bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IMPDH polymers accommodate both catalytically active and inactive conformations
Authors: Anthony Sajitha , Burrell Anika L. , Johnson Matthew C. , Duong-Ly Krisna C. , Kuo Yin-Ming , Michener Peter , Andrews Andrew , Kollman Justin M. , Peterson Jeffrey R. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTSeveral metabolic enzymes undergo reversible polymerization into macromolecular assemblies. The function of these assemblies is often unclear but in some cases they regulate enzyme activity and metabolic homeostasis. The guanine nucleotide biosynthetic enzyme inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) forms octamers that polymerize into helical chains. In mammalian cells, IMPDH filaments can associate into micron-length assemblies. Polymerization and enzyme activity are regulated in part by binding of purine nucleotides to an allosteric regulatory domain. ATP promotes octamer polymerization, whereas GTP promotes a compact, inactive conformation whose ability to polymerize is unknown. An open question is whether polymerization directly alters IMPDH catalytic activity. To address this, we identified point mutants of human IMPDH2 that either prevent or promote polymerization. Unexpectedly, we found that polymerized and non-assembled forms of IMPDH have comparable catalytic activity, substrate affinity, and GTP sensitivity and validated this finding in cells. Electron microscopy revealed that substrates and allosteric nucleotides shift the equilibrium between active and inactive conformations in both the octamer and the filament. Unlike other metabolic filaments, which selectively stabilize active or inactive conformations, IMPDH filaments accommodate multiple states. Thus, although polymerization alone does not impact catalytic activity, substrate availability and purine balance dramatically affect IMPDH filament architecture.
Microbiome dynamics in early life stages of the scleractinian coral Acropora gemmifera in response to elevated pCO2
Authors: Zhou Guowei , Cai Lin , Yuan Tao , Tian Renmao , Tong Haoya , Zhang Weipeng , Jiang Lei , Guo Minglan , Liu Sheng , Qian Pei‐Yuan , Huang Hui 
Published: June 2017

SummaryReef‐building corals are complex holobionts, harbouring diverse microorganisms that play essential roles in maintaining coral health. However, microbiome development in early life stages of corals remains poorly understood. Here, microbiomes of Acropora gemmifera were analysed during spawning and early developmental stages, and also under different seawater partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) conditions, using amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA gene for bacteria and archaea and of ITS2 for Symbiodinium. No remarkable microbiome shift was observed in adults before and after spawning. Moreover, microbiomes in eggs were highly similar to those in spawned adults, possibly suggesting a vertical transmission from parents to offspring. However, significant stage‐specific changes were found in coral microbiome during development, indicating that host development played a dominant role in shaping coral microbiome. Specifically, Cyanobacteria were particularly abundant in 6‐day‐old juveniles, but decreased largely in 31‐day‐old juveniles with a possible subclade shift in Symbiodinium dominance from C2r to D17. Larval microbiome showed changes in elevated pCO2, while juvenile microbiomes remained rather stable in response to higher pCO2. This study provides novel insights into the microbiome development during the critical life stages of coral.
Trying not to lose: The electoral consequences of unilateral reform efforts and the social pact formation process
Authors: CASTATER ERIC GRAIG , HAN KYUNG JOON 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe existing social pact literature claims that governing parties offer social pact proposals because they anticipate they will receive an electoral benefit from social pact agreements. Yet the available data on social pacts inform us that in a substantial minority of cases social pact proposals fail to become social pact agreements. In an effort to better determine the political calculations made by governments before they propose a social pact, this article examines the effect of implementing reform legislation unilaterally, social pact proposals, social pact proposal failures and social pact agreements on the vote share of government parties in 15 Western European countries between 1981 and 2006. It is found that social pact proposals do not have any electoral consequences for governing parties, unilateral legislation and social pact proposal failures reduce the vote share of governing parties, and social pact agreements provide an electoral benefit to parties in minority governments only. These findings suggest that governing parties propose social pacts in a good faith effort to complete a social pact agreement; and that such an agreement is not a way for these parties to gain votes, but to avoid the electoral punishment associated with enacting unpopular reforms unilaterally.
Techniques for the Analysis of Minor Lipid Oxidation Products Derived from Triacylglycerols: Epoxides, Alcohols, and Ketones
Authors: Xia Wei , Budge Suzanne M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractLipid oxidation can lead to flavor and safety issues in fat‐containing foods. In order to measure the extent of lipid oxidation, hydroperoxides and their scission products are normally targeted for analytical purposes. In recent years, the formation of rarely monitored oxygenated products, including epoxides, alcohols, and ketones, has also raised concerns. These products are thought to form from alternative pathways that compete with chain scissions, and should not be neglected. In this review, a number of instrumental techniques and approaches to determine epoxides, alcohols, and ketones are discussed, with a focus on their selectivity and sensitivity in applications to food lipids and oils. Special attention is given to methods employing gas chromatography (GC), high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). For characterization purposes, GC‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) provides valuable information regarding the structures of individual oxygenated fatty acids, typically as methyl esters, isolated from oxygenated triacylglycerols (TAGs), while the use of liquid chromatography–MS (LC‐MS) techniques allows analysis of intact oxygenated TAGs and offers information about the position of the oxygenated acyl chain on the glycerol backbone. For quantitative purposes, traditional chromatography methods have exhibited excellent sensitivity, while spectroscopic methods, including NMR, are superior to chromatography for their rapid analytical cycles. Future studies should focus on the development of a routine quantitative method that is both selective and sensitive.
Benford's Law for Quality Assurance of Manner of Death Counts in Small and Large Databases
Authors: Daniels Jeremy , Caetano Samantha‐Jo , Huyer Dirk , Stephen Andrew , Fernandes John , Lytwyn Alice , Hoppe Fred M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractTo assess if Benford's law, a mathematical law used for quality assurance in accounting, can be applied as a quality assurance measure for the manner of death determination. We examined a regional forensic pathology service's monthly manner of death counts (N = 2352) from 2011 to 2013, and provincial monthly and weekly death counts from 2009 to 2013 (N = 81,831). We tested whether each dataset's leading digit followed Benford's law via the chi‐square test. For each database, we assessed whether number 1 was the most common leading digit. The manner of death counts first digit followed Benford's law in all the three datasets. Two of the three datasets had 1 as the most frequent leading digit. The manner of death data in this study showed qualities consistent with Benford's law. The law has potential as a quality assurance metric in the manner of death determination for both small and large databases.
Compositional Analyses and Shelf‐Life Modeling of Njangsa (Ricinodendron heudelotii) Seed Oil Using the Weibull Hazard Analysis
Authors: Abaidoo‐Ayin Harold K. , Boakye Prince G. , Jones Kerby C. , Wyatt Victor T. , Besong Samuel A. , Lumor Stephen E. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis study investigated the compositional characteristics and shelf‐life of Njangsa seed oil (NSO). Oil from Njangsa had a high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content of which alpha eleostearic acid (α‐ESA), an unusual conjugated linoleic acid was the most prevalent (about 52%). Linoleic acid was also present in appreciable amounts (approximately 34%). Our investigations also indicated that the acid‐catalyzed transesterification of NSO resulted in lower yields of α‐ESA methyl esters, due to isomerization, a phenomenon which was not observed under basic conditions. The triacylglycerol (TAG) profile analysis showed the presence of at least 1 α‐ESA fatty acid chain in more than 95% of the oil's TAGs. Shelf‐life was determined by the Weibull Hazard Sensory Method, where the end of shelf‐life was defined as the time at which 50% of panelists found the flavor of NSO to be unacceptable. This was determined as 21 wk. Our findings therefore support the potential commercial viability of NSO as an important source of physiologically beneficial PUFAs.
Increasing Oil Concentration Affects Consumer Perception and Physical Properties of Mayonnaise‐type Spreads Containing KCl
Authors: Torrico Damir Dennis , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon 
Published: June 2017

AbstractReducing sodium intakes remains a global challenge for the food industry. KCl is a potential salt substitute but imparts bitterness when used at high concentrations. Little is known about how oil concentrations (OC) affect consumers’ perception of saltiness and bitterness in emulsion products such as mayonnaise containing KCl. We evaluated consumers’ perception and physical properties of mayonnaise‐type spreads at various oil and tastant (NaCl or KCl) concentrations. Consumers (N = 306) evaluated saltiness, bitterness, overall taste liking (OTL) and purchase intent (PI). Viscosity, pH, water activity, and consistency/texture were also measured. Oil and tastant (NaCl or KCl) concentrations had significant effects on saltiness, viscosity, and pH. As OC increased, saltiness intensity slightly decreased for spreads. Increasing oil concentration increased viscosity. Generally, spreads containing KCl had higher bitterness and pH than spreads containing NaCl. All spreads containing KCl were penalized for being “too bitter.” PI was affected by OTL for all spreads but OC was also a significant factor in the purchase decision of spreads containing NaCl. This study demonstrated that increasing OC affected consumers’ taste perception (saltiness and bitterness) and spreads’ physical properties including pH and viscosity.
A bacterial chloroform reductive dehalogenase: purification and biochemical characterization
Authors: Jugder Bat‐Erdene , Bohl Susanne , Lebhar Helene , Healey Robert D. , Manefield Mike , Marquis Christopher P. , Lee Matthew 
Published: June 2017

SummaryWe report herein the purification of a chloroform (CF)‐reducing enzyme, TmrA, from the membrane fraction of a strict anaerobe Dehalobacter sp. strain UNSWDHB to apparent homogeneity with an approximate 23‐fold increase in relative purity compared to crude lysate. The membrane fraction obtained by ultracentrifugation was solubilized in Triton X‐100 in the presence of glycerol, followed by purification by anion exchange chromatography. The molecular mass of the purified TmrA was determined to be 44.5 kDa by SDS‐PAGE and MALDI‐TOF/TOF. The purified dehalogenase reductively dechlorinated CF to dichloromethane in vitro with reduced methyl viologen as the electron donor at a specific activity of (1.27 ± 0.04) × 103 units mg protein−1. The optimum temperature and pH for the activity were 45°C and 7.2, respectively. The UV‐visible spectrometric analysis indicated the presence of a corrinoid and two [4Fe‐4S] clusters, predicted from the amino acid sequence. This is the first report of the production, purification and biochemical characterization of a CF reductive dehalogenase.
A H2‐oxidizing, 1,2,3‐trichlorobenzene‐reducing multienzyme complex isolated from the obligately organohalide‐respiring bacterium Dehalococcoides mccartyi strain CBDB1
Authors: Hartwig Stefanie , Dragomirova Nadya , Kublik Anja , Türkowsky Dominique , von Bergen Martin , Lechner Ute , Adrian Lorenz , Sawers R. Gary 
Published: June 2017

SummaryDehalococcoides mccartyi is a small, slow‐growing bacterium of the phylum Chloroflexi that conserves energy using aliphatic and aromatic organohalides as electron acceptors, and hydrogen as sole electron donor. A recent study identified a protein complex in the membrane of strain CBDB1 comprising a Hup hydrogenase, a complex iron‐sulphur molybdoprotein and a reductive dehalogenase (RdhA) that catalyses reduction of 1,2,3,4‐tetrachlorobenzene. Using a combination of size‐exclusion chromatography, in‐gel hydrogenase activity‐staining, immunological analysis and mass spectrometry, we identified here a large molecular mass protein complex solubilized from the cytoplasmic membrane of D. mccartyi strain CBDB1 that catalysed H2‐dependent reduction of 1,2,3‐trichlorobenzene (1,2,3‐TCB) to 1,3‐DCB. In‐gel zymographic staining revealed H2:benzyl viologen oxidoreductase activity associated with the complex and immunological analysis identified co‐elution of CdbdA195, the predicted catalytic subunit of the iron‐sulphur molybdoenzyme, the chlorobenzene‐specific RdhA, CbrA, and traces of HupL, the catalytic subunit of the Hup hydrogenase. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR analyses indicated that the expression of the hupL and cbdbA195 genes was induced by 1,2,3‐TCB but not by hydrogen. Together, these data identify and describe a protein‐based electron‐transfer complex catalysing H2 oxidation coupled to chlorobenzene reduction.
A prospective microbiome‐wide association study of food sensitization and food allergy in early childhood
Authors: Savage Jessica H. , Lee‐Sarwar Kathleen A. , Sordillo Joanne , Bunyavanich Supinda , Zhou Yanjiao , O'Connor George , Sandel Megan , Bacharier Leonard B. , Zeiger Robert , Sodergren Erica , Weinstock George M. , Gold Diane R. , Weiss Scott T. , Litonjua Augusto A. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundAlterations in the intestinal microbiome are prospectively associated with the development of asthma; less is known regarding the role of microbiome alterations in food allergy development.MethodsIntestinal microbiome samples were collected at age 3‐6 months in children participating in the follow‐up phase of an interventional trial of high‐dose vitamin D given during pregnancy. At age 3, sensitization to foods (milk, egg, peanut, soy, wheat, walnut) was assessed. Food allergy was defined as caretaker report of healthcare provider‐diagnosed allergy to the above foods prior to age 3 with evidence of IgE sensitization. Analysis was performed using Phyloseq and DESeq2; P‐values were adjusted for multiple comparisons.ResultsComplete data were available for 225 children; there were 87 cases of food sensitization and 14 cases of food allergy. Microbial diversity measures did not differ between food sensitization and food allergy cases and controls. The genera Haemophilus (log2 fold change −2.15, P=.003), Dialister (log2 fold change −2.22, P=.009), Dorea (log2 fold change −1.65, P=.02), and Clostridium (log2 fold change −1.47, P=.002) were underrepresented among subjects with food sensitization. The genera Citrobacter (log2 fold change −3.41, P=.03), Oscillospira (log2 fold change −2.80, P=.03), Lactococcus (log2 fold change −3.19, P=.05), and Dorea (log2 fold change −3.00, P=.05) were underrepresented among subjects with food allergy.ConclusionsThe temporal association between bacterial colonization and food sensitization and allergy suggests that the microbiome may have a causal role in the development of food allergy. Our findings have therapeutic implications for the prevention and treatment of food allergy.
Long‐term follow‐up of intra‐cytoplasmic sperm injection‐conceived offspring compared with in vitro fertilization‐conceived offspring: a systematic review of health outcomes beyond the neonatal period
Authors: Catford S. R. , McLachlan R. I. , O'Bryan M. K. , Halliday J. L. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryThe use of intra‐cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has increased significantly worldwide, often chosen instead of in vitro fertilization (IVF), yet long‐term health outcomes are unknown and health differences betweenICSIandIVFconceptions have not been comprehensively assessed. A systematic review of health outcomes ofICSI‐conceived offspring beyond the neonatal period compared toIVF‐conceived offspring was carried out. PubMed,OVIDMedline/Embase, Informit, Web of Science and Proquest databases were searched on 9 November 2016 for studies reporting on health outcomes inICSI‐conceived offspring beyond 28 days after birth. Physical and psychosocial health were the main outcome measures. The search strategy yielded 2781 articles; 2539 were not relevant or did not meet inclusion criteria and 137 were duplicates. One hundred and five full‐text papers were evaluated further and 34 satisfied the inclusion criteria. Studies comparingICSI‐ andIVF‐conceived children suggest their neurodevelopment is comparable. Growth and aspects of physical health are also similar; however, studies are few and limited to childhood.ICSI‐conceived children may be at increased risk of autism and intellectual impairment. No difference in risk of childhood cancer was reported in one study. Whilst the neurodevelopment ofICSI‐conceived children appears comparable to those ofIVFconception, data relating to neurodevelopmental disorders, growth, physical health and childhood cancer are inconclusive. Further research into health outcomes in adolescence and adulthood is required before conclusions can be drawn about the long‐term safety ofICSIcompared toIVF. Until then,ICSImight be better reserved for its original intended use, male‐factor infertility.
Two‐years results of small‐incision lenticule extraction and wavefront‐guided laser in situ keratomileusis for Myopia
Authors: Kobashi Hidenaga , Kamiya Kazutaka , Igarashi Akihito , Takahashi Masahide , Shimizu Kimiya 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPurposeTo compare the 2‐years visual and refractive outcomes between small‐incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and wavefront‐guided laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in eyes with myopia and myopic astigmatism.MethodsOur retrospective case–control study examined 30 eyes of 30 patients with the manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) of −3.71 ± 1.83 dioptres (D) who underwent SMILE and 30 eyes of 30 patients with MRSE of −3.81 ± 1.40 D who underwent wavefront‐guided LASIK. We assessed the 2‐years clinical outcomes.ResultsLogarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (LogMAR)‐corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was −0.23 ± 0.07 in the SMILE group and −0.24 ± 0.07 in the wavefront‐guided LASIK group 2 years postoperatively (p = 0.82). Logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution‐uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was −0.18 ± 0.09 and −0.15 ± 0.11 (p = 0.30, respectively). In the SMILE and wavefront‐guided LASIK groups 2 years postoperatively, 100% and 73% of eyes, respectively, were within 0.5 D of the prompted MRSE correction (p = 0.005). Changes in the MRSE of −0.10 ± 0.30 D and −0.23 ± 0.51 D occurred from 3 months to 2 years (p = 0.40, respectively). We found a significant correlation between myopic regression and the changes in the keratometric readings from 3 months to 2 years after wavefront‐guided LASIK (r = −0.48, p = 0.002), but not after SMILE (r = −0.004, p = 0.90).ConclusionSmall‐incision lenticule extraction offers better refractive outcomes than wavefront‐guided LASIK during a 2‐years follow‐up for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism.
The genesis of mud volcano conduits through thick evaporite sequences
Authors: Kirkham C. , Cartwright J. , Hermanrud C. , Jebsen C. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis study documents the seismic expression of the conduits underlying over 350 mud volcanoes that were erupted in an area of the western Nile Cone in the past 5.3 Myr. The study is based on a c. 4300 km2 3D seismic survey. The conduits are interpreted to transect the >1000‐m‐thick Messinian Evaporite succession, demonstrating that the eruptive process is sufficiently dynamic to breach the formidable seal represented by the evaporites. The mud volcano conduits are remarkably similar in geometry and seismic characteristics to many previously described examples of fluid escape pipes. They are vertical to subvertical structures with a crudely cylindrical geometry, but that can either widen or narrow upwards towards their upper terminations in the mud volcano edifices. Imaging at depth within the Messinian Evaporites and pre‐evaporite successions is more uncertain, but direct sampling of mud from surface volcanoes suggests a pre‐Messinian source, confirming the seismic interpretation that they root within presalt stratigraphy. A conceptual model for the genesis of these mud volcano conduits through salt is proposed, for which hydraulic fracturing is driven by high overpressures that developed in the presalt source stratigraphy as a response to the Messinian Salinity Crisis. Dissolution and removal of evaporites resulting in fracturing and collapse via a stoping mechanism is a slow process by comparison to hydraulic fracturing but is argued to potentially contribute to conduit formation. The analysis presented here demonstrates the potential for bypassing a >1‐km‐thick unit of sealing evaporites via focused fluid and sediment mobilisation from deeper overpressured cells in other salt basins worldwide, and has significant implications for hydrocarbon exploration, CO2 sequestration and nuclear waste disposal.
Experimental test of the mechanism underlying sexual segregation at communal roosts of harvestmen (Prionostemma spp.)
Authors: Harvey Brigit D. , Vanni Kaylee N. , Shier Debra M. , Grether Gregory F. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractClosely related, ecologically similar species often roost in distinctly different habitats, and roosting patterns also vary within species in relation to sex, age and season. The causes of such variation are not well understood at either a proximate or ultimate level. We studied communal roosting in two congeneric species of Prionostemma harvestmen at a rainforest site in Nicaragua. Previous research showed that Prionostemma sp. 1 forms male‐biased communal roosts in tree‐root cavities, while Prionostemma sp. 2 forms communal roosts of variable but temporally stable sex ratios on spiny palms. Here, we investigate potential mechanisms underlying variation in roosting site choice between and within these syntopic species. First, we present the results of a field experiment designed to probe the mechanism underlying skewed roost sex ratios in Prionostemma sp. 2. Previous studies have suggested that these harvestmen use conspecific scent to locate communal roosts and that new roosts can be established via group translocation. Therefore, to test the hypothesis that skewed roost sex ratios in this species arise from sex differences in scent marks, we translocated single‐sex groups of ca. 30 individuals to each of 20 previously unoccupied spiny palms. Female release sites attracted new recruits of both sexes, while male release sites attracted almost exclusively males. We infer that Prionostemma sp. 2 females preferentially roost in sites scent‐marked by females and that this mechanism is sufficient to explain the skewed roost ratios. Further adding to knowledge of Prionostemma roosting behavior, we show that Prionostemma sp. 1 forms female‐biased communal roosts on spiny palms, that some roosts contain both species, and that the species composition is stable on a time scale of at least 2 weeks. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first experimental test of mechanisms underlying sexual segregation at communal roosts in any taxon.