bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accumulation of microcystins in a dominant Chironomid Larvae (Tanypus chinensis) of a large, shallow and eutrophic Chinese lake, Lake Taihu
Authors: Xue Qingju , Su Xiaomei , Steinman Alan D. , Cai Yongjiu , Zhao Yanyan , Xie Liqiang 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAlthough there have been numerous studies on microcystin (MC) accumulation in aquatic organisms recently, the bioaccumulation of MCs in relatively small sized organisms, as well as potential influencing factors, has been rarely studied. Thus, in this study, we investigated the bioaccumulation of three MC congeners (-LR, -RR and -YR) in the chironomid larvae of Tanypus chinensis (an excellent food source for certain fishes), the potential sources of these MCs, and potentially relevant environmental parameters over the course of one year in Lake Taihu, China. MC concentrations in T. chinensis varied temporally with highest concentrations during the warmest months (except August 2013) and very low concentrations during the remaining months. Among the three potential MC sources, only intracellular MCs were significantly and positively correlated with MCs in T. chinensis. Although MC concentrations in T. chinensis significantly correlated with a series of physicochemical parameters of water column, cyanobacteria species explained the most variability of MC accumulation, with the rest primarily explained by extraMC-LR. These results indicated that ingestion of MC-producing algae of cyanobacteria accounted for most of the MC that accumulated in T. chinensis. The high MC concentrations in T. chinensis may pose a potential health threat to humans through trophic transfer.
Fluorescence based Aptasensors for the determination of hepatitis B virus e antigen
Authors: Huang Rongrong , Xi Zhijiang , Deng Yan , He Nongyue 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis research is aimed at selecting specific aptamer of hepatitis B e antigen by SELEX and its applications. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion is used as an indicator of virological response when treating patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B. HBeAg also indicates a high viremia and high infectivity in untreated patients. With HBeAg modified magnetic beads as targets, three groups of aptamers are successfully selected. These are the first reported DNA aptamers that can specifically bind to HBeAg. Based on the property that the conformation changes upon binding to its target, aptamer has emerged as ideal candidate in a variety of sensing applications. In this study, we present a simple strategy for aptamer-based fluorescence biosensors for the quantitative detection of HBeAg, in which a fluorescence labeled HBeAg aptamer serves as the molecular recognition element and a short DNA molecule that is complementary to the aptamer serves as the competitor. The LOD for HBeAg is 609 ng/mL. Later, the fluorescence system is deployed in HBeAg positive and negative blood serum (p < 0.05). The total detection assay could be completed in 2 min. These newly isolated aptamers could assist the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B.
ZCF32, a fungus specific Zn(II)2 Cys6 transcription factor, is a repressor of the biofilm development in the human pathogen Candida albicans
Authors: Kakade Pallavi , Sadhale Parag , Sanyal Kaustuv , Nagaraja Valakunja 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAs a human fungal pathogen, Candida albicans can cause a wide variety of disease conditions ranging from superficial to systemic infections. Many of these infections are caused by an inherent ability of the pathogen to form biofilms on medical devices resulting in high mortality. Biofilms formed by C. albicans are a complex consortium of yeast and hyphal cells embedded in an extracellular matrix and are regulated by a network of transcription factors. Here, we report the role of a novel Zn(II)2-Cys6 binuclear cluster transcription factor, ZCF32, in the regulation of biofilm formation. Global transcriptome analysis reveals that biofilm development is the most altered pathway in the zcf32 null mutant. To delineate the functional correlation between ZCF32 and biofilm development, we determined the set of genes directly regulated by Zcf32. Our data suggests that Zcf32 regulates biofilm formation by repressing the expression of adhesins, chitinases and a significant number of other GPI-anchored proteins. We establish that there is the lesser recruitment of Zcf32 on the promoters of biofilm genes in biofilm condition compared to the planktonic mode of growth. Taking together, we propose that the transcription factor ZCF32 negatively regulates biofilm development in C. albicans.
Functional characterization of GmBZL2 (AtBZR1 like gene) reveals the conserved BR signaling regulation in Glycine max
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhang Yan-Jie , Yang Bao-Jun , Yu Xian-Xian , Wang Dun , Zu Song-Hao , Xue Hong-Wei , Lin Wen-Hui 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBrassinosteroids (BRs) play key roles in plant growth and development, and regulate various agricultural traits. Enhanced BR signaling leads to increased seed number and yield in Arabidopsis bzr1-1D (AtBZR1P234L, gain-of-function mutant of the important transcription factor in BR signaling/effects). BR signal transduction pathway is well elucidated in Arabidopsis but less known in other species. Soybean is an important dicot crop producing edible oil and protein. Phylogenetic analysis reveals AtBZR1-like genes are highly conserved in angiosperm and there are 4 orthologues in soybean (GmBZL1-4). We here report the functional characterization of GmBZL2 (relatively highly expresses in flowers). The P234 site in AtBZR1 is conserved in GmBZL2 (P216) and mutation of GmBZL2P216L leads to GmBZL2 accumulation. GmBZL2P216L (GmBZL2*) in Arabidopsis results in enhanced BR signaling; including increased seed number per silique. GmBZL2* partially rescued the defects of bri1-5, further demonstrating the conserved function of GmBZL2 with AtBZR1. BR treatment promotes the accumulation, nuclear localization and dephosphorylation/phosphorylation ratio of GmBZL2, revealing that GmBZL2 activity is regulated conservatively by BR signaling. Our studies not only indicate the conserved regulatory mechanism of GmBZL2 and BR signaling pathway in soybean, but also suggest the potential application of GmBZL2 in soybean seed yield.
Schistosome sex matters: a deep view into gonad-specific and pairing-dependent transcriptomes reveals a complex gender interplay
Authors: Lu Zhigang , Sessler Florian , Holroyd Nancy , Hahnel Steffen , Quack Thomas , Berriman Matthew , Grevelding Christoph G. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAs a key event for maintaining life cycles, reproduction is a central part of platyhelminth biology. In case of parasitic platyhelminths, reproductive processes can also contribute to pathology. One representative example is the trematode Schistosoma, which causes schistosomiasis, an infectious disease, whose pathology is associated with egg production. Among the outstanding features of schistosomes is their dioecious lifestyle and the pairing-dependent differentiation of the female gonads which finally leads to egg synthesis. To analyze the reproductive biology of Schistosoma mansoni in-depth we isolated complete ovaries and testes from paired and unpaired schistosomes for comparative RNA-seq analyses. Of >7,000 transcripts found in the gonads, 243 (testes) and 3,600 (ovaries) occurred pairing-dependently. Besides the detection of genes transcribed preferentially or specifically in the gonads of both genders, we uncovered pairing-induced processes within the gonads including stem cell-associated and neural functions. Comparisons to work on neuropeptidergic signaling in planarian showed interesting parallels but also remarkable differences and highlights the importance of the nervous system for flatworm gonad differentiation. Finally, we postulated first functional hints for 235 hypothetical genes. Together, these results elucidate key aspects of flatworm reproductive biology and will be relevant for basic as well as applied, exploitable research aspects.
Incorporating structure context of HA protein to improve antigenicity calculation for influenza virus A/H3N2
Authors: Qiu Jingxuan , Qiu Tianyi , Yang Yiyan , Wu Dingfeng , Cao Zhiwei 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe rapid and consistent mutation of influenza requires frequent evaluation of antigenicity variation among newly emerged strains, during which several in-silico methods have been reported to facilitate the assays. In this paper, we designed a structure-based antigenicity scoring model instead of those sequence-based previously published. Protein structural context was adopted to derive the antigenicity-dominant positions, as well as the physic-chemical change of local micro-environment in correlation with antigenicity change. Then a position specific scoring matrix (PSSM) profile and local environmental change over above positions were integrated to predict the antigenicity variance. Independent testing showed a high accuracy of 0.875 and sensitivity of 0.986, with a significant ability to discover antigenic-escaping strains. When applying this model to the historical data, global and regional antigenic drift events can be successfully detected. Furthermore, two well-known vaccine failure events were clearly suggested. Therefore, this structure-context model may be particularly useful to identify those to-be-failed vaccine strains, in addition to suggest potential new vaccine strains.
Investigation of the functional role of human Interleukin-8 gene haplotypes by CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genome editing
Authors: Benakanakere Manjunatha R. , Finoti Livia S. , Tanaka Urara , Grant Gregory R. , Scarel-Caminaga Raquel M. , Kinane Denis F. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractInterleukin-8 (IL-8) gene polymorphisms have been considered as susceptibility factors in periodontal disease. However, the functional roles of IL-8 gene haplotypes have not been investigated. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the use of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to engineer the IL-8 gene and tested the functionality of different haplotypes. Two sgRNAs vectors targeting the IL-8 gene and the naked homologous repair DNA carrying different haplotypes were used to successfully generate HEK293T cells carrying the AT genotype at the first SNP - rs4073 (alias -251), TT genotype at the second SNP - rs2227307 (alias +396), TC or CC genotypes at the third SNP - rs2227306 (alias +781) at the IL-8 locus. When stimulated with Poly I:C, ATC/TTC haplotype, cells significantly up-regulated the IL-8 at both transcriptional and translational levels. To test whether ATC/TTC haplotype is functional, we used a trans-well assay to measure the transmigration of primary neutrophils incubated with supernatants from the Poly I:C stimulation experiment. ATC/TTC haplotype cells significantly increased transmigration of neutrophils confirming the functional role for this IL-8 haplotype. Taken together, our data provides evidence that carriage of the ATC/TTC haplotype in itself may increase the influx of neutrophils in inflammatory lesions and influence disease susceptibility.
Beta rhythm modulation by speech sounds: somatotopic mapping in somatosensory cortex
Authors: Bartoli Eleonora , Maffongelli Laura , Campus Claudio , D’Ausilio Alessandro 
Published: August 2016

AbstractDuring speech listening motor regions are somatotopically activated, resembling the activity that subtends actual speech production, suggesting that motor commands can be retrieved from sensory inputs. Crucially, the efficient motor control of the articulators relies on the accurate anticipation of the somatosensory reafference. Nevertheless, evidence about somatosensory activities elicited by auditory speech processing is sparse. The present work looked for specific interactions between auditory speech presentation and somatosensory cortical information processing. We used an auditory speech identification task with sounds having different place of articulation (bilabials and dentals). We tested whether coupling the auditory task with a peripheral electrical stimulation of the lips would affect the pattern of sensorimotor electroencephalographic rhythms. Peripheral electrical stimulation elicits a series of spectral perturbations of which the beta rebound reflects the return-to-baseline stage of somatosensory processing. We show a left-lateralized and selective reduction in the beta rebound following lip somatosensory stimulation when listening to speech sounds produced with the lips (i.e. bilabials). Thus, the somatosensory processing could not return to baseline due to the recruitment of the same neural resources by speech stimuli. Our results are a clear demonstration that heard speech sounds are somatotopically mapped onto somatosensory cortices, according to place of articulation.
Dynamic Covalent Chemistry-based Sensing: Pyrenyl Derivatives of Phenylboronic Acid for Saccharide and Formaldehyde
Authors: Chang Xingmao , Fan Jiayun , Wang Min , Wang Zhaolong , Peng Haonan , He Gang , Fang Yu 
Published: August 2016

AbstractWe synthesized two specially designed pyrenyl (Py) derivatives of phenylboronic acid, PSNB1 and PSNB2, of which PSNB2 self-assemble to form dynamic aggregate in methanol-water mixture (1:99, v/v) via intermolecular H-bonding and pi-pi stacking. Interestingly, the dynamic aggregate shows smart response to presence of fructose (F) as evidenced by fluorescence color change from green to blue. More interestingly, the fluorescence emission of the resulted PSNB2-F changes from blue to green with the addition of formaldehyde (FA). The reason behind is formation of a PSNB2-F dimer via FA cross-linking. Based upon the reactions as found, sensitive and fast sensing of F and FA in water was realized, of which the experimental DLs could be significantly lower than 10 μM for both analytes, and the response times are less than 1 min. It is believed that not only the materials as created may have the potential to find real-life applications but also the strategy as developed can be adopted to develop other dynamic materials.
Multi-observable Uncertainty Relations in Product Form of Variances
Authors: Qin Hui-Hui , Fei Shao-Ming , Li-Jost Xianqing 
Published: August 2016

AbstractWe investigate the product form uncertainty relations of variances for n (n ≥ 3) quantum observables. In particular, tight uncertainty relations satisfied by three observables has been derived, which is shown to be better than the ones derived from the strengthened Heisenberg and the generalized Schrödinger uncertainty relations and some existing uncertainty relation for three spin-half operators. Uncertainty relation of arbitrary number of observables is also derived. As an example, the uncertainty relation satisfied by the eight Gell-Mann matrices is presented.
A pivotal role of vacuolar H+-ATPase in regulation of lipid production in Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Zhang Huiying , Zeng Rensen , Chen Daoyi , Liu Jian 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMicroalgal lipids have been considered as a promising source for biodiesel production. Alkaline pH can induce neutral lipid accumulation in microalgae cells. However, whether and how proton pumps, especially vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase), function in these processes is not well known. In this study, we treated Phaeodactylum tricornutum with V-ATPase specific inhibitor bafilomycin A1 (BFA1) to determine its role in lipid production. Firstly, V-ATPase activity was increased in the latter phase of microalgae growth. BFA1 treatment decreased the cell density and lipid contents. Further analysis showed that BFA1 treatment reduced the number and size of oil bodies. GC-MS analysis showed that lipid components were not affected by BFA1 treatment. Intracellular pH was decreased and nitrogen depletion was delayed after BFA1 treatment. RNA-Seq analysis showed that expression of genes involved in calcium signaling, sulfur metabolism, cell cycle, glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, porphyrin, chlorophyll metabolism and lipid catabolic metabolism were upregulated, while expression of genes involved in ion transmembrane transport, ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, SNARE interactions in vesicular transport, fatty acid biosynthesis were downregulated under BFA1 treatment. Our findings provided insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying lipid accumulation and the key genes involved in lipid metabolism in Phaeodactylum tricornutum in response to BFA1.
Integrated solid-state nanopore platform for nanopore fabrication via dielectric breakdown, DNA-speed deceleration and noise reduction
Authors: Goto Yusuke , Yanagi Itaru , Matsui Kazuma , Yokoi Takahide , Takeda Ken-ichi 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe practical use of solid-state nanopores for DNA sequencing requires easy fabrication of the nanopores, reduction of the DNA movement speed and reduction of the ionic current noise. Here, we report an integrated nanopore platform with a nanobead structure that decelerates DNA movement and an insulating polyimide layer that reduces noise. To enable rapid nanopore fabrication, we introduced a controlled dielectric breakdown (CDB) process into our system. DNA translocation experiments revealed that single nanopores were created by the CDB process without sacrificing performance in reducing DNA movement speed by up to 10 μs/base or reducing noise up to 600 pArms at 1 MHz. Our platform provides the essential components for proceeding to the next step in the process of DNA sequencing.
Rezidivprophylaxe des Ulcus cruris venosum
Authors: Kroeger K. , Storck M. , Kujath P. , Rabe E. , Dissemond J. 
Published: August 2016

ZusammenfassungDas Ulcus cruris venosum (UCV) ist in Europa eine der häufigsten chronischen Wunden. Die Therapie ist langwierig, mühsam und kostenintensiv, und es besteht eine hohe Rezidivquote. In diesem Beitrag werden die Maßnahmen dargestellt, die jedem Patienten mit abgeheiltem UCV angeboten werden sollten, um das Auftreten eines erneuten UCV dauerhaft zu verhindern. Um einem UCV bei Varikose vorzubeugen, muss die Progression der chronischen venösen Insuffizienz (CVI) gestoppt werden. Es existiert eine überzeugende Evidenz dazu, dass die effiziente Therapie der Varikose bei Patienten mit UCV die Rezidivrate senkt. Bei Patienten mit einem postthrombotischen Syndrom (PTS) sollten weitere Thrombosen durch eine gezielte Thromboseprophylaxe verhindert werden. Für den Nutzen endovaskulärer rekanalisierender Verfahren bei Patienten mit postthrombotischen Veränderungen der Beckenvenen auf die Rezidivrate des UCV gibt es bisher keine Studien. Für UCV bei Varikose und PTS wurde in mehreren Studien eindrücklich gezeigt, dass die Kompressionstherapie die Basismaßnahme für die Prävention eines Ulkusrezidivs ist, unabhängig davon, ob andere Maßnahmen durchgeführt wurden oder nicht. Wichtiger als eine möglichst hohe Kompressionsklasse ist eine gute Adhärenz der betroffenen Patienten bei der Kompressionstherapie. Das Ziel zukünftiger Bemühungen für Patienten mit UCV muss es sein, den Therapeuten Instrumente und Behandlungsstrategien an die Hand zu geben, den Patienten zu führen und dessen Akzeptanz und Verständnis für die Bedeutung des Selbstmanagements insbesondere der Kompressionstherapie für die Rezidivprophylaxe zu erhöhen.
A Density Map of the Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Lyme Borreliosis Vector Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) for Germany
Authors: Brugger Katharina , Boehnke Denise , Petney Trevor , Dobler Gerhard , Pfeffer Martin , Silaghi Cornelia , Schaub Günter A. , Pinior Beate , Dautel Hans , Kahl Olaf , Pfister Kurt , Süss Jochen , Rubel Franz 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe castor bean tick Ixodes ricinus (L.) is the principal vector for a variety of viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens causing a growing public-health issue over the past decades. However, a national density map of I. ricinus is still missing. Here, I. ricinus nymphs in Germany were investigated by compiling a high-resolution map depicting the mean annually accumulated nymphal density, as observed by monthly flagging an area of 100 m2. Input data comprise ticks collected at 69 sampling sites. The model domain covers an area of about 357,000 km2 (regional scale). Two negative binomial regression models were fitted to the data to interpolate the tick densities to unsampled locations using bioclimatic variables and land cover, which were selected according to their significance by the Akaike information criterion (AIC). The default model was fitted to the complete dataset resulting in AIC = 842. An optimized model resulted in a significantly better value of AIC = 732. Tick densities are very low in urban (green) areas. Maximum annual densities up to 1,000 nymphs per 100 m2 are observed in broad-leaved forests. The tick maps were verified by leave-one-out cross-validation. Root mean square errors of RMSE = 137 and RMSE = 126 nymphs per 100 m2 were estimated for the two models, respectively. These errors are of the order of the interannual variation of the tick densities. The compilation of a high-resolution density map of unfed nymphal I. ricinus for Germany provides a novel, nationwide insight into the distribution of an important disease vector.
EBL ebook use compared to the use of equivalent print books and other eresources
Authors: Lewellen Rachel , Bischof Steven , Plum Terry 
Published: August 2016

Purpose
– This paper, a case study with research implications, analyzes ebook use and users, focusing on ProQuest’s Electronic Book Library (EBL) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The purpose of this paper is to understand ebook user attributes and behaviors in the context of print books and other eresources; to examine usage of EBL ebooks and print materials; and to explore differences between users of ebooks and print books.

Design/methodology/approach
– The methodologies of the study are MINES for Libraries® implemented through EZproxy and an analysis of users and usage of EBL ebooks compared to print books based in part on the set of books available to the UMass community in both formats.

Findings
– Undergraduates use print more often compared to graduate and faculty users. Among all uses of overlap materials in which materials are available in both formats, EBL and print, we find more print use. In all, 40 percent of EBL users did not check out any print library books, which would indicate that EBL created new users and new circulation that would not have otherwise occurred in print. Further, the findings show little difference by gender and ethnicity in the use of ebooks and print books and little evidence of lagging adoption of ebooks by faculty. When compared to campus-wide demographics, women and students of color use both print and ebooks in higher than expected rates.

Originality/value
– Subject analysis of ebooks and print book usage and users by school or college are explored, highlighting differences between the two formats in certain subjects.