bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic interaction of DISC1 and Neurexin in the development of fruit fly glutamatergic synapses
Authors: Pandey Himani , Bourahmoune Katia , Honda Takato , Honjo Ken , Kurita Kazuki , Sato Tomohito , Sawa Akira , Furukubo-Tokunaga Katsuo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractOriginally identified at the breakpoint of a (1;11)(q42.1; q14.3) chromosomal translocation in a Scottish family with a wide range of mental disorders, the DISC1 gene has been a focus of intensive investigations as an entry point to study the molecular mechanisms of diverse mental dysfunctions. Perturbations of the DISC1 functions lead to behavioral changes in animal models, which are relevant to psychiatric conditions in patients. In this work, we have expressed the human DISC1 gene in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and performed a genetic screening for the mutations of psychiatric risk genes that cause modifications of DISC1 synaptic phenotypes at the neuromuscular junction. We found that DISC1 interacts with dnrx1, the Drosophila homolog of the human Neurexin (NRXN1) gene, in the development of glutamatergic synapses. While overexpression of DISC1 suppressed the total bouton area on the target muscles and stimulated active zone density in wild-type background, a partial reduction of the dnrx1 activity negated the DISC1–mediated synaptic alterations. Likewise, overexpression of DISC1 stimulated the expression of a glutamate receptor component, DGLURIIA, in wild-type background but not in the dnrx1 heterozygous background. In addition, DISC1 caused mislocalization of Discs large, the Drosophila PSD-95 homolog, in the dnrx1 heterozygous background. Analyses with a series of domain deletions have revealed the importance of axonal localization of the DISC1 protein for efficient suppression of DNRX1 in synaptic boutons. These results thus suggest an intriguing converging mechanism controlled by the interaction of DISC1 and Neurexin in the developing glutamatergic synapses.
Individual mobility promotes punishment in evolutionary public goods games
Authors: Cong Rui , Zhao Qianchuan , Li Kun , Wang Long 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn explaining the pressing issue in biology and social sciences how cooperation emerges in a population of self-interested individuals, researchers recently pay intensive attentions to the role altruistic punishment plays. However, as higher-order cooperators, survival of punishers is puzzling due to their extra cost in regulating norm violators. Previous works have highlighted the importance of individual mobility in promoting cooperation. Yet its effect on punishers remains to be explored. In this work we incorporate this feature into modeling the behavior of punishers, who are endowed with a choice between leaving current place or staying and punishing defectors. Results indicate that optimal mobility level of punishers is closely related to the cost of punishing. For considerably large cost, there exists medium tendency of migration which favors the survival of punishers. This holds for both the direct competition between punishers and defectors and the case where cooperators are involved, and can also be observed when various types of punishers with different mobility tendencies fight against defectors simultaneously. For cheap punishment, mobility does not provide with punishers more advantage even when they are initially rare. We hope our work provide more insight into understanding the role individual mobility plays in promoting public cooperation.
Establishment and Validation of a Prediction Equation to Estimate Risk of Intraoperative Hypothermia in Patients Receiving General Anesthesia
Authors: Yi Jie , Zhan Lujing , Lei Yongjing , Xu Shiyuan , Si Yongyu , Li Shiyang , Xia Zhongyuan , Shi Yisa , Gu Xiaoping , Yu Jianshe , Xu Guohai , Gu Erwei , Yu Yonghao , Chen Yanqing , Jia Hequn , Wang Yinglin , Wang Xiuli , Chai Xiaoqing , Jin Xiaoju , Chen Junping , Xu Meiying , Xiong Junyu , Wang Guonian , Lu Kaizhi , Yu Wenli , Lei Weifu , Qin Zaisheng , Xiang Jingguo , Li Longyun , Yao Min , Huang Yuguang 
Published: October 2017

AbstractInadvertent intraoperative hypothermia (core temperature <36 °C) is a frequent but preventable complication of general anesthesia. Accurate risk assessment of individual patients may help physicians identify patients at risk for hypothermia and apply preventive approaches, which include active intraoperative warming. This study aimed to develop and validate a risk-prediction model for intraoperative hypothermia. Two independent observational studies in China, the Beijing Regional Survey and the China National Survey, were conducted in 2013 and 2014, respectively, to determine the incidence of hypothermia and its underlying risk factors. In this study, using data from these two studies, we first derived a risk calculation equation, estimating the predictive risk of hypothermia using National Survey data (3132 patients), then validated the equation using the Beijing Regional Survey data (830 patients). Measures of accuracy, discrimination and calibration were calculated in the validation data set. Through validation, this model, named Predictors Score, had sound overall accuracy (Brier Score = 0.211), good discrimination (C-Statistic = 0.759) and excellent calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow, P = 0.5611). We conclude that the Predictors Score is a valid predictor of the risk of operative hypothermia and can be used in deciding whether intraoperative warming is a cost-effective measure in preventing the hypothermia.
Effect of light, gibberellic acid and nitrogen source on germination of eight taxa from dissapearing European temperate forest, Potentillo albae-Quercetum
Authors: Kołodziejek Jeremi , Patykowski Jacek , Wala Mateusz 
Published: October 2017

AbstractLittle is known about how light affects seed germination and revegetation of species of thermophilous oak forest. To reveal this relationship effects of white, red, far-red irradiations and dark incubation on germination of eight Potentillo albae-Quercetum taxa were examined. Attempts were also made to evaluate the influence of gibberellic acid and different nitrogen sources on the germination characteristics. Interaction between light and nitrogen was also studied. Freshly matured seeds of all taxa germinated very poorly, indicating presence of primary dormancy. Germination rates increased after wet-stratification treatment and were low in darkness. The highest concentration of the nitrogenous solutions that resulted in high germination level was 10 mM, whereas higher concentrations had a negative effect. Nitrate had the strongest influence which can be proved by a ‘gap detection’ mechanism for gaps in the vegetation. Far-red and red irradiation showed antagonistic effect on seed germination. There was a decrease in germination when far-red was followed by red and an improvement when red was followed by far-red treatment. Under red light, gibberellic acid enhanced germination of positively photoblastic taxa. It was concluded that light factor, associated with vegetation gaps, was the most important signal stimulating germination of the studied taxa.
Definitive Radiotherapy for Older Patients with Prostate Cancer: Experience of a Medical Center in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Yuan-Hung , Yang Wan-Chin , Hu Yu-Wen , Hsieh Chuen-Mei , Yang Kai-Lin , Lai I.-Chun , Hsu Chen-Xiong , Wang Ti-Hao , Lai Tzu-Yu , Chen Kuan-Ting , Kang Yu-Mei , Liu Yu-Ming 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWhether age predicts treatment outcome of prostate cancer remains controversial. With the aging of the world population, properly understanding the effect of age may facilitate both treatment decision-making and defining the natural history of prostate cancer. Consecutive 581 patients with locally-confined adenocarcinoma of the prostate who received radical definitive radiotherapy(RT) (76–78 Gy) between 2004 and 2015 at a medical center in Taiwan were reviewed retrospectively. Median age was 78 years. The median follow-up was 66 months. The 5-year biochemical failure-free survival(BFFS), distant metastasis-free survival(DMFS), disease-specific survival(DSS), and overall survival(OS) rates were 84.9%, 93.8%, 97.8%, and 86.6%, respectively, for all patients. Comparing those above and below the age of 80, no difference in 5-year BFFS, DMFS, or DSS was found. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that tumor stage, Gleason score, initial PSA, and latency before RT were significant risk factors of BFFS. The latency before RT was significantly longer in the older group than in the under 80 group. Delay to start RT might explain the previous finding of inferior disease control in older patients in other studies. With the exception of OS, no other differences in outcomes or toxicities were observed in older patients.
Adaptive combination of Bayes factors as a powerful method for the joint analysis of rare and common variants
Authors: Lin Wan-Yu , Chen Wei J. , Liu Chih-Min , Hwu Hai-Gwo , McCarroll Steven A. , Glatt Stephen J. , Tsuang Ming T. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMulti-marker association tests can be more powerful than single-locus analyses because they aggregate the variant information within a gene/region. However, combining the association signals of multiple markers within a gene/region may cause noise due to the inclusion of neutral variants, which usually compromises the power of a test. To reduce noise, the “adaptive combination of P-values” (ADA) method removes variants with larger P-values. However, when both rare and common variants are considered, it is not optimal to truncate variants according to their P-values. An alternative summary measure, the Bayes factor (BF), is defined as the ratio of the probability of the data under the alternative hypothesis to that under the null hypothesis. The BF quantifies the “relative” evidence supporting the alternative hypothesis. Here, we propose an “adaptive combination of Bayes factors” (ADABF) method that can be directly applied to variants with a wide spectrum of minor allele frequencies. The simulations show that ADABF is more powerful than single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-set kernel association tests and burden tests. We also analyzed 1,109 case-parent trios from the Schizophrenia Trio Genomic Research in Taiwan. Three genes on chromosome 19p13.2 were found to be associated with schizophrenia at the suggestive significance level of 5 × 10−5.
Rapid on-site evaluation of the development of resistance to quinone outside inhibitors in Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Hu X. R. , Dai D. J. , Wang H. D. , Zhang C. Q. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBotrytis cinerea, a typical “high-risk” pathogenic fungus that rapidly develops resistance to fungicides, affects more than 1,000 species of 586 plant genera native to most continents and causes great economic losses. Therefore, a rapid and sensitive assay of fungicide resistance development in B. cinerea populations is crucial for scientific management. In this study, we established a Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) system for the monitoring and evaluation of the risk of development of B. cinerea resistance to QoI fungicides; the method uses two LAMP assays. The first assay detects G143A mutants of B. cinerea, which are highly resistance to QoI fungicides. BCbi143/144 introns in B. cinerea are then detected by the second assay. HNB acts as a visual LAMP reaction indicator. The optimum reaction conditions of the LAMP assays were 61 °C for 50 min, and the detection limit of the LAMP assays was 100 × 10−4 ng/μl. We directly pre-treated the field samples by using All-DNA-Fast-Out to extract DNA within ten minutes, then performed the LAMP assay to achieve one-step rapid detection. In conclusion, we established a rapid and sensitive LAMP assay system for resistance risk assessment and for monitoring QoI-resistance of B. cinerea in the field.
Unusual isothermal multimerization and amplification by the strand-displacing DNA polymerases with reverse transcription activities
Authors: Wang Guoping , Ding Xiong , Hu Jiumei , Wu Wenshuai , Sun Jingjing , Mu Ying 
Published: October 2017

AbstarctExisting isothermal nucleic acid amplification (INAA) relying on the strand displacement activity of DNA polymerase usually requires at least two primers. However, in this paper, we report an unusual isothermal multimerization and amplification (UIMA) which only needs one primer and is efficiently initiated by the strand-displacing DNA polymerases with reverse transcription activities. On electrophoresis, the products of UIMA present a cascade-shape band and they are confirmed to be multimeric DNAs with repeated target sequences. In contrast to current methods, UIMA is simple to product multimeric DNA, due to the independent of multiple primers and rolling circle structures. Through assaying the synthesized single-stranded DNA targets, UIMA performs high sensitivity and specificity, as well as the universality. In addition, a plausible mechanism of UIMA is proposed, involving short DNA bending, mismatch extension, and template slippage. UIMA is a good explanation for why nonspecific amplification easily happens in existing INAAs. As the simplest INAA till now, UIMA provides a new insight for deeply understanding INAA and opens a new avenue for thoroughly addressing nonspecific amplification.
Associations between genetic risk variants for kidney diseases and kidney disease etiology
Authors: Wunnenburger Sebastian , Schultheiss Ulla T. , Walz Gerd , Hausknecht Birgit , Ekici Arif B. , Kronenberg Florian , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , Köttgen Anna , Wuttke Matthias 
Published: October 2017

AbstractChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health problem with a genetic component. Genome-wide association studies have identified variants associated with specific CKD etiologies, but their genetic overlap has not been well studied. This study examined SNP associations across different CKD etiologies and CKD stages using data from 5,034 CKD patients of the German Chronic Kidney Disease study. In addition to confirming known associations, a systemic lupus erythematosus-associated risk variant at TNXB was also associated with CKD attributed to type 1 diabetes (p = 2.5 × 10−7), a membranous nephropathy-associated variant at HLA-DQA1 was also associated with CKD attributed to systemic lupus erythematosus (p = 5.9 × 10−6), and an IgA risk variant at HLA-DRB1 was associated with both CKD attributed to granulomatosis with polyangiitis (p = 2.0 × 10−4) and to type 1 diabetes (p = 4.6 × 10−11). Associations were independent of additional risk variants in the respective genetic regions. Evaluation of CKD stage showed a significant association of the UMOD risk variant, previously identified in population-based studies for association with kidney function, for advanced (stage ≥G3b) compared to early-stage CKD (≤stage G2). Shared genetic associations across CKD etiologies and stages highlight the role of the immune response in CKD. Association studies with detailed information on CKD etiology can reveal shared genetic risk variants.
A quantitative model of the phytochrome-PIF light signalling initiating chloroplast development
Authors: Dubreuil Carole , Ji Yan , Strand Åsa , Grönlund Andreas 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe components required for photosynthesis are encoded in two separate genomes, the nuclear and the plastid. To address how synchronization of the two genomes involved can be attained in early light-signalling during chloroplast development we have formulated and experimentally tested a mathematical model simulating light sensing and the following signalling response. The model includes phytochrome B (PhyB), the phytochrome interacting factor 3 (PIF3) and putative regulatory targets of PIF3. Closed expressions of the phyB and PIF3 concentrations after light exposure are derived, which capture the relevant timescales in the response of genes regulated by PIF3. Sequence analysis demonstrated that the promoters of the nuclear genes encoding sigma factors (SIGs) and polymerase-associated proteins (PAPs) required for expression of plastid encoded genes, contain the cis-elements for binding of PIF3. The model suggests a direct link between light inputs via PhyB-PIF3 to the plastid transcription machinery and control over the expression of photosynthesis components both in the nucleus and in the plastids. Using a pluripotent Arabidopsis cell culture in which chloroplasts develop from undifferentiated proplastids following exposure to light, we could experimentally verify that the expression of SIGs and PAPs in response to light follow the calculated expression of a PhyB-PIF3 regulated gene.
Structural basis for the bacterial membrane insertion of dermcidin peptide, DCD-1L
Authors: Nguyen Van Sang , Tan Kang Wei , Ramesh Karthik , Chew Fook Tim , Mok Yu Keung 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHuman dermcidin (DCD) is an antimicrobial peptide secreted constitutively by sweat glands. The anionic derivative, DCD-1L, comprises of the N-terminal 47 residues of DCD and one additional leucine residue. A previous NMR structure of DCD-1L in 50% TFE showed a partial helical conformation, and its crystal structure in the presence of Zn2+ outlined a hexameric linear α-helical bundle. Three different models to describe membrane insertion were proposed but no conclusion was drawn. In the current study, the NMR structure of DCD-1L in SDS micelles showed an “L-shaped” molecule with three fully formed α-helices connected by flexible turns. Formation of these helices in DCD-1L in the presence of POPG vesicles suggests that the acidic C-terminal region of DCD-1L can suppress the binding of DCD-1L to POPG vesicles at basic but not acidic pH. Mutation of charged residues on the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of DCD-1L cause differences in POPG binding, suggesting distinct functional roles for these two regions. Charged residues from these two regions are also found to differentially affect Zn2+ coordination and aggregation of DCD-1L in the absence or presence of SDS, as monitored by 1D NMR. Our data agrees with one of the three models proposed.
miR-204 is associated with an endocrine phenotype in human pancreatic islets but does not regulate the insulin mRNA through MAFA
Authors: Marzinotto Ilaria , Pellegrini Silvia , Brigatti Cristina , Nano Rita , Melzi Raffaella , Mercalli Alessia , Liberati Daniela , Sordi Valeria , Ferrari Maurizio , Falconi Massimo , Doglioni Claudio , Ravassard Philippe , Piemonti Lorenzo , Lampasona Vito 
Published: October 2017

AbstractmiR-204 has been proposed to modulate insulin expression in human pancreatic islets by regulating the expression of the MAFA transcript, and in turn insulin transcription. We investigated miR-204 expression in pancreatic endocrine tumors (PET), a panel of human tissues, tissues derived from pancreatic islet purification, and in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) differentiated towards a pancreatic endocrine phenotype by quantitative real time RT-PCR or droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). In addition, we evaluated the effect of miR-204 up- or down-regulation in purified human islets and in the EndoC-βH1 cell line, as an experimental model of human pancreatic β cells. Our results confirm that miR-204 was enriched in insulin producing PET, in β cells within healthy pancreatic islets, and highly expressed in EndoC-βH1 cells. Moreover, in iPSCs miR-204 increased stepwise upon stimulated differentiation to insulin producing cells. However, up- or down-regulation of miR-204 in human islets and in EndoC-βH1 cells resulted in modest and not significant changes of the MAFA and INS mRNAs measured by ddPCR or c-peptide release. Our data confirm the association of miR-204 with a β cell endocrine phenotype in human pancreatic islets, but do not support its direct role in regulating the levels of insulin mRNA through MAFA.
Ghrelin rescues skeletal muscle catabolic profile in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington’s disease
Authors: Sjögren Marie , Duarte Ana I. , McCourt Andrew C. , Shcherbina Liliya , Wierup Nils , Björkqvist Maria 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAccumulating evidence suggests altered energy metabolism as a key feature in Huntington’s disease (HD) pathology. Hyper-catabolism, including weight loss and muscle atrophy, is seen in HD patients and HD mouse models. Metabolic hormones are key players, not only in energy metabolism, but also in neurodegenerative processes. Ghrelin, a gut peptide-hormone, plays an important role in regulating energy metabolism, stimulating appetite, and affects brain function and increases neuronal survival. The R6/2 mouse model of HD has previously been shown to exhibit progressive weight loss, dysregulated glucose metabolism, skeletal muscle atrophy and altered body composition. In this study, we targeted energy metabolism in R6/2 mice using ghrelin administration, with the primary aim to delay weight loss and reduce muscle atrophy. We also evaluated glucose metabolism and behaviour. We here demonstrate that ghrelin administration (subcutaneous 150 μg/kg daily injections) for 4 weeks, reversed the catabolic gene expression profile (increased expression of Caspase 8, Traf-5 and Creb1) seen in R6/2 mouse skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle morphology was also improved with ghrelin, and importantly, ghrelin administration normalized behavioural deficits in R6/2 mice. Taken together, our findings encourage further studies targeting metabolism in HD.
Incidence and Risk Factors of in-hospital mortality from AKI after non-cardiovascular operation: A nationwide Survey in China
Authors: Pan Yu , Wang Wenji , Wang Jinwei , Yang Li , Ding Feng ,   ISN AKF 0by25 China Consortium, Zhou Minjie , Zhao Minghui , Wang Hanyan , Xing Guolan , Liu Zhangsuo , Wang Li , Wang Fang , Wu Yonggui , Huang Dan , Li Suhua , Wang Shu , Xu Gang , Ge Shuwang , He Qiang , Shen Quanquan , Chen Jianghua , Zhang Ping , Chen Menghua , Wu Lihua , Liu Xiaohua , Pan Miao , Zhu Zaizhi , Zou Qianting , Yang Lin , Zhu Ping , Lian Xiyan , Zhao Jintao , Li Yun , Yang Lin , Wang Huamin , Hu Wenping , Wang Jianqin , Wang Jing , Wang Rong , Liu Bing , Mei Changlin , Zhang Tong , Xu Jixian , Han Jianxin , Li Rongshan , Wen Tao , Cao Juan , Zhang Liang , Wang Yan , Xu Jinhua , Bao Beiyan , Liu Bicheng , Chen Hongyu , Li Shaomei , Zha Yan , Luo Qiong , Chen Dongchen , Shen Yulan , Liao Yunhua , Zhang Zhengrong , Wang Xianqiu , Zhang Kun , Liu Luojin , Mao Peiju , Guo Chunxiang , Li Jiangang , Wang Zhenfu , Bai Shoujun , Shi Shuangjie 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis study aimed to describe the mortality and risk factors of in-hospital mortality from acute kidney injury (AKI) after non-cardiovascular operation in China based on a nationwide survey about AKI. The study sample was drawn from ISN AKF 0by25 China Consortiums, which is a nationwide, cross-sectional survey from 22 provinces in mainland China. AKI after non-cardiovascular operation was identified according to the 2012 KDIGO AKI creatinine criteria or expanded criteria. In total, 3468 cases were identified as hospital-acquired AKI (HA-AKI). Of these, 1059 cases were defined as AKI after major non-cardiovascular surgery. Post-operative AKI and non-operative AKI were similar in aetiology and in the need for RRT intervention. The all-cause in-hospital mortality was 17.0% (180 of 1059) among patients with AKI after a major surgery. Older age (OR = 1.14, p = 0.046), more severe comorbidities (OR = 9.29, p < 0.001), a history of CVD (OR = 1.85, p = 0.007), more severe peak AKI stage, and being located in the northwest region of China (OR = 2.47, p = 0.012) were all significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality risk in AKI patients who underwent an operation. AKI after a non-cardiovascular operation has become a huge medical burden in China. The features of operative AKI varied substantially in different regions of China. Increased attention must be paid to the occurrence of potential intrinsic renal AKI when patients are exposed to nephrotoxic factors or comorbidities.