bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization of BRET saturation assays for robust and sensitive cytosolic protein–protein interaction studies
Authors: Besson Benoit , Eun Hyeju , Kim Seonhee , Windisch Marc P. , Bourhy Herve , Grailhe Regis 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) saturation is a method of studying protein–protein interaction (PPI) upon quantification of the dependence of the BRET signal on the acceptor/donor (A:D) expression ratio. In this study, using the very bright Nluc/YFP BRET pair acquired respectively with microplate reader and automated confocal microscopy, we significantly improved BRET saturation assay by extending A:D expression detection range and normalizing A:D expression with a new BRET-free probe. We next found that upon using variable instead of fixed amount of donor molecules co-expressed with increasing acceptor concentrations, BRET saturation assay robustness can be further improved when studying cytosolic protein, although the relative amounts of dimers (BRETmax) and the relative dimer affinity (BRET50) remain similar. Altogether, we show that our method can be applied to many PPI networks, involving the NF-κB pathway, high-affinity nanobody, rabies virus-host interactions, mTOR complex and JAK/STAT signaling. Altogether our approach paves the way for robust PPI validation and characterization in living cells.
Comparison of the gut microbiome of sacbrood virus-resistant and -susceptible Apis cerana from South Korea
Authors: Yun Bo-Ram , Truong A-Tai , Choi Yong Soo , Lee Man Young , Kim Byoung Yong , Seo Minjung , Yoon Soon-Seek , Yoo Mi-Sun , Van Quyen Dong , Cho Yun Sang 
Published: June 2022

AbstractHoney bees are important pollinators for the conservation of the ecosystem and agricultural products and provide a variety of products important for human use, such as honey, pollen, and royal jelly. Sacbrood disease (SD) is a devastating viral disease in Apis cerana; an effective preventive measure for SD is urgently needed. In this study, the relationship between the gut microbiome of honey bees and SD was investigated by pyrosequencing. Results revealed that sacbrood virus (SBV)-resistant A. cerana strains harbour a unique acetic acid bacterium, Bombella intestini, and the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) Lactobacillus (unclassified)_uc, Bifidobacterium longum, B. catenulatum, Lactococcus lactis, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides in larvae and Hafnia alvei, B. indicum, and the LAB L. mellifer and Lactobacillus HM215046_s in adult bees. Changes in the gut microbiome due to SBV infection resulted in loss of bacteria that could affect host nutrients and inhibit honey bee pathogens, such as Gilliamella JFON_s, Gilliamella_uc, Pseudomonas putida, and L. kunkeei in A. cerana larvae and Frischella_uc, Pantoea agglomerans, Snodgrassella_uc, and B. asteroides in adult bees. These findings provide important information for the selection of probiotics for A. cerana larvae and adults to prevent pathogenic infections and keep honey bees healthy.
A new method to quantify left ventricular mass by 2D echocardiography
Authors: Kristensen Charlotte Burup , Myhr Katrine Aagaard , Grund Frederik Fasth , Vejlstrup Niels , Hassager Christian , Mattu Raj , Mogelvang Rasmus 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIncreased left ventricular mass (LVM) is a strong independent predictor for adverse cardiovascular events, but conventional echocardiographic methods are limited by poor reproducibility and accuracy. We developed a novel method based on adding the mean wall thickness from the parasternal short axis view, to the left ventricular end-diastolic volume acquired using the biplane model of discs. The participants (n = 85) had various left ventricular geometries and were assessed using echocardiography followed immediately by cardiac magnetic resonance, as reference. We compared our novel two-dimensional (2D) method to various conventional one-dimensional (1D) and other 2D methods as well as the three-dimensional (3D) method. Our novel method had better reproducibility in intra-examiner [coefficients of variation (CV) 9% vs. 11–14%] and inter-examiner analysis (CV 9% vs. 10–20%). Accuracy was similar to the 3D method (mean difference ± 95% limits of agreement, CV): Novel: 2 ± 50 g, 15% vs. 3D: 2 ± 51 g, 16%; and better than the “linear” 1D method by Devereux (7 ± 76 g, 23%). Our novel method is simple, has considerable better reproducibility and accuracy than conventional “linear” 1D methods, and similar accuracy as the 3D-method. As the biplane model forms part of the standard echocardiographic protocol, it does not require specific training and provides a supplement to the modern echocardiographic report.
Screening and characterisation of proteins interacting with the mitogen-activated protein kinase Crmapk in the fungus Clonostachys chloroleuca
Authors: Lv Binna , Fan Lele , Li Shidong , Sun Manhong 
Published: June 2022

AbstractClonostachys chloroleuca 67-1 (formerly C. rosea 67-1) is a promising mycoparasite with great potential for controlling various plant fungal diseases. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-encoding gene Crmapk is of great importance to the mycoparasitism and biocontrol activities of C. chloroleuca. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of Crmapk in mycoparasitism, a high-quality yeast two hybrid (Y2H) library of C. chloroleuca 67-1 was constructed, and proteins interacting with Crmapk were characterised. The library contained 1.6 × 107 independent clones with a recombination rate of 96%, and most inserted fragments were > 1 kb. The pGBKT7-Crmapk bait vector with no self-activation or toxicity to yeast cells was used to screen interacting proteins from the Y2H library, resulting in 60 candidates, many linked to metabolism, cellular processes and signal transduction. Combined bioinformatics and transcriptome analyses of C. chloroleuca 67-1 and ΔCrmapk mutant mycoparasitising Sclerotinia sclerotiorum sclerotia, 41 differentially expressed genes were identified, which might be the targets of the Fus3/Kss1-MAPK pathway. The results provide a profile of potential protein interactions associated with MAPK enzymes in mycoparasites, and are of great significance for understanding the mechanisms of Crmapk regulating C. chloroleuca mycoparasitism.
Newly synthesized chitosan-nanoparticles attenuate carbendazim hepatorenal toxicity in rats via activation of Nrf2/HO1 signalling pathway
Authors: Mo Elshazly , Ebedy Yasmin A. , Ibrahim Marwa A. , Farroh Khaled Y. , Hassanen Eman I. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWidespread application of carbendazim (CBZ) is a major environmental impact because of its residues that caused multi-organ dysfunction. Recently, Chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) are extensively used as nanocarriers due to their non-toxic and biodegradable nature. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the possible mechanistic pathway of modified CS-NPs to reduce the hepatic and nephrotoxicity of CBZ in rats. CS-NPs were synthesized by the ionic gelation method by using ascorbic acid instead of acetic acid to increase its antioxidant efficiency. Twenty-adult male Wistar rats were grouped (n = 5) as follows: Group (1) negative control, group (2) received CS-NPs, group (3) received CBZ, and group (4) co-administered CS-NPs with CBZ. Rats received the aforementioned materials daily by oral gavage for 28 days and weighed weekly. The results revealed that CBZ receiving group showed severe histopathological alterations in the liver and kidney sections including cellular necrosis and interstitial inflammation confirmed by immunostaining and showed marked immunopositivity of iNOS and caspase-3 protein. There were marked elevations in the serum levels of ALT, AST, urea, and creatinine with a significant increase in MDA levels and decrease in TAC levels. Upregulation of the Keap1 gene and down-regulation of Nrf2 and HO-1 genes were also observed. Co-treatment of rats by CS-NPs with CBZ markedly improved all the above-mentioned toxicological parameters and return liver and kidney tissues to normal histological architecture. We concluded that CBZ caused hepatorenal toxicity via oxidative stress and the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and CS-NPs could reduce CBZ toxicity via their antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects.
A prolonged innate systemic immune response in COVID-19
Authors: Ekstedt Sandra , Piersiala Krzysztof , Petro Marianne , Karlsson Agneta , Kågedal Åsa , Kumlien Georén Susanna , Cardell Lars Olaf 
Published: June 2022

AbstractDespite the introduction of vaccines, COVID-19 still affects millions of people worldwide. A better understanding of pathophysiology and the discovery of novel therapies are needed. One of the cells of interest in COVID-19 is the neutrophil. This cell type is being recruited to a site of inflammation as one of the first immune cells. In this project, we investigated a variety of neutrophils phenotypes during COVID-19 by measuring the expression of markers for migration, maturity, activation, gelatinase granules and secondary granules using flow cytometry. We show that neutrophils during COVID-19 exhibit altered phenotypes compared to healthy individuals. The activation level including NETs production and maturity of neutrophils seem to last longer during COVID-19 than expected for innate immunity. Neutrophils as one of the drivers of severe cases of COVID-19 are considered as potential treatment targets. However, for a successful implementation of treatment, there is a need for a better understanding of neutrophil functions and phenotypes in COVID-19. Our study answers some of those questions.
Vectorcardiography-derived index allows a robust quantification of ventricular electrical synchrony
Authors: Fernández Juan M. F. , Spagnuolo Damián N. , Politi María T. , Tello Santacruz Iván A. , Schiavone Miguel , Cáceres Monié César , Avaca Horacio A. , Chara Osvaldo 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAlteration of muscle activation sequence is a key mechanism in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Successful cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), which has become standard therapy in these patients, is limited by the lack of precise dyssynchrony quantification. We implemented a computational pipeline that allows assessment of ventricular dyssynchrony by vectorcardiogram reconstruction from the patient’s electrocardiogram. We defined a ventricular dyssynchrony index as the distance between the voltage and speed time integrals of an individual observation and the linear fit of these variables obtained from a healthy population. The pipeline was tested in a 1914-patient population. The dyssynchrony index showed minimum values in heathy controls and maximum values in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) or with a pacemaker (PM). We established a critical dyssynchrony index value that discriminates electrical dyssynchronous patterns (LBBB and PM) from ventricular synchrony. In 10 patients with PM or CRT devices, dyssynchrony indexes above the critical value were associated with high time to peak strain standard deviation, an echocardiographic measure of mechanical dyssynchrony. Our index proves to be a promising tool to evaluate ventricular activation dyssynchrony, potentially enhancing the selection of candidates for CRT, device configuration during implantation, and post-implant optimization.
Composition and decomposition of rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) belowground biomass
Authors: S. Santos Erick R. , B. Dubeux José C. , Sollenberger Lynn E. , B. Siqueira Michelle C. , O. S. van Cleef Flávia , M. Jaramillo David , Q. S. D. Zagato Luana , D. Queiroz Luana M. , Garcia Liza , V. Garcia Carlos C. , Ruiz-Moreno Martin 
Published: June 2022

AbstractRoots and rhizomes can play an important role in nutrient cycling, however, few studies have investigated how their decomposition pattern is affected by defoliation and time of the year. This 2-year study evaluated root-rhizome composition and decomposition of a warm-season rhizomatous perennial legume [rhizoma peanut (RP; Arachis glabrata Benth.)] under continuous stocking or when defoliated by clipping every 56 days. A 168-days incubation trial was performed to determine disappearance of biomass and N and changes in acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent insoluble N (ADIN), and C:N ratio. Additionally, three 56-days incubations were performed each year to evaluate the disappearance coefficient (B0) and relative decay rate (k). There were no treatment differences in any response for the 168-days incubation. After 168 days, 21 and 60% of initial biomass and initial N remained, respectively. Relative decay rate for OM and N were 0.0088 and 0.0035 g g−1 day−1, respectively. Carbon-to-N ratio decreased from 29 at day 0 to 17 at day 168. Concentration of ADIN increased from 6.9 to 19.3 g kg−1, plateauing at day 79. The B0 and k for remaining OM and N were greater in late than early season and could be explained by greater N concentration and lesser C:N ratio. Rapid decomposition, difference in C:N ratio from day 0 to 168, and the increase in ADIN concentration during incubation indicate large amounts of root-rhizome-soluble C at initiation of incubation. These data indicate that RP root-rhizome turnover is more responsive to season than defoliation frequency.
Metabolic profile in women differs between high versus low energy spenders during a low intensity exercise on a cycle-desk
Authors: Guirado Terry , Bourdier Pierre , Pereira Bruno , Le Roux Elisa , Bergouignan Audrey , Birat Anthony , Isacco Laurie , Thivel David , Duclos Martine , Metz Lore 
Published: June 2022

AbstractActive-desks are emerging strategies aiming at reducing sedentary time while working. A large inter-individual variability in energy expenditure (EE) profile has been identified and has to be explored to better optimize and individualize those strategies. Thus the present study aimed at comparing the metabolic and physical profile of individuals characterized as high spenders (H-Spenders) versus low spenders (L-Spenders) based on EE during a cycle-desk low intensity exercise. 28 healthy women working in administrative positions were enrolled. Anthropometric, body composition and fasting metabolic profile parameters were assessed. EE was determined by indirect calorimetry, at rest and during a 30-min cycle-desk use. Participants were categorized as H-Spenders and L-Spenders using the median of the difference between EE at rest and during the 30-min exercise. H-Spenders had higher mean EE (p < 0.001) and carbohydrate oxidation (p = 0.009) during exercise. H-Spenders displayed higher values for fasting plasma insulin (p = 0.002) and HOMA-IR (p = 0.002) and lower values for HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.014) than L-Spenders. The percentage of body fat mass was significantly higher in H-Spenders (p = 0.034). Individuals expending more energy during a low intensity cycling exercise presented a less healthy metabolic profile compared with L-Spenders. Future studies will have to explore whether the chronic use of cycle-desks during work time can improve energy profile regarding metabolic parameters.
The histone H2B Arg95 residue links the pheromone response pathway to rapamycin-induced G1 arrest in yeast
Authors: Alhaj Sulaiman Abdallah , Ali Reem , Aouida Mustapha , Moovarkumudalvan Balasubramanian , Ramotar Dindial 
Published: June 2022

AbstractRapamycin is an immunosuppressant used for treating many types of diseases such as kidney carcinomas. In yeast, rapamycin inhibits the TORC1 kinase signaling pathway causing rapid alteration in gene expression and ultimately cell cycle arrest in G1 through mechanisms that are not fully understood. Herein, we screened a histone mutant collection and report that one of the mutants, H2B R95A, is strikingly resistant to rapamycin due to a defective cell cycle arrest. We show that the H2B R95A causes defects in the expression of a subset of genes of the pheromone pathway required for α factor-induced G1 arrest. The expression of the STE5 gene and its encoded scaffold protein Ste5, required for the sequential activation of the MAPKs of the pheromone pathway, is greatly reduced in the H2B R95A mutant. Similar to the H2B R95A mutant, cells devoid of Ste5 are also resistant to rapamycin. Rapamycin-induced G1 arrest does not involve detectable phosphorylation of the MAPKs, Kss1, and Fus3, as reported for α factor-induced G1 arrest. However, we observed a sharp induction of the G1 cyclin Cln2 (~ 3- to 4-fold) in the ste5Δ mutant within 30 min of exposure to rapamycin. Our data provide a new insight whereby rapamycin signaling via the Torc1 kinase may exploit the pheromone pathway to arrest cells in the G1 phase.
A multi-analytical characterization of fourteenth to eighteenth century pottery from the Kongo kingdom, Central Africa
Authors: Tsoupra Anna , Clist Bernard , da Conceição Lopes Maria , Moita Patricia , Barrulas Pedro , da Piedade de Jesus Maria , da Silva Domingos Sónia , Bostoen Koen , Mirao José 
Published: June 2022

AbstractPottery traditions reflect the socioeconomic framework of past cultures, while the spatial distribution of pottery indicates exchange patterns and interaction processes. Material and earth sciences are employed here to determine raw material sourcing, selection and processing. The Kongo kingdom, internationally renowned since the late fifteenth century, is one of the most famous precolonial states in Central Africa. Despite the large number of historical studies relying on African and European oral and written chronicles, there are still considerable gaps in our current understanding of this political unit. Here, we provide new insights into pottery production and circulation within the Kongo kingdom. Implementing a multi-analytical approach, namely XRD, TGA, petrographic analysis, XRF, VP-SEM-EDS and ICP-MS, on selected samples, we determined their petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical signatures. Our results allowed us to correlate the archaeological objects to naturally occurring materials and to establish ceramic traditions. We identified production templates, exchange patterns, distribution of high-quality goods and interaction processes through technological knowledge transmission. Our results demonstrate that political centralisation in the Lower Congo region of Central Africa had a direct impact on pottery production and circulation. We expect our study to provide a sound basis for further comparative research to contextualise the region.
Behavioural and neural responses of crabs show evidence for selective attention in predator avoidance
Authors: Bagheri Zahra M. , Donohue Callum G. , Partridge Julian C. , Hemmi Jan M. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSelective attention, the ability to focus on a specific stimulus and suppress distractions, plays a fundamental role for animals in many contexts, such as mating, feeding, and predation. Within natural environments, animals are often confronted with multiple stimuli of potential importance. Such a situation significantly complicates the decision-making process and imposes conflicting information on neural systems. In the context of predation, selectively attending to one of multiple threats is one possible solution. However, how animals make such escape decisions is rarely studied. A previous field study on the fiddler crab,Gelasimus dampieri, provided evidence of selective attention in the context of escape decisions. To identify the underlying mechanisms that guide their escape decisions, we measured the crabs’ behavioural and neural responses to either a single, or two simultaneously approaching looming stimuli. The two stimuli were either identical or differed in contrast to represent different levels of threat certainty. Although our behavioural data provides some evidence that crabs perceive signals from both stimuli, we show that both the crabs and their looming-sensitive neurons almost exclusively respond to only one of two simultaneous threats. The crabs’ body orientation played an important role in their decision about which stimulus to run away from. When faced with two stimuli of differing contrasts, both neurons and crabs were much more likely to respond to the stimulus with the higher contrast. Our data provides evidence that the crabs’ looming-sensitive neurons play an important part in the mechanism that drives their selective attention in the context of predation. Our results support previous suggestions that the crabs’ escape direction is calculated downstream of their looming-sensitive neurons by means of a population vector of the looming sensitive neuronal ensemble.
Resistivity of solid and liquid Fe–Ni–Si with applications to the cores of Earth, Mercury and Venus
Authors: Berrada Meryem , Secco Richard A. , Yong Wenjun 
Published: June 2022

AbstractElectrical resistivity measurements of Fe–10wt%Ni–10wt%Si have been performed in a multi-anvil press from 3 to 20 GPa up to 2200 K. The temperature and pressure dependences of electrical resistivity are analyzed in term of changes in the electron mean free path. Similarities in the thermal properties of Fe–Si and Fe–Ni–Si alloys suggest the effect of Ni is negligible. Electrical resistivity is used to calculate thermal conductivity via the Wiedemann–Franz law, which is then used to estimate the adiabatic heat flow. The adiabatic heat flow at the top of Earth’s core is estimated to be 14 TW from the pressure and temperature dependences of thermal conductivity in the liquid state from this study, suggesting thermal convection may still be an active source to power the dynamo depending on the estimated value taken for the heat flow through the core mantle boundary. The calculated adiabatic heat flux density of 22.7–32.1 mW/m2 at the top of Mercury’s core suggests a chemically driven magnetic field from 0.02 to 0.21 Gyr after formation. A thermal conductivity of 140–148 Wm−1 K−1 is estimated at the center of a Fe–10wt%Ni–10wt%Si Venusian core, suggesting the presence of a solid inner core and an outer core that is at least partially liquid.
Evaluation of a biocoagulant from devilfish invasive species for the removal of contaminants in ceramic industry wastewater
Authors: Aguilera Flores Miguel Mauricio , Medellín Castillo Nahum Andrés , Ávila Vázquez Verónica , González García Raúl , Cardona Benavides Antonio , Carranza Álvarez Candy 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThis study evaluated the effectiveness of a biocoagulant produced from the devilfish invasive species and its combination with two chemical coagulants (aluminum sulfate and ferric sulfate) to remove turbidity, chemical oxygen demand, and total suspended solids in ceramic industry wastewater using a combined experimental design of Mixture-Process. This design optimized the coagulation process and evaluated the effects and interactions between mixture components and coagulant doses. An analysis of variance was used to analyze the experimental data obtained in the study, and the response surface plots by response type (turbidity, chemical oxygen demand, and total suspended solids) were obtained. Results showed that the coagulation treatment could be technically and economically feasible since efficiencies of turbidity, chemical oxygen demand, and total suspended solids removal of 74, 79, and 94% could be achieved using an optimal coagulant dose of 800 mg/L with a mixture of 35% biocoagulant and 65% ferric sulfate. Analysis of variance results showed that the models are significant, and the lack of fit is not required according to the probability value (pvalue), which were < 0.0001, and > 0.05, respectively. Hence, the experimental data were fitted to a combined reduced special cubic x linear model. These results support the use of devilfish meal as a biocoagulant, being more feasible in dual systems when mixed with ferric sulfate.