bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pediatric neuroendocrine carcinoid tumors: Management, pathology, and imaging findings in a pediatric referral center
Authors: Degnan Andrew J. , Tocchio Shannon , Kurtom Waleed , Tadros Sameh S. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundWhile neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumors are increasingly recognized in the adult population, they are often not suspected in children.ProcedureRetrospective review of all well‐differentiated neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumors was performed based on pathology reports from a quaternary pediatric medical center between January 2003 and June 2016. Clinical presentations, treatment approaches, imaging findings, and outcomes were reviewed and analyzed.ResultsA total of 45 cases of pathology‐proven carcinoid tumor were reported with an average age of 14.1 years (range: 7–21 years, SD: 2.8 years). Of these cases, 80% (36) were appendiceal, 11% (5) bronchial, 2% (1) colonic, 2% (1) gastric, 2% (1) enteric, and 2% (1) testicular. Metastases were observed in one (3%) appendiceal, one (100%) enteric, and two (40%) bronchial cases. No recurrence was demonstrated in any appendiceal carcinoid cases. Recurrence was seen in one of three extra‐appendiceal gastrointestinal tumors. Tumor site and size significantly correlated with metastases and recurrence.ConclusionsContrary to recent epidemiological investigations in adults, appendiceal carcinoid tumors remain the most common site for pediatric carcinoid tumors. Appendiceal carcinoid tumors exhibited benign clinical courses without recurrence during short‐term follow‐up. Extra‐appendiceal gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors exhibited much more aggressive behavior with greater metastases and recurrence. Bronchial carcinoid tumors demonstrated good clinical response to resection even in cases with mediastinal lymph node involvement. While increased use of urine 5‐HIAA levels and somatostatin receptor‐specific imaging might improve detection and guide management of extra‐appendiceal carcinoid tumors, longer‐term follow‐up is needed.
Crystal structure of dibenzothiophene sulfone monooxygenase BdsA from Bacillus subtilis WU‐S2B
Authors: Okai Masahiko , Lee Woo Cheol , Guan Li‐Jun , Ohshiro Takashi , Izumi Yoshikazu , Tanokura Masaru 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTThe dibenzothiophene (DBT) sulfone monooxygenase BdsA from Bacillus subtilis WU‐S2B catalyzes the conversion of DBT sulfone to 2′‐hydroxybiphenyl 2‐sulfinate. We report the crystal structures of BdsA at a resolution of 2.80 Å. BdsA exists as a homotetramer with a dimer‐of‐dimers configuration in the crystal, and the interaction between E288 and R296 in BdsA is important for tetramer formation. A structural comparison with homologous proteins shows that the orientation and location of the α9‐α12 helices in BdsA are closer to those of the closed form than those of the open form in the EDTA monooxygenase EmoA. Proteins 2017; 85:1171–1177. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Suspended Particle Characteristics and Composition in Navigation Pool 19 of the Upper Mississippi River
Authors: Milde A. S. , Richardson W. B. , Strauss E. A. , Larson J. H. , Vallazza J. M. , Knights B. C. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSuspended particles are an essential component of large rivers influencing channel geomorphology, biogeochemical cycling of nutrients, and food web resources. The Upper Mississippi River is a large floodplain river that exhibits pronounced spatiotemporal variation in environmental conditions and biota, providing an ideal environment for investigating dynamics of suspended particles in large river ecosystems. Here we investigated two questions: (i) How do suspended particle characteristics (e.g. size and morphology) vary temporally and spatially? and (ii) What environmental variables have the strongest association with particle characteristics? Water sampling was conducted in June, August, and September of 2013 and 2014 in Navigation Pool 19 of the Upper Mississippi River. A FlowCAM® (Flow Cytometer and Microscope) particle imaging system was used to enumerate and measure particles 53–300 μm in diameter for size and shape characteristics (e.g. volume, elongation, and symmetry). Suspended particle characteristics varied considerably over space and time and were strongly associated with discharge and concentrations of nitrate + nitrite (NO3−) and soluble reactive phosphorus. Particle characteristics in backwaters were distinct from those in other habitats for most of the study period, likely due to reduced hydrologic connectivity and higher biotic production in backwaters. During low discharge, phytoplankton and zooplankton made up relatively greater proportions of the observed particles. Concurrently during low discharge, concentrations of chlorophyll, volatile suspended solids, and total phosphorus were higher. Our results suggest that there are complex interactions among space, time, discharge, and other environmental variables (e.g. water nutrients), which drive suspended particle dynamics in large rivers. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Do Alluvial Sand Dunes Create Energetic Refugia for Benthic Fishes? An Experimental Test with the Endangered Pallid Sturgeon
Authors: Porreca A. P. , Hintz W. D. , Garvey J. E. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractRiver modifications have altered critical habitats for fishes at a variety of spatial scales and caused global declines of many fluvial species. At small spatial scales (<1 m2), alluvial sand dunes, a ubiquitous habitat in highly modified rivers, are thought to provide energetic relief for benthic fishes in energetically costly riverine landscapes created by water flow. However, use of alluvial dune habitat is not well understood, and it is unclear whether dunes provide refuge that effectively reduces energetic costs. We designed a scale‐relevant experiment to examine the energetic responses associated with sand dune habitat in rivers. We tested whether the US federally endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus), a benthic fish commonly associated with sand dunes, experienced reduced energetic costs with different configurations of simulated sand dune habitat. We quantified mass specific oxygen consumption (MO2; mg O2 kg−1 h−1) using intermittent flow‐through respirometry for age‐0 sturgeon (140–170 mm) in front of a sand dune, behind a sand dune and in the absence of a sand dune at two velocities (25 and 50 cm s−1) commonly observed in field studies of sturgeon habitat use. Sturgeon displayed distinct station holding behaviours for each habitat configuration. Dune location did not affect energy expenditure, but sturgeon MO2 was on average 16–20% higher in the absence of a sand dune depending on dune configuration. MO2 was on average 14% higher at 50 cm s−1 compared with 25 cm s−1. Our results provide a potential mechanism for over two decades of research on why sturgeon and other benthic fishes exhibit selection for sand dune habitat in large rivers. Fishes that select main channel habitats may depend on energetic relief provided by sand dunes, especially when other forms of structure are not available. For this reason, alluvial sand dune habitat may be important to the persistence of benthic fishes in high flow environments. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Systemically Infused Mesenchymal Stem Cells Show Different Homing Profiles in Healthy and Tumor Mouse Models
Authors: Xie Chengying , Yang Zhangru , Suo Yuanzhen , Chen Qianqian , Wei Dan , Weng Xiaofu , Gu Zhengqin , Wei Xunbin 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can localize in injured, inflamed, and cancerous tissues after systemic infusion. However, the dynamic homing profile of MSCs in the peripheral blood is not well characterized. Here, using in vivo flow cytometry to noninvasively monitor the dynamics of fluorescence-labeled cells, we found different clearance kinetics of systemically infused MSCs between healthy and tumor mouse models. The circulation times of MSCs in healthy mice and mice with subcutaneous tumors, orthotopically transplanted liver tumors, or metastatic lung tumors were 30, 24, 18, and 12 hours, respectively, suggesting that MSCs actively home to tumor environments. MSCs infiltrated into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) sites and preferentially engrafted to micrometastatic regions both in vivo and in vitro. The expression of epidermal growth factor, CXCL9, CCL25, and matrix metalloproteinases-9 by HCC cells differed between primary tumor sites and metastatic regions. By characterizing the homing profiles of systemically perfused MSCs under physiological and cancerous conditions, these findings increase our understanding of the migration of MSCs from the circulation to tumor sites and constitute a basis for developing MSC-based anti-cancer therapeutic strategies.
Connectivity jamming game for physical layer attack in peer to peer networks
Authors: Liu Ying , Garnarv Andrey , Trappe Wade 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBecause of the open access nature of wireless communications, wireless networks can suffer from malicious activity, such as jamming attacks, aimed at undermining the network's ability to sustain communication links and acceptable throughput. One important consideration when designing networks is to appropriately tune the network topology and its connectivity so as to support the communication needs of those participating in the network. This paper examines the problem of interference attacks that are intended to harm connectivity and throughput, and illustrates the method of mapping network performance parameters into the metric of topographic connectivity. Specifically, this paper arrives at anti‐jamming strategies aimed at coping with interference attacks through a unified stochastic game. In such a framework, an entity trying to protect a network faces a dilemma: (i) the underlying motivations for the adversary can be quite varied, which depends largely on the network's characteristics such as power and distance; (ii) the metrics for such an attack can be incomparable (e.g., network connectivity and total throughput). To deal with the problem of such incomparable metrics, this paper proposes using the attack's expected duration as a unifying metric to compare distinct attack metrics because a longer‐duration of unsuccessful attack assumes a higher cost. Based on this common metric, a mechanism of maxmin selection for an attack prevention strategy is suggested. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The long‐term growth rate of evolving software: Empirical results and implications
Authors: Hatton Les , Spinellis Diomidis , van Genuchten Michiel 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe amount of code in evolving software‐intensive systems appears to be growing relentlessly, affecting products and entire businesses. Objective figures quantifying the software code growth rate bounds in systems over a large time scale can be used as a reliable predictive basis for the size of software assets. We analyze a reference base of over 404 million lines of open source and closed software systems to provide accurate bounds on source code growth rates. We find that software source code in systems doubles about every 42 months on average, corresponding to a median compound annual growth rate of 1.21 ± 0.01. Software product and development managers can use our findings to bound estimates, to assess the trustworthiness of road maps, to recognise unsustainable growth, to judge the health of a software development project, and to predict a system's hardware footprint.
Edge and herbivory effects on leaf litter decomposability in a subtropical dry forest
Authors: Moreno María Laura , Rossetti María Rosa , Pérez‐Harguindeguy Natalia , Valladares Graciela Rosa 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIt is increasingly recognized that understanding the functional consequences of landscape change requires knowledge of aboveground and belowground processes and their interactions. For this reason, we provide novel information addressing insect herbivory and edge effects on litter quality and decomposition in fragmented subtropical dry forests in central Argentina. Using litter from Croton lachnostachyus (a common shrub species in the region) in a decomposition bed experiment, we evaluated whether litter quality (carbon and nitrogen content; carbon: nitrogen ratio) and decomposability (percentage of remaining dry weight) differ between litter from forest interiors or edges (origin) and with or without herbivory (damaged/undamaged leaves). We found that edge/interior origin had a strong effect on leaf litter quality (mainly on carbon content), while herbivory was associated with a smaller increase in nitrogen content. Herbivore damage increased leaf litter decomposability, but this effect was related to origin during the initial period of litter incubation. Overall, undamaged leaf litter from the forest edge showed the lowest decomposability, whereas damaged leaf litter decomposed at rates similar to those observed in litter from the forest interior. The interacting edge and herbivory effects on leaf litter quality and decomposability shown in our study are important because of the increasing dominance of forest edges in human‐modified landscapes and the profound effect of leaf litter decomposition on nutrient cycling.
Significant inverse association of equol-producer status with coronary artery calcification but not dietary isoflavones in healthy Japanese men
Authors: Ahuja Vasudha , Miura Katsuyuki , Vishnu Abhishek , Fujiyoshi Akira , Evans Rhobert , Zaid Maryam , Miyagawa Naoko , Hisamatsu Takashi , Kadota Aya , Okamura Tomonori , Ueshima Hirotsugu , Sekikawa Akira 
Published: February 2017

AbstractEquol, a metabolite of the dietary isoflavone daidzein, is produced by the action of gut bacteria in some individuals who are termed as equol-producers. It is proposed to have stronger atheroprotective properties than dietary isoflavones. We examined a cross-sectional association of dietary isoflavones and equol-producer status with coronary artery calcification (CAC), a biomarker of coronary atherosclerosis, among men in Japan. A population-based sample of 272 Japanese men aged 40–49 years recruited from 2004 to 2007 was examined for serum isoflavones, serum equol, CAC and other factors. Equol-producers were classified as individuals having a serum level of equol >83 nm. The presence of CAC was defined as a coronary Ca score ≥10 Agatston units. The associations of dietary isoflavones and equol-producers with CAC were analysed using multiple logistic regression. The median of dietary isoflavones, equol and CAC were 512·7 (interquartile range (IQR) 194·1, 1170·0), 9·1 (IQR 0·10, 33·1) and 0·0 (IQR 0·0, 1·0) nm, respectively. Prevalence of CAC and equol-producers was 9·6 and 16·0 %, respectively. Dietary isoflavones were not significantly associated with CAC. After multivariable adjustment, the OR for the presence of CAC in equol-producers compared with equol non-producers was 0·10 (95 % CI 0·01, 0·90, P<0·04). Equol-producers had significantly lower CAC than equol non-producers, but there was no significant association between dietary isoflavones and CAC, suggesting that equol may be a key factor for atheroprotective properties of isoflavones in Japanese men. This finding must be confirmed in larger studies or clinical trials of equol that is now available as a dietary supplement.
Vibrio alginolyticusinfections in the USA, 1988–2012
Authors: JACOBS SLIFKA K. M. , NEWTON A. E. , MAHON B. E. 
Published: February 2017

SUMMARYVibrio alginolyticuscauses soft tissue and bloodstream infection; little systematically collected clinical and epidemiological information is available. In the USA,V. alginolyticusinfections are reported to the Cholera and OtherVibrioIllness Surveillance system. Using data from 1988 to 2012, we categorised infections using specimen source and exposure history, analysed case characteristics, and calculated incidence rates using US Census Bureau data. Most (96%) of the 1331V. alginolyticusinfections were from coastal states. Infections of the skin and ear were most frequent (87%); ear infections occurred more commonly in children, lower extremity infections more commonly in older adults. Most (86%) infections involved water activity. Reported incidence of infections increased 12-fold over the study period, although the extent of diagnostic or surveillance bias is unclear. Prevention efforts should target waterborne transmission in coastal areas and provider education to promote more rapid diagnosis and prevent complications.
Planning Functional Grasps of Simple Tools Invokes the Hand-independent Praxis Representation Network: An fMRI Study
Authors: Przybylski Łukasz , Króliczak Gregory 
Published: February 2017

AbstractObjectives: Neuropsychological and neuroimaging evidence indicates that tool use knowledge and abilities are represented in the praxis representation network (PRN) of the left cerebral hemisphere. We investigated whether PRN would also underlie the planning of function-appropriate grasps of tools, even though such an assumption is inconsistent with some neuropsychological evidence for independent representations of tool grasping and skilled tool use. Methods: Twenty right-handed participants were tested in an event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study wherein they planned functionally appropriate grasps of tools versus grasps of non-tools matched for size and/or complexity, and later executed the pantomimed grasps of these objects. The dominant right, and non-dominant left hands were used in two different sessions counterbalanced across participants. The tool and non-tool stimuli were presented at three different orientations, some requiring uncomfortable hand rotations for effective grips, with the difficulty matched for both hands. Results: Planning functional grasps of tools (vs. non-tools) was associated with significant asymmetrical increases of activity in the temporo/occipital-parieto-frontal networks. The greater involvement of the left hemisphere PRN was particularly evident when hand movement kinematics (including wrist rotations) for grasping tools and non-tools were matched. The networks engaged in the task for the dominant and non-dominant hand were virtually identical. The differences in neural activity for the two object categories disappeared during grasp execution. Conclusions: The greater hand-independent engagement of the left-hemisphere praxis representation network for planning functional grasps reveals a genuine effect of an early affordance/function-based visual processing of tools. (JINS, 2017, 23, 108–120)
ID2 promotes survival of glioblastoma cells during metabolic stress by regulating mitochondrial function
Authors: Zhang Zhonghua , Rahme Gilbert J , Chatterjee Pranam D , Havrda Matthew C , Israel Mark A 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTumor cells proliferate in cellular environments characterized by a lack of optimal tissue organization resulting oftentimes in compromised cellular metabolism affecting nutrition, respiration, and energetics. The response of tumor cells to adverse environmental conditions is a key feature affecting their pathogenicity. We found that inhibitor of DNA binding 2 (ID2) expression levels significantly correlate with the ability of glioblastoma (GBM)-derived cell lines to survive glucose deprivation. ID2 suppressed mitochondrial oxidative respiration and mitochondrial ATP production by regulating the function of mitochondrial electron transport chain (mETC) complexes, resulting in reduced superoxide and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production from mitochondria. ID2 suppression of ROS production reduced mitochondrial damage and enhanced tumor cell survival during glucose deprivation. Bioinformatics analysis of GBM gene expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database revealed that expression of ID2 mRNA is unique among ID gene family members in correlating with the expression of nuclear genes involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism and assembly of mETC. Our data indicate that the expression level of ID2 in GBM cells can predict the sensitivity of GBM-derived tumor cells to decreased glucose levels. Low levels of ID2 expression in human GBM tissues may identify a clinical group in which metabolic targeting of glycolytic pathways can be expected to have the greatest therapeutic efficacy.
The complete structure of an activated open sodium channel
Authors: Sula Altin , Booker Jennifer , Ng Leo C. T. , Naylor Claire E. , DeCaen Paul G. , Wallace B. A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractVoltage-gated sodium channels (Navs) play essential roles in excitable tissues, with their activation and opening resulting in the initial phase of the action potential. The cycling of Navs through open, closed and inactivated states, and their closely choreographed relationships with the activities of other ion channels lead to exquisite control of intracellular ion concentrations in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Here we present the 2.45 Å resolution crystal structure of the complete NavMs prokaryotic sodium channel in a fully open conformation. A canonical activated conformation of the voltage sensor S4 helix, an open selectivity filter leading to an open activation gate at the intracellular membrane surface and the intracellular C-terminal domain are visible in the structure. It includes a heretofore unseen interaction motif between W77 of S3, the S4–S5 interdomain linker, and the C-terminus, which is associated with regulation of opening and closing of the intracellular gate.
3D printed self-driven thumb-sized motors for in-situ underwater pollutant remediation
Authors: Yu Fen , Hu Qipeng , Dong Lina , Cui Xiao , Chen Tingtao , Xin Hongbo , Liu Miaoxing , Xue Chaowen , Song Xiangwei , Ai Fanrong , Li Ting , Wang Xiaolei 
Published: February 2017

AbstractGreen fuel-driven thumb sized motors (TSM) were designed and optimized by 3D printing to explore their in-situ remediation applications in rare studied underwater area. Combined with areogel processing and specialized bacteria domestication, each tiny TSM could realize large area pollutant treatment precisely in an impressive half-automatically manner.
Neuronally-directed effects of RXR activation in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Mariani M. M. , Malm T. , Lamb R. , Jay T. R. , Neilson L. , Casali B. , Medarametla L. , Landreth G. E. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by extensive neuron loss that accompanies profound impairments in memory and cognition. We examined the neuronally directed effects of the retinoid X receptor agonist bexarotene in an aggressive model of AD. We report that a two week treatment of 3.5 month old 5XFAD mice with bexarotene resulted in the clearance of intraneuronal amyloid deposits. Importantly, neuronal loss was attenuated by 44% in the subiculum in mice 4 months of age and 18% in layer V of the cortex in mice 8 months of age. Moreover, bexarotene treatment improved remote memory stabilization in fear conditioned mice and improved olfactory cross habituation. These improvements in neuron viability and function were correlated with significant increases in the levels of post-synaptic marker PSD95 and the pre-synaptic marker synaptophysin. Moreover, bexarotene pretreatment improved neuron survival in primary 5XFAD neurons in vitro in response to glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. The salutary effects of bexarotene were accompanied by reduced plaque burden, decreased astrogliosis, and suppression of inflammatory gene expression. Collectively, these data provide evidence that bexarotene treatment reduced neuron loss, elevated levels of markers of synaptic integrity that was linked to improved cognition and in an aggressive model of AD.