bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Highly potent antimicrobial peptides from N-terminal membrane-binding region of E. coli MreB
Authors: Saikia Karabi , Sravani Yalavarthi Durga , Ramakrishnan Vibin , Chaudhary Nitin 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMicrobial pathogenesis is a serious health concern. The threat escalates as the existing conventional antimicrobials are losing their efficacy against the evolving pathogens. Peptides hold promise to be developed into next-generation antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides adopt amphipathic structures that could selectively bind to and disrupt the microbial membranes. Interaction of proteins with membranes is central to all living systems and we reasoned that the membrane-binding domains in microbial proteins could be developed into efficient antimicrobials. This is an interesting approach as self-like sequences could elude the microbial strategies of degrading the antimicrobial peptides, one of the mechanisms of showing resistance to antimicrobials. We selected the 9-residue-long membrane-binding region of E. coli MreB protein. The 9-residue peptide (C-terminal amide) and its N-terminal acetylated analog displayed broad-spectrum activity, killing Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and fungi. Extension with a tryptophan residue at the N-terminus drastically improved the activity of the peptides with lethal concentrations ≤10 μM against all the organisms tested. The tryptophan-extended peptides caused complete killing of C. albicans as well as gentamicin and methicillin resistant S. aureus at 5 μM concentration. Lipid-binding studies and electron microscopic analyses of the peptide-treated microbes suggest membrane disruption as the mechanism of killing.
Phylogenetic Characterizations of Highly Mutated EV-B106 Recombinants Showing Extensive Genetic Exchanges with Other EV-B in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Song Yang , Zhang Yong , Fan Qin , Cui Hui , Yan Dongmei , Zhu Shuangli , Tang Haishu , Sun Qiang , Wang Dongyan , Xu Wenbo 
Published: February 2017

AbstractHuman enterovirus B106 (EV-B106) is a new member of the enterovirus B species. To date, only three nucleotide sequences of EV-B106 have been published, and only one full-length genome sequence (the Yunnan strain 148/YN/CHN/12) is available in the GenBank database. In this study, we conducted phylogenetic characterisation of four EV-B106 strains isolated in Xinjiang, China. Pairwise comparisons of the nucleotide sequences and the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that the four Xinjiang EV-B106 strains had only 80.5–80.8% nucleotide identity and 95.4–97.3% amino acid identity with the Yunnan EV-B106 strain, indicating high mutagenicity. Similarity plots and bootscanning analyses revealed that frequent intertypic recombination occurred in all four Xinjiang EV-B106 strains in the non-structural region. These four strains may share a donor sequence with the EV-B85 strain, which circulated in Xinjiang in 2011, indicating extensive genetic exchanges between these strains. All Xinjiang EV-B106 strains were temperature-sensitive. An antibody seroprevalence study against EV-B106 in two Xinjiang prefectures also showed low titres of neutralizing antibodies, suggesting limited exposure and transmission in the population. This study contributes the whole genome sequences of EV-B106 to the GenBank database and provides valuable information regarding the molecular epidemiology of EV-B106 in China.
Large-area growth of multi-layer hexagonal boron nitride on polished cobalt foils by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Xu Zhongguang , Tian Hao , Khanaki Alireza , Zheng Renjing , Suja Mohammad , Liu Jianlin 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTwo-dimensional (2D) hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), which has a similar honeycomb lattice structure to graphene, is promising as a dielectric material for a wide variety of potential applications based on 2D materials. Synthesis of high-quality, large-size and single-crystalline h-BN domains is of vital importance for fundamental research as well as practical applications. In this work, we report the growth of h-BN films on mechanically polished cobalt (Co) foils using plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. Under appropriate growth conditions, the coverage of h-BN layers can be readily controlled by growth time. A large-area, multi-layer h-BN film with a thickness of 5~6 nm is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the size of h-BN single domains is 20~100 μm. Dielectric property of as-grown h-BN film is evaluated by characterization of Co(foil)/h-BN/Co(contact) capacitor devices. Breakdown electric field is in the range of 3.0~3.3 MV/cm, which indicates that the epitaxial h-BN film has good insulating characteristics. In addition, the effect of substrate morphology on h-BN growth is discussed regarding different domain density, lateral size, and thickness of the h-BN films grown on unpolished and polished Co foils.
Life strategy and grazing intensity responses of Brachionus calyciflorus fed on different concentrations of microcystin-producing and microcystin-free Microcystis aeruginosa
Authors: Liang Ye , Ouyang Kai , Chen Xinglan , Su Yuqi , Yang Jiaxin 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe occurrence of Microcystis blooms is a worldwide concern due to the numerous adverse effects on zooplankton. We therefore hypothesized that the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa is harmful to rotifer growth. Population and individual experiments were conducted with the same proportional volumes of Chlorella and Microcystis for given food densities. Life-table parameters, life-history traits, and the grazing intensity of Brachionus calyciflorus were evaluated after they had fed on microcystin-producing and microcystin-free Microcystis, both alone and combined with an edible alga (Chlorella pyrenoidosa), at concentrations of 1 × 105, 1 × 106, and 1 × 107 cells mL−1. The results showed that the interactive effects of food density and type appeared to be synergistic on generation time (T), net reproduction rate (R0), body length, swimming speed, and reproduction time. In contrast, these effects appeared to be antagonistic on intrinsic growth rate (r), finite rate of increase (λ), time to first brood, post-reproductive time and total offspring per female. The grazing rate of rotifers decreased with grazing time. Although the toxins released after grazing on M. aeruginosa had negative effects on rotifer growth and reproduction, B. calyciflorus changed its life strategy and grazing intensity in response to eutrophic conditions.
Synergistic suppression of autoimmune arthritis through concurrent treatment with tolerogenic DC and MSC
Authors: Li Rong , Zhang Yujuan , Zheng Xiufen , Peng Shanshan , Yuan Keng , Zhang Xusheng , Min Weiping 
Published: February 2017

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by progressive immune-mediated joint deterioration. Current treatments are not antigen specific and are associated with various adverse. We have previously demonstrated that tolerogenic dendritic cells (Tol-DC) are potent antigen-specific immune regulators, which hold great promise in immunotherapy of autoimmune diseases. In this study, we aimed to develop new immunotherapy by combining Tol-DC and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). We demonstrated that RelB gene silencing resulted in generation of Tol-DC that suppressed T cell responses and selectively promoted Treg generation. The combination of MSC synergized the tolerogenic capacity of Tol-DC in inhibition of T cell responses. In murine collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model, we demonstrated that progression of arthritis was inhibited with administration of RelB gene-silenced Tol-DC or MSC. This therapeutic effect was remarkably enhanced with concurrent treatment of combination Tol-DC and MSC as demonstrated by improved clinical symptoms, decreased clinical scores and attenuated joint damage. These therapeutic effects were associated with suppression of CII-specific T cell responses, polarization of Th and inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines, and reduced cartilage degeneration. This study for the first time demonstrates a new approach to treat autoimmune inflammatory joint disease with concurrent treatment of RelB gene-silenced Tol-DC and MSC.
Organic pollution of rivers: Combined threats of urbanization, livestock farming and global climate change
Authors: Wen Yingrong , Schoups Gerrit , van de Giesen Nick 
Published: February 2017

AbstractOrganic pollution of rivers by wastewater discharge from human activities negatively impacts people and ecosystems. Without treatment, pollution control relies on a combination of natural degradation and dilution by natural runoff to reduce downstream effects. We quantify here for the first time the global sanitation crisis through its impact on organic river pollution from the threats of (1) increasing wastewater discharge due to urbanization and intensification of livestock farming, and (2) reductions in river dilution capacity due to climate change and water extractions. Using in-stream Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) as an overall indicator of organic river pollution, we calculate historical (2000) and future (2050) BOD concentrations in global river networks. Despite significant self-cleaning capacities of rivers, the number of people affected by organic pollution (BOD >5 mg/l) is projected to increase from 1.1 billion in 2000 to 2.5 billion in 2050. With developing countries disproportionately affected, our results point to a growing need for affordable wastewater solutions.
Unravelling the metabolic impact of SBS-associated microbial dysbiosis: Insights from the piglet short bowel syndrome model
Authors: Pereira-Fantini Prue M. , Byars Sean G. , Pitt James , Lapthorne Susan , Fouhy Fiona , Cotter Paul D. , Bines Julie E. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractLiver disease is a major source of morbidity and mortality in children with short bowel syndrome (SBS). SBS-associated microbial dysbiosis has recently been implicated in the development of SBS-associated liver disease (SBS-ALD), however the pathological implications of this association have not been explored. In this study high-throughput sequencing of colonic content from the well-validated piglet SBS-ALD model was examined to determine alterations in microbial communities, and concurrent metabolic alterations identified in urine samples via targeted mass spectrometry approaches (GC-MS, LC-MS, FIA-MS) further uncovered impacts of microbial disturbance on metabolic outcomes in SBS-ALD. Multi-variate analyses were performed to elucidate contributing SBS-ALD microbe and metabolite panels and to identify microbe-metabolite interactions. A unique SBS-ALD microbe panel was clearest at the genus level, with discriminating bacteria predominantly from the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla. The SBS-ALD metabolome included important alterations in the microbial metabolism of amino acids and the mitochondrial metabolism of branched chain amino acids. Correlation analysis defined microbe-metabolite clustering patterns unique to SBS-ALD and identified a metabolite panel that correlates with dysbiosis of the gut microbiome in SBS.
Potential microbial contamination during sampling of permafrost soil assessed by tracers
Authors: Bang-Andreasen Toke , Schostag Morten , Priemé Anders , Elberling Bo , Jacobsen Carsten S. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractDrilling and handling of permanently frozen soil cores without microbial contamination is of concern because contamination e.g. from the active layer above may lead to incorrect interpretation of results in experiments investigating potential and actual microbial activity in these low microbial biomass environments. Here, we present an example of how microbial contamination from active layer soil affected analysis of the potentially active microbial community in permafrost soil. We also present the development and use of two tracers: (1) fluorescent plastic microspheres and (2)Pseudomonas putidagenetically tagged with Green Fluorescent Protein production to mimic potential microbial contamination of two permafrost cores. A protocol with special emphasis on avoiding microbial contamination was developed and employed to examine how far microbial contamination can penetrate into permafrost cores. The quantity of tracer elements decreased with depth into the permafrost cores, but the tracers were detected as far as 17 mm from the surface of the cores. The results emphasize that caution should be taken to avoid microbial contamination of permafrost cores and that the application of tracers represents a useful tool to assess penetration of potential microbial contamination into permafrost cores.
Simultaneous enhancement of magnetic and mechanical properties in Ni-Mn-Sn alloy by Fe doping
Authors: Tan Changlong , Tai Zhipeng , Zhang Kun , Tian Xiaohua , Cai Wei 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBoth magnetic-field-induced reverse martensitic transformation (MFIRMT) and mechanical properties are crucial for application of Ni-Mn-Sn magnetic shape memory alloys. Here, we demonstrate that substitution of Fe for Ni can simultaneously enhance the MFIRMT and mechanical properties of Ni-Mn-Sn, which are advantageous for its applications. The austenite in Ni44Fe6Mn39Sn11 shows the typical ferromagnetic magnetization with the highest saturation magnetization of 69 emu/g at 223 K. The result shows that an appropriate amount of Fe substitution can really enhance the ferromagnetism of Ni50Mn39Sn11 alloy in austenite, which directly leads to the enhancement of MFIRMT. Meanwhile, the mechanical property significantly improves with Fe doping. When there is 4 at.% Fe added, the compressive and maximum strain reach the maximum value (approximately 725.4 MPa and 9.3%). Furthermore, using first-principles calculations, we clarify the origin of Fe doping on martensitic transformation and magnetic properties.
Biaxial strain effect induced electronic structure alternation and trimeron recombination in Fe3O4
Authors: Liu Xiang , Yin Li , Mi Wenbo 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe Verwey transition in Fe3O4 is the first metal-insulator transition caused by charge ordering. However, the physical mechanism and influence factors of Verwey transition are still debated. Herewith, the strain effects on the electronic structure of low-temperature phase (LTP) Fe3O4 with P2/c and Cc symmetries are investigated by first-principles calculations. LTP Fe3O4 with each space group has a critical strain. With P2/c, Fe3O4 is sensitive to the compressive strain, but it is sensitive to tensile strain for Cc. In the critical region, the band gap of LTP Fe3O4 with both two symmetries linearly increases with strain. When strain exceeds the critical value, DOS of spin-down t2g electron at Fe(B4) with P2/c and Fe(B42) with Cc changes between dx2-y2 and dxz + dyz. The trimerons appear in Cc can be affected by strain. With a compressive strain, the correlation of trimeron along x and y axes is strengthened, but broken along the face diagonal of FeB4O4, which is opposite at the tensile strains. The results suggest that the electronic structure of Fe3O4 is tunable by strain. The narrower or wider band gap implies a lower or higher transition temperature than its bulk without strains, which also gives a glimpse of the origin of charge-orbital ordering in Fe3O4.
Tobacco vein banding mosaic virus 6K2 Protein Hijacks NbPsbO1 for Virus Replication
Authors: Geng Chao , Yan Zhi-Yong , Cheng De-Jie , Liu Jin , Tian Yan-Ping , Zhu Chang-Xiang , Wang Hong-Yan , Li Xiang-Dong 
Published: February 2017

AbstractChloroplast-bound vesicles are key components in viral replication complexes (VRCs) of potyviruses. The potyviral VRCs are induced by the second 6 kDa protein (6K2) and contain at least viral RNA and nuclear inclusion protein b. To date, no chloroplast protein has been identified to interact with 6K2 and involve in potyvirus replication. In this paper, we showed that the Photosystem II oxygen evolution complex protein of Nicotiana benthamiana (NbPsbO1) was a chloroplast protein interacting with 6K2 of Tobacco vein banding mosaic virus (TVBMV; genus Potyvirus) and present in the VRCs. The first 6 kDa protein (6K1) was recruited to VRCs by 6K2 but had no interaction with NbPSbO1. Knockdown of NbPsbO1 gene expression in N. benthamiana plants through virus-induced gene silencing significantly decreased the accumulation levels of TVBMV and another potyvirus Potato virus Y, but not Potato virus X of genus Potexvirus. Amino acid substitutions in 6K2 that disrupted its interaction with NbPsbO1 also affected the replication of TVBMV. NbPsbP1 and NbPsbQ1, two other components of the Photosystem II oxygen evolution complex had no interaction with 6K2 and no effect on TVBMV replication. To conclude, 6K2 recruits 6K1 to VRCs and hijacks chloroplast protein NbPsbO1 to regulate potyvirus replication.
On suprema of autoconvolutions with an application to Sidon sets
Authors: Cloninger Alexander , Steinerberger Stefan 
Published: February 2017

Let

f
f

be a nonnegative function supported on

(
−
1

/

4
,
1

/

4
)

(-1/4, 1/4)

. We show that
\[

sup

x
∈

R

∫

R

f
(
t
)
f
(
x
−
t
)
d
t

≥
1.28

(

∫

−
1

/

4

1

/

4

f
(
x
)
d
x

)

2

,

\sup _{x \in \mathbb {R}}{\int _{\mathbb {R}}{f(t)f(x-t)dt}} \geq 1.28\left (\int _{-1/4}^{1/4}{f(x)dx} \right )^2,

\]
where 1.28 improves on a series of earlier results. The inequality arises naturally in additive combinatorics in the study of Sidon sets. We derive a relaxation of the problem that reduces to a finite number of cases and yields slightly stronger results. Our approach should be able to prove lower bounds that are arbitrary close to the sharp result. Currently, the bottleneck in our approach is runtime: new ideas might be able to significantly speed up the computation.
The Industrial Revolution: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Allen Robert C. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
The Industrial Revolution was a pivotal point in British history that occurred between the mid-18th and mid-19th centuries, and led to far reaching transformations of society. The Industrial Revolution: A Very Short Introduction analyses the key features of the Industrial Revolution in Britain, and the spread of industrialization to other countries. It considers the factors that combined to enable industrialization at this time, including Britain’s position as a global commercial empire, and discusses the changes in technology and business organization, and their impact on different social classes and groups. It looks at how the changes were reflected in evolving government policies, and what contribution these made to the economic transformation.
Individualized Prediction of Reading Comprehension Ability Using Gray Matter Volume
Authors: Cui Zaixu , Su Mengmeng , Li Liangjie , Shu Hua , Gong Gaolang 
Published: February 2017

AbstractReading comprehension is a crucial reading skill for learning and putatively contains 2 key components: reading decoding and linguistic comprehension. Current understanding of the neural mechanism underlying these reading comprehension components is lacking, and whether and how neuroanatomical features can be used to predict these 2 skills remain largely unexplored. In the present study, we analyzed a large sample from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) dataset and successfully built multivariate predictive models for these 2 skills using whole-brain gray matter volume features. The results showed that these models effectively captured individual differences in these 2 skills and were able to significantly predict these components of reading comprehension for unseen individuals. The strict cross-validation using the HCP cohort and another independent cohort of children demonstrated the model generalizability. The identified gray matter regions contributing to the skill prediction consisted of a wide range of regions covering the putative reading, cerebellum, and subcortical systems. Interestingly, there were gender differences in the predictive models, with the female-specific model overestimating the males’ abilities. Moreover, the identified contributing gray matter regions for the female-specific and male-specific models exhibited considerable differences, supporting a gender-dependent neuroanatomical substrate for reading comprehension.
Three-Dimensional Printed Modeling of Diffuse Low-Grade Gliomas and Associated White Matter Tract Anatomy
Authors: Thawani Jayesh P. , Singh Nickpreet , Pisapia Jared M. , Abdullah Kalil G. , Parker Drew , Pukenas Bryan A. , Zager Eric L. , Verma Ragini , Brem Steven 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diffuse low-grade gliomas (DLGGs) represent several pathological
entities that infiltrate and invade cortical and subcortical structures in the brain.

OBJECTIVE: To describe methods for rapid prototyping of DLGGs and surgically
relevant anatomy.

METHODS: Using high-definition imaging data and rapid prototyping
technologies, we were able to generate 3 patient DLGGs to scale and represent the
associated white matter tracts in 3 dimensions using advanced diffusion tensor imaging
techniques.

RESULTS: This report represents a novel application of 3-dimensional (3-D)
printing in neurosurgery and a means to model individualized tumors in 3-D space with
respect to subcortical white matter tract anatomy. Faculty and resident evaluations of
this technology were favorable at our institution.

CONCLUSION: Developing an understanding of the anatomic relationships
existing within individuals is fundamental to successful neurosurgical therapy.
Imaging-based rapid prototyping may improve on our ability to plan for and treat complex
neuro-oncologic pathology.
Safety of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Vaccination During Pregnancy
Authors: McMillan Mark , Clarke Michelle , Parrella Adriana , Fell Deshayne B. , Amirthalingam Gayatri , Marshall Helen S. 
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE:
To assess antenatal, birth, and infant outcomes for pregnant women, fetuses, and infants after antenatal vaccination with any antigen present in combination pertussis vaccines.

DATA SOURCES:
PubMed, EMBASE, Literature in the Health Sciences in Latin America and the Caribbean, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Library, and World Health Organization (inception to May 5, 2016).

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION:
Studies reporting outcomes for pregnant women, their fetus, or infant after antenatal exposure to either monovalent or combined tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) or inactivated polio vaccines were considered for inclusion.

RESULTS:
A total of 21 studies were included in this review. Point estimates ranged from 0.47 to 1.50 for preterm birth (less than 37 weeks of gestation), 0.65–1.00 for small for gestational age (birth weight less than the 10th percentile), 0.36–0.85 for stillbirth, 0.16–1.00 for neonatal death, 0.76–1.20 for low birth weight (less than 2,500 g), and 0.20–0.91 for congenital anomalies. All lower 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were less than 1.0. Of three retrospective studies assessing chorioamnionitis after vaccination, one showed a small but statistically significant increase. Point estimates for all anomalies after antenatal tetanus toxoid vaccination ranged from 1.20 to 1.60 and had 95% CIs that crossed 1.0. There was substantial clinical and methodologic heterogeneity from mainly retrospective observational studies with an overall high risk of bias. Objective rates of fever were low, 3% or below, and more common systemic events observed included headache, malaise, and myalgia.

CONCLUSION:
Evidence suggests that antenatal combined Tdap administered during the second or third trimester of pregnancy is not associated with clinically significant harms for the fetus or neonate. Medically attended events in pregnant women are similar between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.