bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Loss of Nrf2 abrogates the protective effect of Keap1 downregulation in a preclinical model of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Knatko Elena V. , Higgins Maureen , Fahey Jed W. , Dinkova-Kostova Albena T.
Published: May 2016

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCC) are the most common and highly mutated human malignancies, challenging identification of driver mutations and targeted therapies. Transcription factor NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) orchestrates a cytoprotective inducible program, which counteracts the damaging effects of solar UV radiation, the main etiological factor in cSCC development. Downregulation of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), a Cullin-3/Rbx1 ubiquitin ligase substrate adaptor protein, which mediates the ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of Nrf2, has a strong protective effect in a preclinical model of cSCC. However, in addition to Nrf2, Keap1 affects ubiquitination of other proteins in the carcinogenesis process, including proteins involved in inflammation and DNA damage repair. Here, we generated Keap1flox/flox SKH-1 hairless mice in which Nrf2 is disrupted (Keap1flox/flox/Nrf2−/−) and subjected them chronically to solar-simulated UV radiation. We found that the incidence, multiplicity and burden of cSCC that form in Keap1flox/flox/Nrf2−/− mice are much greater than in their Keap1flox/flox/Nrf2+/+ counterparts, establishing Nrf2 activation as the protection mediator. Our findings further imply that inhibition of Nrf2 globally, a strategy proposed for cancer treatment, is unlikely to be beneficial.
Levels of albuminuria and risk of developing macroalbuminuria in type 2 diabetes: historical cohort study
Authors: Chida Shoma , Fujita Yoshikuni , Ogawa Akifumi , Hayashi Akinori , Ichikawa Raishi , Kamata Yuji , Takeuchi Akihiro , Takano Koji , Shichiri Masayoshi
Published: May 2016

Although increased urinary albumin excretion may increase the risk of adverse renal outcomes in patients with diabetes, it remains unclear whether microalbuminuria is associated with a higher incidence of macroalbuminuria in the absence of non-diabetic kidney events that frequently develop during the long-term course of type 2 diabetes. This historical cohort study included patients with type 2 diabetes, spot urine albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) <300 mg/gCr and normal serum creatinine concentrations treated between August 1988 and April 2015. Patients with any evidence suggesting non-diabetic kidney diseases at baseline were excluded. Over a median follow-up of 50 months, 70 of the 1760 included patients developed macroalbuminuria. Twenty-one of these patients were diagnosed with non-diabetic renal events. The five-year cumulative incidence of macroalbuminuria in patients with ACRs of 0–7.5 mg/gCr, 7.5–30 mg/gCr, 30–150 mg/gCr, and 150–300 mg/gCr were 0%, 0.53%, 3.5%, and 36.0%, respectively, with significant differences between each pair of ACR categories. In type 2 diabetes, higher urinary ACR, even within a level of normoalbuminuria, was associated with a greater incidence of macroalbuminuria when non-diabetic renal events were excluded. These results conflict with findings suggesting that microalbuminuria is a poor indicator for the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
Horizontal Gene Transfer of Pectinases from Bacteria Preceded the Diversification of Stick and Leaf Insects
Authors: Shelomi Matan , Danchin Etienne G. J. , Heckel David , Wipfler Benjamin , Bradler Sven , Zhou Xin , Pauchet Yannick
Published: May 2016

Genes acquired by horizontal transfer are increasingly being found in animal genomes. Understanding their origin and evolution requires knowledge about the phylogenetic relationships from both source and recipient organisms. We used RNASeq data and respective assembled transcript libraries to trace the evolutionary history of polygalacturonase (pectinase) genes in stick insects (Phasmatodea). By mapping the distribution of pectinase genes on a Polyneoptera phylogeny, we identified the transfer of pectinase genes from known phasmatodean gut microbes into the genome of an early euphasmatodean ancestor that took place between 60 and 100 million years ago. This transfer preceded the rapid diversification of the suborder, enabling symbiont-free pectinase production that would increase the insects’ digestive efficiency and reduce dependence on microbes. Bacteria-to-insect gene transfer was thought to be uncommon, however the increasing availability of large-scale genomic data may change this prevailing notion.
Fermi-Surface Topological Phase Transition and Horizontal Order-Parameter Nodes in CaFe2As2 Under Pressure
Authors: Gonnelli R. S. , Daghero D. , Tortello M. , Ummarino G. A. , Bukowski Z. , Karpinski J. , Reuvekamp P. G. , Kremer R. K. , Profeta G. , Suzuki K. , Kuroki K.
Published: May 2016

Iron-based compounds (IBS) display a surprising variety of superconducting properties that seems to arise from the strong sensitivity of these systems to tiny details of the lattice structure. In this respect, systems that become superconducting under pressure, like CaFe2As2, are of particular interest. Here we report on the first directional point-contact Andreev-reflection spectroscopy (PCARS) measurements on CaFe2As2 crystals under quasi-hydrostatic pressure, and on the interpretation of the results using a 3D model for Andreev reflection combined with ab-initio calculations of the Fermi surface (within the density functional theory) and of the order parameter symmetry (within a random-phase-approximation approach in a ten-orbital model). The almost perfect agreement between PCARS results at different pressures and theoretical predictions highlights the intimate connection between the changes in the lattice structure, a topological transition in the holelike Fermi surface sheet, and the emergence on the same sheet of an order parameter with a horizontal node line.
Abrogation of collagen-induced arthritis by a peptidyl arginine deiminase inhibitor is associated with modulation of T cell-mediated immune responses
Authors: Kawalkowska Joanna , Quirke Anne-Marie , Ghari Fatemeh , Davis Simon , Subramanian Venkataraman , Thompson Paul R. , Williams Richard O. , Fischer Roman , La Thangue Nicholas B. , Venables Patrick J.
Published: May 2016

Proteins containing citrulline, a post-translational modification of arginine, are generated by peptidyl arginine deiminases (PAD). Citrullinated proteins have pro-inflammatory effects in both innate and adaptive immune responses. Here, we examine the therapeutic effects in collagen-induced arthritis of the second generation PAD inhibitor, BB-Cl-amidine. Treatment after disease onset resulted in the reversal of clinical and histological changes of arthritis, associated with a marked reduction in citrullinated proteins in lymph nodes. There was little overall change in antibodies to collagen or antibodies to citrullinated peptides, but a shift from pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17-type responses to pro-resolution Th2-type responses was demonstrated by serum cytokines and antibody subtypes. In lymph node cells from the arthritic mice treated with BB-Cl-amidine, there was a decrease in total cell numbers but an increase in the proportion of Th2 cells. BB-Cl-amidine had a pro-apoptotic effect on all Th subsets in vitro with Th17 cells appearing to be the most sensitive. We suggest that these immunoregulatory effects of PAD inhibition in CIA are complex, but primarily mediated by transcriptional regulation. We suggest that targeting PADs is a promising strategy for the treatment of chronic inflammatory disease.
Quantitative Proteomics Analysis of Tissue Interstitial Fluid for Identification of Novel Serum Candidate Diagnostic Marker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Sun Wei , Xing Baocai , Guo Lihai , Liu Zhilei , Mu Jinsong , Sun Longqin , Wei Handong , Zhao Xiaohang , Qian Xiaohong , Jiang Ying , He Fuchu
Published: May 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignant cancer in the world. The sensitivity of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is still inadequate for HCC diagnosis. Tissue interstitial fluid (TIF), as the liquid microenvironment of cancer cells, was used for biomarker discovery in this study. Paired tumor and nontumor TIF samples from 6 HBV-HCC patients were analyzed by a proteomic technique named iTRAQ (isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation). Totally, 241 up-regulated proteins (ratio ≥ 1.3, p < 0.05) and 288 down-regulated proteins (ratio ≤ −1.3, p < 0.05) in tumor TIF were identified. Interestingly, proteins in S100 family were found remarkably up-regulated in tumor TIF. One dramatically up-regulated protein S100A9 (ratio = 19) was further validated by ELISA in sera from liver cirrhosis (LC, HCC high risk population) and HCC patients (n = 47 for each group). The level of this protein was significantly elevated in HCC sera compared with LC (p < 0.0001). The area under the curve of this protein to distinguish HCC from LC was 0.83, with sensitivity of 91% (higher than AFP) and specificity of 66%. This result demonstrated the potential of S100A9 as a candidate HCC diagnostic biomarker. And TIF was a kind of promising material to identify candidate tumor biomarkers that could be detected in serum.
Abnormal topological organization of the white matter network in Mandarin speakers with congenital amusia
Authors: Zhao Yanxin , Chen Xizhuo , Zhong Suyu , Cui Zaixu , Gong Gaolang , Dong Qi , Nan Yun
Published: May 2016

Congenital amusia is a neurogenetic disorder that mainly affects the processing of musical pitch. Brain imaging evidence indicates that it is associated with abnormal structural and functional connections in the fronto-temporal region. However, a holistic understanding of the anatomical topology underlying amusia is still lacking. Here, we used probabilistic diffusion tensor imaging tractography and graph theory to examine whole brain white matter structural connectivity in 31 Mandarin-speaking amusics and 24 age- and IQ-matched controls. Amusics showed significantly reduced global connectivity, as indicated by the abnormally decreased clustering coefficient (Cp) and increased normalized shortest path length (λ) compared to the controls. Moreover, amusics exhibited enhanced nodal strength in the right inferior parietal lobule relative to controls. The co-existence of the lexical tone deficits was associated with even more deteriorated global network efficiency in amusics, as suggested by the significant correlation between the increments in normalized shortest path length (λ) and the insensitivity in lexical tone perception. Our study is the first to reveal reduced global connectivity efficiency in amusics as well as an increase in the global connectivity cost due to the co-existed lexical tone deficits. Taken together these results provide a holistic perspective on the anatomical substrates underlying congenital amusia.
Piezoelectric Templates – New Views on Biomineralization and Biomimetics
Authors: Stitz Nina , Eiben Sabine , Atanasova Petia , Domingo Neus , Leineweber Andreas , Burghard Zaklina , Bill Joachim
Published: May 2016

Biomineralization in general is based on electrostatic interactions and molecular recognition of organic and inorganic phases. These principles of biomineralization have also been utilized and transferred to bio-inspired synthesis of functional materials during the past decades. Proteins involved in both, biomineralization and bio-inspired processes, are often piezoelectric due to their dipolar character hinting to the impact of a template’s piezoelectricity on mineralization processes. However, the piezoelectric contribution on the mineralization process and especially the interaction of organic and inorganic phases is hardly considered so far. We herein report the successful use of the intrinsic piezoelectric properties of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) to synthesize piezoelectric ZnO. Such films show a two-fold increase of the piezoelectric coefficient up to 7.2 pm V−1 compared to films synthesized on non-piezoelectric templates. By utilizing the intrinsic piezoelectricity of a biotemplate, we thus established a novel synthesis pathway towards functional materials, which sheds light on the whole field of biomimetics. The obtained results are of even broader and general interest since they are providing a new, more comprehensive insight into the mechanisms involved into biomineralization in living nature.
Near-instant automatic access to visually presented words in the human neocortex: neuromagnetic evidence
Authors: Shtyrov Yury , MacGregor Lucy J.
Published: May 2016

Rapid and efficient processing of external information by the brain is vital to survival in a highly dynamic environment. The key channel humans use to exchange information is language, but the neural underpinnings of its processing are still not fully understood. We investigated the spatio-temporal dynamics of neural access to word representations in the brain by scrutinising the brain’s activity elicited in response to psycholinguistically, visually and phonologically matched groups of familiar words and meaningless pseudowords. Stimuli were briefly presented on the visual-field periphery to experimental participants whose attention was occupied with a non-linguistic visual feature-detection task. The neural activation elicited by these unattended orthographic stimuli was recorded using multi-channel whole-head magnetoencephalography and the timecourse of lexically-specific neuromagnetic responses was assessed in sensor space as well as at the level of cortical sources, estimated using individual MR-based distributed source reconstruction. Our results demonstrate a neocortical signature of automatic near-instant access to word representations in the brain: activity in the perisylvian language network characterised by specific activation enhancement for familiar words, starting as early as ~70 ms after the onset of unattended word stimuli and underpinned by temporal and inferior-frontal cortices.
Protamine zinc insulin combined with sodium selenite improves glycometabolism in the diabetic KKAy mice
Authors: Lu Juan , Ji Wenjun , Zhao Mei , Wang Meng , Yan Wenhui , Chen Mingxia , Ren Shuting , Yuan Bingxiang , Wang Bing , Chen Lina
Published: May 2016

Long-term, high dosage protamine zinc insulin (PZI) treatments produce adverse reactions. The trace element selenium (Se) is a candidate for the prevention of diabetes due to anti-oxidative stress activity and the regulation of glycometabolism. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-diabetic effects of a combination of PZI and Se on type 2 diabetes. Diabetic KKAy mice were randomized into the following groups: model group and groups that were subcutaneously injected with PZI, Se, high or low dose PZI + Se for 6 weeks. PZI combined with Se decreased the body weight and fasting blood glucose levels. Moreover, this treatment also improved insulin tolerance, as determined by the reduced values from the oral glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test and increased insulin levels and insulin sensitivity index. PZI combined with Se ameliorated skeletal muscle and β-cell damage and the impaired mitochondrial morphology. Oxidative stress was also reduced. Furthermore, PZI combined with Se upregulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and downregulated protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). Importantly, the low dosage combination produced effects similar to PZI alone. In conclusion, PZI combined with Se improved glycometabolism and ameliorated the tissue and mitochondrial damage, which might be associated with the PI3K and PTP1B pathways.
New algorithm for constructing area-based index with geographical heterogeneities and variable selection: An application to gastric cancer screening
Authors: Yoneoka Daisuke , Saito Eiko , Nakaoka Shinji
Published: May 2016

To optimally allocate health resources, policy planners require an indicator reflecting the inequality. Currently, health inequalities are frequently measured by area-based indices. However, methodologies for constructing the indices have been hampered by two difficulties: 1) incorporating the geographical relationship into the model and 2) selecting appropriate variables from the high-dimensional census data. Here, we constructed a new area-based health coverage index using the geographical information and a variable selection procedure with the example of gastric cancer. We also characterized the geographical distribution of health inequality in Japan. To construct the index, we proposed a methodology of a geographically weighted logistic lasso model. We adopted a geographical kernel and selected the optimal bandwidth and the regularization parameters by a two-stage algorithm. Sensitivity was checked by correlation to several cancer mortalities/screening rates. Lastly, we mapped the current distribution of health inequality in Japan and detected unique predictors at sampled locations. The interquartile range of the index was 0.0001 to 0.354 (mean: 0.178, SD: 0.109). The selections from 91 candidate variables in Japanese census data showed regional heterogeneities (median number of selected variables: 29). Our index was more correlated to cancer mortalities/screening rates than previous index and revealed several geographical clusters with unique predictors.
Emission energy, exciton dynamics and lasing properties of buckled CdS nanoribbons
Authors: Wang Qi , Sun Liaoxin , Lu Jian , Ren Ming-Liang , Zhang Tianning , Huang Yan , Zhou Xiaohao , Sun Yan , Zhang Bo , Chen Changqing , Shen Xuechu , Agarwal Ritesh , Lu Wei
Published: May 2016

We report the modulation of emission energy, exciton dynamics and lasing properties in a single buckled CdS nanoribbon (NR) by strain-engineering. Inspired by ordered structure fabrication on elastomeric polymer, we develop a new method to fabricate uniform buckled NRs supported on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Wavy structure, of which compressive and tensile strain periodically varied along the CdS NR, leads to a position-dependent emission energy shift as large as 14 nm in photoluminescence (PL) mapping. Both micro-PL and micro-reflectance reveal the spectral characteristics of broad emission of buckled NR, which can be understood by the discrepancy of strain-induced energy shift of A- and B-exciton of CdS. Furthermore, the dynamics of excitons under tensile strain are also investigated; we find that the B-exciton have much shorter lifetime than that of redshifted A-exciton. In addition, we also present the lasing of buckled CdS NRs, in which the strain-dominated mode selection in multi-mode laser and negligible mode shifts in single-mode laser are clearly observed. Our results show that the strained NRs may serve as new functional optical elements for flexible light emitter or on-chip all-optical devices.
Novel insights into iron regulation and requirement in marine medaka Oryzias melastigma
Authors: Wang Jian , Wang Wen-Xiong
Published: May 2016

Iron (Fe) is an essential trace element for marine fish. However, our knowledge of Fe requirements at different development stages of marine fish is still limited. Here, we reported the efficient Fe absorption strategies adopted by larval fish under different dietary Fe supplementary levels (i.e., 0–640 mg/kg). Biokinetically, the larval fish controlled their dietary Fe assimilation efficiency (AE, 1.6–18.5%), and enhanced their waterborne Fe uptake (ca. 2.5 fold change of uptake rate constant) once the dietary Fe was deficient (i.e., 27.4 mg Fe/kg feed). Transcriptionally, the expression of hepcidin1 (hep1; Fe regulator; i.e., 2.3–15.7 fold change) in larval fish was positively correlated with the Fe supplementary levels. Comparatively, the female adult fish were poor in assimilating the added Fe source (i.e., ferric form) with similar life-sustainable levels of Fe (i.e., 0.046–0.12 μg/g/d assimilated for Fe supplementary levels of 27.4, 162 and 657 mg Fe/kg feed). The overall feeding experiments suggested that dietary net Fe flux sufficient for the normal growth of larval medaka was 0.71–1.75 μg/g/d (i.e., 83.9 mg Fe/kg feed), consistent with the modeled value (i.e., 1.09–2.16 μg/g/d). In female adults, the estimated essential net Fe flux was 0.88–0.90 μg/g/d.
Evidence for widespread infection of African bats with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever-like viruses
Authors: Müller Marcel A. , Devignot Stéphanie , Lattwein Erik , Corman Victor Max , Maganga Gaël D. , Gloza-Rausch Florian , Binger Tabea , Vallo Peter , Emmerich Petra , Cottontail Veronika M. , Tschapka Marco , Oppong Samuel , Drexler Jan Felix , Weber Friedemann , Leroy Eric M. , Drosten Christian
Published: May 2016

Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a highly virulent tick-borne pathogen that causes hemorrhagic fever in humans. The geographic range of human CCHF cases largely reflects the presence of ticks. However, highly similar CCHFV lineages occur in geographically distant regions. Tick-infested migratory birds have been suggested, but not confirmed, to contribute to the dispersal. Bats have recently been shown to carry nairoviruses distinct from CCHFV. In order to assess the presence of CCHFV in a wide range of bat species over a wide geographic range, we analyzed 1,135 sera from 16 different bat species collected in Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Germany, and Panama. Using a CCHFV glycoprotein-based indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT), we identified reactive antibodies in 10.0% (114/1,135) of tested bats, pertaining to 12/16 tested species. Depending on the species, 3.6%–42.9% of cave-dwelling bats and 0.6%–7.1% of foliage-living bats were seropositive (two-tailed t-test, p = 0.0447 cave versus foliage). 11/30 IIFT-reactive sera from 10 different African bat species had neutralizing activity in a virus-like particle assay. Neutralization of full CCHFV was confirmed in 5 of 7 sera. Widespread infection of cave-dwelling bats may indicate a role for bats in the life cycle and geographic dispersal of CCHFV.
A new symmetrodont mammal (Trechnotheria: Zhangheotheriidae) from the Early Cretaceous of China and trechnotherian character evolution
Authors: Bi Shundong , Zheng Xiaoting , Meng Jin , Wang Xiaoli , Robinson Nicole , Davis Brian
Published: May 2016

We report the discovery of Anebodon luoi, a new genus and species of zhangheotheriid symmetrodont mammal from the Lujiatun site of the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation, China. The fossil is represented by an associated partial skull and dentaries with a nearly complete dentition and with a dental formula of I4/3 C1/1 P5/4 M3/4. This new taxon lacks the high molar count typical of derived symmetrodonts, differing from the well-represented zhangheotheriids Zhangheotherium and Maotherium in having a postcanine dental formula that resembles more primitive tinodontid symmetrodonts on the one hand and sister taxa to therians such as Peramus on the other. Upper and lower distal premolars are strongly molariform and are captured undergoing replacement, clarifying positional homology among related taxa. We also describe the rostrum and, for the first time in a symmetrodont, much of the orbital mosaic. Importantly, our new taxon occupies a basal position within the Zhangheotheriidae and permits discussion of trechnotherian character evolution, ultimately shedding additional light on the evolution of therians.
Geographical differentiation of a monovarietal olive oil using various chemical parameters and mid-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Uncu Oguz , Ozen Banu
Published: May 2016

Olive oil discrimination with different analytical techniques.
Tunnelling in carbonic acid
Authors: Wagner J. Philipp , Reisenauer Hans Peter , Hirvonen Viivi , Wu Chia-Hua , Tyberg Joseph L. , Allen Wesley D. , Schreiner Peter R.
Published: May 2016

The cis,trans-conformer of carbonic acid (H2CO3), generated by near-infrared radiation, undergoes an unreported quantum mechanical tunnelling rotamerization with half-lives in cryogenic matrices of 4–20 h, depending on temperature and host material.
Tuning the electronic properties and work functions of graphane/fully hydrogenated h-BN heterobilayers via heteronuclear dihydrogen bonding and electric field control
Authors: Liang Qiuhua , Jiang Junke , Meng Ruishen , Ye Huaiyu , Tan Chunjian , Yang Qun , Sun Xiang , Yang Daoguo , Chen Xianping
Published: May 2016

The electronic properties and work functions of graphane/fully hydrogenated h-BN heterobilayers were studied by using density functional theory calculations.
Bidentate forms of β-triketimines: syntheses, characterization and outstanding performance of enamine–diimine cobalt complexes in isoprene polymerization
Authors: Alnajrani Mohammed N. , Mair Francis S.
Published: May 2016

When a normally tridentate β-triketimine ligand binds to Co(ii) in a bidentate enamine–diimine form, is partnered with the weakly co-ordinating BArF anion and activated with ethylaluminiumsesquichoride, the most active catalyst yet found forcis-1,4-selective polymerization of isoprene results.
C–N bond hydrogenolysis of aniline and cyclohexylamine over TaOx–Al2O3
Authors: Bachrach Mark , Marks Tobin J. , Notestein Justin M.
Published: May 2016

Aniline denitrogenation over TaOx–Al2O3 leads to chemically inert Ta-imido species.
Quinolone-1-(2H)-ones as hedgehog signalling pathway inhibitors
Authors: Trinh Trieu N. , McLaughlin Eileen A. , Abdel-Hamid Mohammed K. , Gordon Christopher P. , Bernstein Ilana R. , Pye Victoria , Cossar Peter , Sakoff Jennette A. , McCluskey Adam
Published: May 2016

A series of quinolone-2-(1H)-ones derived from a Ugi-Knoevenagel three- and four-component reaction were prepared exhibiting low micromolar cytotoxicity against a panel of eight human cancer cell lines known to possess the Hedgehog Signalling Pathway (HSP) components, as well as the seminoma TCAM-2 cell line.
Chemoenzymatic synthesis and utilization of a SAM analog with an isomorphic nucleobase
Authors: Vranken C. , Fin A. , Tufar P. , Hofkens J. , Burkart M. D. , Tor Y.
Published: May 2016

A synthetic SAM analog with an unnatural isomorphic nucleobase is enzymatically synthesized and shown to serve as a methyl donor.
Structure–performance relationships of MnO2 nanocatalyst for the low-temperature SCR removal of NOX under ammonia
Authors: Li Yi , Li Yanping , Wan Yuan , Zhan Sihui , Guan Qingxin , Tian Yang
Published: May 2016

To investigate the corresponding relationship between catalytic efficiency and structure, MnO2 nanomaterials (nanospheres, nanosheets, nanorods) have been prepared successfully, and were thoroughly characterized by SEM and TEM.
Epigenetic regulation of skeletal muscle metabolism
Authors: Howlett Kirsten F. , McGee Sean L.
Published: May 2016

Normal skeletal muscle metabolism is essential for whole body metabolic homoeostasis and disruptions in muscle metabolism are associated with a number of chronic diseases. Transcriptional control of metabolic enzyme expression is a major regulatory mechanism for muscle metabolic processes. Substantial evidence is emerging that highlights the importance of epigenetic mechanisms in this process. This review will examine the importance of epigenetics in the regulation of muscle metabolism, with a particular emphasis on DNA methylation and histone acetylation as epigenetic control points. The emerging cross-talk between metabolism and epigenetics in the context of health and disease will also be examined. The concept of inheritance of skeletal muscle metabolic phenotypes will be discussed, in addition to emerging epigenetic therapies that could be used to alter muscle metabolism in chronic disease states.
Carotid-Cavernous Fistula as a Complication of Panfacial Fracture: Case Report 11 Years after the Surgery
Authors: de Moraes Sylvio Luiz Costa , de Paula Afonso AlexandreMaurity , dos Santos RobertoGomes , Mattos RicardoPereira , Duarte BrunoGomes
Published: May 2016

The carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) is a rare complication in patients victimized by craniofacial trauma. It involves multidisciplinary medical action. Owing to its potential complications, it is essential that maxillofacial surgery and neurosurgery specialists diagnose this condition so that appropriate treatment can be performed. The authors present a report of a case 11 years after the surgery.
Improving the Clinical-care Pathway of an Ayurvedic Hospital: A Teaching Case for Developing Process Improvement Capabilities
Authors: Bandara Wasana , Thennakoon Dharshani , Syed Rehan , Mathiesen Paul , Ranaweera K K D S
Published: May 2016

Business Process Management (BPM) is a topic that has received immense attention in information systems research and practice. While its adoption has been increasing rapidly, many companies struggle to find BPM professionals with the appropriate skills, hence BPM education has been an area of increasing interest as well. One big challenge for BPM education is the lack of teaching resources. Appropriately written BPM teaching cases derived from real-life case scenarios has been recognised as a valuable means to address this gap. Yet, teaching cases that are rich in context dedicated to BPM are still scarce. This teaching case, specifically developed for business process improvement education purposes, is designed as a rich resource to address this gap. Teaching notes with an extensive set of multimedia ancillary material are also available to instructors upon request. This case study is based on a real-life patient-care process of a national Ayurvedic hospital in Sri Lanka. With its position as the leading national institute for Ayurvedic research and teaching, the hospital has the potential to make striding impacts with Ayurvedic innovations both nationally and globally. This narrative describes the current patient-care process in detail, challenging students to analyse the current process and derive justifiable high-impact creative/innovative recommendations that are feasible to the case's context and improve business processes at the hospital.
Development of high-order harmonic focusing system based on ellipsoidal mirror
Authors: Motoyama H. , Sato T. , Iwasaki A. , Takei Y. , Kume T. , Egawa S. , Hiraguri K. , Hashizume H. , Yamanouchi K. , Mimura H.
Published: May 2016

We have developed a focusing system for extreme ultraviolet light produced by high-order harmonic generation. An ellipsoidal mirror with a precise surface shape was fabricated and installed into the focusing system. A rigid mirror manipulator and a beam profiler were employed to perform precise and stable mirror alignment. As a demonstration of the focusing performance, high-order harmonics in the wavelength range of 13.5–19.5 nm were successfully focused into a 2.4 × 2.3 μm2 spot.
Frequency-tunable microwave field detection in an atomic vapor cell
Authors: Horsley Andrew , Treutlein Philipp
Published: May 2016

We use an atomic vapor cell as a frequency tunable microwave field detector operating at frequencies from GHz to tens of GHz. We detect microwave magnetic fields from 2.3 GHz to 26.4 GHz, and measure the amplitude of the σ+ component of an 18 GHz microwave field. Our proof-of-principle demonstration represents a four orders of magnitude extension of the frequency tunable range of atomic magnetometers from their previous dc to several MHz range. When integrated with a high-resolution microwave imaging system [Horsley et al., New J. Phys. 17, 112002 (2015)], this will allow for the complete reconstruction of the vector components of a microwave magnetic field and the relative phase between them. Potential applications include near-field characterisation of microwave circuitry and devices, and medical microwave sensing and imaging.
Extracting electrode space charge limited current: Charge injection into conjugated polyelectrolytes with a semiconductor electrode
Authors: Walker Ethan M. , Lonergan Mark C.
Published: May 2016

Conjugated polyelectrolytes and related mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) are being explored for energy applications including solid-state lighting and photovoltaics. Fundamental models of charge injection into MIECs have been primarily developed for MIECs contacted with highly conductive or metal electrodes (MEs), despite many potential applications involving semiconductors. We theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that an appropriate semiconductor electrode (SE), n-type for electron or p-type of hole injection, can limit injection into MIECs. When the SE is the injecting electrode and is under accumulation, there is little difference from a ME. When the SE acts as the extracting electrode, however, injection into the MIEC can be limited because a fraction of any applied bias must support charge depletion in the semiconductor rather than charge injection into the MIEC. In a ME/MIEC/SE system, this can lead to significant asymmetry in current-voltage and injected charge-voltage behavior.
Performance prediction of electrohydrodynamic thrusters by the perturbation method
Authors: Shibata H. , Watanabe Y. , Suzuki K.
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we present a novel method for analyzing electrohydrodynamic (EHD) thrusters. The method is based on a perturbation technique applied to a set of drift-diffusion equations, similar to the one introduced in our previous study on estimating breakdown voltage. The thrust-to-current ratio is generalized to represent the performance of EHD thrusters. We have compared the thrust-to-current ratio obtained theoretically with that obtained from the proposed method under atmospheric air conditions, and we have obtained good quantitative agreement. Also, we have conducted a numerical simulation in more complex thruster geometries, such as the dual-stage thruster developed by Masuyama and Barrett [Proc. R. Soc. A 469, 20120623 (2013)]. We quantitatively clarify the fact that if the magnitude of a third electrode voltage is low, the effective gap distance shortens, whereas if the magnitude of the third electrode voltage is sufficiently high, the effective gap distance lengthens.
Electron mobility of self-assembled and dislocation free InN nanorods grown on GaN nano wall network template
Authors: Tangi Malleswararao , De Arpan , Ghatak Jay , Shivaprasad S. M.
Published: May 2016

A kinetically controlled two-step growth process for the formation of an array of dislocation free high mobility InN nanorods (NRs) on GaN nanowall network (NWN) by Molecular Beam Epitaxy is demonstrated here. The epitaxial GaN NWN is formed on c-sapphire under nitrogen rich conditions, and then changing the source from Ga to In at appropriate substrate temperature yields the nucleation of a self assembled spontaneous m-plane side faceted-InN NR. By HRTEM, the NRs are shown to be dislocation-free and have a low band gap value of 0.65 eV. Hall measurements are carried out on a single InN NR along with J-V measurements that yield mobility values as high as ≈4453 cm2/V s and the carrier concentration of ≈1.1 × 1017 cm−3, which are unprecedented in the literature for comparable InN NR diameters.
Effects of temperature and ration on the otolith-to-somatic size relationship in juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): a test of the direct proportionality assumption
Authors: Stormer David G. , Juanes Francis
Published: May 2016

Fish otoliths are commonly used to estimate somatic growth rate, but this depends on the assumption that the otolith and body grow in direct proportion. Environmental conditions contribute to variability in somatic growth and can result in deviations from direct proportionality in the otolith-to-somatic size relationship. In the present study we examined the otolith-to-body size relationship for juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) subjected to simulated seasonal (summer, autumn and winter) water temperatures and feeding rations. The otolith-to-somatic size relationship became uncoupled during summer between fish subjected to the cool (15°C) and hot (21°C) water temperatures. A food ration effect was also observed during the summer, such that fish fed an unlimited ration had smaller otoliths than equivalently sized fish fed a limited ration. The effects of water temperature and ration disappeared by the end of autumn, indicating that a seasonal compensatory response occurred in the otolith-to-somatic size relationship after the extreme temperatures and food limitations were alleviated. In winter, this relationship became uncoupled again, but only between fish that were fed throughout the winter and fish that were starved during the 3-month experimental period. The effects of water temperature and rations on the otolith-to-somatic size relationship of juvenile Chinook salmon could have implications for accurately estimating somatic growth from otolith growth in natural populations and should be incorporated into back-calculation techniques.
Twenty-five-year longevity of European hake (Merluccius merluccius) from novel use of bomb radiocarbon dating in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Vitale Sergio , Andrews Allen H. , Rizzo Pietro , Gancitano Salvatore , Fiorentino Fabio
Published: May 2016

The high variability of growth and longevity estimates for European hake (Merluccius merluccius) reflects the existence of two opposing hypotheses on growth rates that differ by a factor of 2: (1) a fast-growing hypothesis (FGH) with a maximum age near 15 years; and (2) a slow-growing hypothesis (SGH) with a maximum age near 30 years. A recently established regional radiocarbon (14C) reference led to a first-time application of bomb 14C dating in the Mediterranean Sea to three of the largest-sized and potentially oldest-catch female European hake. Because age reading of otoliths is very subjective and poorly defined, these fish were aged blind with bomb radiocarbon (14C) dating as an independent estimate of validated age. The validated ages were compared with the theoretical maximum ages from the most reliable FGH and SGH von Bertalanffy growth functions. Among the three bomb 14C ages, the most diagnostic length-at-age was an alignment with the bomb 14C rise period for two of the three fish, providing validated ages of 22 years (74.5-cm total length) and 25 years (88-cm total length). The results provide estimates of length-at-age that are in agreement with the SGH and cannot be accounted for by the FGH.
O-linked
N
-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) interacts with the histone chaperone HIRA complex and regulates nucleosome assembly and cellular senescence
Authors: Lee Jong-Sun , Zhang Zhiguo
Published: May 2016

Significance

Nucleosome assembly is regulated at multiple levels to impact distinct cellular processes. Mutations in factors involved in nucleosome assembly, such as histone chaperones and histone variants, result in genome instability and gene expression defects that, in turn, promote the development of human disease including cancer and aging. Therefore, it is important to determine how nucleosome assembly of H3.3 is regulated. Our findings demonstrate a role for O-linked
N
-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) transferase in regulating H3.3 deposition/exchange and establish the O-GlcNAc modification of HIRA as a previously unidentified mechanism regulating nucleosome assembly of H3.3 and cellular senescence.
Revealing a 5,000-y-old beer recipe in China
Authors: Wang Jiajing , Liu Li , Ball Terry , Yu Linjie , Li Yuanqing , Xing Fulai
Published: May 2016

The pottery vessels from the Mijiaya site reveal, to our knowledge, the first direct evidence of in situ beer making in China, based on the analyses of starch, phytolith, and chemical residues. Our data reveal a surprising beer recipe in which broomcorn millet (
Panicum miliaceum
), barley (
Hordeum vulgare
), Job’s tears (
Coix lacryma-jobi
), and tubers were fermented together. The results indicate that people in China established advanced beer-brewing technology by using specialized tools and creating favorable fermentation conditions around 5,000 y ago. Our findings imply that early beer making may have motivated the initial translocation of barley from the Western Eurasia into the Central Plain of China before the crop became a part of agricultural subsistence in the region 3,000 y later.
Enzymatically enhanced collisions on ultramicroelectrodes for specific and rapid detection of individual viruses
Authors: Dick Jeffrey E. , Hilterbrand Adam T. , Strawsine Lauren M. , Upton Jason W. , Bard Allen J.
Published: May 2016

Significance

Specific detection of individual nanometer-scale entities has been largely unavailable in the field of electrochemical collisions, where a change in amperometric current due to nonspecific adsorption at an ultramicroelectrode surface signals a collision. We have extended the field of collisions by achieving specific detection of individual virions with an antibody–epitope interaction and enzymatic amplification. This degree of selectivity and sensitivity (limit of detection ∼30 fM, signal-to-noise ratio ∼10–20) allows for a type of digital ELISA, where a discrete increase in current corresponds to the collision of a single virion on an ultramicroelectrode. We advanced the methodology to show that individual viruses can be observed in the urine of infected mice to demonstrate the technique’s potential efficacy as a digital electrochemical immunosensor.
Extracellular chloride signals collagen IV network assembly during basement membrane formation
Authors: Cummings Christopher F. , Pedchenko Vadim , Brown Kyle L. , Colon Selene , Rafi Mohamed , Jones-Paris Celestial , Pokydeshava Elena , Liu Min , Pastor-Pareja Jose C. , Stothers Cody , Ero-Tolliver Isi A. , McCall A. Scott , Vanacore Roberto , Bhave Gautam , Santoro Samuel , Blackwell Timothy S. , Zent Roy , Pozzi Ambra , Hudson Billy G.
Published: May 2016

Basement membranes are defining features of the cellular microenvironment; however, little is known regarding their assembly outside cells. We report that extracellular Cl− ions signal the assembly of collagen IV networks outside cells by triggering a conformational switch within collagen IV noncollagenous 1 (NC1) domains. Depletion of Cl− in cell culture perturbed collagen IV networks, disrupted matrix architecture, and repositioned basement membrane proteins. Phylogenetic evidence indicates this conformational switch is a fundamental mechanism of collagen IV network assembly throughout Metazoa. Using recombinant triple helical protomers, we prove that NC1 domains direct both protomer and network assembly and show in Drosophila that NC1 architecture is critical for incorporation into basement membranes. These discoveries provide an atomic-level understanding of the dynamic interactions between extracellular Cl− and collagen IV assembly outside cells, a critical step in the assembly and organization of basement membranes that enable tissue architecture and function. Moreover, this provides a mechanistic framework for understanding the molecular pathobiology of NC1 domains.
Chloride helps collagen build its network
Authors: Short Ben
Published: May 2016

Extracellular chloride triggers the assembly of collagen IV networks in basement membranes.
The Hitachi and Takahagi 32 m radio telescopes: Upgrade of the antennas from satellite communication to radio astronomy
Authors: Yonekura Yoshinori , Saito Yu , Sugiyama Koichiro , Soon Kang Lou , Momose Munetake , Yokosawa Masayoshi , Ogawa Hideo , Kimura Kimihiro , Abe Yasuhiro , Nishimura Atsushi , Hasegawa Yutaka , Fujisawa Kenta , Ohyama Tomoaki , Kono Yusuke , Miyamoto Yusuke , Sawada-Satoh Satoko , Kobayashi Hideyuki , Kawaguchi Noriyuki , Honma Mareki , Shibata Katsunori M. , Sato Katsuhisa , Ueno Yuji , Jike Takaaki , Tamura Yoshiaki , Hirota Tomoya , Miyazaki Atsushi , Niinuma Kotaro , Sorai Kazuo , Takaba Hiroshi , Hachisuka Kazuya , Kondo Tetsuro , Sekido Mamoru , Murata Yasuhiro , Nakai Naomasa , Omodaka Toshihiro
Published: May 2016

The Hitachi and Takahagi 32 m radio telescopes (former satellite communication antennas) were so upgraded as to work at 6, 8, and 22 GHz. We developed the receiver systems, IF systems, back-end systems (including samplers and recorders), and reference systems. We measured the performance of the antennas. The system temperature including the atmosphere toward the zenith, $T_{\rm sys}^{\ast }$, is measured to be ∼30–40 K for 6 GHz and ∼25–35 K for 8 GHz. $T_{\rm sys}^{\ast }$ for 22 GHz is measured to be ∼40–100 K in winter and ∼150–500 K in summer seasons, respectively. The aperture efficiency is 55%–75% for Hitachi at 6 GHz and 8 GHz, and 55%–65% for Takahagi at 8 GHz. The beam sizes at 6 GHz and 8 GHz are ∼4${^{\circ}_{.}}$6 and ∼3${^{\circ}_{.}}$8, respectively. The side-lobe level is less than 3%–4% at 6 and 8 GHz. Pointing accuracy was measured to be better than ∼0${^{\circ}_{.}}$3 for Hitachi and ∼0${^{\circ}_{.}}$6 for Takahagi. We succeeded in VLBI observations in 2010 August, indicating good performance of the antenna. We started single-dish monitoring observations of 6.7 GHz methanol maser sources in 2012 December, and found several new sources showing short-term periodic variation of the flux density.
Autism Tendencies and Psychosis Proneness Interactively Modulate Saliency Cost
Authors: Abu-Akel Ahmad , Apperly Ian A. , Wood Stephen J. , Hansen Peter C. , Mevorach Carmel
Published: May 2016

Atypical responses to salient information are a candidate endophenotype for both autism and psychosis spectrum disorders. The present study investigated the costs and benefits of such atypicalities for saliency-based selection in a large cohort of neurotypical adults in whom both autism and psychosis expressions were assessed. Two experiments found that autism tendencies and psychosis proneness interactively modulated the cost incurred in the presence of a task-irrelevant salient distractor. Specifically, expressions of autism and psychosis had opposing effects on responses to salient information such that the benefits associated with high expressions for autism offset costs associated with high expressions for psychosis. The opposing influences observed on saliency cost may be driven by distinct attentional mechanisms that are differentially affected by expressions for autism and psychosis.
Partial Brain Tissue Oxygen Levels Predict Arrhythmia and Prognosis in Patients With Brain Injury
Authors: Vanga Subba Reddy , Korlakunta Hema , Duthuluru Sowjanya , Bommana Sudharani , Narotam Pradeep , Ryschon Kay , Mohiuddin Syed M. , Porter Charles , Dawn Buddhadeb , Lakkireddy Dhanunjaya
Published: May 2016

The objective of this study was to examine the clinical determinants of incidence and prognosis of arrhythmias in the setting of acute brain injury. Acute brain injury is known to cause electrocardiographic abnormalities and cardiac arrhythmias. The relation between partial brain tissue oxygen (PBTO) and intracranial pressure (ICP) with arrhythmia incidence and prognosis remains unknown. Consecutive patients with acute brain injury and intracranial bleed admitted to the neurosurgical intensive care unit were enrolled in the study. Baseline characteristics [demographics, medical history, etiology of brain injury, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, blood pressure, and respiratory rate] were documented. Patient's telemetry recordings were reviewed for daily mean heart rates and arrhythmias. If arrhythmia was noted, PBTO levels at the beginning of arrhythmia, ICP, brain tissue temperature, and outcomes were recorded. A total of 106 subjects (53% men, age 39 ± 18 years, 65 traumatic and 41 nontraumatic brain injuries) were studied. Overall, 62% of subjects developed a total of 241 arrhythmia episodes. Ventricular arrhythmias were associated with significantly higher daily mean heart rates, low PBTO levels, and low GCS scores, whereas atrial arrhythmias were associated with lower daily mean heart rates, normal PBTO levels, and higher GCS and ICP. Three or more episodes of arrhythmia predicted worse outcomes, including mortality (P = 0.001). In patients with acute brain injury, poor PBTO levels are associated with higher incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. In contrast, atrial tachyarrhythmias occur in patients with normal PBTO levels and higher ICP. Incidence of ventricular arrhythmia in those with poor PBTO is associated with increased mortality.