bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The ICP27 Homology Domain of the Human Cytomegalovirus Protein UL69 Adopts a Dimer-of-Dimers Structure
Authors: Tunnicliffe Richard B. , Collins Richard F. , Ruiz Nivia Hilda D. , Sandri-Goldin Rozanne M. , Golovanov Alexander P. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACT
The UL69 protein from human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a multifunctional regulatory protein and a member of the ICP27 protein family conserved throughout herpesviruses. UL69 plays many roles during productive infection, including the regulation of viral gene expression, nuclear export of intronless viral RNAs, and control of host cell cycle progression. Throughout the ICP27 protein family, an ability to self-associate is correlated with the functions of these proteins in transactivating certain viral genes. Here, we determined the domain boundaries of a globular ICP27 homology domain of UL69, which mediates self-association, and characterized the oligomeric state of the isolated domain. Size exclusion chromatography coupled with multiangle light scattering (SEC-MALS) revealed that residues 200 to 540 form a stable homo-tetramer, whereas a shorter region comprising residues 248 to 536 forms a homo-dimer. Structural analysis of the UL69 tetramer by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed a dimer-of-dimers three-dimensional envelope with bridge features likely from a region of the protein unique to betaherpesviruses. The data provide a structural template for tetramerization and improve our understanding of the structural diversity and features necessary for self-association within UL69 and the ICP27 family.

IMPORTANCE
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is widespread in the human population but typically remains dormant in an asymptomatic latent state. HCMV causes disease in neonates and adults with suppressed or impaired immune function, as the virus is activated into a lytic state. All species of herpesvirus express a protein from the ICP27 family which functions as a posttranscriptional activator in the lytic state. In HCMV, this protein is called UL69. The region of sequence conservation in the ICP27 family is a folded domain that mediates protein interactions, including self-association and functions in transactivation. All members thus far analyzed homo-dimerize, with the exception of UL69, which forms higher-order oligomers. Here, we use biochemical and structural data to reveal that UL69 forms stable tetramers composed of a dimer of dimers and determine a region essential for cross-dimer stabilization.
Subtree Isomorphism Revisited
Authors: Abboud Amir , Backurs Arturs , Hansen Thomas Dueholm , Vassilevska Williams Virginia , Zamir Or 
Published: June 2018

The
Subtree Isomorphism
problem asks whether a given tree is contained in another given tree. The problem is of fundamental importance and has been studied since the 1960s. For some variants, e.g.,
ordered trees
, near-linear time algorithms are known, but for the general case truly subquadratic algorithms remain elusive.

Our first result is a reduction from the Orthogonal Vectors problem to Subtree Isomorphism, showing that a truly subquadratic algorithm for the latter refutes the Strong Exponential Time Hypothesis (SETH).
In light of this conditional lower bound, we focus on natural special cases for which no truly subquadratic algorithms are known. We classify these cases against the quadratic barrier, showing in particular that:
• Even for binary, rooted trees, a truly subquadratic algorithm refutes SETH.

• Even for rooted trees of depth
O
(log log
n
), where
n
is the total number of vertices, a truly subquadratic algorithm refutes SETH.

• For every constant
d
, there is a constant ε

d

> 0 and a randomized, truly subquadratic algorithm for degree-
d
rooted trees of depth at most (1+ ε

d

) log

d

n
. In particular, there is an
O
(min { 2.85

h

,
n
2
}) algorithm for binary trees of depth
h
.

Our reductions utilize new “tree gadgets” that are likely useful for future SETH-based lower bounds for problems on trees. Our upper bounds apply a folklore result from randomized decision tree complexity.
Deterministic Algorithms for Submodular Maximization Problems
Authors: Buchbinder Niv , Feldman Moran 
Published: June 2018

Randomization is a fundamental tool used in many theoretical and practical areas of computer science. We study here the role of randomization in the area of submodular function maximization. In this area, most algorithms are randomized, and in almost all cases the approximation ratios obtained by current randomized algorithms are superior to the best results obtained by known deterministic algorithms. Derandomization of algorithms for general submodular function maximization seems hard since the access to the function is done via a value oracle. This makes it hard, for example, to apply standard derandomization techniques such as conditional expectations. Therefore, an interesting fundamental problem in this area is whether randomization is inherently necessary for obtaining good approximation ratios.
In this work, we give evidence that randomization is not necessary for obtaining good algorithms by presenting a new technique for derandomization of algorithms for submodular function maximization. Our high level idea is to maintain explicitly a (small) distribution over the states of the algorithm, and carefully update it using marginal values obtained from an extreme point solution of a suitable linear formulation. We demonstrate our technique on two recent algorithms for unconstrained submodular maximization and for maximizing a submodular function subject to a cardinality constraint. In particular, for unconstrained submodular maximization we obtain an optimal deterministic 1/2-approximation showing that randomization is unnecessary for obtaining optimal results for this setting.
Proteomic Architecture of Human Coronary and Aortic Atherosclerosis
Authors: Herrington David M. , Mao Chunhong , Parker Sarah J. , Fu Zongming , Yu Guoqiang , Chen Lulu , Venkatraman Vidya , Fu Yi , Wang Yizhi , Howard Timothy D. , Jun Goo , Zhao Caroline F. , Liu Yongmei , Saylor Georgia , Spivia Weston R. , Athas Grace B. , Troxclair Dana , Hixson James E. , Vander Heide Richard S. , Wang Yue , Van Eyk Jennifer E. 
Published: June 2018

Backgound:
The inability to detect premature atherosclerosis significantly hinders implementation of personalized therapy to prevent coronary heart disease. A comprehensive understanding of arterial protein networks and how they change in early atherosclerosis could identify new biomarkers for disease detection and improved therapeutic targets.

Methods:
Here we describe the human arterial proteome and proteomic features strongly associated with early atherosclerosis based on mass spectrometry analysis of coronary artery and aortic specimens from 100 autopsied young adults (200 arterial specimens). Convex analysis of mixtures, differential dependent network modeling, and bioinformatic analyses defined the composition, network rewiring, and likely regulatory features of the protein networks associated with early atherosclerosis and how they vary across 2 anatomic distributions.

Results:
The data document significant differences in mitochondrial protein abundance between coronary and aortic samples (coronary>>aortic), and between atherosclerotic and normal tissues (atherosclerotic<<normal), and major alterations in tumor necrosis factor, insulin receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ protein networks, as well, in the setting of early disease. In addition, a subset of tissue protein biomarkers indicative of early atherosclerosis was shown to predict anatomically defined coronary atherosclerosis when measured in plasma samples in a separate clinical cohort (area under the curve=0.92 [0.83–0.96]), thereby validating the use of human tissue proteomics to discover relevant plasma biomarkers for clinical applications. In addition to the specific proteins and pathways identified here, the publicly available data resource and the analysis pipeline used illustrate a strategy for interrogating and interpreting the proteomic architecture of tissues that may be relevant for other chronic diseases characterized by multicellular tissue phenotypes.

Conclusions:
The human arterial proteome can be viewed as a complex network whose architectural features vary considerably as a function of anatomic location and the presence or absence of atherosclerosis. The data suggest important reductions in mitochondrial protein abundance in early atherosclerosis and also identify a subset of plasma proteins that are highly predictive of angiographically defined coronary disease.
Beyond Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes
Authors: Grossberg Jonathan A. , Rebello Leticia C. , Haussen Diogo C. , Bouslama Mehdi , Bowen Meredith , Barreira Clara M. , Belagaje Samir R. , Frankel Michael R. , Nogueira Raul G. 
Published: June 2018

Background and Purpose—
Endovascular therapy is the standard of care for the treatment of proximal large vessel occlusion strokes. Its safety and efficacy in the treatment of distal intracranial occlusions has not been well studied.

Methods—
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Retrospective review of a prospectively collected endovascular database (2010–2015, n=949) for all patients with distal intracranial occlusions treated endovascularly. Distal occlusions were defined as any segment of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA), posterior cerebral artery, or occlusion at or distal to the middle cerebral artery (MCA)-M3 opercular segment.

Results—
Distal occlusions were treated in 69 patients. The mean age was 66.7±15.8 and 57% were male. Patients (29 [42%]) received intravenous tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator). The median preprocedure National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 18 (interquartile range, 13–23). The distal occlusion was the primary treatment location in 45 patients, in 23 patients the distal occlusion was treated as a rescue strategy after successful treatment of a proximal large vessel occlusion strokes, and 1 patient had both primary and rescue treatment. The locations of the primary cases were MCA-M3 (n=21), ACA alone (n=8), ACA with a concomitant MCA-M1 or MCA-M2 (n=10), ACA with a concomitant MCA-M3 (n=3), and posterior cerebral artery (n=3). The locations of the rescue cases were MCA-M3 (n=11), ACA (n=7), posterior cerebral artery (n=4), and both MCA-M3 and ACA (n=1). There was a single patient with primary ACA and MCA-M2 occlusions treated, who then had a rescue MCA-M3 thrombectomy addressed after initial reperfusion. The most common treatment modalities used were stent-retrievers (n=37, 54%), intra-arterial tPA (n=36, 52%), and thromboaspiration (n=31, 45%). Near complete or complete reperfusion of the distal territory (modified Treatment In Cerebral Ischemia [mTICI] 2b-3) was achieved in 57 cases (83%). Three parenchymal hematomas (4%) occurred in the territory of the treated distal occlusion with 2 of these patients also receiving intravenous tPA. At 90 days, 21 patients (30%) had a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2 and 14 (20%) had died.

Conclusions—
Distal intracranial occlusions can be treated safely and successfully with endovascular therapy. These results need to be corroborated by larger prospective controlled studies.
Evaluation of TOPMODEL-Based Land Surface–Atmosphere Transfer Scheme (TOPLATS) through a Soil Moisture Simulation
Authors: Fu Xiaolei , Luo Lifeng , Pan Ming , Yu Zhongbo , Tang Ying , Ding Yongjian 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
Better quantification of the spatiotemporal distribution of soil moisture across different spatial scales contributes significantly to the understanding of land surface processes on the Earth as an integrated system. While observational data for root-zone soil moisture (RZSM) often have sparse spatial coverage, model-simulated soil moisture may provide a useful alternative. TOPMODEL-Based Land Surface–Atmosphere Transfer Scheme (TOPLATS) has been widely studied and actively modified in recent years, while a detailed regional application with evaluation currently is still lacking. Thus, TOPLATS was used to generate high-resolution (30 arc s) RZSM based on coarse-scale (0.125°) forcing data over part of the Arkansas–Red River basin. First, the simulated RZSM was resampled to coarse scale to compare with the results of Mosaic, Noah, and VIC from NLDAS. Second, TOPLATS performance was assessed based on the spatial absolute difference among the models. The comparison shows that TOPLATS performance is similar to VIC, but different from Mosaic and Noah. Last, the simulated RZSM was compared with in situ observations of 16 stations in the study area. The results suggest that the simulated spatial distribution of RZSM is largely consistent with the distribution of topographic index (TI) in most instances, as topography was traditionally considered a major, but not the only, factor in horizontal redistribution of soil moisture. In addition, the finer-resolution RZSM can reflect the in situ soil moisture change at most local sites to a certain degree. The evaluation confirms that TOPLATS is a useful tool to estimate high-resolution soil moisture and has great potential to provide regional soil moisture estimates.
Effects of Low-Level Flow Orientation and Vertical Shear on the Structure and Intensity of Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Chen Buo-Fu , Davis Christopher A. , Kuo Ying-Hwa 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
This article explores the simultaneous effect of vertical wind shear (VWS) and low-level mean flow (LMF) on tropical cyclone (TC) structure evolution. The structural evolution of 180 western North Pacific TCs from 2002 to 2014 was measured by a new parameter, the RV ratio, which is defined as the ratio of a TC’s radius of 34-kt (17.5 m s−1) wind to its maximum wind speed at the ending point of the intensification period. Whereas TCs with RV ratios in the lowest quartile of all 180 samples favored intensification over expansion, and 82% of these TCs experienced rapid intensification, TCs with RV ratios in the topmost quartile favored size expansion over intensification. A novel result of this study is that TC RV ratios were found to correlate with the LMF orientation relative to the deep-layer VWS vector. Specifically, whereas an LMF directed toward the left-of-shear orientation favors TC intensification, a right-of-shear LMF favors TC size expansion. This study further analyzed the TC rainfall asymmetry and asymmetric surface flow using satellite observations. Results show that for a TC affected by an LMF with right-of-shear orientation, the positive surface flux anomaly in the upshear outer region promotes convection in the downshear rainband region. On the other hand, a left-of-shear LMF induces a positive surface flux anomaly in the downshear outer region, thus promoting convection in the upshear inner core. Enhancement of the symmetric inner-core convection favors intensification, whereas enhancement of the downshear rainband favors expansion.
Epidemiology of Swallowing Disorders in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Quality of Life Burden
Authors: Roy Nelson , Tanner Kristine M. , Merrill Ray M. , Wright Charisse , Pierce Jenny L. , Miller Karla L. 
Published: June 2018

Objective: This investigation examined the prevalence, symptoms, risk factors, and quality-of-life burden of swallowing disorders in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic, progressive autoimmune inflammatory disease. Methods: One hundred individuals with RA (84 women, 16 men; mean age = 61.1 years, SD = 13.1) were interviewed regarding the presence, nature, and impact of swallowing symptoms and disorders. Associations between swallowing disorders, medical factors, RA disease severity, and quality of life were examined. Results: Forty-one percent of participants reported a current swallowing disorder that began gradually and was longstanding (most experiencing symptoms on a daily basis for at least 4 years). Symptoms compatible with solid food dysphagia contributed disproportionately to reporting a current swallowing disorder. Risk factors for dysphagia included a self-reported voice disorder, thyroid problems, esophageal reflux, and being physically inactive. Swallowing disorders increased with self-reported RA disease severity and contributed to a significantly greater burden on overall quality of life. Conclusion: Chronic, longstanding swallowing disorders are common in individuals with RA and appear to increase with disease severity. Those individuals with dysphagia reported greater reductions in quality of life as compared to those without, highlighting the need for improved awareness, exploration, and management of swallowing disorders in this population.
Characterising micro-channel absorber plates for building integrated solar thermal collectors
Authors: Oyinlola MA , Shire GSF 
Published: June 2018

This paper discusses the characterisation of micro-channel absorber plates for compact flat plate solar thermal collectors, which are suitable for building integration. Experimental and computational studies were carried out at typical operating conditions for flat plate solar collectors. Three-dimensional numerical analysis using commercial CFD package, ANSYS CFX, showed that heat transfer occurred on only three surfaces of the channel and there was a peripheral variation of the heat flux density. It was also observed that axial thermal conduction could modify the surface boundary at the inlet and outlet; however, the middle section of the channel could be approximated as a rectangular channel with three walls transferring heat under an H1 boundary condition. Experimental studies were used to estimate the standard parameters for predicting performance of the flat plate collectors, which indicated promising performance results. The collector flow factor F″ and the heat removal factor could be improved by increasing the collector capacitance rate; this can be achieved by increasing the mass flow rate per collector area [Formula: see text] as well as reducing the overall heat loss, UL. This analysis is important for optimising design and operating parameters, especially to minimise temperature gradient in the transverse and longitudinal directions. Practical application: The proposed compact micro-channel absorber plate has the potential to make flat plate collectors more efficient, cheaper and aesthetically attractive in building integration. It could therefore promote the uptake of solar thermal collectors in buildings. The analysis presented in this study would be beneficial for optimising the design and operating parameters of building integrated solar thermal collectors with micro-channels.
Compliance with the safety guidelines for long-term lithium treatment in Sweden
Authors: Golic Mihaela , Aiff Harald , Attman Per-Ola , Ramsauer Bernd , Schön Staffan , Svedlund Jan 
Published: June 2018

Background: Lithium has been used for more than 50 years and guidelines for treatment monitoring have been documented in Sweden since the beginning of the 1980s. Aims: The aim of this study was to describe compliance over time with the Swedish guidelines for long-term lithium treatment. Methods: The study material was obtained from Sahlgrenska University Hospital’s laboratory database. We analysed data (serum lithium and serum creatinine) of adult patients treated with lithium between 1981 and 2010, and determined compliance with guidelines and serum lithium levels over time. Results: Our study material included 2841 patients and 25,300 treatment-years. The compliance with guidelines’ recommendations regarding lithium and creatinine monitoring increased from 36% in 1981 to 68% in 2010. Women were on average 2% more compliant than men ( p < 0.01). Most lithium samples (87–94%) were within recommended intervals throughout the study period. The average lithium level decreased from 0.70 mmol/L in 1981 to 0.58 mmol/L in 2001, and remained stable thereafter. Conclusions: Compliance with lithium monitoring guidelines improved slowly but steadily over time. It took three decades to reach a compliance rate of just below 70%. Gender differences were small, but with a significantly better compliance rate for women. Serum lithium was kept within the recommended target interval to a large extent, throughout the study period.
Retrieval of a periodontally compromised tooth by allogeneic grafting of mesenchymal stem cells from dental pulp: A case report
Authors: Hernández-Monjaraz Beatriz , Santiago-Osorio Edelmiro , Ledesma-Martínez Edgar , Alcauter-Zavala Andrés , Mendoza-Núñez Víctor Manuel 
Published: June 2018

Objective To report a case of successful allogeneic grafting of mesenchymal dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) as preliminary findings in a patient with periodontal disease enrolled into clinical trial ISRCTN12831118. Methods Mesenchymal stem cells from the dental pulp of a deciduous tooth from a 7-year-old donor were separated from the pulp chamber and processed via enzymatic digestion and centrifugation. DPSCs were passaged and cultured on a 35 × 13 mm culture dish in minimum essential medium-alpha, without supplementation. After reaching 80% confluency, 5 x 106 allogeneic DPSCs in 250 µl phosphate buffered saline were seeded onto a dry scaffold of lyophilized collagen-polyvinylpyrrolidone sponge placed in the left lower premolar area of a 61-year-old patient with periodontal disease. Surgical access to the lower premolar area was achieved using the flap technique. Results At 3 and 6 months following allogeneic graft, the patient showed no sign of rejection and exhibited decreases in tooth mobility, periodontal pocket depth and bone defect area. Bone mineral density had increased at the graft site. Conclusions Regenerative periodontal therapy using DPSCs of allogeneic origin may be a promising treatment for periodontal disease-induced bone defects.
Elevated Krüppel-like factor 5 expression in spatiotemporal mouse lungs is similar to human congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lungs
Authors: Wang Xueyan , Wan Huajing , Yang Shuo , Zhou Rong , Liao Yong , Wang Fan , Chen Ximin , Wu Zhiling 
Published: June 2018

Objective The study aimed to investigate the role of high Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) expression on the pathogenesis of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lungs (CCAML) in mice. Methods A mouse model of high KLF5 expression in the lungs was established. KLF5 expression and the pulmonary lumen diameter were examined by immunohistochemistry to determine a successful model. Basement membrane damage and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were examined. After an adenovirus carrying KLF5 gene transfection in lung adenocarcinoma (H441) was created, changes in expression and activity of MMP-9 were determined. Results In a mouse model with high KLF5 expression, the pulmonary lumen was markedly enlarged, indicating establishment of CCAML. The basement membrane was degraded, and MMP-9 activity was significantly higher in the model group compared with the control group. Moreover, mice in a cellular model after transfection also showed higher MMP-9 activity than did controls. Conclusion High KLF5 expression may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of CCAML, partly through regulating the activity of MMP-9.