bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuropathologic features of TOMM40 '523 variant on late‐life cognitive decline
Authors: Yu Lei , Lutz Michael W. , Farfel Jose M. , Wilson Robert S. , Burns Daniel K. , Saunders Ann M. , De Jager Philip L. , Barnes Lisa L. , Schneider Julie A. , Bennett David A. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIntroductionThe study investigated the role of neuropathologies in the relationship between TOMM40 '523 genotype and late‐life cognitive decline.MethodsParticipants were community‐dwelling older persons who had annual cognitive assessments and brain autopsies after death. Genotyping used DNA from peripheral blood or postmortem brain tissue. Linear mixed models assessed the extent to which the association of '523 genotype with cognitive decline is attributable to neuropathologies.ResultsRelative to ε3/ε3 homozygotes with '523‐S/VL or '523‐VL/VL genotype, both '523‐L carriers and ε3/ε3 homozygotes with '523‐S/S genotype had faster cognitive decline. The association of '523‐L with cognitive decline was attenuated and no longer significant after controlling for Alzheimer's and other neuropathologies. By contrast, the association of '523‐S/S was unchanged.DiscussionThere are two distinct TOMM40 '523 signals in relation to late‐life cognitive decline. One signal primarily acts through AD and other common neuropathologies, whereas the other operates through a different mechanism.
Does the Severity of Overactive Bladder Symptoms Correlate with Risk for Female Sexual Dysfunction?
Authors: Juliato Cássia Raquel Teatin , Melotti Iane Glauce Ribeiro , Junior Luiz Carlos Santos , Britto Luiz Gustavo Oliveira , Riccetto Cássio Luiz Zanettini 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundSeveral studies have associated overactive bladder (OAB) with female sexual dysfunction (FSD); however, there are no reports using a quantitative approach to measure OAB severity and to relate OAB to the risk of FSD.AimTo evaluate women with OAB and to correlate the severity of their urinary symptoms with their sexual function.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 267 women older than 18 years with untreated OAB. All subjects completed the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Overactive Bladder (ICIQ-OAB) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).OutcomesLinear regression was used to analyze the association between variables and the numeric FSFI score, and categorical FSFI scores were analyzed using logistic regression. Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between ICIQ-OAB results and the different FSFI domains. The significance level was 5%.ResultsSubjects’ mean age was 50.2 ± 11.9 years. Most women were married, had at least three children, and were postmenopausal (54.3%). Mean FSFI total score was 19.2 ± 9.8. For menopausal status, 65.6% of premenopausal women had a risk for FSD vs 86.2% of postmenopausal women. Mean ICIQ-OAB score was 10 ± 3.17. Postmenopausal women had the following risk factors statistically associated with sexual dysfunction: age, ICIQ score, and marital status. For these women, greater OAB severity, especially those with urgency and/or urge incontinence, was associated with worse scores in the arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and sexual pain domains. However, there was no statistically significant association for premenopausal women.Clinical ImplicationsHealth professionals have to pay attention to OAB in women because of the greater risk for FSD in these patients.Strengths and LimitationsThe strength was using a quantitative approach to measure OAB severity in a larger population. Limitations include a convenience sample with no power calculation; exclusion of women who did not have sexual intercourse in the past month; unmeasured distress caused by sexual disorders; and the impossibility of establishing causality between OAB and sexual dysfunction.ConclusionWomen with OAB frequently have a risk for sexual dysfunction. In the postmenopausal group, women with scores indicating severe OAB had worse sexual function, mainly in the arousal, lubrication, orgasm, pain, and total domains.
CEO inside debt and bank loan syndicate structure
Authors: Chen Liqiang , Fan Hong 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis paper investigates the effects of a borrowing firm's CEO inside debt holdings on the structure of the firm's syndicated loans. When a borrowing firm's CEO has a higher level of inside debt holdings, syndicate loans have a larger number of lenders and are less concentrated, and lead arrangers will retain a smaller portion of loans. In addition, CEO inside debt holdings have a lesser effect on the syndicate structure when lead arrangers have a prior lending relationship with the borrowing firm or the CEOs are close to retirement, while CEO inside debt holdings have greater influence on the syndicate structure when the borrowing firm has low information transparency.
Surfing surface gravity waves
Authors: Pizzo Nick E. 
Published: June 2017

A simple criterion for water particles to surf an underlying surface gravity wave is presented. It is found that particles travelling near the phase speed of the wave, in a geometrically confined region on the forward face of the crest, increase in speed. The criterion is derived using the equation of John (Commun. Pure Appl. Maths, vol. 6, 1953, pp. 497–503) for the motion of a zero-stress free surface under the action of gravity. As an example, a breaking water wave is theoretically and numerically examined. Implications for upper-ocean processes, for both shallow- and deep-water waves, are discussed.
Yield, water productivity and economic return of dryland wheat in the Loess Plateau in response to conservation tillage practices
Authors: LI Z. , ZHANG Q. , YANG Q. , YANG X. , LI J. , CUI S. , SHEN Y. 
Published: June 2017

SUMMARYWinter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production on the Loess Plateau in China has been threatened by water scarcity and climate change during the last decade. Sustainable crop production in this region requires managerial practices that can provide high yield and high water productivity (WP). A 7-year (2001–2008) study at the Loess Plateau Research Station of Lanzhou University investigated the effects of various conservation tillage practices on grain yield, soil water content (SWC), WP and economic return of winter wheat production. Tillage treatments included: conventional tillage (T), conventional tillage followed by stubble retention (TS), no-till (NT) and no-till followed by stubble retention (NTS). Over the entire experimental period, grain yield and WP of winter wheat ranged from 1279 to 4894 kg/ha and 0·32 to 2·41 kg/m3, respectively. Both were significantly affected by tillage treatment and year, while SWC was only affected by year. Grain yield and WP in TS was increased by 4·9, 12·1, 0·9% and 13·7, 20·4 and 3·9% compared with NTS, NT and T, respectively, over seven growing seasons. Additionally, a multiple linear regression analysis indicated that grain yield is mainly limited by SWC during planting. Despite its lower grain yield, the NTS treatment increased economic benefit by US$ 328, US$ 23 and US$ 87/ha compared with TS, NT and T, respectively. Therefore, it is suggested that increasing soil water storage at wheat sowing time and encouraging the use of NTS could improve economic returns in this region.
CHD and respiratory syncytial virus: global expert exchange recommendations
Authors: Tulloh Robert M. R. , Medrano-Lopez Constancio , Checchia Paul A. , Stapper Claudia , Sumitomo Naokata , Gorenflo Matthias , Jung Bae Eun , Juanico Antonio , Gil-Jaurena Juan M. , Wu Mei-Hwan , Farha Talal , Dodge-Khatami Ali , Tsang Rocky , Notario Gerard , Wegzyn Colleen 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundPalivizumab is the standard immunoprophylaxis against serious disease due to respiratory syncytial virus infection. Current evidence-based prophylaxis guidelines may not address certain children with CHD within specific high-risk groups or clinical/management settings.MethodsAn international steering committee of clinicians with expertise in paediatric heart disease identified key questions concerning palivizumab administration; in collaboration with an additional international expert faculty, evidence-based recommendations were formulated using a quasi-Delphi consensus methodology.ResultsPalivizumab prophylaxis was recommended for children with the following conditions: <2 years with unoperated haemodynamically significant CHD, who are cyanotic, who have pulmonary hypertension, or symptomatic airway abnormalities; <1 year with cardiomyopathies requiring treatment; in the 1st year of life with surgically operated CHD with haemodynamically significant residual problems or aged 1–2 years up to 6 months postoperatively; and on heart transplant waiting lists or in their 1st year after heart transplant. Unanimous consensus was not reached for use of immunoprophylaxis in children with asymptomatic CHD and other co-morbid factors such as arrhythmias, Down syndrome, or immunodeficiency, or during a nosocomial outbreak. Challenges to effective immunoprophylaxis included the following: multidisciplinary variations in identifying candidates with CHD and prophylaxis compliance; limited awareness of severe disease risks/burden; and limited knowledge of respiratory syncytial virus seasonal patterns in subtropical/tropical regions.ConclusionEvidence-based immunoprophylaxis recommendations were formulated for subgroups of children with CHD, but more data are needed to guide use in tropical/subtropical countries and in children with certain co-morbidities.
Male Smokers’ Behavioral and Brain Responses to Deviant Cigarette-Related Stimuli in a Two-Choice Oddball Paradigm
Authors: Zhao Xin , Liu Xiaoting , Maes Joseph H. R. 
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Experimental studies on smoking and response-inhibition capacity have revealed inconsistent findings, which might be due to differences in sensitivity of the behavioral paradigms used. Here we aimed to replicate the impaired response inhibition in male smokers that was found in a previous study using a two-choice oddball task. This task enables the use of response times as index of inhibition capacity and equalizes the response requirement for the different trial types. In addition, we measured event-related brain potentials to explore the nature of the cognitive processes underlying the behavioral difference. Smokers (n = 19) and non-smokers (n = 19) were asked to make a different response to frequent standard stimuli (cigarette-unrelated pictures) than to infrequent deviant stimuli (cigarette-related pictures). Compared to non-smokers, smokers took a longer time to respond to deviant but not standard stimuli. In addition, smokers, but not non-smokers, displayed a smaller N2 amplitude to deviant than standard stimuli, and only the non-smokers showed larger P3 amplitudes to deviant compared to standard stimuli. Moreover, the response time (RT) measure was differentially correlated with N2 and P3 amplitudes in smokers and non-smokers. The joint results support the notion of deviant cognitive processes in smokers compared to non-smokers that are either directly or indirectly related to response-inhibition capacity.
Structural insights into the function of ZRANB3 in replication stress response
Authors: Sebesta Marek , Cooper Christopher D. O. , Ariza Antonio , Carnie Christopher J. , Ahel Dragana 
Published: June 2017

AbstractStrategies to resolve replication blocks are critical for the maintenance of genome stability. Among the factors implicated in the replication stress response is the ATP-dependent endonuclease ZRANB3. Here, we present the structure of the ZRANB3 HNH (His-Asn-His) endonuclease domain and provide a detailed analysis of its activity. We further define PCNA as a key regulator of ZRANB3 function, which recruits ZRANB3 to stalled replication forks and stimulates its endonuclease activity. Finally, we present the co-crystal structures of PCNA with two specific motifs in ZRANB3: the PIP box and the APIM motif. Our data provide important structural insights into the PCNA-APIM interaction, and reveal unexpected similarities between the PIP box and the APIM motif. We propose that PCNA and ATP-dependency serve as a multi-layered regulatory mechanism that modulates ZRANB3 activity at replication forks. Importantly, our findings allow us to interpret the functional significance of cancer associated ZRANB3 mutations.
Optogenetic protein clustering through fluorescent protein tagging and extension of CRY2
Authors: Park Hyerim , Kim Na Yeon , Lee Sangkyu , Kim Nury , Kim Jihoon , Heo Won Do 
Published: June 2017

AbstractProtein homo-oligomerization is an important molecular mechanism in many biological processes. Therefore, the ability to control protein homo-oligomerization allows the manipulation and interrogation of numerous cellular events. To achieve this, cryptochrome 2 (CRY2) from Arabidopsis thaliana has been recently utilized for blue light-dependent spatiotemporal control of protein homo-oligomerization. However, limited knowledge on molecular characteristics of CRY2 obscures its widespread applications. Here, we identify important determinants for efficient cryptochrome 2 clustering and introduce a new CRY2 module, named ‘‘CRY2clust’’, to induce rapid and efficient homo-oligomerization of target proteins by employing diverse fluorescent proteins and an extremely short peptide. Furthermore, we demonstrate advancement and versatility of CRY2clust by comparing against previously reported optogenetic tools. Our work not only expands the optogenetic clustering toolbox but also provides a guideline for designing CRY2-based new optogenetic modules.
Reverse engineering highlights potential principles of large gene regulatory network design and learning
Authors: Carré Clément , Mas André , Krouk Gabriel 
Published: June 2017

AbstractInferring transcriptional gene regulatory networks from transcriptomic datasets is a key challenge of systems biology, with potential impacts ranging from medicine to agronomy. There are several techniques used presently to experimentally assay transcription factors to target relationships, defining important information about real gene regulatory networks connections. These techniques include classical ChIP-seq, yeast one-hybrid, or more recently, DAP-seq or target technologies. These techniques are usually used to validate algorithm predictions. Here, we developed a reverse engineering approach based on mathematical and computer simulation to evaluate the impact that this prior knowledge on gene regulatory networks may have on training machine learning algorithms. First, we developed a gene regulatory networks-simulating engine called FRANK (Fast Randomizing Algorithm for Network Knowledge) that is able to simulate large gene regulatory networks (containing 104 genes) with characteristics of gene regulatory networks observed in vivo. FRANK also generates stable or oscillatory gene expression directly produced by the simulated gene regulatory networks. The development of FRANK leads to important general conclusions concerning the design of large and stable gene regulatory networks harboring scale free properties (built ex nihilo). In combination with supervised (accepting prior knowledge) support vector machine algorithm we (i) address biologically oriented questions concerning our capacity to accurately reconstruct gene regulatory networks and in particular we demonstrate that prior-knowledge structure is crucial for accurate learning, and (ii) draw conclusions to inform experimental design to performed learning able to solve gene regulatory networks in the future. By demonstrating that our predictions concerning the influence of the prior-knowledge structure on support vector machine learning capacity holds true on real data (Escherichia coli K14 network reconstruction using network and transcriptomic data), we show that the formalism used to build FRANK can to some extent be a reasonable model for gene regulatory networks in real cells.
A novel plant E3 ligase stabilizes Escherichia coli heat shock factor σ32
Authors: Niu Yulong , Xu Xibing , Liu Chengcheng , Wang Tao , Liang Ke , Wang Jianmei , Liu Zhibin , Li Xufeng , Yang Yi 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe heat shock response is crucial for organisms against heat-damaged proteins and maintaining homeostasis at a high temperature. Heterologous expression of eukaryotic molecular chaperones protects Escherichia coli from heat stress. Here we report that expression of the plant E3 ligase BnTR1 significantly increases the thermotolerance of E. coli. Different from eukaryotic chaperones, BnTR1 expression induces the accumulation of heat shock factor σ32 and heat shock proteins. The active site of BnTR1 in E. coli is the zinc fingers of the RING domain, which interacts with DnaK resulting in stabilizing σ32. Our findings indicate the expression of BnTR1 confers thermoprotective effects on E. coli cells, and it may provide useful clues to engineer thermophilic bacterial strains.
Microbial Signatures Associated with Oropharyngeal and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Banerjee Sagarika , Tian Tian , Wei Zhi , Peck Kristen N. , Shih Natalie , Chalian Ara A. , O’Malley Bert W. , Weinstein Gregory S. , Feldman Michael D. , Alwine James , Robertson Erle S. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe microbiome is fundamentally one of the most unique organs in the human body. Dysbiosis can result in critical inflammatory responses and result in pathogenesis contributing to neoplastic events. We used a pan-pathogen array technology (PathoChip) coupled with next-generation sequencing to establish microbial signatures unique to human oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OCSCC/OPSCC). Signatures for DNA and RNA viruses including oncogenic viruses, gram positive and negative bacteria, fungi and parasites were detected. Cluster and topological analyses identified 2 distinct groups of microbial signatures related to OCSCCs/OPSCCs. Results were validated by probe capture next generation sequencing; the data from which also provided a comprehensive map of integration sites and chromosomal hotspots for micro-organism genomic insertions. Identification of these microbial signatures and their integration sites may provide biomarkers for OCSCC/OPSCC diagnosis and prognosis as well as novel avenues for study of their potential role in OCSCCs/OPSCCs.
High-throughput Screening of Small Molecule Inhibitors of the Streptococcus Quorum-sensing Signal Pathway
Authors: Ishii Seiji , Fukui Kenji , Yokoshima Satoshi , Kumagai Kazuo , Beniyama Youko , Kodama Tetsuya , Fukuyama Tohru , Okabe Takayoshi , Nagano Tetsuo , Kojima Hirotatsu , Yano Takato 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe main components of the quorum-sensing system are expected to be favorable targets for drug development to combat various chronic infectious diseases. ComA of Streptococcus is an ATP-binding cassette transporter containing a peptidase domain (PEP), which is essential for the quorum-sensing signal production. Using high-throughput screening, we found a potent small molecule that suppressed the S. mutans quorum-sensing pathway through inhibition of PEP activity. The compound effectively attenuated the biofilm formation and competence development of S. mutans without inhibiting cell growth. The kinetic and structural studies with this molecule and a related compound unexpectedly revealed an allosteric site of PEP. This relatively hydrophobic site is thought to undergo large structural changes during the catalytic process. These compounds inhibit PEP activity by binding to and suppressing the structural changes of this site. These results showed that PEP is a good target for inhibitors of the Streptococcus quorum-sensing system.
Physalins V-IX, 16,24-cyclo-13,14-seco withanolides from Physalis angulata and their antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activities
Authors: Sun Cheng-Peng , Qiu Chong-Yue , Zhao Feng , Kang Ning , Chen Li-Xia , Qiu Feng 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFive new physalins, including a novel 1,10-seco one, physalin V (1), a tricarboxylic acid cycle one, physalin VIII (5), a rare 11,15-cyclo one, physalin IX (6), and two new ones, physalins VI (2) and VII (4) were isolated from stems and leaves of Physalis angulata together with eleven known analogues (3 and 7–16). Their structures were established by MS, IR, UV, and NMR spectroscopic analysis, together with the X-ray diffraction analysis of neophysalin, physalin P (12), and the structure of physalin D1 (3) has been revised here. These isolated compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative activities against human cancer cells (C4-2B, 22Rv1, 786-O, A-498, ACHN, and A375-S2) and inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production. Compounds 9 and 10 showed antiproliferative activities against all tested human cancer cells with IC50 values of 0.24–3.17 μM. Compounds 1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 13, 14, and 16 exhibited inhibitory activities against NO production. The IC50 values of compounds 9, 10, 13, and 16 were between 0.32 and 4.03 μM, while compounds 1, 3, 4, and 14 had IC50 values of 12.83–34.19 μM. Herein, plausible biosynthetic pathways for rare structures 1 and 6 and structure−activity relationships on the inhibition of NO production for all isolated compounds are discussed.
Deterministic radiative coupling of two semiconductor quantum dots to the optical mode of a photonic crystal nanocavity
Authors: Calic M. , Jarlov C. , Gallo P. , Dwir B. , Rudra A. , Kapon E. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA system of two site-controlled semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is deterministically integrated with a photonic crystal membrane nano-cavity. The two QDs are identified via their reproducible emission spectral features, and their coupling to the fundamental cavity mode is established by emission co-polarization and cavity feeding features. A theoretical model accounting for phonon interaction and pure dephasing reproduces the observed results and permits extraction of the light-matter coupling constant for this system. The demonstrated approach offers a platform for scaling up the integration of QD systems and nano-photonic elements for integrated quantum photonics applications.
Cognitive and motor dual task gait training improve dual task gait performance after stroke - A randomized controlled pilot trial
Authors: Liu Yan-Ci , Yang Yea-Ru , Tsai Yun-An , Wang Ray-Yau 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis study investigated effects of cognitive and motor dual task gait training on dual task gait performance in stroke. Participants (n = 28) were randomly assigned to cognitive dual task gait training (CDTT), motor dual task gait training (MDTT), or conventional physical therapy (CPT) group. Participants in CDTT or MDTT group practiced the cognitive or motor tasks respectively during walking. Participants in CPT group received strengthening, balance, and gait training. The intervention was 30 min/session, 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks. Three test conditions to evaluate the training effects were single walking, walking while performing cognitive task (serial subtraction), and walking while performing motor task (tray-carrying). Parameters included gait speed, dual task cost of gait speed (DTC-speed), cadence, stride time, and stride length. After CDTT, cognitive-motor dual task gait performance (stride length and DTC-speed) was improved (p = 0.021; p = 0.015). After MDTT, motor dual task gait performance (gait speed, stride length, and DTC-speed) was improved (p = 0.008; p = 0.008; p = 0.008 respectively). It seems that CDTT improved cognitive dual task gait performance and MDTT improved motor dual task gait performance although such improvements did not reach significant group difference. Therefore, different types of dual task gait training can be adopted to enhance different dual task gait performance in stroke.