bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure and dynamics of the Milky Way disk as revealed from the radial velocity distributions of APOGEE red clump stars
Authors: Toyouchi Daisuke , Chiba Masashi
Published: March 2017

We investigate the structure and dynamics of the Milky Way (MW) disk stars based on the analysis of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) data, to infer the past evolution histories of the MW disk component(s) possibly affected by radial migration and/or satellite accretions. APOGEE is the first near-infrared spectroscopic survey for a large number of the MW disk stars, providing their radial velocities and chemical abundances without significant dust extinction effects. We here adopt red-clump (RC) stars (Bovy et al. 2014), for which the distances from the Sun are determined precisely, and analyze their radial velocities and chemical abundances in the MW disk regions covering from the Galactocentric distance, R, of 5 kpc to 14 kpc. We investigate their dynamical properties, such as mean rotational velocities, 〈Vφ〉 and velocity dispersions, as a function of R, based on the MCMC Bayesian method. We find that at all radii, the dynamics of alpha-poor stars, which are candidates of young disk stars, is much different from that of alpha-rich stars, which are candidates of old disk stars. We find that our Jeans analysis for our sample stars reveals characteristic spatial and dynamical properties of the MW disk, which are generally in agreement with the recent independent work by Bovy et al. (2015) but with a different method from ours.
Molecular gas in the outer disks of galaxies
Authors: Braine Jonathan
Published: March 2017

Molecular gas has still only been detected beyond the R25 radius in a few galaxies. Is this due to the low H2 content or to the difficulty of using Carbon Monoxide (CO) to trace H2? Similarly, star formation (SF) decreases sharply in the outer disks of spirals although HI is often plentiful; is the decrease in SF because there is little H2 or because the SF is very inefficient in the outer disk environment?

Existing observations suggest that while outer disk clouds tend to be smaller (steeper mass function), their CO brightness temperature is only slightly lower than in the inner disk, at least when observed with sufficiently high angular resolution. In near-solar metallicity galaxies (Z ⩾ 0.5Zsol), the CO does not become intrinsically difficult to detect when H2 is present, even in the outer disk. While more observations of CO or other means of tracing H2 in the outer disks are necessary, current data tend to show that the SF rate per unit H2 remains approximately constant with galactocentric distance, indicating that the star formation proceeds normally but the transformation of HI into H2 is very slow in the outer disk.
Abundance Ratios in Dwarf Elliptical Galaxies
Authors: Sen Seyda , Peletier Reynier F. , Toloba Elisa , Mentz Jaco J.
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study is to determine abundance ratios and star formation histories (SFH) of dwarf ellipticals in the nearby Virgo cluster. We perform a stellar population analysis of 39 dEs and study them using index-index and scaling relations. We find an unusual behaviour where [Na/Fe] is under-abundant w.r.t. solar while [Ca/Fe] is over-abundant.
MIMO radar pseudo-orthogonal waveform generation by a passive 1 ×Mmode-mixing microwave cavity
Authors: Kpré Ettien L. , Decroze Cyril , Fromenteze Thomas
Published: March 2017

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Radar has many advantages compared with conventional Radars including improved target parameters estimation, improved angular resolution while keeping a small number of antennas. Nevertheless, these advantages can be obtained when probing simultaneously the scattering matrix with orthogonal transmit signals. Recently, a passive orthogonal waveform generation technique was introduced using a 1 × M ports Mode-Mixing microwave cavity whose transfer functions are uncorrelated. This approach makes MIMO Radar system able to satisfy transmit beamforming constraint with a cost-efficient architecture. In this paper, more conceptual clarifications are brought and the orthogonality metrics are assessed. Furthermore, the proposed method is experimentally compared with a conventional MIMO Radar based on frequency hopping waveforms.
Health is in the Eye of the Beholder
Authors: Bertoldo Raquel , Guignard Séverin , Dany Lionel , Apostolidis Thémis
Published: March 2017

Abstract. The field of health practices is one in which broader cultural ideologies are expressed as well as one subjected to social regulations legitimized through widely valued and shared standards taken from mundane perceptions. In this research, we investigated how cultural ideologies, here operationalized as social norms, influence people’s perceptions of the state of health and health behavior of others. These perceptions were investigated in two independent studies using impression-management tasks. The participants were asked to judge a target with respect to socially valued characteristics that were not directly related to health: attractiveness (Study 1) and future orientation (Study 2). We found that broader and implicit ideologies indeed had an influence on the participants’ perceptions of the targets’ general state of health and participants’ attributions of health behaviors to the targets. Our results invite a more systematic analysis of the relationships between dominant sets of values and norms and health-related perceptions of others.
Control Beliefs and Dehumanization
Authors: Testé Benoit
Published: March 2017

Abstract. The present research examined the impact of the expression of internal versus external control beliefs on attributions of humanness. Building on previous findings on the cultural norm of internality and the dehumanization of others in social perceptions, we hypothesized that, in a Western society, an individual’s expression of an internal locus of control (i.e., internality) results in a greater degree of humanization of that individual by others than an individual’s expression of an external locus of control (i.e., externality). Two studies examined the effect of a target’s expression of internality (vs. externality) on the attribution or denial of humanness to that target. We measured the targets’ degree of humanization via the mentalization of each target, assessed using the Mind Attribution Scale, and via attributions of uniquely vs. nonuniquely human characteristics (emotions in Study 1, traits in Study 2). Participants also judged the target’s likability. In line with our hypothesis, the target’s expression of internality (compared to externality) consistently resulted in the participants making stronger attributions of humanness to the target. In addition, covariance analyses showed that the participants ascribed more humanness to targets with an internal than with an external locus of control, independent of the target’s likability.
Erratum: Genomic reconstruction of multiple lineages of uncultured benthic archaea suggests distinct biogeochemical roles and ecological niches
Authors: Lazar Cassandre S , Baker Brett J , Seitz Kiley W , Teske Andreas P
Published: March 2017

Correction to: The ISME Journal (2017) 11, xx–xx; doi:10.1038/ismej.2016.189 The original published author list did not list first names. The correct author names are as follows: Cassandre S Lazar, Brett J Baker, Kiley W Seitz and Andreas P Teske.
Erratum: Riverbed methanotrophy sustained by high carbon conversion efficiency
Authors: Trimmer Mark , Shelley Felicity C , Purdy Kevin J , Maanoja Susanna T , Chronopoulou Panagiota-Myrsini , Grey Jonathan
Published: March 2017

Correction to: The ISME Journal (2015) 9, 2304–2314; doi:10.1038/ismej.2015.98; published online 22 September 2015 Updated online 24 January 2017: This article was originally published under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license, but has now been made available under a CC-BY 4.0 license. The PDF and HTML versions of the paper have been modified accordingly.
Correction: Corrigendum: A connexin30 mutation rescues hearing and reveals roles for gap junctions in cochlear amplification and micromechanics
Authors: Lukashkina Victoria A. , Levic Snezana , Lukashkin Andrei N. , Strenzke Nicola , Russell Ian J.
Published: March 2017

Nature Communications 8: Article number: 14530 (2017); Published 21 February 2017; Updated 21 March 2017 The financial support for this Article was not fully acknowledged. The Acknowledgements should have included the following: The research was funded by a grant from the Medical Research Council (MR/N004299/1) and the German Research Foundation (DFG) through the priority programme 1608.
A three-dimensional polyhedral unit model for grain boundary structure in fcc metals
Authors: Banadaki Arash Dehghan , Patala Srikanth
Published: March 2017

One of the biggest challenges in developing truly bottom-up models for the performance of polycrystalline materials is the lack of robust quantitative structure–property relationships for interfaces. As a first step in analyzing such relationships, we present a polyhedral unit model to classify the geometrical nature of atomic packing along grain boundaries. While the atomic structure in disordered systems has been a topic of interest for many decades, geometrical analyses of grain boundaries has proven to be particularly challenging because of the wide range of structures that are possible depending on the underlying macroscopic crystallographic character. In this article, we propose an algorithm that can partition the atomic structure into a connected array of three-dimensional polyhedra, and thus, present a three-dimensional polyhedral unit model for grain boundaries. A point-pattern matching algorithm is also provided for quantifying the distortions of the observed grain boundary polyhedral units. The polyhedral unit model is robust enough to capture the structure of high-Σ, mixed character interfaces and, hence, provides a geometric tool for comparing grain boundary structures across the five-parameter crystallographic phase-space. Since the obtained polyhedral units circumscribe the voids present in the structure, such a description provides valuable information concerning segregation sites within the grain boundary. We anticipate that this technique will serve as a powerful tool in the analysis of grain boundary structure. The polyhedral unit model is also applicable to a wide array of material systems as the proposed algorithm is not limited by the underlying lattice structure.
Bilirubin augments Ca2+ load of developing bushy neurons by targeting specific subtype of voltage-gated calcium channels
Authors: Liang Min , Yin Xin-Lu , Shi Hai-Bo , Li Chun-Yan , Li Xin-Yi , Song Ning-Ying , Shi Hao-Song , Zhao Yi , Wang Lu-Yang , Yin Shan-Kai
Published: March 2017

Neonatal brain is particularly vulnerable to pathological levels of bilirubin which elevates and overloads intracellular Ca2+, leading to neurotoxicity. However, how voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are functionally involved in excess calcium influx remains unknown. By performing voltage-clamp recordings from bushy cells in the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) in postnatal rat pups (P4-17), we found the total calcium current density was more than doubled over P4-17, but the relative weight of VGCC subtypes changed dramatically, being relatively equal among T, L, N, P/Q and R-type at P4-6 to predominantly L, N, R over T and P/Q at P15-17. Surprisingly, acute administration of bilirubin augmented the VGCC currents specifically mediated by high voltage-activated (HVA) P/Q-type calcium currents. This augment was attenuated by intracellular loading of Ca2+ buffer EGTA or calmodulin inhibitory peptide. Our findings indicate that acute exposure to bilirubin increases VGCC currents, primarily by targeting P/Q-type calcium channels via Ca2+ and calmodulin dependent mechanisms to overwhelm neurons with excessive Ca2+. Since P/Q-subtype calcium channels are more prominent in neonatal neurons (e.g. P4-6) than later stages, we suggest this subtype-specific enhancement of P/Q-type Ca2+ currents likely contributes to the early neuronal vulnerability to hyperbilirubinemia in auditory and other brain regions.
Combination of volume and perfusion parameters reveals different types of grey matter changes in schizophrenia
Authors: Xu Lixue , Qin Wen , Zhuo Chuanjun , Liu Huaigui , Zhu Jiajia , Yu Chunshui
Published: March 2017

Diverse brain structural and functional changes have been reported in schizophrenia. Identifying different types of brain changes may help to understand the neural mechanisms and to develop reliable biomarkers in schizophrenia. We aimed to categorize different grey matter changes in schizophrenia based on grey matter volume (GMV) and cerebral blood flow (CBF). Structural and perfusion magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired in 100 schizophrenia patients and 95 healthy comparison subjects. Voxel-based GMV comparison was used to show structural changes, CBF analysis was used to demonstrate functional changes. We identified three types of grey matter changes in schizophrenia: structural and functional impairments in the anterior cingulate cortex and insular cortex, displaying reduction in both GMV and CBF; structural impairment with preserved function in the frontal and temporal cortices, demonstrating decreased GMV with normal CBF; pure functional abnormality in the anterior cingulate cortex and lateral prefrontal cortex and putamen, showing altered CBF with normal GMV. By combination of GMV and CBF, we identified three types of grey matter changes in schizophrenia. These findings may help to understand the complex manifestations and to develop reliable biomarkers in schizophrenia.
Augmented reality with image registration, vision correction and sunlight readability via liquid crystal devices
Authors: Wang Yu-Jen , Chen Po-Ju , Liang Xiao , Lin Yi-Hsin
Published: March 2017

Augmented reality (AR), which use computer-aided projected information to augment our sense, has important impact on human life, especially for the elder people. However, there are three major challenges regarding the optical system in the AR system, which are registration, vision correction, and readability under strong ambient light. Here, we solve three challenges simultaneously for the first time using two liquid crystal (LC) lenses and polarizer-free attenuator integrated in optical-see-through AR system. One of the LC lens is used to electrically adjust the position of the projected virtual image which is so-called registration. The other LC lens with larger aperture and polarization independent characteristic is in charge of vision correction, such as myopia and presbyopia. The linearity of lens powers of two LC lenses is also discussed. The readability of virtual images under strong ambient light is solved by electrically switchable transmittance of the LC attenuator originating from light scattering and light absorption. The concept demonstrated in this paper could be further extended to other electro-optical devices as long as the devices exhibit the capability of phase modulations and amplitude modulations.
Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels exhibit distinct transmembrane domain archetypes for folding/expression and function
Authors: Therien J. P. Daniel , Baenziger John E.
Published: March 2017

Although transmembrane helix-helix interactions must be strong enough to drive folding, they must still permit the inter-helix movements associated with conformational change. Interactions between the outermost M4 and adjacent M1 and M3 α-helices of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels have been implicated in folding and function. Here, we evaluate the role of different physical interactions at this interface in the function of two prokaryotic homologs, GLIC and ELIC. Strikingly, disruption of most interactions in GLIC lead to either a reduction or a complete loss of expression and/or function, while analogous disruptions in ELIC often lead to gains in function. Structural comparisons suggest that GLIC and ELIC represent distinct transmembrane domain archetypes. One archetype, exemplified by GLIC, the glycine and GABA receptors and the glutamate activated chloride channel, has extensive aromatic contacts that govern M4-M1/M3 interactions and that are essential for expression and function. The other archetype, exemplified by ELIC and both the nicotinic acetylcholine and serotonin receptors, has relatively few aromatic contacts that are detrimental to function. These archetypes likely have evolved different mechanisms to balance the need for strong M4 “binding” to M1/M3 to promote folding/expression, and the need for weaker interactions that allow for greater conformational flexibility.
Nano-silver-decorated microfibrous eggshell membrane: processing, cytotoxicity assessment and optimization, antibacterial activity and wound healing
Authors: Liu Menglong , Luo Gaoxing , Wang Yuzhen , Xu Rui , Wang Ying , He Weifeng , Tan Jianglin , Xing Malcolm , Wu Jun
Published: March 2017

An ideal wound dressing can both promote wound healing and prevent bacterial infection. Here, we report a potential dressing prepared by incorporating an optimized concentration of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into the microfibers of a natural eggshell membrane (EM) using environmentally friendly and mussel-inspired dopamine. Briefly, acid-treated EM was used as a porous membrane for polydopamine-reduced AgNPs synthesis. To obtain the optimal cytocompatible silver concentration, cellular attachment and MTT assay were performed with different concentrations of AgNPs. The morphology of the EM and AgNPs was confirmed by scanning electronic microscopy, scanning transmission electronic microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The synthesized EM/AgNPs exhibited steady and safe AgNPs release, which was further tested for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by disc diffusion method and bacterial suspension assay. Finally, in a murine full-thickness skin wound model, we found that EM/AgNPs could promote re-epithelialization, granulation tissue formation and wound healing via enhancing cell proliferation, as demonstrated by the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and controlling inflammation response, as demonstrated by the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). These findings suggest that EM/AgNPs may have a promising application in wound management.
Early-Onset Progressive Retinal Atrophy Associated with an IQCB1 Variant in African Black-Footed Cats (Felis nigripes)
Authors: Oh Annie , Pearce Jacqueline W. , Gandolfi Barbara , Creighton Erica K. , Suedmeyer William K. , Selig Michael , Bosiack Ann P. , Castaner Leilani J. , Whiting Rebecca E. H. , Belknap Ellen B. , Lyons Leslie A. ,   99 Lives Consortium, Aderdein Danielle , Alves Paulo C. , Barsh Gregory S. , Beale Holly C. , Boyko Adam R. , Castelhano Marta G. , Chan Patricia , Ellinwood N. Matthew , Garrick Dorian J. , Helps Christopher R. , Kaelin Christopher B. , Leeb Tosso , Lohi Hannes , Longeri Maria , Malik Richard , Montague Michael J. , Munday John S. , Murphy William J. , Pedersen Niels C. , Rothschild Max F. , Swanson William F. , Terio Karen A. , Todhunter Rory J. , Warren Wesley C.
Published: March 2017

African black-footed cats (Felis nigripes) are endangered wild felids. One male and full-sibling female African black-footed cat developed vision deficits and mydriasis as early as 3 months of age. The diagnosis of early-onset progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) was supported by reduced direct and consensual pupillary light reflexes, phenotypic presence of retinal degeneration, and a non-recordable electroretinogram with negligible amplitudes in both eyes. Whole genome sequencing, conducted on two unaffected parents and one affected offspring was compared to a variant database from 51 domestic cats and a Pallas cat, revealed 50 candidate variants that segregated concordantly with the PRA phenotype. Testing in additional affected cats confirmed that cats homozygous for a 2 base pair (bp) deletion withinIQ calmodulin-binding motif-containing protein-1 (IQCB1), the gene that encodes for nephrocystin-5 (NPHP5), had vision loss. The variant segregated concordantly in other related individuals within the pedigree supporting the identification of a recessively inherited early-onset feline PRA. Analysis of the black-footed cat studbook suggests additional captive cats are at risk. Genetic testing forIQCB1and avoidance of matings between carriers should be added to the species survival plan for captive management.
Universal sensitivity of speckle intensity correlations to wavefront change in light diffusers
Authors: Kim KyungDuk , Yu Hyeonseung , Lee KyeoReh , Park YongKeun
Published: March 2017

Here, we present a concept based on the realization that a complex medium can be used as a simple interferometer. Changes in the wavefront of an incident coherent beam can be retrieved by analyzing changes in speckle patterns when the beam passes through a light diffuser. We demonstrate that the spatial intensity correlations of the speckle patterns are independent of the light diffusers, and are solely determined by the phase changes of an incident beam. With numerical simulations using the random matrix theory, and an experimental pressure-driven wavefront-deforming setup using a microfluidic channel, we theoretically and experimentally confirm the universal sensitivity of speckle intensity correlations, which is attributed to the conservation of optical field correlation despite multiple light scattering. This work demonstrates that a light diffuser works as a simple interferometer, and presents opportunities to retrieve phase information of optical fields with a compact scattering layer in various applications in metrology, analytical chemistry, and biomedicine.
Two-dimensional Turbulence in Symmetric Binary-Fluid Mixtures: Coarsening Arrest by the Inverse Cascade
Authors: Perlekar Prasad , Pal Nairita , Pandit Rahul
Published: March 2017

We study two-dimensional (2D) binary-fluid turbulence by carrying out an extensive direct numerical simulation (DNS) of the forced, statistically steady turbulence in the coupled Cahn-Hilliard and Navier-Stokes equations. In the absence of any coupling, we choose parameters that lead (a) to spinodal decomposition and domain growth, which is characterized by the spatiotemporal evolution of the Cahn-Hilliard order parameterϕ, and (b) the formation of an inverse-energy-cascade regime in the energy spectrumE(k), in which energy cascades towards wave numberskthat are smaller than the energy-injection scalekin jin the turbulent fluid. We show that the Cahn-Hilliard-Navier-Stokes coupling leads to an arrest of phase separation at a length scaleLc, which we evaluate fromS(k), the spectrum of the fluctuations ofϕ. We demonstrate that (a)Lc ~ LH, the Hinze scale that follows from balancing inertial and interfacial-tension forces, and (b)Lcis independent, within error bars, of the diffusivityD. We elucidate how this coupling modifiesE(k) by blocking the inverse energy cascade at a wavenumberkc, which we show is ≃2π/Lc. We compare our work with earlier studies of this problem.
Vidatox 30 CH has tumor activating effect in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Giovannini Catia , Baglioni Michele , Baron Toaldo Marco , Cescon Matteo , Bolondi Luigi , Gramantieri Laura
Published: March 2017

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is the term used to describe many kinds of products, practices, and systems that are not part of conventional medicine. Cancer patients usually do everything they can to combat the disease, manage its symptoms, and cope with the side effects of treatment. Unfortunately, patients who use CAM underestimate the risk of interaction with cancer therapy or worse they omit conventional therapy thus reducing the possibility of cancer remission. Herein we analyzed the effects of Vidatox 30 CH (venom extracted from the Junceus Rhopalurus scorpion) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. We found out that Vidatox increases HCC proliferation and invasion whereas it does not seem to interact with sorafenib, the orally active multikinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Our results suggest that the concentration of Vidatox used in the present study has not anti-neoplastic effects and care must be taken in hiring Vidatox in patients with HCC.
The prognostic value of N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Lai Chih-Cheng , Sung Mei-I. , Ho Chung-Han , Liu Hsiao-Hua , Chen Chin-Ming , Chiang Shyh-Ren , Chao Chien-Ming , Liu Wei-Lun , Hsing Shu-Chen , Cheng Kuo-Chen
Published: March 2017

We investigated whether N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) predicts the prognosis of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Between December 1, 2012, and May 31, 2015, this observational study recruited patients admitted to our tertiary medical center who met the Berlin criteria for ARDS and who had their NT-proBNP measured. The main outcome was 28-day mortality. We enrolled 61 patients who met the Berlin criteria for ARDS: 7 were classified as mild, 29 as moderate, and 25 as severe. The median APACHE II scores were 23 (interquartile range [IQR], 18–28), and SOFA scores were 11 (IQR, 8–13). The median lung injury score was 3.0 (IQR, 2.50–3.25), and the median level of NT-proBNP was 2011 pg/ml (IQR, 579–7216). Thirty-four patients died during this study, and the 28-day mortality rate was 55.7%. Patients who die were older and had significantly (all p < 0.05) higher APACHE II scores and NT-proBNP levels than did patients who survived. Multivariate analysis identified age (HR: 1.546, 95% CI: 1.174–2.035, p = 0.0019) and NT-proBNP (HR: 1.009, 95% CI: 1.004–1.013, p = 0.0001) as significant risk factors of death. NT-proBNP was associated with poor outcomes for patients with ARDS, and its level predicted mortality.
Poly-γ-glutamic acid/chitosan nanogel greatly enhances the efficacy and heterosubtypic cross-reactivity of H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine
Authors: Yang Jihyun , Shim Sang-Mu , Nguyen Thi Quyen , Kim Eun-Ha , Kim Kwang , Lim Yong Taik , Sung Moon-Hee , Webby Richard , Poo Haryoung
Published: March 2017

In 2009, the global outbreak of an influenza pandemic emphasized the need for an effective vaccine adjuvant. In this study, we examined the efficacy of poly-γ-glutamic acid/chitosan (PC) nanogel as an adjuvant for the influenza vaccine. PC nanogel significantly enhanced antigen-specific cross-presentation and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity. Compared with alum, the protective efficacy of the pandemic H1N1 influenza (pH1N1) vaccine was substantially increased by PC nanogel, with increased hemagglutination-inhibition titers, CTL activity, and earlier virus clearance after homologous and heterosubtypic [A/Philippines/2/82 (H3N2)] virus challenges. However, CD8+T cell-depleted mice displayed no protection against the heterosubtypic virus challenge after immunization with PC nanogel-adjuvanted pH1N1 vaccine. We also observed that using PC nanogel as a vaccine adjuvant had a dose-sparing effect and significantly enhanced the long-lasting protection of the pH1N1 vaccine. Together, these results suggest that PC nanogel is a promising vaccine adjuvant that could broadly prevent influenza virus infection.
Huntington’s disease blood and brain show a common gene expression pattern and share an immune signature with Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Hensman Moss Davina J. , Flower Michael D. , Lo Kitty K. , Miller James R. C. , van Ommen Gert-Jan B. , ’t Hoen Peter A. C. , Stone Timothy C. , Guinee Amelia , Langbehn Douglas R. , Jones Lesley , Plagnol Vincent , van Roon-Mom Willeke M. C. , Holmans Peter , Tabrizi Sarah J.
Published: March 2017

There is widespread transcriptional dysregulation in Huntington’s disease (HD) brain, but analysis is inevitably limited by advanced disease and postmortem changes. However, mutant HTT is ubiquitously expressed and acts systemically, meaning blood, which is readily available and contains cells that are dysfunctional in HD, could act as a surrogate for brain tissue. We conducted an RNA-Seq transcriptomic analysis using whole blood from two HD cohorts, and performed gene set enrichment analysis using public databases and weighted correlation network analysis modules from HD and control brain datasets. We identified dysregulated gene sets in blood that replicated in the independent cohorts, correlated with disease severity, corresponded to the most significantly dysregulated modules in the HD caudate, the most prominently affected brain region, and significantly overlapped with the transcriptional signature of HD myeloid cells. High-throughput sequencing technologies and use of gene sets likely surmounted the limitations of previously inconsistent HD blood expression studies. Our results suggest transcription is disrupted in peripheral cells in HD through mechanisms that parallel those in brain. Immune upregulation in HD overlapped with Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting a common pathogenic mechanism involving macrophage phagocytosis and microglial synaptic pruning, and raises the potential for shared therapeutic approaches.
Prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding and determinants of delayed initiation of breastfeeding: secondary analysis of the WHO Global Survey
Authors: Takahashi Kenzo , Ganchimeg Togoobaatar , Ota Erika , Vogel Joshua P. , Souza João Paulo , Laopaiboon Malinee , Castro Cynthia Pileggi , Jayaratne Kapila , Ortiz-Panozo Eduardo , Lumbiganon Pisake , Mori Rintaro
Published: March 2017

Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) within 1 hour of birth can decrease neonatal death. However, the prevalence of EIBF is approximately 50% in many developing countries, and data remains unavailable for some countries. We conducted a secondary analysis using the WHO Global Survey on Maternal and Perinatal Health to identify factors hampering EIBF. We described the coverage of EIBF among 373 health facilities for singleton neonates for whom breastfeeding was initiated after birth. Maternal and facility characteristics of EIBF were compared to those of breastfeeding >1 hour after birth, and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. In total, 244,569 singleton live births without severe adverse outcomes were analysed. The EIBF prevalence varied widely among countries and ranged from 17.7% to 98.4% (average, 57.6%). There was less intra-country variation for BFI <24 hours. After adjustment, EIBF was significantly lower among women with complications during pregnancy and caesarean delivery. Globally, EIBF varied considerably across countries. Maternal complications during pregnancy, caesarean delivery and absence of postnatal/neonatal care guidelines at hospitals may affect EIBF. Our findings suggest that to better promote EIBF, special support for breastfeeding promotion is needed for women with complications during pregnancy and those who deliver by caesarean section.
A non-cell autonomous mouse model of CNS haemangioblastoma mediated by mutant KRAS
Authors: Bao Leyuan , Al-Assar Osama , Drynan Lesley F. , Arends Mark J. , Tyers Pam , Barker Roger A. , Rabbitts Terence H.
Published: March 2017

Haemangioblastoma is a rare malignancy of the CNS where vascular proliferation causes lesions due to endothelial propagation. We found that conditionally expressing mutant Kras, using Rag1-Cre, gave rise to CNS haemangioblastoma in the cortex and cerebellum in mice that present with highly vascular tumours with stromal cells similar to human haemangioblastomas. The aberrant haemangioblastoma endothelial cells do not express mutant Kras but rather the mutant oncogene is expressed in CNS interstitial cells, including neuronal cells and progeny. This demonstrates a non-cell autonomous origin of this disease that is unexpectedly induced via Rag1-Cre expression in CNS interstitial cells. This is the first time that mutant RAS has been shown to stimulate non-cell autonomous proliferation in malignancy and suggests that mutant RAS can control endothelial cell proliferation in neo-vascularisation when expressed in certain cells.
High Temperature Near-Field NanoThermoMechanical Rectification
Authors: Elzouka Mahmoud , Ndao Sidy
Published: March 2017

Limited performance and reliability of electronic devices at extreme temperatures, intensive electromagnetic fields, and radiation found in space exploration missions (i.e., Venus & Jupiter planetary exploration, and heliophysics missions) and earth-based applications requires the development of alternative computing technologies. In the pursuit of alternative technologies, research efforts have looked into developing thermal memory and logic devices that use heat instead of electricity to perform computations. However, most of the proposed technologies operate at room or cryogenic temperatures, due to their dependence on material’s temperature-dependent properties. Here in this research, we show experimentally—for the first time—the use of near-field thermal radiation (NFTR) to achieve thermal rectification at high temperatures, which can be used to build high-temperature thermal diodes for performing logic operations in harsh environments. We achieved rectification through the coupling between NFTR and the size of a micro/nano gap separating two terminals, engineered to be a function of heat flow direction. We fabricated and tested a proof-of-concept NanoThermoMechanical device that has shown a maximum rectification of 10.9% at terminals’ temperatures of 375 and 530 K. Experimentally, we operated the microdevice in temperatures as high as about 600 K, demonstrating this technology’s suitability to operate at high temperatures.
The effect of surface texture on the kinetic friction of a nanowire on a substrate
Authors: Xie Hongtao , Mead James , Wang Shiliang , Huang Han
Published: March 2017

The friction between Al2O3 nanowires and silicon substrates of different surface textures was characterised by use of optical manipulation. It was found that surface textures had significant effect on both the friction and the effective contact area between a nanowire and a substrate. A genetic algorithm was developed to determine the effective contact area between the nanowire and the textured substrate. The frictional force was found to be nearly proportional to the effective contact area, regardless of width, depth, spacing and orientation of the surface textures. Interlocking caused by textured grooves was not observed in this study.
Multiplex Reverse-Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Coupled with Cascade Invasive Reaction and Nanoparticle Hybridization for Subtyping of Influenza A Virus
Authors: Chi Ying , Ge Yiyue , Zhao Kangchen , Zou Bingjie , Liu Bin , Qi Xian , Bian Qian , Shi Zhiyang , Zhu Fengcai , Zhou Minghao , Cui Lunbiao , Su Chuan
Published: March 2017

Considering the fatal human victims and economic loss caused by influenza virus infection every year, methodologies for rapid and on-site detection of influenza viruses are urgently needed. LAMP is the most commonly used nucleic acid isothermal amplification technology suitable for on-site use. However, for multiplex LAMP, differentiation of the amplicons derived from multiple targets is still challengeable currently. Here we developed a multiplex RT-LAMP assay for simultaneous amplification of three prominent subtypes of influenza viruses (A/H5, A/H7 and 2009A/H1). The amplicons were further identified by cascade invasive reaction and nanoparticle hybridization in separate target-specific detection tubes (referred to as mRT-LAMP-IRNH). The analytic sensitivities of the assay are 10 copies of RNA for all the three HA subtypes, and the specificity reached 100%. Clinical specimen analysis showed this assay had a combined sensitivity and specificity of 98.1% and 100%, respectively. Overall, the mRT-LAMP-IRNH assay can be used as a cost-saving method that utilizes a simple instrument to detect A/H5, A/H7, and 2009A/H1 influenza viruses, especially in resource-limited settings.
Grid-enhanced X-ray coded aperture microscopy with polycapillary optics
Authors: Sowa Katarzyna M. , Last Arndt , Korecki Paweł
Published: March 2017

Polycapillary devices focus X-rays by means of multiple reflections of X-rays in arrays of bent glass capillaries. The size of the focal spot (typically 10–100 μm) limits the resolution of scanning, absorption and phase-contrast X-ray imaging using these devices. At the expense of a moderate resolution, polycapillary elements provide high intensity and are frequently used for X-ray micro-imaging with both synchrotrons and X-ray tubes. Recent studies have shown that the internal microstructure of such an optics can be used as a coded aperture that encodes high-resolution information about objects located inside the focal spot. However, further improvements to this variant of X-ray microscopy will require the challenging fabrication of tailored devices with a well-defined capillary microstructure. Here, we show that submicron coded aperture microscopy can be realized using a periodic grid that is placed at the output surface of a polycapillary optics. Grid-enhanced X-ray coded aperture microscopy with polycapillary optics does not rely on the specific microstructure of the optics but rather takes advantage only of its focusing properties. Hence, submicron X-ray imaging can be realized with standard polycapillary devices and existing set-ups for micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy.
Anatomy of the retrohepatic tunnel in a Chinese population and its clinical application in liver surgery
Authors: Zheng Wang , Zi-hai Ding , Jie Zhou , Shi-zhen Zhong , Jian-hua Lin , Yi-xiong Lin
Published: March 2017

Liver hanging maneuver (LHM) is an important technique in liver surgery. However, applied anatomy of the retrohepatic tunnel for the surgical approach in Chinese population needs further study. In this study, to explore the basic anatomy of retrohepatic tunnel and its clinical application in a Chinese population, a total of 32 formalin-fixed cadavers were dissected, related parameters were measured, and their clinical applications were discussed. The length of the retrohepatic tunnel was (60.6 ± 9.9) mm. The width of the retrohepatic tunnel superior opening was (13.8 ± 3.9) mm. The width of the retrohepatic tunnel inferior opening was (15.2 ± 7.4) mm. The hepatic short vessels were distributed along the middle and lower 1/3 of hepatic inferior vena cava (HIVC), with a slight predominance on its left wall. A few hepatic short vessels were distributed along the upper 1/3 of the HIVC. We concluded: the anatomy of the retrohepatic tunnel provides a basis for use of LHM in liver surgery; more hepatic short vessels from hepatic caudate lobe can be preserved via right approach. The retrohepatic tunnel can be used as a good surgical approach in liver surgery; its application also has important significance in laparoscopic minimally invasive liver surgery.
Anti-inflammatory properties of shikonin contribute to improved early-stage diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Liao Po-Lin , Lin Cheng-Hui , Li Ching-Hao , Tsai Chi-Hao , Ho Jau-Der , Chiou George C. Y. , Kang Jaw-Jou , Cheng Yu-Wen
Published: March 2017

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a major microvascular complication of diabetes, leads to retinal vascular leakage, neuronal dysfunction, and apoptosis within the retina. In this study, we combined STZ with whole-body hypoxia (10% O2) for quicker induction of early-stage retinopathy in C57BL/6 mice. We also compared the effects of a high glucose condition combined with hypoxia (1% O2) to a low glucose condition by using retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, which are a crucial component of the outer blood-retinal barrier and the damage is related to retinopathy. In the retina of DM/hypoxic C57BL/6 mice, abnormal a-wave and b-wave activity, yellowish-white spots, hyperfluorescence, and reduced retinal thickness were found using electroretinography (ERG), fundus photography (FP), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Shikonin dose-dependently (0.5–50 mg/kg, per os) prevented DM/hypoxia-induced lesions. In eye tissue, administration of shikonin also attenuated DM/hypoxia-induced pre-apoptotic protein BAX expression as well as the production of inflammatory proteins cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). We also demonstrated that shikonin administration rescues high glucose/hypoxia (1% O2)-induced inflammation, decreased junction protein expression, and permeability in RPE cells. These results indicate that shikonin treatment may prevent the loss of vision associated with DR.
Resveratrol mitigates lipopolysaccharide-mediated acute inflammation in rats by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κBp65/MAPKs signaling cascade
Authors: Wang Guangxi , Hu Zhiqiang , Fu Qiuting , Song Xu , Cui Qiankun , Jia Renyong , Zou Yuanfeng , He Changliang , Li Lixia , Yin Zhongqiong
Published: March 2017

Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural compound exhibiting anti-inflammatory effect, but the anti-inflammatory mechanism has not been fully understood. This study is aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism of RSV in lipopolysaccharides-induced rats’ model. The visceral wet/dry weight ratios and the changes of hematologic and biochemical indices indicated that LPS- stimulation mainly caused damages to liver and lung, while pretreatment with RSV could alleviate the lesions. The cytokine assays showed that RSV could markedly decrease the production of proinflammatory mediators and cytokines (IL-1, IL-1β, IL-6, NO, iNOS and COX-2), and increase the expression of anti-inflammatory mediator (IL-10). RSV could inhibit TLR4 signaling pathway by down-regulating the mRNA levels of MyD88 and TRAF6, and suppressing the TLR4 protein. RSV could inhibit the signaling cascades of NF-κBp65 and MAPKs through down-regulating the mRNA levels of IκBα, p38MAPK, JNK, ERK1, ERK2 and ERK5 in liver and lung, and suppressing the dynamic changes of proteins and phosphorylated proteins including IκBα, NF-κBp65, p38MAPK, JNK, ERK1/2 and ERK5 from tissue’s cytoplasm to nucleus. In conclusion, RSV possessed a therapeutic effect on LPS-induced inflammation in rats and the mechanism mainly attributed to suppressing the signaling cascades of NF-κBp65 and MAPKs by inhibiting the TLR4 signaling pathway.
Nursing staff fluctuation and pathogenic burden in the NICU - effective outbreak management and the underestimated relevance of non-resistant strains
Authors: Hensel Kai O. , van den Bruck Rhea , Klare Ingo , Heldmann Michael , Ghebremedhin Beniam , Jenke Andreas C.
Published: March 2017

In the course of a hospital management takeover, a microbial outbreak took place in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Here, we characterize the outbreak and its management. About 4 months prior to takeover, there was a sharp increase in positive isolates for MSSA and multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). Simultaneously, the nursing staff sick leave rate increased dramatically which directly correlated with the number of infection/colonization per week (r2 = 0.95, p = 0.02). During the following months we observed several peaks in positive isolates of methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), MDROs and subsequently a vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) outbreak. Interventional outbreak management measures were only successful after substantial recruitment of additional nursing staff. None of the VRE, but 44% (n = 4) of MDRO and 32% (n = 23) of MSSA colonized infants developed symptomatic infections (p = 0.02). Among the latter, 35% suffered from serious consequences such as osteomyelitis. The most important risk factors for colonization-to-infection progression were low gestational age and birth weight. Nursing staff fluctuation poses a substantial risk for both bacterial colonization and infection in neonates. Comprehensive outbreak management measures are only successful if adequate nursing staff is available. Non resistant strains account for most neonatal infections – possibly due to their limited perception as being harmful.
Carbon Nanotube Mode-Locked Thulium Fiber Laser With 200 nm Tuning Range
Authors: Meng Yafei , Li Yao , Xu Yongbing , Wang Fengqiu
Published: March 2017

We demonstrated a mode-locked thulium/holmium (Tm/Ho) fiber laser continuously tunable across 200 nm (from 1860 nm to 2060 nm), which to the best of our knowledge represents the widest tuning range ever achieved for a passively mode-locked fiber laser oscillator. The combined use of a broadband carbon nanotube (CNT) saturable absorber and a diffraction grating mirror ensures ultra-broad tuning range, superb stability and repeatability, and makes the demonstrated laser a highly practical source for spectroscopy, imaging and optical communications. The laser emits <5 ps pulses with an optical spectral bandwidth of ∼3 nm across the full tuning range. Our results indicate that carbon nanotubes can be an excellent saturable absorber for achieving gain-bandwidth-limited tunable operation for 2 μm thulium fiber lasers.
The clinical effect of nicorandil on perioperative myocardial protection in patients undergoing elective PCI: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ye Ziliang , Su Qiang , Li Lang
Published: March 2017

Many scholars have studied the effect of nicorandil on perioperative myocardial protection in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but results are inconsistent. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis. Finally, 16 articles, including 1616 patients, were included into this meta-analysis. Meta-analysis results showed that: (1) Nicorandil can reduce the level of CK-MB after PCI, including at 6 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours and 24 hours. (2) Nicorandil can reduce the level of TnT after PCI, including at 6 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours and 24 hours. (3) Nicorandil can reduce the incidence of adverse reactions after PCI. (4) Nicorandil cannot reduce the level of MVP after PCI, including at 12 hours and 24 hours. (5) Subgroup analysis showed that nicorandil can reduce CK-MB and TnT level at 24 hours after PCI for Chinese’s population (P < 0.05), but can not reduce CK-MB and TnT level at 24 hours after PCI for non Chinese’s population (P > 0.05). Our meta-analysis indicate that nicorandil can reduce myocardial injury and reduce the incidence of adverse reaction caused by PCI for Chinese’s population, but is not obvious for non Chinese’s population. However, this conclusion still needs to be confirmed in the future.
Superoxide dismutase SOD-1 modulates C. elegans pathogen avoidance behavior
Authors: Horspool Alexander M. , Chang Howard C.
Published: March 2017

The C. elegans nervous system mediates protective physiological and behavioral responses amid infection. However, it remains largely unknown how the nervous system responds to reactive oxygen species (ROS) activated by pathogenic microbes during infection. Here, we show superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1), an enzyme that converts superoxide into less toxic hydrogen peroxide and oxygen, functions in the gustatory neuron ASER to mediate C. elegans pathogen avoidance response. When C. elegans first encounters pathogenic bacteria P. aeruginosa, SOD-1 is induced in the ASER neuron. After prolonged P. aeruginosa exposure, ASER-specific SOD-1 expression is diminished. In turn, C. elegans starts to vacate the pathogenic bacteria lawn. Genetic knockdown experiments reveal that pathogen-induced ROS activate sod-1 dependent behavioral response non cell-autonomously. We postulate that the delayed aversive response to detrimental microbes may provide survival benefits by allowing C. elegans to temporarily utilize food that is tainted with pathogens as an additional energy source. Our data offer a mechanistic insight into how the nervous system mediates food-seeking behavior amid oxidative stress and suggest that the internal state of redox homeostasis could underlie the behavioral response to harmful microbial species.