bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct Conversion of Human Fibroblasts into Schwann Cells that Facilitate Regeneration of Injured Peripheral Nerve In Vivo
Authors: Sowa Yoshihiro , Kishida Tsunao , Tomita Koichi , Yamamoto Kenta , Numajiri Toshiaki , Mazda Osam
Published: January 2017

Schwann cells (SCs) play pivotal roles in the maintenance and regeneration of the peripheral nervous system. Although transplantation of SCs enhances repair of experimentally damaged peripheral and central nerve tissues, it is difficult to prepare a sufficient number of functional SCs for transplantation therapy without causing adverse events for the donor. Here, we generated functional SCs by somatic cell reprogramming procedures and demonstrated their capability to promote peripheral nerve regeneration. Normal human fibroblasts were phenotypically converted into SCs by transducing SOX10 and Krox20 genes followed by culturing for 10 days resulting in approximately 43% directly converted Schwann cells (dSCs). The dSCs expressed SC-specific proteins, secreted neurotrophic factors, and induced neuronal cells to extend neurites. The dSCs also displayed myelin-forming capability both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, transplantation of the dSCs into the transected sciatic nerve in mice resulted in significantly accelerated regeneration of the nerve and in improved motor function at a level comparable to that with transplantation of the SCs obtained from a peripheral nerve. The dSCs induced by our procedure may be applicable for novel regeneration therapy for not only peripheral nerve injury but also for central nerve damage and for neurodegenerative disorders related to SC dysfunction.
Security of VoIP traffic over low or limited bandwidth networks
Authors: Alouneh Sahel , Abed Sa'ed , Ghinea George
Published: January 2017

The early days of voice over IP (VoIP) adoption were characterized by a lack of concern and awareness about security issues related to its use. Indeed, service providers and users were mostly preoccupied with issues related to its quality, functionality, and cost. Now that VoIP is a mainstream communication technology, security has become a major issue. This paper investigates the major security threats for VoIP communications and proposes a multipath approach solution, especially targeted for low bandwidth networks. Results show that security has an effect on VoIP quality especially for a large distance between communicating nodes and packet size. Results also show that our proposed multipath solution reduces significantly packet losses and performs better than single routing techniques in networks with low bandwidth capacities. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal diagnosis of pericallosal curvilinear lipoma: specific imaging pattern and diagnostic pitfalls
Authors: Atallah A. , Lacalm A. , Massoud M. , Massardier J. , Gaucherand P. , Guibaud L.
Published: January 2017

We report the first series of cases of pericallosal curvilinear lipoma (CL) diagnosed prenatally and highlight the limitations in identifying a specific prenatal imaging pattern using ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In all five of our cases, on ultrasound, the main feature leading to referral was a short corpus callosum. This subtle callosal dysgenesis was associated with a band of hyperechogenicity surrounding the corpus callosum, mimicking the pericallosal sulcus, which increased in size during the third trimester in three of the four cases in which sonographic follow‐up was performed. On T2‐weighted MRI, this band showed typical hypointensity in all cases; in contrast, on T1‐weighted imaging, in only one case was there hyperintensity, suggestive of fat, as seen typically in the postnatal period. For appropriate prenatal counseling regarding outcome, it is important to identify or rule out CL when mild corpus callosal dysgenesis is observed. One should be aware of subtle diagnostic findings, such as a thin band of echogenicity surrounding the corpus callosum that is seen as a band of hypointensity on T2‐weighted fetal MRI, and which may increase in size during gestation. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Rapid phase mapping in heat‐treated powder mixture of alumina and magnesia utilizing cathodoluminescence
Authors: Imashuku Susumu , Ono Koichiro , Wagatsuma Kazuaki
Published: January 2017

Scanning electron microscope–cathodoluminescence (SEM‐CL) analysis was carried out for the rapid phase identification of a single particle with the size of approximately 100 µm consisting of alumina (Al2O3) and spinel (MgAl2O4) phases. We selected this particle as the analyte because Al2O3 and MgAl2O4 are typical inclusions in steel, and their identification is important for steel production. Samples were prepared by pressing a mixture of Al2O3 and magnesia (MgO) powders heated at 1300 °C and copper powder into a pellet. The formation of a MgAl2O4 phase in the powder mixture of Al2O3 and MgO heated at 1300 °C was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis. CL images of samples were obtained using a camera attached to a SEM. We confirmed that Al2O3 and MgAl2O4 phases in a CL image produced blue and green luminescence, respectively, by comparing the CL image with elemental mappings of aluminum and magnesium in the sample obtained using an energy‐dispersive X‐ray detector attached to a SEM. We also observed the shift of a phase boundary between Al2O3 and MgAl2O4 with dozen micrometers scale by obtaining CL images of samples containing a mixture of Al2O3 and MgO powders heated at 1300 °C with different heat‐treatment durations. The time required to obtain a CL image was 1 s. Thus, SEM‐CL analysis will contribute to the rapid phase identification of Al2O3 and MgAl2O4 in a single particle. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First-in-human trial of an anti-5T4 antibody-monomethylauristatin conjugate, PF-06263507, in patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Shapiro Geoffrey I. , Vaishampayan Ulka N. , LoRusso Patricia , Barton Jeremy , Hua Steven , Reich Steven D. , Shazer Ronald , Taylor Carrie T. , Xuan Dawei , Borghaei Hossein
Published: January 2017

Background The antibody-drug conjugate PF-06263507 targets the cell-surface, tumor-associated antigen 5T4 and consists of a humanized IgG1 conjugated to the microtubule-disrupting agent monomethylauristatin-F by a non-cleavable maleimidocaproyl linker. In this first-in-human, dose-finding trial (NCT01891669), we evaluated safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary antitumor activity of PF-06263507 in pretreated patients with advanced solid tumors, unselected for 5T4 expression. starting at 0.05 mg/kg, with 25, 56, and 95% dose increments, depending on observed dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), applying a modified continual reassessment method. Results Twenty-six patients received PF-06263507 at 0.05 to 6.5 mg/kg. The first DLT, grade 3 photophobia, occurred at 4.34 mg/kg and two additional DLTs, grade 2 keratitis and grade 1 limbal stem cell deficiency (> 2-week dosing delay), at 6.5 mg/kg. The most common adverse events (AEs) were fatigue (38.5%), photophobia (26.9%), and decreased appetite, dry eye, nausea, and thrombocytopenia (23.1% each). No treatment-related grade 4–5 AEs were reported. Systemic exposure of PF-06263507 increased in a dose-related manner. At the maximum tolerated dose (MTD, 4.34 mg/kg), mean terminal half-life for PF-06263507 and unconjugated payload were ~6 and 3 days, respectively. Payload serum concentrations were substantially lower compared with PF-06263507. No objective responses were observed. Conclusions The MTD and recommended phase II dose were determined to be 4.34 mg/kg. Ocular toxicities accounted for the DLTs observed, as previously reported with monomethylauristatin-F payloads. Further studies are warranted to investigate clinical activity of this agent in patients with 5T4-expressing tumors.

Trial registration ID: NCT01891669
Pediatric information seeking behaviour, information needs, and information preferences of health care professionals in general emergency departments: Results from the Translating Emergency Knowledge for Kids (TREKK) Needs Assessment
Authors: Scott Shannon D. , Albrecht Lauren , Given Lisa M. , Hartling Lisa , Johnson David W. , Jabbour Mona , Klassen Terry P.
Published: January 2017

The majority of children requiring emergency care are treated in general emergency departments (EDs) with variable levels of pediatric care expertise. The goal of the Translating Emergency Knowledge for Kids (TREKK) initiative is to implement the latest research in pediatric emergency medicine in general EDs to reduce clinical variation.

Objectives

To determine national pediatric information needs, seeking behaviours, and preferences of health care professionals working in general EDs.

Methods

An electronic cross-sectional survey was conducted with health care professionals in 32 Canadian general EDs. Data were collected in the EDs using the iPad and in-person data collectors.

Results

Total of 1,471 surveys were completed (57.1% response rate). Health care professionals sought information on children’s health care by talking to colleagues (n=1,208, 82.1%), visiting specific medical/health websites (n=994, 67.7%), and professional development opportunities (n=941, 64.4%). Preferred child health resources included protocols and accepted treatments for common conditions (n=969, 68%), clinical pathways and practice guidelines (n=951, 66%), and evidence-based information on new diagnoses and treatments (n=866, 61%). Additional pediatric clinical information is needed about multisystem trauma (n=693, 49%), severe head injury (n=615, 43%), and meningitis (n=559, 39%). Health care professionals preferred to receive child health information through professional development opportunities (n=1,131, 80%) and printed summaries (n=885, 63%).

Conclusion

By understanding health care professionals’ information seeking behaviour, information needs, and information preferences, knowledge synthesis and knowledge translation initiatives can be targeted to improve pediatric emergency care. The findings from this study will inform the following two phases of the TREKK initiative to bridge the research-practice gap in Canadian general EDs.
Text messaging research participants as a follow-up strategy to decrease emergency department study attrition
Authors: Varner Catherine , McLeod Shelley , Nahiddi Negine , Borgundvaag Bjug
Published: January 2017

Objective

Collecting patient-reported follow-up data for prospective studies in the emergency department (ED) is challenging in this minimal continuity setting. The objective of this study was to determine whether text messaging study participants involved in an ongoing randomized trial resulted in a lower rate of attrition as compared to conventional telephone follow-up.

Methods

This was a nested cohort analysis of research participants enrolled in a randomized controlled trial assessing head injury discharge instructions. During the first 4 months of study follow-up, participants were contacted by a conventional telephone call. For the final 3 months, participants were contacted by text messaging following the first failed telephone attempt.

Results

A total of 118 patients were enrolled in the study (78 underwent conventional follow-up, and 40 received text messages). During the period of conventional follow-up, 3 participants withdrew from the study. Of the remaining 75 participants, 24 (32.0%) at 2 weeks and 32 (42.7%) at 4 weeks were unable to be contacted. Of the 40 participants receiving a reminder text message, 4 (10.0%) at 2 weeks and 10 (25.0%) at 4 weeks were unable to be contacted. Overall, text messaging study participants decreased attrition by 22% (95% CI: 5.9%, 34.7%) and 17.7% (95% CI: -0.8%, 33.3%) at 2- and 4-week follow-ups, respectively.

Conclusions

In this ED cohort participating in a randomized trial, text message reminders of upcoming telephone follow-up interviews decreased the rate of attrition. Text messaging is a viable, low-cost communication strategy that can improve follow-up participation in prospective research studies.
Successful conservative treatment of an intracranial pneumatocele with post-traumatic hypoglossal nerve palsy secondary to diffuse temporal bone pneumocele: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Taube M A , Potter G M , Lloyd S K , Freeman S R
Published: January 2017

Background:

A pneumocele occurs when an aerated cranial cavity pathologically expands; a pneumatocele occurs when air extends from an aerated cavity into adjacent soft tissues forming a secondary cavity. Both pathologies are extremely rare with relation to the mastoid. This paper describes a case of a mastoid pneumocele that caused hypoglossal nerve palsy and an intracranial pneumatocele.

Case report:

A 46-year-old man presented, following minor head trauma, with hypoglossal nerve palsy secondary to a fracture through the hypoglossal canal. The fracture occurred as a result of a diffuse temporal bone pneumocele involving bone on both sides of the hypoglossal canal. Further slow expansion of the mastoid pneumocele led to a secondary middle fossa pneumatocele. The patient refused treatment and so has been managed conservatively for more than five years, and he remains well.

Conclusion:

While most patients with otogenic pneumatoceles have presented acutely in extremis secondary to tension pneumocephalus, our patient has remained largely asymptomatic. Aetiology, clinical features and management options of temporal bone pneumoceles and otogenic pneumatoceles are reviewed.
Diagnostic utility of brain activity flow patterns analysis in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Biederman J. , Hammerness P. , Sadeh B. , Peremen Z. , Amit A. , Or-ly H. , Stern Y. , Reches A. , Geva A. , Faraone S. V.
Published: January 2017

Background

A previous small study suggested that Brain Network Activation (BNA), a novel ERP-based brain network analysis, may have diagnostic utility in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this study we examined the diagnostic capability of a new advanced version of the BNA methodology on a larger population of adults with and without ADHD.

Method

Subjects were unmedicated right-handed 18- to 55-year-old adults of both sexes with and without a DSM-IV diagnosis of ADHD. We collected EEG while the subjects were performing a response inhibition task (Go/NoGo) and then applied a spatio-temporal Brain Network Activation (BNA) analysis of the EEG data. This analysis produced a display of qualitative measures of brain states (BNA scores) providing information on cortical connectivity. This complex set of scores was then fed into a machine learning algorithm.

Results

The BNA analysis of the EEG data recorded during the Go/NoGo task demonstrated a high discriminative capacity between ADHD patients and controls (AUC = 0.92, specificity = 0.95, sensitivity = 0.86 for the Go condition; AUC = 0.84, specificity = 0.91, sensitivity = 0.76 for the NoGo condition).

Conclusions

BNA methodology can help differentiate between ADHD and healthy controls based on functional brain connectivity. The data support the utility of the tool to augment clinical examinations by objective evaluation of electrophysiological changes associated with ADHD. Results also support a network-based approach to the study of ADHD.
Intervening in the intercultural learning of L2 study abroad students: From research to practice
Authors: Jackson Jane
Published: January 2017

As internationalization efforts intensify, institutions of higher education (HE) across the globe are increasing participation rates in study abroad programs. In this paper I argue that international experience alone is often not enough to propel students to higher levels of second language (L2) proficiency, global-mindedness, and intercultural sensitivity. Challenging the ‘immersion assumption’, contemporary study abroad research findings point to the need for interventions to deepen and extend the language and intercultural learning of student sojourners. To optimize the potential of study abroad, it is imperative that more efforts be made to bridge the research–teaching nexus. To underscore this point, I offer examples of two courses for student sojourners that have been inspired by my own research. While both interventions were developed in an Asian context, the approach and methodology may resonate with educators and students in other regions.
CHANGING HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT PARADIGMS?—ERRATUM
Authors: Husereau Don , Henshall Chris , Sampietro-Colom Laura , Thomas Sarah
Published: January 2017

In Husereau et al., the affiliation for Laura Sampietro-Colom was listed as “Hospital Clinic”. It should have instead been listed as, “Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain”.
The Musical Salon of the Countess of Proença-a-Velha in Lisbon: A Case of Patronage and Activism at the Turn of the Twentieth Century
Authors: Cascudo Teresa
Published: January 2017

This article seeks to shed light on the musical activities sponsored in Lisbon by women of high society, and specifically on the organization of the concerts produced by the Countess of Proença-a-Velha (1864–1944) in Lisbon at the turn of the ninteenth and the twentieth centuries. Between 1899 and 1903, the Countess held nine musical soirées and matinées at her home, and organized the first season of the Sociedade Artística de Concertos de Canto (Artistic Singing Concerts Society), which she founded. She also composed and premiered about 30 vocal works with piano accompaniment. Although both the number of events and her catalogue are small in size, they form an important window on turn-of-the-century Portuguese culture. Her decisions to focus on the repertoire of lyrical music and feature performances mainly by women was in stark contrast to the deeply masculine nature of the musical organizations active in Lisbon during the period. This article also explores the ideological dimension of her activities. An examination of the vocal pieces performed at the countess’ concerts shows that she intentionally explored four interrelated concepts of music: modern music, religious music, early music and Portuguese music. Some of her songs took part in the construction of what she considered to be a Portuguese national music inspired by Portuguese national poetry. The programmes the countess devised presented both a social and political dimension, proposing an elitist model for female socialization based upon the idea of the utility of cultural involvement and vindicating the role of tradition and, in particular, national tradition.
The Foundations of Human Cooperation in Teaching and Imitation
Authors: Laland Kevin N.
Published: January 2017

Humans exhibit extensive large-scale cooperation, of a form unprecedented in the natural world. Here I suggest that this cooperation arises in our species alone because of our uniquely potent capacities for social learning, imitation and teaching, combined with the co-evolutionary feedbacks that these capabilities have generated on the human mind. Culture took human populations down evolutionary pathways not available to non-cultural species, either by creating conditions that promoted established cooperative mechanisms, such as indirect reciprocity and mutualism, or by generating novel cooperative mechanisms not seen in other taxa, such as cultural group selection. In the process, gene-culture co-evolution seemingly generated an evolved psychology, comprising an enhanced ability and motivation to learn, teach, communicate through language, imitate and emulate, as well as predispositions to docility, social tolerance, and the sharing of goals, intentions and attention. This evolved psychology is entirely different from that observed in any other animal, or that could have evolved through conventional selection on genes alone.
A Comparative and Evolutionary Analysis of the Cultural Cognition of Humans and Other Apes
Authors: Whiten Andrew
Published: January 2017

The comparative and evolutionary analysis of social learning and all manner of cultural processes has become a flourishing field. Applying the ‘comparative method’ to such phenomena allows us to exploit the good fortunate we have in being able to study them in satisfying detail in our living primate relatives, using the results to reconstruct the cultural cognition of the ancestral forms we share with these species. Here I offer an overview of principal discoveries in recent years, organized through a developing scheme that targets three main dimensions of culture: the patterning of culturally transmitted traditions in time and space; the underlying social learning processes; and the particular behavioral and psychological contents of cultures. I focus on a comparison between humans, particularly children, and our closest primate relative the chimpanzee, for which we now have much the richest database of relevant observational and experimental findings. Commonalities across these sister-species can be identified in each of the three dimensions listed above and in several subcategories within them, but the comparisons also highlight the major contrasts in the nature of culture that have evolved between ourselves and closest primate relatives.
Using a smartphone-based self-management platform to support medication adherence and clinical consultation in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Lakshminarayana Rashmi , Wang Duolao , Burn David , Chaudhuri K. Ray , Galtrey Clare , Guzman Natalie Valle , Hellman Bruce , Ben James  , Pal Suvankar , Stamford Jon , Steiger Malcolm , Stott R. W. , Teo James , Barker Roger A. , Wang Emma , Bloem Bastiaan R. , van der Eijk Martijn , Rochester Lynn , Williams Adrian
Published: January 2017

The progressive nature of Parkinson’s disease, its complex treatment regimens and the high rates of comorbid conditions make self-management and treatment adherence a challenge. Clinicians have limited face-to-face consultation time with Parkinson’s disease patients, making it difficult to comprehensively address non-adherence. Here we share the results from a multi-centre (seven centres) randomised controlled trial conducted in England and Scotland to assess the impact of using a smartphone-based Parkinson’s tracker app to promote patient self-management, enhance treatment adherence and quality of clinical consultation. Eligible Parkinson’s disease patients were randomised using a 1:1 ratio according to a computer-generated random sequence, stratified by centre and using blocks of variable size, to intervention Parkinson’s Tracker App or control (Treatment as Usual). Primary outcome was the self-reported score of adherence to treatment (Morisky medication adherence scale −8) at 16 weeks. Secondary outcomes were Quality of Life (Parkinson’s disease questionnaire −39), quality of consultation for Parkinson’s disease patients (Patient-centred questionnaire for Parkinson’s disease), impact on non-motor symptoms (Non-motor symptoms questionnaire), depression and anxiety (Hospital anxiety and depression scale) and beliefs about medication (Beliefs about Medication Questionnaire) at 16 weeks. Primary and secondary endpoints were analysed using a generalised linear model with treatment as the fixed effect and baseline measurement as the covariate. 158 patients completed the study (Parkinson’s tracker app = 68 and TAU = 90). At 16 weeks Parkinson’s tracker app significantly improved adherence, compared to treatment as usual (mean difference: 0.39, 95%CI 0.04–0.74; p = 0.0304) with no confounding effects of gender, number of comorbidities and age. Among secondary outcomes, Parkinson’s tracker app significantly improved patients’ perception of quality of consultation (0.15, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.27; p = 0.0110). The change in non-motor symptoms was −0.82 (95% CI −1.75 to 0.10; p = 0.0822). 72% of participants in the Parkinson’s tracker app group continued to use and engage with the application throughout the 16-week trial period. The Parkinson’s tracker app can be an effective and novel way of enhancing self-reported medication adherence and quality of clinical consultation by supporting self-management in Parkinson’s disease in patients owning smartphones. Further work is recommended to determine whether the benefits of the intervention are maintained beyond the 16 week study period.
Neurons generated from carcinoma stem cells support cancer progression
Authors: Lu Ran , Fan Chuanwen , Shangguan Wenqi , Liu Yuan , Li Yu , Shang Yanna , Yin Dongqin , Zhang Shengliang , Huang Qiaorong , Li Xue , Meng Wentong , Xu Hong , Zhou Zongguang , Hu Jiankun , Li Weimin , Liu Lunxu , Mo Xianming
Published: January 2017

Recent evidences show that nervous system acts as a crucial part of cancer microenvironment. Infiltration of nerve fibers into cancer microenvironment has an important active role in cancer progression. The stimulations of both cancer growth and metastasis by members of nervous system such as neurons and glial cells have been demonstrated. However, how the nervous system is built in cancer is largely unknown. Here we show that a fraction of cancer stem cells (CSCs) derived from patients with gastric carcinoma and colorectal carcinoma are capable of producing neurons that are involved in tumor neurogenesis and tumor growth. Cancer stem cell monoclone derived from a single cancer stem cell was able to generate neurons including sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons to take part in the nervous system in cancer tissues. Knocking down the neural cell generating capability of the human CSCs inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors in mouse model. Our data demonstrate that human CSCs are able to produce one of most important components in the cancer microenvironment that are required for cancer development and progression.
Correction: Corrigendum: Premature changes in neuronal excitability account for hippocampal network impairment and autistic-like behavior in neonatal BTBR T+tf/J mice
Authors: Cellot Giada , Maggi Laura , Castro Maria Amalia Di , Catalano Myriam , Migliore Rosanna , Migliore Michele , Scattoni Maria Luisa , Calamandrei Gemma , Cherubini Enrico
Published: January 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 31696; published online: 16 August 2016; updated: 09 January 2017 In this Article, an affiliation has been omitted for Myriam Catalano. The correct affiliations are listed below: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo (INMED), Pozzilli, Italy.
Whole organ and islet of Langerhans dosimetry for calculation of absorbed doses resulting from imaging with radiolabeled exendin
Authors: van der Kroon Inge , Woliner-van der Weg Wietske , Brom Maarten , Joosten Lieke , Frielink Cathelijne , Konijnenberg Mark W. , Visser Eric P. , Gotthardt Martin
Published: January 2017

Radiolabeled exendin is used for non-invasive quantification of beta cells in the islets of Langerhans in vivo. High accumulation of radiolabeled exendin in the islets raised concerns about possible radiation-induced damage to these islets in man. In this work, islet absorbed doses resulting from exendin-imaging were calculated by combining whole organ dosimetry with small scale dosimetry for the islets. Our model contains the tissues with high accumulation of radiolabeled exendin: kidneys, pancreas and islets. As input for the model, data from a clinical study (radiolabeled exendin distribution in the human body) and from a preclinical study with Biobreeding Diabetes Prone (BBDP) rats (islet-to-exocrine uptake ratio, beta cell mass) were used. We simulated 111In-exendin and 68Ga-exendin absorbed doses in patients with differences in gender, islet size, beta cell mass and radiopharmaceutical uptake in the kidneys. In all simulated cases the islet absorbed dose was small, maximum 1.38 mGy for 68Ga and 66.0 mGy for 111In. The two sources mainly contributing to the islet absorbed dose are the kidneys (33–61%) and the islet self-dose (7.5–57%). In conclusion, all islet absorbed doses are low (<70 mGy), so even repeated imaging will hardly increase the risk on diabetes.
Decreased empathy response to other people’s pain in bipolar disorder: evidence from an event-related potential study
Authors: Yang Jingyue , Hu Xinglong , Li Xiaosi , Zhang Lei , Dong Yi , Li Xiang , Zhu Chunyan , Xie Wen , Mu Jingjing , Yuan Su , Chen Jie , Chen Fangfang , Yu Fengqiong , Wang Kai
Published: January 2017

Bipolar disorder (BD) patients often demonstrate poor socialization that may stem from a lower capacity for empathy. We examined the associated neurophysiological abnormalities by comparing event-related potentials (ERP) between 30 BD patients in different states and 23 healthy controls (HCs, matched for age, sex, and education) during a pain empathy task. Subjects were presented pictures depicting pain or neutral images and asked to judge whether the person shown felt pain (pain task) and to identify the affected side (laterality task) during ERP recording. Amplitude of pain-empathy related P3 (450–550 ms) of patients versus HCs was reduced in painful but not neutral conditions in occipital areas [(mean (95% confidence interval), BD vs. HCs: 4.260 (2.927, 5.594) vs. 6.396 (4.868, 7.924)] only in pain task. Similarly, P3 (550–650 ms) was reduced in central areas [4.305 (3.029, 5.581) vs. 6.611 (5.149, 8.073)]. Current source density in anterior cingulate cortex differed between pain-depicting and neutral conditions in HCs but not patients. Manic severity was negatively correlated with P3 difference waves (pain – neutral) in frontal and central areas (Pearson r = −0.497, P = 0.005; r = −0.377, P = 0.040). Electrophysiological correlates of empathy processing are reduced in BD depending on manic symptom severity.
Pseudorabies virus infection inhibits autophagy in permissive cells in vitro
Authors: Sun Mingxia , Hou Linlin , Tang Yan-dong , Liu Yonggang , Wang Shujie , Wang Jingfei , Shen Nan , An Tongqing , Tian Zhijun , Cai Xuehui
Published: January 2017

A large number of studies have demonstrated that autophagy is involved in the infection processes of different pathogens. Autophagy is now recognized as an essential component of innate and adaptive immunity. Several herpesviruses have developed various strategies to evade this antiviral mechanism. Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a swine herpesvirus with a broad host range that causes devastating disease in infected pigs. In this study, we described the interaction between PRV and autophagy for the first time. PRV infection had a dual effect on the cell autophagy response; during the early period of infection, PRV virions induced autophagy without viral replication, and with viral protein expression, PRV reduced the basal level of autophagy in several permissive cells. We observed that inhibit the level of autophagy could increase the titer of infectious PRV. We also found that the conserved alphaherpesvirus US3 tegument protein may reduce the level of autophagy via activation of the AKT/mTOR pathways in PRV infected cells. These findings suggest that autophagy likely contributes to clearance of PRV, and that the virus has evolved strategies to antagonize this pathway.
Relationship between frequency of hypoglycemic episodes and changes in carotid atherosclerosis in insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Mita Tomoya , Katakami Naoto , Shiraiwa Toshihiko , Yoshii Hidenori , Kuribayashi Nobuichi , Osonoi Takeshi , Kaneto Hideaki , Kosugi Keisuke , Umayahara Yutaka , Gosho Masahiko , Shimomura Iichiro , Watada Hirotaka
Published: January 2017

The effect of hypoglycemia on the progression of atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains largely unknown. This is a post hoc analysis of a randomized trial to investigate the relationship between hypoglycemic episodes and changes in carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). Among 274 study subjects, 104 patients experienced hypoglycemic episodes. Increases in the mean IMT and left maximum IMT of the common carotid arteries (CCA) were significantly greater in patients with hypoglycemia compared to those without hypoglycemia. Classification of the patients into three groups according to the frequency of hypoglycemic episodes showed that high frequency of hypoglycemic events was associated with increases in mean IMT-CCA, and left max-IMT-CCA and right max-IMT-CCA. In addition, repetitive episodes of hypoglycemia were associated with a reduction in the beneficial effects of sitagliptin on carotid IMT. Our data suggest that frequency of hypoglycemic episodes was associated with changes in carotid atherosclerosis.
Self-charging of identical grains in the absence of an external field
Authors: Yoshimatsu R. , Araújo N. A. M. , Wurm G. , Herrmann H. J. , Shinbrot T.
Published: January 2017

We investigate the electrostatic charging of an agitated bed of identical grains using simulations, mathematical modeling, and experiments. We simulate charging with a discrete-element model including electrical multipoles and find that infinitesimally small initial charges can grow exponentially rapidly. We propose a mathematical Turing model that defines conditions for exponential charging to occur and provides insights into the mechanisms involved. Finally, we confirm the predicted exponential growth in experiments using vibrated grains under microgravity, and we describe novel predicted spatiotemporal states that merit further study.
Ultra-Wide Band Non-reciprocity through Sequentially-Switched Delay Lines
Authors: Biedka Mathew M. , Zhu Rui , Xu Qiang Mark , Wang Yuanxun Ethan
Published: January 2017

Achieving non-reciprocity through unconventional methods without the use of magnetic material has recently become a subject of great interest. Towards this goal a time switching strategy known as the Sequentially-Switched Delay Line (SSDL) is proposed. The essential SSDL configuration consists of six transmission lines of equal length, along with five switches. Each switch is turned on and off sequentially to distribute and route the propagating electromagnetic wave, allowing for simultaneous transmission and receiving of signals through the device. Preliminary experimental results with commercial off the shelf parts are presented which demonstrated non-reciprocal behavior with greater than 40 dB isolation from 200 KHz to 200 MHz. The theory and experimental results demonstrated that the SSDL concept may lead to future on-chip circulators over multi-octaves of frequency.
Genome-wide association study identifies COL2A1 locus involved in the hand development failure of Kashin-Beck disease
Authors: Hao Jingcan , Wang Wenyu , Wen Yan , Xiao Xiao , He Awen , Wu Cuiyan , Wang Sen , Guo Xiong , Zhang Feng
Published: January 2017

Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) is a chronic osteochondropathy. The pathogenesis of growth and development failure of hand of KBD remains elusive now. In this study, we conducted a two-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) of palmar length-width ratio (LWR) of KBD, totally including 493 study subjects. Affymetrix Genome Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 was applied for genome-wide SNP genotyping of 90 KBD patients. Association analysis was conducted by PLINK. Imputation analysis was performed by IMPUTE against the reference panel of the 1000 genome project. Two SNPs were selected for replication in an independent validation sample of 403 KBD patients. In the discovery GWAS, significant association was observed between palmar LWR and rs2071358 of COL2A1 gene (P value = 4.68 × 10−8). In addition, GWAS detected suggestive association signal at rs4760608 of COL2A1 gene (P value = 1.76 × 10−4). Imputation analysis of COL2A1 further identified 2 SNPs with association evidence for palmar LWR. Replication study observed significant association signals at both rs2071358 (P value = 0.017) and rs4760608 (P value = 0.002) of COL2A1 gene. Based on previous and our study results, we suggest that COL2A1 was a likely susceptibility gene involved in the hand development failure of KBD.
Two-Step Amyloid Aggregation: Sequential Lag Phase Intermediates
Authors: Castello Fabio , Paredes Jose M. , Ruedas-Rama Maria J. , Martin Miguel , Roldan Mar , Casares Salvador , Orte Angel
Published: January 2017

The self-assembly of proteins into fibrillar structures called amyloid fibrils underlies the onset and symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. However, the molecular basis and mechanism of amyloid aggregation are not completely understood. For many amyloidogenic proteins, certain oligomeric intermediates that form in the early aggregation phase appear to be the principal cause of cellular toxicity. Recent computational studies have suggested the importance of nonspecific interactions for the initiation of the oligomerization process prior to the structural conversion steps and template seeding, particularly at low protein concentrations. Here, using advanced single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging of a model SH3 domain, we obtained direct evidence that nonspecific aggregates are required in a two-step nucleation mechanism of amyloid aggregation. We identified three different oligomeric types according to their sizes and compactness and performed a full mechanistic study that revealed a mandatory rate-limiting conformational conversion step. We also identified the most cytotoxic species, which may be possible targets for inhibiting and preventing amyloid aggregation.
Physiological Remediation of Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles by Ferritin
Authors: Volatron Jeanne , Kolosnjaj-Tabi Jelena , Javed Yasir , Vuong Quoc Lam , Gossuin Yves , Neveu Sophie , Luciani Nathalie , Hémadi Miryana , Carn Florent , Alloyeau Damien , Gazeau Florence
Published: January 2017

Metallic nanoparticles have been increasingly suggested as prospective therapeutic nanoplatforms, yet their long-term fate and cellular processing in the body is poorly understood. Here we examined the role of an endogenous iron storage protein – namely the ferritin – in the remediation of biodegradable cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles. Structural and elemental analysis of ferritins close to exogenous nanoparticles within spleens and livers of mice injected in vivo with cobalt ferrite nanoparticles, suggests the intracellular transfer of degradation-derived cobalt and iron, entrapped within endogenous protein cages. In addition, the capacity of ferritin cages to accommodate and store the degradation products of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles was investigated in vitro in the acidic environment mimicking the physiological conditions that are present within the lysosomes. The magnetic, colloidal and structural follow-up of nanoparticles and proteins in the lysosome-like medium confirmed the efficient remediation of nanoparticle-released cobalt and iron ions by ferritins in solution. Metal transfer into ferritins could represent a quintessential process in which biomolecules and homeostasis regulate the local degradation of nanoparticles and recycle their by-products.
Spatio-temporal patterns of proportions of influenza B cases
Authors: He Daihai , Chiu Alice P. Y. , Lin Qianying , Yu Duo
Published: January 2017

We studied the spatio-temporal patterns of the proportions of influenza B cases out of all typed cases, with data from 139 countries and regions downloaded from the FluNet compiled by the World Health Organization, from January 2006 to October 2015. We restricted our analysis to 34 countries that reported more than 2,000 confirmations for each of types A and B over the study period. Globally, we found that Pearson’s correlation is greater than 0.6 between effective distance from Mexico and the proportions of influenza B cases among the countries during the post-pandemic era (i.e. Week 1, 2010 to Week 40, 2015). Locally, in the United States, the proportions of influenza B cases in the pre-pandemic period (2003–2008) negatively correlated with that in the post-pandemic era (2010–2015) at the regional level. Our study limitations are the country-level variations in both surveillance methods and testing policies. The proportions of influenza B cases displayed wide variations over the study period. Our findings suggest that the 2009 influenza pandemic has an evident impact on the relative burden of the two influenza types. Future studies should examine whether there are other additional factors. This study has potential implications in prioritizing public health control measures.
Smartphone-based low light detection for bioluminescence application
Authors: Kim Huisung , Jung Youngkee , Doh Iyll-Joon , Lozano-Mahecha Roxana Andrea , Applegate Bruce , Bae Euiwon
Published: January 2017

We report a smartphone-based device and associated imaging-processing algorithm to maximize the sensitivity of standard smartphone cameras, that can detect the presence of single-digit pW of radiant flux intensity. The proposed hardware and software, called bioluminescent-based analyte quantitation by smartphone (BAQS), provides an opportunity for onsite analysis and quantitation of luminescent signals from biological and non-biological sensing elements which emit photons in response to an analyte. A simple cradle that houses the smartphone, sample tube, and collection lens supports the measuring platform, while noise reduction by ensemble averaging simultaneously lowers the background and enhances the signal from emitted photons. Five different types of smartphones, both Android and iOS devices, were tested, and the top two candidates were used to evaluate luminescence from the bioluminescent reporter Pseudomonas fluorescens M3A. The best results were achieved by OnePlus One (android), which was able to detect luminescence from ~106 CFU/mL of the bio-reporter, which corresponds to ~107 photons/s with 180 seconds of integration time.
Photochemistry in a soft-glass single-ring hollow-core photonic crystal fibre
Authors: Cubillas Ana M. , Jiang Xin , Euser Tijmen G. , Taccardi Nicola , Etzold Bastian J. M. , Wasserscheid Peter , Russell Philip St. J.
Published: January 2017

A single-ring hollow-core photonic crystal fibre (HC-PCF), guided by anti-resonant reflection, is investigated as a highly efficient and versatile microreactor for liquid-phase photochemistry and catalysis.
Electrothermal metallic furnace atomic absorption spectrometry
Authors: Morzan E. , Carrone G. , Tudino M. , Etchenique R.
Published: January 2017

EMFAAS: a Joule-effect atomization strategy for atomic absorption which does not require protective gases.
Direct N–H/α,α,β,β-C(sp3)–H functionalization of piperidineviaan azomethine ylide route: synthesis of spirooxindoles bearing 3-substituted oxindoles
Authors: Du Yanlong , Yu Aimin , Jia Jiru , Zhang Youquan , Meng Xiangtai
Published: January 2017

A protocol for the direct functionalization of N–H/α,α,β,β-C(sp3)–H of piperidine without any metal or external oxidants is reported.
Regioselective magnesiation of N-heterocyclic molecules: securing insecure cyclic anions by a β-diketiminate-magnesium clamp
Authors: Davin Laia , McLellan Ross , Hernán-Gómez Alberto , Clegg William , Kennedy Alan R. , Mertens Maria , Stepek Iain A. , Hevia Eva
Published: January 2017

Surpassing traditional organolithium bases, regioselective magnesiation of N-heterocyclic molecules is accomplished using a Mg base with a β-diketiminate steric stabilizer.
Symmetry breaking above room temperature in an Fe(ii) spin crossover complex with an N4O2 donor set
Authors: Phonsri Wasinee , Davies Casey G. , Jameson Guy N. L. , Moubaraki Boujemaa , Ward Jas S. , Kruger Paul E. , Chastanet Guillaume , Murray Keith S.
Published: January 2017

An halogen-substituted salicylaldimine iron(ii) complex shows an abrupt two-step spin transition above room temperature, variable temperature crystallography showing symmetry breaking.
Interactions of methanol, ethanol, and 1-propanol with polar and nonpolar species in water at cryogenic temperatures
Authors: Souda Ryutaro
Published: January 2017

Nonpolar additives in amorphous solid water are dehydrated during crystallization, but methanol can accelerate their capture into the crystalline ice.
Nonadiabatic photodynamics and UV absorption spectrum of all-trans-octatetraene
Authors: Lyskov Igor , Köppel Horst , Marian Christel M.
Published: January 2017

The short-time molecular quantum dynamics of all-trans-octatetraene after electronic excitation to the first bright valence state is theoretically investigated.
Coarse-grained molecular dynamics study on the self-assembly of Gemini surfactants: the effect of spacer length
Authors: Wang Pan , Pei Shuai , Wang Muhan , Yan Youguo , Sun Xiaoli , Zhang Jun
Published: January 2017

This work provides a molecular-level understanding of the underlying mechanism of the self-assembly of Gemini surfactants.
Remarkable influence of ‘phane effect’ on the excited-state properties of cofacially oriented coumarins
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Arindam , Maka Vijay Kumar , Moorthy Jarugu Narasimha
Published: January 2017

The phane effect in cofacially oriented coumarins dramatically modifies the excited-state properties relative to those of the parent coumarin and a model monomeric analog.
Nonadiabatic Renner–Teller quantum dynamics of OH(X2Π) + H+ reactive collisions
Authors: Gamallo Pablo , Akpinar Sinan , Defazio Paolo , Petrongolo Carlo
Published: January 2017

Following previous studies on the O(3P) + H2+(X2Σg+) collisions, we present the nonadiabatic quantum dynamics of the reactions OH(X2Π) + H′+ → OH′(X2Π) + H+, exchange (e), → OH+(X3Σ−) + H′(2S), quenching (q), and → OH′+(X3Σ−) + H(2S), exchange-quenching (eq).
Engineering the electronic and optoelectronic properties of InX (X = S, Se, Te) monolayers via strain
Authors: Jin Hao , Li Jianwei , Dai Ying , Wei Yadong
Published: January 2017

In this paper, we present a comprehensive study on the electronic and optoelectronic properties of indium monochalcogenide (InX with X = S, Se, Te) monolayers with and without strains.
Effects of the Hofmeister series of sodium salts on the solvent properties of water
Authors: Ferreira L. A. , Uversky V. N. , Zaslavsky B. Y.
Published: January 2017

Distances between the signatures of salt effects on water solvent features depend on static polarizability of the anion and water structural entropy.
Tridentate Lewis-acids based on triphenylsilane
Authors: Tomaschautzky Janek , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans-Georg , Mix Andreas , Mitzel Norbert W.
Published: January 2017

Triphenylsilanes are versatile propeller-shaped building blocks and have been used for the syntheses of several novel poly-Lewis-acids. The first solid-state structure of a bisma-silatriptycene as well as investigations in host–guest chemistry of a triple alane with a threefold amine are reported.
Insights from molecular dynamics simulations for computational protein design
Authors: Childers Matthew Carter , Daggett Valerie
Published: January 2017

A grand challenge in the field of structural biology is to design and engineer proteins that exhibit targeted functions.
Synthesis and optical and electrochemical properties of water-soluble cationic fluorophores based on bispyridinium and dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide
Authors: Chen Guiting , He Ruifeng , Yang Wei , Zhang Bin
Published: January 2017

Two water-soluble cationic fluorophores (FSOPyCl and FSOmiCl) based on bispyridinium and dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide show deep blue emission, and exhibit high photoluminescence quantum yields of 69% and 50% in water, respectively.
Synthesis and charge transport properties of new methanofullerenes
Authors: Naqvi Samya , Gupta Neha , Kumari Neelam , Garg Jyoti , Kumar Rachana
Published: January 2017

New methanofullerene derivatives were synthesizedviaa cost effective and eco-friendly AACA approach to achieve better mobility thanPC61BM.
Bioorganopromoted green Friedländer synthesis: a versatile new malic acid promoted solvent free approach to multisubstituted quinolines
Authors: Tufail Fatima , Saquib Mohammad , Singh Swastika , Tiwari Jyoti , Singh Mandavi , Singh Jaya , Singh Jagdamba
Published: January 2017

An efficient new strategy for the green synthesis of a variety of polysubstituted quinolines, using the Friedländer approach is reported, employing malic acid as a catalyst in organic synthesis for the first time.
pH-Tunable mechanical hydrogels prepared via transforming non C–C covalent synergistic interactions
Authors: Zhang Ying , Gao Zijian , Yu Zhe , Ren Xiuyan , Duan Lijie , Gao Guang Hui
Published: January 2017

Hydrogels with pH-tunable mechanical properties were prepared via transforming the synergistic interactions of hydrogen bonding, metal coordination and hydrophobic effects.