bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
No evidence for manipulation of Anopheles gambiae, An. coluzzii and An. arabiensis host preference by Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Nguyen Phuong L. , Vantaux Amélie , Hien Domonbabele FdS , Dabiré Kounbobr R. , Yameogo Bienvenue K. , Gouagna Louis-Clément , Fontenille Didier , Renaud François , Simard Frédéric , Costantini Carlo , Thomas Fréderic , Cohuet Anna , Lefèvre Thierry 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWhether malaria parasites can manipulate mosquito host choice in ways that enhance parasite transmission toward suitable hosts and/or reduce mosquito attraction to unsuitable hosts (i.e. specific manipulation) is unknown. To address this question, we experimentally infected three species of mosquito vectors with wild isolates of the human malaria parasitePlasmodium falciparum, and examined the effects of immature and mature infections on mosquito behavioural responses to combinations of calf odour, human odour and outdoor air using a dual-port olfactometer. Regardless of parasite developmental stage and mosquito species,P. falciparuminfection did not alter mosquito activation rate or their choice for human odours. The overall expression pattern of host choice of all three mosquito species was consistent with a high degree of anthropophily, with infected and uninfected individuals showing higher attraction toward human odour over calf odour, human odour over outdoor air, and outdoor air over calf odour. Our results suggest that, in this system, the parasite may not be able to manipulate the early long-range behavioural steps involved in the mosquito host-feeding process. Future studies are required to test whether malaria parasites can modify their mosquito host choice at a shorter range to enhance transmission.
Routes to probe Bismuth induced strong-coupling superconductivity in bimetallic BiIn alloys
Authors: Gandhi Ashish Chhaganlal , Wu Sheng Yun 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe report the observation of strong electron-phonon coupling in intergranular linked BiIn superconductors over an infinite range mediated by low-lying phonons. An enhanced superconducting transition temperature was observed from the magnetization, revealing a main diamagnetic Meissner state below TC(0) = 5.86(1) K and a critical field HC(0) = 1355(15) Oe with an In2Bi phase of the composite sample. The electron-phonon coupling to low lying phonons is found to be the leading mechanism for observed strong-coupling superconductivity in the BiIn system. Our findings suggest that In2Bi is in the strong-coupling region with TC(0) = 5.62(1) K, λep = 1.45, ωln = 45.92 K and α = 2.23. The estimated upper critical field can be well-described by a power law with α value higher than 2, consistent with the strong electron-phonon coupling.
Microtubules Modulate F-actin Dynamics during Neuronal Polarization
Authors: Zhao Bing , Meka Durga Praveen , Scharrenberg Robin , König Theresa , Schwanke Birgit , Kobler Oliver , Windhorst Sabine , Kreutz Michael R. , Mikhaylova Marina , Calderon de Anda Froylan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNeuronal polarization is reflected by different dynamics of microtubule and filamentous actin (F-actin). Axonal microtubules are more stable than those in the remaining neurites, while dynamics of F-actin in axonal growth cones clearly exceed those in their dendritic counterparts. However, whether a functional interplay exists between the microtubule network and F-actin dynamics in growing axons and whether this interplay is instrumental for breaking cellular symmetry is currently unknown. Here, we show that an increment on microtubule stability or number of microtubules is associated with increased F-actin dynamics. Moreover, we show that Drebrin E, an F-actin and microtubule plus-end binding protein, mediates this cross talk. Drebrin E segregates preferentially to growth cones with a higher F-actin treadmilling rate, where more microtubule plus-ends are found. Interruption of the interaction of Drebrin E with microtubules decreases F-actin dynamics and arrests neuronal polarization. Collectively the data show that microtubules modulate F-actin dynamics for initial axon extension during neuronal development.
Light-independent phospholipid scramblase activity of bacteriorhodopsin from Halobacterium salinarum
Authors: Verchère Alice , Ou Wei-Lin , Ploier Birgit , Morizumi Takefumi , Goren Michael A. , Bütikofer Peter , Ernst Oliver P. , Khelashvili George , Menon Anant K. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe retinylidene protein bacteriorhodopsin (BR) is a heptahelical light-dependent proton pump found in the purple membrane of the archaeon Halobacterium salinarum. We now show that when reconstituted into large unilamellar vesicles, purified BR trimers exhibit light-independent lipid scramblase activity, thereby facilitating transbilayer exchange of phospholipids between the leaflets of the vesicle membrane at a rate >10,000 per trimer per second. This activity is comparable to that of recently described scramblases including bovine rhodopsin and fungal TMEM16 proteins. Specificity tests reveal that BR scrambles fluorescent analogues of common phospholipids but does not transport a glycosylated diphosphate isoprenoid lipid. In silico analyses suggest that membrane-exposed polar residues in transmembrane helices 1 and 2 of BR may provide the molecular basis for lipid translocation by coordinating the polar head-groups of transiting phospholipids. Consistent with this possibility, extensive coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of a BR trimer in an explicit phospholipid membrane revealed water penetration along transmembrane helix 1 with the cooperation of a polar residue (Y147 in transmembrane helix 5) in the adjacent protomer. These results suggest that the lipid translocation pathway may lie at or near the interface of the protomers of a BR trimer.
3D Printing of Polymer-Bonded Rare-Earth Magnets With a Variable Magnetic Compound Fraction for a Predefined Stray Field
Authors: Huber Christian , Abert Claas , Bruckner Florian , Groenefeld Martin , Schuschnigg Stephan , Teliban Iulian , Vogler Christoph , Wautischer Gregor , Windl Roman , Suess Dieter 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAdditive manufacturing of polymer-bonded magnets is a recently developed technique, for single-unit production, and for structures that have been impossible to manufacture previously. Also, new possibilities to create a specific stray field around the magnet are triggered. The current work presents a method to 3D print polymer-bonded magnets with a variable magnetic compound fraction distribution. This means the saturation magnetization can be adjusted during the printing process to obtain a required external field of the manufactured magnets. A low-cost, end-user 3D printer with a mixing extruder is used to mix permanent magnetic filaments with pure polyamide (PA12) filaments. The magnetic filaments are compounded, extruded, and characterized for the printing process. To deduce the quality of the manufactured magnets with a variable magnetic compound fraction, an inverse stray field framework is developed. The effectiveness of the printing process and the simulation method is shown. It can also be used to manufacture magnets that produce a predefined stray field in a given region. This opens new possibilities for magnetic sensor applications. This setup and simulation framework allows the design and manufacturing of polymer-bonded permanent magnets, which are impossible to create with conventional methods.
Synthetic analogs of an Entamoeba histolytica glycolipid designed to combat intracellular Leishmania infection
Authors: Choy Siew Ling , Bernin Hannah , Aiba Toshihiko , Bifeld Eugenia , Lender Sarah Corinna , Mühlenpfordt Melina , Noll Jill , Eick Julia , Marggraff Claudia , Niss Hanno , Roldán Nestor González , Tanaka Shinji , Kitamura Masato , Fukase Koichi , Clos Joachim , Tannich Egbert , Fujimoto Yukari , Lotter Hannelore 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIntracellular pathogens belonging to the genus Leishmania have developed effective strategies that enable them to survive within host immune cells. Immunostimulatory compounds that counteract such immunological escape mechanisms represent promising treatment options for diseases. Here, we demonstrate that a lipopeptidephosphoglycan (LPPG) isolated from the membrane of a protozoan parasite, Entamoeba histolytica (Eh), shows considerable immunostimulatory effects targeted against Leishmania (L.) major, a representative species responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Treatment led to a marked reduction in the number of intracellular Leishmania parasites in vitro, and ameliorated CL in a mouse model. We next designed and synthesized analogs of the phosphatidylinositol anchors harbored by EhLPPG; two of these analogs reproduced the anti-leishmanial activity of the native compound by inducing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The use of such compounds, either alone or as a supportive option, might improve the currently unsatisfactory treatment of CL and other diseases caused by pathogen-manipulated immune responses.
Untargeted metabolomic analysis in naturally occurring canine diabetes mellitus identifies similarities to human Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: O’Kell Allison L. , Garrett Timothy J. , Wasserfall Clive , Atkinson Mark A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWhile predominant as a disease entity, knowledge voids exist regarding the pathogenesis of canine diabetes. To test the hypothesis that diabetic dogs have similar metabolomic perturbations to humans with type 1 diabetes (T1D), we analyzed serum metabolomic profiles of breed- and body weight-matched, diabetic (n = 6) and healthy (n = 6) dogs by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) profiling. We report distinct clustering of diabetic and control groups based on heat map analysis of known and unknown metabolites. Random forest classification identified 5/6 dogs per group correctly with overall out of bag error rate = 16.7%. Diabetic dogs demonstrated significant upregulation of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis intermediates (e.g., glucose/fructose, C6H12O6, keto-hexose, deoxy-hexose, (P < 0.01)), with significant downregulation of tryptophan metabolism metabolites (e.g., picolinic acid, indoxyl sulfate, anthranilate, (P < 0.01)). Multiple amino acids (AA), AA metabolites, and bile acids were also significantly lower in diabetic versus healthy dogs (P < 0.05) with the exception of the branched chain AA valine, which was elevated in diabetic animals (P < 0.05). Metabolomic profiles in diabetic versus healthy dogs shared similarities with those reported in human T1D (e.g., alterations in glycolysis/gluconeogensis metabolites, bile acids, and elevated branched chain AA). Further studies are warranted to evaluate the utility of canine diabetes to provide novel mechanistic insights to the human disorder.
Size effects of lamellar twins on the strength and deformation mechanisms of nanocrystalline hcp cobalt
Authors: Wang Wen , Yuan Fuping , Jiang Ping , Wu Xiaolei 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTwins play an important role in the deformation of nanocrystalline (NC) metals. The size effects of {$$10\bar{1}2$$
10

1
¯

2
} tensile/{$$10\bar{1}1$$
10

1
¯

1
} compressive lamellar twins on the tensile strength and deformation mechanisms of NC hcp cobalt have been investigated by a series of large-scale molecular dynamics simulations. Unlike the size effects of twins on the strength for polycrystalline fcc metals, the strength of NC hcp cobalt with lamellar tensile/compressive twins monotonically increases with decreasing twin boundary spacing (TBS) and no softening stage is observed, which is due to the consistent deformation mechanisms no matter TBS is large or small. These consistent deformation mechanisms can be categorized into four types of strengthening mechanisms: (i) Partial basal dislocations nucleated from grain boundaries (GBs) or twin boundaries (TBs) intersecting with TBs/GBs; (ii) Phase transformation from hcp to fcc; (iii) <c + a> partial edge dislocations nucleated from TBs intersecting with basal partial dislocations; (iv) Growth of the newly formed secondary tensile twins inside the primary compressive/tensile twins. The observed multiple twinning in MD simulations has also been confirmed by TEM after tensile testing in NC cobalt processed by severe plastic deformation.
US-Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency versus Microwave Ablation for Benign Thyroid Nodules: A Prospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Cheng Zhigang , Che Ying , Yu Songyuan , Wang Shurong , Teng Dengke , Xu Huixiong , Li Jianwei , Sun Desheng , Han Zhiyu , Liang Ping 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCompared with microwave ablation (MWA), percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and laser ablation (LA) have been recommended as minimally invasive treatments for patients with symptomatic benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) because of the large number of clinical applications. This prospective multicenter study sought to evaluate the clinical outcomes of RFA and MWA for BTNs. In eight participating institutions, the total number of 1252 patients treated by RFA and MWA were 649 ones with 687 BTNs and 603 ones with 664 BTNs, respectively. The clinical outcomes including the nodular maximal diameter reduction ratio (MDRR), the nodular volume reduction ratio (VRR), and the incidence of complications were compared to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the two techniques. The results for the nodular MDRR and VRR in the RFA group were significantly better than those in the MWA group at 6 months and later follow-up, and the major complication rates of 4.78% and 6.63% in RFA and MWA groups showed no statistically significant differences. In conclusion, both RFA and MWA are safe and effective techniques for selected patients with symptomatic BTNs. The achieved MDRR and VRR in the RFA group were greater than those in the MWA group at 6 months and later follow-up.
Early markers of cardiovascular disease are associated with occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Alhamdow Ayman , Lindh Christian , Albin Maria , Gustavsson Per , Tinnerberg Håkan , Broberg Karin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractOccupational exposure to soot, rich in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, our knowledge about PAH exposure and early markers of CVD remains limited. In this cross-sectional study of 151 chimney sweeps and 152 controls, we investigated occupational exposure to PAH and early markers of CVD. Blood pressure (BP) (chimney sweeps only), urinary PAH metabolites and serum biomarkers were measured (C-reactive protein, homocysteine, gamma-glutamyltransferase, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides). Chimney sweeps had up to 7 times higher concentrations of PAH metabolites in urine than controls (P < 0.001): median concentrations (adjusted for specific gravity) for 1-hydroxypyrene, 2-hydroxyphenanthrene, 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene, and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]anthracene were 0.56 µg/L, 0.78 µg/L, 4.75 ng/L, and 6.28 ng/L, respectively. Compared with controls, chimney sweeps had increased homocysteine, cholesterol, and HDL (β = 3.4 µmol/L, 0.43 mmol/L, and 0.13 mmol/L, respectively, P ≤ 0.003, adjusted for age, BMI, and smoking). In chimney sweeps, PAH metabolites correlated positively with the percentage of soot sweeping (P < 0.001). 2-hydroxyphenanthrene, 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene, and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]anthracene were positively associated with diastolic BP (P < 0.044, adjusted for age, BMI, and smoking). PAH exposure among chimney sweeps resulted in elevated levels of markers for CVD risk. These findings stress the need to reduce occupational exposure to PAH.
Neonatal umbilical cord blood transplantation halts skeletal disease progression in the murine model of MPS-I
Authors: Azario Isabella , Pievani Alice , Del Priore Federica , Antolini Laura , Santi Ludovica , Corsi Alessandro , Cardinale Lucia , Sawamoto Kazuki , Kubaski Francyne , Gentner Bernhard , Bernardo Maria Ester , Valsecchi Maria Grazia , Riminucci Mara , Tomatsu Shunji , Aiuti Alessandro , Biondi Andrea , Serafini Marta 
Published: August 2017

AbstractUmbilical cord blood (UCB) is a promising source of stem cells to use in early haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) approaches for several genetic diseases that can be diagnosed at birth. Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS-I) is a progressive multi-system disorder caused by deficiency of lysosomal enzyme α-L-iduronidase, and patients treated with allogeneic HSCT at the onset have improved outcome, suggesting to administer such therapy as early as possible. Given that the best characterized MPS-I murine model is an immunocompetent mouse, we here developed a transplantation system based on murine UCB. With the final aim of testing the therapeutic efficacy of UCB in MPS-I mice transplanted at birth, we first defined the features of murine UCB cells and demonstrated that they are capable of multi-lineage haematopoietic repopulation of myeloablated adult mice similarly to bone marrow cells. We then assessed the effectiveness of murine UCB cells transplantation in busulfan-conditioned newborn MPS-I mice. Twenty weeks after treatment, iduronidase activity was increased in visceral organs of MPS-I animals, glycosaminoglycans storage was reduced, and skeletal phenotype was ameliorated. This study explores a potential therapy for MPS-I at a very early stage in life and represents a novel model to test UCB-based transplantation approaches for various diseases.
Cross sectional evaluation of the gut-microbiome metabolome axis in an Italian cohort of IBD patients
Authors: Santoru Maria Laura , Piras Cristina , Murgia Antonio , Palmas Vanessa , Camboni Tania , Liggi Sonia , Ibba Ivan , Lai Maria Antonia , Orrù Sandro , Blois Sylvain , Loizedda Anna Lisa , Griffin Julian Leether , Usai Paolo , Caboni Pierluigi , Atzori Luigi , Manzin Aldo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract of uncertain origin, which includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). The composition of gut microbiota may change in IBD affected individuals, but whether dysbiosis is the cause or the consequence of inflammatory processes in the intestinal tissue is still unclear. Here, the composition of the microbiota and the metabolites in stool of 183 subjects (82 UC, 50 CD, and 51 healthy controls) were determined. The metabolites content and the microbiological profiles were significantly different between IBD and healthy subjects. In the IBD group, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Fusobacteria were significantly increased, whereas Bacteroidetes and Cyanobacteria were decreased. At genus level Escherichia, Faecalibacterium, Streptococcus, Sutterella and Veillonella were increased, whereas Bacteroides, Flavobacterium, and Oscillospira decreased. Various metabolites including biogenic amines, amino acids, lipids, were significantly increased in IBD, while others, such as two B group vitamins, were decreased in IBD compared to healthy subjects. This study underlines the potential role of an inter-omics approach in understanding the metabolic pathways involved in IBD. The combined evaluation of metabolites and fecal microbiome can be useful to discriminate between healthy subjects and patients with IBD.
Ammonia plasma-treated electrospun polyacrylonitryle nanofibrous membrane: the robust substrate for protein immobilization through glutaraldhyde coupling chemistry for biosensor application
Authors: Mahmoudifard Matin , Soleimani Masoud , Vossoughi Manuchehr 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe surface of polyacrylonitrile electrospun nanofibrous membrane (PAN NFM) was aminated by the ammonia plasma treatment. The content of amine groups has been estimated for different time of plasma treatment. The newly generated amine groups were successfully activated by glutaraldehyde (Ga) for the covalent attachment of the protein molecules on the NFM surface. Bio-functionalization of ammonia plasma treated PAN NFM was carried out by the primary antibodies (Ab) immobilization as a protein model through Ga coupling chemistry. For comparison, the immobilization of Ab was also performed through physical interactions. Attenuated total reflection-fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) was used for the characterization of surface functional groups of PAN NFM after different modifications. The surface morphology of the NFM after immobilization was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The efficacy of Ab immobilization was estimated by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) method. X- Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was performed to confirm the covalent immobilization of Ab on the modified PAN NFM. Results show that ammonia plasma treatment effectively increased the amount of Ab immobilization through Ga coupling chemistry. Our findings suggest that this is a versatile model for the preparation of stable bio-functionalized NFM which is applicable in different field of biomedical science.
Engineering of versatile redox partner fusions that support monooxygenase activity of functionally diverse cytochrome P450s
Authors: Bakkes Patrick J. , Riehm Jan L. , Sagadin Tanja , Rühlmann Ansgar , Schubert Peter , Biemann Stefan , Girhard Marco , Hutter Michael C. , Bernhardt Rita , Urlacher Vlada B. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMost bacterial cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s or CYPs) require two redox partner proteins for activity. To reduce complexity of the redox chain, the Bacillus subtilis flavodoxin YkuN (Y) was fused to the Escherichia coli flavodoxin reductase Fpr (R), and activity was tuned by placing flexible (GGGGS)n or rigid ([E/L]PPPP)n linkers (n = 1–5) in between. P-linker constructs typically outperformed their G-linker counterparts, with superior performance of YR-P5, which carries linker ([E/L]PPPP)5. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that ([E/L]PPPP)n linkers are intrinsically rigid, whereas (GGGGS)n linkers are highly flexible and biochemical experiments suggest a higher degree of separation between the fusion partners in case of long rigid P-linkers. The catalytic properties of the individual redox partners were best preserved in the YR-P5 construct. In comparison to the separate redox partners, YR-P5 exhibited attenuated rates of NADPH oxidation and heme iron (III) reduction, while coupling efficiency was improved (28% vs. 49% coupling with B. subtilis CYP109B1, and 44% vs. 50% with Thermobifida fusca CYP154E1). In addition, YR-P5 supported monooxygenase activity of the CYP106A2 from Bacillus megaterium and bovine CYP21A2. The versatile YR-P5 may serve as a non-physiological electron transfer system for exploitation of the catalytic potential of other P450s.