bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Studies on the curcumin phospholipid complex solidified with Soluplus®
Authors: Wang Jianan , Wang Lulu , Zhang Lan , He Dandan , Ju Jianming , Li Weiguang 
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Objectives
With the purpose of developing a curcumin phospholipid complex (CPC) formulation with high performance, the CPC was prepared and solidified with Soluplus® in this study.

Methods
Soluplus® was used as a carrier to solidify CPC. The structures of the CPC and curcumin phospholipid complex – Soluplus® solidified powder (CSP) – were also characterized by differential scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometer, and flowability, in-vitro dissolution and oral bioavailability were also investigated.

Key findings
All analysis indicated that curcumin was completely converted from crystalline to amorphous state in solidified powder. The angle of repose calculated in flowability study indicated a marked improvement from ‘cannot be measured’ to ‘37°’. Meanwhile, the dissolution study showed that in phosphate buffer condition, the dissolution rate of CSP had released 76.34% in pH 6.8 and the 78.19% in pH 1.2. Furthermore, in pharmacokinetic study, significant (P &lt; 0.01) improvement of AUC0–∞ value was observed between CPC and CSP groups, and the results showed that AUC0–∞ value was increased from 205.84 ± 50.46 μg h/ml to 330.47 μg h/ml.

Conclusions
A simple and convenient solidifying process was used in this study, and the data suggested that this process not only could improve the flowability and dissolution of phospholipid complex, but also increased the oral bioavailability of curcumin.
Inhibiting MT2‐TFE3‐dependent autophagy enhances melatonin‐induced apoptosis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Fan Tengfei , Pi Huifeng , Li Min , Ren Zhenhu , He Zhijing , Zhu Feiya , Tian Li , Tu Manyu , Xie Jia , Liu Mengyu , Li Yuming , Tan Miduo , Li Gaoming , Qing Weijia , Reiter Russel J. , Yu Zhengping , Wu Hanjiang , Zhou Zhou 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAutophagy modulation is a potential therapeutic strategy for tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). Melatonin possesses significant anticarcinogenic activity. However, whether melatonin induces autophagy and its roles in cell death in TSCC are unclear. Herein, we show that melatonin induced significant apoptosis in the TSCC cell line Cal27. Apart from the induction of apoptosis, we demonstrated that melatonin‐induced autophagic flux in Cal27 cells as evidenced by the formation of GFP‐LC3 puncta, and the upregulation of LC3‐II and downregulation of SQSTM1/P62. Moreover, pharmacological or genetic blockage of autophagy enhanced melatonin‐induced apoptosis, indicating a cytoprotective role of autophagy in melatonin‐treated Cal27 cells. Mechanistically, melatonin induced TFE3(Ser321) dephosphorylation, subsequently activated TFE3 nuclear translocation, and increased TFE3 reporter activity, which contributed to the expression of autophagy‐related genes and lysosomal biogenesis. Luzindole, a melatonin membrane receptor blocker, or MT2‐siRNA partially blocked the ability of melatonin to promote mTORC1/TFE3 signaling. Furthermore, we verified in a xenograft mouse model that melatonin with hydroxychloroquine or TFE3‐siRNA exerted a synergistic antitumor effect by inhibiting autophagy. Importantly, TFE3 expression positively correlated with TSCC development and poor prognosis in patients. Collectively, we demonstrated that the melatonin‐induced increase in TFE3‐dependent autophagy is mediated through the melatonin membrane receptor in TSCC. These data also suggest that blocking melatonin membrane receptor‐TFE3‐dependent autophagy to enhance the activity of melatonin warrants further attention as a treatment strategy for TSCC.
Pathology in a Permian parareptile: congenital malformation of sacral vertebrae
Authors: Turner M. L. , Sidor C. A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPareiasaurs were a group of herbivorous reptiles that lived during the middle to late Permian (265–252 Ma). About 20 species are currently recognized from a fossil record spanning Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa. All pareiasaurs have a peculiar vertebral anatomy characterized by ‘swollen’ neural arches. Some species grew to large body size (e.g., 600 kg) and evolved up to five sacral vertebrae, but the detailed anatomy of the sacral region is poorly documented. Vertebral elements referable to the derived pareiasaur subclade Velosauria were recently recovered from the upper Madumabisa Mudstone Formation (Luangwa Basin) of Zambia and are described here. The specimen exhibits an abnormal morphology: the neural arches of the second, third, and fourth sacral vertebrae share a single, elongate centrum that is fused anteriorly with a ‘normal’ first sacral vertebra, and articulates posteriorly with a slightly disarticulated first caudal vertebra. We suggest two distinct pathologies are responsible for this morphology: (1) spondyloarthropathy (re‐ossified intervertebral joint) and (2) congenital block vertebra. The processes of development of neural arches and centra, while evolutionarily independent in origin, have been found to be conserved in all amniotes. While paleopathological morphologies can provide insight into environmental and disease‐based etiologies, pathological congenital malformations are particularly rare in fossil record and have the potential to be informative for understanding the evolution of vertebral development. The anatomy described here sheds light on pareiasaurian sacral morphology and provides insight into the pathology in one of the earliest clades of large‐bodied reptiles near the base of the amniote tree.
Singing our song: the affordances of singing in an intergenerational, multimodal literacy programme
Authors: Heydon Rachel , McKee Lori , O'Neill Susan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis exploratory case study examined the affordances of singing as a multimodal literacy practice within ensembles that featured art, singing and digital media produced in an intergenerational programme that served a class of kindergarten children and community elders. The programme that was set up by the study in collaboration with a rural school and elders' organisation saw participants meet one afternoon a week for most of a school year. Study questions concerned the meaning making and relationship‐building opportunities afforded to the participants as they worked through chains of multimodal projects. Data were collected using ethnographic tools in an elders' home where the projects were completed and in the kindergarten where project content and tools were introduced to the children and extended by the classroom teacher. Themes were identified through the juxtaposition of data in relation to the literature and study questions. Results indicate that singing provided opportunities for participants to form relationships and make meaning as a group while combining modes. Study findings foreground the communicative power of singing and suggest how singing, when viewed through a multimodal lens, might be a potent tool for multimodal literacy learning.
Forecasting Macroeconomic Labour Market Flows: What Can We Learn from Micro‐level Analysis?
Authors: Wilke Ralf A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractForecasting labour market flows is important for budgeting and decision‐making in government departments and public administration. Macroeconomic forecasts are normally obtained from time series data. In this article, we follow another approach that uses individual‐level statistical analysis to predict the number of exits out of unemployment insurance claims. We present a comparative study of econometric, actuarial and statistical methodologies that base on different data structures. The results with records of the German unemployment insurance suggest that prediction based on individual‐level statistical duration analysis constitutes an interesting alternative to aggregate data‐based forecasting. In particular, forecasts of up to six months ahead are surprisingly precise and are found to be more precise than considered time series forecasts.
Adolescents' and mothers' conflict management constellations: Links with individual and relational functioning
Authors: MISSOTTEN LIES , LUYCKX KOEN , VANHALST JANNE , NELEMANS STEFANIE A. , BRANJE SUSAN 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn the present multi‐informant study, we examined dyadic combinations of adolescent and maternal conflict management styles through stepwise latent class analysis. We investigated how these dyadic conflict classes related to adolescents' and mothers' perceptions of individual and relational functioning (depressive symptoms, self‐esteem, conflict frequency, relationship satisfaction, parenting), both concurrently and over time. Four conflict styles were investigated: positive problem solving, withdrawal, conflict engagement, and compliance. Questionnaires were completed by 526 adolescents and mothers. Findings pointed to four meaningful conflict management constellations: Dyadic Positive Management, Unbalanced Management, Adolescent Negative Management and Dyadic Negative Management. These constellations were differentially related to individual and relational factors. This study emphasized the importance of a typological dyadic approach in examining conflict management.
The List Experiment for Measuring Abortion: What We Know and What We Need
Authors: Moseson Heidi , Treleaven Emily , Gerdts Caitlin , Diamond‐Smith Nadia 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMeasuring abortion incidence and prevalence is often difficult because of under‐reporting and other biases, complicated research designs, and other issues. Recently, family planning researchers have introduced a new method called the list experiment, adopted from political science and economics, to measure abortion. Three completed studies and at least four studies currently underway use this method to measure abortion in several countries. We discuss the lessons learned from completed studies, when the list experiment may and may not be appropriate, and open questions regarding the use of the list experiment for abortion research. This method has the potential to improve measures of abortion prevalence and incidence, which could translate to better‐informed interventions to increase abortion access and reduce unmet need for family planning. Future research should further clarify the advantages and limitations of the list experiment for measuring abortion.
Vasovagal reactions in blood donors: risks, prevention and management
Authors: Thijsen A. , Masser B. 
Published: November 2017

SUMMARYThis narrative review examines current research on risk factors, prevention methods and management strategies for vasovagal reactions (VVRs) that occur during or as a result of blood donation. VVRs are important to blood collection agencies (BCAs) as they negatively impact the number of completed collections, perceptions of the safety of blood donation and rates of donor return. There has been significant progress in understanding and preventing VVRs in blood donation in recent years, with a multitude of risk factors identified. This has resulted in many BCAs implementing evidence‐based strategies, such as donor age and weight restrictions. However, the profile of our most vulnerable donors and features of the donation setting that may protect these donors from experiencing a VVR have not been identified. Furthermore, an increased number of trials of physiological and psychological prevention interventions to reduce both immediate and delayed VVRs have been reported. However, a lack of methodological consistency in operationalising interventions to reduce or prevent VVRs means that the identification of effective VVR prevention strategies remains a challenge for practitioners. Furthermore, research is still required to determine how to successfully implement prevention and management strategies into standard operating procedures within collection centres. Finally, research in the management and mitigation of the effect of VVRs is currently only suggestive of what should be done to care for the donor who reacts and how to empower those donors to return. Collectively, research into these aspects of VVRs will provide support to donors and BCAs and improve the safety of blood donation.
The political economy of non‐tariff measures
Authors: Herghelegiu Cristina 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis paper examines the extent to which non‐tariff measures (NTMs) are set for protectionist purposes. Our main focus is on developing countries. Overall results show that NTMs reflect protectionist forces, in particular for those that have been subject to trade concerns at the World Trade Organization (WTO). For the other measures, there is no evidence that protectionism is the driving force behind their adoption, suggesting that their determinants may be associated with legitimate goals such as consumer health and safety. Furthermore, transnational lobbying, defined as the participation of national business groups at the Ministerial Conferences—the highest authority of the WTO—is positively associated with the probability of adopting NTMs.
Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus Recovered from Oysters during an Oyster Relay Study
Authors: Elmahdi Sara , Parveen Salina , Ossai Sylvia , DaSilva Ligia V. , Jahncke Michael , Bowers John , Jacobs John 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

Vibrio parahaemolyticus
and
Vibrio vulnificus
are naturally occurring estuarine bacteria and are the leading causes of seafood-associated infections and mortality in the United States. Though multiple-antibiotic-resistant
V. parahaemolyticus
and
V. vulnificus
strains have been reported, resistance patterns in vibrios are not as well documented as those of other foodborne bacterial pathogens. Salinity relaying (SR) is a postharvest processing (PHP) treatment to reduce the abundances of these pathogens in shellfish harvested during the warmer months. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility (AMS), pathogenicity, and genetic profiles of
V. parahaemolyticus
and
V. vulnificus
recovered from oysters during an oyster relay study. Isolates (
V. parahaemolyticus
[
n
= 296] and
V. vulnificus
[
n
= 94]) were recovered from oysters before and during the 21-day relaying study to detect virulence genes (
tdh
and
trh
) and genes correlated with virulence (
vcgC
) using multiplex quantitative PCR (qPCR). AMS to 20 different antibiotics was investigated using microbroth dilution, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to study the genetic profiles of the isolates. Twenty percent of
V. vulnificus
isolates were
vcgC
+
, while 1 and 2% of
V. parahaemolyticus
were
tdh
+
and
trh
+
, respectively. More than 77% of the
V. vulnificus
isolates and 30% of the
V. parahaemolyticus
isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial. Forty-eight percent of
V. vulnificus
and 8% of
V. parahaemolyticus
isolates were resistant to two or more antimicrobials. All isolates demonstrated a high genetic diversity, even among those isolated from the same site and having a similar AMS profile. No significant effects of the relaying process on AMS, virulence genes, or PFGE profiles of
V. vulnificus
and
V. parahaemolyticus
were observed.

IMPORTANCE
Analysis of the antibiotic resistance profiles of
V. vulnificus
and
V. parahaemolyticus
isolated from oysters during this study indicated that more than 48% of
V. vulnificus
isolates were resistant to two or more antimicrobials, including those recommended by the CDC for treating
Vibrio
infections. Also, the
V. parahaemolyticus
isolates showed high MICs for some of the
Vibrio
infection treatment antibiotics. Monitoring of AMS profiles of this bacterium is important to ensure optimal treatment of infections and improve food safety. Our study showed no significant differences in the AMS profiles of
V. vulnificus
(
P
= 0.26) and
V. parahaemolyticus
(
P
= 0.23) isolated from the oysters collected before versus after relaying. This suggests that the salinity of the relaying sites did not affect the AMS profiles of the
Vibrio
isolates, although it did reduce the numbers of these bacteria in oysters (S. Parveen et al., J Food Sci 82:484–491, 2017,
https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.13584
).
Low-Molecular-Weight Thiols and Thioredoxins Are Important Players in Hg(II) Resistance in Thermus thermophilus HB27
Authors: Norambuena J. , Wang Y. , Hanson T. , Boyd J. M. , Barkay T. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

Mercury (Hg), one of the most toxic and widely distributed heavy metals, has a high affinity for thiol groups. Thiol groups reduce and sequester Hg. Therefore, low-molecular-weight (LMW) and protein thiols may be important cell components used in Hg resistance. To date, the role of low-molecular-weight thiols in Hg detoxification remains understudied. The mercury resistance (
mer
) operon of
Thermus thermophilus
suggests an evolutionary link between Hg(II) resistance and low-molecular-weight thiol metabolism. The
mer
operon encodes an enzyme involved in methionine biosynthesis, Oah. Challenge with Hg(II) resulted in increased expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis of multiple low-molecular-weight thiols (cysteine, homocysteine, and bacillithiol), as well as the thioredoxin system. Phenotypic analysis of gene replacement mutants indicated that Oah contributes to Hg resistance under sulfur-limiting conditions, and strains lacking bacillithiol and/or thioredoxins are more sensitive to Hg(II) than the wild type. Growth in the presence of either a thiol-oxidizing agent or a thiol-alkylating agent increased sensitivity to Hg(II). Furthermore, exposure to 3 μM Hg(II) consumed all intracellular reduced bacillithiol and cysteine. Database searches indicate that
oah2
is present in all
Thermus
sp.
mer
operons. The presence of a thiol-related gene was also detected in some alphaproteobacterial
mer
operons, in which a glutathione reductase gene was present, supporting the role of thiols in Hg(II) detoxification. These results have led to a working model in which LMW thiols act as Hg(II)-buffering agents while Hg is reduced by MerA.

IMPORTANCE
The survival of microorganisms in the presence of toxic metals is central to life's sustainability. The affinity of thiol groups for toxic heavy metals drives microbe-metal interactions and modulates metal toxicity. Mercury detoxification (
mer
) genes likely originated early in microbial evolution in geothermal environments. Little is known about how
mer
systems interact with cellular thiol systems.
Thermus
spp. possess a simple
mer
operon in which a low-molecular-weight thiol biosynthesis gene is present, along with
merR
and
merA
. In this study, we present experimental evidence for the role of thiol systems in mercury resistance. Our data suggest that, in
T. thermophilus
, thiolated compounds may function side by side with
mer
genes to detoxify mercury. Thus, thiol systems function in consort with
mer
-mediated resistance to mercury, suggesting exciting new questions for future research.
A Genetic System for the Thermophilic Acetogenic Bacterium Thermoanaerobacter kivui
Authors: Basen Mirko , Geiger Irina , Henke Laura , Müller Volker 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

Thermoanaerobacter kivui
is one of the very few thermophilic acetogenic microorganisms. It grows optimally at 66°C on sugars but also lithotrophically with H
2
+ CO
2
or with CO, producing acetate as the major product. While a genome-derived model of acetogenesis has been developed, only a few physiological or biochemical experiments regarding the function of important enzymes in carbon and energy metabolism have been carried out. To address this issue, we developed a method for targeted markerless gene deletions and for integration of genes into the genome of
T. kivui
. The strain naturally took up plasmid DNA in the exponential growth phase, with a transformation frequency of up to 3.9 × 10
−6
. A nonreplicating plasmid and selection with 5-fluoroorotate was used to delete the gene encoding the orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (
pyrE
), resulting in a Δ
pyrE
uracil-auxotrophic strain, TKV002. Reintroduction of
pyrE
on a plasmid or insertion of
pyrE
into different loci within the genome restored growth without uracil. We subsequently studied fructose metabolism in
T. kivui
. The gene
fruK
(TKV_c23150) encoding 1-phosphofructosekinase (1-PFK) was deleted, using
pyrE
as a selective marker via two single homologous recombination events. The resulting Δ
fruK
strain, TKV003, did not grow on fructose; however, growth on glucose (or on mannose) was unaffected. The combination of
pyrE
as a selective marker and the natural competence of the strain for DNA uptake will be the basis for future studies on CO
2
reduction and energy conservation and their regulation in this thermophilic acetogenic bacterium.

IMPORTANCE
Acetogenic bacteria are currently the focus of research toward biotechnological applications due to their potential for
de novo
synthesis of carbon compounds such as acetate, butyrate, or ethanol from H
2
+ CO
2
or from synthesis gas. Based on available genome sequences and on biochemical experiments, acetogens differ in their energy metabolism. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the carbon and electron flows through the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway and their links to energy conservation, which requires genetic manipulations such as deletion or overexpression of genes encoding putative key enzymes. Unfortunately, genetic systems have been reported for only a few acetogenic bacteria. Here, we demonstrate proof of concept for the genetic modification of the thermophilic acetogenic species
Thermoanaerobacter kivui
. The genetic system will be used to study genes involved in biosynthesis and energy metabolism, and may further be applied to metabolically engineer
T. kivui
to produce fuels and chemicals.
Complete Genome Sequences of Vibrio cholerae-Specific Bacteriophages 24 and X29
Authors: Bhandare Sudhakar G. , Warry Andrew , Emes Richard D. , Hooton Steven P. T. , Barrow Paul A. , Atterbury Robert J. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

The complete genomes of two
Vibrio cholerae
bacteriophages of potential interest for cholera bacteriophage (phage) therapy were sequenced and annotated. The genome size of phage 24 is 44,395 bp encoding 71 putative proteins, and that of phage X29 is 41,569 bp encoding 68 putative proteins.
Complete Genome Sequence of Acetobacter tropicalis Oregon-R-modENCODE Strain BDGP1, an Acetic Acid Bacterium Found in the Drosophila melanogaster Gut
Authors: Wan Kenneth H. , Yu Charles , Park Soo , Hammonds Ann S. , Booth Benjamin W. , Celniker Susan E. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

Acetobacter tropicalis
Oregon-R-modENCODE strain BDGP1 was isolated from
Drosophila melanogaster
for functional host-microbe interaction studies. The complete genome comprises a single chromosomal circle of 3,988,649 bp with a G+C content of 56% and a conjugative plasmid of 151,013 bp.
Draft Whole-Genome Sequences of Periodontal Pathobionts Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Tannerella forsythia Contain Phase-Variable Restriction-Modification Systems
Authors: Haigh Richard D. , Crawford Liam A. , Ralph Joseph D. , Wanford Joseph J. , Vartoukian Sonia R. , Hijazi Karolin , Wade William , Oggioni Marco R. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT

Periodontal disease comprises mild to severe inflammatory host responses to oral bacteria that can cause destruction of the tooth-supporting tissue. We report genome sequences for 18 clinical isolates of
Porphyromonas gingivalis
,
Prevotella intermedia
, and
Tannerella forsythia
, Gram-negative obligate anaerobes that play a role in the periodontal disease process.