bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations between aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 genetic polymorphisms, lifestyles and hypertension risk in Chinese Han people
Authors: Ma Cong , Yu Bingxiang , Zhang Weihua , Wang Weimin , Zhang Liping , Zeng Qiang 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHypertension is a multiple factor disease which was influenced by gene, environment, and lifestyle. Several studies confirmed that the ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism is associated with hypertension. However, the evidence remains inconclusive. Whether lifestyle affects blood pressure in different genotype groups have not been clarified, either. The subjects were adult Chinese Han people who received health examination in the period from December 2014 to December 2015. Detection of the ALDH2 r671 polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction. Lifestyle data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Basic characteristics and fasting venous blood sample were collected at baseline. 4018 subjects were eligible for participation.The frequencies of the ALDH2 rs671 genotype were 68.67% (GG), 28.67%(GL), 2.66%(LL), respectively. Pepole who harbored the L allele were less likely to develop incident hypertension. There was a significant association between food frequency and hypertension in the L genotype group. Fried food intake was significantly increased the risk of hypertension in the L genotype group. Our study suggested that ALDH2 rs671 L-genotypes are protective factors for hypertension in Han Chinese. Consumption of fried food accelerated the development of hypertension in individuals with poor metabolism of acetaldehyde.
The effects of ageing and adrenergic challenge on electrocardiographic phenotypes in a murine model of long QT syndrome type 3
Authors: Chadda Karan R. , Ahmad Shiraz , Valli Haseeb , den Uijl Ingrid , Al-Hadithi Ali BAK , Salvage Samantha C. , Grace Andrew A. , Huang Christopher L.-H. , Jeevaratnam Kamalan 
Published: September 2017

AbstractLong QT Syndrome 3 (LQTS3) arises from gain-of-function Nav1.5 mutations, prolonging action potential repolarisation and electrocardiographic (ECG) QT interval, associated with increased age-dependent risk for major arrhythmic events, and paradoxical responses to β-adrenergic agents. We investigated for independent and interacting effects of age and Scn5a+/ΔKPQ genotype in anaesthetised mice modelling LQTS3 on ECG phenotypes before and following β-agonist challenge, and upon fibrotic change. Prolonged ventricular recovery was independently associated with Scn5a+/ΔKPQ and age. Ventricular activation was prolonged in old Scn5a+/ΔKPQ mice (p = 0.03). We associated Scn5a+/ΔKPQ with increased atrial and ventricular fibrosis (both: p < 0.001). Ventricles also showed increased fibrosis with age (p < 0.001). Age and Scn5a+/ΔKPQ interacted in increasing incidences of repolarisation alternans (p = 0.02). Dobutamine increased ventricular rate (p < 0.001) and reduced both atrioventricular conduction (PR segment-p = 0.02; PR interval-p = 0.02) and incidences of repolarisation alternans (p < 0.001) in all mice. However, in Scn5a+/ΔKPQ mice, dobutamine delayed the changes in ventricular repolarisation following corresponding increases in ventricular rate. The present findings implicate interactions between age and Scn5a+/ΔKPQ in prolonging ventricular activation, correlating them with fibrotic change for the first time, adding activation abnormalities to established recovery abnormalities in LQTS3. These findings, together with dynamic electrophysiological responses to β-adrenergic challenge, have therapeutic implications for ageing LQTS patients.
Dissecting the link between the enzymatic activity and the SaPI inducing capacity of the phage 80α dUTPase
Authors: Alite Christian , Humphrey Suzanne , Donderis Jordi , Maiques Elisa , Ciges-Tomas J. Rafael , Penadés José R. , Marina Alberto 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe trimeric staphylococcal phage-encoded dUTPases (Duts) are signalling molecules that induce the cycle of some Staphylococcal pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) by binding to the SaPI-encoded Stl repressor. To perform this regulatory role, these Duts require an extra motif VI, as well as the Dut conserved motifs IV and V. While the apo form of Dut is required for the interaction with the Stl repressor, usually only those Duts with normal enzymatic activity can induce the SaPI cycle. To understand the link between the enzymatic activities and inducing capacities of the Dut protein, we analysed the structural, biochemical and physiological characteristics of the Dut80α D95E mutant, which loses the SaPI cycle induction capacity despite retaining enzymatic activity. Asp95 is located at the threefold central channel of the trimeric Dut where it chelates a divalent ion. Here, using state-of-the-art techniques, we demonstrate that D95E mutation has an epistatic effect on the motifs involved in Stl binding. Thus, ion binding in the central channel correlates with the capacity of motif V to twist and order in the SaPI-inducing disposition, while the tip of motif VI is disturbed. These alterations in turn reduce the affinity for the Stl repressor and the capacity to induce the SaPI cycle.
Matrix Analysis of Warped Stretch Imaging
Authors: Kim Chanju , Mahjoubfar Ata , Chan Jacky C. K. , Yazaki Akio , Noh Young-Chul , Jalali Bahram 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSensitive and fast optical imaging is needed for scientific instruments, machine vision, and biomedical diagnostics. Many of the fundamental challenges are addressed with time stretch imaging, which has been used for ultrafast continuous imaging for a diverse range of applications, such as biomarker-free cell classification, the monitoring of laser ablation, and the inspection of flat panel displays. With frame rates exceeding a million scans per second, the firehose of data generated by the time stretch camera requires optical data compression. Warped stretch imaging technology utilizes nonuniform spectrotemporal optical operations to compress the image in a single-shot real-time fashion. Here, we present a matrix analysis method for the evaluation of these systems and quantify important design parameters and the spatial resolution. The key principles of the system include (1) time/warped stretch transformation and (2) the spatial dispersion of ultrashort optical pulse, which are traced with simple computation of ray-pulse matrix. Furthermore, a mathematical model is constructed for the simulation of imaging operations while considering the optical and electrical response of the system. The proposed analysis method was applied to an example time stretch imaging system via simulation and validated with experimental data.
Testing Gait with Ankle-Foot Orthoses in Children with Cerebral Palsy by Using Functional Mixed-Effects Analysis of Variance
Authors: Zhang Bairu , Twycross-Lewis Richard , Großmann Heiko , Morrissey Dylan 
Published: September 2017

AbstractExisting statistical methods extract insufficient information from 3-dimensional gait data, rendering clinical interpretation of impaired movement patterns sub-optimal. We propose an alternative approach based on functional data analysis that may be worthy of exploration. We apply this to gait data analysis using repeated-measurements data from children with cerebral palsy who had been prescribed fixed ankle-foot orthoses as an example. We analyze entire gait curves by means of a new functional F test with comparison to multiple pointwise F tests and also to the traditional method - univariate repeated-measurements analysis of variance of joint angle minima and maxima. The new test maintains the nominal significance level and can be adapted to test hypotheses for specific phases of the gait cycle. The main findings indicate that ankle-foot orthoses exert significant effects on coronal and sagittal plane ankle rotation; and both sagittal and horizontal plane foot rotation. The functional F test provided further information for the stance and swing phases. Differences between the results of the different statistical approaches are discussed, concluding that the novel method has potential utility and is worthy of validation through larger scale patient and clinician engagement to determine whether it is preferable to the traditional approach.
The $${{\bf{Z}}}_{{\bf{2}}}$$ toric-code and the double-semion topological order of hardcore Bose-Hubbard-type models in the strong-interaction limit
Authors: Wang Wei , Capogrosso-Sansone Barbara 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe present a generic framework for the emergence of the $${{\mathbb{Z}}}_{2}$$

Z

2

toric-code and the double-semion topological order in a wide class of hardcore Bose-Hubbard-type models governed by density-density interaction and in the strong-interaction regime. We fix fractional filling factor and study under which conditions the density-density interaction gives rise to topological degeneracy. We further specify which dynamics determines the toric-code and the double-semion topological order. Our results indicate that the specifics of the density-density interaction determine the long-range entanglement of the model which possesses “restricted patterns” of the long-range entanglement realized in corresponding string-net models with the same topological order.
Lipidomes of lung cancer and tumour-free lung tissues reveal distinct molecular signatures for cancer differentiation, age, inflammation, and pulmonary emphysema
Authors: Eggers Lars F. , Müller Julia , Marella Chakravarthy , Scholz Verena , Watz Henrik , Kugler Christian , Rabe Klaus F. , Goldmann Torsten , Schwudke Dominik 
Published: September 2017

AbstractLittle is known about the human lung lipidome, its variability in different physiological states, its alterations during carcinogenesis and the development of pulmonary emphysema. We investigated how health status might be mirrored in the lung lipidome. Tissues were sampled for both lipidomic and histological analysis. Using a screening approach, we characterised lipidomes of lung cancer tissues and corresponding tumour-free alveolar tissues. We quantified 311 lipids from 11 classes in 43 tissue samples from 26 patients. Tumour tissues exhibited elevated levels of triacylglycerols and cholesteryl esters, as well as a significantly lower abundance of phosphatidylglycerols, which are typical lung surfactant components. Adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas were distinguished with high specificity based on lipid panels. Lipidomes of tumour biopsy samples showed clear changes depending on their histology and, in particular, their proportion of active tumour cells and stroma. Partial least squares regression showed correlations between lipid profiles of tumour-free alveolar tissues and the degree of emphysema, inflammation status, and the age of patients. Unsaturated long-chain phosphatidylserines and phosphatidylinositols showed a positive correlation with a worsened emphysema status and ageing. This work provides a resource for the human lung lipidome and a systematic data analysis strategy to link clinical characteristics and histology.
Extraordinary Transport Characteristics and Multivalue Logic Functions in a Silicon-Based Negative-Differential Transconductance Device
Authors: Lee Sejoon , Lee Youngmin , Kim Changmin 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHigh-performance negative-differential transconductance (NDT) devices are fabricated in the form of a gated p+-i-n+ Si ultra-thin body transistor. The devices clearly display a Λ-shape transfer characteristic (i.e., Λ-NDT peak) at room temperature, and the NDT behavior is fully based on the gate-modulation of the electrostatic junction characteristics along source-channel-drain. The largest peak-to-valley current ratio of the Λ-NDT peak is greater than 104, the smallest full-width at half-maximum is smaller than 170 mV, and the best swing-slope at the Λ-NDT peak region is ~70 mV/dec. The position and the current level of the Λ-NDT peaks are systematically-controllable when modulating the junction characteristics by controlling only bias voltages at gate and/or drain. These unique features allow us to demonstrate the multivalue logic functions such as a tri-value logic and a quattro-value logic. The results suggest that the present type of the Si Λ-NDT device could be prospective for next-generation arithmetic circuits.
Novel arsenic-transforming bacteria and the diversity of their arsenic-related genes and enzymes arising from arsenic-polluted freshwater sediment
Authors: Suhadolnik Maria L. S. , Salgado Ana P. C. , Scholte Larissa L. S. , Bleicher Lucas , Costa Patrícia S. , Reis Mariana P. , Dias Marcela F. , Ávila Marcelo P. , Barbosa Francisco A. R. , Chartone-Souza Edmar , Nascimento Andréa M. A. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBacteria are essential in arsenic cycling. However, few studies have addressed 16S rRNA and arsenic-related functional gene diversity in long-term arsenic-contaminated tropical sediment. Here, using culture-based, metagenomic and computational approaches, we describe the diversity of bacteria, genes and enzymes involved in AsIII and AsV transformation in freshwater sediment and in anaerobic AsIII- and AsV-enrichment cultures (ECs). The taxonomic profile reveals significant differences among the communities. Arcobacter, Dechloromonas, Sedimentibacter and Clostridium thermopalmarium were exclusively found in ECs, whereas Anaerobacillus was restricted to AsV-EC. Novel taxa that are both AsV-reducers and AsIII-oxidizers were identified: Dechloromonas, Acidovorax facilis, A. delafieldii, Aquabacterium, Shewanella, C. thermopalmarium and Macellibacteroides fermentans. Phylogenic discrepancies were revealed among the aioA, arsC and arrA genes and those of other species, indicating horizontal gene transfer. ArsC and AioA have sets of amino acids that can be used to assess their functional and structural integrity and familial subgroups. The positions required for AsV reduction are conserved, suggesting strong selective pressure for maintaining the functionality of ArsC. Altogether, these findings highlight the role of freshwater sediment bacteria in arsenic mobility, and the untapped diversity of dissimilatory arsenate-reducing and arsenate-resistant bacteria, which might contribute to arsenic toxicity in aquatic environments.
Assessing the ecosystem services provided by urban green spaces along urban center-edge gradients
Authors: Chang Jie , Qu Zelong , Xu Ronghua , Pan Kaixuan , Xu Bin , Min Yong , Ren Yuan , Yang Guofu , Ge Ying 
Published: September 2017

AbstractUrban green spaces provide various ecosystem services, especially cultural services. Previous assessment methods depend either on hypothetic payments for ecosystems or real payments not directly related to ecosystems. In this paper, we established a method for assessing the cultural ecosystem services in any location in urban area using only two variables, green space (ecosystem) and land rent (real payment). We integrated the cultural and the regulating services into the total ecosystem services because urban green spaces provide almost no provisioning services. Results showed that the same area of green spaces near the center provided much higher cultural services than that near the urban edge; the regulating services accounted for 5% to 40% of the total ecosystem services from the center to the edge of urban area; along the center-edge gradient, there was a threshold out which the ecosystem services were lower than the maintenance cost of green spaces.
The parathyroid hormone regulates skin tumour susceptibility in mice
Authors: Okumura Kazuhiro , Saito Megumi , Yoshizawa Yasuhiro , Munakata Haruka , Isogai Eriko , Miura Ikuo , Wakana Shigeharu , Yamaguchi Midori , Shitara Hiroshi , Taya Choji , Karaplis Andrew C. , Kominami Ryo , Wakabayashi Yuichi 
Published: September 2017

AbstractUsing a forward genetics approach to map loci in a mouse skin cancer model, we previously identified a genetic locus, Skin tumour modifier of MSM 1 (Stmm1) on chromosome 7, conferring strong tumour resistance. Sub-congenic mapping localized Parathyroid hormone (Pth) in Stmm1b. Here, we report that serum intact-PTH (iPTH) and a genetic polymorphism in Pth are important for skin tumour resistance. We identified higher iPTH levels in sera from cancer-resistant MSM/Ms mice compared with susceptible FVB/NJ mice. Therefore, we performed skin carcinogenesis experiments with MSM-BAC transgenic mice (PthMSM-Tg) and Pth knockout heterozygous mice (Pth+/−). As a result, the higher amounts of iPTH in sera conferred stronger resistance to skin tumours. Furthermore, we found that the coding SNP (rs51104087, Val28Met) localizes in the mouse Pro-PTH encoding region, which is linked to processing efficacy and increased PTH secretion. Finally, we report that PTH increases intracellular calcium in keratinocytes and promotes their terminal differentiation. Taken together, our data suggest that Pth is one of the genes responsible for Stmm1, and serum iPTH could serve as a prevention marker of skin cancer and a target for new therapies.
Caring Cooperators and Powerful Punishers: Differential Effects of Induced Care and Power Motivation on Different Types of Economic Decision Making
Authors: Chierchia G. , Lesemann F. H. Parianen , Snower D. , Vogel M. , Singer T. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractStandard economic theory postulates that decisions are driven by stable context-insensitive preferences, while motivation psychology suggests they are driven by distinct context-sensitive motives with distinct evolutionary goals and characteristic psycho-physiological and behavioral patterns. To link these fields and test how distinct motives could differentially predict different types of economic decisions, we experimentally induced participants with either a Care or a Power motive, before having them take part in a suite of classic game theoretical paradigms involving monetary exchange. We show that the Care induction alone raised scores on a latent factor of cooperation-related behaviors, relative to a control condition, while, relative to Care, Power raised scores on a punishment-related factor. These findings argue against context-insensitive stable preferences and theories of strong reciprocity and in favor of a motive-based approach to economic decision making: Care and Power motivation have a dissociable fingerprint in shaping either cooperative or punishment behaviors.
Discovery of carotenoid red-shift in endolithic cyanobacteria from the Atacama Desert
Authors: Vítek Petr , Ascaso Carmen , Artieda Octavio , Casero María Cristina , Wierzchos Jacek 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe biochemical responses of rock-inhabiting cyanobacteria towards native environmental stresses were observed in vivo in one of the Earth’s most challenging extreme climatic environments. The cryptoendolithic cyanobacterial colonization, dominated by Chroococcidiopsis sp., was studied in an ignimbrite at a high altitude volcanic area in the Atacama Desert, Chile. Change in the carotenoid composition (red-shift) within a transect through the cyanobacteria dominant microbial community (average thickness ~1 mm) was unambiguously revealed in their natural endolithic microhabitat. The amount of red shifted carotenoid, observed for the first time in a natural microbial ecosystem, is depth dependent, and increased with increasing proximity to the rock surface, as proven by resonance Raman imaging and point resonance Raman profiling. It is attributed to a light-dependent change in carotenoid conjugation, associated with the light-adaptation strategy of cyanobacteria. A hypothesis is proposed for the possible role of an orange carotenoid protein (OCP) mediated non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) mechanism that influences the observed spectral behavior. Simultaneously, information about the distribution of scytonemin and phycobiliproteins was obtained. Scytonemin was detected in the uppermost cyanobacteria aggregates. A reverse signal intensity gradient of phycobiliproteins was registered, increasing with deeper positions as a response of the cyanobacterial light harvesting complex to low-light conditions.
The Vicissicaudata revisited – insights from a new aglaspidid arthropod with caudal appendages from the Furongian of China
Authors: Lerosey-Aubril Rudy , Zhu Xuejian , Ortega-Hernández Javier 
Published: September 2017

AbstractCambrian marine ecosystems were dominated by arthropods, and more specifically artiopods. Aglaspidids represent an atypical group amongst them, not the least because they evolved and rapidly diversified during the late Cambrian, a time interval between the two diversification events of the Early Palaeozoic. Recent phylogenetic analyses have retrieved aglaspidids within the Vicissicaudata, a potentially important, but difficult to define clade of artiopods. Here we describe a new aglaspidid from the Furongian Guole Konservat-Lagerstätte of South China. This taxon displays a pretelsonic segment bearing non-walking appendages, features as-yet known in all vicissicaudatans, but aglaspidids. A new comprehensive phylogenetic analysis provides strong support for the legitimacy of a monophyletic clade Vicissicaudata, and demonstrates the pertinence of new characters to define Aglaspidida. It also motivates important changes to the systematics of the phylum, including the elevation of Artiopoda to the rank of subphylum, and the establishment of a new superclass Vicissicaudata and a new aglaspidid family Tremaglaspididae. Two diversification pulses can be recognized in the early history of artiopods – one in the early Cambrian (trilobitomorphs) and the other in the late Cambrian (vicissicaudatans). The discrepancy between this pattern and that traditionally depicted for marine invertebrates in the Early Palaeozoic is discussed.
Elevated UMOD methylation level in peripheral blood is associated with gout risk
Authors: Yang Yong , Chen Xiaoying , Hu Haochang , Jiang Yuting , Yu Hang , Dai Jie , Mao Yiyi , Duan Shiwei 
Published: September 2017

AbstractUromodulin (UMOD) encodes an uromodulin glycoprotein, and its mutation results in uromodulin glycoprotein dysfunction and the occurrence of gout. The aim of our study was to assess whether UMOD methylation could predict the risk of gout. A total of 89 sporadic gout cases and 103 age and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited in this study. UMOD methylation level was determined by quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP) in peripheral blood, and the percentage of methylated reference (PMR) was described to represent the methylation level. Our results showed that UMOD methylation was significantly higher in gout cases than controls (median: 1.45 versus 0.75, P < 0.001). The area under curve (AUC) of UMOD methylation in gout was 0.764 (P = 2.90E-10) with a sensitivity of 65.2% and a specificity of 88.3%. UMOD methylation level was shown to be significantly correlated with the serum level of uric acid (UA) (r = −0.208, P = 0.035). Besides, the luciferase reporter assay showed that UMOD CpG island region was able to upregulate gene expression (fold change = 2, P = 0.004). In conclusion, UMOD methylation assessment might be used to predict the occurrence of gout.