bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transgenerational plasticity as an important mechanism affecting response of clonal species to changing climate
Authors: Münzbergová Zuzana , Hadincová Věroslava 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn spite of the increasing number of studies on the importance of transgenerational plasticity for species response to novel environments, its effects on species ability to respond to climate change are still largely unexplored. We study the importance of transgenerational plasticity for response of a clonal species Festuca rubra. Individuals from four natural populations representing two levels of temperature and two levels of precipitation were cultivated in four growth chambers that simulate the temperature and precipitation of origin of the populations (maternal phase). Each population was represented in each growth chamber. After 6 months, single young ramets of these plants were reshuffled among the growth chambers and let to grow for additional 2 months (offspring phase). The results show that transgenerational effects (i.e., maternal phase conditions) significantly modify species response to novel climates, and the direction and intensity of the response depend on the climate of origin of the plants. For traits related to recourse acquisition, the conditions of maternal phase, either alone or in interaction mainly with climate of origin, had stronger effect than the conditions of cultivation. Overall, the maternal climate interacted more intensively with the climate of origin than with the offspring climate. The direction of the effect of the maternal climate was of different directions and intensities depending on plant origin and trait studied. The data demonstrated strong significant effects of conditions during maternal phase on species response to novel climates. These transgenerational affects were, however, not adaptive. Still, transgenerational plasticity may be an important driver of species response to novel conditions across clonal generations. These effects thus need to be carefully considered in future studies exploring species response to novel climates. This will also have strong effects on species performance under increasingly variable climates expected to occur with the climate change.
Bioproduction of α‐humulene in metabolically engineered Escherichia coli and application in zerumbone synthesis
Authors: Alemdar Semra , König Jan C. , Hartwig Steffen , Frister Thore , Scheper Thomas , Beutel Sascha 
Published: June 2017

Zerumbone is a sesquiterpene ketone with potent anti‐cancerogenic activities, produced in several ginger species of the Zingiberaceae familiy. We have investigated the biotechnological production of α‐humulene, a precursor of zerumbone. By implementing a heterologous mevalonate pathway in combination with the α‐humulene synthase expression, we effectively synthesized α‐humulene from glucose in Escherichia coli. In this study, we developed a practical and efficient in situ separation method for α‐humulene by comparison of extractive and adsorptive strategies. By the in situ adsorption of the product to the hydrophobic resin Amberlite® XAD4 we were able to increase α‐humulene yield by 2310% to 60.2 mg/L. Furthermore we present an easy applicable, short subsequent chemical process for the conversion of α‐humulene to zerumbone by using transition metal catalysis. To reduce process steps, the chemical reaction was carried out in the same solvent as the eluting solvent that was used to elute α‐humulene from the adsorbent resin. By allylic oxidation of α‐humulene with manganeseII chloride as a catalyst and tert.‐butylhydroperoxide as an oxidizing agent we were able to synthetize zerumbone with a selectivity of 51.6%. Product and byproducts of the oxidation reaction were identified by GC‐MS.
Vanilla authenticity control by DNA barcoding and isotope data aggregation
Authors: Geißler Katrin , Greule Markus , Schäfer Uwe , Hans Joachim , Geißler Torsten , Meier Lars , Keppler Frank , Krammer Gerhard 
Published: June 2017

AbstractOriginating from the seedpods of orchids, Vanilla belongs to the most widely appreciated flavours worldwide. Besides the seedpods (beans) also Vanilla extracts and isolated vanillin as the major characteristic aroma compound are commercially used. Different consumer demands and national regulations require appropriate quality control of products arising from the Vanilla plants. Depending on the kind of product and its position in the supply or value chain, different methods for quality control and authentication have to be applied. When examining plant material for instance DNA barcoding can be used, whereas for Vanilla extracts and vanillin analytical quality control is frequently employed. As one of the first chemically synthesized flavouring substances with its first production in the late 19th century vanillin is nowadays manufactured via multiple different chemical and natural routes. To discriminate commercial vanillin qualities by their precursors with respect to the chemical and natural origin stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry (sIRMS) and 1H nuclear resonance spectroscopy (NMR) are the most recognized techniques. This article describes new features to discriminate vanillin from different origins using the δ13C and δ2H ratios of the methoxy group after derivatization with hydriodic acid and subsequent measurement of the released gaseous methyl iodide (CH3I) with sIRMS. The combination of available analytical data by means of multiparametric statistical tools allows for the clear segregation of critical provenience clusters for vanillin, such as (natural) eugenol‐derived qualities from (synthetic) lignin‐ or curcumin‐based products. The approach supports quality and authenticity control for Vanilla‐based products, aiding in meeting customer expectations in this demanding market segment.
Comparison of different methods for telomere length measurement in whole blood and blood cell subsets: Recommendations for telomere length measurement in hematological diseases
Authors: Behrens Yvonne Lisa , Thomay Kathrin , Hagedorn Maike , Ebersold Juliane , Henrich Lea , Nustede Rainer , Schlegelberger Brigitte , Göhring Gudrun 
Published: June 2017

AbstractDifferent methods of telomere length measurement are used to identify patients with telomeropathies. In our lab, we established four different methods for telomere length measurement, terminal restriction fragment (TRF) analysis by Southern blot analysis, quantitative PCR (qPCR), quantitative telomere/centromere fluorescence in situ hybridization (T/C‐FISH) and fluorescence in situ hybridization combined with flow cytometry (FlowFISH). The methods each have distinct properties and apart from this—according to our experience and data—may have an impact on the individual result. In this study, we therefore compared and validated these methods measuring 154 healthy individuals of different age groups (newborn—81 years). A linear decline was found for every method (Southern blotting 64 bp per year; qPCR 31 bp per year; T/C‐FISH 36 bp per year; FlowFISH 50 bp per year). With the equation of the regression line the values of each method (T/S ratio, T/C value, RTL value) can be expressed in absolute kb. All methods showed acceptable accuracy. The analysis indicated good agreement between all methods, with the best agreement between T/C‐FISH and FlowFISH. Here, FlowFISH was the most precise, accurate, and reproducible method compared to the other methods. Based on our data, we emphasize the influence of expertise and experience that is required to produce robust and reliable telomere length analyses. Furthermore, we want to provide the scientific community working in diagnostics and research with data‐funded advice on how to choose the appropriate method to safely discriminate between natural variability and pathological telomere shortening in individual cases.
Astrocyte‐derived lipocalin‐2 mediates hippocampal damage and cognitive deficits in experimental models of vascular dementia
Authors: Kim Jae‐Hong , Ko Pan‐Woo , Lee Ho‐Won , Jeong Ji‐Young , Lee Maan‐Gee , Kim Jong‐Heon , Lee Won‐Ha , Yu Ri , Oh Won‐Jong , Suk Kyoungho 
Published: June 2017

AbstractLipocalin‐2 (LCN2) has diverse functions in multiple pathophysiological conditions; however, its pathogenic role in vascular dementia (VaD) is unknown. Here, we investigated the role of LCN2 in VaD using rodent models of global cerebral ischemia and hypoperfusion with cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation. Mice subjected to transient bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (tBCCAo) for 50 min showed neuronal death and gliosis in the hippocampus at 7 days post‐tBCCAo. LCN2 expression was observed predominantly in the hippocampal astrocytes, whereas its receptor was mainly detected in neurons, microglia, and astrocytes. Furthermore, Lcn2‐deficient mice, compared with wild‐type animals, showed significantly weaker CA1 neuronal loss, cognitive decline, white matter damage, blood–brain barrier permeability, glial activation, and proinflammatory cytokine production in the hippocampus after tBCCAo. Lcn2 deficiency also attenuated hippocampal neuronal death and cognitive decline at 30 days after unilateral common carotid artery occlusion (UCCAo). Furthermore, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) injection of recombinant LCN2 protein elicited CA1‐neuronal death and a cognitive deficit. Our studies using cultured glia and hippocampal neurons supported the decisive role of LCN2 in hippocampal neurotoxicity and microglial activation, and the role of the HIF‐1α–LCN2–VEGFA axis of astrocytes in vascular injury. Additionally, plasma levels of LCN2 were significantly higher in patients with VaD than in the healthy control subjects. These results indicate that hippocampal damage and cognitive impairment are mediated by LCN2 secreted from reactive astrocytes in VaD.
Self‐gated 4D‐MRI of the liver: Initial clinical results of continuous multiphase imaging of hepatic enhancement
Authors: Weiss Jakob , Notohamiprodjo Mike , Martirosian Petros , Taron Jana , Nickel Marcel D. , Kolb Manuel , Bamberg Fabian , Nikolaou Konstantin , Othman Ahmed E. 
Published: June 2017

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility of a self‐gated free‐breathing volume‐interpolated breath‐hold examination (VIBE) sequence using compressed sensing (CS) for contrast‐enhanced multiphase liver MRI.Materials and MethodsWe identified 23 patients who underwent multiphase gadobutrol‐enhanced liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using 1) a prototype free‐breathing VIBE sequence with respiratory self‐gating and CS (VIBECS), and 2) a standard breath‐hold VIBE (VIBESTD) on the same 1.5T scanner at two timepoints. VIBECS was continuously acquired for 128 seconds and a time‐series of 16 timepoints was jointly reconstructed from the dataset. The unenhanced, arterial, portal‐venous, and venous timepoints with the best image quality were selected and compared to the corresponding VIBESTD series serving as reference. Image quality was assessed qualitatively (image quality, sharpness, lesion conspicuity, vessel contrast, noise, motion/other artifacts; two readers independently; 5‐point Likert scale; 5 = excellent) and quantitatively (vessel contrast [VC], coefficient‐of‐variation [CV]) Statistics were performed using Wilcoxon‐sign‐rank (ordinal) and paired t‐test (continuous variables).ResultsImage quality and lesion conspicuity revealed no significant differences between the sequences (P ≥ 0.3). VIBESTD showed a tendency to higher motion artifacts (P ≥ 0.07). Image sharpness significantly increased in VIBECS as compared to VIBESTD (P ≤ 0.03). Arterial phase vessel contrast appeared significantly lower in VIBECS than in VIBESTD (P = 0.04). VIBECS showed reconstruction artifacts not present in VIBESTD (P = 0.001). Image noise was significantly lower in VIBECS than in VIBESTD (P ≤ 0.004). Arterial phase VC was significantly lower in VIBECS than in VIBESTD (P = 0.01). CV revealed no differences between sequences (P = 0.7).ConclusionVIBECS is feasible for continuous free‐breathing contrast‐enhanced multiphase liver MRI, providing similar image quality and lesion conspicuity as VIBESTD.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy: Stage 3J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:459–467.
Reduction of internal climate variability in surface temperature due to sea‐ice loss since the mid‐21st century
Authors: Hyun Seung‐Hwon , Yeh Sang‐Wook , Yoon Jinho 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the internal climate variability (ICV) is a principal challenge in projecting future climate change. In this study, we define the ICV in projection of surface temperature as the ensemble spread of surface temperature using a 30‐member ensemble simulated with the Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble (CESM‐LE) experiment, and examine how this ICV changes from the present climate to the future climate under Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 scenario (RCP8.5). First, ICV is reduced in the future climate, particularly since the mid‐21st century. Such a decrease is primarily due to the reduction of ICV in both the Arctic (70°–90°N) and the Antarctic (65°–80°S). Our analysis further indicates that the decrease in ICV in Arctic is significant during boreal fall (September–October–November), and in particular, it is closely linked to the reduction in sea ice since the early and mid‐21st century. This implies that realistic simulation of the Arctic sea ice is a key in reducing ICV in a changing climate.
Coaxial flow‐gating interface for capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Opekar František , Tůma Petr 
Published: June 2017

A coaxial flow‐gating interface is described in which the separation capillary passes through the sampling capillary. Continuous flow of the sample solution flowing out of the sampling capillary is directed away from the injection end of the separation capillary by counter‐current flow of the gating solution. During the injection, the flow of the gating solution is interrupted, so that a plug of solution is formed at the inlet into the separation capillary, from which the sample is hydrodynamically injected. Flow‐gating interfaces are originally designed for on‐line connection of capillary electrophoresis with analytical flow‐through methods. The basic properties of the described coaxial flow‐gating interface were obtained in a simplified arrangement in which a syringe pump with sample solution has substituted analytical flow‐through method. Under the optimized conditions, the properties of the tested interface were determined by separation of K+, Ba2+, Na+, Mg2+ and Li+ ions in aqueous solution at equimolar concentrations of 50 μM. The repeatability of the migration times and peak areas evaluated for K+, Ba2+ and Li+ ions and expressed as relative standard deviation did not exceed 1.4%. The interface was used to determine lithium in mineral water and taurine in an energy drink.
No clear support for a role for vitamin D in Parkinson's disease: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Larsson Susanna C. , Singleton Andrew B. , Nalls Mike A. , Richards J. Brent ,   on behalf of the International Parkinson's Disease Genomics Consortium (IPDGC)
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundObservational studies have found that relative to healthy controls, patients with Parkinson's disease have lower circulating concentrations of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, a clinical biomarker of vitamin D status. However, the causality of this association is uncertain. We undertook a Mendelian randomization study to investigate whether genetically decreased 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentrations are associated with PD to minimize confounding and prevent bias because of reverse causation.MethodsAs instrumental variables for the Mendelian randomization analysis, we used 4 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms that affect 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentrations (rs2282679 in GC, rs12785878 near DHCR7, rs10741657 near CYP2R1, and rs6013897 near CYP24A1). Summary effect size estimates of the 4 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms on PD were obtained from the International Parkinson's Disease Genomics Consortium (including 5333 PD cases and 12,019 controls). The estimates of the 4 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms were combined using an inverse‐variance weighted meta‐analysis.ResultsOf the 4 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms associated with 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, one (rs6013897 in CYP24A1) was associated with PD (odds ratio per 25‐hydroxyvitamin D‐decreasing allele, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.02‐1.16; P = 0.008), whereas no association was observed with the other 3 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (P > 0.23). The odds ratio of PD per genetically predicted 10% lower 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentration, based on the 4 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms, was 0.98 (95% confidence interval, 0.93‐1.04; P = 0.56).ConclusionsThis Mendelian randomization study provides no clear support that lowered 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentration is causally associated with risk of PD. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
The future of safety science is happening now: The modernization of the benefit‐risk paradigm
Authors: Lievano Fabio , Scarazzini Linda , Shen Frank , Duhig James , Jokinen Jeremy 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe future of safety science is happening now and has the potential to improve patient outcomes through an evolving approach to benefit‐risk assessment. Three building blocks for the future of safety science, cognitive and behavioral systems, medical assessment, and data science, individually and collaboratively advance and modernize the benefit‐risk paradigm. Incorporating the patient perspective and patient experiences will help identify tools that are useful in real‐world practice. Medical assessment teams will bring together the study of toxicity and toxicogenomics, biomarkers, and special populations to personalize the benefit‐risk profile. Personalized benefit‐risk profiles for patients will help improve outcomes. Data science and related quantitative sciences such as safety statistics, database integration, technology, and epidemiology will provide new approaches and tools for analysis of safety data as well as more rapid access to insights that benefit patients.
Use of antidepressant medication in pregnancy and adverse neonatal outcomes: A population‐based investigation
Authors: Cantarutti Anna , Merlino Luca , Giaquinto Carlo , Corrao Giovanni 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundUntreated depression and antidepressant use during pregnancy may have negative consequences for births. There are still conflicting data on the potential harmful effects of prenatal antidepressant treatment on child health.ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the use of antidepressant medication during pregnancy and selected neonatal outcomes.MethodsA population‐based cohort study including 9825 deliveries exposed to an antidepressant between 9 months before last menstrual date through to delivery, from January 2005 to December 2010 in the Lombardy region of Italy, was conducted. We evaluated the prevalence ratio (PR) of low Apgar score, small for gestational age, intrauterine hypoxia and birth asphyxia, neonatal convulsion, and other respiratory conditions, among infants born to mothers exposed to an antidepressant during pregnancy using log‐binomial regression analysis. Fine stratification was applied to the propensity score to account for all potential confounders. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses restricted to specific types of antidepressant, time of exposure, and women with vaginal deliveries and full‐term births were also performed.ResultsA total of 33.4% of women filled at least one prescription during pregnancy. Compared to infants born to mothers with exposure to antidepressants only before pregnancy, those with exposure to antidepressants during pregnancy had an increased prevalence ratio of a low Apgar score (PR, 1.63, 95% CI, 1.01‐2.61), intrauterine hypoxia and birth asphyxia (aPR, 1.37, 1.08‐1.73), neonatal convulsion (aPR, 2.81, 1.07‐7.36), and other respiratory condition (aPR, 1.24, 1.00‐1.52). Results were similar in the sensitivity and subgroup analyses.ConclusionsUse of antidepressants during pregnancy may have an increased risk for several neonatal outcomes.
A universal roll‐to‐roll slot‐die coating approach towards high‐efficiency organic photovoltaics
Authors: Huang Yu‐Ching , Cha Hou‐Chin , Chen Charn‐Ying , Tsao Cheng‐Si 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis work develops a combinational use of solvent additive and in‐line drying oven on the flexible organic photovoltaics to improve large‐area roll‐to‐roll (R2R) slot‐die coating process. Herein, addition of 1,8‐diiodooctane (DIO) in the photoactive layer is conducted to yield a performance of 3.05% based on the blending of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]‐phenyl C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM), and a very promising device performance of 7.32% based on the blending of poly[[4,8‐bis[(2‐ethylhexyl)oxy] benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b’] dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl] [3‐fluoro‐2‐[(2‐ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno[3,4‐b]thiophenediyl]] (PTB7) and [6,6]‐phenyl C71‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM). Based on this R2R slot‐die coating approach for various polymers, we demonstrate the high‐performance result with respect to the up‐scaling from small high‐PCE cell to large‐area module. This present study provides a route for fabricating a low‐cost, large‐area, and environmental‐friendly flexible organic photovoltaics.
DichroMatch at the protein circular dichroism data bank (DM@PCDDB): A web‐based tool for identifying protein nearest neighbors using circular dichroism spectroscopy
Authors: Whitmore Lee , Mavridis Lazaros , Wallace B.A. , Janes Robert W. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractCircular dichroism spectroscopy is a well‐used, but simple method in structural biology for providing information on the secondary structure and folds of proteins. DichroMatch (DM@PCDDB) is an online tool that is newly available in the Protein Circular Dichroism Data Bank (PCDDB), which takes advantage of the wealth of spectral and metadata deposited therein, to enable identification of spectral nearest neighbors of a query protein based on four different methods of spectral matching. DM@PCDDB can potentially provide novel information about structural relationships between proteins and can be used in comparison studies of protein homologs and orthologs.
SARS‐unique fold in the Rousettus bat coronavirus HKU9
Authors: Hammond Robert G. , Tan Xuan , Johnson Margaret A. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe coronavirus nonstructural protein 3 (nsp3) is a multifunctional protein that comprises multiple structural domains. This protein assists viral polyprotein cleavage, host immune interference, and may play other roles in genome replication or transcription. Here, we report the solution NMR structure of a protein from the “SARS‐unique region” of the bat coronavirus HKU9. The protein contains a frataxin fold or double‐wing motif, which is an α + β fold that is associated with protein/protein interactions, DNA binding, and metal ion binding. High structural similarity to the human severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus nsp3 is present. A possible functional site that is conserved among some betacoronaviruses has been identified using bioinformatics and biochemical analyses. This structure provides strong experimental support for the recent proposal advanced by us and others that the “SARS‐unique” region is not unique to the human SARS virus, but is conserved among several different phylogenetic groups of coronaviruses and provides essential functions.