bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Common mechanisms of catalysis in small and heterotrimeric GTPases and their respective GAPs
Authors: Gerwert Klaus , Mann Daniel , Kötting Carsten 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
GTPases are central switches in cells. Their dysfunctions are involved in severe diseases. The small GTPase Ras regulates cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis by transmitting external signals to the nucleus. In one group of oncogenic mutations, the ‘switch-off’ reaction is inhibited, leading to persistent activation of the signaling pathway. The switch reaction is regulated by GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs), which catalyze GTP hydrolysis in Ras, and by guanine nucleotide exchange factors, which catalyze the exchange of GDP for GTP. Heterotrimeric G-proteins are activated by G-protein coupled receptors and are inactivated by GTP hydrolysis in the Gα subunit. Their GAPs are called regulators of G-protein signaling. In the same way that Ras serves as a prototype for small GTPases, Gαi1 is the most well-studied Gα subunit. By utilizing X-ray structural models, time-resolved infrared-difference spectroscopy, and biomolecular simulations, we elucidated the detailed molecular reaction mechanism of the GTP hydrolysis in Ras and Gαi1. In both proteins, the charge distribution of GTP is driven towards the transition state, and an arginine is precisely positioned to facilitate nucleophilic attack of water. In addition to these mechanistic details of GTP hydrolysis, Ras dimerization as an emerging factor in signal transduction is discussed in this review.
Successful resection of pancreatic head cancer in a patient with circumportal pancreas: a case report with technical consideration
Authors: Kawamoto Hiroshi , Fujikawa Takahisa , Tanaka Akira 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
We report a case of pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer with circumportal pancreas (CP). A 76-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with complaint of generalized pruritus. Dynamic computed tomography (CT) revealed an unenhanced mass at the head of the pancreas and a dilated main pancreatic duct (MPD) behind the superior mesenteric vein (SMV). She was diagnosed with pancreatic head cancer with CP and underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (SSpPD). The pancreas was transected both beneath and above the SMV, and the dominant dorsal edge of the pancreas was mobilized and anastomosed with the gut, whereas the ventral edge was closed by suture and attached to the gut. The postoperative course was uneventful without the occurrence of pancreatic fistula or bleeding. CP is a rare anomaly in which a portal vein (PV) is encircled by the annular pancreatic parenchyma. CP is usually asymptomatic without any significant comorbidity but may become a surgical hazard when pancreaticoduodenectomy is performed. We report our successfully treated case, with special references to the technical approach for pancreatic anastomosis.
Linear and Nonlinear Causality between Corn Cash and Futures Prices
Authors: Xu Xiaojie 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
This study investigates linear and nonlinear causality between the daily Chicago Board of Trade corn futures price series and each of seven regional cash series from Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Kansas for January 2006–March 2011. Empirical results suggest bidirectional linear causality between cash and futures prices under a bivariate vector autoregressive model in differences (Bi-VAR-Diff) which consists of the futures and one of the seven cash series that are not cointegrated, and unidirectional linear causality from futures to cash prices under an octavariate vector error correction model (Octa-VECM) which consists of the futures and all of the seven cash series that are cointegrated. With linear relationships among prices removed using the Bi-VAR-Diff or Octa-VECM filtering, nonlinear causality is tested through a bivariate vector autoregressive model in levels (Bi-VAR-Lev) on residuals associated with the futures and a cash series from the linear models, and is found to be unidirectional from the futures market to Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio in general. Finally, a GARCH-BEKK specification is added to a Bi-VAR-Diff or the Octa-VECM to obtain residuals for the nonlinear causality test using a Bi-VAR-Lev, and the futures market leadership against Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio is still identified.
The Stability Properties of Monetary Constitutions
Authors: Paniagua Pablo 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
The financial crisis brought about a higher degree of monetary policy unpredictability. To anchor expectations and promote nominal stability, there is a need for predictable monetary rules or stable constitutions. This paper’s purpose is to define the general expectational properties that monetary constitutions should possess to work as coordination devices. I use Buchanan’s predictability criterion, as well as the expectational monetary transmission mechanism, to propose that monetary constitutions should be considered stable as long as they contain dynamics allowing self-reinforcing expectations of monetary neutrality. Self-reinforcement of expectations is an integral property of monetary constitutions for them to be agents of coordination and therefore stable. I find that these expectational properties are consistent with the stability properties established in the constitutional literature.
Stability constant determinations for technetium (IV) complexation with selected amino carboxylate ligands in high nitrate solutions
Authors: Omoto Trevor , Wall Nathalie A. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
The stability constants for Tc(IV) complexation with the ligands IDA, NTA, HEDTA, and DTPA were determined in varied nitrate concentrations using liquid-liquid extraction methods. The determined log β101 stability constants at 0.5 M NaNO3 were found to be 9.2±0.3, 10.3±0.3, and 15.3±0.3 for IDA, NTA, and HEDTA, respectively. The log β111 stability constant for DTPA was determined to be 22.0±0.6. These determined stability constants show a slight decrease in magnitude as a function of increasing NaNO3 concentration. These stability constants were used to model the total dissolution of Tc(IV) in acidic aqueous solutions in the presence of each ligand. The results of these predictive models indicate that amino carboxylic ligands have a high potential for increasing the aqueous dissolution of Tc(IV); at pH 2.3, 0.01 M ligand yield dissolved Tc(IV) concentrations of 1.42·10−5 M, 1.33·10−5 M, 6.07·10−6 M, 9.65·10−7 M, for DTPA, HEDTA, NTA, and IDA, respectively.
Elevated serum ubiquitin-proteasome pathway related molecule levels in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Cetin Ihsan , Bulut Hamdullah , Şimsek Şeref 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Introductıon
We aimed to determine the serum levels of transactive response of DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) and ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1), which are ubiquitin-proteasome pathway related molecules and have not been investigated so far, in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods
The study group was composed of thirty children aged between 6 and 10. They were diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-IV criteria. They were the subjects who applied to Dicle University, Faculty of Medicine, and Department of Child Psychiatry in Diyarbakır, Turkey. Children with ADHD were assessed via Turgay DSM-IV Based Child and Adolescent Behavior Disorders Screening and Rating Scale and Stroop test. Serum TDP-43 and UCH-L1 levels were analysed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results
The TDP-43 and UCH-L1 serum levels of children with ADHD were found to be statistically significantly higher than those of controls. On the other hand, we found that serum levels of TDP-43 correlated with interference effect and hyperactivity–impulsivity in children with ADHD.

Conclusıon
Imbalances in serum UCH-L1 and TDP-43 levels, and the correlation of TDP-43 levels with clinical parameters in children with ADHD may suggest that ubiquitin-proteasome pathway alterations are associated with ADHD. Deterioration of this pathway may cause intracellular TDP-43 aggregation.
The relation between ischemia modified albumin level and autoimmunity/chronic inflammation in celiac disease
Authors: Yuksel Mahmut , Kaplan Mustafa , Ates Ihsan , Ozin Yasemin Ozderin , Kilic Hasan , Kuzu Ufuk Barıs , Kayacetin Ertugrul 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Objective
We established an expectation that ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels are higher in the celiac disease since it is an autoimmune/chronic inflammatory disease. In this study, we determined the level of IMA and its relation to autoimmunity/chronic inflammation in celiac disease.

Material and methods
The level of IMA of 65 patients diagnosed with celiac disease and 65 healthy volunteers, was measured with the serum ELISA kit. C-reactive protein (CRP), anti-gliadin antibodies immunoglobulin A (AGA-lgA), anti-gliadin antibodies immunoglobulin G (AGA-lgG), anti-tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin A antibodies (Anti-t-TGA), anti-tissue transglutaminase immunoglobulin G antibodies (Anti-t-TGG) levels were studied.

Results
IMA (30.8 ng/mL vs. 20.1 ng/mL, p=0.006; respectively) levels in celiac patients were higher than the control group. In celiac patients who were antibody positive, IMA level was found to be higher compared to antibody negative patients. A positive correlation was determined between IMA level and AGA-IgA (r=0.504, p<0.001), AGA-IgG (r=0.445, p<0.001), Anti-t TGA (r=0.485, p<0.001), Anti-t TGG (r=0.477, p<0.001) and CRP (r=0.385, p=0.011) levels.

Conclusion
Chronic inflammation and autoimmunity were found to be associated with high levels of IMA. To use IMA as a diagnosis and follow-up criterion in celiac disease, IMA levels must be compared before and after treatment of active celiac disease.
Cloning and expression analysis of ZmABI3 gene in Zea mays
Authors: Weng Qiaoyun , Song Jinhui , Ma Hailian , Yuan Jincheng , Zhao Yanmin , Zhao Yan , Liu Yinghui 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Objective
ABI3 is a B3 domain transcription factor existed in various plant species. Studies showed that ABI3 play important role in plant growth and development.

Methods
The ZmABI3 gene was cloned by reverse transcription PCR. Expression analysis was done by quantitative real-time PCR after various abiotic stresses.

Results
One gene contained B3 domain was isolated from maize, designated as ZmABI3. The full cDNA sequence of ZmABI3 contains a 1017 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 339 amino acids, and the calculated molecular mass was 37.19 kD. Phylogenetic tree analysis suggested that ZmABI3 clustered together with Brachypodium distachyon ABI3 protein. The promoter of ZmABI3 was cloned, which was about 948 bp upstream of ZmABI3 and predicted to contain important regulatory elements including TATA-box, CAAT-box and elements responding to drought, heat, cold, SA and MeJA.

Conclusion
A new gene contained a B3 domain was cloned and named as ZmABI3 from maize. Analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR, the expression of ZmABI3 in maize was induced by abiotic stresses included heat, high-salt, cold, PEG, heat stress and dehydration treatments, but not by ABA. These results suggested that ZmABI3 might be a stress related gene in maize.
Lipid-protein microdomains in tonoplast of Beta vulgaris L.: comparison between the results obtained by detergent and detergent-free isolation techniques
Authors: Ozolina Natalia V. , Nesterkina Irina S. , Spiridonova Ekaterina V. , Dudareva Lubov V. , Nurminsky Vadim N. , Salyaev Ryurik K. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Objective
The membranes of plant and animal cells contain lipid-protein microdomains (LPMs) in their structure. We aimed to compare biochemical and biophysical characteristics of LPMs isolated by the two techniques from beet root tonoplast.

Methods
For the purposes of comparison the biochemical characteristics of LPMs the content of protein (Bradford’s method), the content of lipids (gravimetric method) were assessed. For the purpose of separating different kinds of lipids, one-dimensional thin layer chromatography (TLC), two-dimensional TLC and different specific systems of solvents were used. The content of fatty acids and sterols was determined by chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry correspondingly. In order to determine the orderings of the lipids in LPMs the laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy was used.

Results
Significant differences were revealed as a result of investigation of biochemical and biophysical characteristics of LPMs. The total content of proteins was substantially higher (4 times as large) in LPMs identified by the detergent-free technique than in LPMs identified by the detergent technique. The orderings of lipids in LPMs isolated by detergent-free technique was substantially lower than that of LPMs isolated by detergent technique.

Conclusion
These results may suggest an existence of several types of LPMs in tonoplast.
Detecting Soil Inclusion Inside Piles in the Laboratory Using DTS Method
Authors: Xiao H. L. , Liu Y. L. , Fan M. , Li L. H. , Lei W. K. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
In order to standardize and promote the distributed temperature sensor instrument applied in the detection of pile with soil, model piles with a 0.6 m height and 0.8 m diameter were designed in which the ratio of concrete to clay mass is 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, also including pure concrete pile and clay pile model for comparison. Because of the effect of the clay in the pile to the pile thermal conductivity, the temperature change of the pile was monitored. The change of piles' thermal conductivity, the relationship between temperature and heating power, temperature and piles' materials, and temperature and clay content, were quantitatively studied. Experimental results showed that the temperature linearly increases with the increasing of heating power, but with the increase of clay content, temperature gradient increased; for different piles' material, there are obvious differences regarding the coefficient of temperature and heating power, but with increasing of the clay content increased.
NEUROD2 RegulatesStim1Expression and Store-Operated Calcium Entry in Cortical Neurons
Authors: Guner Gokhan , Guzelsoy Gizem , Isleyen Fatma Sadife , Sahin Gulcan Semra , Akkaya Cansu , Bayam Efil , Kotan Eser Ilgin , Kabakcioglu Alkan , Ince-Dunn Gulayse 
Published: February 2017

AbstractCalcium signaling controls many key processes in neurons, including gene expression, axon guidance, and synaptic plasticity. In contrast to calcium influx through voltage- or neurotransmitter-gated channels, regulatory pathways that control store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) in neurons are poorly understood. Here, we report a transcriptional control ofStim1(stromal interaction molecule 1) gene, which is a major sensor of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium levels and a regulator of SOCE. By using a genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing approach in mice, we find that NEUROD2, a neurogenic transcription factor, binds to an intronic element within theStim1gene. We show that NEUROD2 limitsStim1expression in cortical neurons and consequently fine-tunes the SOCE response upon depletion of ER calcium. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism that regulates neuronal calcium homeostasis during cortical development.
Coupled Decision Processes Update and Maintain Saccadic Priors in a Dynamic Environment
Authors: Kim Timothy Doyeon , Kabir Mohammad , Gold Joshua I. 
Published: February 2017

Much of what we know about how the brain forms decisions comes from studies of saccadic eye movements. However, saccadic decisions are often studied in isolation, which limits the insights that they can provide about real-world decisions with complex interdependencies. Here, we used a serial reaction time (RT) task to show that prior expectations affect RTs via interdependent, normative decision processes that operate within and across saccades. We found that human subjects performing the task generated saccades that were governed by a rise-to-threshold decision process with a starting point that reflected expected state-dependent transition probabilities. These probabilities depended on decisions about the current state (the correct target) that, under some conditions, required the accumulation of information across saccades. Without additional feedback, this information was provided by each saccadic decision threshold, which represented the total evidence in favor of the chosen target. Therefore, the output of the within-saccade process was used, not only to generate the saccade, but also to provide input to the across-saccade process. This across-saccade process, in turn, helped to set the starting point of the next within-saccade process. These results imply a novel role for functional information-processing loops in optimizing saccade generation in dynamic environments.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSaccades are the rapid, ballistic eye movements that we make approximately three times every second to scan the visual scene for interesting things to look at. The apparent ease with which we produce saccades belies their computational sophistication, which can be studied quantitatively in the laboratory to provide insights into how our brain manages the interplay between sensory input and motor output. The present work is important because we show for the first time how this interplay operates both within and across saccades to ensure that these eye movements are guided effectively by learned expectations in dynamic environments. More generally, this study shows how sensory-motor decision processes, typically studied in isolation, interact via functional information-processing loops in the brain to produce complex, adaptive behaviors.
Development of the Cerebral Cortex across Adolescence: A Multisample Study of Inter-Related Longitudinal Changes in Cortical Volume, Surface Area, and Thickness
Authors: Tamnes Christian K. , Herting Megan M. , Goddings Anne-Lise , Meuwese Rosa , Blakemore Sarah-Jayne , Dahl Ronald E. , Güroğlu Berna , Raznahan Armin , Sowell Elizabeth R. , Crone Eveline A. , Mills Kathryn L. 
Published: February 2017

Before we can assess and interpret how developmental changes in human brain structure relate to cognition, affect, and motivation, and how these processes are perturbed in clinical or at-risk populations, we must first precisely understand typical brain development and how changes in different structural components relate to each other. We conducted a multisample magnetic resonance imaging study to investigate the development of cortical volume, surface area, and thickness, as well as their inter-relationships, from late childhood to early adulthood (7–29 years) using four separate longitudinal samples including 388 participants and 854 total scans. These independent datasets were processed and quality-controlled using the same methods, but analyzed separately to study the replicability of the results across sample and image-acquisition characteristics. The results consistently showed widespread and regionally variable nonlinear decreases in cortical volume and thickness and comparably smaller steady decreases in surface area. Further, the dominant contributor to cortical volume reductions during adolescence was thinning. Finally, complex regional and topological patterns of associations between changes in surface area and thickness were observed. Positive relationships were seen in sulcal regions in prefrontal and temporal cortices, while negative relationships were seen mainly in gyral regions in more posterior cortices. Collectively, these results help resolve previous inconsistencies regarding the structural development of the cerebral cortex from childhood to adulthood, and provide novel insight into how changes in the different dimensions of the cortex in this period of life are inter-related.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTDifferent measures of brain anatomy develop differently across adolescence. Their precise trajectories and how they relate to each other throughout development are important to know if we are to fully understand both typical development and disorders involving aberrant brain development. However, our understanding of such trajectories and relationships is still incomplete. To provide accurate characterizations of how different measures of cortical structure develop, we performed an MRI investigation across four independent datasets. The most profound anatomical change in the cortex during adolescence was thinning, with the largest decreases observed in the parietal lobe. There were complex regional patterns of associations between changes in surface area and thickness, with positive relationships seen in sulcal regions in prefrontal and temporal cortices, and negative relationships seen mainly in gyral regions in more posterior cortices.
Visuospatial Asymmetries Arise from Differences in the Onset Time of Perceptual Evidence Accumulation
Authors: Newman Daniel P. , Loughnane Gerard M. , Kelly Simon P. , O'Connell Redmond G. , Bellgrove Mark A. 
Published: February 2017

Healthy subjects tend to exhibit a bias of visual attention whereby left hemifield stimuli are processed more quickly and accurately than stimuli appearing in the right hemifield. It has long been held that this phenomenon arises from the dominant role of the right cerebral hemisphere in regulating attention. However, methods that would enable more precise understanding of the mechanisms underpinning visuospatial bias have remained elusive. We sought to finely trace the temporal evolution of spatial biases by leveraging a novel bilateral dot motion detection paradigm. In combination with electroencephalography, this paradigm enables researchers to isolate discrete neural signals reflecting the key neural processes needed for making these detection decisions. These include signals for spatial attention, early target selection, evidence accumulation, and motor preparation. Using this method, we established that three key neural markers accounted for unique between-subject variation in visuospatial bias: hemispheric asymmetry in posterior α power measured before target onset, which is related to the distribution of preparatory attention across the visual field; asymmetry in the peak latency of the early N2c target-selection signal; and, finally, asymmetry in the onset time of the subsequent neural evidence-accumulation process with earlier onsets for left hemifield targets. Our development of a single paradigm to dissociate distinct processing components that track the temporal evolution of spatial biases not only advances our understanding of the neural mechanisms underpinning normal visuospatial attention bias, but may also in the future aid differential diagnoses in disorders of spatial attention.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe significance of this research is twofold. First, it shows that individual differences in how humans direct their attention between left and right space reflects physiological differences in how early the brain starts to accumulate evidence for the existence of a visual target. Second, the novel methods developed here may have particular relevance to disorders of attention, such as unilateral spatial neglect. In the case of spatial neglect, pathological inattention to left space could have multiple underlying causes, including biased attention, impaired decision formation, or a motor deficit related to one side of space. Our development of a single paradigm to dissociate each of these components may aid in supporting more precise differential diagnosis in such heterogeneous disorders.