bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Universal roles of hydrogen in electrochemical performance of graphene: high rate capacity and atomistic origins
Authors: Ye Jianchao , Ong Mitchell T. , Heo Tae Wook , Campbell Patrick G. , Worsley Marcus A. , Liu Yuanyue , Shin Swanee J. , Charnvanichborikarn Supakit , Matthews Manyalibo J. , Bagge-Hansen Michael , Lee Jonathan R.I. , Wood Brandon C. , Wang Y. Morris 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAtomic hydrogen exists ubiquitously in graphene materials made by chemical methods. Yet determining the effect of hydrogen on the electrochemical performance of graphene remains a significant challenge. Here we report the experimental observations of high rate capacity in hydrogen-treated 3-dimensional (3D) graphene nanofoam electrodes for lithium ion batteries. Structural and electronic characterization suggests that defect sites and hydrogen play synergistic roles in disrupting sp2 graphene to facilitate fast lithium transport and reversible surface binding, as evidenced by the fast charge-transfer kinetics and increased capacitive contribution in hydrogen-treated 3D graphene. In concert with experiments, multiscale calculations reveal that defect complexes in graphene are prerequisite for low-temperature hydrogenation and that the hydrogenation of defective or functionalized sites at strained domain boundaries plays a beneficial role in improving rate capacity by opening gaps to facilitate easier Li penetration. Additional reversible capacity is provided by enhanced lithium binding near hydrogen-terminated edge sites. These findings provide qualitative insights in helping the design of graphene-based materials for high-power electrodes.
Prediction of Long-term Post-operative Testosterone Replacement Requirement Based on the Pre-operative Tumor Volume and Testosterone Level in Pituitary Macroadenoma
Authors: Lee Cheng-Chi , Chen Chung-Ming , Lee Shih-Tseng , Wei Kuo-Chen , Pai Ping-Ching , Toh Cheng-Hong , Chuang Chi-Cheng 
Published: November 2015

AbstractNon-functioning pituitary macroadenomas (NFPAs) are the most prevalent pituitary macroadenomas. One common symptom of NFPA is hypogonadism, which may require long-term hormone replacement. This study was designed to clarify the association between the pre-operative tumor volume, pre-operative testosterone level, intraoperative resection status and the need of long-term post-operative testosterone replacement. Between 2004 and 2012, 45 male patients with NFPAs were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients underwent transsphenoidal surgery. Hypogonadism was defined as total serum testosterone levels of <2.4 ng/mL. The tumor volume was calculated based on the pre- and post-operative magnetic resonance images. We prescribed testosterone to patients with defined hypogonadism or clinical symptoms of hypogonadism. Hormone replacement for longer than 1 year was considered as long-term therapy. The need for long-term post-operative testosterone replacement was significantly associated with larger pre-operative tumor volume (p = 0.0067) and lower pre-operative testosterone level (p = 0.0101). There was no significant difference between the gross total tumor resection and subtotal resection groups (p = 0.1059). The pre-operative tumor volume and testosterone level impact post-operative hypogonadism. By measuring the tumor volume and the testosterone level and by performing adequate tumor resection, surgeons will be able to predict post-operative hypogonadism and the need for long-term hormone replacement.
Substrate recognition and catalysis by LytB, a pneumococcal peptidoglycan hydrolase involved in virulence
Authors: Rico-Lastres Palma , Díez-Martínez Roberto , Iglesias-Bexiga Manuel , Bustamante Noemí , Aldridge Christine , Hesek Dusan , Lee Mijoon , Mobashery Shahriar , Gray Joe , Vollmer Waldemar , García Pedro , Menéndez Margarita 
Published: November 2015

AbstractStreptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of life-threatening diseases worldwide. Here we provide an in-depth functional characterization of LytB, the peptidoglycan hydrolase responsible for physical separation of daughter cells. Identified herein as an N-acetylglucosaminidase, LytB is involved also in colonization and invasion of the nasopharynx, biofilm formation and evasion of host immunity as previously demonstrated. We have shown that LytB cleaves the GlcNAc-β-(1,4)-MurNAc glycosidic bond of peptidoglycan building units. The hydrolysis occurs at sites with fully acetylated GlcNAc moieties, with preference for uncross-linked muropeptides. The necessity of GlcN acetylation and the presence of a single acidic moiety (Glu585) essential for catalysis strongly suggest a substrate-assisted mechanism with anchimeric assistance of the acetamido group of GlcNAc moieties. Additionally, modelling of the catalytic region bound to a hexasaccharide tripentapeptide provided insights into substrate-binding subsites and peptidoglycan recognition. Besides, cell-wall digestion products and solubilisation rates might indicate a tight control of LytB activity to prevent unrestrained breakdown of the cell wall. Choline-independent localization at the poles of the cell, mediated by the choline-binding domain, peptidoglycan modification and choline-mediated (lipo)teichoic-acid attachment contribute to the high selectivity of LytB. Moreover, so far unknown chitin hydrolase and glycosyltransferase activities were detected using GlcNAc oligomers as substrate.
Capsular Outcomes Differ with Capsulorhexis Sizes after Pediatric Cataract Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lin Haotian , Tan Xuhua , Lin Zhuoling , Chen Jingjing , Luo Lixia , Wu Xiaohang , Long Erping , Chen Weirong , Liu Yizhi 
Published: November 2015

AbstractCapsular outcomes of anterior/posterior capsulorhexis opening (ACO/PCO) are essential for performing a secondary in-the-bag intraocular lens implantation. To compare the capsular outcomes with different primary capsulorhexis sizes, Thirty-eight eligible patients (45 eyes) were randomly assigned to three groups by anterior capsulorhexis diameter (Group A: 3.0–3.9, Group B: 4.0–5.0 and Group C: 5.1–6.0 mm). The areas of ACO/PCO and posterior capsule opening opacity (PCOO) as primary outcomes, while, the incidence of visual axis opacity (VAO) as secondary outcome were measured at follow-up visits. Among the thirty eyes included in the final analysis, the mean area of the ACO decreased significantly, whereas the PCO enlarged with time. Group A had the highest anterior capsule constriction and percentage reduction, which increased with time. There were significant differences in the percentage reductions at 6 months and 1 year compared to 1 month in Group A and B. Group C had the highest posterior capsule enlargement. The percentage of PCOO to PCO area and the incidence of VAO was highest in Group A and lowest in Group C. Thus, Capsulorhexis diameter of 4.0–5.0 mm may yield better capsular outcomes, considering moderate contraction of ACO, moderate enlargement of PCO and lower percentage of PCOO and VAO.
Improving chemotherapeutic efficiency in acute myeloid leukemia treatments by chemically synthesized peptide interfering with CXCR4/CXCL12 axis
Authors: Li Xiaojin , Guo Hua , Duan Hongyang , Yang Yanlian , Meng Jie , Liu Jian , Wang Chen , Xu Haiyan 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBone marrow stroma can protect acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells against chemotherapeutic agents and provide anti-apoptosis and chemoresistance signals through secreting chemokine CXCL12 to activate its receptor CXCR4 on AML cells, resulting in minimal residual leukemia and relapse. Therefore disrupting the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis with antagonists is of great significance for improving chemosensitivity and decreasing relapse rate. In a previous study, we reported a novel synthetic peptide E5 with its remarkable effect on inhibiting CXCR4/CXCL12-mediated adhesion and migration of AML cells. Here we presented E5’s capacity of enhancing the therapeutic efficiency of various chemotherapeutics on AML in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that E5 can diminish bone marrow stromal cell-provided protection to leukemia cells, significantly increasing the apoptosis induced by various chemotherapeutics in multiple AML cell lines. In an AML mouse xenograft model, E5 induced 1.84-fold increase of circulating AML cells out of protective stroma niche. Combined with vincristine or cyclophosphamide, E5 inhibited infiltration of AML cells into bone marrow, liver and spleen, as well as prolonged the lifespan of AML mice compared with mice treated with chemotherapy alone. In addition, E5 presented no toxicity in vivo according to the histological analysis and routine clinical parameters of serum analysis.
Structural Characterization of a Newly Identified Component of α-Carboxysomes: The AAA+ Domain Protein CsoCbbQ
Authors: Sutter Markus , Roberts Evan W. , Gonzalez Raul C. , Bates Cassandra , Dawoud Salma , Landry Kimberly , Cannon Gordon C. , Heinhorst Sabine , Kerfeld Cheryl A. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractCarboxysomes are bacterial microcompartments that enhance carbon fixation by concentrating ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) and its substrate CO2 within a proteinaceous shell. They are found in all cyanobacteria, some purple photoautotrophs and many chemoautotrophic bacteria. Carboxysomes consist of a protein shell that encapsulates several hundred molecules of RuBisCO and contain carbonic anhydrase and other accessory proteins. Genes coding for carboxysome shell components and the encapsulated proteins are typically found together in an operon. The α-carboxysome operon is embedded in a cluster of additional, conserved genes that are presumably related to its function. In many chemoautotrophs, products of the expanded carboxysome locus include CbbO and CbbQ, a member of the AAA+ domain superfamily. We bioinformatically identified subtypes of CbbQ proteins and show that their genes frequently co-occur with both Form IA and Form II RuBisCO. The α-carboxysome-associated ortholog, CsoCbbQ, from Halothiobacillus neapolitanus forms a hexamer in solution and hydrolyzes ATP. The crystal structure shows that CsoCbbQ is a hexamer of the typical AAA+ domain; the additional C-terminal domain, diagnostic of the CbbQ subfamily, structurally fills the inter-monomer gaps, resulting in a distinctly hexagonal shape. We show that CsoCbbQ interacts with CsoCbbO and is a component of the carboxysome shell, the first example of ATPase activity associated with a bacterial microcompartment.
Trends in presentation, management and survival of patients with de novo metastatic breast cancer in a Southeast Asian setting
Authors: Bhoo-Pathy Nirmala , Verkooijen Helena Marieke , Tan Ern-Yu , Miao Hui , Taib Nur Aishah Mohd , Brand Judith S. , Dent Rebecca A. , See Mee-Hoong , Subramaniam ShriDevi , Chan Patrick , Lee Soo-Chin , Hartman Mikael , Yip Cheng-Har 
Published: November 2015

AbstractUp to 25% of breast cancer patients in Asia present with de novo metastatic disease. We examined the survival trends of Asian patients with metastatic breast cancer over fifteen years. The impact of changes in patient’s demography, tumor characteristics, tumor burden and treatment on survival trend were examined. Patients with de novo metastatic breast cancer from three hospitals in Malaysia and Singapore (N = 856) were grouped by year of diagnosis: 1996–2000, 2001–2005 and 2006–2010. Step-wise multivariable Poisson regression was used to estimate the contribution of above-mentioned factors on the survival trend. Proportions of patients presenting with metastatic breast cancer were 10% in 1996–2000, 7% in 2001–2005 and 9% in 2006–2010. Patients in 2006–2010 were significantly older, appeared to have higher disease burden and received more chemotherapy, endocrine therapy and surgery of primary tumor. The three-year relative survival in the above periods were 20·6% (95% CI: 13·9%–28·2%), 28·8% (95% CI: 23·4%–34·2%) and 33·6% (95% CI: 28·8%–38·5%), respectively. Adjustment for treatment considerably attenuated the relative excess risk of mortality in recent years, compared to other factors. Substantial improvements in survival were observed in patients with de novo metastatic breast cancer in this study.
Manual control of catalytic reactions: Reactions by an apoenzyme gel and a cofactor gel
Authors: Kobayashi Yuichiro , Takashima Yoshinori , Hashidzume Akihito , Yamaguchi Hiroyasu , Harada Akira 
Published: November 2015

AbstractEnzymes play a vital role in catalysing almost all chemical reactions that occur in biological systems. Some enzymes must form complexes with non-protein molecules called cofactors to express catalytic activities. Although the control of catalytic reactions via apoenzyme–cofactor complexes has attracted significant attention, the reports have been limited to the microscale. Here, we report a system to express catalytic activity by adhesion of an apoenzyme gel and a cofactor gel. The apoenzyme and cofactor gels act as catalysts when they form a gel assembly, but they lose catalytic ability upon manual dissociation. We successfully construct a system with switchable catalytic activity via adhesion and separation of the apoenzyme gel with the cofactor gel. We expect that this methodology can be applied to regulate the functional activities of enzymes that bear cofactors in their active sites, such as the oxygen transport of haemoglobin or myoglobin and the electron transport of cytochromes.
Substrates of the ASB2α E3 ubiquitin ligase in dendritic cells
Authors: Spinner Camille A. , Uttenweiler-Joseph Sandrine , Metais Arnaud , Stella Alexandre , Burlet-Schiltz Odile , Moog-Lutz Christel , Lamsoul Isabelle , Lutz Pierre G. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractConventional dendritic cells (cDCs) comprise distinct populations with specialized immune functions that are mediators of innate and adaptive immune responses. Transcriptomic and proteomic approaches have been used so far to identify transcripts and proteins that are differentially expressed in these subsets to understand the respective functions of cDCs subsets. Here, we showed that the Cullin 5-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase (E3) ASB2α, by driving degradation of filamin A (FLNa) and filamin B (FLNb), is responsible for the difference in FLNa and FLNb abundance in the different spleen cDC subsets. Importantly, the ability of these cDC subsets to migrate correlates with the level of FLNa. Furthermore, our results strongly point to CD4 positive and double negative cDCs as distinct populations. Finally, we develop quantitative global proteomic approaches to identify ASB2α substrates in DCs using ASB2 conditional knockout mice. As component of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) are amenable to pharmacological manipulation, these approaches aimed to the identification of E3 substrates in physiological relevant settings could potentially lead to novel targets for therapeutic strategies.
2A self-cleaving peptide-based multi-gene expression system in the silkworm Bombyx mori
Authors: Wang Yuancheng , Wang Feng , Wang Riyuan , Zhao Ping , Xia Qingyou 
Published: November 2015

AbstractFundamental and applied studies of silkworms have entered the functional genomics era. Here, we report a multi-gene expression system (MGES) based on 2A self-cleaving peptide (2A), which regulates the simultaneous expression and cleavage of multiple gene targets in the silk gland of transgenic silkworms. First, a glycine-serine-glycine spacer (GSG) was found to significantly improve the cleavage efficiency of 2A. Then, the cleavage efficiency of six types of 2As with GSG was analyzed. The shortest porcine teschovirus-1 2A (P2A-GSG) exhibited the highest cleavage efficiency in all insect cell lines that we tested. Next, P2A-GSG successfully cleaved the artificial human serum albumin (66 kDa) linked with human acidic fibroblast growth factor (20.2 kDa) fusion genes and vitellogenin receptor fragment (196 kD) of silkworm linked with EGFP fusion genes, importantly, vitellogenin receptor protein was secreted to the outside of cells. Furthermore, P2A-GSG successfully mediated the simultaneous expression and cleavage of a DsRed and EGFP fusion gene in silk glands and caused secretion into the cocoon of transgenic silkworms using our sericin1 expression system. We predicted that the MGES would be an efficient tool for gene function research and innovative research on various functional silk materials in medicine, cosmetics and other biomedical areas.
Insights into immune responses in oral cancer through proteomic analysis of saliva and salivary extracellular vesicles
Authors: Winck Flavia V. , Prado Ribeiro Ana Carolina , Ramos Domingues Romênia , Ling Liu Yi , Riaño-Pachón Diego Mauricio , Rivera César , Brandão Thaís Bianca , Gouvea Adriele Ferreira , Santos-Silva Alan Roger , Coletta Ricardo D. , Paes Leme Adriana F. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe development and progression of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) involves complex cellular mechanisms that contribute to the low five-year survival rate of approximately 20% among diagnosed patients. However, the biological processes essential to tumor progression are not completely understood. Therefore, detecting alterations in the salivary proteome may assist in elucidating the cellular mechanisms modulated in OSCC and improve the clinical prognosis of the disease. The proteome of whole saliva and salivary extracellular vesicles (EVs) from patients with OSCC and healthy individuals were analyzed by LC-MS/MS and label-free protein quantification. Proteome data analysis was performed using statistical, machine learning and feature selection methods with additional functional annotation. Biological processes related to immune responses, peptidase inhibitor activity, iron coordination and protease binding were overrepresented in the group of differentially expressed proteins. Proteins related to the inflammatory system, transport of metals and cellular growth and proliferation were identified in the proteome of salivary EVs. The proteomics data were robust and could classify OSCC with 90% accuracy. The saliva proteome analysis revealed that immune processes are related to the presence of OSCC and indicate that proteomics data can contribute to determining OSCC prognosis.
Masking Release in Children and Adults With Hearing Loss When Using Amplification
Authors: Brennan Marc , McCreery Ryan , Kopun Judy , Lewis Dawna , Alexander Joshua , Stelmachowicz Patricia 
Published: November 2015

Purpose
This study compared masking release for adults and children with normal hearing and hearing loss. For the participants with hearing loss, masking release using simulated hearing aid amplification with 2 different compression speeds (slow, fast) was compared.

Method
Sentence recognition in unmodulated noise was compared with recognition in modulated noise (masking release). Recognition was measured for participants with hearing loss using individualized amplification via the hearing-aid simulator.

Results
Adults with hearing loss showed greater masking release than the children with hearing loss. Average masking release was small (1 dB) and did not depend on hearing status. Masking release was comparable for slow and fast compression.

Conclusions
The use of amplification in this study contrasts with previous studies that did not use amplification. The results suggest that when differences in audibility are reduced, participants with hearing loss may be able to take advantage of dips in the noise levels, similar to participants with normal hearing. Although children required a more favorable signal-to-noise ratio than adults for both unmodulated and modulated noise, masking release was not statistically different. However, the ability to detect a difference may have been limited by the small amount of masking release observed.
Racial Variations in Velopharyngeal and Craniometric Morphology in Children: An Imaging Study
Authors: Kollara Lakshmi , Perry Jamie L. , Hudson Suzanne 
Published: November 2015

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine craniometric and velopharyngeal anatomy among young children (4–8 years of age) with normal anatomy across Black and White racial groups.MethodThirty-two healthy children (16 White and 16 Black) with normal velopharyngeal anatomy participated and successfully completed the magnetic resonance imaging scans. Measurements included 11 craniofacial and 9 velopharyngeal measures.ResultsTwo-way analysis of covariance was used to determine the effects of race and sex on velopharyngeal measures and all craniometric measures except head circumference. Head circumference was included as a covariate to control for overall cranial size. Sex did not have a significant effect on any of the craniometric measures. Significant racial differences were demonstrated for face height. A significant race effect was also observed for mean velar length, velar thickness, and velopharyngeal ratio.ConclusionThe present study provides separate craniofacial and velopharyngeal values for young Black and White children. Data from this study can be used to examine morphological variations with respect to race and sex.
On artifacts in single-molecule force spectroscopy
Authors: Cossio Pilar , Hummer Gerhard , Szabo Attila 
Published: November 2015

Significance
The response of single molecules to applied forces can be probed using atomic force microscopes and laser tweezers. In these experiments, a biomolecule is attached, for example, to a mesoscopic (approximately micron size) bead that is trapped in the focus of a laser, via a long intervening polymer. To interpret such experiments, one must know the extent that the measured data reflect the behavior of the molecule of interest. Here, we develop an analytically tractable theory that can be used to determine the influence of the pulling device (apparatus) on the measured quantities, such as the rates of conformational changes. Our theory allows one to make the appropriate corrections when necessary.
Generation of a glucose de-repressed mutant of Trichoderma reesei using disparity mutagenesis
Authors: Iwakuma Hidekazu , Koyama Yoshiyuki , Miyachi Ayako , Nasukawa Masashi , Matsumoto Hitoshi , Yano Shuntaro , Ogihara Jun , Kasumi Takafumi 
Published: November 2015

Abstract
We obtained a novel glucose de-repressed mutant of Trichoderma reesei using disparity mutagenesis. A plasmid containing DNA polymerase δ lacking proofreading activity, and AMAI, an autonomously replicating sequence was introduced into T. reesei ATCC66589. The rate of mutation evaluated with 5-fluoroorotic acid resistance was approximately 30-fold higher than that obtained by UV irradiation. The transformants harboring incompetent DNA polymerase δ were then selected on 2-deoxyglucose agar plates with hygromycin B. The pNP-lactoside hydrolyzing activities of mutants were 2 to 5-fold higher than the parent in liquid medium containing glucose. Notably, the amino acid sequence of cre1, a key gene involved in glucose repression, was identical in the mutant and parent strains, and further, the cre1 expression levels was not abolished in the mutant. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the strains of T. reesei generated by disparity mutagenesis are glucose de-repressed variants that contain mutations in yet-unidentified factors other than cre1.