bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of copy number alterations in a mouse model of fibrosis‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma reveals concordance with human disease
Authors: Chappell Grace , Silva Grace O. , Uehara Takeki , Pogribny Igor P. , Rusyn Ivan 
Published: January 2016

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent human cancer with rising incidence worldwide. Human HCC is frequently associated with chronic liver inflammation and cirrhosis, pathophysiological processes that are a consequence of chronic viral infection, disturbances in metabolism, or exposure to chemical toxicants. To better characterize the pathogenesis of HCC, we used a human disease‐relevant mouse model of fibrosis‐associated hepatocarcinogenesis. In this model, marked liver tumor response caused by the promutagenic chemical N‐nitrosodiethylamine in the presence of liver fibrosis was associated with epigenetic events indicative of genomic instability. Therefore, we hypothesized that DNA copy number alterations (CNAs), a feature of genomic instability and a common characteristic of cancer, are concordant between human HCC and mouse models of fibrosis‐associated hepatocarcinogenesis. We evaluated DNA CNAs and changes in gene expression in the mouse liver (normal, tumor, and nontumor fibrotic tissues). Additionally, we compared our findings to DNA CNAs in human HCC cases (tumor and nontumor cirrhotic/fibrotic tissues) using publicly available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We observed that while fibrotic liver tissue is largely devoid of DNA CNAs, highly frequently occurring DNA CNAs are found in mouse tumors, which is indicative of a profound increase in chromosomal instability in HCC. The cross‐species gene‐level comparison of CNAs identified shared regions of CNAs between human fibrosis‐ and cirrhosis‐associated liver tumors and mouse fibrosis‐associated HCC. Our results suggest that CNAs most commonly arise in neoplastic tissue rather than in fibrotic or cirrhotic liver, and demonstrate the utility of this mouse model in replicating the molecular features of human HCC.
Musashi2 as a novel predictive biomarker for liver metastasis and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Zong Zhen , Zhou Taicheng , Rao Liangjun , Jiang Zhipeng , Li Yingru , Hou Zehui , Yang Bin , Han Fanghai , Chen Shuang 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAberrant expression of musashi2 (MSI‐2) has been detected in several malignancies. However, its role in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unknown. Our study was designed to investigate the expression and prognostic significance of MSI‐2 protein in patients with colorectal cancer. The expression of MSI‐2 was detected in 164 patients’ colorectal cancer and control specimens by the tissue microarray technique and immunohistochemical staining. The correlations between MSI‐2 expression and clinicopathological variables including overall survival were analyzed. The prognostic value of liver metastasis is evaluated by logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. MSI‐2 was highly expressed in 32.9% (54/164) of the colorectal cancer. Overexpression of MSI‐2 was associated with depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, liver metastasis, Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) clinical stage, and Carcinoembryonicantigen (CEA) level (P = 0.040, 0.014, <0.001, <0.001, 0.003, and 0.002, respectively). In the Cox multivariate test, MSI‐2 overexpression, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis were found to be the independent prognostic factors (P = 0.027, 0.010, and 0.001, respectively). Further logistic regression suggested that TNM stage and MSI‐2 high expression were related to liver metastasis in colorectal cancer patients. Conclusively, our study indicates that MSI‐2 overexpression is associated with an unfavorable prognosis and may be a potential biomarker for liver metastasis in colorectal cancer patients.
Advantages of the Quadruple Screen over noninvasive prenatal testing
Authors: Keller Nathan A. , Rijshinghani Asha 
Published: January 2016

Key Clinical MessageNoninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is becoming increasingly popular with some offering it as a primary screen option in all patients in place of serum screening. Serum screening offers insight into placental function, which NIPT does not. Abnormal levels of analytes in the serum screen have been associated with pregnancy complications.
Sample‐size calculation for tests of homogeneity
Authors: Chen Jiahua , Li Pengfei , Liu Yukun 
Published: January 2016

AbstractMixture models are widely used to explain excessive variation in observations that is not captured by standard parametric models, and they lead to suggestive latent structures. The hypothetical latent structure often needs critical examination based on experimental data. It is therefore important to know the sample size needed to ensure a reasonable chance of success. We investigate this issue for the EM‐test and the test. They are shown to be asymptotically equivalent and have simple limiting distributions under two sets of local alternatives for commonly used mixture models. We obtain a simple sample‐size formula and an associated simulation‐based calibration procedure, and we demonstrate via data examples and simulation studies that they provide useful guidance for several common mixture models. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 44: 82–101; 2016 © 2016 Statistical Society of Canada
Localization of the M2 muscarinic cholinergic receptor in dendrites, cholinergic terminals, and noncholinergic terminals in the rat basolateral amygdala: An ultrastructural analysis
Authors: Muller Jay F. , Mascagni Franco , Zaric Violeta , Mott David D. , McDonald Alexander J. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTActivation of M2 muscarinic receptors (M2Rs) in the rat anterior basolateral nucleus (BLa) is critical for the consolidation of memories of emotionally arousing events. The present investigation used immunocytochemistry at the electron microscopic level to determine which structures in the BLa express M2Rs. In addition, dual localization of M2R and the vesicular acetylcholine transporter protein (VAChT), a marker for cholinergic axons, was performed to determine whether M2R is an autoreceptor in cholinergic axons innervating the BLa. M2R immunoreactivity (M2R‐ir) was absent from the perikarya of pyramidal neurons, with the exception of the Golgi complex, but was dense in the proximal dendrites and axon initial segments emanating from these neurons. Most perikarya of nonpyramidal neurons were also M2R–negative. About 95% of dendritic shafts and 60% of dendritic spines were M2 immunoreactive (M2R+). Some M2R+ dendrites had spines, suggesting that they belonged to pyramidal cells, whereas others had morphological features typical of nonpyramidal neurons. M2R‐ir was also seen in axon terminals, most of which formed asymmetrical synapses. The main targets of M2R+ terminals forming asymmetrical (putative excitatory) synapses were dendritic spines, most of which were M2R+. The main targets of M2R+ terminals forming symmetrical (putative inhibitory or neuromodulatory) synapses were unlabeled perikarya and M2R+ dendritic shafts. M2R‐ir was also seen in VAChT+ cholinergic terminals, indicating a possible autoreceptor role. These findings suggest that M2R‐mediated mechanisms in the BLa are very complex, involving postsynaptic effects in dendrites as well as regulating release of glutamate, γ‐aminobutyric acid, and acetylcholine from presynaptic axon terminals. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:2400–2417, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synaptic circuitry of identified neurons in the antennal lobe of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Rybak Jürgen , Talarico Giovanni , Ruiz Santiago , Arnold Christopher , Cantera Rafael , Hansson Bill S. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTIn Drosophila melanogaster olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) establish synapses with projection neurons (PNs) and local interneurons within antennal lobe (AL) glomeruli. Substantial knowledge regarding this circuitry has been obtained by functional studies, whereas ultrastructural evidence of synaptic contacts is scarce. To fill this gap, we studied serial sections of three glomeruli using electron microscopy. Ectopic expression of a membrane‐bound peroxidase allowed us to map synaptic sites along PN dendrites. Our data prove for the first time that each of the three major types of AL neurons is both pre‐ and postsynaptic to the other two types, as previously indicated by functional studies. PN dendrites carry a large proportion of output synapses, with approximately one output per every three input synapses. Detailed reconstructions of PN dendrites showed that these synapses are distributed unevenly, with input and output sites partially segregated along a proximal–distal gradient and the thinnest branches carrying solely input synapses. Moreover, our data indicate synapse clustering, as we found evidence of dendritic tiling of PN dendrites. PN output synapses exhibited T‐shaped presynaptic densities, mostly arranged as tetrads. In contrast, output synapses from putative OSNs showed elongated presynaptic densities in which the T‐bar platform was supported by several pedestals and contacted as many as 20 postsynaptic profiles. We also discovered synaptic contacts between the putative OSNs. The average synaptic density in the glomerular neuropil was about two synapses/µm3. These results are discussed with regard to current models of olfactory glomerular microcircuits across species. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:1920–1956, 2016. © 2016 The Authors The Journal of Comparative Neurology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Highly Selective Oxidation of Carbohydrates in an Efficient Electrochemical Energy Converter: Cogenerating Organic Electrosynthesis
Authors: Holade Yaovi , Servat Karine , Napporn Teko W. , Morais Cláudia , Berjeaud Jean‐Marc , Kokoh Kouakou B. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe selective electrochemical conversion of highly functionalized organic molecules into electricity, heat, and added‐value chemicals for fine chemistry requires the development of highly selective, durable, and low‐cost catalysts. Here, we propose an approach to make catalysts that can convert carbohydrates into chemicals selectively and produce electrical power and recoverable heat. A 100 % Faradaic yield was achieved for the selective oxidation of the anomeric carbon of glucose and its related carbohydrates (C1‐position) without any function protection. Furthermore, the direct glucose fuel cell (DGFC) enables an open‐circuit voltage of 1.1 V in 0.5 m NaOH to be reached, a record. The optimized DGFC delivers an outstanding output power Pmax=2 mW cm−2 with the selective conversion of 0.3 m glucose, which is of great interest for cogeneration. The purified reaction product will serve as a raw material in various industries, which thereby reduces the cost of the whole sustainable process.
Graphene‐Encapsulated Nanosheet‐Assembled Zinc–Nickel–Cobalt Oxide Microspheres for Enhanced Lithium Storage
Authors: Zhang Qiaobao , Chen Huixin , Han Xiang , Cai Junjie , Yang Yong , Liu Meilin , Zhang Kaili 
Published: January 2016

AbstractInvited for this month′s cover are the groups of Profs. Y. Yong (City University Hong Kong), M. Liu (Georgia Institute of Technology), and K. Zhang (Xiamen University). The image shows zinc–nickel–cobalt oxide microspheres coated with graphene nanosheets, which significantly enhances their cyclability when used in Li‐ion batteries. The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.201501151.
Reliability of fine‐needle aspiration and ultrasound‐based characteristics of thyroid nodules for diagnosing malignancy in Iranian patients
Authors: Akhavan Asghar , Jafari Seyyed Mehrdad , Khosravi Mohammad Hossein , Khajehpour Hojjatollah , Karimi‐Sari Hamidreza 
Published: January 2016

BackgroundSonography and fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNA‐B) have been approved as method of choice in diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules. Unnecessary FNA‐B not only is invasive and costly but also results in second biopsy or unnecessary surgery. So we aimed to determine the specificity and sensitivity of sonography and FNA‐B, without sonography guidance, in diagnosis of malignant and benign thyroid nodules.MethodsPatients with thyroid nodule referred to Baqiyatallah Hospital in 2014–2015 and candidates for surgical nodule resection were selected using simple random sampling method. Patients were evaluated by sonography and FNA. Sonographic characteristics of nodule were described. All patients underwent surgical resection and gross samples were sent for pathological evaluation, the gold standard for measuring the specificity and sensitivity of sonographic findings and FNA in diagnosis of malignant nodules.ResultsNinety patients with the mean age of 45.95 ± 12.3 years were evaluated (17 male and 73 female). Comparing the patients with correct and incorrect sonography‐based diagnosis showed significant differences in nodule's width, area, calcification, border, and cervical lymphadenopathy (P < 0.05). Comparing the patients with correct and incorrect FNA‐based diagnosis showed significant differences in patients' age and tall‐shape nodule (P < 0.05). The diagnosis of sonographist had 56.25% sensitivity and 95.9% specificity, and the FNA‐based diagnosis had 81.25% sensitivity and 93.7% specificity.ConclusionAmong sonography findings, width and area of nodule, calcification, and nodule border have significant effect on malignancy diagnosis. Also FNA is necessary in nodules with calcification, border irregularity, and less width and area, especially in younger patients. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:269–273. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effects of habitat management on the species, phylogenetic and functional diversity of bees are modified by the environmental context
Authors: Sydenham Markus A. K. , Moe Stein R. , Stanescu‐Yadav Diana N. , Totland Ørjan , Eldegard Katrine 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAnthropogenic landscape elements, such as roadsides, hedgerows, field edges, and power line clearings, can be managed to provide important habitats for wild bees. However, the effects of habitat improvement schemes in power line clearings on components of diversity are poorly studied. We conducted a large‐scale experiment to test the effects of different management practices on the species, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of wild bees in power line clearings (n = 19 sites across southeastern Norway) and explored whether any treatment effects were modified by the environmental context. At each site, we conducted the following treatments: (1) Cut: all trees cut and left to decay in the clearing; (2) Cut + Remove: all trees cut and removed from the plot; and (3) Uncut: uncleared. The site‐specific environmental context (i.e., elevation and floral diversity) influenced the species, phylogenetic, and functional diversity within bee species assemblages. The largest number of species was found in the Cut + Remove treatment in plots with a high forb species richness, indicating that the outcome of management practices depends on the environmental context. Clearing of treatment plots with many forb species also appeared to alter the phylogenetic composition of bee species assemblages, that is, more closely related species were found in the Cut and the Cut + Remove plots than in the Uncut plots. Synthesis and applications: Our experimental simulation of management practices in power line clearings influenced the species, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of bee species assemblages. Frequent clearing and removal of the woody debris at low elevations with a high forb species richness can increase the value of power line clearings for solitary bees. It is therefore important for managers to consider the environmental context when designing habitat improvement schemes for solitary bees.
A widely used spectrophotometric assay to quantify olive oil biophenols according to the health claim (EU Reg. 432/2012)
Authors: Reboredo‐Rodríguez Patricia , Valli Enrico , Bendini Alessandra , Di Lecce Giuseppe , Simal‐Gándara Jesus , Gallina Toschi Tullia 
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this work was to find a simple, cheap, and suitable method, among the most widely employed, able to guarantee a proper determination and quantification of the phenolic content of extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs), in order to satisfy the requirements of the specific health claim (EU Reg. 432/2012). Total phenolic content by Folin–Ciocalteu (FC) was used and compared versus phenolic profile by HPLC‐UV, considering this latter as the most sensitive and specific method for evaluating the phenolic content. Both protocols were performed before and after an acid hydrolysis of the polar phenolic fraction that involves a break of the bound forms of hydroxytyrosol (HTyr) and tyrosol (Tyr), with a simplification of the phenolic profile, and quantification of their total free forms. Results of the phenolic compounds of twelve EVOOs, determined by the different analytical approaches, were statistically compared by means of two‐tailed paired t‐tests: data obtained by the FC assay (expressed as HTyr) before and/or after acid hydrolysis were statistically comparable with results obtained by acid hydrolysis‐HPLC (as sum of HTyr and Tyr).Practical applications: The promising results obtained in this study show that the simple and cheap colorimetric assay based on the use of the FC reagent, commonly used for the evaluation of phenolic compounds in hydro‐alcoholic extracts of EVOO, can be also efficiently applied, without acid hydrolysis of extracts and HPLC analysis, to verify the compliance to the polyphenols health claim introduced by EU Reg. 432/2012. In fact, in order to preserve the positive image of EVOO due to its healthy properties, it is necessary i) to share an analytical protocol to determine the amount of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives having a demonstrated effect of protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress ii) to check by this protocol if EVOOs satisfy the EU requirement for including the specific health claim on the oil label.The simple and cheap Folin–Ciocalteu colorimetric assay, commonly used for the evaluation of phenolic compounds in hydro‐alcoholic extracts of EVOO, can also be efficiently applied to verify the compliance to the health claim introduced by EU Reg. 432/2012.
Acyl migration in enzymatic interesterification of triacylglycerols: Effects of lipases from Thermomyces lanuginosus and Rhizopus oryzae, support material, and water activity
Authors: Cao Xi , Mangas‐Sánchez Juan , Feng Fengqin , Adlercreutz Patrick 
Published: January 2016

The enzymatic interesterification of a solvent‐free, equimolar mixture of trilaurin and 1,3‐palmitin‐2‐olein was studied using three immobilized lipase preparations as catalysts. Analysis of triacylglycerol (TAG) content and fatty acid (FA) distribution monitored the lipase‐catalyzed interesterification in sn‐1,3 positions and FA exchange in the sn‐2 position caused by acyl migration. Lipase from Rhizopus oryzae immobilized on polypropylene showed high sn‐1,3 regioselectivity, and minimal exchange in the sn‐2 position. With lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus on silica (Lipozyme® TL IM), completely randomized FA distribution was obtained in 24 h. T. lanuginosus lipase on polypropylene caused a moderate rate of FA exchange in the sn‐2 position. Thus, the T. lanuginosus lipase and silica promoted randomization of FA distribution, whereas the R. oryzae lipase and polypropylene did not. Higher water activity promoted hydrolysis and thereby increased concentrations of partial acylglycerols, but at the same time a decrease in the acyl migration rate of these intermediates was also observed. The net result was that at a certain degree of interesterification, there was no significant effect of water activity on the degree of exchange in the sn‐2 position. On the other hand, a low water activity had the major advantage of giving a high yield of TAG.Practical applications: Both the type and the position of FA affect the properties of TAG. In TAG interesterification, there are thus different requirements for regiospecificity in FA exchange, depending on which product is desired. According to our results, lipase‐based catalysts can be used for TAG interesterification either to achieve unchanged FA composition in sn‐2 position or fast FA randomization in all positions. This helps to broaden the application of lipases in interesterification. The production of TAG can be tailor‐made for lipid mixtures with particular TAG composition and FA distribution using proper lipases, support materials, water activity, and reaction time.The enzymatic LLL–POP model reaction was used to investigate effects of lipase, support material, and water activity on acyl migration. (Fig. A): effect of Lipozyme® TL IM, TLPP and ROPP at aw 0.26, (Fig. B): effect of aw between 0.15 and 0.80 using Lipozyme® TL IM as the example.
Geomorphological control on boulder transport and coastal erosion before, during and after an extreme extra‐tropical cyclone
Authors: Naylor Larissa A. , Stephenson Wayne J. , Smith Helen C. M. , Way Oliver , Mendelssohn James , Cowley Andrew 
Published: January 2016

AbstractExtreme wave events in coastal zones are principal drivers of geomorphic change. Evidence of boulder entrainment and erosional impact during storms is increasing. However, there is currently poor time coupling between pre‐ and post‐storm measurements of coastal boulder deposits. Importantly there are no data reporting shore platform erosion, boulder entrainment and/or boulder transport during storm events – rock coast dynamics during storm events are currently unexplored. Here, we use high‐resolution (daily) field data to measure and characterize coastal boulder transport before, during and after the extreme Northeast Atlantic extra‐tropical cyclone Johanna in March 2008. Forty‐eight limestone fine‐medium boulders (n = 46) and coarse cobbles (n = 2) were tracked daily over a 0.1 km2 intertidal area during this multi‐day storm. Boulders were repeatedly entrained, transported and deposited, and in some cases broken down (n = 1) or quarried (n = 3), during the most intense days of the storm. Eighty‐one percent (n = 39) of boulders were located at both the start and end of the storm. Of these, 92% were entrained where entrainment patterns were closely aligned to wave parameters. These data firmly demonstrate rock coasts are dynamic and vulnerable under storm conditions. No statistically significant relationship was found between boulder size (mass) and net transport distance. Graphical analyses suggest that boulder size limits the maximum longshore transport distance but that for the majority of boulders lying under this threshold, other factors influence transport distance. Paired analysis of 20 similar sized and shaped boulders in different morphogenic zones demonstrates that geomorphological control affects entrainment and transport distance – where net transport distances were up to 39 times less where geomorphological control was greatest. These results have important implications for understanding and for accurately measuring and modelling boulder entrainment and transport. Coastal managers require these data for assessing erosion risk. © 2016 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.