bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical activity attenuates genetic effects on BMI: Results from a study of Chinese adult twins
Authors: Wang Biqi , Gao Wenjing , Lv Jun , Yu Canqing , Wang Shengfeng , Pang Zengchang , Cong Liming , Dong Zhong , Wu Fan , Wang Hua , Wu Xianping , Jiang Guohong , Wang Xiaojie , Wang Binyou , Cao Weihua , Li Liming 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the gene–environment interaction of physical activity and body mass index (BMI) using the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR).MethodsA total of 19,308 same‐sex adult twins from CNTR were included in the analysis. Twin zygosity was determined by self‐reported questionnaire. Height and weight were measured using self‐reported questionnaire. The vigorous physical activity was defined as greater or equal to five times a week of at least 30 min moderate‐ or high‐intensity physical activity. A twin structural equation model was used to analyze the gene–environment interaction of vigorous exercise with BMI among 13,506 monozygotic twins and 5,802 dizygotic twins.ResultsA structural equation model adjusting for age and sex found vigorous exercise significantly moderated the additive genetic effects (P < 0.001) and shared environmental effects (P < 0.001) on BMI. The genetic contributions to BMI were significantly lower for people who adopted a physically active lifestyle [h2 = 40%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 35%–46%] than those who were relative sedentary (h2 = 59%, 95% CI: 52%–66%). The observed gene–physical activity interaction was more pronounced in men than women.ConclusionsOur results suggested that adopting a physically active lifestyle may help to reduce the genetic influence on BMI among the Chinese population.
Identification of copy number variations associated with congenital heart disease by chromosomal microarray analysis and next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Zhu Xiangyu , Li Jie , Ru Tong , Wang Yaping , Xu Yan , Yang Ying , Wu Xing , Cram David S. , Hu Yali 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the type and frequency of pathogenic chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD) using chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and validate next‐generation sequencing as an alternative diagnostic method.MethodChromosomal aneuploidies and submicroscopic copy number variations (CNVs) were identified in amniocytes DNA samples from CHD fetuses using high‐resolution CMA and copy number variation sequencing (CNV‐Seq).ResultOverall, 21 of 115 CHD fetuses (18.3%) referred for CMA had a pathogenic chromosomal anomaly. In six of 73 fetuses (8.2%) with an isolated CHD, CMA identified two cases of DiGeorge syndrome, and one case each of 1q21.1 microdeletion, 16p11.2 microdeletion and Angelman/Prader Willi syndromes, and 22q11.21 microduplication syndrome. In 12 of 42 fetuses (28.6%) with CHD and additional structural abnormalities, CMA identified eight whole or partial trisomies (19.0%), five CNVs (11.9%) associated with DiGeorge, Wolf‐Hirschhorn, Miller‐Dieker, Cri du Chat and Blepharophimosis, Ptosis, and Epicanthus Inversus syndromes and four other rare pathogenic CNVs (9.5%). Overall, there was a 100% diagnostic concordance between CMA and CNV‐Seq for detecting all 21 pathogenic chromosomal abnormalities associated with CHD.ConclusionCMA and CNV‐Seq are reliable and accurate prenatal techniques for identifying pathogenic fetal chromosomal abnormalities associated with cardiac defects. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Designing semiencapsulation based covalently self‐healable poly(methyl methacrylate) composites by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization
Authors: Saikia Bhaskar Jyoti , Dolui Swapan Kumar 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTSelf‐healable poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites were fabricated with embedded glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) encapsulated poly(melamine‐formaldehyde) microcapsules. The matrix polymers were synthesized via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization using two different initiators; one linear and another hexafunctional. As the so prepared polymer matrix retains living characteristics, it can initiate a healing reaction when the encapsulated monomer reaches the matrix due to formation or extension of a crack and thus healing the system covalently. The effect of number of initiating functionality on healing characteristic was studied using both linear and 6‐armed star PMMA having same targeted molecular weight. Both the systems were able to restore 100% original fracture toughness after healing. However, the polymer matrix prepared by hexafunctional initiator restored the fracture toughness much faster than that of the linear polymer matrix. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 1842–1851
Neutron Diffraction Measurements and Micromechanical Modelling of Temperature‐Dependent Variations in TATB Lattice Parameters
Authors: Yeager John D. , Luscher Darby J. , Vogel Sven C. , Clausen Bjorn , Brown Donald W. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractTriaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB) is a highly anisotropic molecular crystal used in several plastic‐bonded explosive (PBX) formulations. TATB‐based explosives exhibit irreversible volume expansion (“ratchet growth”) when thermally cycled. A theoretical understanding of the relationship between anisotropy of the crystal, crystal orientation distribution (texture) of polycrystalline aggregates, and the intergranular interactions leading to this irreversible growth is necessary to accurately develop physics‐based predictive models for TATB‐based PBXs under various thermal environments. In this work, TATB lattice parameters were measured using neutron diffraction during thermal cycling of loose powder and a pressed pellet. The measured lattice parameters help clarify conflicting reports in the literature as these new results are more consistent with one set of previous results than another. The lattice parameters of pressed TATB were also measured as a function of temperature, showing some differences from the powder. This data is used along with anisotropic single‐crystal stiffness moduli reported in the literature to model the nominal stresses associated with intergranular constraints during thermal expansion. The texture of both specimens were characterized and the pressed pellet exhibits preferential orientation of (001) poles along the pressing direction, whereas no preferred orientation was found for the loose powder. Finally, thermal strains for single‐crystal TATB computed from lattice parameter data for the powder is input to a self‐consistent micromechanical model, which predicts the lattice parameters of the constrained TATB crystals within the pellet. The agreement of these model results with the diffraction data obtained from the pellet is discussed along with future directions of research.
Conserved structure of Snu13 from the highly reduced spliceosome of Cyanidioschyzon merolae
Authors: Black C. S. , Garside E. L. , MacMillan A. M. , Rader S. D. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractStructural and functional analysis of proteins involved in pre‐mRNA splicing is challenging because of the complexity of the splicing machinery, known as the spliceosome. Bioinformatic, proteomic, and biochemical analyses have identified a minimal spliceosome in the red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae. This spliceosome consists of only 40 core proteins, compared to ∼70 in S. cerevisiae (yeast) and ∼150 in humans. We report the X‐ray crystallographic analysis of C. merolae Snu13 (CmSnu13), a key component of the assembling spliceosome, and present evidence for conservation of Snu13 function in this algal splicing pathway. The near identity of CmSnu13's three‐dimensional structure to yeast and human Snu13 suggests that C. merolae should be an excellent model system for investigating the structure and function of the conserved core of the spliceosome.
Epistasis in protein evolution
Authors: Starr Tyler N. , Thornton Joseph W. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe structure, function, and evolution of proteins depend on physical and genetic interactions among amino acids. Recent studies have used new strategies to explore the prevalence, biochemical mechanisms, and evolutionary implications of these interactions—called epistasis—within proteins. Here we describe an emerging picture of pervasive epistasis in which the physical and biological effects of mutations change over the course of evolution in a lineage‐specific fashion. Epistasis can restrict the trajectories available to an evolving protein or open new paths to sequences and functions that would otherwise have been inaccessible. We describe two broad classes of epistatic interactions, which arise from different physical mechanisms and have different effects on evolutionary processes. Specific epistasis—in which one mutation influences the phenotypic effect of few other mutations—is caused by direct and indirect physical interactions between mutations, which nonadditively change the protein's physical properties, such as conformation, stability, or affinity for ligands. In contrast, nonspecific epistasis describes mutations that modify the effect of many others; these typically behave additively with respect to the physical properties of a protein but exhibit epistasis because of a nonlinear relationship between the physical properties and their biological effects, such as function or fitness. Both types of interaction are rampant, but specific epistasis has stronger effects on the rate and outcomes of evolution, because it imposes stricter constraints and modulates evolutionary potential more dramatically; it therefore makes evolution more contingent on low‐probability historical events and leaves stronger marks on the sequences, structures, and functions of protein families.
Modelling the current and potential future distributions of the sunn pest Eurygaster integriceps (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) using CLIMEX
Authors: Aljaryian Rasha , Kumar Lalit , Taylor Subhashni 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae), is an economically significant pest throughout Western Asia and Eastern Europe. This study was conducted to examine the possible risk posed by the influence of climate change on its spread. CLIMEX software was used to model its current global distribution. Future invasion potential was investigated using two global climate models (GCMs), CSIRO‐Mk3.0 (CS) and MIROC‐H (MR), under A1B and A2 emission scenarios for 2030, 2070 and 2100.RESULTSDry to temperate climatic areas favour sunn pests. The potential global range for E. integriceps is expected to extend further polewards between latitudes 60° N and 70° N. Northern Europe and Canada will be at risk of sunn pest invasion as cold stress boundaries recede under the emission scenarios of these models. However, current highly suitable areas, such as South Africa and central Australia, will contract where precipitation is projected to decrease substantially with increased heat stress.CONCLUSIONEstimating the sunn pest's potential geographic distribution and detecting its climatic limits can provide useful information for management strategies and allow biosecurity authorities to plan ahead and reduce the expected harmful economic consequences by identifying the new areas for pest invasion. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Fragmentation and ion mobility properties of negative ions from N‐linked carbohydrates: Part 7. Reduced glycans
Authors: Harvey David J. , Abrahams Jodie L. 
Published: February 2016

RationaleNegative ion collision‐induced dissociation (CID) spectra of released N‐glycans provide very informative structural information relating to branching patterns and location of residues such as fucose. For some structural studies, particularly those involving chromatography, glycans are often reduced to avoid production of multiple peaks from α‐ and β‐anomers. We examined the effect of reduction on the production of diagnostic fragment ions and on the ion mobility properties of N‐glycans.MethodsReleased N‐glycans from the glycoproteins bovine fetuin, ribonuclease B, chicken ovalbumin, and porcine thyroglobulin were reduced with sodium cyanoborohydride and both negative ion CID spectra and ion mobility properties of their phosphate adducts were examined with a Waters Synapt G2Si travelling‐wave ion mobility mass spectrometer with electrospray sample introduction. Estimated collisional cross sections were measured with dextran as the calibrant,ResultsFragment ions were similar to those from the unreduced glycans with the exception that the prominent 2,4A cleavage ion from the reducing terminus was replaced by a prominent [M−H3PO4]− ion. Other ions arising from the chitobiose core were of lower relative abundance than those from the unreduced glycans. Estimated collisional cross sections were similar to those of the unreduced compounds but with symmetrical arrival time distribution (ATD) profiles, unlike those of the unreduced glycans whose peaks often contained prominent asymmetry. This observation showed that this asymmetry was due to anomer separation.ConclusionsReduction of the reducing terminal GlcNAc residue resulted in fewer diagnostic ions from the chitobiose core but fragmentation of the remainder of the molecules generally paralleled that of the unreduced glycans. Thus, most structural information, with the exception of the linkage position of fucose on the core GlcNAc, was available. ATD peaks were symmetrical with the result that cross sections were more appropriate for data‐base searching than those from the non‐reduced compounds where asymmetry produced lower precision in the measurement. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mass spectrometric quantification of urinary human liver fatty acid binding protein in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Ozcan Filiz , Akbas Halide , Kırac Ebru , Suleymanlar Gultekin , Aslan Mutay , Yucel Gultekin 
Published: February 2016

RationaleUrinary liver fatty acid binding protein (L‐FABP) has been evaluated as a promising early biomarker of renal ischemia in human kidney transplant patients. The use of L‐FABP in clinical practice requires that this biomarker be associated with an analytical method that combines specificity, accuracy and robustness. This study aimed to evaluate an optimized multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method using ultrafast liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry to measure urinary L‐FABP levels in renal transplant recipients.MethodsPurified recombinant human L‐FABP tryptic standard was analyzed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and liquid chromatography (LC)/MS/MS to select for peptides that provided specificity and adequate response in developing an MRM method for urinary L‐FABP quantification. Human urine samples collected from kidney transplant recipients were isolated, concentrated, precipitated and trypsin digested before mass spectrometric analysis of L‐FABP. L‐FABP levels were also measured in urine samples by enzyme immunoassay.ResultsThe tryptic peptide ion MH+ of 50FTITAGSK57 (m/z 824) provided an adequate signal and was used for quantification of L‐FABP under conditions employed for LC/MS/MS analysis. MALDI‐TOF‐MS/MS spectra obtained by collision‐induced dissociation of the parent MH+ ion 50FTITAGSK57 resulted in a y3 product ion that was used for quantitative analysis by the MRM method. Urinary L‐FABP content measured by both ELISA and LC/MS/MS after transplantation was significantly higher compared to before transplantation levels. The Spearman correlation coefficient between the two methods was statistically significant. Intra‐day and inter‐day coefficients of variation provided good repeatability and reproducibility for validation of LC/MS/MS analysis.ConclusionsLC/MS/MS quantification of L‐FABP may provide a new reference method to determine changes in this potential biomarker in human kidney transplant patients. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Targeted absolute quantitative proteomics with SILAC internal standards and unlabeled full‐length protein calibrators (TAQSI)
Authors: Wang Xinwen , Liang Yan , Liu Li , Shi Jian , Zhu Hao‐Jie 
Published: February 2016

RationaleLiquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS)‐based proteomics for absolute protein quantification has been increasingly utilized in both basic and clinical research. There is a great need to overcome some major hurdles of current absolute protein quantification methods, such as significant inter‐assay variability and the high cost associated with the preparation of purified stable‐isotope‐labeled peptide/protein standards.MethodsWe developed a novel targeted absolute protein quantification method, named TAQSI, utilizing full‐length isotope‐labeled protein internal standards generated from SILAC (stable isotope labeling by amino acid in cell culture) and unlabeled full‐length protein calibrators. This approach was applied to absolute quantification of carboxylesterase 1 (CES1), the primary human hepatic hydrolase, in a large set of human liver samples. Absolute CES1 quantities were derived from the standard calibration curves established from unlabeled CES1 protein calibrators and the isotope‐labeled CES1 internal standards obtained from SILAC HepG2 cells.ResultsThe TAQSI assay was found to be accurate, precise, reproducible, and cost‐effective. Importantly, protein quantification was not affected by various protein extraction and digestion protocols, and measurement errors associated with nonsynonymous variants can be readily identified and avoided. Furthermore, the TAQSI approach significantly simplifies the procedure of identifying the best performance surrogate peptides.ConclusionsThe TAQSI assay can be widely used for targeted absolute protein quantification in various biomedical research and clinical practice settings. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
N2O source partitioning in soils using 15N site preference values corrected for the N2O reduction effect
Authors: Wu Di , Köster Jan Reent , Cárdenas Laura M. , Brüggemann Nicolas , Lewicka‐Szczebak Dominika , Bol Roland 
Published: February 2016

RationaleThe aim of this study was to determine the impact of isotope fractionation associated with N2O reduction during soil denitrification on N2O site preference (SP) values and hence quantify the potential bias on SP‐based N2O source partitioning.MethodsThe N2O SP values (n = 431) were derived from six soil incubation studies in N2‐free atmosphere, and determined by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). The N2 and N2O concentrations were measured directly by gas chromatography. Net isotope effects (NIE) during N2O reduction to N2 were compensated for using three different approaches: a closed‐system model, an open‐system model and a dynamic apparent NIE function. The resulting SP values were used for N2O source partitioning based on a two end‐member isotopic mass balance.ResultsThe average SP0 value, i.e. the average SP values of N2O prior to N2O reduction, was recalculated with the closed‐system model, resulting in −2.6 ‰ (±9.5), while the open‐system model and the dynamic apparent NIE model gave average SP0 values of 2.9 ‰ (±6.3) and 1.7 ‰ (±6.3), respectively. The average source contribution of N2O from nitrification/fungal denitrification was 18.7% (±21.0) according to the closed‐system model, while the open‐system model and the dynamic apparent NIE function resulted in values of 31.0% (±14.0) and 28.3% (±14.0), respectively.ConclusionsUsing a closed‐system model with a fixed SP isotope effect may significantly overestimate the N2O reduction effect on SP values, especially when N2O reduction rates are high. This is probably due to soil inhomogeneity and can be compensated for by the application of a dynamic apparent NIE function, which takes the variable reduction rates in soil micropores into account. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Telepressure and College Student Employment: The Costs of Staying Connected Across Social Contexts
Authors: Barber Larissa K. , Santuzzi Alecia M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractTelepressure is a psychological state consisting of the preoccupation and urge to respond quickly to message‐based communications from others. Telepressure has been linked with negative stress and health outcomes, but the existing measure focuses on experiences specific to the workplace. The current study explores whether an adapted version of the workplace telepressure measure is relevant to general social interactions that rely on information and communication technologies. We validated a general telepressure measure in a sample of college students and found psychometric properties similar to the original workplace measure. Also, general telepressure was related to, but distinct from, the fear of missing out, self‐control and technology use. Using a predictive validity design, we also found that telepressure at the beginning of the semester was related to student reports of burnout, perceived stress and poor sleep hygiene 1 month later (but not work–life balance or general life satisfaction). Moreover, telepressure was more strongly related to more negative outcomes (burnout, stress and poor sleep hygiene) and less positive outcomes (work–life balance and life satisfaction) among employed compared with non‐employed students. Thus, the costs of staying connected to one's social network may be more detrimental to college students with additional employment obligations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tackling the ‘dyslexia paradox’: reading brain and behavior for early markers of developmental dyslexia
Authors: Ozernov‐Palchik Ola , Gaab Nadine 
Published: February 2016

Developmental dyslexia is an unexplained inability to acquire accurate or fluent reading that affects approximately 5–17% of children. Dyslexia is associated with structural and functional alterations in various brain regions that support reading. Neuroimaging studies in infants and pre‐reading children suggest that these alterations predate reading instruction and reading failure, supporting the hypothesis that variant function in dyslexia susceptibility genes lead to atypical neural migration and/or axonal growth during early, most likely in utero, brain development. Yet, dyslexia is typically not diagnosed until a child has failed to learn to read as expected (usually in second grade or later). There is emerging evidence that neuroimaging measures, when combined with key behavioral measures, can enhance the accuracy of identification of dyslexia risk in pre‐reading children but its sensitivity, specificity, and cost‐efficiency is still unclear. Early identification of dyslexia risk carries important implications for dyslexia remediation and the amelioration of the psychosocial consequences commonly associated with reading failure. WIREs Cogn Sci 2016, 7:156–176. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1383This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Development and Aging
Psychology > Language