bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular characterization of a Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 γ-butyrolactone(-like) signalling molecule and its main biosynthesis gene gblA
Authors: Ceniceros Ana , Dijkhuizen Lubbert , Petrusma Mirjan 
Published: December 2017

AbstractRhodococcus genome sequence analysis has revealed a surprisingly large (and unexplored) potential for the production of secondary metabolites. Also, putative γ-butyrolactone gene clusters have been identified in some Rhodococci. These signalling molecules are known to regulate secondary metabolism in Streptomyces. This work provides evidence for synthesis of a γ-butyrolactone(-like) molecule by Rhodococci (RJB), the first report in the Rhodococcus genus. The Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 RJB molecule was detected by a reporter system based on the γ-butyrolactone receptor protein (ScbR) of Streptomyces coelicolor. This RJB is structurally identical to 6-dehydro SCB2, the predicted precursor of the S. coelicolor γ-butyrolactone SCB2. The R. jostii RHA1 key RJB biosynthesis gene was identified (gblA): Deletion of gblA resulted in complete loss of RJB synthesis whereas higher RJB levels were detected when gblA was overexpressed. Interaction of the RJB molecule with ScbR indicates that communication may occur between these two Actinomycete genera in their natural habitat. Furthermore, RJB may provide a highly relevant tool for awakening cryptic secondary metabolic gene clusters in Rhodococci. This study provides preliminary evidence that R. jostii RHA1 indeed synthesizes diffusible molecules with antimicrobial activity, but a possible role for RJB in this remains to be established.
Trypsin-Ligand binding affinities calculated using an effective interaction entropy method under polarized force field
Authors: Cong Yalong , Li Mengxin , Feng Guoqiang , Li Yuchen , Wang Xianwei , Duan Lili. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMolecular dynamics (MD) simulation in the explicit water is performed to study the interaction mechanism of trypsin-ligand binding under the AMBER force field and polarized protein-specific charge (PPC) force field combined the new developed highly efficient interaction entropy (IE) method for calculation of entropy change. And the detailed analysis and comparison of the results of MD simulation for two trypsin-ligand systems show that the root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) of backbone atoms, B-factor, intra-protein and protein-ligand hydrogen bonds are more stable under PPC force field than AMBER force field. Our results demonstrate that the IE method is superior than the traditional normal mode (Nmode) method in the calculation of entropy change and the calculated binding free energy under the PPC force field combined with the IE method is more close to the experimental value than other three combinations (AMBER-Nmode, AMBER-IE and PPC-Nmode). And three critical hydrogen bonds between trypsin and ligand are broken under AMBER force field. However, they are well preserved under PPC force field. Detailed binding interactions of ligands with trypsin are further analyzed. The present work demonstrates that the polarized force field combined the highly efficient IE method is critical in MD simulation and free energy calculation.
Bee pollination increases yield quantity and quality of cash crops in Burkina Faso, West Africa
Authors: Stein Katharina , Coulibaly Drissa , Stenchly Kathrin , Goetze Dethardt , Porembski Stefan , Lindner André , Konaté Souleymane , Linsenmair Eduard K. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMutualistic biotic interactions as among flowering plants and their animal pollinators are a key component of biodiversity. Pollination, especially by insects, is a key element in ecosystem functioning, and hence constitutes an ecosystem service of global importance. Not only sexual reproduction of plants is ensured, but also yields are stabilized and genetic variability of crops is maintained, counteracting inbreeding depression and facilitating system resilience. While experiencing rapid environmental change, there is an increased demand for food and income security, especially in sub-Saharan communities, which are highly dependent on small scale agriculture. By combining exclusion experiments, pollinator surveys and field manipulations, this study for the first time quantifies the contribution of bee pollinators to smallholders’ production of the major cash crops, cotton and sesame, in Burkina Faso. Pollination by honeybees and wild bees significantly increased yield quantity and quality on average up to 62%, while exclusion of pollinators caused an average yield gap of 37% in cotton and 59% in sesame. Self-pollination revealed inbreeding depression effects on fruit set and low germination rates in the F1-generation. Our results highlight potential negative consequences of any pollinator decline, provoking risks to agriculture and compromising crop yields in sub-Saharan West Africa.
Diversity of antigenic mutants of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus escaped from human monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Yasuhara Atsuhiro , Yamayoshi Seiya , Soni Priyanka , Takenaga Toru , Kawakami Chiharu , Takashita Emi , Sakai-Tagawa Yuko , Uraki Ryuta , Ito Mutsumi , Iwatsuki-Horimoto Kiyoko , Sasaki Tadahiro , Ikuta Kazuyoshi , Yamada Shinya , Kawaoka Yoshihiro 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSince the 2017 Southern Hemisphere influenza season, the A(H1N1)pdm09-like virus recommended for use in the vaccine was changed because human, but not ferret, sera distinguish A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses isolated after 2013 from the previously circulating strains. An amino acid substitution, lysine to glutamine, at position 166 (H3 numbering) in the major antigenic site of HA was reported to be responsible for the antigenic drift. Here, we obtained two anti-A(H1N1)pdm09 HA monoclonal antibodies that failed to neutralize viruses isolated after 2013 from a vaccinated volunteer. Escape mutations were identified at position 129, 165, or 166 in the major antigenic site of HA. Competitive growth of the escape mutant viruses with the wild-type virus revealed that some escape mutants possessing an amino acid substitution other than K166Q showed superior growth to that of the wild-type virus. These results suggest that in addition to the K166Q mutation that occurred in epidemic strains, other HA mutations can confer resistance to antibodies that recognize the K166 area, leading to emergence of epidemic strains with such mutations.
Entropy and Polarity Control the Partition and Transportation of Drug-like Molecules in Biological Membrane
Authors: Zhu Qiang , Lu Yilin , He Xibing , Liu Tao , Chen Hongwei , Wang Fang , Zheng Dong , Dong Hao , Ma Jing 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPartition and transportation of drug in the plasma membrane of a mammalian cell are the prerequisite for its function on target protein. Therefore, comprehensive understanding of the physicochemical properties and mechanism behind these complex phenomena is crucial in pharmaceutical research. By using the state-of-art molecular simulations with polarization effect implicitly or explicitly included, we studied the permeation behavior of 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), a broad-spectrum modulator for a number of membrane proteins. We showed that the protonation state and therefore the polarity of the drug is critical for its partition, and that the drug is likely to switch between different protonation states along its permeation pathway. By changing the degrees of freedom, protonation further affects the thermodynamic of the permeation pathway of 2-APB, leading to different entropic contributions. A survey on 54 analog structures with similar backbone to 2-APB showed that delicate balance between entropy and polarity plays an important role in drugs’ potency.
VEGFR2 alteration in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Cho Sun-Jung , Park Moon Ho , Han Changsu , Yoon Keejung , Koh Young Ho 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common disorder of progressive cognitive decline among elderly subjects. Angiogenesis-related factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) might be involved in the pathogenesis of AD. Soluble form of the VEGF receptor is likely to be an intrinsic negative counterpart of VEGF. We measured the plasma levels of VEGF and its two soluble receptors (sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2) in 120 control subjects, 75 patients with mild cognitive impairment, and 76 patients with AD using ELISA. Plasma levels of VEGF in patients with AD were higher than those in healthy control subjects. However, plasma levels of sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2 were lower in patients with AD than in healthy control subjects. Levels of VEGFR2 mRNA were significantly decreased in human umbilical vein endothelial cells after amyloid-beta treatment. Further, protein levels of VEGFR2 were also decreased in the brains of AD model mice. In addition, we show that the expression of sVEGFR2 and VEGFR2 was also decreased by the transfection with the Notch intracellular domain. These results indicate that the alterations of VEGF and its two receptors levels might be associated with those at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Impact of systematic urinary catheterization protocol in delivery room on covert postpartum urinary retention: a before-after study
Authors: Neron Mathias , Allègre Lucie , Huberlant Stéphanie , Mousty Eve , de Tayrac Renaud , Fatton Brigitte , Letouzey Vincent 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe investigated whether implementation of a routine catheterization procedure in labor improves covert postpartum urinary retention (cPUR) rates. We conducted a prospective before-after study. 121 women admitted to delivery room in the observational group, and 82 in the intervention group, in a tertiary university hospital in Southern France were included. All patients in the intervention group were systematically catheterized 2 hours after delivery. cPUR was screened for in both groups. The primary end-point was cPUR (post-void residual bladder volume >150 ml when voided volume is >150 mL). The rate of cPUR decreased from 50% (60 out of 121 patients) in the observational group to 17% (14/82) in the intervention group (OR = 0.21; 95% Confidence Interval [0.13;0.58]; p < 0.001). Similarly, in the subgroup of patients who underwent instrumental delivery, the rate of cPUR was lower in the intervention group (18%, 2/11) than in the observational group (65%, 15/23) (p = 0.02). Systematic intermittent bladder catheterization immediately postpartum could decrease cPUR. Further studies are necessary to assess the long-term outcomes and improve understanding of postpartum voiding dysfunction.
Aerobic exercise improves endothelial function and serum adropin levels in obese adolescents independent of body weight loss
Authors: Zhang Hao , Jiang Long , Yang Yu-Jing , Ge Ren-Kai , Zhou Ming , Hu Huan , Liu Hui , Cui Jie , Li Le-Liang , Dong Yi-Fei , Cheng Xiao-Shu , Chen Rong , Li Ping 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAdropin is a secreted protein that regulates endothelial function. However, adropin levels in obese adolescent patients are currently uncertain. Therefore, we evaluated the association between plasma adropin levels and vascular endothelial function and investigated the effect of aerobic exercise in obese adolescents. A total of 45 obese adolescents and 20 controls (age 16–19 years) were included in our study. The obese adolescents received 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training. Serum adropin was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Vascular reactive hyperemia indexes (RHIs) were obtained using Endo-PAT2000. Adropin levels and RHI were significantly lower in obese adolescents than in normal-weight adolescents. Adropin levels and RHI increased significantly independently of changes in body weight after an exercise intervention (P < 0.01). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that adropin levels positively correlated with HDL-C levels (r = 0.389, P < 0.01) and RHI (r = 0.32, P < 0.01). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that the insulin resistance index (t = −3.301, P < 0.01) and HDL-C level (t = 2.620, P = 0.011) were independent risk factors of adropin levels. In addition, Δadropin (t = 3.261, P < 0.01) was an independent influencing factor of ΔRHI. Our findings suggest that adropin plays an important role in vascular endothelial function in obese adolescents.
Effects of maternal and fetal LEP common variants on maternal glycemic traits in pregnancy
Authors: Lin Rong , Ju Hongfang , Yuan Ziyu , Zhang Caicai , Zeng Liangliang , Sun Yuantian , Su Zhenyu , Jin Li 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPrevious studies suggest that leptin (LEP) has an important role in glucose metabolism in the nonpregnant state. During pregnancy, circulating maternal concentrations of leptin rise significantly, mainly due to increased secretion of leptin from maternal adipose tissue and placenta. This study aimed to analyze the impact of maternal and fetal common LEP variants on glucose homeostasis in the pregnant state. Several glycemic traits, including fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin (FPI), and plasma glucose 1 hour after a 50-g oral glucose load, were measured in 1,112 unrelated Chinese Han pregnant women at 24–28 weeks gestation. Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) was used to assess beta cell function (HOMA1-β and HOMA2-β) and insulin resistance (HOMA1-IR and HOMA2-IR).The relationships between glycemic traits and 12 LEP variants were determined. After applying the Bonferroni correction, we detected that (1) maternal rs10954173 and fetal rs10244329 were associated with maternal FPI although the effect of fetal rs10244329 may be not independent of maternal rs10244329, and (2) maternal rs12537573 was associated with maternal FPI and HOMA2-IR. This study provides genetic evidence that both maternal and fetal LEP polymorphisms may affect maternal glucose metabolism in pregnancy.
The Immunoregulatory Activities of Activated Protein C in Inflammatory Disease
Authors: McDonnell Cormac , Soule Erin , Walsh Patrick , O'Donnell James , Preston Roger 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTissue injury prompts the initiation of host defense responses to limit blood loss, restrict pathogen entry, and promote repair. Biochemical and cellular pathways that lead to blood coagulation serve a fundamental role in generating a physical barrier at the wound site, but have also evolved to promote immune response to injury. Similarly, anticoagulant pathways that attenuate clot formation also regulate innate and adaptive immune responses. Of particular importance is activated protein C (APC) which serves as a principal regulator of thrombin generation, shapes the innate immune response to infection, and has been shown to contribute to the adaptive immune response in several preclinical models of autoimmune disease. APC controls blood coagulation by proteolytic degradation of procoagulant activated cofactors essential for fibrin clot development, but also cleaves multiple additional substrates and interacts with cell surface receptors to exert additional physiologically important roles. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms utilized by APC to limit inflammation and, in particular, current understanding of the basis for APC anticoagulant and signaling activities. In particular, we provide an overview of established and emerging signaling pathways initiated by APC on endothelial cells, monocytes, neutrophils, dendritic cells, and T cells to control and regulate immune cell physiology. Finally, we consider the impact of APC activity in the context of both acute and chronic inflammatory disease, and the continuing efforts to harness the immunoregulatory properties of recombinant APC for therapeutic use.
Inhibitors in Hemophilia: Treatment Challenges and Novel Options
Authors: Barg Assaf , Livnat Tami , Kenet Gili 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHemophilia A (HA) and hemophilia B (HB) are rare congenital severe bleeding disorders, that may be controlled by proper administration of adequate prophylaxis with factor VIII (FVIII), and factor IX (FIX) concentrates, respectively, to prevent joint damage due to recurrent bleeding. However, approximately 30% of patients develop inhibitory antibodies that render factor replacement therapy ineffective. Due to the high variability of patients' bleeding tendency, there is a need to “individually tailor treatment” for this unique group of patients. While replacement therapy with FVIII or FIX can be used for treating HA or HB patients with low responding inhibitors, hemophilia patients with high-responding inhibitors are treated with bypassing agents. Unfortunately, the Bethesda assay applied for inhibitor measurement in most laboratories does not fully predict either bleeding tendency or therapy response. Immune tolerance induction (ITI) may eradicate most inhibitors, yet treatment is challenging during bleeding episodes. The role of bypassing agents and their various treatment strategies still deserves attention. Recently, new nonreplacement therapies have emerged for patients with hemophilia including patients with inhibitors. Adequate monitoring of bypassing therapy and of the new nonreplacement therapies in inhibitor patients is extremely challenging, thus global hemostatic assays are increasingly used to assess clot formation. This review aims to summarize the current treatment and monitoring challenges for inhibitor patients; in this perspective, we will discuss our institutional approach for optimal decision-making and individual therapy tailoring.
Einsatz von Notärzten in Ländern mit Paramedic-System
Authors: Gretenkort Peter , Beneker Jörg , Dörges Volker , Sefrin Peter , Fischer Lutz , Riebandt Frank 
Published: December 2017

ZusammenfassungIn manchen Nachbarländern mit ursprünglich Paramedic-basiertem Rettungssystem wurde in den letzten Jahrzehnten der Bedarf nach einer prähospitalen notärztlichen Kompetenz erkannt. Ausgangsbedingungen und Lösungen waren dabei durchaus unterschiedlich. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt die Entwicklung in Großbritannien, Dänemark und den Niederlanden. Der Vergleich der Systeme kann bei der Bestimmung der aktuellen und zukünftigen Stellung des Notarztes in unserem deutschen Rettungssystem helfen.
Mikrobiologische Therapie bei rezidivierenden Harnwegsinfekten
Authors: Schnitzer Susanne 
Published: December 2017

SummaryEine Patientin kommt als Notfall mit starken Symptomen eines Harnwegsinfekts in die Praxis. Sie leidet seit 9 Monaten unter rezidivierenden, immer schwerer verlaufenden Harnwegsinfektionen, die bisher nur antibiotisch beherrscht werden konnten. In der mikroökologischen Diagnostik werden gravierende Milieustörungen festgestellt. Noch während der bereits laufenden Antibiose wird die mikrobiologische Therapie mit Bakterienpräparaten begonnen. Im weiteren Verlauf kommen insbesondere Autovaccine zum Einsatz. Durch die gezielte, dem Verlauf angepasste Anwendung mikrobiologischer Arzneimittel sowie der Vermeidung von Milchprodukten und glutenhaltigen Getreideprodukten stabilisiert sich die Situation, die Patientin erholt sich zusehends. Die Therapie wird später noch durch die lokale Anwendung naturidentischer Hormone ergänzt. Im Langzeitverlauf können weitere antibiotische Behandlungen nun vermieden werden.
Prähospitale Versorgung des Schädel-Hirn-Traumas
Authors: Freude Gregor , Mauer Uwe , Gässler Holger , Datzmann Thomas 
Published: December 2017

ZusammenfassungNach einem Schädel-Hirn-Trauma (SHT) soll zügig eine Computertomografie des Schädels (CCT) durchgeführt werden, um das Ausmaß einer intrakraniellen Verletzung zu beurteilen. Bei Vorliegen einer posttraumatischen Bewusstlosigkeit ist der direkte Transport in ein Traumazentrum mit neurochirurgischer Versorgungsmöglichkeit zu empfehlen. Kritische Blutungen am Kopf müssen gestillt werden. Bei einem Wert unter 9 auf der Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) soll intubiert und beatmet werden.
Plasmodium brasilianum ist Plasmodium malariae: Malaria-quartana-Parasiten im venezolanischen Amazonas
Authors: Metzger Wolfram , Vivas-Martínez Sarai 
Published: December 2017

ZUSAMMENFASSUNGWir untersuchten Malariaproben aus weit entlegenen Yanomamidörfern des venezolanischen Amazonas und sequenzierten Teile der kleinen ribosomalen Untereinheit (18S) und des Circumsporozoitenantigens (CSP). Zwölf Patienten waren Träger von Malaria-quartana-Plasmodien, deren 18S-Sequenz zu 100 % identisch war mit P. brasilianum des Roten Brüllaffen (Alouatta seniculus). Auch das CSP-Antigen zeigte identische Repeatregionen. Zum ersten Mal wurden als P. brasilianum bezeichnete Plasmodien in einer natürlich erworbenen Infektion des Menschen nachgewiesen. Wir stellen die Hypothese auf, dass Malaria-quartana-Parasiten zwischen Affe und Mensch leicht hin und her wechseln und keine Spezifizität für Säugerwirte zeigen. Quartane Malaria sollte als echte Anthropozoonose betrachtet werden. Da der Name P. brasilianum eine eigenständige Spezies suggeriert, schlagen wir eine nomenklatorische Revision vor. Das große Wirtsreservoir unterscheidet quartane Malaria von anderen Malariaarten und erfordert spezifische Forschungsansätze und Kontrollstrategien im Sinne des One-Health-Konzepts.
Solvent Extraction and GC-MS Analysis of Sesame Seeds for Determination of Bioactive Antioxidant Fatty Acid/Fatty Oil Components
Authors: Qadir Abdul , Ali Athar , Arif Muhammad , Al-Rohaimi Abdulmohsen , Singh Satya , Ahmad Usama , Khalid Mohd , Kumar Arun 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe seed kernels of Sesamum indicum L. (family: Pedaliaceae) were extracted with ethanol and yield of components determined by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The free radical scavenging activities of ethanolic extract against1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were determined by UV spectrophotometer at 517 nm. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of numerous bioactive compounds including steroids, phenolic, terpenoids, fatty acids and different types of ester compounds. The ethanolic extract was purified and analyzed by GC MS.The prevailing compounds found in ethanolic extract were Carvacrol (0.04%),Sesamol (0.11%), 4-Allyl-2-methoxy-phenol(0.04%),Palmitic acid (1.08%), cis-9-Hexadecenal (85.40%), Lineoleoyl chloride (0.52%), Palmitic acid β-monoglyceride (0.40%), Dihydro-aplotaxene (0.61%), Oleoyl chloride (1.11%), (+)-Sesamin (4.73%), 1,3-Benzodioxole, 5-[4-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yloxy)tetrahydro-1 H,3 H-furo [3,4-c]furan-1-yl], [1 S-(1,3,4,6α.), (2.01%)], 6-Nitrocholest-5-en-3-yl acetate (0.22%), Ergost-5-en-3β-ol (2.35%) and 24-Propylidenecholesterol (0.16%). The presence ofsaturated and unsaturated fatty acids in ethanolicextract justifies the use of this plant to treat many ailments in folk and traditional medicine. Ethanolic extract have shown significant antioxidant activity(IC50120.38±2.8 µg/ml). The presence of phenolic (Sesamol), lignin (Sesamin) compounds and unsaturated fatty acids are reported as possible contributor for antioxidantactivity of seed extract.
Resource limitation prevents the emergence of drug resistance by intensifying within-host competition
Authors: Wale Nina , Sim Derek G. , Jones Matthew J. , Salathe Rahel , Day Troy , Read Andrew F. 
Published: December 2017

Significance
Antimicrobial drug resistance is set to kill millions in the coming decades. Finding new drugs is one solution, but might it also be possible to prevent the emergence of drug resistance in the first place? We show that the emergence of drug resistance can be prevented by reducing the availability of a nutrient for which drug-resistant parasites are especially hungry. Rather than killing parasites, this intervention works by harnessing ecological interactions: With resistant parasites struggling to replicate, susceptible parasites outcompete them before they can emerge. Since resource-limiting drugs can be rationally designed and do not need to be lethal, it may be easier to find them than new, traditional drugs.