bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Novel Role for miR-1305 in Regulation of Pluripotency-Differentiation Balance, Cell Cycle, and Apoptosis in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Jin Shibo , Collin Joseph , Zhu Lili , Montaner David , Armstrong Lyle , Neganova Irina , Lako Majlinda 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are defined as pluripotent in view of their self-renewal ability and potential to differentiate to cells of all three germ layers. Recent studies have indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the maintenance of pluripotency and cell cycle regulation. We used a microarray based approach to identify miRNAs that were enriched in hESCs when compared to differentiated cells and at the same time showed significant expression changes between different phases of cell cycle. We identified 34 candidate miRNAs and performed functional studies on one of these, miR-1305, which showed the highest expression change during cell cycle transition. Overexpression of miR-1305 induced differentiation of pluripotent stem cells, increased cell apoptosis and sped up G1/S transition, while its downregulation facilitated the maintenance of pluripotency and increased cell survival. Using target prediction software and luciferase based reporter assays we identified POLR3G as a downstream target by which miR-1305 regulates the fine balance between maintenance of pluripotency and onset of differentiation. Overexpression of POLR3G rescued pluripotent stem cell differentiation induced by miR-1305 overexpression. In contrast, knock-down of POLR3G expression abolished the miR-1305-knockdown mediated enhancement of pluripotency, thus validating its role as miR-1305 target in human pluripotent stem cells. Together our data point to an important role for miR-1305 as a novel regulator of pluripotency, cell survival and cell cycle and uncovers new mechanisms and networks by which these processes are intertwined in human pluripotent stem cells.
Relaxing effect of lower leg acupuncture in sedentary university students with regard to physical movement and autonomic nerve activity: Randomized controlled trial
Authors: Motoyama Hiroie , Mukaino Yoshito , Isogai Hirohisa 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTAimTo demonstrate the utility of press needles on the lower limbs in improving response to straight leg raise (SLR) test and cervical movement.MethodA group of 28 university students with abnormal response to SLR test and cervical movement were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a control group. The acupuncture group was treated with press needles at four acupoints on both lower limbs. In addition to evaluating movement in left–right SLR test and cervical movement using numerical rating scale, changes in heart rate were also monitored.ResultsNo significant differences were noted between the acupuncture and control groups at baseline before treatment. After acupuncture treatment, mean score for left and right SLR test in the acupuncture group decreased by –3.79 ± 1.53 and –3.79 ± 1.37, respectively. Marked decrease was also noted for this group in the left–right cervical lateroflexion (by –1.29 ± 1.44 and –1.64 ± 1.91, respectively). Changes were also observed in the low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio after treatment in the acupuncture group, in that HF after treatment (converted to log10) was significantly higher than before (LF/HF ratio, decrease by –1.20 ± 0.60; HF, 0.12 ± 0.13). No significant changes from baseline were noted in the control group.ConclusionStimulation using press needles to the lower limbs can improve abnormalities in SLR and cervical movement, while additionally having a relaxing effect, which controls sympathetic activity and accelerates parasympathetic activity.
The value of plasma vitamin B6 profiles in early onset epileptic encephalopathies
Authors: Mathis Déborah , Abela Lucia , Albersen Monique , Bürer Céline , Crowther Lisa , Beese Karin , Hartmann Hans , Bok Levinus A. , Struys Eduard , Papuc Sorina M. , Rauch Anita , Hersberger Martin , Verhoeven‐Duif Nanda M. , Plecko Barbara 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBackgroundRecent decades have unravelled the molecular background of a number of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) causing vitamin B6‐dependent epilepsy. As these defects interfere with vitamin B6 metabolism by different mechanisms, the plasma vitamin B6 profile can give important clues for further molecular work‐up. This has so far been investigated in only a small number of patients.MethodsWe evaluated the vitamin B6 vitamers pyridoxal 5’‐phosphate (PLP), pyridoxal (PL), pyridoxamine (PM), pyridoxine (PN) and the catabolite pyridoxic acid (PA) in the so far largest patient cohort: reference (n = 50); pyridox(am)ine 5’‐phosphate oxidase (PNPO) deficiency (n = 6); antiquitin (ATQ) deficiency (n = 21); tissue non‐specific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) deficiency (n = 2) and epileptic encephalopathy (EE) of unknown etiology tested negative for ATQ and PNPO deficiency (n = 64).ResultsHigh plasma PM concentration was found in all patients with PNPO deficiency irrespective of vitamin B6 supplementation. Their PM concentration and the PM/PA ratio was significantly higher (p < 0.0001), compared to any other patients analysed. One patient with TNSALP deficiency and sampling prior to PN supplementation had markedly elevated plasma PLP concentration. On PN supplementation, patients with TNSALP deficiency, ATQ deficiency and patients of the EE cohort had similar plasma vitamin B6 profiles that merely reflect the intake of supra‐physiological doses of vitamin B6. The interval of sampling to the last PN intake strongly affected the plasma concentrations of PN, PL and PA.ConclusionsPM concentrations and the PM/PA ratio clearly separated PNPO‐deficient patients from the other cohorts. The plasma PM/PA ratio thus represents a robust biomarker for the selective screening of PNPO deficiency.
Effect of temperate forest tree species on soil dehydrogenase and urease activities in relation to other properties of soil derived from loess and glaciofluvial sand
Authors: Błońska Ewa , Lasota Jarosław , Gruba Piotr 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWe investigated the effects of several tree species on dehydrogenase and urease activities in soils derived from two different parent materials (glaciofluvial sand and loess) in forested areas in southern Poland. We hypothesized that coniferous forests (pine, spruce) alter the soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) and decrease soil pH and, therefore, might decrease soil enzyme activities compared with broadleaf species growing on similar soils. Eight paired plots (12 × 12 m) were established on glaciofluvial sand in pine (Pinus sylvestris) + oak (Quercus robur) and spruce (Picea abies) + pine stands, as well as on loess‐derived soils: beech (Fagus sylvatica) + pine and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) + pine stands. Each plot was a 4 × 4 m grid with 16 sampling points. In soil samples pH, soil texture, and organic carbon, nitrogen, base cation contents, dehydrogenase and urease activities were determined. On both parent materials, the soil pH was lower under coniferous species than under broadleaf species. The acidifying effect of tree species on sandy soil was in the order of spruce = pine > oak, while that on loess was pine > beech > hornbeam. Hornbeam and oak increased the soil pH and stimulated enzyme activity in the soil. The content of fine fraction enhanced potential enzyme activities in soils, thus the loess soils had greater dehydrogenase and urease activity. The results suggest that pine stores more soil organic C in association with silt increasing the pool of stabilized soil organic C.
A review on soil–structure interaction analysis of laterally loaded piles
Authors: Kavitha P. E. , Beena K. S. , Narayanan K. P. 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
Soil–structure interaction plays an important role in the behavior of structure under static or dynamic loading. It influences the behavior of soil, as well as the response of pile under loading. The analysis is highly essential for predicting a more accurate structural behavior so as to improve the safety of structures under extreme loading conditions. The soil–pile system behavior is predominantly nonlinear and this makes the problem complicated. In a laterally loaded pile the load is resisted by the soil–pile interaction effect, which in turn depends on soil properties, pile material, pile diameter, loading type and bed slope of ground. The difficulty in the accountability of the influencing factors necessitates a careful study on soil–structure interaction problem. The analysis became easier with the debut of powerful computers and simulation tools such as finite element analysis software. A detailed literature review on soil–structure interaction analysis of laterally loaded piles is presented in this paper.
Rapid 14C Analysis of Dissolved Organic Carbon in Non-Saline Waters
Authors: Lang Susan Q , McIntyre Cameron P , Bernasconi Stefano M , Früh-Green Gretchen L , Voss Britta M , Eglinton Timothy I , Wacker Lukas 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe radiocarbon content of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in rivers, lakes, and other non-saline waters can provide valuable information on carbon cycling dynamics in the environment. DOC is typically prepared for 14C analysis by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) either by ultraviolet (UV) oxidation or by freeze-drying and sealed tube combustion. We present here a new method for the rapid analysis of 14C of DOC using wet chemical oxidation (WCO) and automated headspace sampling of CO2. The approach is an adaption of recently developed methods using aqueous persulfate oxidant to determine the δ13C of DOC in non-saline water samples and the 14C content of volatile organic acids. One advantage of the current method over UV oxidation is higher throughput: 22 samples and 10 processing standards can be prepared in one day and analyzed in a second day, allowing a full suite of 14C processing standards and blanks to be run in conjunction with samples. A second advantage is that there is less potential for cross-contamination between samples.
Risperidone-induced topological alterations of anatomical brain network in first-episode drug-naive schizophrenia patients: a longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging study
Authors: Hu M. , Zong X. , Zheng J. , Mann J. J. , Li Z. , Pantazatos S. P. , Li Y. , Liao Y. , He Y. , Zhou J. , Sang D. , Zhao H. , Tang J. , Chen H. , Lv L. , Chen X. 
Published: June 2016

BackgroundIt remains unclear whether the topological deficits of the white matter network documented in cross-sectional studies of chronic schizophrenia patients are due to chronic illness or to other factors such as antipsychotic treatment effects. To answer this question, we evaluated the white matter network in medication-naive first-episode schizophrenia patients (FESP) before and after a course of treatment.MethodWe performed a longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging study in 42 drug-naive FESP at baseline and then after 8 weeks of risperidone monotherapy, and compared them with 38 healthy volunteers. Graph theory was utilized to calculate the topological characteristics of brain anatomical network. Patients’ clinical state was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) before and after treatment.ResultsPretreatment, patients had relatively intact overall topological organizations, and deficient nodal topological properties primarily in prefrontal gyrus and limbic system components such as the bilateral anterior and posterior cingulate. Treatment with risperidone normalized topological parameters in the limbic system, and the enhancement positively correlated with the reduction in PANSS-positive symptoms. Prefrontal topological impairments persisted following treatment and negative symptoms did not improve.ConclusionsDuring the early phase of antipsychotic medication treatment there are region-specific alterations in white matter topological measures. Limbic white matter topological dysfunction improves with positive symptom reduction. Prefrontal deficits and negative symptoms are unresponsive to medication intervention, and prefrontal deficits are potential trait biomarkers and targets for negative symptom treatment development.
Could resource rents finance universal access to infrastructure? A first exploration of needs and rents
Authors: Fuss Sabine , Chen Claudine , Jakob Michael , Marxen Annika , Rao Narasimha D. , Edenhofer Ottmar 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIt is often argued that, ethically, resource rents should accrue to all citizens. Yet, in reality, the rents from exploiting national resources are often concentrated in the hands of a few. If resource rents were to be taxed, on the other hand, substantial amounts of public money could be raised and used to cover the population's infrastructure needs, such as access to electricity, water, sanitation, communication technology and roads, which all play important roles in a nation's economic development process. Here, the authors examine to what extent existing resource rents could be used to provide universal access to these infrastructures.
Mortality outcomes associated with intake of fast-food items and sugar-sweetened drinks among older adults in the Vitamins and Lifestyle (VITAL) study
Authors: Barrington Wendy E , White Emily 
Published: June 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate associations of fast-food items (FFI) and sugar-sweetened drinks (SSD) with mortality outcomes including deaths due to any cause, CVD and total cancers among a large sample of adults.DesignUsing a prospective design, risk of death was compared across baseline dietary exposures. Intakes of FFI and SSD were quantified using a semi-quantitative FFQ (baseline data collected 2000–2002). Deaths (n4187) were obtained via the Washington State death file through 2008, excluding deaths in the first year of follow-up. Causes of death were categorized as due to CVD (I00–I99) or cancer (C00–D48). Cox models were used to estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % CI.SettingThe Vitamins and Lifestyle (VITAL) study among adults living in Western Washington State.SubjectsMen and women (n69 582) between 50 and 76 years of age at baseline.ResultsIntakes of FFI and SSD were higher among individuals who were younger, female, African-American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian-American or Pacific Islander, of lower educational attainment, and of lower income (P<0·0001 for all). Higher risk of total mortality was associated with greater intake of FFI (HR=1·16; 95 % CI 1·04, 1·29;P=0·004; comparing highestv. lowest quartile) and SSD (HR=1·19; 95 % CI 1·08, 1·30;P<0·0001; comparing highestv. lowest quartile). Higher intake of FFI was associated with greater cancer-specific mortality while an association with CVD-specific mortality was suggested. Associations between intake of SSD and cause-specific mortality were less clear.ConclusionsIntake of FFI and SSD has a detrimental effect on future mortality risk. These findings may be salient to socially patterned disparities in mortality.
Dietary fried fish intake increases risk of CVD: the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study
Authors: Nahab Fadi , Pearson Keith , Frankel Michael R , Ard Jamy , Safford Monika M , Kleindorfer Dawn , Howard Virginia J , Judd Suzanne 
Published: June 2016

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of the present study was to examine the relationship of dietary fried fish consumption and risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality.DesignProspective cohort study among participants of the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study who resided in the USA.SettingThe primary outcome measures included the hazard ratios (HR) of incident CVD including first incident fatal or non-fatal ischaemic stroke or myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality, based on cumulative average fish consumption ascertained at baseline.SubjectsParticipants (n 16 479) were enrolled between 2003 and 2007, completed the self-administered Block98 FFQ and were free of CVD at baseline.ResultsThere were 700 cardiovascular events over a mean follow-up of 5·1 years. After adjustment for sociodemographic variables, health behaviours and other CVD risk factors, participants eating ≥2 servings fried fish/week (v. <1 serving/month) were at a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular events (HR=1·63; 95 % CI 1·11, 2·40). Intake of non-fried fish was not associated with risk of incident CVD. There was no association found with dietary fried or non-fried fish intake and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality.ConclusionsFried fish intake of two or more servings per week is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Given the increased intake of fried fish in the stroke belt and among African Americans, these data suggest that dietary fried fish intake may contribute to geographic and racial disparities in CVD.
SEM morphological studies of carbonates and the search for ancient life on Mars
Authors: D'Elia M. , Blanco A. , Galiano A. , Orofino V. , Fonti S. , Mancarella F. , Guido A. , Russo F. , Mastandrea A. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractNext space missions will investigate the possibility of extinct or extant life on Mars. Studying the infrared spectral modifications, induced by thermal processing on different carbonate samples (recent shells and fossils of different ages), we developed a method able to discriminate biogenic carbonates from their abiogenic counterparts. The method has been successfully applied to microbialites, i.e. bio-induced carbonates deposits, and particularly to stromatolites, the laminated fabric of microbialites, some of which can be ascribed to among the oldest traces of biological activity known on Earth. These results are of valuable importance since such carbonates are linked to primitive living organisms that can be considered as good analogues for putative Martian life forms. Considering that the microstructures of biogenic carbonate are different from those of abiogenic origin, we investigated the micromorphology of shells, skeletal grains and microbialites at different scale with a scanning electron microscope. The results show that this line of research may provide an alternative and complementary approach to other techniques developed in the past by our group to distinguish biotic from abiotic carbonates. In this paper, we present some results that can be of valuable interest since they demonstrate the utility for a database of images concerning the structures and textures of relevant carbonate minerals. Such data may be useful for the analysis of Martian samples, coming from sample return missions or investigated by futurein situexplorations, aimed to characterize the near-subsurface of Mars in search for past or present life.
Struggles for a global Internet constitution: protecting global communication structures against surveillance measures
Authors: FISCHER-LESCANO ANDREAS 
Published: June 2016

Abstract:In 2014, the UN Human Rights Committee published its Concluding Observations on the United States’ fourth periodic report on the progress of the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (UN Doc CCPR/C/SR/3061), in which also the US surveillance practices are criticised. The Committee’s insistence on the right to privacy and its exterritorial effect is an important first step, but it is not comprehensive, as by remaining within the individual rights framework the UN Human Rights Committee fails to sufficiently take into account the systemic challenges in play. Developing a constitution of the Internet would necessitate not only protecting individual fundamental rights against state interference, but protecting communicative spheres by guaranteeing institutional autonomies and subjecting all social spheres to democratic control; this also requires opening up spaces for a critical public, including whistleblowers, and establishing a right to cryptography – a crucial refraction in the polycentric panoptic schema.
A survey of the sorghum transcriptome using single-molecule long reads
Authors: Abdel-Ghany Salah E. , Hamilton Michael , Jacobi Jennifer L. , Ngam Peter , Devitt Nicholas , Schilkey Faye , Ben-Hur Asa , Reddy Anireddy S. N. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAlternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation (APA) of pre-mRNAs greatly contribute to transcriptome diversity, coding capacity of a genome and gene regulatory mechanisms in eukaryotes. Second-generation sequencing technologies have been extensively used to analyse transcriptomes. However, a major limitation of short-read data is that it is difficult to accurately predict full-length splice isoforms. Here we sequenced the sorghum transcriptome using Pacific Biosciences single-molecule real-time long-read isoform sequencing and developed a pipeline called TAPIS (Transcriptome Analysis Pipeline for Isoform Sequencing) to identify full-length splice isoforms and APA sites. Our analysis reveals transcriptome-wide full-length isoforms at an unprecedented scale with over 11,000 novel splice isoforms. Additionally, we uncover APA of ∼11,000 expressed genes and more than 2,100 novel genes. These results greatly enhance sorghum gene annotations and aid in studying gene regulation in this important bioenergy crop. The TAPIS pipeline will serve as a useful tool to analyse Iso-Seq data from any organism.
Unveiling the complexity of the maize transcriptome by single-molecule long-read sequencing
Authors: Wang Bo , Tseng Elizabeth , Regulski Michael , Clark Tyson A , Hon Ting , Jiao Yinping , Lu Zhenyuan , Olson Andrew , Stein Joshua C. , Ware Doreen 
Published: June 2016

AbstractZea mays is an important genetic model for elucidating transcriptional networks. Uncertainties about the complete structure of mRNA transcripts limit the progress of research in this system. Here, using single-molecule sequencing technology, we produce 111,151 transcripts from 6 tissues capturing ∼70% of the genes annotated in maize RefGen_v3 genome. A large proportion of transcripts (57%) represent novel, sometimes tissue-specific, isoforms of known genes and 3% correspond to novel gene loci. In other cases, the identified transcripts have improved existing gene models. Averaging across all six tissues, 90% of the splice junctions are supported by short reads from matched tissues. In addition, we identified a large number of novel long non-coding RNAs and fusion transcripts and found that DNA methylation plays an important role in generating various isoforms. Our results show that characterization of the maize B73 transcriptome is far from complete, and that maize gene expression is more complex than previously thought.
Ecological responses to experimental glacier-runoff reduction in alpine rivers
Authors: Cauvy-Fraunié Sophie , Andino Patricio , Espinosa Rodrigo , Calvez Roger , Jacobsen Dean , Dangles Olivier 
Published: June 2016

AbstractGlacier retreat is a worldwide phenomenon with important consequences for the hydrological cycle and downstream ecosystem structure and functioning. To determine the effects of glacier retreat on aquatic communities, we conducted a 4-year flow manipulation in a tropical glacier-fed stream. Compared with an adjacent reference stream, meltwater flow reduction induces significant changes in benthic fauna community composition in less than 2 weeks. Also, both algal and herbivore biomass significantly increase in the manipulated stream as a response to flow reduction. After the flow reduction ceased, the system requires 14–16 months to return to its pre-perturbation state. These results are supported by a multi-stream survey of sites varying in glacial influence, showing an abrupt increase in algal and herbivore biomass below 11% glacier cover in the catchment. This study shows that flow reduction strongly affects glacier-fed stream biota, prefiguring profound ecological effects of ongoing glacier retreat on aquatic systems.