bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MIBG avidity correlates with clinical features, tumor biology, and outcomes in neuroblastoma: A report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: DuBois Steven G. , Mody Rajen , Naranjo Arlene , Van Ryn Collin , Russ Douglas , Oldridge Derek , Kreissman Susan , Baker David L. , Parisi Marguerite , Shulkin Barry L. , Bai Harrison , Diskin Sharon J. , Batra Vandana , Maris John M. , Park Julie R. , Matthay Katherine K. , Yanik Gregory 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundPrior studies suggest that neuroblastomas that do not accumulate metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) on diagnostic imaging (MIBG non‐avid) may have more favorable features compared with MIBG avid tumors. We compared clinical features, biologic features, and clinical outcomes between patients with MIBG nonavid and MIBG avid neuroblastoma.ProcedurePatients had metastatic high‐ or intermediate‐risk neuroblastoma and were treated on Children's Oncology Group protocols A3973 or A3961. Comparisons of clinical and biologic features according to MIBG avidity were made with chi‐squared or Fisher exact tests. Event‐free (EFS) and overall (OS) survival compared using log–rank tests and modeled using Cox models.ResultsThirty of 343 patients (8.7%) had MIBG nonavid disease. Patients with nonavid tumors were less likely to have adrenal primary tumors (34.5 vs. 57.2%; P = 0.019), bone metastases (36.7 vs. 61.7%; P = 0.008), or positive urine catecholamines (66.7 vs. 91.0%; P < 0.001) compared with patients with MIBG avid tumors. Nonavid tumors were more likely to be MYCN amplified (53.8 vs. 32.6%; P = 0.030) and had lower norepinephrine transporter expression. Patients with MIBG nonavid disease had a 5‐year EFS of 50.0% compared with 38.7% for patients with MIBG avid disease (P = 0.028). On multivariate testing in high‐risk patients, MIBG avidity was the sole adverse prognostic factor for EFS identified (hazard ratio 1.77; 95% confidence interval 1.04–2.99; P = 0.034).ConclusionsPatients with MIBG nonavid neuroblastoma have lower rates of adrenal primary tumors, bone metastasis, and catecholamine secretion. Despite being more likely to have MYCN‐amplified tumors, these patients have superior outcomes compared with patients with MIBG avid disease.
Missed opportunities: unidentified genetic risk factors in prenatal care
Authors: McClatchey Trissa , Lay Erica , Strassberg Melissa , Van den Veyver Ignatia B. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractObjectivePrenatal and preconception care guidelines recommend obtaining family history to screen for reproductive genetic risk. The effectiveness of this screening and subsequent referral for genetic counseling is not well established. This study describes how often pregnant women with reproductive genetic risks were not referred for prenatal genetic counseling and the indications frequently missed.MethodWe retrospectively reviewed genetic consultation medical records for first‐trimester screen pretest counseling. These women had no documented indications for genetic counseling. We used the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics referral guidelines for genetic counseling to identify missed indications within the parents' personal and family histories. Patients with advanced maternal age were excluded.ResultsWe reviewed 416 consultation notes. The counselor elicited a genetic risk for which a referral had not been made in 27% of the pregnant women. Of these, 70% were genetic risks in the family history, 23% in the couple's history, and 7% in the prenatal history. The most common missed indications were personal or family history of birth defects (38%), intellectual disability or autism (19%), and a prior positive genetic carrier screening test (14%).ConclusionGenetic risk factors are not consistently identified as a referral indication for reproductive genetic counseling. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular mechanism of bacterial Hsp90 pH‐dependent ATPase activity
Authors: Jin Yi , Hoxie Reyal S. , Street Timothy O. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractHsp90 is a dimeric molecular chaperone that undergoes an essential and highly regulated open‐to‐closed‐to‐open conformational cycle upon ATP binding and hydrolysis. Although it has been established that a large energy barrier to closure is responsible for Hsp90's low ATP hydrolysis rate, the specific molecular contacts that create this energy barrier are not known. Here we discover that bacterial Hsp90 (HtpG) has a pH‐dependent ATPase activity that is unique among other Hsp90 homologs. The underlying mechanism is a conformation‐specific electrostatic interaction between a single histidine, H255, and bound ATP. H255 stabilizes ATP only while HtpG adopts a catalytically inactive open configuration, resulting in a striking anti‐correlation between nucleotide binding affinity and chaperone activity over a wide range of pH. Linkage analysis reveals that the H255‐ATP salt bridge contributes 1.5 kcal/mol to the energy barrier of closure. This energetic contribution is structurally asymmetric, whereby only one H255‐ATP salt‐bridge per dimer of HtpG controls ATPase activation. We find that a similar electrostatic mechanism regulates the ATPase of the endoplasmic reticulum Hsp90, and that pH‐dependent activity can be engineered into eukaryotic cytosolic Hsp90. These results reveal site‐specific energetic information about an evolutionarily conserved conformational landscape that controls Hsp90 ATPase activity.
Recognition of corn defense chitinases by fungal polyglycine hydrolases
Authors: Naumann Todd A. , Bakota Erica L. , Price Neil P. J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPolyglycine hydrolases (PGH)s are secreted fungal endoproteases that cleave peptide bonds in the polyglycine interdomain linker of ChitA chitinase, an antifungal protein from domesticated corn (Zea maysssp. mays). These target‐specific endoproteases are unusual because they do not cut a specific peptide bond but select one of many Gly‐Gly bonds within the polyglycine region. Some Gly‐Gly bonds are cleaved frequently while others are never cleaved. Moreover, we have previously shown that PGHs from different fungal pathogens prefer to cleave different Gly‐Gly peptide bonds. It is not understood how PGHs selectively cleave the ChitA linker, especially because its polyglycine structure lacks peptide sidechains. To gain insights into this process we synthesized several peptide analogs of ChitA to evaluate them as potential substrates and inhibitors of Es‐cmp, a PGH from the plant pathogenic fungusEpicoccum sorghi. Our results showed that part of the PGH recognition site for substrate chitinases is adjacent to the polyglycine linker on the carboxy side. More specifically, four amino acid residues were implicated, each spaced four residues apart on an alpha helix. Moreover, analogous peptides with selective Gly‐>sarcosine (N‐methylglycine) mutations or a specific Ser‐>Thr mutation retained inhibitor activity but were no longer cleaved by PGH. Additonally, our findings suggest that peptide analogs of ChitA that inhibit PGH activity could be used to strengthen plant defenses.
Mass trapping is as effective as ground bait sprays for the control of Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae) fruit flies in mango orchards
Authors: Villalobos Jorge , Flores Salvador , Liedo Pablo , Malo Edi A 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDAnastrepha fruit flies are considered one of the main phytosanitary problems for the fresh fruit industry in the USA, Caribbean islands and Latin America. Since 1994, the Mexican government has implemented the National Fruit Fly Program using an area‐wide integrated pest management approach. In this paper, we evaluate the effectiveness of mass trapping and compare it with ground GF‐120 spraying against Anastrepha obliqua and Anastrepha ludens populations in mango cv. Ataulfo orchards.RESULTSMultilure® traps baited with Ceratrap® or Biolure® captured significantly more fruit flies than Captor 300 in field cage tests. Mass trapping and ground GF‐120 spray significantly suppressed fruit fly populations compared with untreated plots. In Multilure traps placed in untreated plots, we captured significantly more fruit flies than in treated plots with mass trapping or GF‐120 sprays. Plots treated with either mass trapping or GF‐120 sprays reduced the percentage of infested fruit significantly compared with untreated plots. There was no difference between mass trapping and GF‐120 ground bait spraying.CONCLUSIONOur results demonstrate that mass trapping was as effective as GF‐120 ground spraying for the control of fruit flies in mango cv. Ataulfo orchards. The suppression effect of mass trapping was similar to GF‐120 ground bait spraying. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Streamflow alteration and habitat ramifications for a threatened fish species in the Central United States
Authors: Juracek K. E. , Eng K. , Carlisle D. M. , Wolock D. M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn the Central United States, the Arkansas darter (Etheostoma cragini) is listed as a threatened fish species by the State of Kansas. Survival of the darter is threatened by loss of habitat caused by changing streamflow conditions, in particular flow depletion. Future management of darter populations and habitats requires an understanding of streamflow conditions and how those conditions may have changed over time in response to natural and anthropogenic factors. In Kansas, streamflow alteration was assessed at 9 U.S. Geological Survey streamgages in 6 priority basins with no pronounced long‐term trends in precipitation. The assessment was based on a comparison of observed (O) and predicted expected (E) reference conditions for 29 flow metrics. The O/E results indicated a likely or possible diminished flow condition in 2 basins; the primary cause of which is groundwater‐level declines resulting from groundwater pumping for irrigated agriculture. In these 2 basins, habitat characteristics adversely affected by flow depletion may include stream connectivity, pools, and water temperature. The other 4 basins were minimally affected, or unaffected, by flow depletion and therefore may provide the best opportunity for preservation of darter habitat. Through the O/E analysis, anthropogenic streamflow alteration was quantified and the results will enable better‐informed decisions pertaining to the future management of darters in Kansas.
Recent 5-Year Findings and Technological Advances in the Proteomic Study of HIV-Associated Disorders
Authors: Zhang Lijun , Jia Xiaofang , Jin Jun-O , Lu Hongzhou , Tan Zhimi 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) mainly relies on host factors to complete its life cycle. Hence, it is very important to identify HIV-regulated host proteins. Proteomics is an excellent technique for this purpose because of its high throughput and sensitivity. In this review, we summarized current technological advances in proteomics, including general isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) and stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC), as well as subcellular proteomics and investigation of posttranslational modifications. Furthermore, we reviewed the applications of proteomics in the discovery of HIV-related diseases and HIV infection mechanisms. Proteins identified by proteomic studies might offer new avenues for the diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection and the related diseases.
Flow and fouling in membrane filters: effects of membrane morphology
Authors: Sanaei P. , Cummings L. J. 
Published: April 2017

Membrane filters are used extensively in microfiltration applications. The type of membrane used can vary widely depending on the particular application, but broadly speaking the requirements are to achieve fine control of separation, with low power consumption. The solution to this challenge might seem obvious: select the membrane with the largest pore size and void fraction consistent with the separation requirements. However, membrane fouling (an inevitable consequence of successful filtration) is a complicated process, which depends on many parameters other than membrane-pore size and void fraction; and which itself greatly affects the filtration process and membrane functionality. In this work we formulate mathematical models that can (i) account for the membrane internal morphology (internal structure, pore size and shape, etc.); (ii) describe fouling of membranes with specific morphology; and (iii) make some predictions as to what type of membrane morphology might offer optimum filtration performance.
Common genetic variants are associated with lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations across the year among children at northern latitudes
Authors: Petersen Rikke A. , Larsen Lesli H. , Damsgaard Camilla T. , Sørensen Louise B. , Hjorth Mads F. , Andersen Rikke , Tetens Inge , Krarup Henrik , Ritz Christian , Astrup Arne , Michaelsen Kim F. , Mølgaard Christian 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn a longitudinal study including 642 healthy 8–11-year-old Danish children, we investigated associations between vitamin D dependent SNP and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations across a school year (August–June). Serum 25(OH)D was measured three times for every child, which approximated measurements in three seasons (autumn, winter, spring). Dietary and supplement intake, physical activity, BMI and parathyroid hormone were likewise measured at each time point. In all, eleven SNP in four vitamin D-related genes: Cytochrome P450 subfamily IIR1 (CYP2R1); 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide synthetase-1(DHCR7/NADSYN1); group-specific complement (GC); and vitamin D receptor were genotyped. We found minor alleles of CYP2R1 rs10500804, and of GC rs4588 and rs7041 to be associated with lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations across the three seasons (all P<0·01), with estimated 25(OH)D differences of −5·8 to −10·6 nmol/l from major to minor alleles homozygosity. In contrast, minor alleles homozygosity of rs10741657 and rs1562902 in CYP2R1 was associated with higher serum 25(OH)D concentrations compared with major alleles homozygosity (all P<0·001). Interestingly, the association between season and serum 25(OH)D concentrations was modified by GC rs7041 (Pinteraction=0·044), observed as absence of increase in serum 25(OH)D from winter to spring among children with minor alleles homozygous genotypes compared with the two other genotypes of rs7041 (P<0·001). Our results suggest that common genetic variants are associated with lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations across a school year. Potentially due to modified serum 25(OH)D response to UVB sunlight exposure. Further confirmation and paediatric studies investigating vitamin D-related health outcomes of these genotypic differences are needed.
Control and Thematic Agreement
Authors: Ghomeshi Jila 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn this article it is shown that Persian has core control constructions in which the obligatorily empty subject of an embedded clause takes its reference from an antecedent in the next higher clause. Evidence is provided that these embedded clauses are relatively transparent for scrambling and lack independent tense. It is therefore argued that core control verbs in Persian take complements that lack CP, TP, and a Case position for their subjects. Control complements do manifest subject agreement, however, suggesting that agreement checking takes place withinvP. The implications of this view are explored with respect to the periphrastic progressive construction, in which both the auxiliary and the main verb bear subject agreement, and raising constructions, in which preposed subjects do not trigger agreement on the matrix verb. The relevant contrast is presented in minimalist terms as the idea that agreement in Persian is checked within a strong phase (CP orvP).
OnWh-questions in Persian
Authors: Kahnemuyipour Arsalan 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis article exploreswh-questions in Persian and examines how the “clausal typing hypothesis” and the “focus-fronting analysis” fare with respect to Persianwh-questions. It is shown that Persianwh-questions involve obligatory movement ofwh-phrases to a preverbal focus position. This movement is different from syntacticwh-movement in that it does not involve movement of thewh-phrase to [Spec, CP], whose trigger is a [+wh] feature in C. Thus, in terms of the typology ofwh-questions, Persian is neither a syntacticwh-movement nor awh-in-situ language; rather, it should be classified with languages such as Aghem, Basque, Hungarian, Kirundi, and Serbo-Croatian, in whichwh-phrases have been argued to undergo focus movement. It is shown that Persian does not seem to share the properties of Serbo-Croatian, another focus-fronting language. Some possible explanations are provided and the theoretical implications are discussed.
Early Modern Siam as a Mainly Urban Society
Authors: BAKER CHRIS , PHONGPAICHIT PASUK 
Published: April 2017

AbstractEarly modern Siam is usually portrayed as a predominantly rural, peasant society. This picture is assumed from the worldwide trend of rural-to-urban transition, rather than from study of Siam itself. The available sources have a striking lack of any evidence on rural society. This article explores the possibility that this absence may reflect a real-world difference, not just perception. Unlike in temperate zones, enough food could be produced without dedicating the efforts of a majority of the population to agriculture. Rice could be grown by part-time ‘commuter’ agriculture, and other foods found by everyday hunting and gathering. Cultural preference based on the instinct for survival may have reinforced an affinity for urban residence. The scant data on Siam's demography suggest the majority of the population lived in urban places. Descriptions of the capital portray a commercial and industrial centre, capable of employing many in non-agricultural pursuits. The state systems for raising resources were tailored to an urban rather than a rural society. While the scarcity of data on early Siam makes any ‘proof’ impossible, the thesis that Siam was a predominantly urban society is worth exploring. From the early eighteenth century on, Siam was subject to a process of ‘ruralization’ that created the familiar peasant society that historians have projected back into the past.
The Indian Economy and the British Empire in the Company Period: Some additional reflections around an essay by David Washbrook
Authors: MARKOVITS CLAUDE 
Published: April 2017

AbstractTaking as its point of departure David Washbrook's essay ‘The Indian Economy and the British Empire’, this article takes a more detailed look at some episodes in the history of British India in the era of the Company Raj, with a view to placing them within a broader imperial framework, as advocated by Washbrook. The first part of the article examines, through an array of case studies, the actual contribution made by the Company to ‘global’ British expansion, concluding that it invested a lot of (Indian) blood and money in ventures from which it derived little benefit, as in the case of the expeditions to Manila (1762), Ceylon (1795), and Java (1811). It is shown that the Company's interests were ultimately sacrificed to the necessity of maintaining the European balance of power through consideration of the colonial interests of minor European powers such as Portugal or the Netherlands. While the Company saw its interests thus overlooked in the ‘global’ imperial arena, it could not find compensation in increased economic activity in India itself. Although the compulsions of ‘military-fiscalism’ largely explain such an outcome, we should not lose sight of the role of Indian agency in limiting the Company's options, as is shown by a rapid look at the history of both labour and capital markets, which the Company did not succeed in bending completely to its needs.
Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis(Bong.) Carr.) forests as a habitat for birds and mammals
Authors: Staines Brian W. , Petty S. J. , Ratcliffe Philip R. 
Published: April 2017

SynopsisSitka spruce comprises the largest single forest type in Britain and provides a vast habitat for wildlife. However, many improvements are still possible. No species of bird or mammal occurs equally throughout a conifer rotation, their distribution being affected by both the temporal and spatial dynamics of plantations. We suggest a number of practical improvements, including the modifications to felling-coup size and the incorporation of other tree and shrub species, to increase the diversity and abundance of wildlife in Sitka spruce forests without seriously affecting the forest enterprise.
Age structure of boreal willows and fluctuations in herbivore populations
Authors: Ericson L. , Elmqvist T. , Jakobsson K. , Danell K. , Salomonson A. 
Published: April 2017

SynopsisThe age structure, both on the ramet and the genet level of boreal willow populations (Salix myrsinifolia-phylicifolia) was studied in relation to fluctuations in populations of voles (Clethrionomys glareolus and Microtus agrestis). Willow ramets were collected from four different areas in the coastal part of Sweden and Finland at the Bothnian Bay. In each area we selected one mainland and one island locality. The ramets, as well as the scars left by bark-eating voles on the ramets, were aged. We found in general a high correlation between ramet ages and peaks in vole cycles (based on frequencies of scars).From a sample of 79 willow clones where all ramets were aged, more than half of the ramets were produced the summer following a vole peak. Field surveys of seedling survival showed that successful establishment is mainly confined to disturbed ground (vole run-ways, etc.) in connection with vole peak years. It is concluded that the age structure both at the genet and the ramet level in boreal willow populations are strongly influenced by the fluctuations in vole populations. The consequences of vole herbivory are manifold, e.g. periodic damage of willows may delay senescence of individual genets and delay the rate of succession due to increased opportunities for willow recruitment.
The insect galls on willow
Authors: Hartley S. E. 
Published: April 2017

SynopsisA provisional species list for the insects galling willow in Britain is presented. Aspects of willow biology which may be important in gall-insect species diversity are briefly discussed and the process of gall formation is reviewed for one species of willow-galling sawfly. An experiment investigating willow defences against galling, by measuring phenolic levels in plant and gall tissue, is also described.
Willows in prehistory
Authors: Huntley Brian , Huntley Jacqueline P. 
Published: April 2017

SynopsisPalynological and macrofossil evidence of the former presence and abundance ofSalixspp. in the British Isles is discussed. The occurrence ofSalixremains in archaeological excavations is reviewed. It is concluded that, whereasSalixspp. of shrub and dwarf-shrub habits were abundant during the glacial and late-glacial periods, tall-shrub and tree species have been of only local occurrence during the post-glacial. The wood of these species has been used opportunistically by humans since at least the Neolithic period.