bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concise Review: The Deleterious Effects of Cigarette Smoking and Nicotine Usage and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Function and Implications for Cell-Based Therapies
Authors: Greenberg Jordan M. , Carballosa Carlos M. , Cheung Herman S.
Published: July 2017

Stem cell sources for cell-based therapeutics are often screened for infectious agents and genetic diseases prior to implantation; however, there are other risk factors that are often overlooked, which may ultimately lead to less efficacious clinical outcomes. One such risk factor is exposure of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to cigarette smoke or nicotine. Recent data have shown that exposure to cigarette smoke or nicotine leads to decreased regenerative potential, namely decreased proliferation, decreased migration, and decreased differentiation potential of exposed MSCs. This review provides a brief introduction into MSCs and their respective niches and a summary regarding the interactions of cigarettes and nicotine with MSCs populations. Specifically, the effects of cigarette smoke and nicotine on the regenerative potential of MSCs (i.e., proliferation, migration, and differentiation) will be covered with an emphasis on considerations for the development of future cell-based clinical trials and therapies.
Facile Synthesis and Self‐Cleaning Application of Bimetallic (CuSn, CuNi) Dendrites
Authors: Biswas Anupam , Kulkarni Mayuresh A. , Bakthavatsalam Rangarajan , Mondal Sourik , Dwivedi Pravin K. , Shelke Manjusha V. , Devi Radhamonyamma N. , Banpurkar Arun G. , Kundu Janardan
Published: July 2017

Bimetallic dendrites (Au, Ag, Pt, Pd) have received intense research interest due to their applications in catalysis and sensing. However, reports on rational synthesis of non‐noble bimetallic dendrites that finds self‐cleaning applications are scanty. Here, we demonstrate one step co‐reduction based galvanic replacement reaction (GRR) for synthesis of alloyed bimetallic dendrites (CuSn, CuNi) with controlled surface roughness and chemical composition. Probing their growth process reveals that i) for CuSn dendrites, co‐reduction of Cu2+ and Sn2+ is observed throughout GRR; ii) for CuNi dendrites, Cu nanoparticle, that deposits initially, augments the reduction of Ni2+ which leads to CuNi alloy phase formation during later stages of GRR. These dendrites, naturally having dual degree of surface roughness (micro/nano), have been exploited here for fabricating superhydrophobic surfaces (SHS) with excellent self‐cleaning abilities. They show enabling properties such as high contact angle, minimal contact angle hysteresis, and excellent Cassie state stability with no impalement. They maintain superhydrophobicity when exposed to different environmental conditions (low temperature, high temperature, exposure to corroding solutions and UV radiation). The present facile methodology for fabrication of bimetallic dendrites is beneficial for low‐cost production of functional nano/micro‐materials.
The Significant Role of NiO in Enhancing the Electrocatalytic Activity of the Pyrolysis Products of the Mixture Containing PdO and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for EOR
Authors: Ding Keqiang , Zhang Yan , Wei Binjuan , Shi Xiaomi , Li Chenxue , Pan Junqing
Published: July 2017

A novel finding, that the pyrolysis products of the mixture containing NiO, PdO and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (denoted as PdxNiy/MWCNTs), as compared to the system having only PdO and MWCNTs, have significant electrocatalytic activity for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR), is reported for the first time in this work. The effects of the atomic ratio of Pd to Ni on the physicochemical properties of the synthesized PdxNiy/MWCNTs composites are basically investigated by using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD results indicate that the crystallinities of the prepared catalysts are closely related to the atomic ratio of Pd to Ni. SEM observations reveal that the morphologies of the synthesized catalysts are also strongly affected by the atomic ratio of Pd to Ni. The electrocatalytic activity of the prepared PdxNiy/MWCNTs materials towards EOR is examined, and the results demonstrate that the best electrocatalytic activity for EOR is exhibited by the catalyst with an atomic ratio of Pd to Ni 1:1. Showing the fact, that the pyrolysis product of the mixture having PdO and NiO and MWCNTs has excellent electrocatalytic activity for EOR, is the main contribution of this work, which is believed to have developed a novel cost‐effective electrocatalyst for EOR. Abstract Text, 800‐1000 characters.
Addressing Unintended Instructional Messages About Repeated Reading
Authors: Frey Nancy , Fisher Douglas
Published: July 2017

The authors analyzed 88 classroom observations to determine whether there were actions that teachers were taking to send a message to students that rereading was not valuable. They identified three practices during shared reading, guided reading, and independent reading that telegraphed messages to students against rereading. The authors also observed teachers building repeated reading into their instruction as they changed the purpose, asked really good questions, pressed for evidence, and provided an audience for students.
A Report on Ten Asia Pacific Countries on Current Status and Future Directions of the Genetic Counseling Profession: The Establishment of the Professional Society of Genetic Counselors in Asia
Authors: Laurino Mercy Y. , Leppig Kathleen A. , Abad Peter James , Cham Breana , Chu Yoyo Wing Yiu , Kejriwal Saahil , Lee Juliana M. H. , Sternen Darci L. , Thompson Jennifer K. , Burgess Matthew J. , Chien Shu , Elackatt Niby , Lim Jiin Ying , Sura Thanyachai , Faradz Sultana , Padilla Carmencita , Paz Eva Cutiongco de‐la , Nauphar Donny , Nguyen Khanh Ngoc , Zayts Olya , Vu Dung Chi , Thong Meow‐Keong
Published: July 2017

The Professional Society of Genetic Counselors in Asia (PSGCA) was recently established as a special interest group of the Asia Pacific Society of Human Genetics. Fostering partnerships across the globe, the PSGCA's vision is to be the lead organization that advances and mainstreams the genetic counseling profession in Asia and ensures individuals have access to genetic counseling services. Its mission is to promote quality genetic counseling services in the region by enhancing practice and curricular standards, research and continuing education. The PSGCA was formally launched during the Genetic Counseling Pre‐Conference Workshop held at the 11th Asia‐Pacific Conference on Human Genetics in Hanoi, Viet Nam, September 16, 2015. The pre‐conference workshop provided an opportunity for medical geneticists and genetic counselors from across 10 Asia Pacific countries to learn about the varied genetic counseling practices and strategies for genetic counseling training. This paper provides an overview of the current status and challenges in these countries, and proposed course of unified actions for the future of the genetic counseling profession.
Cut and rip and cut alone techniques versus usual practice in the removal of trauma patient clothing
Authors: Sibley Aaron K. , Jain Trevor N. , Nicholson Brent , Atkinson Paul
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Rapid exposure of a trauma patient is an essential component of the primary survey. No gold standard exists regarding the best technique to remove clothing from a trauma patient. The purpose of this study is to compare two techniques of clothing removal versus usual practice using standard trauma shears.

Methods

Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) students were randomized to either the Cut and Rip (CAR) or Cut Alone (CAL) techniques to remove clothing from a standardized trauma mannequin. Practicing paramedics were recruited to remove clothing from the mannequin using Usual Practice (UP). Total time and time for removal of individual pieces of clothing was recorded.

Results

Twenty-four participants (8 per group) were recruited to participate. The student groups (CAR, CAL) were similar in mean age (29, 27), years of practice (1 student >5 years) and male gender (63, 43%). The UP group was older (mean 34), more experienced (63% practice >5 years), and had a higher level of training (63% ACP) but a similar percentage of males (63%). Removal time was significantly less in the CAR group compared to the CAL group (mean 104 seconds, 95% CI 88–120 vs. mean 136 seconds, 95% CI 119–154, p=0.02). Removal times in the UP group were not significantly different from the other groups (mean 124 seconds, 95% CI 108–140, p>0.05).

Conclusion

The CAR technique is faster than both CAL and UP groups to remove clothing from a standard trauma mannequin.
A Review of the Earliest Evidence of Agriculture in Lithuania and the Earliest Direct AMS Date on Cereal
Authors: Grikpėdis Mindaugas , Motuzaite Matuzeviciute Giedre
Published: July 2017

Current knowledge of the beginnings of crop cultivation in Lithuania is based mainly on Cerealia-type pollen data supplemented by other indirect evidence such as agricultural tools. We argue that these records, predating carbonized remains of cultivated plants, are not substantial enough indicators of the early stages of agriculture in Lithuania. Here, we demonstrate that the macroremains of cultural plants that were previously reported from two Neolithic settlements in Lithuania were either mistakenly identified as domestic crops or incorrectly ascribed to the Neolithic period due to movement through the stratigraphic sequence and the absence of direct dating of cereal grains. Furthermore, we present a charred Hordeum vulgare grain from the Bronze Age settlement of Kvietiniai in western Lithuania. It was AMS-dated to 1392–1123 cal bc, and at present represents the earliest definite evidence for a crop in the eastern Baltic region. We conclude that, presently, there are no grounds to suggest that crop cultivation took place in Lithuania during the Neolithic.
Patronage and health care in eighteenth-century Irish county infirmaries
Authors: Grace Pierce
Published: July 2017

The creation of a network of county infirmaries was a remarkable achievement in late eighteenth-century Ireland. Supported by grants from parliament and the county grand juries, each hospital was managed by governors whose subscriptions entitled them to appoint the medical staff and decide on the patient population. While the laudable aim of the legislators was that the infirmaries would be ‘a means of restoring the health and preserving the lives of many’, the reality was quite different. In 1788 the prison reformer, John Howard, and the inspector general of prisons, Sir Jeremiah Fitzpatrick, delivered a damning report to parliament on the state of the county infirmaries. They described good care and governance in a minority of institutions, but most were in a very bad state; they noted decayed and broken buildings, dirty or no bedding, poor food, lack of regulation, financial malfeasance, few patients and absent staff. Based on their report, this paper argues that the county infirmaries benefited the governors and the staff considerably, and had little impact on the health of the nation. However, providing a hospital and trained medical professionals in every county was a significant step in the formation of the Irish institutional healthcare system.
The laboratory for ‘scientific history’: T. W. Moody and R. D. Edwards at the Institute of Historical Research
Authors: Hayton D. W.
Published: July 2017

The point of origin of the ‘Irish historiographical revolution’ initiated by T. W. Moody and R. D. Edwards in the 1930s, which issued, among other things, in the foundation of Irish Historical Studies, is customarily located in their experiences together as research students in London University’s Institute of Historical Research. Hitherto, we have known little or nothing of those experiences beyond the recollections of the two principals themselves. This article uses the Institute’s own archive, and other contemporary documentary evidence, including surviving letters from Moody to Edwards, to elucidate the precise influence of the Institute and its staff in moulding their outlook. Rather than asserting some form of ideological indoctrination – for example in propagating an ethos of ‘value-free’ history writing – it argues that what was important was the example of the Institute’s institutional structures (including its Bulletin), which Moody and Edwards determined to replicate in Ireland; and that these structures, emphasising collaboration between historical researchers in pursuit of a common purpose, were themselves of the first importance in influencing the aspiration to create an Irish history free from confessional bias and overt expressions of political prejudice.
‘In what orbit we shall find ourselves, no one could predict’: institutional reform, the university merger and ecclesiastical influence on Irish higher education in the 1960s
Authors: Nolan Ann , Walsh John
Published: July 2017

This paper explores the persistence of ecclesiastical influence on higher education in Ireland during an era of far-reaching policy change in the 1960s. The extensive interaction between political and official elites and the Catholic bishops offers a fascinating insight into the complex and contested process of policy formulation during an era of transformation in higher education. This study offers a re-interpretation of Whyte’s thesis that the Irish bishops displayed a ‘new flexibility’ in their response to governmental policy initiatives during this period, especially the initiative for university merger launched by Donogh O’Malley in 1967. Catholic prelates, notably John Charles McQuaid, the influential archbishop of Dublin, were pursuing a traditional Catholic religious and socio-political agenda in higher education, which sought not so much to accommodate new official initiatives as to shape such reforms in the ideological direction favoured by the bishops. McQuaid in particular enjoyed exceptional access to policy-makers and was an indispensable partner in launching the initiative for the university merger. The eventual failure of the merger, which was influenced by the successful resistance of academic elites and the declining significance of religious divisions in higher education, underlined the limits of ecclesiastical power in a rapidly changing society.
Internal Opposition Dynamics and Restraints on Authoritarian Control
Authors: Buckles Grant T.
Published: July 2017

Autocrats rely on co-optation to limit opposition mobilization and remain in power. Yet not all opposition parties that pose a threat to their regime are successfully co-opted. This article provides a formal model to show that reliance on activists influences whether an opposition leader receives and accepts co-optation offers from an autocrat. Activists strengthen a party’s mobilization efforts, yet become disaffected when their leader acquiesces to the regime. This dynamic undermines the co-optation of parties with a strong activist base, particularly those with unitary leadership. Activists have less influence over elite negotiations in parties with divided leadership, which can promote collusion with the regime. The results ultimately suggest that party activism can erode authoritarian control, but may encourage wasteful conflicts with the government.
Making the States’ Translation (1637): Orthodox Calvinist Biblical Criticism in the Dutch Republic
Authors: van Miert Dirk
Published: July 2017

In the study of the history of biblical scholarship, there has been a tendency among historians to emphasize biblical philology as a force which, together with the new philosophy and the new science of the seventeenth century, caused the erosion of universal scriptural authority from the mid-seventeenth century onwards. A case in point is Jonathan Israel's impressive account of how biblical criticism in the hands of Spinoza paved the way for the Enlightenment. Others who have argued for a post-Spinozist rise of biblical criticism include Frank Manuel, Adam Sutcliffe, and Travis Frampton. These scholars have built upon longer standing interpretations such as those of Hugh Trevor-Roper and Paul Hazard. However, scholars in the past two decades such as Anthony Grafton, Scott Mandelbrote and Jean-Louis Quantin have altered the picture of an exegetical revolution inaugurated by Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679), Spinoza (1632–1677), and Richard Simon (1638–1712). These heterodox philosophers in fact relied on philological research that had been largely developed in the first half of the seventeenth century. Moreover, such research was carried out by scholars who had no subversive agenda. This is to say that the importance attached to a historical and philological approach to the biblical text had a cross-confessional appeal, not just a radical-political one.
Treatment rates for the pox in early modern England: a comparative estimate of the prevalence of syphilis in the city of Chester and its rural vicinity in the 1770s
Authors: SZRETER SIMON
Published: July 2017

This article offers an innovative attempt to construct an empirically-based estimate of the extent of syphilis prevailing in two contrasting populations in late eighteenth-century Britain. Thanks to the co-incident survival of both a detailed admissions register for Chester Infirmary and a pioneering census of the city of Chester in 1774 taken by Dr John Haygarth, it is possible to produce age-specific estimates of the extent to which adults of each sex had been treated for the pox by age 35. These estimates can be produced both for the resident population of Chester city and comparatively for the rural region immediately surrounding Chester. These are the first estimates of the prevalence of this important disease produced for the eighteenth century and they can be compared with similar figures for England and Wales c. 1911–1912.
The Solitary Shaman: Itinerant Healers and Ritual Seclusion in the Namib Desert During the Second Millennium ad
Authors: Kinahan John
Published: July 2017

New evidence of ritual seclusion and sensory deprivation, from the eastern margins of the Namib Desert suggests that specialized shamans may have operated alone, and possibly as itinerants, performing ritual services at widely scattered sites. This behaviour has its origins in hunter-gatherer responses to the introduction of pastoralism, and to the emergence of specialist rainmakers and healers during the second millennium ad. The research reported here identifies and explains important anomalies in the rock art and archaeology of hunter-gatherer religious practice in southern Africa.
Arterial switch operation in patients with transposition and a left-sided aorta
Authors: Talwar Sachin , Anderson Robert H. , Ramakrishnan Pradeep , Bhoje Amolkumar , Gupta Saurabh , Choudhary Shiv Kumar , Airan Balram
Published: July 2017

Objectives

Arterial switch operation is the treatment of choice in infants with transposed arterial trunks. It is technically challenging to perform in patients having usual atrial arrangement and concordant atrioventricular connections but having a left-sided aorta. Correction in this setting requires surgical expertise and precision. Here we review our experience with such patients.

Methods

Between January, 2002 and October, 2013, the arterial switch operation was performed in 20 patients in the combination emphasised above. Patient records were analysed in detail for coronary arterial patterns, and for the techniques used for transfer of the coronary arteries and reconstruction of the great arteries. Outcomes were recorded in terms of in-hospital survival and left ventricular function at the most recent follow-up.

Results

All patients survived the procedure. Ages ranged from 3 days to 18 months, with a median of 75 days; the weight of the patients ranged from 3 to 8.8 kg, with a median of 3.85 kg. The LeCompte manoeuvre was performed in only nine patients. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 157.5±24.9, with a median of 161 minutes, and the mean aortic cross-clamp time was 101.2±23.8, with a median of 102 minutes. Subsequently, two patients died: the first due to a sudden onset of ventricular fibrillation and the second during a crisis of severe pulmonary hypertension. At the last follow-up, which ranged from 23 to 41 months, with a mean of 38.04±2.32 and a median of 38.4 months, all 18 survivors were in NYHA class I, with none requiring cardiac medications and all having normal bi-ventricular function without residual defects.

Conclusion

With appropriate technical modifications, patients with concordant atrioventricular and discordant ventriculo-arterial connections with a left-sided aorta can undergo successful anatomical repair.
DESTABILIZING EFFECTS OF BANK OVERLEVERAGING ON REAL ACTIVITY—AN ANALYSIS BASED ON A THRESHOLD MCS-GVAR
Authors: Gross Marco , Henry Jerome , Semmler Willi
Published: July 2017

We investigate the consequences of overleveraging and the potential for destabilizing effects arising from financial- and real-sector interactions. In a theoretical framework, we model overleveraging and demonstrate how a highly leveraged banking system can lead to unstable dynamics and downward spirals. Inspired by models developed by Brunnermeier, Sannikov and Stein, we empirically measure the deviation-from-optimal-leverage for a sample of large EU banks. This measure of overleveraging is used to condition the joint dynamics of credit flows and macroeconomic activity in a large-scale regime change model: a Threshold Mixed-Cross-Section Global Vector Autoregressive (T-MCS-GVAR). The regime-switching component of the model is meant to make the relationship between credit and real activity dependent on the extent to which the banking system is overleveraged. We find significant nonlinearities as a function of overleverage. The farther the observed leverage in the banking system from optimal leverage, the more detrimental is the effect of a deleveraging shock on credit supply and economic activity.
THE OUTPUT EULER EQUATION AND REAL INTEREST RATE REGIMES
Authors: Manopimoke Pym
Published: July 2017

Output Euler equations (OEE) for the US deliver slope estimates that are not significantly different from zero. This finding is counterintuitive as it implies a zero elasticity of intertemporal substitution (EIS) and aggregate demand movements that are nonresponsive to the short-term real interest rate. This paper shows that failure to account for regime changes in the dynamics of the real interest rate is responsible for this result. Based on a joint specification for the OEE and the real interest rate in an unobserved components model framework with Markov-switching parameters, the means, variances, and degrees of persistence of the real interest rate are different for the periods 1966–1980, 1980–1985, and 1985–2015. Once these regime changes are taken into account, the EIS estimate is 0.1 and no longer statistically insignificant. This finding is robust to alternative measures of the output gap as well as different specifications for the natural real interest rate.
ON MODELLING THE TRANSITION TO TURBULENCE IN PIPE FLOW
Authors: FORBES LAWRENCE K. , BRIDESON MICHAEL A.
Published: July 2017

As a possible model for fluid turbulence, a Reiner–Rivlin-type equation is used to study Poiseuille–Couette flow of a viscous fluid in a rotating cylindrical pipe. The equations of motion are derived in cylindrical coordinates, and small-amplitude perturbations are considered in full generality, involving all three velocity components. A new matrix-based numerical technique is proposed for the linearized problem, from which the stability is determined using a generalized eigenvalue approach. New results are obtained in this cylindrical geometry, which confirm and generalize the predictions of previous recent studies. A possible mechanism for the transition to turbulent flow is discussed.
Optimised chronic infection models demonstrate that siderophore ‘cheating’ in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is context specific
Authors: Harrison Freya , McNally Alan , da Silva Ana C , Heeb Stephan , Diggle Stephen P
Published: July 2017

The potential for siderophore mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to attenuate virulence during infection, and the possibility of exploiting this for clinical ends, have attracted much discussion. This has largely been based on the results of in vitro experiments conducted in iron-limited growth medium, in which siderophore mutants act as social ‘cheats:’ increasing in frequency at the expense of the wild type to result in low-productivity, low-virulence populations dominated by mutants. We show that insights from in vitro experiments cannot necessarily be transferred to infection contexts. First, most published experiments use an undefined siderophore mutant. Whole-genome sequencing of this strain revealed a range of mutations affecting phenotypes other than siderophore production. Second, iron-limited medium provides a very different environment from that encountered in chronic infections. We conducted cheating assays using defined siderophore deletion mutants, in conditions designed to model infected fluids and tissue in cystic fibrosis lung infection and non-healing wounds. Depending on the environment, siderophore loss led to cheating, simple fitness defects, or no fitness effect at all. Our results show that it is crucial to develop defined in vitro models in order to predict whether siderophores are social, cheatable and suitable for clinical exploitation in specific infection contexts.
Microbial survival strategies in ancient permafrost: insights from metagenomics
Authors: Mackelprang Rachel , Burkert Alexander , Haw Monica , Mahendrarajah Tara , Conaway Christopher H , Douglas Thomas A , Waldrop Mark P
Published: July 2017

In permafrost (perennially frozen ground) microbes survive oligotrophic conditions, sub-zero temperatures, low water availability and high salinity over millennia. Viable life exists in permafrost tens of thousands of years old but we know little about the metabolic and physiological adaptations to the challenges presented by life in frozen ground over geologic time. In this study we asked whether increasing age and the associated stressors drive adaptive changes in community composition and function. We conducted deep metagenomic and 16 S rRNA gene sequencing across a Pleistocene permafrost chronosequence from 19 000 to 33 000 years before present (kyr). We found that age markedly affected community composition and reduced diversity. Reconstruction of paleovegetation from metagenomic sequence suggests vegetation differences in the paleo record are not responsible for shifts in community composition and function. Rather, we observed shifts consistent with long-term survival strategies in extreme cryogenic environments. These include increased reliance on scavenging detrital biomass, horizontal gene transfer, chemotaxis, dormancy, environmental sensing and stress response. Our results identify traits that may enable survival in ancient cryoenvironments with no influx of energy or new materials.
Over-expression of KdSOC1 gene affected plantlet morphogenesis in Kalanchoe daigremontiana
Authors: Zhu Chen , Wang Li , Chen Jinhua , Liu Chenglan , Zeng Huiming , Wang Huafang
Published: July 2017

Kalanchoe daigremontiana reproduces asexually by producing plantlets along the leaf margin. The aim of this study was to identify the function of the SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 gene in Kalanchoe daigremontiana (KdSOC1) during plantlet morphogenesis. In this study, KdSOC1 gene expression was detected at stem cell niche during in vitro somatic embryogenesis and plantlet morphogenesis. Disrupting endogenous auxin transportation suppressed the KdSOC1 gene response. Knockdown of the KdSOC1 gene caused a defect in cotyledon formation during the early heart stage of somatic embryogenesis. Over-expression (OE) of the KdSOC1 gene resulted in asymmetric plantlet distribution, a reduced number of plantlets, thicker leaves, and thicker vascular fibers. Higher KdPIN1 gene expression and auxin content were found in OE plant compared to those of wild-type plant leaves, which indicated possible KdSOC1 gene role in affecting auxin distribution and accumulation. KdSOC1 gene OE in DR5-GUS Arabidopsis reporting lines resulted in an abnormal auxin response pattern during different stages of somatic embryogenesis. In summary, the KdSOC1 gene OE might alter auxin distribution and accumulation along leaf margin to initiate plantlet formation and distribution, which is crucial for plasticity during plantlet formation under various environmental conditions.
Relationship between Retinal Inner Nuclear Layer Thickness and Severity of Visual Field Loss in Glaucoma
Authors: Kim Eun Kyoung , Park Hae-Young Lopilly , Park Chan Kee
Published: July 2017

Glaucoma is a disease characterized by pathologic changes in inner retinal layers, which are comprised of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). As retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) cross over other retinal neurons that are connected by synapses, it is meaningful to investigate the outer retinal changes in glaucoma. We evaluated the association between thicknesses of segmented retinal layers in macular region and severity of visual field loss in open-angle glaucoma (OAG). This study involved 103 glaucomatous eyes. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thicknesses were measured at the macular level using the Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography with segmentation software. The functional losses were measured using 24-2 standard automated perimetry. Macular structure losses were positively correlated with functional loss for RNFL, GCL, and IPL (R = 0.550, 0.637, and 0.649, respectively, P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with INL (R = −0.295, P = 0.041). By multivariate regression analysis, INL thickness was significantly associated with visual field mean deviation (dB) and optic disc hemorrhage. These finding carefully suggest reactive responses of neuronal or glial cells located in the INL occur during glaucoma progression.
The characterization of hippocampal theta-driving neurons — a time-delayed mutual information approach
Authors: Li Songting , Xu Jiamin , Chen Guifen , Lin Longnian , Zhou Douglas , Cai David
Published: July 2017

Interneurons are important for computation in the brain, in particular, in the information processing involving the generation of theta oscillations in the hippocampus. Yet the functional role of interneurons in the theta generation remains to be elucidated. Here we use time-delayed mutual information to investigate information flow related to a special class of interneurons—theta-driving neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region of the mouse—to characterize the interactions between theta-driving neurons and theta oscillations. For freely behaving mice, our results show that information flows from the activity of theta-driving neurons to the theta wave, and the firing activity of theta-driving neurons shares a substantial amount of information with the theta wave regardless of behavioral states. Via realistic simulations of a CA1 pyramidal neuron, we further demonstrate that theta-driving neurons possess the characteristics of the cholecystokinin-expressing basket cells (CCK-BC). Our results suggest that it is important to take into account the role of CCK-BC in the generation and information processing of theta oscillations.
Human ribosomal P1-P2 heterodimer represents an optimal docking site for ricin A chain with a prominent role for P1 C-terminus
Authors: Grela Przemysław , Li Xiao-Ping , Horbowicz Patrycja , Dźwierzyńska Monika , Tchórzewski Marek , Tumer Nilgun E.
Published: July 2017

The eukaryotic P-stalk contains two P1-P2 protein dimers with a conserved C- terminal domain (CTD) critical for the interaction with external factors. To understand the role of the individual CTD of human P1/P2 proteins, we examined the interaction of reconstituted human P-protein complexes and C-terminally truncated forms with ricin A chain (RTA), which binds to the stalk to depurinate the sarcin/ricin loop (SRL). The interaction between P-protein complexes and RTA was examined by surface plasmon resonance, isothermal titration calorimetry, microscale thermophoresis and bio-layer interferometry. The P1-P2 heterodimer missing a CTD on P2 was able to bind RTA. In contrast, the P1-P2 heterodimer missing the CTD of P1 protein displayed almost no binding toward RTA. Very low interaction was detected between RTA and the non-truncated P2-P2 homodimer, suggesting that the structural architecture of the P1-P2 heterodimer is critical for binding RTA. The reconstituted pentameric human stalk complex had higher affinity for RTA than the P1-P2 dimer. Deletion of P1 CTD, but not P2 CTD reduced the affinity of the pentamer for RTA. These results highlight the importance of the heterodimeric organization of P1-P2 in the human stalk pentamer and functional non-equivalence of the individual P-protein CTDs in the interaction with RTA.
Spatial distribution of Qinghai spruce forests and the thresholds of influencing factors in a small catchment, Qilian Mountains, northwest China
Authors: Yang Wenjuan , Wang Yanhui , Wang Shunli , Webb Ashley A. , Yu Pengtao , Liu Xiande , Zhang Xuelong
Published: July 2017

Forest restoration in dryland mountainous areas is extremely difficult due to dry climate, complex topography and accelerating climate change. Thus, exact identification of suitable sites is required. This study at a small watershed of Qilian Mountains, Northwest China, aimed to determine the important factors and their thresholds limiting the spatial distribution of forests of Qinghai spruce (Picea crassifolia), a locally dominant tree species. The watershed was divided into 342 spatial units. Their location, terrain and vegetation characteristics were recorded. Statistical analysis showed that the potential distribution area of Qinghai spruce forests is within an ellipse with the axes of elevation (from 2673.6 to 3202.2 m a.s.l.) and slope aspect (from −162.1° to 75.1° deviated from North). Within this ellipse, the forested sites have a soil thickness ≥40 cm, and slope positions of lower-slope, lower- or middle-slope, anywhere if the elevation is <2800, 2800–2900, >2900 m a.s.l, respectively. The corresponding mean annual air temperature at upper elevation boundary is −2.69 °C, while the mean annual precipitation at lower elevation boundary is 374 (331) mm within the small watershed (study area). The high prediction accuracy using these 4 factors can help to identify suitable sites and increase the success of afforestation.
MicroRNAs with prognostic significance in bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xie Yongpeng , Ma Xin , Chen Luyao , Li Hongzhao , Gu Liangyou , Gao Yu , Zhang Yu , Li Xintao , Fan Yang , Chen Jianwen , Zhang Xu
Published: July 2017

The aim of this study was to systematically review articles that investigated the prognostic significance of different microRNAs in bladder cancer (BC). We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase to identify relevant studies until March 2016. After screening, 26 studies that involved 2753 patients were included. Results suggested that many miRs expression aberration may predict prognosis in patients with BC. There are six miRs (miR-21, miR-143, miR-155, miR-200, miR-214, and miR-222) were reported by at least two studies, and we performed meta-analysis in the corresponding studies. Accordingly, we found that high miR-21 expression was associated with poor overall survival [OS; hazard ratio (HR) = 3.94, 95% CI 2.08–7.44]. High miR-143 expression was associated with poor progression-free survival (PFS; HR = 3.78, 95% CI 1.61–8.89). High miR-155 expression was associated with poor PFS (HR = 8.10, 95% CI 2.92–22.48). High miR-222 expression was associated with poor OS (HR = 3.39, 95% CI 1.10–10.41). Meanwhile, low miR-214 expression was correlated with poor RFS(HR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.22–0.53). Our comprehensive systematic review concluded that microRNAs, particularly miR-21, miR-143, miR-155, miR-214, and miR-222, could serve as meticulous follow-up markers for early detection of progression or recurrence and even useful therapeutic targets for the treatment in patients with BC.
Targeting PTPRZ inhibits stem cell-like properties and tumorigenicity in glioblastoma cells
Authors: Fujikawa Akihiro , Sugawara Hajime , Tanaka Taisaku , Matsumoto Masahito , Kuboyama Kazuya , Suzuki Ryoko , Tanga Naomi , Ogata Atsuto , Masumura Makoto , Noda Masaharu
Published: July 2017

The R5 subfamily of receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) comprises PTPRZ and PTPRG. A recent study on primary human glioblastomas suggested a close association between PTPRZ1 (human PTPRZ) expression and cancer stemness. However, the functional roles of PTPRZ activity in glioma stem cells have remained unclear. In the present study, we found that sphere-forming cells from the rat C6 and human U251 glioblastoma cell lines showed high expression levels of PTPRZ-B, the short receptor isoform of PTPRZ. Stable PTPRZ knockdown altered the expression levels of stem cell transcription factors such as SOX2, OLIG2, and POU3F2 and decreased the sphere-forming abilities of these cells. Suppressive effects on the cancer stem-like properties of the cells were also observed following the knockdown of PTPRG. Here, we identified NAZ2329, a cell-permeable small molecule that allosterically inhibits both PTPRZ and PTPRG. NAZ2329 reduced the expression of SOX2 in C6 and U251 cells and abrogated the sphere-forming abilities of these cells. Tumor growth in the C6 xenograft mouse model was significantly slower with the co-treatment of NAZ2329 with temozolomide, an alkylating agent, than with the individual treatments. These results indicate that pharmacological inhibition of R5 RPTPs is a promising strategy for the treatment of malignant gliomas.
A three miRNAs signature predicts survival in cervical cancer using bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Liang Bin , Li Yunhui , Wang Tianjiao
Published: July 2017

Growing evidences showed that a large number of miRNAs were abnormally expressed in cervical cancer tissues and played irreplaceable roles in tumorigenesis, progression and metastasis. The aim of the present study was to identify the differential miRNAs expression between cervical cancer and normal cervical tissues by analyzing the high-throughput miRNA data downloaded from TCGA database. Additionally, we evaluated the prognostic values of the differentially expressed miRNAs and constructed a three-miRNA signature that could effectively predict patient survival. According to the cut-off criteria (P < 0.05 and |log2FC| > 2.0), a total of 78 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified between cervical cancer tissues and matched normal tissues, including 37 up-regulated miRNAs and 41 down-regulated miRNAs. The Kaplan-Meier survival method revealed the prognostic function of the three miRNAs (miRNA-145, miRNA-200c, and miRNA-218-1). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the three-miRNA signature was an independent prognostic factor in cervical cancer. The functional enrichment analysis suggested that the target genes of three miRNAs may be involved in various pathways related to cancer, including MAPK, AMPK, focal adhesion, cGMP-PKG, wnt, and mTOR signaling pathway. Taken together, the present study suggested that three-miRNA signature could be used as a prognostic marker in cervical cancer.
The Epichloë festucae antifungal protein has activity against the plant pathogen Sclerotinia homoeocarpa, the causal agent of dollar spot disease
Authors: Tian Zipeng , Wang Ruying , Ambrose Karen V. , Clarke Bruce B. , Belanger Faith C.
Published: July 2017

Epichloë spp. are naturally occurring fungal endophytic symbionts of many cool-season grasses. Infection by the fungal endophytes often confers biotic and abiotic stress tolerance to their hosts. Endophyte-mediated disease resistance is well-established in the fine fescue grass Festuca rubra subsp. rubra (strong creeping red fescue) infected with E. festucae. Resistance to fungal pathogens is not an established effect of endophyte infection of other grass species, and may therefore be unique to the fine fescues. The underlying mechanism of the disease resistance is unknown. E. festucae produces a secreted antifungal protein that is highly expressed in the infected plant tissues and may therefore be involved in the disease resistance. Most Epichloë spp. do not have a gene for a similar antifungal protein. Here we report the characterization of the E. festucae antifungal protein, designated Efe-AfpA. The antifungal protein partially purified from the apoplastic proteins of endophyte-infected plant tissue and the recombinant protein expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris was found to have activity against the important plant pathogen Sclerotinia homoeocarpa. Efe-AfpA may therefore be a component of the disease resistance seen in endophyte-infected strong creeping red fescue.
MLN4924 (Pevonedistat), a protein neddylation inhibitor, suppresses proliferation and migration of human clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Tong Shuai , Si Yang , Yu Hefen , Zhang Lingqiang , Xie Ping , Jiang Wenguo
Published: July 2017

Neddylation is a post-translational protein modification associated with cancer development. MLN4924 is a neddylation inhibitor currently under investigation in multiple phase I studies on various malignancies, and its clincal name is Pevonedistat. It has been documented that MLN4924 blocks Cullins neddylation and inactivates CRLs and, in turn, triggers cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis, senescence and autophagy in many cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor effect of MLN4924 in human clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC). Levels of both Nedd8 activating enzyme E1 and Nedd8-conjugating enzyme E2 were higher in ccRCC tissues and RCC cancer cells than in normal. Moreover, MLN4924 treatment led to rapid inhibition of Cullin1 neddylation and notably suppressed growth and survival as well as migration in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Mechanistic studies revealed that MLN4924 induced the accumulation of a number of CRL substrates, including p21, p27 and Wee1 to trigger DNA damage and induce growth arrest at the G2/M phase. MLN4924 also induced anti-migration and anti-invasion by activating E-cadherin and repressing Vimentin. Taken together, this study provides the first evidence that neddylation pathway is overactive in ccRCC and that MLN4924 induces dose-dependent anti-proliferation, anti-migration, anti-invasion in ccRCC cells. The study thus indicates that MLN4924 has potential therapeutic value for the clinical treatment of renal cancer.
The synthesis of CuyMnzAl1−zOx mixed oxide as a low-temperature NH3-SCR catalyst with enhanced catalytic performance
Authors: Yan Qinghua , Chen Sining , Qiu Lei , Gao Yanshan , O'Hare Dermot , Wang Qiang
Published: July 2017

A new type of low-temperature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, CuyMnzAl1−zOx, derived from layered double hydroxides is presented in this contribution.
Unprecedented ferromagnetic Gd⋯nitronyl nitroxide coupling through a hydrogen bonding bridge
Authors: Sun Juan , Yang Meng , Sun Zan , Wang Xiufeng , Ma Yue , Li Licun
Published: July 2017

An unexpected Gd⋯NO ferromagnetic coupling mediating via a hydrogen bonding interaction is observed in a novel Gd–nitronyl nitroxide chain.
Optical properties and mechanofluorochromism of new BODIPY dyes based on the pyridine–pyrimidine hybrid structure
Authors: Liu Yi , Duan Jicheng , Qi Fen , Tian Dan , Wang Xiaoqing , Liu Zhipeng , Huang Wei
Published: July 2017

New solution/solid-state emissive boron complexes were prepared to demonstrate that high contrast and reversible mechanoresponsive luminescence behavior could be realized through mechanical stimuli triggered dimer dissolution/formation.
Flow-induced nanostructuring of gelled emulsions
Authors: Preziosi Valentina , Perazzo Antonio , Tomaiuolo Giovanna , Pipich Vitaly , Danino Dganit , Paduano Luigi , Guido Stefano
Published: July 2017

Although the phase behavior of emulsions has been thoroughly investigated, the effect of flow on emulsion morphology, which is relevant for many applications, is far from being fully elucidated.
Event‐triggered constant reference tracking control for discrete‐time LPV systems with application to a laboratory tank system
Authors: Golabi Arash , Meskin Nader , Tóth Roland , Mohammadpour Javad , Donkers Tijs , Davoodi Mohammadreza
Published: July 2017

This study develops a novel event‐triggered control design methodology for discrete‐time dynamic systems characterised by linear parameter‐varying (LPV) models. To this end, an event‐triggering mechanism is first introduced for LPV systems aiming at reducing the data transmission of states, scheduling variables and controller outputs, i.e. at both the sensor and the controller nodes. Then, an event‐based LPV state feedback controller is proposed to achieve a reference tracking objective. Sufficient conditions for simultaneous design of the controller parameters and event‐triggering conditions are provided in terms of linear matrix inequality conditions to guarantee the stability of the closed‐loop system and to track a desired step reference signal. The experimental results are finally presented to demonstrate and validate the properties and performance of the proposed control design approach on a laboratory tank system.
Optimisation of antenna array allocation for partial discharge localisation in air‐insulated substation
Authors: Zhu Ming‐Xiao , Liu Qing , Wang Yan‐Bo , Li Yuan , Deng Jun‐Bo , Mu Hai‐Bao , Zhang Guan‐Jun
Published: July 2017

Partial discharge (PD) is the symptom of insulation breakdown in power equipment. The high rising steepness of PD current radiates electromagnetic waves which can be coupled with antenna. In this study, an antenna array is applied to PD detection and localisation in air‐insulated substations, in which the locations of PD sources are found with time difference of arrival localisation algorithm. The influences of antenna deployment including the size, aspect ratio and shape of antenna array on localisation accuracy are systematically investigated. Three approaches including Cramér–Rao lower bound, numerical simulation of root of mean square error and experiments are adopted to evaluate the localisation accuracy. Three kinds of antenna arrays with diamond, rectangle and Y shapes are designed for locating the coordinates of PD sources. Their localisation performances are compared by these evaluation approaches, and the optimum antenna configurations for coordinate estimation are derived. The results indicate that the optimum array is dependent on aspect ratio of array size. If the aspect ratio is higher than 0.5, the rectangle array gives minimum localisation error and wide bearing ranges with low error. For array with aspect ratio smaller than 0.25, the diamond array is optimum among the three shapes.
Superacid-Mediated Intramolecular Cyclization/Condensation: Facile One-Pot Synthesis of Spirotetracyclic Indanones and ­Indenes
Authors: Satyanarayana Gedu , Ramulu Bokka , Kumar Devarapalli
Published: July 2017

A facile, superacid-promoted, domino, one-pot synthesis of novel spirotetracyclic indanones through intramolecular Friedel–Crafts acylation/alkylation of α,β-unsaturated cinnamic acid esters is presented. Interestingly, when the β-aryl group contained electron-withdrawing substituents such as fluoro, chloro, or bromo, the reaction took a different mechanistic path and afforded arylindenes as the end products.
David Didier Roth (1808–1885)
Authors: Scheiman-Burkhardt Klaus
Published: July 2017

Als Ergänzung zu dem biographischen Artikel „David Didier Roth (1808 – 1885)” 8 von I. Sommer wird der Kern von Roths Kritik an Hahnemanns Arzneimittellehren durch ausführliche Zitate aus seinen „Studien der Arzneimittellehre“ verdeutlicht. Der Haupteinwand ist die unklare Quellenlage von einer Vielzahl vermeintlicher Prüfungssymptome, oder genauer gesagt, deren unzulängliche Kennzeichnung hinsichtlich ihrer Herkunft. Roth führt Indizien und Belege an, die nachweisen sollen, dass eine Vielzahl von Symptomen nicht an gesunden Prüfern, sondern an Kranken beobachtet wurden, wobei die Art und Weise und der Kontext dieser Beobachtungen unerwähnt bleiben.