bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectroscopic analysis of high electric field enhanced ionization in laser filaments in air for corona guiding
Authors: Wei Yingxia , Liu Yaoxiang , Wang Tie-Jun , Chen Na , Ju Jingjing , Liu Yonghong , Sun Haiyi , Wang Cheng , Liu Jiansheng , Lu Haihe , Chin See Leang , Li Ruxin
Published: March 2016

We report on a systematic experimental study on the fluorescence spectra produced from a femtosecond laser filament in air under a high electric field. The electric field alone was strong enough to create corona discharge (CD). Fluorescence spectra from neutral and ionic air molecules were measured and compared with pure high-voltage CD and pure laser filamentation (FIL). Among them, high electric field assisted laser FIL produced nitrogen fluorescence more efficiently than either pure CD or pure FIL processes. The nonlinear enhancement of fluorescence from the interaction of the laser filament and corona discharging electric field resulted in a more efficient ionization along the laser filament zone, which was confirmed by the spectroscopic measurement of both ionization-induced fluorescence and plasma-scattered 800 nm laser pulses. This is believed to be the key precursor process for filament-guided discharge.
Subglacial processes on an Antarctic ice stream bed. 2: Can modelled ice dynamics explain the morphology of mega-scale glacial lineations?
Authors: JAMIESON STEWART S.R. , STOKES CHRIS R. , LIVINGSTONE STEPHEN J. , VIELI ANDREAS , Ó COFAIGH COLM , HILLENBRAND CLAUS-DIETER , SPAGNOLO MATTEO
Published: March 2016

Mega-scale glacial lineations (MSGLs) are highly elongate subglacial bedforms associated with ice streaming. However, the link between MSGLs and rapid ice flow is largely qualitative, and there have been few attempts to quantitatively link their formation to ice flow characteristics (e.g. ice velocity, thickness, basal shear stress). We take measurements of MSGLs from a palaeo-ice stream that once occupied Marguerite Trough, Antarctic Peninsula and explore a range of possible correlations with ice dynamics generated from an ensemble of numerical modelling experiments that reproduce the deglaciation of the ice stream. Our results confirm that high mean ice velocities and a weak bed correlate with longer MSGLs. Furthermore, the height of MSGLs are low (2–3 m) where modelled basal shear stress is low, but their height tends to be higher and more variable where basal shear stress is larger. The mean density of MSGLs decreases as ice flux increases. Our analysis further suggests that the length of MSGLs is a function of basal ice velocity and time. Although our data/model correlations confirm the importance of ice velocity in MSGL formation, a significant challenge remains if we are to employ MSGLs as a quantifiable measure of past ice stream velocity.
‘Smashed by the National Health’? A Closer Look at the Demise of the Pioneer Health Centre, Peckham
Authors: Conford Philip
Published: March 2016

The Pioneer Health Centre, based in South London before and after the Second World War, remains a source of interest for advocates of a positive approach to health promotion in contrast with the treatment of those already ill. Its closure in 1950 for lack of funds has been blamed on the then recently established National Health Service, but this article argues that such an explanation is over-simplified and ignores a number of other factors. The Centre had struggled financially during the 1930s and tried to gain support from the Medical Research Council. The Council appeared interested in the Centre before the war, but was less sympathetic in the 1940s. Around the time of its closure and afterwards, the Centre was also involved in negotiations with London County Council; these failed because the Centre’s directors would not accept the changes which the Council would have needed to make. Unpublished documents reveal that the Centre’s directors were uncompromising and that their approach to the situation antagonised their colleagues. Changes in medical science also worked against the Centre. The success of sulphonamide drugs appeared to render preventive medicine less significant, while the development of statistical techniques cast doubt on the Centre’s experimental methods. The Centre was at the heart of the nascent organic farming movement, which opposed the rapid growth of chemical cultivation. But what might be termed ‘chemical triumphalism’ was on the march in both medicine and agriculture, and the Centre was out of tune with the mood of the times.
STUMBLING TOWARDS THE CONSTITUTION
Authors: Adams Thomas
Published: March 2016

ONE way in which governments may exercise political control over their subjects is by removing their status as citizens. Doing so – denying the individual the political and social rights that are constitutive of full membership of their community – involves making a radical choice, and accordingly such a decision must be properly regulated. One of the ways in which UK law does so is by preventing the exercise of the broad statutory power to rescind the citizenship of a UK national because it is “conducive to the public good”, where doing so would render that person stateless (British Nationality Act 1981, s. 40(2), (4)). Individuals may only be stripped of their citizenship under this provision on the condition that they remain full members of another political community.
THE PENALTY CLAUSE DOCTRINE: UNLOVABLE BUT UNTOUCHABLE
Authors: Morgan Jonathan
Published: March 2016

BARRY Beavis fought the law of contract and the law won. To the disappointment of motorists nationwide, he failed to show that an £85 shopping centre parking fine was an unenforceable penalty at common law (or under the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999). Ironically, he lends his name notwithstanding to a leading case which confirmed the existence of the penalty doctrine (a joined commercial challenge also failed on the facts): ParkingEye Ltd. v Beavis; Cavendish Square Holding v El Makdessi [2015] UKSC 67; [2015] 3 W.L.R. 1373.
Tuza's Conjecture is Asymptotically Tight for Dense Graphs
Authors: BARON JACOB D. , KAHN JEFF
Published: March 2016

An old conjecture of Z. Tuza says that for any graphG, the ratio of the minimum size, τ3(G), of a set of edges meeting all triangles to the maximum size, ν3(G), of an edge-disjoint triangle packing is at most 2. Here, disproving a conjecture of R. Yuster, we show that for any fixed, positive α there are arbitrarily large graphsGof positive density satisfying τ3(G) > (1 −o(1))|G|/2 and ν3(G) < (1 + α)|G|/4.
Identification of sub-groups in acutely ill elderly patients with delirium: a cluster analysis
Authors: Lagarto Luísa , Cerejeira Joaquim
Published: March 2016

Background:

Delirium is a serious neuropsychiatric syndrome affecting mainly elderly participants with acute medical diseases. The pathophysiology of delirium remains poorly understood as it involves complex dynamic interactions between a diversity of risk factors. Exploring how etiological factors interact with each other can clarify the pathophysiological mechanisms and facilitate the early identification of this syndrome. The aim of this study was to explore how different risk factors co-occur in medically ill elderly patients with delirium with cluster analysis and identify clinically meaningful sub-groups in this population.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was developed. Ninety-nine elderly inpatients admitted to acute medical wards diagnosed with delirium during hospitalization were selected. For each patient sociodemographic characteristics, acute and chronic medical conditions, laboratory parameters, and current medication were collected.

Results:

The cluster analysis extracted three distinct subgroups of participants with delirium. Patients in cluster 1 (n = 28) had higher rates of medication with anticholinergic proprieties. Cluster 2 (n = 29) included participants with cardiac and pulmonary comorbidities associated with both chronic and acute reduction of blood flow and/or oxygenation to the brain. Cluster 3 (n = 42 patients) comprised patients with simultaneous deregulation of different organs/systems, such as electrolytic disturbances, metabolic disturbances, and acute renal failure. Known predisposing factors of delirium, such as age and pre-existing dementia, were similar between groups.

Conclusions:

The results reveal different patterns of clinical characteristics in elderly patients with delirium. This is relevant to clinical care of acute medically ill patients and suggests that different pathways are implicated in delirium pathophysiology.
Eating breakfast together as a family: mealtime experiences and associations with dietary intake among adolescents in rural Minnesota, USA
Authors: Larson Nicole , Wang Qi , Berge Jerica M , Shanafelt Amy , Nanney Marilyn S
Published: March 2016

Objective

Although existing evidence links breakfast frequency to better dietary quality, little is known specifically in regard to the benefits associated with eating breakfast together with one’s family. The present study describes the prevalence and experience of having family meals at breakfast among rural families and examines associations between meal frequency and adolescent diet quality.

Design

Data were drawn from Project BreakFAST, a group-randomized trial aimed at increasing school breakfast participation in rural Minnesota high schools, USA. Linear mixed models were used to examine associations between student reports of family breakfast frequency and Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010) scores while accounting for clustering within schools, demographics and household food security.

Setting

Adolescent students from sixteen schools completed online surveys, height and weight measurements, and dietary recalls at baseline in 2012–2014.

Subjects

The sample included 827 adolescents (55·1 % girls) in grades 9–10 who reported eating breakfast on at most three days per school week.

Results

On average, adolescents reported eating breakfast with their family 1·3 (sd1·9) times in the past week. Family breakfast meals occurred most frequently in the homes of adolescents who reported a race other than white (P=0·002) or Hispanic ethnicity (P=0·02). Family breakfast frequency was directly associated with adolescent involvement in preparing breakfast meals (P<0·001) and positive attitudes (P≤0·01) about mealtime importance, interactions and structure. Family breakfast frequency was unrelated to most diet quality markers.

Conclusions

Family meals may be one important context of opportunity for promoting healthy food patterns at breakfast. Additional research is needed to better inform and evaluate strategies.
FUNCTORIAL ASPECTS OF THE RECONSTRUCTION OF LIE GROUPOIDS FROM THEIR BISECTIONS
Authors: SCHMEDING ALEXANDER , WOCKEL CHRISTOPH
Published: March 2016

To a Lie groupoid over a compact base$M$, the associated group of bisection is an (infinite-dimensional) Lie group. Moreover, under certain circumstances one can reconstruct the Lie groupoid from its Lie group of bisections. In the present article we consider functorial aspects of these construction principles. The first observation is that this procedure is functorial (for morphisms fixing$M$). Moreover, it gives rise to an adjunction between the category of Lie groupoids over$M$and the category of Lie groups acting on$M$. In the last section we then show how to promote this adjunction to almost an equivalence of categories.
Making an English Voice: Performing National Identity during the English Musical Renaissance
Authors: OWEN CERI
Published: March 2016

This article examines constructions of national musical identity in early twentieth-century Britain by exploring and contextualizing hitherto neglected discourses and practices concerning the production of an ‘English’ singing voice. Tracing the origins and development of ideas surrounding native vocal performance and pedagogy, I reconstruct a culture of English singing as a backdrop against which to offer, by way of conclusion, a reading of the ‘English voice’ performed in Ralph Vaughan Williams's song ‘Silent Noon’. By drawing upon perspectives derived from recent studies of song, vocal production, and national and aesthetic identity, I demonstrate that ‘song’ became a place in which the literal and figurative voices of performers and composers were drawn together in the making of a national music. As such, I advance a series of new historical perspectives through which to rethink notions of an English musical renaissance.
Scarlett Johansson's Body and the Materialization of Voice
Authors: TUNBRIDGE LAURA
Published: March 2016

This article considers three science fiction films, released in 2013–14, featuring Scarlett Johansson:Her(dir. Spike Jonze),Lucy(dir. Luc Besson), andUnder the Skin(dir. Jonathan Glazer). It suggests that to engage with the phenomenon of voice in imaginative and productive ways it is necessary to slide over a disciplinary divide and address more explicitly the musicality of speech. In my main example,Her, Johansson provides the voice of an operating system with which the film's protagonist falls in love. Central to their intimate connection is the establishment of what I call the ‘haptic voice’, which conveys a sense of physical proximity. A similar blurring of the boundaries between voice and body occur in the presentation of the alien characters Johansson plays in the other films.
The impact of racial pattern on the genetic improvement of Morada Nova sheep
Authors: Shiotsuki L. , Silva P.H.T. , Silva K.M. , Landim A.V. , Morais O.R. , Facó O.
Published: March 2016

The objective of the present study was to describe the frequency of the main racial traits of Morada Nova sheep and simulate the impact of this culling on the response to selection for birth weight. The data from sex, coat colour, hoof pigmentation, muzzle pigmentation, polled and cryptorchidism were collected individually at weaning from 385 Morada Nova sheep of the red variety, born between 2010 and 2012, which belonged to four different flocks in the state of Ceará, Brazil. To estimate the impact of culling of animals due to racial pattern on the genetic improvement of the Morada Nova population, the genetic gains in birth weight per generation were calculated considering the following different scenarios of culling due to racial pattern in a simulated population. The present results indicate that the most urgent step is flexibilization of the requirement of dark muzzles and hooves. The selection of Morada Nova sheep based on racial pattern has caused losses in the genetic gain for productive traits such as birth weight. Readaptation of the official racial pattern established for Morada Nova sheep is necessary so that the racial pattern is achieved and an adequate number of animals will be available for selection.
Regionale Demenznetzwerke in Deutschland
Authors: Gräske Johannes , Meyer Saskia , Schmidt Annika , Schmidt Sylvia , Laporte Uribe Franziska , Thyrian Jochen René , Schäfer-Walkmann Susanne , Wolf-Ostermann Karin
Published: March 2016

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Regionale Demenznetzwerke (DNW) nehmen in der ambulanten Versorgung von Menschen mit Demenz (MmD) eine zunehmend wichtigere Stellung ein. Allerdings ist bislang unklar, wie die Lebensqualität von MmD in einem solchen Versorgungsmodell ist. Ziel ist es, die Lebensqualität von Nutzer/innen von DNW – auch hinsichtlich regionaler Unterschiede – zu untersuchen. Methodik: Im Rahmen der DemNet-D-Studie wurden MmD und deren Bezugsperson hinsichtlich typischer Versorgungsparameter (Lebensqualität: QoL-AD, Depression: GDS, herausfordernde Verhaltensweisen: CMAI, Alltagsfähigkeiten: IADL, Belastung der Bezugsperson: BIZA-D) befragt. Weiterhin wurden im Rahmen von Mixed-Model-Analysen auch regionale Unterschiede analysiert. Ergebnisse: Es liegen Daten für 560 MmD (79,7 Jahre; 57,0 % weiblich) sowie deren Bezugspersonen vor. Sowohl in der Selbst- als auch in der Fremdeinschätzung liegt die Lebensqualität auf moderatem Niveau. Die Analysen zeigen suffiziente Erklärungen der Lebensqualität (selbst: p < 0,001, R2 = 0,493; fremd: p < 0,001, R2 = 0,406). Höhere Lebensqualität liegt vor, wenn MmD und die Bezugsperson in einer Wohnung leben sowie bei besseren Alltagsfähigkeiten der MmD. Regionale (städtisch vs. ländlich) Unterschiede konnten nicht festgestellt werden. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Lebensqualität von MmD in der ambulanten Versorgung liegt auf vergleichbarem Niveau wie in anderen Studien zur häuslichen Versorgung. Weitere Untersuchungen dieser neuen Versorgungsstruktur, vor allem hinsichtlich unterschiedlicher Netzwerktypen, sind erforderlich.
Deficits in Selective Attention Alter Gait in Frail Older Adults
Authors: Cornu Véronique , Steinmetz Jean-Paul , Federspiel Carine
Published: March 2016

Abstract. A growing body of research demonstrates an association between gait disorders, falls, and attentional capacities in older adults. The present work empirically analyzes differences in gait parameters in frail institutionalized older adults as a function of selective attention. Gait analysis under single- and dual-task conditions as well as selective attention measures were collected from a total of 33 nursing-home residents. We found that differences in selective attention performances were related to the investigated gait parameters. Poorer selective attention performances were associated with higher stride-to-stride variabilities and a slowing of gait speed under dual-task conditions. The present findings suggest a contribution of selective attention to a safe gait. Implications for gait rehabilitation programs are discussed.
IL-1 receptor antagonist ameliorates inflammasome-dependent inflammation in murine and human cystic fibrosis
Authors: Iannitti Rossana G. , Napolioni Valerio , Oikonomou Vasilis , De Luca Antonella , Galosi Claudia , Pariano Marilena , Massi-Benedetti Cristina , Borghi Monica , Puccetti Matteo , Lucidi Vincenzina , Colombo Carla , Fiscarelli Ersilia , Lass-Flörl Cornelia , Majo Fabio , Cariani Lisa , Russo Maria , Porcaro Luigi , Ricciotti Gabriella , Ellemunter Helmut , Ratclif Luigi , De Benedictis Fernando Maria , Talesa Vincenzo Nicola , Dinarello Charles A. , van de Veerdonk Frank L. , Romani Luigina
Published: March 2016

Dysregulated inflammasome activation contributes to respiratory infections and pathologic airway inflammation. Through basic and translational approaches involving murine models and human genetic epidemiology, we show here the importance of the different inflammasomes in regulating inflammatory responses in mice and humans with cystic fibrosis (CF), a life-threatening disorder of the lungs and digestive system. While both contributing to pathogen clearance, NLRP3 more than NLRC4 contributes to deleterious inflammatory responses in CF and correlates with defective NLRC4-dependent IL-1Ra production. Disease susceptibility in mice and microbial colonization in humans occurrs in conditions of genetic deficiency of NLRC4 or IL-1Ra and can be rescued by administration of the recombinant IL-1Ra, anakinra. These results indicate that pathogenic NLRP3 activity in CF could be negatively regulated by IL-1Ra and provide a proof-of-concept evidence that inflammasomes are potential targets to limit the pathological consequences of microbial colonization in CF.
Stabilin-2 modulates the efficiency of myoblast fusion during myogenic differentiation and muscle regeneration
Authors: Park Seung-Yoon , Yun Youngeun , Lim Jung-Suk , Kim Mi-Jin , Kim Sang-Yeob , Kim Jung-Eun , Kim In-San
Published: March 2016

Myoblast fusion is essential for the formation of skeletal muscle myofibres. Studies have shown that phosphatidylserine is necessary for myoblast fusion, but the underlying mechanism is not known. Here we show that the phosphatidylserine receptor stabilin-2 acts as a membrane protein for myoblast fusion during myogenic differentiation and muscle regeneration. Stabilin-2 expression is induced during myogenic differentiation, and is regulated by calcineurin/NFAT signalling in myoblasts. Forced expression of stabilin-2 in myoblasts is associated with increased myotube formation, whereas deficiency of stabilin-2 results in the formation of small, thin myotubes. Stab2-deficient mice have myofibres with small cross-sectional area and few myonuclei and impaired muscle regeneration after injury. Importantly, myoblasts lacking stabilin-2 have reduced phosphatidylserine-dependent fusion. Collectively, our results show that stabilin-2 contributes to phosphatidylserine-dependent myoblast fusion and provide new insights into the molecular mechanism by which phosphatidylserine mediates myoblast fusion during muscle growth and regeneration.
Promotion of mitochondrial biogenesis by necdin protects neurons against mitochondrial insults
Authors: Hasegawa Koichi , Yasuda Toru , Shiraishi Chinatsu , Fujiwara Kazushiro , Przedborski Serge , Mochizuki Hideki , Yoshikawa Kazuaki
Published: March 2016

Neurons rely heavily on mitochondria for their function and survival. Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. PGC-1α is a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and function. Here we identify necdin as a potent PGC-1α stabilizer that promotes mitochondrial biogenesis via PGC-1α in mammalian neurons. Expression of genes encoding mitochondria-specific proteins decreases significantly in necdin-null cortical neurons, where mitochondrial function and expression of the PGC-1α protein are reduced. Necdin strongly stabilizes PGC-1α by inhibiting its ubiquitin-dependent degradation. Forced expression of necdin enhances mitochondrial function in primary cortical neurons and human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells to prevent mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitor-induced degeneration. Moreover, overexpression of necdin in the substantia nigra in vivo of adult mice protects dopaminergic neurons against degeneration in experimental Parkinson’s disease. These data reveal that necdin promotes mitochondrial biogenesis through stabilization of endogenous PGC-1α to exert neuroprotection against mitochondrial insults.
Stability and function of adult vasculature is sustained by Akt/Jagged1 signalling axis in endothelium
Authors: Kerr Bethany A. , West Xiaoxia Z. , Kim Young-Woong , Zhao Yongzhong , Tischenko Miroslava , Cull Rebecca M. , Phares Timothy W. , Peng Xiao-Ding , Bernier-Latmani Jeremiah , Petrova Tatiana V. , Adams Ralf H. , Hay Nissim , Naga Prasad Sathyamangla V. , Byzova Tatiana V.
Published: March 2016

The signalling pathways operational in quiescent, post-development vasculature remain enigmatic. Here we show that unlike neovascularization, endothelial Akt signalling in established vasculature is crucial not for endothelial cell (EC) survival, but for sustained interactions with pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) regulating vascular stability and function. Inducible endothelial-specific Akt1 deletion in adult global Akt2KO mice triggers progressive VSMC apoptosis. In hearts, this causes a loss of arteries and arterioles and, despite a high capillary density, diminished vascular patency and severe cardiac dysfunction. Similarly, endothelial Akt deletion induces retinal VSMC loss and basement membrane deterioration resulting in vascular regression and retinal atrophy. Mechanistically, the Akt/mTOR axis controls endothelial Jagged1 expression and, thereby, Notch signalling regulating VSMC maintenance. Jagged1 peptide treatment of Akt1ΔEC;Akt2KO mice and Jagged1 re-expression in Akt-deficient endothelium restores VSMC coverage. Thus, sustained endothelial Akt1/2 signalling is critical in maintaining vascular stability and homeostasis, thereby preserving tissue and organ function.
Erratum: Multimodal stimulus coding by a gustatory sensory neuron in Drosophila larvae
Authors: van Giesen Lena , Hernandez-Nunez Luis , Delasoie-Baranek Sophie , Colombo Martino , Renaud Philippe , Bruggmann Rémy , Benton Richard , Samuel Aravinthan D. T. , Sprecher Simon G.
Published: March 2016

Nature Communications 7: Article number: 10687 (2016); Published: 11 February 2016; Updated: 14 March 2016. The affiliation details for Martino Colombo, Rémy Bruggmann and Richard Benton are incorrect in this article. The correct affiliations for these authors are listed below. Martino Colombo, RémyBruggmann Interfaculty Bioinformatics Unit and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Berne, Berne 3012, Switzerland.
Microwave excitation of spin wave beams in thin ferromagnetic films
Authors: Gruszecki P. , Kasprzak M. , Serebryannikov A. E. , Krawczyk M. , Śmigaj W.
Published: March 2016

An inherent element of research and applications in photonics is a beam of light. In magnonics, which is the magnetic counterpart of photonics, where spin waves are used instead of electromagnetic waves to transmit and process information, the lack of a beam source limits exploration. Here, we present an approach enabling generation of narrow spin wave beams in thin homogeneous nanosized ferromagnetic films by microwave current. We show that the desired beam-type behavior can be achieved with the aid of a properly designed coplanar waveguide transducer generating a nonuniform microwave magnetic field. We test this idea using micromagnetic simulations, confirming numerically that the resulting spin wave beams propagate over distances of several micrometers. The proposed approach requires neither inhomogeneity of the ferromagnetic film nor nonuniformity of the biasing magnetic field. It can be generalized to different magnetization configurations and yield multiple spin wave beams of different width at the same frequency.
Guiding migration of transplanted glial progenitor cells in the injured spinal cord
Authors: Yuan Xiao-bing , Jin Ying , Haas Christopher , Yao Lihua , Hayakawa Kazuo , Wang Yue , Wang Chunlei , Fischer Itzhak
Published: March 2016

Transplantation of glial-restricted progenitors (GRPs) is a promising strategy for generating a supportive environment for axon growth in the injured spinal cord. Here we explored the possibility of producing a migratory stream of GRPs via directional cues to create a supportive pathway for axon regeneration. We found that the axon growth inhibitor chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) strongly inhibited the adhesion and migration of GRPs, an effect that could be modulated by the adhesion molecule laminin. Digesting glycosaminoglycan side chains of CSPG with chondroitinase improved GRP migration on stripes of CSPG printed on cover glass, although GRPs were still responsive to the remaining repulsive signals of CSPG. Of all factors tested, the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) had the most significant effect in promoting the migration of cultured GRPs. When GRPs were transplanted into either normal spinal cord of adult rats or the injury site in a dorsal column hemisection model of spinal cord injury, a population of transplanted cells migrated toward the region that was injected with the lentivirus expressing chondroitinase or bFGF. These findings suggest that removing CSPG-mediated inhibition, in combination with guidance by attractive factors, can be a promising strategy to produce a migratory stream of supportive GRPs.
Bacteriophage application to control the contaminated water with Shigella
Authors: Jun Jin Woo , Giri Sib Sankar , Kim Hyoun Joong , Yun Sae Kil , Chi Cheng , Chai Ji Young , Lee Byeong Chun , Park Se Chang
Published: March 2016

Shigella is one of the most important waterborne and foodborne pathogens around the world. Emergence of antibiotic-resistant Shigella has made the development of alternatives to conventional antibiotics necessary. In this study, a virulent Myoviridae bacteriophage, pSs-1 was isolated from environmental water in South Korea and showed infectivity to S. flexneri as well as S. sonnei strains. One-step growth analysis showed that pSs-1 has a short latent period (25 min) and a large burst size (97 PFU/cell). According to the genomic analysis, pSs-1 contains 164,999 bp of genome with a G + C content of 35.54% and it is considered as a member of the T4-like bacteriophage group. These results showed that pSs-1 may have potential as a biocontrol agent instead of conventional antibiotics for shigellosis.
Influence of cell physiological state on gene delivery to T lymphocytes by chimeric adenovirus Ad5F35
Authors: Zhang Wen-feng , Shao Hong-wei , Wu Feng-lin , Xie Xin , Li Zhu-Ming , Bo Hua-Ben , Shen Han , Wang Teng , Huang Shu-lin
Published: March 2016

Adoptive transfer of genetically-modified T cells is a promising approach for treatment of both human malignancies and viral infections. Due to its ability to efficiently infect lymphocytes, the chimeric adenovirus Ad5F35 is potentially useful as an immunotherapeutic for the genetic modification of T cells. In previous studies, it was found that the infection efficiency of Ad5F35 was significantly increased without enhanced expression of the viral receptor after T cell stimulation; however, little is known about the underlying mechanism. Nonetheless, cell physiology has long been thought to affect viral infection. Therefore, we aimed to uncover the physiologic changes responsible for the increased infection efficiency of Ad5F35 following T cell stimulation. Given the complexity of intracellular transport we analyzed viral binding, entry and escape using a Jurkat T cell model and found that both cell membrane fluidity and endosomal escape of Ad5F35 were altered under different physiological states. This, in turn, resulted in differences in the amount of virus entering cells and reaching the cytoplasm. These results provide additional insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying Ad5F35 infection of T cells and consequently, will help further the clinical application of genetically-modified T cells for immunotherapy.
Classification of Valleytronics in Thermoelectricity
Authors: Norouzzadeh Payam , Vashaee Daryoosh
Published: March 2016

The theory of valleytronics as a material design tool for engineering both thermal and electrical transport properties is presented. It is shown that the interplay among the valleytronics parameters such as the degeneracy of the band, intervalley transitions, effective mass, scattering exponent, and the Fermi energy may deteriorate or ameliorate any or all of the main thermoelectric properties. A flowchart classifying the different paths through which the valleytronics can influence the thermoelectric figure-of-merit ZT is derived and discussed in detail. To exemplify the application of the flowchart, valleytronics in four different semiconductors, Mg2Si, Si0.8Ge0.2, AlxGa1−xAs and clathrate Si46-VIII were studied, which showed different trends. Therefore, a degenerate multivalley bandstructure, which is typically anticipated for a good thermoelectric material, cannot be a general design rule for ZT enhancement and a detailed transport study is required to engineer the optimum bandstructure.
Inverse regulation of two classic Hippo pathway target genes in Drosophila by the dimerization hub protein Ctp
Authors: Barron Daniel A. , Moberg Kenneth
Published: March 2016

The LC8 family of small ~8 kD proteins are highly conserved and interact with multiple protein partners in eukaryotic cells. LC8-binding modulates target protein activity, often through induced dimerization via LC8:LC8 homodimers. Although many LC8-interactors have roles in signaling cascades, LC8’s role in developing epithelia is poorly understood. Using the Drosophila wing as a developmental model, we find that the LC8 family member Cut up (Ctp) is primarily required to promote epithelial growth, which correlates with effects on the pro-growth factor dMyc and two genes, diap1 and bantam, that are classic targets of the Hippo pathway coactivator Yorkie. Genetic tests confirm that Ctp supports Yorkie-driven tissue overgrowth and indicate that Ctp acts through Yorkie to control bantam (ban) and diap1 transcription. Quite unexpectedly however, Ctp loss has inverse effects on ban and diap1: it elevates ban expression but reduces diap1 expression. In both cases these transcriptional changes map to small segments of these promoters that recruit Yorkie. Although LC8 complexes with Yap1, a Yorkie homolog, in human cells, an orthologous interaction was not detected in Drosophila cells. Collectively these findings reveal that that Drosophila Ctp is a required regulator of Yorkie-target genes in vivo and suggest that Ctp may interact with a Hippo pathway protein(s) to exert inverse transcriptional effects on Yorkie-target genes.
The role of ion exchange in the passivation of In(Zn)P nanocrystals with ZnS
Authors: Cho Deok-Yong , Xi Lifei , Boothroyd Chris , Kardynal Beata , Lam Yeng Ming
Published: March 2016

We have investigated the chemical state of In(Zn)P/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals (NCs) for color conversion applications using hard X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE). Analyses of the edge energies as well as the X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) reveal that the Zn2+ ions from ZnS remain in the shell while the S2− ions penetrate into the core at an early stage of the ZnS deposition. It is further demonstrated that for short growth times, the ZnS shell coverage on the core was incomplete, whereas the coverage improved gradually as the shell deposition time increased. Together with evidence from PLE spectra, where there is a strong indication of the presence of P vacancies, this suggests that the core-shell interface in the In(Zn)P/ZnS NCs are subject to substantial atomic exchanges and detailed models for the shell structure beyond simple layer coverage are needed. This substantial atomic exchange is very likely to be the reason for the improved photoluminescence behavior of the core-shell particles compare to In(Zn)P-only NCs as S can passivate the NCs surfaces.
Inhibition of pancreatic oxidative damage by stilbene derivative dihydro-resveratrol: implication for treatment of acute pancreatitis
Authors: Tsang Siu Wai , Guan Yi-Fu , Wang Juan , Bian Zhao-Xiang , Zhang Hong-Jie
Published: March 2016

Trans-resveratrol is a natural stilbenoid possessing multifarious pharmacological benefits; however, when orally consumed, it is rapidly metabolised by colonic microflora and converted to dihydro-resveratrol. Thus, this microbial metabolite is of great therapeutic relevance. In the present study, upon the oral administration of dihydro-resveratrol (10–50 mg/kg), the severity of acute pancreatitis in the cerulein-treated rats was significantly ameliorated as evidenced by decreased α-amylase activities in the plasma and lessened oedema formation in the pancreatic parenchyma. In addition, the generation of intracellular reactive oxidative products, including malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls, was accordingly reduced, so as the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. While inhibiting the activities of NADPH oxidase and myeloperoxidase, the depletion of glutathione was considerably restored. Importantly, the attenuation of pancreatic oxidative damage by dihydro-resveratrol was associated with a down-regulation of the nuclear factor-kappaB and phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase-serine/threonine kinase signalling pathways. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the solubility of dihydro-resveratrol was at least 5 times higher than trans-resveratrol whilst exhibiting a much lower cytotoxicity. Collectively, the current findings accentuate new mechanistic insight of dihydro-resveratrol in pancreatic oxidative damage and advocate its therapeutic potential for the management of acute pancreatitis, particularly for patients unresponsive to trans-resveratrol due to the lack of proper microbial strains.
Structure of the fimbrial protein Mfa4 from Porphyromonas gingivalis in its precursor form: implications for a donor-strand complementation mechanism
Authors: Kloppsteck Patrik , Hall Michael , Hasegawa Yoshiaki , Persson Karina
Published: March 2016

Gingivitis and periodontitis are chronic inflammatory diseases that can lead to tooth loss. One of the causes of these diseases is the Gram-negative Porphyromonas gingivalis. This periodontal pathogen is dependent on two fimbriae, FimA and Mfa1, for binding to dental biofilm, salivary proteins, and host cells. These fimbriae are composed of five proteins each, but the fimbriae assembly mechanism and ligands are unknown. Here we reveal the crystal structure of the precursor form of Mfa4, one of the accessory proteins of the Mfa1 fimbria. Mfa4 consists of two β-sandwich domains and the first part of the structure forms two well-defined β-strands that run over both domains. This N-terminal region is cleaved by gingipains, a family of proteolytic enzymes that encompass arginine- and lysine-specific proteases. Cleavage of the N-terminal region generates the mature form of the protein. Our structural data allow us to propose that the new N-terminus of the mature protein may function as a donor strand in the polymerization of P. gingivalis fimbriae.
Rationalising the role of Keratin 9 as a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Richens Joanna L. , Spencer Hannah L. , Butler Molly , Cantlay Fiona , Vere Kelly-Ann , Bajaj Nin , Morgan Kevin , O’Shea Paul
Published: March 2016

Keratin 9 was recently identified as an important component of a biomarker panel which demonstrated a high diagnostic accuracy (87%) for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Understanding how a protein which is predominantly expressed in palmoplantar epidermis is implicated in AD may shed new light on the mechanisms underlying the disease. Here we use immunoassays to examine blood plasma expression patterns of Keratin 9 and its relationship to other AD-associated proteins. We correlate this with the use of anin silicoanalysis tool VisANT to elucidate possible pathways through which the involvement of Keratin 9 may take place. We identify possible links with Dickkopf-1, a negative regulator of the wnt pathway, and propose that the abnormal expression of Keratin 9 in AD blood and cerebrospinal fluid may be a result of blood brain barrier dysregulation and disruption of the ubiquitin proteasome system. Our findings suggest that dysregulated Keratin 9 expression is a consequence of AD pathology but, as it interacts with a broad range of proteins, it may have other, as yet uncharacterized, downstream effects which could contribute to AD onset and progression.
Metagenomic and functional analyses of the consequences of reduction of bacterial diversity on soil functions and bioremediation in diesel-contaminated microcosms
Authors: Jung Jaejoon , Philippot Laurent , Park Woojun
Published: March 2016

The relationship between microbial biodiversity and soil function is an important issue in ecology, yet most studies have been performed in pristine ecosystems. Here, we assess the role of microbial diversity in ecological function and remediation strategies in diesel-contaminated soils. Soil microbial diversity was manipulated using a removal by dilution approach and microbial functions were determined using both metagenomic analyses and enzymatic assays. A shift from Proteobacteria- to Actinobacteria-dominant communities was observed when species diversity was reduced. Metagenomic analysis showed that a large proportion of functional gene categories were significantly altered by the reduction in biodiversity. The abundance of genes related to the nitrogen cycle was significantly reduced in the low-diversity community, impairing denitrification. In contrast, the efficiency of diesel biodegradation was increased in the low-diversity community and was further enhanced by addition of red clay as a stimulating agent. Our results suggest that the relationship between microbial diversity and ecological function involves trade-offs among ecological processes, and should not be generalized as a positive, neutral, or negative relationship.
Polymorphisms of the IL27 gene in a Chinese Han population complicated with pre-eclampsia
Authors: Liu Bin , Li Yuan , Yao Yuan , Li Hua , Liang Hongda , Xin Miaomiao , Wang Liqin , Zhao Lei , Lin Jizheng , Liu Shiguo
Published: March 2016

IL-27 could inhibit the development of Th17 cells, and the Th17/regulatory T-cell imbalance may reverse maternal tolerance in pre-eclampsia (PE). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms in IL27 with PE. Three SNPs in IL27 (rs153109, rs17855750, and rs181206) were genotyped in a Chinese Han cohort of 1040 PE patients and 1247 normal pregnant women using the TaqMan allelic discrimination real-time PCR method. The CC genotypic distribution of rs153109 was significantly higher among cases than controls (19.1% versus 13.3%, odds ratio [OR]: 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23–1.93, p < 0.001), and the CT genotype was found to be significantly lower in cases than controls (41.7% versus 49.0%, OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.63–0.88, p < 0.001), disputing existing reports indicating the allele frequency of rs153109 is not significantly different between PE patients and controls. Additionally, the CC genotype of rs153109 was significantly more prevalent in PE cases than controls using a recessive model (p < 0.001). The allelic and genotypic frequencies of rs17855750 and rs181206 were not significantly different between two groups. Our results reveal that IL27 polymorphisms may be involved in the development of PE in Chinese Han population.
Sustained PI3K Activation exacerbates BLM-induced Lung Fibrosis via activation of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic pathways
Authors: Kral Julia Barbara , Kuttke Mario , Schrottmaier Waltraud Cornelia , Birnecker Birgit , Warszawska Joanna , Wernig Christina , Paar Hannah , Salzmann Manuel , Sahin Emine , Brunner Julia Stefanie , Österreicher Christoph , Knapp Sylvia , Assinger Alice , Schabbauer Gernot
Published: March 2016

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a life-threatening disease with limited treatment options. Additionally, the lack of a complete understanding of underlying immunological mechanisms underscores the importance of discovering novel options for therapeutic intervention. Since the PI3K/PTEN pathway in myeloid cells influences their effector functions, we wanted to elucidate how sustained PI3K activity induced by cell-type specific genetic deficiency of its antagonist PTEN modulates IPF, in a murine model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (BIPF). We found that myeloid PTEN deficient mice (PTENMyKO), after induction of BIPF, exhibit increased TGF-β1 activation, mRNA expression of pro-collagens and lysyl oxidase as well as augmented collagen deposition compared to wild-type littermates, leading to enhanced morbidity and decreased survival. Analysis of alveolar lavage and lung cell composition revealed that PTENMyKO mice exhibit reduced numbers of macrophages and T-cells in response to bleomycin, indicating an impaired recruitment function. Interestingly, we found dysregulated macrophage polarization as well as elevated expression and release of the pro-fibrotic cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in PTENMyKO mice during BIPF. This might point to an uncontrolled wound healing response in which the inflammatory as well as tissue repair mechanisms proceed in parallel, thereby preventing resolution and at the same time promoting extensive fibrosis.
Differential network analysis reveals the genome-wide landscape of estrogen receptor modulation in hormonal cancers
Authors: Hsiao Tzu-Hung , Chiu Yu-Chiao , Hsu Pei-Yin , Lu Tzu-Pin , Lai Liang-Chuan , Tsai Mong-Hsun , Huang Tim H.-M. , Chuang Eric Y. , Chen Yidong
Published: March 2016

Several mutual information (MI)-based algorithms have been developed to identify dynamic gene-gene and function-function interactions governed by key modulators (genes, proteins, etc.). Due to intensive computation, however, these methods rely heavily on prior knowledge and are limited in genome-wide analysis. We present the modulated gene/gene set interaction (MAGIC) analysis to systematically identify genome-wide modulation of interaction networks. Based on a novel statistical test employing conjugate Fisher transformations of correlation coefficients, MAGIC features fast computation and adaption to variations of clinical cohorts. In simulated datasets MAGIC achieved greatly improved computation efficiency and overall superior performance than the MI-based method. We applied MAGIC to construct the estrogen receptor (ER) modulated gene and gene set (representing biological function) interaction networks in breast cancer. Several novel interaction hubs and functional interactions were discovered. ER+ dependent interaction between TGFβ and NFκB was further shown to be associated with patient survival. The findings were verified in independent datasets. Using MAGIC, we also assessed the essential roles of ER modulation in another hormonal cancer, ovarian cancer. Overall, MAGIC is a systematic framework for comprehensively identifying and constructing the modulated interaction networks in a whole-genome landscape. MATLAB implementation of MAGIC is available for academic uses at https://github.com/chiuyc/MAGIC.
Selection of suitable reference genes for assessing gene expression in pearl millet under different abiotic stresses and their combinations
Authors: Shivhare Radha , Lata Charu
Published: March 2016

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum(L.) R. Br.] a widely used grain and forage crop, is grown in areas frequented with one or more abiotic stresses, has superior drought and heat tolerance and considered a model crop for stress tolerance studies. Selection of suitable reference genes for quantification of target stress-responsive gene expression through quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR is important for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of improved stress tolerance. For precise normalization of gene expression data in pearl millet, ten candidate reference genes were examined in various developmental tissues as well as under different individual abiotic stresses and their combinations at 1 h (early) and 24 h (late) of stress using geNorm, NormFinder and RefFinder algorithms. Our results revealedEF-1αandUBC-E2as the best reference genes across all samples, the specificity of which was confirmed by assessing the relative expression of aPgAP2 like-ERFgene that suggested use of these two reference genes is sufficient for accurate transcript normalization under different stress conditions. To our knowledge this is the first report on validation of reference genes under different individual and multiple abiotic stresses in pearl millet. The study can further facilitate fastidious discovery of stress-tolerance genes in this important stress-tolerant crop.
Repeated crack healing in MAX-phase ceramics revealed by 4D in situ synchrotron X-ray tomographic microscopy
Authors: Sloof Willem G. , Pei Ruizhi , McDonald Samuel A. , Fife Julie L. , Shen Lu , Boatemaa Linda , Farle Ann-Sophie , Yan Kun , Zhang Xun , van der Zwaag Sybrand , Lee Peter D. , Withers Philip J.
Published: March 2016

MAX phase materials are emerging as attractive engineering materials in applications where the material is exposed to severe thermal and mechanical conditions in an oxidative environment. The Ti2AlC MAX phase possesses attractive thermomechanical properties even beyond a temperature of 1000 K. An attractive feature of this material is its capacity for the autonomous healing of cracks when operating at high temperatures. Coupling a specialized thermomechanical setup to a synchrotron X-ray tomographic microscopy endstation at the TOMCAT beamline, we captured the temporal evolution of local crack opening and healing during multiple cracking and autonomous repair cycles at a temperature of 1500 K. For the first time, the rate and position dependence of crack repair in pristine Ti2AlC material and in previously healed cracks has been quantified. Our results demonstrate that healed cracks can have sufficient mechanical integrity to make subsequent cracks form elsewhere upon reloading after healing.