bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What intrinsic and extrinsic factors explain the stoichiometric diversity of aquatic heterotrophic bacteria?
Authors: Godwin Casey M , Cotner James B
Published: November 2017

The elemental content of microbial communities is dependent upon the physiology of constituent populations, yet ecological stoichiometry has made slow progress toward identifying predictors of how species and strains change the elemental content of their biomass in response to the stoichiometry of elements in resources. We asked whether the elemental content of aquatic bacteria, especially flexibility in elemental content, could be predicted by their phylogeny, maximum growth rate or lake productivity. We examined 137 isolates using chemostats and found that strains differed substantially in how the carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus ratios (C:N:P) in their biomass responded to P-sufficient and P-limiting conditions. The median strain increased its biomass C:N:P from 68:14:1 to 164:25:1 under P limitation. Patterns in elemental content and ratios were partly explained by phylogeny, yet flexibility in elemental content showed no phylogenetic signal. The growth rate hypothesis predicts that P content is positively related to growth rate, but we found weak correlation between maximum growth rate and P content among the strains. Overall, isolates from highly productive lakes had higher maximum growth rates and less flexible biomass N:P than isolates from unproductive lakes. These results show that bacteria present within lake communities exhibit diverse strategies for responding to elemental imbalance.
The habitability of the Milky Way during the active phase of its central supermassive black hole
Authors: Balbi Amedeo , Tombesi Francesco
Published: November 2017

During the peak of their accretion phase, supermassive black holes in galactic cores are known to emit very high levels of ionizing radiation, becoming visible over intergalactic distances as quasars or active galactic nuclei (AGN). Here, we quantify the extent to which the activity of the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, known as Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), may have affected the habitability of Earth-like planets in our Galaxy. We focus on the amount of atmospheric loss and on the possible biological damage suffered by planets exposed to X-ray and extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation produced during the peak of the active phase of Sgr A*. We find that terrestrial planets could lose a total atmospheric mass comparable to that of present day Earth even at large distances (~1 kiloparsec) from the galactic center. Furthermore, we find that the direct biological damage caused by Sgr A* to surface life on planets not properly screened by an atmosphere was probably significant during the AGN phase, possibly hindering the development of complex life within a few kiloparsecs from the galactic center.
Emergence of Quantum Critical Behavior in Metallic Quantum-Well States of Strongly Correlated Oxides
Authors: Kobayashi Masaki , Yoshimatsu Kohei , Mitsuhashi Taichi , Kitamura Miho , Sakai Enju , Yukawa Ryu , Minohara Makoto , Fujimori Atsushi , Horiba Koji , Kumigashira Hiroshi
Published: November 2017

Controlling quantum critical phenomena in strongly correlated electron systems, which emerge in the neighborhood of a quantum phase transition, is a major challenge in modern condensed matter physics. Quantum critical phenomena are generated from the delicate balance between long-range order and its quantum fluctuation. So far, the nature of quantum phase transitions has been investigated by changing a limited number of external parameters such as pressure and magnetic field. We propose a new approach for investigating quantum criticality by changing the strength of quantum fluctuation that is controlled by the dimensional crossover in metallic quantum well (QW) structures of strongly correlated oxides. With reducing layer thickness to the critical thickness of metal-insulator transition, crossover from a Fermi liquid to a non-Fermi liquid has clearly been observed in the metallic QW of SrVO3 by in situ angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Non-Fermi liquid behavior with the critical exponent α = 1 is found to emerge in the two-dimensional limit of the metallic QW states, indicating that a quantum critical point exists in the neighborhood of the thickness-dependent Mott transition. These results suggest that artificial QW structures provide a unique platform for investigating novel quantum phenomena in strongly correlated oxides in a controllable fashion.
MicroRNA-21 regulates Osteogenic Differentiation of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells by targeting Smad5
Authors: Wei Fulan , Yang Shuangyan , Guo Qingyuan , Zhang Xin , Ren Dapeng , Lv Tao , Xu Xin
Published: November 2017

Human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) are mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from dental and craniofacial tissues that exhibit high potential for differentiation into osteoblasts. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been established to play important roles in MSC osteogenesis. In the current study, we report that miR-21 was down-regulated in osteogenically differentiated PDLSCs. Overexpression of miR-21 significantly inhibited osteogenesis of hPDLSC, whereas its inhibition demonstrated the opposite effects. Furthermore, SMAD family member 5 (Smad5) was predicted to be a downstream target of miR-21 and was shown to undergo up-regulation in PDLSCs induced toward osteogenesis. Moreover, Smad5 and Runx2, which are the critical transcription factors in osteogenic differentiation, were predicted to be targets of miR-21. Suppression of miR-21 expression increased the level of Smad5 in vitro and during in vivo transplantation experiments. Furthermore, suppression of Smad5 inhibited osteogenic differentiation and decreased the protein level of Runx2. Taken together, these results suggested that miR-21 be mechanistically implicated in the regulation of osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs by targeting Smad5.
Reassessment of fluctuating dental asymmetry in Down syndrome
Authors: Matabuena Rodríguez Marcos , Diz Dios Pedro , Cadarso-Suárez Carmen , Diniz-Freitas Márcio , Outumuro Rial Mercedes , Abeleira Pazos Maria Teresa , Limeres Posse Jacobo
Published: November 2017

Fluctuating dental asymmetry (FDA) is a tool to measure developmental stability that could be increased in gonosomal aneuploidies. The aim of this study was to quantify FDA in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). The study group comprised 40 individuals with DS, and a control group matched for age and sex was created. The target teeth were the maxillary central incisors (11,21), maxillary lateral incisors (12,22), maxillary canines (13,23), and maxillary first molars (16,26). Dental morphometric variables measured on CBCT images included tooth length, crown height, root length, mesio-distal diameter, crown-to-root ratio, vestibular-palatine diameter, mid mesio-distal diameter, mid buccal-palatal diameter, maximum buccal-palatal diameter, and cervical circumference. The FA2 fluctuating asymmetry index (Palmer and Strobeck, 1986) was applied. Some discrepancies in crown-to-root ratios and root length asymmetry were significantly lower in the DS individuals than in controls. Combining the crown-to-root ratio of tooth 11 versus 21, tooth 12 versus 22, and tooth 13 versus 23, we developed a predictive model with a discriminatory power between DS and controls of 0.983. Some dental morphometric variables may actually be more stable in DS individuals than in the general population. This offers a new perspective on the relationship between canalization, fluctuating asymmetry, and aneuploidy.
Profiling of different pancreatic cancer cells used as models for metastatic behaviour shows large variation in their N-glycosylation
Authors: Holst Stephanie , Belo Ana I. , Giovannetti Elisa , van Die Irma , Wuhrer Manfred
Published: November 2017

To characterise pancreatic cancer cells from different sources which are used as model systems to study the metastatic behaviour in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), we compared the N-glycan imprint of four PDAC cells which were previously shown to differ in their galectin-4 expression and metastatic potential in vivo. Next to the sister cell lines Pa-Tu-8988S and Pa-Tu-8988T, which were isolated from the same liver metastasis of a PDAC, this included two primary PDAC cell cultures, PDAC1 and PDAC2. Additionally, we extended the N-glycan profiling to a normal, immortalized pancreatic duct cell line. Our results revealed major differences in the N-glycosylation of the different PDAC cells as well as compared to the control cell line, suggesting changes of the N-glycosylation in PDAC. The N-glycan profiles of the PDAC cells, however, differed vastly as well and demonstrate the diversity of PDAC model systems, which ultimately affects the interpretation of functional studies. The results from this study form the basis for further biological evaluation of the role of protein glycosylation in PDAC and highlight that conclusions from one cell line cannot be generalised, but should be regarded in the context of the corresponding phenotype.
Kaempferide Prevents Titanium Particle Induced Osteolysis by Suppressing JNK Activation during Osteoclast Formation
Authors: Jiao Zixian , Xu Weifeng , Zheng Jisi , Shen Pei , Qin An , Zhang Shanyong , Yang Chi
Published: November 2017

Kaempferide (KF) is an O-methylated flavonol, a natural plant extract, which is often found in Kaempferia galanga. It has a variety of effects including anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether KF effectively inhibits titanium particle induced calvarial bone loss via down regulation of the JNK signaling pathway. In the mice with titanium particle induced calvarial osteolysis, the Low dose of KF mildly reduced the resorption pits while in the high dose group, fewer scattered pits were observed on the surface of calvarium. Histological examination showed fewer osteoclasts formation in the KF group. In mouse bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) and RAW264.7 cells, KF significantly inhibited the osteoclast formation and bone resorption at 12.5 μM. However, KF does not affect the mature osteoclast F-actin ring formation. But when being co-treated with KF and anisomycin, BMMs differentiated into mature osteoclasts. At the molecular levels, the JNK phosphorylation was inhibited and the osteoclastogenesis-related specific gene expression including V-ATPase d2, TRAP, calcitonin receptor (CTR), c-Fos and NFATc1 was markedly suppressed. In conclusion, these results indicated that KF is a promising agent in the treatment of osteoclast-related diseases.
Decreased miRNA expression in Klinefelter syndrome
Authors: Cimino Laura , Salemi Michele , Cannarella Rossella , Condorelli Rosita A. , Giurato Giorgio , Marchese Giovanna , La Vignera Sandro , Calogero Aldo E.
Published: November 2017

The widelyvariable phenotypic spectrum and the different severity of symptoms in men with Klinefelter syndrome (KS) suggest a role for epigenetic mediators. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the possible involvement of miRNAs in the clinical manifestations of KS. To accomplish this, we performed a transcriptome analysis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 10 non-mosaic KS patients, 10 aged-matched healthy men and 10 aged-matched healthy female controls with normal karyotype. After RNA extraction from PBMC and the preparation of RNA libraries, the samples were sequenced using next generation high-throughput sequencing technology. Expression profiling analysis revealed a significant differential expression of 2 miRNAs in KS compared to male controls. In particular, MIR3648 resulted significantly (q-value < 0.0001) down-regulated by −19.084- fold, while MIR3687was strongly down-regulated (q-value < 0.0001) considering KS patients. These results were confirmed by qRT-PCR. The functional analysis of the two transcripts showed that they seem to play a role in breast cancer, hemopoietic abnormalities, immune defects and adipocyte differentiation and fat cell maturation. Therefore, we speculate that both miRNAs may play a role in the immune and metabolic disorders and in the risk of breast cancer development in men with KS.
High-speed, high-frequency ultrasound, in utero vector-flow imaging of mouse embryos
Authors: Ketterling Jeffrey A. , Aristizábal Orlando , Yiu Billy Y. S. , Turnbull Daniel H. , Phoon Colin K. L. , Yu Alfred C. H. , Silverman Ronald H.
Published: November 2017

Real-time imaging of the embryonic murine cardiovascular system is challenging due to the small size of the mouse embryo and rapid heart rate. High-frequency, linear-array ultrasound systems designed for small-animal imaging provide high-frame-rate and Doppler modes but are limited in regards to the field of view that can be imaged at fine-temporal and -spatial resolution. Here, a plane-wave imaging method was used to obtain high-speed image data from in utero mouse embryos and multi-angle, vector-flow algorithms were applied to the data to provide information on blood flow patterns in major organs. An 18-MHz linear array was used to acquire plane-wave data at absolute frame rates ≥10 kHz using a set of fixed transmission angles. After beamforming, vector-flow processing and image compounding, effective frame rates were on the order of 2 kHz. Data were acquired from the embryonic liver, heart and umbilical cord. Vector-flow results clearly revealed the complex nature of blood-flow patterns in the embryo with fine-temporal and -spatial resolution.
Conservation of Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay Complex Components Throughout Eukaryotic Evolution
Authors: Causier Barry , Li Zhen , De Smet Riet , Lloyd James P. B. , Van de Peer Yves , Davies Brendan
Published: November 2017

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is an essential eukaryotic process regulating transcript quality and abundance, and is involved in diverse processes including brain development and plant defenses. Although some of the NMD machinery is conserved between kingdoms, little is known about its evolution. Phosphorylation of the core NMD component UPF1 is critical for NMD and is regulated in mammals by the SURF complex (UPF1, SMG1 kinase, SMG8, SMG9 and eukaryotic release factors). However, since SMG1 is reportedly missing from the genomes of fungi and the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, it remains unclear how UPF1 is activated outside the metazoa. We used comparative genomics to determine the conservation of the NMD pathway across eukaryotic evolution. We show that SURF components are present in all major eukaryotic lineages, including fungi, suggesting that in addition to UPF1 and SMG1, SMG8 and SMG9 also existed in the last eukaryotic common ancestor, 1.8 billion years ago. However, despite the ancient origins of the SURF complex, we also found that SURF factors have been independently lost across the Eukarya, pointing to genetic buffering within the essential NMD pathway. We infer an ancient role for SURF in regulating UPF1, and the intriguing possibility of undiscovered NMD regulatory pathways.
Trehalose significantly enhances the recovery of serum and serum exosomal miRNA from a paper-based matrix
Authors: Neo Shu Hui , Chung Ka Yan , Quek Jia Min , Too Heng-Phon
Published: November 2017

The preservation of nucleic acids from clinical samples is critical to facilitate accurate molecular diagnosis. The use of a paper matrix, Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) Elute cards, to archive DNA and viral RNA is well-documented. However, the feasibility of FTA Elute cards for archiving serum and serum exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) remains unclear. Here, we performed a comprehensive evaluation of FTA Elute cards for miRNA storage and recovery in different pre-analytical conditions. The recovery of serum miRNA dry-spotted on FTA Elute cards by direct elution with water at high temperature was poor. However, serum miRNAs dry-spotted on the cards were isolated with about 40% yield when using QIAzol lysis reagent and recovery was improved remarkably (>80%) upon extraction from cards pre-treated with trehalose. miRNAs stored on the cards remained stable at room temperature and can be kept for prolonged periods. Furthermore, miRNAs could be similarly recovered from serum exosomes dry-spotted on the cards. Importantly, when using sera from gastric cancer (GC) patients, the miRNAs were efficiently recovered from trehalose pre-treated cards without affecting their representation. Collectively, we have demonstrated the potential of FTA Elute cards to archive serum and serum exosomal miRNAs, making it useful for biomarker discovery and diagnostics.
Roles of PFKFB3 in cancer
Authors: Shi Linlin , Pan Hongming , Liu Zhen , Xie Jiansheng , Han Weidong
Published: November 2017

The understanding of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (PFK-2/FBPase 3, PFKFB3) has advanced considerably since its initial identification in human macrophages in the mid-1990s. As a vital regulator of glycolysis, accumulating studies have suggested that PFKFB3 is associated with many aspects of cancer, including carcinogenesis, cancer cell proliferation, vessel aggressiveness, drug resistance and tumor microenvironment. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of PFKFB3 regulation by several signal pathways and its function in cancer development in different cell types in cancer tissues. Ubiquitous PFKFB3 has emerged as a potential target for anti-neoplastic therapy.
In vitroandin vivostudies of a gelatin/carboxymethyl chitosan/LAPONITE® composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Tao Li , Zhonglong Liu , Ming Xiao , Zezheng Yang , Zhiyuan Liu , Xiaojun Zhou , Jinwu Wang
Published: November 2017

In the present study, we fabricated a biocomposite scaffold composed of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC), gelatin and LAPONITE® (Lap) nanoparticlesviafreeze-drying and investigated its potential use in bone tissue engineering.
Unipolar resistive switching behavior in sol–gel synthesized FeSrTiO3 thin films
Authors: Thakre Atul , Kaswan Jyoti , Shukla A. K. , Kumar Ashok
Published: November 2017

A robust and reproducible resistance switching in iron substituted strontium titanate is reported which shows giant high to low resistance state ratio (∼105) and stable charge retention.
Characterization of uranium in the extracellular polymeric substances of anaerobic granular sludge used to treat uranium-contaminated groundwater
Authors: Zhang Hailing , Cheng Mengxi , Liu Weidong , Huang Fengyu , Ding Huanhuan , Li Shicheng , Guo Wei , Wang Yongpeng , Huang Hexiang
Published: November 2017

Characterization of the contents and forms (soluble ionic or particulate) of uranium reserved in AnGS's EPS.
Effect of MWCNT-modified graphite felts on hexavalent chromium removal in biocathode microbial fuel cells
Authors: Wu Xiayuan , Xiong Xiaomin , Brunetti Gianluca , Yong Xiaoyu , Zhou Jun , Zhang Lijuan , Wei Ping , Jia Honghua
Published: November 2017

Oxidized MWCNT-modified graphite felt significantly improved Cr(vi) removal in biocathode MFCs due to its affinity towards microbes and Cr(vi).
Efficient non-doped blue organic light-emitting diodes: donor–acceptor type host materials
Authors: Jayabharathi Jayaraman , Sujatha Palanisamy , Thanikachalam Venugopal , Jeeva Palanivel , Nethaji Pavadai
Published: November 2017

Blue devices with phenanthroimidazole OMeNPI-PITPA show maximum efficiencies ηex 4.90%; ηc 5.90 cd A−1 and are used as hosts for green OLEDs.
Synthesis of α-sulfonyloxyketones via iodobenzene diacetate (PIDA)-mediated oxysulfonyloxylation of alkynes with sulfonic acids
Authors: Zhang Yang , Tan Hua , Liu Weibing
Published: November 2017

A novel hypervalent iodine(iii)-promoted method for oxysulfonyloxylation of alkynes with sulfonic acids to access α-sulfonyloxyketones.
Divider‐less SAR‐based ADDLL
Authors: Hwang C.‐S. , Chu T.‐L. , Chen Y.‐G.
Published: November 2017

A new all‐digital delay‐locked loop (ADDLL) using successive‐approximation register (SAR) control scheme is presented. The proposed circuit architecture can effectively perform the per‐bit acquisition within one clock cycle. Therefore, the divider for generating internal SAR clocks can be further removed to achieve fast‐locking capability. Meanwhile, the harmonic‐locking problem that often occurs in a wide range of operating frequencies is also eliminated. The test chip is designed and verified with CMOS 0.18 μm technology. The measured acquisition cycles for all operating frequencies (100–800 MHz) are constant as 11 when a 10‐bit digital‐controlled delay line is employed. The rms/peak‐to‐peak jitters at the highest and lowest frequencies are 0.775/5.73 and 1.08/8.27 ps, respectively. The chip core occupies an active area of 0.015 mm2 and consumes 9.4 mW at 800 MHz.
Technique for measurement of UHF RFID balanced antennas
Authors: Peruzzi M. , Masson F. , Mandolesi P. , Perotoni M.
Published: November 2017

A balun designed on laminated epoxy PCB to measure inductive ultra‐high‐frequency‐balanced antennas is presented. Its objective is to minimise the reflection coefficient at its unbalanced input when the antenna is connected to its balanced output. This improves the accuracy in the posterior extraction of the antenna parameters from the measurement of its reflection coefficient. Theoretical considerations, design parameters and experimental results with an evaluation antenna are shown.
Analysis of the HVDC grid's influence on short‐circuit current level of AC system
Authors: Li Ying‐Biao , Wang Shan‐Shan , Bu Guang‐Quan , Yang Yan‐Chen , Zhao Bing , Wang Tie‐Zhu
Published: November 2017

Short‐circuit current characteristics of modular multilevel converter (MMC) have been studied here. First of all, this study introduces the principle of MMC. Furthermore, the injection short‐circuit current characteristics of MMC are analysed. There are two stages of the short‐circuit current. The first is transient process. This stage is the controller response process. After the controllers working, the voltage output by the MMC would have a big change, and there is no DC component in the short‐circuit current anymore. The second is steady‐state stage. The size of short‐circuit current is related to the control schemes, operation mode, and control parameters of MMC. Through comparison with and analysis of the testing results on a typical system, it is shown that the proposed characteristics are accurate. The research result offers a reference of construction of power grid.
Analysis and control strategy of unbalanced power in MMC‐HVDC grid
Authors: Yanchen Yang , Shicong Ma , Yingbiao Li
Published: November 2017

When the fault causes the inequality between the active power input and output in a modular multi‐level converter high‐voltage direct current (MMC‐HVDC) grid, the capacitors in the sub‐modules will be charged/discharged excessively by the unbalanced power. Therefore, the DC voltage will rise/fall rapidly and the whole system may be affected. This study focused on the issue of unbalanced power in DC grid. Faults that may lead to unbalanced power in DC grid were analysed. Then the distribution characteristics of the unbalanced power and its mechanism on the DC voltage were studied in detail. Two solutions were proposed, by considering self‐adapting ability and using energy dissipation devices. A four‐terminal DC grid model was built in PSD‐BPA. The characteristics analysis and the coordinated control of unbalanced power in DC grid were verified by simulation.
In Situ Endothelialization Promoted by SEMA4D and CXCL12 for Titanium-Based Biomaterials
Authors: Cui Yuanyuan , Zhou Feng , Wei Lai , Song Qiang , Tan Jianying , Zeng Zheng , Huang Nan , Chen Junying
Published: November 2017

In situ endothelialization, aiming to create implantation surfaces capable of self-endothelialization, seems to be an extremely promising solution, particularly on those blood-contacting surfaces. In this research study, we immobilized the soluble semaphorin 4D (SEMA4D) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) biomolecules together with heparin onto the metal-based biomaterial surfaces to achieve in situ endothelialization of modified samples both by stimulating the neighboring endothelial cells (ECs) migration and by capturing the circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) directly from the blood circulation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data demonstrate the successful immobilization of SEMA4D and CXCL12. Due to the presence of heparin, hemocompatibility was also improved after modification. Although EC migration was mainly mediated by SEMA4D with the coordination of CXCL12, EC proliferation and haptotaxis property were also enhanced, while EC chemotaxis was slightly suppressed because the further immobilization of CXCL12 influences the release of SEMA4D. The results of the ex vivo EPC capturing assay indicated the mobilization of CXCL12 promotes EPC adhesion. In vivo implantation further demonstrated that CXCL12 cooperates with SEMA4D to promote a process of in situ endothelialization.
Minimal Invasive Teil-Korporektomie von direkt lateral – Erfahrungen an einer Serie von 45 Patienten
Authors: Dützmann Stephan , Cole Tyler , Seifert Volker , Setzer Matthias , Weise Lutz
Published: November 2017

Hintergrund Der direkt laterale Zugangsweg hat in den letzten Jahren zunehmend an Popularität gewonnen. Er könnte neben der Diskektomie aber auch für Teil-Korporektomien an der thorakolumbalen Wirbelsäule genutzt werden. Wir präsentieren hiermit nun unsere Erfahrung der letzten 5 Jahre (2012 – 2017).

Methoden Es wurde retrospektiv unsere Datenbank ausgewertet, die ab 2012 kurz nach Markteinführung alle Patienten erfasste. Es wurden prä- und postoperative CT- und Röntgenaufnahmen in unserem PACS-System gespeichert. Die Patienten wurden 3 Monate nach der Operation erneut in unserer Ambulanz gesehen und das klinische Outcome bestimmt. Eine Vergleichsgruppe konnte für die Schmerzanalyse bei Patienten mit Metastasen an der Wirbelsäule gebildet werden, da nicht alle Patienten über denselben Zugang in dem Zeitraum operiert wurden.

Ergebnisse Im Zeitraum zwischen März 2012 und März 2017 wurden 45 Patienten in den Höhen Th7 bis L4 operiert. Bei 30 Patienten waren spinale Metastasen die Indikation und bei 15 Patienten lag eine Berstungsfraktur zugrunde. Im gleichen Zeitraum wurde bei 8 Patienten eine Kostotransversektomie als operativer Zugang zur Resektion von osteolytischen Metastasen an der Wirbelsäule durchgeführt. Bei 88 % der Patienten konnte eine 90 %-Deckplattenabdeckung erreicht werden. In der Vergleichsanalyse zeigte sich, dass die Patienten, die sich einem minimalinvasiven lateralen Zugang unterzogen, einen signifikant geringeren kombinierten Blutverlust und weniger unmittelbar postoperative Schmerzen hatten. Neurologische Komplikationen erlitten 6 Patienten (13 %). Implantatassoziierte Komplikationen wurden in 7 Fällen (15 %) beobachtet, davon 5 revisionspflichtig.

Schlussfolgerung Unsere Serie untersucht anhand von 45 Patienten die mini-open direkt laterale Teil-Korporektomie. Diese Technik ist ein wertvolles minimalinvasives Zugangsverfahren für Tumoren und Frakturen der Wirbelsäule insbesondere bei Wirbelkörperdestruktionen mit der Möglichkeit einer exzellenten Deckplattenabdeckung durch das lateral eingebrachte Implantat. Weitere Nachuntersuchungen und Erfahrungen sind notwendig, um das Indikationsspektrum sowie die Langzeitergebnisse zu untersuchen.
Radiologische Bildgebung der Spondylodiszitis
Authors: Heller Matthias , Davis Karen , Rauschmann Michael , Vogl Thomas
Published: November 2017

Der radiologischen Bildgebung der vertebralen Infektionen kommt eine zentrale Rolle in der Initialdiagnostik wie auch der Verlaufsbeurteilung zu. Der Artikel beschreibt die verschiedenen Möglichkeiten der Bildgebung, deren Vorteile und Grenzen. Der Schwerpunkt liegt hierbei auf der pyogenen Spondylodiszitis. Daneben werden die typischen bildmorphologischen Kriterien unter Berücksichtigung verschiedener Erreger erläutert. Zusätzlich befasst sich der Artikel mit den möglichen Differenzialdiagnosen.
Jubiläumskongress am 27. Januar 2018 – Ein Date mit der IMTA
Authors: de Ruijter Renée , Piekartz Harry von
Published: November 2017

Geoffrey Maitlands Behandlungsweise prägt die Physiotherapie bis heute und hat nichts an Aktualität verloren. 1992 gründete er mit von ihm ausgebildeten Instruktoren die Internationale Maitland Teacher Association (IMTA). Diese feiert am 27. Januar 2018 in Stuttgart ihr 25-jähriges Bestehen im Rahmen des physiokongresses. Es erwarten Sie zehn Vorträge von hochkarätigen Referenten.
Stärkung von Public Health durch Stärkung der Public-Health-Forschung
Authors: Kurth Bärbel , Kurth Tobias
Published: November 2017

Public-Health-Forschung ist anwendungsorientiert, ihr großes Potenzial liegt in der Verzahnung von Wissenschaft und Praxis sowie ihrer Interdisziplinarität und Methodenkompetenz. Public-Health-Forschung ist auf die Entwicklung und Evaluation von Maßnahmen gerichtet, die dem Schutz und der Verbesserung der Gesundheit der Bevölkerung dienen. Dabei muss sie ihren Beitrag zur Bewältigung der neuen Herausforderungen durch den demografischen Wandel, die Digitalisierung, die neuen Kommunikationsformen und den medizinischen Fortschritt leisten. Durch Bündelung der Kräfte sollten sich die Public-Health-Wissenschaftler aktiv in die Politikberatung einbringen und für eine adäquate Forschungsförderung eintreten.
Zersplitterte Heterogenität als Leitmotiv der Public-Health-Praxis in Deutschland?
Authors: Altgeld Thomas
Published: November 2017

Heterogenität stellt in Deutschland ein konstitutives Element der Public-Health-Praxis dar. Der Öffentliche Gesundheitsdienst als traditionelles Handlungsfeld von Public Health steht genau wie die zur Zeit boomende Gesundheitsförderungs- und Präventionslandschaft vor großen Herausforderungen, um mehr Gesundheit vulnerabler Bevölkerungsgruppen herzustellen. Mehr Ausgaben für kleinteilige Präventionskonzepte und eine enorme Ausdifferenzierung von Berufsbildern sind dabei nicht per se förderlich. Die Zukunft der Public-Health-Praxis liegt vielmehr in der Entwicklung integrierter kommunaler Handlungskonzepte, wie sie bspw. Präventionsketten darstellen.
Hochwirksame Antikonvulsion mit Eindosierung von Levetiractam in der Alkoholentzugsbehandlung
Authors: Hamel Andreas
Published: November 2017

Levetiracetam ist ein Antikonvulsivum mit guter Verträglichkeit in einer oralen und intravenösen Darreichungsform. Ein Alkoholentzugsanfall ist eine Komplikation mit möglichen schwerwiegenden gesundheitlichen Folgen. In dieser Studie wurde untersucht ob eine konsequente Gabe einer Antikonvulsion mit Carbamazepin oder Levetiracetam zu einer Reduktion von epileptischen Anfällen während einer stationären Alkoholentzugsbehandlung führte. Es wurden Patientenakten von 422 Personen nach Abschluss einer Alkoholentzugsbehandlung in einem Zeitraum von 127 Tagen Ende 2015 und Anfang 2016 untersucht. Es kam in diesem Zeitraum insgesamt zu 6 epileptischen Anfällen. Bei beiden oben angeführten Antikonvulsiva kam es zu einer deutlichen Reduktion der Anfälle; Levetiracetam (1 Anfall bei 117 Fällen) und Carbamazepin (1 Anfall bei 16 Fällen).
Evaluating the promise and pitfalls of a potential climate change–tolerant sea urchin fishery in southern California
Authors: Sato Kirk N , Powell Jackson , Rudie Dave , Levin Lisa A
Published: November 2017

Marine fishery stakeholders are beginning to consider and implement adaptation strategies in the face of growing consumer demand and potential deleterious climate change impacts such as ocean warming, ocean acidification, and deoxygenation. This study investigates the potential for development of a novel climate change-tolerant sea urchin fishery in southern California based on Strongylocentrotus fragilis (pink sea urchin), a deep-sea species whose peak density was found to coincide with a current trap-based spot prawn fishery (Pandalus platyceros) in the 200–300-m depth range. Here we outline potential criteria for a climate change-tolerant fishery by examining the distribution, life-history attributes, and marketable qualities of S. fragilis in southern California. We provide evidence of seasonality of gonad production and demonstrate that peak gonad production occurs in the winter season. S. fragilis likely spawns in the spring season as evidenced by consistent minimum gonad indices in the spring/summer seasons across 4 years of sampling (2012–2016). The resiliency of S. fragilis to predicted future increases in acidity and decreases in oxygen was supported by high species abundance, albeit reduced relative growth rate estimates at water depths (485–510 m) subject to low oxygen (11.7–16.9 µmol kg−1) and pHTotal (<7.44), which may provide assurances to stakeholders and managers regarding the suitability of this species for commercial exploitation. Some food quality properties of the S. fragilis roe (e.g. colour, texture) were comparable with those of the commercially exploited shallow-water red sea urchin (Mesocentrotus franciscanus), while other qualities (e.g. 80% reduced gonad size by weight) limit the potential future marketability of S. fragilis. This case study highlights the potential future challenges and drawbacks of climate-tolerant fishery development in an attempt to inform future urchin fishery stakeholders.
Substituting model-based indicators in Harvest Control Rules by observations using fuzzy logic methodology
Authors: Eide Arne
Published: November 2017

Harvest Control Rules are predefined heuristic decision rules to provide quota advices for managed fisheries. Frequently statistical methods and biological assumptions expressed in mathematical models, are used to provide the Harvest Control Rules with initial information (indicators values). The aim of this article is to investigate a possible way forward of replacing these inputs by quantities of measurable observations, e.g. catch-at-age statistics. The article presents a method by which recruitment indexes and stock biomass indicators are obtained by non-parametric use of annual catch-at-age records, without filtering the raw data (observations) through mathematical models. Two related methods, applied on three empirical cases, are provided: First, showing that recruitment strengths of the Northeast Arctic cod, haddock, and saithe stocks, obtained by fuzzy logic methodology, are satisfactory captures by the use of catch-at-age data. Second, stock size indicators are estimated for the three species by the same catch-at-age data. The second task turns out to be more challenging than the first, but also in the case of stock size evaluation, the suggested procedure provides reasonable results when compared to standard stock assessment methods.
Signaling-dependent control of apical membrane size and self-renewal in rosette-stage human neuroepithelial stem cells
Authors: Medelnik Jan-Philip , Roensch Kathleen , Okawa Satoshi , del Sol Antonio , Chara Osvaldo , Mchedlishvili Levan , Tanaka Elly M.
Published: November 2017

In the early developing nervous system, self-renewing neural stem cells are polarized and maintain an apical domain facing a central lumen. The presence of apical membrane is thought to have a profound influence on maintaining the stem cell state. With the onset of neurogenesis cells lose their polarization and the concomitant loss of the apical domain coincides with a loss of the stem cell identity. Very little is known about the molecular signals controlling apical membrane size. Here we use two neuroepithelial cell systems, one derived from regenerating axolotl spinal cord and the other from human ESCs to identify a conserved molecular signalling pathway initiated by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) that controls apical membrane size and consequently controls and maintains epithelial organization and lumen size in neuroepithelial rosettes. This apical domain size increase occurs independently of effects on proliferation and involves a SRF-dependent transcriptional induction of junctional and apical membrane components.
Real-Time Tracking of Selective Auditory Attention from M/EEG: A Bayesian Filtering Approach
Authors: Miran Sina , Akram Sahar , Sheikhattar Alireza , Simon Jonathan Z. , Zhang Tao , Babadi Behtash
Published: November 2017

Humans are able to identify and track a target speaker amid a cacophony of acoustic interference, which is often referred to as the cocktail party phenomenon. Results from several decades of studying this phenomenon have culminated in recent years in various promising attempts to decode the attentional state of a listener in a competing-speaker environment from non-invasive neuroimaging recordings such as magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG). To this end, most existing approaches compute correlation-based measures by either regressing the features of each speech stream to the M/EEG channels (the decoding approach) or vice versa (the encoding approach). These procedures operate in an offline fashion, i.e., require the entire duration of the experiment and multiple trials to provide robust results. Therefore, they cannot be used in emerging applications such as smart hearing aid devices, where a single trial must be used in real-time to decode the attentional state. In this paper, we close this gap by developing an algorithmic pipeline for real-time decoding of the attentional state. Our proposed framework consists of three main modules: 1) Real-time and robust estimation of encoding or decoding coefficients, achieved by sparse adaptive filtering, 2) Extracting reliable markers of the attentional state, and thereby generalizing the widely-used correlation-based measures thereof, and 3) Devising a near real-time state-space estimator that translates the noisy and variable attention markers to robust and reliable estimates of the attentional state with minimal delay. Our proposed algorithms integrate various techniques including forgetting factor-based adaptive filtering, ℓ1-regularization, forward-backward splitting algorithms, fixed-lag smoothing, and Expectation Maximization. We validate the performance of our proposed framework using comprehensive simulations as well as application to experimentally acquired M/EEG data. Our results reveal that the proposed real-time algorithms perform nearly as accurate as the existing state-of-the-art offline techniques, while providing a significant degree of adaptivity, statistical robustness, and computational savings.
Previously Hidden Dynamics at the TCR-pMHC Interface Revealed
Authors: Fodor James , Riley Blake T. , Borg Natalie A. , Buckle Ashley M.
Published: November 2017

A structural characterization of the interaction between T cell receptors (TCR) and cognate peptide-MHC (pMHC) is central to understanding adaptive T cell mediated immunity. X-ray crystallography, although the source of much structural data, traditionally provides only a static snapshot of the protein. Given the emerging evidence for the important role of conformational dynamics in protein function, we interrogated 309 crystallographic structures of pMHC complexes using ensemble refinement, a technique that can extract dynamic information from the X-ray data. We found that in a large number of systems ensemble methods were able to uncover previously hidden evidence of significant conformational plasticity, thereby revealing additional information that can build upon and significantly enhance functional interpretations that are based on a single static structure. Notable examples include the interpretation of differences in the disease association of HLA subtypes, the relationship between peptide prominence and TCR recognition, the role of conformational flexibility in vaccine design, and discriminating between induced fit and conformational selection models of TCR binding. We show that the currently widespread practise of analyzing pMHC interactions via the study of a single crystallographic structure does not make use of pertinent and easily accessible information from X-ray data concerning alternative protein conformations. This new analysis therefore not only highlights the capacity for ensemble methods to significantly enrich the interpretation of decades of structural data, but also provides previously missing information concerning the dynamics of existing characterized TCR-pMHC interactions.
HSF2 Co-regulates Protein-coding and Long Non-coding RNA Genes Specific to Black Tissues of the Black Chicken, Yeonsan Ogye
Authors: Hong Hyosun , Chai Han-Ha , Nam Kyoungwoo , Lim Dajeong , Lee Kyung-Tai , Do Yoon Jung , Cho Chang-Yeon , Nam Jin-Wu
Published: November 2017

The Yeonsan Ogye (Ogye) is a rare Korean domestic chicken breed, the entire body of which, including its feathers and skin, has a unique black coloring. Although some protein-coding genes related to this unique feature have been examined, non-coding elements have not been globally investigated. In this study, high-throughput RNA sequencing and DNA methylation sequencing were performed to dissect the expression landscape of 14,264 Ogye protein-coding and 6900 long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes along with DNA methylation landscape in twenty different Ogye tissues. About 75% of Ogye lncRNAs showed tissue-specific expression whereas about 45% of protein-coding genes did. For some genes, the tissue-specific expression levels were inversely correlated with DNA methylation levels in their promoters. About 39% of the tissue-specific lncRNAs displayed functional association with proximal or distal protein-coding genes. In particular, heat shock transcription factor 2 (HSF2)-associated lncRNAs were discovered to be functionally linked to protein-coding genes that are specifically expressed in black skin tissues, tended to be more syntenically conserved in mammals, and were differentially expressed in black tissues relative to white tissues. Our results not only facilitate understanding how the non-coding genome regulates unique phenotypes but also should be of use for future genomic breeding of chickens.
A comparison of root and shoot hydraulics, aquaporin expression and leaf gas exchange between two grapevine cultivars reveals differences in hydraulic control mediated by aquaporins
Authors: Dayer Silvina , Scharwies Johannes Daniel , Ramesh Sunita , Sullivan Wendy , Doerflinger Franziska , Pagay Vinay , Tyerman Stephen D
Published: November 2017

Hydraulics of plants that take different strategies of stomatal control under water stress are still relatively poorly understood. Here we explore how root and shoot hydraulics, gas exchange, aquaporin expression and abscisic acid (ABA) concentration in leaf xylem sap ([ABA]xylem) may be involved and coordinated. A comparison in responses to mild water stress and ABA application was made between two cultivars of Vitis vinifera L. previously classified as isohydric (Grenache) and anisohydric (Syrah). Grenache showed stronger adjustments of leaf, plant, and root hydraulic conductances to decreased soil moisture and a steeper correlation of stomatal conductance (gs) to [ABA]xylem than Syrah resulting in greater conservation of soil moisture, but not necessarily more isohydric behaviour. Under well-watered conditions, changes in vapour pressure deficit (VPD) had a strong influence on gs in both cultivars with adjustments of leaf hydraulic conductance. Grenache was more sensitive to decreases in soil water availability compared to Syrah that rather responded to VPD. There were stronger correlations between plant hydraulic parameters and changes in aquaporin gene expression in leaves and roots of Grenache. Overall, the results reinforce the hypothesis that both hydraulic and chemical signals significantly contribute to the differences in water conservation behaviours of the two cultivars.
Ranked tree shapes, non-random extinctions and the loss of phylogenetic diversity
Authors: Maliet Odile , Gascuel Fanny , Lambert Amaury
Published: November 2017

Phylogenetic diversity (PD) is a measure of the evolutionary legacy of a group of species, which can be used to define conservation priorities. It has been shown that an important loss of species diversity can sometimes lead to a much less important loss of PD, depending on the topology of the species tree and on the distribution of its branch lengths. However, the rate of decrease of PD strongly depends on the relative depths of the nodes in the tree and on the order in which species become extinct. We introduce a new, sampling-consistent, three-parameter model generating random trees with covarying topology, clade relative depths and clade relative extinction risks. This model can be seen as an extension to Aldous’ one parameter splitting modelβ, which controls for tree balance) with two additional parameters: a new parameterαquantifying the correlation between the richness of a clade and its relative depth, and a parameterηquantifying the correlation between the richness of a clade and its frequency (relative abundance or range), taken herein as a proxy for its overall extinction risk. We show on simulated phylogenies that loss of PD depends on the combined effect of all three parameters,β, αandη. In particular, PD may decrease as fast as species diversity when high extinction risks are clustered within small, old clades, corresponding to a parameter range that we term the ‘thin ice zone’ (β< –1 orα< 0;η> 1). Besides, when high extinction risks are clustered within large clades, the loss of PD can be higher in trees that are more balanced (β> 0), in contrast to the predictions of earlier studies based on simpler models. We propose a Monte-Carlo algorithm, tested on simulated data, to infer all three parameters. Applying it to a real dataset comprising 120 bird clades (class Aves) with known range sizes, we show that parameter estimates precisely fall close to close to a ‘thin ice zone’: the combination of their ranking tree shape and non-random extinctions risks makes them prone to a sudden collapse of PD.
Chromatin-release of the long ncRNA A-ROD is required for transcriptional activation of its target gene DKK1
Authors: Ntini Evgenia , Liz Julia , Muino Jose M , Marsico Annalisa , Ørom Ulf Andersson
Published: November 2017

Long non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in both positive and negative regulation of transcription. Long ncRNAs are often enriched in the nucleus and at chromatin but whether chromatin-release plays a functional role is unknown. Here, we used epigenetic marks, expression level and strength of chromatin interactions to group long ncRNAs and find that those engaged in strong chromatin interactions are less enriched at chromatin in MCF-7 cells, suggesting a functional involvement of chromatin-release of long ncRNAs in transcriptional regulation. To study this further, we identify the long ncRNA A-ROD, an activating regulator of the Wnt signaling inhibitor DKK1. We show that A-ROD enhances transcription elongation of DKK1 in an RNA-dependent manner and that A-ROD recruits EBP1 to the DKK1 promoter. Our data suggest that the activating function depends on the release of A-ROD from chromatin, and further identify a functional regulatory interaction mediated by A-ROD in the transcription activation of DKK1. We propose that the release of a subset of long ncRNAs is important for their function, adding a new mechanistic perspective to the subcellular localization of long ncRNAs.