bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel Feruloyl Esterase from Lactobacillus fermentum NRRL B-1932 and Analysis of the Recombinant Enzyme Produced in Escherichia coli
Authors: Liu Siqing , Bischoff Kenneth M. , Anderson Amber M. , Rich Joseph O. 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTA total of 33Lactobacillusstrains were screened for feruloyl esterase (FE) activity using agar plates containing ethyl ferulate as the sole carbon source, andLactobacillus fermentumNRRL B-1932 demonstrated the strongest FE activity among a dozen species showing a clearing zone on the opaque plate containing ethyl ferulate. FE activities were monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography with an acetonitrile-trifluoroacetic acid gradient. To produce sufficient purified FE fromL. fermentumstrain NRRL B-1932 (LfFE), the cDNA encoding LfFE (Lffae) was amplified and cloned by using available closely related genome sequences and overexpressed inEscherichia coli. A 29.6-kDa LfFE protein was detected from the protein extract ofE. coliBL21(pLysS) carrying pET28bLffaeupon IPTG (isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside) induction. The recombinant LfFE containing a polyhistidine tag was purified by nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid affinity resin. The purified LfFE showed strong activities against several artificial substrates, includingp-nitrophenyl acetate and 4-methylumbelliferylp-trimethylammoniocinnamate chloride. The optimum pH and temperature of the recombinant LfFE were around 6.5 and 37°C, respectively, as determined using either crude or purified recombinant LfFE. This study will be essential for the production of the LfFE inE. colion a larger scale that could not be readily achieved byL. fermentumfermentation.IMPORTANCEThe production of feruloyl esterase (FE) fromLactobacillus fermentumNRRL B-1932 reported in this study will have immense potential commercial applications not only in biofuel production but also in pharmaceutical, polymer, oleo chemical, cosmetic additive, and detergent industries, as well as human health-related applications, including food flavoring, functional foods, probiotic agents, preventive medicine, and animal feed. Given the essential role FE plays in the production of hydroxycinnamic acids and ferulic acid, plus the generally regarded as safe status of lactobacilli, which therefore have less regulatory concerns, LfFE from the probioticL. fermentumreported in this work can be directly used for increased production of high-value hydroxycinnamates and ferulic acid from natural or synthetic carbon sources.
Ammonia as an
In Situ
Sanitizer: Influence of Virus Genome Type on Inactivation
Authors: Decrey Loïc , Kazama Shinobu , Kohn Tamar 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACT

Treatment of human excreta and animal manure (HEAM) is key in controlling the spread of persistent enteric pathogens, such as viruses. The extent of virus inactivation during HEAM storage and treatment appears to vary with virus genome type, although the reasons for this variability are not clear. Here, we investigated the inactivation of viruses of different genome types under conditions representative of HEAM storage or mesophilic digestion. The goals were to characterize the influence of HEAM solution conditions on inactivation and to determine the potential mechanisms involved. Specifically, eight viruses representing the four viral genome types (single-stranded RNA [ssRNA], double-stranded RNA [dsRNA], single-stranded DNA [ssDNA], and double-stranded DNA [dsDNA]) were exposed to synthetic solutions with well-controlled temperature (20 to 35°C), pH (8 to 9), and ammonia (NH
3
) concentrations (0 to 40 mmol liter
−1
). DNA and dsRNA viruses were considerably more resistant than ssRNA viruses, resulting in up to 1,000-fold-longer treatment times to reach a 4-log inactivation. The apparently slower inactivation of DNA viruses was rationalized by the higher stability of DNA than that of ssRNA in HEAM. Pushing the system toward harsher pH (>9) and temperature (>35°C) conditions, such as those encountered in thermophilic digestion and alkaline treatments, led to more consistent inactivation kinetics among ssRNA and other viruses. This suggests that the dependence of inactivation on genome type disappeared in favor of protein-mediated inactivation mechanisms common to all viruses. Finally, we recommend the use of MS2 as a conservative indicator to assess the inactivation of ssRNA viruses and the stable ΦX174 or dsDNA phages as indicators for persistent viruses.

IMPORTANCE
Viruses are among the most environmentally persistent pathogens. They can be present in high concentrations in human excreta and animal manure (HEAM). Therefore, appropriate treatment of HEAM is important prior to its reuse or discharge into the environment. Here, we investigated the factors that determine the persistence of viruses in HEAM, and we determined the main mechanisms that lead to their inactivation. Unlike other organisms, viruses can have four different genome types (double- or single-stranded RNA or DNA), and the viruses studied herein represent all four types. Genome type appeared to be the major determinant for persistence. Single-stranded RNA viruses are the most labile, because this genome type is susceptible to degradation in HEAM. In contrast, the other genome types are more stable; therefore, inactivation is slower and mainly driven by the degradation of viral proteins. Overall, this study allows us to better understand the behavior of viruses in HEAM.
Retrospective cross-sectional review of survival rates in critically ill children admitted to a combined paediatric/neonatal intensive care unit in Johannesburg, South Africa, 2013–2015
Authors: Ballot Daynia E , Davies Victor A , Cooper Peter A , Chirwa Tobias , Argent Andrew , Mer Mervyn 
Published: June 2016

ObjectiveReport on survival to discharge of children in a combined paediatric/neonatal intensive care unit (PNICU).Design and settingRetrospective cross-sectional record review.ParticipantsAll children (medical and surgical patients) admitted to PNICU between 1 January 2013 and 30 June 2015.Outcome measuresPrimary outcome—survival to discharge. Secondary outcomes—disease profiles and predictors of mortality in different age categories.ResultsThere were 1454 admissions, 182 missing records, leaving 1272 admissions for review. Overall mortality rate was 25.7% (327/1272). Mortality rate was 41.4% (121/292) (95% CI 35.8% to 47.1%) for very low birthweight (VLBW) babies, 26.6% (120/451) (95% CI 22.5% to 30.5%) for bigger babies and 16.2% (86/529) (95% CI 13.1% to 19.3%) for paediatric patients. Risk factors for a reduced chance of survival to discharge in paediatric patients included postcardiac arrest (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.49), inotropic support (OR 0.085, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.17), hypernatraemia (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.6), bacterial sepsis (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.65) and lower respiratory tract infection (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.97). Major birth defects (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.74), persistent pulmonary hypertension of the new born (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.91), metabolic acidosis (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.74), inotropic support (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.45) and congenital heart defects (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.62) predicted decreased survival in bigger babies. Birth weight (OR 0.997, 95% CI 0.995 to 0.999), birth outside the hospital (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.84), HIV exposure (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.99), resuscitation at birth (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.94), metabolic acidosis (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.60) and necrotising enterocolitis (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.46) predicted poor survival in VLBW babies.ConclusionsOngoing mortality review is essential to improve provision of paediatric critical care.
Reporting of planned statistical methods in published surgical randomised trial protocols: a protocol for a methodological systematic review
Authors: Madden Kim , Arseneau Erika , Evaniew Nathan , Smith Christopher S , Thabane Lehana 
Published: June 2016

IntroductionPoor reporting can lead to inadequate presentation of data, confusion regarding research methodology used, selective reporting of results, and other misinformation regarding health research. One of the most recent attempts to improve quality of reporting comes from the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) Group, which makes recommendations for the reporting of protocols. In this report, we present a protocol for a systematic review of published surgical randomised controlled trial (RCT) protocols, with the purpose of assessing the reporting quality and completeness of the statistical aspects.MethodsWe will include all published protocols of randomised trials that investigate surgical interventions. We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL for relevant studies. Author pairs will independently review all titles, abstracts, and full texts identified by the literature search, and extract data using a structured data extraction form. We will extract the following: year of publication, country, sample size, description of study population, description of intervention and control, primary outcome, important methodological qualities, and quality of reporting of planned statistical methods based on the SPIRIT guidelines.Ethics and disseminationThe results of this review will demonstrate the quality of statistical reporting of published surgical RCT protocols. This knowledge will inform recommendations to surgeons, researchers, journal editors and peer reviewers, and other knowledge users that focus on common deficiencies in reporting and how to rectify them. Ethics approval for this study is not required. We will disseminate the results of this review in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, and at a doctoral independent study of oral defence.
Intraoperative spinal digital subtraction angiography: indications, technique, safety, and clinical impact
Authors: Orru’ Emanuele , Sorte Danielle E , Gregg Lydia , Wolinsky Jean-Paul , Jallo George I , Bydon Ali , Tamargo Rafael J , Gailloud Philippe 
Published: June 2016

BackgroundCerebral intraoperative DSA (IODSA) is a well-described, routinely performed procedure that allows the effectiveness of cerebrovascular interventions to be evaluated in the operating room. Spinal IODSA, on the other hand, is infrequently obtained and has received less attention.ObjectiveTo discuss the indications, technique, safety, and clinical impact of spinal IODSA.Materials and methodsTwenty-three patients underwent 45 thoracic and/or lumbar spinal IODSA between 2005 and 2016, either immediately before surgery for lesion localization or after the intervention to evaluate its effectiveness. Indications included 21 vascular malformations and 2 diaphragmatic crus compression syndromes. A long femoral arterial sheath with its hub positioned on the lateral surface of the thigh was used to allow catheter manipulations in the prone position.ResultsAll targeted intersegmental arteries (ISAs) were successfully catheterized. The course of surgery was changed in 6 instances (26.1%). In 4 cases of epidural or perimedullary arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs), a residual lesion required additional intervention. In one case of epidural AVF, initial IODSA revealed spontaneous resolution of the lesion, preventing unnecessary surgery. Finally, angiography performed in a case of diaphragmatic crus syndrome showed thrombosis of the ISA and non-visualization of the artery of Adamkiewicz. Recanalization was obtained by IA thrombolysis, with excellent clinical outcome. No intraprocedural or postprocedural complication was noted.ConclusionsSpinal IODSA is a safe technique that offers an immediate assessment of the effectiveness of a spinovascular surgical procedure, notably epidural and perimedullary AVFs. Spinal IODSA was technically successful in all cases, influencing the surgical strategy in 6 of 23 patients, including one patient who benefited from intraoperative endovascular therapy.
Is there a role for the use of aviation assessment instruments in surgical training preparation? A feasibility study
Authors: Stolk-Vos Aline C , Heres Marion H , Kesteloo Jasper , Verburg Dick , Hiddema Frans , Lie Desiree A , de Korne Dirk F 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTBackgroundSelection for surgical residency programmes could potentially be improved through pretraining preparation, after assessment of surgical candidates’ sensorimotor skills and personality traits. Existing aviation pilot selection instruments are available to test sensorimotor skills and personality traits. This study examined selected instruments to assess medical trainees’ sensorimotor skills and personality traits.MethodsAviation’s validated computer-based Computerized Pilot Aptitude and Screening System (COMPASS) and Checklist Professional Profile (CPP) were applied to 166 final year medical students during a surgical clerkship between 2013 and 2015.ResultsAll trainees completed COMPASS and CPP within the prescribed 2 hours. Compared with an age-matched and gender-matched cohort of 165 pilot candidates, medical trainees scored significantly higher on eye-hand coordination (p&lt;0.001), need for variation (p&lt;0.001), empathy (p=0.006), helpfulness (p&lt;0.001) and autonomy (p&lt;0.001). Pilot candidates scored higher on eye-hand-foot coordination (p&lt;0.001), spatial orientation (p&lt;0.001), persuasiveness (p&lt;0.001), stress tolerance (p&lt;0.001), dominance (p&lt;0.001), ambition (p&lt;0.001) and resilience (p&lt;0.001).ConclusionsFinal year medical trainees from one medical school were able to complete aviation’s sensorimotor skills and personality traits selection instruments within the set time frame. They scored differently from aviation trainees on selected skills and personality traits. The applicability and utility of aviation instruments to presurgical training preparation remains to be tested.
Acetylation and succinylation contribute to maturational alterations in energy metabolism in the newborn heart
Authors: Fukushima Arata , Alrob Osama Abo , Zhang Liyan , Wagg Cory S. , Altamimi Tariq , Rawat Sonia , Rebeyka Ivan M. , Kantor Paul F. , Lopaschuk Gary D. 
Published: June 2016

Dramatic maturational changes in cardiac energy metabolism occur in the newborn period, with a shift from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation. Acetylation and succinylation of lysyl residues are novel posttranslational modifications involved in the control of cardiac energy metabolism. We investigated the impact of changes in protein acetylation/succinylation on the maturational changes in energy metabolism of 1-, 7-, and 21-day-old rabbit hearts. Cardiac fatty acid β-oxidation rates increased in 21-day vs. 1- and 7-day-old hearts, whereas glycolysis and glucose oxidation rates decreased in 21-day-old hearts. The fatty acid oxidation enzymes, long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCAD) and β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (β-HAD), were hyperacetylated with maturation, positively correlated with their activities and fatty acid β-oxidation rates. This alteration was associated with increased expression of the mitochondrial acetyltransferase, general control of amino acid synthesis 5 like 1 (GCN5L1), since silencing GCN5L1 mRNA in H9c2 cells significantly reduced acetylation and activity of LCAD and β-HAD. An increase in mitochondrial ATP production rates with maturation was associated with the decreased acetylation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α, a transcriptional regulator for mitochondrial biogenesis. In addition, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, hexokinase, and phosphoglycerate mutase expression declined postbirth, whereas acetylation of these glycolytic enzymes increased. Phosphorylation rather than acetylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) increased in 21-day-old hearts, accounting for the low glucose oxidation postbirth. A maturational increase was also observed in succinylation of PDH and LCAD. Collectively, our data are the first suggesting that acetylation and succinylation of the key metabolic enzymes in newborn hearts play a crucial role in cardiac energy metabolism with maturation.Listen to this article’s corresponding podcast at http://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/acetylation-control-of-energy-metabolism-in-newborn-hearts/ .
DNMT1 Inhibition Reprograms Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells via Upregulation of the miR-17-92 Cluster
Authors: Zagorac Sladjana , Alcala Sonia , Fernandez Bayon Gustavo , Bou Kheir Tony , Schoenhals Matthieu , González-Neira Anna , Fernandez Fraga Mario , Aicher Alexandra , Heeschen Christopher , Sainz Bruno 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and other carcinomas are hierarchically organized, with cancer stem cells (CSC) residing at the top of the hierarchy, where they drive tumor progression, metastasis, and chemoresistance. As CSC and non-CSC share an identical genetic background, we hypothesize that differences in epigenetics account for the striking functional differences between these two cell populations. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, play an important role in maintaining pluripotency and regulating the differentiation of stem cells, but the role of DNA methylation in pancreatic CSC is obscure. In this study, we investigated the genome-wide DNA methylation profile of PDAC CSC, and we determined the importance of DNA methyltransferases for CSC maintenance and tumorigenicity. Using high-throughput methylation analysis, we discovered that sorted CSCs have a higher level of DNA methylation, regardless of the heterogeneity or polyclonality of the CSC populations present in the tumors analyzed. Mechanistically, CSC expressed higher DNMT1 levels than non-CSC. Pharmacologic or genetic targeting of DNMT1 in CSCs reduced their self-renewal and in vivo tumorigenic potential, defining DNMT1 as a candidate CSC therapeutic target. The inhibitory effect we observed was mediated in part through epigenetic reactivation of previously silenced miRNAs, in particular the miR-17-92 cluster. Together, our findings indicate that DNA methylation plays an important role in CSC biology and also provide a rationale to develop epigenetic modulators to target CSC plasticity and improve the poor outcome of PDAC patients. Cancer Res; 76(15); 4546–58. ©2016 AACR.
Molecular Pathways: Endothelial Cell FAK—A Target for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Roy-Luzarraga Marina , Hodivala-Dilke Kairbaan 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
The nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase, focal adhesion kinase (FAK, also known as PTK2), is a key mediator of signal transduction downstream of integrins and growth factor receptors in a variety of cells, including endothelial cells. FAK is upregulated in several advanced-stage solid tumors and has been described to promote tumor progression and metastasis through effects on both tumor cells and stromal cells. This observation has led to the development of several FAK inhibitors, some of which have entered clinical trials (GSK2256098, VS-4718, VS-6062, VS-6063, and BI853520). Resistance to chemotherapy is a serious limitation of cancer treatment and, until recently, most studies were restricted to tumor cells, excluding the possible roles performed by the tumor microenvironment. A recent report identified endothelial cell FAK (EC-FAK) as a major regulator of chemosensitivity. By dysregulating endothelial cell–derived paracrine (also known as angiocrine) signals, loss of FAK solely in the endothelial cell compartment is able to induce chemosensitization to DNA-damaging therapies in the malignant cell compartment and thereby reduce tumor growth. Herein, we summarize the roles of EC-FAK in cancer and development and review the status of FAK-targeting anticancer strategies. Clin Cancer Res; 22(15); 3718–24. ©2016 AACR.
SIX1 Oncoprotein as a Biomarker in a Model of Hormonal Carcinogenesis and in Human Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Suen Alisa A. , Jefferson Wendy N. , Wood Charles E. , Padilla-Banks Elizabeth , Bae-Jump Victoria L. , Williams Carmen J. 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
The oncofetal protein sine oculis-related homeobox 1 (SIX1) is a developmental transcription factor associated with carcinogenesis in several human cancer types but has not been investigated in human endometrial cancer. In a model of hormonal carcinogenesis, mice neonatally exposed to the soy phytoestrogen genistein (GEN) or the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) develop endometrial cancer as adults. Previously, we demonstrated that SIX1 becomes aberrantly expressed in the uteri of these mice. Here, we used this mouse model to investigate the role of SIX1 expression in endometrial carcinoma development and used human tissue microarrays to explore the utility of SIX1 as a biomarker in human endometrial cancer. In mice neonatally exposed to GEN or DES, the Six1 transcript level increased dramatically over time in uteri at 6, 12, and 18 months of age and was associated with development of endometrial carcinoma. SIX1 protein localized within abnormal basal cells and all atypical hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions. These findings indicate that developmental estrogenic chemical exposure induces persistent endometrial SIX1 expression that is strongly associated with abnormal cell differentiation and cancer development. In human endometrial tissue specimens, SIX1 was not present in normal endometrium but was expressed in a subset of endometrial cancers in patients who were also more likely to have late-stage disease. These findings identify SIX1 as a disease biomarker in a model of hormonal carcinogenesis and suggest that SIX1 plays a role in endometrial cancer development in both mice and women.
Implications: The SIX1 oncoprotein is aberrantly expressed in the endometrium following developmental exposure to estrogenic chemicals, correlates with uterine cancer, and is a biomarker in human endometrial cancers. Mol Cancer Res; 14(9); 849–58. ©2016 AACR.
Finding Kicking Range of Sepak Takraw Game: Fuzzy Logic and Dempster-Shafer Theory Approach
Authors: Maseleno Andino , Hasan Md. Mahmud , Muslihudin Muhammad , Susilowati Tri 
Published: June 2016

Sepak takraw is played by two regus, each consisting of three players. One of the three players shall be at the back and he is called a Tekong. The other two players shall be in front, one on the left and the other on the right. Having volley kicked a throw from the net by a team mate, the ball must then travel over the net to begin play. During the service, as soon as the Tekong kicks the ball, all the players are allowed to move about freely in their respective courts. The novel approach is the integration within a Tsukamoto's Fuzzy reasoning and inferences for evidential reasoning based on Dempster-Shafer theory. Sepak takraw is a highly complex net-barrier kicking sport that involves dazzling displays of quick reflexes, acrobatic twists, turns and swerves of the agile human body movement. Because of the humanâ€™s involvement in the game, the Fuzzy Logic type reasoning are the most appropriate. The individual rule outputs of Tsukamoto's Fuzzy reasoning scheme are crisp numbers, and therefore, the functional relationship between the input vector and the system output can be relatively easily identified. The result reveals that if Tekong is kick far and front player is kick near then another regu's player is kick far, if Tekong is kick near and front player is kick far then another regu's player is kick near, moreover possibility of kicking range is another regu's player is kick far in kicking range.<br /><br />