bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biotransformation of menadione to its prenylated derivative MK-3 using recombinant Pichia pastoris
Authors: Li Zhemin , Zhao Genhai , Liu Hui , Guo Yugang , Wu Hefang , Sun Xiaowen , Wu Xihua , Zheng Zhiming 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Prenylated quinones, especially menaquinones, have significant physiological activities, but are arduous to synthesize efficiently. Due to the relaxed aromatic substrate specificity and prenylation regiospecificity at the ortho- site of the phenolic hydroxyl group, the aromatic prenyltransferase NovQ from Streptomyces may be useful in menaquinone synthesis from menadione. In this study, NovQ was overexpressed in Pichia pastoris. After fermentation optimization, NovQ production increased by 1617%. Then the different effects of metal ions, detergents and pH on the activity of purified NovQ were investigated to optimize the prenylation reaction. Finally, purified NovQ and cells containing NovQ were used for menadione prenylation in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Menaquinone-1 (MK-1) was detected as the only product in vitro with γ,γ-dimethylallyl pyrophosphate and menadione hydroquinol substrates. MK-3 at a concentration of 90.53 mg/L was detected as the major product of whole cell catalysis with 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol and menadione hydroquinol substrates. This study realized whole cell catalysis converting menadione to menaquinones.
Clinical utility of pretreatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy response in rectal cancer: a review
Authors: Yoo Byong Chul , Yeo Seung-Gu 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Approximately 20% of all patients with locally advanced rectal cancer experience pathologically complete responses following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and standard surgery. The utility of radical surgery for patients exhibiting good CRT responses has been challenged. Organ-sparing strategies for selected patients exhibiting complete clinical responses include local excision or no immediate surgery. The subjects of this tailored management are patients whose presenting disease corresponds to current indications of neoadjuvant CRT, and their post-CRT tumor response is assessed by clinical and radiological examinations. However, a model predictive of the CRT response, applied before any treatment commenced, would be valuable to facilitate such a personalized approach. This would increase organ preservation, particularly in patients for whom upfront CRT is not generally prescribed. Molecular biomarkers hold the greatest promise for development of a pretreatment predictive model of CRT response. A combination of clinicopathological, radiological, and molecular markers will be necessary to render the model robust. Molecular research will also contribute to the development of drugs that can overcome the radioresistance of rectal tumors. Current treatments for rectal cancer are based on the expected prognosis given the presenting disease extent. In the future, treatment schemes may be modified by including the predicted CRT response evaluated at presentation.
The impact of automated hippocampal volumetry on diagnostic confidence in patients with suspected Alzheimer's disease: A European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium study
Authors: Bosco Paolo , Redolfi Alberto , Bocchetta Martina , Ferrari Clarissa , Mega Anna , Galluzzi Samantha , Austin Mark , Chincarini Andrea , Collins D. Louis , Duchesne Simon , Maréchal Bénédicte , Roche Alexis , Sensi Francesco , Wolz Robin , Alegret Montserrat , Assal Frederic , Balasa Mircea , Bastin Christine , Bougea Anastasia , Emek‐Savaş Derya Durusu , Engelborghs Sebastiaan , Grimmer Timo , Grosu Galina , Kramberger Milica G. , Lawlor Brian , Mandic Stojmenovic Gorana , Marinescu Mihaela , Mecocci Patrizia , Molinuevo José Luis , Morais Ricardo , Niemantsverdriet Ellis , Nobili Flavio , Ntovas Konstantinos , O'Dwyer Sarah , Paraskevas George P. , Pelini Luca , Picco Agnese , Salmon Eric , Santana Isabel , Sotolongo‐Grau Oscar , Spiru Luiza , Stefanova Elka , Popovic Katarina Surlan , Tsolaki Magda , Yener Görsev G. , Zekry Dina , Frisoni Giovanni B. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIntroductionHippocampal volume is a core biomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, its contribution over the standard diagnostic workup is unclear.MethodsThree hundred fifty‐six patients, under clinical evaluation for cognitive impairment, with suspected AD and Mini–Mental State Examination ≥20, were recruited across 17 European memory clinics. After the traditional diagnostic workup, diagnostic confidence of AD pathology (DCAD) was estimated by the physicians in charge. The latter were provided with the results of automated hippocampal volumetry in standardized format and DCAD was reassessed.ResultsAn increment of one interquartile range in hippocampal volume was associated with a mean change of DCAD of −8.0% (95% credible interval: [−11.5, −5.0]). Automated hippocampal volumetry showed a statistically significant impact on DCAD beyond the contributions of neuropsychology, 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/single‐photon emission computed tomography, and cerebrospinal fluid markers (−8.5, CrI: [−11.5, −5.6]; −14.1, CrI: [−19.3, −8.8]; −10.6, CrI: [−14.6, −6.1], respectively).DiscussionThere is a measurable effect of hippocampal volume on DCAD even when used on top of the traditional diagnostic workup.
Two‐level diagnostic classification using cerebrospinal fluid YKL‐40 in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Baldacci Filippo , Toschi Nicola , Lista Simone , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Kilimann Ingo , Teipel Stefan , Cavedo Enrica , dos Santos Antonio Melo , Epelbaum Stéphane , Lamari Foudil , Dubois Bruno , Floris Roberto , Garaci Francesco , Bonuccelli Ubaldo , Hampel Harald 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIntroductionWe assessed the diagnostic accuracy of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) YKL‐40 in discriminating (1) clinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) from cognitively healthy controls (HCs) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (level I) and (2) patients stratified by different pathophysiological profiles from HCs and FTD following a novel unbiased/descriptive categorization based on CSF biomarkers, independent of cognitive impairment severity (level II).MethodsYKL‐40 was compared among HCs (n = 21), mild cognitive impairment (n = 41), AD (n = 35), and FTD (n = 9) (level I) and among HCs (n = 21), AD pathophysiology (tau and amyloid β) negative (n = 15), tau positive (n = 15), amyloid β positive (n = 13), AD pathophysiology positive (n = 33), and FTD (n = 9) (level II).ResultsLevel I: YKL‐40 discriminated AD from HC and FTD (area under the receiver operating characteristic curves [AUROCs] = 0.69, 0.71). Level II: YKL‐40 discriminated tau‐positive individuals and AD pathophysiology–positive individuals from HC, AD pathophysiology–positive patients from FTD (AUROCs = 0.76, 0.72, 0.73).DiscussionYKL‐40 demonstrates fair performance in distinguishing tau‐positive patients from HCs, suggesting it may aid clinical diagnosis and support a biomarker‐guided pathophysiological stratification.
Asymptotic behaviour of minimal graphs over exterior domains
Authors: Simon L. 
Published: March 2017

It is proved that if

u

is a

C^2(ℝ^n \sim Ω)

solution of the minimal surface equation, if

Ω

is bounded, and if

n ≦ 7

, then

Du(x)

has a limit (in

ℝ^n

) as

\left|x\right|\rightarrow ∞

. This extends a result of L. Bers for the case

n = 2

. The result here is actually obtained as a special application of a more general result valid for all

n

.

Résumé

On démontre que si

u

est une solution

C^2(ℝ^n ~ Ω)

de l’équation de la surface minimale, si

Ω

est borné

n ≦ 7

, alors

Du(x)

a une limite (dans

ℝ^n

) telle que

\left|x\right|\rightarrow ∞

. Ceci etend un resultat de L. Bers dans le cas

n = 2

. Notre résultat est en fait un corollaire d’un résultat plus général, valable quel que soit

n

.
Solutions with minimal period for Hamiltonian systems in a potential well
Authors: Ambrosetti Antonio , Zelati Vittorio Coti 
Published: March 2017

Let

\mathrm U \in C^2(Ω)

, where

Ω

is a bounded set in

ℝ^N

. Suppose that

\mathrm U(x)

tends to

+ ∞

as

x

tends to

∂Ω

. Our main results concern the existence of periodic solutions of

−\"x = \mathrm{U}'(x)

having a prescribed number

\mathrm T

as minimal period. The results are also generalized to first order Hamiltonian systems.

Résumé

Soit

\mathrm U \in C^2(Ω)

, où

Ω

est un ouvert donné de

ℝ^N

. On suppose que

\mathrm U(x) → + ∞

quand

x → ∂Ω

. On montre l’existence de solutions périodiques de

\"x + \mathrm{U}'(x) = 0

, de période minimale prescrite. On étend ces résultats aux systèmes hamiltoniens du premier ordre.
ELECTROACOUSTIC VOICES: SOUNDS QUEER, AND WHY IT MATTERS
Authors: Woloshyn Alexa 
Published: March 2017

AbstractQueer processes abound in fixed media electroacoustic music with voice, in both the composition and listening processes. ‘Queer’ means transgressive, unstable, and disruptive, and queer processes break down restrictive traditional binaries. In this article, I name the queer where some may have thought it does not or could not exist, in well-known works by Berio, Stockhausen and Lucier, as well as lesser-known works by Truax, Normandeau and Westerkamp. Any claim to the queer in these electroacoustic works is inherently political because the core of the term's meaning is to disrupt and perturb the status quo, which is maintained by existing power structures. I outline how composers unsettle the gendered voice and exploit its mediating role between the body and language. Studio manipulation is further enhanced by the acousmatic listening context, which is intimate and unsettling (‘queer’), and can depict the ‘third space’ between the bodies of the voice and listener.
Rett Syndrome: Review of Biological Abnormalities
Authors: Dunn Henry G. , MacLeod Patrick M. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT:The Rett syndrome (RS) is a peculiar, sporadic, atrophic disorder, almost entirely confined to females. After the first six months of life there is developmental slowing with reduced communication and head growth for about one year. This is followed by a rapid destructive stage with severe dementia and loss of hand skills (with frequent hand wringing), apraxia and ataxia, autistic features and irregular breathing with hyperventilation. Seizures often supervene. Subsequently there is some stabilization in a pseudo-stationary stage during the preschool to school years, associated with more emotional contact but also abnormalities of the autonomic and skeletal systems. After the age of 15-20 years, a late motor deterioration occurs with dystonia and frequent spasticity but seizures become milder. RS has generally been considered an X-linked disorder in which affected females represent a new mutation, with male lethality. Linkage studies suggested a critical region at Xq28. In 1999, mutations in the geneMECP2encoding X-linked methyl cytosine-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) were found in a proportion of Rett girls. This protein can bind methylated DNA. Analyses are leading to much further investigation of mutants and their effects on genes. Neuropathological and electrophysiological studies of RS are described. Description of neurometabolic factors includes reduced levels of dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in brain, also estimation of nerve growth factors, endorphin, substance P, glutamate and other amino acids and their receptor levels. The results of neuroimaging are surveyed, including volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET).
Outpatient Craniotomy for Brain Tumor: A Pilot Feasibility Study in 46 Patients
Authors: Bernstein Mark 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT:Background:Since 1991 the author has routinely performed awake craniotomy for intra-axial brain tumors with low complication rate and low resource utilization. In late 1996 a pilot study was initiated to assess the feasibility of performing craniotomy for tumor resection as an outpatient procedure.Methods:A rigorous protocol was developed and adhered to, based around the patient's arrival at hospital at 6:00 a.m, undergoing image-guided awake craniotomy with cortical mapping, and being discharged by 6:00 p.m.Results:During the 48 month period from December 1996 to December 2000, 245 awake craniotomies were performed and of those, 46 patients were entered into the outpatient craniotomy protocol. Pathology in the 46 intent-to-treat group was: 21 metastasis, 19 glioma, and six miscellaneous. Four patients required conversion to inpatients and one patient was readmitted later the same evening due to headache. Thus 41/46 patients successfully completed the protocol (89%). There were five complications in the 46 intent-to-treat group (10.9%).Conclusions:Outpatient craniotomy for brain tumor is a feasible option which appears safe and effective for selected patients. Besides being resource-friendly, the procedure may be psychologically less traumatic to patients than standard craniotomy for brain tumor. Proper prospective studies including satisfaction surveys would help resolve these issues and will be the next step.
Ancestry and demography and descendants of Iron Age nomads of the Eurasian Steppe
Authors: Unterländer Martina , Palstra Friso , Lazaridis Iosif , Pilipenko Aleksandr , Hofmanová Zuzana , Groß Melanie , Sell Christian , Blöcher Jens , Kirsanow Karola , Rohland Nadin , Rieger Benjamin , Kaiser Elke , Schier Wolfram , Pozdniakov Dimitri , Khokhlov Aleksandr , Georges Myriam , Wilde Sandra , Powell Adam , Heyer Evelyne , Currat Mathias , Reich David , Samashev Zainolla , Parzinger Hermann , Molodin Vyacheslav I. , Burger Joachim 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDuring the 1st millennium before the Common Era (BCE), nomadic tribes associated with the Iron Age Scythian culture spread over the Eurasian Steppe, covering a territory of more than 3,500 km in breadth. To understand the demographic processes behind the spread of the Scythian culture, we analysed genomic data from eight individuals and a mitochondrial dataset of 96 individuals originating in eastern and western parts of the Eurasian Steppe. Genomic inference reveals that Scythians in the east and the west of the steppe zone can best be described as a mixture of Yamnaya-related ancestry and an East Asian component. Demographic modelling suggests independent origins for eastern and western groups with ongoing gene-flow between them, plausibly explaining the striking uniformity of their material culture. We also find evidence that significant gene-flow from east to west Eurasia must have occurred early during the Iron Age.
The pro-inflammatory signalling regulator Stat4 promotes vasculogenesis of great vessels derived from endothelial precursors
Authors: Meng Zhao-Zheng , Liu Wei , Xia Yu , Yin Hui-Min , Zhang Chi-Yuan , Su Dan , Yan Li-Feng , Gu Ai-Hua , Zhou Yong 
Published: March 2017

AbstractVasculogenic defects of great vessels (GVs) are a major cause of congenital cardiovascular diseases. However, genetic regulators of endothelial precursors in GV vasculogenesis remain largely unknown. Here we show that Stat4, a transcription factor known for its regulatory role of pro-inflammatory signalling, promotes GV vasculogenesis in zebrafish. We findstat4transcripts highly enriched innkx2.5+endothelial precursors in the pharynx and demonstrate that genetic ablation ofstat4causes stenosis of pharyngeal arch arteries (PAAs) by suppressing PAAs 3–6 angioblast development. We further show thatstat4is a downstream target ofnkx2.5and that it autonomously promotes proliferation of endothelial precursors of the mesoderm. Mechanistically,stat4regulates the emerging PAA angioblasts by inhibiting the expression ofhdac3and counteracting the effect ofstat1a. Altogether, our study establishes a role for Stat4 in zebrafish great vessel development, and suggests that Stat4 may serve as a therapeutic target for GV defects.
Delayed entanglement echo for individual control of a large number of nuclear spins
Authors: Wang Zhen-Yu , Casanova Jorge , Plenio Martin B. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMethods to selectively detect and manipulate nuclear spins by single electrons of solid-state defects play a central role for quantum information processing and nanoscale nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). However, with standard techniques, no more than eight nuclear spins have been resolved by a single defect centre. Here we develop a method that improves significantly the ability to detect, address and manipulate nuclear spins unambiguously and individually in a broad frequency band by using a nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centre as model system. On the basis of delayed entanglement control, a technique combining microwave and radio frequency fields, our method allows to selectively perform robust high-fidelity entangling gates between hardly resolved nuclear spins and the NV electron. Long-lived qubit memories can be naturally incorporated to our method for improved performance. The application of our ideas will increase the number of useful register qubits accessible to a defect centre and improve the signal of nanoscale NMR.
Strengthening North Pacific Influences on United States Temperature Variability
Authors: Schulte Justin A. , Lee Sukyoung 
Published: March 2017

AbstractChanges in the frequency of occurrence of atmospheric circulation patterns under a changing climate system has important implications for regional climate variability. While many studies have focused on understanding the trends in the atmospheric pattern amplitudes and probabilities of occurrence, little attention has been given to how the linkages between climate variables and the large-scale patterns have been changing. Here we first document the strengthening relationship between an important North Pacific teleconnection - the East Pacific/North Pacific (EP/NP) pattern – and United States (US) temperature variability since the 1950s. The EP/NP pattern is linked to tropical convection, and consistently the coherence between US temperature anomalies and tropical convection anomalies has also been increasing during the same time period. This upward trend in convection-temperature alignment is most notable during autumn and winter and is absent during the summer. The relationship strengths and trends further suggest that the EP/NP pattern should be incorporated into monthly and seasonal outlooks that are of broad importance to agriculture, industry, and fisheries.
Elemental vs. phase composition of breast calcifications
Authors: Scott Robert , Kendall Catherine , Stone Nicholas , Rogers Keith 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDespite the importance of calcifications in early detection of breast cancer, and their suggested role in modulating breast cancer cell behaviour, very little detail is known about their chemical composition or how this relates to pathology. We measured the elemental composition of calcifications contained within histological sections of breast tissue biopsies, and related this to both crystallographic parameters measured previously in the same specimens, and to the histopathology report. The Ca:P ratio is of particular interest since this theoretically has potential as a non-invasive aid to diagnosis; this was found to lie in a narrow range similar to bone, with no significant difference between benign and malignant. The Mg:Ca ratio is also of interest due to the observed association of magnesium whitlockite with malignancy. The initially surprising inverse correlation found between whitlockite fraction and magnesium concentration can be explained by the location of the magnesium in calcified tissue. Sodium was also measured, and we discovered a substantial and significant difference in Na:Ca ratio in the apatite phase between benign and malignant specimens. This has potential for revealing malignant changes in the vicinity of a core needle biopsy.
Hepatocyte Growth Factor Prevented High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity and Improved Insulin Resistance in Mice
Authors: Muratsu Jun , Iwabayashi Masaaki , Sanada Fumihiro , Taniyama Yoshiaki , Otsu Rei , Rakugi Hiromi , Morishita Ryuichi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractObesity and its associated chronic inflammation in adipose tissue initiate insulin resistance, which is related to several pathologies including hypertension and atherosclerosis. Previous reports demonstrated that circulating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) level was associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, its precise role in obesity and related-pathology is unclear. In this experiment, cardiac-specific over-expression of human HGF in mice (HGF-Tg mice) which showed 4–5 times higher serum HGF levels than wild-type mice were used. While body weight in wild-type mice fed with high fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks was significantly increased accompanied with insulin resistance, HGF-Tg mice prevented body weight gain and insulin resistance. The accumulation of macrophages and elevated levels of inflammatory mediators in adipose tissue were significantly inhibited in HGF-Tg mice as compared to wild-type mice. The HFD-induced obesity in wild-type mice treated with HGF-neutralizing antibody showed an exacerbated response to the glucose tolerance test. These gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies demonstrated that the elevated HGF level induced by HFD have protective role against obesity and insulin resistance.
An electrochemical method for sensitive and rapid detection of FAM134B protein in colon cancer samples
Authors: Islam Farhadul , Haque Md Hakimul , Yadav Sharda , Islam Md Nazmul , Gopalan Vinod , Nguyen Nam-Trung , Lam Alfred K. , Shiddiky Muhammad J. A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDespite the excellent diagnostic applications of the current conventional immunoassay methods such as ELISA, immunostaining and Western blot for FAM134B detection, they are laborious, expensive and required a long turnaround time. Here, we report an electrochemical approach for rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of FAM134B protein in biological (colon cancer cell extracts) and clinical (serum) samples. The approach utilises a differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) in the presence of the [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− redox system to quantify the FAM134B protein in a two-step strategy that involves (i) initial attachment of FAM134B antibody on the surface of extravidin-modified screen-printed carbon electrode, and (ii) subsequent detection of FAM134B protein present in the biological/clinical samples. The assay system was able to detect FAM134B protein at a concentration down to 10 pg μL−1 in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4) with a good inter-assay reproducibility (% RSD = <8.64, n = 3). We found excellent sensitivity and specificity for the analysis of FAM134B protein in a panel of colon cancer cell lines and serum samples. Finally, the assay was further validated with ELISA method. We believe that our assay could potentially lead a low-cost alternative to conventional immunological assays for target antigens analysis in point-of-care applications.