bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disruption of visual and motor connectivity in spinocerebellar ataxia type 7
Authors: Hernandez‐Castillo Carlos R. , Alcauter Sarael , Galvez Victor , Barrios Fernando A. , Yescas Petra , Ochoa Adriana , Garcia Lizbeth , Diaz Rosalinda , Gao Wei , Fernandez‐Ruiz Juan 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTSpinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is an autosomal‐dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive ataxia and retinal dystrophy. It is caused by a CAG trinucleotide expansion in the ataxin7 gene. Anatomical studies have shown severe cerebellar degeneration and region‐specific neocortical atrophy in SCA7 patients. However, the impact of the neurodegeneration on the functional integration of the remaining tissue is still unknown. The aim of this study was to examine functional connectivity abnormalities in areas with significant gray matter atrophy in SCA7 patients and their relationship with number of CAG repeats. Using a combination of voxel‐based morphometry and resting‐state fMRI, we studied 26 genetically confirmed SCA7 patients and aged‐matched healthy controls. In SCA7 patients we found reduced functional interaction between the cerebellum and the middle and superior frontal gyri, disrupted functional connectivity between the visual and motor cortices, and increased functional coordination between atrophied areas of the cerebellum and a range of visual cortical areas compared with healthy controls. The degree of mutation expansion showed a negative effect on both the functional interaction between the right anterior cerebellum and the left superior frontal gyrus and the connectivity between the right anterior cerebellum and left parahippocampal gyrus. We found abnormal functional connectivity patterns, including both hypo‐ and hyperconnectivity, compared with controls. These abnormal patterns show reasonable association with the severity of gene mutation. Our findings suggest that aberrant changes are prevalent in both motor and visual systems, adding significantly to our understanding of the pathophysiology of SCA7. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
5‐Demethyltangeretin inhibits human nonsmall cell lung cancer cell growth by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis
Authors: Charoensinphon Noppawat , Qiu Peiju , Dong Ping , Zheng Jinkai , Ngauv Pearline , Cao Yong , Li Shiming , Ho Chi‐Tang , Xiao Hang 
Published: August 2013

ScopeTangeretin (TAN) and 5‐demethyltangeretin (5DT) are two closely related polymethoxyflavones found in citrus fruits. We investigated growth inhibitory effects on three human nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells.Methods and resultsCell viability assay demonstrated that 5DT inhibited NSCLC cell growth in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner, and IC50s of 5DT were 79‐fold, 57‐fold, and 56‐fold lower than those of TAN in A549, H460, and H1299 cells, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis showed that 5DT induced extensive G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in NSCLC cells, while TAN at tenfold higher concentrations did not. The apoptosis induced by 5DT was further confirmed by activation of caspase‐3 and cleavage of PARP. Moreover, 5DT dose‐dependently upregulated p53 and p21Cip1/Waf1, and downregulated Cdc‐2 (Cdk‐1) and cyclin B1. HPLC analysis revealed that the intracellular levels of 5DT in NSCLC cells were 2.7–4.9 fold higher than those of TAN after the cells were treated with 5DT or TAN at the same concentration.ConclusionOur results demonstrated that 5DT inhibited NSCLC cell growth by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. These effects were much stronger than those produced by TAN, which is partially due to the higher intracellular uptake of 5DT than TAN.
Assessing intrarenal nonperfusion and vascular leakage in acute kidney injury with multinuclear 1H/19F MRI and perfluorocarbon nanoparticles
Authors: Hu Lingzhi , Chen Junjie , Yang Xiaoxia , Senpan Angana , Allen John S. , Yanaba Noriko , Caruthers Shelton D. , Lanza Gregory M. , Hammerman Marc R. , Wickline Samuel A. 
Published: August 2013

PurposeWe sought to develop a unique sensor‐reporter approach for functional kidney imaging that employs circulating perfluorocarbon nanoparticles and multinuclear 1H/19F MRI.Methods19F spin density weighted and T1 weighted images were used to generate quantitative functional mappings of both healthy and ischemia‐reperfusion (acute kidney injury) injured mouse kidneys. 1H blood‐oxygenation‐level‐dependent (BOLD) MRI was also employed as a supplementary approach to facilitate the comprehensive analysis of renal circulation and its pathological changes in acute kidney injury.ResultsHeterogeneous blood volume distributions and intrarenal oxygenation gradients were confirmed in healthy kidneys by 19F MRI. In a mouse model of acute kidney injury, 19F MRI, in conjunction with blood‐oxygenation‐level‐dependent MRI, sensitively delineated renal vascular damage and recovery. In the cortico‐medullary junction region, we observed 25% lower 19F signal (P < 0.05) and 70% longer 1H T2* (P < 0.01) in injured kidneys compared with contralateral kidneys at 24 h after initial ischemia‐reperfusion injury. We also detected 71% higher 19F signal (P < 0.01) and 40% lower 1H T2* (P < 0.05) in the renal medulla region of injured kidneys compared with contralateral uninjured kidneys.ConclusionIntegrated 1H/19F MRI using perfluorocarbon nanoparticles provides a multiparametric readout of regional perfusion defects in acutely injured kidneys. Magn Reson Med 71:2186–2196, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bariatric surgery influences the number and quality of oocytes in patients submitted to assisted reproduction techniques
Authors: Christofolini Juliana , Bianco Bianca , Santos Gustavo , Adami Fernando , Christofolini Denise , Barbosa Caio Parente 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveTo determine differences in follicle stimulation, oocyte retrieval, maturation, and fertilization among patients who underwent bariatric surgery, obese patients, and patients with 18 < BMI < 30 kg/m² submitted to assisted reproduction techniques and check that these patients may have some impairment in ovarian response.MethodsThe study comprised three groups: GI: 29 patients who had undergone restrictive and/or malabsorptive bariatric surgery; GII: 57 obese patients (BMI > 30 kg/m²); and GIII: 94 patients (18 < BMI < 30 kg/m²) with infertility due to a male factor. BMI, weight loss until oocyte retrieval, vitamin supplementation, and anemia were evaluated. Data were compared with the number of follicles observed, the number of oocytes retrieved, and the maturation status of these oocytes. Results were analyzed statistically.ResultsA statistically significant difference in the number of follicles observed by ultrasound (P < 0.01), the number of oocytes retrieved (P = 0.013), and the number of metaphase II oocytes (P < 0.01) between the patients with prior bariatric surgery and both GII and GIII group was found.ConclusionsThe weight loss resulting from bariatric surgery can be very beneficial to the overall health of the woman, but the reproductive process can be impaired. Bariatric surgery appears to have an important impact on the formation of follicles and oocytes.
Differential reward response to palatable food cues in past and current dieters: A fMRI study
Authors: Ely Alice V. , Childress Anna Rose , Jagannathan Kanchana , Lowe Michael R. 
Published: August 2013

ObjectivePrior neuroimaging research has shown that restrained and unrestrained eaters demonstrate differential brain activation in response to food cues that parallels their food intake in lab studies. These findings were extended by comparing brain activation in response to food cues in normal weight nondieters, historical dieters, and current dieters under the conditions that mimicked past lab studies.MethodsParticipants (N = 30) were shown pictures of highly and moderately palatable food and neutral cues while being scanned in an fMRI BOLD paradigm following an 8‐h fast and again after a liquid meal.ResultsIn the Fed state, historical dieters showed elevated reward circuitry activation in response to highly palatable food, as compared to nondieters and current dieters. In contrast, current dieters did not show the same pattern of activation as historical dieters, despite their shared history of frequent weight‐loss dieting.ConclusionsThe parallels between eating behavior and regional brain activation across groups suggest that (1) a neurophysiological response which could represent a vulnerability to overeat exists in some normal weight young women that may increase susceptibility to weight gain in the long term, and (2) current dieting temporarily reverses this vulnerability.
Two cases of placental T21 mosaicism: challenging the detection limits of non‐invasive prenatal testing
Authors: Wang Yanlin , Zhu Jiansheng , Chen Yan , Lu Shoulian , Chen Biliang , Zhao Xinrong , Wu Yi , Han Xu , Ma Duan , Liu Zhongyin , Cram David , Cheng Weiwei 
Published: August 2013

What's already known about this topic?

Confined placental mosaicism (CPM) is a known biological phenomenon that can lead to false positive non-invasive prenatal test results.
The small number of false negative non‐invasive prenatal test results reported to date are believed to be because of a low fetal DNA fraction in maternal plasma and/or placental mosaicismWhat does this study add?

The degree and compartmentalization of placental mosaicism can potentially reduce the effective output of fetal DNA into the maternal circulation to steady state levels below the detection limit of non‐invasive prenatal testing, leading to a false negative result
Practical examples of system design to mitigate overpressure scenarios—An owner's perspective
Authors: Tipler Scott , Champion John , Wagner Tim , First Ken , Stack Robert J. , Eure Don 
Published: August 2013

In 2007, the American Petroleum Institute (API 521/ISO 23251) published guidance on the use of High Integrity Protective Systems (HIPS) to mitigate overpressure scenarios. A natural extension of HIPS is to use system design and operating discipline to mitigate overpressure scenarios where use of fully instrumented protection layers or conventional relief devices is neither practical nor effective. In Dow, this approach is referred to as Alternate Overpressure Protection (AOP).System design (HIPS or AOP) is commonly used to mitigate overpressure scenarios when: (1) a conventional pressure relief device (PRD) is not practical or effective, (2) a conventional PRD will not be reliable or (3) a conventional PRD will work but is not cost effective. HIPS or AOP can also be used to reduce the required relief size by limiting the operating window of the process.The purpose of this article is to provide several practical examples on the use of HIPS and AOP and to describe some of the challenges and associated strategies to ensure successful implementation and sustained process safety performance. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 32: 248–254, 2013
Self‐assembly in nature: using the principles of nature to create complex nanobiomaterials
Authors: Mendes Ana C. , Baran Erkan T. , Reis Rui L. , Azevedo Helena S. 
Published: August 2013

Self‐assembly is a ubiquitous process in biology where it plays numerous important roles and underlies the formation of a wide variety of complex biological structures. Over the past two decades, materials scientists have aspired to exploit nature's assembly principles to create artificial materials, with hierarchical structures and tailored properties, for the fabrication of functional devices. Toward this goal, both biological and synthetic building blocks have been subject of extensive research in self‐assembly. In fact, molecular self‐assembly is becoming increasingly important for the fabrication of biomaterials because it offers a great platform for constructing materials with high level of precision and complexity, integrating order and dynamics, to achieve functions such as stimuli‐responsiveness, adaptation, recognition, transport, and catalysis. The importance of peptide self‐assembling building blocks has been recognized in the last years, as demonstrated by the literature available on the topic. The simple structure of peptides, as well as their facile synthesis, makes peptides an excellent family of structural units for the bottom‐up fabrication of complex nanobiomaterials. Additionally, peptides offer a great diversity of biochemical (specificity, intrinsic bioactivity, biodegradability) and physical (small size, conformation) properties to form self‐assembled structures with different molecular configurations. The motivation of this review is to provide an overview on the design principles for peptide self‐assembly and to illustrate how these principles have been applied to manipulate their self‐assembly across the scales. Applications of self‐assembling peptides as nanobiomaterials, including carriers for drug delivery, hydrogels for cell culture and tissue repair are also described. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2013, 5:582–612. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1227This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and Replacement
Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Peptide-Based Structures
Regulation of flavivirus RNA synthesis and capping
Authors: Saeedi Bejan J. , Geiss Brian J. 
Published: August 2013

RNA viruses, such as flaviviruses, are able to efficiently replicate and cap their RNA genomes in vertebrate and invertebrate cells. Flaviviruses use several specialized proteins to first make an uncapped negative strand copy of the viral genome that is used as a template for the synthesis of large numbers of capped genomic RNAs. Despite using relatively simple mechanisms to replicate their RNA genomes, there are significant gaps in our understanding of how flaviviruses switch between negative and positive strand RNA synthesis and how RNA capping is regulated. Recent work has begun to provide a conceptual framework for flavivirus RNA replication and capping and shown some surprising roles for genomic RNA during replication and pathogenesis. WIREs RNA 2013, 4:723–735. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1191This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Capping and 5' End Modifications
RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Enhancement of γ-aminobutyric acid production in recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum by co-expressing two glutamate decarboxylase genes from Lactobacillus brevis
Authors: Shi Feng , Jiang Junjun , Li Yongfu , Li Youxin , Xie Yilong 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), a non-protein amino acid, is a bioactive component in the food, feed and pharmaceutical fields. To establish an effective single-step production system for GABA, a recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum strain co-expressing two glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) genes (gadB1 and gadB2) derived from Lactobacillus brevis Lb85 was constructed. Compared with the GABA production of the gadB1 or gadB2 single-expressing strains, GABA production by the gadB1–gadB2 co-expressing strain increased more than twofold. By optimising urea supplementation, the total production of l-glutamate and GABA increased from 22.57 ± 1.24 to 30.18 ± 1.33 g L−1, and GABA production increased from 4.02 ± 0.95 to 18.66 ± 2.11 g L−1 after 84-h cultivation. Under optimal urea supplementation, l-glutamate continued to be consumed, GABA continued to accumulate after 36 h of fermentation, and the pH level fluctuated. GABA production increased to a maximum level of 27.13 ± 0.54 g L−1 after 120-h flask cultivation and 26.32 g L−1 after 60-h fed-batch fermentation. The conversion ratio of l-glutamate to GABA reached 0.60–0.74 mol mol−1. By co-expressing gadB1 and gadB2 and optimising the urea addition method, C. glutamicum was genetically improved for de novo biosynthesis of GABA from its own accumulated l-glutamate.
CloudNMF: A MapReduce Implementation of Nonnegative Matrix Factorization for Large-Scale Biological Datasets
Authors: Liao Ruiqi , Zhang Yifan , Guan Jihong , Zhou Shuigeng 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
In the past decades, advances in high-throughput technologies have led to the generation of huge amounts of biological data that require analysis and interpretation. Recently, nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) has been introduced as an efficient way to reduce the complexity of data as well as to interpret them, and has been applied to various fields of biological research. In this paper, we present CloudNMF, a distributed open-source implementation of NMF on a MapReduce framework. Experimental evaluation demonstrated that CloudNMF is scalable and can be used to deal with huge amounts of data, which may enable various kinds of a high-throughput biological data analysis in the cloud. CloudNMF is freely accessible at http://admis.fudan.edu.cn/projects/CloudNMF.html.
Opaque financial reports and R2: Revisited
Authors: Datta Sudip , Iskandar‐Datta Mai , Singh Vivek 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIn this study, we revisit the link between R2 (synchronicity) and earnings management (opacity) because of the importance of the ongoing debate on the relation between idiosyncratic risk and earnings management in the finance and accounting literatures. Hutton et al. (J. Financial Economics, 2009) provide evidence of a positive link between opacity and R2. They interpret their finding to imply that firms with high R2 (high synchronicity) have less firm‐specific information impounded in their stock price. Our results for this relationship fail to unequivocally support the results reported in Hutton et al. (2009). We show that their results are not only time variant but also not robust to the alternative empirical technique recommended for panel data by Petersen (2009) and alternative estimation of discretionary accruals adjusted for firm performance prescribed by Kothari et al. (2005). We also find no support for a convex relation between idiosyncratic risk and opacity. The findings documented in this study substantially revise some of Hutton et al.'s findings in this important and growing area of research.
A Method Integrating Optimal Algorithm and FEM on CMOS Residual Stress
Authors: Chuang W. C. , Lin David T. W. , Hu Y.-C. , Lee H.-L. , Cheng C.-H. , Chang P.-Z. , Quyen N. B. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTResidual stress in MEMS is of inherent importance in various respects. This study proposes a specific method using ANSYS including the birth and death method and combined with the optimal method (SCGM) to reduce the residual stresses during the CMOS fabrication process. The suitable cooling temperature for decreasing the residual stress is proposed and available. It demonstrates that the suitable parameter on the fabrication can reduce the residual stress in MEMS devices without any extra manufacturing process or external apparatus. The proposed method can expand to simulate the realistic MEMS model effectively.
Lateral Performance of Drilled Shafts due to Combined Lateral and Axial Loading
Authors: Chien C. J. , Lin S. S. , Yang C. C. , Liao J. C. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTThis paper reports the results of a series of full-scale drilled shaft load tests subjected to combined axial and lateral loading and lateral loading only. The tested shafts, 1.4m in diameter, were embedded 37m in sandy silt. All tested shafts were installed using reverse circulation method. The test results indicated, given the same lateral loading, 63% of pile head displacement resulted from combined load corresponded with the case of lateral loading only. The test results were compared to the numerical results of the software LPILE as well as the analytical solutions proposed by the senior author and his co-workers. The analytical results of the pile bending moments along shaft showed better results than that of LPILE.
Development of the gut microbiota in southern Indian infants from birth to 6 months: a molecular analysis
Authors: Kabeerdoss Jayakanthan , Ferdous Shama , Balamurugan Ramadass , Mechenro John , Vidya R. , Santhanam Sridhar , Jana Atanu K. , Ramakrishna Balakrishnan S. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAcquisition of the gastrointestinal microbiota at birth may have long-term health impacts. We longitudinally characterised major microbial communities in the faeces of a cohort of infants using molecular methods. Faecal samples were prospectively obtained at several time points after birth from eighty-three infants. Real-time PCR using SYBR green and primers targeted at 16S rRNA gene sequences were used to quantifyBifidobacterium,Lactobacillus acidophilusgroup,Bacteroides–Prevotellagroup,Enterobacteriaceae,Enterococcus,Clostridium coccoides–Eubacterium rectalegroup,Clostridium leptumgroup andStaphylococcus. Microbial community abundance was expressed relative to amplification of sequences conserved universally for domain bacteria. Faecal copy number of 16S rRNA genes increased non-significantly from a mean of 4·1 × 109/g on day 1 to 1·1 × 1010/g on day 4. All microbial communities were detected from day 1 after birth.Enterobacteriaceaeand lactobacilli predominated on day 1, while bifidobacteria and staphylocci increased on day 4.Bacteroides–PrevotellaandC. coccoides–E. rectaleincreased by day 180.C. leptumwas detected in half of the cohort at birth and in a slightly larger percentage by 6 months. Caesarean section was associated with delayed colonisation by several bacterial communities. Higher socio-economic status was associated with more abundant lactobacilli andBacteroides–Prevotellaat 90 and 180 d. Supplemental feeding was associated with a reduction inEnterobacteriaceae. Microbial colonisation of the gut was well established on the first day of birth, and relative abundance of microbial communities was influenced by mode of delivery, socio-economic status and supplemental feeding. These findings may have relevance to infant nutrition and growth.
Role of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential response in identifying vestibular dysfunction
Authors: Isaradisaikul S , Navacharoen N , Hanprasertpong C , Kangsanarak J 
Published: August 2013

AbstractObjectives:To analyse cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential response parameters in normal volunteers and vertiginous patients.Subjects and methods:A prospective study of 50 normal subjects and 50 patients with vertigo was conducted at Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand. Cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential responses were measured using air-conducted, 500-Hz, tone-burst stimuli with subjects in a sitting position with their head turned toward the contralateral shoulder.Results:The mean ± standard deviation age and male:female ratio in the normal (44.0 ± 9.3 years; 12:38) and vertigo groups (44.7 ± 9.8 years; 17:33) were not significantly different. The prevalence of absent responses in the normal (14 per cent) and vertigo ears (46 per cent) differed significantly (p < 0.0001). Other cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential parameters (i.e. response threshold, P1 and N1 latency, P1–N1 interlatency and interamplitude, inter-ear difference in P1 threshold, and asymmetry ratio) showed no inter-group differences.Conclusion:The absence of a cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential response is useful in the identification of vestibular dysfunction. However, patients should undergo a comprehensive battery of other vestibular tests to supplement their cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential response findings.