bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dependence of diameters and oxygen saturation of retinal vessels on visual field damage and age in primary open‐angle glaucoma
Authors: Ramm Lisa , Jentsch Susanne , Peters Sven , Sauer Lydia , Augsten Regine , Hammer Martin 
Published: April 2015

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the interrelationship between the oxygen supply of the retina and its regulation with the severity of primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG).MethodsCentral retinal artery (CRAE) and vein (CRVE) diameters and oxygen saturation of peripapillary retinal vessels in 41 patients suffering from POAG (64.1 ± 12.9 years) and 40 healthy volunteers (63.6 ± 14.1 years) were measured using the retinal vessel analyzer. All measures were taken before and during flicker light stimulation. The mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) was determined by OCT and the visual field mean defect (MD) was identified using perimetry.ResultsIn glaucoma patients, CRAE (r = −0.48 p = 0.002) and CRVE (r = −0.394 p = 0.014) at baseline were inversely related to MD, while arterial and venous oxygen saturation showed no significant dependence on the severity of the damage. However, the flicker light‐induced change in arterio‐venous difference in oxygen saturation was correlated with the MD (r = 0.358 p = 0.027). The diameters of arteries and veins at baseline decreased with reduction of the mean RNFLT (arteries: r = 0.718 p < 0.001; veins: r = 0.685 p < 0.001).ConclusionVessel diameters showed a strong correlation with RNFLT and MD. This, as well as the reduction of stimulation‐induced change in arterio‐venous oxygen saturation difference with visual field loss, may be explained by a reduction of the retinal metabolic demand with progressive loss of neuronal tissue in glaucoma.
The results of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in 1200 patients with peritoneal malignancy
Authors: Moran B. , Cecil T. , Chandrakumaran K. , Arnold S. , Mohamed F. , Venkatasubramaniam A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAimThe study determined the outcome of 1200 consecutive patients treated for peritoneal malignancy in one surgical unit over a 20‐year period.MethodA retrospective analysis was conducted of a custom designed prospective database of patients undergoing surgery for peritoneal malignancy since 1994. Patient demographics, tumour type, extent of surgery and outcome were recorded.ResultsBetween 1994 and January 2014 (when the 1200th case had undergone surgery) 2956 patients were referred with a diagnosis of peritoneal malignancy. Pseudomyxoma peritonei of appendiceal origin was the pathology in 956/1200 (79.7%) patients. Other aetiologies included colorectal peritoneal metastases [89/1200 (7.4%)], abdominal mesothelioma [65/1200 (5.4%)] and miscellaneous [90/1200 (7.5%)]. Overall 863/1200 (71.9%) had complete cytoreduction, 294 (24.5%) had maximal tumour debulking and 43 (3.6%) had laparotomy only. The proportion undergoing complete cytoreduction per quartile of 300 patients was 60.7%, 65.0%, 77.0% and 80.3%. Laparotomy and biopsy fell from 6.4% in the first quartile to 2.7%, 1.7% and 1.3% in subsequent quartiles. The 30‐day mortality in the four quartiles was 3.0%, 1.0%, 0.7% and 0.7%. The 5‐year survival was 84% in the 636 patients with appendix tumours who had complete cytoreduction, 76% in the 38 with abdominal mesothelioma and 44% in the 60 with colorectal peritoneal metastases.ConclusionA centralized approach facilitated high volume experience in a single centre with an increase in the completeness of surgical excision rates and a reduction in mortality and morbidity over time.
Cultural Gravity Effects among Migrants: A Comparative Analysis of theEU15
Authors: Tubadji Annie , Nijkamp Peter 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis article introducescultural gravityas a concept that serves to better disentangle the direction and magnitude of the effects from migration, which is controversial in recent literature. The aim is to test for cultural gravity effects on both the geographic concentration and human capital productivity of immigrants in the EU15 countries. Operationally, we proceed to construct an empirical cultural gravity measure and test it with the use of a composite cross‐sectional database, comprising, inter alia, the World Value Survey and Eurostat Census data. After an initial exploration of relevant cultural data by means of multivariate statistical analysis, we present an extended formulation of a gravity model approached through logistic regression methods and a three‐stage least‐squares estimation. Our results clearly demonstrate the existence of a cultural gravity effect among immigrants. Finally, an interesting finding is that cultural gravity also plays a significant role in the context of the Culture‐Based Development (CBD) growth model.
Crystal structure of β‐galactosidase from Bacillus circulans ATCC 31382 (BgaD) and the construction of the thermophilic mutants
Authors: Ishikawa Kazuhiko , Kataoka Misumi , Yanamoto Toshiaki , Nakabayashi Makoto , Watanabe Masahiro , Ishihara Satoru , Yamaguchi Shotaro 
Published: April 2015

β‐Galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) from Bacillus circulans ATCC 31382, designated BgaD, exhibits high transglycosylation activity to produce galacto‐oligosaccharides. BgaD has been speculated to have a multiple domain architecture including a F5/8‐type C domain or a discoidin domain in the C‐terminal peptide region from amino acid sequence analysis. Here, we solved the first crystal structure of the C‐terminal deletion mutant BgaD‐D, consisting of sugar binding, Glyco_hydro, catalytic and bacterial Ig‐like domains, at 2.5 Å. In the asymmetric unit, two molecules of BgaD‐D were identified and the value of VM was estimated to be 5.0 Å3·Da−1. It has been speculated that BgaD‐D consists of four domains. From the structural analysis, however, we clarified that BgaD‐D consists of five domains. We identified a new domain structure comprised of β‐sheets in BgaD. The catalytic domain exhibits a TIM barrel structure with a small pocket suited for accommodating the disaccharides. Detailed structural information for the amino acid residues related to activity and substrate specificity was clarified in the catalytic domain. Furthermore, using the structural information, we successfully constructed some thermostable mutants via protein engineering method.DatabaseCoordinates for the BgaD‐D structure have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank under accession code 4YPJ
Temporal and spatial availability of Atlantic Thread Herring, Opisthonema oglinum, in relation to oceanographic drivers and fishery landings on the Florida Panhandle
Authors: Chagaris David , Mahmoudi Behzad , Muller‐Karger Frank , Cooper Wade , Fischer Keith 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSince 1995, landings of Atlantic Thread Herring (Opisthonema oglinum) on the Florida Panhandle averaged 124 mt each spring (April–June) but declined to nearly zero in 1996–97 and 2006. To elucidate causes of recurring periods of low landings, we used generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) to examine the relationship between Atlantic Thread Herring catch in a trawl survey on the west‐central coast of Florida and four environmental variables. Chlorophyll‐a was significant in the models, indicating a direct relationship between local abundance of baitfish and their planktonic food. Temperature and depth were also significant whereas salinity was not. During 2003 and 2012, synoptic satellite‐derived temperature and chlorophyll‐a maps were used with the GAMMs to predict monthly spatial availability on the Florida Panhandle fishing grounds (long. 85–88o W and depth 12–25 m). The predicted monthly availability was significantly correlated with commercial catch rates (Pearson's r = 0.26, P = 0.004, d.f. = 118). We used multiple linear regression (MLR) with lags to describe the effect of river discharge and wind (as a transport mechanism) on surface chlorophyll‐a over the Panhandle fishing grounds. Discharge from local rivers was significant in all MLRs, and the Mississippi was only significant as an interaction with wind. We conclude that Atlantic Thread Herring are distributed over the Panhandle fishing grounds based on food availability that is driven by river discharge and eastward transport of Mississippi River plumes. This analysis improves our understating of baitfish dynamics, an important ecosystem component in the Gulf of Mexico.
How organic carbon derived from multiple sources contributes to carbon sequestration processes in a shallow coastal system?
Authors: Watanabe Kenta , Kuwae Tomohiro 
Published: April 2015

AbstractCarbon captured by marine organisms helps sequester atmospheric CO2, especially in shallow coastal ecosystems, where rates of primary production and burial of organic carbon (OC) from multiple sources are high. However, linkages between the dynamics of OC derived from multiple sources and carbon sequestration are poorly understood. We investigated the origin (terrestrial, phytobenthos derived, and phytoplankton derived) of particulate OC (POC) and dissolved OC (DOC) in the water column and sedimentary OC using elemental, isotopic, and optical signatures in Furen Lagoon, Japan. Based on these data analysis, we explored how OC from multiple sources contributes to sequestration via storage in sediments, water column sequestration, and air–sea CO2 exchanges, and analyzed how the contributions vary with salinity in a shallow seagrass meadow as well. The relative contribution of terrestrial POC in the water column decreased with increasing salinity, whereas autochthonous POC increased in the salinity range 10–30. Phytoplankton‐derived POC dominated the water column POC (65–95%) within this salinity range; however, it was minor in the sediments (3–29%). In contrast, terrestrial and phytobenthos‐derived POC were relatively minor contributors in the water column but were major contributors in the sediments (49–78% and 19–36%, respectively), indicating that terrestrial and phytobenthos‐derived POC were selectively stored in the sediments. Autochthonous DOC, part of which can contribute to long‐term carbon sequestration in the water column, accounted for >25% of the total water column DOC pool in the salinity range 15–30. Autochthonous OC production decreased the concentration of dissolved inorganic carbon in the water column and thereby contributed to atmospheric CO2 uptake, except in the low‐salinity zone. Our results indicate that shallow coastal ecosystems function not only as transition zones between land and ocean but also as carbon sequestration filters. They function at different timescales, depending on the salinity, and OC sources.
Lactulose production from lactose by recombinant cellobiose 2‐epimerase in permeabilised Escherichia coli cells
Authors: Wang Mingming , Yang Ruijin , Hua Xiao , Shen Qiuyun , Zhang Wenbin , Zhao Wei 
Published: April 2015

SummaryCaldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus cellobiose 2‐epimerase (CsCE) catalyses the single substrate lactose into lactulose and is the most efficient enzyme ever found for the enzymatic synthesis of lactulose. Ethanol‐permeabilised Escherichia coli cells containing CsCE were used as biocatalysts for lactulose production. The reaction conditions for maximum lactulose production were optimised to be 600 g L−1 lactose, pH 7.5, 80 °C and 12.5 U mL−1 of whole‐cell biocatalyst. After incubated at Na2HPO4–NaH2PO4 buffer for 2 h, approximately 390.59 g L−1 lactulose was obtained with a conversion yield of 65.1%. The lowest production and conversion yield of epilactose were also found in Na2HPO4–NaH2PO4 buffer with a final concentration of 11.7 g L−1 and a conversion yield <2%. The results represent a promising technology to attain high production and conversion yield of lactulose with a high purity on industrial scale.
Effects of extrusion cooking on the dietary fibre content and Water Solubility Index of wheat bran extrudates
Authors: Rashid Summer , Rakha Allah , Anjum Faqir M. , Ahmed Waqas , Sohail Muhammad 
Published: April 2015

SummaryInstant study was an attempt to elucidate the suitability of wheat bran for extrusion cooking and to check the effect of different extrusion parameters on the dietary fibre profile as well as on water solubility index. Response surface methodology was used to optimise the extrusion parameters. From results, it was concluded that extrusion cooking had a positive effect on total and soluble dietary fibre. Whilst the insoluble dietary fibre decreased appreciably with the varying processing parameters, the decrease in insoluble fibre and increase in soluble fibre were probably due to disruption of covalent and noncovalent bonds in the carbohydrate and protein moieties leading to smaller and more soluble molecular fragments. Additionally, water solubility index was greatly enhanced by varying extrusion temperature and screw speed. Conclusively, the findings suggest the usefulness of extrusion cooking to beneficially modify the wheat bran for value addition.
Effects of differences between cell‐free and cell‐associated glucosyltransferases from Leuconostoc mesenteroides on gluco‐oligosaccharides structure
Authors: Wang Song , Sun Xiaoqi , Gao Lili , Zhang Bolin 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThe gluco‐oligosaccharide structures depended largely upon the glucosyltransferase (GTF) differences. The oligosaccharides with four polymerisation degrees only was produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides 6055L that contain more cell‐free GTFs, while the gluco‐oligosaccharides with two polymerisation degrees could be yielded by strains PC13 and L4 that have high cell‐related GTFs. Also, more gluco‐oligosaccharides with α‐1, 6 glycosidic link as the backbone, accompanied by the α‐1, 4 glycosidic link as a branch structure was formed in the presence of cell‐free enzymes. The oligosaccharide with α‐1, 3 glycosidic link that connects to all of other branch structures was observed in the presence of cell‐related enzymes. To produce gluco‐oligosaccharides with α‐1, 3 glycosidic link, the L. mesenteroides strains with high proportion of cell‐related GTFs should be recommended. This is the first time to discuss the effects of the differences between the cell‐free and the cell‐associated GTFs produced by L. mesenteroides on oligosaccharide structure.
Control of CD8 T cell proliferation and terminal differentiation by active STAT5 and CDKN2A/CDKN2B
Authors: Grange Magali , Giordano Marilyn , Mas Amandine , Roncagalli Romain , Firaguay Guylène , Nunes Jacques A. , Ghysdael Jacques , Schmitt‐Verhulst Anne‐Marie , Auphan‐Anezin Nathalie 
Published: April 2015

SummaryCD8 T cells used in adoptive immunotherapy may be manipulated to optimize their effector functions, tissue‐migratory properties and long‐term replicative potential. We reported that antigen‐stimulated CD8 T cells transduced to express an active form of the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5CA) maintained these properties upon adoptive transfer. We now report on the requirements of STAT5CA‐expressing CD8 T cells for cell survival and proliferation in vivo. We show that STAT5CA expression allows for greater expansion of T cells in vivo, while preserving dependency on T‐cell‐receptor‐mediated tonic stimulation for their in vivo maintenance and return to a quiescent stage. STAT5CA expression promotes the formation of a large pool of effector memory T cells that respond upon re‐exposure to antigen and present an increased sensitivity to γc receptor cytokine engagement for STAT5 phosphorylation. In addition, STAT5CA expression prolongs the survival of what would otherwise be short‐lived terminally differentiated KLRG1‐positive effector cells with up‐regulated expression of the senescence‐associated p16INK4A transcripts. However, development of a KLRG1‐positive CD8 T cell population was independent of either p16INK4A or p19ARF expression (as shown using T cells from CDKN2A−/− mice) but was associated with expression of transcripts encoding p15INK4B, another protein involved in senescence induction. We conclude that T‐cell‐receptor‐ and cytokine‐dependent regulation of effector T cell homeostasis, as well as mechanisms leading to senescent features of a population of CD8 T cells are maintained in STAT5CA‐expressing CD8 T cells, even for cells that are genetically deficient in expression of the tumour suppressors p16INK4A and p19ARF.
Analysis of the functional WT1‐specific T‐cell repertoire in healthy donors reveals a discrepancy between CD4+ and CD8+ memory formation
Authors: Schmied Sabine , Gostick Emma , Price David A. , Abken Hinrich , Assenmacher Mario , Richter Anne 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThe Wilms’ tumour‐1 (WT1) protein is considered a prime target for cancer immunotherapy based on its presumptive immunogenicity and widespread expression across a variety of malignancies. However, little is known about the naturally occurring WT1‐specific T‐cell repertoire because self‐derived antigens typically elicit low frequency responses that challenge the sensitivity limits of current detection techniques. In this study, we used highly efficient cell enrichment procedures based on CD137, CD154, and pHLA class I tetramer staining to conduct a detailed analysis of WT1‐specific T cells from the peripheral blood. Remarkably, we detected WT1‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell populations in the vast majority of healthy individuals. Memory responses specific for WT1 were commonly present in the CD4+ T‐cell compartment, whereas WT1‐specific CD8+ T cells almost universally displayed a naive phenotype. Moreover, memory CD4+ and naive CD8+ T cells with specificity for WT1 were found to coexist in some individuals. Collectively, these findings suggest a natural discrepancy between the CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell lineages with respect to memory formation in response to a self‐derived antigen. Nonetheless, WT1‐specific T cells from both lineages were readily activated ex vivo and expanded in vitro, supporting the use of strategies designed to exploit this expansive reservoir of self‐reactive T cells for immunotherapeutic purposes.
The nucleic acid‐sensing inflammasomes
Authors: Xiao Tsan Sam 
Published: April 2015

SummaryInflammasomes are oligomeric signaling complexes that promote caspase activation and maturation of proinflammatory cytokines. Structural and biophysical studies have shed light on the mechanisms of nucleic acid recognition and signaling complex assembly involving the AIM2 (absent in myeloma 2) and IFI16 (γ‐interferon‐inducible protein 16) inflammasomes. However, our understanding of the mechanisms of the NLRP3 (nucleotide‐binding oligomerization‐like receptor family, pyrin domain‐containing protein 3) activation, either by nucleic acids or by other reported stimuli, has remained elusive. Exciting recent progress on the filament formation by the ASC (apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain) pyrin domain and the IFI16–double stranded DNA complex has established that the formation of higher order polymers is one of the general mechanisms for signaling platform assembly in innate immune system. The paradigm‐changing discovery of the extracellular function of the NLRP3–ASC inflammasome has opened the door for therapeutic targeting the inflammasome filament formation for various clinical conditions. Future characterization of the canonical and non‐canonical inflammasome complexes will undoubtedly reveal more surprises on their structure and function and enrich our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of ligand recognition, activation, and regulation.
NLRP3 at the interface of metabolism and inflammation
Authors: Haneklaus Moritz , O'Neill Luke A. J. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThe discovery of the NLRP3 (NLR family, pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome provided an important molecular mechanism in the induction of the central pro‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), via activation of caspase‐1, which processes pro‐IL‐1β into its mature active form. IL‐1 has long been known to exert metabolic effects, most notably being implicated in insulin resistance and obesity. A key phenotype of the NLRP3‐deficient mouse is insulin hypersensitivity. Over the past 5 years, a number of discoveries have been made suggesting a close interplay between NLRP3 and metabolism. Metabolic products have been shown to activate NLPR3, and disturbed mitochondria have been shown to be involved in NLRP3 function. It is possible that under normal physiology NLRP3 is homeostatic and maintains the metabolic balance. However, upon chronic activation (e.g. in obesity or hypercholesterolemia), NLRP3 becomes pathologic and promotes disease. Here, we review these findings and place them in the context of exciting new insights that are improving our understanding of the link between inflammation and metabolism. These insights are giving rise to better understanding of disease pathogenesis and might point to new therapeutic approaches.
The NAIP–NLRC4 inflammasome in innate immune detection of bacterial flagellin and type III secretion apparatus
Authors: Zhao Yue , Shao Feng 
Published: April 2015

SummaryBacterial flagella and type III secretion system (T3SS) are evolutionarily related molecular transport machineries. Flagella mediate bacterial motility; the T3SS delivers virulence effectors to block host defenses. The inflammasome is a cytosolic multi‐protein complex that activates caspase‐1. Active caspase‐1 triggers interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β)/IL‐18 maturation and macrophage pyroptotic death to mount an inflammatory response. Central to the inflammasome is a pattern recognition receptor that activates caspase‐1 either directly or through an adapter protein. Studies in the past 10 years have established a NAIP–NLRC4 inflammasome, in which NAIPs are cytosolic receptors for bacterial flagellin and T3SS rod/needle proteins, while NLRC4 acts as an adapter for caspase‐1 activation. Given the wide presence of flagella and the T3SS in bacteria, the NAIP–NLRC4 inflammasome plays a critical role in anti‐bacteria defenses. Here, we review the discovery of the NAIP–NLRC4 inflammasome and further discuss recent advances related to its biochemical mechanism and biological function as well as its connection to human autoinflammatory disease.
Drivers of age‐related inflammation and strategies for healthspan extension
Authors: Goldberg Emily L. , Dixit Vishwa Deep 
Published: April 2015

SummaryAging is the greatest risk factor for the development of chronic diseases such as arthritis, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, frailty, and certain forms of cancers. It is widely regarded that chronic inflammation may be a common link in all these age‐related diseases. This raises the question, can one alter the course of aging and potentially slow the development of all chronic diseases by manipulating the mechanisms that cause age‐related inflammation? Emerging evidence suggests that pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) and IL‐18 show an age‐dependent regulation implicating inflammasome‐mediated caspase‐1 activation in the aging process. The Nod‐like receptor (NLR) family of innate immune cell sensors, such as the nucleotide‐binding domain, leucine‐rich‐containing family, pyrin domain‐containing‐3 (NLRP3) inflammasome controls the caspase‐1 activation in myeloid‐lineage cells in several organs during aging. The NLRP3 inflammasome is especially relevant to aging as it can get activated in response to structurally diverse damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) such as extracellular ATP, excess glucose, ceramides, amyloids, urate, and cholesterol crystals, all of which increase with age. Interestingly, reduction in NLRP3‐mediated inflammation prevents age‐related insulin resistance, bone loss, cognitive decline, and frailty. NLRP3 is a major driver of age‐related inflammation and therefore dietary or pharmacological approaches to lower aberrant inflammasome activation holds promise in reducing multiple chronic diseases of age and may enhance healthspan.