bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Resting-state brain connectivity changes in obese women after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery: A longitudinal study
Authors: Olivo Gaia , Zhou Wei , Sundbom Magnus , Zhukovsky Christina , Hogenkamp Pleunie , Nikontovic Lamia , Stark Julia , Wiemerslage Lyle , Larsson Elna-Marie , Benedict Christian , Schiöth Helgi B. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBariatric surgery is an effective method to rapidly induce weight loss in severely obese people, however its impact on brain functional connectivity after longer periods of follow-up is yet to be assessed. We investigated changes in connectivity in 16 severely obese women one month before, one month after and one year after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB). 12 lean controls were also enrolled. Resting-state fMRI was acquired for all participants following an overnight fast and after a 260 kcal load. Connectivity between regions involved in food-related saliency attribution and reward-driven eating behavior was stronger in presurgery patients compared to controls, but progressively weakened after follow-up. At one year, changes in networks related to cognitive control over eating and bodily perception also occurred. Connectivity between regions involved in emotional control and social cognition had a temporary reduction early after treatment but had increased again after one year of follow-up. Furthermore, we could predict the BMI loss by presurgery connectivity in areas linked to emotional control and social interaction. RYGBP seems to reshape brain functional connectivity, early affecting cognitive control over eating, and these changes could be an important part of the therapeutic effect of bariatric surgery.
Niches and Interspecific Associations of Dominant Populations in Three Changed Stages of Natural Secondary Forests on Loess Plateau, P.R. China
Authors: Gu Li , Gong Zhi-wen , Li Wei-zhong 
Published: July 2017

AbstractEcological niches remain central to explaining community structure, and niche-based studies have helped us to better understand species interactions, distributions, coexistence and associated mechanisms.Quercus wutaishanseapopulations on Loess Plateau are currently expanding their dominance in natural secondary forest types. In the present paper, we focused on the dynamic changes of niches and interspecific association among different changed stages. The overall interspecies association of the three communities exhibited positive association for Variance Ratio (VR) >1; the value of χ2significance test further revealed that the overall association had reached the level of significant association. Among the total of 45 species pairs composed of 10 dominant species, in thePinus tabulaeformisforest, the ratio of positive and negative associations was below 1, which 19 pairs showing positive association, 25 pairs showing negative association, and 1 pair showing no association; in contrast, in another forests, the ratios of positive and negative associations were above 1. The timing and consequences of these associations may illuminate how interaction mechanisms such as competition and alleopathy, structure changes. Then differences of species features in niches and associations should receive greater attention when planning forest management and developing restoration strategies.
Transcriptomic Biomarkers to Discriminate Bacterial from Nonbacterial Infection in Adults Hospitalized with Respiratory Illness
Authors: Bhattacharya Soumyaroop , Rosenberg Alex F. , Peterson Derick R. , Grzesik Katherine , Baran Andrea M. , Ashton John M. , Gill Steven R. , Corbett Anthony M. , Holden-Wiltse Jeanne , Topham David J. , Walsh Edward E. , Mariani Thomas J. , Falsey Ann R. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractLower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) commonly causes hospitalization in adults. Because bacterial diagnostic tests are not accurate, antibiotics are frequently prescribed. Peripheral blood gene expression to identify subjects with bacterial infection is a promising strategy. We evaluated whole blood profiling using RNASeq to discriminate infectious agents in adults with microbiologically defined LRTI. Hospitalized adults with LRTI symptoms were recruited. Clinical data and blood was collected, and comprehensive microbiologic testing performed. Gene expression was measured using RNASeq and qPCR. Genes discriminatory for bacterial infection were identified using the Bonferroni-corrected Wilcoxon test. Constrained logistic models to predict bacterial infection were fit using screened LASSO. We enrolled 94 subjects who were microbiologically classified; 53 as “non-bacterial” and 41 as “bacterial”. RNAseq and qPCR confirmed significant differences in mean expression for 10 genes previously identified as discriminatory for bacterial LRTI. A novel dimension reduction strategy selected three pathways (lymphocyte, α-linoleic acid metabolism, IGF regulation) including eleven genes as optimal markers for discriminating bacterial infection (naïve AUC = 0.94; nested CV-AUC = 0.86). Using these genes, we constructed a classifier for bacterial LRTI with 90% (79% CV) sensitivity and 83% (76% CV) specificity. This novel, pathway-based gene set displays promise as a method to distinguish bacterial from nonbacterial LRTI.
Porcine familial adenomatous polyposis model enables systematic analysis of early events in adenoma progression
Authors: Flisikowska Tatiana , Stachowiak Monika , Xu Hongen , Wagner Alexandra , Hernandez-Caceres Alejandra , Wurmser Christine , Perleberg Carolin , Pausch Hubert , Perkowska Anna , Fischer Konrad , Frishman Dmitrij , Fries Ruedi , Switonski Marek , Kind Alexander , Saur Dieter , Schnieke Angelika , Flisikowski Krzysztof 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe compared gene expression in low and high-grade intraepithelial dysplastic polyps from pigs carrying an APC
1311
truncating mutation orthologous to human APC
1309
, analysing whole samples and microdissected dysplastic epithelium. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed differential expression of gene sets similar to human normal mucosa versus T1 stage polyps. Transcriptome analysis of whole samples revealed many differentially-expressed genes reflecting immune infiltration. Analysis of microdissected dysplastic epithelium was markedly different and showed increased expression in high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia of several genes known to be involved in human CRC; and revealed possible new roles for GBP6 and PLXND1. The pig model thus facilitates analysis of CRC pathogenesis.
Next Generation Ceramic Substrate Fabricated at Room Temperature
Authors: Kim Yuna , Ahn Cheol-Woo , Choi Jong-Jin , Ryu Jungho , Kim Jong-Woo , Yoon Woon-Ha , Park Dong-Soo , Yoon Seog-Young , Ma Byungjin , Hahn Byung-Dong 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA ceramic substrate must not only have an excellent thermal performance but also be thin, since the electronic devices have to become thin and small in the electronics industry of the next generation. In this manuscript, a thin ceramic substrate (thickness: 30–70 µm) is reported for the next generation ceramic substrate. It is fabricated by a new process [granule spray in vacuum (GSV)] which is a room temperature process. For the thin ceramic substrates, AlN GSV films are deposited on Al substrates and their electric/thermal properties are compared to those of the commercial ceramic substrates. The thermal resistance is significantly reduced by using AlN GSV films instead of AlN bulk-ceramics in thermal management systems. It is due to the removal of a thermal interface material which has low thermal conductivity. In particular, the dielectric strengths of AlN GSV films are much higher than those of AlN bulk-ceramics which are commercialized, approximately 5 times. Therefore, it can be expected that this GSV film is a next generation substrate in thermal management systems for the high power application.
Molecular mechanisms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy linked to mutations in human myelin protein P2
Authors: Ruskamo Salla , Nieminen Tuomo , Kristiansen Cecilie K. , Vatne Guro H. , Baumann Anne , Hallin Erik I. , Raasakka Arne , Joensuu Päivi , Bergmann Ulrich , Vattulainen Ilpo , Kursula Petri 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCharcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is one of the most common inherited neuropathies. Recently, three CMT1-associated point mutations (I43N, T51P, and I52T) were discovered in the abundant peripheral myelin protein P2. These mutations trigger abnormal myelin structure, leading to reduced nerve conduction velocity, muscle weakness, and distal limb atrophy. P2 is a myelin-specific protein expressed by Schwann cells that binds to fatty acids and membranes, contributing to peripheral myelin lipid homeostasis. We studied the molecular basis of the P2 patient mutations. None of the CMT1-associated mutations alter the overall folding of P2 in the crystal state. P2 disease variants show increased aggregation tendency and remarkably reduced stability, T51P being most severe. In addition, P2 disease mutations affect protein dynamics. Both fatty acid binding by P2 and the kinetics of its membrane interactions are affected by the mutations. Experiments and simulations suggest opening of the β barrel in T51P, possibly representing a general mechanism in fatty acid-binding proteins. Our findings demonstrate that altered biophysical properties and functional dynamics of P2 may cause myelin defects in CMT1 patients. At the molecular level, a few malformed hydrogen bonds lead to structural instability and misregulation of conformational changes related to ligand exchange and membrane binding.
Engineering the geometrical shape of mesenchymal stromal cells through defined cyclic stretch regimens
Authors: Walters Brandan , Uynuk-Ool Tatiana , Rothdiener Miriam , Palm Julian , Hart Melanie L. , Stegemann Jan P. , Rolauffs Bernd 
Published: July 2017

AbstractStem cells have been predicted to improve disease outcomes and patient lives. Steering stem cell fate - through controlling cell shape - may substantially accelerate progress towards this goal. As mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are continuously exposed in vivo to a dynamically changing biomechanical environment, we hypothesized that exogenous forces can be applied for engineering a variety of significantly different MSC shapes. We applied specific cyclic stretch regimens to human MSCs and quantitatively measured the resulting cell shape, alignment, and expression of smooth muscle (SMC) differentiation markers, as those have been associated with elongated morphology. As proof of principle, a range of different shapes, alignments, and correlating SMC marker levels were generated by varying strain, length, and repetition of stretch. However, the major determinant of biomechanically engineering cellular shape was the repetition of a chosen stretch regimen, indicating that the engineered shape and associated differentiation were complex non-linear processes relying on sustained biomechanical stimulation. Thus, forces are key regulators of stem cell shape and the targeted engineering of specific MSC shapes through biomechanical forces represents a novel mechanobiology concept that could exploit naturally occurring in vivo forces for improving stem cell fate in clinical regenerative therapies.
Quantum optical measurements with undetected photons through vacuum field indistinguishability
Authors: Lee Sun Kyung , Yoon Tai Hyun , Cho Minhaeng 
Published: July 2017

AbstractQuantum spectroscopy and imaging with undetected idler photons have been demonstrated by measuring one-photon interference between the corresponding entangled signal fields from two spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) crystals. In this Report, we present a new quantum optical measurement scheme utilizing three SPDC crystals in a cascading arrangement; here, neither the detection of the idler photons which interact with materials of interest nor their conjugate signal photons which do not interact with the sample is required. The coherence of signal beams in a single photon W-type path-entangled state is induced and modulated by indistinguishabilities of the idler beams and crucially the quantum vacuum fields. As a result, the optical properties of materials or objects interacting with the idler beam from the first SPDC crystal can be measured by detecting second-order interference between the signal beams generated by the other two SPDC crystals further down the set-up. This gedankenexperiment illustrates the fundamental importance of vacuum fields in generating an optical tripartite entangled state and thus its crucial role in quantum optical measurements.
Mutations targeting the coagulation pathway are enriched in brain metastases
Authors: Richichi Cristina , Fornasari Lorenzo , Melloni Giorgio E. M. , Brescia Paola , Patanè Monica , Del Bene Massimiliano , Mustafa Dana A. M. , Kros Johan M. , Pollo Bianca , Pruneri Giancarlo , Sciandivasci Angela , Munzone Elisabetta , DiMeco Francesco , Pelicci Pier Giuseppe , Riva Laura , Pelicci Giuliana 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBrain metastases (BMs) are the most common malignancy of the central nervous system. Recently it has been demonstrated that plasminogen activator inhibitor serpins promote brain metastatic colonization, suggesting that mutations in serpins or other members of the coagulation cascade can provide critical advantages during BM formation. We performed whole-exome sequencing on matched samples of breast cancer and BMs and found mutations in the coagulation pathway genes in 5 out of 10 BM samples. We then investigated the mutational status of 33 genes belonging to the coagulation cascade in a panel of 29 BMs and we identified 56 Single Nucleotide Variants (SNVs). The frequency of gene mutations of the pathway was significantly higher in BMs than in primary tumours, and SERPINI1 was the most frequently mutated gene in BMs. These findings provide direction in the development of new strategies for the treatment of BMs.
Rashba spin-orbit coupling in graphene monolayer coated by periodic magnetic stripes
Authors: Li Xiaojing , Wu Zhenhua , Liu Jiangtao 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe investigate theoretically the effects of a modulated periodic perpendicular magnetic fields and the Rashba spin-orbit coupling (RSOC) on the electronic states and optical absorption spectrum in a graphene monolayer. The magnetic fields and supperlattice geometry give rise to distinct Dirac cone shift and open a finite bandgap at the Dirac point. In contrast to the energy spectrum without the RSOC interaction, we find that the RSOC term will develop a spin-splitting energy-momentum dispersion relation in this graphene magnetic supperlattice. Anisotropic and spin-split group velocities, effective masses and the momentum-dependent carrier distributions along the magnetic strips are demonstrated. And the manipulations of these exotic properties by tuning the magnetic fields and the RSOC are addressed systematically. Accordingly, we find bright-to-dark transitions in the electron-hole pairs transition rate spectrum and absorption peak splitting in the optical absorption spectrum tuned by the RSOC interaction. This feature offers us a practical way to detect these band engineering effects especially the exotic spin splitting states by using the conductance and optical technique.
Changes of corneal tomography in patients with congenital blepharoptosis
Authors: Zhu Tiepei , Ye Xin , Xu Peifang , Wang Jingyi , Zhang Huina , Ni Hailong , Su Zhaoan , Ye Juan 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe study aimed to evaluate the effect of drooped eyelid on corneal tomography in congenital blepharoptosis patients. Sixty-four patients with congenital blepharoptosis and 64 age- and sex- matched healthy subjects were included. According to the eyelid margin to corneal light reflex distance (MRD), eyes with congenital blepharoptosis were categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. The eyes were scanned using the rotating Scheimpflug camera. Increased topometric parameters were observed in moderate and severe blepharoptosis. Back corneal elevations at the thinnest point were significant higher for mild (P = 0.009), moderate (P < 0.001), and severe (P < 0.001) congenital blepharoptosis compared with controls. Maximum Ambrósio’s relational thickness (ART) was decreased in eyes with severe blepharoptosis (P < 0.001). Fnal D values were significantly higher in moderate (P < 0.001) and severe blepharoptosis (P < 0.001) groups than that of controls. There were significant correlations between MRD and most corneal tomographic parameters. Our findings indicated there was a trend toward subclinical keratoconus-like changes in the corneas of congenital blepharoptosis, with the increase of ptosis severity.
Tailoring seed oil composition in the real world: optimising omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid accumulation in transgenic Camelina sativa
Authors: Usher Sarah , Han Lihua , Haslam Richard P. , Michaelson Louise V. , Sturtevant Drew , Aziz Mina , Chapman Kent D. , Sayanova Olga , Napier Johnathan A. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThere is considerable interest in the de novo production of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), not least of all given the importance of these fatty acids in both aquaculture and human nutrition. Previously we have demonstrated the feasibility of using metabolic engineering in transgenic plants (Camelina sativa) to modify the seed oil composition to now include EPA and/or DHA. In this study, we further tailored the seed oil profile to reduce the omega-6 content, and evaluated the performance of such GM plants under field conditions (i.e. environmental releases), in terms of agronomic performance and also the lipidomic profile of seed oil. We used MALDI- mass spectrometry imaging to identify discrete tissue-types in the seed in which these non-native fatty acids preferentially accumulated. Collectively, these data provide new insights into the complexity of plant lipid metabolism and the challenges associated with predictive manipulation of these pathways. However, this study identified the likely dispensable nature of a Δ12-desturase activity in our omega-3 metabolic engineering rationales for Camelina.
Association of pre-operative estimated GFR on post-operative pulmonary complications in laparoscopic surgeries
Authors: Shimomura Akihiro , Obi Yoshitsugu , Fazl Alizadeh Reza , Li Shiri , Nguyen Ninh T. , Stamos Michael J. , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar , Ichii Hirohito 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDespite a large body of evidence showing the pandemic of chronic kidney disease, the impact of pre-operative kidney function on the risk of post-operative pulmonary complications (PPCs) is not well known. We used multivariable logistic regression analyses with 3-level hierarchical adjustments to identify the association of pre-operative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with PPCs in laparoscopic surgeries. Among 452,213 patients between 2005 and 2013 in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) Database, a total of 3,727 patients (0.9%) experienced PPCs. We found a gradient association between lower eGFR and higher likelihood of PPCs in the unadjusted model. In the case-mix adjusted model, a reverse-J-shaped association was observed; a small albeit significant association with the highest eGFR category emerged. Further adjustment slightly attenuated these associations, but the PPCs risk in the eGFR groups of <30, 30–60, and ≥120 mL/min/1.73 m2 remained significant: odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.82 (1.54–2.16), 1.38 (1.24–1.54), and 1.28 (1.07–1.53), respectively (reference: 90–120 mL/min/1.73 m2). Our findings propose a need for careful pre-operative evaluation of cardiovascular and pulmonary functions and post-operative fluid management among patients with not only lower but also very high eGFR.
Ring-like N-fold Models of Aβ42 fibrils
Authors: Xi Wenhui , Hansmann Ulrich H. E. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWhen assembling as fibrils Aβ40 peptides can only assume U-shaped conformations while Aβ42 can also arrange as S-shaped three-stranded chains. We show that this allows Aβ42 peptides to assemble pore-like structures that may explain their higher toxicity. For this purpose, we develop a scalable model of ring-like assemblies of S-shaped Aβ1–42 chains and study the stability and structural properties of these assemblies through atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. We find that the proposed arrangements are in size and symmetry compatible with experimentally observed Aβ assemblies. We further show that the interior pore in our models allows for water leakage as a possible mechanism of cell toxicity of Aβ42 amyloids.
Molecular imaging of aberrant crypt foci in the human colon targeting glutathione S-transferase P1-1
Authors: Muguruma Naoki , Okamoto Koichi , Nakagawa Tadahiko , Sannomiya Katsutaka , Fujimoto Shota , Mitsui Yasuhiro , Kimura Tetsuo , Miyamoto Hiroshi , Higashijima Jun , Shimada Mitsuo , Horino Yoko , Matsumoto Shinya , Hanaoka Kenjiro , Nagano Tetsuo , Shibutani Makoto , Takayama Tetsuji 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAberrant crypt foci (ACF), the earliest precursor lesion of colorectal cancers (CRCs), are a good surrogate marker for CRC risk stratification and chemoprevention. However, the conventional ACF detection method with dye-spraying by magnifying colonoscopy is labor- and skill-intensive. We sought to identify rat and human ACF using a fluorescent imaging technique that targets a molecule specific for ACF. We found that glutathione S-transferase (GST) P1-1 was overexpressed in ACF tissues in a screening experiment. We then synthesized the fluorogenic probe, DNAT-Me, which is fluorescently quenched but is activated by GSTP1-1. A CRC cell line incubated with DNAT-Me showed strong fluorescence in the cytosol. Fluorescence intensities correlated significantly with GST activities in cancer cell lines. When we sprayed DNAT-Me onto colorectal mucosa excised from azoxymethane-treated rats and surgically resected from CRC patients, ACF with strong fluorescent signals were clearly observed. The ACF number determined by postoperative DNAT-Me imaging was almost identical to that determined by preoperative methylene blue staining. The signal-to-noise ratio for ACF in DNAT-Me images was significantly higher than that in methylene blue staining. Thus, we sensitively visualized ACF on rat and human colorectal mucosa by using a GST-activated fluorogenic probe without dye-spraying and magnifying colonoscopy.
A systems approach to a spatio-temporal understanding of the drought stress response in maize
Authors: Miao Zhenyan , Han Zhaoxue , Zhang Ting , Chen Siyuan , Ma Chuang 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCrops are often subjected to periods of drought stress during their life cycle. However, how stress response mechanisms contribute to the crosstalk between stress signaling pathways and developmental signaling pathways is still unknown. We built a gene co-expression network from a spatio-temporal transcriptomic map of the drought stress response in maize (Zea mays), profiled from three tissues and four developmental stages and characterized hub genes associated with duplication events, selection, and regulatory networks. Co-expression analysis grouped drought-response genes into ten modules, covering 844 highly connected genes (hub genes). Of these, 15.4% hub genes had diverged by whole-genome duplication events and 2.5% might then have been selected during natural domestication and artificial improvement processes, successively. We identified key transcription factor hubs in a transcriptional regulatory network, which may function as a crosstalk mechanism between drought stress and developmental signalling pathways in maize. Understanding the evolutionary biases that have evolved to enhance drought adaptation lays the foundation for further dissection of crosstalk between stress signalling pathways and developmental signalling pathways in maize, towards molecular design of new cultivars with desirable yield and greater stress tolerance.