bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel study on association between untreated hearing loss and cognitive functions of older adults: Baseline non‐verbal cognitive assessment results
Authors: Jayakody D.M.P. , Friedland P.L. , Eikelboom R.H. , Martins R.N. , Sohrabi H.R. 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundAge‐related hearing loss (ARHL) is highly prevalent in older adults, and more than two‐thirds above age of 70 years suffer from ARHL. Recent studies have established a link between ARHL and cognitive impairment; however, most of the studies have used verbally loaded cognitive measures to investigate the association between ARHL and cognition. It is possible that due to hearing impairment, the elderly may experience difficulty in following verbal instructions or completing tasks that heavily rely on hearing during cognitive assessments. This may result in overestimation of cognitive impairment in such individuals. This baseline cross‐sectional study investigated the associations between untreated hearing loss and a number of cognitive functions using a battery of non‐verbal cognitive tests. Further, association between hearing loss and psychological status of older adults was examined.Study designProspective case‐controlled study.MethodsA total of 119 participants (54 males, M=66.33±10.50 years; 65 females M=61.51±11.46 years) were recruited. All participants completed a hearing assessment, a computerised test battery of non‐verbal cognitive functions and the depression, anxiety and stress scale.ResultsHierarchical multiple regression analysis results revealed that hearing thresholds significantly associated with the working memory (P<0.05), paired associative learning scores (P<0.05), depression (P<0.001), and anxiety (P<0.001) and stress (P<0.001) scores. Analysis of covariance results revealed that participants with moderately‐severe hearing loss performed significantly poorer in paired associative learning and working memory tasks and psychological function tests compared to those with normal hearing.ConclusionResults of the current study suggest a significant relationship between ARHL and both cognition and psychological status. Our results also have some implications for using non‐verbal cognitive tests to evaluate cognitive functions in post‐lingually hearing impaired ageing adults, at least for those with more than moderately‐severe levels of hearing loss.
Effect of cellobiose supplementation on in vitro fermentation activity and bacterial numbers of porcine inocula
Authors: Heinritz S. N. , Weiss E. , Seifert J. , Mosenthin R. , Kuß S. , Degenhardt A. G. , Koch T. J. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryIn this in vitro study, the modified Hohenheim gas test (HGT) was applied to determine fermentation activity and bacterial composition of pig's faecal microbial inoculum using different concentrations of cellobiose. Incubation procedures included normal buffered and osmotic stress conditions (elevated medium salinity). After 24 hr of fermentation, production of gas, ammonia and short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) was measured, and the gene copy numbers of total bacteria, Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Roseburia spp., Clostridium Cluster IV spp. and Enterobacteriaceae were analysed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. There was a significant reduction in gas production after 24 hr when comparing osmotic stress conditions with normal buffered conditions. Under osmotic stress, increasing cellobiose concentrations linearly increased gas production (p < .001), while ammonia, acetic acid and isobutyric acid concentrations decreased (p < .001, p = .012, p = .035 respectively). Under normal buffered conditions, Roseburia spp. gene copies linearly increased with increasing cellobiose concentrations (p = .048). Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. numbers were higher under osmotic stress (p < .001) compared to normal conditions. Results might point towards a positive impact of cellobiose supplementation on gut health especially under osmotic stress conditions.
Elfamycins: inhibitors of elongation factor‐Tu
Authors: Prezioso Samantha M. , Brown Nicole E. , Goldberg Joanna B. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryElfamycins are a relatively understudied group of antibiotics that target the essential process of translation through impairment of EF‐Tu function. For the most part, the utility of these compounds has been as laboratory tools for the study of EF‐Tu and the ribosome, as their poor pharmacokinetic profile and solubility has prevented implementation as therapeutic agents. However, due to the slowing of the antibiotic pipeline and the rapid emergence of resistance to approved antibiotics, this group is being reconsidered. Some researchers are using screens for novel naturally produced variants, while others are making directed, systematic chemical improvements on publically disclosed compounds. As an example of the latter approach, a GE2270 A derivative, LFF571, has completed phase 2 clinical trials, thus demonstrating the potential for elfamycins to become more prominent antibiotics in the future.
Disease‐modifying effect of solanezumab evaluated by delayed‐start analysis in a Japanese subpopulation with mild Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Nakamura Tomomi , Fujikoshi Shinji , Funai Jumpei , Matsumura Taka 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundSolanezumab, an anti‐amyloid monoclonal antibody that binds soluble forms of amyloid, might have disease‐modifying properties that slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Delayed‐start design was proposed as a method to show a disease‐modifying effect. In the global study, delayed‐start analysis suggested that treatment advantages obtained during the placebo‐controlled period in the mild subgroup of solanezumab‐treated patients were preserved at the primary time‐point (108 weeks).AimWe applied the delayed‐start analysis to the Japanese subpopulation with mild Alzheimer's disease who participated in the global studies to see whether a disease‐modifying effect was also shown in the Japanese subpopulation.MethodsA possible disease‐modifying effect of solanezumab was assessed using a new statistical method including non‐inferiority testing. Treatment differences were compared during the placebo‐controlled period with those after the placebo patients crossed over to solanezumab in the delayed‐start period.ResultsA total of 126 Japanese patients with mild Alzheimer's disease were included in the present study. Least squares mean difference for the 14‐item Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale‐Cognitive Subscale at the end of the placebo‐controlled period between patients with early‐ and delayed‐start of solanezumab was 2.85 (95% confidence interval 0.01–5.69) and 5.86 (95% confidence interval 2.22–9.51) at 108 weeks. Treatment difference during the placebo‐controlled period for the 14‐item Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale‐Cognitive Subscale was preserved at 108 weeks in the delayed‐start period.ConclusionResults from the Japanese subpopulation showed overall consistency with those from the global study, and are supportive for the possible disease‐modifying effects of solanezumab.
Identification and functional analysis of two P450 enzymes of Gossypium hirsutum involved in DMNT and TMTT biosynthesis
Authors: Liu Danfeng , Huang Xinzheng , Jing Weixia , An Xingkui , Zhang Qiang , Zhang Hong , Zhou Jingjiang , Zhang Yongjun , Guo Yuyuan 
Published: July 2017

SummaryThe homoterpenes (3E)‐4,8‐dimethyl‐1,3,7‐nonatriene (DMNT) and (E,E)‐4,8,12‐trimethyl‐1,3,7,11‐tridecatetraene (TMTT) are major herbivore‐induced plant volatiles that can attract predatory or parasitic arthropods to protect injured plants from herbivore attack. In this study, DMNT and TMTT were confirmed to be emitted from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) plants infested with chewing caterpillars or sucking bugs. Two CYP genes (GhCYP82L1 and GhCYP82L2) involved in homoterpene biosynthesis in G. hirsutum were newly identified and characterized. Yeast recombinant expression and enzyme assays indicated that the two GhCYP82Ls are both responsible for the conversion of (E)‐nerolidol to DMNT and (E,E)‐geranyllinalool to TMTT. The two heterologously expressed proteins without cytochrome P450 reductase fail to convert the substrates to homoterpenes. Quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) analysis suggested that the two GhCYP82L genes were significantly up‐regulated in leaves and stems of G. hirsutum after herbivore attack. Subsequently, electroantennogram recordings showed that electroantennal responses of Microplitis mediator and Peristenus spretus to DMNT and TMTT were both dose dependent. Laboratory behavioural bioassays showed that females of both wasp species responded positively to DMNT and males and females of M. mediator could be attracted by TMTT. The results provide a better understanding of homoterpene biosynthesis in G. hirsutum and of the potential influence of homoterpenes on the behaviour of natural enemies, which lay a foundation to study genetically modified homoterpene biosynthesis and its possible application in agricultural pest control.
Characterization of scientific studies usually cited as evidence of adverse effects of GM food/feed
Authors: Sánchez Miguel A. , Parrott Wayne A. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryGM crops are the most studied crops in history. Approximately 5% of the safety studies on them show adverse effects that are a cause for concern and tend to be featured in media reports. Although these reports are based on just a handful of GM events, they are used to cast doubt on all GM crops. Furthermore, they tend to come from just a few laboratories and are published in less important journals. Importantly, a close examination of these reports invariably shows methodological flaws that invalidate any conclusions of adverse effects. Twenty years after commercial cultivation of GM crops began, a bona fide report of an adverse health effect due to a commercialized modification in a crop has yet to be reported.
Phospholipase Dδ negatively regulates plant thermotolerance by destabilizing cortical microtubules in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhang Qun , Song Ping , Qu Yana , Wang Peipei , Jia Qianru , Guo Liang , Zhang Chuanpeng , Mao Tonglin , Yuan Ming , Wang Xuemin , Zhang Wenhua 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe pattern of cortical microtubule arrays plays an important role in plant growth and adaptation in response to hormonal and environmental changes. Cortical microtubules are connected with the plasma membrane (PM); however, how the membrane affects cortical microtubule organization is not well understood. Here, we showed that phospholipase Dδ (PLDδ) was associated with the PM and co‐localized with microtubules in cells. In vitro analysis revealed that PLDδ bound to microtubules, resulting in microtubule disorganization. Site‐specific mutations that decreased PLDδ enzymatic activity impaired its effects on destabilizing microtubule organization. Heat shock transiently activated PLDδ, without any change of its PM localization, triggering microtubule dissociation from PM and depolymerization and seedling death in Arabidopsis, but these effects were alleviated in pldδ knockout mutants. Complementation of pldδ with wild‐type PLDδ, but not mutated PLDδ, restored the phenotypes of microtubules and seedling survival to those of wild‐type Arabidopsis. Thus, we conclude that the PM‐associated PLDδ negatively regulates plant thermotolerance via destabilizing cortical microtubules, in an activity‐dependent manner, rather than its subcellular translocation.
Temperature heterogeneity over leaf surfaces: the contribution of the lamina microtopography
Authors: Saudreau Marc , Ezanic Amélie , Adam Boris , Caillon Robin , Walser Pascal , Pincebourde Sylvain 
Published: July 2017

AbstractTemperature is spatially heterogeneous over leaf surfaces, yet the underlying mechanisms are not fully resolved. We hypothesized that the 3D leaf microtopography determines locally the amount of incoming irradiation flux at leaf surface, thereby driving the temperature gradient over the leaf surface. This hypothesis was tested by developing a model of leaf temperature heterogeneity that includes the development of the leaf boundary layer, the microtopography of the leaf surface and the physiological response of the leaf. Temperature distributions under various irradiation loads (1) over apple leaves based on their 3D microtopography, (2) over simulated flat (2D) apple leaves and (3) over 3D leaves with a transpiration rate distributed as in 2D leaves were simulated. Accuracy of the predictions was quantified by comparing model outputs and thermographic measurements of leaf surface temperature under controlled conditions. Only the model with 3D leaves predicted accurately the spatial heterogeneity of surface temperature over single leaves, whereas the mean temperature was well predicted by both 2D and 3D leaves. We suggest that in these conditions, the 3D leaf microtopography is the primary driver of leaf surface heterogeneity in temperature when the leaf is exposed to a light/heat source.
Photochemical Reaction Between 1,2‐Naphthoquinone and Adenine in Binary Water‐Acetonitrile Solutions
Authors: Zhou Qiaohui , Wei Yaxiong , Liu Xiang , Chen Lin , Zhou Xiaoguo , Liu Shilin 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe photochemical reaction between 1,2‐naphthoquinone (NQ) and adenine was investigated using nanosecond time‐resolved laser flash photolysis. With photolysis at 355 nm, the lowest triplet state T1 of NQ was produced via intersystem crossing from its singlet excited state. The triplet‐triplet absorption of the state contributes three bands of transient spectra at 374, 596 and 650 nm, respectively, in pure acetonitrile and binary water‐acetonitrile solutions. In the presence of adenine, the observation of + (at 363 nm) and radical (at 343 and 485 nm) indicates a multistep mechanism of electron transfer process followed by a proton transfer between 3NQ* and adenine. By fitting with the Stern‐Volmer relationship, the quenching rate constant kq of 3NQ* by adenine in binary water‐acetonitrile solutions (4/1, volume ratio, v/v) is determined as 1.66 × 109 m−1 s−1. Additionally, no spectral evidence confirms the existence of electron transfer between 3NQ* with thymine, cytosine and uracil.
Low root‐to‐root transmission of a tobamovirus, yellow tailflower mild mottle virus, and resilience of its virions
Authors: Koh S. H. , Li H. , Sivasithamparam K. , Admiraal R. , Jones M. G. K. , Wylie S. J. 
Published: July 2017

Tobamoviruses are serious pathogens because they have extremely stable virions, they are transmitted by contact, and they often induce severe disease in crops. Knowledge of the routes of transmission and resilience of tobamovirus virions is essential in understanding the epidemiology of this group of viruses. Here, an isolate of the tobamovirus yellow tailflower mild mottle virus (YTMMV) was used to examine root‐to‐root transmission in soil and in a hydroponic growth environment. Root‐to‐root transmission occurred rarely, and when it occurred plants did not exhibit systemic movement of the virus from the roots to the shoots over a 30‐day period. The resilience of YTMMV virions was tested in dried leaf tissue over time periods from one hour to one year under temperatures ranging from −80 to 160 °C. Infectivity was maintained for at least a year when incubated at −80 or 22 °C, or at fluctuating ambient temperatures of 0.8 to 44.4 °C, but incubation under dry conditions at 160 °C for >4 days eliminated infectivity. Exposure of virions to 0.1 m sodium hydroxide or 20% w/v skimmed milk solution for 30 min, treatments recommended for tobamovirus inactivation, did not abolish infectivity of YTMMV.
Molecular Mechanism and Genetic Determinants of Buprofezin Degradation
Authors: Chen Xueting , Ji Junbin , Zhao Leizhen , Qiu Jiguo , Dai Chen , Wang Weiwu , He Jian , Jiang Jiandong , Hong Qing , Yan Xin 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

Buprofezin is a widely used insect growth regulator whose residue has been frequently detected in the environment, posing a threat to aquatic organisms and nontarget insects. Microorganisms play an important role in the degradation of buprofezin in the natural environment. However, the relevant catabolic pathway has not been fully characterized, and the molecular mechanism of catabolism is still completely unknown.
Rhodococcus qingshengii
YL-1 can utilize buprofezin as a sole source of carbon and energy for growth. In this study, the upstream catabolic pathway in strain YL-1 was identified using tandem mass spectrometry. Buprofezin is composed of a benzene ring and a heterocyclic ring. The degradation is initiated by the dihydroxylation of the benzene ring and continues via dehydrogenation, aromatic ring cleavage, breaking of an amide bond, and the release of the heterocyclic ring 2-
tert
-butylimino-3-isopropyl-1,3,5-thiadiazinan-4-one (2-BI). A buprofezin degradation-deficient mutant strain YL-0 was isolated. A comparative genomic analysis combined with gene deletion and complementation experiments revealed that the gene cluster
bfzBA3A4A1A2C
is responsible for the upstream catabolic pathway of buprofezin. The
bfzA3A4A1A2
cluster encodes a novel Rieske nonheme iron oxygenase (RHO) system that is responsible for the dihydroxylation of buprofezin at the benzene ring;
bfzB
is involved in dehydrogenation, and
bfzC
is in charge of benzene ring cleavage. Furthermore, the products of
bfzBA3A4A1A2C
can also catalyze dihydroxylation, dehydrogenation, and aromatic ring cleavage of biphenyl, flavanone, flavone, and bifenthrin. In addition, a transcriptional study revealed that
bfzBA3A4A1A2C
is organized in one transcriptional unit that is constitutively expressed in strain YL-1.

IMPORTANCE
There is an increasing concern about the residue and environmental fate of buprofezin. Microbial metabolism is an important mechanism responsible for the buprofezin degradation in the natural environment. However, the molecular mechanism and genetic determinants of microbial degradation of buprofezin have not been well identified. This work revealed that gene cluster
bfzBA3A4A1A2C
is responsible for the upstream catabolic pathway of buprofezin in
Rhodococcus qingshengii
YL-1. The products of
bfzBA3A4A1A2C
could also degrade bifenthrin, a widely used pyrethroid insecticide. These findings enhance our understanding of the microbial degradation mechanism of buprofezin and benefit the application of strain YL-1 and
bfzBA3A4A1A2C
in the bioremediation of buprofezin contamination.
Med15B Regulates Acid Stress Response and Tolerance in Candida glabrata by Altering Membrane Lipid Composition
Authors: Qi Yanli , Liu Hui , Yu Jiayin , Chen Xiulai , Liu Liming 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

Candida glabrata
is a promising producer of organic acids. To elucidate the physiological function of the Mediator tail subunit Med15B in the response to low-pH stress, we constructed a deletion strain,
C. glabrata
med15B
Δ, and an overexpression strain,
C. glabrata HTU
Δ/
CgMED15B
. Deletion of
MED15B
caused biomass production, glucose consumption rate, and cell viability to decrease by 28.3%, 31.7%, and 26.5%, respectively, compared with those of the parent (
HTU
Δ) strain at pH 2.0. Expression of lipid metabolism-related genes was significantly downregulated in the
med15B
Δ strain, whereas key genes of ergosterol biosynthesis showed abnormal upregulation. This caused the proportion of C
18:1
fatty acids, the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids (UFA/SFA), and the total phospholipid content to decrease by 11.6%, 27.4%, and 37.6%, respectively. Cells failed to synthesize fecosterol and ergosterol, leading to the accumulation and a 60.3-fold increase in the concentration of zymosterol. Additionally, cells showed reductions of 69.2%, 11.6%, and 21.8% in membrane integrity, fluidity, and H
+
-ATPase activity, respectively. In contrast, overexpression of Med15B increased the C
18:1
levels, total phospholipids, ergosterol content, and UFA/SFA by 18.6%, 143.5%, 94.5%, and 18.7%, respectively. Membrane integrity, fluidity, and H
+
-ATPase activity also increased by 30.2%, 6.9%, and 51.8%, respectively. Furthermore, in the absence of pH buffering, dry weight of cells and pyruvate concentrations were 29.3% and 61.2% higher, respectively, than those of the parent strain. These results indicated that in
C. glabrata
, Med15B regulates tolerance toward low pH via transcriptional regulation of acid stress response genes and alteration in lipid composition.

IMPORTANCE
This study explored the role of the Mediator tail subunit Med15B in the metabolism of
Candida glabrata
under acidic conditions. Overexpression of
MED15B
enhanced yeast tolerance to low pH and improved biomass production, cell viability, and pyruvate yield. Membrane lipid composition data indicated that Med15B might play a critical role in membrane integrity, fluidity, and H
+
-ATPase activity homeostasis at low pH. Thus, controlling membrane composition may serve to increase
C. glabrata
productivity at low pH.
Stabilization of Multimeric Proteins via Intersubunit Cyclization
Authors: Zhu Lu , Wang Shuwen , Tian Wenya , Zhang Yeqi , Song Yang , Zhang Jun , Mu Bo , Peng Chao , Deng Zixin , Ma Hongmin , Qu Xudong 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

Proteins with high catalytic efficiency and selectivity under mild conditions have long been appreciated by industrial and medicinal fields. These proteins, which are commonly multimeric, often possess low stability, impeding wider application. Currently, strategies to improve the stability of multimeric proteins concentrate on enhancing the interaction at internal interface of the subunits. In this report, we confirmed that the largely underestimated subunit terminal ends are as significant as the internal interface for protein stability. By connecting both the terminal ends and internal interface of subunits, the tetrameric
Leifsonia
alcohol dehydrogenase (
Ln
ADH) protein can been cyclized into a rigid form with significantly improved thermostability and resilience. The improvement in the temperature at which enzyme activity is reduced to 50% after a 15-min heat treatment (
T
50
15
) and melting temperature (

T
m

) of the modified protein was 18°C and 23.3°C, respectively, which is superior to the results achieved by normal protein engineering. Our study provided a novel strategy to effectively improve the stability of multimeric proteins, which is suitable not only for the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) family but also other classes of proteins with close terminal ends.

IMPORTANCE
Industrially interesting proteins are generally multimeric proteins; however, their applications are often restricted due to low stability caused by the natural tendency of subunit disassociation. Current approaches targeting this problem mainly focus on enhancing the internal interfaces of the subunits to avoid their disassociation. In this study, we identified and confirmed the external interface to be significant for improving the stability of multimeric proteins. By connecting the terminal ends and internal interface with disulfide bonds, we found that the multimeric protein
Ln
ADH cyclized into a robust monomeric-like form, resulting in superior thermostability compared to traditional protein engineering. This intersubunit cyclization approach is efficient and easy to perform, providing a novel method for engineering many important classes of multimeric proteins.