bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carrier cell-mediated cell lysis of squamous cell carcinoma by squamous cell carcinoma antigen 1 promoter-driven oncolytic adenovirus
Authors: Hamada Katsuyuki , Zhang Ting , Desaki Junzo , Nakashiro Koh-ichi , Ito Hiroshi , Tani Kenzaburo , Koyama Yoshiyuki , Hamakawa Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) serves as a serological marker for squamous cell carcinomas. Molecular cloning of the SCCA genomic region has revealed the presence of two tandemly arrayed genes, SCCA1 and SCCA2. We examined the promoter activity of the 5&apos;-flanking proximal region of the SCCA1 gene. Deletion analysis of SCCA1 promoter identified a 175-bp core promoter region and an enhancer region at -525 to -475 bp upstream of the transcription start site. The transcriptional activity of the SCCA1 promoter was up-regulated in squamous cell carcinoma cells, compared with normal keratinocyte, normal non-keratinocyte and adenocarcinoma cells. Five tandem repeats of enhancer increased SCCA1 promoter activity by 4-fold. Oncolytic adenovirus driven by the SCCA1 promoter with 5 tandem repeats of enhancer specifically killed squamous cell carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. A549 carrier cells infected with the oncolytic adenovirus induced complete regression of tumor by overcoming immunogenicity and adenovirus-mGM-CSF augmented the antitumor effect of carrier cells. These findings suggest that SCCA1 promoter is a potential target of gene therapy for squamous cell carcinoma.
Experimental demonstration of associative memory with memristive neural networks
Authors: Pershin Yuriy , Di Ventra Massimiliano 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWhen someone mentions the name of a known person we immediately recall her face and possibly many other traits. This is because we possess the so-called associative memory - the ability to correlate different memories to the same fact or event. Associative memory is such a fundamental and encompassing human ability (and not just human) that the network of neurons in our brain must perform it quite easily. The question is then whether electronic neural networks - electronic schemes that act somewhat similarly to human brains - can be built to perform this type of function. Although the field of neural networks has developed for many years, a key element, namely the synapses between adjacent neurons, has been lacking a satisfactory electronic representation. The reason for this is that a passive circuit element able to reproduce the synapse behaviour needs to remember its past dynamical history, store a continuous set of states, and be &quot;plastic&quot; according to the pre-synaptic and post-synaptic neuronal activity. Here we show that all this can be accomplished by a memory-resistor (memristor for short). In particular, by using simple and inexpensive off-the-shelf components we have built a memristor emulator which realizes all required synaptic properties. Most importantly, we have demonstrated experimentally the formation of associative memory in a simple neural network consisting of three electronic neurons connected by two memristor-emulator synapses. This experimental demonstration opens up new possibilities in the understanding of neural processes using memory devices, an important step forward to reproduce complex learning, adaptive and spontaneous behaviour with electronic neural networks.
Sensorimotor states affect choice in the magnitude judgment of ambiguous durations
Authors: Vicario Carmelo , Pavone Enea Francesco , Fuggetta Giorgio 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe statistics of the environment seem to exert optimal influence on the organization of functions subserving decision making. In order to make decisions about ambiguous sensory information, predictive coding models suggest that brain generate a template against which to match observed sensory evidence. Here we challenge this notion providing evidence that stochastic choices about the magnitude judgment of visual duration are triggered by bottom-up sensorimotor information.
Stochastic Resonance Can Drive Adaptive Physiological Processes
Authors: Alicea Bradly 
Published: July 2019

AbstractStochastic resonance (SR) is a concept from the physics and engineering communities that has applicability to both systems physiology and other living systems. In this paper, it will be argued that stochastic resonance plays a role in driving behavior in neuromechanical systems. The theory of stochastic resonance will be discussed, followed by a series of expected outcomes, and two tests of stochastic resonance in an experimental setting. These tests are exploratory in nature, and provide a means to parameterize systems that couple biological and mechanical components. Finally, the potential role of stochastic resonance in adaptive physiological systems will be discussed.
Screening Lactic Acid Bacteria for Antimicrobial Compound Production
Authors: Khalid Khalisanni , Hung Kiong Lee 
Published: July 2019

AbstractLactic Acid Bacteria was known as potential probiotic used in food industries and dairy products and probable to produce antimicrobial compound that inhibit variety of microorganisms. The objectives of the research are to determine the optimum condition and glucose utilization in relation to antimicrobial compound production. Two species of Lactic Acid Bacteria namely Lactococcus and Lactobacillus were used as probiotic. The Lactic Acid Bacteria were fermentated in different medium, initial substrate pH and incubation temperature for the production of antimicrobial compound. The test organisms such as E.coli and Salmonella were selected as test organisms. Amongst the two species of Lactic Acid Bacteria, Lactococcus produced the highest amount of antimicrobial compound than Lactobacillus.
Animal emergence during Snowball Earths by thermosynthesis in submarine hydrothermal vents
Authors: Muller Anthonie 
Published: July 2019

AbstractDarwin already commented on the lateness in the fossil record of the emergence of the animals, calling it a valid argument against his theory of evolution^1^. This emergence of the animals (metazoans: multicellular animals) has therefore attracted much attention^2-5^. Two decades ago it was reported that extensive global glaciations (Snowball Earths) preceded the emergence^6-7^. Here we causally relate the emergence and the glaciations by invoking benthic sessile^8-11^ thermosynthesizing^12-13^ protists that gained free energy as ATP while oscillating in the thermal gradient between a submarine hydrothermal vent^14^ and the ice-covered ocean. During a global glaciation their size increased from microscopic to macroscopic due to the selective advantage of a larger span of the thermal gradient. At the glaciation's end the ATP-generating mechanisms reversed and used ATP to sustain movement. Lastly, by functioning as animal organs, these protists then through symbiogenesis^15-17^ brought forth the first animals. This simple and straightforward scenario for the emergence of animals accounts for their large organ and organism size and their use of ATP, embryo and epigenetic control of development. The presented hypothesis is testable by collecting organisms near today's submarine hydrothermal vents and studying their behaviour in thermal gradients easily constructed in the laboratory. The scenario is extended to a general model for the emergence of biological movement^18^.
Insular gigantism and dwarfism in a snake, adaptive response or spandrel to selection on gape size?
Authors: Vincent Shawn , Brandley Matthew , Kuriyama Takeo , Mori Akira , Herrel Anthony , Hasegawa Masami 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn biology, spandrels are phenotypic traits that evolve through their underlying developmental, genetic, and/or structural links to another trait under selection^1, 2, 3^. Despite the importance of the concept of spandrels in biology, empirical examples of spandrels are exceedingly rare at the organismal level^2, 3^. Here we test whether body size evolution in insular populations of a snake (Elaphe quadrivirgata) is the result of an adaptive response to differences in available prey, or the result of a non-adaptive spandrel resulting from selection on gape size. In contrast to previous hypotheses, Mantel tests show that body size does not coevolve with diet. However, gape size tightly matches diet (birds vs. lizards) across populations, even after controlling for the effects of body size, genetic, and geographic distance. Moreover, gape and body size show a strong degree of phenotypic covariation. Thus, the dramatic insular body size variation among E. quadrivirgata populations is at least partially caused by its underlying phenotypic covariation with gape size rather than the result of direct selection on overall body size.
Varicella notification in immigrants: a brief report from Ferrara, Italy
Authors: Cucchi Alessandro , Atti Silvia , Bergamini Mauro 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackground and Aim of the work - We conducted a survey of varicella cases' notifications in the immigrant population in the province of Ferrara, Italy.
Materials and Methods
– We collected notifications of infectious disease between 2002 and 2006.

Results and discussion
- At the end of 2006, the 4.5% (14252 subjects) of total population of the province of Ferrara and its province was represented of immigrants from foreign countries. In this context, between 2002 and 2006, a total of 1969 cases of varicella, including 3.1% related to migrants, were reported. Among immigrants, there were 36 cases in males, and 26 in females. The cases were notified in the 64.5% by the hospital emergency service, in the 16.1% by the paediatrician and in 19.4% by the general practitioner. The incidence appears similar in both populations in childhood: this fact could means an integration in the local epidemiology for varicella of the immigrant school-children.
A novel Drosophila transcriptomic and behavioral model detects potassium chloride with therapeutic potential
Authors: Mohammad Farhan , Singh Priyanka , Sharma Abhay 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn a newly described Drosophila model, two of the five antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) tested, sodium valproate (NaVP) and levetiracetam (LEV), not ethosuximide (ETH), gabapentin (GBP) and vigabatrin (VGB), ameliorate development of chronic pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced locomotor alteration. To further characterize the model, we analyze here the microarray expression profile of heads of flies treated with depolarizing compound potassium chloride (KCl). Surprisingly, microarray clustering showed unexpected similarity among KCl, LEV and NaVP. Further, like the two effective AEDs in the fly model, KCl regulated genes overrepresented ribosomal pathway. Interestingly, KCl also ameliorated development of locomotor deficit in the chronic PTZ model. Both transcriptomic and behavioral analyses thus showed LEV- and NaVP- like neuroprotective effect of KCl. This is consistent with neuroprotective effect of KCl observed previously in mammalian system. The Drosophila model thus provides a unique opportunity to understand long term mechanisms of neuroactive compounds.
Can Vision Exist Without Somatosensation?
Authors: Muniyandi Manivannan , Suresh Pawan Kumar 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe interconnection between vision and somatosensation is already well-established and is further supplemented by the evolutionary link between eyes and photoreceptors, and the functional connection between photosensation and thermoreception. However, our analysis hypothesizes a possibility that vision is not just linked to somatosensation, but may not exist without somatosensation. Surprisingly, our photoreceptor itself needs somatosensory proteins for its functioning, and our entire visual pathway depends on somatosensory cues for its functioning.
A Drosophila systems model of withdrawal from chronic pentylenetetrazole relevant in post-epileptogenesis
Authors: Singh Priyanka , Mohammad Farhan , Sharma Abhay 
Published: July 2019

AbstractRodent kindling induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) is an established model of epileptogenesis and antiepileptic drug (AED) testing. Recently, a Drosophila systems model has been described in which chronic PTZ causes a decreased climbing speed in adult males on 7th day. Some AEDs ameliorate development of this locomotor deficit. Time-series of microarray expression profiles of heads of flies treated with PTZ has been found to resemble transcriptomic alterations associated with epileptogenesis. In the fly model, withdrawal from seven day long PTZ treatment causes an increased climbing speed on 7th consequent day. Here, we present a systems model of the post-PTZ withdrawal regime. Unlike AED-untreated individuals, flies treated with any of the five AEDs after PTZ discontinuation exhibited normal climbing speed on 7th day, i.e., 14th day from the beginning of PTZ treatment. Time-series of microarray expression profiles of fly heads comparing control PTZ- and AED-untreated, and AED-untreated post PTZ withdrawal groups showed differentially expressed genes throughout. These genes enriched gene ontology (GO) molecular functions including transcription regulator and GTPase regulator activities. Interestingly, expression profiles of fly heads comparing control PTZ- and AED-untreated, and AED-treated post PTZ withdrawal groups showed neutralization of transcription regulator and GTPase regulator activities by the AEDs. Further transcriptomic analysis based on overinteraction in protein interactome and enrichment of miRNA targets implicated axon guidance and neuronal remodeling related perturbations in the fly model. Differential expression of genes belonging to transcription regulator and GTPase regulator activities have previously been reported in post-epileptogenesis in established rodent models. Also, axon guidance and neuronal remodeling related alterations have been implicated in epilepsy. The Drosophila model thus provides a unique opportunity to dissect long-term plasticity relevant in epileptogenesis at cellular and molecular levels. Besides, the model also offers an excellent system to efficiently screen agents with potential therapeutic activity.
Common Transactivation Motif 9aaTAD recruits multiple general co-activatorsTAF9, MED15, CBP and p300
Authors: Piskacek Martin 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMore than 2000 transcription factors are involved in the human gene regulation to provide cellular function and development. Transactivation domain, TAD, mediates the interaction of transcription factors with general transcriptional co-activators such as TAF9, MED15, CBP and p300. Recently reported NMR-data for interactions of these co-activators with transcription factors reveal tightly binding of KIX and TAZ domains to common 9aaTAD motif. Nine-amino-acid Trans-Activation Domain, 9aaTAD, defines a transactivation domain common to a large super-family of eukaryotic transcription factors represented in yeast by Gal4, Oaf1, Pdr1, Rtg3, Pho4, Gln3, Gcn4 and in mammals by p53, E2A, NFAT, NFkB, HSF1, NF-IL6, MLL, EBNA2, VP16. The 9aaTAD family was derived from the transcription factor Oaf1 and its close orthologs Gal4, Pdr1, Leu3, Tea1 and Cha4.
Effective denitrification scales predictably with water residence time across diverse systems
Authors: Green Mark , Wollheim Wilfred , Basu Nandita , Gettel Gretchen , Rao P. Suresh , Morse Nathaniel , Stewart Robert 
Published: July 2019

AbstractNitrogen provides a fundamental building block for life. However, some nitrogen species (e.g., NO~3~) cause water quality degradation and contribute to climatic warming as a greenhouse gas (e.g., N~2~O). Denitrification is a central process in the nitrogen cycle, transforming water-soluble nitrogen to gaseous nitrogen, thereby removing nitrogen from the system. The factors controlling denitrification are known, yet the general quantitative comparison of controls on denitrification remains a rich area of study. Understanding the relative importance of various controls over denitrification is critical given its biological importance, role in the Earth system, and the current perturbation of the global nitrogen cycle by human activity. We demonstrate that the 'effective' denitrification rate constant (first-order constant; k~e~ [T^-1^]) and advective water transport (mean residence time; [tau] [T]) scale inversely across diverse systems, ranging from hillslopes and groundwater to large lakes and estuaries. As a result, we observe a relatively constant nitrogen removal across nine orders of magnitude in transport time scales. A central question remains as to why k~e~ scales approximately linearly with [tau]. We suggest that the variability of k~e~ arises from hydrologic masking of an intrinsic denitrification rate constant (k~den~). A two-compartment model shows how k~e~ varies with the amount of advective water, and thus [tau], explaining how denitrification losses in the reactive zone of a system are controlled by mass transfer to that reactive zone. Our finding highlights mean residence time in the advective zone as a primary control on effective rates of denitrification, while other factors (e.g., nitrate and organic carbon concentrations) provide secondary controls. Furthermore, the relationship between k~e~ and [tau] demonstrates the strong coupling of the water and nitrogen cycles.
Metarel: an Ontology to support the inferencing of Semantic Web relations within Biomedical Ontologies
Authors: Blondé Ward , Antezana Erick , De Baets Bernard , Mironov Vladimir , Kuiper Martin 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWhile OWL, the Web Ontology Language, is often regarded as the preferred language for Knowledge Representation in the world of the Semantic Web, the potential of direct representation in RDF, the Resource Description Framework, is underestimated. Here we show how ontologies adequately represented in RDF could be semantically enriched with SPARUL. To deal with the semantics of relations we created Metarel, a meta-ontology for relations. The utility of the approach is demonstrated by an application on Gene Ontology Annotation (GOA) RDF graphs in the RDF Knowledge Base BioGateway. We show that Metarel can facilitate inferencing in BioGateway, which allows for queries that are otherwise not possible. Metarel is available on http://www.metarel.org.
Logarithmic laws of echoic memory and auditory change detection in humans
Authors: Inui Koji , Urakawa Tomokazu , Yamashiro Koya , Otsuru Naofumi , Takeshima Yasuyuki , Kakigi Ryusuke 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe cortical mechanisms underlying echoic memory and change detection were investigated using an auditory change-related component (N100c) of event-related brain potentials. N100c was elicited by paired sound stimuli, a standard followed by a deviant, while subjects watched a silent movie. The amplitude of N100c elicited by a fixed sound pressure deviance (70 dB vs. 75 dB) was negatively correlated with the logarithm of the interval between the standard sound and deviant sound (1 ~ 1000 ms), while positively correlated with the logarithm of the duration of the standard sound (25 ~ 1000 ms), indicating that the temporal representation of echoic memory is logarithmic. The amplitude of N100c elicited by a deviance in sound pressure, sound frequency and sound location was correlated with the logarithm of the magnitude of physical differences between the standard and deviant sounds, suggesting that Weber-Fechner&apos;s law holds for the automatic cortical response to sound changes.
The Neuroanatomic Basis of the Acupuncture Principal Meridians
Authors: Dorsher Peter 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAcupuncture involves treating illness by inserting needles at specified body locations (acupoints). The Principal meridians are pathways that join acupoints with related physiologic effects. Despite nearly 5000 years of continuous clinical study, an accepted anatomic or physiologic basis for acupuncture&apos;s clinical effects has remained elusive. Some acupoints overlie peripheral nerves, and fMRI studies demonstrate that acupoints have specific effects on central nervous system processing. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) founders described the body&apos;s viscera based on anatomic dissections yet not a discrete nervous system. By applying computer graphics and virtual human imaging techniques to human developmental neuroanatomy, this paradox may potentially be explained: acupuncture Principal meridians likely are TCM&apos;s representation of the nervous system. This neuroanatomic model of the Principal meridians is consistent with acupuncture&apos;s known neurophysiologic effects, and may allow 5 millennia of accumulated TCM observations regarding human health and illness to be understood in modern anatomic and physiologic terms.
Public awareness of cancer in Britain: a population-based survey of adults
Authors: Robb K , Stubbings S , Ramirez A , Macleod U , Austoker J , Waller J , Hiom S , Wardle J 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
_Objective:_
To assess public awareness of cancer warning signs, anticipated delay, and perceived barriers to seeking medical advice in the British population. Methods: We carried out a population-based survey using face-to-face, computer-assisted interviews to administer the Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM), a newly-developed, validated measure of cancer awareness. The sample included 2216 adults (970 male and 1246 female) recruited as part of the Office for National Statistics Opinions Survey using stratified probability sampling.*Results:* Awareness of cancer warning signs was low when open-ended (recall) questions were used and higher with closed (recognition) questions; but on either measure, awareness was lower in those who were male, younger, and from lower socioeconomic status (SES) groups or ethnic minorities. The most commonly endorsed barriers to help-seeking were difficulty making an appointment, worry about wasting the doctor’s time and worry about what would be found. Emotional barriers were more prominent in lower SES groups and practical barriers (e.g. too busy) more prominent in higher SES groups. Anticipated delay was lower in ethnic minority and lower SES groups. In multivariate analysis, higher symptom awareness was associated with lower anticipated delay, and more barriers with greater anticipated delay.

Conclusions:

A combination of public education about symptoms and empowerment to seek medical advice, as well as support at primary care level, could enhance early presentation and improve cancer outcomes.
Theoretical studies on the pK~a~ values of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids: Chain helicity
Authors: Rayne Sierra , Forest Kaya 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSemiempirical, ab initio, and density functional theory (DFT) studies were conducted on a homologous series of straight chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) ranging in chain length from C~1~ (trifluoroacetic acid; TFA) to C~9~ (perfluorodecanoic acid). Regardless of perfluoroalkyl chain length and computational method and level employed, no significant change in the electrostatic or steric characteristics of the carboxylate head group was found between C~2~ and C~9~. Application of a thermodynamic cycle to calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2p) level provided an accurate prediction of the experimental monomeric pK~a~ for TFA. At this – and similar – levels of theory, monomeric pK~a~ values of longer straight chain PFCAs are expected to display no significant increase with increasing chain length, having a relatively constant pK~a~ value of about 0 that is in excellent agreement with earlier predictions and with recent experimental evidence. Contrary to previous claims, perfluoroalkyl chain helicity does not appear to result in increased monomeric PFCA pK~a~ values at chain lengths >5 perfluorocarbons.