bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Rationally Designed Connector for Assembly of Protein‐Functionalized DNA Nanostructures
Authors: Koßmann Katja J. , Ziegler Cornelia , Angelin Alessandro , Meyer Rebecca , Skoupi Marc , Rabe Kersten S. , Niemeyer Christof M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe report on the rational engineering of the binding interface of the self‐ligating HaloTag protein to generate an optimized linker for DNA nanostructures. Five amino acids positioned around the active‐site entry channel for the chlorohexyl ligand (CH) of the HaloTag protein were exchanged for positively charged lysine amino acids to produce the HOB (halo‐based oligonucleotide binder) protein. HOB was genetically fused with the enzyme cytochrome P450 BM3, as well as with BMR, the separated reductase domain of BM3. The resulting HOB‐fusion proteins revealed significantly improved rates in ligation with CH‐modified oligonucleotides and DNA origami nanostructures. These results suggest that the efficient self‐assembly of protein‐decorated DNA structures can be greatly improved by fine‐tuning of the electrostatic interactions between proteins and the negatively charged nucleic acid nanostructures.
Biosynthesis of LL‐Z1272β: Discovery of a New Member of NRPS‐like Enzymes for Aryl‐Aldehyde Formation
Authors: Li Chang , Matsuda Yudai , Gao Hao , Hu Dan , Yao Xin Sheng , Abe Ikuro 
Published: March 2016

AbstractLL‐Z1272β (1) is a prenylated aryl‐aldehyde produced by several fungi; it also serves as a key pathway intermediate for many fungal meroterpenoids. Despite its importance in the biosynthesis of natural products, the molecular basis for the biosynthesis of 1 has yet to be elucidated. Here we identified the biosynthetic gene cluster for 1 from Stachybotrys bisbyi PYH05‐7, and elucidated the biosynthetic route to 1. The biosynthesis involves a polyketide synthase, a prenyltransferase, and a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)‐like enzyme, which is responsible for the generation of the aldehyde functionality. Interestingly, the NRPS‐like enzyme only accepts the farnesylated substrate to catalyze the carboxylate reduction; this represents a new example of a substrate for adenylation domains.
Four of the six Drosophila rhodopsin‐expressing photoreceptors can mediate circadian entrainment in low light
Authors: Saint‐Charles Alexandra , Michard‐Vanhée Christine , Alejevski Faredin , Chélot Elisabeth , Boivin Antoine , Rouyer François 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTLight is the major stimulus for the synchronization of circadian clocks with day–night cycles. The light‐driven entrainment of the clock that controls rest–activity rhythms in Drosophila relies on different photoreceptive molecules. Cryptochrome (CRY) is expressed in most brain clock neurons, whereas six different rhodopsins (RH) are present in the light‐sensing organs. The compound eye includes outer photoreceptors that express RH1 and inner photoreceptors that each express one of the four rhodopsins RH3–RH6. RH6 is also expressed in the extraretinal Hofbauer–Buchner eyelet, whereas RH2 is only found in the ocelli. In low light, the synchronization of behavioral rhythms relies on either CRY or the canonical rhodopsin phototransduction pathway, which requires the phospholipase C‐β encoded by norpA (no receptor potential A). We used norpAP24 cry02 double mutants that are circadianly blind in low light and restored NORPA function in each of the six types of photoreceptors, defined as expressing a particular rhodopsin. We first show that the NORPA pathway is less efficient than CRY for synchronizing rest–activity rhythms with delayed light–dark cycles but is important for proper phasing, whereas the two light‐sensing pathways can mediate efficient adjustments to phase advances. Four of the six rhodopsin‐expressing photoreceptors can mediate circadian entrainment, and all are more efficient for advancing than for delaying the behavioral clock. In contrast, neither RH5‐expressing retinal photoreceptors nor RH2‐expressing ocellar photoreceptors are sufficient to mediate synchronization through the NORPA pathway. Our results thus reveal different contributions of rhodopsin‐expressing photoreceptors and suggest the existence of several circuits for rhodopsin‐dependent circadian entrainment. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:2828–2844, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evolutionary loss of cone photoreception in balaenid whales reveals circuit stability in the mammalian retina
Authors: Schweikert Lorian E. , Fasick Jeffry I. , Grace Michael S. 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTThe classical understanding of mammalian vision is that it occurs through “duplex” retinae containing both rod and cone photoreceptors, the signals from which are processed through rod‐ and/or cone‐specific signaling pathways. The recent discovery of rod monochromacy in some cetacean lineages provides a novel opportunity to investigate the effects of an evolutionary loss of cone photoreception on retinal organization. Sequence analysis of right whale (Eubalaena glacialis; family Balaenidae) cDNA derived from long‐wavelength sensitive (LWS) cone opsin mRNA identified several mutations in the opsin coding sequence, suggesting the loss of cone cell function, but maintenance of non‐photosensitive, cone opsin mRNA‐expressing cells in the retina. Subsequently, we investigated the retina of the closely related bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus; family Balaenidae) to determine how the loss of cone‐mediated photoreception affects light signaling pathways in the retina. Anti‐opsin immunofluorescence demonstrated the total loss of cone opsin expression in B. mysticetus, whereas light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and bipolar cell (protein kinase C‐α [PKC‐α] and recoverin) immunofluorescence revealed the maintenance of cone soma, putative cone pedicles, and both rod and cone bipolar cell types. These findings represent the first immunological and anatomical evidence of a naturally occurring rod‐monochromatic mammalian retina, and suggest that despite the loss of cone‐mediated photoreception, the associated cone signaling structures (i.e., cone synapses and cone bipolar cells) may be maintained for multichannel rod‐based signaling in balaenid whales. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:2873–2885, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neuroprotective Effects of rhGLP‐1 in Diabetic Rats with Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Jiang Daoli , Wang Yitong , Zang Yannan , Liu Xiaofang , Zhao Libo , Wang Qian , Liu Chang , Feng Wanyu , Yin Xiaoxing , Fang Yi 
Published: March 2016

Abstract

Preclinical Research

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the neuroprotective benefits of rhGLP‐1 in diabetic rats subjected to acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R). Streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats were pretreated with rhGLP‐1 (10, 20, or 40 μg/kg ip, tid) for 14 days. During this time, body weight and fasting blood glucose levels were assessed. Rats were then subjected to MCAO 90 min/R 24 h. At 2 and 24 h of reperfusion, rats were evaluated for neurological deficits and blood samples were collected to analyze markers of brain injury. Rats were then sacrificed to assess the infarction volume. rhGLP‐1 pretreatment lowered blood glucose levels, improved neurological scores, attenuated infarct volumes, and reduced the blood levels of S100 calcium‐binding protein B (S100B), neuron‐specific enolase (NSE), and myelin basic protein (MBP). rhGLP‐1 has neuroprotective benefits in diabetic rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and could potentially be used as a prophylatic neuroprotectant in diabetic patients at high risk of ischemic stroke. Drug Dev Res 77 : 124–133, 2016.   © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessing spatial covariance among time series of abundance
Authors: Jorgensen Jeffrey C. , Ward Eric J. , Scheuerell Mark D. , Zabel Richard W. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractFor species of conservation concern, an essential part of the recovery planning process is identifying discrete population units and their location with respect to one another. A common feature among geographically proximate populations is that the number of organisms tends to covary through time as a consequence of similar responses to exogenous influences. In turn, high covariation among populations can threaten the persistence of the larger metapopulation. Historically, explorations of the covariance in population size of species with many (>10) time series have been computationally difficult. Here, we illustrate how dynamic factor analysis (DFA) can be used to characterize diversity among time series of population abundances and the degree to which all populations can be represented by a few common signals. Our application focuses on anadromous Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), a species listed under the US Endangered Species Act, that is impacted by a variety of natural and anthropogenic factors. Specifically, we fit DFA models to 24 time series of population abundance and used model selection to identify the minimum number of latent variables that explained the most temporal variation after accounting for the effects of environmental covariates. We found support for grouping the time series according to 5 common latent variables. The top model included two covariates: the Pacific Decadal Oscillation in spring and summer. The assignment of populations to the latent variables matched the currently established population structure at a broad spatial scale. At a finer scale, there was more population grouping complexity. Some relatively distant populations were grouped together, and some relatively close populations – considered to be more aligned with each other – were more associated with populations further away. These coarse‐ and fine‐grained examinations of spatial structure are important because they reveal different structural patterns not evident in other analyses.
Increased Variability and Asymmetric Expansion of the Hippocampal Spatial Representation in a Distal Cue‐Dependent Memory Task
Authors: Park Seong‐Beom , Lee Inah 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPlace cells in the hippocampus fire at specific positions in space, and distal cues in the environment play critical roles in determining the spatial firing patterns of place cells. Many studies have shown that place fields are influenced by distal cues in foraging animals. However, it is largely unknown whether distal‐cue‐dependent changes in place fields appear in different ways in a memory task if distal cues bear direct significance to achieving goals. We investigated this possibility in this study. Rats were trained to choose different spatial positions in a radial arm in association with distal cue configurations formed by visual cue sets attached to movable curtains around the apparatus. The animals were initially trained to associate readily discernible distal cue configurations (0° vs. 80° angular separation between distal cue sets) with different food‐well positions and then later experienced ambiguous cue configurations (14° and 66°) intermixed with the original cue configurations. Rats showed no difficulty in transferring the associated memory formed for the original cue configurations when similar cue configurations were presented. Place field positions remained at the same locations across different cue configurations, whereas stability and coherence of spatial firing patterns were significantly disrupted when ambiguous cue configurations were introduced. Furthermore, the spatial representation was extended backward and skewed more negatively at the population level when processing ambiguous cue configurations, compared with when processing the original cue configurations only. This effect was more salient for large cue‐separation conditions than for small cue‐separation conditions. No significant rate remapping was observed across distal cue configurations. These findings suggest that place cells in the hippocampus dynamically change their detailed firing characteristics in response to a modified cue environment and that some of the firing properties previously reported in a foraging task might carry more functional weight than others when tested in a distal‐cue‐dependent memory task. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Breathing maneuvers as a coronary vasodilator for myocardial perfusion imaging
Authors: Teixeira Tiago , Nadeshalingam Gobinath , Fischer Kady , Marcotte François , Friedrich Matthias G. 
Published: March 2016

PurposeA combined breathing maneuver of hyperventilation, followed by a long voluntary breathhold leads to coronary vasodilation. We investigated the impact of breathing maneuvers on MR first‐pass cardiac perfusion imaging and its potential clinical utility.Materials and MethodsWe studied 24 healthy volunteers (37 ± 12 years; 62.5% men) on a clinical 3 Tesla MRI system and performed first‐pass perfusion MR at rest, during a short breathhold (S‐HVBH) following 60 s of hyperventilation, and at the end of a long breathhold (L‐HVBH) following the hyperventilation, performed in random order. A blinded reader analyzed signal intensity upslope, upslope index, and time between 20 and 80% of maximal signal.ResultsAll volunteers tolerated the breathing maneuvers well and completed the study protocol. The upslope of the signal‐intensity‐over‐time curve was increased during S‐HVBH (1.86 ± 0.70 units/s, P < 0.05) and at the end of L‐LVBH (1.77 ± 0.82 units/s), when compared with baseline results (1.34 ± 0.58 units/s). Corrected for the arterial input, the upslope was higher at the end of the L‐HVBH (0.095 ± 0.019 units/s versus 0.077 ± 0.016 units/s at rest, P < 0.01) as was the myocardial perfusion reserve index (1.25 ± 0.22 versus 1.09 ± 0.17; P < 0.001). In a multiple regression model, only gender, rate‐pressure product, and breathhold time were independently and significantly related to the upslope (R = 0.771; P < 0.001).ConclusionIn conclusion, a voluntary long breathhold after hyperventilation leads to an increase of the myocardial perfusion reserve index. This may impact findings from current practice of first‐pass perfusion imaging. The clinical utility of breathing maneuvers as a vasodilatory stimulus for first‐pass perfusion imaging may warrant further research. J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2016;44:947–955.
Interactions of subglottal pressure and neuromuscular activation on fundamental frequency and intensity
Authors: Chhetri Dinesh K. , Park Soo Jin 
Published: March 2016

Objectives/HypothesisFundamental frequency (F0) and intensity sound pressure level (SPL) of voice are controlled by intrinsic laryngeal muscle (ILM) activation and subglottal pressure (Psub). Their interactions were investigated.MethodsIn an in vivo canine model, the thyroarytenoid (TA), lateral cricoarytenoid/interarytenoid (LCA/IA), and cricothyroid (CT) muscles were independently activated from threshold to maximal contraction by neuromuscular stimulation in various combinations, whereas airflow was increased to phonation onset pressure and beyond. The resultant acoustic output was analyzed for effects of Psub on vibratory stability, F0, and SPL. Muscle activation plots and vocal range profiles by individual ILM activation states were analyzed.ResultsCricothyroid activation increased phonation onset F0, but vibration was less stable in high CT conditions and displayed vibratory mode change. In addition, a decrease in F0 with increased Psub was observed in high CT conditions. Intensity increased with Psub in all conditions, but the slope was greater at high CT, low TA/LCA/IA activations. Lateral cricoarytenoid/interarytenoid activation improved vocal efficiency. To maintain same F0 with increasing SPL (messa di voce), TA activation was decreased and LCA/IA activation was increased. The same F0 and SPL could be achieved with a variety of ILM activation combinations.ConclusionCricothyroid is primarily required for increasing F0, whereas TA can increase or decrease F0 and SPL. Lateral cricoarytenoid/interarytenoid activation likely maintains vocal fold adduction during increased Psub and improves vocal efficiency. This study also demonstrates laryngeal motor equivalence, the ability of the larynx to achieve the same target F0 and SPL with multiple combinations of ILM activation.Level of EvidenceN/A. Laryngoscope, 126:1123–1130, 2016
The efficacy of combination therapy for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Jung Da Jung , Park Ji Hye , Jang Jeong Hun , Lee Kyu‐Yup 
Published: March 2016

Objectives/HypothesisThe aim of this study was to compare the hearing results of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) who initially were treated with either a combination therapy of systemic steroids (SS) and intratympanic steroid injection (IT‐S) or SS only.MethodsThe study followed a retrospective case‐control design. One‐hundred five patients who were diagnosed with ISSNHL and required treatment via admission were enrolled in this study. The control group (n = 53) was treated with SS, and the study group (n = 52) received SS as well as IT‐S. We divided the patients according to pretreatment hearing levels. The outcome measured was improvement after the treatment audiology data at pretreatment were compared with those at day 10 and > 90 days after the treatment. Outcome data were analyzed using the t test, Pearson's χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, and multivariate analyses of covariance with adjustment for pretreatment hearing levels.ResultsAfter more than 90 days, the average pure tone audiometry (PTA) in the control and study groups were 54.8 ± 31.4 dB and 43 ± 31.2 dB, respectively (P = 0.013). Hearing recovery rate was 57.7% in the control group and 69.8% in the study group. The hearing gain of the study group was higher than that of the control group at high frequencies within the 10 days of the treatment period. Analysis between subgroups, divided according to the severity of pretreatment hearing level, showed that the recovery rate was higher at all frequencies in the study group than in the control group in patients with mild to moderate hearing loss (pretreatment PTA < 70 dB). However, in patients with severe to profound hearing loss (pretreatment PTA ≥ 70 dB), the hearing outcomes of the study and control groups were not significantly different, except at a low frequency.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that the treatment of ISSNHL with combination therapy results in higher hearing recovery rates when compared to treatment with SS alone, even in patients with severe hearing loss.Level of Evidence3b. Laryngoscope, 126:1871–1876, 2016
Sialendoscopy‐assisted surgery and the chronic obstructive sialadenitis symptoms questionnaire: A prospective study
Authors: Aubin‐Pouliot Annick , Delagnes Elise A. , Chang Jolie L. , Ryan William R. 
Published: March 2016

Objectives/HypothesisTo prospectively assess symptoms of obstructive sialadenitis before and after sialendoscopy‐assisted salivary duct surgery (SASDS) using the chronic obstructive sialadenitis symptoms (COSS) questionnaire to determine and predict impact of interventions.Study DesignProspective cohort study.MethodsAdult patients with chronic obstructive sialadenitis who underwent SASDS were asked to complete the COSS questionnaire and the Short‐Form‐8 (SF‐8) quality‐of‐life (QOL) survey prior to surgery and 3 months postoperatively. Chronic obstructive sialadenitis symptoms surveys were scored on a scale from 0 to 100.ResultsForty patients undergoing SASDS, including 54 glands, completed preoperative and postoperative surveys. Overall, the mean COSS score improved from 36.1 (standard error of the mean [SEM] 2.6) preoperatively to 13.5 (SEM 2.4) 3 months postoperatively (p < 0.001). Submandibular gland cases had a significant mean score reduction of 27.8 (from 38.1 to 10.3; p < 0.005). Parotid gland cases had a significant mean score reduction of 13.6 (from 32.6 to 19.0; p < 0.0001). Patients with sialolithiasis‐related sialadenitis had greater COSS score improvement after surgery than those with radioactive iodine‐ or inflammatory‐related disease. An improvement in symptoms was seen for 100% and 47% of patients with sialolithiasis and inflammatory etiologies, respectively. The pre‐ and post‐SASDS SF‐8 QOL scores were not significantly different.ConclusionsObstructive sialadenitis‐related symptoms significantly declined 3 months after SASDS. The COSS questionnaire was able to measure changes in sialadenitis symptoms not captured in the SF‐8 QOL survey. This is the first study to prospectively survey sialadenitis‐specific symptoms to determine impact of surgical interventions.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 126:1343–1348, 2016
Practice variations in voice treatment selection following vocal fold mucosal resection
Authors: Moore Jaime E. , Rathouz Paul J. , Havlena Jeffrey A. , Zhao Qianqian , Dailey Seth H. , Smith Maureen A. , Greenberg Caprice C. , Welham Nathan V. 
Published: March 2016

Objectives/HypothesisTo characterize initial voice treatment selection following vocal fold mucosal resection in a Medicare population.Study DesignRetrospective analysis of a large, nationally representative Medicare claims database.MethodsPatients with > 12 months of continuous Medicare coverage who underwent a leukoplakia‐ or cancer‐related vocal fold mucosal resection (index) procedure during calendar years 2004 to 2009 were studied. The primary outcome of interest was receipt of initial voice treatment (thyroplasty, vocal fold injection, or speech therapy) following the index procedure. We evaluated the cumulative incidence of each postindex treatment type, treating the other treatment types as competing risks, and further evaluated postindex treatment utilization using the proportional hazards model for the subdistribution of a competing risk. Patient age, sex, and Medicaid eligibility were used as predictors.ResultsA total of 2,041 patients underwent 2,427 index procedures during the study period. In 14% of cases, an initial voice treatment event was identified. Women were significantly less likely to receive surgical or behavioral treatment compared to men. From age 65 to 75 years, the likelihood of undergoing surgical treatment increased significantly with each 5‐year age increase; after age 75 years, the likelihood of undergoing either surgical or behavioral treatment decreased significantly every 5 years. Patients with low socioeconomic status were significantly less likely to undergo speech therapy.ConclusionThe majority of Medicare patients do not undergo voice treatment following vocal fold mucosal resection. Further, the treatments analyzed here appear disproportionally utilized based on patient sex, age, and socioeconomic status. Additional research is needed to determine whether these observations reflect clinically explainable differences or disparities in care.Level of Evidence2c. Laryngoscope, 126:2505–2512, 2016