bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dopamine functionalized tannic-acid-templated mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a new sorbent for the efficient removal of Cu2+ from aqueous solution
Authors: Gao Junkai , Lei Hao , Han Zhi , Shi Qian , Chen Yan , Jiang Yanjun 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA simple, environmentally friendly and cost-effective nonsurfactant template method was used to synthesize tannic-acid-templated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (TMSNs), and then dopamine functionalized TMSNs (Dop-TMSNs) which was synthesized by a facile and biomimetic coating strategy, was developed as a new sorbent for the removal of Cu2+ from aqueous solution. The Dop-TMSNs were thoroughly characterized by SEM, TEM, BET, FT-IR and TGA, and the effects of contact time, initial pH, K+ and Na+ concentrations, co-existing polyvalent metal ions and adsorption-desorption cycle times on the sorption capacity of Dop-TMSNs were studied. It was demonstrated that the maximum adsorption capacity of Cu2+ by Dop-TMSNs was 58.7 mg/g at pH 5.5, and the sorption reached equilibrium within 180 min. Moreover, the K+ and Na+ concentrations had a very slight influence on the sorption process and the adsorption capacity of the Dop-TMSNs still remained 89.2% after recycling for four times. All the results indicated that the Dop-TMSNs could be utilized as an excellent sorbent for the sequestration of Cu2+.
BCIP: a gene-centered platform for identifying potential regulatory genes in breast cancer
Authors: Wu Jiaqi , Hu Shuofeng , Chen Yaowen , Li Zongcheng , Zhang Jian , Yuan Hanyu , Shi Qiang , Shao Ningsheng , Ying Xiaomin 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBreast cancer is a disease with high heterogeneity. Many issues on tumorigenesis and progression are still elusive. It is critical to identify genes that play important roles in the progression of tumors, especially for tumors with poor prognosis such as basal-like breast cancer and tumors in very young women. To facilitate the identification of potential regulatory or driver genes, we present the Breast Cancer Integrative Platform (BCIP, http://www.omicsnet.org/bcancer/). BCIP maintains multi-omics data selected with strict quality control and processed with uniform normalization methods, including gene expression profiles from 9,005 tumor and 376 normal tissue samples, copy number variation information from 3,035 tumor samples, microRNA-target interactions, co-expressed genes, KEGG pathways, and mammary tissue-specific gene functional networks. This platform provides a user-friendly interface integrating comprehensive and flexible analysis tools on differential gene expression, copy number variation, and survival analysis. The prominent characteristic of BCIP is that users can perform analysis by customizing subgroups with single or combined clinical features, including subtypes, histological grades, pathologic stages, metastasis status, lymph node status, ER/PR/HER2 status, TP53 mutation status, menopause status, age, tumor size, therapy responses, and prognosis. BCIP will help to identify regulatory or driver genes and candidate biomarkers for further research in breast cancer.
Association of aldosterone excess and apnea-hypopnea index in patients with resistant hypertension
Authors: Ke Xiao , Guo Wenyu , Peng Hu , Hu Chengheng , Zhang Henghong , Peng Changnong , Wang Xiaoqing 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe present study was to investigate the association of aldosterone excess and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in patients with resistant hypertension. Patients with resistant hypertension were enrolled and baseline characteristics including plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and 24 h-urine aldosterone levels were collected and compared between groups with different degrees of AHI as assessed by polysomnography. Association of key variables and AHI was then evaluated by univariate and multiple linear regression analysis. A total of 534 patients with resistant hypertension were enrolled and mean age was 57 ± 11 years. Overall, mean number of AHI was 21.7 ± 9.6 and nearly 92.3% of resistant hypertensive patients had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Mean PAC and 24 h-urine aldosterone level was 12.4 ± 6.3 ng/dL and 13.1 ± 6.8 ug, respectively. Compared with other groups, participants in the severe OSA group (AHI ≥ 30) had significantly higher PAC and 24 h-urine aldosterone level. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that PAC and 24 h-urine aldosterone levels were positively associated with AHI, while spironolactone was negatively associated with AHI, independent of age, gender, body mass index, smoking, plasma renin activity and diuretics. OSA is highly prevalent in patients with resistant hypertension and both PAC and 24 h-urine aldosterone level are significantly associated with AHI.
Pretreatment with the ALDH2 agonist Alda-1 reduces intestinal injury induced by ischaemia and reperfusion in mice
Authors: Zhu Qiankun , He Guizhen , Wang Jie , Wang Yukang , Chen Wei 
Published: March 2017

Many studies demonstrate that activation of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) protects against oxidative stress via detoxification of cytotoxic aldehydes, and could attenuate cardiac, cerebral, lung and renal ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R) injuries. However, the effect of ALDH2 in intestinal I/R is unknown. The present study was set up to determine whether an ALDH2 agonist, Alda-1, could alleviate intestinal injury after gut I/R. In a mouse model of intestinal I/R injury, histological grading, proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, cellular apoptosis, chemokine contents, ALDH2 activity, 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (4-HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated. The results indicated that I/R treatment conferred elevation in pathological scores, proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, cellular apoptosis and chemokine levels, accompanied by accumulated 4-HNE and MDA. No significant changes in ALDH2 activity were observed after I/R. However, Alda-1 pretreatment significantly decreased these injurious indicators, concomitant with up-regulated ALDH2 activity, and lessened 4-HNE and MDA accumulation. Taken together, our results implicate activation of ALDH2 by Alda-1 in the significant abatement intestinal I/R injury.
Lingual–Alveolar Contact Pressure During Speech in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Preliminary Findings
Authors: Searl Jeff , Knollhoff Stephanie , Barohn Richard J. 
Published: March 2017

PurposeThis preliminary study on lingual–alveolar contact pressures (LACP) in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) had several aims: (a) to evaluate whether the protocol induced fatigue, (b) to compare LACP during speech (LACP-Sp) and during maximum isometric pressing (LACP-Max) in people with ALS (PALS) versus healthy controls, (c) to compare the percentage of LACP-Max utilized during speech (%Max) for PALS versus controls, and (d) to evaluate relationships between LACP-Sp and LACP-Max with word intelligibility.MethodThirteen PALS and 12 healthy volunteers produced /t, d, s, z, l, n/ sounds while LACP-Sp was recorded. LACP-Max was obtained before and after the speech protocol. Word intelligibility was obtained from auditory–perceptual judgments.ResultsLACP-Max values measured before and after completion of the speech protocol did not differ. LACP-Sp and LACP-Max were statistically lower in the ALS bulbar group compared with controls and PALS with only spinal symptoms. There was no statistical difference between groups for %Max. LACP-Sp and LACP-Max were correlated with word intelligibility.ConclusionsIt was feasible to obtain LACP-Sp measures without inducing fatigue. Reductions in LACP-Sp and LACP-Max for bulbar speakers might reflect tongue weakness. Although confirmation of results is needed, the data indicate that individuals with high word intelligibility maintained LACP-Sp at or above 2 kPa and LACP-Max at or above 50 kPa.
Delayed Closure of Giant Omphaloceles in West Africa: Report of Five Cases
Authors: El Ezzi Oumama , Bossou Raymond , Reinberg Olivier , Maurer Sabine , Roessingh Anthony 
Published: March 2017

AbstractGiant omphalocele (GO) management is controversial and not easy. Conservative management at birth and delayed surgical closure is usually mandatory. Postponed surgery may be challenging and carry the risk of intensive care treatment. We report on five children who were treated in our department for GO between 2000 and 2010. Initially, the patients were managed conservatively in West Africa. Delayed closure of the ventral hernia was performed in Switzerland after patient transfer through a nongovernmental organization. Fascial closure was performed at the median age of 23 months. Median diameter of the hernias was 10 × 10 cm ranging from 10 × 8 cm to 24 × 15 cm. Four (80%) patients had associated anomalies. Three children needed mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit after surgery. Median hospitalization was 19 days. Complications were seen in two patients. The follow-up showed no recurrence of ventral hernia. There was no mortality.This report shows that conservative management of a GO at birth with delayed closure of the ventral hernia after transferring the patients to a European center is a safe approach for West African children and avoids life-threatening procedures. Delayed closure of a GO may be nevertheless challenging everywhere.
Long-term outcomes of palliative colonic stenting versus emergency surgery for acute proximal malignant colonic obstruction: a multicenter trial
Authors: Siddiqui Ali , Cosgrove Natalie , Yan Linda , Brandt Daniel , Janowski Raymond , Kalra Ankush , Zhan Tingting , Baron Todd , Repici Allesandro , Taylor Linda , Adler Douglas. 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Background and study aims Long-term data are limited regarding clinical outcomes of self-expanding metal stents as an alternative for surgery in the treatment of acute proximal MBO. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes of stenting to surgery for palliation in patients with incurable obstructive CRC for lesions proximal to the splenic flexure.
Patients and methods Retrospective multicenter cohort study of obstructing proximal CRC patients with who underwent insertion of a SEMS (n = 69) or surgery (n = 36) from 1999 to 2014. The primary endpoint was relief of obstruction. Secondary endpoints included technical success, duration of hospital stay, early and late adverse events (AEs) and survival.
Results Technical success was achieved in 62/69 (89.8 %) patients in the SEMS group and in 36 /36 (100 %) patients who underwent surgery (P = 0.09). In the SEMS group, 10 patients underwent stenting as a bridge to surgery and 59 underwent stent placement for palliation. Clinical relief was achieved in 78 % of patients with stenting and in 100 % of patients who underwent surgery (P < 0.001). Patients with SEMS had significantly less acute AEs compared to the surgery group (7.2 % vs. 30.5 %, P = 0.003). Hospital mortality for the SEMS group was 0 % compared to 5.6 % in the surgery group (P = 0.11). Patients in the SEMS group had a significantly shorter median hospital stay (4 days) as compared to the surgery group (8 days) (P < 0.01). Maintenance of decompression without the recurrence of bowel obstruction until death or last follow-up was lower in the SEMS group (73.9 %) than the surgery group (97.3 %; P = 0.003). SEMS placement was associated with higher long-term complication rates compared to surgery (21 % and 11 % P = 0.27). Late SEMS AEs included occlusion (10 %), migration (5 %), and colonic ulcer (6 %). At 120 weeks, survival in the SEMS group was 5.6 % vs. 0 % in the surgery group (P = 0.8).
Conclusions Technical and clinical success associated with proximal colonic obstruction are higher with surgery when compared to SEMS, but surgery is associated with longer hospital stays and more early AEs. SEMS should be considered the initial mode of therapy in patients with acute proximal MBO and surgery should be reserved for SEMS failure, as surgery involves a high morbidity and mortality.
Inositol phosphates and phosphoinositides activate insulin-degrading enzyme, while phosphoinositides also mediate binding to endosomes
Authors: Song Eun Suk , Jang HyeIn , Guo Hou-Fu , Juliano Maria A. , Juliano Luiz , Morris Andrew J. , Galperin Emilia , Rodgers David W. , Hersh Louis B. 
Published: March 2017

SignificanceA diverse collection of peptides mediates cell–cell communication. Enzymes that cleave these peptides modulate their signals and thus play an important role in the physiology of multicellular organisms. Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is one such enzyme that cleaves a number of bioactive peptides. IDE is activated by polyanions, but physiological activators remain unidentified. Here we show that inositol-containing molecules, known to modulate various cellular functions, activate IDE, identifying them as potential physiological regulators. Inositol phosphates are potent soluble activators of IDE. Phosphatidylinositol phosphates, lipid components of cell membranes, also activate but in addition facilitate the localization of IDE to intracellular compartments, where the enzyme gains access to substrates, such as insulin, internalized by cells.
Using chiral tactoids as optical probes to study the aggregation behavior of chromonics
Authors: Nayani Karthik , Fu Jinxin , Chang Rui , Park Jung Ok , Srinivasarao Mohan 
Published: March 2017

Significance
Confined liquid crystals occupy a sweet spot in their continued relevance to a host of fundamental studies as well as being exploited for many technological applications. We report on interesting phenomenology in a particularly exciting class of liquid crystals called chromonics by observing the director configurations in tactoids as the phase boundary is traversed. Unique chiral structures in chromonic tactoids are rationalized by appealing to the variation of the aggregate lengths as the concentration and temperature change. We arrive at an interesting conclusion that higher concentrations have shorter aggregates at the nematic–biphasic transition temperature. Our study opens up pathways to exploit this unique class of water-soluble liquid crystals for a host of potential applications while tuning their concentration and temperature.
Probabilistic models of species discovery and biodiversity comparisons
Authors: Edie Stewart M. , Smits Peter D. , Jablonski David 
Published: March 2017

Significance
Estimates of species numbers are central to many analyses in fields ranging from conservation biology to macroecology and macroevolution. However, new species continue to be discovered and described at an uneven rate among regions and taxonomic groups, raising questions about the robustness of currently observed biodiversity patterns. We present a statistical approach to the rate of species description that incorporates uncertainty in species numbers across space and among clades. This approach identifies regions or clades where taxonomic knowledge is most complete, and provides estimates of stability in large-scale patterns given continued species discoveries through probabilistic forecasts of diversity levels.
Priming GPCR signaling through the synergistic effect of two G proteins
Authors: Gupte Tejas M. , Malik Rabia U. , Sommese Ruth F. , Ritt Michael , Sivaramakrishnan Sivaraj 
Published: March 2017

Significance
In this study, we uncover a G-protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) priming mechanism that results from the synergistic effects of two distinct G proteins. Although recent structural and spectroscopic studies of GPCR structure reveal a broad receptor conformational landscape, G-protein activation and downstream signaling are still viewed through the lens of individual ternary complexes between ligand, receptor, and individual effectors. Instead, our findings suggest positive interference between otherwise-disparate signaling pathways that can impact both the potency of GPCR ligands and their cell type-specific responses.
Comparison of Selected Nonlethal Samples from Adult Steelhead for Detection of Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus Using Cell Culture
Authors: Burbank David R. , Fehringer Tyson R. , Chiaramonte Luciano V. 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Nonlethal sampling techniques have previously been evaluated for detection of a variety of viral salmonid pathogens. However, many of these studies have used molecular assays in lieu of widely accepted cell culture techniques to evaluate the sampled tissues. Samples were collected from female steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss broodstock using three potential nonlethal sampling methods (mucus/skin scrape, pectoral fin clip, and gill tissue biopsy) and evaluated for the presence of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) via cell culture techniques. The results were compared with those from samples collected using a standard lethal sampling method (pooled anterior kidney and spleen tissues) applied to the same fish. Of the three nonlethal sampling techniques that were evaluated, fin clipping was the easiest and least invasive method. Furthermore, fin tissue was as sensitive as or more sensitive than kidney/spleen tissue for detecting IHNV in this population of fish. However, with the exception of gill tissue, the nonlethal samples did not appear to be appropriate surrogates for lethally collected tissues with regard to identifying an active infection in a particular fish. Nevertheless, nonlethal sampling coupled with cell culture appears to be suitable for helping to define the IHNV status of a steelhead population.
Received July 27, 2016; accepted December 11, 2016 Published online March 21, 2017
NeBcon: protein contact map prediction using neural network training coupled with naïve Bayes classifiers
Authors: He Baoji , Mortuza S M , Wang Yanting , Shen Hong-Bin , Zhang Yang 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

Motivation
Recent CASP experiments have witnessed exciting progress on folding large-size non-humongous proteins with the assistance of co-evolution based contact predictions. The success is however anecdotal due to the requirement of the contact prediction methods for the high volume of sequence homologs that are not available to most of the non-humongous protein targets. Development of efficient methods that can generate balanced and reliable contact maps for different type of protein targets is essential to enhance the success rate of the ab initio protein structure prediction.

Results
We developed a new pipeline, NeBcon, which uses the naïve Bayes classifier (NBC) theorem to combine eight state of the art contact methods that are built from co-evolution and machine learning approaches. The posterior probabilities of the NBC model are then trained with intrinsic structural features through neural network learning for the final contact map prediction. NeBcon was tested on 98 non-redundant proteins, which improves the accuracy of the best co-evolution based meta-server predictor by 22%; the magnitude of the improvement increases to 45% for the hard targets that lack sequence and structural homologs in the databases. Detailed data analysis showed that the major contribution to the improvement is due to the optimized NBC combination of the complementary information from both co-evolution and machine learning predictions. The neural network training also helps to improve the coupling of the NBC posterior probability and the intrinsic structural features, which were found particularly important for the proteins that do not have sufficient number of homologous sequences to derive reliable co-evolution profiles.

Availiablity and Implementation
On-line server and standalone package of the program are available at http://zhanglab.ccmb.med.umich.edu/NeBcon/.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Preoperative Magnetic Resonance and Intraoperative Computed Tomography Fusion for Real-Time Neuronavigation in Intramedullary Lesion Surgery
Authors: Costa Francesco , Ortolina Alessandro , Cardia Andrea , Riva Marco , Revay Martina , Pecchioli Guido , Anania Carla Daniela , Asteggiano Francesco , Fornari Maurizio 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Image-guided surgery techniques in spinal surgery are usually based upon fluoroscopy or computed tomography (CT) scan, which allow for a real-time navigation of bony structures, though not of neural structures and soft tissue remains.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the effectiveness and efficacy of a novel technique of imaging merging between preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intraoperative CT scan during removal of intramedullary lesions.

METHODS: Ten consecutive patients were treated for intramedullary lesions using a navigation system aid. Preoperative contrast-enhanced MRI was merged in the navigation software, with an intraoperative CT acquisition, performed using the O-armTM system (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Minneapolis, Minnesota). Dosimetric and timing data were also acquired for each patient.

RESULTS: The fusion process was achieved in all cases and was uneventful. The merged imaging information was useful in all cases for defining the exact area of laminectomy, dural opening, and the eventual extension of cordotomy, without requiring exposition corrections. The radiation dose for the patients was 0.78 mSv. Using the authors’ protocol, it was possible to merge a preoperative MRI with navigation based on intraoperative CT scanning in all cases. Information gained with this technique was useful during the different surgical steps. However, there were some drawbacks, such as the merging process, which still remains partially manual.

CONCLUSION: In this initial experience, MRI and CT merging and its feasibility were tested, and we appreciated its safety, precision, and ease.
Navigation and Image Injection for Control of Bone Removal and Osteotomy Planes in Spine Surgery
Authors: Kosterhon Michael , Gutenberg Angelika , Kantelhardt Sven Rainer , Archavlis Elefterios , Giese Alf 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: In contrast to cranial interventions, neuronavigation in spinal surgery is used in few applications, not tapping into its full technological potential. We have developed a method to preoperatively create virtual resection planes and volumes for spinal osteotomies and export 3-D operation plans to a navigation system controlling intraoperative visualization using a surgical microscope's head-up display. The method was developed using a Sawbone® model of the lumbar spine, demonstrating feasibility with high precision. Computer tomographic and magnetic resonance image data were imported into Amira®, a 3-D visualization software. Resection planes were positioned, and resection volumes representing intraoperative bone removal were defined. Fused to the original Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine data, the osteotomy planes were exported to the cranial version of a Brainlab® navigation system. A navigated surgical microscope with video connection to the navigation system allowed intraoperative image injection to visualize the preplanned resection planes.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION: The workflow was applied to a patient presenting with a congenital hemivertebra of the thoracolumbar spine. Dorsal instrumentation with pedicle screws and rods was followed by resection of the deformed vertebra guided by the in-view image injection of the preplanned resection planes into the optical path of a surgical microscope. Postoperatively, the patient showed no neurological deficits, and the spine was found to be restored in near physiological posture.

CONCLUSION: The intraoperative visualization of resection planes in a microscope's head-up display was found to assist the surgeon during the resection of a complex-shaped bone wedge and may help to further increase accuracy and patient safety.