bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Insight into DNA substrate specificity of PARP1-catalysed DNA poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation
Authors: Matta Elie , Kiribayeva Assel , Khassenov Bekbolat , Matkarimov Bakhyt T. , Ishchenko Alexander A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractDNA-dependent poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) PARP1, PARP2 and PARP3 act as DNA break sensors signalling DNA damage. Upon detecting DNA damage, these PARPs use nicotine adenine dinucleotide as a substrate to synthesise a monomer or polymer of ADP-ribose (MAR or PAR, respectively) covalently attached to the acceptor residue of target proteins. Recently, it was demonstrated that PARP1–3 proteins can directly ADP-ribosylate DNA breaks by attaching MAR and PAR moieties to terminal phosphates. Nevertheless, little is still known about the mechanisms governing substrate recognition and specificity of PARP1, which accounts for most of cellular PARylation activity. Here, we characterised PARP1-mediated DNA PARylation of DNA duplexes containing various types of breaks at different positions. The 3′-terminal phosphate residue at double-strand DNA break ends served as a major acceptor site for PARP1-catalysed PARylation depending on the orientation and distance between DNA strand breaks in a single DNA molecule. A preference for ADP-ribosylation of DNA molecules containing 3′-terminal phosphate over PARP1 auto-ADP-ribosylation was observed, and a model of DNA modification by PARP1 was proposed. Similar results were obtained with purified recombinant PARP1 and HeLa cell-free extracts. Thus, the biological effects of PARP-mediated ADP-ribosylation may strongly depend on the configuration of complex DNA strand breaks.
Influence of watershed characteristics on streambed hydraulic conductivity across multiple stream orders
Authors: Abimbola Olufemi P. , Mittelstet Aaron R. , Gilmore Troy E. , Korus Jesse T. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractStreambeds are critical hydrological interfaces: their physical properties regulate the rate, timing, and location of fluxes between aquifers and streams. Streambed vertical hydraulic conductivity (Kv) is a key parameter in watershed models, so understanding its spatial variability and uncertainty is essential to accurately predicting how stresses and environmental signals propagate through the hydrologic system. Most distributed modeling studies use generalized Kv estimates from column experiments or grain-size distribution, but Kv may include a wide range of orders of magnitude for a given particle size group. Thus, precisely predicting Kv spatially has remained conceptual, experimental, and/or poorly constrained. This usually leads to increased uncertainty in modeling results. There is a need to shift focus from scaling up pore-scale column experiments to watershed dimensions by proposing a new kind of approach that can apply to a whole watershed while incorporating spatial variability of complex hydrological processes. Here we present a new approach, Multi-Stemmed Nested Funnel (MSNF), to develop pedo-transfer functions (PTFs) capable of simulating the effects of complex sediment routing on Kv variability across multiple stream orders in Frenchman Creek watershed, USA. We find that using the product of Kv and drainage area as a response variable reduces the fuzziness in selecting the “best” PTF. We propose that the PTF can be used in predicting the ranges of Kv values across multiple stream orders.
Spatio-temporal dynamics of Plasmodium falciparum transmission within a spatial unit on the Colombian Pacific Coast
Authors: Knudson Angélica , González-Casabianca Felipe , Feged-Rivadeneira Alejandro , Pedreros Maria Fernanda , Aponte Samanda , Olaya Adriana , Castillo Carlos F. , Mancilla Elvira , Piamba-Dorado Anderson , Sanchez-Pedraza Ricardo , Salazar-Terreros Myriam Janeth , Lucchi Naomi , Udhayakumar Venkatachalam , Jacob Chris , Pance Alena , Carrasquilla Manuela , Apráez Giovanni , Angel Jairo Andrés , Rayner Julian C. , Corredor Vladimir 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAs malaria control programmes concentrate their efforts towards malaria elimination a better understanding of malaria transmission patterns at fine spatial resolution units becomes necessary. Defining spatial units that consider transmission heterogeneity, human movement and migration will help to set up achievable malaria elimination milestones and guide the creation of efficient operational administrative control units. Using a combination of genetic and epidemiological data we defined a malaria transmission unit as the area contributing 95% of malaria cases diagnosed at the catchment facility located in the town of Guapi in the South Pacific Coast of Colombia. We provide data showing that P. falciparum malaria transmission is heterogeneous in time and space and analysed, using topological data analysis, the spatial connectivity, at the micro epidemiological level, between parasite populations circulating within the unit. To illustrate the necessity to evaluate the efficacy of malaria control measures within the transmission unit in order to increase the efficiency of the malaria control effort, we provide information on the size of the asymptomatic reservoir, the nature of parasite genotypes associated with drug resistance as well as the frequency of the Pfhrp2/3 deletion associated with false negatives when using Rapid Diagnostic Tests.
Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Reduced Early Postoperative Pain after Robot-assisted Prostatectomy: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Taninishi Hideki , Matsusaki Takashi , Morimatsu Hiroshi 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAnalgesic effect of transversus abdominis plane block (TAP block) in lower major abdominal laparoscopic surgery with about 5 cm of maximum surgical scar has been controversial. We hypothesized that TAP block has benefits, so the analgesic effect of TAP block after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) was evaluated. One hundred patients were enrolled in this prospective, double-blinded, randomized study. Standardized general anesthesia with wound infiltration on camera port and fentanyl dose limit of 3 µg/kg was provided. Ultrasound-guided, single-shot subcostal TAP block with either 0.375% ropivacaine (Ropivacaine group, 48 patients) or normal saline (Control group, 52 patients) was performed by anesthesiologist in charge (34 anesthesiologists) after surgical procedure. Pain score using numerical rating scale (NRS) and postoperative intravenous fentanyl were evaluated for the first 24 postoperative hours. Median values (interquartile range) of NRS scores when the patients were transferred to post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) were 5 (2–7) in Ropivacaine group and 6 (4–8) in Control group at rest (P = 0.03), 5 (2–8) in Ropivacaine group and 7 (5–8) in Control group during movement (P < 0.01). These significant differences disappeared at the time of discharging PACU. Fentanyl doses for the first 24 postoperative hours were 210 µg (120–360) in Ropivacaine group and 200 µg (120–370) in Control group (P = 0.79). These results indicated that subcostal TAP block by anesthesiologists of varied level of training reduced postoperative pain immediate after RALP. TAP block had fundamental analgesic effect, but this benefit was too small to reduce postoperative 24-hour fentanyl consumption.
Lifetime risks, expected years of life lost, and cost-per-life year of esophageal cancer in Taiwan
Authors: Lai Wu-Wei , Lin Chia-Ni , Chang Chao-Chun , Wang Jung-Der 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBesides lifetime risks, we estimated life expectancy (LE), expected years of life lost (EYLL), lifetime costs, and cost-per-LY (life-year) stratified by different stages of esophageal cancer (EC). From the Taiwan Cancer Registry, we collected 14,420 EC to estimate the incidence rates during 2008–2014. They were followed to 2015 to obtain the survival function, which was extrapolated to lifetime by a semiparametric method. We abstracted the monthly healthcare expenditures from the reimbursement database of National Health Insurance, which were multiplied with the corresponding survival probabilities to quantify lifetime cost and cost-per-LY after adjustments. About 93.7% of patients were male; 90.8% had squamous cell carcinoma. Most patients were diagnosed at advanced stages, with 44.6% and 28.3% at stages III and IV. The lifetime risk of EC in males increased in Taiwan with a cumulative incidence rate (CIR30–84) of 0.0146% (2008~2010) to 0.0165% (2013–2014). The EYLL for stages I-IV were 15.8, 17.5, 20.5, and 22.5, while the average of cost-per-LY for stages I-IV were US$ 6,987, $8,776, $12,153, and $22,426. EC in Taiwan appears to have shifted into younger ages groups and incidence is still increasing. Strategies for prevention, early diagnosis and treatment are warranted to improve the cost-effectiveness and control of this cancer.
A retrospective cohort study of open preperitoneal repair versus open suture repair for the treatment of emergency femoral hernia
Authors: Liu Xiaochun , Ye Lujuan , Zheng Guofu , Ye Bo , Chen Weiqing , Xie Hailiang , Liu Yunqiang , Guo Yi 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTo compare the outcomes of open preperitoneal repair (OPR) with the use of mesh and open suture repair (OSR) without mesh via inguinal approach for the treatment of emergency femoral hernia (FH). The primary outcome was the postoperative complication and the secondary outcomes were the recurrence rate of FH and the postoperative comfort level at the surgical site. 104 patients with emergency FHs were included, of whom 51 patients were treated with OPR, 53 patients were treated with OSR. Between the two groups, no significant difference was found in surgical site infection (SSI) (P = 0.801) or seroma (P = 0.843), while there was significant difference in the improvement of comfort at the surgical site (P = 0.013). The results of the 2-year follow-up demonstrated 1 and 8 cases of recurrence in the OPR and OSR group respectively, which was statistically significant (HR, 8.193 [95% CI, 1.024 to 65.547], P = 0.047). Compared with OSR, OPR with the use of mesh did not increase the risk of SSI and was safe to apply even under the condition of an emergency FH operation with intestine resection; OPR could reduce the recurrence rate of FH and improve the comfort at the surgical site.
Biosorption of Cr(VI) by immobilized waste biomass from polyglutamic acid production
Authors: Zhang Chao , Ren Hui-Xue , Zhong Chuan-Qing , Wu Daoji 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWaste biomass from γ-polyglutamic acid production was used as an adsorbent to remove Cr(VI) from wastewater. Waste biomass was entrapped in sodium alginate to enhance performance. Orthogonal array design was used to optimize biosorption of Cr(VI) by immobilized waste biomass. The optimal adsorption conditions for immobilized waste biomass were as follows: pH 7.0, initial Cr(VI) concentration of 200 mg/L, 35 °C, waste biomass of 2 g/L, 60 min. Under these conditions, the absorption efficiency of Cr(VI) was 96.38 ± 0.45%. When the waste biomass was treated with 1 mol/L HCl for 1 h, the desorption rate could reach 94.42 ± 0.87%. It was shown that the adsorption kinetics followed the Freundlich adsorption model, indicating that the adsorption of Cr(VI) by bacteria was mainly based on multi-molecular layer adsorption. The absorption conditions of waste biomass were mild (pH 6.0–7.5, 20–35 °C) and easily operated. These investigations lay a foundation for reducing the pollution of γ-polyglutamic acid production, turning the biomass waste into a useful adsorbent for wastewater treatment.
Engineering a solid-state metalloprotein hydrogen evolution catalyst
Authors: Rapson Trevor D. , Ju HyungKuk , Marshall Paul , Devilla Rosangela , Jackson Colin J. , Giddey Sarbjit , Sutherland Tara D. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHydrogen has the potential to play an important role in decarbonising our energy systems. Crucial to achieving this is the ability to produce clean sources of hydrogen using renewable energy sources. Currently platinum is commonly used as a hydrogen evolution catalyst, however, the scarcity and expense of platinum is driving the need to develop non-platinum-based catalysts. Here we report a protein-based hydrogen evolution catalyst based on a recombinant silk protein from honeybees and a metal macrocycle, cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPPIX). We enhanced the hydrogen evolution activity three fold compared to the unmodified silk protein by varying the coordinating ligands to the metal centre. Finally, to demonstrate the use of our biological catalyst, we built a proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis cell using CoPPIX-silk as the hydrogen evolution catalyst that is able to produce hydrogen with a 98% Faradaic efficiency. This represents an exciting advance towards allowing protein-based catalysts to be used in electrolysis cells.
Characterization of the Airflow within an Average Geometry of the Healthy Human Nasal Cavity
Authors: Brüning Jan , Hildebrandt Thomas , Heppt Werner , Schmidt Nora , Lamecker Hans , Szengel Angelika , Amiridze Natalja , Ramm Heiko , Bindernagel Matthias , Zachow Stefan , Goubergrits Leonid 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThis study’s objective was the generation of a standardized geometry of the healthy nasal cavity. An average geometry of the healthy nasal cavity was generated using a statistical shape model based on 25 symptom-free subjects. Airflow within the average geometry and these geometries was calculated using fluid simulations. Integral measures of the nasal resistance, wall shear stresses (WSS) and velocities were calculated as well as cross-sectional areas (CSA). Furthermore, individual WSS and static pressure distributions were mapped onto the average geometry. The average geometry featured an overall more regular shape that resulted in less resistance, reduced WSS and velocities compared to the median of the 25 geometries. Spatial distributions of WSS and pressure of the average geometry agreed well compared to the average distributions of all individual geometries. The minimal CSA of the average geometry was larger than the median of all individual geometries (83.4 vs. 74.7 mm²). The airflow observed within the average geometry of the healthy nasal cavity did not equal the average airflow of the individual geometries. While differences observed for integral measures were notable, the calculated values for the average geometry lay within the distributions of the individual parameters. Spatially resolved parameters differed less prominently.
A developed serum-free medium and an optimized chemical cocktail for direct conversion of human dermal fibroblasts into brown adipocytes
Authors: Takeda Yukimasa , Dai Ping 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBrown adipocytes coordinate systemic energy metabolism associated with the pathogenesis of obesity and related metabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes. We have previously reported chemical compound-induced brown adipocytes (ciBAs) converted from human dermal fibroblasts without using transgenes. In this study, to reveal a precise molecular mechanism underlying the direct conversion and human adipocyte browning, we developed serum-free brown adipogenic medium (SFBAM) with an optimized chemical cocktail consisting of Rosiglitazone, Forskolin, and BMP7. During the direct conversion, treatment with BMP7 enhanced Ucp1 expression rather than the conversion efficiency in the absence of BMP signalling inhibitors. Moreover, treatment with a TGF-β signalling pathway inhibitor was no longer required in the serum-free medium, likely because the TGF-β pathway was already suppressed. SFBAM and the chemical cocktail efficiently converted human dermal fibroblasts into ciBAs within four weeks. The ciBAs exhibited increased mitochondrial levels, elevated oxygen consumption rate, and a response to β-adrenergic receptor agonists. Thus the ciBAs converted by the serum-free medium and the chemical cocktail provide a novel model of human brown (beige) adipocytes applicable for basic research, drug screening, and clinical applications.
Integrated Transcriptomic and Metabolic Framework for Carbon Metabolism and Plant Hormones Regulation in Vigna radiata during Post-Germination Seedling Growth
Authors: Wang Hong , Guo Xinbo , Li Quan , Lu Yanyan , Huang Wenjie , Zhang Fangyuan , Chen Ling , Liu Rui Hai , Yan Shijuan 
Published: February 2020

AbstractDuring mung bean post-germination seedling growth, various metabolic and physiological changes occurred, leading to the improvement of its nutritional values. Here, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of mung bean samples from 6-hour, 3-day and 6-day after imbibition (6-HAI, 3-DAI, and 6-DAI) were performed to characterize the regulatory mechanism of the primary metabolites during the post-germination seedling growth. From 6-HAI to 3-DAI, rapid changes in transcript level occurred, including starch and sucrose metabolism, glycolysis, citrate cycle, amino acids synthesis, and plant hormones regulation. Later changes in the metabolites, including carbohydrates and amino acids, appeared to be driven by increases in transcript levels. During this process, most amino acids and monosaccharides kept increasing, and accumulated in 6-day germinated sprouts. These processes were also accompanied with changes in hormones including abscisic acid, gibberellin, jasmonic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, etc. Overall, these results will provide insights into molecular mechanisms underlying the primary metabolic regulation in mung bean during post-germination seedling growth.
Effects of extracellular medium conductivity on cell response in the context of sub-microsecond range calcium electroporation
Authors: Novickij Vitalij , Rembialkowska Nina , Staigvila Gediminas , Kulbacka Julita 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn the present study, we report the effects of extracellular medium conductivity on cell response in the context of sub-microsecond range (100 ns–900 ns) electroporation, calcium electroporation and cell size. The effects of 25 ns and microsecond range (100 μs) pulses were also covered. As a model, three different cancer cell lines of various size (C32, MCF-7/DX and MC38/0) were used and the results indicated different size-dependent susceptibility patterns to the treatment. The applied pulsed electric field (PEF) protocols revealed a significant decrease of cell viability when calcium electroporation was used. The dependence of calcium ion transport and finally the anticancer effect on the external medium conductivity was determined. It was shown that small differences in conductivity do not alter viability significantly, however, mostly affect the permeabilization. At the same, MC38/0 cell line was the least susceptible to calcium electroporation, while the C32 line the most. In all cases calcium electroporation was mostly dependent on the sensitivity of cells to electroporation and could not be effectively improved by the increase of CaCl2 concentration from 2 mM to 5 mM. Lastly, sub-microsecond PEF stimulated aquaporin-4 and VDAC1/Porin immunoreactions in all treated cells lines, which indicated that cell water balance is affected, ions exchange is increased and release of mitochondrial products is occurrent.
Characterization of oriented microstructures through anisotropic small-angle scattering by 2D neutron dark-field imaging
Authors: Valsecchi Jacopo , Strobl Markus , Harti Ralph Patrick , Carminati Chiara , Trtik Pavel , Kaestner Anders , Grünzweig Christian , Wang Zhentian , Jefimovs Konstantins , Kagias Matias 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWithin neutron imaging, different methods have been developed with the aim to go beyond the conventional contrast modalities, such as grating interferometry. Existing grating interferometers are sensitive to scattering in a single direction only, and thus investigations of anisotropic scattering structures imply the need for a circular scan of either the sample or the gratings. Here we propose an approach that allows assessment of anisotropic scattering in a single acquisition mode and to broaden the range of the investigation with respect to the probed correlation lengths. This is achieved by a far-field grating interferometer with a tailored 2D-design. The combination of a directional neutron dark-field imaging approach with a scan of the sample to detector distance yields to the characterization of the local 2D real-space correlation functions of a strongly oriented sample analogous to conventional small-angle scattering. Our results usher in quantitative and spatially resolved investigations of anisotropic and strongly oriented systems beyond current capabilities.
Gefäße – Aufbau, Funktionen und Pathologie
Authors: Corts Magga 
Published: February 2020

SummaryDie größeren Gefäße unseres Körpers bestehen aus drei Schichten: Tunica intima, media und adventitia. Das venöse System gehört zum Niedrighochsystem, das arterielle System zum Hochdrucksystem. Pathologisch kann es unter anderem bei Arterien zu Aussackungen – Aneurysmen – und bei Venen zu Krampfadern kommen.
Dicker als Wasser
Authors: Hain Fabian , Hain Ann-Christin 
Published: February 2020

SummaryHäufig ist die Polyglobulie – eine erhöhte Erythrozytenzahl im Blut – ein Zufallsbefund, der sich durch Kopfschmerzen, Schwindel oder Tinnitus äußern, aber auch beschwerdefrei bleiben kann. Eine gründliche Anamnese und Diagnostik sowie ein Vergleich von arteriellem und venösem Hämatokrit erschließen hierbei Formen und Ursachen der Erkrankung sowie Schein- und Pseudopolyglobulien. Mit Ausnahme der durch Sauerstoffmangel bedingten Polyglobulien lassen sich alle Formen mit einer Aderlasstherapie behandeln oder begleiten, sofern die Ursache nicht schnell genug behoben werden kann.
Tradução, adaptação cultural e confiabilidade da versão em português brasileiro do questionário DRAM para avaliação psicométrica em dor lombar
Authors: Tucci Carlos , Jacob Alberto , de Amorim Thiago Bonato , Araújo Alex Oliveira de , Cristante Alexandre Fogaça 
Published: February 2020

Resumo
Objetivo A partir de estudos sobre a fisiologia da dor e suas relações com estados psicológicos, tornou-se essencial a avaliação psicológica dos indivíduos com quadros dolorosos, para selecionar os perfis mais favoráveis às diferentes formas de tratamento. O questionário Distress Risk Assessment Method (DRAM, na sigla em inglês) foi desenvolvido como instrumento de triagem para portadores de dor na coluna vertebral subclassificando os indivíduos em quatro grupos distintos (normal, sob risco, somático e depressivo), conforme a pontuação dos dois questionários que compõem o DRAM (Questionário Modificado de Percepção Somática [MSPQ, na sigla em inglês] e Zung). O objetivo do presente estudo é traduzir e adaptar o DRAM para o português brasileiro da versão original em inglês, além de analisar a confiabilidade da versão traduzida e adaptada.
Método Segundo a metodologia International Quality of Life Assessment (IQOLA), consagrada em inúmeras publicações, foi desenvolvida uma versão em português brasileiro que foi aplicada a uma amostra de 85 indivíduos dos 3 centros participantes portadores de dor lombar.
Resultados Os resultados comprovaram a confiabilidade e reprodutibilidade da versão traduzida e adaptada do questionário DRAM com índice de Cronbach alfa de 0,815 para o MSPQ e de 0,794 para o Zung, e coeficiente de correlação intraclasse de 0,688 para o MSPQ e de 0,659 para o Zung.
Conclusão Tais dados permitiram concluir que a versão do questionário DRAM traduzida e adaptada culturalmente para o português brasileiro é confiável e está disponível para uso na prática clínica.