bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Real-time hyperpolarized 13C magnetic resonance detects increased pyruvate oxidation in pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 2/4–double knockout mouse livers
Authors: Sharma Gaurav , Wu Cheng-Yang , Wynn R. Max , Gui Wenjun , Malloy Craig R. , Sherry A. Dean , Chuang David T. , Khemtong Chalermchai 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH) critically regulates carbohydrate metabolism. Phosphorylation of PDH by one of the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases 1–4 (PDK1–4) decreases the flux of carbohydrates into the TCA cycle. Inhibition of PDKs increases oxidative metabolism of carbohydrates, so targeting PDKs has emerged as an important therapeutic approach to manage various metabolic diseases. Therefore, it is highly desirable to begin to establish imaging tools for noninvasive measurements of PDH flux in rodent models. In this study, we used hyperpolarized (HP) 13C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study the impact of a PDK2/PDK4 double knockout (DKO) on pyruvate metabolism in perfused livers from lean and diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and validated the HP observations with high-resolution 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of tissue extracts and steady-state isotopomer analyses. We observed that PDK-deficient livers produce more HP-bicarbonate from HP-[1-13C]pyruvate than age-matched control livers. A steady-state 13C-NMR isotopomer analysis of tissue extracts confirmed that flux rates through PDH, as well as pyruvate carboxylase and pyruvate cycling activities, are significantly higher in PDK-deficient livers. Immunoblotting experiments confirmed that HP-bicarbonate production from HP-[1-13C]pyruvate parallels decreased phosphorylation of the PDH E1α subunit (pE1α) in liver tissue. Our findings indicate that combining real-time hyperpolarized 13C NMR spectroscopy and 13C isotopomer analysis provides quantitative insights into intermediary metabolism in PDK-knockout mice. We propose that this method will be useful in assessing metabolic disease states and developing therapies to improve PDH flux.
Effects of land use change from natural forest to plantation on C, N and natural abundance of 13C and 15N along a climate gradient in eastern China
Authors: Ngaba Mbezele Junior Yannick , Hu Ya-Lin , Bol Roland , Ma Xiang-Qing , Jin Shao-Fei , Mgelwa Abubakari Said 
Published: November 2019

AbstractSoil C and N turnover rates and contents are strongly influenced by climates (e.g., mean annual temperature MAT, and mean annual precipitation MAP) as well as human activities. However, the effects of converting natural forests to intensively human-managed plantations on soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N) dynamics across various climatic zones are not well known. In this study, we evaluated C, N pool and natural abundances ofδ13C andδ15N in forest floor layer and 1-meter depth mineral soils under natural forests (NF) and plantation forest (PF) at six sites in eastern China. Our results showed that forest floor had higher C contents and lower N contents in PF compared to NF, resulting in high forest floor C/N ratios and a decrease in the quality of organic materials in forest floor under plantations. In general, soil C, N contents and their isotope changed significantly in the forest floor and mineral soil after land use change (LUC). Soilδ13C was significantly enriched in forest floor after LUC while bothδ13C andδ15N values were enriched in mineral soils. Linear and non-linear regressions were observed for MAP and MAT in soil C/N ratios and soilδ13C, in their changes with NF conversion to PF while soilδ15N values were positively correlated with MAT. Our findings implied that LUC alters soil C turnover and contents and MAP drive soilδ13C dynamic.
Association between the 4p16 genomic locus and different types of congenital heart disease: results from adult survivors in the UK Biobank
Authors: Córdova-Palomera Aldo , Priest James R. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCongenital heart disease is the most common birth defect in newborns and the leading cause of death in infancy, affecting nearly 1% of live births. A locus in chromosome 4p16, adjacent to MSX1 and STX18, has been associated with atrial septal defects (ASD) in multiple European and Chinese cohorts. Here, genotyping data from the UK Biobank was used to test for associations between this locus and congenital heart disease in adult survivors of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (n = 164) and ASD (n = 223), with a control sample of 332,788 individuals, and a meta-analysis of the new and existing ASD data was performed. The results show an association between the previously reported markers at 4p16 and risk for either ASD or left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, with effect sizes similar to the published data (OR between 1.27–1.45; all p < 0.05). Differences in allele frequencies remained constant through the studied age range (40–70 years), indicating that the variants themselves do not drive lethal genetic defects. Meta-analysis shows an OR of 1.35 (95% CI: 1.25–1.46; p < 10−4) for the association with ASD. The findings show that the genetic associations with ASD can be generalized to adult survivors of both ASD and left ventricular lesions. Although the 4p16 associations are statistically compelling, the mentioned alleles confer only a small risk for disease and their frequencies in this adult sample are the same as in children, likely limiting their clinical significance. Further epidemiological and functional studies may elicit factors triggering disease in interaction with the risk alleles.
Effect of Chemical Order in the Structural Stability and Physicochemical Properties of B12N12 Fullerenes
Authors: Escobedo-Morales Alejandro , Tepech-Carrillo Lorenzo , Bautista-Hernández Alejandro , Camacho-García José Humberto , Cortes-Arriagada Diego , Chigo-Anota Ernesto 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe effect of chemical order in the structural and physicochemical properties of B12N12 [4,6]-fullerene (BNF) isomers was evaluated using density functional theory and molecular dynamic calculations. The feasibility to find stable BNF isomers with atomic arrangement other than the well-known octahedral Th-symmetry was explored. In this study, the number of homonuclear bonds in the modeled nanostructures was used as categorical parameter to describe and quantify the degree of structural order. The BNF without homonuclear bonds was identified as the most energetically favorable isomer. However, a variety of BNF arrays departing from Th-symmetry was determined as stable structures also. The calculated vibrational spectra suggest that isomers with chemical disorder can be identified by infrared spectroscopy. In general, formation of homonuclear bonds is possible meanwhile the entropy of the system increases, but at expense of cohesive energy. It is proposed that formation of phase-segregated regions stablishes an apparent limit to the number of homonuclear bonds in stable B12N12 fullerenes. It was found that formation of homonuclear bonds decreases substantially the chemical hardness of BNF isomers and generates zones with large charge density, which might act as reactive sites. Moreover, chemical disorder endows BNF isomers with a permanent electric dipole moment as large as 3.28 D. The obtained results suggest that by manipulating their chemical order, the interaction of BNF’s with other molecular entities can be controlled, making them potential candidates for drug delivery, catalysis and sensing.
Reliable variant calling during runtime of Illumina sequencing
Authors: Loka Tobias P. , Tausch Simon H. , Renard Bernhard Y. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe sequential paradigm of data acquisition and analysis in next-generation sequencing leads to high turnaround times for the generation of interpretable results. We combined a novel real-time read mapping algorithm with fast variant calling to obtain reliable variant calls still during the sequencing process. Thereby, our new algorithm allows for accurate read mapping results for intermediate cycles and supports large reference genomes such as the complete human reference. This enables the combination of real-time read mapping results with complex follow-up analysis. In this study, we showed the accuracy and scalability of our approach by applying real-time read mapping and variant calling to seven publicly available human whole exome sequencing datasets. Thereby, up to 89% of all detected SNPs were already identified after 40 sequencing cycles while showing similar precision as at the end of sequencing. Final results showed similar accuracy to those of conventionalpost-hocanalysis methods. When compared to standard routines, our live approach enables considerably faster interventions in clinical applications and infectious disease outbreaks. Besides variant calling, our approach can be adapted for a plethora of other mapping-based analyses.
Stochastic deposition of amino acids into microcavities via microparticles
Authors: Popov Roman , Shankara Girish Karadka , von Bojnicic-Kninski Clemens , Barua Pramit , Mattes Daniela , Breitling Frank , Nesterov-Mueller Alexander 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAll known methods for solid-phase synthesis of molecular arrays exploit positioning techniques to deposit monomers on a substrate preferably high densely. In this paper, stochastic patterning of molecule spots (250 000 spots monomers/cm2) via random allocation of the microbeads on a microstructured glass is presented. The size and shape of the microbeads and the microcavities are selected in such a way so that only one microbead can fit into the respective microcavity. Each microbead can be loaded with a certain type of molecule e.g. amino acids and is brought in the microcavities stochastically. Applying solvent vapor and heating the substrate, the molecules are released from the microbeads and coupled to the functionalized substrate. To differentiate between the microbeads carrying different molecules, quantum dot labels are preliminary introduced into the microbeads. Fluorescence imaging and subsequent data analysis enable decoding of the molecule deposition patterns. After the coupling step is completed, the microbeads are mechanically removed from the microwells. The composition of the monomer microbeads, their deposition and the conditions of the monomer extraction are studied. The stochastic monomer patterning may be used to design novel molecular arrays.
3-D radar imaging unlocks the untapped behavioral and biomechanical archive of Pleistocene ghost tracks
Authors: Urban Thomas M. , Bennett Matthew R. , Bustos David , Manning Sturt W. , Reynolds Sally C. , Belvedere Matteo , Odess Daniel , Santucci Vincent L. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractFootprint evidence of human-megafauna interactions remains extremely rare in the archaeological and palaeontological records. Recent work suggests ancient playa environments may hold such evidence, though the prints may not be visible. These so-called “ghost tracks” comprise a rich archive of biomechanical and behavioral data that remains mostly unexplored. Here we present evidence for the successful detection and 3-D imaging of such footprints via ground-penetrating radar (GPR), including co-associated mammoth and human prints. Using GPR we have found that track density and faunal diversity may be much greater than realized by the unaided human eye. Our data further suggests that detectable subsurface consolidation below mammoth tracks correlates with typical plantar pressure patterns from extant elephants. This opens future potential for more sophisticated biomechanical studies on the footprints of other extinct land vertebrates. Our approach allows rapid detection and documentation of footprints while enhancing the data available from these fossil archives.
Increased CD83 expression of CD34-positive monocytes in donors during peripheral blood stem cell mobilization in humans
Authors: Nakasone Hideki , Kikuchi Misato , Kawamura Koji , Akahoshi Yu , Sato Miki , Kawamura Shunto , Yoshino Nozomu , Takeshita Junko , Yoshimura Kazuki , Misaki Yukiko , Gomyo Ayumi , Tanihara Aki , Kusuda Machiko , Tamaki Masaharu , Kimura Shun-ichi , Kako Shinichi , Kanda Yoshinobu 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCD34-positive monocytes (CD34+mono) have recently been identified in grafts mobilized by granulocyte-colony stimulating factor. We analyzed transplant outcomes of 73 patients whose donor’s peripheral blood cells were cryopreserved during mobilization. CD34+mono was detected more frequently in male donors (67% vs. 40%, P = 0.03), while the detection of CD34+mono in donors was not associated with the patient background. Although there was no significant difference in overall survival in the whole cohort, the detection of CD34+mono in donors were significantly associated with a decreased risk of non-relapse mortality (HR 0.23, P = 0.035). Fatal infectious events tended to be less frequent in donors with CD34+mono. Gene expression profile analyses of CD34+mono in humans revealed that the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL6, CCL3, IL8, VEGFA, and IL1A were elevated in CD34+mono, and those cytokines were enriched in the immune response, especially against infectious pathogens in the gene ontology analyses. In addition, the expression of CD83 was specifically increased in CD34+mono. It might play a role of antigen presentation in the immune network, leading in a clinical benefit against infections. Further investigations will be required to confirm the biological functions and clinical roles of CD34+mono in transplantation.
Impacts of Physical and Biological Processes on Spatial and Temporal Variability of Particulate Organic Carbon in the North Pacific Ocean during 2003–2017
Authors: Yu Jun , Wang Xiujun , Fan Hang , Zhang Rong-Hua 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe North Pacific Ocean is a significant carbon sink region, but little is known about the dynamics of particulate organic carbon (POC) and the influences of physical and biological processes in this region at the basin scale. Here, we analysed high-resolution surface POC data derived from MODIS-Aqua during 2003–2017, together with satellite-derived sea surface chlorophyll and temperature (SST). There are large spatial and temporal variations in surface POC in the North Pacific. Surface POC is much lower in the subtropical region (<50 mg m−3) than in the subarctic region (>100 mg m−3), primarily resulting from the south-to-north variability in biological production. Our analyses show significant seasonal and interannual variability in surface POC. In particular, there is one peak in winter-spring in the western subtropical region and two peaks in late spring and fall in the western subarctic region. Surface POC is positively correlated with chlorophyll (r = ~1) and negatively correlated with SST (r = ~−0.45, P < 0.001) south of 45°N, indicating the strong influence of physically driven biological activity on the temporal variability of POC in the subtropical region. There is a significantly positive but relatively lower correlation coefficient (0.6–0.8) between POC and chlorophyll and an overall non-significantly positive correlation between POC and SST north of 45°N, reflecting the reduction in the POC standing stock due to the fast sinking of large particles. The climate modes of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, El Niño–Southern Oscillation and North Pacific Gyre Oscillation have large impacts on POC in various seasons in the subtropical region and weak influences in the subarctic region. Surface POC was anomalously high after 2013 (increased by ~15%) across the basin, which might be the result of complex interactions of physical and biological processes associated with an anomalous warming event (the Blob).
Life without a brain: Neuroradiological and behavioral evidence of neuroplasticity necessary to sustain brain function in the face of severe hydrocephalus
Authors: Ferris C. F. , Cai X. , Qiao J. , Switzer B. , Baun J. , Morrison T. , Iriah S. , Madularu D. , Sinkevicius K. W. , Kulkarni P. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractA two-year old rat, R222, survived a life-time of extreme hydrocephaly affecting the size and organization of its brain. Much of the cortex was severely thinned and replaced by cerebrospinal fluid, yet R222 had normal motor function, could hear, see, smell, and respond to tactile stimulation. The hippocampus was malformed and compressed into the lower hindbrain together with the hypothalamus midbrain and pons, yet R222 showed normal spatial memory as compared to age-matched controls. BOLD MRI was used to study the reorganization of R222’s brain function showing global activation to visual, olfactory and tactile stimulation, particularly in the brainstem/cerebellum. The results are discussed in the context of neuroadaptation in the face of severe hydrocephaly and subsequent tissue loss, with an emphasis on what is the “bare minimum” for survival.
Adsorption of an anionic dye (Congo red) from aqueous solutions by pine bark
Authors: Litefti Khaoula , Freire M. Sonia , Stitou Mostafa , González-Álvarez Julia 
Published: November 2019

AbstractPinus pinaster bark, an abundant by-product from the timber industry, has been studied as a potential low-cost adsorbent for the removal of Congo red (CR) dye from wastewaters. Surface morphological and physico-chemical characteristics of pine bark were analysed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), determination of the point of zero charge (pHPZC) and elemental analysis. Assays were performed to determine the wavelength for the maximum absorbance and the stability with time of CR solutions depending on concentration and/or pH, which resulted to be a very significant parameter. Adsorption studies were conducted on batch mode to study the effect of contact time (till 7 days), pH (2–9), adsorbent dosage (1–10 g L−1) and temperature (25–60 °C). The bark adsorption capacity at equilibrium varied between 0.3 and 1.6 mg g−1 and the equilibrium adsorption percentage between 23.4 and 100% depending on adsorbent dosage, temperature and pH at an initial CR concentration of 5 mg L−1. Kinetic data for the removal of CR by pine bark were best fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The equilibrium data fitted well with the Freundlich model. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the adsorption process is exothermic and spontaneous.
Association between enteral nutrition support and neurological outcome in patients with acute intracranial haemorrhage: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Cheng Xuping , Ru Weizhe , Du Kailei , Jiang Xuandong , Hu Yongxia , Zhang Weimin , Xu Yingting , Shen Yanfei 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAssociation between the amount of enteral nutrition (EN) caloric intake and Glasgow coma scale scores at discharge (GCSdis) in intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) was retrospectively investigated in 230 patients in a single center from 2015 and 2017. GCSdis was used as a dichotomous outcome (≤8 or >8: 56/230 vs. 174/230) and its association with the amount of EN caloric intake within 48 hours was analysed in four logistic models. Model 1 used EN as a continuous variable and showed association with favourable GCSdis (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.08). Models 2 and 3 categorized EN into two (≤25 and >25 kcal/kg/48 hrs) and three caloric intake levels (≤10, 10~25, and >25 kcal/kg/48 hrs) respectively, and compared them with the lowest level; highest EN level associated with favourable GCSdis in both model 2 (OR, 2.77; 95%CI, 1.25–6.13) and 3 (OR, 4.68; 95%CI, 1.61–13.61). Model 4 transformed EN into four quartiles (Q1-Q4). Compared to Q1, OR increased stepwise from Q2 (OR 1.80, 95%CI 0.59–5.44) to Q4 (OR 4.71, 95%CI 1.49–14.80). Propensity score matching analysis of 69 matched pairs demonstrated consistent findings. In the early stage of ICH, increased EN was associated with favourable GCSdis.
A randomized controlled trial of online symptom searching to inform patient generated differential diagnoses
Authors: Martin Seth S. , Quaye Emmanuel , Schultz Sarah , Fashanu Oluwaseun E. , Wang Jane , Saheed Mustapha O. , Prem Ramaswami  , de Freitas Hermes , Ribeiro-Neto Berthier , Parakh Kapil 
Published: November 2019

AbstractPatient online health searching is now commonplace, however, the accuracy of patient generated differentials for new symptoms and potential for patient anxiety are concerns. We aimed primarily to determine the accuracy of patient generated differentials for new symptoms with and without online searching, and secondarily, to evaluate the impact of searching on anxiety levels. In the waiting room prior to seeing a clinician, 300 patients with new symptoms were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to Google searching with health related features including a symptom search tool vs Google searching with health related features disabled vs no searching. Participants were 18 years or older and presenting to the emergency department of an urban academic medical center with new low-acuity symptoms that were not due to exacerbation of a chronic condition. Search groups received access on a tablet/smartphone to Google searching with or without health related features. Both search groups could access any websites; health related features led the patient to common diagnoses and physician-validated information. The primary outcome was accuracy of the patient generated differential assessed by matching at least two of the top three diagnoses on the clinician’s differential. A secondary outcome was anxiety by a visual analogue scale. Patients were a median of 33.1 (IQI 26.2–45.9) years old, 60% women, 63% black, 82% had a high school education or less, and 45.7% reported having performed an online search prior to presentation. Search group patients spent a median of 3.82 (2.53–5.72) minutes searching online. Similar proportions of patients in each group matched at least two of three clinician diagnoses: 27.0% and 28.3% for Google searching with and without health related features vs 23.8% in the no search group. Patients in the search groups had a similar odds of matching ≥2/3 diagnoses as the no search group [OR (95% CI): 1.23 (0.70–2.13), p = 0.47]. Anxiety was unchanged with online searching. In conclusion, brief online searching in the waiting room did not improve accuracy of patient generated differential diagnoses for new symptoms. The absence of an increase in patient anxiety provides reassurance for subsequent work to refine and investigate online symptom search tools.
Boosting the secret key rate in a shared quantum and classical fibre communication system
Authors: Bacco Davide , Da Lio Beatrice , Cozzolino Daniele , Da Ros Francesco , Guo Xueshi , Ding Yunhong , Sasaki Yusuke , Aikawa Kazuhiko , Miki Shigehito , Terai Hirotaka , Yamashita Taro , Neergaard-Nielsen Jonas S. , Galili Michael , Rottwitt Karsten , Andersen Ulrik L. , Morioka Toshio , Oxenløwe Leif K. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractDuring the last 20 years, the advance of communication technologies has generated multiple exciting applications. However, classical cryptography, commonly adopted to secure current communication systems, can be jeopardised by the advent of quantum computers. Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a promising technology aiming to solve such a security problem. Unfortunately, current implementations of QKD systems show relatively low key rates, demand low channel noise and use ad hoc devices. In this work, we picture how to overcome the rate limitation by using a 37-core fibre to generate 2.86 Mbit s−1 per core that can be space multiplexed into the highest secret key rate of 105.7 Mbit s−1 to date. We also demonstrate, with off-the-shelf equipment, the robustness of the system by co-propagating a classical signal at 370 Gbit s$${}^{-1}$$

−
1

, paving the way for a shared quantum and classical communication network.