bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lateral neck dissection affects the voice in thyroid cancer patients
Authors: Nam I-C , Bae J-S , Lee S-H , Park J-O , Kim S-Y , Joo Y-H , Park Y-H , Sun D-I 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjective:This study aimed to identify the effect of lateral neck dissection on voice change in thyroidectomised patients.Methods:Medical records from 264 patients who underwent thyroidectomy with (n= 65) or without (n= 199) lateral neck dissection were reviewed. Clinical and voice evaluation data were compared between the two groups.Results:Patients who underwent surgery that included lateral neck dissection had lower fundamental frequencies and speaking fundamental frequencies. They also had a higher incidence of asymmetric mucosal wave and vocal fold oedema on videostroboscopy during the first month after surgery, with the incidence of vocal fold oedema remaining significantly higher at three months. Self-assessed voice quality scores were significantly higher in lateral neck dissection patients at both one and three months after surgery.Conclusion:In thyroidectomised patients, lateral neck dissection lowers the vocal pitch in the initial period after surgery and induces vocal fold oedema that persists for several months. Although most objective parameters improved within a month, subjective symptoms lasted for longer.
Parent–child conversations about literacy: a longitudinal, observational study
Authors: TREIMAN REBECCA , DECKER KRISTINA , ROBINS SARAH , GHOSH DINA , ROSALES NICOLE 
Published: July 2017

AbstractConversations about literacy-related matters with parents can help prepare children for formal literacy instruction. We studied these conversations using data gathered from fifty-six US families as they engaged in daily activities at home. Analyzing conversations when children were aged 1;10, 2;6, 3;6, and 4;2, we found that explicit talk about the elements and processes of reading and writing occurred even when children were less than two years old and became more common as children grew older. The majority of literacy-related conversations included talk about alphabet letters. Literacy-related conversations occurred in a variety of contexts, not only book-reading. There were few differences as a function of family socioeconomic status in the proportion of utterances during the sessions that occurred in literacy-related conversations. At older ages, however, children in families of lower socioeconomic status bore more of the conversational burden than children in families of higher status.
Negative latent tuberculosis at time of incarceration: identifying a very high-risk group for infection
Authors: ARROYAVE L. , KEYNAN Y. , LÓPEZ L. , MARIN D. , ARBELÁEZ M. P. , RUEDA Z. V. 
Published: July 2017

SUMMARYThe main aim was to measure the incidence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and identify risk factors associated with infection. In addition, we determined the number needed to screen (NNS) to identify LTBI and active tuberculosis. We followed 129 prisoners for 2 years following a negative two-step tuberculin skin test (TST). The cumulative incidence of TST conversion over 2 years was 29·5% (38/129), among the new TST converters, nine developed active TB. Among persons with no evidence of LTBI, the NNS to identify a LTBI case was 3·4 and an active TB case was 14·3. The adjusted risk factors for LTBI conversion were incarceration in prison number 1, being formerly incarcerated, and overweight. In conclusion, prisoners have higher risk of LTBI acquisition compared with high-risk groups, such as HIV-infected individuals and children for whom LTBI testing should be performed according to World Health Organization guidance. The high conversion rate is associated with high incidence of active TB disease, and therefore we recommend mandatory LTBI screening at the time of prison entry. Individuals with a negative TST at the time of entry to prison are at high risk of acquiring infection, and should therefore be followed in order to detect convertors and offer LTBI treatment. This approach has a very low NNS for each identified case, and it can be utilized to decrease development of active TB disease and transmission.
Detection of the toxic substance dibutyl phthalate in Antarctic krill
Authors: Han Xiangning , Liu Daicheng 
Published: July 2017

AbstractHigh-performance thin layer chromatography was performed to investigate the potential presence of four phthalic acid esters, dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and dioctyl phthalate (DEHP), in Antarctic krill. The results revealed that in freeze-dried Antarctic krill levels of DBP (0.1043±0.0005 mg g-1 (104.3±0.05 mg kg-1)) were high. The structure of DBP in Antarctic krill was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Its existence is of concern based on demonstrated harmful effects to animals and plants as Antarctic krill is a key part of the food chain in Antarctic coastal marine ecosystems. The adverse effects of DBP on Antarctic krill and the source of DBP should be explored in further research.
miR-151a induces partial EMT by regulating E-cadherin in NSCLC cells
Authors: Daugaard I , Sanders K J , Idica A , Vittayarukskul K , Hamdorf M , Krog J D , Chow R , Jury D , Hansen L L , Hager H , Lamy P , Choi C L , Agalliu D , Zisoulis D G , Pedersen I M 
Published: July 2017

AbstractmiR-151a and its host gene, focal adhesion kinase, FAK, are located in a region of chromosome 8q that is frequently amplified in solid tumors, including lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide and metastasis remains the major challenge in battling lung cancer mortality. Here, we demonstrate that miR-151a is overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient specimens, as compared to healthy lung. In addition, miR-151a overexpression promotes proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and induces tumor cell migration and invasion of NSCLC cells. Blocking miR-151a expression using anti-miR-151a approaches significantly reduced NCSLC cell proliferative and motility potential. Furthermore, we determined that miR-151a significantly regulates E-cadherin expression. Finally, functional rescue experiments determined that overexpression of E-cadherin in miR-151a NSCLC cell lines potently repressed miR-151a-induced partial EMT and cell migration of NSCLC cells. In conclusion, our findings suggest that miR-151a functions as an oncomiR in NSCLC by targeting E-cadherin mRNA and inducing proliferation, migration and partial EMT.
Uncoupling conformational states from activity in an allosteric enzyme
Authors: Pisco João P. , de Chiara Cesira , Pacholarz Kamila J. , Garza-Garcia Acely , Ogrodowicz Roksana W. , Walker Philip A. , Barran Perdita E. , Smerdon Stephen J. , de Carvalho Luiz Pedro S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractATP-phosphoribosyltransferase (ATP-PRT) is a hexameric enzyme in conformational equilibrium between an open and seemingly active state and a closed and presumably inhibited form. The structure-function relationship of allosteric regulation in this system is still not fully understood. Here, we develop a screening strategy for modulators of ATP-PRT and identify 3-(2-thienyl)-l-alanine (TIH) as an allosteric activator of this enzyme. Kinetic analysis reveals co-occupancy of the allosteric sites by TIH and l-histidine. Crystallographic and native ion-mobility mass spectrometry data show that the TIH-bound activated form of the enzyme closely resembles the inhibited l-histidine-bound closed conformation, revealing the uncoupling between ATP-PRT open and closed conformations and its functional state. These findings suggest that dynamic processes are responsible for ATP-PRT allosteric regulation and that similar mechanisms might also be found in other enzymes bearing a ferredoxin-like allosteric domain.
Rare catastrophic events drive population dynamics in a bat species with negligible senescence
Authors: Fleischer Toni , Gampe Jutta , Scheuerlein Alexander , Kerth Gerald 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBats are remarkably long-lived with lifespans exceeding even those of same-sized birds. Despite a recent interest in the extraordinary longevity of bats very little is known about the shape of mortality over age, and how mortality rates are affected by the environment. Using a large set of individual-based data collected over 19 years in four free-ranging colonies of Bechstein’s bats (Myotis bechsteinii), we found no increase in the rate of mortality and no decrease in fertility demonstrating no senescence until high ages. Our finding of negligible senescence is highly unusual for long-lived mammals, grouping Bechstein’s bats with long-lived seabirds. The most important determinant of adult mortality was one particular winter season, which affected all ages and sizes equally. Apart from this winter, mortality risk did not differ between the winter and the summer season. Colony membership, a proxy for local environmental conditions, also had no effect. In addition to their implications for understanding the extra-ordinary longevity in bats, our results have strong implications for the conservation of bats, since rare catastrophic mortality events can only be detected in individual based long-term field studies. With many bat species globally threatened, such data are crucial for the successful implementation of conservation programs.
Identification of a sex pheromone of the chrysanthemum lace bug Corythucha marmorata (Hemiptera: Tingidae)
Authors: Watanabe Kisaki , Shimizu Nobuhiro 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAlthough the nymphs of Corythucha marmorata form clusters on the undersides of host plant leaves, as frequently observed for Hemiptera, the adults are scattered in the vicinity of the nymph population. By investigating the biological activities of volatile secretions from the adult, we found that the secretions activated male mounting behaviour. A chemical analysis revealed that borneol was a common component of the secretions from both sexes. The absolute configuration of the natural product was the (+)-enantiomer of borneol and the optical isomer was undetectable. Although (+)-borneol showed significant sex pheromone activity against males, the antipode (−)-borneol also induced sex pheromone activity, albeit only slightly. Males may not have a strict identification mechanism based on stereochemistry. To verify the origin of this sex pheromone, we analysed the components of the essential oil of the leaves of Solidago canadensis L. (Compositae: Asteraceae), a host plant; bornyl acetate was detected to be a major component. The plant-produced bornyl acetate had different stereochemistry from the sex pheromone. The results suggested that the adults do not utilise the secondary metabolites of plants but biosynthesise this sex pheromone themselves. This is the first report on sex pheromone identification in Tingidae.
The tumor suppressor LKB1 regulates starvation-induced autophagy under systemic metabolic stress
Authors: Mans Laurie A. , Querol Cano Laia , van Pelt Jason , Giardoglou Panagiota , Keune Willem-Jan , Haramis Anna-Pavlina G. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAutophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process that degrades cellular components to restore energy homeostasis under limited nutrient conditions. How this starvation-induced autophagy is regulated at the whole-body level is not fully understood. Here, we show that the tumor suppressor Lkb1, which activates the key energy sensor AMPK, also regulates starvation-induced autophagy at the organismal level. Lkb1-deficient zebrafish larvae fail to activate autophagy in response to nutrient restriction upon yolk termination, shown by reduced levels of the autophagy-activating proteins Atg5, Lc3-II and Becn1, and aberrant accumulation of the cargo receptor and autophagy substrate p62. We demonstrate that the autophagy defect in lkb1 mutants can be partially rescued by inhibiting mTOR signaling but not by inhibiting the PI3K pathway. Interestingly, mTOR-independent activation of autophagy restores degradation of the aberrantly accumulated p62 in lkb1 mutants and prolongs their survival. Our data uncover a novel critical role for Lkb1 in regulating starvation-induced autophagy at the organismal level, providing mechanistic insight into metabolic adaptation during development.
Dielectric properties of semi-insulating Fe-doped InP in the terahertz spectral region
Authors: Alyabyeva L. N. , Zhukova E. S. , Belkin M. A. , Gorshunov B. P. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe report the values and the spectral dependence of the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric permittivity of semi-insulating Fe-doped InP crystalline wafers in the 2–700 cm−1 (0.06–21 THz) spectral region at room temperature. The data shows a number of absorption bands that are assigned to one- and two-phonon and impurity-related absorption processes. Unlike the previous studies of undoped or low-doped InP material, our data unveil the dielectric properties of InP that are not screened by strong free-carrier absorption and will be useful for designing a wide variety of InP-based electronic and photonic devices operating in the terahertz spectral range.
Recognizing the Continuous Nature of Expression Heterogeneity and Clinical Outcomes in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Wei Xiaona , Choudhury Yukti , Lim Weng Khong , Anema John , Kahnoski Richard J. , Lane Brian , Ludlow John , Takahashi Masayuki , Kanayama Hiro-omi , Belldegrun Arie , Kim Hyung L. , Rogers Craig , Nicol David , Teh Bin Tean , Tan Min-Han 
Published: July 2017

AbstractClear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) has been previously classified into putative discrete prognostic subtypes by gene expression profiling. To investigate the robustness of these proposed subtype classifications, we evaluated 12 public datasets, together with a new dataset of 265 ccRCC gene expression profiles. Consensus clustering showed unstable subtype and principal component analysis (PCA) showed a continuous spectrum both within and between datasets. Considering the lack of discrete delineation and continuous spectrum observed, we developed a continuous quantitative prognosis score (Continuous Linear Enhanced Assessment of RCC, or CLEAR score). Prognostic performance was evaluated in independent cohorts from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) (n = 414) and EMBL-EBI (n = 53), CLEAR score demonstrated both superior prognostic estimates and inverse correlation with anti-angiogenic tyrosine-kinase inhibition in comparison to previously proposed discrete subtyping classifications. Inverse correlation with high-dose interleukin-2 outcomes was also observed for the CLEAR score. Multiple somatic mutations (VHL, PBRM1, SETD2, KDM5C, TP53, BAP1, PTEN, MTOR) were associated with the CLEAR score. Application of the CLEAR score to independent expression profiling of intratumoral ccRCC regions demonstrated that average intertumoral heterogeneity exceeded intratumoral expression heterogeneity. Wider investigation of cancer biology using continuous approaches may yield insights into tumor heterogeneity; single cell analysis may provide a key foundation for this approach.
Exceptionally strong, stiff and hard hybrid material based on an elastomer and isotropically shaped ceramic nanoparticles
Authors: Georgopanos Prokopios , Schneider Gerold A. , Dreyer Axel , Handge Ulrich A. , Filiz Volkan , Feld Artur , Yilmaz Ezgi D. , Krekeler Tobias , Ritter Martin , Weller Horst , Abetz Volker 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn this work the fabrication of hard, stiff and strong nanocomposites based on polybutadiene and iron oxide nanoparticles is presented. The nanocomposites are fabricated via a general concept for mechanically superior nanocomposites not based on the brick and mortar structure, thus on globular nanoparticles with nanosized organic shells. For the fabrication of the composites oleic acid functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles are decorated via ligand exchange with an α,ω-polybutadiene dicarboxylic acid. The functionalized particles were processed at 145 °C. Since polybutadiene contains double bonds the nanocomposites obtained a crosslinked structure which was enhanced by the presence of oxygen or sulfur. It was found that the crosslinking and filler percolation yields high elastic moduli of approximately 12–20 GPa and hardness of 15–18 GPa, although the polymer volume fraction is up to 40%. We attribute our results to a catalytically enhanced crosslinking reaction of the polymer chains induced by oxygen or sulfur and to the microstructure of the nanocomposite.
Association between alcohol consumption pattern and the incidence risk of type 2 diabetes in Korean men: A 12-years follow-up study
Authors: Lee Dae-Yeon , Yoo Min-Gyu , Kim Hyo-Jin , Jang Han Byul , Kim Jae-Hong , Lee Hye-Ja , Park Sang Ick 
Published: July 2017

AbstractModerate alcohol consumption is generally associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. However, this beneficial effects of alcohol intake remains controversial due to inconsistent results across studies. The analysis was performed using data from the Ansung-Ansan cohort study. We categorized the participants into four groups—based on the baseline (one-point measure; non-drinking, <5 g/day, ≥5, <30 g/day, and ≥30 g/day) and follow-up (consumption pattern; never-drinking, light, moderate, and heavy drinking) measurement. At baseline, ≥30 g/day alcohol consumption increased the risk of incident diabetes (HR: 1.42; 95% CI, 1.10–1.85), but ≥5, <30 g/day alcohol consumption had no effects on the incident diabetes. Meanwhile, when using the alcohol consumption pattern, a heavy-drinking pattern increased the risk of incident diabetes (HR = 1.32, 1.01–1.73), but the light and moderate consumption pattern was associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes (HR: 0.66; 0.50–0.87 and HR: 0.74; 0.57–0.95, respectively). At the end point of follow-up, the insulinogenic index (IGI), but not the insulin sensitivity index (ISI), differed among the groups. Alcohol consumption pattern had a J-shaped association with the incident type 2 diabetes in Korean men. The IGI showed an inverted J-shaped association according to alcohol drinking pattern, but the ISI was not a J-shape.
Roles of TGFβ and FGF signals during growth and differentiation of mouse lens epithelial cell in vitro
Authors: Wang Dong , Wang Eddie , Liu Kelsey , Xia Chun-hong , Li Song , Gong Xiaohua 
Published: July 2017

AbstractTransforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling pathways play important roles in the proliferation and differentiation of lens epithelial cells (LECs) during development. Low dosage bFGF promotes cell proliferation while high dosage induces differentiation. TGFβ signaling regulates LEC proliferation and differentiation as well, but also promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transitions that lead to cataracts. Thus far, it has been difficult to recapitulate the features of germinative LECs in vitro. Here, we have established a LEC culture protocol that uses SB431542 (SB) compound to inhibit TGFβ/Smad activation, and found that SB treatment promoted mouse LEC proliferation, maintained LECs’ morphology and distinct markers including N-cadherin, c-Maf, Prox1, and αA-, αB-, and β-crystallins. In contrast, low-dosage bFGF was unable to sustain those markers and, combined with SB, altered LECs’ morphology and β-crystallin expression. We further found that Matrigel substrate coatings greatly increased cell proliferation and uniquely affected β-crystallin expression. Cultured LECs retained the ability to differentiate into γ-crystallin-positive lentoids by high-dosage bFGF treatment. Thus, a suppression of TGFβ/Smad signaling in vitro is critical to maintaining characteristic features of mouse LECs, especially expression of the key transcription factors c-Maf and Prox1.
Unravelling Diurnal Asymmetry of Surface Temperature in Different Climate Zones
Authors: Vinnarasi R. , Dhanya C. T. , Chakravorty Aniket , AghaKouchak Amir 
Published: July 2017

AbstractUnderstanding the evolution of Diurnal Temperature Range (DTR), which has contradicting global and regional trends, is crucial because it influences environmental and human health. Here, we analyse the regional evolution of DTR trend over different climatic zones in India using a non-stationary approach known as the Multidimensional Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (MEEMD) method, to explore the generalized influence of regional climate on DTR, if any. We report a 0.36 °C increase in overall mean of DTR till 1980, however, the rate has declined since then. Further, arid deserts and warm-temperate grasslands exhibit negative DTR trends, while the west coast and sub-tropical forest in the north-east show positive trends. This transition predominantly begins with a 0.5 °C increase from the west coast and spreads with an increase of 0.25 °C per decade. These changes are more pronounced during winter and post-monsoon, especially in the arid desert and warm-temperate grasslands, the DTR decreased up to 2 °C, where the rate of increase in minimum temperature is higher than the maximum temperature. We conclude that both maximum and minimum temperature increase in response to the global climate change, however, their rates of increase are highly local and depend on the underlying climatic zone.
Red fluorescent protein-based cAMP indicator applicable to optogenetics and in vivo imaging
Authors: Harada Kazuki , Ito Motoki , Wang Xiaowen , Tanaka Mika , Wongso Devina , Konno Ayumu , Hirai Hirokazu , Hirase Hajime , Tsuboi Takashi , Kitaguchi Tetsuya 
Published: July 2017

AbstractcAMP is a common second messenger that is involved in various physiological processes. To expand the colour palette of available cAMP indicators, we developed a red cAMP indicator named “Pink Flamindo” (Pink Fluorescent cAMP indicator). The fluorescence intensity of Pink Flamindo increases 4.2-fold in the presence of a saturating dose of cAMP, with excitation and emission peaks at 567 nm and 590 nm, respectively. Live-cell imaging revealed that Pink Flamindo is effective for monitoring the spatio-temporal dynamics of intracellular cAMP generated by photoactivated adenylyl cyclase in response to blue light, and in dual-colour imaging studies using a green Ca2+ indicator (G-GECO). Furthermore, we successfully monitored the elevation of cAMP levels in vivo in cerebral cortical astrocytes by two-photon imaging. We propose that Pink Flamindo will facilitate future in vivo, optogenetic studies of cell signalling and cAMP dynamics.
Relationships of circular RNA with diabetes and depression
Authors: Jiang Guangjian , Ma Yue , An Tian , Pan Yanyun , Mo Fangfang , Zhao Dandan , Liu Yufei , Miao Jia-Nan , Gu Yu-Jie , Wang Yangang , Gao Si-Hua 
Published: July 2017

AbstractType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is closely related to depression; however, the exact molecular mechnisms of this association are unknown. Here, we investigated whether circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the blood are related to the occurrence of depression in patients with T2DM. Fourteen patients with T2DM and depressive symptoms, as assessed by the Self-Rating Depression Scale, were included in this study. Cutoff points of 44 (total coarse points) and 55 (standard score) were used to define depression. The Patient Health Questionnaire 9 was used for common mental disorders, and a score of 5 or more the cutoff for depression. Microarray assays and quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that 183 hsa-circRNAs were significantly upregulated, whereas 64 were downregulated in the T2DM with depression group (p < 0.05) compared with that in the T2DM group. Differentially expressed hsa-circRNAs could interact with microRNAs to target mRNA expression. KEGG pathway analysis predicted that upregulation of hsa-circRNA_003251, hsa-circRNA_015115, hsa-circRNA_100918, and hsa_circRNA_001520 may participate in the thyroid hormone, Wnt, ErbB, and mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathways. We speculate that differentially expressed hsa-circRNAs could help us to clarify the pathogenesis of depression in patients with T2DM and could represent novel molecular targets for clinical diagnosis and therapy.