bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High‐throughput, high‐accuracy determination of coefficient of thermal expansion of carbon fibre–epoxy composites using digital image correlation
Authors: Dong Y. L. , Zhang Z. Y. , Pan B. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHigh‐throughput, high‐accuracy determination of thermal deformation and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of carbon fibre–epoxy composites using 2D‐digital image correlation (2D‐DIC) is described. With the aid of a specially designed ultra‐stable and high fidelity imaging system, which integrates a high‐quality bilateral telecentric lens with monochromatic blue light illumination, surface images of multiple samples heated by a heating furnace can be captured simultaneously. The images of these samples at different temperatures are processed by advanced DIC algorithm to extract the thermal strains and the CTE of isotropic Al alloy, anisotropic unidirectional, and bidirectional carbon fibre–epoxy composites. Pure thermal expansions of these samples obtained after removing the small rigid‐body rotations clearly indicate the isotropic and anisotropic expansions of these samples. The well‐agreed results with literature values demonstrate the effectiveness and practicality of the proposed method for high‐throughput and high‐accuracy CTE measurements.
The challenges of implementing an integrated One Health surveillance system in Australia
Authors: Johnson I. , Hansen A. , Bi P. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryAs 75 per cent of emerging infectious diseases are of animal origin, a One Health approach that integrates the health of humans, animals and the environment could provide an earlier opportunity for zoonotic disease detection and prevention. In Australia, human, animal and ecological health are managed by separate sectors with limited communication. This study aims to explore how professionals in these fields perceive a One Health approach to zoonotic disease surveillance, aiming to identify the challenges to the implementation of an integrated system in Australia. Using a qualitative research method, ten semistructured interviews were conducted with academic experts to gain insight into the possibility of developing an integrated surveillance system in Australia. A thematic analysis of the data was undertaken. Findings showed the absence of a clear definition and subsequent vision for the future of One Health act as a barrier to interdisciplinary collaboration, and that siloed approaches by different sectors restrict the ability for professionals to work collaboratively across disciplines. An understanding of disease transmission was considered by participants to be a necessary requirement for a successful One Health approach. Finally, participants considered political will an essential requirement for the integration of surveillance systems. This study demonstrates that for a One Health approach to be implemented in an Australian setting, those working in the fields of human, animal and ecological health must agree on several aspects. The establishment of a formal governance body with representatives from each sector could assist in overcoming long‐standing barriers of privacy and distrust. Further, developing interdisciplinary training in One Health concepts for medical, environmental and veterinary students may encourage cross‐disciplinary collaboration. Finally, demonstrating to policymakers the economic benefit of improved and timely detection of zoonoses may help in facilitating a structured One Health approach to disease surveillance in Australia.
Ciudad y desarrollo: imaginario empresarial y forestal en concepción, Chile
Authors: Carrasco Henríquez Noelia Gabriela , Aliste Almuna Enrique 
Published: December 2017

Las principales empresas forestales en Chile poseen sus enclaves de gestión en la Región del Biobío. Desde allí, despliegan programas y diseñan acciones que ponen de manifiesto las convicciones actuales del mundo empresarial respecto del territorio y sus usos. Como objetivo, proponemos examinar aquí el modo en que los imaginarios empresariales de la ciudad capitalista se instalan y expanden favoreciendo un motor ideológico y cultural propio del actual capitalismo multinacional. Desde una metodología etnográfica complementada con datos y alcances de la geografía, se propone la descripción de este imaginario del espacio urbano desarrollado, a partir de referentes operativos, políticos e históricos. Los resultados obtenidos refuerzan la interpretación de las transformaciones de la ciudad al compás de la evolución del capitalismo organizado en el territorio por la expansión de la industria forestal
Autoconstrucción y autopoiesis: las casas expresivas
Authors: Toledo Castellanos Ricardo 
Published: December 2017

<p>Partiendo de una concepción de la existencia humana como el proyecto de <em>llegar a ser lo que se quiere ser</em>, este artículo explora la relación de protección-expresión que vincula a los constructores-habitantes con sus hogares. Esta condición de proyecto se origina en la noción lacaniana de “Estadio del espejo”, un movimiento inicial de expansión que va de la fuerza íntima del yo a la imagen del cuerpo y luego a la apertura en el mundo. Ya que nacen expresando la existencia, las casas autoconstruidas por etapas, tan presentes en las ciudades de Latinoamérica, sobre todo en los sectores marginales de las ciudades, mantienen su carácter de proyecto y por eso mismo de índices del momento de la existencia de sus habitantes. Así mismo, como ejercicio profesional de la creatividad y de la sensibilidad, la práctica artística es asumida como laboratorio de experimentación de tácticas productivas y a la vez como herramienta de visibilización de las fuerzas vitales depositadas en la vivienda autoconstruida y comúnmente pasadas por alto por los estudios institucionales que tienen injerencia sobre sus derechos.</p>
Expression of Toll-Like Receptor 2 by Dendritic Cells Is Essential for the DnaJ-ΔA146Ply-Mediated Th1 Immune Response against Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Wang Xiaofang , Yuan Taixian , Yuan Jun , Su Yufeng , Sun Xiaoyu , Wu Jingwen , Zhang Hong , Min Xun , Zhang Xuemei , Yin Yibing 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

The fusion protein DnaJ-ΔA146Ply could induce cross-protective immunity against pneumococcal infection via mucosal and subcutaneous immunization in mice in the absence of additional adjuvants. DnaJ and Ply are both Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) but not TLR2 ligands. However, we found that TLR2
−/−
mice immunized subcutaneously with DnaJ-ΔA146Ply showed significantly lower survival rates and higher bacterial loads in nasal washes than did wild-type (WT) mice after being challenged with pneumococcal strain D39 or 19F. The gamma interferon (IFN-γ) level in splenocytes decreased in TLR2
−/−
mice, indicating that Th1 immunity elicited by DnaJ-ΔA146Ply was impaired in these mice. We explored the mechanism of protective immunity conferred by DnaJ-ΔA146Ply and the role of TLR2 in this process. DnaJ-ΔA146Ply effectively promoted dendritic cell (DC) maturation via TLR4 but not the TLR2 signaling pathway. In a DnaJ-ΔA146Ply-treated DC and naive CD4
+
T cell coculture system, the deficiency of TLR2 in DCs resulted in a significant decline of IFN-γ production and Th1 subset differentiation. The same effect was observed in adoptive-transfer experiments. In addition, TLR2
−/−
DCs showed remarkably lower levels of the Th1-polarizing cytokine IL-12p70 than did WT DCs, suggesting that TLR2 was indispensable for DnaJ-ΔA146Ply-induced IL-12 production and Th1 proliferation. Thus, our findings illustrate that dendritic cell expression of TLR2 is essential for optimal Th1 immune response against pneumococci in mice immunized subcutaneously with DnaJ-ΔA146Ply.
Utilization of Variant and Fusion Proteins To Functionally Map the Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Trimeric Autotransporter Protein ApiA
Authors: Cugini Carla , Mei Yongyi , Furgang David , George Nisha , Ramasubbu Narayanan , Fine Daniel H. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

The Gram-negative bacterium
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
is a causative agent of localized aggressive periodontitis. Critical to its infection process is the first and essential step of attachment, which is related to the coordinated functions of surface components comprised of proteins and extracellular polysaccharides. One such protein is the outer membrane trimeric autotransporter protein ApiA, a versatile virulence factor with numerous functions, including cell binding, invasion, serum resistance, autoaggregation, and induction of cytokine release. Here we report on the use of
Escherichia coli
strains expressing protein variants to define the separate functions ascribed to the N terminus and those related to the C terminus. Importantly, a hybrid protein that comprised the N terminus of trimeric ApiA and the β-barrel domain of monomeric autotransporter Aae was constructed, which allowed the expression of a monomer surface-exposed domain of ApiA. Functional and phenotypic analyses demonstrated that the C terminus of ApiA forms an independent domain that is crucial for general stability and trimer formation, which appears to be associated with autoaggregation, biofilm formation, and surface expression. Importantly, the results show that the monomeric form of the N-terminal passenger domain of ApiA, while surface exposed, is sufficient for binding to buccal epithelial cells; however, it is not sufficient to allow aggregation and biofilm formation, strengthening the importance of the role of trimerization in these phenotypes.
CdtC-Induced Processing of Membrane-Bound CdtA Is a Crucial Step in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Cytolethal Distending Toxin Holotoxin Formation
Authors: Tsuruda Keiko , Matangkasombut Oranart , Ohara Masaru , Sugai Motoyuki 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
is an oral pathogen causing periodontal disease and bacterial endocarditis. It produces cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) that could damage mammalian cells and tissues. CDT is a tripartite protein toxin composed of CdtA, CdtB, and CdtC. We have previously indicated that CdtA is a lipoprotein and that the proteolytic processing of CdtA is important for biogenesis and secretion of CDT holotoxin. Here, we established an
in vitro
processing assay of CdtA and investigated the interactions of CdtA with other Cdt subunits. This assay demonstrated that incubation of membrane-bound CdtA (MCdtA), CdtB, and CdtC immediately generated a processed form of CdtA (CdtA′), which is recovered from the soluble fraction. In contrast, incubation of soluble membrane-unbound CdtA with CdtB and CdtC did not yield any CdtA′. Furthermore, incubation of CdtC with MCdtA was enough to induce rapid processing of MCdtA, whereas CdtB alone was unable to induce the processing. Coimmunoprecipitation demonstrated that CdtA′ and CdtC formed a complex. Furthermore, subsequent addition of CdtB to this reaction mixture resulted in complete CDT holotoxin complex. The cytolethal distending activity assay demonstrated that CDT complex containing CdtA′ showed far stronger cytotoxicity than that containing CdtA. Collectively, our data suggest that CDT holotoxin formation
in vivo
is a sequential event: interaction of MCdtA and CdtC induces proteolytic processing of MCdtA, and the released CdtA′ forms a complex with CdtC. Subsequent binding of CdtB to the CdtA′/CdtC complex results in CDT holotoxin formation.
The Superantigen Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin 1 Alters Human Aortic Endothelial Cell Function
Authors: Kulhankova Katarina , Kinney Kyle J. , Stach Jessica M. , Gourronc Françoise A. , Grumbach Isabella M. , Klingelhutz Aloysius J. , Salgado-Pabón Wilmara 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus aureusinfective endocarditis (IE) is a fast-progressing and tissue-destructive infection of the cardiac endothelium. The superantigens (SAgs) toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1), staphylococcal enterotoxin C (SEC), and the toxins encoded by the enterotoxin gene cluster (egc) play a novel and essential role in the etiology ofS. aureusIE. Recent studies indicate that SAgs act at the infection site to cause tissue pathology and promote vegetation growth. The underlying mechanism of SAg involvement has not been clearly defined. In SAg-mediated responses, immune cell priming is considered a primary triggering event leading to endothelial cell activation and altered function. Utilizing immortalized human aortic endothelial cells (iHAECs), we demonstrated that TSST-1 directly activates iHAECs, as documented by upregulation of vascular and intercellular adhesion molecules (VCAM-1 and ICAM-1). TSST-1-mediated activation results in increased monolayer permeability and defects in vascular reendothelialization. Yet stimulation of iHAECs with TSST-1 fails to induce interleukin-8 (IL-8) and IL-6 production. Furthermore, simultaneous stimulation of iHAECs with TSST-1 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inhibits LPS-mediated IL-8 and IL-6 secretion, even after pretreatment with either of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and IL-1β. IL-8 suppression is not mediated by TSST-1 binding to its canonical receptor major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II), supporting current evidence for a nonhematopoietic interacting site on SAgs. Together, the data suggest that TSST-1 differentially regulates cell-bound and secreted markers of endothelial cell activation that may result in dysregulated innate immune responses duringS. aureusIE. Endothelial changes resulting from the action of SAgs can therefore directly contribute to the aggressive nature ofS. aureusIE and development of life-threatening complications.
Macrophage Polarization Alters Postphagocytosis Survivability of the Commensal Streptococcus gordonii
Authors: Croft Andrew J. , Metcalfe Sarah , Honma Kiyonobu , Kay Jason G. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTOral streptococci are generally considered commensal organisms; however, they are becoming recognized as important associate pathogens during the development of periodontal disease as well as being associated with several systemic diseases, including as a causative agent of infective endocarditis. An important virulence determinant of these bacteria is an ability to evade destruction by phagocytic cells, yet how this subversion occurs is mostly unknown. UsingStreptococcus gordoniias a model commensal oral streptococcus that is also associated with disease, we find that resistance to reactive oxygen species (ROS) with an active ability to damage phagosomes allows the bacterium to avoid destruction within macrophages. This ability to survive relies not only on the ROS resistance capabilities of the bacterium but also on ROS production by macrophages, with both being required for maximal survival of internalized bacteria. Importantly, we also show that this dependence on ROS production by macrophages for resistance has functional significance:S. gordoniiintracellular survival increases when macrophages are polarized toward an activated (M1) profile, which is known to result in prolonged phagosomal ROS production compared to that of alternatively (M2) polarized macrophages. We additionally find evidence of the bacterium being capable of both delaying the maturation of and damaging phagosomes. Taken together, these results provide essential insights regarding the mechanisms through which normally commensal oral bacteria can contribute to both local and systemic inflammatory disease.
Galactosylation of the Secondary Cell Wall Polysaccharide of Bacillus anthracis and Its Contribution to Anthrax Pathogenesis
Authors: Chateau Alice , Lunderberg Justin Mark , Oh So Young , Abshire Teresa , Friedlander Arthur , Quinn Conrad P. , Missiakas Dominique M. , Schneewind Olaf 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

Bacillus anthracis
, the causative agent of anthrax disease, elaborates a secondary cell wall polysaccharide (SCWP) that is essential for bacterial growth and cell division.
B. anthracis
SCWP is comprised of trisaccharide repeats with the structure, [→4)-β-ManNAc-(1→4)-β-GlcNAc(
O
3-α-Gal)-(1→6)-α-GlcNAc(
O
3-α-Gal,
O
4-β-Gal)-(1→]
6-12
. The genes whose products promote the galactosylation of
B. anthracis
SCWP are not yet known. We show here that the expression of
galE1
, encoding a UDP-glucose 4-epimerase necessary for the synthesis of UDP-galactose, is required for
B. anthracis
SCWP galactosylation. The
galE1
mutant assembles surface (S) layer and S layer-associated proteins that associate with ketal-pyruvylated SCWP via their S layer homology domains similarly to wild-type
B. anthracis
, but the mutant displays a defect in γ-phage murein hydrolase binding to SCWP. Furthermore, deletion of
galE1
diminishes the capsulation of
B. anthracis
with poly-
d
-γ-glutamic acid (PDGA) and causes a reduction in bacterial virulence. These data suggest that SCWP galactosylation is required for the physiologic assembly of the
B. anthracis
cell wall envelope and for the pathogenesis of anthrax disease.

IMPORTANCE
Unlike virulent
Bacillus anthracis
isolates,
B. anthracis
strain CDC684 synthesizes secondary cell wall polysaccharide (SCWP) trisaccharide repeats without galactosyl modification, exhibits diminished growth
in vitro
in broth cultures, and is severely attenuated in an animal model of anthrax. To examine whether SCWP galactosylation is a requirement for anthrax disease, we generated variants of
B. anthracis
strains Sterne 34F2 and Ames lacking UDP-glucose 4-epimerase by mutating the genes
galE1
and
galE2
. We identified
galE1
as necessary for SCWP galactosylation. Deletion of
galE1
decreased the poly-
d
-γ-glutamic acid (PDGA) capsulation of the vegetative form of
B. anthracis
and increased the bacterial inoculum required to produce lethal disease in mice, indicating that SCWP galactosylation is indeed a determinant of anthrax disease.
Flexible Hinges in Bacterial Chemoreceptors
Authors: Akkaladevi Narahari , Bunyak Filiz , Stalla David , White Tommi A. , Hazelbauer Gerald L. 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACT

Transmembrane bacterial chemoreceptors are extended, rod-shaped homodimers with ligand-binding sites at one end and interaction sites for signaling complex formation and histidine kinase control at the other. There are atomic-resolution structures of chemoreceptor fragments but not of intact, membrane-inserted receptors. Electron tomography of
in vivo
signaling complex arrays lack distinct densities for chemoreceptor rods away from the well-ordered base plate region, implying structural heterogeneity. We used negative staining, transmission electron microscopy, and image analysis to characterize the molecular shapes of intact homodimers of the
Escherichia coli
aspartate receptor Tar rendered functional by insertion into nanodisc-provided
E. coli
lipid bilayers. Single-particle analysis plus tomography of particles in a three-dimensional matrix revealed two bend loci in the chemoreceptor cytoplasmic domain, (i) a short, two-strand gap between the membrane-proximal, four-helix-bundle HAMP (histidine kinases, adenylyl cyclases, methyl-accepting chemoreceptors, and phosphatases) domain and the membrane-distal, four-helix coiled coil and (ii) aligned glycines in the extended, four-helix coiled coil, the position of a bend noted in the previous X-ray structure of a receptor fragment. Our images showed HAMP bends from 0° to ∼13° and glycine bends from 0° to ∼20°, suggesting that the loci are flexible hinges. Variable hinge bending explains indistinct densities for receptor rods outside the base plate region in subvolume averages of chemotaxis arrays. Bending at flexible hinges was not correlated with the chemoreceptor signaling state. However, our analyses showed that chemoreceptor bending avoided what would otherwise be steric clashes between neighboring receptors that would block the formation of core signaling complexes and chemoreceptor arrays.

IMPORTANCE
This work provides new information about the shape of transmembrane bacterial chemoreceptors, crucial components in the molecular machinery of bacterial chemotaxis. We found that intact, lipid-bilayer-inserted, and thus functional homodimers of the
Escherichia coli
chemoreceptor Tar exhibited bends at two flexible hinges along their ∼200-Å, rod-like, cytoplasmic domains. One hinge was at the short, two-strand gap between the membrane-proximal, four-helix-bundle HAMP (histidine kinases, adenylyl cyclases, methyl-accepting chemoreceptors, and phosphatases) domain and the membrane-distal, four-helix coiled coil. The other hinge was at aligned glycines in the extended, four-helix coiled coil, where a bend had been identified in the X-ray structure of a chemoreceptor fragment. Our analyses showed that flexible hinge bending avoided structural clashes in chemotaxis core complexes and their arrays.
Effectiveness of acupuncture for cancer pain: protocol for an umbrella review and meta-analyses of controlled trials
Authors: He Yihan , Liu Yihong , May Brian H , Zhang Anthony Lin , Zhang Haibo , Lu ChuanJian , Yang Lihong , Guo Xinfeng , Xue Charlie Changli 
Published: December 2017

IntroductionThe National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for adult cancer pain indicate that acupuncture and related therapies may be valuable additions to pharmacological interventions for pain management. Of the systematic reviews related to this topic, some concluded that acupuncture was promising for alleviating cancer pain, while others argued that the evidence was insufficient to support its effectiveness.Methods and analysisThis review will consist of three components: (1) synthesis of findings from existing systematic reviews; (2) updated meta-analyses of randomised clinical trials and (3) analyses of results of other types of clinical studies. We will search six English and four Chinese biomedical databases, dissertations and grey literature to identify systematic reviews and primary clinical studies. Two reviewers will screen results of the literature searches independently to identify included reviews and studies. Data from included articles will be abstracted for assessment, analysis and summary. Two assessors will appraise the quality of systematic reviews using Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews; assess the randomised controlled trials using the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool and other types of studies according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We will use ‘summary of evidence’ tables to present evidence from existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Using the primary clinical studies, we will conduct meta-analysis for each outcome, by grouping studies based on the type of acupuncture, the comparator and the specific type of pain. Sensitivity analyses are planned according to clinical factors, acupuncture method, methodological characteristics and presence of statistical heterogeneity as applicable. For the non-randomised studies, we will tabulate the characteristics, outcome measures and the reported results of each study. Consistencies and inconsistencies in evidence will be investigated and discussed. Finally, we will use the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to evaluate the quality of the overall evidence.Ethics and disseminationThere are no ethical considerations associated with this review. The findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals or conference presentations.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017064113.