bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Five lipoxygenase hypomethylation mediates the homocysteine effect on Alzheimer’s phenotype
Authors: Li Jian-Guo , Barrero Carlos , Merali Salim , Praticò Domenico
Published: April 2017

Environmental and genetic risk factors are implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, how they interact and influence its pathogenesis remains to be investigated. High level of homocysteine (Hcy) is an AD risk factor and associates with an up-regulation of the ALOX5 gene. In the current paper we investigated whether this activation is responsible for the Hcy effect on the AD phenotype and the mechanisms involved. Triple transgenic mice were randomized to receive regular chow diet, a diet deficient in folate and B vitamins (Diet), which results in high Hcy, or the Diet plus zileuton, a specific ALOX5 inhibitor, for 7 months. Compared with controls, Diet-fed mice had a significant increase in Hcy levels, memory and learning deficits, up-regulation of the ALOX5 pathway, increased Aβ levels, tau phosphorylation, and synaptic pathology, which were absent in mice treated with zileuton. In vivo and vitro studies demonstrated that the mechanism responsible was the hypomethylation of the ALOX5 promoter. Our findings demonstrate that the up-regulation of the ALOX5 is responsible for the Hcy-dependent worsening of the AD phenotype in a relevant mouse model of the disease. The discovery of this previously unknown cross-talk between these two pathways could afford novel therapeutic opportunities for treating or halting AD.
Correction: Corrigendum: Lanthanide-Doped KLu2F7 Nanoparticles with High Upconversion Luminescence Performance: A Comparative Study by Judd-Ofelt Analysis and Energy Transfer Mechanistic Investigation
Authors: Xu Dekang , Li Anming , Yao Lu , Lin Hao , Yang Shenghong , Zhang Yueli
Published: April 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 43189; published online: 23 February 2017; updated: 06 April 2017 In the original version of this Article, there were errors in Affiliation 1 and 2 which were incorrectly listed as ‘School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, Guangdong, China’ and ‘School of Physics and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen Univeristy, Guangzhou 510275, Guangdong, China’ respectively.
Early traditional Chinese medicine bundle therapy for the prevention of sepsis acute gastrointestinal injury in elderly patients with severe sepsis
Authors: Wang Yifei , Zhang Yunhua , Jiang Ronglin
Published: April 2017

This study aimed to study the effect of early traditional Chinese medicine bundle therapy on the prevention of sepsis-associated acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI). This was a multicenter, prospective, observational, non-randomized cohort study of 296 consecutive patients with severe sepsis during 2013/3 and 2014/11; 150 patients received standard treatments (controls) and 146 received traditional Chinese medicine bundle therapy (intervention group) (herbal decoction gavage based on syndrome differentiation, Chinese acupuncture, application of mirabilite, and defecation mixture). D-lactic acid, diamine oxidase, endotoxin, gastrin, motilin, and intra-abdominal pressure were measured. AGI was categorized into four levels. Compared with controls, D-lactic acid, diamine oxidase, endotoxin, gastrin, and intra-abdominal pressure in the intervention group were decreased, and motilin was increased on day 7. AGI incidence in the intervention group was lower than in controls. GIF scores of the intervention AGI II and III groups were lower than in controls. The APACHE II scores of the intervention AGI II, III, and IV groups were lower than in controls. Compared with controls, mechanical ventilation time and ICU stay in the intervention group were shorter, and 28-day overall and AGI-attributed mortality were lower. For elderly patients with severe sepsis, early traditional Chinese medicine bundle therapy could decrease AGI incidence and improve prognosis.
Doping-induced perturbation and percolation in the two-dimensional Anderson lattice
Authors: Wei Lan-ying , Yang Yi-feng
Published: April 2017

We examine the doping effects in the two-dimensional periodic Anderson model using the determinant Quantum Monte Carlo (DQMC) method. We observe bound states around the Kondo hole site and find that the heavy electron states are destroyed at the nearest-neighbor sites. Our results show no clear sign of hybridization oscillation predicted in previous mean-field calculations. We further study the electron transport with increasing doping and as a function of temperature and obtain a critical doping xc ≈ 0.6 that marks a transition from the Kondo insulator regime to the single-ion Kondo regime. The value of xc is in good agreement with the predicted threshold for the site percolation. Our results confirm the percolative nature of the insulator-metal transition widely observed in doped Kondo insulators.
Identified of a novel cis-element regulating the alternative splicing of LcDREB2
Authors: Liu Zhujiang , Yuan Guangxiao , Liu Shu , Jia Junting , Cheng Liqin , Qi Dongmei , Shen Shihua , Peng Xianjun , Liu Gongshe
Published: April 2017

Alternative splicing (AS) is an important gene regulation mechanism in plants. Despite the widespread use of AS in plant gene expression regulation, the identification of the cis-elements involved in the AS mechanism is rarely reported in plants. To explore the regulation mechanism of the AS of LcDREB2, a DREB2 ortholog from Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis), the genomic sequences of LcDREB2 and its homologs in Poaceae were aligned, and six mutations were introduced in the conserved sequence of LcDREB2. By analyzing the distinct transcript patterns of the LcDREB2 mutants in transgenic Oryza sativa, a novel cis-element that affected the AS of LcDREB2 was identified as Exonic Splicing Enhancer 1 (ESE1). In addition, five serine-arginine rich (SR) proteins were confirmed to interact with ESE1 by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). To further explore the expression regulation mechanism of the DREB subfamily, phylogenetic analysis of DREB2 paralogous genes was performed. The results strongly supported the hypothesis that AS is conserved in Poaceae plants and that it is an evolutionary strategy for the regulation of the functional expression of genes. The findings and methods of our study will promote a substantial step forward in understanding of the plant AS regulation mechanism.
The presence of microplastics in commercial salts from different countries
Authors: Karami Ali , Golieskardi Abolfazl , Keong Choo Cheng , Larat Vincent , Galloway Tamara S. , Salamatinia Babak
Published: April 2017

The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in saltwater bodies is relatively well studied, but nothing is known about their presence in most of the commercial salts that are widely consumed by humans across the globe. Here, we extracted MP-like particles larger than 149 μm from 17 salt brands originating from 8 different countries followed by the identification of their polymer composition using micro-Raman spectroscopy. Microplastics were absent in one brand while others contained between 1 to 10 MPs/Kg of salt. Out of the 72 extracted particles, 41.6% were plastic polymers, 23.6% were pigments, 5.50% were amorphous carbon, and 29.1% remained unidentified. The particle size (mean ± SD) was 515 ± 171 μm. The most common plastic polymers were polypropylene (40.0%) and polyethylene (33.3%). Fragments were the primary form of MPs (63.8%) followed by filaments (25.6%) and films (10.6%). According to our results, the low level of anthropogenic particles intake from the salts (maximum 37 particles per individual per annum) warrants negligible health impacts. However, to better understand the health risks associated with salt consumption, further development in extraction protocols are needed to isolate anthropogenic particles smaller than 149 μm.
Triple-cation mixed-halide perovskites: towards efficient, annealing-free and air-stable solar cells enabled by Pb(SCN)2 additive
Authors: Sun Yong , Peng Jiajun , Chen Yani , Yao Yingshan , Liang Ziqi
Published: April 2017

Organo-metal halide perovskites have suffered undesirably from structural and thermal instabilities. Moreover, thermal annealing is often indispensable to the crystallization of perovskites and removal of residual solvents, which is unsuitable for scalable fabrication of flexible solar modules. Herein, we demonstrate the non-thermal annealing fabrication of a novel type of air-stable triple-cation mixed-halide perovskites, FA0.7MA0.2Cs0.1Pb(I5/6Br1/6)3 (FMC) by incorporation of Pb(SCN)2 additive. It is found that adding Pb(SCN)2 functions the same as thermal annealing process by not only improving the crystallinity and optical absorption of perovskites, but also hindering the formation of morphological defects and non-radiative recombination. Furthermore, such Pb(SCN)2-treated FMC unannealed films present micrometer-sized crystal grains and remarkably high moisture stability. Planar solar cells built upon these unannealed films exhibit a high PCE of 14.09% with significantly suppressed hysteresis phenomenon compared to those of thermal annealing. The corresponding room-temperature fabricated flexible solar cell shows an impressive PCE of 10.55%. This work offers a new avenue to low-temperature fabrication of air-stable, flexible and high-efficiency perovskite solar cells.
Screening the active compounds of Phellodendri Amurensis cortex for treating prostate cancer by high-throughput chinmedomics
Authors: Li Xian-Na , Zhang Aihua , Wang Meijia , Sun Hui , Liu Zhidong , Qiu Shi , Zhang Tianlei , Wang Xijun
Published: April 2017

Screening the active compounds of herbal medicines is of importance to modern drug discovery. In this work, an integrative strategy was established to discover the effective compounds and their therapeutic targets using Phellodendri Amurensis cortex (PAC) aimed at inhibiting prostate cancer as a case study. We found that PAC could be inhibited the growth of xenograft tumours of prostate cancer. Global constituents and serum metabolites were analysed by UPLC-MS based on the established chinmedomics analysis method, a total of 54 peaks in the spectrum of PAC were characterised in vitro and 38 peaks were characterised in vivo. Among the 38 compounds characterised in vivo, 29 prototype components were absorbed in serum and nine metabolites were identified in vivo. Thirty-four metabolic biomarkers were related to prostate cancer, and PAC could observably reverse these metabolic biomarkers to their normal level and regulate the disturbed metabolic profile to a healthy state. A chinmedomics approach showed that ten absorbed constituents, as effective compounds, were associated with the therapeutic effect of PAC. In combination with bioactivity assays, the action targets were also predicted and discovered. As an illustrative case study, the strategy was successfully applied to high-throughput screening of active compounds from herbal medicine.
Dual inhibiting OCT4 and AKT potently suppresses the propagation of human cancer cells
Authors: Li Wenxin , Zhou Yanwen , Zhang Xiaoqian , Yang Ying , Dan Songsong , Su Tong , She Shiqi , Dong Weilai , Zhao Qingwei , Jia Jia , Yao Hangping , Zheng Min , Kang Bo , Wang Ying-Jie
Published: April 2017

AKT serves as an epigenetic modulator that links epigenetic regulation to cell survival and proliferation while the epigenetic mediator OCT4 critically controls stem cell pluripotency and self-renewal. Emerging evidence indicated their complicated interplays in cancer cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs), and inhibiting either one may activate the other. Thus, in this study, we propose a strategy to targeting both factors simultaneously. Firstly, a combination of an OCT4-specific shRNA and the specific AKT inhibitor Akti-1/2 potently suppressed the propagation of human embryonal carcinoma cells, adherent cancer cells and stem-like cancer cells, establishing the proof-of-concept that dual inhibiting OCT4 and AKT can effectively target various cancer cells. Next, we combined Akti-1/2 with metformin, a widely-prescribed drug for treating type 2 diabetes, which was reported to down-regulate OCT4 expression. The metformin + Akti-1/2 combo significantly altered multiple signaling and epigenetic pathways, induced growth arrest and cell death of adherent and stem-like glioblastoma U87 cells, and attenuated their tumorigenicity in vivo. Taken together, we demonstrate here that simultaneously targeting an epigenetic mediator and an epigenetic modulator, by dual inhibiting OCT4 and AKT, can have significantly improved efficacies over single treatment in suppressing the propagation of CSCs as well as the entire bulk of differentiated cancer cells.
Supplementation of fermented Maillard-reactive whey protein enhances immunity by increasing NK cell activity
Authors: Kang Miso , Oh Nam Su , Kim Minjoo , Ahn Hyeon Yeong , Yoo Hye Jin , Sun Minghan , Kang Shin-Ho , Yang Hye Jeong , Kwon Dae Young , Lee Jong Ho
Published: April 2017

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of supplementation with fermented Maillard-reactive whey protein (F-MRP) on natural killer (NK) cell activity, circulating cytokines, and serum protein levels.
Simultaneous detection of three gynecological tumor biomarkers in clinical serum samples using an ICP-MS-based magnetic immunoassay
Authors: Hong Weizhe , Sun Gongwei , Zhang Yi , Xing Zhi , Huang Biao , Zhang Sichun , Zhang Xinrong
Published: April 2017

ICP-MS-based multiplex immunoassays have the advantages of low sample consumption and minimized repetitions of tedious procedures.
Direct arylation polymerization of asymmetric push–pull aryl halides
Authors: You Liyan , Chaudhry Saadia T. , Zhao Yan , Liu Junchen , Zhao Xikang , He Jiazhi , Mei Jianguo
Published: April 2017

Recently, direct arylation polymerization (DArP) has emerged as a greener polymerization method for donor–acceptor (D–A) type conjugated polymers.
Synthesis and investigation of layered GeS as a promising large capacity anode with low voltage and high efficiency in full-cell Li-ion batteries
Authors: Wei Yaqing , He Jun , Zhang Qing , Liu Chang , Wang Ameng , Li Huiqiao , Zhai Tianyou
Published: April 2017

Layered GeS shows a large capacity of 1768 mA h g−1 with a coulombic efficiency of 94% for lithium storage. With good stability and a low voltage in alloying region, the LiCoO2//GeS full cell exhibits both high cell voltage and large capacity.
Chroman-4-one and pyrano[4,3-b]chromenone derivatives from the mangrove endophytic fungus Diaporthe phaseolorum SKS019
Authors: Cui Hui , Ding Meng , Huang Dane , Zhang Zhengrui , Liu Huiting , Huang Hongbo , She Zhigang
Published: April 2017

Seven new compounds: diaporchromanones A–D (1–4), (−)-phomopsichin A (5a), (+)-phomopsichin B (6a), and (±)-diaporchromone A (7), along with the known (+)-phomopsichin A (5b) and (−)-phomopsichin B (6b) were isolated from an endophytic fungus Diaporthe phaseolorum SKS019.
Hybrid photocathode consisting of a CuGaO2 p-type semiconductor and a Ru(ii)–Re(i) supramolecular photocatalyst: non-biased visible-light-driven CO2 reduction with water oxidation
Authors: Kumagai Hiromu , Sahara Go , Maeda Kazuhiko , Higashi Masanobu , Abe Ryu , Ishitani Osamu
Published: April 2017

A new Ru(ii)–Re(i)/CuGaO2 hybrid photocathode was developed and combined with a CoOx/TaON photoanode to drive non-biased visible-light-driven CO2 reduction with water oxidation.
Microwave heating and the fast ADOR process for preparing zeolites
Authors: Navarro Marta , Morris Samuel A. , Mayoral Álvaro , Čejka Jiří , Morris Russell E.
Published: April 2017

Microwave-assistedvs.conventional ADOR mechanism in the synthesis of IPC-5, using Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) as a crucial characterisation technique.
Available transfer capability evaluation in a deregulated electricity market considering correlated wind power
Authors: Chen Houhe , Fang Xin , Zhang Rufeng , Jiang Tao , Li Guoqing , Li Fangxing
Published: April 2017

Evaluation of available transfer capability (ATC) is a complicated process involving the determination of the total transfer capability (TTC) and the existing transfer commitments (ETC). Considering the uncertain renewable generation such as wind power will bring more challenge to this process. Previously the uncertainty of wind power is considered either in the ED model or the following TTC calculation, but not included in two process simultaneously. Therefore, the ATC output may not be accurate since the uncertainty impact two problem simultaneously. To consider the uncertainty and correlation of wind power in both ISO's ED and ATC evaluation, this paper proposes a bi‐level optimization framework in which the ATC evaluation is formulated as the upper level problem and the ED is the lower level. The bi‐level model is first converted to a mathematic program with equilibrium constraints (MPEC) by recasting the lower level problem as its Karush‐Kuhn‐Tucker (KKT) optimality conditions, and then transformed to a mixed‐integer linear programming (MILP) problem which can be solved by existing optimization tools. Case studies on the PJM 5‐bus and IEEE 118‐bus systems are presented to verify the proposed methodology and the impacts of correlation of wind power on ATC are analysed.
Stereoselective Synthesis of 3-(5-Benzoyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-2-azetidinone Derivatives via an in Situ Generated Ketene
Authors: Islami Mohammad , Bananezhad Behjat
Published: April 2017

A short route toward β-lactams from tolmetin has been developed. In the key step, a ketene was generated on the C-2 of pyrrole ring and reacted with aromatic imines to form trans-β-lactams as the only observed products. The identification of the ketene was confirmed by reaction with the stable free radical TEMPO (TO·).
Physical Rehabilitation in Minor Traumatic Injury or Concussion
Authors: DeMatteo Carol , Arora Himanshu , Sharma Vivek
Published: April 2017

Concussion is a traumatic brain injury and can be caused by sports and non-sports related injuries. Most patients recover completely within days to several weeks; but, some patients continue to experience postconcussion symptoms including but not limited to headache, dizziness and neck pain. The mainstay of treatment for concussion in sports has been physical and cognitive rest until the acute symptoms abates. However, the window period for rest is currently being debated. For patients with persisting symptoms, longer than 1 month, multidisciplinary team approach is advisable. There is emerging evidence for the role of physical therapy as a treatment option in this population, especially for postconcussion symptoms.
Safety of ERCP in patients with liver cirrhosis: a national database study
Authors: Navaneethan Udayakumar , Njei Basile , Zhu Xiang , Kommaraju Kiran , Parsi Mansour , Varadarajulu Shyam
Published: April 2017

Background and aims Given the limited data on the safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with liver cirrhosis, we attempted to evaluate this question using a large national database.

Methods We conducted a matched case – control study using the 2010 National Inpatient Sample database in which four non-cirrhotic controls were matched randomly for every cirrhotic patient from the same 10-year age group. We compared adverse events and safety of inpatient ERCP between patients with (n = 3228) and without liver cirrhosis (controls, n = 12 912).

Results Of the 3228 cirrhotic patients, 2603 (80.6 %) had decompensated and 625 (19.4 %) had compensated disease. Post-procedure bleeding (2.1 % vs. 1.2 %, P < 0.01) was higher in patients compared to controls. On multivariable analysis, decompensated cirrhosis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.7; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 2.2 – 3.2), compensated cirrhosis (aOR 2.2; 95 %CI 1.2 – 3.9), therapeutic ERCPs (aOR 1.4; 95 % CI 1.2 – 2.1), and biliary sphincterotomy (aOR 1.6; 95 %CI 1.1 – 2.1) were independently associated with increased risk of post-procedure bleeding. Performing ERCPs in large (aOR 0.5; 95 %CI 0.4 – 0.6) and medium (aOR 0.7; 95 %CI 0.6 – 0.9) sized hospitals was associated with a decreased risk of post-procedure bleeding. Biliary sphincterotomy (aOR 1.7; 95 %CI 1.2 – 2.3) and therapeutic ERCPs (aOR 1.1; 95 %CI 1.1 – 1.3) increased the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis, and pancreatic stent placement was associated with a decreased risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis (aOR 0.8; 95 %CI 0.7 – 0.9).

Conclusions Cirrhosis (both compensated and decompensated), performing therapeutic ERCPs and biliary sphincterotomy increase the risk of post-procedure bleeding. Performing ERCPs in large and medium sized hospitals may improve outcomes.
Practitioner Research in Counselling and Psychotherapy
Authors: Bondi Liz , Fewell Judith
Published: April 2017

In this thought-provoking text, Liz Bondi and Judith Fewell invite practitioners to move away from an approach to research that depends upon distance and objectification, and towards a method centred on practical wisdom developed through intense exploration of the lived experience of therapeutic relationships.
Physics considerations in targeted anticancer drug delivery by magnetoelectric nanoparticles
Authors: Stimphil Emmanuel , Nagesetti Abhignyan , Guduru Rakesh , Stewart Tiffanie , Rodzinski Alexandra , Liang Ping , Khizroev Sakhrat
Published: April 2017

In regard to cancer therapy, magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENs) have proven to be in a class of its own when compared to any other nanoparticle type. Like conventional magnetic nanoparticles, they can be used for externally controlled drug delivery via application of a magnetic field gradient and image-guided delivery. However, unlike conventional nanoparticles, due to the presence of a non-zero magnetoelectric effect, MENs provide a unique mix of important properties to address key challenges in modern cancer therapy: (i) a targeting mechanism driven by a physical force rather than antibody matching, (ii) a high-specificity delivery to enhance the cellular uptake of therapeutic drugs across the cancer cell membranes only, while sparing normal cells, (iii) an externally controlled mechanism to release drugs on demand, and (iv) a capability for image guided precision medicine. These properties separate MEN-based targeted delivery from traditional biotechnology approaches and lay a foundation for the complementary approach of technobiology. The biotechnology approach stems from the underlying biology and exploits bioinformatics to find the right therapy. In contrast, the technobiology approach is geared towards using the physics of molecular-level interactions between cells and nanoparticles to treat cancer at the most fundamental level and thus can be extended to all the cancers. This paper gives an overview of the current state of the art and presents an ab initio model to describe the underlying mechanisms of cancer treatment with MENs from the perspective of basic physics.
Low doses of bisphenol A can impair postnatal testicular development directly, without affecting hormonal or oxidative stress levels
Authors: Ogo Fernanda M. , Siervo Glaucia E. M. L. , Gonçalves Géssica D. , Cecchini Rubens , Guarnier Flavia A. , Anselmo-Franci Janete Ap. , Fernandes Glaura S. A.
Published: April 2017

Bisphenol A (BPA) is considered a potent endocrine disruptor, causing changes in the endocrine system due to its oestrogenic activity. Male individuals may be susceptible to endocrine, morphological and physiological alterations during testicular postnatal development. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether exposure to BPA during the peripubertal period can damage testicular development. To this end, male Wistar rats were treated with BPA via gavage at doses of 20 or 200 µg kg−1 on Postnatal Days (PND) 36–66. The control group was treated with Oil + DMSO under the same conditions. On PND 67, rats were killed. The blood was collected for hormonal analysis, the testis for sperm count, oxidative stress, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses for ki-67 and sperm of the vas deferens for morphological analysis. Both doses of BPA resulted in abnormal sperm morphology and seminiferous tubules, with the highest dose increasing the height of the germinal epithelium and reducing the number of spermatozoa at Stages IX–XIII of spermatogenesis. In conclusion, both doses of BPA administered during the peripubertal period impaired testicular development without any effects on hormone levels (luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone levels) or oxidative stress.
Psychometric properties of the Female Sexual Function Index in the visual analogue scale format
Authors: Wolpe Raquel E. , Queiroz Ana P. A. , Zomkowski Kamilla , Sperandio Fabiana F.
Published: April 2017

Background
The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is the gold standard for evaluating female sexual function, yet it has not been validated in a visual analogue scale (VAS) format. The aim of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties of the FSFI applied to the VAS. Methods: The study was conducted in three phases. In Phase 1, the instrument was adapted by two independent researchers, generating two versions, which were evaluated by a committee of six experts. The FSFI-VAS, resulting from this first phase, was used in a pilot study with 45 women. In Phase 2, the FSFI-Likert (original format) and FSFI-VAS questionnaires were administered to 246 women recruited to the study. Tests of reproducibility (test–retest/phase 3), internal consistency, discriminant validity and construct validity were applied. Results: In Phase 1, the pilot study showed that there were no doubts and difficulties completing the FSFI-VAS. In Phase 2, the Spearman rank (validity) test showed high correlation between the total scores on the FSFI-Likert and FSFI-VAS (0.87). The results of the internal consistency test were between 0.66 and 0.88, and the results of the construct validity test indicated a good value (0.73). The discriminant validity test was also appropriate. In Phase 3, the lowest intraclass correlation coefficient value was 0.81. Conclusion: The FSFI-VAS has internal consistency, construct validity, discriminant validity and reproducibility adequate to assess female sexual dysfunction in young women.
The Study on Eco-environmental Issue of Aral Sea from the Perspective of Sustainable Development of Silk Road Economic Belt
Authors: Xu Hanyan
Published: April 2017

The Aral Sea crisis is the most prominent environmental problem in building Silk Road and Economic Belt, which is mainly induced by extensive exploitation of land resources in Aral Sea basin since the middle of last century. The upstream part of Amu Darya River, as the main water source of Aral Sea, is almost entirely located in Tajikistan, thus, the development and utilization of Tajikistan water resources affect the whole Aral Sea basin. The author puts forward oriented-development of green energy under the overall framework of co-building Silk Road and Economic Belt, developing small hydro-power and dam-free hydro-power stations, standardized implementation of agricultural modernization in Central Asia, through high efficiency and water saving agriculture to achieve “returning water to sea”, to reverse drying trend of Aral Sea, to renovate ecological environment, resulting in simultaneous implementation of agricultural production and Aral Sea governance, simultaneous achievement of agricultural harvest and ecological environment improvement of Aral Sea basin. The article makes a scientific proof of reality and feasibility regarding the proposed methods. Green ecological environment and stable social environment will contribute to the sustainable development of Green Silk Road and Economic belt.…
An endosomal syntaxin and the AP-3 complex are required for formation and maturation of candidate lysosome-related secretory organelles (mucocysts) inTetrahymena thermophila
Authors: Kaur Harsimran , Sparvoli Daniela , Osakada Hiroko , Iwamoto Masaaki , Haraguchi Tokuko , Turkewitz Aaron P.
Published: April 2017

The ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila synthesizes large secretory vesicles called mucocysts. Mucocyst biosynthesis shares features with dense core granules (DCGs) in animal cells, including proteolytic processing of cargo proteins during maturation. However, other molecular features have suggested relatedness to lysosome-related organelles (LROs). LROs, which include diverse organelles in animals, are formed via convergence of secretory and endocytic trafficking. Here we analyzed Tetrahymena syntaxin 7-like 1 (Stx7l1p), a Qa-SNARE whose homologues in other lineages are linked with vacuoles/LROs. Stx7l1p is targeted to both immature and mature mucocysts and is essential in mucocyst formation. In STX7L1-knockout cells, the two major classes of mucocyst cargo proteins localize independently, accumulating in largely nonoverlapping vesicles. Thus initial formation of immature mucocysts involves heterotypic fusion, in which a subset of mucocyst proteins is delivered via an endolysosomal compartment. Further, we show that subsequent maturation requires AP-3, a complex widely implicated in LRO formation. Knockout of the µ-subunit gene does not impede delivery of any known mucocyst cargo but nonetheless arrests mucocyst maturation. Our data argue that secretory organelles in ciliates may represent a new class of LROs and reveal key roles of an endosomal syntaxin and AP-3 in the assembly of this complex compartment.
MISA-web: a web server for microsatellite prediction
Authors: Beier Sebastian , Thiel Thomas , Münch Thomas , Scholz Uwe , Mascher Martin
Published: April 2017

Motivation

Microsatellites are a widely-used marker system in plant genetics and forensics. The development of reliable microsatellite markers from resequencing data is challenging.

Results

We extended MISA, a computational tool assisting the development of microsatellite markers, and reimplemented it as a web-based application. We improved compound microsatellite detection and added the possibility to display and export MISA results in GFF3 format for downstream analysis.

Availability and Implementation

MISA-web can be accessed under http://misaweb.ipk-gatersleben.de/. The website provides tutorials, usage note as well as download links to the source code.
ST Pipeline: an automated pipeline for spatial mapping of unique transcripts
Authors: Navarro José Fernández , Sjöstrand Joel , Salmén Fredrik , Lundeberg Joakim , Ståhl Patrik L
Published: April 2017

Motivation

In recent years we have witnessed an increase in novel RNA-seq based techniques for transcriptomics analysis. Spatial transcriptomics is a novel RNA-seq based technique that allows spatial mapping of transcripts in tissue sections. The spatial resolution adds an extra level of complexity, which requires the development of new tools and algorithms for efficient and accurate data processing.

Results

Here we present a pipeline to automatically and efficiently process RNA-seq data obtained from spatial transcriptomics experiments to generate datasets for downstream analysis.

Availability and implementation

The ST Pipeline is open source under a MIT license and it is available at https://github.com/SpatialTranscriptomicsResearch/st_pipeline.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Elizabethan Absolutism and Tamburlaine’s Tents: Sir Humphrey Gilbert Reads De Republica Anglorum
Authors: Rapple Rory
Published: April 2017

In 1571 Sir Humphrey Gilbert made a speech in the House of Commons that incited denunciation by his fellow MPs. He warned that Elizabeth could, if she so desired, suppress parliament and never summon it again. When this intervention is considered alongside Gilbert’s statements and alleged actions while on campaign in Ireland in the late 1560s, as well as his known activities in England in the early 1570s, it becomes clear that the speech was but one expression of a coherent absolutist political theology. This seems anomalous given our received historiographical knowledge about the range of ideas available in early Elizabethan England. This impression becomes more pointed once we realise Gilbert was taking an explicit stance against the ‘mixed monarchical’ vision of the Elizabethan Constitution proffered by his acquaintance and intellectual interlocutor Sir Thomas Smith in De Republica Anglorum. Clearly Gilbert believed that both England and Ireland were ruled under the dispensation of something akin to what Fortescue termed dominium tantum regale and Bodin would later call monarchie seigneuriale. Gilbert fused this absolutist regalian vision with Machiavellian ethics, implying consistently that a monarch’s actions, by definition, could not defy natural and divine laws: a remarkably proleptic approach to monarchical power both in English and French terms. His anticipation of developments in political thinking and thought as well as his explicit antagonism towards opinions often deemed ‘Monarchical Republican’ in provenance gives rise to questions, both historical and historiographical, about our account of Elizabethan political thinking.
Estimating the total number of phosphoproteins and phosphorylation sites in eukaryotic proteomes
Authors: Vlastaridis Panayotis , Kyriakidou Pelagia , Chaliotis Anargyros , Van de Peer Yves , Oliver Stephen G , Amoutzias Grigoris D
Published: April 2017

Background

Phosphorylation is the most frequent post-translational modification made to proteins and may regulate protein activity as either a molecular digital switch or a rheostat. Despite the cornucopia of high-throughput (HTP) phosphoproteomic data in the last decade, it remains unclear how many proteins are phosphorylated and how many phosphorylation sites (p-sites) can exist in total within a eukaryotic proteome. We present the first reliable estimates of the total number of phosphoproteins and p-sites for four eukaryotes (human, mouse, Arabidopsis, and yeast).

Results

In all, 187 HTP phosphoproteomic datasets were filtered, compiled, and studied along with two low-throughput (LTP) compendia. Estimates of the number of phosphoproteins and p-sites were inferred by two methods: Capture-Recapture, and fitting the saturation curve of cumulative redundant vs. cumulative non-redundant phosphoproteins/p-sites. Estimates were also adjusted for different levels of noise within the individual datasets and other confounding factors. We estimate that in total, 13 000, 11 000, and 3000 phosphoproteins and 230 000, 156 000, and 40 000 p-sites exist in human, mouse, and yeast, respectively, whereas estimates for Arabidopsis were not as reliable.

Conclusions

Most of the phosphoproteins have been discovered for human, mouse, and yeast, while the dataset for Arabidopsis is still far from complete. The datasets for p-sites are not as close to saturation as those for phosphoproteins. Integration of the LTP data suggests that current HTP phosphoproteomics appears to be capable of capturing 70 % to 95 % of total phosphoproteins, but only 40 % to 60 % of total p-sites.
Effect of health information exchange on recognition of medication discrepancies is interrupted when data charges are introduced: results of a cluster-randomized controlled trial
Authors: Boockvar Kenneth S , Ho William , Pruskowski Jennifer , DiPalo Katherine E , Wong Jane J , Patel Jessica , Nebeker Jonathan R , Kaushal Rainu , Hung William
Published: April 2017

Objectives

To determine the effect of health information exchange (HIE) on medication prescribing for hospital inpatients in a cluster-randomized controlled trial, and to examine the prescribing effect of availability of information from a large pharmacy insurance plan in a natural experiment.

Methods

Patients admitted to an urban hospital received structured medication reconciliation by an intervention pharmacist with (intervention) or without (control) access to a regional HIE. The HIE contained prescribing information from the largest hospitals and pharmacy insurance plan in the region for the first 10 months of the study, but only from the hospitals for the last 21 months, when data charges were imposed by the insurance plan. The primary endpoint was discrepancies between preadmission and inpatient medication regimens, and secondary endpoints included adverse drug events (ADEs) and proportions of rectified discrepancies.

Results

Overall, 186 and 195 patients were assigned to intervention and control, respectively. Patients were 60 years old on average and took a mean of 7 medications before admission. There was no difference between intervention and control in number of risk-weighted discrepancies (6.4 vs 5.8, P = .452), discrepancy-associated ADEs (0.102 vs 0.092 per admission, P = .964), or rectification of discrepancies (0.026 vs 0.036 per opportunity, P = .539). However, patients who received medication reconciliation with pharmacy insurance data available had more risk-weighted medication discrepancies identified than those who received usual care (8.0 vs 5.9, P = .038).

Discussion and Conclusion

HIE may improve outcomes of medication reconciliation. Charging for access to medication information interrupts this effect. Efforts are needed to understand and increase prescribers’ rectification of medication discrepancies.
Differentiating Nonoccupational Postexposure Prophylaxis Seroconverters and Non-Seroconverters in a Community-Based Clinic in Los Angeles, California
Authors: Beymer Matthew R. , Weiss Robert E. , Bolan Robert K. , Kofron Ryan M. , Flynn Risa P. , Pieribone David L. , Kulkarni Sonali P. , Landovitz Raphael J.
Published: April 2017

Background

Nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) is a 28-day regimen of antiretroviral medications taken within 72 hours of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exposure to prevent HIV acquisition. Although nPEP has been recommended since 1998, few studies have analyzed the characteristics that distinguish nPEP failures (seroconverters) and successes (non-seroconverters).

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed all nPEP courses prompted by sexual exposure that were prescribed at the Los Angeles LGBT Center between March 2010 and July 2014. Fisher exact tests and logistic regressions were used to determine characteristics that distinguished nPEP seroconverters from non-seroconverters.

Results

Of the nPEP courses administered, 1744 had a follow-up visit for HIV testing within 24 weeks of exposure and 17 individuals seroconverted. Seven reported a known re-exposure, 8 self-reported only condom-protected sex subsequent to the initial exposure, and 2 reported abstinence since the exposure. In multivariable analyses, seroconverters were more likely than non-seroconverters to report methamphetamine use, incomplete medication adherence, and nPEP initiation later in the 72-hour window.

Conclusions

Nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis is an important emergency tool for HIV prevention. Our findings corroborate that timing of the initial nPEP dose is an important predictor of seroconversion. Although the current study did not offer the initial nPEP dose at the beginning of the visit, use of this fast-track dosing schedule will ensure that the first dose is taken as early as possible postexposure and may lower the likelihood for seroconversion. Furthermore, we recommend systematic screening for substance use because these individuals may be well suited for pre-exposure prophylaxis given their sustained risk.
Efficacy of Endoscopic Fluorescein Video Angiography in Aneurysm Surgery—Novel and Innovative Assessment of Vascular Blood Flow in the Dead Angles of the Microscope
Authors: Hashimoto Koji , Kinouchi Hiroyuki , Yoshioka Hideyuki , Kanemaru Kazuya , Ogiwara Masakazu , Yagi Takashi , Wakai Takuma , Fukumoto Yuichiro
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND: In aneurysm surgery, assessment of the blood flow around the aneurysm is crucial. Recently, intraoperative fluorescence video angiography has been widely adopted for this purpose. However, the observation field of this procedure is limited to the microscopic view, and it is difficult to visualize blood flow obscured by the skull base anatomy, parent arteries, and aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the efficacy of a new small-caliber endoscopic fluorescence video angiography system employing sodium fluorescein in aneurysm surgery for the first time.

METHODS: Eighteen patients with 18 cerebral aneurysms were enrolled in this study. Both microscopic fluorescence angiography and endoscopic fluorescein video angiography were performed before and after clip placement.

RESULTS: Endoscopic fluorescein video angiography provided bright fluorescence imaging even with a 2.7-mm-diameter endoscope and clearly revealed blood flow within the vessels in the dead angle areas of the microscope in all 18 aneurysms. Consequently, it revealed information about aneurysmal occlusion and perforator patency in 15 aneurysms (83.3%) that was not obtainable with microscopic fluorescence video angiography. Furthermore, only endoscopic video angiography detected the incomplete clipping in 2 aneurysms and the occlusion of the perforating branches in 3 aneurysms, which led to the reapplication of clips in 2 aneurysms.

CONCLUSION: The innovative endoscopic fluorescein video angiography system we developed features a small-caliber endoscope and bright fluorescence images. Because it reveals blood flow in the dead angle areas of the microscope, this novel system could contribute to the safety and long-term effectiveness of aneurysm surgery even in a narrow operative field.
Long-Standing Scalp Retraction Technique Using an External Fixator for Sunken Skin Flap Syndrome
Authors: Kim Min Su , Park Ik Seong
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE

The authors report a novel external scalp retraction technique for sunken skin flap syndrome (SSFS).

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 48-year-old male patient suffered neurological deterioration due to SSFS after decompressive craniectomy. Cranioplasty is the gold standard for therapeutic management of SSFS, but could not be performed due to intracranial wound infection. The patient underwent external fixation of a metal plate as a frame for the skull and the scalp was pulled outward to the frame by skin suture. The patient returned to daily activities at home for 3 months with this scalp traction frame, which was needed for infection control.

CONCLUSION

External scalp traction is useful for the temporary relief of pressure caused by SSFS.
A Side Door to Meckel's Cave: Anatomic Feasibility Study for the Lateral Transorbital Approach
Authors: Priddy Blake Harrison , Nunes Cristian Ferrareze , Beer-Furlan Andre , Carrau Ricardo , Dallan Iacopo , Prevedello Daniel Monte-Serrat
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND: In the last decade, endoscopic skull base surgery has significantly developed and generated a plethora of techniques and approaches for access to the cranial ventral floor. However, the exploration for the least-aggressive, maximally efficient approach continues.

OBJECTIVE: To describe in detail an anatomical study, along with the technical nuances of a novel endoscopic approach to Meckel's Cave (MC) using a lateral transorbital (LTO) route.

METHODS: Eighteen orbits of injected cadaveric specimens were operated on, using an endoscopic LTO approach to MC, middle cranial fossa, and paramedian skull base preserving the orbital rim. Surgical navigation and an after-the-fact infratemporal craniectomy were utilized to identify the limits of the approach.

RESULTS: Following a transorbital approach opening a trapezoid window at the superolateral aspect (average 166.7 mm2), a middle fossa “peeling” and full visualization of MC was accomplished with no difficulties in all specimens. The entire approach was performed extradurally without the need to expose the temporal lobe.

CONCLUSION: In a cadaveric model, the endoscopic LTO approach affords a direct route to access MC. Its main advantage is that it is minimally disruptive in nature, less brain retraction is required, and it reaches the middle fossa in an anterolateral perspective. It also requires no manipulation of the temporalis muscle, limited cosmetic incision, and rapid recovery. It seems a viable alternative to traditional approaches for lesions lateral to the cranial nerves at the cavernous sinus and MC, that is, schwannomas. Clinical utilization of this approach will challenge its efficacy and identify limitations.
An in Vitro Biomechanical Model of Differing Pedicle Screw Configurations for Long Construct Segmental Thoracic Fixation
Authors: Tuchman Alexander , Turner Alexander W L , Metzger Melodie F , Acosta Frank L
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

The optimum pattern of pedicle screw (PS) fixation during long-segment thoracic fixation has not been determined.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate rod stress and construct stability with minimal, alternating, skipped, and bilateral PS constructs in the iatrogenically destabilized thoracic spine.

METHODS

Eight cadaveric thoracic specimens (T3-T12) were initially tested intact to ±5 Nm using a custom 6 degree-of-freedom spine testing apparatus in flexion-extension (FE), lateral bending (LB), and axial rotation. Specimens were instrumented with T4-T10 bilateral PS, with Ponte osteotomies to introduce instability. Rods were bent to fit the PS and then spines were tested with the minimal, alternating, skipped, and bilateral fixation patterns. Range of motion (ROM) was calculated from T4-T10 and segmentally. In addition, strain gauges fixed to the spinal rods measured rod stress under FE and LB. Results were compared using ANOVA and post hoc Holm Sidak tests.

RESULTS

All fixation patterns provided significant reductions in ROM with respect to the intact spine. In all motion planes, minimal provided the least amount of rigidity, while bilateral provide the greatest; however, no statistically significant differences were detected in FE. In LB and axial rotation, skipped, alternating, and bilateral were all significantly more rigid than minimal (P < .01). Rod strains were greatest under LB and correlated with overall construct ROM, where bilateral had significantly lower strain than the other patterns (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

All constructs effectively decreased thoracic ROM. There was significant improvement in stabilization and decreased rod stress when more fixation points beyond the minimal construct were included.
Microsurgical Endoscope-Assisted Gravity-Aided Transfalcine Approach for Contralateral Metastatic Deep Medial Cortical Tumors
Authors: Barkhoudarian Garni , Farahmand Daniel , Louis Robert G , Oksuz Erol , Sale Danjuma , Villanueva Pablo , Kelly Daniel F
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Traditional approaches to deep medial cortical tumors utilize transcortical or ipislateral interhemispheric approaches, which can result in cortical damage or retraction injury. To reduce these risks, the microscopic transfalcine approach has been previously described.

OBJECTIVE

To describe this approach performed with endoscopic assistance for metastatic tumor resection, demonstrating appropriate and safe tumor resection without injury to the contralateral hemisphere.

METHODS

Eleven consecutive patients harboring medial, deep metastatic tumors are reported. Tumor resection was performed with endoscopic assistance with 2 surgeons. Clinical outcomes are recorded.

RESULTS

All 11 patients underwent safe tumor resection. Gross total resection was achieved in 73% of patients. The application of the angled endoscope allowed for further tumor resection in 91% of patients. There were no complications in these patients. The contralateral brain did not demonstrate clinical or radiographic injury as well.

CONCLUSION

This series suggests that the endoscopic transfalcine approach in the lateral position can be a safe and effective approach for resecting medial interhemispheric metastatic tumors. It allows excellent tumor visualization, eliminates the need for brain retraction, minimizes parenchymal transgression, and improves surgical ergonomics. A familiarity of endoscopy and neuroanesthesia support is helpful when utilizing this approach.