bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anaplasma phagocytophilum Outer Membrane Protein A Interacts with Sialylated Glycoproteins To Promote Infection of Mammalian Host Cells
Authors: Ojogun Nore , Kahlon Amandeep , Ragland Stephanie A. , Troese Matthew J. , Mastronunzio Juliana E. , Walker Naomi J. , VieBrock Lauren , Thomas Rachael J. , Borjesson Dori L. , Fikrig Erol , Carlyon Jason A. 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT

Anaplasma phagocytophilum
is the tick-transmitted obligate intracellular bacterium that causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA).
A. phagocytophilum
binding to sialyl Lewis x (sLe
x
) and other sialylated glycans that decorate P selectin glycoprotein 1 (PSGL-1) and other glycoproteins is critical for infection of mammalian host cells. Here, we demonstrate the importance of
A. phagocytophilum
outer membrane protein A (OmpA) APH_0338 in infection of mammalian host cells. OmpA is transcriptionally induced during transmission feeding of
A. phagocytophilum
-infected ticks on mice and is upregulated during invasion of HL-60 cells. OmpA is presented on the pathogen's surface. Sera from HGA patients and experimentally infected mice recognize recombinant OmpA. Pretreatment of
A. phagocytophilum
organisms with OmpA antiserum reduces their abilities to infect HL-60 cells. The OmpA N-terminal region is predicted to contain the protein's extracellular domain. Glutathione
S
-transferase (GST)-tagged versions of OmpA and OmpA amino acids 19 to 74 (OmpA
19-74
) but not OmpA
75-205
bind to, and competitively inhibit
A. phagocytophilum
infection of, host cells. Pretreatment of host cells with sialidase or trypsin reduces or nearly eliminates, respectively, GST-OmpA adhesion. Therefore, OmpA interacts with sialylated glycoproteins. This study identifies the first
A. phagocytophilum
adhesin-receptor pair and delineates the region of OmpA that is critical for infection.
Characterization of green clay concretions from the Tonggao Formation, South China: Mineralogy, petrogenesis and paleoenvironmental implications1National Natural Science Foundation of China 40825006.
Authors: Izawa Matthew R.M. , Flemming Roberta L. , Zhan Renbin , Jin Jisuo 
Published: August 2012

Enigmatic millimetre-scale micro-concretions with pseudocrystal faces and dominated by green clay minerals occur in unfossiliferous siliciclastic mudstone of the Lower Ordovician (479.0–466.0 Ma) Tonggao Formation, South China. The fossil-free mudstone unit is associated with local biodiversity decline. The mineralogy and mineral chemistry of these concretions were unknown previously, and this study comprises a preliminary investigation. The concretions are dominated by Fe-rich phyllosilicate minerals including glauconite and clinochlore, with minor quartz and traces of magnetite. The textural relations between the micro-concretions and the surrounding matrix, and the preservation of original mudstone laminations within the concretions, point to an origin during early diagenesis. The mineralogy and chemistry of these concretions are consistent with an origin in a restricted, hypersaline, relatively deep-water environment, in accordance with stratigraphical and paleonotological data. These micro-concretions provide clues for a stressed environment with poor water circulation and anomalies of salinity and oxygen.
DHA supplementation enhances high-frequency, stimulation-induced synaptic transmission in mouse hippocampus
Authors: Connor Steve , Tenorio Gustavo , Clandinin Michael Tom , Sauvé Yves 
Published: August 2012

While some studies on dietary supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) have reported a beneficial effect on memory as a function of age, others have failed to find any effect. To clarify this issue, we sought to determine whether supplementing mice with a DHA-enriched diet could alter the ability of synapses to undergo activity-dependent changes in the hippocampus, a brain structure involved in forming new spatial memories. We found that DHA was increased by 29% ± 5% (mean ± SE) in the hippocampus for the supplemented (DHA+) versus nonsupplemented (control) group (n = 5 mice per group; p < 0.05). Such DHA elevation was associated with enhanced synaptic transmission (p < 0.05) as assessed by application of a high-frequency electrical stimulation protocol (100 Hz stimulation, which induced transient (<2 h) increases in synaptic strength) to slices from DHA+ (n = 4 mice) hippocampi when compared with controls (n = 4 mice). Increased synaptic responses were evident 60 min poststimulation. These results suggest that dietary DHA supplementation facilitates synaptic plasticity following brief high-frequency stimulation. This increase in synaptic transmission might provide a physiological correlation for the improved spatial learning and memory observed following DHA supplementation.
Underestimating a serving size may lead to increased food consumption when using Canada’s Food Guide
Authors: Abramovitch Sharona L. , Reddigan Jacinta I. , Hamadeh Mazen J. , Jamnik Veronica K. , Rowan Chip P. , Kuk Jennifer L. 
Published: August 2012

It is unclear whether Canadians accurately estimate serving sizes and the number of servings in their diet as intended by Canada’s Food Guide (CFG). The objective of this study was to determine if participants can accurately quantify the size of 1 serving and the number of servings consumed per day. White, Black, South Asian, and East Asian adults (n = 145) estimated the quantity of food that constituted 1 CFG serving, and used CFG to estimate the number of servings that they consumed from their 24-h dietary recall. Participants estimated 1 serving size of vegetables and fruit (+43%) and grains (+55%) to be larger than CFG serving sizes (p ≤ 0.05); meat alternatives (–33%) and cheese (–31%) to be smaller than a CFG serving size (p ≤ 0.05); and chicken, carrots, and milk servings accurately (p > 0.05). Serving size estimates were positively correlated with the amount of food participants regularly consumed at 1 meal (p < 0.001). From their food records, all ethnicities estimated that they consumed fewer servings of vegetables and fruit (–15%), grains (–28%), and meat and alternatives (–14%) than they actually consumed, and more servings of milk and alternatives (+26%, p ≤ 0.05) than they actually consumed. Consequently, 68% of participants believed they needed to increase consumption by greater than 200 kcal to meet CFG recommendations. In conclusion, estimating serving sizes to be larger than what is defined by CFG may inadvertently lead to estimating that fewer servings were consumed and overeating if Canadians follow CFG recommendations without guidance. Thus, revision to CFG or greater public education regarding the dietary guidelines is warranted.
Beverage patterns among Canadian children and relationship to overweight and obesity
Authors: Danyliw Adrienne D. , Vatanparast Hassanali , Nikpartow Nooshin , Whiting Susan J. 
Published: August 2012

Sweetened beverage intake has risen in past decades, along with a rise in prevalence of overweight and obesity among children. Our objective was to examine the relationship between beverage intake patterns and overweight and obesity among Canadian children. Beverage intake patterns were identified by cluster analysis of data from the cross-sectional Canadian Community Health Survey 2.2. Intake data were obtained from a single 24-hour recall, height and weight were measured, and sociodemographic data were obtained via interview. Data on children and adolescents aged 2–18 years who met inclusion criteria (n = 10 038) were grouped into the following categories: 2–5 years (male and female), 6–11 years (female), 6–11 years (male), 12–18 years (female), and 12–18 years (male). χ2 test was used to compare rates of overweight and obesity across clusters. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between overweight and obesity and beverage intake patterns, adjusting for potential confounders. Clustering resulted in distinct groups of who drank mostly fruit drinks, soft drinks, 100% juice, milk, high-fat milk, or low-volume and varied beverages (termed “moderate”). Boys aged 6–11 years whose beverage pattern was characterized by soft drink intake (553 ± 29 g) had increased odds of overweight–obesity (odds ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.2–4.1) compared with a “moderate” beverage pattern (23 ± 4 g soft drink). No significant relationship emerged between beverage pattern and overweight and obesity among other age–sex groups. Using national cross-sectional dietary intake data, Canadian children do not show a beverage–weight association except among young boys who drink mostly soft drinks, and thus may be at increased risk for overweight or obesity.
Scatter Spectroscopic Imaging Distinguishes between Breast Pathologies in Tissues Relevant to Surgical Margin Assessment
Authors: Laughney Ashley M. , Krishnaswamy Venkataramanan , Rizzo Elizabeth J. , Schwab Mary C. , Barth Richard J. , Pogue Brian W. , Paulsen Keith D. , Wells Wendy A. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPurpose: A new approach to spectroscopic imaging was developed to detect and discriminate microscopic pathologies in resected breast tissues; diagnostic performance of the prototype system was tested in 27 tissues procured during breast conservative surgery.Experimental Design: A custom-built, scanning in situ spectroscopy platform sampled broadband reflectance from a 150-μm-diameter spot over a 1 × 1 cm2 field using a dark field geometry and telecentric lens; the system was designed to balance sensitivity to cellular morphology and imaging the inherent diversity within tissue subtypes. Nearly 300,000 broadband spectra were parameterized using light scattering models and spatially dependent spectral signatures were interpreted using a cooccurrence matrix representation of image texture.Results: Local scattering changes distinguished benign from malignant pathologies with 94% accuracy, 93% sensitivity, 95% specificity, and 93% positive and 95% negative predictive values using a threshold-based classifier. Texture and shape features were important to optimally discriminate benign from malignant tissues, including pixel-to-pixel correlation, contrast and homogeneity, and the shape features of fractal dimension and Euler number. Analysis of the region-based diagnostic performance showed that spectroscopic image features from 1 × 1 mm2 areas were diagnostically discriminant and enabled quantification of within-class tissue heterogeneities.Conclusions: Localized scatter-imaging signatures detected by the scanning spectroscopy platform readily distinguished benign from malignant pathologies in surgical tissues and showed new spectral-spatial signatures of clinical breast pathologies. Clin Cancer Res; 18(22); 6315–25. ©2012 AACR.
Targeting the Apoptotic Pathway in Chondrosarcoma Using Recombinant Human Apo2L/TRAIL (Dulanermin), a Dual Proapoptotic Receptor (DR4/DR5) Agonist
Authors: Subbiah Vivek , Brown Robert E. , Buryanek Jamie , Trent Jonathan , Ashkenazi Avi , Herbst Roy , Kurzrock Razelle 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Recombinant human Apo2L/TRAIL (dulanermin) is based on the ligand for death receptors (DR4 and DR5), which promotes apoptosis. We report a patient with refractory chondrosarcoma who showed a prolonged response to dulanermin and explore mechanisms of response and resistance. This heavily pretreated patient had progressive metastatic chondrosarcoma to the lung. On dulanermin (8 mg/kg i.v. on days 1–5 in a 21-day cycle), the patient achieved a sustained partial response with only subcentimeter nodules remaining. After 62 months of dulanermin treatment, progressive disease in the lungs was noted, and the patient underwent a resection that confirmed chondrosarcoma. DR4 was detected (immunohistochemistry) in the patient's tumor, which may have enabled the response. However, upregulation of prosurvival proteins, namely, phosphorylated (p)-NF-κBp65 (Ser 536), p-STAT3 (Tyr 705), p-ERK 1/2 (Thr 202/Tyr 204), p-mTOR (Ser 2448), FASN, and Bcl-2, were also detected, which may have provided the underlying mechanisms for acquired dulanermin resistance. The patient was restarted on dulanermin and has continued on this treatment for an additional 16 months since surgery (78 months since initiation of treatment), with his most recent computed tomography (CT) scans showing no evidence of disease. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(11); 2541–6. ©2012 AACR.
Prognostic Utility of Novel Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Stress
Authors: Wang Thomas J. , Wollert Kai C. , Larson Martin G. , Coglianese Erin , McCabe Elizabeth L. , Cheng Susan , Ho Jennifer E. , Fradley Michael G. , Ghorbani Anahita , Xanthakis Vanessa , Kempf Tibor , Benjamin Emelia J. , Levy Daniel , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Januzzi James L. 
Published: August 2012

Background—
Biomarkers for predicting cardiovascular events in community-based populations have not consistently added information to standard risk factors. A limitation of many previously studied biomarkers is their lack of cardiovascular specificity.

Methods and Results—

To determine the prognostic value of 3 novel biomarkers induced by cardiovascular stress, we measured soluble ST2, growth differentiation factor-15, and high-sensitivity troponin I in 3428 participants (mean age, 59 years; 53% women) in the Framingham Heart Study. We performed multivariable-adjusted proportional hazards models to assess the individual and combined ability of the biomarkers to predict adverse outcomes. We also constructed a “multimarker” score composed of the 3 biomarkers in addition to B-type natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. During a mean follow-up of 11.3 years, there were 488 deaths, 336 major cardiovascular events, 162 heart failure events, and 142 coronary events. In multivariable-adjusted models, the 3 new biomarkers were associated with each end point (
P
<0.001) except coronary events. Individuals with multimarker scores in the highest quartile had a 3-fold risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.2–4.7;
P
<0.001), 6-fold risk of heart failure (6.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.6–14.8;
P
<0.001), and 2-fold risk of cardiovascular events (1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–2.7;
P
=0.001). Addition of the multimarker score to clinical variables led to significant increases in the c statistic (
P
=0.005 or lower) and net reclassification improvement (
P
=0.001 or lower).

Conclusion—
Multiple biomarkers of cardiovascular stress are detectable in ambulatory individuals and add prognostic value to standard risk factors for predicting death, overall cardiovascular events, and heart failure.
On the Geographic Asymmetry of Typhoon Translation Speed across the Mountainous Island of Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Li-Huan , Kuo Hung-Chi , Fovell Robert G. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
This paper examines the effect of topographically phase-locked convection on the motion of typhoons across the island of Taiwan. Data for 84 typhoons that reached Taiwan’s eastern coast from 1960 to 2010 are analyzed, with motions compared to the long-term average overland translation speed. For 61 continuous-track typhoons among all cases, 77% of the slow-moving tropical cyclones (TCs) made landfall on the northern end of Taiwan’s eastern coast, while 60% of the fast storms had southeastern coastal landfalls.
This geographic asymmetry with respect to typhoon translation speeds widened after landfall, as the slow movers typically decelerated during the overland period, whereas the faster TCs sped up. In particular, the average overland duration was 16 h for the slow class, compared to only 3 h for the fast-moving typhoons. The combination of slower translation with longer duration for the northern class of TCs led to large rainfall on the southwestern slope of the island’s Central Mountain Range.
Weather Research and Forecasting model experiments are used to study the effect of convection on storm motion over a mountainous island resembling Taiwan. The authors find that the topographically phase-locked convection acts to slow down (speed up) the northern (southern) landfalling typhoons. The model results also suggest that a positive feedback mechanism exists for the slow storms, in which the convective heating pattern forced by topography acts to reduce the TC motion, leading to even more prolonged precipitation and heating, yielding further speed reductions.
CD16+ monocytes control T-cell subset development in immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Zhong Hui , Bao Weili , Li Xiaojuan , Miller Allison , Seery Caroline , Haq Naznin , Bussel James , Yazdanbakhsh Karina 
Published: August 2012

AbstractImmune thrombocytopenia (ITP) results from decreased platelet production and accelerated platelet destruction. Impaired CD4+ regulatory T-cell (Treg) compartment and skewed Th1 and possibly Th17 responses have been described in ITP patients. The trigger for aberrant T-cell polarization remains unknown. Because monocytes have a critical role in development and polarization of T-cell subsets, we explored the contribution of monocyte subsets in control of Treg and Th development in patients with ITP. Unlike circulating classic CD14hiCD16− subpopulation, the CD16+ monocyte subset was expanded in ITP patients with low platelet counts on thrombopoietic agents and positively correlated with T-cell CD4+IFN-γ+ levels, but negatively with circulating CD4+CD25hiFoxp3+ and IL-17+ Th cells. Using a coculture model, we found that CD16+ ITP monocytes promoted the expansion of IFN-γ+CD4+ cells and concomitantly inhibited the proliferation of Tregs and IL-17+ Th cells. Th-1–polarizing cytokine IL-12, secreted after direct contact of patient T-cell and CD16+ monocytes, was responsible for the inhibitory effect on Treg and IL-17+CD4+ cell proliferation. Our findings are consistent with ITP CD16+ monocytes promoting Th1 development, which in turn negatively regulates IL-17 and Treg induction. This underscores the critical role of CD16+ monocytes in the generation of potentially pathogenic Th responses in ITP.
A genome-wide detection of copy number variations using SNP genotyping arrays in swine
Authors: Wang Jiying , Jiang Jicai , Fu Weixuan , Jiang Li , Ding Xiangdong , Liu Jian-Feng , Zhang Qin 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Copy Number Variations (CNVs) have been shown important in both normal phenotypic variability and disease susceptibility, and are increasingly accepted as another important source of genetic variation complementary to single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Comprehensive identification and cataloging of pig CNVs would be of benefit to the functional analyses of genome variation.

Results
In this study, we performed a genome-wide CNV detection based on the Porcine SNP60 genotyping data of 474 pigs from three pure breed populations (Yorkshire, Landrace and Songliao Black) and one Duroc × Erhualian crossbred population. A total of 382 CNV regions (CNVRs) across genome were identified, which cover 95.76Mb of the pig genome and correspond to 4.23% of the autosomal genome sequence. The length of these CNVRs ranged from 5.03 to 2,702.7kb with an average of 250.7kb, and the frequencies of them varied from 0.42 to 20.87%. These CNVRs contains 1468 annotated genes, which possess a great variety of molecular functions, making them a promising resource for exploring the genetic basis of phenotypic variation within and among breeds. To confirmation of these findings, 18 CNVRs representing different predicted status and frequencies were chosen for validation via quantitative real time PCR (qPCR). Accordingly, 12 (66.67%) of them was successfully confirmed.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrated that currently available Porcine SNP60 BeadChip can be used to capture CNVs efficiently. Our study firstly provides a comprehensive map of copy number variation in the pig genome, which would be of help for understanding the pig genome and provide preliminary foundation for investigating the association between various phenotypes and CNVs.
Identification of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) microRNAs and microRNA-related SNPs
Authors: Zhu Ya-Ping , Xue Wei , Wang Jin-Tu , Wan Yu-Mei , Wang Shao-Lin , Xu Peng , Zhang Yan , Li Jiong-Tang , Sun Xiao-Wen 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) exist pervasively across viruses, plants and animals and play important roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of genes. In the common carp, miRNA targets have not been investigated. In model species, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported to impair or enhance miRNA regulation as well as to alter miRNA biogenesis. SNPs are often associated with diseases or traits. To date, no studies into the effects of SNPs on miRNA biogenesis and regulation in the common carp have been reported.

Results
Using homology-based prediction combined with small RNA sequencing, we have identified 113 common carp mature miRNAs, including 92 conserved miRNAs and 21 common carp specific miRNAs. The conserved miRNAs had significantly higher expression levels than the specific miRNAs. The miRNAs were clustered into three phylogenetic groups. Totally 394 potential miRNA binding sites in 206 target mRNAs were predicted for 83 miRNAs. We identified 13 SNPs in the miRNA precursors. Among them, nine SNPs had the potential to either increase or decrease the energy of the predicted secondary structures of the precursors. Further, two SNPs in the 3’ untranslated regions of target genes were predicted to either disturb or create miRNA-target interactions.

Conclusions
The common carp miRNAs and their target genes reported here will help further our understanding of the role of miRNAs in gene regulation. The analysis of the miRNA-related SNPs and their effects provided insights into the effects of SNPs on miRNA biogenesis and function. The resource data generated in this study will help advance the study of miRNA function and phenotype-associated miRNA identification.
A transition-constrained discrete hidden Markov model for automatic sleep staging
Authors: Pan Shing-Tai , Kuo Chih-En , Zeng Jian-Hong , Liang Sheng-Fu 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background
Approximately one-third of the human lifespan is spent sleeping. To diagnose sleep problems, all-night polysomnographic (PSG) recordings including electroencephalograms (EEGs), electrooculograms (EOGs) and electromyograms (EMGs), are usually acquired from the patient and scored by a well-trained expert according to Rechtschaffen & Kales (R&K) rules. Visual sleep scoring is a time-consuming and subjective process. Therefore, the development of an automatic sleep scoring method is desirable.

Method
The EEG, EOG and EMG signals from twenty subjects were measured. In addition to selecting sleep characteristics based on the 1968 R&K rules, features utilized in other research were collected. Thirteen features were utilized including temporal and spectrum analyses of the EEG, EOG and EMG signals, and a total of 158 hours of sleep data were recorded. Ten subjects were used to train the Discrete Hidden Markov Model (DHMM), and the remaining ten were tested by the trained DHMM for recognition. Furthermore, the 2-fold cross validation was performed during this experiment.

Results
Overall agreement between the expert and the results presented is 85.29%. With the exception of S1, the sensitivities of each stage were more than 81%. The most accurate stage was SWS (94.9%), and the least-accurately classified stage was S1 (<34%). In the majority of cases, S1 was classified as Wake (21%), S2 (33%) or REM sleep (12%), consistent with previous studies. However, the total time of S1 in the 20 all-night sleep recordings was less than 4%.

Conclusion
The results of the experiments demonstrate that the proposed method significantly enhances the recognition rate when compared with prior studies.