bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Normal Values of Hertel Exophthalmometry in a Chinese Han Population from Shenyang, Northeast China
Authors: Wu Dan , Liu Xin , Wu Di , Di Xin , Guan Haixia , Shan Zhongyan , Teng Weiping 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAims of this study were to determine the normal range of absolute and relative Hertel exophthalmometric values (EVs) in a Chinese Han population. This population-based cross-sectional study consisted of 2010 healthy Han Chinese (1051 females and 959 males) aged between 8–87 years living in Shenyang, Northeast China, including 515 children (aged 8–14 years), 517 teenagers (aged 15–19 years), 582 adults (aged 20–69 years) and 396 elderly (aged 70–87 years). A Hertel exophthalmometer was used by the same physician for the measurement of EV and inter-orbital distance (IOD). For the entire study population, the Hertel EVs ranged from 10 mm to 22 mm; the mean EVs for the left eye (OS) and right eye (OD) were 15.0 ± 1.9 mm and 15.0 ± 2.0 mm, respectively; the upper normal limits of the EVs (mean + 2 SD) for OS and OD were 18.8 mm and 19.0 mm, respectively; the mean relative EV was 0.20 ± 0.43 mm. Age, but not sex, had a significant effect on the EV. We concluded that our study provides normative ophthalmic data in a Chinese Han population. The normal EVs, asymmetry and IOD values have been established for clinical reference.
Efficacy and biological safety of lopinavir/ritonavir based anti-retroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Huang Xiaojie , Xu Yuanlong , Yang Qiuying , Chen Jieqing , Zhang Tong , Li Zaicun , Guo Caiping , Chen Hui , Wu Hao , Li Ning 
Published: February 2015

AbstractLopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) is the first ritonavir-boosted protease-inhibitor used in second-line anti-retroviral treatment (ART) in resource-limited regions. To evaluate the efficacy and safety outcomes of LPV/r in treatment-naïve and -experienced HIV-infected adults and pregnant women, we performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ten cohorts from 8 articles involving 2,584 ART-naïve patients, 5 cohorts from 4 articles involving 1,124 ART-experienced patients and 8 cohorts from 7 articles involving 2,191 pregnant women were selected for the meta-analyses. For ART-naïve patients, the virologic response rate (72.3%) of LPV/r combined with tenofovir (TDF) plus lamivudine/emtricitabine (3TC/FTC) arms was significantly greater than that of LPV/r plus non-TDF-FTC arms (65.5%, p = 0.047). For ART-experienced patients, the use of LPV/r revealed a 55.7% probability of virologic success. The incidence of abnormal total cholesterol (6.9%) for ART-experienced patients was significantly lower than that for ART-naïve patients (13.1%, p < 0.001). The use of LPV/r in pregnant women revealed a mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rate of 1.1%, preterm birth rate of 13.2% and low birth weight rate of 16.2%. Our meta-analysis indicated that LPV/r was an efficacious regimen for ART-naïve patients and was more tolerable for ART-experienced patients. LPV/r also displayed a significant effect in preventing MTCT.
Efficient Demyristoylase Activity of SIRT2 Revealed by Kinetic and Structural Studies
Authors: Teng Yan-Bin , Jing Hui , Aramsangtienchai Pornpun , He Bin , Khan Saba , Hu Jing , Lin Hening , Hao Quan 
Published: February 2015

AbstractSirtuins are a class of enzymes originally identified as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent protein lysine deacetylases. Among the seven mammalian sirtuins, SIRT1-7, only SIRT1-3 possess efficient deacetylase activity in vitro, whereas SIRT4-7 possess very weak in vitro deacetylase activity. Several sirtuins that exhibit weak deacetylase activity have recently been shown to possess more efficient activity for the removal other acyl lysine modifications, such as succinyl lysine and palmitoyl lysine. Here, we demonstrate that even the well-known deacetylase SIRT2 possesses efficient activity for the removal of long-chain fatty acyl groups. The catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) for the removal of a myristoyl group is slightly higher than that for the removal of an acetyl group. The crystal structure of SIRT2 in complex with a thiomyristoyl peptide reveals that SIRT2 possesses a large hydrophobic pocket that can accommodate the myristoyl group. Comparison of the SIRT2 acyl pocket to those of SIRT1, SIRT3 and SIRT6 reveals that the acyl pockets of SIRT1-3 are highly similar and to a lesser degree, similar to that of SIRT6. The efficient in vitro demyristoylase activity of SIRT2 suggests that this activity may be physiologically relevant and warrants future investigative studies.
Proteins interacting with cloning scars: a source of false positive protein-protein interactions
Authors: Banks Charles A. S. , Boanca Gina , Lee Zachary T. , Florens Laurence , Washburn Michael P. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractA common approach for exploring the interactome, the network of protein-protein interactions in cells, uses a commercially available ORF library to express affinity tagged bait proteins; these can be expressed in cells and endogenous cellular proteins that copurify with the bait can be identified as putative interacting proteins using mass spectrometry. Control experiments can be used to limit false-positive results, but in many cases, there are still a surprising number of prey proteins that appear to copurify specifically with the bait. Here, we have identified one source of false-positive interactions in such studies. We have found that a combination of: 1) the variable sequence of the C-terminus of the bait with 2) a C-terminal valine “cloning scar” present in a commercially available ORF library, can in some cases create a peptide motif that results in the aberrant co-purification of endogenous cellular proteins. Control experiments may not identify false positives resulting from such artificial motifs, as aberrant binding depends on sequences that vary from one bait to another. It is possible that such cryptic protein binding might occur in other systems using affinity tagged proteins; this study highlights the importance of conducting careful follow-up studies where novel protein-protein interactions are suspected.
Fermi Arcs vs. Fermi Pockets in Electron-doped Perovskite Iridates
Authors: He Junfeng , Hafiz H. , Mion Thomas R. , Hogan T. , Dhital C. , Chen X. , Lin Qisen , Hashimoto M. , Lu D. H. , Zhang Y. , Markiewicz R. S. , Bansil A. , Wilson S. D. , He Rui-Hua 
Published: February 2015

AbstractWe report on an angle resolved photoemission (ARPES) study of bulk electron-doped perovskite iridate, (Sr1−xLax)3Ir2O7. Fermi surface pockets are observed with a total electron count in keeping with that expected from La substitution. Depending on the energy and polarization of the incident photons, these pockets show up in the form of disconnected “Fermi arcs”, reminiscent of those reported recently in surface electron-doped Sr2IrO4. Our observed spectral variation is consistent with the coexistence of an electronic supermodulation with structural distortion in the system.
Suppression of CYP2C9 by MicroRNA hsa-miR-128-3p in Human Liver Cells and Association with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Yu Dianke , Green Bridgett , Marrone April , Guo Yongli , Kadlubar Susan , Lin Dongxin , Fuscoe James , Pogribny Igor , Ning Baitang 
Published: February 2015

AbstractPublished studies have identified genetic variants, somatic mutations and changes in gene expression profiles that are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly involving genes that encode drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs). CYP2C9, one of the most abundant and important DMEs, is involved in the metabolism of many carcinogens and drugs and is down-regulated in HCC. To investigate the molecular mechanisms that control CYP2C9 expression, we applied integrative approaches including in silico, in vitro and in vivo analyses to elucidate the role of microRNA hsa-miR-128-3p in the regulation of CYP2C9 expression and translation. RNA electrophoresis mobility shift assays demonstrated a direct interaction between hsa-miR-128-3p and its cognate target, the CYP2C9 transcript. Furthermore, the expression of a luciferase reporter gene containing the 3′-UTR of CYP2C9 and the endogenous expression of CYP2C9 were suppressed by transfection of hsa-miR-128-3p. Importantly, chemically-induced up- or down-regulation of hsa-miR-128-3p correlated inversely with the expression of CYP2C9. Finally, an association analysis revealed that the expression of hsa-miR-128-3p is inversely correlated with the expression of CYP2C9 in HCC tumor tissues. Altogether, the study helped to elucidate the mechanism of CYP2C9 regulation by hsa-miR-128-3p and the inverse association in HCC.
Bridging topological and functional information in protein interaction networks by short loops profiling
Authors: Chung Sun Sook , Pandini Alessandro , Annibale Alessia , Coolen Anthony C. C. , Thomas N. Shaun B. , Fraternali Franca 
Published: February 2015

AbstractProtein-protein interaction networks (PPINs) have been employed to identify potential novel interconnections between proteins as well as crucial cellular functions. In this study we identify fundamental principles of PPIN topologies by analysing network motifs of short loops, which are small cyclic interactions of between 3 and 6 proteins. We compared 30 PPINs with corresponding randomised null models and examined the occurrence of common biological functions in loops extracted from a cross-validated high-confidence dataset of 622 human protein complexes. We demonstrate that loops are an intrinsic feature of PPINs and that specific cell functions are predominantly performed by loops of different lengths. Topologically, we find that loops are strongly related to the accuracy of PPINs and define a core of interactions with high resilience. The identification of this core and the analysis of loop composition are promising tools to assess PPIN quality and to uncover possible biases from experimental detection methods. More than 96% of loops share at least one biological function, with enrichment of cellular functions related to mRNA metabolic processing and the cell cycle. Our analyses suggest that these motifs can be used in the design of targeted experiments for functional phenotype detection.
Neurogenic hyperadrenergic orthostatic hypotension: a newly recognized variant of orthostatic hypotension in older adults with elevated norepinephrine (noradrenaline)
Authors: Mar Philip L. , Shibao Cyndya A. , Garland Emily M. , Black Bonnie K. , Biaggioni Italo , Diedrich André , Paranjape Sachin Y. , Robertson David , Raj Satish R. 
Published: February 2015

Patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (OH) typically have impaired sympathetic nervous system tone and therefore low levels of upright plasma norepinephrine (NE) (noradrenaline). We report a subset of patients who clinically have typical neurogenic OH but who paradoxically have elevated upright levels of plasma NE. We retrospectively studied 83 OH patients evaluated at the Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center between August 2007 and May 2013. Based on standing NE, patients were dichotomized into a hyperadrenergic OH group [hyperOH: upright NE ≥ 3.55 nmol/l (600 pg/ml), n=19] or a non-hyperadrenergic OH group [nOH: upright NE &lt; 3.55 nmol/l (600 pg/ml), n=64]. Medical history and data from autonomic testing, including the Valsalva manoeuvre (VM), were analysed. HyperOH patients had profound orthostatic falls in blood pressure (BP), but less severe than in nOH [change in SBP (systolic blood pressure): −53±31 mmHg compared with −68±33 mmHg, P=0.050; change in DBP (diastolic blood pressure): −18±23 mmHg compared with −30±17 mmHg, P=0.01]. The expected compensatory increase in standing heart rate (HR) was similarly blunted in both hyperOH and nOH groups [84±15 beats per minute (bpm) compared with 82±14 bpm; P=0.6]. HyperOH patients had less severe sympathetic failure as evidenced by smaller falls in DBP during phase 2 of VM and a shorter VM phase 4 BP recovery time (16.5±8.9 s compared with 31.6±16.6 s; P&lt;0.001) than nOH patients. Neurogenic hyperOH patients have severe neurogenic OH, but have less severe adrenergic dysfunction than nOH patients. Further work is required to understand whether hyperOH patients will progress to nOH or whether this represents a different disorder.
Double tapped‐inductor boost converter
Authors: Vázquez Nimrod , Medina Fernando , Hernández Claudia , Arau Jaime , Vázquez Esli 
Published: February 2015

High boost converters, because of its ability of having high gain level, have become important in applications for energy generation known as renewable sources. High efficiency, few components and low voltage and current stress on switches are desired features in these kinds of converters. Double tapped boost converter with just a single switch is proposed in this study for high gain; two pairs of coupled magnetically coils are charged in parallel and discharged in series with the source, this let us to obtain not only a higher gain with very few components but also an acceptable efficiency. Not only analysis for the topology is shown, but also simulation and experimental results are presented in order to illustrate the system behaviour for an output power of 200 W. The system efficiency is closer to 90% at hard switching.
Optimisation of LCL filter based on closed‐loop total harmonic distortion calculation model of the grid‐connected inverter
Authors: Zheng Xinxin , Xiao Lan , Lei Yun , Wang Zilong 
Published: February 2015

A novel optimisation method of LCL filter based on closed‐loop total harmonic distortion (THD) calculation model of the grid‐connected inverter is proposed in this study. If the parameters of the LCL filter are large enough, the current harmonics can be significantly inhibited. However, the size, weight and price of the filter may increase. If the parameters of the LCL filter are too small, the attenuation of the current harmonics may be not enough. In the proposed method, the target of optimisation is to obtain the minimum value of the inductors on the premise of the allowed current harmonics. The harmonics should be analysed and the control‐loop should be taken into consideration. According to this, a closed‐loop THD calculation model is established. Generalised reduced gradient (GRG) method is applied to do the optimisation based on the model. With the optimised parameters of LCL filter, the size, weight and price of the filter can be reduced. The relationship between THD and the parameters of the LCL filter is analysed. The principle of GRG is discussed. Finally an 18 kVA three‐phase grid‐connected inverter with the optimised LCL filter has been established and tested. Simulation and experimental results verify the theoretical analysis.
What would invasive feedstock populations look like? Perspectives from existing invasions.
Authors: Quinn L. D. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

As the bioenergy industry develops globally, nations will be importing a variety of novel crops to be produced on large scales. Commercial and other intentional introductions of novel plants are not new, and have, in many cases, resulted in escape and establishment of invasive populations that negatively impact native ecosystems. Several authors have postulated that the influx of novel bioenergy feedstocks could have similar results, but because the production of second-generation crops is still in an early phase in most locations, the rate and impacts of escape remain to be seen. However, several taxa now being considered or used as feedstocks have previously been moved and established outside of their native regions. To prepare for the worst-case scenario in which invasive feedstocks are planted and allowed to escape and establish unchecked, four representative feedstocks with existing invasive populations are examined: (i) Arundo donax L. (giant reed); (ii) Miscanthus spp. Andersson; (iii) Eucalyptus spp. L'Her; and (iv) Robinia pseudoacacia L. (black locust). Looking at the dispersal biology, habitat preferences, and impacts of these taxa can guide the development of best management practices to prevent further invasion as the industry matures.
Using weed risk assessments to separate the crops from the weeds.
Authors: Barney J. N. , Smith L. L. , Tekiela D. R. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

The characters of the ideal bioenergy crop are shared by many of our worst invasive plants, and we are in need of methods to identify their invasive potential prior to large-scale introduction. Unfortunately, predicting which species will be invasive and in what location is often viewed as a near impossible task to most ecologists. Despite the underlying complexity of invasions, and the predictability challenge, weed risk assessments (WRA) have emerged as promising biosecurity tools designed to prevent the introduction of new invaders. WRAs are simple questionnaires on the species traits, introduction history, impact, and management that yield high or low risk scores, generally employed prior to the introduction of new species. WRAs have been used widely across the globe and boast >90% accuracy in predicting invasive species. We examined Australian and US WRA tools, and compared the WRA outcomes of several bioenergy crops against invasive species introduced for agronomic purposes and several traditional row crops. Candidate bioenergy crops were found to vary tremendously in their WRA scores, while current invaders all received high risk scores. Interestingly, several row crops received high risk scores, which we attribute to feral populations or weedy variants. We also examined how the WRAs would respond to infraspecific variation for several crops. Overall, the WRAs were not capable of distinguishing cultivar-level information, nor did they do well for species with little available information. Thus, the outcomes of WRAs should be viewed carefully and within the context of how much we know about that taxon. WRAs are useful biosecurity tools, but we do not recommend they be used exclusively; rather they should be a component of an integrated system that includes field studies to best understand the invasion risk posed by bioenergy crops.
Bioenergy and novel plants: the regulatory structure.
Authors: Endres A. B. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

In response to agricultural concerns, US legislatures in the late 19th and early 20th centuries enacted laws to regulate invasive plant species whose presence negatively affected crop yields. More recently, these laws regulating noxious weeds have expanded their focus to protect the environment and ecosystem functions. Concurrently, federal mandates have incentivized the commercialization of high-yielding and, in some cases, potentially invasive bioenergy feedstocks. This chapter considers the invasion potential of novel bioenergy crops within the context of conflicting regulatory provisions designed to prevent invasion and promote development of novel feedstocks. The fragmented nature of environmental regulations across multiple jurisdictions (local, state, national) necessitates increased attention by stakeholders to ensure cultivation of bioenergy crops do not result in a largescale invasion. To mitigate such an eventuality, it is recommended that pre-market invasion risk assessments and post-introduction negligence liability actions be codified into new and revised bioenergy laws at all levels of government.
Good intentions vs good ideas: evaluating bioenergy projects that utilize invasive plant feedstocks.
Authors: Nackley L. L. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract

This chapter evaluates the sustainability of using naturalized or cultivated invasive plant species as feedstocks for bioenergy, including electrical power, liquid biofuels, and chemical substitutes. The evaluations apply a sustainability framework that recognizes economic and social development, as well as environmental protection. The necessity of using a sustainability framework is illustrated by revealing how historical bioenergy developments, which did not consider multiple aspects of sustainability (e.g., only economics), fell short of providing socially acceptable and environmentally neutral/beneficial bioenergy. There are two divergent issues regarding the use of invasive plants in bioenergy: (i) dedicated energy feedstocks that may foster biological invasions; and (ii) harvesting existing invasive plant biomass for bioenergy conversion. Fertile dedicated feedstocks are shown to be a less sustainable option than sterile species with no history of invasion. No species with a history of invasion should be used as a dedicated energy feedstock. Harvesting existing invasive populations is shown to be economically unsustainable if the bioenergy conversion process is dependent on the invasive plant population. When invasive plant populations represent a small portion of the overall energy supply (<10%) there are possible synergies available for thermal energy conversion processes (e.g., bioelectricity, or syngas production), but not for liquid biofuels, which currently cannot tolerate a heterogeneous feedstock mix. Lastly, invasive plant-based biochar is deemed the most suitable option, because it meets all sustainability criteria. The value generated in improved ecosystem services (e.g., carbon sequestration, improved soil fertility, improved crop production, substitute for fossil fertilizers) would greatly outweigh the costs of a simple biochar oven. This report is important because it provides a useful tool for policy makers who are challenged with decisions regarding which bioenergy technology to support. Additionally, by using the sustainable development framework, this is the first work to highlight the potential for invasive plant-based biochar.
Functional reassignment of Cellvibrio vulgaris EpiA to cellobiose 2-epimerase and an evaluation of the biochemical functions of the 4-O-β-d-mannosyl-d-glucose phosphorylase-like protein, UnkA
Authors: Saburi Wataru , Tanaka Yuka , Muto Hirohiko , Inoue Sota , Odaka Rei , Nishimoto Mamoru , Kitaoka Motomitsu , Mori Haruhide 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
The aerobic soil bacterium Cellvibrio vulgaris has a β-mannan-degradation gene cluster, including unkA, epiA, man5A, and aga27A. Among these genes, epiA has been assigned to encode an epimerase for converting d-mannose to d-glucose, even though the amino acid sequence of EpiA is similar to that of cellobiose 2-epimerases (CEs). UnkA, whose function currently remains unknown, shows a high sequence identity to 4-O-β-d-mannosyl-d-glucose phosphorylase. In this study, we have investigated CE activity of EpiA and the general characteristics of UnkA using recombinant proteins from Escherichia coli. Recombinant EpiA catalyzed the epimerization of the 2-OH group of sugar residue at the reducing end of cellobiose, lactose, and β-(1→4)-mannobiose in a similar manner to other CEs. Furthermore, the reaction efficiency of EpiA for β-(1→4)-mannobiose was 5.5 × 104-fold higher than it was for d-mannose. Recombinant UnkA phosphorolyzed β-d-mannosyl-(1→4)-d-glucose and specifically utilized d-glucose as an acceptor in the reverse reaction, which indicated that UnkA is a typical 4-O-β-d-mannosyl-d-glucose phosphorylase.