bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microbial communities in placentas from term normal pregnancy exhibit spatially variable profiles
Authors: Parnell Lindsay A. , Briggs Catherine M. , Cao Bin , Delannoy-Bruno Omar , Schrieffer Andrew E. , Mysorekar Indira U. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe placenta is the principal organ nurturing the fetus during pregnancy and was traditionally considered to be sterile. Recent work has suggested that the placenta harbours microbial communities, however the location and possible function of these microbes remain to be confirmed and elucidated. Here, we employed genomic DNA sequencing of multiple variable (V) regions of the bacterial 16S ribosomal gene, to interrogate microbial profiles in term pregnancies, from the basal plate, which is in direct contact with maternal uterine, endothelial, and immune cells; placental villi, which are bathed in maternal blood, and fetal membranes, which encapsulate the amniotic cavity. QIIME, R package “Phyloseq” analysis was used to assess alpha and beta diversity and absolute abundance of the 16S rRNA gene per location. We demonstrate that (1) microbiota exhibit spatially distinct profiles depending on the location within the placenta and (2) “semi-composite” 16S profiles using multiple V regions validated by quantitative PCR analysis confirmed that distinct bacterial taxa dominate in different placental niches. Finally, profiles are not altered by mode of delivery. Together these findings suggest that there is niche-specificity to the placental microbiota and placental microbiome studies should consider regional differences, which may affect maternal, fetal, and/or neonatal health and physiology.
Direct laser writing of a new type of waveguides in silver containing glasses
Authors: Abou Khalil Alain , Bérubé Jean-Philippe , Danto Sylvain , Desmoulin Jean-Charles , Cardinal Thierry , Petit Yannick , Vallée Réal , Canioni Lionel 
Published: September 2017

AbstractDirect laser writing in glasses is a growing field of research in photonics since it provides a robust and efficient way to directly address 3D material structuring. Generally, direct laser writing in glasses induces physical modifications such as refractive index changes that have been classified under three different types (Type I, II & III). In a silver-containing zinc phosphate glass, direct laser writing additionally proceeds via the formation of silver clusters at the periphery of the interaction voxel. In this paper, we introduce a novel type of refractive index modification based on the creation of the photo-induced silver clusters allowing the inscription of a new type of optical waveguides. Various waveguides as well as a 50–50 beam splitter were written inside bulk glasses and characterized. The waveguiding properties observed in the bulk of such silver-containing glass samples were further transposed to ribbon shaped fibers made of the same material. Our results pave the way for the fabrication of 3D integrated circuits and fiber sensors with original fluorescent, nonlinear optical and plasmonic properties. The universality of these new findings should further extend in any silver-containing glasses that show similar laser-induced behavior in terms of silver cluster production.
Ultraviolet Radiation-Induced Production of Nitric Oxide:A multi-cell and multi-donor analysis
Authors: Holliman Graham , Lowe Donna , Cohen Howard , Felton Sarah , Raj Ken 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIncreasing evidence regarding positive effects of exposure to sunlight has led to suggestions that current advice may be overly weighted in favour of avoidance. UV-A has been reported to lower blood pressure, possibly through nitric oxide (NO) production in skin. Here, we set out to investigate effects of UV-A and solar-simulated radiation on the potential source of dermal NO, the effective doses and wavelengths, the responsiveness of different human skin cells, the magnitude of inter-individual differences and the potential influence of age. We utilised isogenic keratinocytes, microvascular endothelial cells, melanocytes and fibroblasts isolated from 36 human skins ranging from neonates to 86 years old. We show that keratinocytes and microvascular endothelial cells show greatest NO release following biologically relevant doses of UV-A. This was consistent across multiple neonatal donors and the effect is maintained in adult keratinocytes. Our observations are consistent with a bi-phasic mechanism by which UV-A can trigger vasodilatory effects. Analyses of NO-production spectra adds further evidence that nitrites in skin cells are the source of UV-mediated NO release. These potentially positive effects of ultraviolet radiation lend support for objective assessment of environmental influence on human health and the idea of “healthy sun exposure”.
Analyzing intrinsic plasmonic chirality by tracking the interplay of electric and magnetic dipole modes
Authors: Hu Li , Huang Yingzhou , Pan Lujun , Fang Yurui 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPlasmonic chirality represents significant potential for novel nanooptical devices due to its association with strong chiroptical responses. Previous reports on plasmonic chirality mechanism mainly focus on phase retardation and coupling. In this paper, we propose a model similar to the chiral molecules for explaining the intrinsic plasmonic chirality mechanism of varies 3D chiral structures quantitatively based on the interplay and mixing of electric and magnetic dipole modes (directly from electromagnetic field numerical simulations), which forms mixed electric and magnetic polarizability.
Theta waves in children’s waking electroencephalogram resemble local aspects of sleep during wakefulness
Authors: Fattinger Sara , Kurth Salome , Ringli Maya , Jenni Oskar G. , Huber Reto 
Published: September 2017

AbstractVyazovskiy and colleagues found in rats’ multi-unit recordings brief periods of silence (off-states) in local populations of cortical neurons during wakefulness which closely resembled the characteristic off-states during sleep. These off-states became more global and frequent with increasing sleep pressure and were associated with the well-known increase of theta activity under sleep deprivation in the surface EEG. Moreover, the occurrence of such off-states was related to impaired performance. While these animal experiments were based on intracranial recordings, we aimed to explore whether the human surface EEG may also provide evidence for such a local sleep-like intrusion during wakefulness. Thus, we analysed high-density wake EEG recordings during an auditory attention task in the morning and evening in 12 children. We found that, theta waves became more widespread in the evening and the occurrence of widespread theta waves was associated with slower reaction times in the attention task. These results indicate that widespread theta events measured on the scalp might be markers of local sleep in humans. Moreover, such markers of local sleep, seem to be related to the well described performance decline under high sleep pressure.
Multi-characterization of LiCoO2 cathode films using advanced AFM-based techniques with high resolution
Authors: Wu Jiaxiong , Yang Shan , Cai Wei , Bi Zhuanfang , Shang Guangyi , Yao Junen 
Published: September 2017

AbstarctThe thin film Li-ion batteries have been extensively used in micro-electronic devices due to their miniaturization, high capacity density and environmental friendliness, etc. In order to further prolong the lifetime of the film batteries, one of important tasks is to explore the aging mechanisms of the cathode films. In this paper, we especially focused on the multi-characterization of the LiCoO2 film in nanoscale, which is carried out by combining advanced AFM-based techniques with capacity measurement. The surface morphology, contact stiffness as well as surface potential were measured by amplitude modulation-frequency modulation (AM-FM) and kelvin probe force microscope (KPFM), respectively. Remarkable changes after different numbers of charge/discharge cycling were observed and the intrinsic reasons of them were discussed in detail. To acknowledge the relationship with these microscopic changes, the macro-capacity of the thin films was also measured by the galvanostatic charge/discharge method. These comprehensive results would provide a deep insight into the fading mechanism of the cathode film, being helpful for the design and selection of the cathode film materials for high performance batteries.
Role of sonication pre-treatment and cation valence in the sol-gel transition of nano-cellulose suspensions
Authors: Maestri C. A. , Abrami M. , Hazan S. , Chistè E. , Golan Y. , Rohrer J. , Bernkop-Schnürch A. , Grassi M. , Scarpa M. , Bettotti P. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSol-gel transition of carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals has been investigated using rheology, SAXS, NMR and optical spectroscopies to unveil the distinctive roles of ultrasound treatments and addition of various cations. Besides cellulose fiber fragmentation, sonication treatment induces fast gelling of the solution. The gelation is independent of the addition of cations, while the final rheological properties are highly influenced by the type, concentration and sequence of the operations since the cations must be added prior to sonication to produce stiff gels. The gel elastic modulus was found to increase proportionally to the ionic charge rather than the cationic size. In cases where ions were added after sonication, SAXS analysis of the Na+ hydrogel and Ca2+ hydrogel indicated the presence of structurally ordered domains in which water is confined, and 1H-NMR investigation showed the dynamics of water exchange within the hydrogels. Conversely, separated phases containing essentially free water were characteristic of the hydrogels obtained by sonication after Ca2+ addition, confirming that this ion induces irreversible fiber aggregation. The rheological properties of the hydrogels depend on the duration of the ultrasound treatments, enabling the design of programmed materials with tailored energy dissipation response.
Functional characterization of Vip3Ab1 and Vip3Bc1: Two novel insecticidal proteins with differential activity against lepidopteran pests
Authors: Zack Marc D. , Sopko Megan S. , Frey Meghan L. , Wang Xiujuan , Tan Sek Yee , Arruda Jennifer M. , Letherer Ted T. , Narva Kenneth E. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn this work, we characterized 2 novel insecticidal proteins; Vip3Ab1 and Vip3Bc1. These proteins display unique insecticidal spectra and have differential rates of processing by lepidopteran digestive enzymes. Furthermore, we have found that both proteins exist as tetramers in their native state before and after proteolysis. In addition, we expressed truncated forms and protein chimeras to gain a deeper understanding of toxin specificity and stability. Our study confirms a role for the C-terminal 65 kDa domain in directing insect specificity. Importantly, these data also indicate a specific interaction between the 20 kDa amino terminus and 65 kDa carboxy terminus, after proteolytic processing. We demonstrate the C-terminal 65 kDa to be labile in native proteolytic conditions in absence of the 20 kDa N-terminus. Thus, the 20 kDa fragment functions to provide stability to the C-terminal domain, which is necessary for lethal toxicity against lepidopteran insects.
T-cell tolerance and exhaustion in the clearance of Echinococcus multilocularis: role of inoculum size in a quantitative hepatic experimental model
Authors: Zhang Chuanshan , Shao Yingmei , Yang Shuting , Bi Xiaojuan , Li Liang , Wang Hui , Yang Ning , Li Zhide , Sun Cheng , Li Liang , Lü Guodong , Aji Tuerganaili , Vuitton Dominique A. , Lin Renyong , Wen Hao 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe local immune mechanisms responsible for either self-healing or sustained chronic infection are not clear, in the development ofE. multilocularislarvae. Here, we developed a suitable experimental model that mimics naturally infected livers, according to the parasite load. We demonstrated that local cellular immunity and fibrogenesis are actually protective and fully able to limit metacestode growth in the liver of low or medium dose-infected mice (LDG or MDG), or even to clear it, while impairment of cellular immunity is followed by a more rapid and severe course of the disease in high dose-infected mice (HDG). And recruitment and/ or proliferation of memory T cells (including CD4 Tem, CD8 Tcm and CD8 Tem) and imbalance of T1/T2/T17/Treg-type T cells in liver were not only associated with clearance of the parasite infection in LDG, but also with increased hepatic injury in HDG; in particular the dual role of CD8 T cells depending on the parasite load and the various stages of metacestode growth. Besides, we first demonstrate the association between LAG3- or 2B4-expressing T cells exhaustion and HD inocula in late stages. Our quantitative experimental model appears fully appropriate to study immunomodulation as a therapeutic strategy for patients with Alveolar Echinococcosis.
Prognostic significance of high GFI1 expression in AML of normal karyotype and its association with a FLT3-ITD signature
Authors: Volpe Giacomo , Walton David S. , Grainger David E. , Ward Carl , Cauchy Pierre , Blakemore Daniel , Coleman Daniel J. L. , Cockerill Peter N. , Garcia Paloma , Frampton Jon 
Published: September 2017

AbstractGrowth Factor Independence 1 (GFI1) is a transcriptional repressor that plays a critical role during both myeloid and lymphoid haematopoietic lineage commitment. Several studies have demonstrated the involvement of GFI1 in haematological malignancies and have suggested that low expression of GFI1 is a negative indicator of disease progression for both myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). In this study, we have stratified AML patients into those defined as having a normal karyotype (CN-AML). Unlike the overall pattern in AML, those patients with CN-AML have a poorer survival rate when GFI1 expression is high. In this group, high GFI1 expression is paralleled by higher FLT3 expression, and, even when the FLT3 gene is not mutated, exhibit a FLT3-ITD signature of gene expression. Knock-down of GFI1 expression in the human AML Fujioka cell line led to a decrease in the level of FLT3 RNA and protein and to the down regulation of FLT3-ITD signature genes, thus linking two major prognostic indicators for AML.
Seasonal variation of the dominant allergenic fungal aerosols – One year study from southern Indian region
Authors: Priyamvada Hema , Singh Raj Kamal , Akila M. , Ravikrishna R. , Verma Rama Shanker , Gunthe Sachin S. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractQuantitative estimations of fungal aerosols are important to understand their role in causing respiratory diseases to humans especially in the developing and highly populated countries. In this study we sampled and quantified the three most dominantly found allergenic airborne fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Alternaria alternata from ambient PM10 samples using the quantitative PCR (qPCR) technique in a southern tropical Indian region, for one full year. Highest concentrations of A. fumigatus and C. cladosporioides were observed during monsoon whereas A. alternata displayed an elevated concentration in winter. The meteorological parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and precipitation exhibited a substantial influence on the atmospheric concentrations of allergenic fungal aerosols. The morphological features of various allergenic fungal spores present in the PM10 were investigated and the spores were found to possess distinct structural features. In a maiden attempt over this region we correlate the ambient fungal concentrations with the epidemiological allergy occurrence to obtain firsthand and preliminary information about the causative fungal allergen to the inhabitants exposed to bioaerosols. Our findings may serve as an important reference to atmospheric scientists, aero-biologists, doctors, and general public.
An Affordable Wet Chemical Route to Grow Conducting Hybrid Graphite-Diamond Nanowires: Demonstration by A Single Nanowire Device
Authors: Shellaiah Muthaiah , Chen Tin Hao , Simon Turibius , Li Liang-Chen , Sun Kien Wen , Ko Fu-Hsiang 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe report an affordable wet chemical route for the reproducible hybrid graphite-diamond nanowires (G-DNWs) growth from cysteamine functionalized diamond nanoparticles (ND-Cys) via pH induced self-assembly, which has been visualized through SEM and TEM images. Interestingly, the mechanistic aspects behind that self-assembly directed G-DNWs formation was discussed in details. Notably, above self-assembly was validated by AFM and TEM data. Further interrogations by XRD and Raman data were revealed the possible graphite sheath wrapping over DNWs. Moreover, the HR-TEM studies also verified the coexistence of less perfect sp2 graphite layer wrapped over the sp3 diamond carbon and the impurity channels as well. Very importantly, conductivity of hybrid G-DNWs was verified via fabrication of a single G-DNW. Wherein, the better conductivity of G-DNW portion L2 was found as 2.4 ± 1.92 × 10−6 mS/cm and revealed its effective applicability in near future. In addition to note, temperature dependent carrier transport mechanisms and activation energy calculations were reported in details in this work. Ultimately, to demonstrate the importance of our conductivity measurements, the possible mechanism behind the electrical transport and the comparative account on electrical resistivities of carbon based materials were provided.
Synchronous precipitation reduction in the American Tropics associated with Heinrich 2
Authors: Medina-Elizalde Martín , Burns Stephen J. , Polanco-Martinez Josué , Lases-Hernández Fernanda , Bradley Raymond , Wang Hao-Cheng , Shen Chuan-Chou 
Published: September 2017

AbstractDuring the last ice age temperature in the North Atlantic oscillated in cycles known as Dansgaard-Oeschger (D-O) events. The magnitude of Caribbean hydroclimate change associated with D-O variability and particularly with stadial intervals, remains poorly constrained by paleoclimate records. We present a 3.3 thousand-year long stalagmite δ18O record from the Yucatan Peninsula (YP) that spans the interval between 26.5 and 23.2 thousand years before present. We estimate quantitative precipitation variability and the high resolution and dating accuracy of this record allow us to investigate how rainfall in the region responds to D-O events. Quantitative precipitation estimates are based on observed regional amount effect variability, last glacial paleotemperature records, and estimates of the last glacial oxygen isotopic composition of precipitation based on global circulation models (GCMs). The new precipitation record suggests significant low latitude hydrological responses to internal modes of climate variability and supports a role of Caribbean hydroclimate in helping Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation recovery during D-O events. Significant in-phase precipitation reduction across the equator in the tropical Americas associated with Heinrich event 2 is suggested by available speleothem oxygen isotope records.
Host Expression of the CD8 Treg/NK Cell Restriction Element Qa-1 is Dispensable for Transplant Tolerance
Authors: Stocks Blair T. , Wilson Christopher S. , Marshall Andrew F. , Brewer Lauren A. , Moore Daniel J. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractDisruption of the non-classical Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Ib molecule Qa-1 impairs CD8 Treg and natural killer (NK) cell function and promotes a lupus-like autoimmune disease. This immune perturbation would be expected to enhance anti-transplant responses and impair tolerance induction, but the effect of Qa-1 deficiency on the transplant response has not been previously reported. Qa-1 deficiency enhanced CD4 TFH and germinal center (GC) B cell numbers in naïve mice and hastened islet allograft rejection. Despite enhanced immunity in B6.Qa-1−/−mice, these mice did not generate an excessive primary CD4 TFH cell response nor an enhanced alloantibody reaction. Both CD8 Tregs and NK cells, which often regulate other cells through host Qa-1 expression, were targets of anti-CD45RB therapy that had not been previously recognized. However, B6.Qa-1−/−mice remained susceptible to anti-CD45RB mediated suppression of the alloantibody response and transplant tolerance induction to mismatched islet allografts. Overall, despite enhanced immunity as demonstrated by augmented CD4 TFH/GC B cell numbers and hastened islet allograft rejection in naïve 12-week old Qa-1 deficient mice, the CD8 Treg/NK cell restriction element Qa-1 does not regulate the primary cellular or humoral alloresponse and is not required for long-term transplant tolerance.
Lean Management bei der Kliniken Südostbayern AG: Auf dem Weg zu einem schlanken und effizienten Entlassmanagement
Authors: Frank Reinhold , Möhlenkamp Evelyn , Paech Stefan 
Published: September 2017

Die Kliniken Südostbayern AG hat Methoden des Lean Managements an allen 6 Klinikstandorten etabliert, um Patientenorientierung, Prozessqualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit nachhaltig zu verbessern. Besonders im Fokus standen die Stationsorganisation und -ablaufsteuerung sowie die Prozesse in der Notaufnahme. Welche Schritte auf dem Weg bis zur erfolgreichen Implementierung erforderlich sind und welche Aspekte man dabei beachten sollte, beleuchtet der folgende Beitrag.Von Reinhold Frank, Evelyn Möhlenkamp, Dr. Stefan Paech
Neuroradiological Features of Six Patients with Propionic Acidemia
Authors: Víllora-Morcillo Nuria , Quijada-Fraile Pilar , Martín-Hernández Elena , Camacho-Salas Ana , García-Silva Maria Teresa , Martinez De Aragón Ana , Berenguer-Potenciano Maria 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPropionic acidemia (PA) is a rare autosomal recessive neurometabolic disorder caused by propionyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency. Diffuse brain atrophy, myelination delay, and basal ganglia abnormalities, either chronic or transient, have been previously reported in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with PA. Clinical manifestations are heterogeneous and long-term outcome of affected individuals is unpredictable.Neuroradiological studies and clinical symptoms of six patients diagnosed with PA were reported in our center between 1999 and 2015. Brain MRI was performed in all patients (sagittal T1-weighted images, axial T2-weighted images, coronal FLAIR images, and axial diffusion-weighted images) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in four of them. Follow-up MRI abnormalities are heterogeneous and highly variable over time, in some cases even reversible. New neuroradiological findings are for the first time reported here as cerebellum signal changes, posterior brain stem diffusion restriction, and cortical development malformations. We suggest including serial MRI in follow-up programs as a monitoring tool in assessing intracerebral changes in PA, but more data are required to evaluate the benefits of serial MRI in PA patients.