bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic and environmental aetiology of the dimensions of Callous-Unemotional traits
Authors: Henry J. , Pingault J.-B. , Boivin M. , Rijsdijk F. , Viding E.
Published: October 2015

Background

A Callous-Unemotional trait specifier (termed ‘Limited Prosocial Emotions’) was added to the diagnosis of conduct disorder in DSM-5. The Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU) is a comprehensive measure of these traits assessing three distinct, yet correlated dimensions – Callousness, Uncaring, and Unemotional – all thought to reflect the general Callous-Unemotional construct. The present study was the first to examine the degree to which the aetiology of these dimensions is shared v. independent.

Method

Parent-reported ICU data from 5092 16-year-old twin pairs from the Twins Early Development Study were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis. Multivariate genetic modelling was applied to the best-fitting structure.

Results

A general-specific structure, retaining a general factor and two uncorrelated specific factors (Callousness-Uncaring, Unemotional), provided the best fit to the data. The general factor was substantially heritable (h2 = 0.58, 95% CI 0.51–0.65). Unusually, shared environmental influences were also important in accounting for this general factor (c2 = 0.26, 95% CI 0.22–0.31), in addition to non-shared environmental influences. The Unemotional dimension appeared phenotypically and genetically distinct as shown by the substantial loadings of unemotional items on a separate dimension and a low genetic correlation between Unemotional and Callousness-Uncaring.

Conclusions

A general factor, indicative of a shared phenotypic structure across the dimensions of the ICU was under substantial common genetic and more modest shared environment influences. Our findings also suggest that the relevance of the Unemotional dimension as part of a comprehensive assessment of CU traits should be investigated further.
Why vocal production of atypical sounds in apes and its cerebral correlates have a lot to say about the origin of language
Authors: Meguerditchian Adrien , Taglialatela Jared P. , Leavens David A. , Hopkins William D.
Published: October 2015

Ackermann et al. mention the “acquisition of species-atypical sounds” in apes without any discussion. In our commentary, we demonstrate that these atypical sounds in chimpanzees not only include laryngeal sounds, but also have a major significance regarding the origins of language, if we consider looking at their context of use, their social properties, their relations with gestures, their lateralization, and their neurofunctional correlates as well.
Psychiatry in contemporary Irish cinema: a qualitative study
Authors: Kelly Brendan D
Published: October 2015

Objective: Media portrayals of mental illness and psychiatry have a considerable impact on public perceptions of mental health issues. This paper aims to focus on portrayals of psychiatry and psychiatrists in four contemporary Irish feature films in order to make wider points on this theme.

Methods: Contemporary Irish feature-films that made substantial reference to psychiatry, psychiatrists or mental health in Ireland were identified though electronic searches and consultation with the Film Institute of Ireland. Selected films were viewed. Electronic searches were performed in the medical and film literatures, with broad search terms related to film, psychiatry, psychiatrists or mental health in Ireland. Additional books and papers were identified by tracking back through references and consulting with colleagues.

Results: The portrayal of psychiatrists in film is closely related to the development of both twentieth century psychiatry and twentieth century cinema. In common with recent European films, certain recent Irish films have tended to show psychiatrists as sympathetic, humane individuals (with some notable exceptions). While there have been a number of portrayals of dissocial personally disorder and various states of chronic alienation in recent Irish film, there have been fewer portrayals of psychosis or learning disability. Recent Irish films emphasise the role of alcohol in causing and perpetuating psychological distress. They generally provide unflinching portrayals of the effects of psychological distress and alienation, suicide and substance abuse at individual, family and community levels; nonetheless, there is still a regrettable tendency for films to associate mental illness with dissocial behaviour.

Conclusions: The portrayal of mental health issues in film presents both challenges and opportunities to film-makers, mental health service-users and general audiences alike. It is to be hoped that the recent trend towards realistic explorations of mental health issues in many European films continues into the future. Increased research in this area would help clarify the role of cinema in shaping public understandings of mental illness, and may also help identify additional ways of addressing stigma in the future.
Childhood adversity and substance misuse
Authors: Ambreen Taj Anita , Keenan Eamon , Casey Patricia
Published: October 2015

There is a strong link between childhood adversity and subsequent substance misuse. We describe a case of childhood adversity consisting of physical and sexual abuse, experience of homelessness in childhood and adulthood, intimate partner violence and polysubstance misuse in a 32 year old woman currently attending the methadone maintenance programme in the Drug Treatment Centre Board, Trinity Court, Dublin. The relevant literature to the case is reviewed in relation to the aetiology and symptoms of this complex case.
Convergence of Achlioptas Processes via Differential Equations with Unique Solutions
Authors: RIORDAN OLIVER , WARNKE LUTZ
Published: October 2015

In Achlioptas processes, starting from an empty graph, in each step two potential edges are chosen uniformly at random, and using some rule one of them is selected and added to the evolving graph. The evolution of the rescaled size of the largest component in such variations of the Erdős–Rényi random graph process has recently received considerable attention, in particular for Bollobás's ‘product rule’. In this paper we establish the following result for rules such as the product rule: the limit of the rescaled size of the ‘giant’ component exists and is continuous provided that a certain system of differential equations has a unique solution. In fact, our result applies to a very large class of Achlioptas-like processes.

Our proof relies on a general idea which relates the evolution of stochastic processes to an associated system of differential equations. Provided that the latter has a unique solution, our approach shows that certain discrete quantities converge (after appropriate rescaling) to this solution.
Psychological Impact of Disasters and Terrorism on Children and Adolescents: Experiences from Australia
Authors: Wooding Sally , Raphael Beverley
Published: October 2015

Recent acts of terrorism have emphasised the need for research to further establish not only the nature of the impact of disaster and terrorism on the population, but also further define methods of effective intervention. Those affected, and often overlooked, include children and adolescents, yet, our knowledge of the impact upon the younger members of our community limited. The literature is evolving, and there are a small number of valuable studies that can inform a response to the mental health needs of this younger population.

This article reviews some of the psychological impacts of disaster and terrorism upon children and adolescents, and considers both risk and protective factors. The importance of a developmental approach to children's understanding of disaster, particularly death and the nature of grief and loss are discussed as is the distinction between the phenomenology of bereavement and trauma. Family and community support are highlighted as protective factors, and a number of recent, valuable recommendations for intervention including psychological first aid and cognitive-behavioral therapy are described. Finally, the complex role of the media and the degree that children should exposed to images of violence and disaster is considered. Disasters, whether they are natural or human-made always will be with us. It is necessary that a public-health approach that not only prepares for such scenarios, but responds by maximising the use of existing systems and agency linkages, taken.
Willingness to Pay for Broadband Access by Kentucky Farmers
Authors: Jeffcoat Chris , Davis Alison F. , Hu Wuyang
Published: October 2015

Since the Internet's inception its impact has been felt across the United States, but the distribution and adoption of the Internet has not necessarily been uniform geographically. As more consumers and businesses rely on the Internet to access information, the data transmission requirements have also increased. Consequently, access to broadband has become increasingly more important since dial-up cannot realistically handle the increased requirements. The use of broadband in agriculture can provide better access to price, weather, and management information while also opening new markets. However, many rural communities lag behind urban areas in broadband access and adoption rates. This study evaluates, through the use of a producer survey, the level of broadband Internet use, motivations for its use, degree of access to broadband, and willingness-to-pay (WTP) to fund broadband infrastructure investments. Results from the producer survey suggested farmers utilize the Internet primarily for accessing weather reports, e-mail, market reports, and agricultural news. Notably, the survey's WTP questions allowed for the use of an interval regression to calculate producer WTP for varying demographics. The results suggested that producers who were younger, farmed larger farms, and those who currently use the Internet but do not have broadband access were WTP more in property taxes to support broadband infrastructure investments than those of a differing demographic. Because WTP levels varied drastically depending on the underlying demographics, it becomes difficult to pinpoint a WTP level for a one-time payment in property taxes that would be acceptable from a policy standpoint.
Double-hurdle Model with Bivariate Normal Errors: An Application to U.S. Rice Demand
Authors: Gao X.M. , Wailes Eric J. , Cramer Gail L.
Published: October 2015

Per capita rice consumption in the U.S. has doubled over the past decade. The effects of social and demographic variables on the household's rice consumption decisions are analyzed along with income and price variables. A double-hurdle model is used to solve simultaneously the consumer decisions whether to purchase rice and how much. The joint decision hypothesis is tested and accepted. The non-normal distribution of error terms may be responsible for possible bias in the empirical test of the joint decision hypothesis. The hyperbolic sine transformation is used to correct the problem in this study prior to testing the joint decision hypothesis.
The Shorter PROMIS Questionnaire and the Internet Addiction Scale in the Assessment of Multiple Addictions in a High-School Population:Prevalence and Related Disability
Authors: Pallanti Stefano , Bernardi Silvia , Quercioli Leonardo
Published: October 2015

Objective

Taking into account the importance of act prevention on the development of addictions, we assessed the presence of multiple addictions in an adolescent high-school population, also assessing the prevalence of Internet abuse and the impact on disability.

Introduction

Adolescence seems to be a critical period of addiction vulnerability, based on social but also neurobiological factors.The earlier onset of behavioral/substance dependence seems to predict greater addiction severity, morbidity, and multiple addictive disorders.

Methods

Data were collected from a sample of 275 students in Florence, Italy, high schools through surveys distributed in classes. The sample had an average age of 16.67±1.85 years (52.4% males, 47.6% females). To assess multiple addiction we used the 16 subscales of the Shorter PROMIS Questionnaire, to assess Internet addiction prevalence we used the Internet Addiction Scale, and to quantify disability symptoms, we used the Sheehan Disability Scale.

Results

Caffeine abuse, sex, relationship submissive, gambling, food starving, and food bingeing have raised highest scores. 5.4% of the students were found to be Internet addicted similar to other countries. Disability seemed strongly correlated to the subscale of alcohol, gambling, sex, tobacco, food starving and food bingeing, shopping, exercise, and Internet addiction. Gambling, sex, caffeine abuse, compulsive help dominant, work, Internet addiction, relationship dominant, and relationship submissive in this sample were strongly related to substance dependence.

Conclusion

Level of concerns unexpected compared to the level reported in other countries for the behavioral compulsions, have been highlighted. Behavioral addictions are multiple, a source of disability, and they are related to substance abuse. It has yet to be clarified if they are a temporary phenomenon occurring in adolescents or if they are a stable trait, accounting as marker for the development of substance abuse.
The Thousand Shades of the Financial and Economic Crisis: a Study of the Social Representations of the Crisis in Portugal
Authors: Poeschl Gabrielle , Valentim Joaquim Pires , Pereira da Silva Bruno
Published: October 2015

The study describes the representations of 453 Portuguese students about the present financial and economic crisis, examining the impact of the family financial situation on these representations, and the relationship between these representations and different factors likely to influence them. An initial word association task produced 2339 responses, from which 86.75% were classified into six classes by a downward hierarchical classification. Four classes (58.26% of the corpus) confirmed that the austerity measures implemented in Portugal affected the respondents with different degrees of severity: respondents described the consequences of the crisis in terms of misery, difficulties, or change, depending on their family’s income. More generally, the discourses (41.73% of the corpus) pointed out the factors that were viewed as responsible for the crisis as well as the geopolitical situation of Portugal. The answers given to opinion scales revealed a consistent pattern of results: respondents with a lower family income experienced less positive emotions toward the crisis (η2 = .03, p = .007), more negative emotions, stronger feelings of vulnerability and relative deprivation that resulted from comparison with others (all η2 ≥ .05, p < .001). However, the unequal consequences of the crisis were reflected neither in differences in the respondents’ expectations about their future situation, which they foresaw without great changes, nor in their lack of willingness to participate in protest actions against the austerity measures.
Perceived Discrimination, Internalized Stigma and Psychological Well-Being of People with Mental Illness
Authors: Pérez-Garín Daniel , Molero Fernando , Bos Arjan E.R.
Published: October 2015

The present study examines the relationships between perceived discrimination, internalized stigma, and well-being in a sample of people with mental illness. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 213 outpatients from the Spanish public network of social care. Perceived discrimination was positively and significantly correlated with internalized stigma (p < .01 for all measures of perceived discrimination). Blatant individual discrimination, subtle individual discrimination, and internalized stigma were negatively correlated with life satisfaction, affect balance, and psychological well-being (p < .01 for all cases, except for blatant individual discrimination and affect balance, for which is p < .05). Regression and mediation analyses indicate that subtle individual discrimination is the kind of discrimination most negatively associated to the well-being measures (life satisfaction: B = –.18, p < .10; affect balance: B = –.19, p < .10; psychological well-being: B = –.21, p < .05), and that this association is mediated by internalized stigma. Future research should confirm these findings in a longitudinal or experimental model. In light of our findings, we suggest the development and implementation of intervention programs that target subtle discrimination, and point at the importance of implementing programs to reduce internalized stigma.
Precipitation in the Hindu‐Kush Karakoram Himalaya: Observations and future scenarios
Authors: Palazzi E. , von Hardenberg J. , Provenzale A.
Published: October 2015

We study the properties of precipitation in the Hindu‐Kush Karakoram Himalaya (HKKH) region using currently available data sets. We consider satellite rainfall estimates (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission), reanalyses (ERA‐Interim), gridded in situ rain gauge data (Asian Precipitation Highly Resolved Observational Data Integration Towards Evaluation of Water Resources, Climate Research Unit, and Global Precipitation Climatology Centre), and a merged satellite and rain gauge climatology (Global Precipitation Climatology Project). The data are compared with simulation results from the global climate model EC‐Earth. All data sets, despite having different resolutions, coherently reproduce the mean annual cycle of precipitation in the western and eastern stretches of the HKKH. While for the Himalaya only a strong summer precipitation signal is present, associated with the monsoon, the data indicate that the Hindu‐Kush Karakoram, which is exposed to midlatitude “western weather patterns”, receives water inputs in winter. Time series of seasonal precipitation confirm that the various data sets provide a consistent measurement of interannual variability for the HKKH. The longest observational data sets indicate a statistically significant decreasing trend in Himalaya during summer. None of the data sets gives statistically significant precipitation trends in Hindu‐Kush Karakoram during winter. Precipitation data from EC‐Earth are in good agreement with the climatology of the observations (rainfall distribution and seasonality). The evolution of precipitation under two different future scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) reveals an increasing trend over the Himalaya during summer, associated with an increase in wet extremes and daily intensity and a decrease in the number of rainy days. Unlike the observations, the model shows an increasing precipitation trend also in the period 1950–2009, possibly as a result of the poor representation of aerosols in this type of GCMs.
Atmospheric Waves Help Cool Our Planet
Authors: Calderone Julia
Published: October 2015

A new method makes a direct estimate of the impact of atmospheric waves on water vapor concentrations in the stratosphere.
Direct observation and temperature control of the surface Dirac gap in a topological crystalline insulator
Authors: Wojek B. M. , Berntsen M. H. , Jonsson V. , Szczerbakow A. , Dziawa P. , Kowalski B. J. , Story T. , Tjernberg O.
Published: October 2015

Since the advent of topological insulators hosting Dirac surface states, efforts have been made to gap these states in a controllable way. A new route to accomplish this was opened up by the discovery of topological crystalline insulators where the topological states are protected by crystal symmetries and thus prone to gap formation by structural changes of the lattice. Here we show a temperature-driven gap opening in Dirac surface states within the topological crystalline insulator phase in (Pb,Sn)Se. By using angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy, the gap formation and mass acquisition is studied as a function of composition and temperature. The resulting observations lead to the addition of a temperature- and composition-dependent boundary between massless and massive Dirac states in the topological phase diagram for (Pb,Sn)Se (001). Overall, our results experimentally establish the possibility to tune between massless and massive topological states on the surface of a topological system.
Neural dynamics of prediction and surprise in infants
Authors: Kouider Sid , Long Bria , Le Stanc Lorna , Charron Sylvain , Fievet Anne-Caroline , Barbosa Leonardo S. , Gelskov Sofie V.
Published: October 2015

Prior expectations shape neural responses in sensory regions of the brain, consistent with a Bayesian predictive coding account of perception. Yet, it remains unclear whether such a mechanism is already functional during early stages of development. To address this issue, we study how the infant brain responds to prediction violations using a cross-modal cueing paradigm. We record electroencephalographic responses to expected and unexpected visual events preceded by auditory cues in 12-month-old infants. We find an increased response for unexpected events. However, this effect of prediction error is only observed during late processing stages associated with conscious access mechanisms. In contrast, early perceptual components reveal an amplification of neural responses for predicted relative to surprising events, suggesting that selective attention enhances perceptual processing for expected events. Taken together, these results demonstrate that cross-modal statistical regularities are used to generate predictions that differentially influence early and late neural responses in infants.
Reactivation of IgG-switched memory B cells by BCR-intrinsic signal amplification promotes IgG antibody production
Authors: Lutz Johannes , Dittmann Kai , Bösl Michael R , Winkler Thomas H , Wienands Jürgen , Engels Niklas
Published: October 2015

Secondary antibody responses are marked by faster kinetics, improved antibody affinity and a switch from IgM to other immunoglobulin isotypes, most notably IgG, compared with primary responses. These changes protect from reinfection and represent the principle of most vaccination strategies. Yet, the molecular mechanisms that underlie B-cell memory responses are unclear. Here we show, by inactivating the immunoglobulin tail tyrosine (ITT) signalling motif of membrane-bound IgG1 in the mouse, that the ITT facilitates maintenance and reactivation of IgG-switched memory B cells in vivo. The ITT motif equips IgG-switched cells with enhanced BCR signalling capacity, which supports their competitiveness in secondary immune reactions and drives the formation of IgG-secreting plasma cells even in the absence of T-cell help. Our results demonstrate that ITT signalling promotes the vigorous production of IgG antibodies and thus provide a molecular basis for humoral immunological memory.
Antigen receptor-mediated depletion of FOXP3 in induced regulatory T-lymphocytes via PTPN2 and FOXO1
Authors: Bothur Evita , Raifer Hartmann , Haftmann Claudia , Stittrich Anna-Barbara , Brüstle Anne , Brenner Dirk , Bollig Nadine , Bieringer Maria , Kang Chol-Ho , Reinhard Katharina , Camara Bärbel , Huber Magdalena , Visekruna Alexander , Steinhoff Ulrich , Repenning Antje , Bauer Uta-Maria , Sexl Veronika , Radbruch Andreas , Sparwasser Tim , Mashreghi Mir-Farzin , Wah Mak Tak , Lohoff Michael
Published: October 2015

Regulatory T-cells induced via IL-2 and TGFβ in vitro (iTreg) suppress immune cells and are potential therapeutics during autoimmunity. However, several reports described their re-differentiation into pathogenic cells in vivo and loss of their key functional transcription factor (TF) FOXP3 after T-cell antigen receptor (TCR)-signalling in vitro. Here, we show that TCR-activation antagonizes two necessary TFs for foxp3 gene transcription, which are themselves regulated by phosphorylation. Although the tyrosine phosphatase PTPN2 is induced to restrain IL-2-mediated phosphorylation of the TF STAT5, expression of the TF FOXO1 is downregulated and miR-182, a suppressor of FOXO1 expression, is upregulated. TGFβ counteracts the FOXP3-depleting TCR-signal by reassuring FOXO1 expression and by re-licensing STAT5 phosphorylation. Overexpressed phosphorylation-independent active versions of FOXO1 and STAT5 or knockdown of PTPN2 restores FOXP3 expression despite TCR-signal and absence of TGFβ. This study suggests novel targets for stabilisation and less dangerous application of iTreg during devastating inflammation.
Multiple origins of BBCC allopolyploid species in the rice genus (Oryza)
Authors: Zou Xin-Hui , Du Yu-Su , Tang Liang , Xu Xin-Wei , Doyle Jeff J. , Sang Tao , Ge Song
Published: October 2015

In the rice genus (Oryza), about one half of the species are allopolyploids. These species are not only important resources for rice breeding but also provide a unique opportunity for studying evolution of polyploid species. In the present study, we sequenced four biparentally inherited nuclear loci and three maternally inherited chloroplast fragments from all diploid and tetraploid species with the B- and C-genome types in this genus. We detected at least three independent origins of three BC-genome tetraploid species. Specifically, the diploid O. punctata (B-genome) and O. officinalis (C-genome) were the parental progenitors of O. minuta and O. malampuzhaensis with O. punctata being the maternal donors, whereas the diploid O. punctata and O. eichingeri (C-genome) were the progenitors of tetraploid O. punctata with O. punctata being the paternal donor. Our relaxed clock analyses suggest that all the BBCC species originated within the last one million years, which is coincident with the severe climate oscillations occurred during the last ice age, implying the potential impact of climate change on their formations and dispersals. In addition, our results support previous taxonomic arguments that the tetraploid O. punctata might be better treated as a separate species (O. schweinfurthiana).
High protective efficacy of rice bran against human rotavirus diarrhea via enhancing probiotic growth, gut barrier function and innate immunity
Authors: Yang Xingdong , Twitchell Erica , Li Guohua , Wen Ke , Weiss Mariah , Kocher Jacob , Lei Shaohua , Ramesh Ashwin , Ryan Elizabeth P. , Yuan Lijuan
Published: October 2015

Previously, we showed that rice bran (RB) was able to reduce human rotavirus (HRV) diarrhea in gnotobiotic pigs. Here, we investigated its effect on the growth of diarrhea-reducing probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Escherichia coli Nissle (EcN) and the resulting effects on HRV diarrhea, gut epithelial health, permeability and innate immune responses during virulent HRV challenge. On 3, 5 and 7 days of age pigs were inoculated with 2 × 104 colony-forming-units LGG+EcN to initiate colonization. Daily RB supplementation (replacing 10% calorie intake) was started at 5 days of age and continued until euthanasia. A subset of pigs in each group was challenged orally with 105 focus-forming-units of virulent HRV at 33 days of age. RB completely prevented HRV diarrhea in LGG+EcN colonized pigs. RB significantly promoted the growth of both probiotic strains in the gut (~5 logs) and increased the body-weight-gain at 4–5 weeks of age compared to non-RB group. After HRV challenge, RB-fed pigs had significantly lower ileal mitotic index and villus width and significantly increased intestinal IFN-γ and total IgA levels compared to non-RB group. Therefore, RB plus LGG+EcN colonization may represent a highly effective therapeutic approach against HRV and potentially a variety of other diarrhea-inducing enteric pathogens.
The first two cell-fate decisions of preimplantation mouse embryo development are not functionally independent
Authors: Mihajlović Aleksandar I. , Thamodaran Vasanth , Bruce Alexander W.
Published: October 2015

During mouse preimplantation embryo development, three distinct cell lineages are formed, represented by the differentiating trophectoderm (TE), primitive endoderm (PrE) and the pluripotent epiblast (EPI). Classically, lineage derivation has been presented as a two-step process whereby outer TE cells are first segregated from inner-cell mass (ICM), followed by ICM refinement into either the PrE or EPI. As ICM founders can be produced following the fourth or fifth cleavage divisions, their potential to equally contribute to EPI and PrE is contested. Thus, modelling the early sequestration of ICM founders from TE-differentiation after the fourth cleavage division, we examined ICM lineage contribution of varying sized cell clones unable to initiate TE-differentiation. Such TE-inhibited ICM cells do not equally contribute to EPI and PrE and are significantly biased to form EPI. This bias is not caused by enhanced expression of the EPI marker Nanog, nor correlated with reduced apical polarity but associated with reduced expression of PrE-related gene transcripts (Dab2 and Lrp2) and down-regulation of plasma membrane associated Fgfr2. Our results favour a unifying model were the three cell lineages are guided in an integrated, yet flexible, fate decision centred on relative exposure of founder cells to TE-differentiative cues.
Inhibition of Transforming Growth Factor-β Receptor signaling promotes culture expansion of undifferentiated human Endometrial Mesenchymal Stem/stromal Cells
Authors: Gurung Shanti , Werkmeister Jerome A. , Gargett Caroline E.
Published: October 2015

Human endometrial MSC (eMSC) are a novel source of MSC easily harvested from the highly regenerative uterine lining. We have developed protocols for eMSC isolation from single cell suspensions using magnetic bead-sorting using a perivascular marker antibody to SUSD2 and culture expansion in serum free medium (SFM). Similar to other MSC, eMSC spontaneously differentiate into fibroblasts during culture expansion decreasing their purity and efficacy. The aim of this study was to determine if A83-01, a TGF-β receptor inhibitor prevents eMSC differentiation in culture. SUSD2+ eMSC were cultured in SFM with bFGF/EGF in 5% O2/5% CO2. At passage 6, eMSC were incubated with or without A83-01 for 7 days, then analysed for MSC properties. A83-01 dose dependently promoted SUSD2+ eMSC proliferation and blocked apoptosis via the SMAD 2/3 pathway. Fewer A83-01 treated cells were autofluorescent or stained with β-galactosidase, indicating reduced senescence. A83-01-treated cells had higher cloning efficiency, differentiated into mesodermal lineages and expressed MSC phenotypic markers. These data suggest that A83-01 maintains SUSD2+ eMSC stemness, promoting proliferation by blocking senescence and apoptosis in late passage cultures through binding to TGF-β receptors. Small molecules such as A83-01 may enable the expansion of undifferentiated MSC for use in tissue engineering and cell-based therapies.
Unconjugated Bilirubin exerts Pro-Apoptotic Effect on Platelets via p38-MAPK activation
Authors: NaveenKumar Somanathapura K. , Thushara Ram M. , Sundaram Mahalingam S. , Hemshekhar Mahadevappa , Paul Manoj , Thirunavukkarasu Chinnasamy , Basappa  , Nagaraju Ganesh , Raghavan Sathees C. , Girish Kesturu S. , Kemparaju Kempaiah , Rangappa Kanchugarakoppal S.
Published: October 2015

Thrombocytopenia is one of the most frequently observed secondary complications in many pathological conditions including liver diseases, where hyperbilirubinemia is very common. The present study sought to find the cause of thrombocytopenia in unconjugated hyperbilirubinemic conditions. Unconjugated bilirubin (UCB), an end-product of heme catabolism, is known to have pro-oxidative and cytotoxic effects at high serum concentration. We investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the pro-apoptotic effect of UCB on human platelets in vitro and followed it up with studies in phenylhydrazine-induced hyperbilirubinemic rat model and hyperbilirubinemic human subjects. UCB is indeed found to significantly induce platelet apoptotic events including elevated endogenous reactive oxygen species generation, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, increased intracellular calcium levels, cardiolipin peroxidation and phosphatidylserine externalization (p < 0.001) as evident by FACS analysis. The immunoblots show the elevated levels of cytosolic cytochrome c and caspase activation in UCB-treated platelets. Further, UCB is found to induce mitochondrial ROS generation leading to p38 activation, followed by downstream activation of p53, ultimately resulting in altered expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins as evident from immunoblotting. All these parameters conclude that elevated unconjugated bilirubin causes thrombocytopenia by stimulating platelet apoptosis via mitochondrial ROS-induced p38 and p53 activation.
Design Principles of Inert Substrates for Exploiting Gold Clusters’ Intrinsic Catalytic Reactivity
Authors: Gao Wang , Ting Cui Ting , Fu Zhu Yong , Wen Zi , Zhao Ming , Chen Li Jian , Jiang Qing
Published: October 2015

Ultralow stability of gold clusters prohibits the understanding of their intrinsic reactivity (that is vital for revealing the origin of gold’s catalytic properties). Using density functional theory including many-body dispersion method, we aim to ascertain effective ways in exploiting gold clusters’ intrinsic reactivity on carbon nanotubes (CNTs). We find that the many body van der Waals interactions are essential for gold clusters’ reactivity on CNTs and even for O2 activation on these supported clusters. Furthermore, curvature and dopant of CNTs are found to qualitatively change the balance between physisorption and chemisorption for gold clusters on CNTs, determining the clusters’ morphology, charge states, stability and reactivity, which rationalize the experimental findings. Remarkably, N doped small curvature CNTs, which effectively stabilize gold clusters and retain their inherent geometric/electronic structures, can be promising candidates for exploiting gold clusters’ intrinsic reactivity.
An improved method for detecting circulating microRNAs with S-Poly(T) Plus real-time PCR
Authors: Niu Yanqin , Zhang Limin , Qiu Huiling , Wu Yike , Wang Zhiwei , Zai Yujia , Liu Lin , Qu Junle , Kang Kang , Gou Deming
Published: October 2015

We herein describe a simple, sensitive and specific method for analysis of circulating microRNAs (miRNA), termed S-Poly(T) Plus real-time PCR assay. This new method is based on our previously developed S-Poly(T) method, in which a unique S-Poly(T) primer is used during reverse-transcription to increase sensitivity and specificity. Further increased sensitivity and simplicity of S-Poly(T) Plus, in comparison with the S-Poly(T) method, were achieved by a single-step, multiple-stage reaction, where RNAs were polyadenylated and reverse-transcribed at the same time. The sensitivity of circulating miRNA detection was further improved by a modified method of total RNA isolation from serum/plasma, S/P miRsol, in which glycogen was used to increase the RNA yield. We validated our methods by quantifying miRNA expression profiles in the sera of the patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease. In conclusion, we developed a simple, sensitive and specific method for detecting circulating miRNAs that allows the measurement of 266 miRNAs from 100 μl of serum or plasma. This method presents a promising tool for basic miRNA research and clinical diagnosis of human diseases based on miRNA biomarkers.
Regulation of fear extinction versus other affective behaviors by discrete cortical scaffolding complexes associated with NR2B and PKA signaling
Authors: Corcoran K A , Leaderbrand K , Jovasevic V , Guedea A L , Kassam F , Radulovic J
Published: October 2015

In patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), fear evoked by trauma-related memories lasts long past the traumatic event and it is often complicated by general anxiety and depressed mood. This poses a treatment challenge, as drugs beneficial for some symptoms might exacerbate others. For example, in preclinical studies, antagonists of the NR2B subunit of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors and activators of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) act as potent antidepressants and anxiolytics, but they block fear extinction. Using mice, we attempted to overcome this problem by interfering with individual NR2B and PKA signaling complexes organized by scaffolding proteins. We infused cell-permeable Tat peptides that displaced either NR2B from receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1), or PKA from A-kinase anchor proteins (AKAPs) or microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). The infusions were targeted to the retrosplenial cortex, an area involved in both fear extinction of remotely acquired memories and in mood regulation. Tat-RACK1 and Tat-AKAP enhanced fear extinction, all peptides reduced anxiety and none affected baseline depression-like behavior. However, disruption of PKA complexes distinctively interfered with the rapid antidepressant actions of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors antagonist MK-801 in that Tat-MAP2 blocked, whereas Tat-AKAP completely inverted the effect of MK-801 from antidepressant to depressant. These effects were unrelated to the MK-801-induced changes of brain-derived neurotrophic factor messenger RNA levels. Together, the findings suggest that NR2B–RACK1 complexes specifically contribute to fear extinction, and may provide a target for the treatment of PTSD. AKAP-PKA, on the other hand, appears to modulate fear extinction and antidepressant responses in opposite directions.
Carbon Nanomaterials in Electrochemical Detection
Authors: Metters Jonathan P. , Banks Craig E.
Published: October 2015

This chapter overviews the use of carbon nanomaterials in the field of electroanalysis and considers why carbon-based nanomaterials are widely utilized and explores the current diverse range that is available to the practising electrochemist, which spans from carbon nanotubes to carbon nanohorns through to the recent significant attention given to graphene.
Copper ion-induced fluorescence band shift of CdTe quantum dots: a highly specific strategy for visual detection of Cu2+ with a portable UV lamp
Authors: Lu Xiaohui , Zhao Yunjie , Zhang Jinjun , Lu Xiaozhen , Wang Yucong , Liu Chenghui
Published: October 2015

Visual detection of Cu2+ is realized based on a copper-induced fluorescence band shift rather than an intensity change of CdTe QDs.
Probing DNA-stabilized fluorescent silver nanocluster spectral heterogeneity by time-correlated single photon counting
Authors: Carro Temboury Miguel R. , Paolucci Valentina , Hooley Emma N. , Latterini Loredana , Vosch Tom
Published: October 2015

Average decay time spectra can be used as a tool to characterize the spectral heterogeneity of DNA templated silver nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs) and assess the sample preparation procedure.
Discrimination of normal and malignant mouse ovarian surface epithelial cells in vitro using Raman microspectroscopy
Authors: Borel S. , Prikryl E. A. , Vuong N. H. , Jonkman J. , Vanderhyden B. , Wilson B. C. , Murugkar S.
Published: October 2015

Raman microspectroscopy in conjunction with multivariate statistical analysis is a powerful technique for label-free classification of live cells based on their molecular composition, which can be correlated to variations in protein, DNA/RNA, and lipid macromolecules.
Hollow Co@C prepared from a Co-ZIF@microporous organic network: magnetic adsorbents for aromatic pollutants in water
Authors: Hong Seokjo , Yoo Jin , Park Nojin , Lee Sang Moon , Park Je-Geun , Park Ji Hoon , Son Seung Uk
Published: October 2015

ZIF-67 nanoparticles containing Co2+ ions were coated with a microporous organic network (MON). The thermolysis of ZIF-67@MON resulted in the formation of hollow Co@C materials which showed good performance as magnetic adsorbents for aromatic pollutants in water.
Divergent de novo synthesis of all eight stereoisomers of 2,3,6-trideoxyhexopyranosides and their oligomers
Authors: Song Wangze , Zhao Yu , Lynch John C. , Kim Hyunjin , Tang Weiping
Published: October 2015

All eight possible stereoisomers of 2,3,6-trideoxyhexopyranosides are prepared systematically from furan derivatives by a sequence of Achmatowicz rearrangement, Pd-catalysed glycosidation, and chiral catalyst-controlled tandem reductions.
Ordered growth of vanadyl phthalocyanine (VOPc) on an iron phthalocyanine (FePc) monolayer
Authors: Rochford Luke A. , Ramadan Alexandra J. , Woodruff D. Phil , Heutz Sandrine , Jones Tim S.
Published: October 2015

A combination of LEED and STM measurements demonstrate epitaxial ordering in bilayers formed from non-planar and planar phthalocyanines.
Transition energies of benzoquinone anions are immune to symmetry breaking by a single water molecule
Authors: Stockett Mark H. , Nielsen Steen Brøndsted
Published: October 2015

Breaking the symmetry of the p-benzoquinone anion by a single water molecule has almost no effect on its transition energies.
A crown-like heterometallic unit as the building block for a 3D In–Ge–S framework
Authors: Han Xiaohui , Wang Zhenqing , Xu Jin , Liu Dan , Wang Cheng
Published: October 2015

A new 3D In–Ge–S open framework sulfide based on an uncommon crown-like unit was synthesized and structurally characterized.
Connected nanoparticle catalysts possessing a porous, hollow capsule structure as carbon-free electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction in polymer electrolyte fuel cells
Authors: Tamaki Takanori , Kuroki Hidenori , Ogura Shun , Fuchigami Teruaki , Kitamoto Yoshitaka , Yamaguchi Takeo
Published: October 2015

Connected Pt–Fe nanoparticle catalysts with beaded network structure show both high activity and durability for oxygen reduction.
Advanced porous membranes with ultra-high selectivity and stability for vanadium flow batteries
Authors: Yuan Zhizhang , Duan Yinqi , Zhang Hongzhang , Li Xianfeng , Zhang Huamin , Vankelecom Ivo
Published: October 2015

Advanced porous membranes combining ultra-high stability and selectivity with very low cost are designed and fabricated for vanadium flow batteries.
Could humic acid relieve the biochemical toxicities and DNA damage caused by nickel and deltamethrin in earthworms (Eisenia foetida)?
Authors: Shen Chen-Chao , Shen Dong-Sheng , Shentu Jia-Li , Wang Mei-Zhen , Wan Ming-Yang
Published: October 2015

Humic acid alleviated nickel and deltamethrin toxicity in earthworms (Eisenia foetida), preventing (in decreasing order of effectiveness) damage to DNA, proteins, and lipid membranes.
Microfluidic cell-phoresis enabling high-throughput analysis of red blood cell deformability and biophysical screening of antimalarial drugs
Authors: Santoso Aline T. , Deng Xiaoyan , Lee Jeong-Hyun , Matthews Kerryn , Duffy Simon P. , Islamzada Emel , McFaul Sarah M. , Myrand-Lapierre Marie-Eve , Ma Hongshen
Published: October 2015

Extending gel electrophoresis to cells enables high-throughput analysis of red blood cell deformability and biophysical screening for antimalarial drugs.
Insights into the molecular interactions of thymoquinone with histone deacetylase: evaluation of the therapeutic intervention potential against breast cancer
Authors: Parbin Sabnam , Shilpi Arunima , Kar Swayamsiddha , Pradhan Nibedita , Sengupta Dipta , Deb Moonmoon , Rath Sandip Kumar , Patra Samir Kumar
Published: October 2015

Based upon the chemical and structural insights of HDAC active pockets, thymoquinone (TQ) was investigated to uncover its active participation in HDAC inhibition.
Preparation of multifunctional magnetic–fluorescent nanocomposites for analysis of tetracycline hydrochloride
Authors: Li Xiaowan , Li Chenyu , Chen Ligang
Published: October 2015

Magnetic quantum dots were effective materials for detection of tetracycline hydrochloride with various concentrations.
Friedländer annulation: scope and limitations of metal salt Lewis acid catalysts in selectivity control for the synthesis of functionalised quinolines
Authors: Tanwar Babita , Kumar Dinesh , Kumar Asim , Ansari Md. Imam , Qadri Mohammad Mohsin , Vaja Maulikkumar D. , Singh Madhulika , Chakraborti Asit K.
Published: October 2015

In(OTf)3 is the most effective catalyst among metal halides, tetrafluoroborates, perchlorates, and triflates for Friedländer quinoline synthesis in 75–92% yields.
Heat of formation distributions of components involved in bi-component cocrystals and simple binary eutectic mixtures
Authors: Cysewski P.
Published: October 2015

The distributions of heat of formation characterizing a set of 3226 cocrystals.
Black-CuO: surface-enhanced Raman scattering and infrared properties
Authors: Balčytis Armandas , Ryu Meguya , Seniutinas Gediminas , Juodkazytė Jurga , Cowie Bruce C. C. , Stoddart Paul R. , Zamengo Massimiliano , Morikawa Junko , Juodkazis Saulius
Published: October 2015

Conformally Au coated nano-textured cupric Cu(ii) oxide surfaces function as high performance substrates for surface enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy.
A dual-functional asymmetric squaraine-based low band gap hole transporting material for efficient perovskite solar cells
Authors: Paek Sanghyun , Rub Malik Abdul , Choi Hyeju , Kosa Samia A. , Alamry Khalid A. , Cho Jin Woo , Gao Peng , Ko Jaejung , Asiri Abdullah M. , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja
Published: October 2015

Asymmetric squaraine-based low band-gap hole transporting material acting as both light harvesting and hole transporting layers in perovskite solar cells.
PdPt bimetallic nanoparticles enabled by shape control with halide ions and their enhanced catalytic activities
Authors: Zhang Jinfeng , Wan Lei , Liu Lei , Deng Yida , Zhong Cheng , Hu Wenbin
Published: October 2015

The morphologies of PdPt nanoparticles with various core–shell structures could be controlled by altering the participation of different halide ions.
Wavelength-tunable waveguides based on polycrystalline organic–inorganic perovskite microwires
Authors: Wang Ziyu , Liu Jingying , Xu Zai-Quan , Xue Yunzhou , Jiang Liangcong , Song Jingchao , Huang Fuzhi , Wang Yusheng , Zhong Yu Lin , Zhang Yupeng , Cheng Yi-Bing , Bao Qiaoliang
Published: October 2015

Polycrystalline hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite microwires have been demonstrated as optical waveguides with small optical loss and broad wavelength tunability.
Rheological behavior and molecular relaxation of polycations with macrocounterions in aqueous solutions
Authors: Ye Yilan , Yonggang Shangguan , Zheng Qiang
Published: October 2015

Polycations with macrocounterions present unique scaling relation in rheology. The observable size of macrocounterions in dynamic light scattering helps further investigate the bimodal relaxation of polyelectrolytes.
Influence of the secondary structure on the AIE-related emission behavior of an amphiphilic polypeptide containing a hydrophobic fluorescent terminal and hydrophilic pendant groups
Authors: Lin Li-Yang , Huang Po-Chiao , Yang Deng-Jie , Gao Jhen-Yan , Hong Jin-Long
Published: October 2015

AIE-related emission of polypeptide containing an AIE-active terminal is correlated with secondary structures (α-helix, β-sheet and random coil) of the peptide chains.
Fibrous antibacterial coatings from self-assembled silver-binding elastins
Authors: Yan Lu , Anh Truong T. H. , Shang-You Tee , Fong Eileen
Published: October 2015

A simple and green method to prepare silver coatings from self-assembled elastins with excellent antibacterial properties.
The promotional role of Ce in Cu/ZSM-5 and in situ surface reaction for selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3
Authors: Lai Shuangshuang , Meng Dongmei , Zhan Wangcheng , Guo Yun , Guo Yanglong , Zhang Zhigang , Lu Guanzhong
Published: October 2015

Ce doped Cu/ZSM-5 catalysts were prepared by the incipient-wetness-impregnation method, and the effect of Ce doping on the structure and the catalytic performance was investigated in detail for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3
Structural properties, magnetic interactions, magnetocaloric effect and critical behaviour of cobalt doped La0.7Te0.3MnO3
Authors: Uthaman Bhagya , Anand K. S. , Rajan Rajesh Kumar , Kyaw Htet H. , Thomas Senoy , Al-Harthi Salim , Suresh K. G. , Varma Manoj Raama
Published: October 2015

The effect of cobalt doping on the structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of electron-doped manganite La0.7Te0.3Mn1−xCoxO3 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3 and 0.5) has been investigated.