bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Biophysical Probes 2-fluorohistidine and 4-fluorohistidine: Spectroscopic Signatures and Molecular Properties
Authors: Kasireddy Chandana , Ellis Jonathan M. , Bann James G. , Mitchell-Koch Katie R. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractFluorinated amino acids serve as valuable biological probes, by reporting on local protein structure and dynamics through 19F NMR chemical shifts. 2-fluorohistidine and 4-fluorohistidine, studied here with DFT methods, have even more capabilities for biophysical studies, as their altered pKa values, relative to histidine, allow for studies of the role of proton transfer and tautomeric state in enzymatic mechanisms. Considering the two tautomeric forms of histidine, it was found that 2-fluorohistidine primarily forms the common (for histidine) τ-tautomer at neutral pH, while 4-fluorohistidine exclusively forms the less common π-tautomer. This suggests the two isomers of fluorohistidine can also serve as probes of tautomeric form within biomolecules, both by monitoring NMR chemical shifts and by potential perturbation of the tautomeric equilibrium within biomolecules. Fluorine also enables assignment of tautomeric states in crystal structures. The differences in experimental pKa values between the isomers was found to arise from solvation effects, providing insight into the polarization and molecular properties of each isomer. Results also encompass 13C and 19F NMR chemical shifts, from both tautomers of 2-fluorohistidine and 4-fluorohistidine in a number of different environments. This work can serve as a guide for interpretation of spectroscopic results in biophysical studies employing 2-fluorohistidine and 4-fluorohistidine.
Acyl Ghrelin Induces Insulin Resistance Independently of GH, Cortisol, and Free Fatty Acids
Authors: Vestergaard Esben T. , Jessen Niels , Møller Niels , Jørgensen Jens Otto Lunde 
Published: February 2017

AbstractGhrelin produced in the gut stimulates GH and ACTH secretion from the pituitary and also stimulates appetite and gastric emptying. We have shown that ghrelin also induces insulin resistance via GH-independent mechanisms, but it is unknown if this effect depends on ambient fatty acid (FFA) levels. We investigated the impact of ghrelin and pharmacological antilipolysis (acipimox) on insulin sensitivity and substrate metabolism in 8 adult hypopituitary patients on stable replacement with GH and hydrocortisone using a 2 × 2 factorial design: Ghrelin infusion, saline infusion, ghrelin plus short-term acipimox, and acipimox alone. Peripheral and hepatic insulin sensitivity was determined with a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp in combination with a glucose tracer infusion. Insulin signaling was assayed in muscle biopsies. Peripheral insulin sensitivity was reduced by ghrelin independently of ambient FFA concentrations and was increased by acipimox independently of ghrelin. Hepatic insulin sensitivity was increased by acipimox. Insulin signaling pathways in skeletal muscle were not consistently regulated by ghrelin. Our data demonstrate that ghrelin induces peripheral insulin resistance independently of GH, cortisol, and FFA. The molecular mechanisms remain elusive, but we speculate that ghrelin is a hitherto unrecognized direct regulator of substrate metabolism. We also suggest that acipimox per se improves hepatic insulin sensitivity.
Aging transition by random errors
Authors: Sun Zhongkui , Ma Ning , Xu Wei 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn this paper, the effects of random errors on the oscillating behaviors have been studied theoretically and numerically in a prototypical coupled nonlinear oscillator. Two kinds of noises have been employed respectively to represent the measurement errors accompanied with the parameter specifying the distance from a Hopf bifurcation in the Stuart-Landau model. It has been demonstrated that when the random errors are uniform random noise, the change of the noise intensity can effectively increase the robustness of the system. While the random errors are normal random noise, the increasing of variance can also enhance the robustness of the system under certain conditions that the probability of aging transition occurs reaches a certain threshold. The opposite conclusion is obtained when the probability is less than the threshold. These findings provide an alternative candidate to control the critical value of aging transition in coupled oscillator system, which is composed of the active oscillators and inactive oscillators in practice.
Sublethal doses of imidacloprid disrupt sexual communication and host finding in a parasitoid wasp
Authors: Tappert Lars , Pokorny Tamara , Hofferberth John , Ruther Joachim 
Published: February 2017

AbstractNeonicotinoids are widely used insecticides, but their use is subject of debate because of their detrimental effects on pollinators. Little is known about the effect of neonicotinoids on other beneficial insects such as parasitoid wasps, which serve as natural enemies and are crucial for ecosystem functioning. Here we show that sublethal doses of the neonicotinoid imidacloprid impair sexual communication and host finding in the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis. Depending on the dose, treated females were less responsive to the male sex pheromone or unable to use it as a cue at all. Courtship behaviour of treated couples was also impeded resulting in a reduction of mating rates by up to 80%. Moreover, treated females were no longer able to locate hosts by using olfactory cues. Olfaction is crucial for the reproductive success of parasitoid wasps. Hence, sublethal doses of neonicotinoids might compromise the function of parasitoid wasps as natural enemies with potentially dire consequences for ecosystem services.
Evidence for the principle of minimal frustration in the evolution of protein folding landscapes
Authors: Tzul Franco O. , Vasilchuk Daniel , Makhatadze George I. 
Published: February 2017

Significance
A detailed understanding of how different sequences that fold into the same structure affect the folding energy landscape presents one of the current challenges of the protein folding field. The principle of minimal frustration suggests that naturally evolved proteins with the same structure should have similar folding rates and that modulation of thermodynamic stability should occur via unfolding rates. We experimentally tested this hypothesis using 15 different thioredoxins, with sequences either obtained from the extant organisms or resurrected using ancestral sequence reconstruction. We show that all of these proteins fold with similar rates and that their dramatic differences in stability are because of the differences in the unfolding rates.
Trade-offs between enzyme fitness and solubility illuminated by deep mutational scanning
Authors: Klesmith Justin R. , Bacik John-Paul , Wrenbeck Emily E. , Michalczyk Ryszard , Whitehead Timothy A. 
Published: February 2017

Significance
Enzymes find utility as therapeutics and for the production of specialty chemicals. Changing the amino acid sequence of an enzyme can increase solubility, but many such mutations disrupt catalytic activity. To evaluate this trade-off, we developed an experimental system to evaluate the relative solubility for nearly all possible single point mutants for two model enzymes. We find that the tendency for a given solubility-enhancing mutation to disrupt catalytic activity depends, among other factors, on how far the position is from the catalytic active site and whether that mutation has been sampled during evolution. We develop predictive models to identify mutations that enhance solubility without disrupting activity with an accuracy of 90%. These results have biotechnological applications.
Functional genomics analysis of vitamin D effects on CD4+ T cells in vivo in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis ‬
Authors: Zeitelhofer Manuel , Adzemovic Milena Z. , Gomez-Cabrero David , Bergman Petra , Hochmeister Sonja , N'diaye Marie , Paulson Atul , Ruhrmann Sabrina , Almgren Malin , Tegnér Jesper N. , Ekström Tomas J. , Guerreiro-Cacais André Ortlieb , Jagodic Maja 
Published: February 2017

SignificanceVitamin D has been suggested to be associated with beneficial immunomodulation in autoimmune diseases. We demonstrate that the protective effect of vitamin D in an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS) is linked to multiple signaling and metabolic pathways critical for T-cell activation and differentiation into pathogenic T helper (Th) 1 and Th17 subsets in vivo. This effect is mediated by epigenetic mechanisms as reflected by genome-wide reduction of DNA methylation and upregulation of microRNAs, with concomitant downregulation of their protein-coding target genes. Our data support the role of vitamin D in modulating risk for human disease, because orthologues of nearly 50% of MS candidate risk genes changed their expression in vivo in CD4+ T cells upon vitamin D supplementation.
DYNC1H1 mutations associated with neurological diseases compromise processivity of dynein–dynactin–cargo adaptor complexes
Authors: Hoang Ha Thi , Schlager Max A. , Carter Andrew P. , Bullock Simon L. 
Published: February 2017

Significance
Mutations in microtubule motors and their cofactors are associated with several neurological diseases in humans. How disease-associated mutations affect motor function, and consequently have neuropathological effects, is largely unknown. We take advantage of recent advances in the ability to activate transport of the human dynein complex in vitro to functionally characterize 17 disease-associated mutations in the gene encoding its heavy chain. The vast majority of mutations do not affect the ability of dynein to bind a cargo adaptor but do compromise long-range motion of the motor complex. Our findings suggest that defective motility of cargo–motor complexes contributes to dynein-associated neurological phenotypes and highlight several regions of the enigmatic motor that orchestrate its ability to walk over long distances.
Phosphorylation of αB-crystallin supports reactive astrogliosis in demyelination
Authors: Kuipers Hedwich F. , Yoon Jane , van Horssen Jack , Han May H. , Bollyky Paul L. , Palmer Theo D. , Steinman Lawrence 
Published: February 2017

Significance
αB-crystallin (CRYAB) is a protein involved in the protection of cells from stress and cell death, and is very highly produced in brain lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS). Astrocytes are the main non-neuronal cell type in the central nervous system. Although they are involved in many processes in health and injury, their precise role in MS is poorly understood. Using a mouse model of MS, as well as brain tissue from MS patients, we found that CRYAB enables astrocytes to become activated and that these activated astrocytes play a pathogenic role in MS, worsening injury. Furthermore, we found that a specific stress-induced modification of CRYAB supports its role in astrocyte activation and affects the intracellular signaling pathways it regulates.
Critical Foraging Habitat of Atlantic Sturgeon Based on Feeding Habits, Prey Distribution, and Movement Patterns in the Saco River Estuary, Maine
Authors: Novak Ashleigh J. , Carlson Amy E. , Wheeler Carolyn R. , Wippelhauser Gail S. , Sulikowski James A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAn overall lack of information prompted the recent listing of Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus under the Endangered Species Act. Key to the restoration of the species and of particular importance is the need to characterize the use of critical habitat across the region, specifically in the Gulf of Maine, where the population was listed as threatened. Much of the research to date has focused on large river systems able to support remnant spawning populations; however, the role of small coastal river systems for Atlantic Sturgeon is not well documented. Several of these systems are being reinhabited, and to facilitate new knowledge about the Gulf of Maine population, a long‐term (2009–2014) acoustic telemetry study for 51 Atlantic Sturgeon tagged in the Saco River was evaluated. Results suggested that the majority of fish were aggregating near the natural mouth of the estuary across the 6 years. Gastric lavage samples from 163 (91 juvenile and 72 adult) fish (65.0–171.5 cm fork length) during 2013 and 2014 demonstrated that American Sand Lance Ammodytes americanus was the most common prey (the index of relative importance for 2013 and 2014 was 93.5% and 85.4%, respectively), a finding unique to this river system. In addition, benthic sediment grabs, beam trawls, otter trawls, and beach seines conducted in 2013 and 2014 indicated that the distribution of American Sand Lances was comparable to the aggregation area observed for Atlantic Sturgeon. The combined results suggest that the Saco River estuary provides critical foraging habitat imperative for the future recovery of the Gulf of Maine Atlantic Sturgeon population.Received May 24, 2016; accepted November 17, 2016 Published online February 15, 2017
Physicochemical properties of giant embryo rice Seonong 17 and Keunnunjami
Authors: Chung Soo Im , Lee Sang Chul , Kang Mi Young 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
This study was carried out to determine the physicochemical properties of giant embryo rice “Seonong 17” and “Keunnunjami” in comparison with the normal embryo rice. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that Seonong 17 and Keunnunjami have larger embryo and that starch granules from Keunnunjami were more tightly packed with smaller air spaces between granules. Seonong 17 exhibited the lowest amylose content. Keunnunjami showed the highest protein content, pasting temperature, peak and breakdown viscosities, and gelatinization temperature and enthalpy. Both giant embryo rice samples contained significantly higher amounts of essential amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids than the normal rice. Proteomic analysis using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed differences in the protein profile of Seonong 17 and Keunnunjami. The results could serve as baseline information in evaluating the quality of these two giant embryo rice cultivars and provide a better understanding of their potential uses and food industry applications.
Final report on the torque supplementary comparison COOMET.M.T-S1 measurand torque: 0 N·m, 100 N·m, 500 kN·m, 1500 N·m, 2500 N·m
Authors: Cherepanov Boris , Röske Dirk 
Published: February 2017

This publication presents results of a supplementary comparison using national reference machines of the Russian Federation and Germany in field of torque.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.
The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Balancing the Health Risks and Benefits of Seafood: How Does Available Guidance Affect Consumer Choices?
Authors: Uchida Hirotsugu , Roheim Cathy A. , Johnston Robert J. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSeafood species vary in their health benefits (e.g., from omega‐3 fatty acids) and risks (e.g., from methylmercury or polychlorobiphenyls). Reflecting these risks and benefits, multiple public and private organizations offer guidance to consumers on seafood consumption. The effect of this guidance is unknown; previous literature has been unable to disentangle the effects of messages with differing health information, provided by different sources, on demand for different types of seafood. The result is ambiguity regarding the drivers of observed changes in seafood demand. This study investigates the effect of health risk and benefit information on preferences for wild and farmed salmon and swordfish, three species targeted by consumer guidance. The analysis applies an experimental auction with seafood consumers informed by a Bayesian risk‐learning model. The model provides a systematic way to disentangle effects on seafood demand, for example, by evaluating whether changes in demand for different species are due to information content or source. Using this approach, we test the effect of guidance provided by four different public and private groups in the United States. Difference‐in‐difference tests find no impact of health benefit information regardless of source or message, but find multiple effects of health risk information that vary across different types of guidance. These findings suggest that current guidance does not improve consumers’ ability to balance health risks and benefits. We also identify potential avenues to improve the efficacy of this guidance.
Cumulative Exposure to Systolic Blood Pressure During Young Adulthood Through Midlife and the Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio at Midlife
Authors: Kramer Holly , Colangelo Laura , Lewis Cora E. , Jacobs David R. , Pletcher Mark , Bibbins-Domingo Kirstin , Chang Alex , Siscovick David , Shlipak Michael , Peralta Carmen A. , Bansal Nisha , Muntner Paul , Liu Kiang 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Higher blood pressure during young adulthood may increase cardiovascular and kidney disease risk later in life. This study examined the association of cumulative systolic blood pressure (SBP) exposure during young adulthood through midlife with urine albumin-to-creatinine ratios (ACR) measured during midlife.

METHODS
We used data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, a biracial cohort recruited in 4 urban areas during years 1985–1986. Cumulative SBP was calculated as the average SBP between 2 exams multiplied by years between exams over 20 year years. ACR was measured 20 years after baseline when participants were age 43–50 years (midlife). A generalized additive model was used to examine the association of log ACR as a function of cumulative SBP with adjustment for covariates including SBP measured concurrently with ACR.

RESULTS
Cumulative SBP ranged from a low of 1,671 to a high of 3,260 mm Hg. Participants in the highest cumulative SBP quartile were more likely to be male (61.4% vs. 20.7%; P &lt; 0.001), Black (61.5% vs. 25.6%; P &lt; 0.001) and have elevated ACR (18.7% vs. 4.8%; P &lt; 0.001) vs. lowest quartile. Spline regression curves of ACR vs. cumulative SBP demonstrated an inflection point in ACR with cumulative SBP levels &gt;2,350 mm Hg with linear increases in ACR above this threshold. Adjusted geometric mean ACR values were significantly higher with cumulative SBP ≥2,500 vs. &lt;2500 (9.18 [1.06] vs. 6.92 [1.02]; P &lt; 0.0001).

CONCLUSION
Higher SBP during young adulthood through midlife is associated with higher ACR during midlife.
Associations of Proatrial Natriuretic Peptide with Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents and Young Adults from the General Population
Authors: Goharian Tina S. , Goetze Jens P. , Faber Jens , Andersen Lars B. , Grøntved Anders , Jeppesen Jørgen L. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
In middle-aged and elderly populations, circulating natriuretic peptide concentrations are negatively associated with several components of the metabolic syndrome. Whether these negative associations are also present in healthy adolescents and young adults from the general population are unknown.

METHODS
In a cross-sectional setting, we measured plasma concentrations of mid-regional proatrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) in 343 adolescents (age 14–16 years) and 616 young adults (age 20–28 years) from the Danish site of the European Youth Heart Study, which is a population-based study of cardiovascular disease risk factors in children, adolescents and young adults. We used linear regression analysis to examine the associations, expressed as standardized regression coefficients, of various variables of interest with MR-proANP stratified according to age group, adjusting for age and gender.

RESULTS
Among the young adults, MR-proANP was negatively associated with body mass index (BMI) (β = −0.10, P = 0.02), waist circumference (WC) (β = −0.14, P &lt; 0.001), systolic blood pressure (BP) (β = −0.08, P = 0.03), diastolic BP (β = −0.23, P &lt; 0.001), insulin (β = −0.15, P &lt; 0.001), and triglycerides (β = −0.14, P &lt; 0.001). Among the adolescents a somehow different pattern was observed since MR-proANP was not significantly associated with BMI (β = −0.00, P = 0.98), WC (β = −0.01, P = 0.90) and insulin (β = −0.02, P = 0.69). Nevertheless, among the adolescents, MR-proANP was negatively associated with triglycerides (β = −0.13, P = 0.01), diastolic BP (β = −0.12, P = 0.01) and systolic BP (β = −0.10, P = 0.10), although the latter association was of borderline significance.

CONCLUSIONS
The young adults displayed significant negative associations between MR-proANP and several components of the metabolic syndrome, whereas such associations were not found among the adolescents besides triglycerides and diastolic BP.
Association of Blood Pressure Trajectory With Mortality, Incident Cardiovascular Disease, and Heart Failure in the Cardiovascular Health Study
Authors: Smitson Christopher C. , Scherzer Rebecca , Shlipak Michael G. , Psaty Bruce M. , Newman Anne B. , Sarnak Mark J. , Odden Michelle C. , Peralta Carmen A. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Common blood pressure (BP) trajectories are not well established in elderly persons, and their association with clinical outcomes is uncertain.

METHODS
We used hierarchical cluster analysis to identify discrete BP trajectories among 4,067 participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study using repeated BP measures from years 0 to 7. We then evaluated associations of each BP trajectory cluster with all-cause mortality, incident cardiovascular disease (CVD, defined as stroke or myocardial infarction) (N = 2,837), and incident congestive heart failure (HF) (N = 3,633) using Cox proportional hazard models.

RESULTS
Median age was 77 years at year 7. Over a median 9.3 years of follow-up, there were 2,475 deaths, 659 CVD events, and 1,049 HF events. The cluster analysis identified 3 distinct trajectory groups. Participants in cluster 1 (N = 1,838) had increases in both systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BPs, whereas persons in cluster 2 (N = 1,109) had little change in SBP but declines in DBP. Persons in cluster 3 (N = 1,120) experienced declines in both SBP and DBP. After multivariable adjustment, clusters 2 and 3 were associated with increased mortality risk relative to cluster 1 (hazard ratio = 1.21, 95% confidence interval: 1.06–1.37 and hazard ratio = 1.20, 95% confidence interval: 1.05–1.36, respectively). Compared to cluster 1, cluster 3 had higher rates of incident CVD but associations were not statistically significant in demographic-adjusted models (hazard ratio = 1.16, 95% confidence interval: 0.96–1.39). Findings were similar when stratified by use of antihypertensive therapy.

CONCLUSIONS
Among community-dwelling elders, distinct BP trajectories were identified by integrating both SBP and DBP. These clusters were found to have differential associations with outcomes.