bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Accuracy of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography of the Head, Neck, and Chest for Giant Cell Arteritis: A Prospective, Double‐Blind, Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Sammel Anthony M. , Hsiao Edward , Schembri Geoffrey , Nguyen Katherine , Brewer Janice , Schrieber Leslie , Janssen Beatrice , Youssef Peter , Fraser Clare L. , Bailey Elizabeth , Bailey Dale L. , Roach Paul , Laurent Rodger 
Published: March 2019

ObjectivePositron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has not been well studied as a first‐line test for giant cell arteritis (GCA), due, in part, to historical limitations in visualizing the cranial arteries. The Giant Cell Arteritis and PET Scan (GAPS) study was therefore carried out to assess the accuracy of a newer generation PET/CT of the head, neck, and chest for determining a diagnosis of GCA.MethodsIn the GAPS study cohort, 64 patients with newly suspected GCA underwent time‐of‐flight PET/CT (1‐mm slice thickness from the vertex to diaphragm) within 72 hours of starting glucocorticoids and before undergoing temporal artery biopsy (TAB). Two physicians with experience in PET reviewed the patients’ scans in a blinded manner and reported the scans as globally positive or negative for GCA. Tracer uptake was graded across 18 artery segments. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed at 6 months’ follow‐up.ResultsIn total, 58 of 64 patients underwent TAB, and 12 (21%) of the biopsies were considered positive for GCA. Twenty‐one patients had a clinical diagnosis of GCA. Compared to TAB, the sensitivity of PET/CT for a diagnosis of GCA was 92% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 62–100%) and specificity was 85% (95% CI 71–94%). The negative predictive value (NPV) was 98% (95% CI 87–100%). Compared to clinical diagnosis, PET/CT had a sensitivity of 71% (95% CI 48–89%) and specificity of 91% (95% CI 78–97%). Interobserver reliability was moderate (κ = 0.65). Among the enrolled patients, 20% had a clinically relevant incidental finding, including 7 with an infection and 5 with a malignancy. Furthermore, 5 (42%) of 12 TAB‐positive GCA patients had moderate or marked aortitis.ConclusionThe high diagnostic accuracy of this PET/CT protocol would support its use as a first‐line test for GCA. The NPV of 98% indicates the particular utility of this test in ruling out the condition in patients considered to be at lower risk of GCA. PET/CT had benefit over TAB in detecting vasculitis mimics and aortitis.
A genetic variant in miR‐100 is a protective factor of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Xue Yao , Yang Xiaoyun , Hu Shaoyan , Kang Meiyun , Chen Jing , Fang Yongjun 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundIn the past decade, miR‐100, miR‐146a, and miR‐210 were reported to be dysregulated in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, effects of genetic variants in these three microRNAs have not been investigated in Chinese population.MethodsIn this study, we conducted a case‐control study to evaluate the relationship between genetic variants in miR‐100, miR‐146a, and miR‐210 and the risk of childhood ALL in Chinese population. Subsequently, plasma expression level of miR‐100 was also detected.ResultWe found that subjects carrying mutant homozygous TT genotype of miR‐100 rs543412 had a statistically significantly decreased risk of childhood ALL (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.55‐0.97, P = 0.029). This protective effect was also observed among subjects whose parents were ever drinkers (adjusted OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.29‐0.94), or whose living house were ever painted (adjusted OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.34‐0.94). Besides, rs543412 variant homozygous TT had a significantly protective role in patients with childhood B‐ALL. Finally, we found that expression level of miR‐100 in plasma of childhood ALL cases was significantly higher than that of noncancer controls.ConclusionOur study suggested that there was significant association between the polymorphisms in miR‐100 (rs543412) and decreased susceptibility to childhood ALL.
Cyclase‐associated protein 1 is a key negative regulator of milk synthesis and proliferation of bovine mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Yuan Xiaohan , Zhen Zhen , Zhang Minghui , Yu Yanbo , Gao Xuejun , Ao Jin‐xia 
Published: March 2019

Adenylyl cyclase‐associated protein (CAP) is a highly conserved protein. Previous reports have suggested that CAP1 may be a negative regulator of cellular proliferation, migration, and adhesion and the development of cell carcinomas. The molecular mechanism of CAP1 regulation of downstream pathways, as well as how CAP1 is regulated by environmental stimuli and upstream signalling, is not well understood. In this present study, we assessed the role of CAP1 in milk synthesis and proliferation of bovine mammary epithelial cells. Using gene overexpression and silencing methods, CAP1 was found to negatively regulate milk synthesis and proliferation of cells via the PI3K‐mTOR/SREBP‐1c/Cyclin D1 signalling pathway. Hormones, such as prolactin and oestrogen, and amino acids, such as methionine and leucine, stimulate MMP9 expression and trigger CAP1 degradation, and thus, abrogate its inhibition of synthesis of milk protein, fat, and lactose by and proliferation of bovine mammary epithelial cells. The results of our study help deepen our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying milk synthesis and aid in characterizing the molecular mechanisms of CAP1.Previous reports have suggested that CAP1 is a negative regulator of cellular proliferation and anabolism, but the molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. In this present study, we identified CAP1 as a negative regulator of milk synthesis and proliferation of bovine mammary epithelial cells. Our results will deepen our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying milk synthesis and aid in exploring the molecular mechanisms of CAP1.
Cellular Biocatalysts Using Synthetic Genetic Circuits for Prolonged and Durable Enzymatic Activity
Authors: Ahan Recep Erdem , Saltepe Behide , Apaydin Onur , Seker Urartu Ozgur Safak 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCellular biocatalysts hold great promise for the synthesis of difficult to achieve compounds, such as complex active molecules. Whole‐cell biocatalysts can be programmed through genetic circuits to be more efficient, but they suffer from low stability. The catalytic activity of whole cells decays under stressful conditions, such as prolonged incubation times or high temperatures. In nature, microbial communities cope with these conditions by forming biofilm structures. In this study, it is shown that the use of biofilm structures can enhance the stability of whole‐cell biocatalysts. We employed two different strategies to increase the stability of whole‐cell catalysts and decrease their susceptibility to high temperature. In the first approach, the formation of a biofilm structure is induced by controlling the expression of one of the curli component, CsgA. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme was used to monitor the catalytic activity of cells in the biofilm structure. In the second approach, the ALP enzyme was fused to the CsgA curli fiber subunit to utilize the protective properties of the biofilm on enzyme biofilms. Furthermore, an AND logic gate is introduced between the expression of CsgA and ALP by toehold RNA switches and recombinases to enable logical programming of the whole‐cell catalyst for biofilm formation and catalytic action with different tools. The study presents viable approaches to engineer a platform for biocatalysis processes.
Sub‐nanometer, Ultrafine α‐Fe2O3 Sheets Realized by Controlled Crystallization Kinetics for Stable, High‐Performance Energy Storage
Authors: Wang Cancan , Zhang Long , Li Mengxiong , Zhang Jiajia , Chen Yufei , Sun Minqiang , Dong Lei , Lu Hongbin 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe development of energy devices based on iron oxides/hydroxides is largely hindered by their poor conductivity and large volume changes, especially with regard to specific capacitance and cycle stability. Herein, superior capacitance (1575 F g−1 at 1.25 A g−1) and high rate performance (955 F g−1 at 25 A g−1) were realized by synthesizing sub‐nanometer, ultrafine α‐Fe2O3 sheets loaded on graphene (SU‐Fe2O3‐rGO). An assembled asymmetric supercapacitor showed outstanding cycle stability (106 % retention after 30 000 cycles). This excellent performance arises from the unique structural characteristics of the α‐Fe2O3 sheets, which not only enrich electrochemically reactive sites, but also largely eliminate the volume changes after long‐term charge/discharge cycling. The synthesis of SU‐Fe2O3‐rGO critically depends on control of the crystallization kinetics during growth. A controlled heterogeneous nucleation mechanism results in the formation of atomically thin α‐Fe2O3 sheets on graphene rather than large particles in solvent, as clarified by theoretical calculations. This strategy paves a new way to synthesizing atomically thin transition metal oxide sheets and low‐cost, eco‐friendly iron‐based energy storage.
Pluripotent Features of Doubly Thiophene‐Fused Benzodiphospholes as Organic Functional Materials
Authors: Higashino Tomohiro , Ishida Keiichi , Sakurai Tsuneaki , Seki Shu , Konishi Tatsuki , Kamada Kenji , Kamada Kenji , Imahori Hiroshi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractLinear ladder‐type π‐conjugated molecules have attracted much interest because of their intriguing physicochemical properties. To modulate their electronic structures, an effective strategy is to incorporate main‐group elements into ladder‐type π‐conjugated molecules. In line with this strategy, a variety of ladder‐type π‐conjugated molecules with main‐group elements have been synthesized to explore their potential utility as organic functional materials. In this context, phosphole‐based π‐conjugated molecules are highly attractive, owing to their unique optical and electrochemical properties, which arise from the phosphorus atom. Herein, the synthesis and physicochemical properties of doubly thiophene‐fused benzodiphospholes, as a new class of phosphole‐based ladder‐type π‐conjugated molecule, are reported. Systematic investigations into the physicochemical properties of doubly thiophene‐fused benzodiphospholes revealed their pluripotent features: intense near‐infrared fluorescence, excellent two‐photon absorption property, and remarkably high electron‐transporting ability. This study demonstrates the potential utility of doubly thiophene‐fused benzodiphospholes as organic functional materials for biological imaging, nonlinear optics, organic transistors, and organic photovoltaics.
Gad1‐promotor‐driven GFP expression in non‐GABAergic neurons of the nucleus endopiriformis in a transgenic mouse line
Authors: Riedemann Sophie , Sutor Bernd , Bergami Matteo , Riedemann Therese 
Published: March 2019

AbstractTransgenic animals have become a widely used model to identify and study specific cell types in whole organs. Promotor‐driven reporter gene labeling of the cells under investigation has promoted experimental efficacy to a large degree. However, rigorous assessment of transgene expression specificity in these animal models is highly recommended to validate cellular identity and to isolate potentially mislabeled cell populations. Here, we report on one such mislabeled neuron population in a widely used transgenic mouse line in which GABAergic somatostatin‐expressing interneurons (SOMposINs) are labeled by eGFP (so‐called GIN mouse, FVB‐Tg(GadGFP)45704Swn/J). These neurons represent a subpopulation of all SOMposINs. However, we report here on GFP labeling of non‐GABAergic neurons in the nucleus endopiriformis of this mouse line.
Improved cuckoo search load distribution (ICS‐LD) and attack detection in cloud environment
Authors: Peter Soosai Anandaraj A. , Indumathi G. 
Published: March 2019

SummaryFor the purpose of obtaining an answer to a spoofing IP issue and related problems in the cloud computing (CC) environment, a novel path identifier is recommended, in which a new packet approach with a new identifier (ID) is produced to every user or client system. For the purpose of identification of the spoofing attack, any watermark image pattern is introduced. Following this, the hypervisor is employed to ascertain plausible trust relationships among the VMs by considering personal sources that can be trusted along with utilizing empirical Bayesian inference (EBI) for the purpose of combining the VMs. With a restricted budget of resources for the maximized detection of attacks, an optimal detection load distribution strategy by improved cuckoo search (ICS) over VMs can be used, which thus provides the intended solution to the hypervisor. The ICS algorithm directs a hypervisor so as to assert among the VMs the optimal load distribution, taking into consideration real time, which causes maximization of the DDoS attacks and detection of transmission control protocol (TCP) flood attacks. Lastly, a fuzzy extreme learning machine (FELM) classifier is proposed in order to detect the attacks.
The contrasting hidden consequences of parasitism: Effects of a hematophagous nematode (Uncinaria sp.) in the development of a marine mammal swimming behavior
Authors: Montalva Felipe , Pérez‐Venegas Diego , Gutiérrez Josefina , Seguel Mauricio 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Parasites are an important part of ecosystems, playing a critical role in their equilibrium. However, the consequences of parasitism beyond the direct effects associated with disease and mortality are not completely understood. This gap in knowledge is in part due to the difficulties to isolate the effect of single parasite species on physiological and behavioral traits in natural systems.

The South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis)–hookworm (Uncinaria sp.) interaction offers an ideal system to overcome these difficulties and study the behavioral and physiological effects of parasites in their hosts.

Hookworms cause stunted growth and anemia in pinniped pups, which could affect early life active behaviors such as swimming. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of hookworms (Uncinaria sp.) on the development of swimming capabilities in A. australis through physiological and ethological analyses.

Higher parasite burden was associated with reduced growth rates and lower blood hemoglobin concentrations, whereas scaled body mass and blood hemoglobin levels had an important positive effect on the water activity of the pups. However, antihookworm treatment did not affect the level of water activity of the pups, and pups with high hookworm burden increased their time budget in water. This was probably related to lower maternal attendance in heavily parasitized pups, leaving these pups more time to perform water activities. Therefore, pups with heavy hookworm burden, despite having decreased growth rates and blood hemoglobin concentrations, compensated for their handicap in physiological traits related to swimming by spending more time in the water.

This work offers new insights to understand the contrasting effects of parasites on aquatic organisms, and the compensatory mechanisms employed by infected animals to avoid the worst consequences of parasitism.
Is the incidence of survival in interior Pleistocene refugia (nunataks) underestimated? Phylogeography of the high mountain plant Androsace alpina (Primulaceae) in the European Alps revisited
Authors: Schönswetter Peter , Schneeweiss Gerald M. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractTemperate mountain ranges such as the European Alps have been strongly affected by the Pleistocene glaciations. Glacial advances forced biota into refugia, which were situated either at the periphery of mountain ranges or in their interior. Whereas in the Alps peripheral refugia have been repeatedly and congruently identified, support for the latter scenario, termed “nunatak hypothesis,” is still limited and no general pattern is recognizable yet. Here, we test the hypothesis of nunatak survival for species growing in the high alpine to subnival zones on siliceous substrate using the cushion plant Androsace alpina (Primulaceae), endemic to the European Alps, as our model species. To this end, we analyzed AFLP and plastid DNA sequence data obtained from a dense and range‐wide sampling. Both AFLPs and plastid sequence data identified the southwestern‐most population as the most divergent one. AFLP data did not allow for discrimination of interior and peripheral populations, but rather identified two to three longitudinally separated major gene pools. In contrast, in the eastern half of the Alps several plastid haplotypes of regional or local distribution in interior ranges—the Alpine periphery mostly harbored a widespread haplotype—were indicative for the presence of interior refugia. Together with evidence from other Alpine plant species, this study shows that in the eastern Alps silicicolous species of open habitats in the alpine and subnival zone survived, also or exclusively so, in interior refugia. As the corresponding genetic structure may be lost in mostly nuclear‐derived, rapidly homogenizing marker systems such as AFLPs or RAD sequencing tags, markers not prone to homogenization, as is the case for plastid sequences (Sanger‐sequenced or extracted from an NGS data set) will continue to be important for detecting older, biogeographically relevant patterns.
High‐stability optical frequency transfer with all‐fiber architecture for optical lattice clocks
Authors: Ohmae Noriaki , Sakama Shunsuke , Katori Hidetoshi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe have developed a laser distributor for highly accurate optical frequency transfer of optical lattice clocks. Each output has a phase stabilizer based on a Michelson interferometer with all‐fiber architecture. Varying the optical path length in the residual uncontrolled optical path to introduce phase noises between output branches, we found the residual frequency transfer instability to be much smaller than the frequency instability of current optical lattice clocks. All fiber configuration provides robustness, which allows optical lattice clocks to be used in wide range of applications not only in a laboratory, but also outside laboratory, for example, geodetic applications.
A morphological database for Colombian anuran species from conservation‐priority ecosystems
Authors: Mendoza‐Henao Angela M. , Cortes‐Gomez Ángela M. , Gonzalez Mailyn A. , Hernandez‐Córdoba Oscar Dario , Acosta‐Galvis Andres R. , Castro‐Herrera Fernando , Daza Juan M. , Hoyos Julio Mario , Ramirez‐Pinilla Martha Patricia , Urbina‐Cardona Nicolás , Salgado‐Negret Beatriz 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSpecies traits provide a strong link between an organism's fitness and processes at community and ecosystem levels. However, such data remain scarce for amphibians in the Neotropics. Colombia is the country with the highest number of threatened amphibians and the second greatest number of amphibian species worldwide. We present a data set containing eight morphological traits for 4,623 museum specimens of the seven largest collections in the country corresponding to 293 species of 14 families. The number of measured specimens per species ranged from 1 to 118 individuals with a median of 8 individuals per species. Overall, this database gathered morphological information for 37.6% of Colombian anuran diversity. Species measured were mainly distributed in the high Andean forest, the páramo, and wetland ecosystems, and was part of a national initiative led by the Instituto Alexander von Humboldt. The morphological traits were selected on the basis of their role in species’ responses to environmental variability and their contributions to ecosystem processes. These traits were related to habitat use, (forearm length, tibia length, femur length, foot length, and foot webbing), predation and food chains (head width and mouth width), and nutrient recycling (snout–vent length). We expect this data set will be used in studies on functional diversity in amphibians and the development of conservation planning for these taxa. No copyright or proprietary restrictions are associated with the use of this data set other than citation of this Data Paper.
Does my pain affect your disgust? Cross‐modal influence of first‐hand aversive experiences in the appraisal of others’ facial expressions
Authors: Antico Lia , Cataldo Eugénie , Corradi‐Dell’Acqua Corrado 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundEmbodied models of social cognition argue that others’ affective states are processed by re‐enacting a sensory‐specific representation of the same state in the observer. However, neuroimaging studies suggest that a reliable part of the representation shared between self and others is supramodal and relates to dimensions such as Unpleasantness or arousal, common to qualitatively different experiences. Here we investigated whether representations of first‐hand pain and disgust influenced the subsequent evaluation of facial expressions in Modality‐specific fashion, or in terms of Unpleasantness or arousal.MethodsThirty volunteers were subjected to thermal painful and olfactory disgusting events, and subsequently were asked to classify computer‐generated faces expressing pain (characterized by high Unpleasantness and arousal), disgust (high Unpleasantness and low arousal), surprise (low Unpleasantness and high arousal) and hybrid combinations thereof.ResultsThermal and olfactory events were associated with comparable Unpleasantness ratings and heart rate (but stronger galvanic response was found for painful temperatures). Furthermore, we found that the appraisal of facial expressions was biased by the prior stimulus, with more frequent pain classifications following thermal stimuli, and more frequent disgust classifications following olfactory stimuli. Critically, this modulation was cross‐modal in nature, as each first‐hand stimulation influenced in comparable fashion facial traits diagnostic of both pain and disgust, without instead generalizing to features of surprise.ConclusionOverall, these data support the presence of shared coding between one's aversive experiences and the appraisal of others’ facial responses, which is best describable as supramodal representation of the Unpleasantness of the experience.SignificanceThese results extend previous findings about common representational coding between the experience of first‐hand and others’ pain. In particular, they highlight that reliable part of the information shared is supramodal in nature and relates to a broad dimension of Unpleasantness common also to painless aversive states such as disgust.