bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aggregation characteristics of protein during wheat flour maturation
Authors: Wang Na , Ma Sen , Li Li , Zheng Xueling 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe protein aggregation characteristics of three types of freshly milled wheat flour with high, medium or low gluten were investigated during 90 days of maturation. Changes in the content and particle size of the glutenin macropolymer (GMP), contents of sulfhydryl groups and disulfide bonds (SS), and secondary structure and molecular weight distribution of the protein were determined.RESULTSFor high, medium and low gluten flour, GMP content increased to 22.25, 13.72 and 10.32 g kg−1; free sulfhydryl group content decreased by 5.5%, 4.1% and 4.4%; and SS content increased by 1.6%, 1.8% and 2%, respectively. The proportion of β‐sheet and random coil increased, and the proportion of α‐helix and β‐turns decreased. The polymeric protein content increased, whereas that of gliadin decreased.CONCLUSIONProtein aggregation mediated by SS cross‐linking helped develop a stronger gluten network. The findings provide theoretical support for the changes in protein structure during flour maturation and also help to predict the quality of wheat flour and its products. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Redefining and reinvigorating the role of physics in clinical medicine: A Report from the AAPM Medical Physics 3.0 Ad Hoc Committee
Authors: Samei Ehsan , Pawlicki Todd , Bourland Daniel , Chin Erika , Das Shiva , Fox Mary , Freedman D Jay , Hangiandreou Nicholas , Jordan David , Martin Melissa , Miller Robin , Pavlicek William , Pavord Daniel , Schober Lisa , Thomadsen Bruce , Whelan Brendan 
Published: July 2018

Derived from 2 yr of deliberations and community engagement, Medical Physics 3.0 (MP3.0) is an effort commissioned by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) to devise a framework of strategies by which medical physicists can maintain and improve their integral roles in, and contributions to, health care and its innovation under conditions of rapid change and uncertainty. Toward that goal, MP3.0 advocates a broadened and refreshed model of sustainable excellence by which medical physicists can and should contribute to health care. The overarching conviction of MP3.0 is that every healthcare facility can benefit from medical physics and every patient's care can be improved by a medical physicist. This large and expansive challenge necessitates a range of strategies specific to each area of medical physics: clinical practice, research, product development, and education. The present paper offers a summary of the Phase 1 deliberations of the MP3.0 initiative pertaining to strategic directions of the discipline primarily but not exclusively oriented toward the clinical practice of medical physics in the United States.
The Distribution of Identity and the Future of International Order: China's Hegemonic Prospects
Authors: Allan Bentley B. , Vucetic Srdjan , Hopf Ted 
Published: July 2018

AbstractExisting theories predict that the rise of China will trigger a hegemonic transition and the current debate centers on whether or not the transition will be violent or peaceful. This debate largely sidesteps two questions that are central to understanding the future of international order: how strong is the current Western hegemonic order and what is the likelihood that China can or will lead a successful counterhegemonic challenge? We argue that the future of international order is shaped not only by material power but also by the distribution of identity across the great powers. We develop a constructivist account of hegemonic transition and stability that theorizes the role of the distribution of identity in international order. In our account, hegemonic orders depend on a legitimating ideology that must be consistent with the distribution of identity at the level of both elites and masses. We map the distribution of identity across nine great powers and assess how this distribution supports the current Western neoliberal democratic hegemony. We conclude that China is unlikely to become the hegemon in the near term.
Clinical pharmacology considerations for children supported with ventricular assist devices
Authors: Sherwin Jennifer , Thompson Elizabeth , Hill Kevin D. , Watt Kevin , Lodge Andrew J. , Gonzalez Daniel , Hornik Christoph P. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe ventricular assist device is being increasingly used as a “bridge-to-transplant” option in children with heart failure who have failed medical management. Care for this medically complex population must be optimised, including through concomitant pharmacotherapy. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic alterations affecting pharmacotherapy are increasingly discovered in children supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, another form of mechanical circulatory support. Similarities between extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and ventricular assist devices support the hypothesis that similar alterations may exist in ventricular assist device-supported patients. We conducted a literature review to assess the current data available on pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics in children with ventricular assist devices. We found two adult and no paediatric pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies in ventricular assist device-supported patients. While mechanisms may be partially extrapolated from children supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, dedicated investigation of the paediatric ventricular assist device population is crucial given the inherent differences between the two forms of mechanical circulatory support, and pathophysiology that is unique to these patients. Commonly used drugs such as anticoagulants and antibiotics have narrow therapeutic windows with devastating consequences if under-dosed or over-dosed. Clinical studies are urgently needed to improve outcomes and maximise the potential of ventricular assist devices in this vulnerable population.
Cell fate potentials and switching kinetics uncovered in a classic bistable genetic switch
Authors: Fang Xiaona , Liu Qiong , Bohrer Christopher , Hensel Zach , Han Wei , Wang Jin , Xiao Jie 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBistable switches are common gene regulatory motifs directing two mutually exclusive cell fates. Theoretical studies suggest that bistable switches are sufficient to encode more than two cell fates without rewiring the circuitry due to the non-equilibrium, heterogeneous cellular environment. However, such a scenario has not been experimentally observed. Here by developing a new, dual single-molecule gene-expression reporting system, we find that for the two mutually repressing transcription factors CI and Cro in the classic bistable bacteriophage λ switch, there exist two new production states, in which neither CI nor Cro is produced, or both CI and Cro are produced. We construct the corresponding potential landscape and map the transition kinetics among the four production states. These findings uncover cell fate potentials beyond the classical picture of bistable switches, and open a new window to explore the genetic and environmental origins of the cell fate decision-making process in gene regulatory networks.
Downregulated NDR1 protein kinase inhibits innate immune response by initiating an miR146a-STAT1 feedback loop
Authors: Liu Zhiyong , Qin Qiang , Wu Cheng , Li Hui , Shou Jia’nan , Yang Yuting , Gu Meidi , Ma Chunmei , Lin Wenlong , Zou Yan , Zhang Yuanyuan , Ma Feng , Sun Jihong , Wang Xiaojian 
Published: July 2018

AbstractInterferon (IFN)-stimulated genes (ISGs) play crucial roles in the antiviral immune response; however, IFNs also induce negative regulators that attenuate the antiviral response. Here, we show that both viral and bacterial invasion downregulate Nuclear Dbf2-related kinase 1 (NDR1) expression via the type I IFN signaling pathway. NDR1 promotes the virus-induced production of type I IFN, proinflammatory cytokines and ISGs in a kinase-independent manner. NDR1 deficiency also renders mice more susceptible to viral and bacterial infections. Mechanistically, NDR1 enhances STAT1 translation by directly binding to the intergenic region of miR146a, thereby inhibiting miR146a expression and liberating STAT1 from miR146a-mediated translational inhibition. Furthermore, STAT1 binds to the miR146a promoter, thus decreasing its expression. Together, our results suggest that NDR1 promotion of STAT1 translation is an important event for IFN-dependent antiviral immune response, and suggest that NDR1 has an important role in controlling viral infections.
Altered protein turnover signaling and myogenesis during impaired recovery of inflammation-induced muscle atrophy in emphysematous mice
Authors: Ceelen Judith J. M. , Schols Annemie M. W. J. , Kneppers Anita E. M. , Rosenbrand Roger P. H. A. , Drożdż Magda M. , van Hoof Stefan J. , de Theije Chiel C. , Kelders Marco C. J. M. , Verhaegen Frank , Langen Ramon C. J. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractExacerbations in Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are often accompanied by pulmonary and systemic inflammation, and are associated with an increased susceptibility to weight loss and muscle wasting. As the emphysematous phenotype in COPD appears prone to skeletal muscle wasting, the aims of this study were to evaluate in emphysematous compared to control mice following repetitive exacerbations (1) changes in muscle mass and strength and, (2) whether muscle mass recovery and its underlying processes are impaired. Emphysema was induced by intra-tracheal (IT) elastase instillations, followed by three weekly IT-LPS instillations to mimic repetitive exacerbations. Loss of muscle mass and strength were measured, and related to analyses of muscle protein turnover and myogenesis signaling in tissue collected during and following recovery. Emphysematous mice showed impaired muscle mass recovery in response to pulmonary inflammation-induced muscle atrophy. Proteolysis and protein synthesis signaling remained significantly higher in emphysematous mice during recovery from LPS. Myogenic signaling in skeletal muscle was altered, and fusion capacity of cultured muscle cells treated with plasma derived from LPS-treated emphysematous mice was significantly decreased. In conclusion, repetitive cycles of pulmonary inflammation elicit sustained muscle wasting in emphysematous mice due to impaired muscle mass recovery, which is accompanied by aberrant myogenesis.
Mass spawning by the date mussel Lithophaga lithophaga
Authors: Žuljević Ante , Despalatović Marija , Cvitković Ivan , Morton Brian , Antolić Boris 
Published: July 2018

AbstractLithophaga lithophaga is one of the commonest bivalves in the Mediterranean Sea and is present in almost every subtidal calcareous rock. Its reproductive cycle is known only from laboratory studies. Herein, we present data on the species reproductive activities based on localised but mass synchronized spawning events. The species reproduces at the end of the northern hemisphere summer and the majority of significant spawning events occur during the period between full moon and its last quarter. Calm seas are an important pre-requisite for the development of such co-ordinated mass spawning events. ‘Gamete to gamete’ induction seems to be the most likely proximate cue in synchronising gamete release. Spawning begins with a few individuals but spreads progressively along the coastline. In observed situations, reproductive waves finally affect between 10 and >400 m of coastline from 0 to 10 m depth and last longer than three days. In the reproductive zone, dense gamete clouds reduce visibility to zero over tens of metres along the shallow sea bed. No spawning events of such dimensions have been reported upon before for any bivalve.
Calibration of force detection for arbitrarily shaped particles in optical tweezers
Authors: Bui Ann A. M. , Kashchuk Anatolii V. , Balanant Marie Anne , Nieminen Timo A. , Rubinsztein-Dunlop Halina , Stilgoe Alexander B. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractForce measurement with an optical trap requires calibration of it. With a suitable detector, such as a position-sensitive detector (PSD), it is possible to calibrate the detector so that the force can be measured for arbitrary particles and arbitrary beams without further calibration; such a calibration can be called an “absolute calibration”. Here, we present a simple method for the absolute calibration of a PSD. Very often, paired position and force measurements are required, and even if synchronous measurements are possible with the position and force detectors used, knowledge of the force–position curve for the particle in the trap can be highly beneficial. Therefore, we experimentally demonstrate methods for determining the force–position curve with and without synchronous force and position measurements, beyond the Hookean (linear) region of the trap. Unlike the absolute calibration of the force and position detectors, the force–position curve depends on the particle and the trapping beam, and needs to be determined in each individual case. We demonstrate the robustness of our absolute calibration by measuring optical forces on microspheres as commonly trapped in optical tweezers, and other particles such a birefringent vaterite microspheres, red blood cells, and a deformable “blob”.
Peptide Sequence Influence on the Conformational Dynamics and DNA binding of the Intrinsically Disordered AT-Hook 3 Peptide
Authors: Garabedian Alyssa , Bolufer Alexander , Leng Fenfei , Fernandez-Lima Francisco 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe intrinsically disordered ATHP3 was studied at native conditions and in complex with DNA using single amino acid substitutions and high-resolution ion mobility spectrometry coupled to mass spectrometry (trapped IMS-MS). Results showed that ATHP3 can exist in multiple conformations at native conditions (at least 10 conformers were separated), with a variety of proline cis/trans orientations, side chain orientations and protonation sites. When in complex with AT rich DNA hairpins, the -RGRP- core is essential for stabilizing the ATHP3: DNA complex. In particular, the arginine in the sixth position plays an important role during binding to AT-rich regions of hairpin DNA, in good agreement with previous NMR and X-ray data. Mobility based correlation matrices are proposed as a way to reveal differences in structural motifs across the peptide mutants based on the conformational space and relative conformer abundance.
Clustering and separation of hydrophobic nanoparticles in lipid bilayer explained by membrane mechanics
Authors: Daniel Matej , Řezníčková Jitka , Handl Milan , Iglič Aleš , Kralj-Iglič Veronika 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSmall hydrophobic gold nanoparticles with diameter lower than the membrane thickness can form clusters or uniformly distribute within the hydrophobic core of the bilayer. The coexistence of two stable phases (clustered and dispersed) indicates the energy barrier between nanoparticles. We calculated the distance dependence of the membrane-mediated interaction between two adjacent nanoparticles. In our model we consider two deformation modes: the monolayer bending and the hydroxycarbon chain stretching. Existence of an energy barrier between the clustered and the separated state of nanoparticles was predicted. Variation analysis of the membrane mechanical parameters revealed that the energy barrier between two membrane embedded nanoparticles is mainly the consequence of the bending deformation and not change of the thickness of the bilayer in the vicinity of nanoparticles. It is shown, that the forces between the nanoparticles embedded in the biological membrane could be either attractive or repulsive, depending on the mutual distance between them.
Association between low-grade inflammation and Breast cancer and B-cell Myeloma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: findings from two prospective cohorts
Authors: Berger Eloise , Delpierre Cyrille , Hosnijeh Fatemeh Saberi , Kelly-Irving Michelle , Portengen Lutzen , Bergdahl Ingvar A. , Johansson Ann-Sofie , Krogh Vittorio , Palli Domenico , Panico Salvatore , Sacerdote Carlotta , Tumino Rosario , Kyrtopoulos Soterios A. , Vineis Paolo , Chadeau-Hyam Marc , Vermeulen Roel , Castagné Raphaële ,   EnviroGenoMarkers, Melin Beatrice , Lenner Per , Bendinelli Benedetta , Botsivali Maria , Chatziioannou Aristotelis , Valavanis Ioannis , Bodinier Barbara , Garrido-Manriquez Javiera , Athersuch Toby J. , Liquet Benoît , Lokhorst Henk , Georgiadis Panagiotis , Kleinjans Jos C. S. , de Kok Theo M. C. M. , Keun Hector C. , Kelly Rachel , Hallmans Goran , Stephanou Euripides G. , Myridakis Antonis , Kogevinas Manolis , Fazzo Lucia , De Santis Marco , Comba Pietro , Kiviranta Hannu , Rantakokko Panu , Airaksinen Riikka , Ruokojarvi Paivi , Gilthorpe Mark , Fleming Sarah , Fleming Thomas , Tu Yu-Kang , Lundh Thomas , Chien Kuo-Liong , Chen Wei J. , Lee Wen-Chung , Hsiao Chuhsing Kate , Kuo Po-Hsiu , Hung Hung , Liao Shu-Fen 
Published: July 2018

AbstractChronic inflammation may be involved in cancer development and progression. Using 28 inflammatory-related proteins collected from prospective blood samples from two case-control studies nested in the Italian component of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition (n = 261) and in the Northern Sweden Health and Disease Study (n = 402), we tested the hypothesis that an inflammatory score is associated with breast cancer (BC) and Β-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-cell NHL, including 68 multiple myeloma cases) onset. We modelled the relationship between this inflammatory score and the two cancers studied: (BC and B-cell NHL) using generalised linear models, and assessed, through adjustments the role of behaviours and lifestyle factors. Analyses were performed by cancer types pooling both populations, and stratified by cohorts, and time to diagnosis. Our results suggested a lower inflammatory score in B-cell NHL cases (β = −1.28, p = 0.012), and, to lesser, extent with BC (β = −0.96, p = 0.33) compared to controls, mainly driven by cancer cases diagnosed less than 6 years after enrolment. These associations were not affected by subsequent adjustments for potential intermediate confounders, notably behaviours. Sensitivity analyses indicated that our findings were not affected by the way the inflammatory score was calculated. These observations call for further studies involving larger populations, larger variety of cancer types and repeated measures of larger panel of inflammatory markers.
The Oddity of Heterogeneity: A Blessing in Disguise
Authors: Lin Yuhui 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDamage accumulation is widely accepted as the central dogma of ageing, and it has been a long-standing belief that tobacco smokers must experience a faster rate of ageing than non-smokers. It is therefore puzzling as to why proportional hazard model is a popular choice in longitudinal studies given that its assumption assumes a constant hazard with increasing time. If the rate of ageing is accelerated, the hazard gradient of smokersd(log(μ(x)))/dxobtained from frailty parametric fit has to be steeper than non-smokers. This study examines the relative derivative for mortalityd(log(μ(x)))/dxof British doctors born 1900–1909, and obtained estimates indicate that the rate of ageing is similar between smokers and non-smokers. A brief theorem is also elaborated to present the difference in life-years gained from interventions and policies by life-detrimental risk exposure;e.g. smokers 0.8; non-smokers 5.3 mins/day. The controversial assumption made in the central dogma of ageing, heterogeneity axiom and the application of proportional hazard models are unveiled in this condensed parametric analyses.
Parkinson’s disease and bacteriophages as its overlooked contributors
Authors: Tetz George , Brown Stuart M. , Hao Yuhan , Tetz Victor 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRecent studies suggest that alterations in the gut phagobiota may contribute to pathophysiological processes in mammals; however, the association of bacteriophage community structure with Parkinson’s disease (PD) has not been yet characterized. Towards this end, we used a published dataset to analyse bacteriophage composition and determine the phage/bacteria ratio in faecal samples from drug-naive PD patients and healthy participants. Our analyses revealed significant alterations in the representation of certain bacteriophages in the phagobiota of PD patients. We identified shifts of the phage/bacteria ratio in lactic acid bacteria known to produce dopamine and regulate intestinal permeability, which are major factors implicated in PD pathogenesis. Furthermore, we observed the depletion of Lactococcus spp. in the PD group, which was most likely due to the increase of lytic c2-like and 936-like lactococcal phages frequently present in dairy products. Our findings add bacteriophages to the list of possible factors associated with the development of PD, suggesting that gut phagobiota composition may serve as a diagnostic tool as well as a target for therapeutic intervention, which should be confirmed in further studies. Our results open a discussion on the role of environmental phages and phagobiota composition in health and disease.
Incidence of bladder cancer in Benghazi, Libya over the past three decades
Authors: Saheb Sharif-Askari Narjes , Bendardaf Riyad , Saheb Sharif-Askari Fatemeh , El Tabbal Abdalla M. , El Ayan Mohamed A. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThere are limited data on the disease of bladder cancer in Libya. The objective of this study was to assess the pattern of incidence and clinical presentation of bladder cancer in Benghazi, Libya. This study was a retrospective cohort analysis conducted among consecutive individuals who were diagnosed and/or were treated for bladder cancer from January 1st 1983 to December 31st 2009. A total of 835 cases of bladder tumour were recorded. The world age-standardized incidence rate was 13.1 and 1.9 per 100,000 for males and females, respectively. The mean (standard deviation) age of all patients was 63.7 (14.7). The majority of patients (n = 750, 89.8%) were male, two-thirds of which (n = 594, 79.2%) were smokers while all female patients were non-smokers. Hematuria was the most frequent presenting symptom. Most tumours were well differentiated, and transitional cell carcinoma was the most frequent histological type. The incidence of bladder cancer in Libya is lower than most developed countries, increases by aging, and is more prevalent among males. The incidence of this disease is expected to grow in developing countries such as Libya because of increase in smoking popularity, the shift to sedentary life, diabetes mellitus, and obesity.