bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Host and bacterial proteases influence biofilm formation and virulence in a murine model of enterococcal catheter-associated urinary tract infection
Authors: Xu Wei , Flores-Mireles Ana L. , Cusumano Zachary T. , Takagi Enzo , Hultgren Scott J. , Caparon Michael G. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractEnterococcus faecalis is a leading causative agent of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), the most common hospital-acquired infection. Its ability to grow and form catheter biofilm is dependent upon host fibrinogen (Fg). Examined here are how bacterial and host proteases interact with Fg and contribute to virulence. Analysis of mutants affecting the two major secreted proteases of E. faecalis OG1RF (GelE, SprE) revealed that while the loss of either had no effect on virulence in a murine CAUTI model or for formation of Fg-dependent biofilm in urine, the loss of both resulted in CAUTI attenuation and defective biofilm formation. GelE−, but not SprE− mutants, lost the ability to degrade Fg in medium, while paradoxically, both could degrade Fg in urine. The finding that SprE was activated independently of GelE in urine by a host trypsin-like protease resolved this paradox. Treatment of catheter-implanted mice with inhibitors of both host-derived and bacterial-derived proteases dramatically reduced catheter-induced inflammation, significantly inhibited dissemination from bladder to kidney and revealed an essential role for a host cysteine protease in promoting pathogenesis. These data show that both bacterial and host proteases contribute to CAUTI, that host proteases promote dissemination and suggest new strategies for therapeutic intervention.
Limiting Injury During Saphenous Vein Graft Preparation For Coronary Arterial Bypass Prevents Metabolic Decompensation
Authors: Cheung-Flynn Joyce , Song Jun , Voskresensky Igor , Wise Eric S. , Liu Yapu , Xiong Yanhua , Eagle Susan S. , Brophy Colleen M. , Flynn C. Robb 
Published: October 2017

AbstractStandard harvest and preparation of human saphenous vein (HSV) for autologous coronary and peripheral arterial bypass procedures is associated with injury and increased oxidative stress that negatively affect graft performance. In this study we investigated the global metabolomic profiles of HSV before (unprepared; UP) and after standard vein graft preparation (AP). AP-HSV showed impaired vasomotor function that was associated with increased oxidative stress, phospholipid hydrolysis and energy depletion that are characteristic of mechanical and chemical injury. A porcine model (PSV) was utilized to validate these metabolomic changes in HSV and to determine the efficacy of an improved preparation technique (OP) using pressure-regulated distension, a non-toxic vein marker, and graft storage in buffered PlasmaLyte solution in limiting metabolic decompensation due to graft preparation. Deficits in vasomotor function and metabolic signature observed in AP-PSV could be largely mitigated with the OP procedure. These findings suggest that simple strategies aimed at reducing injury during graft harvest and preparation represents a straightforward and viable strategy to preserve conduit function and possibly improve graft patency.
Sex differences in light sensitivity impact on brightness perception, vigilant attention and sleep in humans
Authors: Chellappa Sarah L. , Steiner Roland , Oelhafen Peter , Cajochen Christian 
Published: October 2017

AbstractArtificial light endows a “round-the-clock”, 24-h/7-d society. Chronic exposure to light at night contributes to health hazards for humans, including disorders of sleep. Yet the influence of inter-individual traits, such as sex-differences, on light sensitivity remains to be established. Here we investigated potential sex-differences to evening light exposure of 40 lx at 6500 K (blue-enriched) or at 2500 K (non-blue-enriched), and their impact on brightness perception, vigilant attention and sleep physiology. In contrast to women, men had higher brightness perception and faster reaction times in a sustained attention task during blue-enriched light than non-blue-enriched. After blue-enriched light exposure, men had significantly higher all-night frontal NREM sleep slow-wave activity (SWA: 2–4 Hz), than women, particularly during the beginning of the sleep episode. Furthermore, brightness perception during blue-enriched light significantly predicted men’s improved sustained attention performance and increased frontal NREM SWA. Our data indicate that, in contrast to women, men show a stronger response to blue-enriched light in the late evening even at very low light levels (40lux), as indexed by increased vigilant attention and sleep EEG hallmarks. Collectively, the data indicate that sex differences in light sensitivity might play a key role for ensuring the success of individually-targeted light interventions.
Exercise-dependent formation of new junctions that promote STIM1-Orai1 assembly in skeletal muscle
Authors: Boncompagni Simona , Michelucci Antonio , Pietrangelo Laura , Dirksen Robert T. , Protasi Feliciano 
Published: October 2017

AbstractStore-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), a ubiquitous mechanism that allows recovery of Ca2+ ions from the extracellular space, has been proposed to limit fatigue during repetitive skeletal muscle activity. However, the subcellular location for SOCE in muscle fibers has not been unequivocally identified. Here we show that exercise drives a significant remodeling of the sarcotubular system to form previously unidentified junctions between the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and transverse-tubules (TTs). We also demonstrate that these new SR-TT junctions contain the molecular machinery that mediate SOCE: stromal interaction molecule-1 (STIM1), which functions as the SR Ca2+ sensor, and Orai1, the Ca2+-permeable channel in the TT. In addition, EDL muscles isolated from exercised mice exhibit an increased capability of maintaining contractile force during repetitive stimulation in the presence of 2.5 mM extracellular Ca2+, compared to muscles from control mice. This functional difference is significantly reduced by either replacement of extracellular Ca2+ with Mg2+ or the addition of SOCE inhibitors (BTP-2 and 2-APB). We propose that the new SR-TT junctions formed during exercise, and that contain STIM1 and Orai1, function as Ca2+Entry Units (CEUs), structures that provide a pathway to rapidly recover Ca2+ ions from the extracellular space during repetitive muscle activity.
Seed defense biopriming with bacterial cyclodipeptides triggers immunity in cucumber and pepper
Authors: Song Geun Cheol , Choi Hye Kyung , Kim Young Sook , Choi Jung Sup , Ryu Choong-Min 
Published: October 2017

AbstractSeed priming is to expose seeds to specific compounds to enhance seed germination. Few studies of plant immune activation through seed priming have been conducted. Here, we introduce an emerging technology that combines seed priming with elicitation of plant immunity using biologically active compounds. This technology is named ‘seed defense biopriming’ (SDB). We prepared heat-stable metabolites from 1,825 root-associated Bacillus spp. isolated from the rhizosphere in South Korea. These preparations were tested for their ability to induce SDB in cucumber and pepper seeds and trigger plant immunity. SDB with heat-stable metabolites of the selected Bacillus gaemokensis strain PB69 significantly reduced subsequent bacterial diseases under in vitro and field conditions and increased fruit yield. Transcriptional analysis of induced resistance marker genes confirmed the upregulation of salicylic acid, ethylene, and jasmonic acid signaling. Mortality of the insect pest Spodoptera litura increased when larvae fed on SDB-treated cucumber tissues. Analysis of the causative bacterial metabolites identified a leucine-proline cyclodipeptide and a commercially obtained leucine-proline cyclodipeptide induced similar results as treatment with the bacterial preparation. Our results indicate that SDB treatment with the heat-stable bacterial metabolite effectively elicited immunity and controlled disease in seedlings to whole plants, thereby increasing yield even under field conditions.
Promoter DNA methylation analysis reveals a novel diagnostic CpG-based biomarker and RAB25 hypermethylation in clear cell renel cell carcinoma
Authors: Gu Yinmin , Zou Yi Ming , Lei Danqing , Huang Yuanjie , Li Weidong , Mo Zengnan , Hu Yanling 
Published: October 2017

AbstractClear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a common aggressive urinary malignant tumor that cannot be easily diagnosed at an early stage. The DNA methylation occurs within promoter before precancerous lesion plays a pivotal role that could help us in diagnosing and understanding ccRCC. In this study, based on a whole-genome promoter DNA methylation profiling, we used shrunken centroids classifier method to identify a CpG-based biomarker that is capable of differentiating between ccRCC tumor and adjacent tissues. The biomarker was validated in 19 ccRCCs and three public datasets. We found that both CYP4B1 and RAB25 are downregulated with promoter hypermethylation and CA9 is upregulated with promoter hypomethylation, and we validated their mRNA differential expressions in 19 ccRCCs and 10 GEO datasets. We further confirmed that hypermethylated RAB25 is inversely correlated with its mRNA level. Log-rank test showed that ccRCC patients with low levels of CA9 promoter methylation had a higher survival rate. This reveals clinically a potential biomarker for use in early detection for ccRCC, and provides a better understanding of carcinogenesis.
Manure amendment increases the content of nanomineral allophane in an acid arable soil
Authors: Zhang Jianchao , Xiao Jian , Li Siliang , Ran Wei 
Published: October 2017

AbstractNatural nanoparticles are of central importance in the environment, e.g. sorption of soil organic carbon (SOC) and contaminants. A large number of study have focused on the metal binding, transport and ecotoxicity of nanoparticles. Fertilizer amendments are routinely applied to arable soils and induce changes in soil chemical, physical and biological properties. However, the effects of fertilizer amendments on natural nanoparticles are still unknown. In this study, soil nanoparticles were separated from acid red soil (Ferralic Cambisol) including long-term (26 years) treatments of unfertilized control (CK), chemical nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (NPK) and raw pig manure (M). The results from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated that nanoparticles in red soil were heterogeneous organo-mineral associations with irregular shapes, regardless of fertilization history. In addition, kaolinite and allophane occurred in the soil nanoparticles. Intriguingly, we found the content of allophane under M treatment (0.64 g kg−1) was much higher than under CK and NPK treatments. However, the CK (0.27 g kg−1) and NPK (0.21 g kg−1) had similar allophane concentrations. Our study may indicate long-term organic manure amendment initializes positive feedback loop for further SOC sequestration. However, the mechanisms for the enhancement of nanomineral allophane by manure amendment deserve further investigation.
Self-folding Structural Design Using Multiscale Analysis on the Light-absorption Folding Behaviour of Polystyrene Sheet
Authors: Lee Yonghee , Moon Junghwan , Choi Joonmyung , Cho Maenghyo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractConcentrated light-absorption on specific areas of polystyrene (PS) sheet induces self-folding behaviour. Such localized light-absorption control is easily realized by black-coloured line pattern printing. As the temperature in the line patterns of PS sheet increases differently due to the transparencies in each line pattern, localized thermal contraction generates folding deformation of the PS sheet. The light-activated folding technique is caused by the shape memory effect of PS sheet. The shape memory creation procedure (SMCP) is described by using molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, and the constitutive model of PS sheet is identified. This study employs the shell/cohesive line element for the folding deformation of PS sheet, and utilizes the constitutive model obtained from the MD simulation. Based on the continuum-model analysis of the PS sheet folding deformation activated by light, various self-folding structures are designed and manufactured.
Physio-biochemical and molecular mechanism underlying the enhanced heavy metal tolerance in highland barley seedlings pre-treated with low-dose gamma irradiation
Authors: Wang Xiaojie , Ma Ruonan , Cui Dongjie , Cao Qing , Shan Zhe , Jiao Zhen 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHeavy metal pollution, as a consequence of rapid industrialization and urbanization, poses a threat to highland barley grown in Tibet. This study investigates the effect of different doses of gamma irradiation (50–300 Gy) on the physio-biochemical and molecular mechanism of highland barley under heavy metal stress. Growth data showed that 50-Gy gamma irradiation had the maximal beneficial effects on the highland barley seedlings under lead/cadmium stress. The results of oxidative parameters demonstrated that 50-Gy gamma-irradiated seedlings had lower hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde contents under lead/cadmium stress compared to non-irradiated seedlings. Moreover, the activities of antioxidant enzyme and proline levels in 50-Gy gamma-irradiated seedlings were drastically higher than those in non-irradiated seedlings under lead/cadmium stress. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy results revealed that the 50-Gy gamma-irradiated seedlings exhibited improved chloroplasts ultrastructure compared with non-irradiated seedlings exposed to lead/cadmium stress. Notably, transcriptional expression analysis showed that 50-Gy gamma irradiation could significantly affect the expression of genes related to heavy metal transport and abscisic acid metabolism under lead/cadmium stress. Collectively, these results provide insights into the physio-biochemical and molecular mechanisms of low-dose-gamma-irradiation-enhanced heavy metal tolerance in highland barley seedlings, thus proposing gamma irradiation as a potential technology to mitigate heavy metal toxicity in crops.
Transition of colistin dependence into colistin resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Lee Ji-Young , Chung Eun Seon , Ko Kwan Soo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe recently demonstrated a high rate of colistin dependence in Acinetobacter baumannii isolates exposed to colistin in vitro. In the present study, we obtained a colistin-resistant (H08-391R) and colistin-dependent mutant (H08-391D) from a colistin-susceptible parental strain (H08-391). We found that the colistin-dependent mutant converted into a stable colistin-resistant mutant (H08-391D-R) in vitro after four serial passages without colistin. H08-391D and H08-391D-R were both found to harbor defective lipid A, as indicated by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry analysis. Additionally, both contained an ISAba1 insertion in lpxC, which encodes a lipid A biosynthetic enzyme. Further, membrane potential measurements using the fluorescent dye 3,3′-diethyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC2[3]) showed that the membrane potential of H08-391D and H08-391D-R was significantly decreased as compared to that of the parental strain, H08-391. Moreover, these mutant strains exhibited increased susceptibilities to antibiotics other than colistin, which may be attributed to their outer membrane fragility. Such phenomena were identified in other A. baumannii strains (H06-855 and its derivatives). Taken together, our study reveals that the colistin-dependent phenotype is a transient phenotype that allows A. baumannii to survive under colistin pressure, and can transition to the extremely resistant phenotype, even in an antibiotic-free environment.
Behaviorally-determined sleep phenotypes are robustly associated with adaptive functioning in individuals with low functioning autism
Authors: Cohen Simonne , Fulcher Ben D. , Rajaratnam Shantha M. W. , Conduit Russell , Sullivan Jason P. , Hilaire Melissa A. St , Phillips Andrew J. , Loddenkemper Tobias , Kothare Sanjeev V. , McConnell Kelly , Ahearn William , Braga-Kenyon Paula , Shlesinger Andrew , Potter Jacqueline , Bird Frank , Cornish Kim M. , Lockley Steven W. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDespite sleep disturbance being a common complaint in individuals with autism, specific sleep phenotypes and their relationship to adaptive functioning have yet to be identified. This study used cluster analysis to find distinct sleep patterns and relate them to independent measures of adaptive functioning in individuals with autism. Approximately 50,000 nights of care-giver sleep/wake logs were collected on school-days for 106 individuals with low functioning autism (87 boys, 14.77 ± 3.11 years) for 0.5–6 years (2.2 ± 1.5 years) from two residential schools. Using hierarchical cluster analysis, performed on summary statistics of each individual across their recording duration, two clusters of individuals with clearly distinguishable sleep phenotypes were found. The groups were summarized as ‘unstable’ sleepers (cluster 1, n = 41) and ‘stable’ sleepers (cluster 2, n = 65), with the former exhibiting reduced sleep duration, earlier sleep offset, and less stability in sleep timing. The sleep clusters displayed significant differences in properties that were not used for clustering, such as intellectual functioning, communication, and socialization, demonstrating that sleep phenotypes are associated with symptom severity in individuals with autism. This study provides foundational evidence for profiling and targeting sleep as a standard part of therapeutic intervention in individuals with autism.
miR156 switches on vegetative phase change under the regulation of redox signals in apple seedlings
Authors: Jia Xiao Lin , Chen Ya Kun , Xu Xiao Zhao , Shen Fei , Zheng Qing Bo , Du Zhen , Wang Yi , Wu Ting , Xu Xue Feng , Han Zhen Hai , Zhang Xin Zhong 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn higher plants, miR156 regulates the vegetative phase change via the target SBP/SPL genes. The regulation of miR156 during ontogenetic processes is not fully understood. In the apple genome, of 31 putative MdMIR156 genes that encode pre-miR156, seven were dominantly expressed. However, the transcript levels of only MdMIR156a5 and MdMIR156a12 decreased significantly during the vegetative phase change, which was consistent with the mature miR156 level, indicating that miR156 is under transcriptional regulation. Leaf H2O2 content was higher in the adult phase than in the juvenile phase because of excess H2O2 accumulation in chloroplasts. When in vitro shoots were treated with menadione, diphenyleneiodonium, L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid or buthionine sulphoximine, the expressions of MdMIR156a5, MdMIR156a12, and as well miR156 were coordinated with reduced glutathione (GSH) contents and glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio but not H2O2 contents. Alteration of miR156 expression level by MdMIR156a6-overexpressing or miR156-mimetic transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana did not cause a corresponding change in reactive oxygen species or GSH status. Collectively, the results indicate that the vegetative phase change in apple is controlled by the MdMIR156a5 and MdMIR156a12 transcriptional regulatory network in response to the plastid–nucleus redox signals, such as GSH.
Compact wideband plasmonic filter with flat-top transmission response based on corrugated metal-insulator-metal ring resonator
Authors: Yang Liu , Zhou Yong Jin , Zhang Chao , Xiao Qian Xun 
Published: October 2017

AbstarctWe demonstrate a novel route to control the filtering of spoof localized surface plasmons (LSPs) on the corrugated metal-insulator-metal (MIM) ring resonator. The spoof LSPs resonance modes can be effectively tuned to achieve broad passband (covering the quadrupole mode and the hexapole mode) by selecting proper lengths in the input and output coupling area. The mutual coupling between the input and output lines produces the flat-top transmission response and sharp out-of-band rejection. Compared with the wideband bandpass filters based on spoof plasmonic waveguides, the proposed filter is ultra-compact and only 0.35λ*0.35λ. In order to further improve the property of the bandpass plasmonic filter, all the out-of-band frequencies (the dipole mode and the octopole mode) have been rejected by introducing a shunt stepped-impedance resonator and double C-shaped rings on the back of the substrate of the filter. Simulated results are confirmed via experiment, showing good rejection and wideband filtering performance with low insertion loss, flat-top transmission response and sharp out-of-band suppression. The proposed filter can find more applications in the highly integrated plasmonic circuits and systems in both terahertz and microwave regimes.
Out‐of‐plane continuous electrowetting actuation of liquid metal
Authors: Sarabia K. J. , Yamada S. S. , Gough R. C. , Moorefield M. R. , Combs A. W. , Shiroma W. A. , Ohta A. T. 
Published: October 2017

Liquid metal is actuated against the force of gravity using low‐voltage, low‐power continuous electrowetting. The liquid metal moves from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir, a distance of 12 mm, in 1.66 s. This demonstrates that the electrokinetic actuation of liquid metal is not limited to two‐dimensional movement.
Increased beam tilt angle from a patch antenna with three inhomogeneous loop‐based plates
Authors: Nakano H. , Kameta Y. , Yamauchi J. 
Published: October 2017

An antenna system composed of an activated patch backed by a ground plane and three square parasitic plates with inhomogeneous loops is analysed using the finite‐difference time‐domain method. Analysis of an antenna with an infinite ground plane reveals that a tilted beam of ∼60° from the broadside direction is obtained with a gain of ∼18 dBi. For confirmation, an antenna system with a finite‐sized ground plane that approximates the antenna characteristics for the infinite ground plane is fabricated and measured. The measured results are in good agreement with the analysis results.
Magnetic field probes for time‐domain monitoring of RF exposure within tissue‐mimicking materials for MRI‐compatible medical device testing
Authors: Attaran Ali , Handler William B. , Menon Ravi S. , Chronik Blaine A. 
Published: October 2017

A new RF B/H field probe for time‐domain monitoring of RF electromagnetic‐radiated exposure during medical device testing inside the lossy tissue‐mimicking material is presented. The probe was tuned and matched for a centre frequency of 127.6 MHz to optimise the response for testing within typical 3T MRI scanners or RF exposure platforms. A 5 mm radius loop was chosen as a trade‐off between spatial resolution and sensitivity and fabricated on a double‐sided FR4 PCB. In the presented scheme, a low‐noise RF amplifier was employed to reduce the sensitivity of the probe to induce voltage on the transmission lines and to improve accuracy. The implemented probe was found to provide acceptable spatial resolution and sensitivity for reliable B/H field mapping for this application.
Inverter‐based low‐power delta–sigma modulator using correlated level shifting technique
Authors: Zhang H. , Tan Z. , Nguyen K. 
Published: October 2017

A low‐power delta–sigma modulator based on inverter operational‐transconductance amplifiers (OTAs) using correlated level shifting technique (CLS) is presented. The CLS technique boosts the DC gain of inverter‐based OTA from 42 to 79 dB and extends the linear output swing from 55 to 80% of the full scale. Simulation results show that design in 180 nm CMOS technology, the proposed second‐order delta–sigma modulator achieves a signal‐to‐quantisation‐noise ratio improvement of 10.4 dB compared to a conventional inverter‐based modulator implementing the identical loop filter with the same oversampling ratio.