bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunoexpression of HDAC1, HDAC2, and HAT1 in actinic cheilitis and lip squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chrun ES , Modolo F , Vieira DSC , Borges‐Júnior ÁLS , Castro RG , Daniel FI
Published: January 2017

Background

Acetylation and deacetylation are the most studied covalent histone modifications resulting in transcriptional regulation with histone deacetylases (HDAC) and histone acetyltransferases (HAT) as the main associated enzymes. These enzymes overexpression induces abnormal transcription of key genes that regulate important cellular functions, such as proliferation, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis. Thus, the expression of different HATs and HDACs has been evaluated in various cancers.

Objective

To investigate HDAC1, HDAC2 and HAT1 expression in lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and actinic cheilitis (AC) and to demonstrate their correlation with DNA metyltransferases (DNMTs).

Material and methods

Thirty cases of lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), thirty cases of actinic cheilitis (AC), and 28 cases of non‐neoplastic epithelium as control were selected for immunohistochemical investigation.

Results

Nuclear HDAC2 immunopositivity was significantly higher in AC (75.07% ± 29.70) when compared with LSCC (51.06% ± 39.02). HDAC1 and HAT1 nuclear immunostaining were higher in AC, with no statistical significance. When comparing data with our previous study, we found a positive correlation between HDAC1 X DNMT1/DNMT3b, HDAC2 X DNMT3b, and HAT1 X DNMT1/DNMT3b for certain studied groups.

Conclusion

This study showed higher levels of nuclear HDAC2 immunopositivity in AC, possibly indicating that this enzyme plays a key role in lip photocarcinogenesis early stages.
Novel Wx alleles induced by chemical mutagens in rice, Oryza sativa L.
Authors: Lin Bing‐nan , Hsu Yu‐chia , Kuo Su‐chen , Lin Yann‐rong , Wu Yong‐pei , Kuo Chie‐wei
Published: January 2017

From mutant pools of two Taiwanese elite japonica cultivars, Tainung 67 and Taikeng 8, we identified 13 mutant lines possessing opaque endosperm with relatively low amylose contents (AC) ranging from 1.5% to 7.1%. Because of different AC, paste viscosities of these 13 mutant lines differed, as revealed by palatability and physicochemical properties. The mutated gene conferring opaque endosperm was isolated from the F2 population of one mutant line, WY1× indica cv. ‘Taichung Sen 17’, by positional cloning, revealing a G3018→A3018 substitution at exon 9 of Waxy leading to a non‐synonymous mutation from alanine to valine. Two additional alleles were identified from the other 12 mutant lines, for which single‐nucleotide substitutions G2708 → A2708 and G3029 → A3029 occurred in exons 8 and 9, leading to non‐synonymous mutations from arginine to histidine and glutamic acid to lysine, respectively. The three novel wx alleles had different effects on grain quality, specifically on eating and cooking quality, and could be applied in rice breeding programmes to develop new low AC varieties by marker‐assisted selection.
Exploiting cell cycle inhibitor genes of the KRP family to control root‐knot nematode induced feeding sites in plants
Authors: Coelho Roberta Ramos , Vieira Paulo , Antonino de Souza Júnior José Dijair , Martin‐Jimenez Cristina , De Veylder Lieven , Cazareth Julie , Engler Gilbert , Grossi‐de‐Sa Maria Fatima , de Almeida Engler Janice
Published: January 2017

Cell cycle control in galls provoked by root‐knot nematodes involves the activity of inhibitor genes like the Arabidopsis ICK/KRP members. Ectopic KRP1, KRP2 and KRP4 expression resulted in decreased gall size by inhibiting mitotic activity, whereas KRP6 induces mitosis in galls. Herein, we investigate the role of KRP3, KRP5 and KRP7 during gall development and compared their role with previously studied members of this class of cell cycle inhibitors. Overexpression of KRP3 and KRP7 culminated in undersized giant cells, with KRP3OE galls presenting peculiar elongated giant cells. Nuclei in KRP3OE and KRP5OE lines presented a convoluted and apparently connected phenotype. This appearance may be associated with the punctuated protein nuclear localization driven by specific common motifs. As well, ectopic expression of KRP3OE and KRP5OE affected nematode development and offspring. Decreased mitotic activity in galls of KRP3OE and KRP7OE lines led to a reduced gall size which presented distinct shapes – from more elongated like in the KRP3OE line to small rounded like in the KRP7OE line. Results presented strongly support the idea that induced expression of cell cycle inhibitors such as KRP3 and KRP7 in galls can be envisaged as a conceivable strategy for nematode feeding site control in crop species attacked by phytopathogenic nematodes.
Glutathione peroxidase‐like enzymes cover five distinct cell compartments and membrane surfaces in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Attacha Safira , Solbach David , Bela Krisztina , Moseler Anna , Wagner Stephan , Schwarzländer Markus , Aller Isabel , Müller Stefanie J. , Meyer Andreas J.
Published: January 2017

Glutathione peroxidase‐like enzymes (GPXLs) constitute a family of eight peroxidases in Arabidopsis thaliana. In contrast to the eponymous selenocysteine glutathione peroxidases in mammalian cells that use glutathione as electron donor, GPXLs rely on cysteine instead of selenocysteine for activity and depend on the thioredoxin system for reduction. Although plant GPXLs have been implicated in important agronomic traits such as drought tolerance, photooxidative tolerance and immune responses, there remain major ambiguities regarding their subcellular localization. Because their site of action is a prerequisite for an understanding of their function, we investigated the localization of all eight GPXLs in stable Arabidopsis lines expressing N‐terminal and C‐terminal fusions with redox‐sensitive green fluorescent protein 2 (roGFP2) using confocal microscopy. GPXL1 and GPXL7 were found in plastids, while GPXL2 and GPXL8 are cytosolic nuclear. The N‐terminal target peptide of GPXL6 is sufficient to direct roGFP2 into mitochondria. Interestingly, GPXL3, GPXL4 and GPXL5 all appear to be membrane bound. GPXL3 was found exclusively in the secretory pathway where it is anchored by a single N‐terminal transmembrane domain. GPXL4 and GPXL5 are anchored to the plasma membrane. Presence of an N‐terminal myristoylation motif and genetic disruption of membrane association through targeted mutagenesis point to myristoylation as essential for membrane localization.
Role of cytokine changes in clozapine‐induced fever: A cohort prospective study
Authors: Hung Yuan‐Pin , Wang Carol S‐M. , Yen Chia‐Nan , Chang Hsun‐Cheng , Chen Po See , Lee I Hui , Chen Kao Chin , Yang Yen Kuang , Lu Ru‐Band , Wang Tzu‐Yun
Published: January 2017

Aim

Clozapine‐associated fever is common but the specific cytokine changes and treatment durations that may cause fever remain unknown. We investigated the association between inflammatory cytokine changes and clozapine‐induced fever in patients who were treated with clozapine.

Methods

Forty‐three patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, diagnosed by using the Chinese Version of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, were treated with clozapine for the first time (first‐time use group, n = 22) or for more than 6 months (long‐term use group, n = 21). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, tympanic temperature, and levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interferon‐γ (INF‐γ), interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were determined at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. A multiple linear regression with generalized estimating equation methods was used to analyze the association between the changes in the cytokine levels and clozapine‐induced fever in the different groups.

Results

The IL‐6 level changes were significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.04). In the first‐time use group, the fever rate was increased (47.1%) compared with the long‐term use group (5.6%, P = 0.005). Moreover, in these patients, the TNF‐α, INF‐γ, IL‐2, and IL‐6 levels were significantly (P < 0.001) different from patients who did not develop a fever. An interaction effect with the different treatment duration groups and fever development was only significant for IL‐6 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients who were treated with clozapine for the first time have an increased rate of developing a fever, and IL‐6 might have a specific role in the interaction effect between treatment duration and fever development.
Expression of immune genes in skin of channel catfish immunized with live theronts of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis
Authors: Moreira G. S. A. , Shoemaker C. A. , Zhang D. , Xu D.‐H.
Published: January 2017

The objective of this study was to evaluate differential expression of innate and adaptive immune genes, including immunoglobulin, immune cell receptor, cytokine, inflammatory protein, toll‐like receptors (TLR) and recombination‐activating gene (RAG) in skin from channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus after immunization with live theronts of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) by intraperitoneal injection. The immunized catfish showed significantly higher survival rate (95%) than those of mock‐immunized control fish (0% survival) after the theront challenge. The gene expression of innate immune system, such as cytokines (IL‐1β type a, IL‐1β type b, IFN‐γ, TGF1‐β and TNF‐α) and inflammatory proteins (NF‐kB and iNOS 2), showed significant upregulation at day 1 (D1) post‐immunization. Expression of TLR genes exhibited a rapid increase from hour 4 (h4) to D10 post‐immunization. Genes of the adaptive response, such as the cell receptor MHC I, CD8+, CD4+ and TCR‐α, showed upregulation at D1, D6 and D10. The TCR‐β expression increased rapidly at h4 and remained upregulated until D10. Immunoglobulin IgM upregulation was detected from h4 until D2 while IgD expression was increased from D1 until D10. Rapid upregulation of innate and adaptive immune genes in skin of catfish following live theront vaccination was demonstrated in this study ultimately resulting in significant protection against Ich infection.
T‐cell clones in human trichinellosis: Evidence for a mixed Th1/Th2 response
Authors: Della Bella C. , Benagiano M. , De Gennaro M. , Gomez‐Morales M. A. , Ludovisi A. , D'Elios S. , Luchi S. , Pozio E. , D'Elios M. M. , Bruschi F.
Published: January 2017

In humans, studies on the cellular immune response against Trichinella are scarce. Aim of this study was to characterize the cytokine profile of T cells specific for Trichinella britovi in trichinellosis patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from five patients involved in a trichinellosis outbreak caused by T. britovi, which occurred in 2013 in Tuscany (Italy). All the patients resulted positive for Trichinella‐specific IgG, IgE and presented eosinophilia. T cells were investigated for their proliferation to excretory/secretory antigens from Trichinella spiralis muscle larvae (TsES) and for their cytokine profile. A total of 284 CD4+ and 42 CD8+ T‐cell clones were obtained from the TsES‐specific T‐cell lines from PBMC. All T‐cell clones proliferated in response to mitogen. Of the 284 CD4+ T‐cell clones generated from TsES‐specific T‐cell lines, 135 (47%) proliferated significantly to TsES; 26% CD8+ T‐cell clones showed proliferation to TsES. In the series of the 135 TsES‐specific CD4+ clones, 51% expressed a Th2 profile, 30% a Th0 and 19% Th1. In the series of the 11 TsES‐specific CD8+ T‐cell clones, 18% were Tc2, 45% Tc0 and 36% Tc1. In human trichinellosis, the cellular immune response is, during the chronic phase, mixed Th1/Th2.
Evaluating the Clinical COPD Questionnaire: A systematic review
Authors: Zhou Zijing , Zhou Aiyuan , Zhao Yiyang , Chen Ping
Published: January 2017

The Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) is recommended by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) to evaluate health status in patients with COPD. The objective of this work was to systemically assess the reliability, validity, responsiveness and minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of the CCQ. A structured search was conducted in three databases to identify articles that evaluated the psychometric properties of the CCQ in individuals with COPD. Two investigators screened the title, abstract and full text of the articles to determine study eligibility and performed the data extraction. Quality assessment of included studies was assessed by the COSMIN (Consensus‐Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments) checklist. Finally, 43 studies were included, over half of which had fair methodological quality. Internal consistency (reliability) of the CCQ total score ranged from 0.84 to 0.94, and test‐retest reliability was 0.70–0.99. The overall CCQ had a better correlation with St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ; from 0.71 to 0.88) and COPD Assessment Test (CAT; from 0.64 to 0.88) than modified Medical Research Council (mMRC; from 0.392 to 0.668) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1% predicted; from −0.31 to −0.68). Scores were different within GOLD stages, groups, composite events and co‐morbidities. CCQ was sensitive to exacerbations, pulmonary rehabilitation and smoking cessation with the MCID of 0.4. The CCQ is a very useful and practical tool that can be used in clinical populations with good reliability, validity and responsiveness to interventions.
How is physical activity measured in lung cancer?A systematic review of outcome measures and their psychometric properties
Authors: Edbrooke Lara , Denehy Linda , Parry Selina M. , Astin Ronan , Jack Sandy , Granger Catherine L.
Published: January 2017

Physical activity (PA) levels are low in patients with lung cancer. Emerging evidence supports the use of interventions to increase PA in this population. We aimed to (1) identify and synthesize outcome measures which assess PA levels in patients with lung cancer and (2) to evaluate, synthesize and compare the psychometric properties of these measures. A systematic review of articles from searches was conducted of five electronic databases and personal records. Eligible studies were those which assessed PA using either performance‐based or patient‐reported measures. For aim 2, studies identified in aim 1 reporting on at least one psychometric property (validity, reliability, responsiveness or measurement error) were included. Two independent reviewers assessed eligibility and risk of bias with the COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments.

Thirty‐four studies using 21 different measures of PA were identified. Seventeen studies used performance‐based measures. The Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) was the most frequently used patient‐reported measure. Psychometric properties were reported for 13 of these measures and most frequently for movement sensors. Two studies reported on properties of the GLTEQ. Quality ratings for risk of bias were low. There is significant heterogeneity amongst studies regarding method of PA measurement along the lung cancer continuum. Greater consensus could be achieved by using a consensus approach such as a Delphi process. Future studies should include assessment of psychometric properties of the measurement tool being used. Currently, it is recommended where feasible, both performance‐based and patient‐reported measurements of PA should be undertaken.
Knee function among elite handball and football players 1‐6 years after anterior cruciate ligament injury
Authors: Myklebust G. , Bahr R. , Nilstad A. , Steffen K.
Published: January 2017

The aim of the study was to describe objective and self‐reported knee function for athletes who have returned to elite handball and football play after an ACL injury, comparing these to non‐injured players at the same level. A total of 414 handball and 444 football players completed baseline tests from 2007 through 2014, examining lower extremity strength, dynamic balance, knee laxity, and knee function (KOOS questionnaire). Measures were compared between injured and non‐injured legs and between injured legs and legs of controls. Eighty (9.3%) of the 858 players reported a previous ACL injury, 1‐6 years post‐injury (3.5±2.5 years), 49 handball (61.3%) and 31 football players (38.7%). We found no difference in strength or dynamic balance between previously ACL‐injured (N=80) and non‐injured players legs (N=1556). However, lower quadriceps (6.3%, 95% CI: 3.2‐9.2) and hamstrings muscle strength (6.1%, 95% CI: 3.3‐8.1) were observed in previously ACL‐injured legs compared to the non‐injured contralateral side (N=80). ACL‐injured knees displayed greater joint laxity than the contralateral knee (N=80, 17%, 95% CI: 8‐26) and healthy knees (N=1556, 23%, 95% CI: 14‐33). KOOS scores were significantly lower for injured knees compared to knees of non‐injured players. ACL‐injured players who have successfully returned to elite sport have comparable strength and balance measures as their non‐injured teammates. Subjective perception of knee function is strongly affected by injury history, with clinically relevant lower scores for the KOOS subscores Pain, Function, Sport, and Quality Of Life.
Participation in sports, body composition, and fitness characteristics in children according to ethnic background
Authors: Toselli S. , Belcastro M. G.
Published: January 2017

Participation in sports has important implications, being associated with health and social features. The objectives of this study were to verify whether there were any differences in sport participation between immigrant and Italian children and whether there was any relation with their body composition and fitness characteristics. A survey was conducted on 1432 children attending primary school in the Emilia‐Romagna (northern Italy). Anthropometric measurements, fitness characteristics, and data about participation in sports were considered. Italian children were more likely to participate in sports than immigrants and boys than girls. Among immigrants, the lowest values were observed in Asians. Eastern European males and Latin American females displayed the widest dimensions. Eastern Europeans generally showed the highest values of strength, while Latin Americans had the highest values of flexibility. Asian children showed the highest values of centripetal fat, and a high percentage of them exceeded the %F reference. These aspects, together with the low frequency of practicing sports, place Asians at greater risks for health. Sex and ethnic group are the most informative variables associated with participation in sports by children. Interventions including health education lessons and promoting the participation in sports for immigrant children attending schools need to be encouraged.
Fast switch from extensional exhumation to thrusting of the Ronda Peridotites (South Spain)
Authors: Frasca Gianluca , Gueydan Frédéric , Poujol Marc , Brun Jean‐Pierre , Parat Fleurice , Monié Patrick , Pichat Alexandre , Mazier Sophie
Published: January 2017

The Alboran Domain, situated at the western end of the Mediterranean subduction system, is characterized by the Ronda Peridotites, one of the world's largest exposures of sub‐continental mantle. Using U–Pb (LA‐ICP‐MS) and Ar–Ar dating, we precisely dated two tectonic events associated with the Tertiary exhumation of the Ronda Peridotites. First, shearing along the Crust–Mantle Extensional Shear Zone caused, at ca. 22.5 Ma, mantle exhumation, local partial melting in the deep crust and coeval cooling in the upper crust. Second, the Ronda Peridotites Thrust triggered the final emplacement of the peridotites onto the continental crust at c. 21 Ma, as testified by granitic intrusions in the thrust hangingwall. The tectonic evolution of the western Alboran Domain is therefore characterized by a fast switch from continental lithospheric extension in a backarc setting, with sub‐continental mantle exhumation, to a rift inversion by thrusting driven by shortening of the upper plate.
Leeuwarden 2018: Complexity of Leisure‐Led Regional Development in A European Capital of Culture
Authors: Meekes Jasper F. , Buda Dorina M. , De Roo Gert
Published: January 2017

Leeuwarden was chosen as European Capital of Culture (ECOC) for 2018. We address, through a complexity perspective, how leisure characteristics of the ECOC can affect regional development in Fryslân. Three aspects are identified that make leisure‐led regional development complex: (i) fragmentation of the leisure sector; (ii) balance between developing leisure and protecting existing social, cultural and ecological qualities; and (iii) difficulties obtaining crossovers between leisure and broader regional development. In an analysis of policy documents for the 2018 ECOC, we observe that although the interactions central to these complexities are recognised they are not captured in the monitoring of the ECOC effects through quantified targets such as attracting four million tourists. We argue that an approach that constantly acknowledges the interactions within leisure is required for a positive effect on regional development to emerge. This necessitates a process in which targets can be adapted according to changing circumstances.
Transposable elements (TEs) contribute to stress‐related long intergenic noncoding RNAs in plants
Authors: Wang Dong , Qu Zhipeng , Yang Lan , Zhang Qingzhu , Liu Zhi‐Hong , Do Trung , Adelson David L. , Wang Zhen‐Yu , Searle Iain , Zhu Jian‐Kang
Published: January 2017

Noncoding RNAs have been extensively described in plant and animal transcriptomes by using high‐throughput sequencing technology. Of these noncoding RNAs, a growing number of long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) have been described in multicellular organisms, however the origins and functions of many lincRNAs remain to be explored. In many eukaryotic genomes, transposable elements (TEs) are widely distributed and often account for large fractions of plant and animal genomes yet the contribution of TEs to lincRNAs is largely unknown. By using strand‐specific RNA‐sequencing, we profiled the expression patterns of lincRNAs in Arabidopsis, rice and maize, and identified 47 611 and 398 TE‐associated lincRNAs (TE‐lincRNAs), respectively. TE‐lincRNAs were more often derived from retrotransposons than DNA transposons and as retrotransposon copy number in both rice and maize genomes so did TE‐lincRNAs. We validated the expression of these TE‐lincRNAs by strand‐specific RT‐PCR and also demonstrated tissue‐specific transcription and stress‐induced TE‐lincRNAs either after salt, abscisic acid (ABA) or cold treatments. For Arabidopsis TE‐lincRNA11195, mutants had reduced sensitivity to ABA as demonstrated by longer roots and higher shoot biomass when compared to wild‐type. Finally, by altering the chromatin state in the Arabidopsis chromatin remodelling mutant ddm1, unique lincRNAs including TE‐lincRNAs were generated from the preceding untranscribed regions and interestingly inherited in a wild‐type background in subsequent generations. Our findings not only demonstrate that TE‐associated lincRNAs play important roles in plant abiotic stress responses but lincRNAs and TE‐lincRNAs might act as an adaptive reservoir in eukaryotes.
Independent Validation and Clinical Utility Study of the Hellenic WISC-III Using a Greek-Cypriot Sample
Authors: Souroulla Andry Vrachimi , Panayiotou Georgia
Published: January 2017

The Hellenic WISC-III (Wechsler, 1997) is currently the only standardized and officially published tool for the assessment of the intelligence of children and adolescents in Greece. The test is also used with caution in Cyprus, among Greek speakers, but no specific norms exist for use in this country. The purpose of this study was to provide evidence of the qualities of the test using an independent Greek-Cypriot sample and to support its utility in the psychological evaluation of Greek speaking children in Cyprus. The participants were 151 public school children aged 9:1 to 15:8 years. Correlations between the subtests of the WISC-III and the Scale IQs and, also, correlations between scores on the WISC-III and achievement measures as well as the educational level of parents provided evidence of convergent - construct validity. Low correlations between scores on the WISC-III and measures of psychopathology supported the instruments divergent - construct validity. Also, an exploratory factor analysis further supported the construct validity of the test. Moreover, the study provided evidence in support of the predictive validity and clinical utility of the test by examining the cognitive profiles on the Hellenic WISC-III of children with learning difficulties and identifying the WISC-III subscale scores that best distinguish them. This evidence is very important for clinicians in Cyprus but, also, further supports the international evidence about the utility of the Wechsler ability scales.
Adaptation of Organizational Justice in Sport Scale into Turkish Language: Validity and Reliability Study
Authors: Sayin Ayfer , Şahin Mustafa Yaşar
Published: January 2017

The present study aimed to provide a Turkish adaptation of the Organizational Justice in Sport Scale and perform reliability and validity studies. Answers provided by 260 participants who work as football, male basketball and female basketball coaches in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) were analysed using the original scale that comprised 17 items and three dimensions rated on a Likert-type 7-point scale. Subsequently, the opinions of 210 coaches were obtained. Confirmatory factor analysis conducted at the end of the study determined that the standardized regression coefficients vary between 0.45 and 0.92. Model-fit indexes showed that Turkish version of the scale had high construct validity. It was found that the corrected item-total correlation varied between 0.589 and 0.846. Further, it was determined that there were medium-/high-level positive correlations between sub-dimensions. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient was calculated as 0.957. The authors concluded that the Turkish version of the Organizational Justice in Sport Scale was a valid, reliable and convenient measurement tool for determining the level of Organizational justice among the coaches.
Mitochondrial energetics and calcium coupling in the heart
Authors: Kohlhaas Michael , Nickel Alexander G. , Maack Christoph
Published: January 2017

Contraction and relaxation of the heart consume large amounts of energy that need to be replenished by oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria, and matching energy supply to demand involves the complimentary control of respiration through ADP and Ca2+. In heart failure, an imbalance between ADP and Ca2+ leads to oxidation of mitochondrial pyridine nucleotides, where NADH oxidation may limit ATP production and contractile function, while NADPH oxidation can induce oxidative stress with consecutive maladaptive remodelling. Understanding the complex mechanisms that disturb this finely tuned equilibrium may aid the development of drugs that could ameliorate the progression of heart failure beyond the classical neuroendocrine inhibition.

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Extrinsic time-dependent dielectric breakdown of low-k organosilicate thin films from vacuum-ultraviolet irradiation
Authors: Guo Xiangyu , Pei Dongfei , Zheng Huifeng , Li Weiyi , Shohet J. Leon , King Sean W. , Lin Yi-Hung , Fung Hok-Sum , Chen Cheng-Chi , Nishi Yoshio
Published: January 2017

In this work, the effect of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photon irradiation on the time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) of low-k organosilicate thin films was investigated, with particular emphasis on extrinsic TDDB (includes Cu migration effects). State-of-the-art low-k a-SiOC:H thin films were utilized because of their relevance as both an interlayer dielectric and as a candidate Cu capping-layer material. Synchrotron radiation was used to mimic VUV photon irradiation from processing plasmas without the presence of charged particles. TDDB characteristic lifetimes of the low-k a-SiOC:H dielectrics, before and after VUV photon exposure, were measured based on a Ti/a-SiOC:H/Cu metal-insulator-metal structure. The deterioration of extrinsic TDDB was observed in the film after exposure to VUV photons with 9 eV energy. The most notable degradation of the dielectric characteristic lifetime was found when the Cu electrode was used as an anode in the sample after 9.0 eV VUV photon exposure (photon fluence is 4.0 × 1015 photons/cm2). This is believed to be related to the Cu+ ions created by a VUV photon-assisted reaction. In the presence of an electric field, these Cu ions drift into the low-k dielectric and deteriorate TDDB performance.
The contribution of timbre attributes to musical tension
Authors: Farbood Morwaread M. , Price Khen C.
Published: January 2017

Timbre is an auditory feature that has received relatively little attention in empirical work examining musical tension. In order to address this gap, an experiment was conducted to explore the contribution of several specific timbre attributes—inharmonicity, roughness, spectral centroid, spectral deviation, and spectral flatness—to the perception of tension. Listeners compared pairs of sounds representing low and high degrees of each attribute and indicated which sound was more tense. Although the response profiles showed that the high states corresponded with increased tension for all attributes, further analysis revealed that some attributes were strongly correlated with others. When qualitative factors, attribute correlations, and listener responses were all taken into account, there was fairly strong evidence that higher degrees of roughness, inharmonicity, and spectral flatness elicited higher tension. On the other hand, evidence that higher spectral centroid and spectral deviation corresponded to increases in tension was ambiguous.
A dual-rating method for evaluating impact noise isolation of floor-ceiling assemblies
Authors: LoVerde John J. , Dong D. Wayland
Published: January 2017

Impact Insulation Class (IIC), the single-number rating for evaluating the impact noise insulation of a floor-ceiling assembly, and the associated field testing ratings, are unsatisfactory because they do not have strong correlation with subjective reaction nor provide suitable detailed information for evaluation or design of floor-ceiling assemblies. Various proposals have been made for improving the method, but the data presented indicate that no single-number rating can adequately characterize the impact noise isolation of an assembly. For realistic impact noise sources and floor-ceiling assembly types, there are two frequency domains for impact noise, and the impact noise levels in the two domains can vary independently. Therefore, two ratings are required in order to satisfactorily evaluate the impact isolation provided by a floor-ceiling assembly. Two different ratings are introduced for measuring field impact isolation in the two frequency domains, using the existing impact source and measurement method. They are named low-frequency impact rating (LIR) and high-frequency impact rating (HIR). LIR and HIR are proposed to improve the current method for design and evaluation of floor-ceiling assemblies and also provide a better method for predicting subjective reaction.
Clonal hematopoiesis associated with TET2 deficiency accelerates atherosclerosis development in mice
Authors: Fuster José J. , MacLauchlan Susan , Zuriaga María A. , Polackal Maya N. , Ostriker Allison C. , Chakraborty Raja , Wu Chia-Ling , Sano Soichi , Muralidharan Sujatha , Rius Cristina , Vuong Jacqueline , Jacob Sophia , Muralidhar Varsha , Robertson Avril A. B. , Cooper Matthew A. , Andrés Vicente , Hirschi Karen K. , Martin Kathleen A. , Walsh Kenneth
Published: January 2017

Faulty blood cells and heart disease

Recent studies have shown that elderly people's blood cells often harbor mutations in genes encoding certain epigenetic regulators. These mutations can lead to clonal expansion of the mutant blood cells, which increases the risk of blood cancers and cardiovascular disease. Fuster
et al.
generated a mouse model to investigate how one of these genes,
Tet2
, affects atherosclerosis development (see the Perspective by Zhu
et al.
). They found that the disease progressed more rapidly in mice transplanted with
Tet2
-deficient bone marrow cells. This was due to increased secretion of interleukin-1β by
Tet2
-deficient macrophages in a process that depended on the action of inflammasomes.

Science
, this issue p.
842
; see also p.
798
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of an atomically thin material using a single-spin qubit
Authors: Lovchinsky I. , Sanchez-Yamagishi J. D. , Urbach E. K. , Choi S. , Fang S. , Andersen T. I. , Watanabe K. , Taniguchi T. , Bylinskii A. , Kaxiras E. , Kim P. , Park H. , Lukin M. D.
Published: January 2017

Getting a sense of atomically thin materials

Two-dimensional materials such as graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides provide a powerful platform for optoelectronic applications. As the materials get thinner, however, characterizing the electronic properties can present an experimental challenge. Lovchinsky
et al.
demonstrate that atomic-like impurities in diamond can be used to probe the properties of 2D materials by nanometer-scale nuclear quadrupole resonance spectroscopy. Coherent manipulation of shallow nitrogen-vacancy color centers enabled probing of nanoscale ensembles down to several tens of nuclear spins in atomically thin hexagonal boron nitride.

Science
, this issue p.
503
Identification of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus from a Patient with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Song Y. , Gyarmati P.
Published: January 2017

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is an oncogenic virus associated with Merkel cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer with a high (>30%) mortality rate. The virus has a high incidence in patients with immunosuppressed conditions, such as AIDS or leukemia, or following organ transplantation. Here, we report the complete genomic sequence of MCPyV identified from a blood sample from a patient with acute myeloid leukemia.
Handball load and shoulder injury rate: a 31-week cohort study of 679 elite youth handball players
Authors: Møller M , Nielsen R O , Attermann J , Wedderkopp N , Lind M , Sørensen H , Myklebust G
Published: January 2017

Background

Knowledge of injury patterns, an essential step towards injury prevention, is lacking in youth handball.

Aim

To investigate if an increase in handball load is associated with increased shoulder injury rates compared with a minor increase or decrease, and if an association is influenced by scapular control, isometric shoulder strength or glenohumeral range of motion (ROM).

Methods

679 players (14–18 years) provided weekly reports on shoulder injury and handball load (training and competition hours) over 31 weeks using the SMS, phone and medical examination system. Handball load in a given week was categorised into (1) <20% increase or decrease (reference), (2) increase between 20% and 60% and (3) increase >60% relative to the weekly average amount of handball load the preceding 4 weeks. Assessment of shoulder isometric rotational and abduction strength, ROM and scapular control was performed at baseline and midseason.

Results

An increase in handball load by >60% was associated with greater shoulder injury rate (HR 1.91; 95% CI 1.00 to 3.70, p=0.05) compared with the reference group. The effect of an increase in handball load between 20% and 60% was exacerbated among players with reduced external rotational strength (HR 4.0; 95% CI 1.1 to 15.2, p=0.04) or scapular dyskinesis (HR 4.8; 95% CI 1.3 to 18.3, p=0.02). Reduced external rotational strength exacerbated the effect of an increase above 60% (HR 4.2; 95% CI 1.4 to 12.8, p=0.01).

Conclusions

A large increase in weekly handball load increases the shoulder injury rate in elite youth handball players; particularly, in the presence of reduced external rotational strength or scapular dyskinesis.
Protocol of a feasibility study for cognitive assessment of an ageing cohort within the Southeast Asia Community Observatory (SEACO), Malaysia
Authors: Mohan Devi , Stephan Blossom C M , Allotey Pascale , Jagger Carol , Pearce Mark , Siervo Mario , Reidpath Daniel D
Published: January 2017

Introduction

There is a growing proportion of population aged 65 years and older in low-income and middle-income countries. In Malaysia, this proportion is predicted to increase from 5.1% in 2010 to more than 15.4% by 2050. Cognitive ageing and dementia are global health priorities. However, risk factors and disease associations in a multiethnic, middle-income country like Malaysia may not be consistent with those reported in other world regions. Knowing the burden of cognitive impairment and its risk factors in Malaysia is necessary for the development of management strategies and would provide valuable information for other transitional economies.

Methods and analysis

This is a community-based feasibility study focused on the assessment of cognition, embedded in the longitudinal study of health and demographic surveillance site of the South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO), in Malaysia. In total, 200 adults aged ≥50 years are selected for an in-depth health and cognitive assessment including the Mini Mental State Examination, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, blood pressure, anthropometry, gait speed, hand grip strength, Depression Anxiety Stress Score and dried blood spots.

Discussion and conclusions

The results will inform the feasibility, response rates and operational challenges for establishing an ageing study focused on cognitive function in similar middle-income country settings. Knowing the burden of cognitive impairment and dementia and risk factors for disease will inform local health priorities and management, and place these within the context of increasing life expectancy.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol is approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee. Informed consent is obtained from all the participants. The project's analysed data and findings will be made available through publications and conference presentations and a data sharing archive. Reports on key findings will be made available as community briefs on the SEACO website.
Patient understanding of liver cirrhosis and improvement using multimedia education
Authors: Goldsworthy Matthew A , Fateen Waleed , Thygesen Helene , Aldersley Mark A , Rowe Ian A , Jones Rebecca L
Published: January 2017

Objective

For patients to engage with the long-term management of liver cirrhosis, sufficient understanding of their condition is essential. The aim of this study was to assess baseline patient knowledge and to test whether a condition-specific multimedia screencast could improve this.

Design

Service quality improvement study.

Setting

A UK tertiary liver centre. Patients were recruited during 12 general hepatology outpatient clinics.

Patients

Fifty-two patients with liver cirrhosis were included. Sixty-two per cent were male; their median age was 56 years and their median clinic attendance period was 3 years.

Interventions

Participants completed a baseline questionnaire assessing their knowledge of the management and complications of cirrhosis. They then watched a tailored screencast discussing this condition, which had been developed by expert hepatologists in collaboration with patient representatives. Knowledge was reassessed using a new copy of the original questionnaire after an interval of at least one month.

Main outcome measures

Patient scores on knowledge questionnaires at baseline and follow-up.

Results

Fifty-two patients achieved a median score of 25.0% before viewing the screencast. Thirty-five patients then completed a follow-up questionnaire after an interval period. The median questionnaire score in this group improved from 25.0% to 66.7%; an increase of 41.7% compared with baseline (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Despite regular review at a specialist clinic, participants had poor baseline knowledge of liver cirrhosis. Delivering information by screencast led to a significant improvement. We therefore present an effective way to empower patients with accurate, up-to-date and retainable information that can easily be translated to many other conditions.
Galectin-1 expression is associated with tumour immunity and prognosis in gingival squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Noda Yuri , Kishino Mitsunobu , Sato Sunao , Hirose Katsutoshi , Sakai Manabu , Fukuda Yasuo , Murakami Shumei , Toyosawa Satoru
Published: January 2017

Aims

Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is a β-galactoside-binding protein that overexpresses in cancer and plays pivotal roles in tumour progression. Gal-1 regulates angiogenesis and invasiveness, and suppresses tumour immunity by inducing T cell apoptosis. Several studies have examined the relationship between Gal-1 and tumour immunosuppression in vivo, but they have not examined the clinicopathological relationship between Gal-1 expression and apoptotic T cell number in human tissue. In this study, we investigated the association between Gal-1 expression and apoptotic T cells of gingival squamous cell carcinoma (GSCC), as well as other clinicopathological factors.

Methods

Immunohistochemical investigation of 80 GSCC specimens using anti-Gal-1, anti-CD3, anti-CD4, anti-CD8, anti-CD34, antipodoplanin and anticleaved caspase-3 (CC-3) antibodies was performed. Relative expression levels of CD3 and CC-3, as well as CD8 and CC-3 were assessed simultaneously by double immunostaining. Gal-1 expression and T cell apoptosis were evaluated in 6 high-power fields (3 in the tumour and 3 in the stroma).

Results

Gal-1 expression in GSCC was significantly correlated with T cell infiltration (p=0.036), and apoptosis of CD3+ and CD8+ T cells (p<0.001). Moreover, Gal-1 expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (p=0.021), histological differentiation (p<0.001) and overall survival rate (p=0.021).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that Gal-1 plays an important role in immune escape of GSCC cells, and Gal-1 expression level may be a useful clinicopathological prognostic marker for GSCC.
Cooperativity between the hydrogen bonding andσ-hole interaction in linear NCX···(NCH)n=2–5and O3Z···(NCH)n=2–5complexes (X = Cl, Br; Z = Ar, Kr): a comparative study
Authors: Esrafili Mehdi D. , Kiani Hossein
Published: January 2017

Quantum chemical calculations are performed to investigate the cooperativity of hydrogen bonding with halogen or aerogen bonding interactions in linear NCX···(NCH)n=2–5and O3Z···(NCH)n=2–5clusters, where X = Cl, Br and Z = Ar, Kr. To understand the cooperativity mechanism in these systems, the corresponding binary NCX···NCH and O3Z···NCH complexes are also considered. The binding distances, interaction energies, and bonding properties of the NCX···(NCH)n=2–5and O3Z···(NCH)n=2–5clusters are analyzed in detail. It is found that the cooperative effects in the hydrogen bonding tend to strengthen X···N and Z···N interactions. For both NCX···(NCH)nand O3Z···(NCH)nclusters, a small bond shrinkage is observed from n = 4 to n = 5, which suggests that the cooperativity effects are almost saturated in the larger clusters (n > 5). As the size of the X or Z atom is increased, the magnitude of the cooperative energy in these systems is also increased, which is mainly ascribed to changes in electrostatic potentials and orbital interactions. Our results indicate that the cooperative effects lead to a substantial change in the14N nuclear quadrupole coupling constants of the NCH molecule.
Hidden local symmetry and beyond
Authors: Yamawaki Koichi
Published: January 2017

Gerry Brown was a godfather of our hidden local symmetry (HLS) for the vector meson from the birth of the theory throughout his life. The HLS is originated from very nature of the nonlinear realization of the symmetry [Formula: see text] based on the manifold [Formula: see text], and thus is universal to any physics based on the nonlinear realization. Here, I focus on the Higgs Lagrangian of the Standard Model (SM), which is shown to be equivalent to the nonlinear sigma model based on [Formula: see text] with additional symmetry, the nonlinearly-realized scale symmetry. Then, the SM does have a dynamical gauge boson of the SU[Formula: see text] HLS, “SM [Formula: see text] meson”, in addition to the Higgs as a pseudo-dilaton as well as the NG bosons to be absorbed in to the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Based on the recent work done with Matsuzaki and Ohki, I discuss a novel possibility that the SM [Formula: see text] meson acquires kinetic term by the SM dynamics itself, which then stabilizes the skyrmion dormant in the SM as a viable candidate for the dark matter, what we call “dark SM skyrmion (DSMS)”.
LOST IN CONTAGION? BUILDING A LIQUIDATION INDEX FROM COVARIANCE DYNAMICS
Authors: WAGALATH LAKSHITHE
Published: January 2017

We propose a tool for monitoring fire sales and fund liquidations in financial markets. This liquidation index detects fire sales episodes in a contemporaneous manner and estimates their magnitude, using only publicly available data (asset prices and volumes). At every date [Formula: see text], it takes as input the movement of asset prices and realized covariances between dates [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and the market depth of each asset and estimates a theoretical magnitude for fire sales over the period [Formula: see text] that generated such joint movement of prices and covariances. As such, the liquidation index spikes during fire sales episodes and can hence be used in a systemic risk management perspective, as it enables to detect fire sales episodes — even complex liquidation events such as the hedge fund crash of August 2007 which was undetected by commonly-used monitoring tools. It can also be useful in a trading and portfolio allocation perspective as it allows to distinguish between periods of “fundamental” asset behavior from fire sales periods, characterized by crowding and contagion effects and during which diversification effects are reduced.
High-order numerical modeling for two-dimensional two-sided space-fractional wave equation based on meshless method
Authors: Cheng Rongjun , Sun Fengxin , Wang Jufeng
Published: January 2017

The Grunwald formula is the traditional method to deal with Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative, while its convergence is only [Formula: see text]. In this paper, a high-order polynomial approximation is presented for the Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative. The quadratic polynomial functions and their fractional derivatives with explicit expressions are constructed to approximate the fractional derivative instead of Grunwald formula or shifted Grunwald formula. We proved that this technique has convergence of [Formula: see text]. Based on the MLS approximation and the high-order polynomial approximation and center difference method, a meshless analysis is proposed for the two-dimensional two-sided space-fractional wave equations (SFWE). The SFWE is found to be very adequate in describing anomalous transport and dispersion phenomena. In the meshless method, the trial function for the SFWE is constructed by the MLS approximation and the Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative is approximated by the high-order polynomial approximation, and the essential boundary conditions can be directly and easily imposed on as finite element method. This technique avoids singular integral, and has high accuracy and efficiency. Numerical results demonstrate that this method is highly accurate and computationally efficient for space-fractional wave equations.