bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heterozygous PTCH1 Mutations Impact the Bone Metabolism in Patients With Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome Likely by Regulating SPARC Expression
Authors: Hong Yingying , Zhang Jianyun , Zhang Heyu , Li Xuefen , Qu Jiafei , Zhai Jiemei , Zhang Lei , Chen Feng , Li Tiejun 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by bone and skin abnormalities and a predisposition to various tumors. Keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs), which are common tumors of the jaw that cause extensive damage to the jawbone, are usually accompanied with NBCCS. Germline PTCH1 mutations in NBCCS tumorigenesis have been frequently studied; however, little is known regarding the pathogenesis of bone abnormalities in this disease. This study sought to investigate the mechanism underlying heterozygous PTCH1 mutation-mediated abnormal bone metabolism in patients with NBCCS. Stromal cells were isolated from the fibrous capsules of patients with NBCCS-associated or non-syndromic keratocystic odontogenic tumors and non-syndromic tumor stromal cells without PTCH1 mutations served as controls. Germline PTCH1 heterozygous mutations were confirmed in all NBCCS samples and differential protein expression was identified using tandem mass tag-labeled proteomics analysis. Our findings revealed that osteonectin/SPARC expression was significantly downregulated in syndromic stromal cells compared with non-syndromic stromal cells. SPARC expression was even lower in stromal cells carrying PTCH1 protein truncation mutations. PTCH1 siRNA transfection demonstrated that SPARC downregulation correlates with decreased PTCH1 expression. Furthermore, exogenous SPARC promoted osteogenic differentiation of syndromic stromal cells with enhanced development of calcium nodules. In addition, bone mineral density tests showed that patients with NBCCS exhibit weak bone mass compared with sex- and age-matched controls. This study indicates that germline PTCH1 heterozygous mutations play a major role in bone metabolism in patients with NBCCS, in particular in those with PTCH1 protein truncation mutations. SPARC may represent an important downstream modulator of PTCH1 mediation of bone metabolism. Thus, bone mineral density monitoring is critical for patients with NBCCS for prevention of osteoporosis. In addition, surgical procedures on syndromic-associated KCOTs should be performed with consideration of the weaker bone mass in such patients. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Nutrient removal and biogas upgrading by microalgal strains cultured in anaerobic digested starch wastewater
Authors: Cheng Bin , Ge Zhigang , Zhang Hui , Zhao Yongjun , Sun Shiqing , Hu Changwei 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn this study, the microalga Chlorella vulgaris (FACHB‐38) was cultivated in pure (3122.5 mg L−1 chemical oxygen demand (COD)) and diluted anaerobic digested starch wastewater (ADSW; 313.2, 622.8, 935.7, 1248.5, and 1558.9 mg L−1 COD). This study mainly aimed to compare algal growth and tolerance with various dilutions of ADSW, as well as determine nutrient removal efficiency and role of biogas upgrade.RESULTSChlorella vulgaris cultured in ADSW with 935.7 mg L−1 COD yielded a maximum total biomass of 3.39 ± 0.27 g L−1 (dry weight) and pollutant removal efficiencies of 79.04% ± 5.71% COD and 73.19% ± 6.98% total nitrogen (TN). The contents of C, N, and P in biomass remained constant at 48.93–50.12%, 8.76–9.94%, and 0.74–0.98%, respectively, among all dilutions. High total phosphorus (TP) removal efficiency was observed in treatments with 1248.5–1558.9 mg L−1 COD. The most appropriate dilutions for biogas upgrade were 935.7 and 1248.5 mg L−1 COD.CONCLUSIONThe optimal effect of nutrient removal and biogas upgrading can be obtained by appropriate control of ADSW dilution in influents. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Biosynthesis and purification of histidine‐tagged human soluble catechol‐O‐methyltransferase
Authors: Pedro Augusto Q , Correia Filipa F , Santos Fátima M , Espírito‐Santo Guilherme , Gonçalves Ana M , Bonifácio Maria J , Queiroz João A , Passarinha Luís A 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDCatechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT, EC 2.1.1.6) has been implicated in several human diseases including Parkinson's disease and the most appropriated therapy depends on the efficacy of the COMT inhibitors applied. Therefore, more effective drugs for COMT inhibition are important, and the development of such inhibitors requires research with recombinant COMT.RESULTSThe time‐course production of biologically active hexa‐histidine‐tagged COMT in methanol‐induced Pichia pastoris cultures was evaluated and immobilized‐metal affinity chromatography was applied as the main capture step for the purification of the target enzyme that proved to be extremely efficient and selective. The best strategy allowed recovering soluble COMT at 300 mmol L−1 imidazol in a highly purified fraction with a purification fold of 81 and a bioactivity recovery of 57.35%. Using this strategy, a concentration of 3.68 mg L−1 of shake‐flask culture of highly purified recombinant COMT was obtained. Finally, the MALDI‐TOF/TOF analysis of the purified recombinant SCOMT demonstrated that it is correctly processed since no modifications in the primary sequence were observed.CONCLUSIONA new strategy was developed and implemented for the biosynthesis and purification of biologically active soluble COMT in a highly purified fraction with the ability to be inhibited by commercial Parkinson's disease inhibitors: 3,5‐dinitrocatechol and entacapone. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
On the design of GaN Chireix power amplifiers using an embedding device model
Authors: Roblin Patrick , Chang Hsiu‐Chen , Martinez‐Rodriguez Francisco J. , Xie Chenggang , Martinez‐Lopez Jose I. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryAs wireless cellular communication keeps expanding toward higher bandwidth, multiband signals, and high frequencies of operation, the design of power efficient radio frequency power amplifiers (PAs) for cellular phone basestations is submitted to more stringent requirements. This paper discusses the promising technique of nonlinear embedding, which may help stream line the design of such PAs. To this order, the design of a GaN radio frequency PA from device modeling to circuit design is presented. The large signal modeling of GaN high‐electron‐mobility transistors including thermal and trapping memory effects is discussed first. The nonlinear embedding device model is then introduced using the concept of an anti‐circuit transfer network. This embedding device model is then applied to the design of a Chireix amplifier. New Chireix design equations are developed to work with the memoryless inner core of the embedding device model, and their validity is confirmed in circuit simulations. The Chireix amplifier is then designed using the multi‐harmonic impedance terminations predicted by the embedding device model for the package reference planes. Finally, the resulting Chireix amplifier is implemented in a circuit simulator with the original GaN high‐electron‐mobility transistors device model and verified in simulations to have a performance approaching that of the originally targeted Chireix at the current reference planes. These theoretical and simulation results demonstrate the potential of the nonlinear embedding PA design technique in the design of Chireix power amplifiers. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cross‐Linked Nano‐Objects Containing Aldehyde Groups: Synthesis via RAFT Dispersion Polymerization and Application
Authors: Qiu Liang , Xu Chao‐Ran , Zhong Feng , Hong Chun‐Yan , Pan Cai‐Yuan 
Published: February 2016

Pure cross‐linked spherical micelles, nanowires, and vesicles are successfully fabricated from poly(2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate‐b‐p‐(methacryloxyethoxy)benzaldehyde)s (PHPMA–b–PMAEBAs) through reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer dispersion polymerization of MAEBA in methanol using PHPMA as a macro‐CTA and subsequent cross‐linking. The cross‐linking reaction is conducted by stirring a mixture of 1,4‐butanediamine and the resultant nano‐objects in methanol at room temperature. For all polymerizations with feed molar ratios of MAEBA/PHPMA ranging from 75/1 to 240/1, the monomer MAEBA conversions are almost complete, and block copolymers with controlled molecular weight are obtained. The transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and gel permeation chromatography results reveal that the following three factors significantly influence the morphology of the nano‐objects: the feed molar ratio of MAEBA/PHPMA, the copolymer concentration, and the degree of polymerization of PHPMA. The cross‐linked nano‐objects are very stable in good solvents, the spheres and nanowires slightly decrease in size after cross‐linking, whereas the vesicles slightly increase in size. The cross‐linked nano‐objects are stable in neutral solutions, but they dissociate in weekly acidic solutions. The loading of 1‐pyrenemethylamine (PMA) into the vesicles and the unloading of PMA from the vesicles are studied.
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Effect of free‐breathing on left ventricular rotational mechanics in healthy subjects and patients with duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Reyhan Meral L. , Wang Zhe , Kim Hyun J. , Halnon Nancy J. , Finn J. Paul , Ennis Daniel B. 
Published: February 2016

PurposeCardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging exams can be performed during free‐breathing. This may be especially important for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) given their frequently limited breath‐hold abilities. The impact of the respiratory compensation method on quantitative measurements of left ventricular (LV) rotational mechanics is incompletely understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in LV rotational mechanics acquired during breath‐holding (BH), free‐breathing with averaging (AVG), and free‐breathing with respiratory bellows gating (BEL).MethodsLV short‐axis tagged images from healthy subjects (N = 16) and DMD patients (N = 5) were acquired with BH, AVG, and BEL. LV twist and circumferential‐longitudinal shear (CL‐shear) angle were measured using the Fourier Analysis of STimulated echoes (FAST) method.ResultsPeak LV twist estimates using BEL were significantly lower compared with BH in both healthy subjects (10.2 ± 3.6 ° versus 12.9 ± 2.3 °, P = 0.003) and patients with DMD (8.6 ± 3.6 ° versus 10.5 ± 3.6 °, P = 0.004). AVG results were in between BEL and BH. No significant differences in CL‐shear were detected between BEL and BH.ConclusionBreath‐holding directly affects estimates of peak LV twist, but not CL‐shear. Using a free‐breathing strategy for the evaluation of cardiac function is important for intrasubject longitudinal studies, intersubject comparisons, and multicenter trials for patients with DMD. Magn Reson Med 77:864–869, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Quantitative susceptibility mapping at 3 T: comparison of acquisition methodologies
Authors: Lauzon M. Louis , McCreary Cheryl R. , McLean D. Adam , Salluzzi Marina , Frayne Richard 
Published: February 2016

Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is fast becoming a routine clinical tool in the evaluation and assessment of neurological diseases. Unfortunately, there is currently no established standard scanning protocol, and it is uncertain whether different acquisition strategies alter the derived estimates of magnetic susceptibility. Here, we compare some key deep grey matter susceptibility values in healthy adults acquired from various QSM sequences using either unipolar or bipolar readout gradients, accelerated imaging or not, and gradient‐warp correction or not. Four healthy adult volunteers were scanned three times each within 4 days at 3 T. The eight different QSM combinations were acquired in different randomised order for each session, and then co‐registered to an anatomical atlas. The average and standard deviations of magnetic susceptibilities in the caudate, putamen, red nucleus, internal and external globus pallidus were used in a linear mixed effects model to determine the influence of the various acquisition parameters. Gradient‐warp correction was the only statistically significant fixed effect (p < 0.01), but its impact was small (~5% change) compared with the overall fixed effects. The random effects coefficients (i.e. the various tissues) were statistically significant. Based on our limited multiple observations in healthy adult volunteers, the susceptibilities in deep grey matter are statistically equivalent when QSM source data are acquired with or without accelerated imaging using either unipolar or bipolar readout gradients. There is, however, a statistically meaningful, but small, difference if gradient‐warp correction is used or not. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adipose tissue natriuretic peptide receptor expression is related to insulin sensitivity in obesity and diabetes
Authors: Kovacova Zuzana , Tharp William G. , Liu Dianxin , Wei Wan , Xie Hui , Collins Sheila , Pratley Richard E. 
Published: February 2016

ObjectiveCardiac natriuretic peptides (NPs) bind to two receptors (NPRA‐mediator of signaling; NPRC‐clearance receptor) whose ratio, NPRR (NPRA/NPRC), determines the NP bioactivity. This study investigated the relationship of NP receptor gene expression in adipose tissue and muscle with obesity and glucose intolerance. Prospectively, the study also assessed whether changes in NP receptor expression and thermogenic gene markers accompanied improvements of insulin sensitivity.MethodsA cross‐sectional study of subjects with a wide range of BMI and glucose tolerance (n = 50) was conducted, as well as a randomized 12‐week trial of subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with pioglitazone (n = 9) or placebo (n = 10).ResultsNPRR mRNA was significantly lower in adipose tissue of subjects with obesity when compared with lean subjects (P ≤ 0.001). NPRR decreased with progression from normal glucose tolerance to T2DM (P < 0.01) independently of obesity. Treatment of subjects with T2DM with pioglitazone increased NPRR in adipose tissue (P ≤ 0.01) in conjunction with improvements in insulin sensitivity and increases of the thermogenic markers PPARγ coactivator‐1α and uncoupling protein 1 (P ≤ 0.01).ConclusionsDecreased adipose tissue NPRR was associated with obesity, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance. This relationship was not observed for skeletal muscle NPRR. Pharmacological improvement of insulin sensitivity in subjects with T2DM was tied to improvement in NPRR and increased expression of genes involved in thermogenic processes.
Microsensors on the Fly
Authors: Himmelhaus Michael 
Published: February 2016

AbstractOptically driven microresonators freely floating in liquids, embedded into transparent solid media, or even taken up by life cells, can be exploited as optical microsensors, which yield precise information on the immediate local condition of their respective environment. Besides plain physical information, such as on local refractive indices, mechanical stress, and mixture ratios in composite materials, the sensors may be applied as chemical and even bio‐sensors for the specific targeting of biochemical binding reactions if accordingly functionalized. Sensitivity can be further improved by driving the sensors above the lasing threshold, thereby increasing signal intensity and optical resolution at the same time. In this article, we introduce the optical principles, present useful implementations, and illustrate feasibility of this still novel approach to optical sensing by a number of diverse examples.
Public Financial Management Reforms: The Role of Ipsas in Latin‐America
Authors: Brusca Isabel , Gómez‐villegas Mauricio , Montesinos Vicente 
Published: February 2016

SummaryDuring the last 30 years, many public administration reforms promoted by New Public Management have been undertaken. These reforms have spread to Latin‐American countries and include changes in governmental accounting systems, where the implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASs) has been a stimulus for modernization. This article aims to clarify the situation of IPSASs implementation in the Latin‐American context as well as the stimuli for and effects of their implementation. The analysis shows that there is an emerging international trend to adopt IPSASs in Latin‐American countries although at the same time, there are evident obstacles to achieving reform goals. In Colombia, reforms are still underway, and the usefulness of IPSASs to improve decision‐making at an organisational level cannot be evaluated. Meanwhile, in Peru, the modernization is more rhetorical than real, and many efforts remain to be made for the effective implementation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Down syndrome: perinatal mortality risks with each additional week of expectant management
Authors: Sparks Teresa N. , Griffin Emily , Page Jessica , Pilliod Rachel , Shaffer Brian L. , Caughey Aaron B. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the gestational age (GA) at which perinatal mortality risk is minimized for fetuses with Down syndrome (DS).MethodsRetrospective cohort of singleton pregnancies delivered between 24 and 41 weeks, using 2005–2006 United States linked birth and death certificate data. Among fetal DS cases, prospective risk of intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) and risk of infant death were calculated for each week, and composite risk of fetal/infant mortality with expectant management was compared to delivery.ResultsOf 3 113 098 pregnancies, 1766 had fetal DS (0.06%). IUFD occurred in 7.4% with DS, and infant death in 6.5%. Prospective risk of IUFD increased from 37 weeks onward to reach 50.7 per 1000 pregnancies (95% CI 33.2–68.3) at 42 weeks. Comparing mortality with expectant management to delivery, expectant management carried increasing risk from 38 (RR 1.18; 95% CI 1.05–1.33) to 41 weeks (RR 1.84; 95% CI 1.66–2.05). Further, number needed to deliver to avoid one excess death decreased from 38 (109.17; 95% CI 64.52–344.83) to 41 weeks (24.08; 95% CI 20.59–29.04).ConclusionsAlthough further research is needed to clarify risk factors for fetal and neonatal death in cases of DS, risk of perinatal mortality appears to be minimized with delivery at 38 weeks. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Embryo‐fetal erythroid cell selection from celomic fluid allows earlier prenatal diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies
Authors: Giambona Antonino , Damiani Gianfranca , Leto Filippo , Jakil Cristina , Renda Disma , Cigna Valentina , Schillaci Giovanna , Picciotto Francesco , Nicolaides Kypros H. , Passarello Cristina , Makrydimas George , Maggio Aurelio 
Published: February 2016

AbstractObjectiveCelocentesis, which involves aspiration of celomic fluid at 7–9 weeks' gestation, can potentially provide early prenatal diagnosis of single‐gene disorders. The main barrier to wide acceptability of this technique is contamination of the sample by maternal cells. This problem can be overcome through selection of embryo‐fetal erythroid precursors, which are found in celomatic fluid.MethodEmbryo‐fetal erythroid precursors were selected by an anti‐CD71 MicroBeads method or by direct micromanipulator pickup of the cells selected on the basis of their morphology.ResultsIn our series of 302 singleton pregnancies at high risk for hemoglobinopathies, Celocentesis provided a sample of celomic fluid in all cases. In 100 (33.1%) samples, maternal contamination was absent or very low (<5%), and unambiguous results were obtained without the need for any preliminary procedures. In 160 (53%) cases, the contamination was between 5% and 60%, and selection of embryo‐fetal erythroid precursors was successfully achieved by anti‐CD71 MicroBeads. In 42 (13.9%) cases, the contamination was >60%, and selection of embryo‐fetal cells was achieved by micromanipulation. In all 302 cases, there was concordance between DNA obtained from celomic fluid samples and fetal or newborn DNA.ConclusionsCelocentesis can be a reliable procedure for earlier prenatal diagnosis of fetal monogenic diseases. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Importance of anisotropy in detachment rates for force production and cargo transport by a team of motor proteins
Authors: Takshak Anjneya , Kunwar Ambarish 
Published: February 2016

AbstractMany cellular processes are driven by collective forces generated by a team consisting of multiple molecular motor proteins. One aspect that has received less attention is the detachment rate of molecular motors under mechanical force/load. While detachment rate of kinesin motors measured under backward force increases rapidly for forces beyond stall‐force; this scenario is just reversed for non‐yeast dynein motors where detachment rate from microtubule decreases, exhibiting a catch‐bond type behavior. It has been shown recently that yeast dynein responds anisotropically to applied load, i.e. detachment rates are different under forward and backward pulling. Here, we use computational modeling to show that these anisotropic detachment rates might help yeast dynein motors to improve their collective force generation in the absence of catch‐bond behavior. We further show that the travel distance of cargos would be longer if detachment rates are anisotropic. Our results suggest that anisotropic detachment rates could be an alternative strategy for motors to improve the transport properties and force production by the team.
On the estimation of the second largest eigenvalue of Markov ciphers
Authors: Xue Weijia , Lin Tingting , Shun Xin , Xue Fenglei , Lai Xuejia 
Published: February 2016

AbstractDifferential cryptanalysis is an effective tool in modern cryptanalysis. The differential chain of a Markov cipher forms a Markov chain, and the second largest eigenvalue (SLE) of the transition matrix determines the number of iterations such that the Markov cipher can resist differential cryptanalysis. Owing to the huge scale of the transition matrix, it is infeasible to compute the SLE. Thus, an estimation method would be desirable. We find two methods to estimate the SLE by using the elements of the row‐stochastic matrix in the literature. Their advantage is parallel computing, without generating the complete matrix. We apply these two methods to the transition matrix of International Data Encryption Algorithm(8) and investigate the accuracy of such estimation. Because the International Data Encryption Algorithm is a primitive Markov cipher, its transition matrix will converge to a uniform distribution. We use the power of the initial transition matrix to estimate the SLE for different number of rounds and compare the results. The errors of the estimation will be acceptable after several rounds when there are less zero elements in the transition matrix and the distribution is more uniform. Moreover, we present a simple relation between the SLE and the number of iterations that the Markov cipher requires against differential cryptanalysis and show the necessary condition of the matrix decomposition method. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.