bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crystal structure of an invertebrate cytolysin pore reveals unique properties and mechanism of assembly
Authors: Podobnik Marjetka , Savory Peter , Rojko Nejc , Kisovec Matic , Wood Neil , Hambley Richard , Pugh Jonathan , Wallace E. Jayne , McNeill Luke , Bruce Mark , Liko Idlir , Allison Timothy M. , Mehmood Shahid , Yilmaz Neval , Kobayashi Toshihide , Gilbert Robert J. C. , Robinson Carol V. , Jayasinghe Lakmal , Anderluh Gregor 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe invertebrate cytolysin lysenin is a member of the aerolysin family of pore-forming toxins that includes many representatives from pathogenic bacteria. Here we report the crystal structure of the lysenin pore and provide insights into its assembly mechanism. The lysenin pore is assembled from nine monomers via dramatic reorganization of almost half of the monomeric subunit structure leading to a β-barrel pore ∼10 nm long and 1.6–2.5 nm wide. The lysenin pore is devoid of additional luminal compartments as commonly found in other toxin pores. Mutagenic analysis and atomic force microscopy imaging, together with these structural insights, suggest a mechanism for pore assembly for lysenin. These insights are relevant to the understanding of pore formation by other aerolysin-like pore-forming toxins, which often represent crucial virulence factors in bacteria.
Large Fermi Surface of Heavy Electrons at the Border of Mott Insulating State in NiS2
Authors: Friedemann S. , Chang H. , Gamża M. B. , Reiss P. , Chen X. , Alireza P. , Coniglio W. A. , Graf D. , Tozer S. , Grosche F. M. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractOne early triumph of quantum physics is the explanation why some materials are metallic whereas others are insulating. While a treatment based on single electron states is correct for most materials this approach can fail spectacularly, when the electrostatic repulsion between electrons causes strong correlations. Not only can these favor new and subtle forms of matter, such as magnetism or superconductivity, they can even cause the electrons in a half-filled energy band to lock into position, producing a correlated, or Mott insulator. The transition into the Mott insulating state raises important fundamental questions. Foremost among these is the fate of the electronic Fermi surface and the associated charge carrier mass, as the Mott transition is approached. We report the first direct observation of the Fermi surface on the metallic side of a Mott insulating transition by high pressure quantum oscillatory measurements in NiS2. Our results point at a large Fermi surface consistent with Luttinger’s theorem and a strongly enhanced quasiparticle effective mass. These two findings are in line with central tenets of the Brinkman-Rice picture of the correlated metal near the Mott insulating state and rule out alternative scenarios in which the carrier concentration vanishes continuously at the metal-insulator transition.
Carotid Atherosclerosis Progression and Risk of Cardiovascular Events in a Community in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Pei-Chun , Jeng Jiann-Shing , Hsu Hsiu-Ching , Su Ta-Chen , Chien Kuo-Liong , Lee Yuan-Teh 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe authors investigated the association between progression of carotid atherosclerosis and incidence of cardiovascular disease in a community cohort in Taiwan. Data has rarely been reported in Asian populations. Study subjects were 1,398 participants who underwent ultrasound measures of common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and extracranial carotid artery plaque score at both 1994–1995 and 1999–2000 surveys. Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the risk of incident cardiovascular disease. During a median follow-up of 13 years (1999–2013), 71 strokes and 68 coronary events occurred. The 5-year individual IMT change was not associated with development of cardiovascular events in unadjusted and adjusted models. Among subjects without plaque in 1994–1995, we observed elevated risk associated with presence of new plaque (plaque score >0 in 1999–2000) in a dose-response manner in unadjusted and age- and sex- adjusted models. The associations attenuated and became statistically non-significant after controlling for cardiovascular risk factors (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] for plaque score >2 vs. 0: stroke, 1.61 [0.79–3.27], coronary events, 1.13 [0.48–2.69]). This study suggested that carotid plaque formation measured by ultrasound is associated increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and cardiovascular risk factors explain the associations to a large extent.
ALPK1 phosphorylates myosin IIA modulating TNF-α trafficking in gout flares
Authors: Lee Chi-Pin , Chiang Shang-Lun , Ko Albert Min-Shan , Liu Yu-Fan , Ma Che , Lu Chi-Yu , Huang Chung-Ming , Chang Jan-Gowth , Kuo Tzer-Min , Chen Chia-Lin , Tsai Eing-Mei , Ko Ying-Chin 
Published: May 2016

AbstractGout is characterized by the monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU)-induced arthritis. Alpha kinase-1 (ALPK1) has shown to be associated with MSU-induced inflammation and gout. Here, we used bioinformatics, proteomics, cell models, and twenty in vitro human assays to clarify some of its role in the inflammatory response to MSU. We found myosin IIA to be a frequent interacting protein partner of ALPK1, binding to its N-terminal and forming a protein complex with calmodulin and F-actin, and that MSU-induced ALPK1 phosphorylated the myosin IIA. A knockdown of endogenous ALPK1 or myosin IIA significantly reduced the MSU-induced secretion of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Furthermore, all gouty patients expressed higher basal protein levels of ALPK1, myosin IIA, and plasma TNF-α, however those medicated with colchicine has shown reduced myosin IIA and TNF-α but not ALPK1. The findings suggest ALPK1 is a kinase that participates in the regulation of Golgi-derived TNF-α trafficking through myosin IIA phosphorylation in the inflammation of gout. This novel pathway could be blocked at the level of myosin by colchicine in gout treatment.
Novel Rechargeable M3V2(PO4)3//Zinc (M = Li, Na) Hybrid Aqueous Batteries with Excellent Cycling Performance
Authors: Zhao H. B. , Hu C. J. , Cheng H. W. , Fang J. H. , Xie Y. P. , Fang W. Y. , Doan T. N. L. , Hoang T. K. A. , Xu J. Q. , Chen P. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractA rechargeable hybrid aqueous battery (ReHAB) containing NASICON-type M3V2(PO4)3 (M = Li, Na) as the cathodes and Zinc metal as the anode, working in Li2SO4-ZnSO4 aqueous electrolyte, has been studied. Both of Li3V2(PO4)3 and Na3V2(PO4)3 cathodes can be reversibly charge/discharge with the initial discharge capacity of 128 mAh g−1 and 96 mAh g−1 at 0.2C, respectively, with high up to 84% of capacity retention ratio after 200 cycles. The electrochemical assisted ex-XRD confirm that Li3V2(PO4)3 and Na3V2(PO4)3 are relative stable in aqueous electrolyte and Na3V2(PO4)3 showed more complicated electrochemical mechanism due to the co-insertion of Li+ and Na+. The effect of pH of aqueous electrolyte and the dendrite of Zn on the cycling performance of as designed MVP/Zn ReHABs were investigated and weak acidic aqueous electrolyte with pH around 4.0–4.5 was optimized. The float current test confirmed that the designed batteries are stable in aqueous electrolytes. The MVP//Zn ReHABs could be a potential candidate for future rechargeable aqueous battery due to their high safety, fast dynamic speed and adaptable electrochemical window. Moreover, this hybrid battery broadens the scope of battery material research from single-ion-involving to double-ions -involving rechargeable batteries.
C4.4A gene ablation is compatible with normal epidermal development and causes modest overt phenotypes
Authors: Kriegbaum Mette Camilla , Jacobsen Benedikte , Füchtbauer Annette , Hansen Gert Helge , Christensen Ib Jarle , Rundsten Carsten Friis , Persson Morten , Engelholm Lars Henning , Madsen Andreas Nygaard , Di Meo Ivano , Lund Ida Katrine , Holst Birgitte , Kjaer Andreas , Lærum Ole Didrik , Füchtbauer Ernst-Martin , Ploug Michael 
Published: May 2016

AbstractC4.4A is a modular glycolipid-anchored Ly6/uPAR/α-neurotoxin multidomain protein that exhibits a prominent membrane-associated expression in stratified squamous epithelia. C4.4A is also expressed in various solid cancer lesions, where high expression levels often are correlated to poor prognosis. Circumstantial evidence suggests a role for C4.4A in cell adhesion, migration and invasion, but a well-defined biological function is currently unknown. In the present study, we have generated and characterized the first C4.4A-deficient mouse line to gain insight into the functional significance of C4.4A in normal physiology and cancer progression. The unchallenged C4.4A-deficient mice were viable, fertile, born in a normal Mendelian distribution and, surprisingly, displayed normal development of squamous epithelia. The C4.4A-deficient mice were, nonetheless, significantly lighter than littermate controls predominantly due to differences in fat mass. Congenital C4.4A deficiency delayed migration of keratinocytes enclosing incisional skin wounds in male mice. In chemically induced bladder carcinomas, C4.4A deficiency attenuated the incidence of invasive lesions despite having no effect on total tumour burden. This new C4.4A-deficient mouse line provides a useful platform for future studies on functional aspects of C4.4A in tumour cell invasion in vivo.
Homozygous mutation of VPS16 gene is responsible for an autosomal recessive adolescent-onset primary dystonia
Authors: Cai Xiaodong , Chen Xin , Wu Song , Liu Wenlan , Zhang Xiejun , Zhang Doudou , He Sijie , Wang Bo , Zhang Mali , Zhang Yuan , Li Zongyang , Luo Kun , Cai Zhiming , Li Weiping 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDystonia is a neurological movement disorder that is clinically and genetically heterogeneous. Herein, we report the identification a novel homozygous missense mutation, c.156 C > A in VPS16, co-segregating with disease status in a Chinese consanguineous family with adolescent-onset primary dystonia by whole exome sequencing and homozygosity mapping. To assess the biological role of c.156 C > A homozygous mutation of VPS16, we generated mice with targeted mutation site of Vps16 through CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing approach. Vps16 c.156 C > A homozygous mutant mice exhibited significantly impaired motor function, suggesting that VPS16 is a new causative gene for adolescent-onset primary dystonia.
Pilot study of adrenal steroid hormones in hair as an indicator of chronic mental and physical stress
Authors: Ullmann E. , Barthel A , Petrowski K. , Stalder T. , Kirschbaum C. , Bornstein S. R. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractCurrently, the quantitative analysis of moderators affecting the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis in health and sickness is still unreliable. This is, in particular, due to physiological factors such as pulsatile ultradian and circadian glucocorticoid secretion as well as to methodological limitations of the current techniques for steroid hormone determination. Based on this background, the determination of long-term hair steroid concentrations is an important methodological improvement allowing for the quantitative analysis of chronic HPA axis-activation. In order to determine the relationship between chronic mental and physical stress and a chronic activation of the HPA axis, we performed a cross-sectional pilot-study with 40 healthy students and examined the relationships between physical activity, mental burden(s), subjective stress perceptions, depressiveness, anxiety, physical complaints, sense of coherence, resilience and the long-term integrated steroid hormone levels in hair. The results showed that the concentrations of cortisol, cortisone and dehydroepiandrosterone in hair were significantly correlated to mental (p = 0.034) and physical stress (p = 0.001) as well as to subjective stress perception (p = 0.006). We conclude that steroid concentrations in hair are decisive predictors for an increase in the long-term-HPA axis activity. Moreover, this biomarker is suitable for capturing the stresslevel after burdening events and physical activity.
Fast Determination of Flip Angle and T1 in Hyperpolarized Gas MRI During a Single Breath-Hold
Authors: Zhong Jianping , Ruan Weiwei , Han Yeqing , Sun Xianping , Ye Chaohui , Zhou Xin 
Published: May 2016

AbstractMRI of hyperpolarized media, such as 129Xe and 3He, shows great potential for clinical applications. The optimal use of the available spin polarization requires accurate flip angle calibrations and T1 measurements. Traditional flip angle calibration methods are time-consuming and suffer from polarization losses during T1 relaxation. In this paper, we propose a method to simultaneously calibrate flip angles and measure T1in vivo during a breath-hold time of less than 4 seconds. We demonstrate the accuracy, robustness and repeatability of this method and contrast it with traditional methods. By measuring the T1 of hyperpolarized gas, the oxygen pressure in vivo can be calibrated during the same breath hold. The results of the calibration have been applied in variable flip angle (VFA) scheme to obtain a stable steady-state transverse magnetization. Coupled with this method, the ultra-short TE (UTE) and constant VFA (CVFA) schemes are expected to give rise to new applications of hyperpolarized media.
Overall power control strategy for small‐scale WECS incorporating flux weakening operation
Authors: Shafiei Ahmadreza , Dehkordi Behzad Mirzaeian , Farhangi Shahrokh , Kiyoumarsi Arash 
Published: May 2016

This study presents an overall power control strategy for control of fixed‐pitch small‐scale wind energy conversion system (WECS). The overall power control strategy is designed in such a way that the WECS efficiently operates for both underrated and overrated wind speeds. At underrated wind speeds, maximum power point tracking is achieved through a proportional–integral (PI) mechanical torque controller while no wind speed sensor is required. The PI mechanical torque controller together with a high‐gain observer, estimating mechanical torque, generates the reference electrical torque. At overrated wind speed, the control strategy limits the generated power to rated power of generator via an anti‐windup algorithm. In this case, the flux weakening strategy then is invoked. The optimal (reference) flux magnitude is provided by off‐line numerically solving an optimisation problem. An space‐vector modulation (SVM)‐based direct‐torque control (DTC) is used to track the electrical torque and flux references. In particular, the SVM‐DTC is composed of a reference voltage vector calculator providing a desired voltage vector. The effectiveness of the proposed overall power control strategy is verified by applying the strategy to a commercial 10 kW wind turbine simulated in MATLAB/Simulink.
A glycoside hydrolase family 31 dextranase with high transglucosylation activity from Flavobacterium johnsoniae
Authors: Gozu Yoshifumi , Ishizaki Yuichi , Hosoyama Yuhei , Miyazaki Takatsugu , Nishikawa Atsushi , Tonozuka Takashi 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Glycoside hydrolase family (GH) 31 enzymes exhibit various substrate specificities, although the majority of members are α-glucosidases. Here, we constructed a heterologous expression system of a GH31 enzyme, Fjoh_4430, from Flavobacterium johnsoniae NBRC 14942, using Escherichia coli, and characterized its enzymatic properties. The enzyme hydrolyzed dextran and pullulan to produce isomaltooligosaccharides and isopanose, respectively. When isomaltose was used as a substrate, the enzyme catalyzed disproportionation to form isomaltooligosaccharides. The enzyme also acted, albeit inefficiently, on p-nitrophenyl α-D-glucopyranoside, and p-nitrophenyl α-isomaltoside was the main product of the reaction. In contrast, Fjoh_4430 did not act on trehalose, kojibiose, nigerose, maltose, maltotriose, or soluble starch. The optimal pH and temperature were pH 6.0 and 60 °C, respectively. Our results indicate that Fjoh_4430 is a novel GH31 dextranase with high transglucosylation activity.
Atrial Dilatation Development in Hypertensive Treated Patients: The Campania-Salute Network
Authors: Losi Maria-Angela , Izzo Raffaele , Canciello Grazia , Giamundo Alessandra , Manzi Maria V. , Strisciuglio Teresa , Stabile Eugenio , De Luca Nicola , de Simone Giovanni , Trimarco Bruno 
Published: May 2016

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Left atrial (LA) dilatation is associated with unfavorable outcome in hypertension. However, there are few data on clinical, demographic, and echocardiographic findings correlated with LA dilatation development.

METHODS
From the Campania-Salute Network registry, we identified 5,375 hypertensive patients (52±11 years, 38% women) in normal sinus rhythm, with normal LA diameter (parasternal short-axis &lt;24.0 in women and &lt;25.4mm/m in men), with normal left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, and with at least 12 months of echocardiographic follow-up. We included in the clinic evaluation type of antihypertensive drugs.

RESULTS
Follow-up duration was of 70±48 months. During follow-up, 647 patients (12%) showed LA dilatation. Patients with incident LA dilatation were older, most likely to be women, more obese, more diabetics, with lower Modification of Diet in Renal Disease, higher total cholesterol, lower uric acid, higher pulse pressure, lower heart rate, higher LV mass, concentric geometry and lower E/A ratio at mitral level, longer E deceleration time, and higher intima–media carotid thickness. They take more drugs, and follow-up was longer (overall P &lt; 0.05). In the Cox analysis, age, female gender, obesity, higher LV mass, LA diameter at baseline, and longer E deceleration time were determinants of LA dilatation. Furthermore, the use of diuretics protected against LA dilatation.

CONCLUSIONS
Our data identify a risk profile for LA dilatation, characterized by older age, female sex, obesity, higher LV mass, and worse diastolic function. In this subgroup of patients, the use of diuretics seems to protect against LA dilatation.
Electronic Healthcare's Relationship With Patient Satisfaction and Communication
Authors: Mitchell Jordan P. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract:
Healthcare information technology (HIT) has been examined and shown to be a tool to improve patient healthcare quality. This study seeks to define the relationship between HIT applications such as computerized physician order entry, clinical decision support systems, and handheld device use and select Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) measures (doctor and nurse communication, discharge instructions, and whether the patient would highly recommend the hospital). Several control variables were used that represent the hospital level and contextual hospital service area level. The analysis had mixed results: the aforementioned HIT applications may add and support certain HCAHPS measures (Always Given Discharge Information), whereas there were no significant findings for the more interpersonal quality measures (nurse and doctor communication, recommendation). These results show that although patients may not score doctors and nurses significantly higher for their communication in hospitals that use HIT, they did receive discharge instructions significantly at a higher rate than the non-HIT hospitals.
Improving Accuracy and Relevance of Race/Ethnicity Data: Results of a Statewide Collaboration in Hawaii
Authors: Pellegrin Karen L. , Miyamura Jill B. , Ma Carolyn , Taniguchi Ronald 
Published: May 2016

Abstract:Current race/ethnicity categories established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget are neither reliable nor valid for understanding health disparities or for tracking improvements in this area. In Hawaii, statewide hospitals have collaborated to collect race/ethnicity data using a standardized method consistent with recommended practices that overcome the problems with the federal categories. The purpose of this observational study was to determine the impact of this collaboration on key measures of race/ethnicity documentation. After this collaborative effort, the number of standardized categories available across hospitals increased from 6 to 34, and the percent of inpatients with documented race/ethnicity increased from 88 to 96%. This improved standardized methodology is now the foundation for tracking population health indicators statewide and focusing quality improvement efforts. The approach used in Hawaii can serve as a model for other states and regions. Ultimately, the ability to standardize data collection methodology across states and regions will be needed to track improvements nationally.
Characterizations of Temporal Postoperative Pain Signatures With Symbolic Aggregate Approximations
Authors: Tighe Patrick J. , Nickerson Paul , Fillingim Roger B. , Rashidi Parisa 
Published: May 2016

Objectives:
The primary aim was to characterize the temporal dynamics of postoperative pain intensity using symbolic aggregate approximation (SAX). The secondary aim was to explore the effects of sociodemographic and clinical factors on the SAX representations of postoperative pain intensity.

Materials and Methods:
We applied SAX to a large-scale time series database of 226,808 acute postoperative pain intensity ratings. Pain scores were stratified by patient age, sex, type of surgery, home opioid use, and postoperative day (POD), and costratified by age and sex. Cosine similarity, a metric that measures distance using vector angle, was applied to these motif data to compare pain behavior similarities across strata.

Results:
Across age groups, SAX clusters revealed a shift from low-to-low pain score transitions in older patients to high-to-high pain score transitions in younger patients, whereas analyses stratified by sex showed that males had a greater focus of pain score transitions among lower-intensity pain scores compared with females. Surgical stratification, using cardiovascular surgery as a reference, demonstrated that pulmonary surgery had the highest cosine similarity at 0.855. With POD stratification, POD 7 carried the greatest cosine similarity to POD 0 (0.611) after POD 1 (0.765), with POD 3 (0.419) and POD 4 (0.441) carrying the lowest cosine similarities with POD 0.

Discussion:
SAX offers a feasible and effective framework for characterizing large-scale postoperative pain within the time domain. Stratification of SAX representations demonstrate unique temporal dynamic profiles on the basis of age group, sex, type of surgery, preoperative opioid use, and across PODs 1 to 7.