bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrathin graphene oxide membranes on freestanding carbon nanotube supports for enhanced selective permeation in organic solvents
Authors: Kim Seon Joon , Kim Dae Woo , Cho Kyeong Min , Kang Kyoung Min , Choi Junghoon , Kim Daeok , Jung Hee-Tae 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAmong the various factors required for membranes in organic solvent separations, the stability of membrane supports is critical in the preparation of membranes with universal chemical stability, mechanical flexibility, and high flux. In this study, nanoporous freestanding carbon nanotube (CNT) films were fabricated and utilized as supports for enhanced permeation in organic solvents. The excellent chemical stability of the CNT support allowed it to withstand various organic solvents such as toluene, acetone, and dimethylformamide. In addition, the structural stability and high pore density of CNT supports allowed the deposition of an ultrathin selective layer for an enhanced-flux membrane. Membrane performance was demonstrated by depositing a thin graphene oxide (GO) layer on the CNT support; GO was selected because of its high chemical stability. CNT-supported GO membranes effectively blocked molecules with molecular weight larger than ~800 g mol−1 while allowing the fast permeation of small molecules such as naphthalene (permeation was 50 times faster than that through thick GO membranes) and maintaining selective permeation in harsh solvents even after 72 hours of operation. We believe that the developed CNT support can provide fundamental insights in utilizing selective materials toward organic solvent membranes.
Molecular interaction of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACCD)-producing endophytic Streptomyces sp. GMKU 336 towards salt-stress resistance of Oryza sativa L. cv. KDML105
Authors: Jaemsaeng Ratchaniwan , Jantasuriyarat Chatchawan , Thamchaipenet Arinthip 
Published: January 2018

Abstract1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACCD)-producing endophytic Streptomyces sp. GMKU 336 and its ACCD-deficient mutant were inoculated into Thai jasmine rice Khao Dok Mali 105 cultivar (Oryza sativa L. cv. KDML105) under salt stress (150 mM NaCl) conditions. The results clearly indicated that Streptomyces sp. GMKU 336 significantly increased plant growth, chlorophyll, proline, K+, Ca+, and water contents; but decreased ethylene, reactive oxygen species (ROS), Na+, and Na+/K+ ratio when compared to plants not inoculated and those inoculated with the ACCD-deficient mutant. Expression profiles of stress responsive genes in rice in association with strain GMKU 336 were correlated to plant physiological characteristics. Genes involved in the ethylene pathway, ACO1 and EREBP1, were significantly down-regulated; while acdS encoding ACCD in Streptomyces sp. GMKU 336 was up-regulated in vivo. Furthermore, genes involved in osmotic balance (BADH1), Na+ transporters (NHX1 and SOS1), calmodulin (Cam1-1), and antioxidant enzymes (CuZn-SOD1 and CATb) were up-regulated; whereas, a gene implicated in a signaling cascade, MAPK5, was down-regulated. This work demonstrates the first time that ACCD-producing Streptomyces sp. GMKU 336 enhances growth of rice and increases salt tolerance by reduction of ethylene via the action of ACCD and further assists plants to scavenge ROS, balance ion content and osmotic pressure.
Social status shapes the bacterial and fungal gut communities of the honey bee
Authors: Yun Ji-Hyun , Jung Mi-Ja , Kim Pil Soo , Bae Jin-Woo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDespite the fungal abundance in honey and bee bread, little is known about the fungal gut community of the honey bee and its effect on host fitness. Using pyrosequencing of the16S rRNAgene and ITS2 region amplicons, we analysed the bacterial and fungal gut communities of the honey bee as affected by the host social status. Both communities were significantly affected by the host social status. The bacterial gut community was similar to those characterised in previous studies. The fungal gut communities of most worker bees were highly dominated bySaccharomycesbut foraging bees and queens were colonised by diverse fungal species andZygosaccharomyces, respectively. The high fungal density and positive correlation betweenSaccharomycesspecies andLactobacillusspecies, known yeast antagonists, were only observed in the nurse bee; this suggested that the conflict betweenSaccharomycesandLactobacilluswas compromised by the metabolism of the host and/or other gut microbes. PICRUSt analysis revealed significant differences in enriched gene clusters of the bacterial gut communities of the nurse and foraging bees, suggesting that different host social status might induce changes in the gut microbiota, and, that consequently, gut microbial community shifts to adapt to the gut environment.
Crystal structure of a Ca2+-dependent regulator of flagellar motility reveals the open-closed structural transition
Authors: Shojima Tomoki , Hou Feng , Takahashi Yusuke , Matsumura Yoshitaka , Okai Masahiko , Nakamura Akira , Mizuno Katsutoshi , Inaba Kazuo , Kojima Masaki , Miyakawa Takuya , Tanokura Masaru 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSperm chemotaxis toward a chemoattractant is very important for the success of fertilization. Calaxin, a member of the neuronal calcium sensor protein family, directly acts on outer-arm dynein and regulates specific flagellar movement during sperm chemotaxis of ascidian, Ciona intestinalis. Here, we present the crystal structures of calaxin both in the open and closed states upon Ca2+ and Mg2+ binding. The crystal structures revealed that three of the four EF-hands of a calaxin molecule bound Ca2+ ions and that EF2 and EF3 played a critical role in the conformational transition between the open and closed states. The rotation of α7 and α8 helices induces a significant conformational change of a part of the α10 helix into the loop. The structural differences between the Ca2+- and Mg2+-bound forms indicates that EF3 in the closed state has a lower affinity for Mg2+, suggesting that calaxin tends to adopt the open state in Mg2+-bound form. SAXS data supports that Ca2+-binding causes the structural transition toward the closed state. The changes in the structural transition of the C-terminal domain may be required to bind outer-arm dynein. These results provide a novel mechanism for recognizing a target protein using a calcium sensor protein.
Body size is more important than diet in determining stable-isotope estimates of trophic position in crocodilians
Authors: Villamarín Francisco , Jardine Timothy D. , Bunn Stuart E. , Marioni Boris , Magnusson William E. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe trophic position of a top predator, synonymous with food-chain length, is one of the most fundamental attributes of ecosystems. Stable isotope ratios of nitrogen (δ15N) have been used to estimate trophic position of organisms due to the predictable enrichment of15N in consumer tissues relative to their diet. Previous studies in crocodilians have found upward ontogenetic shifts in their ‘trophic position’. However, such increases are not expected from what is known about crocodilian diets because ontogenetic shifts in diet relate to taxonomic categories of prey rather than shifts to prey from higher trophic levels. When we analysed dietary information from the literature on the four Amazonian crocodilians, ontogenetic shifts in dietary-based trophic position (TPdiet) were minimal, and differed from those estimated usingδ15N data (TPSIA). Thus, ontogenetic shifts in TPSIAmay result not only from dietary assimilation but also from trophic discrimination factors (TDF orΔ15N) associated with body size. Using a unique TDF value to estimate trophic position of crocodilians of all sizes might obscure conclusions about ontogenetic shifts in trophic position. Our findings may change the way that researchers estimate trophic position of organisms that show orders of magnitude differences in size across their life span.
Nonlinear mixed-modelling discriminates the effect of chemicals and their mixtures on zebrafish behavior
Authors: Gauthier Patrick T. , Vijayan Mathilakath M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractZebrafish (Danio rerio) early-life stage behavior has the potential for high-throughput screening of neurotoxic environmental contaminants. However, zebrafish embryo and larval behavioral assessments typically utilize linear analyses of mean activity that may not capture the complexity of the behavioral response. Here we tested the hypothesis that nonlinear mixed-modelling of zebrafish embryo and larval behavior provides a better assessment of the impact of chemicals and their mixtures. We demonstrate that zebrafish embryo photomotor responses (PMRs) and larval light/dark locomotor activities can be fit by asymmetric Lorentzian and Ricker-beta functions, respectively, which estimate the magnitude of activity (e.g., maximum and total activities) and temporal aspects (e.g., duration of the responses and its excitatory periods) characterizing early life-stage zebrafish behavior. We exposed zebrafish embryos and larvae to neuroactive chemicals, including isoproterenol, serotonin, and ethanol, as well as their mixtures, to assess the feasibility of using the nonlinear mixed-modelling to assess behavioral modulation. Exposure to chemicals led to distinct effects on specific behavioral characteristics, and interactive effects on temporal characteristics of the behavioral response that were overlooked by the linear analyses of mean activity. Overall, nonlinear mixed-modelling is a more comprehensive approach for screening the impact of chemicals and chemical mixtures on zebrafish behavior.
Genetic basis of cardiomyopathy and the genotypes involved in prognosis and left ventricular reverse remodeling
Authors: Tobita Takashige , Nomura Seitaro , Fujita Takanori , Morita Hiroyuki , Asano Yoshihiro , Onoue Kenji , Ito Masamichi , Imai Yasushi , Suzuki Atsushi , Ko Toshiyuki , Satoh Masahiro , Fujita Kanna , Naito Atsuhiko T , Furutani Yoshiyuki , Toko Haruhiro , Harada Mutsuo , Amiya Eisuke , Hatano Masaru , Takimoto Eiki , Shiga Tsuyoshi , Nakanishi Toshio , Sakata Yasushi , Ono Minoru , Saito Yoshihiko , Takashima Seiji , Hagiwara Nobuhisa , Aburatani Hiroyuki , Komuro Issei 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous. Cardiac function is improved after treatment in some cardiomyopathy patients, but little is known about genetic predictors of long-term outcomes and myocardial recovery following medical treatment. To elucidate the genetic basis of cardiomyopathy in Japan and the genotypes involved in prognosis and left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR), we performed targeted sequencing on 120 DCM (70 sporadic and 50 familial) and 52 HCM (15 sporadic and 37 familial) patients and integrated their genotypes with clinical phenotypes. Among the 120 DCM patients, 20 (16.7%) had TTN truncating variants and 13 (10.8%) had LMNA variants. TTN truncating variants were the major cause of sporadic DCM (21.4% of sporadic cases) as with Caucasians, whereas LMNA variants, which include a novel recurrent LMNA E115M variant, were the most frequent in familial DCM (24.0% of familial cases) unlike Caucasians. Of the 52 HCM patients, MYH7 and MYBPC3 variants were the most common (12 (23.1%) had MYH7 variants and 11 (21.2%) had MYBPC3 variants) as with Caucasians. DCM patients harboring TTN truncating variants had better prognosis than those with LMNA variants. Most patients with TTN truncating variants achieved LVRR, unlike most patients with LMNA variants.
In vivo photoacoustic monitoring using 700-nm region Raman source for targeting Prussian blue nanoparticles in mouse tumor model
Authors: Bui Nhat Quang , Cho Soon-Woo , Moorthy Madhappan Santha , Park Sang Min , Piao Zhonglie , Nam Seung Yun , Kang Hyun Wook , Kim Chang-Seok , Oh Junghwan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPhotoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a noninvasive imaging tool to visualize optical absorbing contrast agents. Due to high ultrasonic resolution and superior optical sensitivity, PAI can be used to monitor nanoparticle-mediated cancer therapy. The current study synthesized Food and Drug Administration-approved Prussian blue (PB) in the form of nanoparticles (NPs) with the peak absorption at 712 nm for photoacoustically imaging tumor-bearing mouse models. To monitor PB NPs from the background tissue in vivo, we also developed a new 700-nm-region stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) source (pulse energy up to 200 nJ and repetition rate up to 50 kHz) and implemented optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM). The SRS-assisted OR-PAM system was able to monitor PB NPs in the tumor model with micrometer resolution. Due to strong light absorption at 712 nm, the developed SRS light yielded a two-fold higher contrast from PB NPs, in comparison with a 532-nm pumping source. The proposed laser source involved cost-effective and simple system implementation along with high compatibility with the fiber-based OR-PAM system. The study highlights the OR-PAM system in conjunction with the tunable-color SRS light source as a feasible tool to assist NP-mediated cancer therapy.
A model species for agricultural pest genomics: the genome of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Schoville Sean D. , Chen Yolanda H. , Andersson Martin N. , Benoit Joshua B. , Bhandari Anita , Bowsher Julia H. , Brevik Kristian , Cappelle Kaat , Chen Mei-Ju M. , Childers Anna K. , Childers Christopher , Christiaens Olivier , Clements Justin , Didion Elise M. , Elpidina Elena N. , Engsontia Patamarerk , Friedrich Markus , García-Robles Inmaculada , Gibbs Richard A. , Goswami Chandan , Grapputo Alessandro , Gruden Kristina , Grynberg Marcin , Henrissat Bernard , Jennings Emily C. , Jones Jeffery W. , Kalsi Megha , Khan Sher A. , Kumar Abhishek , Li Fei , Lombard Vincent , Ma Xingzhou , Martynov Alexander , Miller Nicholas J. , Mitchell Robert F. , Munoz-Torres Monica , Muszewska Anna , Oppert Brenda , Palli Subba Reddy , Panfilio Kristen A. , Pauchet Yannick , Perkin Lindsey C. , Petek Marko , Poelchau Monica F. , Record Éric , Rinehart Joseph P. , Robertson Hugh M. , Rosendale Andrew J. , Ruiz-Arroyo Victor M. , Smagghe Guy , Szendrei Zsofia , Thomas Gregg W.C. , Torson Alex S. , Vargas Jentzsch Iris M. , Weirauch Matthew T. , Yates Ashley D. , Yocum George D. , Yoon June-Sun , Richards Stephen 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe Colorado potato beetle is one of the most challenging agricultural pests to manage. It has shown a spectacular ability to adapt to a variety of solanaceaeous plants and variable climates during its global invasion, and, notably, to rapidly evolve insecticide resistance. To examine evidence of rapid evolutionary change, and to understand the genetic basis of herbivory and insecticide resistance, we tested for structural and functional genomic changes relative to other arthropod species using genome sequencing, transcriptomics, and community annotation. Two factors that might facilitate rapid evolutionary change include transposable elements, which comprise at least 17% of the genome and are rapidly evolving compared to other Coleoptera, and high levels of nucleotide diversity in rapidly growing pest populations. Adaptations to plant feeding are evident in gene expansions and differential expression of digestive enzymes in gut tissues, as well as expansions of gustatory receptors for bitter tasting. Surprisingly, the suite of genes involved in insecticide resistance is similar to other beetles. Finally, duplications in the RNAi pathway might explain whyLeptinotarsa decemlineatahas high sensitivity to dsRNA. TheL.decemlineatagenome provides opportunities to investigate a broad range of phenotypes and to develop sustainable methods to control this widely successful pest.
A comparative study of low energy radiation response of AlAs, GaAs and GaAs/AlAs superlattice and the damage effects on their electronic structures
Authors: Jiang M. , Xiao H. Y. , Peng S. M. , Yang G. X. , Liu Z. J. , Zu X. T. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn this study, the low energy radiation responses of AlAs, GaAs and GaAs/AlAs superlattice are simulated and the radiation damage effects on their electronic structures are investigated. It is found that the threshold displacement energies for AlAs are generally larger than those for GaAs, i.e., the atoms in AlAs are more difficult to be displaced than those in GaAs under radiation environment. As for GaAs/AlAs superlattice, the Ga and Al atoms are more susceptible to the radiation than those in the bulk AlAs and GaAs, whereas the As atoms need comparable or much larger energies to be displaced than those in the bulk states. The created defects are generally Frenkel pairs, and a few antisite defects are also created in the superlattice structure. The created defects are found to have profound effects on the electronic properties of GaAs/AlAs superlattice, in which charge transfer, redistribution and even accumulation take place, and band gap narrowing and even metallicity are induced in some cases. This study shows that it is necessary to enhance the radiation tolerance of GaAs/AlAs superlattice to improve their performance under irradiation.
Hemojuvelin Predicts Acute Kidney Injury and Poor Outcomes Following Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Ko Sheng-Wen , Chi Nai-Hsin , Wu Che-Hsiung , Huang Tao-Min , Chueh Shih-Chieh Jeff , Wang Chih-Hsien , Lin Jui-Hsiang , Wang Wei-Jie , Ting Jui-Tsung , Chang Huang-Ming , Connolly Rory , Lai Chien-Heng , Tseng Li-Jung , Wu Vin-Cent , Chu Tzong-Shinn 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAcute kidney injury (AKI) is detrimental after cardiac surgery. In this multicenter study, the novel biomarker hemojuvelin (HJV) was evaluated for AKI prediction following cardiac surgery. Urinary HJV, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and urinary creatinine were measured in 151 patients after surgery. The outcomes of advanced AKI (KDIGO stages 2 and 3) and all causes of in-hospital mortality as the composite outcome were recorded. Areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves (AUC) and a multivariate generalized additive model (GAM) were applied to predict these outcomes of interest. Urinary HJV differentiated patients with/without AKI, advanced AKI or composite outcome after surgery (p < 0.001, by a generalized estimating equation) in this study. At three hours post-surgery, urinary HJV predicted advanced AKI (p < 0.001) and composite outcome (p < 0.001) with corresponding AUC values of 0.768 and 0.828, respectively. The performance of creatinine-adjusted HJV was also superior to NGAL in predicting advanced AKI (AUC = 0.784 and 0.694; p = 0.037) and composite outcome (AUC = 0.842 and 0.676; p = 0.002). The integration of HJV into the Cleveland Clinic score for advanced AKI led to a significant increase in risk stratification (net reclassification improvement [NRI] = 0.598; p < 0.001).
Construction of two whole genome radiation hybrid panels for dromedary (Camelus dromedarius): 5000RAD and 15000RAD
Authors: Perelman Polina L. , Pichler Rudolf , Gaggl Anna , Larkin Denis M. , Raudsepp Terje , Alshanbari Fahad , Holl Heather M. , Brooks Samantha A. , Burger Pamela A. , Periasamy Kathiravan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe availability of genomic resources including linkage information for camelids has been very limited. Here, we describe the construction of a set of two radiation hybrid (RH) panels (5000RAD and 15000RAD) for the dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) as a permanent genetic resource for camel genome researchers worldwide. For the 5000RAD panel, a total of 245 female camel-hamster radiation hybrid clones were collected, of which 186 were screened with 44 custom designed marker loci distributed throughout camel genome. The overall mean retention frequency (RF) of the final set of 93 hybrids was 47.7%. For the 15000RAD panel, 238 male dromedary-hamster radiation hybrid clones were collected, of which 93 were tested using 44 PCR markers. The final set of 90 clones had a mean RF of 39.9%. This 15000RAD panel is an important high-resolution complement to the main 5000RAD panel and an indispensable tool for resolving complex genomic regions. This valuable genetic resource of dromedary RH panels is expected to be instrumental for constructing a high resolution camel genome map. Construction of the set of RH panels is essential step toward chromosome level reference quality genome assembly that is critical for advancing camelid genomics and the development of custom genomic tools.
Electrostatic Variation of Haemagglutinin as a Hallmark of the Evolution of Avian Influenza Viruses
Authors: Heidari Alireza , Righetto Irene , Filippini Francesco 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAvian influenza virus is a zoonotic agent that significantly impacts public health and the poultry industry. Monitoring viral evolution and spread is crucial for surveillance and tracing programmes, which are currently based on serological or DNA sequencing-phylogenetics analysis. However, virus-host interactions, antigenic drift and spreading of viral clades strongly depend on variation in the surface features of capsid proteins. We report here that in silico comparative structural analysis of haemagglutinin can reveal relevant evolutionary fingerprints, particularly when integrated with sequence-based analyses. Phylogenetic analyses of H9 viral strains from wild birds and poultry, performed with different methods, reliably led to clustering of viruses into five main groups. Subsequent comparison of structural features showed congruence between such clustering and surface electrostatic fingerprints. These latter fingerprints relate group-specific variations in electrostatic charges and isocontours to well-known haemagglutinin sites involved in the modulation of immune escape and host specificity. This work suggests that the integration of structural and sequence comparisons may enhance investigations of trends and relevant mechanisms in viral evolution.
Lectin-mediated protocell crosslinking to mimic cell-cell junctions and adhesion
Authors: Villringer Sarah , Madl Josef , Sych Taras , Manner Christina , Imberty Anne , Römer Winfried 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCell adhesion is a crucial feature of all multicellular organisms, as it allows cells to organise themselves into tissues to carry out specific functions. Here, we present a mimetic approach that uses multivalent lectins with opposing binding sites to crosslink glycan-functionalised giant unilamellar vesicles. The crosslinking process drives the progression from contact puncta into elongated protocellular junctions, which form the vesicles into polygonal clusters resembling tissues. Due to their carbohydrate specificity, different lectins can be engaged in parallel with both natural and synthetic glycoconjugates to generate complex interfaces with distinct lectin domains. In addition, the formation of protocellular junctions can be combined with adhesion to a functionalised support by other ligand-receptor interactions to render increased stability against fluid flow. Furthermore, we consider that adhesion is a complex process of attraction and repulsion by doping the vesicles with a PEG-modified lipid, and demonstrate a dose-dependent decrease of lectin binding and formation of protocellular junctions. We suggest that the engineering of prototissues through lectin-glycan interactions is an important step towards synthetic minimal tissues and in designing artificial systems to reconstruct the fundamental functions of biology.