bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Some quantitative aspects of written and spoken French based on syntactically annotated corpora
Authors: Poiret Rafaël , Liu Haitao 
Published: February 2020

ABSTRACTBased on two syntactically annotated corpora, and within the theoretical tradition of dependency grammar, the current study investigates the quantitative differences and similarities between written and spoken French. Our findings support the assumption that spoken and written French are two realizations of one language that do not differ in the syntactic categories, but in the frequency of these categories, and also in their organization in sentence. The subjects in spoken French are mostly pronouns, whereas in written French the subjects are mostly nouns and pronouns. Spoken and written French share many syntactic relations, but with different frequencies. For instance, dislocations are more diverse and frequent in spoken French. Spoken French and written French differ in the word order of vocative nominal phrases. Finally, written French is slightly more difficult to process than spoken French.
Assessing the impacts of different land uses and soil and water conservation interventions on runoff and sediment yield at different scales in the central highlands of Ethiopia
Authors: Yaekob Tesfaye , Tamene Lulseged , Gebrehiwot Solomon G. , Demissie Solomon S. , Adimassu Zenebe , Woldearegay Kifle , Mekonnen Kindu , Amede Tilahun , Abera Wuletawu , Recha John W. , Solomon Dawit , Thorne Peter 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTo tackle the problem of soil erosion and moisture stress, the government of Ethiopia introduced a yearly mass campaign where communities get together and implement various soil and water conservation (SWC) and water harvesting (WH) practices. Although the interventions are believed to have reduced soil erosion/sediment yield and enhanced surface and ground water, quantitative information on the impacts of various options at different scales is scarce. The objective of this study was to assess the impacts different land uses, SWC and WH interventions on water and suspended sediment yield (SSY) at plot and watershed scales in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Standard erosion plot experiments and hydrological stations were used to monitor the daily water and SSY during 2014 to 2017. The results show differences between treatments both at plot and watershed scales. Runoff and soil loss were reduced by an average 27 and 37%, respectively due to SWC practices at the plot level. Overall, SWC practices implemented at the watershed level reduced sediment yield by about 74% (in the year 2014), although the magnitude of sediment reduction due to the SWC interventions reduced over time. At both scales it was observed that as the number of years since SWC measures have been in place increased, their effectiveness declined due to the lack of maintenance. This study also revealed that extrapolating of plot data to watershed scale causes over or under estimation of net erosion.
Explicit IMF By Dependence in Geomagnetic Activity: Modulation of Precipitating Electrons
Authors: Holappa L. , Asikainen T. , Mursula K. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe most important driver of geomagnetic activity is the north–south (
) component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), which dominates the solar wind‐magnetosphere coupling and all solar wind coupling functions. While the east–west (
) IMF component is also included in most coupling functions, its effect is always assumed to be symmetric with respect of its sign. However, recent studies have shown that, for a fixed value of any coupling function, geomagnetic activity is stronger for
than for
in Northern Hemisphere winter. In Southern Hemisphere winter, the dependence on the
sign is reversed. In this paper, we use measurements of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Polar‐Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites to show that the flux of magnetospheric electrons precipitating into the atmosphere also exhibits an explicit
dependence. This
dependence is strong in the midnight and dawn sectors where it causes a related
effect in the westward electrojet and geomagnetic activity by modulating ionospheric conductivity.
DNA methylation signature on phosphatidylethanol, not on self-reported alcohol consumption, predicts hazardous alcohol consumption in two distinct populations
Authors: Liang Xiaoyu , Justice Amy C. , So-Armah Kaku , Krystal John H. , Sinha Rajita , Xu Ke 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe process of diagnosing hazardous alcohol drinking (HAD) is based on self-reported data and is thereby vulnerable to bias. There has been an interest in developing epigenetic biomarkers for HAD that might complement clinical assessment. Because alcohol consumption has been previously linked to DNA methylation (DNAm), we aimed to select DNAm signatures in blood to predict HAD from two demographically and clinically distinct populations (Ntotal = 1,549). We first separately conducted an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) for phosphatidylethanol (PEth), an objective measure of alcohol consumption, and for self-reported alcohol consumption in Cohort 1. We identified 83 PEth-associated CpGs, including 23 CpGs previously associated with alcohol consumption or alcohol use disorder. In contrast, no CpG reached epigenome-wide significance on self-reported alcohol consumption. Using a machine learning approach, two CpG subsets from EWAS on PEth and on self-reported alcohol consumption from Cohort 1 were separately tested for the prediction of HAD in Cohort 2. We found that a subset of 143 CpGs selected from the EWAS on PEth showed an excellent prediction of HAD with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 89.4% in training set and 73.9% in validation set of Cohort 2. However, CpGs preselected from the EWAS on self-reported alcohol consumption showed a poor prediction of HAD with AUC 75.2% in training set and 57.6% in validation set. Our results demonstrate that an objective measure for alcohol consumption is a more informative phenotype than self-reported data for revealing epigenetic mechanisms. The PEth-associated DNAm signature in blood could serve as a robust biomarker for alcohol consumption.
Associations of cigarette smoking with gray and white matter in the UK Biobank
Authors: Gray Joshua C. , Thompson Matthew , Bachman Chelsie , Owens Max M. , Murphy Mikela , Palmer Rohan 
Published: February 2020

AbstractCigarette smoking is associated with increased risk for myriad health consequences including cognitive decline and dementia, but research on the link between smoking and brain structure is nascent. In the current study, we assessed the relationship of cigarette smoking with gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) in the UK Biobank, controlling for numerous confounding demographic and health variables. We used negative-binomial regression to model the association of cigarette smoking (having ever smoked regularly, cigarettes per day, and duration smoked) with GM and WM (GMN = 19,615; WMN = 17,760), adjusting for confounders. Ever smoked and duration were associated with smaller total GM volume. Ever smoked was associated with reduced volume of the right VIIIa cerebellum and elevated WM hyperintensity volume. Smoking duration was associated with reduced total WM volume. Regarding specific tracts, ever smoked was associated with reduced fractional anisotropy in the left cingulate gyrus part of the cingulum, left posterior thalamic radiation, and bilateral superior thalamic radiation, and increased mean diffusivity in the middle cerebellar peduncle, right medial lemniscus, bilateral posterior thalamic radiation, and bilateral superior thalamic radiation. This study identified significant associations of cigarette exposure with global measures of GM and WM, and select associations of ever smoked, but not cigarettes per day or duration, with specific GM and WM regions. By controlling for important sociodemographic and health confounders, such as alcohol use, this study identifies distinct associations between smoking and brain structure, highlighting potential mechanisms of risk for common neurological sequelae (e.g., dementia).
G protein-coupled kisspeptin receptor induces metabolic reprograming and tumorigenesis in estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer
Authors: Dragan Magdalena , Nguyen Mai-Uyen , Guzman Stephania , Goertzen Cameron , Brackstone Muriel , Dhillo Waljit S. , Bech Paul R. , Clarke Sophie , Abbara Ali , Tuck Alan B. , Hess David A. , Pine Sharon R. , Zong Wei-Xing , Wondisford Frederic E. , Su Xiaoyang , Babwah Andy V. , Bhattacharya Moshmi 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly metastatic and deadly disease. TNBC tumors lack estrogen receptor (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 (ErbB2) and exhibit increased glutamine metabolism, a requirement for tumor growth. The G protein-coupled kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R) is highly expressed in patient TNBC tumors and promotes malignant transformation of breast epithelial cells. This study found that TNBC patients displayed elevated plasma kisspeptin levels compared with healthy subjects. It also provides the first evidence that in addition to promoting tumor growth and metastasis in vivo, KISS1R-induced glutamine dependence of tumors. In addition, tracer-based metabolomics analyses revealed that KISS1R promoted glutaminolysis and nucleotide biosynthesis by increasing c-Myc and glutaminase levels, key regulators of glutamine metabolism. Overall, this study establishes KISS1R as a novel regulator of TNBC metabolism and metastasis, suggesting that targeting KISS1R could have therapeutic potential in the treatment of TNBC.
A unified approach for divergent synthesis of contiguous stereodiads employing a small boronyl group
Authors: Zhan Miao , Ding Zhengwei , Du Shaozhi , Chen Haohua , Feng Chao , Xu Ming , Liu Zhi , Zhang Mengxi , Wu Chao , Lan Yu , Li Pengfei 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAcyclic contiguous stereocenters are frequently seen in biologically active natural and synthetic molecules. Although various synthetic methods have been reported, predictable and unified approaches to all possible stereoisomers are rare, particularly for those containing non-reactive hydrocarbon substituents. Herein, a β-boronyl group is employed as a readily accessible handle for predictable α-functionalization of enolates with either syn or anti selectivity depending on reaction conditions. Contiguous tertiary-tertiary and tertiary-quaternary stereocenters are thus accessed in generally good yields and diastereoselectivity. Based on experimental and computational studies, mechanism for syn selective alkylation is proposed, and Bpin (pinacolatoboronyl) behaves as a smaller group than most carbon-centered groups. The synthetic utility of this methodology is demonstrated by preparation of several key intermediates for bioactive molecules.
Histone demethylase JMJD1C is phosphorylated by mTOR to activate de novo lipogenesis
Authors: Viscarra Jose A. , Wang Yuhui , Nguyen Hai P. , Choi Yoon Gi , Sul Hei Sook 
Published: February 2020

AbstractFatty acid and triglyceride synthesis increases greatly in response to feeding and insulin. This lipogenic induction involves coordinate transcriptional activation of various enzymes in lipogenic pathway, including fatty acid synthase and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase. Here, we show that JMJD1C is a specific histone demethylase for lipogenic gene transcription in liver. In response to feeding/insulin, JMJD1C is phosphorylated at T505 by mTOR complex to allow direct interaction with USF-1 for recruitment to lipogenic promoter regions. Thus, by demethylating H3K9me2, JMJD1C alters chromatin accessibility to allow transcription. Consequently, JMJD1C promotes lipogenesis in vivo to increase hepatic and plasma triglyceride levels, showing its role in metabolic adaption for activation of the lipogenic program in response to feeding/insulin, and its contribution to development of hepatosteatosis resulting in insulin resistance.
Identification and characterization of a bacterial core methionine synthase
Authors: Deobald Darja , Hanna Rafael , Shahryari Shahab , Layer Gunhild , Adrian Lorenz 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMethionine synthases are essential enzymes for amino acid and methyl group metabolism in all domains of life. Here, we describe a putatively anciently derived type of methionine synthase yet unknown in bacteria, here referred to as core-MetE. The enzyme appears to represent a minimal MetE form and transfers methyl groups from methylcobalamin instead of methyl-tetrahydrofolate to homocysteine. Accordingly, it does not possess the tetrahydrofolate binding domain described for canonical bacterial MetE proteins. In Dehalococcoides mccartyi strain CBDB1, an obligate anaerobic, mesophilic, slowly growing organohalide-respiring bacterium, it is encoded by the locus cbdbA481. In line with the observation to not accept methyl groups from methyl-tetrahydrofolate, all known genomes of bacteria of the class Dehalococcoidia lack metF encoding for methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase synthesizing methyl-tetrahydrofolate, but all contain a core-metE gene. We heterologously expressed core-MetECBDB in E. coli and purified the 38 kDa protein. Core-MetECBDB exhibited Michaelis-Menten kinetics with respect to methylcob(III)alamin (KM ≈ 240 µM) and L-homocysteine (KM ≈ 50 µM). Only methylcob(III)alamin was found to be active as methyl donor with a kcat ≈ 60 s−1. Core-MetECBDB did not functionally complement metE-deficient E. coli strain DH5α (ΔmetE::kan) suggesting that core-MetECBDB and the canonical MetE enzyme from E. coli have different enzymatic specificities also in vivo. Core-MetE appears to be similar to a MetE-ancestor evolved before LUCA (last universal common ancestor) using methylated cobalamins as methyl donor whereas the canonical MetE consists of a tandem repeat and might have evolved by duplication of the core-MetE and diversification of the N-terminal part to a tetrahydrofolate-binding domain.
Seed germination characteristics of invasive Spartina alterniflora Loisel in Japan: implications for its effective management
Authors: Hayasaka Daisuke , Nakagawa Moe , Maebara Yu , Kurazono Tomohiro , Hashimoto Koya 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSpartina alterniflora, intentionally or unintentionally introduced worldwide, has adversely impacted local Japanese ecosystems. Thus, prediction of future distributions of S. alterniflora and its management are required. Local population expansion after establishment depends heavily on asexual (clonal) reproduction, whereas sexual (seed) reproduction is one of the critical factors for estimating invasion success and the likelihood of colonization to new habitats. However, knowledge about the germination characteristics of S. alterniflora is lacking. Here, we report the environmental conditions suitable for germination of S. alterniflora, under variable conditions of cold stratification periods (0, 4, 8 weeks), temperature (constant, alternating temperature), light (light/dark, dark), and oxygen (aerobic, anaerobic). Cumulative germination rate of S. alterniflora increased with an increasing period of cold stratification. Its seeds clearly preferred aerobic conditions to germinate. Also, the germination rate was higher under alternating temperature than under constant temperature regardless of light and oxygen conditions in any cold stratification period. However, long-term cold stratification, alternating temperature, and aerobic conditions were more important for germination of S. alterniflora than light. Removal of soil seed banks within 8 weeks of cold stratification after seed dispersals with matured seeds may be effective approaches for disrupting the germination of S. alterniflora.
Spirulina maxima extract prevents activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by inhibiting ERK signaling
Authors: Chei Sungwoo , Oh Hyun-Ji , Song Ji-Hyeon , Seo Young-Jin , Lee Kippeum , Kim Kui-Jin , Lee Boo-Yong 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe blue-green alga Spirulina maxima is a microscopic filamentous cyanobacterium. Spirulina was recently reported to elicit beneficial effects such as reducing cholesterol and inducing weight loss; however, its effects on inflammation are unknown. To determine the effect of S. maxima extract (SME) on innate immunity, we investigated the NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which is a multiprotein scaffolding complex that plays important roles in innate immune responses to many pathogenic infections in macrophages. SME suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced upregulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-12, IL-1β, and IL-18 in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, SME attenuated LPS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and thus pro-IL-1β could not be cleaved to IL-1β by activated caspase-1, which is activated by the NLRP3 inflammasome in RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, SME inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in RAW264.7 cells, and attenuated the generation of ERK1 induced-reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in decreased expression of NF-κB. These findings suggest that SME suppresses the effects of the NLRP3 inflammasome via regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). In summary, we demonstrated that SME prevents activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by inhibiting ERK signaling.
Extinction of chromosomes due to specialization is a universal occurrence
Authors: Wilson Jason , Staley Joshua M. , Wyckoff Gerald J. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe human X and Y chromosomes evolved from a pair of autosomes approximately 180 million years ago. Despite their shared evolutionary origin, extensive genetic decay has resulted in the human Y chromosome losing 97% of its ancestral genes while gene content and order remain highly conserved on the X chromosome. Five ‘stratification’ events, most likely inversions, reduced the Y chromosome’s ability to recombine with the X chromosome across the majority of its length and subjected its genes to the erosive forces associated with reduced recombination. The remaining functional genes are ubiquitously expressed, functionally coherent, dosage-sensitive genes, or have evolved male-specific functionality. It is unknown, however, whether functional specialization is a degenerative phenomenon unique to sex chromosomes, or if it conveys a potential selective advantage aside from sexual antagonism. We examined the evolution of mammalian orthologs to determine if the selective forces that led to the degeneration of the Y chromosome are unique in the genome. The results of our study suggest these forces are not exclusive to the Y chromosome, and chromosomal degeneration may have occurred throughout our evolutionary history. The reduction of recombination could additionally result in rapid fixation through isolation of specialized functions resulting in a cost-benefit relationship during times of intense selective pressure.
Reverse shock index multiplied by Glasgow Coma Scale (rSIG) predicts mortality in severe trauma patients with head injury
Authors: Wan-Ting Chu , Chin-Hsien Liao , Cheng-Yu Lin , Cheng-Yu Chien , Chi-Chun Lin , Keng-Wei Chang , Jiann-Hwa Chen , Wei-Lung Chen , Chien-Cheng Huang , Cherng-Jyr Lim , Jui-Yuan Chung 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe reverse shock index (rSI), a ratio of systolic blood pressure (SBP) to heart rate (HR), is used to identify prognosis in trauma patients. Multiplying rSI by Glasgow Coma Scale (rSIG) can possibly predict better in-hospital mortality in patients with trauma. However, rSIG has never been used to evaluate the mortality risk in adult severe trauma patients (Injury Severity Score [ISS] ≥ 16) with head injury (head Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] ≥ 2) in the emergency department (ED). This retrospective case control study recruited adult severe trauma patients (ISS ≥ 16) with head injury (head AIS ≥ 2) who presented to the ED of two major trauma centers between January 01, 2014 and May 31, 2017. Demographic data, vital signs, ISS scores, injury mechanisms, laboratory data, managements, and outcomes were included for the analysis. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analysis were used to evaluate the accuracy of rSIG score in predicting in-hospital mortality. In total, 438 patients (mean age: 56.48 years; 68.5% were males) were included in this study. In-hospital mortality occurred in 24.7% patients. The median (interquartile range) ISS score was 20 (17–26). Patients with rSIG ≤ 14 had seven-fold increased risks of mortality than those without rSIG ≤ 14 (odds ratio: 7.64; 95% confidence interval: 4.69–12.42). Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and area under the curve values for rSIG score were 0.29 and 0.76, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of rSIG ≤ 14 were 0.71, 0.75, 0.49, and 0.89, respectively. The rSIG score is a prompt and simple tool to predict in-hospital mortality among adult severe trauma patients with head injury.
Patients with non-Sjögren’s sicca report poorer general and oral health-related quality of life than patients with Sjögren’s syndrome: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Tashbayev B. , Garen T. , Palm Ø. , Chen X. , Herlofson B. B. , Young A. , Hove L. H. , Rykke M. , Singh P. B. , Aqrawi L. A. , Utheim Ø. A. , Utheim T. P. , Jensen J. L. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractUnderstanding the impact of the disease on quality of life is crucial in patient management. In this cross-sectional study, general and oral health-related quality of life questionnaires, and thorough examinations of oral and ocular dryness were performed in age- and sex-matched patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS group), non-Sjögren’s syndrome sicca (non-SS group) and healthy controls. General and oral health-related quality of life were investigated with the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and the 14-Item Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaires, respectively. Subjective symptoms of xerostomia and ocular dryness were recorded using the Summated Xerostomia Inventory and Ocular Surface Disease Index, respectively. Clinical examinations included evaluation of clinical oral dryness scores, candida counts, unstimulated and stimulated saliva secretory rates, tear osmolarity, tear film break-up time, Schirmer I test and ocular surface staining. Both patient groups had pronounced signs and symptoms of xerostomia and ocular dryness. Even though the non-SS patients had less severe clinical signs than the pSS patients, they demonstrated much poorer general and oral health-related quality of life. In conclusion, non-SS patients require more attention in order to improve their quality of life.