin , Lin Fengsong , Hu Yongcheng , Zhao Liming , Yu Xiuchun , Wang Zhen , Ye Zhaoming , Wu Sujia , Guo Shibing , Zhang Guochuan , Wang Jinghua 
Published: August 2017

AbstractGiant cell tumors of the distal radius are challenging for surgeons because they are associated with high recurrence rates and poor functional outcomes. Between June 2005 and October 2015, patients with primary giant cell tumors of the distal radius were recruited from seven orthopedic centers in China. The patients’ clinical features and demographic characteristics were obtained from medical records and reviewed retrospectively. Overall, 48 cases of giant cell tumors of the distal radius were assessed in this study. These patients were more likely to be between 20 and 40 years of age, to have a Campanacci grade of III, and to undergo a surgical style of resection. The prevalence of pathological fractures was 12.5% overall (20.0% in men and 4.3% in women). The prevalence of local recurrence was 30.0% overall (38.1% in men and 21.1% in women) during the average follow-up period of 62.5 months, with a pulmonary metastasis rate of 5.0%. Giant cell tumors of the distal radius were predominant in men and were more likely to recur locally than around the knee. These findings suggest that it is crucial to evaluate the optimal surgical approach for balancing local recurrence control and functional outcomes to reduce the disease burden.
Subcellular domain-dependent molecular hierarchy of SFK and FAK in mechanotransduction and cytokine signaling
Authors: Wan Qiaoqiao , TruongVo ThucNhi , Steele Hannah E. , Ozcelikkale Altug , Han Bumsoo , Wang Yingxiao , Oh Junghwan , Yokota Hiroki , Na Sungsoo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractFocal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Src family kinases (SFK) are known to play critical roles in mechanotransduction and other crucial cell functions. Recent reports indicate that they reside in different microdomains of the plasma membrane. However, little is known about their subcellular domain-dependent roles and responses to extracellular stimuli. Here, we employed fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors in conjunction with collagen-coupled agarose gels to detect subcellular activities of SFK and FAK in three-dimensional (3D) settings. We observed that SFK and FAK in the lipid rafts and nonrafts are differently regulated by fluid flow and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Inhibition of FAK in the lipid rafts blocked SFK response to fluid flow, while inhibition of SFK in the non-rafts blocked FAK activation by the cytokines. Ex-vivo FRET imaging of mouse cartilage explants showed that intermediate level of interstitial fluid flow selectively decreased cytokine-induced SFK/FAK activation. These findings suggest that SFK and FAK exert distinctive molecular hierarchy depending on their subcellular location and extracellular stimuli.
Large-Area Nanolattice Film with Enhanced Modulus, Hardness, and Energy Dissipation
Authors: Bagal Abhijeet , Zhang Xu A. , Shahrin Rahnuma , Dandley Erinn C. , Zhao Junjie , Poblete Felipe R. , Oldham Christopher J. , Zhu Yong , Parsons Gregory N. , Bobko Christopher , Chang Chih-Hao 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe present an engineered nanolattice material with enhanced mechanical properties that can be broadly applied as a thin film over large areas. The nanolattice films consist of ordered, three-dimensional architecture with thin-shell tubular elements, resulting in favorable modulus-density scaling (n ~ 1.1), enhanced energy dissipation, and extremely large material recoverability for strains up to 20% under normal compressive loading. At 95.6% porosity, the nanolattice film has demonstrated modulus of 1.19 GPa and specific energy dissipation of 325.5 kJ/kg, surpassing previously reported values at similar densities. The largest length scale in the reported nanolattice is the 500 nm unit-cell lattice constant, allowing the film to behave more like a continuum material and be visually unobservable. Fabricated using three-dimensional colloidal nanolithography and atomic layer deposition, the process can be scaled for large-area patterning. The proposed nanolattice film can find applications as a robust multifunctional insulating film that can be applied in integrated photonic elements, optoelectronic devices, and microcircuit chips.
Global Proteomics-based Identification and Validation of Thymosin Beta-4 X-Linked as a Prognostic Marker for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chi Li-Hsing , Chang Wei-Min , Chang Yu-Chan , Chan Yung-Chieh , Tai Chia-Chen , Leung Kam-Wing , Chen Chi-Long , Wu Alexander TH , Lai Tsung-Ching , Li Yu-Chuan , Hsiao Michael 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) represents a major health concern worldwide. We applied the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) to analyze paired normal (N) and tumor (T) samples from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma as well as liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis in HNSCC cell lines to identify tumor-associated biomarkers. Our results showed a number of proteins found to be over-expressed in HNSCC. We identified thymosin beta-4 X-linked (TMSB4X) is one of the most significant candidate biomarkers. Higher TMSB4X expression in the tumor was found by N/T-paired HNSCC samples at both RNA and protein level. Overexpression of TMSB4X was found significantly associated with poor prognosis of overall survival (OS, P = 0.006) and recurrence-free survival (RFS, P = 0.013) in HNSCC patients. Silencing of TMSB4X expression in HNSCC cell line reduced the proliferation and invasion ability in vitro, as well as inhibited the cervical lymph node metastasis in vivo. Altogether, our global proteomics analysis identified that TMSB4X is a newly discovered biomarker in HNSCC whose functions resulted in enhanced proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. TMSB4X may be a potential therapeutic target for treating HNSCC patients.
Effects of genotype and temperature on accumulation of plant secondary metabolites in Canadian and Australian wheat grown under controlled environments
Authors: Shamloo Maryam , Babawale Elizabeth A. , Furtado Agnelo , Henry Robert J. , Eck Peter K. , Jones Peter J. H. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPredictions of global increased temperature are for 1.8–4 °C by 2100. Increased temperature as an abiotic stress may exert a considerable influence on the levels of secondary metabolites in plants. These secondary metabolites may possibly exert biological activities beneficial in prevention or treatment of disorders linked to oxidative stress in human. Wheat secondary compounds in three Canadian and three Australian genotypes grown under controlled environments, in which the only changing parameter was temperature, were investigated. Kennedy and AC Navigator contained the highest amount of total phenolic acids among Australian and Canadian wheat genotypes, respectively. The total phenolic acids and total flavonoid contents of wheat genotypes increased following the increase of the growing temperature. In all the wheat genotypes, regardless of their growing temperatures, linoleic acid (C18:2n6) was measured as the main fatty acid. Significant increases in palmitic acid (C16:0) and oleic acid (C18:1n9) and significant decreases in linoleic acid (C18:2n6) and linolenic acid (C18:3n3) were observed at increased of growing temperature for all wheat genotypes. Growing temperature decreased campesterol content of wheat genotypes. Genotype and growing temperature significantly shifted the production of wheat secondary metabolites. This information might be used as a guide for breeding wheat varieties with higher antioxidant properties.
Pioglitazone Enhances Cytosolic Lipolysis, β-oxidation and Autophagy to Ameliorate Hepatic Steatosis
Authors: Hsiao Pi-Jung , Chiou Hsin-Ying Clair , Jiang He-Jiun , Lee Mei-Yueh , Hsieh Tusty-Jiuan , Kuo Kung-Kai 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease closely contributes to the development of obesity and insulin resistance. Even though pioglitazone has been reported to effectively lessen hepatic steatosis in human studies, its molecular mechanism remains unclear. This study is designed to investigate the regulation of cytosolic lipolysis, β-oxidation and autophagy by pioglitazone in a mice model of high fat diet (HFD) and cell model incubated with palmitic acid. Our results revealed hepatic steatosis was apparently induced by HFD and it was significantly reversed by pioglitazone. The serum insulin and hepatic triglyceride content was significantly decreased by co-administered pioglitazone with HFD. Hepatic expression of cytosolic-lipolysis related proteins (ATGL, HSL), β-oxidation (CPT-1A) and autophagy-related proteins (ATG7, LC3, LAL) was significantly enhanced by pioglitazone. Knockdown PPARα/PPARγ in AML12 cells significantly and proportionally reduced the expressions of ATGL, CPT-1A and LC3II, which was induced by pioglitazone. Furthermore, facilitation of the autophagic flux by pioglitazone was obviously blocked by lysosomal inhibitor, leupeptin, to demonstrate accumulation of the LC3II and intracellular lipid in AML12 cells. Our results demonstrated that pioglitazone attenuating the hepatic steatosis may be mediated by enhancing cytosolic lipolysis, β-oxidation and autophagy in a PPARα and PPARγ dependent manner.
Diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for the development of liver cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C patients
Authors: Li Xu , Gao Yang , Xu Hongqin , Hou Jie , Gao Pujun 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe explored the association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver cirrhosis in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). To examine the link between DM and liver cirrhosis, we conducted a case-control study of 210 Chinese CHC patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, comparing them to an age- and sex-matched control group of 431 CHC patients without liver cirrhosis. We conducted logistic regression analyses adjusting for demographic features and liver cirrhosis risk factors, and found that DM increased the risk of developing liver cirrhosis 2-fold [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 2.132; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.344–3.382]. Furthermore, the proportion of liver cirrhosis patients and CHC-only patients with elevated serum triglycerides (>1.8 mmol/L) were 5.2% and 17.4%, respectively, yielding an AOR of 0.264 (95% CI, 0.135–0.517). Multivariate analyses that stratified the risk of developing HCV-related liver cirrhosis in DM patients by gender revealed that the estimated AOR (95% CI) for males was 0.415 (0.178–0.969). In conclusion, DM was associated with an increased risk of developing liver cirrhosis in CHC patients in China. Furthermore, among patients diagnosed with both CHC and DM, females had an increased risk of liver cirrhosis development.
Freestanding and flexible graphene papers as bioelectrochemical cathode for selective and efficient CO2 conversion
Authors: Aryal Nabin , Halder Arnab , Zhang Minwei , Whelan Patrick R. , Tremblay Pier-Luc , Chi Qijin , Zhang Tian 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDuring microbial electrosynthesis (MES) driven CO2 reduction, cathode plays a vital role by donating electrons to microbe. Here, we exploited the advantage of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) paper as novel cathode material to enhance electron transfer between the cathode and microbe, which in turn facilitated CO2 reduction. The acetate production rate of Sporomusa ovata-driven MES reactors was 168.5 ± 22.4 mmol m−2 d−1 with RGO paper cathodes poised at −690 mV versus standard hydrogen electrode. This rate was approximately 8 fold faster than for carbon paper electrodes of the same dimension. The current density with RGO paper cathodes of 2580 ± 540 mA m−2 was increased 7 fold compared to carbon paper cathodes. This also corresponded to a better cathodic current response on their cyclic voltammetric curves. The coulombic efficiency for the electrons conversion into acetate was 90.7 ± 9.3% with RGO paper cathodes and 83.8 ± 4.2% with carbon paper cathodes, respectively. Furthermore, more intensive cell attachment was observed on RGO paper electrodes than on carbon paper electrodes with confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. These results highlight the potential of RGO paper as a promising cathode for MES from CO2.
Graphene-based carbon coated tin oxide as a lithium ion battery anode material with high performance
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Gao Qiuming , Qian Weiwei , Zhang Hang , Tan Yanli , Tian Weiqian , Li Zeyu , Xiao Hong 
Published: August 2017

A ternary rGO/PC/SnO2nanocomposite with carbon-coated SnO2homogeneously grown on the surface of rGO using glucose as the soft templating agent delivers an initial specific discharge capacity of 2238.2 mA h g−1and retains 1467.8 mA h g−1after 150 cycles at 0.1C (1C = 782 mA g−1). Even at 1C after 200 cycles, the specific capacity is 618.3 mA h g−1.
Analysis of Item-Level Bias in the Bayley-III Language Subscales: The Validity and Utility of Standardized Language Assessment in a Multilingual Setting
Authors: Goh Shaun K. Y. , Tham Elaine K. H. , Magiati Iliana , Sim Litwee , Sanmugam Shamini , Qiu Anqi , Daniel Mary L. , Broekman Birit F. P. , Rifkin-Graboi Anne 
Published: August 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to improve standardized language assessments among bilingual toddlers by investigating and removing the effects of bias due to unfamiliarity with cultural norms or a distributed language system.

Method
The Expressive and Receptive Bayley-III language scales were adapted for use in a multilingual country (Singapore). Differential item functioning (DIF) was applied to data from 459 two-year-olds without atypical language development. This involved investigating if the probability of success on each item varied according to language exposure while holding latent language ability, gender, and socioeconomic status constant. Associations with language, behavioral, and emotional problems were also examined.

Results
Five of 16 items showed DIF, 1 of which may be attributed to cultural bias and another to a distributed language system. The remaining 3 items favored toddlers with higher bilingual exposure. Removal of DIF items reduced associations between language scales and emotional and language problems, but improved the validity of the expressive scale from poor to good.

Conclusions
Our findings indicate the importance of considering cultural and distributed language bias in standardized language assessments. We discuss possible mechanisms influencing performance on items favoring bilingual exposure, including the potential role of inhibitory processing.
Geography of intergenerational mobility and child development
Authors: Donnelly Louis , Garfinkel Irwin , Brooks-Gunn Jeanne , Wagner Brandon G. , James Sarah , McLanahan Sara 
Published: August 2017

Significance
Using data from an urban birth cohort study, we show that children from low-income families who grow up in counties that produce high levels of upward mobility, as recently estimated by Chetty and Hendren, exhibit fewer externalizing behaviors by age 3 years and show substantial gains in cognitive test scores between ages 3 and 9 years. These associations are robust to controls for family characteristics, including parental intelligence, impulsivity, and mental health. This paper identifies developmental pathways through which intergenerational mobility of place, measured at the county level, shapes the economic prospects of children from low-income families.