bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exchange Interactions on the Highest-Spin Reported Molecule: the Mixed-Valence Fe42 Complex
Authors: Aravena Daniel , Venegas-Yazigi Diego , Ruiz Eliseo 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe finding of high-spin molecules that could behave as conventional magnets has been one of the main challenges in Molecular Magnetism. Here, the exchange interactions, present in the highest-spin molecule published in the literature, Fe42, have been analysed using theoretical methods based on Density Functional Theory. The system with a total spin value S = 45 is formed by 42 iron centres containing 18 high-spin FeIII ferromagnetically coupled and 24 diamagnetic low-spin FeII ions. The bridging ligands between the two paramagnetic centres are two cyanide ligands coordinated to the diamagnetic FeII cations. Calculations were performed using either small Fe4 or Fe3 models or the whole Fe42 complex, showing the presence of two different ferromagnetic couplings between the paramagnetic FeIII centres. Finally, Quantum Monte Carlo simulations for the whole system were carried out in order to compare the experimental and simulated magnetic susceptibility curves from the calculated exchange coupling constants with the experimental one. This comparison allows for the evaluation of the accuracy of different exchange-correlation functionals to reproduce such magnetic properties.
Ambient air pollution, weather changes and outpatient visits for allergic conjunctivitis: A retrospective registry study
Authors: Hong Jiaxu , Zhong Taoling , Li Huili , Xu Jianming , Ye Xiaofang , Mu Zhe , Lu Yi , Mashaghi Alireza , Zhou Ying , Tan Mengxi , Li Qiyuan , Sun Xinghuai , Liu Zuguo , Xu Jianjiang 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAllergic conjunctivitis is a common problem that significantly impairs patients’ quality of life. Whether air pollution serves as a risk factor for the development of allergic conjunctivitis remains elusive. In this paper, we assess the relationship between air pollutants and weather conditions with outpatient visits for allergic conjunctivitis. By using a time-series analysis based on the largest dataset ever assembled to date, we found that the number of outpatient visits for allergic conjunctivitis was significantly correlated with the levels of NO2, O3 and temperature, while its association with humidity was statistically marginal. No associations between PM10, PM2.5, SO2, or wind velocity and outpatient visits were seen. Subgroup analyses showed that sex seemed to modify the effects of humidity on outpatient visits for allergic conjunctivitis, but not for NO2, O3, or temperature. People younger than 40 were found to be susceptible to changes of all four parameters, while those older than 40 were only consistently affected by NO2 levels. Our findings revealed that higher levels of ambient NO2, O3 and temperature increase the chances of outpatient visits for allergic conjunctivitis. Ambient air pollution and weather changes may contribute to the worsening of allergic conjunctivitis.
An alternative strategy for targeted gene replacement in plants using a dual-sgRNA/Cas9 design
Authors: Zhao Yongping , Zhang Congsheng , Liu Wenwen , Gao Wei , Liu Changlin , Song Gaoyuan , Li Wen-Xue , Mao Long , Chen Beijiu , Xu Yunbi , Li Xinhai , Xie Chuanxiao 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPrecision DNA/gene replacement is a promising genome-editing tool that is highly desirable for molecular engineering and breeding by design. Although the CRISPR/Cas9 system works well as a tool for gene knockout in plants, gene replacement has rarely been reported. Towards this end, we first designed a combinatory dual-sgRNA/Cas9 vector (construct #1) that successfully deleted miRNA gene regions (MIR169a and MIR827a). The deletions were confirmed by PCR and subsequent sequencing, yielding deletion efficiencies of 20% and 24% on MIR169a and MIR827a loci, respectively. We designed a second structure (construct #2) that contains sites homologous to Arabidopsis TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1) for homology-directed repair (HDR) with regions corresponding to the two sgRNAs on the modified construct #1. The two constructs were co-transformed into Arabidopsis plants to provide both targeted deletion and donor repair for targeted gene replacement by HDR. Four of 500 stably transformed T0 transgenic plants (0.8%) contained replaced fragments. The presence of the expected recombination sites was further confirmed by sequencing. Therefore, we successfully established a gene deletion/replacement system in stably transformed plants that can potentially be utilized to introduce genes of interest for targeted crop improvement.
4D (x-y-z-t) imaging of thick biological samples by means of Two-Photon inverted Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy (2PE-iSPIM)
Authors: Lavagnino Zeno , Sancataldo Giuseppe , d’Amora Marta , Follert Philipp , De Pietri Tonelli Davide , Diaspro Alberto , Cella Zanacchi Francesca 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIn the last decade light sheet fluorescence microscopy techniques, such as selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM), has become a well established method for developmental biology. However, conventional SPIM architectures hardly permit imaging of certain tissues since the common sample mounting procedure, based on gel embedding, could interfere with the sample morphology. In this work we propose an inverted selective plane microscopy system (iSPIM), based on non-linear excitation, suitable for 3D tissue imaging. First, the iSPIM architecture provides flexibility on the sample mounting, getting rid of the gel-based mounting typical of conventional SPIM, permitting 3D imaging of hippocampal slices from mouse brain. Moreover, all the advantages brought by two photon excitation (2PE) in terms of reduction of scattering effects and contrast improvement are exploited, demonstrating an improved image quality and contrast compared to single photon excitation. The system proposed represents an optimal platform for tissue imaging and it smooths the way to the applicability of light sheet microscopy to a wider range of samples including those that have to be mounted on non-transparent surfaces.
Relationships between plasma leptin levels, leptin G2548A, leptin receptor Gln223Arg polymorphisms and gestational diabetes mellitus in Chinese population
Authors: Yang Mei , Peng Songxu , Li Wei , Wan Zhihua , Fan Linlin , Du Yukai 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe purposes of this study were to examine concentrations of leptin and biochemical parameters in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) individuals and also to explore the links of leptin (LEP) G2548A and leptin receptor (LEPR) Gln223Arg polymorphisms with leptin levels and GDM risk among Chinese. Our study included 357 GDM and 355 NGT individuals who were at 24~30 gestational weeks. Plasma leptin and insulin levels were analyzed by ELISA. Gene polymorphisms were genotyped using TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. The results showed that plasma leptin levels were significantly higher in the impaired fasting glucose (IFG) group than NGT group (34.35 (26.54, 56.48) ng/mL vs 26.31 (17.99, 37.87) ng/mL, P < 0.05). Plasma leptin levels correlated with plasma fasting insulin levels, pre-pregnant body mass index, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index both in GDM and NGT group (P < 0.05). However, neither LEP G2548A nor LEPR Gln223Arg polymorphisms were significantly associated with GDM risk and plasma leptin levels (P > 0.05). Our findings showed that high leptin level was associated with GDM. And larger and more rigorous researches were needed to further explore the association of LEP and LEPR gene polymorphisms and GDM among Chinese population.
Evaluation of genetic diversity among strains of the human gut commensal Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Authors: Duranti Sabrina , Milani Christian , Lugli Gabriele Andrea , Mancabelli Leonardo , Turroni Francesca , Ferrario Chiara , Mangifesta Marta , Viappiani Alice , Sánchez Borja , Margolles Abelardo , van Sinderen Douwe , Ventura Marco 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBifidobacteria are members of the human gut microbiota, being numerically dominant in the colon of infants, while also being prevalent in the large intestine of adults. In this study, we determined and analyzed the pan-genome of Bifidobacterium adolescentis, which is one of many bacteria found in the human adult gut microbiota. In silico analysis of the genome sequences of eighteen B. adolescentis strains isolated from various environments, such as human milk, human feces and bovine rumen, revealed a high level of genetic variability, resulting in an open pan-genome. Compared to other bifidobacterial taxa such as Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium breve, the more extensive B. adolescentis pan-genome supports the hypothesis that the genetic arsenal of this taxon expanded so as to become more adaptable to the variable and changing ecological niche of the gut. These increased genetic capabilities are particularly evident for genes required for dietary glycan-breakdown.
Possible association of CCDC62 rs12817488 polymorphism and Parkinson’s disease risk in Chinese population: a meta-analysis
Authors: Lu Yanjun , Tan Lu , Shen Na , Peng Jing , Wang Chunyu , Zhu Yaowu , Wang Xiong 
Published: April 2016

AbstractConflicting results identifying the association between coiled-coil domain containing 62 (CCDC62) polymorphism, rs12817488 and Parkinson’s disease (PD) have been reported. To clarify whether rs12817488 is related to PD risk in Chinese population, we carried out this meta-analysis by searching literature from PubMed and Embase database regarding this polymorphism. Three eligible studies involving 1616 cases and 1649 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Our results showed statistically significant association between rs12817488 and PD risk in all four genetic models. Stratification by gender revealed similar results in both subgroup in these genetic models except for recessive model, in which rs12817488 was not significantly associated with PD in male subgroup. Unstable result was found in recessive model via sensitivity analysis and publication bias was observed in recessive model as well, indicating that the pooled result from recessive model should be cautiously treated. Our meta-analysis implicates a possible relationship between rs12817488 and PD risk in Chinese population. Further validation of this association in large sample size study with different gender is warranted.
A rare variant at 11p13 is associated with tuberculosis susceptibility in the Han Chinese population
Authors: Chen Cheng , Zhao Qi , Hu Yi , Shao Yan , Li Guoli , Zhu Limei , Lu Wei , Xu Biao 
Published: April 2016

AbstractGenome-wide association studies (GWASs) have yet to be conducted for tuberculosis (TB) susceptibility in China. Two previously identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from tuberculosis GWASs, rs2057178 and rs4331426, were evaluated for TB predisposition. The associations between SNPs and gene expression levels were analyzed using the genomic data and corresponding whole-genome expression of the Han Chinese in Beijing, China. Genotyping was successfully completed for 763 pulmonary TB patients and 763 healthy controls. The T allele of the rare variant rs2057178 was significantly associated with TB predisposition (χ2 = 14.07,P = 0.0002). Meanwhile, the CT genotype of rs2057178 was associated with a decreased risk of TB (adjusted OR = 0.52, 95% CI, 0.34–0.78). The CT genotype of rs2057178 was also associated with decreased expression levels of infection-related gene, suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) and increased expression levels of v-maf avian musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog B (MAFB). No gene expression levels were found to be associated with the genotype of rs4331426. We found that the rare variant rs2057178 was significantly associated with TB in the Han Chinese population. Moreover, the expression levels of MAFB and SOCS2 correlated with rs2057178 and might be potential candidates for assessing TB susceptibility.
Developing Recreational Harvest Regulations for an Unexploited Lake Trout Population
Authors: Lenker Melissa A. , Weidel Brian C. , Jensen Olaf P. , Solomon Christopher T. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Developing fishing regulations for previously unexploited populations presents numerous challenges, many of which stem from a scarcity of baseline information about abundance, population productivity, and expected angling pressure. We used simulation models to test the effect of six management strategies (catch and release; trophy, minimum, and maximum length limits; and protected and exploited slot length limits) on an unexploited population of Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush in Follensby Pond, a 393-ha lake located in New York State's Adirondack Park. We combined field and literature data and mark–recapture abundance estimates to parameterize an age-structured population model and used the model to assess the effects of each management strategy on abundance, catch per unit effort (CPUE), and harvest over a range of angler effort (0–2,000 angler-days/year). Lake Trout density (3.5 fish/ha for fish ≥ age 13, the estimated age at maturity) was similar to densities observed in other unexploited systems, but growth rate was relatively slow. Maximum harvest occurred at levels of effort ≤ 1,000 angler-days/year in all the scenarios considered. Regulations that permitted harvest of large postmaturation fish, such as New York's standard Lake Trout minimum size limit or a trophy size limit, resulted in low harvest and high angler CPUE. Regulations that permitted harvest of small and sometimes immature fish, such as a protected slot or maximum size limit, allowed high harvest but resulted in low angler CPUE and produced rapid declines in harvest with increases in effort beyond the effort consistent with maximum yield. Management agencies can use these results to match regulations to management goals and to assess the risks of different management options for unexploited Lake Trout populations and other fish species with similar life history traits.
Received May 18, 2015; accepted November 30, 2015 Published online March 31, 2016
Functions, structures, and applications of cellobiose 2-epimerase and glycoside hydrolase family 130 mannoside phosphorylases
Authors: Saburi Wataru 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Carbohydrate isomerases/epimerases are essential in carbohydrate metabolism, and have great potential in industrial carbohydrate conversion. Cellobiose 2-epimerase (CE) reversibly epimerizes the reducing end d-glucose residue of β-(1→4)-linked disaccharides to d-mannose residue. CE shares catalytic machinery with monosaccharide isomerases and epimerases having an (α/α)6-barrel catalytic domain. Two histidine residues act as general acid and base catalysts in the proton abstraction and addition mechanism. β-Mannoside hydrolase and 4-O-β-d-mannosyl-d-glucose phosphorylase (MGP) were found as neighboring genes of CE, meaning that CE is involved in β-mannan metabolism, where it epimerizes β-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→4)-d-mannose to β-d-mannopyranosyl-(1→4)-d-glucose for further phosphorolysis. MGPs form glycoside hydrolase family 130 (GH130) together with other β-mannoside phosphorylases and hydrolases. Structural analysis of GH130 enzymes revealed an unusual catalytic mechanism involving a proton relay and the molecular basis for substrate and reaction specificities. Epilactose, efficiently produced from lactose using CE, has superior physiological functions as a prebiotic oligosaccharide.
Cardinal Carlo Borromeo
Authors: Colombo Emanuele 
Published: April 2016

Carlo Borromeo (b. 1538–d. 1584), who was a cardinal archbishop of Milan (1564–1584), represented a model bishop in the post-Tridentine Catholic Church and was a leading figure of early modern Catholicism. Born in Arona (Novara), he was the nephew of Giovanni Angelo de’ Medici, later Pope Pius IV (1559–1565), who made the young Borromeo a cardinal and nominated him Secretary of State (1560). Until 1565 he was in Rome; he served in the Curia during the last period of the Council of Trent (1562–1563) and conducted the papal correspondence with the legates in Trent. In 1563 he was ordained priest and received episcopal consecration. From the beginning of 1566, after the death of Pius IV and until the end of his life, he resided almost continuously in the archdiocese of Milan, where he started an ambitious program of reform. Following the decrees of the Council of Trent, Borromeo introduced systematic pastoral visitations and provincial and diocesan synods. He improved the education of the secular clergy and the control of the religious orders. He supported confraternities for lay people and reinforced the value of penance and confession. His patronage of arts and music and his care for sacred architecture also had a great influence beyond the archdiocese. This plan of reform created frequent conflicts both with the Spanish governor of Milan, since Borromeo refused to allow political authorities to intervene in religious matters, and with the papacy, because of Borromeo’s insistence on episcopal rights. He became the model of the post-Tridentine bishop in Italy and beyond. On 22 October 1569, while he was praying in the chapel of the episcopal palace, Borromeo escaped an assassination attempt. A member of the Brothers of Humility (Humiliati) who was opposed to Borromeo’s reforms fired a shot that grazed Borromeo’s side. His survival was considered a miracle and bolstered his saintly reputation. He died in 1584 and was canonized in 1610. His feast day is 4 November.
Reasonableness in International Law
Authors: Sartor Giovanni , Bongiovanni Giorgio , Valentini Chiara 
Published: April 2016

The idea of reasonableness is pervasive in law. At the domestic, international, and transnational levels, this idea assists the law in responding to the many different aspects relevant to its operation in contemporary legal systems, which are characterized by a plurality of legal sources and claims of legal protection. The legal discourse resorts to reasonableness to characterize the expectations of the parties in a contractual relationship; the patterns of conduct to be assessed in order to ascribe criminal or civil liability; the exercise of institutional power; or the use of public resources by institutions. Moreover, reasonableness provides a legal standard for balancing different normative possibilities, measures, and arguments in relation to different circumstances. The law evaluates according to determinations of reasonableness beliefs and actions (i.e., epistemic and practical choices). When reasonableness is used as a legal standard, thoughts and actions violating it, namely, “unreasonable” thoughts and actions, are viewed as legally faulty. Unreasonable choices may be subject to annulment or revision, or they may be subject to requests for compensation by the parties negatively affected by them, or lead to further sanctions. On the contrary, reasonable private and public choices may successfully withstand legal challenges, and reasonable actions may be exempted from sanction even when they cause harm to others. We may say, in a first approximation, that a reasonable decision is a decision that meets to a sufficient extent the relevant standards, which may concern both the substance of the decision or the process through which it was achieved, and may concern both means-end efficiency and moral impartiality. Chiara Valentini gratefully acknowledges support by the “Ramón y Cajal” fellowship (RYC-2012-12175) and the Research Project “Global Constitutionalism and Global Justice: Philosophical Foundations” (DER2013- 48066-C2-1-R) both funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad.
Functional partitioning of local and distal gene expression regulation in multiple human tissues
Authors: Liu Xuanyao , Finucane Hilary K. , Gusev Alexander , Bhatia Gaurav , Gazal Steven , O’Connor Luke , Bulik-Sullivan Brendan , Wright Fred A. , Sullivan Patrick F. , Neale Benjamin M. , Price Alkes L. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractStudies of the genetics of gene expression have served as a key tool for linking genetic variants to phenotypes. Large-scale eQTL mapping studies have identified a large number of local eQTLs, but the molecular mechanism of how genetic variants regulate expression is still unclear, particularly for distal eQTLs, which these studies are not well-powered to detect. In this study, we use a heritability partitioning approach to dissect the functional components of gene regulation. We make use of an existing method, stratified LD score regression, that leverages all variants (not just those that pass stringent significance thresholds) to partition heritability across functional categories, and we extend this method to partition local and distal gene expression heritability in 15 human tissues. The top enriched functional categories in local regulation of peripheral blood gene expression included super enhancers (5.18x), coding regions (3.73x), conserved regions (2.33x) and four histone marks (p<3x10-7for all enrichments); local enrichments were similar across the 15 tissues. We also observed substantial enrichments for distal regulation of peripheral blood gene expression: super enhancers (1.91x), coding regions (4.47x), conserved regions (4.51x) and two histone marks (p<3x10-7for all enrichments). Analyses of the genetic correlation of gene expression across tissues showed that local gene expression regulation is largely shared across tissues, but distal gene expression regulation is highly tissue-specific. Our results elucidate the functional components of the genetic architecture of local and distal gene expression regulation.
Evolutionary determinants of morphological polymorphism in colonial animals
Authors: Simpson Carl , Jackson Jeremy B.C. , Herrera-Cubilla Amalia 
Published: April 2016

AbstractColonial animals commonly exhibit morphologically polymorphic modular units that are phenotypically distinct and specialize in specific functional tasks. But how and why these polymorphic modules have evolved is poorly understood. Across colonial invertebrates there is wide variation in the degree of polymorphism from none in colonial ascidians, to extreme polymorphism in siphonophores such as the Portuguese Man of War. Bryozoa are a phylum of exclusively colonial invertebrates that uniquely exhibit almost the entire range of polymorphism from monomorphic species to others that rival siphonophores in their polymorphic complexity. Previous approaches to understanding the evolution of polymorphism have been based upon analyses of (1) the functional role of polymorphs or (2) presumed evolutionary costs and benefits based upon evolutionary theory that postulates polymorphism should only be evolutionarily sustainable in more “stable” environments because polymorphism commonly leads to the loss of feeding and sexual competence. Here we use bryozoans from opposite shores of the Isthmus of Panama to revisit the environmental hypothesis by comparison of faunas from distinct oceanographic provinces that differ greatly in environmental variability and we then examine the correlations between the extent of polymorphism in relation to patterns of ecological succession and variation in life histories. We find no support for the environmental hypothesis. Distributions of the incidence of polymorphism in the oceanographically unstable Eastern Pacific are indistinguishable from those in the more stable Caribbean. In contrast, the temporal position of species in a successional sequence is collinear with the degree of polymorphism because species with fewer types of polymorphs are competitively replaced by species with higher numbers of polymorphs on the same substrata. Competitively dominant species also exhibit patterns of growth that increase their competitive ability. The association between degrees of polymorphism and variations in life histories is fundamental to understanding of the macroevolution of polymorphism.