bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting Fatigue 12 Months after Child Traumatic Brain Injury: Child Factors and Postinjury Symptoms
Authors: Crichton Alison , Oakley Ed , Babl Franz E , Greenham Mardee , Hearps Stephen , Delzoppo Carmel , Beauchamp Miriam H. , Hutchison James S. , Guerguerian Anne-Marie , Boutis Kathy , Anderson Vicki
Published: October 2017

Objectives:Fatigue is a common and persisting symptom after childhood brain injury. This study examined whether child characteristics and symptomatology preinjury or 6 months postinjury (pain, sleep, and mood, inattention) predicted fatigue at 12months postinjury.Methods:Parents of 79 children (0–18 years) rated fatigue at 12 months after injury on a multidimensional scale (general, sleep/rest, and cognitive). Demographic and clinical data were collected at injury. Parents rated child sleep, pain, physical/motor function, mood, and inattention at injury (preinjury description), and 6 months postinjury. Children were divided into two traumatic brain injury severity groups:mild TBI(n=57) andmoderate/severe TBI(n=27). Hierarchical regression models were used to examine (i) preinjury factors and (ii) symptoms 6 months postinjury predictive of fatigue (general, sleep/rest, and cognitive) at 12 months postinjury.Results:Sleep/rest fatigue was predicted by preinjury fatigue (7% of variance) and psychological symptoms preinjury (10% of variance). General fatigue was predicted by physical/motor symptoms (27%), sleep (10%) and mood symptoms (9%) 6 months postinjury. Sleep/rest fatigue was predicted by physical/motor symptoms (10%), sleep symptoms (13%) and mood symptoms (9%) 6 months postinjury. Cognitive fatigue was predicted by physical/motor symptoms (17%) 6 months postinjury.Conclusions:Preinjury fatigue and psychological functioning identified those at greatest risk of fatigue 12 months post-TBI. Predictors of specific fatigue domains at 12 months differed across each of the domains, although consistently included physical/motor function as well as sleep and mood symptoms postinjury. (JINS, 2018,24, 224–236)
Der pflegerische Umgang mit Reizüberflutung in der Psychiatrie
Authors: Scheydt Stefan , Needham Ian , Behrens Johann
Published: October 2017

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Im Rahmen des Forschungsprojekts zu den Themen „Reizüberflutung“ und „Reizregulierung“ wurde ein heuristisches Rahmenmodell des pflegerischen Umgangs mit Reizüberflutung in der Psychiatrie entwickelt. In einem zweiten Schritt sollte dieses theoretische Modell nun theoretisch verdichtet und gegebenenfalls modifiziert werden. Ziel: Empirische Verifizierung sowie Modifikation, Erweiterung und theoretische Verdichtung des Rahmenmodells. Methode: Analyse von acht Experteninterviews mittels zusammenfassender und strukturierender inhaltsanalytischer Methoden in Anlehnung an Meuser und Nagel (2009) sowie Mayring (2010). Ergebnisse: Das entwickelte Rahmenmodell (Scheydt et al., 2016b) konnte empirisch verifiziert, theoretisch verdichtet und um eine Kategorie (Wahrnehmungsmodulation) erweitert werden. Somit können nun vier Kategorien des pflegerischen Umgangs mit Reizüberflutung in der stationären Psychiatrie beschrieben werden: Reizabschirmung, Modulation der Umgebungsfaktoren, Wahrnehmungsmodulation sowie Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe / Coping-Förderung. Schlussfolgerungen: Basierend auf der methodischen Vorgehensweise konnte eine relativ gut gesättigte, glaubwürdige Konzeptualisierung eines theoretischen Modells zur Beschreibung des pflegerischen Umgangs mit Reizüberflutung in der stationären Psychiatrie erarbeitet werden. In weiteren Schritten müssen diese Massnahmen zum Umgang mit Reizüberflutung inhaltlich weiterentwickelt, implementiert und hinsichtlich ihrer Wirksamkeit überprüft werden.
Okuläre Myasthenie
Authors: Valko Yulia , Weber Konrad P.
Published: October 2017

Zusammenfassung. Die Kombination von fluktuierender und belastungsabhängiger Diplopie, Ptose und paretischem Lidschluss – unter Aussparung der Pupillomotorik – ist pathognomonisch für die okuläre Myasthenie. In den ersten zwei Jahren kommt es bei 80 % der Patienten zu einer Generalisierung, mit Entwicklung bulbärer Beschwerden und Schwäche in der Extremitätenmuskulatur. Die Diagnose der okulären Myasthenie gelingt wegen des oft schleichenden Auftretens, der schwierigen Abgrenzung zu anderen neuroophthalmologischen und neurologischen Krankheitsbildern und der niedrigen Sensitivität der apparativen Untersuchungen oft nur mit Verspätung. Eine rasche Diagnose ist wichtig, da effiziente Therapieoptionen eine gute Symptomkontrolle erlauben und weil eine frühe Immunsuppression die Häufigkeit der Konversion zu einer generalisierten Form reduzieren kann.
A blueprint for robust crosslinking of mobile species in biogels with weakly adhesive molecular anchors
Authors: Newby Jay , Schiller Jennifer L. , Wessler Timothy , Edelstein Jasmine , Forest M. Gregory , Lai Samuel K.
Published: October 2017

Biopolymeric matrices can impede transport of nanoparticulates and pathogens by entropic or direct adhesive interactions, or by harnessing “third-party” molecular anchors to crosslink nanoparticulates to matrix constituents. The trapping potency of anchors is dictated by association rates and affinities to both nanoparticulates and matrix; the popular dogma is that long-lived, high-affinity bonds to both species facilitate optimal trapping. Here we present a contrasting paradigm combining experimental evidence (using IgG antibodies and Matrigel®), a theoretical framework (based on multiple timescale analysis), and computational modeling. Anchors that bind and unbind rapidly from matrix accumulate on nanoparticulates much more quickly than anchors that form high-affinity, long-lived bonds with matrix, leading to markedly greater trapping potency of multiple invading species without saturating matrix trapping capacity. Our results provide a blueprint for engineering molecular anchors with finely tuned affinities to effectively enhance the barrier properties of biogels against diverse nanoparticulate species.
Prior preferences beneficially influence social and non-social learning
Authors: Tarantola Tor , Kumaran Dharshan , Dayan Peter , De Martino Benedetto
Published: October 2017

Our personal preferences affect a broad array of social behaviors. This includes the way we learn the preferences of others, an ability that often relies on limited or ambiguous information. Here we report an egocentric influence on this type of social learning that is reflected in both performance and response times. Using computational models that combine inter-trial learning and intra-trial choice, we find transient effects of participants’ preferences on the learning process, through the influence of priors, and persistent effects on the choice process. A second experiment shows that these effects generalize to non-social learning, though participants in the social learning experiment appeared to additionally benefit by using their knowledge about the popularity of certain preferences. We further find that the domain-general egocentric influences we identify can yield performance advantages in uncertain environments.
Direction-specific interaction forces underlying zinc oxide crystal growth by oriented attachment
Authors: Zhang X. , Shen Z. , Liu J. , Kerisit S. N. , Bowden M. E. , Sushko M. L. , De Yoreo J. J. , Rosso K. M.
Published: October 2017

Crystallization by particle attachment is impacting our understanding of natural mineralization processes and holds promise for novel materials design. When particles assemble in crystallographic alignment, expulsion of the intervening solvent and particle coalescence are enabled by near-perfect co-alignment via interparticle forces that remain poorly quantified. Here we report measurement and simulation of these nanoscale aligning forces for the ZnO(0001)-ZnO(000$$\bar 1$$

1

̄

) system in aqueous solution. Dynamic force spectroscopy using nanoengineered single crystal probes reveals an attractive force with 60o rotational periodicity. Calculated distance and orientation-dependent potentials of mean force show several attractive free energy wells distinguished by numbers of intervening water layers, which reach a minimum when aligned. The calculated activation energy to separate the attractively bound solvated interfaces perfectly reproduces the measured 60o periodicity, revealing the key role of intervening water structuring as a basis to generate the interparticle torque that completes alignment and enables coalescence.
Color-selective photodetection from intermediate colloidal quantum dots buried in amorphous-oxide semiconductors
Authors: Cho Kyung-Sang , Heo Keun , Baik Chan-Wook , Choi Jun Young , Jeong Heejeong , Hwang Sungwoo , Lee Sang Yeol
Published: October 2017

We report color-selective photodetection from intermediate, monolayered, quantum dots buried in between amorphous-oxide semiconductors. The proposed active channel in phototransistors is a hybrid configuration of oxide-quantum dot-oxide layers, where the gate-tunable electrical property of silicon-doped, indium-zinc-oxide layers is incorporated with the color-selective properties of quantum dots. A remarkably high detectivity (8.1 × 1013 Jones) is obtained, along with three major findings: fast charge separation in monolayered quantum dots; efficient charge transport through high-mobility oxide layers (20 cm2 V−1 s−1); and gate-tunable drain-current modulation. Particularly, the fast charge separation rate of 3.3 ns−1 measured with time-resolved photoluminescence is attributed to the intermediate quantum dots buried in oxide layers. These results facilitate the realization of efficient color-selective detection exhibiting a photoconductive gain of 107, obtained using a room-temperature deposition of oxide layers and a solution process of quantum dots. This work offers promising opportunities in emerging applications for color detection with sensitivity, transparency, and flexibility.
The gut microbiome in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Authors: Jie Zhuye , Xia Huihua , Zhong Shi-Long , Feng Qiang , Li Shenghui , Liang Suisha , Zhong Huanzi , Liu Zhipeng , Gao Yuan , Zhao Hui , Zhang Dongya , Su Zheng , Fang Zhiwei , Lan Zhou , Li Junhua , Xiao Liang , Li Jun , Li Ruijun , Li Xiaoping , Li Fei , Ren Huahui , Huang Yan , Peng Yangqing , Li Guanglei , Wen Bo , Dong Bo , Chen Ji-Yan , Geng Qing-Shan , Zhang Zhi-Wei , Yang Huanming , Wang Jian , Wang Jun , Zhang Xuan , Madsen Lise , Brix Susanne , Ning Guang , Xu Xun , Liu Xin , Hou Yong , Jia Huijue , He Kunlun , Kristiansen Karsten
Published: October 2017

The gut microbiota has been linked to cardiovascular diseases. However, the composition and functional capacity of the gut microbiome in relation to cardiovascular diseases have not been systematically examined. Here, we perform a metagenome-wide association study on stools from 218 individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) and 187 healthy controls. The ACVD gut microbiome deviates from the healthy status by increased abundance ofEnterobacteriaceaeandStreptococcusspp. and, functionally, in the potential for metabolism or transport of several molecules important for cardiovascular health. Although drug treatment represents a confounding factor, ACVD status, and not current drug use, is the major distinguishing feature in this cohort. We identify common themes by comparison with gut microbiome data associated with other cardiometabolic diseases (obesity and type 2 diabetes), with liver cirrhosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Our data represent a comprehensive resource for further investigations on the role of the gut microbiome in promoting or preventing ACVD as well as other related diseases.
Bone corticalization requires local SOCS3 activity and is promoted by androgen action via interleukin-6
Authors: Cho Dae-Chul , Brennan Holly J. , Johnson Rachelle W. , Poulton Ingrid J. , Gooi Jonathan H. , Tonkin Brett A. , McGregor Narelle E. , Walker Emma C. , Handelsman David J. , Martin T. J. , Sims Natalie A.
Published: October 2017

Long bone strength is determined by its outer shell (cortical bone), which forms by coalescence of thin trabeculae at the metaphysis (corticalization), but the factors that control this process are unknown. Here we show that SOCS3-dependent cytokine expression regulates bone corticalization. Young male and femaleDmp1Cre.Socs3f/fmice, in which SOCS3 has been ablated in osteocytes, have high trabecular bone volume and poorly defined metaphyseal cortices. After puberty, male mice recover, but female corticalization is still impaired, leading to a lasting defect in bone strength. The phenotype depends on sex-steroid hormones: dihydrotestosterone treatment of gonadectomized femaleDmp1Cre.Socs3f/fmice restores normal cortical morphology, whereas in males, estradiol treatment, or IL-6 deletion, recapitulates the female phenotype. This suggests that androgen action promotes metaphyseal corticalization, at least in part, via IL-6 signaling.
Variant surface glycoprotein density defines an immune evasion threshold for African trypanosomes undergoing antigenic variation
Authors: Pinger Jason , Chowdhury Shanin , Papavasiliou F. Nina
Published: October 2017

Trypanosoma bruceiis a protozoan parasite that evades its host’s adaptive immune response by repeatedly replacing its dense variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat from its large genomicVSGrepertoire. While the mechanisms regulatingVSGgene expression and diversification have been examined extensively, the dynamics of VSG coat replacement at the protein level, and the impact of this process on successful immune evasion, remain unclear. Here we evaluate the rate of VSG replacement at the trypanosome surface following a geneticVSGswitch, and show that full coat replacement requires several days to complete. Using in vivo infection assays, we demonstrate that parasites undergoing coat replacement are only vulnerable to clearance via early IgM antibodies for a limited time. Finally, we show that IgM loses its ability to mediate trypanosome clearance at unexpectedly early stages of coat replacement based on a critical density threshold of its cognate VSGs on the parasite surface.
Simultaneous evolutionary expansion and constraint of genomic heterogeneity in multifocal lung cancer
Authors: Ma Pengfei , Fu Yujie , Cai Mei-Chun , Yan Ying , Jing Ying , Zhang Shengzhe , Chen Minjiang , Wu Jie , Shen Ying , Zhu Liang , Chen Hong-Zhuan , Gao Wei-Qiang , Wang Mengzhao , Gu Zhenyu , Bivona Trever G. , Zhao Xiaojing , Zhuang Guanglei
Published: October 2017

Recent genomic analyses have revealed substantial tumor heterogeneity across various cancers. However, it remains unclear whether and how genomic heterogeneity is constrained during tumor evolution. Here, we sequence a unique cohort of multiple synchronous lung cancers (MSLCs) to determine the relative diversity and uniformity of genetic drivers upon identical germline and environmental background. We find that each multicentric primary tumor harbors distinct oncogenic alterations, including novel mutations that are experimentally demonstrated to be functional and therapeutically targetable. However, functional studies show a strikingly constrained tumorigenic pathway underlying heterogeneous genetic variants. These results suggest that although the mutation-specific routes that cells take during oncogenesis are stochastic, genetic trajectories may be constrained by selection for functional convergence on key signaling pathways. Our findings highlight the robust evolutionary pressures that simultaneously shape the expansion and constraint of genomic diversity, a principle that holds important implications for understanding tumor evolution and optimizing therapeutic strategies.
Fast-charging high-energy lithium-ion batteries via implantation of amorphous silicon nanolayer in edge-plane activated graphite anodes
Authors: Kim Namhyung , Chae Sujong , Ma Jiyoung , Ko Minseong , Cho Jaephil
Published: October 2017

As fast-charging lithium-ion batteries turn into increasingly important components in forthcoming applications, various strategies have been devoted to the development of high-rate anodes. However, despite vigorous efforts, the low initial Coulombic efficiency and poor volumetric energy density with insufficient electrode conditions remain critical challenges that have to be addressed. Herein, we demonstrate a hybrid anode via incorporation of a uniformly implanted amorphous silicon nanolayer and edge-site-activated graphite. This architecture succeeds in improving lithium ion transport and minimizing initial capacity losses even with increase in energy density. As a result, the hybrid anode exhibits an exceptional initial Coulombic efficiency (93.8%) and predominant fast-charging behavior with industrial electrode conditions. As a result, a full-cell demonstrates a higher energy density (≥1060 Wh l−1) without any trace of lithium plating at a harsh charging current density (10.2 mA cm−2) and 1.5 times faster charging than that of conventional graphite.
Structural and mechanistic characterization of an archaeal-like chaperonin from a thermophilic bacterium
Authors: An Young Jun , Rowland Sara E. , Na Jung-Hyun , Spigolon Dario , Hong Seung Kon , Yoon Yeo Joon , Lee Jung-Hyun , Robb Frank T. , Cha Sun-Shin
Published: October 2017

The chaperonins (CPNs) are megadalton sized hollow complexes with two cavities that open and close to encapsulate non-native proteins. CPNs are assigned to two sequence-related groups that have distinct allosteric mechanisms. In Group I CPNs a detachable co-chaperone, GroES, closes the chambers whereas in Group II a built-in lid closes the chambers. Group I CPNs have a bacterial ancestry, whereas Group II CPNs are archaeal in origin. Here we describe open and closed crystal structures representing a new phylogenetic branch of CPNs. These Group III CPNs are divergent in sequence and structure from extant CPNs, but are closed by a built-in lid like Group II CPNs. A nucleotide-sensing loop, present in both Group I and Group II CPNs, is notably absent. We identified inter-ring pivot joints that articulate during ring closure. These Group III CPNs likely represent a relic from the ancestral CPN that formed distinct bacterial and archaeal branches.
Stress-induced plasticity of dynamic collagen networks
Authors: Kim Jihan , Feng Jingchen , Jones Christopher A. R. , Mao Xiaoming , Sander Leonard M. , Levine Herbert , Sun Bo
Published: October 2017

The structure and mechanics of tissues is constantly perturbed by endogenous forces originated from cells, and at the same time regulate many important cellular functions such as migration, differentiation, and growth. Here we show that 3D collagen gels, major components of connective tissues and extracellular matrix (ECM), are significantly and irreversibly remodeled by cellular traction forces, as well as by macroscopic strains. To understand this ECM plasticity, we develop a computational model that takes into account the sliding and merging of ECM fibers. We have confirmed the model predictions with experiment. Our results suggest the profound impacts of cellular traction forces on their host ECM during development and cancer progression, and suggest indirect mechanical channels of cell-cell communications in 3D fibrous matrices.
Logic Synthesis of Recombinase-Based Genetic Circuits
Authors: Chiu Tai-Yin , Jiang Jie-Hong R.
Published: October 2017

A synthetic approach to biology is a promising technique for various applications. Recent advancements have demonstrated the feasibility of constructing synthetic two-input logic gates in Escherichia coli cells with long-term memory based on DNA inversion induced by recombinases. Moreover, recent evidences indicate that DNA inversion mediated by genome editing tools is possible. Powerful genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas9 systems, have great potential to be exploited to implement large-scale recombinase-based circuits. What remains unclear is how to construct arbitrary Boolean functions based on these emerging technologies. In this paper, we lay the theoretical foundation formalizing the connection between recombinase-based genetic circuits and Boolean functions. It enables systematic construction of any given Boolean function using recombinase-based logic gates. We further develop a methodology leveraging existing electronic design automation (EDA) tools to automate the synthesis of complex recombinase-based genetic circuits with respect to area and delay optimization. In silico experimental results demonstrate the applicability of our proposed methods as a useful tool for recombinase-based genetic circuit synthesis and optimization.
Global trade statistics lack granularity to inform traceability and management of diverse and high-value fishes
Authors: Cawthorn Donna-Mareè , Mariani Stefano
Published: October 2017

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and seafood supply chain fraud are multifaceted problems that demand multifaceted solutions. Here, we investigate the extent to which global fisheries trade data analyses can support effective seafood traceability and promote sustainable seafood markets using one of the world’s most highly prized, yet misunderstood, groups of fishes as a model: the snappers, family Lutjanidae. By collating and comparing production, import and export data from international and national statistical collections for the period 2006–2013, we show that official trade data severely lack the level of detail required to track snapper trade flows, uncover potential IUU activities and/or inform exploitation management of snappers and related species. Moreover, we contend that the lack of taxonomic granularity and use of vague generic names in trade records represent one of the most insidious impediments to seafood traceability, and suggest that widely used harmonised commodity classification systems should evolve to address these gaps.
Erratum: Characterization of Mechanically Matched Hydrogel Coatings to Improve the Biocompatibility of Neural Implants
Authors: Spencer Kevin C. , Sy Jay C. , Ramadi Khalil B. , Graybiel Ann M. , Langer Robert , Cima Michael J.
Published: October 2017

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Involvement of PUF60 in Transcriptional and Post-transcriptional Regulation of Hepatitis B Virus Pregenomic RNA Expression
Authors: Sun Suofeng , Nakashima Kenji , Ito Masahiko , Li Yuan , Chida Takeshi , Takahashi Hirotaka , Watashi Koichi , Sawasaki Tatsuya , Wakita Takaji , Suzuki Tetsuro
Published: October 2017

Here we identified PUF60, a splicing factor and a U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein auxiliary factor, as a versatile regulator of transcriptional and post-transcriptional steps in expression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) 3.5 kb, precore plus pregenomic RNA. We demonstrate that PUF60 is involved in: 1) up-regulation of core promoter activity through its interaction with transcription factor TCF7L2, 2) promotion of 3.5 kb RNA degradation and 3) suppression of 3.5 kb RNA splicing. When the 1.24-fold HBV genome was introduced into cells with the PUF60-expression plasmid, the 3.5 kb RNA level was higher at days 1–2 post-transfection but declined thereafter in PUF60-expressing cells compared to viral replication control cells. Deletion analyses showed that the second and first RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) within PUF60 are responsible for core promoter activation and RNA degradation, respectively. Expression of PUF60 mutant deleting the first RRM led to higher HBV production. To our knowledge, this is the first to identify a host factor involved in not only positively regulating viral gene expression but also negative regulation of the same viral life cycle. Functional linkage between transcriptional and post-transcriptional controls during viral replication might be involved in mechanisms for intracellular antiviral defense and viral persistence.
Clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of synchronous gastric adenocarcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Authors: Luo Jun-Ming , Cao Fa-Long , Meng Chen , Lin Li-Jun , Ma Si-Qing , Peng Shao-Hua , Gao Hong-Ling , Javidiparsijani Sara , Wang Gui-Rong , Zhang Meng-Lan , Xin Jian-Guo , Wang Yi-Chun , Zhang Shu-Kun
Published: October 2017

Synchronous gastric tumors that consist of both gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and adenocarcinoma are rare. We studied the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of six cases containing both gastric adenocarcinoma and GIST. By means of immunohistochemical analysis, all GIST cells expressed CD117, CD34 and Dog1 in all six synchronous gastric adenocarcinomas with GIST, and in GIST alone. Sequencing analysis demonstrated that exon 11 c-kit mutations were present in two of six synchronous tumors and four of five GISTs. One of the two exon 11 c-kit mutations in synchronous adenocarcinomas with GISTs was an uncommon mutation of CTT > CCA at amino acid 576, and the other was a GTT deletion at amino acid 560. The mutation was a homozygous A > G mutation in exon 12 (amino acid 567) of PDGFR-α. We concluded that the exon 11 mutations were the most important in both cases of synchronous gastric adenocarcinoma with GIST and GIST alone. The mutation rate was higher in GIST alone than in synchronous adenocarcinoma with GIST.
HIV-infected macrophages and microglia that survive acute infection become viral reservoirs by a mechanism involving Bim
Authors: Castellano Paul , Prevedel Lisa , Eugenin Eliseo A.
Published: October 2017

While HIV kills most of the cells it infects, a small number of infected cells survive and become latent viral reservoirs, posing a significant barrier to HIV eradication. However, the mechanism by which immune cells resist HIV-induced apoptosis is still incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate that while acute HIV infection of human microglia/macrophages results in massive apoptosis, a small population of HIV-infected cells survive infection, silence viral replication, and can reactivate viral production upon specific treatments. We also found that HIV fusion inhibitors intended for use as antiretroviral therapies extended the survival of HIV-infected macrophages. Analysis of the pro- and anti-apoptotic pathways indicated no significant changes in Bcl-2, Mcl-1, Bak, Bax or caspase activation, suggesting that HIV blocks a very early step of apoptosis. Interestingly, Bim, a highly pro-apoptotic negative regulator of Bcl-2, was upregulated and recruited into the mitochondria in latently HIV-infected macrophages bothin vitroandin vivo. Together, these results demonstrate that macrophages/microglia act as HIV reservoirs and utilize a novel mechanism to prevent HIV-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, they also suggest that Bim recruitment to mitochondria could be used as a biomarker of viral reservoirsin vivo.
Multiobjective differential evolution-based multifactor dimensionality reduction for detecting gene–gene interactions
Authors: Yang Cheng-Hong , Chuang Li-Yeh , Lin Yu-Da
Published: October 2017

Epistasis within disease-related genes (gene–gene interactions) was determined through contingency table measures based on multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) using single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Most MDR-based methods use the single contingency table measure to detect gene–gene interactions; however, some gene–gene interactions may require identification through multiple contingency table measures. In this study, a multiobjective differential evolution method (called MODEMDR) was proposed to merge the various contingency table measures based on MDR to detect significant gene–gene interactions. Two contingency table measures, namely the correct classification rate and normalized mutual information, were selected to design the fitness functions in MODEMDR. The characteristics of multiobjective optimization enable MODEMDR to use multiple measures to efficiently and synchronously detect significant gene–gene interactions within a reasonable time frame. Epistatic models with and without marginal effects under various parameter settings (heritability and minor allele frequencies) were used to assess existing methods by comparing the detection success rates of gene–gene interactions. The results of the simulation datasets show that MODEMDR is superior to existing methods. Moreover, a large dataset obtained from the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium was used to assess MODEMDR. MODEMDR exhibited efficiency in identifying significant gene–gene interactions in genome-wide association studies.
Human attention affects facial expressions in domestic dogs
Authors: Kaminski Juliane , Hynds Jennifer , Morris Paul , Waller Bridget M.
Published: October 2017

Most mammalian species produce facial expressions. Historically, animal facial expressions have been considered inflexible and involuntary displays of emotional states rather than active attempts to communicate with others. In the current study, we aimed to test whether domestic dog facial expressions are subject to audience effects and/ or changes in response to an arousing stimulus (e.g. food) alone. We presented dogs with an experimental situation in which a human demonstrator was either attending to them or turned away, and varied whether she presented food or not. Dogs produced significantly more facial movements when the human was attentive than when she was not. The food, however, as a non-social but arousing stimulus, did not affect the dogs’ behaviour. The current study is therefore evidence that dogs are sensitive to the human’s attentional state when producing facial expressions, suggesting that facial expressions are not just inflexible and involuntary displays of emotional states, but rather potentially active attempts to communicate with others.
6E11, a highly selective inhibitor of Receptor-Interacting Protein Kinase 1, protects cells against cold hypoxia-reoxygenation injury
Authors: Delehouzé C. , Leverrier-Penna S. , Le Cann F. , Comte A. , Jacquard-Fevai M. , Delalande O. , Desban N. , Baratte B. , Gallais I. , Faurez F. , Bonnet M. C. , Hauteville M. , Goekjian P. G. , Thuillier R. , Favreau F. , Vandenabeele P. , Hauet T. , Dimanche-Boitrel M. T. , Bach S.
Published: October 2017

Necroptosis is a programmed cell death pathway that has been shown to be of central pathophysiological relevance in multiple disorders (hepatitis, brain and cardiac ischemia, pancreatitis, viral infection and inflammatory diseases). Necroptosis is driven by two serine threonine kinases, RIPK1 (Receptor Interacting Protein Kinase 1) and RIPK3, and a pseudo-kinase MLKL (Mixed Lineage Kinase domain-Like) associated in a multi-protein complex called necrosome. In order to find new inhibitors for use in human therapy, a chemical library containing highly diverse chemical structures was screened using a cell-based assay. The compound 6E11, a natural product derivative, was characterized as a positive hit. Interestingly, this flavanone compound: inhibits necroptosis induced by death receptors ligands TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor) or TRAIL (TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand); is an extremely selective inhibitor, among kinases, of human RIPK1 enzymatic activity with a nM Kd; has a non-ATP competitive mode of action and a novel putative binding site; is weakly cytotoxic towards human primary blood leukocytes or retinal pigment epithelial cells at effective concentrations; protects human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) from cold hypoxia/reoxygenation injury more effectively than necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) and Nec-1s. Altogether, these data demonstrate that 6E11 is a novel potent small molecular inhibitor of RIPK1-driven necroptosis.
Fermi surface topology and magnetotransport in semimetallic LuSb
Authors: Pavlosiuk Orest , Kleinert Maja , Swatek Przemysław , Kaczorowski Dariusz , Wiśniewski Piotr
Published: October 2017

Several rare-earth monopnictides were shown to exhibit extreme magnetoresistance and field-induced low-temperature plateau of electrical resistivity. These features are also hallmarks of topological semimetals, thus the family is intensively explored with respect to magneto-transport properties and possible hosting Dirac fermion states. We report a comprehensive investigation of Fermi surface and electrical transport properties of LuSb, another representative of this family. At low temperatures, the magnetoresistance of LuSb was found to exceed 3000% without saturation in fields up to 9 T. Analysis of the Hall effect and the Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations revealed that the Fermi surface of this compound consists of several pockets originating from fairly compensated multi-band electronic structure, in full accordance with our first-principles calculations. Observed magnetotransport properties of LuSb can be attributed to the topology of three-dimensional Fermi surface and a compensation of electron and hole contributions.
Changes in soil properties, X-ray-mineral diffractions and infrared-functional groups in bulk soil and fractions following afforestation of farmland, Northeast China
Authors: Wang Qiong , Wang Wenjie , He Xingyuan , Zheng Qingfu , Wang Huimei , Wu Yan , Zhong Zhaoliang
Published: October 2017

Analysis of soil properties, the compositional traits in bulk soil and different fractions and their responses to afforestation practices may possibly facilitate clarification of the mechanisms underlying soil changes. Soil properties, the compositional functional groups and minerals were determined in the bulk soil and fractions from forests and adjacent farmlands. The afforestation of farmland could induce accumulation of soil organic carbon [SOC] (+18%) and nitrogen [N] (+4%) with pH increase (+4%), and declines in electric conductivity (−15%) and bulk density (−3%). Sand and aggregates [SA] and easily oxidized fraction [EO] mainly contributed to the SOC and N accumulation. Moreover, afforestation-induced changes were observed in O-H & N-H stretching (−26%), feldspar (+52%) and huntite crystallinity (−40%). The changes of soil properties were strongly associated with the changes in functional groups, followed by minerals. Of them, asymmetric COO- & C = O stretching & O-H bending, symmetric COO- stretching, huntite and smectite-vermiculite crystallinity were the key factors responsible for the changes of soil properties. Our findings highlight that degraded farmland afforestation could strongly affect soil properties in the bulk soil, and the changes in fractions (mainly SA and EO) as well as their changes in the compositional traits strongly supported these bulk soil changes.
Usefulness of kidney slices for functional analysis of apical reabsorptive transporters
Authors: Arakawa Hiroshi , Washio Ikumi , Matsuoka Natsumi , Kubo Hikaru , Staub Angelina Yukiko , Nakamichi Noritaka , Ishiguro Naoki , Kato Yukio , Nakanishi Takeo , Tamai Ikumi
Published: October 2017

Kidney plays a key role in the elimination and reabsorption of drugs and nutrients, however in vitro methods to evaluate renal disposition are limited. In the present study, we investigated usefulness of isolated kidney slice, which had been used for transport only at basolateral membrane of tubular epithelial cells, for evaluation of apical membrane transporters. As transporters that are easy to discriminate between apical and basolateral transports, apical membrane specific and sodium-dependent transporters (SGLTs and OCTNs) and pH-dependent transporters (PEPTs) are selected. Uptake of ergothioneine, carnitine and methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside, which are substrates of apical Octn1, Octn2, and Sglt1/2, respectively, by mice kidney slices showed clear Na+ dependence and reduction by selective inhibitors. In addition, sodium dependence of ergothioneine uptake was negligible in the kidney slice from Octn1-gene deficient mice. Moreover, uptake of PepT1/2 substrate glycyl-sarcosine, was higher than that in the presence of glycyl-leucine, a non-specific Pept inhibitor. The K
m
and IC50 values for substrates and inhibitors of each transporter were mostly comparable to those obtained in transporter-transfected cells. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that kidney slices are promising tool to study transporters expressed at the apical membranes as well as basolateral membranes of kidney tubular epithelial cells.
Membrane Trafficking Modulation during Entamoeba Encystation
Authors: Herman Emily , Siegesmund Maria A. , Bottery Michael J. , van Aerle Ronny , Shather Maulood Mohammed , Caler Elisabet , Dacks Joel B. , van der Giezen Mark
Published: October 2017

Entamoeba histolytica is an intestinal parasite that infects 50–100 million people and causes up to 55,000 deaths annually. The transmissive form of E. histolytica is the cyst, with a single infected individual passing up to 45 million cysts per day, making cyst production an attractive target for infection control. Lectins and chitin are secreted to form the cyst wall, although little is known about the underlying membrane trafficking processes supporting encystation. As E. histolytica does not readily form cysts in vitro, we assessed membrane trafficking gene expression during encystation in the closely related model Entamoeba invadens. Genes involved in secretion are up-regulated during cyst formation, as are some trans-Golgi network-to-endosome trafficking genes. Furthermore, endocytic and general trafficking genes are up-regulated in the mature cyst, potentially preserved as mRNA in preparation for excystation. Two divergent dynamin-related proteins found in Entamoeba are predominantly expressed during cyst formation. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that they are paralogous to, but quite distinct from, classical dynamins found in human, suggesting that they may be potential drug targets to block encystation. The membrane-trafficking machinery is clearly regulated during encystation, providing an additional facet to understanding this crucial parasitic process.
Quantifying Anthropogenic Stress on Groundwater Resources
Authors: Ashraf Batool , AghaKouchak Amir , Alizadeh Amin , Mousavi Baygi Mohammad , R. Moftakhari Hamed , Mirchi Ali , Anjileli Hassan , Madani Kaveh
Published: October 2017

This study explores a general framework for quantifying anthropogenic influences on groundwater budget based on normalized human outflow (hout) and inflow (hin). The framework is useful for sustainability assessment of groundwater systems and allows investigating the effects of different human water abstraction scenarios on the overall aquifer regime (e.g., depleted, natural flow-dominated, and human flow-dominated). We apply this approach to selected regions in the USA, Germany and Iran to evaluate the current aquifer regime. We subsequently present two scenarios of changes in human water withdrawals and return flow to the system (individually and combined). Results show that approximately one-third of the selected aquifers in the USA, and half of the selected aquifers in Iran are dominated by human activities, while the selected aquifers in Germany are natural flow-dominated. The scenario analysis results also show that reduced human withdrawals could help with regime change in some aquifers. For instance, in two of the selected USA aquifers, a decrease in anthropogenic influences by ~20% may change the condition of depleted regime to natural flow-dominated regime. We specifically highlight a trending threat to the sustainability of groundwater in northwest Iran and California, and the need for more careful assessment and monitoring practices as well as strict regulations to mitigate the negative impacts of groundwater overexploitation.
Evidence for in-gap surface states on the single phase SmB6(001) surface
Authors: Miyamachi Toshio , Suga Shigemasa , Ellguth Martin , Tusche Christian , Schneider Claus M. , Iga Fumitoshi , Komori Fumio
Published: October 2017

Structural and electronic properties of the SmB6(001) single-crystal surface prepared by Ar+ ion sputtering and controlled annealing are investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy. In contrast to the cases of cleaved surfaces, we observe a single phase surface with a non-reconstructed p(1 × 1) lattice on the entire surface at an optimized annealing temperature. The surface is identified as Sm-terminated on the basis of spectroscopic measurements. On a structurally uniform surface, the emergence of the in-gap state, a robust surface state against structural variation, is further confirmed inside a Kondo hybridization gap at 4.4 K by temperature and atomically-resolved spatial dependences of the differential conductance spectrum near the Fermi energy.
Zdhhc13-dependent Drp1 S-palmitoylation impacts brain bioenergetics, anxiety, coordination and motor skills
Authors: Napoli Eleonora , Song Gyu , Liu Siming , Espejo Alexsandra , Perez Carlos J. , Benavides Fernando , Giulivi Cecilia
Published: October 2017

ProteinS-palmitoylation is a reversible post-translational modification mediated by palmitoyl acyltransferase enzymes, a group of Zn2+-finger DHHC-domain-containing proteins (ZDHHC). Here, for the first time, we show that Zdhhc13 plays a key role in anxiety-related behaviors and motor function, as well as brain bioenergetics, in a mouse model (luc) carrying a spontaneousZdhhc13recessive mutation. At 3 m of age, mutant mice displayed increased sensorimotor gating, anxiety, hypoactivity, and decreased motor coordination, compared to littermate controls. Loss of Zdhhc13 in cortex and cerebellum from 3- and 24 m old hetero- and homozygous male mutant mice resulted in lower levels of Drp1S-palmitoylation accompanied by altered mitochondrial dynamics, increased glycolysis, glutaminolysis and lactic acidosis, and neurotransmitter imbalances. Employingin vivoandin vitromodels, we identified that Zdhhc13-dependent Drp1S-palmitoylation, which acting alone or in concert, enables the normal occurrence of the fission-fusion process.In vitroandin vivodirect Zdhhc13-Drp1 protein interaction was observed, confirming Drp1 as a substrate of Zdhhc13. Abnormal fission-fusion processes result in disrupted mitochondria morphology and distribution affecting not only mitochondrial ATP output but neurotransmission and integrity of synaptic structures in the brain, setting the basis for the behavioral abnormalities described in theZdhhc13-deficient mice.
Adjacent-possible ecological niche: growth of Lactobacillus species co-cultured with Escherichia coli in a synthetic minimal medium
Authors: Mizuno Kouhei , Mizuno Mamiko , Yamauchi Mio , Takemura Aya J. , Medrano Romero Veronica , Morikawa Kazuya
Published: October 2017

In certain conditions, members of the Lactobacillus genus are auxotrophs that have fastidious requirements for growth. Notably, Lactobacillus cannot grow in M9 medium, a minimal synthetic medium used for Escherichia coli. However, we found that some Lactobacillus strains can be grown in M9 when co-cultured with E. coli K-12. In the co-culture, L. casei proliferates exponentially, reaching cell densities of 108 CFU (colony-forming unit) ml−1 in 6 h and dominating E. coli in the late growth phase. Spent medium from E. coli grown overnight lacked this growth-promoting effect on L. casei. Similarly, the effect was not observed when the species were separated by a 0.4-µm membrane. Microscopic observations showed that L. casei are embedded in the micro-scale clusters of E. coli in the early growth phase. This study describes for the first time the ability of a Lactobacillus species to grow in minimal medium when in close proximity with co-cultured bacteria.
The Impact of parasitic loss on solar cells with plasmonic nano-textured rear reflectors
Authors: Disney Claire E. R. , Pillai Supriya , Green Martin A.
Published: October 2017

Significant photocurrent enhancement has been demonstrated using plasmonic light-trapping structures comprising nanostructured metallic features at the rear of the cell. These structures have conversely been identified as suffering heightened parasitic absorption into the metal at certain resonant wavelengths severely mitigating benefits of light trapping. In this study, we undertook simulations exploring the relationship between enhanced absorption into the solar cell, and parasitic losses in the metal. These simulations reveal that resonant wavelengths associated with high parasitic losses in the metal could also be associated with high absorption enhancement in the solar cell. We identify mechanisms linking these parasitic losses and absorption enhancements, but found that by ensuring correct design, the light trapping structures will have a positive impact on the overall solar cell performance. Our results clearly show that the large angle scattering provided by the plasmonic nanostructures is the reason for the enhanced absorption observed in the solar cells.
Escape and surveillance asymmetries in locusts exposed to a Guinea fowl-mimicking robot predator
Authors: Romano Donato , Benelli Giovanni , Stefanini Cesare
Published: October 2017

Escape and surveillance responses to predators are lateralized in several vertebrate species. However, little is known on the laterality of escapes and predator surveillance in arthropods. In this study, we investigated the lateralization of escape and surveillance responses in young instars and adults of Locusta migratoria during biomimetic interactions with a robot-predator inspired to the Guinea fowl, Numida meleagris. Results showed individual-level lateralization in the jumping escape of locusts exposed to the robot-predator attack. The laterality of this response was higher in L. migratoria adults over young instars. Furthermore, population-level lateralization of predator surveillance was found testing both L. migratoria adults and young instars; locusts used the right compound eye to oversee the robot-predator. Right-biased individuals were more stationary over left-biased ones during surveillance of the robot-predator. Individual-level lateralization could avoid predictability during the jumping escape. Population-level lateralization may improve coordination in the swarm during specific group tasks such as predator surveillance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of lateralized predator-prey interactions in insects. Our findings outline the possibility of using biomimetic robots to study predator-prey interaction, avoiding the use of real predators, thus achieving standardized experimental conditions to investigate complex and flexible behaviours.
Vegetation morphologic and aerodynamic characteristics reduce aeolian erosion
Authors: Miri Abbas , Dragovich Deirdre , Dong Zhibao
Published: October 2017

Absract

Vegetation cover is crucial to controlling aeolian erosion but highly efficient vegetation is critical. How this efficiency is influenced by vegetation response to airflow is not clear. Here we evaluate the responses of Cosmos bipinnatus and Ligustrum lucidum Ait to a range of wind speeds in a wind tunnel. For both species, we calculate shelter effect and sand flux. We show that plant effectiveness in reducing wind speed and sediment transport is linked to their aerodynamic response to airflow which results from their morphology. We demonstrate that in low-density cover the flow-response and resistance of individuals is most critical in the optimal effectiveness of a canopy. Our wind tunnel experiment suggests that vegetation morphology and structure must be priority parameters in facilitating aeolian erosion control.
Charge and Lattice Fluctuations in Molecule-Based Spin Liquids
Authors: Yamamoto Takashi , Fujimoto Takashi , Naito Toshio , Nakazawa Yasuhiro , Tamura Masafumi , Yakushi Kyuya , Ikemoto Yuka , Moriwaki Taro , Kato Reizo
Published: October 2017

Spin liquid (SL) systems have been the subject of much attention recently, as they have been theoretically predicted to not freeze, even at 0 K. Despite extensive searches being made for such a system, only a few candidates have been found. All of these candidates share geometrical frustrations that are based on triangular lattices. We applied vibrational spectroscopy to one of the candidates of a molecule-based SL system, and we compared its results against three antiferromagnetic compounds and four charge-ordered compounds. All of their structural motifs belong to triangular lattices. The C=C stretching modes in the SL state indicated that there were charge and lattice fluctuations. These fluctuations were suppressed but non-negligible in the AF compounds. This finding is potentially significant, as it indicates that a hidden lattice and charge fluctuation are the driving force of a geometrical frustration, which eventually leads to a SL state.