bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neutrophil extracellular traps promote macrophage pyroptosis in sepsis
Authors: Chen Linsong , Zhao Yanfeng , Lai Dengming , Zhang Peng , Yang Yang , Li Yuehua , Fei Ke , Jiang Gening , Fan Jie
Published: May 2018

In response to infection, polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are recruited in the infectious sites, and employ three major strategies to fight against the microbes including phagocytosis, degranulation, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs are a meshwork of chromatin fibers mixed with granule-derived antimicrobial peptides and enzymes, which trap and kill the bacteria extracellularly. In this study, by using a mouse sepsis model, we identified a novel mechanism by which NETs induce macrophage (Mϕ) pyroptosis, a caspase-1-dependent regulated cell death. We show that NET-derived HMGB1, acting through RAGE and dynamin-dependent signaling, triggers an intra-Mϕ cascade of molecular events including cathepsin B (CatB) release from the ruptured lysosomes, followed by pyroptosome formation and caspase-1 activation, and subsequent Mϕ pyroptosis. The study further demonstrates that Mϕ pyroptosis augments inflammatory responses following sepsis. These findings shed light on the proinflammatory role of NETs in mediating PMN–Mϕ interaction, which therefore influences the progress of inflammation following infection.
The novel KLF4/PLAC8 signaling pathway regulates lung cancer growth
Authors: Jia Yunlu , Ying Xiaogang , Zhou Jichun , Chen Yongxia , Luo Xiao , Xie Shudu , Wang Qin chuan , Hu Wenxian , Wang Linbo
Published: May 2018

Accumulating evidence suggests that placenta-specific 8 (PLAC8) plays an important role in normal cellular process and human diseases, including multiple types of human tumors, and its role is highly relied upon in cellular and physiologic contexts. However, there are no reports on its expression profile and biological roles during lung cancer development. In the current study, both the clinical implications and biological effects of PLAC8 in lung cancer (LC) progression were investigated, and we identified and described the novel Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4)/PLAC8 regulatory pathway in cancer progression. Elevated PLAC8 levels were positively correlated with tumor size, histological grade, and tumor node metasis (TNM) stage, and LC patients with high PLAC8 expression suffered poor outcomes. In vitro and in vivo assays further revealed that endogenous PLAC8 promoted cell proliferation and tumor formation. We also found downregulated PLAC8 protein in several LC cell lines following the induction of KLF4, and immunohistochemistry analysis of LC tissues by microarray indicated a potential inverse correlation between PLAC8 and KLF4 expression. Luciferase reporter analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays determined that KLF4 negatively regulated PLAC8 promoter activity via directly binding to the promoter region. Furthermore, the growth inhibition resulting from KLF4 overexpression was partially rescued by ectopic PLAC8 expression. Together, our data uncovered a previously unidentified role of PLAC8 as a central mediator in LC progression. PLAC8 was transcriptionally repressed by KLF4, and the novel KLF4/PLAC8 axis may act as a promising candidate target for LC diagnosis and therapy.
Salvianolic acid B inhibits glycolysis in oral squamous cell carcinoma via targeting PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α signaling pathway
Authors: Wei Jie , Wu Jun , Xu Wen , Nie Hong , Zhou Ruiqing , Wang Rui , Liu Yang , Tang Guoyao , Wu Jianyong
Published: May 2018

Our previous study demonstrated a progressive glycolytic perturbation during the course of DMBA-induced hamster oral carcinogenesis, which was attenuated by salvianolic acid B (Sal-B) treatment along with decreased incidences of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) formation. It was proposed that metabolic modulation should be an additional mode of action attributable to Sal-B’s anti-carcinogenic activity. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying Sal-B-induced metabolic modulation function remained elusive. In the present study, we performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) profiling in the same animal model and found Sal-B treatment evoked a general downregulation of the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) and hypoxia inducible factor 1α subunit (HIF-1α) signaling pathways, which might contribute to Sal-B’s metabolic modulation activity. The inhibitory effects of Sal-B on aerobic glycolysis, as well as PI3K/AKT and HIF-1α signaling pathways, were validated in two well-characterized OSCC cell lines (Cal27 and HN4), and premalignant oral Leuk1 cells and Sal-B treatment led to elevation of the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), increased cell apoptosis, and reduced abilities of colony formation. Rescue assays suggested that compared with Sal-B treatment group, Akt or hif-1a overexpression attenuated the inhibitory effect of Sal-B on glucose uptake and intracellular lactate level. Taken together, our results suggested that Sal-B modulated aberrant glucose metabolism via the PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α signaling pathways, which might contribute to the anti-carcinogenic activity of Sal-B.
FoxM1-dependent RAD51 and BRCA2 signaling protects idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis fibroblasts from radiation-induced cell death
Authors: Im Jintaek , Lawrence Jessica , Seelig Davis , Nho Richard S.
Published: May 2018

Radiation therapy is critical for the control of many tumors and lung is an important dose-limiting organ that impacts radiation dose prescribed to avoid irreversible pulmonary fibrosis in cancer survivors. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, irreversible lung disease caused by aberrantly activated lung (myo)fibroblasts. The presence of pro-fibrotic, apoptosis-resistant fibroblasts in IPF promotes progressive fibrosis and may have a role in other diseases, if these resistant cells are selected for as a consequence of treatment. However, the pathological response of IPF fibroblasts to radiation compared to non-IPF lung fibroblasts is not known. To address this, we examined fibroblast viability following radiation in lung fibroblasts from IPF and non-IPF patients and the underlying mechanism that protects IPF fibroblasts from radiation-induced death. IPF fibroblasts are significantly more resistant to apoptosis compared to non-IPF lung fibroblasts, suggesting that resistance to radiation-induced cell death is a predominant mechanism leading to lung fibrosis. Analysis of γH2AX induction demonstrated that radiation-induced DNA damage is reduced in IPF fibroblasts and correlates to the activation of the transcription factor forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) and subsequent upregulation of DNA repair proteins RAD51 and BRCA2. FoxM1 activation occurs secondary to FoxO3a suppression in IPF fibroblasts while restoration of FoxO3a function sensitizes IPF fibroblasts to radiation-induced cell death and downregulates FoxM1, RAD51, and BRCA2. Our findings support that increased FoxO3a/FoxM1-dependent DNA repair may be integral to the preservation of death-resistant fibrotic fibroblasts after radiation and that selective targeting of radioresistant fibroblasts may mitigate fibrosis.
Celastrol alleviates renal fibrosis by upregulating cannabinoid receptor 2 expression
Authors: Tang Ming , Cao Xu , Zhang Kun , Li You , Zheng Quan-you , Li Gui-qing , He Qian-hui , Li Shu-jing , Xu Gui-lian , Zhang Ke-qin
Published: May 2018

Renal fibrosis is the final manifestation of various chronic kidney diseases, and no effective therapy is available to prevent or reverse it. Celastrol, a triterpene that derived from traditional Chinese medicine, is a known potent anti-fibrotic agent. However, the underlying mechanisms of action of celastrol on renal fibrosis remain unknown. In this study, we found that celastrol treatment remarkably attenuated unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced mouse renal fibrosis. This was evidenced by the significant reduction in tubular injury; collagen deposition; accumulation of fibronectin, collagen I, and α-smooth muscle actin; and the expression levels of pro-fibrotic factors Vim, Cola1, and TGF-β1 mRNA, as well as inflammatory responses. Celastrol showed similar effects in a folic acid-induced mouse renal fibrosis model. Furthermore, celastrol potentiated the expression of the anti-fibrotic factor cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) in established mouse fibrotic kidney tissues and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-stimulated human kidney 2 (HK-2) cells. In addition, the CB2R antagonist (SR144528) abolished celastrol-mediated beneficial effects on renal fibrosis. Moreover, UUO- or TGF-β1-induced activation of the pro-fibrotic factor SMAD family member 3 (Smad3) was markedly inhibited by celastrol. Inhibition of Smad3 activation by an inhibitor (SIS3) markedly reduced TGF-β1-induced downregulation of CB2R expression. In conclusion, our study provides the first direct evidence that celastrol significantly alleviated renal fibrosis, by contributing to the upregulation of CB2R expression through inhibiting Smad3 signaling pathway activation. Therefore, celastrol could be a potential drug for treating patients with renal fibrosis.
HMGA1 exacerbates tumor growth through regulating the cell cycle and accelerates migration/invasion via targeting miR-221/222 in cervical cancer
Authors: Fu Fangfang , Wang Tian , Wu Zhangying , Feng Yourong , Wang Wenwen , Zhou Su , Ma Xiangyi , Wang Shixuan
Published: May 2018

High-mobility group AT-hook1 (HMGA1, formerly HMG-I/Y), an architectural transcription factor, participates in a number of tumor biological processes. However, its effect on cervical cancer remains largely indistinct. In this study, we found that HMGA1 was generally overexpressed in cervical cancer tissues and was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis and advanced clinical stage. Via exogenously increasing or decreasing the expression of HMGA1, we showed that HMGA1 affected the proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells in vitro. Rescue experiments suggested that miR-221/222 could partly reverse HMGA1-mediated migration and invasion processes. Mechanistically, we discovered that HMGA1 accelerated the G1/S phase transition by regulating the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E1, which was consistent with the results of the in vivo experiment. Furthermore, we found that HMGA1 regulated the expression of the miR-221/222 cluster at the transcriptional level and that miR-221/222 targeted the 3′UTR of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3(TIMP3). We propose a fresh perspective that HMGA1 participates in the migration and invasion process via the miR-221/222-TIMP3-MMP2/MMP9 axis in cervical cancer. In summary, our study identified a critical role played by HMGA1 in the progression of cervical cancer and the potential mechanisms by which exerts its effects, suggesting that targeting HMGA1-related pathways could be conducive to the therapies for cervical cancer.
Publisher Correction: Aerodynamic generation of electric fields in turbulence laden with charged inertial particles
Authors: Di Renzo M. , Urzay J.
Published: May 2018

The original version of this Article contained an error in the last sentence of the second paragraph of the ‘Atmospheric rarefaction effects’ section of the Results, which incorrectly read ‘The other one emulates the rarefied, CO2-rich Martian atmosphere (μ♂ = 1.3 × 10−5 N s m−2) at 6.9 mbar and 210 K, which gives ρ♂ = 1.6 × 10−12 kg m−3.’ The correct version states ‘ρ♂ = 1.6 × 10−2 kg m−3’ in place of ‘ρ♂ = 1.6 × 10−12 kg m−3’. This has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
The Holocene retreat dynamics and stability of Petermann Glacier in northwest Greenland
Authors: Jakobsson Martin , Hogan Kelly A. , Mayer Larry A. , Mix Alan , Jennings Anne , Stoner Joe , Eriksson Björn , Jerram Kevin , Mohammad Rezwan , Pearce Christof , Reilly Brendan , Stranne Christian
Published: May 2018

Submarine glacial landforms in fjords are imprints of the dynamic behaviour of marine-terminating glaciers and are informative about their most recent retreat phase. Here we use detailed multibeam bathymetry to map glacial landforms in Petermann Fjord and Nares Strait, northwestern Greenland. A large grounding-zone wedge (GZW) demonstrates that Petermann Glacier stabilised at the fjord mouth for a considerable time, likely buttressed by an ice shelf. This stability was followed by successive backstepping of the ice margin down the GZW’s retrograde backslope forming small retreat ridges to 680 m current depth (∼730–800 m palaeodepth). Iceberg ploughmarks occurring somewhat deeper show that thick, grounded ice persisted to these water depths before final breakup occurred. The palaeodepth limit of the recessional moraines is consistent with final collapse driven by marine ice cliff instability (MICI) with retreat to the next stable position located underneath the present Petermann ice tongue, where the seafloor is unmapped.
Impairment in delay discounting in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder but not primary mood disorders
Authors: Brown Hannah E. , Hart Kamber L. , Snapper Leslie A. , Roffman Joshua L. , Perlis Roy H.
Published: May 2018

A measure of planning and impulse control, the delay-discounting (DD) task estimates the extent to which an individual decreases the perceived value of a reward as the reward is delayed. We examined cross-disorder performance between healthy controls (n = 88), individuals with bipolar disorder (n = 23), major depressive disorder (n = 43), and primary psychotic disorders (schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder; n = 51) on the DD task (using a $10 delayed larger reward), as well as the interaction of DD scores with other symptom domains (cognition, psychosis, and affect). We found that individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder display significantly greater rates of discounting compared to healthy controls, while individuals with a primary mood disorder do not differ from healthy controls after adjustment for IQ. Further, impairment in working memory is associated with higher discounting rates among individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, but cognitive dysfunction alone does not account for the extent of impairment in DD. Taken together, these results suggest an impaired ability to plan for the future and make adaptive decisions that are specific to individuals with psychotic disorders, and likely related to adverse functional outcomes. More generally, this work demonstrates the presence of variation in impulsivity across major psychiatric illnesses, supporting the use of a trans-diagnostic perspective.
Gallid herpesvirus 3 SB-1 strain as a recombinant viral vector for poultry vaccination
Authors: Sadigh Yashar , Powers Claire , Spiro Simon , Pedrera Miriam , Broadbent Andrew , Nair Venugopal
Published: May 2018

Live herpesvirus-vectored vaccines are widely used in veterinary medicine to protect against many infectious diseases. In poultry, three strains of herpesvirus vaccines are used against Marek’s disease (MD). However, of these, only the herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) has been successfully developed and used as a recombinant vaccine vector to induce protection against other avian viral diseases such as infectious bursal disease (IBD), Newcastle disease (ND) or avian influenza (AI). Although effective when administered individually, recombinant HVT vectors have limitations when combined in multivalent vaccines. Thus there is a need for developing additional viral vectors that could be combined with HVT in inducing protection against multiple avian diseases in multivalent vaccines.Gallid herpesvirus3 (GaHV3) strain SB-1 is widely used by the poultry industry as bivalent vaccine in combination with HVT to exploit synergistic effects against MD. Here, we report the development and application of SB-1 as a vaccine vector to express the VP2 capsid antigen of IBD virus. A VP2 expression cassette was introduced into the SB-1 genome at three intergenic locations (UL3/UL4, UL10/UL11 and UL21/UL22) using recombineering methods on the full-length pSB-1 infectious clone of the virus. We show that the recombinant SB-1 vectors expressing VP2 induced neutralising antibody responses at levels comparable to that of commercial HVT-based VAXXITEKHVT+IBDvaccine. Birds vaccinated with the experimental recombinant SB-1 vaccine were protected against clinical disease after challenge with the very virulent UK661 IBDV isolate, demonstrating its value as an efficient viral vector for developing multivalent vaccines against avian diseases.
Mitochondrial imaging in live or fixed tissues using a luminescent iridium complex
Authors: Sorvina Alexandra , Bader Christie A. , Darby Jack R. T. , Lock Mitchell C. , Soo Jia Yin , Johnson Ian R. D. , Caporale Chiara , Voelcker Nicolas H. , Stagni Stefano , Massi Massimiliano , Morrison Janna L. , Plush Sally E. , Brooks Douglas A.
Published: May 2018

Mitochondrial morphology is important for the function of this critical organelle and, accordingly, altered mitochondrial structure is exhibited in many pathologies. Imaging of mitochondria can therefore provide important information about disease presence and progression. However, mitochondrial imaging is currently limited by the availability of agents that have the capacity to image mitochondrial morphology in both live and fixed samples. This can be particularly problematic in clinical studies or large, multi-centre cohort studies, where tissue archiving by fixation is often more practical. We previously reported the synthesis of an iridium coordination complex [Ir(ppy)2(MeTzPyPhCN)]+; where ppy is a cyclometalated 2-phenylpyridine and TzPyPhCN is the 5-(5-(4-cyanophen-1-yl)pyrid-2-yl)tetrazolate ligand; and showed that this complex (herein referred to as IraZolve-Mito) has a high specificity for mitochondria in live cells. Here we demonstrate that IraZolve-Mito can also effectively stain mitochondria in both live and fixed tissue samples. The staining protocol proposed is versatile, providing a universal procedure for cell biologists and pathologists to visualise mitochondria.
The quest for identifiability in human functional connectomes
Authors: Amico Enrico , Goñi Joaquín
Published: May 2018

The evaluation of the individual “fingerprint” of a human functional connectome (FC) is becoming a promising avenue for neuroscientific research, due to its enormous potential inherent to drawing single subject inferences from functional connectivity profiles. Here we show that the individual fingerprint of a human functional connectome can be maximized from a reconstruction procedure based on group-wise decomposition in a finite number of brain connectivity modes. We use data from the Human Connectome Project to demonstrate that the optimal reconstruction of the individual FCs through connectivity eigenmodes maximizes subject identifiability across resting-state and all seven tasks evaluated. The identifiability of the optimally reconstructed individual connectivity profiles increases both at the global and edgewise level, also when the reconstruction is imposed on additional functional data of the subjects. Furthermore, reconstructed FC data provide more robust associations with task-behavioral measurements. Finally, we extend this approach to also map the most task-sensitive functional connections. Results show that is possible to maximize individual fingerprinting in the functional connectivity domain regardless of the task, a crucial next step in the area of brain connectivity towards individualized connectomics.
A MYST Histone Acetyltransferase Modulates Conidia Development and Secondary Metabolism in Pestalotiopsis microspora, a Taxol Producer
Authors: Zhang Qian , Akhberdi Oren , Wei Dongsheng , Chen Longfei , Liu Heng , Wang Dan , Hao Xiaoran , Zhu Xudong
Published: May 2018

Reverse genetics is a promising strategy for elucidating the regulatory mechanisms involved in secondary metabolism and development in fungi. Previous studies have demonstrated the key role of histone acetyltransferases in transcriptional regulation. Here, we identified a MYST family histone acetyltransferase encoding gene, mst2, in the filamentous fungus Pestalotiopsis microspora NK17 and revealed its role in development and secondary metabolism. The gene mst2 showed temporal expression that corresponded to the conidiation process in the wild-type strain. Deletion of mst2 resulted in serious growth retardation and impaired conidial development, e.g., a delay and reduced capacity of conidiation and aberrant conidia. Overexpression of mst2 triggered earlier conidiation and higher conidial production. Additionally, deletion of mst2 led to abnormal germination of the conidia and caused cell wall defects. Most significantly, by HPLC profiling, we found that loss of mst2 diminished the production of secondary metabolites in the fungus. Our data suggest that mst2 may function as a general mediator in growth, secondary metabolism and morphological development.
Children’s screen time alters the expression of saliva extracellular miR-222 and miR-146a
Authors: Vriens Annette , Provost Eline B. , Saenen Nelly D. , De Boever Patrick , Vrijens Karen , De Wever Oliver , Plusquin Michelle , Nawrot Tim S.
Published: May 2018

An imbalance between energy uptake and energy expenditure is the most important reason for increasing trends in obesity starting from early in life. Extracellular miRNAs are expressed in all bodily fluids and their expression is influenced by a broad range of stimuli. We examined whether screen time, physical activity and BMI are associated with children’s salivary extracellular miR-222 and miR-146a expression. In 80 children the extracellular fraction of saliva was obtained by means of differential centrifugation and ultracentrifugation. Expression levels of miR-222 and miR-146a were profiled by qPCR. We studied the association between children’s salivary extracellular miRNA expression and screen time, physical activity and BMI using mixed models, while accounting for potential confounders. We found that higher screen time was positively associated with salivary extracellular miR-222 and miR-146a levels. On average, one hour more screen time use per week was associated with a 3.44% higher miR-222 (95% CI: 1.34 to 5.58; p = 0.002) and 1.84% higher miR-146a (95% CI: −0.04 to 3.75; p = 0.055) level in saliva. BMI and physical activity of the child were not significantly associated with either miR-222 or miR-146a. A sedentary behaviour, represented by screen time use in children, is associated with discernible changes in salivary expression of miR-146a and or miR-222. These miRNA targets may emerge attractive candidates to explore the role of these exposures in developmental processes of children’s health.
Chytridiomycosis causes catastrophic organism-wide metabolic dysregulation including profound failure of cellular energy pathways
Authors: Grogan Laura F. , Skerratt Lee F. , Berger Lee , Cashins Scott D. , Trengove Robert D. , Gummer Joel P. A.
Published: May 2018

Chytridiomycosis is among several recently emerged fungal diseases of wildlife that have caused decline or extinction of naïve populations. Despite recent advances in understanding pathogenesis, host response to infection remains poorly understood. Here we modelled a total of 162 metabolites across skin and liver tissues of 61 frogs from four populations (three long-exposed and one naïve to the fungus) of the Australian alpine tree frog (Litoria verreauxii alpina) throughout a longitudinal exposure experiment involving both infected and negative control individuals. We found that chytridiomycosis dramatically altered the organism-wide metabolism of clinically diseased frogs. Chytridiomycosis caused catastrophic failure of normal homeostatic mechanisms (interruption of biosynthetic and degradation metabolic pathways), and pronounced dysregulation of cellular energy metabolism. Key intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle were markedly depleted, including in particular α-ketoglutarate and glutamate that together constitute a key nutrient pathway for immune processes. This study was the first to apply a non-targeted metabolomics approach to a fungal wildlife disease and specifically to dissect the host-pathogen interface of Bd-infected frogs. The patterns of metabolite accumulation we have identified reveal whole-body metabolic dysfunction induced by a fungal skin infection, and these findings have broad relevance for other fungal diseases.
Self-assembly, optical and electrical properties of perylene diimide dyes bearing unsymmetrical substituents at bay position
Authors: Zhang Fengxia , Ma Yongshan , Chi Yanhui , Yu Haohai , Li Yanan , Jiang Tianyi , Wei Xiaofeng , Shi Jingmin
Published: May 2018

Perylene diimides (PDIs) are one class of the most explored organic fluorescent materials due to their high luminescence efficiency, optoelectronic properties, and ready to form well-tailored supramolecular structures. However, heavy aggregation caused quenching (ACQ) effect in solid state has greatly limited their potential applications. We have easily solved this problem by chemical modification of the PDI core with only phenoxy moietie at one of the bay position. In this paper, we report two perylene bisimides with small rigid substituents, 1- phenol -N, N’-dicyclohexyl perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI 1) and 1- p-chlorophenol-N, N’-dicyclohexyl perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI 2) possess both well defined organic nanostructures and high fluorescence quantum yield in the solid state. In contrast, 1-propanol-N, N’-dicyclohexyl perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI 3) bearing a straight chain only shown weak orange fluorescence. In addition, morphological inspection demonstrated that PDI 3 molecules easily form well-organized microstructures despite the linkage of the PDI core with a straight chain. The present strategy could provide a generic route towards novel and advanced fluorescent materials and these materials may find various applications in high-tech fields.
The analysis of MSTMOVCF (Multi-segment thoracolumbar mild osteoporotic fractures surgery or conservative treatment) based on ASTLOF (the assessment system of thoracolumbar osteoporotic fracture)
Authors: Du Jin Peng , Fan Yong , Liu Ji Jun , Zhang Jia Nan , Huang Yan Sheng , Zhang Jing , Hao Ding Jun
Published: May 2018

To investigate the issue that conservative or surgical treatment for multi-segmental thoracolumbar mild osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (MSTMOVCF) by applying the assessment system of thoracolumbar osteoporotic fracture (ASTLOF). A single-center prospective cohort study was designed to enroll elderly patients with MSTMOVCF from June 2013 to June 2016, which were divided into conservative and surgery group. The primary outcomes were Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, with secondary outcomes including SF-36 and imaging measures such as height of anterior and middle column, Beck value, complications. A total of 470 patients with MSTMOVCF were enrolled. 193 patients underwent surgery of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) or percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) and 277 patients underwent conservative treatment. The VAS score of operation group was significantly lower than that of conservative group (P < 0.0001, for all). The ODI score of the operation group was significantly lower than that of conservative group (P < 0.0001, for all). The SF-36 score, height of anterior and middle column, Beck value in the operation group were higher than those in conservative group (P < 0.0001, for all) at 1-year follow-up. MSTMOVCF underwent surgery can achieve great short-term clinical results. The patient with the sum of revised ASTLOF scores of multiple injured vertebrae ≥ 5 was recommended for surgery.
Enhanced magnetocaloric effect in Ni-Mn-Sn-Co alloys with two successive magnetostructural transformations
Authors: Zhang Xuexi , Zhang Hehe , Qian Mingfang , Geng Lin
Published: May 2018

High magnetocaloric refrigeration performance requires large magnetic entropy change ΔS
M
and broad working temperature span ΔT
FWHM
. A fourth element doping of Co in ternary Ni-Mn-Sn alloy may significantly enhance the saturation magnetization of the alloy and thus enhance the ΔS
M
. Here, the effects of Co-doping on the martensite transformation, magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects (MCE) of quaternary Ni47−xMn43Sn10Cox (x = 0, 6, 11) alloys were investigated. The martensite transformation temperatures decrease while austenite Curie point increases with Co content increasing to x = 6 and 11, thus broadening the temperature window for a high magnetization austenite (13.5, 91.7 and 109.1 A·m2/kg for x = 0, 6 and 11, respectively). Two successive magnetostructural transformations (A → 10 M and A → 10 M + 6 M) occur in the alloy x = 6, which are responsible for the giant magnetic entropy change ΔS
M = 
29.5 J/kg·K, wide working temperature span ΔT
FWHM
 = 14 K and large effective refrigeration capacity RC
eff
 = 232 J/kg under a magnetic field of 5.0 T. These results suggest that Ni40.6Mn43.3Sn10.0Co6.1 alloy may act as a potential solid-state magnetic refrigerant working at room temperature.
Multilayer Aggregation with Statistical Validation: Application to Investor Networks
Authors: Baltakys Kęstutis , Kanniainen Juho , Emmert-Streib Frank
Published: May 2018

Multilayer networks are attracting growing attention in many fields, including finance. In this paper, we develop a new tractable procedure for multilayer aggregation based on statistical validation, which we apply to investor networks. Moreover, we propose two other improvements to their analysis: transaction bootstrapping and investor categorization. The aggregation procedure can be used to integrate security-wise and time-wise information about investor trading networks, but it is not limited to finance. In fact, it can be used for different applications, such as gene, transportation, and social networks, were they inferred or observable. Additionally, in the investor network inference, we use transaction bootstrapping for better statistical validation. Investor categorization allows for constant size networks and having more observations for each node, which is important in the inference especially for less liquid securities. Furthermore, we observe that the window size used for averaging has a substantial effect on the number of inferred relationships. We apply this procedure by analyzing a unique data set of Finnish shareholders during the period 2004–2009. We find that households in the capital have high centrality in investor networks, which, under the theory of information channels in investor networks suggests that they are well-informed investors.
Expansion of human primary hepatocytes in vitro through their amplification as liver progenitors in a 3D organoid system
Authors: Garnier Delphine , Li Ruoya , Delbos Frédéric , Fourrier Angélique , Collet Camille , Guguen-Guillouzo Christiane , Chesné Christophe , Nguyen Tuan Huy
Published: May 2018

Despite decades of investigation on the proliferation of adult human primary hepatocytes, their expansion in vitro still remains challenging. To later be able to consider hepatocytes as a cell therapy alternative or bridge to liver transplantation, dramatically impeded by a shortage in liver donors, the first step is having an almost unlimited source of these cells. The banking of transplantable hepatocytes also implies a protocol for their expansion that can be compatible with large-scale production. We show that adult human primary hepatocytes when grown in 3D organoids are easily amplified, providing a substantial source of functional hepatocytes ready for transplantation. Following their plating, differentiated human hepatocytes are amplified during a transient and reversible step as liver progenitors, and can subsequently be converted back to mature differentiated hepatocytes. The protocol we propose is not only compatible with automated and high-throughput cell culture systems, thanks to the expansion of hepatocytes in suspension, but also guarantees the generation of a high number of functional cells from the same patient sample, with a relatively easy set up.
Beta and gamma human papillomaviruses in anal and genital sites among men: prevalence and determinants
Authors: Smelov Vitaly , Muwonge Richard , Sokolova Olga , McKay-Chopin Sandrine , Eklund Carina , Komyakov Boris , Gheit Tarik
Published: May 2018

Data regarding the anogenital distribution of and type-specific concordance for cutaneous β- and γ-HPV types in men who have sex with women is limited and geographically narrow. Knowledge of determinants of anogenital detection of cutaneous HPV types in different regions is needed for better understanding of the natural history and transmission dynamics of HPV, and its potential role in the development of anogenital diseases. Genital and anal canal samples obtained from 554 Russian men were screened for 43 β-HPVs and 29 γ-HPVs, using a multiplex PCR combined with Luminex technology. Both β- and γ-HPVs were more prevalent in the anal (22.8% and 14.1%) samples than in the genital (16.8% and 12.3%) samples. Low overall and type-specific concordance for β-HPVs (3.5% and 1.1%) and γ-HPVs (1.3% and 0.6%) were observed between genital and anal samples. HIV-positive men had higher anal β- (crude OR = 12.2, 95% CI: 5.3–28.1) and γ-HPV (crude OR = 7.2, 95% CI: 3.3–15.4) prevalence than HIV-negative men. Due to the lack of genital samples from the HIV-positive men, no comparison was possible for HIV status in genital samples. The lack of type-specific positive concordance between genital and anal sites for cutaneous β- and γ-HPV types in heterosexual men posits the needs for further studies on transmission routes to discriminate between contamination and true HPV infection. HIV-positive status may favor the anal acquisition or modify the natural history of cutaneous HPV types.
Classification of Spatiotemporal Neural Activity Patterns in Brain Imaging Data
Authors: Song Min , Kang Minseok , Lee Hyeonsu , Jeong Yong , Paik Se-Bum
Published: May 2018

Various patterns of neural activity are observed in dynamic cortical imaging data. Such patterns may reflect how neurons communicate using the underlying circuitry to perform appropriate functions; thus it is crucial to investigate the spatiotemporal characteristics of the observed neural activity patterns. In general, however, neural activities are highly nonlinear and complex, so it is a demanding job to analyze them quantitatively or to classify the patterns of observed activities in various types of imaging data. Here, we present our implementation of a novel method that successfully addresses the above issues for precise comparison and classification of neural activity patterns. Based on two-dimensional representations of the geometric structure and temporal evolution of activity patterns, our method successfully classified a number of computer-generated sample patterns created from combinations of various spatial and temporal patterns. In addition, we validated our method with voltage-sensitive dye imaging data of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model mice. Our analysis algorithm successfully distinguished the activity data of AD mice from that of wild type with significantly higher performance than previously suggested methods. Our result provides a pragmatic solution for precise analysis of spatiotemporal patterns of neural imaging data.
Dynamics of directional tuning and reference frames in humans: A high-density EEG study
Authors: Tanaka Hirokazu , Miyakoshi Makoto , Makeig Scott
Published: May 2018

Recent developments in EEG recording and signal processing have made it possible to record in an unconstrained, natural movement task, therefore EEG provides a promising approach to understanding the neural mechanisms of upper-limb reaching control. This study specifically addressed how EEG dynamics in the time domain encoded finger movement directions (directional tuning) and posture dependence (movement reference frames) by applying representational similarity analysis. High-density EEG covering the entire scalp was recorded while participants performed eight-directional, center-out reaching movements, thereby allowing us to explore directional selectivity of EEG sources over the brain beyond somatosensory areas. A majority of the source processes exhibited statistically significant directional tuning during peri-movement periods. In addition, directional tuning curves shifted systematically when the shoulder angle was rotated to perform the task within a more laterally positioned workspace, the degree of tuning curve rotation falling between that predicted by models assuming extrinsic and shoulder-based reference frames. We conclude that temporal dynamics of neural mechanisms for motor control can be studied noninvasively in humans using high-density EEG and that directional sensitivity of motor and non-motor processing is not limited within the sensorimotor areas but extends to the whole brain areas.
Quantum entanglement of a harmonic oscillator with an electromagnetic field
Authors: Makarov Dmitry N.
Published: May 2018

At present, there are many methods for obtaining quantum entanglement of particles with an electromagnetic field. Most methods have a low probability of quantum entanglement and not an exact theoretical apparatus based on an approximate solution of the Schrodinger equation. There is a need for new methods for obtaining quantum-entangled particles and mathematically accurate studies of such methods. In this paper, a quantum harmonic oscillator (for example, an electron in a magnetic field) interacting with a quantized electromagnetic field is considered. Based on the exact solution of the Schrodinger equation for this system, it is shown that for certain parameters there can be a large quantum entanglement between the electron and the electromagnetic field. Quantum entanglement is analyzed on the basis of a mathematically exact expression for the Schmidt modes and the Von Neumann entropy.
Psilocybin and MDMA reduce costly punishment in the Ultimatum Game
Authors: Gabay Anthony S. , Carhart-Harris Robin L. , Mazibuko Ndaba , Kempton Matthew J. , Morrison Paul D. , Nutt David J. , Mehta Mitul A.
Published: May 2018

Disruptions in social decision-making are becoming evident in many psychiatric conditions. These are studied using paradigms investigating the psychological mechanisms underlying interpersonal interactions, such as the Ultimatum Game (UG). Rejection behaviour in the UG represents altruistic punishment – the costly punishment of norm violators – but the mechanisms underlying it require clarification. To investigate the psychopharmacology of UG behaviour, we carried out two studies with healthy participants, employing serotonergic agonists: psilocybin (open-label, within-participant design, N = 19) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover design, N = 20). We found that both MDMA and psilocybin reduced rejection of unfair offers (odds ratio: 0.57 and 0.42, respectively). The reduction in rejection rate following MDMA was associated with increased prosociality (R2 = 0.26,p = 0.025). In the MDMA study, we investigated third-party decision-making and proposer behaviour. MDMA did not reduce rejection in the third-party condition, but produced an increase in the amount offered to others (Cohen’sd = 0.82). We argue that these compounds altered participants’ conceptualisation of ‘social reward’, placing more emphasis on the direct relationship with interacting partners. With these compounds showing efficacy in drug-assisted psychotherapy, these studies are an important step in the further characterisation of their psychological effects.
Rapid and Efficient FISH using Pre-Labeled Oligomer Probes
Authors: Waminal Nomar Espinosa , Pellerin Remnyl Joyce , Kim Nam-Soo , Jayakodi Murukarthick , Park Jee Young , Yang Tae-Jin , Kim Hyun Hee
Published: May 2018

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is used to visualize the distribution of DNA elements within a genome. Conventional methods for FISH take 1–2 days. Here, we developed a simplified, rapid FISH technique using pre-labeled oligonucleotide probes (PLOPs) and tested the procedure using 18 PLOPs from 45S and 5S rDNA, Arabidopsis-type telomere, and newly-identified Panax ginseng-specific tandem repeats. The 16 developed rDNA PLOPs can be universally applied to plants and animals. The telomere PLOPs can be utilized in most plants with Arabidopsis-type telomeres. The ginseng-specific PLOP can be used to distinguish P. ginseng from related Panax species. Differential labeling of PLOPs allowed us to simultaneously visualize different target loci while reducing the FISH hybridization time from ~16 h to 5 min. PLOP-FISH is efficient, reliable, and rapid, making it ideal for routine analysis, especially of newly sequenced genomes using either universal or specific targets, such as novel tandem repeats identified from whole-genome sequencing data.
A qualitative proteome-wide lysine crotonylation profiling of papaya (Carica papaya L.)
Authors: Liu Kaidong , Yuan Changchun , Li Haili , Chen Kunyan , Lu Lishi , Shen Chenjia , Zheng Xiaolin
Published: May 2018

Lysine crotonylation of histone proteins is a recently-identified post-translational modification with multiple cellular functions. However, no information about lysine crotonylation of non-histone proteins in fruit cells is available. Using high-resolution LC-MS/MS coupled with highly sensitive immune-affinity antibody analysis, a global crotonylation proteome analysis of papaya fruit (Carica papaya L.) was performed. In total, 2,120 proteins with 5,995 lysine crotonylation sites were discovered, among which eight conserved motifs were identified. Bioinformatic analysis linked crotonylated proteins to multiple metabolic pathways, including biosynthesis of antibiotics, carbon metabolism, biosynthesis of amino acids, and glycolysis. particularly, 40 crotonylated enzymes involved in various pathways of amino acid metabolism were identified, suggesting a potential conserved function for crotonylation in the regulation of amino acid metabolism. Numerous crotonylation sites were identified in proteins involved in the hormone signaling and cell wall-related pathways. Our comprehensive crotonylation proteome indicated diverse functions for lysine crotonylation in papaya.
The draft genome sequence of cork oak
Authors: Ramos António Marcos , Usié Ana , Barbosa Pedro , Barros Pedro M. , Capote Tiago , Chaves Inês , Simões Fernanda , Abreu Isabl , Carrasquinho Isabel , Faro Carlos , Guimarães Joana B. , Mendonça Diogo , Nóbrega Filomena , Rodrigues Leandra , Saibo Nelson J. M. , Varela Maria Carolina , Egas Conceição , Matos José , Miguel Célia M. , Oliveira M. Margarida , Ricardo Cândido P. , Gonçalves Sónia
Published: May 2018

Cork oak (Quercus suber) is native to southwest Europe and northwest Africa where it plays a crucial environmental and economical role. To tackle the cork oak production and industrial challenges, advanced research is imperative but dependent on the availability of a sequenced genome. To address this, we produced the first draft version of the cork oak genome. We followed a de novo assembly strategy based on high-throughput sequence data, which generated a draft genome comprising 23,347 scaffolds and 953.3 Mb in size. A total of 79,752 genes and 83,814 transcripts were predicted, including 33,658 high-confidence genes. An InterPro signature assignment was detected for 69,218 transcripts, which represented 82.6% of the total. Validation studies demonstrated the genome assembly and annotation completeness and highlighted the usefulness of the draft genome for read mapping of high-throughput sequence data generated using different protocols. All data generated is available through the public databases where it was deposited, being therefore ready to use by the academic and industry communities working on cork oak and/or related species.
Gridded birth and pregnancy datasets for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: James W.H.M. , Tejedor-Garavito N. , Hanspal S.E. , Campbell-Sutton A. , Hornby G.M. , Pezzulo C. , Nilsen K. , Sorichetta A. , Ruktanonchai C.W. , Carioli A. , Kerr D. , Matthews Z. , Tatem A.J.
Published: May 2018

Understanding the fine scale spatial distribution of births and pregnancies is crucial for informing planning decisions related to public health. This is especially important in lower income countries where infectious disease is a major concern for pregnant women and new-borns, as highlighted by the recent Zika virus epidemic. Despite this, the spatial detail of basic data on the numbers and distribution of births and pregnancies is often of a coarse resolution and difficult to obtain, with no co-ordination between countries and organisations to create one consistent set of subnational estimates. To begin to address this issue, under the framework of the WorldPop program, an open access archive of high resolution gridded birth and pregnancy distribution datasets for all African, Latin America and Caribbean countries has been created. Datasets were produced using the most recent and finest level census and official population estimate data available and are at a resolution of 30 arc seconds (approximately 1 km at the equator). All products are available through WorldPop.
SAXS characterization of the interactions among digested food compounds and the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the formed nanocomplexes
Authors: Yang Yingkang , Wang Xiaoqi , Chen Guijie , Zhou Wenhua , Zeng Xiaoxiong , Hu Bing , Li Yunqi , Huang Qingrong
Published: May 2018

Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is applied to investigate the interaction between caseinophosphopeptides (CPP) and chitosan (CS) under simulated gastrointestinal (GI) pH conditions.
P-Arylation of secondary phosphine oxides catalyzed by nickel-supported nanoparticles
Authors: Łastawiecka Elżbieta , Flis Anna , Stankevič Marek , Greluk Magdalena , Słowik Grzegorz , Gac Wojciech
Published: May 2018

Nickel-supported nanoparticles were used as catalysts for ligand-free Hirao coupling between secondary phosphine oxides and aryl halides.
3β-Hydroxy-Δ5-steroidal congeners from a column fraction of Dendronephthya puetteri attenuate LPS-induced inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 macrophages and zebrafish embryo model
Authors: Fernando I. P. Shanura , Lee Won Woo , Jayawardena Thilina U. , Kang Min-Cheol , Ann Yong-Seok , Ko Chang-ik , Park Young Jin , Jeon You-Jin
Published: May 2018

Bioactive compounds from marine organisms and their action mechanisms have provided new insights into medicinal and natural product research.
Proton conductivity resulting from different triazole-based ligands in two new bifunctional decavanadates
Authors: Cao Jia-Peng , Shen Feng-Cui , Luo Xi-Ming , Cui Chen-Hui , Lan Ya-Qian , Xu Yan
Published: May 2018

To investigate the effects of triazole-based ligands in polyoxovanadates (POVs) on proton conductivity, we designed and synthesized two decavanadate-based POVs.
Ionic-exchange immobilization of ultra-low loading palladium on a rGO electro-catalyst for high activity formic acid oxidation
Authors: Sun Jiuxiao , Luo Xingying , Cai Weiwei , Li Jing , Liu Zhao , Xiong Jie , Yang Zehui
Published: May 2018

A formic acid oxidation electro-catalyst with ultra-low palladium (Pd) loading was prepared via an ionic exchange method by utilizing the acidic functional groups on graphene oxide (GO).
A study on LiFePO4/graphite cells with built-in Li4Ti5O12 reference electrodes
Authors: Yi Shouzhong , Wang Bo , Chen Ziang , Wang Rui , Wang Dianlong
Published: May 2018

The characteristics of Li4Ti5O12 reference electrodes in fabricated LiFePO4/graphite lithium-ion cells were measured and discussed.
A quadrafunctional electrocatalyst of nickel/nickel oxide embedded N-graphene for oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution, hydrogen evolution and hydrogen peroxide oxidation reactions
Authors: Faisal Shaikh Nayeem , Haque Enamul , Noorbehesht Nikan , Liu Hongwei , Islam Md. Monirul , Shabnam Luba , Roy Anup Kumar , Pourazadi Ehsan , Islam Mohammod S. , Harris Andrew T. , Minett Andrew I.
Published: May 2018

A multifunctional nano-heterostructured electrocatalyst of transition metal/metal oxide (nickel/nickel oxide) embedded on nitrogen-doped graphene is reported.