bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sensor kinase KinB and its pathway‐associated key factors sense the signal of nutrition starvation in sporulation of Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Liu Weipeng , He Zeying , Gao Feng , Yan Jinyuan , Huang Xiaowei 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBacillus subtilis responds to environmental stress cues and develops endospores for survival. In the process of endospore formation, sporulation initiation is a vital stage and this stage is governed by autophosphorylation of the sensor histidine kinases. The second major sensor kinase KinB perceives the intracellular changes of GTP and ATP during sporulation. However, determination of the environmental signals as well as its related signaling pathway of KinB requires further elucidation. Our current study found that, contrary to the sporulation failure induced by ΔkinA in the nutrient‐rich 2× SG medium, the sensor kinase KinB sensed the environmental cues in the nutrient‐poor MM medium. Two other membrane proteins, KapB and KbaA, also responded similarly to the same external signal as KinB. Both KapB and KbaA acted upstream of KinB, but they exerted their regulation upon KinB independently. Furthermore, we demonstrated that both the SH3 domain and the α‐helix structure in KapB are required for sensing or transducing the signal of sporulation initiation. Collectively, our work here supplied the direct evidences that KinB and its pathway sense the external signal of nutrient starvation in MM medium, and further analyzes the interrelationship among KinB, KbaA, and KapB.
Well‐being and moral identity
Authors: Garcia Danilo , Moradi Saleh , Amato Clara , Granjard Alexandre , Cloninger Kevin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe good life is the result of flourishing and resilience, but also of being a morally good person. We found that moral identity was associated with engagement, meaning, the identification and acceptance of others (i.e., cooperativeness), and the sense of being part of something bigger than the self (i.e., self‐transcendence).
Membranal and Blood‐Soluble HLA Class II Peptidome Analyses Using Data‐Dependent and Independent Acquisition
Authors: Ritz Danilo , Sani Emiliano , Debiec Hanna , Ronco Pierre , Neri Dario , Fugmann Tim 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe interaction between HLA class II peptide complexes on antigen‐presenting cells and CD4+ T cells is of fundamental importance for anticancer and antipathogen immunity as well as for the maintenance of immunological tolerance. To study CD4+ T cell reactivities, detailed knowledge of the presented peptides is necessary. In recent years, dramatic advances in the characterization of membranal and soluble HLA class I peptidomes could be observed. However, the same is not true for HLA class II peptidomes, where only few studies identify more than hundred peptides. Here we describe a MS‐based workflow for the characterization of membranal and soluble HLA class II DR and DQ peptidomes. Using this workflow, we identify a total of 8595 and 3727 HLA class II peptides from Maver‐1 and DOHH2 cells, respectively. Based on this data, a motif‐based binding predictor is developed and compared to NetMHCIIpan 3.1. We then apply the workflow to human plasma, resulting in the identification of between 34 and 152 HLA‐DR and between 100 and 180 HLA‐DQ peptides, respectively. Finally, we implement a data‐independent acquisition workflow to increase reproducibility and sensitivity of HLA class II peptidome characterizations.
Semiochemicals to enhance herbivory by Diorhabda carinulata aggregations in saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) infestations
Authors: Gaffke Alexander M , Sing Sharlene E , Dudley Tom L , Bean Daniel W , Russak Justin A , Mafra‐Neto Agenor , Grieco Paul A , Peterson Robert KD , Weaver David K 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDSemiochemicals for monitoring, attracting or repelling pest and beneficial organisms are increasingly deployed in agricultural and forest systems for pest management. However, the use of aggregation pheromones and host‐plant attractants for the express purpose of increasing the efficacy of classical biological control agents of weeds has not been widely reported. Therefore, we conducted field‐based assays to determine if a specialized wax‐based matrix impregnated with an aggregation pheromone of the northern tamarisk beetle Diorhabda carinulata (Desbrochers) or host‐plant volatiles could increase the efficacy of D. carinulata.RESULTSThe aggregation pheromone and host‐plant volatiles were formulated for field application using a wax‐based matrix. Reported release rates suggest that this matrix is a viable formulation for enhancing D. carinulata aggregations under field conditions. Pheromone‐treated saltcedar plants (Tamarix spp.) not only had higher densities of adult and larval D. carinulata, but also sustained greater levels of foliar damage than control plants. Increased damage from the focused feeding of D. carinulata caused an increase in foliar dieback and decrease in live canopy volume of semiochemical‐treated plants.CONCLUSIONField deployment of these semiochemical formulations could be useful in directing populations of D. carinulata for increased impact on Tamarix spp. © 2018 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Clinically Relevant Radioactive Dose Formulation of 177Lu‐Labeled Cetuximab‐Fab Fragment for Potential Use in Cancer Theranostics
Authors: Chakravarty Rubel , Rohra Nanda , Chakraborty Sudipta , Jain Ratnesh , Sarma Haladhar Dev , Dash Ashutosh 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe goal of this study is to generate Fab fragment of cetuximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on the surface of cancer cells, and radiolabel it with 177Lu for potential use in cancer theranostics. Cetuximab‐Fab was produced with high purity through papain digestion of cetuximab, and used for formulation of clinically relevant radioactive dose (∼ 1.3 GBq) of 177Lu‐labeled cetuximab‐Fab after conjugation with a suitable bifunctional chelator, N‐[(R)‐2‐amino‐3‐(para‐isothiocyanato‐phenyl) propyl]‐trans‐(S,S)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine‐N,N,N′,N′′,N′′‐pentaacetic acid (CHX−A′′‐DTPA). The radiolabeled agent could be prepared with adequate specific activity (50.2 ± 0.6 GBq/μmol), high radiochemical purity (95.3 ± 0.5%) and appreciable in vitro stability under physiological conditions. Biodistribution studies with 177Lu‐CHX−A′′‐DTPA‐cetuximab‐Fab carried out in Swiss mice bearing fibrosarcoma tumors demonstrated significant tumor uptake (10.7 ± 2.2 %ID/g) within 4 h post‐injection (p.i.) with good tumor‐to‐background contrast. While rapid clearance of the radiolabeled agent from non‐target organs/tissues through hepatobiliary and renal routes was observed, tumor uptake remained consistently high up to 7 d p.i. (13.3 ± 3.6 %ID/g). Blocking studies with unlabeled cetuximab confirmed EGFR specificity of the radiotracer in vivo. This study might aid toward future clinical translation of radiolabeled antibody‐fragments in cancer theranostics.
Modifying the Acidity of Charged Droplets
Authors: Ojakivi Mari , Liigand Jaanus , Kruve Anneli 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe concept of acidity in confined spaces is up to date poorly understood; especially, in case of media violating electroneutrality. Here, we describe the acidity of charged droplets via their ability to protonate simple nitrogen bases and we propose ways to modify the protonation efficiency with the help of additives. We observed that the protonation of compounds in charged water droplets is independent of solution‐phase acidity; instead, it can be adjusted with the help of additive type. On the other hand, the extent of protonation in charged methanol droplets can be adjusted with the conventional approach of changing the pH.
Production of Toluene by Decomposition of 2‐Hydroxy‐6‐methylbenzaldehyde: A DFT Study
Authors: Verma Anand Mohan , Agrawal Kushagra , Kawale Harshal D. , Kishore Nanda 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass produces raw bio‐oil that comprises of several oxygenated organic compounds which are disadvantageous and lower the quality of bio‐oil as a fuel. In this numerical study, 2‐hydroxy‐6‐methylbenzaldehyde (HMB) component, one such oxygenated compound which represents aromatic aldehyde category of bio‐oil, is considered as model compound for its decomposition within the framework of density functional theory. The bond dissociation analysis of HMB component suggests that the dehydrogenation of methyl group is the least energy demanding amongst all nine possible bond scissions. Further, eight reaction pathways are investigated for the conversion of HMB into toluene as end product along with the analyses of their corresponding potential energy surfaces. Briefly, results indicate that the optimum reaction progress for the production of toluene from HMB requires an activation energy of 12.26 kcal/mol. It is further observed that the production of toluene from HMB includes m‐cresol as an intermediate instead of 2‐formyltoulene; and, the production of 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde is not favourable. Furthermore, the thermochemistry analyses for the production of toluene using optimum reaction pathway and for the production of 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde using reaction pathway 9 are performed over a wide range of temperature, i. e., 473–873 K at an interval of 100 K. The thermochemistry also suggests higher favourability for the production of toluene compared to the production of 2‐hydroxybenzaldehdye by decomposing HMB.
Chloronium Cations in Dichloromethane Solutions as Catalysts for the Conversion of CH2Cl2 to CHCl3/CCl4 and CH3Cl/CH4
Authors: Stoyanov Evgenii S. , Stoyanova Irina V. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe mechanism of homogeneous acidic catalytic conversion of CH2Cl2 to CHCl3 and CCl4 and simultaneously to CH3Cl and CH4 in solutions of the H(CHB11Cl11) superacid in dichloromethane was identified. The role of the catalysts is played by the chloronium cations formed in the solutions. The processes proceed through the exchange of the Cl atoms of the CH2Cl‐ group of cations CH2Cl‐Cl+‐CH2Cl and CH2Cl‐Cl+‐CH3 for the H atoms of the CH2Cl2 molecules, transforming them initially to CHCl3 and then to CCl4. Simultaneously, the CH3‐group of cations CH3‐Cl+‐CH2Cl and CH3‐Cl+‐CH3 exchanges its H atom for the Cl atom of CH2Cl2 molecules, transforming them to CH3Cl and further to CH4. The processes of chlorination and dechlorination lead to cyclic reproduction of chloronium cations.
Study on lifetime prediction considering fatigue accumulative effect for die‐attach solder layer in an IGBT module
Authors: Lai Wei , Chen Minyou , Ran Li , Xu Shengyou , Pan Liang‐ming , Alatise Olayiwola , Mawby Philip 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAn accurate lifetime model is needed in power electronic systems as a cost‐effective means of improving reliability and performance assessment, which have long been highly desired to reduce the maintenance cost and to make the product more competitive in the market. Die‐attach solder layer fatigue has been identified as one of the root causes of failure of power electronic modules. This paper presents “physics‐of‐failure lifetime model”, which takes fatigue accumulative effect into consideration and can quantify the effect of long‐term small‐temperature cycling to device fatigue life cycle to estimate the lifetime of the power module. First, small ΔTj power cycling tests were designed to obtain the effects of ΔTj on aged and un‐aged modules. They indicated that the traditional lifetime models were not accurate in predicting the lifetime of power modules. Therefore, a new time‐domain crack propagation model based on the cumulative damage in the die‐attach solder layer is proposed, which includes time‐dependent material properties and temperature profiles. Moreover, power cycling experiments and simulations are conducted to demonstrate the method by comparing the number of cycles to failure. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ultrasound and hematological changes during early luteal phase in women at high risk for developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Authors: Lainas G. T. , Lainas T. G. , Venetis C. A. , Sfontouris I. A. , Zorzovilis I. Z. , Alexopoulou E. , Tarlatzis B. C. , Kolibianakis E. M. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo assess ultrasound and hematological changes during the early luteal phase following triggering of final oocyte maturation with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in women at high risk for developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of 319 women undergoing in‐vitro fertilization who were at high risk for OHSS following administration of hCG for the triggering of final oocyte maturation. Patients were treated with a gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist or antagonist protocol and were monitored for 5 days post‐oocyte retrieval (early luteal phase). Severe OHSS was diagnosed in the presence of at least moderate ascites and two or more of the following: maximum ovarian diameter (MOD) > 100 mm, hematocrit (Ht) > 45%, white blood cell count (WBC) > 15 000/mm3, hydrothorax, dyspnea and oliguria. Outcome measures included change in Ht, ascites grade, WBC and MOD, as well as the association between these changes during the early luteal phase.ResultsAscites grade, Ht and WBC increased significantly (P ≤ 0.001) during the early luteal phase, both in patients who developed and in those who did not develop severe early OHSS. MOD increased significantly (P = 0.001) only in patients who developed severe early OHSS. On multivariable analysis, both time following oocyte retrieval and whether severe early OHSS developed were significantly associated with ascites grade, Ht, WBC and MOD; furthermore, there was also a significant interaction between time and development of severe early OHSS for all four variables (P ≤ 0.001).ConclusionsIn women at high risk of OHSS, ascites grade, Ht and WBC significantly increased with time over the 5‐day observation period, in line with the pathophysiology of the syndrome. Our data support the use of MOD in the diagnosis of severe early OHSS, and provide novel evidence for the role of change in Ht as a patient‐specific hemoconcentration marker during development of OHSS. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Description of a new approach for great auricular and auriculotemporal nerve blocks: A cadaveric study in foxes and dogs
Authors: Stathopoulou Thaleia‐ Rengina , Pinelas Rui , Haar Gert Ter , Cornelis Ine , Viscasillas Jaime 
Published: January 2018

AbstractOtitis externa is a painful condition that may require surgical intervention in dogs. A balanced analgesia protocol should combine systemic analgesic agents and local anaesthesia techniques. The aim of the study was to find anatomical landmarks for the great auricular and the auriculotemporal nerves that transmit nociceptive information from the ear pinna and to develop the optimal technique for a nerve block. The study consisted of two phases. In phase I, one fox cadaver was used for dissection and anatomical localization of the auricular nerves to derive landmarks for needle insertion. Eight fox cadavers were subsequently used to evaluate the accuracy of the technique by injecting methylene blue bilaterally. In phaseIIfindings from phase I were applied in four Beagle canine cadavers. A block was deemed successful if more than 0.6 cm of the nerve's length was stained. Successful great auricular nerve block was achieved by inserting the needle superficially along the wing of the atlas with the needle pointing towards the jugular groove. For the auriculotemporal nerve block the needle was inserted perpendicular to the skin at the caudal lateral border of the zygomatic arch, close to the temporal process. The overall success rate was 24 out of 24 (100%) and 22 out of 24 (91%) for the great auricular and the auriculotemporal nerves, respectively, while the facial nerve was stained on three occasions. Our results suggest that it is feasible to achieve a block of the auricular nerves, based on anatomical landmarks, without concurrently affecting the facial nerve.
Breast and Tumour Volume Measurements in Breast Cancer Patients Using 3‐D Automated Breast Volume Scanner Images
Authors: Lagendijk M. , Vos E. L. , Ramlakhan K. P. , Verhoef C. , Koning A. H. J. , van Lankeren W. , Koppert L. B. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe resection volume in relation to the breast volume is known to influence cosmetic outcome following breast‐conserving therapy. It was hypothesised that three‐dimensional ultrasonography (3‐D US) could be used to preoperatively assess breast and tumour volume and show high association with histopathological measurements.MethodsBreast volume by the 3D‐US was compared to the water displacement method (WDM), mastectomy specimen weight, 3‐D MRI and three different calculations for breast volume on mammography. Tumour volume by the 3‐D US was compared to the histopathological tumour volume and 3‐D MRI. Relatedness was based on the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Bland–Altman plots were used to graphically display the agreement for the different assessment techniques. All measurements were performed by one observer.ResultsA total of 36 patients were included, 20 and 23 for the evaluation of breast and tumour volume (ductal invasive carcinomas), respectively. 3‐D US breast volume showed ‘excellent’ association with WDM, ICC 0.92 [95% CI (0.80–0.97)]. 3‐D US tumour volume showed a ‘excellent’ association with histopathological tumour volume, ICC 0.78 [95% CI (0.55–0.91)]. Bland–Altman plots showed an increased overestimation in lager tumour volumes measured by 3‐D MRI compared to histopathological volume.Conclusions3‐D US showed a high association with gold standard WDM for the preoperative assessment of breast volume and the histopathological measurement of tumour volume. 3‐D US is an patient‐friendly preoperative available technique to calculate both breast volume and tumour volume. Volume measurements are promising in outcome prediction of intended breast‐conserving treatment.
The Surgical Strategy in Massive Corrosive Injury in Digestive Tract: Is the Extensive Surgery Appropriate?
Authors: Chang Yung‐Hung , Chien Chih‐Ying , Chen Chih‐Chi , Fu Chih‐Yuan , Hsieh Chi‐Hsun , Liao Chien‐Hung 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundCorrosive ingestion results in necrosis of the digestive tract, spillage of intraluminal fluid, and spread of bacteria that threatens the lives of patients. Some authors advise extensive surgery, although others recommend conservative operation. This study presents the outcomes of the patients of corrosive injury who undergo emergent surgery.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review including patients with corrosive injury from Jan 2007 to Dec 2013. We retrieved and analyzed the demographic characteristics, injury location and extent, endoscopic grade, presence of surgery, surgical timing and procedure, and mortality.ResultsThe cohort consisted of 112 patients; 23 of the patients underwent an emergent operation. Patients who needed emergent surgery had the worse endoscopic severity and a higher mortality rate of 47.8% (12/23). Perforation of the digestive tract [odds ratio (OR) 13.5, p = 0.011] and unscheduled reoperation (OR 13.2, p = 0.033) were factors that predict mortality.ConclusionCorrosive injury resulted in a dismal prognosis, especially when patients required an operation. The mortality is related to digestive tract perforation and unscheduled reoperation. Inadequate resection might lead to unscheduled reoperations, which lead to a dismal prognosis.
Surgical Management of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma in Patients with Cirrhosis: Impact of Lymphadenectomy on Peri‐Operative Outcomes
Authors: Bagante Fabio , Spolverato Gaya , Weiss Matthew , Alexandrescu Sorin , Marques Hugo P. , Aldrighetti Luca , Maithel Shishir K. , Pulitano Carlo , Bauer Todd W. , Shen Feng , Poultsides George A. , Soubrane Olivier , Martel Guillaume , Groot Koerkamp B. , Guglielmi Alfredo , Itaru Endo , Ruzzenente Andrea , Pawlik Timothy M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe consequences of lymphadenectomy (LND) on cirrhotic patients undergoing hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) have not been investigated. We sought to analyze the impact of LND on morbidity among patients undergoing resection for ICC.MethodsA total of 1005 patients who underwent hepatectomy for ICC at one of the 14 participating institutions between 1990 and 2015 were identified. A propensity score match analysis was performed to reduce confounding biases between cirrhosis and non‐cirrhosis groups.ResultsCirrhosis was diagnosed in 118 (11.7%) patients. Among non‐cirrhotic patients, 63% underwent major liver resection versus only 20% among patients with cirrhosis (p < 0.001). LND was also less common among cirrhotic versus non‐cirrhotic patients (19 vs. 50%, p < 0.001). The incidence of complications was 41 and 30% among patients who did not and did have cirrhosis, respectively (p = 0.022). The propensity‐matched cohort included 150 patients. The incidence of complications was 71% among patients who underwent lymphadenectomy versus 23% among patients who did not undergo lymphadenectomy (OR 8.39) (p < 0.001). In the propensity‐matched analysis, the median HLN was comparable among patients independent of cirrhosis status (median HLN: non‐cirrhosis, 2.5 vs. cirrhosis, 2) (p = 0.95). While lymphadenectomy was associated with a higher risk of infections (non‐cirrhosis, 0% vs. cirrhosis, 21%, p < 0.001) among patients with cirrhosis, infections were not associated with lymphadenectomy among non‐cirrhotic patients (p = 0.19).ConclusionLymphadenectomy was associated with an increased risk of complications among patients with cirrhosis undergoing surgery for ICC. The benefit of lymphadenectomy in cirrhotic patients should be considered in light of the higher risk of postoperative complications compared with non‐cirrhotic patients.
Genetic tools for reliable gene expression and recombineering in Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Cook Taylor B , Rand Jacqueline M , Nurani Wasti , Courtney Dylan K , Liu Sophia A , Pfleger Brian F 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Pseudomonas putida is a promising bacterial host for producing natural products, such as polyketides and nonribosomal peptides. In these types of projects, researchers need a genetic toolbox consisting of plasmids, characterized promoters, and techniques for rapidly editing the genome. Past reports described constitutive promoter libraries, a suite of broad host range plasmids that replicate in P. putida, and genome-editing methods. To augment those tools, we have characterized a set of inducible promoters and discovered that IPTG-inducible promoter systems have poor dynamic range due to overexpression of the LacI repressor. By replacing the promoter driving lacI expression with weaker promoters, we increased the fold induction of an IPTG-inducible promoter in P. putida KT2440 to 80-fold. Upon discovering that gene expression from a plasmid was unpredictable when using a high-copy mutant of the BBR1 origin, we determined the copy numbers of several broad host range origins and found that plasmid copy numbers are significantly higher in P. putida KT2440 than in the synthetic biology workhorse, Escherichia coli. Lastly, we developed a λRed/Cas9 recombineering method in P. putida KT2440 using the genetic tools that we characterized. This method enabled the creation of scarless mutations without the need for performing classic two-step integration and marker removal protocols that depend on selection and counterselection genes. With the method, we generated four scarless deletions, three of which we were unable to create using a previously established genome-editing technique.