bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Segmental Chromosomal Aberrations in Localized Neuroblastoma Can be Detected in Formalin‐Fixed Paraffin‐Embedded Tissue Samples and Are Associated With Recurrence
Authors: Pinto Navin , Mayfield Jodi R. , Raca Gordana , Applebaum Mark A. , Chlenski Alexandre , Sukhanova Madina , Bagatell Rochelle , Irwin Meredith S. , Little Anthony , Rawwas Jawhar , Gosiengfiao Yasmin , Delattre Olivier , Janoueix‐Lerosey Isabelle , Lapouble Eve , Schleiermacher Gudrun , Cohn Susan L. 
Published: February 2016

BackgroundArray comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analyses of frozen tumors have shown strong associations between the pattern of chromosomal aberrations and outcome in patients with advanced‐stage neuroblastoma. New platforms for analyzing chromosomal aberrations using formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissue have recently been developed. We sought to determine whether chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) using FFPE tumors is feasible and if segmental chromosomal aberrations were prognostic of recurrence in localized neuroblastoma.MethodsPatients with MYCN nonamplified International Neuroblastoma Staging System stage 1 and 2 disease who recurred were identified. CMA was performed with diagnostic FFPE samples using OncoScan™ FFPE Express 2.0. The prognostic significance of chromosomal pattern was validated in 105 patients with available CGH results.ResultsIn 26 evaluable patients, 11 recurred locally, nine had metastatic relapse, and six remained progression free >3 years from diagnosis. No chromosomal aberrations were identified in four tumors. Numerical chromosomal aberrations (NCAs) without segmental chromosomal aberration (SCA) were identified in 11 patients: six progressed locally, two had metastatic progression and 3 remained progression‐free. Eleven patients had SCAs: four progressed locally, six developed metastatic progression and one remained progression‐free. Five or more SCAs were only detected in tumors from patients who developed metastases (P = 0.0004). In the validation cohort, SCAs were associated with inferior event‐free survival (EFS) compared to NCA (5‐year EFS 68% ± 8.3% vs. 91% ± 3.6%, respectively; P = 0.0083).ConclusionsIt is feasible to evaluate chromosomal aberrations using FFPE neuroblastoma tissue. SCA is associated with inferior EFS in localized neuroblastoma patients, and multiple SCAs may be predictive of metastatic relapse.
The coalescence of polystyrene in correlated binary solvents
Authors: Besford Quinn A. , Liu Maoyuan , Beattie James K. , Gray‐Weale Angus 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTThe solution behavior of solvophobic polymers is crucial to the development of polymer coatings and polymeric drug delivery vehicles. In this article, the role of dipolar interactions is investigated in the solvophobic coalescence of polystyrene in binary correlated polar solvent mixtures. A simple model for coalescence thermodynamics is derived from correlations between thermally rotating dipole moments in the solvent. The stabilizing correlations lost to the solvent due to a solute's presence give rise to a driving force for the coalescence of solutes. This stabilization is offset by the entropy of mixing that favors the dispersion of solutes. Predictions are compared to the measured point of coalescence of polystyrene in acetone when different alcohols are titrated. The model is shown to capture this point of coalescence and conformation for a variety of systems. Our results suggest the significant property determining the solubility of nonpolar polymers in a polar liquid is a free energy resulting from attractive dispersion interactions between thermally rotating solvent dipole moments. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 948–955
A simple heated‐capillary modification improves the analysis of non‐covalent complexes by Z‐spray electrospray ionization
Authors: Lippens Jennifer L. , Mangrum J. B. , McIntyre William , Redick Bill , Fabris D. 
Published: February 2016

RationaleThe observation of intact non‐covalent complexes by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) hinges on the ability to minimize in‐source activation processes that take place during analyte desolvation. We explored the merits of replacing the sampling cone of a standard Z‐spray source with a heated capillary that makes the desolvation process slower and more gradual. We employed well‐characterized protein‐RNA, RNA‐RNA, and DNA–DNA assemblies to compare the alternative configurations.MethodsMass analysis evaluated the integrity of the complexes, whereas traveling wave ion mobility experiments assessed the stability of biomolecular structure. Analyses were performed back‐to‐back on the same samples on a Synapt G2 HDMS equipped with either the standard sampling cone or the heated‐capillary apparatus. In each configuration, the source/capillary temperature was varied in controlled fashion, while keeping all other desolvation parameters constant to monitor the in‐source dissociation of selected DNA duplexes. Ion mobility data were obtained from the same precursor by using the alternative configurations under the same settings.ResultsMonitoring the percentage of associated complex demonstrated that the heated capillary provided softer desolvation that was more conducive to the detection of intact non‐covalent interactions. This configuration failed to produce complete dissociation of 14 bp and 24 bp duplexes, even when the source/capillary temperature was increased well above their solution melting points. Analyzed by IMS‐MS, a selected construct displayed just one conformation with the heated capillary, but two with the standard sampling cone.ConclusionsThe heated capillary minimizes in‐source activation processes that can lead to unintended dissociation of complexes and perturbation of biomolecular structure, which rely on the integrity of non‐covalent interactions. This effect can be attributed to the attenuation of the supersonic expansion typical of the Z‐spray geometry and the greater ability to control the energy imparted to the system. This hardware modification will be expected to benefit the analysis of biomolecular structure performed on this particular instrumental platform. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proxy re‐encryption via indistinguishability obfuscation
Authors: Ohata Satsuya , Matsuura Kanta 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn this paper, we present a proxy re‐encryption (PRE) scheme via an indistinguishability obfuscation (
) by adding two algorithms to the public key encryption scheme by Sahai and Waters' (STOC 2014). Although a re‐encryption function from one public key to another can be considered as a randomized functionality on the underlying plaintext and that functionality can be achieved by using a probabilistic
by Canetti et al. (TCC2015), we need a sub‐exponential
to construct the probabilistic
. In our construction, we need not the probabilistic
but the standard
. In addition, our proposed PRE scheme has some good properties. That is, unidirectional re‐encryption, unbounded multi‐hop re‐encryption, constant‐size ciphertext, and fast decryption. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first construction of a multi‐hop and unidirectional PRE scheme. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular Analysis of Neutrophil Differentiation from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Delineates the Kinetics of Key Regulators of Hematopoiesis
Authors: Sweeney Colin L. , Teng Ruifeng , Wang Hongmei , Merling Randall K. , Lee Janet , Choi Uimook , Koontz Sherry , Wright Daniel G. , Malech Harry L. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
In vitro generation of mature neutrophils from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) requires hematopoietic progenitor development followed by myeloid differentiation. The purpose of our studies was to extensively characterize this process, focusing on the critical window of development between hemogenic endothelium, hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs), and myeloid commitment, to identify associated regulators and markers that might enable the stem cell field to improve the efficiency and efficacy of iPSC hematopoiesis. We utilized a four-stage differentiation protocol involving: embryoid body (EB) formation (stage-1); EB culture with hematopoietic cytokines (stage-2); HSPC expansion (stage-3); and neutrophil maturation (stage-4). CD34+CD45− putative hemogenic endothelial cells were observed in stage-3 cultures, and expressed VEGFR-2/Flk-1/KDR and VE-cadherin endothelial markers, GATA-2, AML1/RUNX1, and SCL/TAL1 transcription factors, and endothelial/HSPC-associated microRNAs miR-24, miR-125a-3p, miR-126/126*, and miR-155. Upon further culture, CD34+CD45− cells generated CD34+CD45+ HSPCs that produced hematopoietic CFUs. Mid-stage-3 CD34+CD45+ HSPCs exhibited increased expression of GATA-2, AML1/RUNX1, SCL/TAL1, C/EBPα, and PU.1 transcription factors, but exhibited decreased expression of HSPC-associated microRNAs, and failed to engraft in immune-deficient mice. Mid-stage-3 CD34−CD45+ cells maintained PU.1 expression and exhibited increased expression of hematopoiesis-associated miR-142-3p/5p and a trend towards increased miR-223 expression, indicating myeloid commitment. By late Stage-4, increased CD15, CD16b, and C/EBPε expression were observed, with 25%-65% of cells exhibiting morphology and functions of mature neutrophils. These studies demonstrate that hematopoiesis and neutrophil differentiation from human iPSCs recapitulates many features of embryonic hematopoiesis and neutrophil production in marrow, but reveals unexpected molecular signatures that may serve as a guide for enhancing iPSC hematopoiesis.
Concise Review: Primary Cilia: Control Centers for Stem Cell Lineage Specification and Potential Targets for Cell-Based Therapies
Authors: Bodle Josephine C. , Loboa Elizabeth G. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Directing stem cell lineage commitment prevails as the holy grail of translational stem cell research, particularly to those interested in the application of mesenchymal stem cells and adipose-derived stem cells in tissue engineering. However, elucidating the mechanisms underlying their phenotypic specification persists as an active area of research. In recent studies, the primary cilium structure has been intimately associated with defining cell phenotype, maintaining stemness, as well as functioning in a chemo, electro, and mechanosensory capacity in progenitor and committed cell types. Many hypothesize that the primary cilium may indeed be another important player in defining and controlling cell phenotype, concomitant with lineage-dictated cytoskeletal dynamics. Many of the studies on the primary cilium have emerged from disparate areas of biological research, and crosstalk amongst these areas of research is just beginning. To date, there has not been a thorough review of how primary cilia fit into the current paradigm of stem cell differentiation and this review aims to summarize the current cilia work in this context. The goal of this review is to highlight the cilium's function and integrate this knowledge into the working knowledge of stem cell biologists and tissue engineers developing regenerative medicine technologies.
Phylogenetic analysis of Dermatophilus congolensis isolated from naturally infected cattle in Abeokuta and Ilorin, Nigeria
Authors: Oladunni Fatai S. , Oyekunle Mufutau A. , Talabi Adewale O. , Ojo Olufemi E. , Takeet Michael I. , Adam Mohammed , Raufu Ibrahim A. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractDermatophilus congolensis, the aetiological agent of dermatophilosis, is a pleomorphic, Gram‐positive actinomycete, which infects animals and humans. Often, there is a wrong diagnosis of the infection in animals because of the close resemblance of the organism with other members of the family Actinomycetaceae. In this study, molecular tools were applied to suspected isolates of D. congolensis obtained from naturally infected cattle in Nigeria for confirmation of dermatophilosis. DNA extraction from 54 suspected pure colonies of D. congolensis was carried out using the QIAamp® DNA Mini extraction kit. PCR targeted at the 16S rRNA gene was employed for the confirmation of D. congolensis using 5′‐ACATGCAAGTCGAACGATGA‐3′ and 5′‐ACGCTCGCACCCTACGTATT‐3′ as forward and reverse primers, respectively. Positive amplicons were then sequenced directly using Big Dye Terminator Cycle Sequencing Kit with the forward primers and AmpliTaq‐FS DNA Polymerase. Nucleotide sequences were aligned using bioedit (Ibis Biosciences Carlsbad, CA USA) and the phylogenetic analysis was carried out using mega 5.2 (Center for Evolutionary Medicine and Informatics, The Biodesign Institute, Tempe, Arizona, USA) software programme. The aligned nucleotide sequences of 10 positive D. congolensis isolates had between 94% to 99% homology with the sequences of D. congolensis satellite DNA in GenBank. This result also revealed that the sequenced D. congolensis are of different strains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that D. congolensis, though closely related to Nocardia brasiliensis (NR 074743.01) and Streptomyces sp. (JN 400114.1), belongs to different genus. In conclusion, molecular tools employed in the study were able to confirm the identity of the test organisms as D. congolensis. It can also be concluded that two strains of D. congolensis obtained from the study can still be accommodated within the previously listed strains available in GenBank while the remaining eight may be different strains of D. congolensis not yet listed in GenBank.
Presence of the red imported fire ant at gopher tortoise nests
Authors: Dziadzio Michelina C. , Long Andrea K. , Smith Lora L. , Chandler Richard B. , Castleberry Steven B. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACTRed imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta; fire ants) are predators of turtle (Testudine) eggs and hatchlings, but little information is available indicating how and when fire ants detect turtle nests during incubation. Therefore, during 2014, we compared fire ant presence at gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) nests in burrow aprons in early and late incubation with paired burrow aprons that did not contain eggs. To determine whether fire ants were attracted to soil disturbance associated with nesting, we compared fire ant presence at physically disturbed burrow aprons without eggs (i.e., simulated empty nests) with paired burrow aprons with no disturbance or eggs at Ichauway, Georgia, USA. We found fire ants more frequently at nests than at paired aprons early in incubation, but not late in incubation. Additionally, we found no difference in fire ant presence between simulated empty nests and paired sites. Our results indicate that fire ants are attracted to gopher tortoise nests because of a factor other than the initial soil disturbance that accompanies nest deposition, possibly the mucous and moisture released by the female as eggs are laid. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Bioattenuation of Detergent Plant Effluents Enhanced via Single Microbial Augmentations
Authors: Icgen Bulent , Salik Salih Batuhan , Goksu Lale , Ulusoy Huseyin , Yilmaz Fadime 
Published: February 2016

AbstractDue to natural attenuation, anionic detergents in surface waters are not inferred as big environmental issues. However, the effluents from large industrial areas with high detergent concentrations can have significant local impacts. These circumstances can be diminished by using efficient detergent‐degrading bacterial isolates through bioaugmentation. In this study, detergent plant effluents were analysed by using a methylene blue active substance assay to determine detergent content during natural attenuation processes, and after single augmentations of 12 anionic detergent‐degrading bacterial isolates with high detergent tolerating abilities in batch microcosms. Maximum bioattenuation of detergents was determined as 56 % after 66 h incubation under the conditions that mimicked the natural environment. Bioattenuation was enhanced as much as 83 and 91 % in 78 h incubation time through single microbial augmentations of filter‐sterilized and non‐sterilized effluents, respectively. Eight Pseudomonas and one Aeromonas species were found to be highly competitive by showing high biodegradation abilities in pure culture experiments as well as enhancing degradation of detergents in both filter‐sterilized and non‐sterilized effluents through their single augmentations. Although remaining three isolates, namely Pseudomonas fluorescens SDS6, P. resinovorans SDS10‐2, and P. corrugata SDS10‐3 displayed lower degrading abilities in pure culture experiments than the natural attenuation, they later turned out to be actively enhancing the degradation of detergents during their single augmentations.
The effect of social media interactions on customer relationship management
Authors: Maecker Olaf , Barrot Christian , Becker Jan U. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn recent years, social media have become a popular channel through which customers and companies can interact. However, companies struggle to assess whether their investments in establishing and maintaining brand pages in social media actually meet their high expectations with respect to developing and retaining customers. Based on three empirical studies, the authors explore the role of interactions through corporate social media channels, such as Facebook brand pages, in customer relationship management. The results indicate that social media interactions indeed ease the upselling efforts and reduce the risk of churn. These positive effects offset the observed increases with regard to the number of service requests and the higher overall service cost. Thus, we ultimately find customers who interact with the brand on social media to be more profitable.
Finite group extensions of shifts of finite type: -theory, Parry and Livšic
Authors: BOYLE MIKE , SCHMIEDING SCOTT 
Published: February 2016

This paper extends and applies algebraic invariants and constructions for mixing finite group extensions of shifts of finite type. For a finite abelian group$G$, Parry showed how to define a$G$-extension$S_{A}$from a square matrix over$\mathbb{Z}_{+}G$, and classified the extensions up to topological conjugacy by the strong shift equivalence class of$A$over$\mathbb{Z}_{+}G$. Parry asked, in this case, if the dynamical zeta function$\det (I-tA)^{-1}$(which captures the ‘periodic data’ of the extension) would classify the extensions by$G$of a fixed mixing shift of finite type up to a finite number of topological conjugacy classes. When the algebraic$\text{K}$-theory group$\text{NK}_{1}(\mathbb{Z}G)$is non-trivial (e.g. for$G=\mathbb{Z}/n$with$n$not square-free) and the mixing shift of finite type is not just a fixed point, we show that the dynamical zeta function for any such extension is consistent with an infinite number of topological conjugacy classes. Independent of$\text{NK}_{1}(\mathbb{Z}G)$, for every non-trivial abelian$G$we show that there exists a shift of finite type with an infinite family of mixing non-conjugate$G$extensions with the same dynamical zeta function. We define computable complete invariants for the periodic data of the extension for$G$(not necessarily abelian), and extend all the above results to the non-abelian case. There is other work on basic invariants. The constructions require the ‘positive$K$-theory’ setting for positive equivalence of matrices over$\mathbb{Z}G[t]$.
An improved MCMC algorithm for generating random graphs from constrained distributions
Authors: TAO TREVOR 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe consider the problem of generating uniformly random graphs from a constrained distribution. A graph is valid if it obeys certain constraints such as a given number of nodes, edges,k-stars or degree sequence, and each graph must occur with equal probability. A typical application is to confirm the correctness of a model by repeated sampling and comparing statistical properties against empirical data. Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms are often used, but have certain difficulties such as the inability to search the space of all possible valid graphs. We propose an improved algorithm which overcomes these difficulties. Although each individual iteration of the MCMC algorithm takes longer, we obtain better coverage of the search space in the same amount of time. This leads to better estimates of various quantities such as the expected number of transitive triads given the constraints. The algorithm should be of general interest with many possible applications, including the world wide web, biological, and social networks.
Exogenous citrate impairs glucose tolerance and promotes visceral adipose tissue inflammation in mice
Authors: Leandro João G. B. , Espindola-Netto Jair M. , Vianna Maria Carolina F. , Gomez Lilian S. , DeMaria Thaina M. , Marinho-Carvalho Monica M. , Zancan Patricia , Paula Neto Heitor A. , Sola-Penna Mauro 
Published: February 2016

AbstractOverweight and obesity have become epidemic worldwide and are linked to sedentary lifestyle and the consumption of processed foods and drinks. Citrate is a metabolite that plays central roles in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. In addition, citrate is the additive most commonly used by the food industry, and therefore is highly consumed. Extracellular citrate can freely enter the cells via the constitutively expressed plasma membrane citrate transporter. Within the cytosol, citrate is readily metabolised by ATP-citrate lyase into acetyl-CoA – the metabolic precursor of endogenously produced lipids and cholesterol. We therefore hypothesised that the citrate ingested from processed foods and drinks could contribute to increased postprandial fat production and weight gain. To test our hypothesis, we administered citrate to mice through their drinking water with or without sucrose and monitored their weight gain and other metabolic parameters. Our results showed that mice receiving citrate or citrate+sucrose did not show increased weight gain or an increase in the weight of the liver, skeletal muscles or adipose tissues (AT). Moreover, the plasma lipid profiles (TAG, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL) were similar across all groups. However, the group receiving citrate+sucrose showed augmented fasting glycaemia, glucose intolerance and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10) in their AT. Therefore, our results suggest that citrate consumption contributes to increased AT inflammation and altered glucose metabolism, which is indicative of initial insulin resistance. Thus, citrate consumption could be a previously unknown causative agent for the complications associated with obesity.
Noninvasive genetic census of greater one-horned rhinocerosRhinoceros unicornisin Gorumara National Park, India: a pilot study for population estimation
Authors: Borthakur Udayan , Das Pranjal Kumar , Talukdar Anjan , Talukdar Bibhab Kumar 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe greater one-horned rhinocerosRhinoceros unicornisis a flagship species for conservation in protected areas in India and Nepal. In India the species is afforded the highest level of legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Although censuses of greater one-horned rhinoceros have been carried out for decades using the traditional total count method, no advanced scientific approach has been adopted for population estimation of the species in India or elsewhere. We optimized noninvasive genetic techniques for identification of greater one-horned rhinoceros from dung samples, and applied these to estimate the number of rhinoceros in Gorumara National Park, in West Bengal, India. Our results confirmed the presence of 43 individuals from 60 dung samples collected throughout the Park in 2011. We confirmed a male-to-female sex ratio of 3.8 : 1, based on analysis of DNA from dung samples, using a y-chromosome linked marker. Our results are in concordance with a census carried out by the West Bengal Forest Department that found 42 rhinoceros in the Park, with a male-to-female sex ratio of 3.5 : 1. Our study thus demonstrates the feasibility of using a noninvasive genetic approach for population estimation of greater one-horned rhinoceros in the wild.