Hypoperfusion in Alzheimer's Disease-Prone Regions and Dementia Conversion in Parkinson's Disease.

PURPOSE OF THE REPORT: Although early detection of individuals at risk of dementia conversion is important in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), there is still no consensus on neuroimaging biomarkers for predicting future cognitive decline. We aimed to investigate whether cerebral perfusion patterns on early-phase 18 F-N-(3-fluoropropyl)-2ß-carboxymethoxy-3ß-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane ( 18 F-FP-CIT) PET have the potential to serve as a neuroimaging predictor for early dementia conversion in patients with PD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, we enrolled 187 patients with newly diagnosed PD who underwent dual-phase 18 F-FP-CIT PET at initial assessment and serial cognitive assessments during the follow-up period (>5 years). Patients with PD were classified into 2 groups: the PD with dementia (PDD)-high-risk (PDD-H; n = 47) and the PDD-low-risk (PDD-L; n = 140) groups according to dementia conversion within 5 years of PD diagnosis. We explored between-group differences in the regional uptake in the early-phase 18 F-FP-CIT PET images. We additionally performed a linear discriminant analysis to develop a prediction model for early PDD conversion. RESULTS: The PDD-H group exhibited hypoperfusion in Alzheimer's disease (AD)-prone regions (inferomedial temporal and posterior cingulate cortices, and insula) compared with the PDD-L group. A prediction model using regional uptake in the right entorhinal cortex, left amygdala, and left isthmus cingulate cortex could optimally distinguish the PDD-H group from the PDD-L group. CONCLUSIONS: Regional hypoperfusion in the AD-prone regions on early-phase 18 F-FP-CIT PET can be a useful biomarker for predicting early dementia conversion in patients with PD.

Blended Conjugated Host and Unconjugated Dopant Polymers Towards N-type All-Polymer Conductors and High-ZT Thermoelectrics.

N-Type thermoelectrics typically consist of small molecule dopant+polymer host. Only a few polymer dopant+polymer host systems have been reported, and these have lower thermoelectric parameters. N-type polymers with high crystallinity and order are generally used for high-conductivity ( σ ${\sigma }$ ) organic conductors. Few n-type polymers with only short-range lamellar stacking for high-conductivity materials have been reported. Here, we describe an n-type short-range lamellar-stacked all-polymer thermoelectric system with highest σ ${\sigma }$ of 78 S-1 , power factor (PF) of 163 µW m-1 K-2 , and maximum Figure of merit (ZT) of 0.53 at room temperature with a dopant/host ratio of 75 wt%. The minor effect of polymer dopant on the molecular arrangement of conjugated polymer PDPIN at high ratios, high doping capability, high Seebeck coefficient (S) absolute values relative to σ ${\sigma }$ , and atypical decreased thermal conductivity ( κ ${\kappa }$ ) with increased doping ratio contribute to the promising performance.

A New Polystyrene-Poly(vinylpyridinium) Ionic Copolymer Dopant for n-Type All-Polymer Thermoelectrics with High and Stable Conductivity Relative to the Seebeck Coefficient giving High Power Factor.

A novel n-type copolymer dopant polystyrene-poly(4-vinyl-N-hexylpyridinium fluoride) (PSpF) with fluoride anions is designed and synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. This is thought to be the first polymeric fluoride dopant. Electrical conductivity of 4.2 S cm-1 and high power factor of 67 µW m-1 K-2 are achieved for PSpF-doped polymer films, with a corresponding decrease in thermal conductivity as the PSpF concentration is increased, giving the highest ZT of 0.1. An especially high electrical conductivity of 58 S cm-1 at 88 °C and outstanding thermal stability are recorded. Further, organic transistors of PSpF-doped thin films exhibit high electron mobility and Hall mobility of 0.86 and 1.70 cm2 V-1 s-1 , respectively. The results suggest that polystyrene-poly(vinylpyridinium) salt copolymers with fluoride anions are promising for high-performance n-type all-polymer thermoelectrics. This work provides a new way to realize organic thermoelectrics with high conductivity relative to the Seebeck coefficient, high power factor, thermal stability, and broad processing window.

CottonGen: The Community Database for Cotton Genomics, Genetics, and Breeding Research.

Over the last eight years, the volume of whole genome, gene expression, SNP genotyping, and phenotype data generated by the cotton research community has exponentially increased. The efficient utilization/re-utilization of these complex and large datasets for knowledge discovery, translation, and application in crop improvement requires them to be curated, integrated with other types of data, and made available for access and analysis through efficient online search tools. Initiated in 2012, CottonGen is an online community database providing access to integrated peer-reviewed cotton genomic, genetic, and breeding data, and analysis tools. Used by cotton researchers worldwide, and managed by experts with crop-specific knowledge, it continuous to be the logical choice to integrate new data and provide necessary interfaces for information retrieval. The repository in CottonGen contains colleague, gene, genome, genotype, germplasm, map, marker, metabolite, phenotype, publication, QTL, species, transcriptome, and trait data curated by the CottonGen team. The number of data entries housed in CottonGen has increased dramatically, for example, since 2014 there has been an 18-fold increase in genes/mRNAs, a 23-fold increase in whole genomes, and a 372-fold increase in genotype data. New tools include a genetic map viewer, a genome browser, a synteny viewer, a metabolite pathways browser, sequence retrieval, BLAST, and a breeding information management system (BIMS), as well as various search pages for new data types. CottonGen serves as the home to the International Cotton Genome Initiative, managing its elections and serving as a communication and coordination hub for the community. With its extensive curation and integration of data and online tools, CottonGen will continue to facilitate utilization of its critical resources to empower research for cotton crop improvement.

The Breeding Information Management System (BIMS): an online resource for crop breeding.

In this era of big data, breeding programs are producing ever larger amounts of data. This necessitates access to efficient management systems to keep track of cross, performance, pedigree, geographical and image-based data, as well as genotyping data. In this article, we report the progress on the Breeding Information Management System (BIMS), a free, secure and online breeding management system that allows breeders to store, manage, archive and analyze their private breeding data. BIMS is the first publicly available database system that enables individual breeders to integrate their private phenotypic and genotypic data with public data and, at the same time, have complete control of their own breeding data along with access to tools such as data import/export, data analysis and data archiving. The integration of breeding data with publicly available genomic and genetic data enhances genetic understanding of important traits and maximizes the marker-assisted breeding utility for breeders and allied scientists. BIMS incorporates the use of the Android App Field Book, open-source phenotype data collection software for phones and tablets that allows breeders to replace hard copy field books, thus alleviating the possibility of transcription errors while providing faster access to the collected data. BIMS comes with training materials and support for individual or small group training and is currently implemented in the Genome Database for Rosaceae, CottonGEN, the Citrus Genome Database, the Pulse Crop Database, and the Genome Database for Vaccinium. Database URLs: (https://www.rosaceae.org/), (https://www.cottongen.org/), (https://www.citrusgenomedb.org/), (https://www.pulsedb.org/) and (https://www.vaccinium.org/).

Maximized Hole Trapping in a Polystyrene Transistor Dielectric from a Highly Branched Iminobis(aminoarene) Side Chain.

We synthesized highly branched and electron-donating side chain subunits and attached them to polystyrene (PS) used as a dielectric layer in a pentacene field-effect transistor. The influence of these groups on dielectric function, charge retention, and threshold voltage shifts (ΔVth) depending on their positions in dielectric multilayers was determined. We compared the observations made on an N-perphenylated iminobisaniline side chain with those from the same side chains modified with ZnO nanoparticles and with an adduct formed from tetracyanoethylene (TCNE). We also synthesized an analogue in which six methoxy groups are present instead of two amine nitrogens. At 6 mol % side chain, hopping transport was sufficient to cause shorting of the gate, while at 2 mol %, charge trapping was observable as transistor threshold voltage shifts (ΔVth). We created three types of devices: with the substituted PS layer as single-layer dielectric, on top of a cross-linked PS layer but in contact with the pentacene (bilayers), and sandwiched between two PS layers in trilayers. Especially large bias stress effects and ΔVth, larger than those in the case of the hexamethoxy and previously studied dimethoxy analogues, were observed in the second case, and the effects increased with the increasing electron-donating properties of the modified side chains. The highest ΔVth was consistent with a majority of the side chains stabilizing the trapped charge. Trilayer devices showed decreased charge storage capability compared to previous work in which we used less donating side chains but in higher concentrations. The ZnO and TCNE modifications resulted in slightly more and less negative ΔVth, respectively, when the side chain polystyrene was not in contact with the pentacene and isolated from the gate electrode. The results indicate a likely maximum combination of molecular charge stabilizing activity and side chain concentration that still allows gate dielectric function.

Tripal MegaSearch: a tool for interactive and customizable query and download of big data.

Tripal MegaSearch is a Tripal module for querying and downloading biological data stored in Chado. This module allows site users to select data types, restrict the dataset by applying various filters and then customizing fields to view and download through a single interface. Set by site administrators, example data types include gene, germplasm, marker, map, QTL, genotype, phenotype and expression data. When querying for genes, users can restrict the gene dataset using various filters such as name, chromosome position and functional annotation. They can then customize fields to download, such as name, organism, type, chromosome position, various functional annotations such as BLAST, KEGG, InterPro and GO term. FASTA files can also be downloaded for the sequence data. Site administrators can choose from two different data sources to serve data: Tripal MegaSearch materialized views or Chado tables. If neither data source is desired, administrators may also create their own materialized views and serve them through the flexible dynamic Tripal MegaSearch query form. Tripal MegaSearch is currently implemented in several databases including the Genome Database for Rosaceae www.rosaceae.org and TreeGenes www.https://treegenesdb.org/.

High-Fat Diet Increases Fat Oxidation and Promotes Skeletal Muscle Fatty Acid Transporter Expression in Exercise-Trained Mice.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a high-fat diet (HFD) on energy substrate utilization during long-term endurance exercise in mice. Male ICR mice (n = 32; 6 weeks old) were divided into two groups: low-fat diet (LFD, n = 16) and HFD (n = 16) and acclimatized to LFD or HFD feeding over 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, the two dietary groups were each divided into two groups with or without exercise (EX): LF-CON, LF-EX, HF-CON, and HF-EX groups. The exercise groups were trained to run on a treadmill for 12 weeks. At the end of the experimental protocol, energy metabolism in the whole body was measured at rest for 24 h and during exercise for 1 h using respiratory gas analysis. Furthermore, molecules involved in skeletal muscle fat metabolism were analyzed. Substrate utilization for energy metabolism in the whole body indicated that fat utilization was high in HFD intake. Notably, when HFD intake and exercise were combined, fat utilization was markedly increased during endurance exercise. In contrast, exercise showed no effect when combined with LFD intake. The gene expressions of Fat/Cd36, Fatp1, Fabp-pm, and Cpt1 were upregulated by HFD intake, with Fat/Cd36 and Cpt1 considerably elevated during long-term endurance exercise. In contrast, exercise showed no effect when combined with LFD intake. These results suggest that HFD intake effectively increased fat utilization as an energy substrate during long-term endurance exercise.

Unusually Conductive Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Nanostructures Derived from Bio-Inspired Mineralization of Peptide/Pi-Electron Assemblies.

Supramolecular materials derived from pi-conjugated peptidic macromolecules are well-established to self-assemble into 1D nanostructures. In the presence of KOH, which was used to more fully dissolve the peptide macromolecules prior to triggering the self-assembly by way of exposure to HCl vapor, we report here an unexpected mineralization of KCl as templated presumably by the glutamic acid residues that were present along the backbone of the peptide macromolecules. In order to decouple the peptidic side chains from the central pi-electron unit, three-carbon spacers were added between them on both sides. The assembled structures that resulted from the collective formation of ß-sheets, π-orbital overlaps, and mineralization resulted in highly interconnected dendritic structures under suitable KOH concentrations. Electrical measurements indicated that when well-interconnected, these dendritic structures maintained conductivities comparable to those of metals at around 1800 S/cm. About 50 mA current was measured for 0.5 V/37.5 µm. Varying the gate voltage in a transistor configuration had no effect on the current levels, indicating a conductive instead of a semiconducting pathway. Control experiments without the peptide, measurements of conductivity over time, and conductivity quenching by ammonia suggested the conductivity of these dendritic networks was derived from proton doping of the central π-electron units in a strong acid environment and was facilitated by closely spaced chromophores, as suggested in the literature, leading to facile π-electron transfer along the interconnected dendritic pathways. Our findings suggest that mineralization templated by appropriate amino acids combined with peptide/π-electron self-assembly can lead to highly conductive dendritic macrostructures as well as control of nanowire growth in specific directions.

Tripal MapViewer: A tool for interactive visualization and comparison of genetic maps.

Tripal is an open-source, resource-efficient toolkit for construction of genomic, genetic and breeding databases. It facilitates development of biological websites by providing tools to integrate and display biological data using the generic database schema, Chado, together with Drupal, a popular website creation and content management system. Tripal MapViewer is a new interactive tool for visualizing genetic map data. Developed as a Tripal replacement for Comparative Map Viewer (CMap), it enables visualization of entire maps or linkage groups and features such as molecular markers, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and heritable phenotypic markers. It also provides graphical comparison of maps sharing the same markers as well as dot plot and correspondence matrices. MapViewer integrates directly with the Tripal application programming interface framework, improving data searching capability and providing a more seamless experience for site visitors. The Tripal MapViewer interface can be integrated in any Tripal map page and linked from any Tripal page for markers, QTLs, heritable morphological markers or genes. Configuration of the display is available through a control panel and the administration interface. The administration interface also allows configuration of the custom database query for building materialized views, providing better performance and flexibility in the way data is stored in the Chado database schema. MapViewer is implemented with the D3.js technology and is currently being used at the Genome Database for Rosaceae (https://www.rosaceae.org), CottonGen (https://www.cottongen.org), Citrus Genome Database (https://citrusgenomedb.org), Vaccinium Genome Database (https://www.vaccinium.org) and Cool Season Food Legume Database (https://www.coolseasonfoodlegume.org). It is also currently in development on the Hardwood Genomics Web (https://hardwoodgenomics.org) and TreeGenes (https://treegenesdb.org). Database URL: https://gitlab.com/mainlabwsu/tripal_map.

Structural and Functional Annotation of Eukaryotic Genomes with GenSAS.

The Genome Sequence Annotation Server (GenSAS, https://www.gensas.org ) is a secure, web-based genome annotation platform for structural and functional annotation, as well as manual curation. Requiring no installation by users, GenSAS integrates popular command line-based, annotation tools under a single, easy-to-use, online interface. GenSAS integrates JBrowse and Apollo, so users can view annotation data and manually curate gene models. Users are guided step by step through the annotation process by embedded instructions and a more in-depth GenSAS User's Guide. In addition to a genome assembly file, users can also upload organism-specific transcript, protein, and RNA-seq read evidence for use in the annotation process. The latest versions of the NCBI RefSeq transcript and protein databases and the SwissProt and TrEMBL protein databases are provided for all users. GenSAS projects can be shared with other GenSAS users enabling collaborative annotation. Once annotation is complete, GenSAS generates the final files of the annotated gene models in common file formats for use with other annotation tools, submission to a repository, and use in publications.

15 years of GDR: New data and functionality in the Genome Database for Rosaceae.

The Genome Database for Rosaceae (GDR, https://www.rosaceae.org) is an integrated web-based community database resource providing access to publicly available genomics, genetics and breeding data and data-mining tools to facilitate basic, translational and applied research in Rosaceae. The volume of data in GDR has increased greatly over the last 5 years. The GDR now houses multiple versions of whole genome assembly and annotation data from 14 species, made available by recent advances in sequencing technology. Annotated and searchable reference transcriptomes, RefTrans, combining peer-reviewed published RNA-Seq as well as EST datasets, are newly available for major crop species. Significantly more quantitative trait loci, genetic maps and markers are available in MapViewer, a new visualization tool that better integrates with other pages in GDR. Pathways can be accessed through the new GDR Cyc Pathways databases, and synteny among the newest genome assemblies from eight species can be viewed through the new synteny browser, SynView. Collated single-nucleotide polymorphism diversity data and phenotypic data from publicly available breeding datasets are integrated with other relevant data. Also, the new Breeding Information Management System allows breeders to upload, manage and analyze their private breeding data within the secure GDR server with an option to release data publicly.

Electronic Cortisol Detection Using an Antibody-Embedded Polymer Coupled to a Field-Effect Transistor.

A field-effect transistor-based cortisol sensor was demonstrated in physiological conditions. An antibody-embedded polymer on the remote gate was proposed to overcome the Debye length issue (λD). The sensing membrane was made by linking poly(styrene- co-methacrylic acid) (PSMA) with anticortisol before coating the modified polymer on the remote gate. The embedded receptor in the polymer showed sensitivity from 10 fg/mL to 10 ng/mL for cortisol and a limit of detection (LOD) of 1 pg/mL in 1× PBS where λD is 0.2 nm. A LOD of 1 ng/mL was shown in lightly buffered artificial sweat. Finally, a sandwich ELISA confirmed the antibody binding activity of antibody-embedded PSMA.

Congenital Jejunal Diverticular Bleeding in a Young Adult.

Diverticular bleeding of the small bowel is rare and occurs primarily in adults aged more than 60 years. In younger adults, Meckel's diverticulum, a true diverticulum that congenitally occurs in the distal ileum, is the most common cause of diverticular bleeding of the small bowel. Unlike Meckel's diverticula, other kinds of small bowel diverticula are not congenital and their incidence is related to age. Furthermore, congenital true diverticular bleeding of the jejunum in adults is very rare. We report the case of a 24-year-old man with subepithelial tumor-like lesion accompanied with obscure overt gastrointestinal bleeding. This lesion was initially suspected to be a subepithelial tumor based on radiologic tests and capsule endoscopy. He was finally diagnosed with a congenital true diverticulum in the jejunum with the appearance of a Meckel's diverticulum after surgical resection.

Extension modules for storage, visualization and querying of genomic, genetic and breeding data in Tripal databases.

Tripal is an open-source database platform primarily used for development of genomic, genetic and breeding databases. We report here on the release of the Chado Loader, Chado Data Display and Chado Search modules to extend the functionality of the core Tripal modules. These new extension modules provide additional tools for (1) data loading, (2) customized visualization and (3) advanced search functions for supported data types such as organism, marker, QTL/Mendelian Trait Loci, germplasm, map, project, phenotype, genotype and their respective metadata. The Chado Loader module provides data collection templates in Excel with defined metadata and data loaders with front end forms. The Chado Data Display module contains tools to visualize each data type and the metadata which can be used as is or customized as desired. The Chado Search module provides search and download functionality for the supported data types. Also included are the tools to visualize map and species summary. The use of materialized views in the Chado Search module enables better performance as well as flexibility of data modeling in Chado, allowing existing Tripal databases with different metadata types to utilize the module. These Tripal Extension modules are implemented in the Genome Database for Rosaceae (rosaceae.org), CottonGen (cottongen.org), Citrus Genome Database (citrusgenomedb.org), Genome Database for Vaccinium (vaccinium.org) and the Cool Season Food Legume Database (coolseasonfoodlegume.org). Database URL: https://www.citrusgenomedb.org/, https://www.coolseasonfoodlegume.org/, https://www.cottongen.org/, https://www.rosaceae.org/, https://www.vaccinium.org/.

Chado use case: storing genomic, genetic and breeding data of Rosaceae and Gossypium crops in Chado.

The Genome Database for Rosaceae (GDR) and CottonGen are comprehensive online data repositories that provide access to integrated genomic, genetic and breeding data through search, visualization and analysis tools for Rosaceae crops and Gossypium (cotton). These online databases use Chado, an open-source, generic and ontology-driven database schema for biological data, as the primary data storage platform. Chado is highly normalized and uses ontologies to indicate the 'types' of data. Therefore, Chado is flexible such that it has been used to house genomic, genetic and breeding data for GDR and CottonGen. These data include whole genome sequence and annotation, transcripts, molecular markers, genetic maps, Quantitative Trait Loci, Mendelian Trait Loci, traits, germplasm, pedigrees, large scale phenotypic and genotypic data, ontologies and publications. We provide information about how to store these types of data in Chado using GDR and CottonGen as examples sites that were converted from an older legacy infrastructure. Database URL: GDR (www.rosaceae.org), CottonGen (www.cottongen.org).

Oxyntic gland adenoma endoscopically mimicking a gastric neuroendocrine tumor: A case report.

Gastric adenocarcinoma is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Histochemical and immunohistologic analyses classify the phenotypes of gastric adenocarcinoma into several groups based on the variable clinical and pathologic features. A new and rare variant of gastric adenocarcinoma with chief cell differentiation (GA-CCD) has recently been recognized. Studies reporting the distinct clinicopathologic characteristics proposed the term oxyntic gland polyp/adenoma because of the benign nature of the GA-CCD. Typically, GA-CCD is a solitary mucosal lesion that develops either in the gastric cardia or fundus. Histologically, this lesion is characterized by tightly clustered glands and anastomosing cords of chief cells. Immunohistochemically, GA-CCD is diffusely positive for mucin (MUC) 6 and negative for MUC2 and MUC5AC. However, other gastric tumors such as a gastric neuroendocrine tumor or fundic gland polyp have been difficult to exclude. Because GA-CCD tends to be endoscopically misdiagnosed as a neuroendocrine tumor or fundic gland polyp, comprehensive assessment and observation by an endoscopist are strongly recommended. Herein, we report a rare case of oxyntic gland adenoma endoscopically mimicking a gastric neuroendocrine tumor that was successfully removed by endoscopic mucosal resection.

CottonGen: a genomics, genetics and breeding database for cotton research.

CottonGen (http://www.cottongen.org) is a curated and integrated web-based relational database providing access to publicly available genomic, genetic and breeding data for cotton. CottonGen supercedes CottonDB and the Cotton Marker Database, with enhanced tools for easier data sharing, mining, visualization and data retrieval of cotton research data. CottonGen contains annotated whole genome sequences, unigenes from expressed sequence tags (ESTs), markers, trait loci, genetic maps, genes, taxonomy, germplasm, publications and communication resources for the cotton community. Annotated whole genome sequences of Gossypium raimondii are available with aligned genetic markers and transcripts. These whole genome data can be accessed through genome pages, search tools and GBrowse, a popular genome browser. Most of the published cotton genetic maps can be viewed and compared using CMap, a comparative map viewer, and are searchable via map search tools. Search tools also exist for markers, quantitative trait loci (QTLs), germplasm, publications and trait evaluation data. CottonGen also provides online analysis tools such as NCBI BLAST and Batch BLAST.

The Genome Database for Rosaceae (GDR): year 10 update.

The Genome Database for Rosaceae (GDR, http:/www.rosaceae.org), the long-standing central repository and data mining resource for Rosaceae research, has been enhanced with new genomic, genetic and breeding data, and improved functionality. Whole genome sequences of apple, peach and strawberry are available to browse or download with a range of annotations, including gene model predictions, aligned transcripts, repetitive elements, polymorphisms, mapped genetic markers, mapped NCBI Rosaceae genes, gene homologs and association of InterPro protein domains, GO terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway terms. Annotated sequences can be queried using search interfaces and visualized using GBrowse. New expressed sequence tag unigene sets are available for major genera, and Pathway data are available through FragariaCyc, AppleCyc and PeachCyc databases. Synteny among the three sequenced genomes can be viewed using GBrowse_Syn. New markers, genetic maps and extensively curated qualitative/Mendelian and quantitative trait loci are available. Phenotype and genotype data from breeding projects and genetic diversity projects are also included. Improved search pages are available for marker, trait locus, genetic diversity and publication data. New search tools for breeders enable selection comparison and assistance with breeding decision making.