bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TRAIL/S-layer/graphene quantum dot nanohybrid enhanced stability and anticancer activity of TRAIL on colon cancer cells
Authors: Lotfollahzadeh Shima , Hosseini Elaheh Sadat , Mahmoudi Aznaveh Hooman , Nikkhah Maryam , Hosseinkhani Saman 
Published: April 2022

AbstractTumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL), known as a cytokine of the TNF superfamily, is considered a promising antitumor agent due to its ability to selectively induce apoptosis in a wide variety of cancer cells. However, failure of its successful translation into clinic has led to development of nano-based platforms aiming to improve TRAIL therapeutic efficacy. In this regard, we fabricated a novel TRAIL-S-layer fusion protein (S-TRAIL) conjugated with graphene quantum dots (GQDs) to benefit both the self-assembly of S-layer proteins, which leads to elevated TRAIL functional stability, and unique optical properties of GQDs. Noncovalent conjugation of biocompatible GQDs and soluble fusion protein was verified via UV–visible and fluorescence spectroscopy, size and ζ-potential measurements and transmission electron microscopy. The potential anticancer efficacy of the nanohybrid system on intrinsically resistant cells to TRAIL (HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells) was investigated by MTT assay and flow cytometry, which indicated about 80% apoptosis in cancer cells. These results highlight the potential of TRAIL as a therapeutic protein that can be extensively improved by taking advantage of nanotechnology and introduce S-TRAIL/GQD complex as a promising nanohybrid system in cancer treatment.
Detection and discrimination of neutron capture events for NCEPT dose quantification
Authors: Chacon Andrew , Kielly Marissa , Rutherford Harley , Franklin Daniel R. , Caracciolo Anita , Buonanno Luca , D’Adda Ilenia , Rosenfeld Anatoly , Guatelli Susanna , Carminati Marco , Fiorini Carlo , Safavi-Naeini Mitra 
Published: April 2022

AbstractNeutron Capture Enhanced Particle Therapy (NCEPT) boosts the effectiveness of particle therapy by capturing thermal neutrons produced by beam-target nuclear interactions in and around the treatment site, using tumour-specific $$^{10}$$

10

B or $$^{157}$$

157

Gd-based neutron capture agents. Neutron captures release high-LET secondary particles together with gamma photons with energies of 478 keV or one of several energies up to 7.94 MeV, for $$^{10}$$

10

B and $$^{157}$$

157

Gd, respectively. A key requirement for NCEPT’s translation is the development of in vivo dosimetry techniques which can measure both the direct ion dose and the dose due to neutron capture. In this work, we report signatures which can be used to discriminate between photons resulting from neutron capture and those originating from other processes. A Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation study into timing and energy thresholds for discrimination of prompt gamma photons resulting from thermal neutron capture during NCEPT was conducted. Three simulated $$300\times 300\times 300$$

300
×
300
×
300

mm$$^3$$

3

cubic PMMA targets were irradiated by $$^4$$

4

He or $$^{12}$$

12

C ion beams with a spread out Bragg peak (SOBP) depth range of 60 mm; one target is homogeneous while the others include $$10\times 10\times 10$$

10
×
10
×
10

mm$$^3$$

3

neutron capture inserts (NCIs) of pure $$^{10}$$

10

B or $$^{157}$$

157

Gd located at the distal edge of the SOBP. The arrival times of photons and neutrons entering a simulated $$50\times 50\times 50$$

50
×
50
×
50

mm$$^3$$

3

ideal detector were recorded. A temporal mask of 50–60 ns was found to be optimal for maximising the discrimination of the photons resulting from the neutron capture by boron and gadolinium. A range of candidate detector and thermal neutron shielding materials were simulated, and detections meeting the proposed acceptance criteria (i.e. falling within the target energy window and arriving 60 ns post beam-off) were classified as true or false positives, depending on their origin. The ratio of true/false positives ($$R_{TF}$$

R

TF

) was calculated; for targets with $$^{10}$$

10

B and $$^{157}$$

157

Gd NCIs, the detector materials which resulted in the highest $$R_{TF}$$

R

TF

were cadmium-shielded CdTe and boron-shielded LSO, respectively. The optimal irradiation period for both carbon and helium ions was 1 µs for the $$^{10}$$

10

B NCI and 1 ms for the $$^{157}$$

157

Gd NCI.
Myzorhynchus series of Anopheles mosquitoes as potential vectors of Plasmodium bubalis in Thailand
Authors: Nugraheni Yudhi Ratna , Arnuphapprasert Apinya , Nguyen Trang Thuy , Narapakdeesakul Duriyang , Nguyen Hoang Lan Anh , Poofery Juthathip , Kaneko Osamu , Asada Masahito , Kaewthamasorn Morakot 
Published: April 2022

AbstractUngulate malaria parasites and their vectors are among the least studied when compared to other medically important species. As a result, a thorough understanding of ungulate malaria parasites, hosts, and mosquito vectors has been lacking, necessitating additional research efforts. This study aimed to identify the vector(s) of Plasmodium bubalis. A total of 187 female mosquitoes (133 Anopheles spp., 24 Culex spp., 24 Aedes spp., and 6 Mansonia spp. collected from a buffalo farm in Thailand where concurrently collected water buffalo samples were examined and we found only Anopheles spp. samples were P. bubalis positive. Molecular identification of anopheline mosquito species was conducted by sequencing of the PCR products targeting cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (cox2), and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) markers. We observed 5 distinct groups of anopheline mosquitoes: Barbirostris, Hyrcanus, Ludlowae, Funestus, and Jamesii groups. The Barbirostris group (Anopheles wejchoochotei or Anopheles campestris) and the Hyrcanus group (Anopheles peditaeniatus) were positive for P. bubalis. Thus, for the first time, our study implicated these anopheline mosquito species as probable vectors of P. bubalis in Thailand.
Quantum dots based in-vitro co-culture cancer model for identification of rare cancer cell heterogeneity
Authors: Vyshnava Satyanarayana Swamy , Pandluru Gayathri , Kumar Kanderi Dileep , Panjala Shiva Prasad , Banapuram Swathi , Paramasivam Kameshpandian , Devi Kothamunireddy Varalakshmi , Anupalli Roja Rani , Dowlatabad Muralidhara Rao 
Published: April 2022

AbstractCancer cell heterogeneity (CCH) is crucial in understanding cancer progression and metastasis. The CCH is one of the stumbling blocks in modern medicine's therapeutics and diagnostics . An in-vitro model of co-culture systems of MCF-7, HeLa, HEK-293, with THP-1 cells showed the occurrence of EpCAM positive (EpCAM+) and EpCAM negative (EpCAM−) heterogenetic cancer cell types labeled with the Quantum Dot antibody conjugates (QDAb). This in-vitro model study could provide insights into the role of rare cancer cells manifestation and their heterogeneity in metastatic progression and risk for severe infections in these patients. We successfully report the presence of CCH based on the fluorescence ratios of the co-cultured cancer cells when treated with the QDAb. These short-term mimic co-cultures give a compelling and quite associated model for assessing early treatment responses in various cancers.
Impact of rice paddy agriculture on habitat usage of migratory shorebirds at the rice paddy scale in Korea
Authors: Choi Seung-Hye , Choi Green , Nam Hyung-Kyu 
Published: April 2022

AbstractApproximately 58 shorebird species, including endangered and threatened species, use various habitats while traveling on their long-distance migratory routes in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). Coastal rice paddies in midwestern Korea, which are located in the EAAF, serve as inland wetlands and provide important stopover sites for long-distance migratory shorebirds. We studied how shorebird population density is affected across periods, time since habitat formation, and field type, at the rice field scale. The shorebirds most frequently observed in rice paddies were, in order, black-tailed godwits (Limosa limosa), common greenshanks (Tringa nebularia), and wood sandpipers (T. glareola). Black-tailed godwits and wood sandpipers were affected by time since formation, field type, and water level, whereas field type affected common greenshanks. We propose that (1) flooding time, (2) shallow water level, (3) harrowed field type, and (4) 5–7 days of management intervals at paddy fields are important factors influencing shorebird species density, although all the factors did not influence common greenshank density. We propose that environmental characteristics derived from field management in rice paddies influence habitat use by migratory shorebirds. These factors need to be considered to systematically protect and manage shorebirds that use rice paddies as stopovers during their migration events.
Serum calprotectin: a potential biomarker to diagnose chronic prosthetic joint infection after total hip or knee arthroplasty
Authors: Ackmann Thomas , Schwarze Jan , Gosheger Georg , Schmidt-Braekling Tom , Puetzler Jan , Moellenbeck Burkhard , Theil Christoph 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe preoperative detection of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) prior to revision of total hip or knee arthroplasty is still a challenge. Serum Calprotectin (CP) is a heterodimer of two calcium-binding proteins present in the cytoplasm of neutrophils that is released in inflammatory processes and infections. The objective of this study is to determine the reliability of serum CP in the diagnosis of chronic PJI. 81 patients (40 women, 41 men) that presented a potential indication for revision arthroplasty of the hip (THA; n = 18) or knee (TKA, n = 63) at a single institution were prospectively evaluated. The joints were diagnosed as chronically infected or aseptic based on the musculoskeletal infection society (MSIS) criteria of 2018. Receiver operating characteristics and the Youden’s index were used to define an ideal cutoff value. The median serum CP level was significantly higher in the group with chronic PJI (15,120 vs. 4980 ng/ml;p < 0.001) compared to the aseptic cases. The calculated optimal cut-off value was 9910 ng/ml (AUC 0.899, 95% CI 0.830–0.968) with a specificity of 91% and sensitivity of 81%. The present investigation suggests that serum CP has a high specificity and good sensitivity to diagnose chronic PJI after TJA of the knee or hip.
Patient demographics, clinicopathologic features, and outcomes in wild-type gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a national cohort analysis
Authors: Khan Tahsin M. , Verbus Emily A. , Rossi Alexander J. , Hernandez Jonathan M. , Davis Jeremy L. , Coakley Brian A. , Blakely Andrew M. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWild-type KIT and PDGFRA gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare tumors with limited treatment options. We sought to determine the clinicopathologic features of wild-type GIST and identify factors that influence overall survival (OS) using a large national database. Retrospective evaluation of patients with wild-type GIST in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) was performed. Demographic, clinicopathologic, and treatment data were analyzed. Features associated with OS were investigated using Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards model. 244 patients with median diagnosis age of 59 years (95% CI 57–63) were identified. The stomach was the most common primary site (57%) followed by the small intestine (35%). Surgical resection was performed on 85% of patients and 53% of patients received systemic therapy. Factors associated with decreased OS on multivariable analysis included small intestine primary (HR 2.72, 95% CI 1.13–6.69, P = 0.026) and > 5 mitoses per 50 HPF (HR 4.77, 95% CI 1.86–13.2, P = 0.001). Wild-type GISTs may be identified in older patients, with most arising in the stomach and small bowel. Surgery remains the principal treatment modality. Small intestine primary site and high mitotic count were associated with abbreviated OS.
Host–pathogen dynamics in longitudinal clinical specimens from patients with COVID-19
Authors: Lin Michelle J. , Rachleff Victoria M. , Xie Hong , Shrestha Lasata , Lieberman Nicole A. P. , Peddu Vikas , Addetia Amin , Casto Amanda M. , Breit Nathan , Mathias Patrick C. , Huang Meei-Li , Jerome Keith R. , Greninger Alexander L. , Roychoudhury Pavitra 
Published: April 2022

AbstractRapid dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 sequencing data to public repositories has enabled widespread study of viral genomes, but studies of longitudinal specimens from infected persons are relatively limited. Analysis of longitudinal specimens enables understanding of how host immune pressures drive viral evolution in vivo. Here we performed sequencing of 49 longitudinal SARS-CoV-2-positive samples from 20 patients in Washington State collected between March and September of 2020. Viral loads declined over time with an average increase in RT-QPCR cycle threshold of 0.87 per day. We found that there was negligible change in SARS-CoV-2 consensus sequences over time, but identified a number of nonsynonymous variants at low frequencies across the genome. We observed enrichment for a relatively small number of these variants, all of which are now seen in consensus genomes across the globe at low prevalence. In one patient, we saw rapid emergence of various low-level deletion variants at the N-terminal domain of the spike glycoprotein, some of which have previously been shown to be associated with reduced neutralization potency from sera. In a subset of samples that were sequenced using metagenomic methods, differential gene expression analysis showed a downregulation of cytoskeletal genes that was consistent with a loss of ciliated epithelium during infection and recovery. We also identified co-occurrence of bacterial species in samples from multiple hospitalized individuals. These results demonstrate that the intrahost genetic composition of SARS-CoV-2 is dynamic during the course of COVID-19, and highlight the need for continued surveillance and deep sequencing of minor variants.
The first family of application-specific integrated circuits for programmable and reconfigurable metasurfaces
Authors: Petrou Loukas , Kossifos Kypros M. , Antoniades Marco A. , Georgiou Julius 
Published: April 2022

AbstractReconfigurable metasurfaces are man-made surfaces, which consist of sub-wavelength periodic elements—meta-atoms—that can be reconfigured to manipulate incoming electromagnetic waves. However, reconfigurable metasurfaces developed to-date, have limitations in terms of loading impedance range, reconfiguration delay and power consumption. Also, these systems are costly and they require bulky electronics and complex control circuits, which makes them unattractive for commercial use. Here, we report the first family of CMOS application-specific integrated circuits that enable microsecond and microwatt reconfiguration of complex impedances at microwave frequencies. Our approach utilizes asynchronous digital control circuitry with chip-to-chip communication capabilities, allowing simple and fast reconfiguration via digital devices and user-friendly software. Our solution is low-cost and can cover arbitrary board-to-board metasurfaces, with different sizes and shapes.
Optimization of the nutritional constituents for ergosterol peroxide production by Paecilomyces cicadae based on the uniform design and mathematical model
Authors: Fenhui Shi , He Linfu , Qian Jingya , Zhang Zhicai , Zheng Huihua 
Published: April 2022

Abstractwe optimized medium components for the production of ergosterol peroxide (EP) by Paecilomyces cicadae based on a mono-factor experiment, a uniform design, and a non-linear regression analysis. The maximum EP yield achieved was 256 μg/L, which was increased by 5 folds compared with that before the optimization. Structured Monod model, Andrews model, Contois model, and Aibe model were developed to describe the effects of viscosity inhibition, substrate, and production on biomass growth. The results showed that the Monod model could predict biomass growth, and the effects of viscosity and substrate on the EP concentration were significantly higher compared with the effect of production. The addition of water and glycerol could decrease the viscosity inhibition and glycerol inhibition, and further increase the EP yield. The newly developed structured model was demonstrated for batch growth of P.cicadae.
Modification of the chemically induced inflammation assay reveals the Janus face of a phenol rich fulvic acid
Authors: Lieke Thora , Steinberg Christian E. W. , Meinelt Thomas , Knopf Klaus , Kloas Werner 
Published: April 2022

AbstractInflammation is an essential process as a reaction towards infections or wounding. Exposure to hazardous environmental pollutants can lead to chronic inflammations, where the resolving phase is delayed or blocked. Very contradictory studies have been reported on the pro- and anti-inflammatory effects of humic substances (HSs) leading to significant disagreements between researchers. To a certain extent, this can be attributed to the chemical heterogeneity of this group of xenobiotics. Here we show for the first time that pro- and anti-inflammatory effects can occur by one HSs. We adapted an assay that uses green fluorescence-labeled zebrafish larvae and CuSO4 to indue an inflammation. In wild-type larvae, exposure to 50 µM CuSO4 for 2 h activated the production of reactive oxygen species, which can be monitored with a fluorescence dye (H2DCFDA) and a microplate reader. This allows not only the use of wild-type fish but also a temporal separation of copper exposure and inflammatory substance while retaining the high throughput. This modified assay was then used to evaluate the inflammatory properties of a fulvic acid (FA). We found, that the aromatic structure of the FA protects from inflammation at 5 and 50 mg C/L, while the persistent free radicals enhance the copper-induced inflammation at ≥ 300 mg C/L.
Evaluation of a new transcutaneous bilirubinometer in newborn infants
Authors: Norman Mikael , Aytug Hüseyin , Celebi Hasan Basri 
Published: April 2022

AbstractTo avoid brain damage in newborn infants, effective tools for prevention of excessive neonatal hyperbilirubinemia are needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate a new transcutaneous bilirubinometer (JAISY). For this purpose, 930 bilirubin measurements were performed in 141 newborn infants born near-term or at term (gestational age 35–41 weeks; postnatal age 1–6 days; 71 boys; including 29 infants with darker skin) and compared to those of a previously validated instrument (JM105). In each infant, the mean of three repeated measurements in the forehead was calculated for each instrument, followed by a similar measurement on the chest. The bilirubin values varied between 0 and 320 µmol/l (0–18.8 mg/dl). There was a high degree of agreement with significant correlations between bilirubin values measured with the two devices on the forehead (Pearson’s r = 0.94, p < 0.001) and the chest (r = 0.94, p < 0.001). The correlations remained after stratifying the data by gestational age, postnatal age and skin color. The coefficient of variation for repeated bilirubin measurements was 8.8% for JAISY and 8.0% for JM105 (p = 0.79). In conclusion, JAISY provides accurate and reproducible information on low to moderately high bilirubin levels in newborn infants born near-term or at term.
Evaluating approved and alternative treatments against an oxytetracycline-resistant bacterium responsible for European foulbrood disease in honey bees
Authors: Masood Fatima , Thebeau Jenna M. , Cloet Allyssa , Kozii Ivanna V. , Zabrodski Michael W. , Biganski Sarah , Liang Jenny , Marta Guarna M. , Simko Elemir , Ruzzini Antonio , Wood Sarah C. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractEuropean foulbrood (EFB) is a disease of honey bee larvae caused by Melissococcus plutonius. In North America, oxytetracycline (OTC) is approved to combat EFB disease though tylosin (TYL) and lincomycin (LMC) are also registered for use against American foulbrood disease. Herein, we report and characterize an OTC-resistant M. plutonius isolate from British Columbia, Canada, providing an antimicrobial sensitivity to the three approved antibiotics and studying their abilities to alter larval survival in an in vitro infection model. Specifically, we investigated OTC, TYL, and LMC as potential treatment options for EFB disease using laboratory-reared larvae infected with M. plutonius. The utility of the three antibiotics were compared through an experimental design that either mimicked metaphylaxis or antimicrobial intervention. At varying concentrations, all three antibiotics prevented clinical signs of EFB disease following infection with M. plutonius 2019BC1 in vitro. This included treatment with 100 μg/mL of OTC, a concentration that was ~ 3× the minimum inhibitory concentration measured to inhibit the strain in nutrient broth. Additionally, we noted high larval mortality in groups treated with doses of OTC corresponding to ~ 30× the dose required to eliminate bacterial growth in vitro. In contrast, TYL and LMC were not toxic to larvae at concentrations that exceed field use. As we continue to investigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of M. plutonius from known EFB outbreaks, we expect a range of AMR phenotypes, reiterating the importance of expanding current therapeutic options along with alternative management practices to suppress this disease.
Comparative transcriptome profiling of virulent and avirulent isolates of Neoparamoeba perurans
Authors: Smith Aaron J. , Crosbie Philip B. B. , Nowak Barbara F. , Bridle Andrew R. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractNeoparamoeba perurans, the aetiological agent of amoebic gill disease, remains a persistent threat to Atlantic salmon mariculture operations worldwide. Innovation in methods of AGD control is required yet constrained by a limited understanding of the mechanisms of amoebic gill disease pathogenesis. In the current study, a comparative transcriptome analysis of two N. perurans isolates of contrasting virulence phenotypes is presented using gill-associated, virulent (wild type) isolates, and in vitro cultured, avirulent (clonal) isolates. Differential gene expression analysis identified a total of 21,198 differentially expressed genes between the wild type and clonal isolates, with 5674 of these genes upregulated in wild type N. perurans. Gene set enrichment analysis predicted gene sets enriched in the wild type isolates including, although not limited to, cortical actin cytoskeleton, pseudopodia, phagocytosis, macropinocytic cup, and fatty acid beta-oxidation. Combined, the results from these analyses suggest that upregulated gene expression associated with lipid metabolism, oxidative stress response, protease activity, and cytoskeleton reorganisation is linked to pathogenicity in wild type N. perurans. These findings provide a foundation for future AGD research and the development of novel therapeutic and prophylactic AGD control measures for commercial aquaculture.