bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Presence of periodontal pathogenic bacteria in blood of patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Corredor Zuray , Suarez-Molina Andrés , Fong Cristian , Cifuentes-C Laura , Guauque-Olarte Sandra 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIt has been hypothesised that oral bacteria can migrate, through the blood, from the mouth to the arterial plaques, thus exacerbating atherosclerosis. This study compared bacteria present in the peripheral blood of individuals with and without coronary artery disease (CAD). RNA sequences obtained from blood were downloaded from GEO (GSE58150). Eight patients with coronary artery calcification (CAC) scoring > 500 and eight healthy individuals were analysed. After conducting quality control, the sequences were aligned to the hg38 reference genome using Hisat2. Bacterial taxa were analysed by inputting the unmapped sequences into Kraken. Ecological indices were calculated using Vegan. The package DESeq2 was used to compare the counts of bacteria per standard rank between groups. A total of 51 species were found only in patients with CAD and 41 were exclusively present in healthy individuals. The counts of one phylum, one class, three orders, two families and one genus were significantly different between the analysed groups (p < 0.00032, FDR < 10%), including the orders Cardiobacteriales, Corynebacteriales and Fusobacteriales. Twenty-three bacterial species belonging to the subgingival plaque bacterial complexes were also identified in the blood of individuals from both the groups;Fusobacterium nucleatumwas significantly less frequent in patients with CAD (p = 0.0012, FDR = 4.8%). Furthermore, the frequency of another 11 bacteria differed significantly among patients with CAD than that among healthy individuals (p < 0.0030, FDR < 10%). These bacteria have not been previously reported in patients with atherosclerosis and periodontitis. The presence of members of the subgingival plaque bacterial complexes in the blood of patients with CAC supports the hypothesis that the periodontopathogens can be disseminated through the blood flow to other body parts where they may enhance inflammatory processes that can lead to the development or exacerbation of atherosclerosis.
Synthetic antimicrobial peptides as enhancers of the bacteriolytic action of staphylococcal phage endolysins
Authors: Gouveia Ana , Pinto Daniela , Veiga Helena , Antunes Wilson , Pinho Mariana G. , São-José Carlos 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBacteriophage endolysins degrade the bacterial cell wall and are therefore considered promising antimicrobial alternatives to fight pathogens resistant to conventional antibiotics. Gram-positive bacteria are usually considered easy targets to exogenously added endolysins, since their cell walls are not shielded by an outer membrane. However, in nutrient rich environments these bacteria can also tolerate endolysin attack if they keep an energized cytoplasmic membrane. Hence, we have hypothesized that the membrane depolarizing action of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), another attractive class of alternative antibacterials, could be explored to overcome bacterial tolerance to endolysins and consequently improve their antibacterial potential. Accordingly, we show that under conditions supporting bacterial growth, Staphylococcus aureus becomes much more susceptible to the bacteriolytic action of endolysins if an AMP is also present. The bactericidal gain resulting from the AMP/endolysin combined action ranged from 1 to 3 logs for different S. aureus strains, which included drug-resistant clinical isolates. In presence of an AMP, as with a reduced content of cell wall teichoic acids, higher endolysin binding to cells is observed. However, our results indicate that this higher endolysin binding alone does not fully explain the higher susceptibility of S. aureus to lysis in these conditions. Other factors possibly contributing to the increased endolysin susceptibility in presence of an AMP are discussed.
Decade-long monitoring of seismic velocity changes at the Irpinia fault system (southern Italy) reveals pore pressure pulsations
Authors: De Landro G. , Amoroso O. , Russo G. , D’Agostino N. , Esposito R. , Emolo A. , Zollo A. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSeveral studies have monitored crustal seismic velocity changes and attempted to relate them to the stress state and physical properties in volume embedding fault systems. The aim is to provide constraints on fault system dynamics and earthquake triggering mechanisms. Here, we reconstruct the spatiotemporal (4D) seismic velocity images of volume embedding the Irpinia fault system (IFS, South Italy), which originated the 1980 Ms 6.9 multi-segmented ruptures. By inverting data from more than ten years of continuous seismicity monitoring, we retrieved time-constant velocity anomalies, whose shapes correlate well with crustal lithology, while time-changing (up to 20%) velocity anomalies are mapped in the central region. Here, the Vp-to-Vs changes at depths of 1–5 km and 8–12 km correlate well with groundwater recharge and geodetic displacement during the same time interval. This correlation provides evidence for the existence of pulsating, pore pressure changes induced by groundwater recharge processes in a deep volume (8–12 km of depth), fractured and saturated with a predominant gas phase (likely CO2). We suggest that tomographic measurements of the Vp-to-Vs spatiotemporal changes are a suitable proxy to track the pore pressure evolution at depth in highly sensitive regions of fault systems.
RUNX3 overexpression inhibits normal human erythroid development
Authors: Menezes Ana Catarina , Dixon Christabel , Scholz Anna , Nicholson Rachael , Leckenby Adam , Azevedo Aleksandra , Baker Sarah , Gilkes Amanda F. , Davies Sara , Darley Richard L. , Tonks Alex 
Published: January 2022

AbstractRUNX proteins belong to a family of transcription factors essential for cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis with emerging data implicating RUNX3 in haematopoiesis and haematological malignancies. Here we show that RUNX3 plays an important regulatory role in normal human erythropoiesis. The impact of altering RUNX3 expression on erythropoiesis was determined by transducing human CD34+ cells with RUNX3 overexpression or shRNA knockdown vectors. Analysis of RUNX3 mRNA expression showed that RUNX3 levels decreased during erythropoiesis. Functionally, RUNX3 overexpression had a modest impact on early erythroid growth and development. However, in late-stage erythroid development, RUNX3 promoted growth and inhibited terminal differentiation with RUNX3 overexpressing cells exhibiting lower expression of glycophorin A, greater cell size and less differentiated morphology. These results suggest that suppression of RUNX3 is required for normal erythropoiesis. Overexpression of RUNX3 increased colony formation in liquid culture whilst, corresponding RUNX3 knockdown suppressed colony formation but otherwise had little impact. This study demonstrates that the downregulation of RUNX3 observed in normal human erythropoiesis is important in promoting the terminal stages of erythroid development and may further our understanding of the role of this transcription factor in haematological malignancies.
Effect of interleukin-1 blockade with anakinra on leukocyte count in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Del Buono Marco Giuseppe , Damonte Juan Ignacio , Trankle Cory R. , Kadariya Dinesh , Carbone Salvatore , Thomas Georgia , Turlington Jeremy , Markley Roshanak , Canada Justin M. , Biondi‐Zoccai Giuseppe G. , Kontos Michael C. , Van Tassell Benjamin W. , Abbate Antonio 
Published: January 2022

AbstractLeukocytosis is a common finding in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and portends a poor prognosis. Interleukin 1-β regulates leukopoiesis and pre-clinical studies suggest that anakinra (recombinant human interleukin-1 [IL-1] receptor antagonist) suppresses leukocytosis in myocardial infarction. However, the effect of IL-1 blockade with anakinra on leukocyte count in patients with STEMI is unknown. We reviewed the white blood cell (WBC) and differential count of 99 patients enrolled in a clinical trial of anakinra (n = 64) versus placebo (n = 35) for 14 days after STEMI. A complete blood cell count with differential count were obtained at admission, and after 72 h, 14 days and 3 months. After 72 h from treatment, anakinra compared to placebo led to a statistically significant greater percent reduction in total WBC count (− 35% [− 48 to − 24] vs. − 21% [− 34 to − 10], P = 0.008), absolute neutrophil count (− 48% [− 60 to − 22] vs. − 27% [− 46 to − 5], P = 0.004) and to an increase in absolute eosinophil count (+ 50% [0 to + 100] vs. 0% [− 50 to + 62], P = 0.022). These changes persisted while on treatment at 14 days and were no longer apparent at 3 months after treatment discontinuation. We found that in patients with STEMI IL-1 blockade with anakinra accelerates resolution of leukocytosis and neutrophilia. This modulation may represent one of the mechanisms by which IL-1 blockade improves clinical outcomes.
Parity status and the relationship between antenatal rubella serology with obstetric outcome
Authors: Lao Terence T. , Hui Shuk Yi Annie , Sahota Daljit S. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractRoutine antenatal rubella serological testing is adopted in many countries. In a population covered by universal childhood rubella immunization for four decades, we have observed an association between pre-eclampsia with maternal rubella seronegativity among multiparous gravidae. This retrospective cohort study was further performed to elucidate the interaction between parity status and rubella seronegativity on obstetric outcome in singleton pregnancies carried to ≥ 24 weeks gestation managed from 1997 to 2019, with the data retrieved from a computerized database used for annual statistics and auditing. Of the 133,926 singleton pregnancies eligible for the study, the 13,320 (9.9%) rubella seronegative gravidae had higher mean booking weight and body mass index (BMI), but shorter height, and higher incidence of advanced age (≥ 35 years), high BMI, short stature, and lower incidence of nulliparas. Univariate analysis showed that adverse obstetric outcomes were more frequently found among the multiparas. On multivariate analysis, there was increased postdated (> 41 weeks) pregnancy irrespective of parity status, while nulliparas had reduced gestational hypertension (aRR 0.714, 95% CI 0.567–0.899) and gestational diabetes (aRR 0.850, 95% CI 0.762–0.950), and multiparas had increased pre-eclampsia (aRR 1.261, 95% CI 1.005–1.582), neonatal death (aRR 2.796, 95% CI 1.243–6.291), and perinatal death (aRR 2.123, 95% CI 1.257–3.587). In conclusion, in a population covered by universal childhood rubella immunization, antenatal rubella seronegativity is associated with increased pre-eclampsia and perinatal loss only in multiparas, suggesting that the rubella seronegativity in these women served as proxy for some form of altered immune response which increases adverse pregnancy outcome.
Predictors of circuit health in neonatal patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
Authors: Hazboun Rita G. , Darwish Nada , Rotyliano-Sykes Gianna , Chahin Nayef , Xu Jie , Miller John , Calaritis Christos , Thacker Leroy , Moores Russell , Hendricks-Muñoz Karen D. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractTo identify predictors of neonatal ECMO circuit health, a retrospective analysis of circuit functional pressure and flow parameters as well as infant clotting values were collected 48 h prior to and 24 h post circuit change. Circuit impairment was defined as need for partial or total circuit change. Statistical analysis used multivariate statistics and non-parametric Mann–Whitney U-test with possible non-normality of measurements. A total of 9764 ECMO circuit and clotting values in 21 circuits were analyzed. Circuit delta-P mean, and maximum values increased from 8.62 to 48.59 mmHg (p < 0.011) and 16.00 to 53.00 mmHg (p < 0.0128) respectively prior to need for circuit change. Maximum and mean Pump Flow Revolutions per minute (RPM) increased by 75% (p < 0.0043) and 81% (p < 0.0057), respectively. Mean plasma free hemoglobin (pfHb) increased from 26.45 to 76.00 mg/dl, (p < 0.0209). Sweep, venous pressure, and clotting parameters were unaffected. ECMO circuit delta-P, RPM, and pfHb were early predictors of circuit impairment.
Study on the effect of koumiss on the intestinal microbiota of mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Yan Xinlei , Han Wenying , Jin Xindong , Sun Yufei , Gao Jialu , Yu Xiuli , Guo Jun 
Published: January 2022

AbstractToxoplasma gondii is a worldwide food-borne parasite that can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans. To date, there are no effective drugs to prevent or eradicate T. gondii infection. Recent studies have shown that probiotics could influence the relationship between the microbiota and parasites in the host. Koumiss has been used to treat many diseases based on its probiotic diversity. Therefore, we explored the effect of koumiss on T. gondii infection via its effect on the host intestinal microbiota. BALB/c mice were infected with T. gondii and treated with PBS, koumiss and mares’ milk. Brain cysts were counted, and long-term changes in the microbiota and the effect of koumiss on gut microbiota were investigated with high-throughput sequencing technology. The results suggested that koumiss treatment significantly decreased the cyst counts in the brain (P < 0.05). Moreover, T. gondii infection changed the microbiota composition, and koumiss treatment increased the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Akkermansia muciniphila, which were associated with preventing T. gondii infection. Moreover, koumiss could inhibit or ameliorate T. gondii infection by increasing the abundance of certain bacteria that control unique metabolic pathways. The study not only established a close interaction among the host, intracellular pathogens and intestinal microbiota but also provided a novel focus for drug development to prevent and eradicate T. gondii infection.
Planar polarity in primate cone photoreceptors: a potential role in Stiles Crawford effect phototropism
Authors: Verschueren Anna , Boucherit Leyna , Ferrari Ulisse , Fouquet Stéphane , Nouvel-Jaillard Céline , Paques Michel , Picaud Serge , Sahel José-Alain 
Published: January 2022

AbstractHuman cone phototropism is a key mechanism underlying the Stiles-Crawford effect, a psychophysiological phenomenon according to which photoreceptor outer/inner segments are aligned along with the direction of incoming light. However, such photomechanical movements of photoreceptors remain elusive in mammals. We first show here that primate cone photoreceptors have a planar polarity organized radially around the optical center of the eye. This planar polarity, based on the structure of the cilium and calyceal processes, is highly reminiscent of the planar polarity of the hair cells and their kinocilium and stereocilia. Secondly, we observe under super-high resolution expansion microscopy the cytoskeleton and Usher proteins architecture in the photoreceptors, which appears to establish a mechanical continuity between the outer and inner segments. Taken together, these results suggest a comprehensive cellular mechanism consistent with an active phototropism of cones toward the optical center of the eye, and thus with the Stiles-Crawford effect.
Designing and interpreting 4D tumour spheroid experiments
Authors: Murphy Ryan J. , Browning Alexander P. , Gunasingh Gency , Haass Nikolas K. , Simpson Matthew J. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractTumour spheroid experiments are routinely used to study cancer progression and treatment. Various and inconsistent experimental designs are used, leading to challenges in interpretation and reproducibility. Using multiple experimental designs, live-dead cell staining, and real-time cell cycle imaging, we measure necrotic and proliferation-inhibited regions in over 1000 4D tumour spheroids (3D space plus cell cycle status). By intentionally varying the initial spheroid size and temporal sampling frequencies across multiple cell lines, we collect an abundance of measurements of internal spheroid structure. These data are difficult to compare and interpret. However, using an objective mathematical modelling framework and statistical identifiability analysis we quantitatively compare experimental designs and identify design choices that produce reliable biological insight. Measurements of internal spheroid structure provide the most insight, whereas varying initial spheroid size and temporal measurement frequency is less important. Our general framework applies to spheroids grown in different conditions and with different cell types.
Lamina-specific immunohistochemical signatures in the olfactory bulb of healthy, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease patients
Authors: Murray Helen C. , Johnson Kory , Sedlock Andrea , Highet Blake , Dieriks Birger Victor , Anekal Praju Vikas , Faull Richard L. M. , Curtis Maurice A. , Koretsky Alan , Maric Dragan 
Published: January 2022

AbstractTraditional neuroanatomy immunohistology studies involve low-content analyses of a few antibodies of interest, typically applied and compared across sequential tissue sections. The efficiency, consistency, and ultimate insights of these studies can be substantially improved using high-plex immunofluorescence labelling on a single tissue section to allow direct comparison of many markers. Here we present an expanded and efficient multiplexed fluorescence-based immunohistochemistry (MP-IHC) approach that improves throughput with sequential labelling of up to 10 antibodies per cycle, with no limitation on the number of cycles, and maintains versatility and accessibility by using readily available commercial reagents and standard epifluorescence microscopy imaging. We demonstrate this approach by cumulatively screening up to 100 markers on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections of human olfactory bulb sourced from neurologically normal (no significant pathology), Alzheimer’s (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. This brain region is involved early in the symptomology and pathophysiology of AD and PD. We also developed a spatial pixel bin analysis approach for unsupervised analysis of the high-content anatomical information from large tissue sections. Here, we present a comprehensive immunohistological characterisation of human olfactory bulb anatomy and a summary of differentially expressed biomarkers in AD and PD using the MP-IHC labelling and spatial protein analysis pipeline.
Evaluation of the binding mode of a cytotoxic dinuclear nickel complex to two neighboring phosphates of the DNA backbone
Authors: Simon Jasmin , Horstmann née Gruschka Claudia , Mix Andreas , Stammler Anja , Oldengott Jan , Bögge Hartmut , Glaser Thorsten 
Published: January 2022

The binding of phosphate diesters to cytotoxic NiII complexes has been studied by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, NMR titration, and computational chemistry to evaluate the binding mode of these complexes to the phosphate backbone of DNA.
An enhanced finite control set model predictive control method with self‐balancing capacitor voltages for three‐level T‐type rectifiers
Authors: Bayhan Sertac , Komurcugil Hasan , Guler Naki 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAn effective finite control set model predictive control (FCS‐MPC) is introduced for single‐phase three‐level T‐type rectifiers supplying resistive as well as constant power loads (CPL). The main problem of CPL is the negative resistance phenomenon that endangers the rectifier's stability. Hence, the proposed FCS‐MPC method is based on Lyapunov's stability theory such that the stability of the rectifier is guaranteed under all operating points. Unlike the existing FCS‐MPC methods, the cost function design in the proposed control method is formulated on the rectifier's stability. According to Lyapunov's stability theory, the rectifier stays stable provided that the rate of change of Lyapunov function is negative. In this case, the derivative of the Lyapunov function can be used as the cost function without utilizing any weighting factor. Therefore, contrary to the existing FCS‐MPC methods, the weighting factor requirement is eliminated which leads to easiness in the design and implementation of the controller. Experimental results reveal that the proposed control approach exhibits very good performance with undistorted and distorted grid voltage conditions when the rectifier feeds resistive and CPL loads.
Optimal power scheduling of seaport microgrids with flexible logistic loads
Authors: Fang Sidun , Wang Chenxu , Liao Ruijin , Zhao Changhong 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSeaports are progressively electrified to harness various energy resources to provide green logistic services to ships. They essentially act as multi‐energy microgrids to enhance the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability of the maritime industry. This trend necessitates the coordinated operation of multiple sectors in seaport microgrids, which is a challenging problem due to the complex couplings of power, thermal, and fluid flows and the heterogeneity of logistic loads. An optimal power scheduling framework for seaport microgrids is developed. Specifically, a non‐linear, non‐convex optimisation problem is formulated to integrate various logistic loads, including cold ironing, quay and yard cranes, and reefer areas, in an unbalanced multi‐phase power distribution network connected with a thermal network. The optimisation problem is solved in a scalable decomposed manner based on iterative convex relaxation and approximation. Simulation results on a real‐world port model verify the efficacy of the proposed framework, as well as the potential of the flexible logistic loads in improving port energy efficiency.
Design of the service robot applied to undergraduate laboratory of pharmacy major
Authors: Zhang Dong , Guo Zhongyi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractDuring the COVID‐19 outbreak, service robots have provided good service for teachers and students in universities. In order to improve the safety and convenience of pharmaceutical undergraduate laboratory, a service robot for pharmaceutical undergraduate teaching laboratory was designed from the aspects of path planning, positioning and navigation, human‐computer interaction etc., which can solve practical problems such as epidemic prevention and control, laboratory safety etc.