bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical activity attenuates genetic effects on BMI: Results from a study of Chinese adult twins
Authors: Wang Biqi , Gao Wenjing , Lv Jun , Yu Canqing , Wang Shengfeng , Pang Zengchang , Cong Liming , Dong Zhong , Wu Fan , Wang Hua , Wu Xianping , Jiang Guohong , Wang Xiaojie , Wang Binyou , Cao Weihua , Li Liming
Published: February 2016

Objective

This study aimed to examine the gene–environment interaction of physical activity and body mass index (BMI) using the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR).

Methods

A total of 19,308 same‐sex adult twins from CNTR were included in the analysis. Twin zygosity was determined by self‐reported questionnaire. Height and weight were measured using self‐reported questionnaire. The vigorous physical activity was defined as greater or equal to five times a week of at least 30 min moderate‐ or high‐intensity physical activity. A twin structural equation model was used to analyze the gene–environment interaction of vigorous exercise with BMI among 13,506 monozygotic twins and 5,802 dizygotic twins.

Results

A structural equation model adjusting for age and sex found vigorous exercise significantly moderated the additive genetic effects (P < 0.001) and shared environmental effects (P < 0.001) on BMI. The genetic contributions to BMI were significantly lower for people who adopted a physically active lifestyle [h2 = 40%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 35%–46%] than those who were relative sedentary (h2 = 59%, 95% CI: 52%–66%). The observed gene–physical activity interaction was more pronounced in men than women.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that adopting a physically active lifestyle may help to reduce the genetic influence on BMI among the Chinese population.
Identification of copy number variations associated with congenital heart disease by chromosomal microarray analysis and next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Zhu Xiangyu , Li Jie , Ru Tong , Wang Yaping , Xu Yan , Yang Ying , Wu Xing , Cram David S. , Hu Yali
Published: February 2016

Objective

To determine the type and frequency of pathogenic chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD) using chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and validate next‐generation sequencing as an alternative diagnostic method.

Method

Chromosomal aneuploidies and submicroscopic copy number variations (CNVs) were identified in amniocytes DNA samples from CHD fetuses using high‐resolution CMA and copy number variation sequencing (CNV‐Seq).

Result

Overall, 21 of 115 CHD fetuses (18.3%) referred for CMA had a pathogenic chromosomal anomaly. In six of 73 fetuses (8.2%) with an isolated CHD, CMA identified two cases of DiGeorge syndrome, and one case each of 1q21.1 microdeletion, 16p11.2 microdeletion and Angelman/Prader Willi syndromes, and 22q11.21 microduplication syndrome. In 12 of 42 fetuses (28.6%) with CHD and additional structural abnormalities, CMA identified eight whole or partial trisomies (19.0%), five CNVs (11.9%) associated with DiGeorge, Wolf‐Hirschhorn, Miller‐Dieker, Cri du Chat and Blepharophimosis, Ptosis, and Epicanthus Inversus syndromes and four other rare pathogenic CNVs (9.5%). Overall, there was a 100% diagnostic concordance between CMA and CNV‐Seq for detecting all 21 pathogenic chromosomal abnormalities associated with CHD.

Conclusion

CMA and CNV‐Seq are reliable and accurate prenatal techniques for identifying pathogenic fetal chromosomal abnormalities associated with cardiac defects. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Defining the proteome of human iris, ciliary body, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid
Authors: Zhang Pingbo , Kirby David , Dufresne Craig , Chen Yan , Turner Randi , Ferri Sara , Edward Deepak P. , Van Eyk Jennifer E. , Semba Richard D.
Published: February 2016

The iris is a fine structure that controls the amount of light that enters the eye. The ciliary body controls the shape of the lens and produces aqueous humor. The retinal pigment epithelium and choroid (RPE/choroid) are essential in supporting the retina and absorbing light energy that enters the eye. Proteins were extracted from iris, ciliary body, and RPE/choroid tissues of eyes from five individuals and fractionated using SDS‐PAGE. After in‐gel digestion, peptides were analyzed using LC‐MS/MS on an Orbitrap Elite mass spectrometer. In iris, ciliary body, and RPE/choroid, we identified 2959, 2867, and 2755 nonredundant proteins with peptide and protein false‐positive rates of <0.1% and <1%, respectively. Forty‐three unambiguous protein isoforms were identified in iris, ciliary body, and RPE/choroid. Four “missing proteins” were identified in ciliary body based on ≥2 proteotypic peptides. The mass spectrometric proteome database of the human iris, ciliary body, and RPE/choroid may serve as a valuable resource for future investigations of the eye in health and disease. The MS proteomics data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium via the PRIDE partner repository with the dataset identifiers PXD001424 and PXD002194.
Designing semiencapsulation based covalently self‐healable poly(methyl methacrylate) composites by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization
Authors: Saikia Bhaskar Jyoti , Dolui Swapan Kumar
Published: February 2016

Self‐healable poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites were fabricated with embedded glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) encapsulated poly(melamine‐formaldehyde) microcapsules. The matrix polymers were synthesized via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization using two different initiators; one linear and another hexafunctional. As the so prepared polymer matrix retains living characteristics, it can initiate a healing reaction when the encapsulated monomer reaches the matrix due to formation or extension of a crack and thus healing the system covalently. The effect of number of initiating functionality on healing characteristic was studied using both linear and 6‐armed star PMMA having same targeted molecular weight. Both the systems were able to restore 100% original fracture toughness after healing. However, the polymer matrix prepared by hexafunctional initiator restored the fracture toughness much faster than that of the linear polymer matrix. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 1842–1851
Design of Enhanced Catalysts by Coupling of Noble Metals (Au,Ag) with Semiconductor SnO2 for Catalytic Reduction of 4‐Nitrophenol
Authors: Lei Mei , Wu Wei , Yang Shuanglei , Zhang Xingang , Xing Zhuo , Ren Feng , Xiao Xiangheng , Jiang Changzhong
Published: February 2016

The reduction of 4‐nitrophenol (Nip) into 4‐aminophenol (Amp) by NaBH4, which is catalyzed by both binary and ternary yolk–shell noble‐metal/SnO2 heterostructures, is reported. The binary heterostructures contain individual Au or Ag nanoparticles (NPs) and the ternary heterostructures contain both Au and Ag NPs. The Au@SnO2 yolk–shell NPs are synthesized via a silica seeds‐mediated hydrothermal method. Subsequently, the Au@SnO2@Ag and Au@SnO2@Au yolk–shell–shell (YSS) NPs are synthesized, whereby SnO2 is located between the Au and Ag NPs. The morphology, composition, and optical properties of the as‐prepared samples are analyzed. For the binary heterostructures, the rate of the reduction reaction increases with decreasing particle size. The catalytic results demonstrate the synergistic effect of Au and Ag in the ternary metal–semiconductor heterostructures, which is beneficial to the catalytic reduction of Nip into Amp. Both the binary and ternary heterostructures exhibit significantly better catalytic performances than the corresponding bare Au and Ag NPs. It is envisaged that the current synthesized strategy will promote further interest in the field of bimetal NP‐based catalysis.
Neutron Diffraction Measurements and Micromechanical Modelling of Temperature‐Dependent Variations in TATB Lattice Parameters
Authors: Yeager John D. , Luscher Darby J. , Vogel Sven C. , Clausen Bjorn , Brown Donald W.
Published: February 2016

Triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB) is a highly anisotropic molecular crystal used in several plastic‐bonded explosive (PBX) formulations. TATB‐based explosives exhibit irreversible volume expansion (“ratchet growth”) when thermally cycled. A theoretical understanding of the relationship between anisotropy of the crystal, crystal orientation distribution (texture) of polycrystalline aggregates, and the intergranular interactions leading to this irreversible growth is necessary to accurately develop physics‐based predictive models for TATB‐based PBXs under various thermal environments. In this work, TATB lattice parameters were measured using neutron diffraction during thermal cycling of loose powder and a pressed pellet. The measured lattice parameters help clarify conflicting reports in the literature as these new results are more consistent with one set of previous results than another. The lattice parameters of pressed TATB were also measured as a function of temperature, showing some differences from the powder. This data is used along with anisotropic single‐crystal stiffness moduli reported in the literature to model the nominal stresses associated with intergranular constraints during thermal expansion. The texture of both specimens were characterized and the pressed pellet exhibits preferential orientation of (001) poles along the pressing direction, whereas no preferred orientation was found for the loose powder. Finally, thermal strains for single‐crystal TATB computed from lattice parameter data for the powder is input to a self‐consistent micromechanical model, which predicts the lattice parameters of the constrained TATB crystals within the pellet. The agreement of these model results with the diffraction data obtained from the pellet is discussed along with future directions of research.
Conserved structure of Snu13 from the highly reduced spliceosome of Cyanidioschyzon merolae
Authors: Black C. S. , Garside E. L. , MacMillan A. M. , Rader S. D.
Published: February 2016

Structural and functional analysis of proteins involved in pre‐mRNA splicing is challenging because of the complexity of the splicing machinery, known as the spliceosome. Bioinformatic, proteomic, and biochemical analyses have identified a minimal spliceosome in the red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae. This spliceosome consists of only 40 core proteins, compared to ∼70 in S. cerevisiae (yeast) and ∼150 in humans. We report the X‐ray crystallographic analysis of C. merolae Snu13 (CmSnu13), a key component of the assembling spliceosome, and present evidence for conservation of Snu13 function in this algal splicing pathway. The near identity of CmSnu13's three‐dimensional structure to yeast and human Snu13 suggests that C. merolae should be an excellent model system for investigating the structure and function of the conserved core of the spliceosome.
Epistasis in protein evolution
Authors: Starr Tyler N. , Thornton Joseph W.
Published: February 2016

The structure, function, and evolution of proteins depend on physical and genetic interactions among amino acids. Recent studies have used new strategies to explore the prevalence, biochemical mechanisms, and evolutionary implications of these interactions—called epistasis—within proteins. Here we describe an emerging picture of pervasive epistasis in which the physical and biological effects of mutations change over the course of evolution in a lineage‐specific fashion. Epistasis can restrict the trajectories available to an evolving protein or open new paths to sequences and functions that would otherwise have been inaccessible. We describe two broad classes of epistatic interactions, which arise from different physical mechanisms and have different effects on evolutionary processes. Specific epistasis—in which one mutation influences the phenotypic effect of few other mutations—is caused by direct and indirect physical interactions between mutations, which nonadditively change the protein's physical properties, such as conformation, stability, or affinity for ligands. In contrast, nonspecific epistasis describes mutations that modify the effect of many others; these typically behave additively with respect to the physical properties of a protein but exhibit epistasis because of a nonlinear relationship between the physical properties and their biological effects, such as function or fitness. Both types of interaction are rampant, but specific epistasis has stronger effects on the rate and outcomes of evolution, because it imposes stricter constraints and modulates evolutionary potential more dramatically; it therefore makes evolution more contingent on low‐probability historical events and leaves stronger marks on the sequences, structures, and functions of protein families.
Modelling the current and potential future distributions of the sunn pest Eurygaster integriceps (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) using CLIMEX
Authors: Aljaryian Rasha , Kumar Lalit , Taylor Subhashni
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND

The sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae), is an economically significant pest throughout Western Asia and Eastern Europe. This study was conducted to examine the possible risk posed by the influence of climate change on its spread. CLIMEX software was used to model its current global distribution. Future invasion potential was investigated using two global climate models (GCMs), CSIRO‐Mk3.0 (CS) and MIROC‐H (MR), under A1B and A2 emission scenarios for 2030, 2070 and 2100.

RESULTS

Dry to temperate climatic areas favour sunn pests. The potential global range for E. integriceps is expected to extend further polewards between latitudes 60° N and 70° N. Northern Europe and Canada will be at risk of sunn pest invasion as cold stress boundaries recede under the emission scenarios of these models. However, current highly suitable areas, such as South Africa and central Australia, will contract where precipitation is projected to decrease substantially with increased heat stress.

CONCLUSION

Estimating the sunn pest's potential geographic distribution and detecting its climatic limits can provide useful information for management strategies and allow biosecurity authorities to plan ahead and reduce the expected harmful economic consequences by identifying the new areas for pest invasion. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Control of carrier concentration in SnS films by annealing with S and Sn
Authors: Gotoh Tamihiro
Published: February 2016

The carrier properties of thermally evaporated SnS films were examined by electrical resistivity and thermopower measurements. The SnS films were annealed at 300 °C with constituent elements such as S powder and Sn films in order to control carrier concentration. The S‐ or Sn‐annealed SnS films exhibit optical bandgaps of 1.2–1.36 eV, electrical resistivities of 0.25–5.4 × 103 Ωcm, activation energies of 0.15–0.2 eV, and Seebeck coefficients of 0.8–2.7 mV K−1. The changes of electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient were observed for SnS films by annealing with S and Sn. These results indicate that annealing treatments with S and Sn cause changes of carrier concentration in SnS films. Thermopower measurement is useful for the carrier evaluation of semiconducting SnS films.
Electric field‐revealed precursor ferroelectric properties of low lithium ion‐doped KTaO3
Authors: Trybuła Zbigniew , Miga Seweryn , Łoś Szymon , Trybuła Małgorzata , Dec Jan
Published: February 2016

The results of low‐temperature linear as well as nonlinear and electric susceptibility and polarization P measurements of the K1–xLixTaO3, x = 0.01 crystal are presented. A coexistence of two different phases within a temperature range where the glassy state sets in is proposed. In the current work, we have proved the existence of an electric field‐revealed precursor ferroelectric phase without low‐frequency relaxation. With decreasing temperature, the second‐order nonlinear electric susceptibility, , which is proportional to the polarization P, increases from zero at about 40 K to at 4.2 K. This behavior is independent of the frequency of the ac probing electric field, and thus discloses the existence of a newly observed polarization component.
Fragmentation and ion mobility properties of negative ions from N‐linked carbohydrates: Part 7. Reduced glycans
Authors: Harvey David J. , Abrahams Jodie L.
Published: February 2016

Rationale

Negative ion collision‐induced dissociation (CID) spectra of released N‐glycans provide very informative structural information relating to branching patterns and location of residues such as fucose. For some structural studies, particularly those involving chromatography, glycans are often reduced to avoid production of multiple peaks from α‐ and β‐anomers. We examined the effect of reduction on the production of diagnostic fragment ions and on the ion mobility properties of N‐glycans.

Methods

Released N‐glycans from the glycoproteins bovine fetuin, ribonuclease B, chicken ovalbumin, and porcine thyroglobulin were reduced with sodium cyanoborohydride and both negative ion CID spectra and ion mobility properties of their phosphate adducts were examined with a Waters Synapt G2Si travelling‐wave ion mobility mass spectrometer with electrospray sample introduction. Estimated collisional cross sections were measured with dextran as the calibrant,

Results

Fragment ions were similar to those from the unreduced glycans with the exception that the prominent 2,4A cleavage ion from the reducing terminus was replaced by a prominent [M−H3PO4]− ion. Other ions arising from the chitobiose core were of lower relative abundance than those from the unreduced glycans. Estimated collisional cross sections were similar to those of the unreduced compounds but with symmetrical arrival time distribution (ATD) profiles, unlike those of the unreduced glycans whose peaks often contained prominent asymmetry. This observation showed that this asymmetry was due to anomer separation.

Conclusions

Reduction of the reducing terminal GlcNAc residue resulted in fewer diagnostic ions from the chitobiose core but fragmentation of the remainder of the molecules generally paralleled that of the unreduced glycans. Thus, most structural information, with the exception of the linkage position of fucose on the core GlcNAc, was available. ATD peaks were symmetrical with the result that cross sections were more appropriate for data‐base searching than those from the non‐reduced compounds where asymmetry produced lower precision in the measurement. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mass spectrometric quantification of urinary human liver fatty acid binding protein in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Ozcan Filiz , Akbas Halide , Kırac Ebru , Suleymanlar Gultekin , Aslan Mutay , Yucel Gultekin
Published: February 2016

Rationale

Urinary liver fatty acid binding protein (L‐FABP) has been evaluated as a promising early biomarker of renal ischemia in human kidney transplant patients. The use of L‐FABP in clinical practice requires that this biomarker be associated with an analytical method that combines specificity, accuracy and robustness. This study aimed to evaluate an optimized multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method using ultrafast liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry to measure urinary L‐FABP levels in renal transplant recipients.

Methods

Purified recombinant human L‐FABP tryptic standard was analyzed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and liquid chromatography (LC)/MS/MS to select for peptides that provided specificity and adequate response in developing an MRM method for urinary L‐FABP quantification. Human urine samples collected from kidney transplant recipients were isolated, concentrated, precipitated and trypsin digested before mass spectrometric analysis of L‐FABP. L‐FABP levels were also measured in urine samples by enzyme immunoassay.

Results

The tryptic peptide ion MH+ of 50FTITAGSK57 (m/z 824) provided an adequate signal and was used for quantification of L‐FABP under conditions employed for LC/MS/MS analysis. MALDI‐TOF‐MS/MS spectra obtained by collision‐induced dissociation of the parent MH+ ion 50FTITAGSK57 resulted in a y3 product ion that was used for quantitative analysis by the MRM method. Urinary L‐FABP content measured by both ELISA and LC/MS/MS after transplantation was significantly higher compared to before transplantation levels. The Spearman correlation coefficient between the two methods was statistically significant. Intra‐day and inter‐day coefficients of variation provided good repeatability and reproducibility for validation of LC/MS/MS analysis.

Conclusions

LC/MS/MS quantification of L‐FABP may provide a new reference method to determine changes in this potential biomarker in human kidney transplant patients. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Targeted absolute quantitative proteomics with SILAC internal standards and unlabeled full‐length protein calibrators (TAQSI)
Authors: Wang Xinwen , Liang Yan , Liu Li , Shi Jian , Zhu Hao‐Jie
Published: February 2016

Rationale

Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS)‐based proteomics for absolute protein quantification has been increasingly utilized in both basic and clinical research. There is a great need to overcome some major hurdles of current absolute protein quantification methods, such as significant inter‐assay variability and the high cost associated with the preparation of purified stable‐isotope‐labeled peptide/protein standards.

Methods

We developed a novel targeted absolute protein quantification method, named TAQSI, utilizing full‐length isotope‐labeled protein internal standards generated from SILAC (stable isotope labeling by amino acid in cell culture) and unlabeled full‐length protein calibrators. This approach was applied to absolute quantification of carboxylesterase 1 (CES1), the primary human hepatic hydrolase, in a large set of human liver samples. Absolute CES1 quantities were derived from the standard calibration curves established from unlabeled CES1 protein calibrators and the isotope‐labeled CES1 internal standards obtained from SILAC HepG2 cells.

Results

The TAQSI assay was found to be accurate, precise, reproducible, and cost‐effective. Importantly, protein quantification was not affected by various protein extraction and digestion protocols, and measurement errors associated with nonsynonymous variants can be readily identified and avoided. Furthermore, the TAQSI approach significantly simplifies the procedure of identifying the best performance surrogate peptides.

Conclusions

The TAQSI assay can be widely used for targeted absolute protein quantification in various biomedical research and clinical practice settings. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
N2O source partitioning in soils using 15N site preference values corrected for the N2O reduction effect
Authors: Wu Di , Köster Jan Reent , Cárdenas Laura M. , Brüggemann Nicolas , Lewicka‐Szczebak Dominika , Bol Roland
Published: February 2016

Rationale

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of isotope fractionation associated with N2O reduction during soil denitrification on N2O site preference (SP) values and hence quantify the potential bias on SP‐based N2O source partitioning.

Methods

The N2O SP values (n = 431) were derived from six soil incubation studies in N2‐free atmosphere, and determined by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The N2 and N2O concentrations were measured directly by gas chromatography. Net isotope effects (NIE) during N2O reduction to N2 were compensated for using three different approaches: a closed‐system model, an open‐system model and a dynamic apparent NIE function. The resulting SP values were used for N2O source partitioning based on a two end‐member isotopic mass balance.

Results

The average SP0 value, i.e. the average SP values of N2O prior to N2O reduction, was recalculated with the closed‐system model, resulting in −2.6 ‰ (±9.5), while the open‐system model and the dynamic apparent NIE model gave average SP0 values of 2.9 ‰ (±6.3) and 1.7 ‰ (±6.3), respectively. The average source contribution of N2O from nitrification/fungal denitrification was 18.7% (±21.0) according to the closed‐system model, while the open‐system model and the dynamic apparent NIE function resulted in values of 31.0% (±14.0) and 28.3% (±14.0), respectively.

Conclusions

Using a closed‐system model with a fixed SP isotope effect may significantly overestimate the N2O reduction effect on SP values, especially when N2O reduction rates are high. This is probably due to soil inhomogeneity and can be compensated for by the application of a dynamic apparent NIE function, which takes the variable reduction rates in soil micropores into account. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Telepressure and College Student Employment: The Costs of Staying Connected Across Social Contexts
Authors: Barber Larissa K. , Santuzzi Alecia M.
Published: February 2016

Telepressure is a psychological state consisting of the preoccupation and urge to respond quickly to message‐based communications from others. Telepressure has been linked with negative stress and health outcomes, but the existing measure focuses on experiences specific to the workplace. The current study explores whether an adapted version of the workplace telepressure measure is relevant to general social interactions that rely on information and communication technologies. We validated a general telepressure measure in a sample of college students and found psychometric properties similar to the original workplace measure. Also, general telepressure was related to, but distinct from, the fear of missing out, self‐control and technology use. Using a predictive validity design, we also found that telepressure at the beginning of the semester was related to student reports of burnout, perceived stress and poor sleep hygiene 1 month later (but not work–life balance or general life satisfaction). Moreover, telepressure was more strongly related to more negative outcomes (burnout, stress and poor sleep hygiene) and less positive outcomes (work–life balance and life satisfaction) among employed compared with non‐employed students. Thus, the costs of staying connected to one's social network may be more detrimental to college students with additional employment obligations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Organic Light‐Emitting Transistors: Materials, Device Configurations, and Operations
Authors: Zhang Congcong , Chen Penglei , Hu Wenping
Published: February 2016

Organic light‐emitting transistors (OLETs) represent an emerging class of organic optoelectronic devices, wherein the electrical switching capability of organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) and the light‐generation capability of organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) are inherently incorporated in a single device. In contrast to conventional OFETs and OLEDs, the planar device geometry and the versatile multifunctional nature of OLETs not only endow them with numerous technological opportunities in the frontier fields of highly integrated organic electronics, but also render them ideal scientific scaffolds to address the fundamental physical events of organic semiconductors and devices. This review article summarizes the recent advancements on OLETs in light of materials, device configurations, operation conditions, etc. Diverse state‐of‐the‐art protocols, including bulk heterojunction, layered heterojunction and laterally arranged heterojunction structures, as well as asymmetric source‐drain electrodes, and innovative dielectric layers, which have been developed for the construction of qualified OLETs and for shedding new and deep light on the working principles of OLETs, are highlighted by addressing representative paradigms. This review intends to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the design of future OLETs.
Tackling the ‘dyslexia paradox’: reading brain and behavior for early markers of developmental dyslexia
Authors: Ozernov‐Palchik Ola , Gaab Nadine
Published: February 2016

Developmental dyslexia is an unexplained inability to acquire accurate or fluent reading that affects approximately 5–17% of children. Dyslexia is associated with structural and functional alterations in various brain regions that support reading. Neuroimaging studies in infants and pre‐reading children suggest that these alterations predate reading instruction and reading failure, supporting the hypothesis that variant function in dyslexia susceptibility genes lead to atypical neural migration and/or axonal growth during early, most likely in utero, brain development. Yet, dyslexia is typically not diagnosed until a child has failed to learn to read as expected (usually in second grade or later). There is emerging evidence that neuroimaging measures, when combined with key behavioral measures, can enhance the accuracy of identification of dyslexia risk in pre‐reading children but its sensitivity, specificity, and cost‐efficiency is still unclear. Early identification of dyslexia risk carries important implications for dyslexia remediation and the amelioration of the psychosocial consequences commonly associated with reading failure. WIREs Cogn Sci 2016, 7:156–176. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1383

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Development and Aging

Psychology > Language
Partial purification of histone H3 proteolytic activity from the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Azad Gajendra Kumar , Tomar Raghuvir Singh
Published: February 2016

The proteolytic clipping of histone tails has recently emerged as a novel form of irreversible post‐translational modification (PTM) of histones. Histone clipping has been implicated as a regulatory process leading to the permanent removal of PTMs from histone proteins. However, there is scarcity of literature that describes the identification and characterization of histone‐specific proteases. Here, we employed various biochemical methods to report histone H3‐specific proteolytic activity from budding yeast. Our results demonstrate that H3 proteolytic activity was associated with sepharose bead matrices and activity was not affected by a variety of stress conditions. We have also identified the existence of an unknown protein that acts as a physiological inhibitor of the H3‐clipping activity of yeast H3 protease. Moreover, through protease inhibition assays, we have also characterized yeast H3 protease as a serine protease. Interestingly, unlike glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), yeast H3 proteolytic activity was not inhibited by Stefin B. Together, our findings suggest the existence of a novel H3 protease in yeast that is different from other reported histone H3 proteases. The presence of histone H3 proteolytic activity, along with the physiological inhibitor in yeast, suggests an interesting molecular mechanism that regulates the activity of histone proteases. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proline accumulation protects Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells in stationary phase from ethanol stress by reducing reactive oxygen species levels
Authors: Takagi Hiroshi , Taguchi Junpei , Kaino Tomohiro
Published: February 2016

During fermentation processes, Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells are exposed to multiple stresses, including a high concentration of ethanol that represents toxicity through intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. We previously reported that proline protected yeast cells from damage caused by various stresses, such as freezing and ethanol. As an anti‐oxidant, proline is suggested to scavenge intracellular ROS. In this study, we examined the role of intracellular proline during ethanol treatment in S. cerevisiae strains that accumulate different concentrations of proline. When cultured in YPD medium, there was a significant accumulation of proline in the put1 mutant strain, which is deficient in proline oxidase, in the stationary phase. Expression of the mutant PRO1 gene, which encodes the γ‐glutamyl kinase variant (Asp154Asn or Ile150Thr) with desensitization to feedback inhibition by proline in the put1 mutant strain, showed a prominent increase in proline content as compared with that of the wild‐type strain. The oxidation level was clearly increased in wild‐type cells after exposure to ethanol, indicating that the generation of ROS occurred. Interestingly, proline accumulation significantly reduces the ROS level and increases the survival rate of yeast cells in the stationary phase under ethanol stress conditions. However, there was not a clear correlation between proline content and survival rate in yeast cells. An appropriate level of intracellular proline in yeast might be important for its stress‐protective effect. Hence, the engineering of proline metabolism could be promising for breeding stress‐tolerant industrial yeast strains. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Silanol Mediated π‐Assembly of Extended N‐Heterocycles
Authors: Krekić Kristijan , Hurkes Natascha F. , Bruhn Clemens , Belaj Ferdinand , Pietschnig Rudolf
Published: February 2016

Self‐assembly of silanetriols with 4,4′‐bipyridine affords infinite columns of cofacially arranged π‐stacks as evidenced by X‐ray data. Variation of the silanetriol reveals a subtle balance between hydrogen bonding and π interactions, which, by proper choice of the substituent, may foster either dominant hydrogen bonding or dominant π interaction.
Improved prediction of complex diseases by common genetic markers: state of the art and further perspectives
Authors: Müller Bent , Wilcke Arndt , Boulesteix Anne-Laure , Brauer Jens , Passarge Eberhard , Boltze Johannes , Kirsten Holger
Published: February 2016

Reliable risk assessment of frequent, but treatable diseases and disorders has considerable clinical and socio-economic relevance. However, as these conditions usually originate from a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors, precise prediction remains a considerable challenge. The current progress in genotyping technology has resulted in a substantial increase of knowledge regarding the genetic basis of such diseases and disorders. Consequently, common genetic risk variants are increasingly being included in epidemiological models to improve risk prediction. This work reviews recent high-quality publications targeting the prediction of common complex diseases. To be included in this review, articles had to report both, numerical measures of prediction performance based on traditional (non-genetic) risk factors, as well as measures of prediction performance when adding common genetic variants to the model. Systematic PubMed-based search finally identified 55 eligible studies. These studies were compared with respect to the chosen approach and methodology as well as results and clinical impact. Phenotypes analysed included tumours, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases. All studies applied one or more statistical measures reporting on calibration, discrimination, or reclassification to quantify the benefit of including SNPs, but differed substantially regarding the methodological details that were reported. Several examples for improved risk assessments by considering disease-related SNPs were identified. Although the add-on benefit of including SNP genotyping data was mostly moderate, the strategy can be of clinical relevance and may, when being paralleled by an even deeper understanding of disease-related genetics, further explain the development of enhanced predictive and diagnostic strategies for complex diseases.
A new dynamic six degrees of freedom disc-loading simulator allows to provoke disc damage and herniation
Authors: Wilke Hans-Joachim , Kienle Annette , Maile Sebastian , Rasche Volker , Berger-Roscher Nikolaus
Published: February 2016

Purpose

The cause of disc herniation is not well understood yet. It is assumed that heavy lifting and extreme postures can cause small injuries starting either in the inner anulus or from the outside close to the endplate. Such injuries are accumulated over years until its structure is weakened and finally a single loading event leads to a sudden failure of the last few intact lamellae. This paper describes a novel, custom-developed dynamic 6-DOF disc-loading simulator that allows complex loading to provoke such disc damage and herniations.

Methods

The machine’s axes are driven by six independent servomotors providing high loads (10 kN axial compression, 2 kN shear, 100 Nm torque) up to 5 Hz. A positional accuracy test was conducted to validate the machine. Subsequently, initial experiments with lumbar ovine motion segments under complex loading were performed. After testing, the discs were examined in an ultra-high field MRI (11.7 T). A three-dimensional reconstruction was performed to visualise the internal disc lesions.

Results

Validation tests demonstrated positioning with an accuracy of ≤0.08°/≤0.026 mm at 0.5 Hz and ≤0.27°/≤0.048 mm at 3.0 Hz with amplitudes of ±17°/±2 mm. Typical failure patterns and herniations could be provoked with complex asymmetrical loading protocols. Loading with axial compression, flexion, lateral bending and torsion lead in 8 specimens to 4 herniated discs, two protrusions and two delaminations. All disc failures occurred in the posterior region of the disc.

Conclusion

This new dynamic disc-loading simulator has proven to be able to apply complex motion combinations and allows to create artificial lesions in the disc with complex loading protocols. The aim of further tests is to better understand the mechanisms by which disc failure occurs at the microstructural level under different loading conditions. Visualisation with ultra-high field MRI at different time points is a promising method to investigate the gradual development of such lesions, which may finally lead to disc failure. These kinds of experiments will help to better investigate the mechanical failure of discs to provide new insights into the initiation of intervertebral disc herniation. This device will also serve for many other applications in spine biomechanics research.
Authentication of Commercial Extra Virgin Olive Oils
Authors: Ok Salim
Published: February 2016

The goal of the current contribution is to determine the geographical origins of olive oil samples obtained from eight different countries during the harvest seasons of 2013 and 2014. First, the contents of olive oil samples were quantified by integrating the peaks of 1H‐NMR spectra and using linear mathematical equations. The results were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), a statistical method examining whether there is a significant difference between the groups mean. The origins of the majority of the olive oil samples were discriminated by ANOVA and the minor constituents of the olive oils. Tocopherol and cycloartenol were the most discriminative minor constituents of the olive oil samples.
Do All Women with Abnormal Sonographic Axillary Lymph Nodes Need a Biopsy?
Authors: Amitai Yoav , Menes Tehillah , Aviram Galit , Golan Orit
Published: February 2016

Purpose

With the increased use of breast ultrasound for different indications, sonographically abnormal axillary lymph nodes are not a rare finding. We examined clinical and imaging characteristics in correlation with pathological reports of the sonographic guided biopsies to assess the yield of needle biopsy of these nodes.

Methods

Clinical, imaging and pathology data were collected for 171 consecutive patients who underwent sonographic guided needle biopsy of an abnormal lymph node between 2008 and 2013. Malignancy rates were examined for different clinical settings: palpable axillary mass, previous history of breast cancer, findings suggestive of a systemic disease, and those with a breast finding of low suspicion or an incidental abnormal axillary lymph node. Patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer were excluded.

Results

Twelve patients (7%) were found to have a malignancy on their axillary lymph node biopsy. Malignancy rates increased with age, and varied with clinical presentation: Axillary mass (8, 26%); history of breast cancer (2, 11%); systemic disease (0%) and breast finding of low suspicion or incidental abnormal lymph node on screening (1, 1%). Low rates of malignancy were found when the cortex was <6 mm (1, 0.8%). The most important imaging finding associated with malignancy was lack of a preserved hilum, in which case almost a third (10, 29%) of the biopsies were malignant. Only 1 of 89 women with a breast finding of low suspicion or an incidental abnormal axillary lymph node was found to have malignancy. In this case the lymph node had no hilum.

Conclusions

In women without breast cancer, a highly suspicious breast mass or an axillary mass, more stringent criteria should be used when evaluating an abnormal axillary lymph node on sonography, as the malignancy rates are very low (1%).
Factors Influencing Radiology Residents' Fellowship Training and Practice Preferences in Canada
Authors: Mok Philip S. , Probyn Linda , Finlay Karen
Published: February 2016

Purpose

The study aimed to examine the postresidency plans of Canadian radiology residents and factors influencing their fellowship choices and practice preferences, including interest in teaching and research.

Methods

Institutional ethics approval was obtained at McMaster University. Electronic surveys were sent to second to fifth-year residents at all 16 radiology residency programs across Canada. Each survey assessed factors influencing fellowship choices and practice preferences.

Results

A total of 103 (31%) Canadian radiology residents responded to the online survey. Over 89% from English-speaking programs intended to pursue fellowship training compared to 55% of residents from French-speaking programs. The most important factors influencing residents' decision to pursue fellowship training were enhanced employability (46%) and personal interest (47%). Top fellowship choices were musculoskeletal imaging (19%), body imaging (17%), vascular or interventional (14%), neuroradiology (8%), and women's imaging (7%). Respondents received the majority of their fellowship information from peers (68%), staff radiologists (61%), and university websites (58%). Approximately 59% planned on practicing at academic institutions and stated that lifestyle (43%), job prospects (29%), and teaching opportunities (27%) were the most important factors influencing their decisions. A total of 89% were interested in teaching but only 46% were interested in incorporating research into their future practice.

Conclusions

The majority of radiology residents plan on pursuing fellowship training and often receive their fellowship information from informal sources such as peers and staff radiologists. Fellowship directors can incorporate recruitment strategies such as mentorship programs and improving program websites. There is a need to increase resident participation in research to advance the future of radiology.
Multivariate analysis of risk factors for the persistence of high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions following loop electrosurgical excision procedure
Authors: dos Santos Melli Patrícia P. , Duarte Geraldo , Quintana Silvana M.
Published: February 2016

Objective

To evaluate risk factors related to the persistence of high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) following loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).

Methods

The present prospective, observational study evaluated a convenience sample of participants with HSILs who were treated using LEEP between January 7, 2003 and December 30, 2011. Participants were evaluated 6 months and 1 year after treatment. Potential risk factors included in multivariate analyses were HIV co‐infection, involved margins, multicentric lesions, smoking, and use of hormonal contraception.

Results

The present study enrolled 307 participants. At 1 year, 250 (81.4%) participants were free from lesions, 30 (9.8%) had low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 26 (8.5%) had persistent HSILs, and 1 (0.3%) had developed invasive carcinoma. The risk of lesions persisting at 1 year after LEEP was increased by HIV infection (P = 0.003), involved margins (P = 0.05), and smoking (P = 0.02). The presence of multicentric lesions (P = 0.73) and the use of hormonal contraception (P = 0.99) did not increase the risk of lesion persistence. The risk of HSIL persistence was increased by the presence of involved margins (relative risk 3.25; 95% confidence interval 1.55–6.80; P = 0.001).

Conclusions

The presence of involved margins was the only variable that increased the risk of HSIL persistence after LEEP, increasing the risk of patients requiring further treatment.
The impact of laparoscopic surgery in colorectal cancer resection with respect to the development of liver metastasis in the long-term
Authors: Rostirolla Renata , Fontes Paulo , Pinho Mauro , Pedroso Miguel , Masuko Tatiana , Novelli Paula , Lima Renato , Sampaio José
Published: February 2016

Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) shows high incidence and mortality worldwide, particularly in Western and developed countries. The objective of this study is to evaluate the oncologic results during a minimum follow-up of 2 years of curable CRC patients submitted to laparoscopic resection in our environment, regarding to the development of hepatic metastases.

Methods Medical records of 189 colon and rectal patients with potentially curable adenocarcinoma who have been submitted to laparoscopic resection have been reviewed through a retrospective cohort between January 2005 and March 2012 at a single institution regarded as reference to this type of treatment. Pearson's χ 2 and Long-rank tests have been used for statistical analysis and data was analyzed by statistic package STATA version 11.0.

Results The eligible population for the study was 146 patients, 91 women (62%), with a mean age of 61 ± 13 years. Minimum follow-up was 24 months, having an mean follow-up of 60 ± 27 months and an mean follow-up of global disease recurrence of 27 ± 11 months. Hepatic metastases occurred in 7.5% of the population, most from stage III, and the mean recurrence period was 25 ± 16 months.

Conclusions Laparoscopic resection for potentially curable CRC in this cohort did not change the long-term incidence of hepatic metastases, considering that our results are comparable to large randomized clinical trial results. Laparoscopic resection was effective and safe for analyzed patients, regarding long-term oncologic results.
Quality of life in stomized oncological patients: an approach of integrality from Brazilian Unified Health System
Authors: Kimura Cristilene Akiko , Kamada Ivone , Guilhem Dirce Bellezi
Published: February 2016

Introduction Integrality is considered an essential constitutional doctrinal principle of SUS, being considered as a major challenge in health in Brazil. This involves practicing focusing on the quality of life of oncological stomized people.

Objective To analyze quality of life of oncological stomized people from the Health Department, the Federal District, Brazil, from the perspective of integrality of the Unified Health System in Brazil.

Methods Cross-sectional, exploratory and descriptive study with a quantitative and qualitative approach in the light of a content analysis. This was a convenience sample, including 120 patients registered in the Stomized People Program of the Health Department, the Federal District, Brazil. In this study, sociodemographic, clinical, and WHOQOL-bref questionnaires and an individual interview were used. Data were analyzed by Microsoft® Office Excel 2010 program and SPSS 20.0 software. Statistical significance was accepted at 5%.

Results Physical, Social Affairs, and Environment domains are correlated with the mean score, with statistically significant results (p < 0.0001), the content analysis resulted in three categories: complications with the stoma, self-care, and Comprehensive health care.

Conclusion Our results highlight the need to realize the integrality as a principle at various levels of discussion and of the practice of health care for stomized oncological people.