bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combined strategy of transcription factor manipulation and β-glucosidase gene overexpression in Trichoderma reesei and its application in lignocellulose bioconversion
Authors: Xia Ying , Yang Lirong , Xia Liming 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
The industrial application of Trichoderma reesei has been greatly limited by insufficient β-glucosidase activity in its cellulase system. In this study, a novel β-glucosidase expression cassette was constructed and integrated at the target site in T. reesei ZU-02, which achieved the overexpression of β-glucosidase gene and in situ disruption of the cellulase transcriptional repressor ACE1. The resulting transformants showed significant increase in both β-glucosidase activity (BGA) and filter paper activity (FPA). The BGA and FPA increased to 25.13 IU/mL and 20.06 FPU/mL, respectively, 167- and 2.45-fold higher than that of the host strain. Meanwhile, the obtained cellulase system exhibited improved ratio of BGA to FPA, leading to better synergistic effect between cellulase components. Furthermore, submerged fermentation of the transformant was established in 50 m3 fermenter yielding 112.2 IU/mL β-glucosidase and 89.76 FPU/mL total cellulase. The newly constructed T. reesei transformant achieved improved hydrolysis yield (90.6%) with reduced enzyme loading (15 FPU/g substrate).
Disability Experiences and Perspectives Regarding Reproductive Decisions, Parenting, and the Utility of Genetic Services: a Qualitative Study
Authors: Roadhouse C. , Shuman C. , Anstey K. , Sappleton K. , Chitayat D. , Ignagni E. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractGenetic counselors adopt seemingly contradictory roles: advocating for individuals with genetic conditions while offering prenatal diagnosis and the option of selective termination to prevent the birth of a child with a disability. This duality contributes to the tension between the disability and clinical genetics communities. Varying opinions exist amongst the disability community: some value genetic services while others are opposed. However, there is limited research exploring the opinions of individuals with a disability regarding issues related to reproduction and genetic services in the context of personal experience. This exploratory qualitative study involved interviews with seven women and three men who self‐identify as having a disability. We sought to gain their perspectives on experiences with disability, thoughts about reproduction and parenting, and perceptions of genetic services. Transcripts of the interviews were analyzed thematically using qualitative content analysis. Data analysis showed that societal views of disability affected the lived experience and impacted reproductive decision‐making for those with a disability. It also showed differing interest in genetic services. Concerns about the perceived collective implications of genetic services were also raised. These findings contribute to the understanding of the disability perspective toward reproductive decision‐making and genetic services. A further goal is to promote a meaningful dialogue between the genetics and disability communities, with the potential to enhance the genetic and reproductive care provided to individuals with disabilities.
Case Reports of Five Cancer Patients with Unusual Course
Authors: Payrhuber Dietmar , Thieves Karin , Sangaletti Piero , Muehlmann Josef , Frass Michael 
Published: June 2018

Introduction The analysis of the periodic table of elements by Jan Scholten opened the way for a new kind of classification and repertorisation of homeopathic remedies. Thereby, group analysis (resorting to series and stages) makes precise prescriptions possible. This approach appears to yield striking results, even in severe cases. Whereas Hahnemann stressed the emotional state (‘Gemüthssymptome’, Organon § 210) when choosing a remedy, Scholten 200 years later investigated the mental picture that represents a life conflict or even a life theme that may maintain the disease process. The person's environment, emotional traumas or a conflict drives him or her to suppress and dissect painful emotions. Such compensations can become subconscious and so strong that they can no longer be controlled; they then influence the patient with a highly destructive energy.
Methods We present five case reports, each dealing with an unusual clinical course of severe cancer associated with homeopathic treatment using the Scholten method.
Results By presenting these cases, we consider how the constitution (lifelong signs and symptoms of the patient) and the mental state are interwoven and, as a complex mechanism, might provoke disease.
Conclusion The appropriate homeopathic remedy, reflecting the Scholten approach, seemed to have beneficial impact on the disease process of the five individuals presented.
Morphogen-Lineage Selector Interactions During Surface Epithelial Commitment
Authors: Melo Sandra P. , Pattison Jillian M. , Piekos Samantha N. , Torkelson Jessica L. , Bashkirova Elizaveta , Mumbach Maxwell R. , Rajasingh Charlotte , Hui Zhen Hanson , Li Lingjie , Liaw Eric , Alber Daniel , Rubin Adam J. , Shankar Gautam , Chang Howard Y. , Khavari Paul A. , Oro Anthony E. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHuman embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation promises advances in regenerative medicine1–3, yet conversion of hESCs into tissues such as keratinocytes requires a better understanding of epigenetic interactions between the inductive morphogens retinoic acid (RA) and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP), and the master regulator p634,5. Here we develop a robust, defined, keratinocyte differentiation system, and use a multi-dimensional genomics approach to interrogate the contributions of the morphogens and lineage selector to chromatin dynamics during early surface ectoderm commitment. In stark contrast to other master regulators6–9, we find using p63 gain and loss of function hESC lines, that p63 effects major transcriptional changes only after morphogenetic action. Morphogens alter chromatin accessibility and histone modifications, establishing an epigenetic landscape for p63 to modify. In turn, p63 closes chromatin accessibility and promotes the accumulation of repressive H3K27me3 histone modifications at sites distal to where it binds. Surprisingly, cohesin HiChIP10 visualization of genome-wide chromosome conformation reveals that both p63 and the morphogens contribute to dynamic long-range genomic interactions that increase the probability of negative transcriptional regulation at p63 target loci. p63-regulated accessibility, not H3K27me3 deposition, appears to drive early transcriptional changes. We illustrate morphogen-selector interactions by studying p63 negative feedback regulation of TFAP2Ci11, whereby disruption of the single p63 binding site results in a loss of p63-mediated transcriptional control and dramatic increases in TFAP2C and p63 expression. Our study reveals the unexpected dependency of p63 on morphogenetic signaling to control long-range chromatin interactions during tissue specification and provides novel insights into how master regulators specify diverse morphological outcomes.
Cardiac and Skeletal Actin Substrates Uniquely Tune Cardiac Myosin Strain-Dependent Mechanics
Authors: Wang Yihua , Ajtai Katalin , Burghardt Thomas P. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTNative cardiac ventricular myosin (βmys) translates actin under load by transducing ATP free energy into mechanical work on actin during muscle contraction. Unitary βmys translation of actin is the myosin step-size. In vitro and in vivo βmys regulates contractile force and velocity by remixing 3 different step-sizes with stepping frequencies autonomously adapted to workload. Cardiac and skeletal actin isoforms have a specific 1:4 stoichiometry in normal adult human ventriculum. Human adults with inheritable hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) up-regulate skeletal actin in ventriculum suggesting that increasing skeletal/cardiac actin stoichiometry also adapts myosin force-velocity to respond to the muscle’s inability to meet demand.Nanometer scale displacement of quantum dot (Qdot) labeled actin under resistive load when impelled by βmys measures single myosin force-velocity in vitro in the Qdot assay. Unitary displacement classification constraints introduced here better separates myosin based signal from background upgrading step-size spatial resolution to the sub-nanometer range. Single βmys force-velocity for skeletal vs cardiac actin substrates was compared using the Qdot assay.Two competing myosin strain-sensitive mechanisms regulate step-size choices dividing mechanical characteristics into low- and high-force regimes. The actin isoforms alter myosin strain-sensitive regulation such that onset of the high-force regime, where a short step-size is a large or major contributor, is offset to higher loads by a unique cardiac ELC N-terminus/cardiac-actin contact at Glu6/Ser358. It modifies βmys force-velocity by stabilizing the ELC N-terminus/cardiac-actin association. Uneven onset of the high-force regime for skeletal vs cardiac actin dynamically changes force-velocity characteristics as skeletal/cardiac actin fractional content increases in diseased muscle.
Dynamism and context dependency in the diversification of the megadiverse plant genusSolanumL. (Solanaceae)
Authors: Echeverrĩa-Londoño Susy , Särkinen Tiina , Fenton Isabel S , Knapp Sandra , Purvis Andy 
Published: June 2018

SummaryExplosive radiations have been considered one of the most intriguing diversification patterns across the Tree of Life, but the subsequent change, movement and extinction of the constituent species makes radiations hard to discern or understand as geological time passes.We synthesised phylogenetic and distributional data for an ongoing radiation — the mega-diverse plant genusSolanumL. — to show how dispersal events and past climatic changes have interacted to shape diversification.We found that despite the vast diversity ofSolanumlineages in the Neotropics, lineages in the Old World are diversifying more rapidly. This recent explosive diversification coincides with a long-distance dispersal event from the Neotropics, at the time when, and to places where, major climatic changes took place. Two different groups ofSolanumhave migrated and established in Australia, but only the arid-adapted lineages experienced significant increases in their diversification, which is consistent with adaptation to the continent’s long-term climatic trend and the diversification of other arid-adapted groups.Our findings provide a clear example of how successful colonisation of new areas and niches can – but do not always – drive explosive radiations.
Sex‐related differences in muscle size explained by amplitudes of higher‐threshold motor unit action potentials and muscle fibre typing
Authors: Trevino M. A. , Sterczala A. J. , Miller J. D. , Wray M. E. , Dimmick H. L. , Ciccone A. B. , Weir J. P. , Gallagher P. M. , Fry A. C. , Herda T. J. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAimTo investigate the relationships between motor unit action potential amplitudes (MUAPAMP), muscle cross‐sectional area (mCSA) and composition (mEI), per cent myosin heavy chain (%MHC) areas and sex in the vastus lateralis (VL).MethodsTen males and 10 females performed a submaximal isometric trapezoid muscle action that included a linearly increasing, steady torque at 40% maximal voluntary contraction, and linearly decreasing segments. Surface electromyographic decomposition techniques were utilized to determine MUAPAMPS in relation to recruitment thresholds (RT). Ultrasound images were taken to quantify muscle mCSA and mEI. Muscle biopsies were collected to calculate %MHC areas. Y‐intercepts and slopes were calculated for the MUAPAMP vs RT relationships for each subject. Independent‐samples t tests and ANOVA models examined sex‐related differences in mCSA, mEI, slopes and y‐intercepts for the MUAPAMP vs RT relationships and %MHC areas. Correlations were performed among type IIA and total type II %MHC area, mCSA and the slopes and y‐intercepts for the MUAPAMP vs RT relationships.ResultsMales exhibited greater slopes for the MUAPAMP vs RT relationships (P = .003), mCSA (P < .001) and type IIA %MHC (P = .011), whereas females had greater type I %MHC area (P = .010) and mEI (P = .024). The mCSA, type IIA and total II %MHC area variables were correlated (P < .001‐.015, r = .596‐.836) with the slopes from the MUAPAMP vs RT relationships.ConclusionSex‐related differences in mCSA and MUAPAMPS of the higher‐threshold MUs were likely the result of larger muscle fibres expressing type II characteristics for males.
Can surgical reconstruction of vaginal and ligamentous laxity cure overactive bladder symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse?
Authors: Liedl Bernhard , Goeschen Klaus , Sutherland Suzette E. , Roovers Jan‐Paul , Yassouridis Alexander 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveTo examine the extent and intensity of the coexistence of overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and to evaluate the likelihood of OAB symptom improvement after surgical POP reconstruction over a period of 2 years.Patients and MethodsThe effectiveness of the transvaginal, single‐incision ‘Elevate’ technique for anatomical cure of anterior/apical and posterior/apical vaginal prolapse has been previously reported in a prospective, multicentre study. This technique uses mesh arms attached to the sacrospinous ligaments to recreate apical ligamentous support. Using the same sample population as that used in the multicentre study (n = 281), we conducted the present sub‐analysis focusing on estimating the extent of comorbidity between POP and OAB symptoms, as well as the effects of subsequent pelvic floor reconstruction on OAB symptoms over a long period. Assessments of POP and OAB symptom severity before and after surgery at 6, 12 and 24 months were obtained using the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI) questionnaire.ResultsPreoperatively, 70% of all POP patients reported moderate to severe OAB symptoms, with almost half (49.5%) noting severe OAB bother (‘quite a bit bothersome’) for one or more of the classic OAB symptom domains on the PFDI: ‘daytime urinary frequency’; ‘urinary urgency’; ‘urinary urgency incontinence’; and/or ‘nocturia’. In fact, across all four OAB symptom domains evaluated, there were significantly more severe symptoms (‘quite a bit bothersome’) than moderate (‘moderately bothersome’) or mild (‘somewhat bothersome’): 26–31%, 13–21%, and 17–19% of patients, respectively. In patients with symptomatic POP >stage 2, there was no relationship between further degree of prolapse and presence of severity of OAB symptoms; however, patients with POP stage 2 had significantly more complaints regarding the items ‘daytime urinary frequency’ and ‘urinary urgency incontinence’ compared with those with stage 3–4 POP. Pelvic floor reconstructive surgery resulted in significant improvement in all OAB symptoms, which seemed to be stable over time. The cure rate of moderate‐to‐severe OAB complaints ranged between 60% and 80%, which was a durable improvement noted throughout 24 months.ConclusionResults showed that POP was to a high degree accompanied by moderate‐to‐severe OAB complaints. Significant long‐lasting improvements in bothersome OAB symptoms occurred after adequate surgical reconstruction of anterior/apical and posterior/apical vaginal support.
Dual‐energy computed tomography for non‐invasive staging of liver fibrosis: Accuracy of iodine density measurements from contrast‐enhanced data
Authors: Sofue Keitaro , Tsurusaki Masakatsu , Mileto Achille , Hyodo Tomoko , Sasaki Kosuke , Nishii Tatsuya , Chikugo Takaaki , Yada Norihisa , Kudo Masatoshi , Sugimura Kazuro , Murakami Takamichi 
Published: June 2018

AimTo investigate whether iodine density measurements from contrast‐enhanced dual‐energy computed tomography (CT) data can non‐invasively stage liver fibrosis.MethodsThis single‐center, prospective study was approved by our IRB with written informed consent. Forty‐seven consecutive patients (26 men and 21 women; mean age, 63.1 years) with chronic liver disease underwent contrast‐enhanced dual‐energy CT of the liver (non‐contrast, arterial, portal venous, and equilibrium phase images), followed by liver biopsy. Iodine density of liver and aorta were obtained by two independent observers. Iodine uptake of the liver (Δ Liver), representing the difference in iodine density between equilibrium phase and non‐contrast images, was calculated and normalized by aorta (Δ Liver/Aorta). We accounted for contrast agent distribution volume by using hematocrit level. Accuracy of iodine density measurements for staging liver fibrosis was assessed by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess the impact of independent variables (liver fibrosis stage and patient‐related confounders) on iodine uptake.ResultsThe Δ Liver/Aorta significantly increased and moderately correlated with METAVIR liver fibrosis stage (ρ = 0.645, P < 0.001). Areas under the ROC curve ranged from 0.795 to 0.855 for discriminating each liver fibrosis score (≥F1–F4). METAVIR fibrosis stage was the most significant independent factor associated with Δ Liver (P = 0.005) and Δ Liver/Aorta (P < 0.001).ConclusionHepatic extracellular volume fraction with contrast‐enhanced dual‐energy CT can non‐invasively stage liver fibrosis in chronic liver diseases. This technique could prove useful for monitoring disease progression and treatment response, potentially reducing the need for liver biopsy.
Modelling the population effectiveness of the national seasonal influenza vaccination programme in Scotland: The impact of targeting all individuals aged 65 years and over
Authors: Corson Stephen , Robertson Chris , Reynolds Arlene , McMenamin Jim 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundFor the last 17 years, theUKhas employed a routine influenza vaccination programme with the aim of reducing the spread of seasonal influenza. In mid‐2000, the programme moved from a purely risk‐based approach to a risk and age group‐targeted approach with all those aged 65+ years being included. To date, there has been no assessment of the population effectiveness of this age‐targeted policy in Scotland.ObjectivesStatistical modelling techniques were used to determine what impact the routine vaccination of those aged 65+ years has had on influenza‐related morbidity and mortality in Scotland.MethodsTwo Poisson regression models were developed using weekly counts of all‐cause mortality, cause‐specific mortality and emergency hospitalisations for the period 1981‐2012, one using week‐in‐year and the other using temperature to capture the seasonal variability in mortality/hospitalisations. These models were used to determine the number of excess deaths/hospitalisations associated with the introduction of the local risk and age‐based vaccination programme in 2000.ResultsRoutinely vaccinating those aged 65+ years is associated with a reduction in excess all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular andCOPD‐related mortality andCOPD‐related hospitalisations. Our analysis suggests that using the week‐in‐year model, on average, 732 (95%CI66‐1398) deaths from all causes, 248 (95%CI10‐486) cardiovascular‐related deaths, 123 (95%CI28‐218)COPD‐related deaths and 425 (95%CI258‐592)COPD‐related hospitalisations have been prevented each flu season among the those aged 65+. Similar results were found using the temperature model. There was no evidence to suggest that the change in policy was associated with reductions in influenza/pneumonia‐related mortality or influenza/cardiovascular‐related hospitalisations.ConclusionsRoutinely vaccinating those aged 65+ years appears to have reduced influenza‐related morbidity and mortality in Scotland. With the childhood vaccination programme well underway, these data provide an importance benchmark which can be used to accurately assess the impact of this new seasonal influenza vaccination programme.
Prevalence of human respiratory syncytial virus infection in people with acute respiratory tract infections in Africa: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kenmoe Sebastien , Bigna Jean Joel , Well Estelle Amandine , Simo Fredy Brice N. , Penlap Véronique B. , Vabret Astrid , Njouom Richard 
Published: June 2018

AimThe epidemiology of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) infection has not yet been systematically investigated in Africa. This systematic review and meta‐analysis are to estimate the prevalence of HRSV infections in people with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) in Africa.MethodWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, Africa Journal Online, and Global Index Medicus to identify observational studies published from January 1, 2000, to August 1, 2017. We used a random‐effects model to estimate the prevalence across studies. Heterogeneity (I2) was assessed via the chi‐square test on Cochran's Q statistic. Review registration: PROSPERO CRD42017076352.ResultsA total of 67 studies (154 000 participants) were included. Sixty (90%), seven (10%), and no studies had low, moderate, and high risk of bias, respectively. The prevalence of HRSV infection varied widely (range 0.4%‐60.4%). The pooled prevalence was 14.6% (95% CI 13.0‐16.4, I2 = 98.8%). The prevalence was higher in children (18.5%; 95% CI 15.8‐21.5) compared to adults (4.0%; 95% CI 2.2‐6.1) and in people with severe respiratory tract infections (17.9%; 95% CI 15.8‐20.1) compared to those with benign forms (9.4%; 95% CI 7.4‐11.5); P‐values <0.0001. The HRSV prevalence was not associated with sex, subregion in Africa, setting, altitude, latitude, longitude, and seasonality.ConclusionThis study suggests a high prevalence of HRSV in people with ARTI in Africa, particularly among children and people with severe clinical form. All innovative strategies to curb the burden should first focus on children which present the highest HRSV‐related burden.