bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The rapid “teabag” method for high-end purification of membrane proteins
Authors: Hering Jenny , Missel Julie Winkel , Zhang Liying , Gunnarsson Anders , Castaldo Marie , Pedersen Per Amstrup , Ek Margareta , Gourdon Pontus , Snijder Harm Jan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractOverproduction and purification of membrane proteins are generally challenging and time-consuming procedures due to low expression levels, misfolding, and low stability once extracted from the membrane. Reducing processing steps and shortening the timespan for purification represent attractive approaches to overcome some of these challenges. We have therefore compared a fast “teabag” purification method with conventional purification for five different membrane proteins (MraY, AQP10, ClC-1, PAR2 and KCC2). Notably, this new approach reduces the purification time significantly, and the quality of the purified membrane proteins is equal to or exceeds conventional methods as assessed by size exclusion chromatography, SDS-PAGE and downstream applications such as ITC, crystallization and cryo-EM. Furthermore, the method is scalable, applicable to a range of affinity resins and allows for parallelization. Consequently, the technique has the potential to substantially simplify purification efforts of membrane proteins in basic and applied sciences.
Alleviation of depression-like behavior in a cystic fibrosis mouse model by Hdac6 depletion
Authors: Corey Deborah A. , Rymut Sharon M. , Kelley Thomas J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCystic fibrosis (CF) patients experience heightened levels of anxiety and depression. Stress from dealing with chronic disease and rigorous treatment regimens certainly are primary contributors to these outcomes. We previously have demonstrated that microtubule alterations in CF are linked to a number of CF phenotypes including growth regulation and inflammatory responses to airway bacterial challenge. Deletion of histone deactelyase 6 (HDAC6), a cytosolic deacetylase that regulates tubulin acetylation, in CF mice restores growth and inflammatory phenotypes to wild type (WT) profiles. In this study, the hypothesis that Hdac6 depletion in CF mice would impact behaviors since Hda6 inhibition has been previously reported to have anti-depressive properties. Data demonstrate that CF mice exhibit reduced activity and reduced open arm time in an elevated plus maze test which can be consistent with anxiety-like behavior. CF mice also exhibit depression-like behaviors compared to WT mice in an age dependent manner. By eight weeks of age, CF mice exhibit significantly more immobile time in the tail-suspension test, however, Hdac6 depletion reverses the depressive phenotype. These data demonstrate that loss of CFTR function may predispose patients to experience depression and that this behavior is Hdac6 dependent.
Identification of sugars and phenolic compounds in honey powders with the use of GC–MS, FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction
Authors: Kozłowicz Katarzyna , Różyło Renata , Gładyszewska Bożena , Matwijczuk Arkadiusz , Gładyszewski Grzegorz , Chocyk Dariusz , Samborska Katarzyna , Piekut Jolanta , Smolewska Marzena 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis work aimed at the chemical and structural characterization of powders obtained from chestnut flower honey (HFCh) and honey with Inca berry (HBlu). Honey powders were obtained by spray drying technique at low temperature (80/50 °C) with dehumidified air. Maltodextrin (DE 15) was used as a covering agent. The isolation and evaluation of phenolic compounds and sugars were done by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction were performed to determine the morphology of the studied honey powders. The obtained results showed that the content of simple sugars amounted to 72.4 and 90.2 g × 100 g−1 in HFCh and HBlu, respectively. Glucose was found to be the dominant sugar with a concentration of 41.3 and 51.6 g × 100 g−1 in HFCh and HBlu, respectively. 3-Phenyllactic acid and ferulic acid were most frequently found in HFCh powder, whereas m-coumaric acid, benzoic acid, and cinnamic acid were the most common in HBlu powder. The largest changes in the FTIR spectra occurred in the following range of wavenumbers: 3335, 1640, and below 930 cm−1. The X-ray diffraction profiles revealed wide peaks, suggesting that both honey powders are amorphous and are characterized by a short-range order only.
Fast TWIST with iterative reconstruction improves diagnostic accuracy of AVM of the hand
Authors: Huf Veronika I. , Fellner Claudia , Wohlgemuth Walter A. , Stroszczynski Christian , Schmidt Michaela , Forman Christoph , Wetzl Jens , Uller Wibke 
Published: October 2020

AbstractVery high temporal and spatial resolution is mandatory for the diagnosis of arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of the hand. Until now, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has not fulfilled both requirements simultaneously. This study presents how the combination of a very fast TWIST MRI (time-resolved angiography with interleaved stochastic trajectories) sequence and iterative reconstructions optimizes temporal as well as spatial resolution. 11 patients were examined at a 3-T MRI scanner with two different TWIST protocols: the standard and the study protocol, acquiring a data set every 5.57 s and 1.44 s respectively. The study data was retrospectively iteratively reconstructed with different regularization factors (0.001, 0.002, 0.004, 0.008). Results were compared using the sign-test. P-values < 0.05 were regarded statistically significant. With a low amount of contrast medium, the temporal resolution of the study protocol enabled the differentiation of arteries from veins in all patients whereas the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) deteriorated. Depending on the regularization factors, SNR, delineation of arterial feeders and non-involved hand and interdigital arteries, as well as artefact levels varied. Overall, iterative reconstruction with regularization factor 0.004 achieved the best results, consequently showing the ability of MRI as a reliable diagnostic method in AVMs of the hand.
Collective almost synchronization-based model to extract and predict features of EEG signals
Authors: Nguyen Phuong Thi Mai , Hayashi Yoshikatsu , Baptista Murilo Da Silva , Kondo Toshiyuki 
Published: October 2020

AbstractUnderstanding the brain is important in the fields of science, medicine, and engineering. A promising approach to better understand the brain is through computing models. These models were adjusted to reproduce data collected from the brain. One of the most commonly used types of data in neuroscience comes from electroencephalography (EEG), which records the tiny voltages generated when neurons in the brain are activated. In this study, we propose a model based on complex networks of weakly connected dynamical systems (Hindmarsh–Rose neurons or Kuramoto oscillators), set to operate in a dynamic regime recognized as Collective Almost Synchronization (CAS). Our model not only successfully reproduces EEG data from both healthy and epileptic EEG signals, but it also predicts EEG features, the Hurst exponent, and the power spectrum. The proposed model is able to forecast EEG signals 5.76 s in the future. The average forecasting error was 9.22%. The random Kuramoto model produced the outstanding result for forecasting seizure EEG with an error of 11.21%.
Intrauterine exposure to low-dose DBP in the mice induces obesity in offspring via suppression of UCP1 mediated ER stress
Authors: Li Huan , Li Jianqiao , Qu Zhenting , Qian Honghao , Zhang Jing , Wang Hongyan , Xu Xiaolei , Liu Shengyuan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDibutyl phthalate (DBP) is recognized as an environmental endocrine disruptor that has been detected in fetal and postnatal samples. Recent evidence found that in utero DBP exposure was associated with an increase of adipose tissue weight and serum lipids in offspring, but the precise mechanism is unknown. Here we aimed to study the effects of in utero DBP exposure on obesity in offspring and examine possible mechanisms. SPF C57BL/6J pregnant mice were gavaged with either DBP (5 mg /kg/day) or corn oil, from gestational day 12 until postnatal day 7. After the offspring were weaned, the mice were fed a standard diet for 21 weeks, and in the last 2 weeks 20 mice were selected for TUDCA treatment. Intrauterine exposure to low-dose DBP promoted obesity in offspring, with evidence of glucose and lipid metabolic disorders and a decreased metabolic rate. Compared to controls, the DBP exposed mice had lower expression of UCP1 and significantly higher expression of Bip and Chop, known markers of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. However, TUDCA treatment of DBP exposed mice returned these parameters nearly to the levels of the controls, with increased expression of UCP1, lower expression of Bip and Chop and ameliorated obesity. Intrauterine exposure of mice to low-dose DBP appears to promote obesity in offspring by inhibiting UCP1 via ER stress, a process that was largely reversed by treatment with TUDCA.
The leptin to adiponectin ratio (LAR) is reduced by sleeve gastrectomy in adults with severe obesity: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Rafey M. F. , Fang C. E. H. , Ioana I. , Griffin H. , Hynes M. , O’Brien T. , McAnena O. , O’Shea P. , Collins C. , Davenport C. , Finucane F. M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBariatric surgery is known to reduce leptin and increase adiponectin levels, but the influence of sleeve gastrectomy on the leptin: adiponectin ratio (LAR), a measure of insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular risk, has not previously been described. We sought to determine the influence of sleeve gastrectomy on LAR in adults with severe obesity.In a single centre prospective cohort study of adults undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy over a four-month period in our unit, we measured LAR preoperatively and 12 months after surgery. Of 22 patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy, 17 (12 females, 12 with type 2 diabetes) had follow-up LAR measured at 12.1 ± 1 months. Mean body weight decreased from 130.6 ± 30.8 kg to 97.6 ± 21.6 kg, body mass index (BMI) from 46.9 ± 7.8 to 35.3 ± 7.2 kg m−2 and excess body weight from 87.5 ± 31.3 to 41.3 ± 28.8% (all p < 0.001). The reduction in leptin from 40.7 ± 24.9 to 30.9 ± 30.5 ng/ml was not significant (p = 0.11), but adiponectin increased from 4.49 ± 1.6 to 8.93 ± 6.36 µg/ml (p = 0.005) and LAR decreased from 8.89 ± 4.8 to 5.26 ± 6.52 ng/µg (p = 0.001), equivalent to a 70.9% increase in insulin sensitivity. The correlation with the amount of weight lost was stronger for LAR than it was for leptin or adiponectin alone. In this single-centre, interventional prospective cohort, patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy had a substantial reduction in their LAR after 12 months which was proportional to the amount of weight lost. This may indicate an improvement in insulin sensitivity and a reduction in cardiovascular risk.
Clinical features and survival outcomes of ocular melanoma in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort
Authors: Tan Laura Ling Ying , Hong Jiancheng , Goh Wei Lin , Chang Esther Wei Yin , Yang Valerie Shiwen , Poon Eileen , Somasundaram Nagavalli , Farid Mohamad , Chan Anita Sook Yee , Chan Jason Yongsheng 
Published: October 2020

AbstractOcular melanomas are uncommon cancers in Southeast Asia unlike in the West. We conducted a retrospective review of patients (n = 44) with histologically-proven ocular melanoma within a multi-ethnic Asian cohort from Singapore. Clinicopathological features and relapse patterns were examined, and survival outcomes of interest included recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method and multivariable Cox proportional regression. The study cohort included 18 male and 26 female patients, with a median age of 52 years (range 8–78). Median follow-up was 154 months. For uveal melanomas (n = 29), the 5-year RFS and OS was 56.8% and 76.6%, respectively; whilst for conjunctival melanomas (n = 15), the 5-year RFS and OS was 30.1% and 68.8%, respectively. Fifteen patients (38.5%) eventually developed metastasis, following which the median survival was only 17 months. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that higher T stage was a significant independent predictor for both OS (HR 8.69, 95% CI 1.03 to 73.09, p = 0.047) and RFS (HR 11.62, 95% CI 2.45 to 55.00, p = 0.002). Smoking history was independently predictive of better RFS (HR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.78, p = 0.030). In conclusion, our study demonstrates the poor ocular melanoma outcomes in Southeast Asians, highlighting the necessity for urgent research in this area of unmet clinical need.
Reading Risk in Children With Speech Sound Disorder: Prevalence, Persistence, and Predictors
Authors: Tambyraja Sherine R. , Farquharson Kelly , Justice Laura 
Published: September 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which school-age children with speech sound disorder (SSD) exhibit concomitant reading difficulties and examine the extent to which phonological processing and speech production abilities are associated with increased likelihood of reading risks.

Method

Data were obtained from 120 kindergarten, first-grade, and second-grade children who were in receipt of school-based speech therapy services. Children were categorized as being “at risk” for reading difficulties if standardized scores on a word decoding measure were 1
SD
or more from the mean. The selected predictors of reading risk included children's rapid automatized naming ability, phonological awareness (PA), and accuracy of speech sound production.

Results
Descriptive results indicated that just over 25% of children receiving school-based speech therapy for an SSD exhibited concomitant deficits in word decoding and that those exhibiting risk at the beginning of the school year were likely to continue to be at risk at the end of the school year. Results from a hierarchical logistic regression suggested that, after accounting for children's age, general language abilities, and socioeconomic status, both PA and speech sound production abilities were significantly associated with the likelihood of being classified as at risk.

Conclusions
School-age children with SSD are at increased risk for reading difficulties that are likely to persist throughout an academic year. The severity of phonological deficits, reflected by PA and speech output, may be important indicators of subsequent reading problems.
Multi‐channel photovoltaic current–voltage (I –V ) curve tracer employing adaptive‐sampling‐rate method
Authors: Rivai Ahmad , Rahim Nasrudin Abd , Elias Mohamad Fathi Mohamad , Jamaludin Jafferi 
Published: September 2020

In this study, a multi‐channel I–V curve tracer with the capability of measuring multiple photovoltaic (PV) modules has been proposed. An adaptive‐sampling‐rate method has been developed to enhance the I–V tracer's performance in terms of acquisition speed and data resolution in which enables the tracer to measure the I–V curve for a wider range of current and voltage with higher measurement points. This is important to provide rapid comparison and identification of faults that may have occurred in one or more PV modules. A low‐cost prototype was built using an Arduino‐based microcontroller, and the experimental tests were performed with 30 PV modules. The simulation and experimental results verified the performance and functionality of the proposed I–V curve tracer.
Radio telescope total power mode: improving observation efficiency
Authors: Pagani Laurent , Frayer David , Pagani Bruno , Lefèvre Charlène 
Published: October 2020

Aims. Radio observing efficiency can be improved by calibrating and reducing the observations in total power mode rather than in frequency, beam, or position-switching modes.
Methods. We selected a sample of spectra obtained from the Institut de Radio-Astronomie Millimétrique (IRAM) 30-m telescope and the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) to test the feasibility of the method. Given that modern front-end amplifiers for the GBT and direct Local Oscillator injection for the 30 m telescope provide smooth pass bands that are a few tens of megahertz in width, the spectra from standard observations can be cleaned (baseline removal) separately and then co-added directly when the lines are narrow enough (a few km s−1), instead of performing the traditional ON minus OFF data reduction. This technique works for frequency-switched observations as well as for position- and beam-switched observations when the ON and OFF data are saved separately.
Results. The method works best when the lines are narrow enough and not too numerous so that a secure baseline removal can be achieved. A signal-to-noise ratio improvement of a factor of √2 is found in most cases, consistent with theoretical expectations.
Conclusions. By keeping the traditional observing mode, the fallback solution of the standard reduction technique is still available in cases of suboptimal baseline behavior, sky instability, or wide lines, and to confirm the line intensities. These techniques of total-power-mode reduction can be applied to any radio telescope with stable baselines as long as they record and deliver the ONs and OFFs separately, as is the case for the GBT.
Migration of gap-opening planets in 3D stellar-irradiated accretion disks
Authors: Chrenko O. , Nesvorný D. 
Published: October 2020

Context. The origin of giant planets at moderate separations ≃1–10 au is still not fully understood because numerical studies of Type II migration in protoplanetary disks often predict a decay of the semi-major axis that is too fast. According to recent 2D simulations, inward migration of a gap-opening planet can be slowed down or even reversed if the outer gap edge becomes heated by irradiation from the central star, and puffed up.
Aims. Here, we study how stellar irradiation reduces the disk-driven torque and affects migration in more realistic 3D disks.
Methods. Using 3D hydrodynamic simulations with radiation transfer, we investigated the static torque acting on a single gap-opening planet embedded in a passively heated accretion disk.
Results. Our simulations confirm that a temperature inversion is established at the irradiated outer gap edge and the local increase of the scale height reduces the magnitude of the negative outer Lindblad torque. However, the temperature excess is smaller than assumed in 2D simulations and the torque reduction only becomes prominent for specific parameters. For the viscosity α = 10−3, the total torque is reduced for planetary masses ranging from 0.1 to 0.7 Jupiter mass, with the strongest reduction being by a factor of − 0.17 (implying outward migration) for a Saturn-mass planet. For a Jupiter-mass planet, the torque reduction becomes stronger with increasing α (the torque is halved when α = 5 × 10−3).
Conclusions. We conclude that planets that open moderately wide and deep gaps are subject to the largest torque modifications and their Type II migration can be stalled due to gap edge illumination. We then argue that the torque reduction can help to stabilize the orbits of giant planets forming at ≳ 1 au.
Die Arthrodese des oberen Sprunggelenks und Rückfußes
Authors: Ochman Sabine , Milstrey Alexander , Evers Julia , Raschke Michael J. 
Published: October 2020

ZusammenfassungArthrodesen des oberen Sprunggelenks und Rückfußes sind etablierte und weit verbreitete Verfahren zur Behandlung fortgeschrittener Arthrosen des Sprunggelenks und Rückfußes, die überwiegend posttraumatisch bedingt sind. Auch Fehlstellungen können für die Arthrose ursächlich sein. Arthrodesen haben nach wie vor ihre Berechtigung. Der Artikel bietet ein Update zum Thema.
Biological Impact of Unilateral Oophorectomy: Does the Number of Ovaries Really Matter?
Authors: Gasparri Maria Luisa , Ruscito Ilary , Braicu Elena Ioana , Sehouli Jalid , Tramontano Luca , Costanzi Flavia , De Marco Maria Paola , Mueller Michael D. , Papadia Andrea , Caserta Donatella , Bellati Filippo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAlthough unilateral oophorectomies are performed more often than bilateral ones in women of reproductive age, their clinical consequences have been less intensively investigated. Experimental models in animals have shown that compensatory mechanisms occur after a unilateral oophorectomy (UO). This review aims to summarize the available evidence on the biological effects of unilateral oophorectomy on women. Evaluated outcomes include age at onset of menopause, risk of cardiovascular and neurological disease, risk of mortality and fertility outcome after spontaneous conception or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Results were compared with findings reported after bilateral oophorectomy and/or ovarian excision and/or women with intact ovaries. An electronic database search was performed using PubMed and Scopus, followed by a manual search to identify controlled studies that compared women after UO with women with two intact ovaries. In particular, a systematic review of fertility outcomes after IVF was performed, and the data were summarized in a table. Women who underwent UO had a similar age at menopause and similar clinical pregnancy rate compared to women with two ovaries. However, decreased ovarian reserve affecting the quantity but not the quality of the ovarian pool after IVF was observed in the UO group. Furthermore, an increased risk of neurological disease and even an increased risk of mortality was observed in women with single ovary. These data need to be confirmed by further studies, and a plausible mechanism of action must be identified. At present, patients who undergo UO can be reassured with regard to their reproductive potential and their age at onset of menopause.
Vertiginous Episodes in Menière Disease following Transmyringeal Ventilation Tube Insertion: A Systematic Review on the Current State of Evidence
Authors: Grønlund Casper , Devantier Louise , Callesen Henriette Edemann , Hougaard Dan Dupont , Händel Mina Nicole , Schmidt Jesper Hvass , Guldfred Frank Liviu-Adelin , Djurhuus Bjarki Ditlev 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Introduction Menière disease (MD) is a disorder characterized by episodes of vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus and aural fullness.
Objectives To assess the effect of ventilation tube insertion (VTI) on vertiginous episodes in patients (≥ 18 years old) with MD.
Data Synthesis A systematic literature search on randomized clinical trials (RCTs), nonrandomized trials and other systematic reviews was performed. The Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the overall certainty of evidence.Two RCTs and four nonrandomized studies were identified. Data extraction was only possible for one RCT. Results showed that the number of patients with no vertigo attacks significantly increased following active treatment (relative risk 1.52; [95% confidence interval: 1.19–1.94]). The quality of evidence was rated as low. None of the nonrandomized trials included a proper control group, which hindered data extraction and quality assessment.
Conclusion There are currently no RCTs that specifically assess the efficacy of VTI in patients with MD. Current limited data suggest a considerable positive effect on the number of vertiginous episodes in patients with MD. However, due to poor evidence, a fluctuating course and a substantial placebo-effect associated with MD-treatment, no solid conclusion(s) regarding the efficacy of VTI can be made. There is a need for high-quality RCTs.