| 1. |
- Zhang, Guojie, et al.
(författare)
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Comparative genomics reveals insights into avian genome evolution and adaptation
- 2014
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Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 346:6215, s. 1311-1320
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Birds are the most species-rich class of tetrapod vertebrates and have wide relevance across many research fields. We explored bird macroevolution using full genomes from 48 avian species representing all major extant clades. The avian genome is principally characterized by its constrained size, which predominantly arose because of lineage-specific erosion of repetitive elements, large segmental deletions, and gene loss. Avian genomes furthermore show a remarkably high degree of evolutionary stasis at the levels of nucleotide sequence, gene synteny, and chromosomal structure. Despite this pattern of conservation, we detected many non-neutral evolutionary changes in protein-coding genes and noncoding regions. These analyses reveal that pan-avian genomic diversity covaries with adaptations to different lifestyles and convergent evolution of traits.
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| 2. |
- Huang, Shiliang, et al.
(författare)
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SU-79 : a novel germanate with 3D 10-and 11-ring channels templated by a square-planar nickel complex
- 2014
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Ingår i: Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2052-1545 .- 2052-1553. ; 1:3, s. 278-283
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An open-framework germanate denoted as SU-79 with the chemical formula [Ge12.5O26(OH)(2)]-[Ni(C3N2H10)(2)](1.1)(NH4)(0.8)(C3N2H12)(0.5)(C3N2H10)(1.5)(H2O)(2) has been synthesized under hydro/solvothermal conditions using [Ni(1,2-pda)(2)](2+) (1,2-pda = 1,2-diaminopropane) and 1,2-pda as templates. Owing to the complicated pseudo-merohedral twinning in the crystals, the rotation electron diffraction (RED) method was used for the unit cell and space group determination. The structure of SU-79 was solved and refined based on synchrotron single crystal X-ray diffraction data. SU-79 exhibits a 3D open germanate framework built with Ge-13 clusters, consisting of a 3D channel system with interconnected 10- and 11-ring channels. Interestingly, helical GeO4 tetrahedral chains with left-handed/right-handed chirality were found in the structure. The [Ni(1,2-pda)(2)](2+) complexes, adopting in a square-planar geometry, show a structure directing role on the SU-79 framework via hydrogen bonds. Comparing with its related structure, SU-67, the formation of the pseudo-merohedric twinning in SU-79 was also discussed.
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| 3. |
- Wang, Zhaoming, et al.
(författare)
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Imputation and subset-based association analysis across different cancer types identifies multiple independent risk loci in the TERT-CLPTM1L region on chromosome 5p15.33
- 2014
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Ingår i: Human Molecular Genetics. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0964-6906 .- 1460-2083. ; 23:24, s. 6616-6633
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have mapped risk alleles for at least 10 distinct cancers to a small region of 63 000 bp on chromosome 5p15.33. This region harbors the TERT and CLPTM1L genes; the former encodes the catalytic subunit of telomerase reverse transcriptase and the latter may play a role in apoptosis. To investigate further the genetic architecture of common susceptibility alleles in this region, we conducted an agnostic subset-based meta-analysis (association analysis based on subsets) across six distinct cancers in 34 248 cases and 45 036 controls. Based on sequential conditional analysis, we identified as many as six independent risk loci marked by common single-nucleotide polymorphisms: five in the TERT gene (Region 1: rs7726159, P = 2.10 × 10(-39); Region 3: rs2853677, P = 3.30 × 10(-36) and PConditional = 2.36 × 10(-8); Region 4: rs2736098, P = 3.87 × 10(-12) and PConditional = 5.19 × 10(-6), Region 5: rs13172201, P = 0.041 and PConditional = 2.04 × 10(-6); and Region 6: rs10069690, P = 7.49 × 10(-15) and PConditional = 5.35 × 10(-7)) and one in the neighboring CLPTM1L gene (Region 2: rs451360; P = 1.90 × 10(-18) and PConditional = 7.06 × 10(-16)). Between three and five cancers mapped to each independent locus with both risk-enhancing and protective effects. Allele-specific effects on DNA methylation were seen for a subset of risk loci, indicating that methylation and subsequent effects on gene expression may contribute to the biology of risk variants on 5p15.33. Our results provide strong support for extensive pleiotropy across this region of 5p15.33, to an extent not previously observed in other cancer susceptibility loci.
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| 4. |
- Chen, Hanwei, et al.
(författare)
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Tumor Volumes Measured From Static and Dynamic F-18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Scan : Comparison of Different Methods Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging as the Criterion Standard
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of computer assisted tomography. - 0363-8715 .- 1532-3145. ; 38:2, s. 209-215
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of calculating the primary tumor volumes using a gradient-based method and fixed threshold methods on the standardized uptake value (SUV) maps and the net influx of FDG (Ki) maps from positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) images. Materials and Methods: Newly diagnosed patients with head and neck cancer were recruited, and dynamic PET-CT scan and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were performed. The maps of Ki and SUV were calculated from PET-CT images. The tumor volumes were calculated using a gradient-based method and a fixed threshold method at 40% of maximal SUV or maximal Ki. Four kinds of volumes, VOLKi-Gra (from the Ki maps using the gradient-based method), VOLKi-40% (from the Ki maps using the threshold of 40% maximal Ki), VOLSUV-Gra (from the SUV maps using the gradient-based method), and VOLSUV-40% (from the SUV maps using the threshold of 40% maximal SUV), were acquired and compared with VOLMRI (the volumes acquired on T2-weighted images) using the Pearson correlation, paired t test, and similarity analysis. Results: Eighteen patients were studied, of which 4 had poorly defined tumors (PDT). The positron emission tomography-derived volumes were as follows: VOLSUV-40%, 2.1 to 41.2 cm(3) (mean [SD], 12.3 [10.6]); VOLSUV-Gra, 2.2 to 28.1 cm(3) (mean [SD], 13.2 [8.4]); VOLKi-Gra, 2.4 to 17.0 cm(3) (mean [SD], 9.5 [4.6]); and VOLKi-40%, 2.7 to 20.3 cm(3) (mean [SD], 12.0 [6.0]). The VOLMRI ranged from 2.9 to 18.1 cm(3) (mean [SD], 9.1 [3.9]). The VOLKi-Gra significantly correlated with VOLMRI with the highest correlation coefficient (PDT included, R = 0.673, P = 0.002; PDT excluded, R = 0.841, P < 0.001) and presented no difference from VOLMRI (P = 0.672 or 0.561, respectively, PDT included and excluded). The difference between VOLKi-Gra and VOLMRI was also the smallest. Conclusions: The tumor volumes delineated on the Ki maps using the gradient-based method are more accurate than those on the SUV maps and using the fixed threshold methods.
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| 5. |
- Chen, Tianshi, et al.
(författare)
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A Small Gain Approach to Global Stabilization of Nonlinear Feedforward Systems with Input Unmodeled Dynamics
- 2010
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Ingår i: Automatica. - : Elsevier. - 0005-1098 .- 1873-2836. ; 46:6, s. 1028-1034
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this paper, we study the global robust stabilization problem of strict feedforward systems subject to input unmodeled dynamics. We present a recursive design method for a nested saturation controller which globally stabilizes the closed-loop system in the presence of input unmodeled dynamics. One of the difficulties of the problem is that the Jacobian linearization of our system at the origin may not be stabilizable. We overcome this difficulty by employing a special version of the small gain theorem to address the local stability, and, respectively, the asymptotic small gain theorem to establish the global convergence property, of the closed-loop system An example is given to show that a redesign of the controller is required to guarantee the global robust asymptotic stability in the presence of the input unmodeled dynamics.
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| 6. |
- Cruz, Jose Almeida, et al.
(författare)
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RNA-Puzzles : A CASP-like evaluation of RNA three-dimensional structure prediction
- 2012
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Ingår i: RNA. - : Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. - 1355-8382 .- 1469-9001. ; 18:4, s. 610-625
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We report the results of a first, collective, blind experiment in RNA three-dimensional (3D) structure prediction, encompassing three prediction puzzles. The goals are to assess the leading edge of RNA structure prediction techniques; compare existing methods and tools; and evaluate their relative strengths, weaknesses, and limitations in terms of sequence length and structural complexity. The results should give potential users insight into the suitability of available methods for different applications and facilitate efforts in the RNA structure prediction community in ongoing efforts to improve prediction tools. We also report the creation of an automated evaluation pipeline to facilitate the analysis of future RNA structure prediction exercises.
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| 7. |
- O'Seaghdha, Conall M., et al.
(författare)
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Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Studies Identifies Six New Loci for Serum Calcium Concentrations
- 2013
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Ingår i: PLOS Genetics. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1553-7390 .- 1553-7404. ; 9:9, s. e1003796-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Calcium is vital to the normal functioning of multiple organ systems and its serum concentration is tightly regulated. Apart from CASR, the genes associated with serum calcium are largely unknown. We conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of 39,400 individuals from 17 population-based cohorts and investigated the 14 most strongly associated loci in <= 21,679 additional individuals. Seven loci (six new regions) in association with serum calcium were identified and replicated. Rs1570669 near CYP24A1 (P = 9.1E-12), rs10491003 upstream of GATA3 (P = 4.8E-09) and rs7481584 in CARS (P = 1.2E-10) implicate regions involved in Mendelian calcemic disorders: Rs1550532 in DGKD (P = 8.2E-11), also associated with bone density, and rs7336933 near DGKH/KIAA0564 (P = 9.1E-10) are near genes that encode distinct isoforms of diacylglycerol kinase. Rs780094 is in GCKR. We characterized the expression of these genes in gut, kidney, and bone, and demonstrate modulation of gene expression in bone in response to dietary calcium in mice. Our results shed new light on the genetics of calcium homeostasis.
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| 8. |
- Ren, Weicheng, et al.
(författare)
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Complete genome sequence of acute viral necrosis virus associated with massive mortality outbreaks in the Chinese scallop, Chlamys farreri.
- 2013
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Ingår i: Virology journal. - 1743-422X. ; 10:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Acute viral necrosis virus (AVNV) is the causative agent of a serious disease resulting in high mortality in cultured Chinese scallops, Chlamys farreri. We have sequenced and analyzed the complete genome of AVNV. RESULTS: The AVNV genome is a linear, double-stranded DNA molecule of 210,993 bp with a nucleotide composition of 38.5% G + C. A total of 123 open reading frames were predicted to encode functional proteins, ranging from 41 to 1,878 amino acid residues. The DNA sequence of AVNV is 97% identical to that of ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1), and the amino acid sequences of the encoded proteins of these two viruses are 94-100% identical. The genomic organization of AVNV is similar to that of OsHV-1, and consists of two unique regions (170.4 kb and 3.4 kb, respectively), each flanked by two inverted repeats (7.6 kb and 10.2 kb, respectively), with a third unique region (1.5 kb) situated between the two internal repeats. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that AVNV is a variant of OsHV-1. The AVNV genome sequence provides information useful for understanding the evolution and divergence of OsHV-1 in marine molluscs.
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| 9. |
- Rockey, William M., et al.
(författare)
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Rational truncation of an RNA aptamer to prostate-specific membrane antigen using computational structural modeling
- 2011
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Ingår i: Nucleic Acid Therapeutics. - : Mary Ann Liebert. - 2159-3337 .- 2159-3345. ; 21:5, s. 299-314
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- RNA aptamers represent an emerging class of pharmaceuticals with great potential for targeted cancer diagnostics and therapy. Several RNA aptamers that bind cancer cell-surface antigens with high affinity and specificity have been described. However, their clinical potential has yet to be realized. A significant obstacle to the clinical adoption of RNA aptamers is the high cost of manufacturing long RNA sequences through chemical synthesis. Therapeutic aptamers are often truncated postselection by using a trial-and-error process, which is time consuming and inefficient. Here, we used a rational truncation approach guided by RNA structural prediction and protein/RNA docking algorithms that enabled us to substantially truncateA9, an RNA aptamer to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA),with great potential for targeted therapeutics. This truncated PSMA aptamer (A9L; 41mer) retains binding activity, functionality, and is amenable to large-scale chemical synthesis for future clinical applications. In addition, the modeled RNA tertiary structure and protein/RNA docking predictions revealed key nucleotides within the aptamer critical for binding to PSMA and inhibiting its enzymatic activity. Finally, this work highlights the utility of existing RNA structural prediction and protein docking techniques that may be generally applicable to developing RNA aptamers optimized for therapeutic use. © 2011 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
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| 10. |
- Yang, Zhen, et al.
(författare)
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PPARG gene Pro12Ala variant contributes to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver in middle-aged and older Chinese population
- 2012
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Ingår i: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1872-8057 .- 0303-7207. ; 348:1, s. 255-259
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Oxidative stress has been suggested to contribute to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) heterozygous mice and Pro12Ala (C/G) polymorphism in PPARG exhibited increased resistance to oxidative stress. Smoking increases the production of reactive oxygen species, which could accelerates oxidative stress under overnutrition. To explore whether the C/G polymorphism, alone or in combination with smoking, may promote the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver, a case-control study was performed in 903 Chinese subjects. Among the study population, 436 patients with B-mode ultrasound-proven NAFLD (318 with steatosis hepatis I degrees, 90 with steatosis hepatis II degrees and 28 with steatosis hepatis III degrees) and 467 controls were genotyped by using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays. After adjusting for confounders, the C/C genotype significantly associated with NAFLD (OR = 1.87, 95%CI 1.13-2.85, p = 0.009); smoking was also an independent risk factor for NAFLD (OR = 1.69, 95%CI 1.18-2.43, p = 0.025). In addition, we found possible synergistic effects, the higher risk group (smokers with the C/C genotype) showed 3.75 times higher risk of NAFLD than the low-risk group (non-smokers with C/G genotype) in a multiple logistic analysis after adjusting for the confounders (p < 0.001), but no departure from additivity was found. Our results indicated that the C/C genotype and smoking were significant independent risk factors for NAFLD. The possible synergistic effects of genotype and smoking may promote the development of NAFLD by aggravating oxidative stress, which supports the hypothesis that oxidative stress contributes to the development of NAFLD. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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