bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gradients in Catostomid Assemblages along a Reservoir Cascade
Authors: Miranda L. E. , Keretz K. R. , Gilliland C. R.
Published: March 2017

Serial impoundment of major rivers leads to alterations of natural flow dynamics and disrupts longitudinal connectivity. Catostomid fishes (suckers, family Catostomidae) are typically found in riverine or backwater habitats yet are able to persist in impounded river systems. To the detriment of conservation, there is limited information about distribution of catostomid fishes in impounded rivers. We examined the longitudinal distribution of catostomid fishes over 23 reservoirs of the Tennessee River reservoir cascade, encompassing approximately 1600 km. Our goal was to develop a basin‐scale perspective to guide conservation efforts. Catostomid species composition and assemblage structure changed longitudinally along the reservoir cascade. Catostomid species biodiversity was greatest in reservoirs lower in the cascade. Assemblage composition shifted from dominance by spotted sucker Minytrema melanops and buffalos Ictiobus spp. in the lower reservoirs to carpsuckers Carpiodes spp. midway through the cascade and redhorses Moxostoma spp. in the upper reservoirs. Most species did not extend the length of the cascade, and some species were rare, found in low numbers and in few reservoirs. The observed gradients in catostomid assemblages suggest the need for basin‐scale conservation measures focusing on three broad areas: (1) conservation and management of the up‐lake riverine reaches of the lower reservoirs, (2) maintenance of the access to quality habitat in tributaries to the upper reservoirs and (3) reintroductions into currently unoccupied habitat within species' historic distributions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electroacupuncture Promotes Central Nervous System-Dependent Release of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Salazar Tatiana E. , Richardson Matthew R. , Beli Eleni , Ripsch Matthew S. , George John , Kim Youngsook , Duan Yaqian , Moldovan Leni , Yan Yuanqing , Bhatwadekar Ashay , Jadhav Vaishnavi , Smith Jared A. , McGorray Susan , Bertone Alicia L. , Traktuev Dmitri O. , March Keith L. , Colon-Perez Luis M. , Avin Keith G. , Sims Emily , Mund Julie A. , Case Jamie , Deng Xiaolin , Kim Min Su , McDavitt Bruce , Boulton Michael E. , Thinschmidt Jeffrey , Li Calzi Sergio , Fitz Stephanie D. , Fuchs Robyn K. , Warden Stuart J. , McKinley Todd , Shekhar Anantha , Febo Marcelo , Johnson Phillip L. , Chang Lung-Ji , Gao Zhanguo , Kolonin Mikhail G. , Lai Song , Ma Jingfeng , Dong Xinzhong , White Fletcher A. , Xie Huisheng , Yoder Mervin C. , Grant Maria B.
Published: March 2017

Electroacupuncture (EA) performed in rats and humans using limb acupuncture sites, LI-4 and LI-11, and GV-14 and GV-20 (humans) and Bai-hui (rats) increased functional connectivity between the anterior hypothalamus and the amygdala and mobilized mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the systemic circulation. In human subjects, the source of the MSC was found to be primarily adipose tissue, whereas in rodents the tissue sources were considered more heterogeneous. Pharmacological disinhibition of rat hypothalamus enhanced sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation and similarly resulted in a release of MSC into the circulation. EA-mediated SNS activation was further supported by browning of white adipose tissue in rats. EA treatment of rats undergoing partial rupture of the Achilles tendon resulted in reduced mechanical hyperalgesia, increased serum interleukin-10 levels and tendon remodeling, effects blocked in propranolol-treated rodents. To distinguish the afferent role of the peripheral nervous system, phosphoinositide-interacting regulator of transient receptor potential channels (Pirt)-GCaMP3 (genetically encoded calcium sensor) mice were treated with EA acupuncture points, ST-36 and LIV-3, and GV-14 and Bai-hui and resulted in a rapid activation of primary sensory neurons. EA activated sensory ganglia and SNS centers to mediate the release of MSC that can enhance tissue repair, increase anti-inflammatory cytokine production and provide pronounced analgesic relief.
Synthesis, Luminescence and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Homoleptic Tetracyanamidogermanates ARE[Ge(CN2)4] (A = K, Cs, and RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd)
Authors: Dolabdjian Konstantin , Schedel Christine , Enseling David , Jüstel Thomas , Meyer Hans‐Jürgen
Published: March 2017

Two new series of tetracyanamidogermanates were prepared by solid‐state reaction of appropriate amounts of REF3 (RE = rare earth), A2[GeF6] (A = alkaline), and Li2(CN2) in evacuated silica tubes. Powder X‐ray diffraction patterns of crystalline samples of KRE[Ge(CN2)4] and CsRE[Ge(CN2)4] were indexed isotypically to KRE[Si(CN2)4] and RbRE[Ge(CN2)4], respectively. Luminescence properties of Ce3+, Eu3+, and Tb3+ doped compounds and non‐linear optical properties (NLO) of KRE[Ge(CN2)4] are reported.
Inherited disorders of transition metal metabolism: an update
Authors: Clayton Peter T.
Published: March 2017

Elements with a biological role include six trace transition metals: manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc and molybdenum. Transition metals participate in group transfer reactions such as glycosylation and phosphorylation and those that can transfer an electron by alternating between two redox states such as iron (3+/2+) and copper (2+/1+) are also very important in biological redox reactions including the reduction of molecular oxygen and the transport of oxygen. However, these trace metals are also potentially toxic, generating reactive oxygen species through Fenton chemistry. Recently, a role of trace metals in host defence (“nutritional immunity”) has been recognized. The host can deprive the pathogen of a trace metal or poison it with a toxic concentration. Disorders leading to low concentrations of a trace metal can often be treated by supplementing that metal; disorders leading to excessively high concentrations can often be treated with chelating agents such as penicillamine and disodium calcium edetate. This update will address: i) the manganese/zinc transporters (because two new treatable disorders were described in 2016 – SLC39A8 deficiency and SLC39A14 deficiency); ii) copper transporter disorders because we need to improve the treatment of patients with neurological symptoms due to Wilson's disease; and iii) iron homeostasis because recent progress in research into the metabolism of iron and its regulation helps us better understand several inborn errors affecting these pathways.
Associations between amyloid β and white matter hyperintensities: A systematic review
Authors: Roseborough Austyn , Ramirez Joel , Black Sandra E. , Edwards Jodi D.
Published: March 2017

Introduction

This systematic review synthesizes current evidence for associations between cortical amyloid β, visualized on amyloid positron emission tomography imaging, and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden on magnetic resonance imaging in healthy elderly adults and individuals with cognitive impairment and dementia.

Methods

Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) systematic review guidelines, we systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and PsycINFO databases from January 2000 to September 2015.

Results

Our search returned 492 articles, 34 of which met criteria for inclusion in the final selection. Most studies reported no significant relationships between amyloid β and WMH burden across diagnostic groups.

Discussion

Findings of this systematic review suggest that amyloid accumulation and WMH are independent but additive processes. The limited number of independent cohorts, lack of longitudinal data, and exclusion of individuals with mixed dementia limit the generalizability of these findings. Further studies are required to elucidate the putative contributions of vascular processes to neurodegenerative pathology.
Cognitive decline associated with pathological burden in primary age‐related tauopathy
Authors: Jefferson‐George Kyra S. , Wolk David A. , Lee Edward B. , McMillan Corey T.
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Primary age‐related tauopathy (PART) is a neuropathological diagnosis characterized by tau neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the absence of amyloid plaque pathology. Although most individuals over 50 years of age have evidence of NFTs, the clinical and cognitive consequences of PART are not known.

Methods

We evaluated 226 neuropathologically confirmed PART cases from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center database who participated in a total of 846 longitudinal neuropsychological assessments from the Alzheimer's Disease Center program's Uniform Data Set. Mixed‐effects statistical models tested whether cognitive decline was associated with Braak stage NFT burden.

Results

Higher stages of NFT burden in PART, with no evidence or minimal evidence of amyloid pathology, were associated with more rapid decline on tasks involving episodic and semantic memory along with tests of processing speed and attention.

Discussion

We conclude that PART has cognitive consequences that should be considered in the context of emerging tau‐targeted therapies in age‐associated neurodegenerative diseases.
Qualitative pain research emphasizes that patients need true information and physicians and nurses need more knowledge of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
Authors: Breivik Harald , Butler Stephen
Published: March 2017

In this issue of the Scandinavian Journal of Pain Kari Sørensen and Bjørg Christiansen publish their report on in depth interviews of young patients suffering from CRPS or from severe muscle pain [1]. These patients were recovering from their chronic pain conditions after treatment by a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team.
A continuous version of Liapunov’s convexity theorem
Authors: Colombo Giovanni , Fonda Alessandro , Cellina Arrigo
Published: March 2017

Given a continuous map

s ↦ μ_s

, from a compact metric space into the space of nonatomic measures on

T

, we show the existence of a family

(\mathrm{A}_{\mathrm{\alpha }}^{s})_{\mathrm{\alpha } \in \left[0,1\right]}

, increasing in

α

and continuous in

s

, such that

\mathrm{\mu }_{s}(\mathrm{A}_{\mathrm{\alpha }}^{s}) = \mathrm{\alpha }\mathrm{\mu }_{s}(\mathrm{T})\:\:\:(\mathrm{\alpha } \in [0,1]).

Étant donnée une application continue

s ↦ μ_s

, d’un espace métrique compact dans l’espace des mesures nonatomiques sur

T

, nous montrons l’existence d’une famille

(\mathrm{A}_{\mathrm{\alpha }}^{s})_{\mathrm{\alpha } \in \left[0,1\right]}

, croissante avec

α

et continue en

s

, telle que

\mathrm{\mu }_{s}(\mathrm{A}_{\mathrm{\alpha }}^{s}) = \mathrm{\alpha }\mathrm{\mu }_{s}(\mathrm{T})\:\:\:(\mathrm{\alpha } \in [0,1]).
Dédoublement de courbes invariantes sur le cylindre : petits diviseurs
Authors: Los Jérôme E.
Published: March 2017

We study an invariant curve doubling bifurcation on the cylinder, obtained from a Hopf and a period doubling bifurcation interaction of a generic two parameter family of diffeomorphisms of

\mathbf R^3

, by restriction to it’s central manifold supposed to be

C^∞

. We generalized to this case some results of Chenciner on degenerate Hopf bifurcation. We find in particular, an analogous local structure of the parameter space : except for an infinity of very thin bubbles, the dynamics looks like a normal form.

On s’intéresse à une bifurcation de dédoublement de courbes invariantes sur le cylindre, qui provient de l’interaction des bifurcations de Hopf et de dédoublement, pour une famille générique à deux paramètres de difféomorphismes de

\mathbf R^3

, restreinte à sa variété centrale supposée

C^∞

. On généralise à ce cas des résultats d’A. Chenciner sur la bifurcation de Hopf dégénérée. En particulier, on retrouve une structure locale analogue de l’espace des paramètres : à l’extérieur d’une infinité de bulles disjointes très fine, la dynamique ressemble (dans un sens précisé dans le texte) à une forme normale.
Working with Roman history: Attaleiates’ portrayal of the Normans
Authors: Olson Alexander
Published: March 2017

This paper suggests that Michael Attaleiates, the eleventh-century Byzantine historian, purposefully changed the ethnic label for his contemporary Norman mercenaries from ‘Frank’ to ‘Latin’ in order to portray these figures as ethnically close to the Byzantines of his own day. In addition, it suggests that Attaleiates’ motives for such a portrayal lay in his argument that Norman mercenaries were a potential solution to the empire's challenges with the Seljuks. This article examines the ways in which Attaleiates positively portrayed Norman mercenaries in Byzantium, and how he crafted historical parallels between them and the Latins of Byzantium's Roman past.
Clostridium DifficileInfection in Acute Care Hospitals: Systematic Review and Best Practices for Prevention
Authors: Louh Irene K. , Greendyke William G. , Hermann Emilia A. , Davidson Karina W. , Falzon Louise , Vawdrey David K. , Shaffer Jonathan A. , Calfee David P. , Furuya E. Yoko , Ting Henry H.
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVE

Prevention ofClostridium difficileinfection (CDI) in acute-care hospitals is a priority for hospitals and clinicians. We performed a qualitative systematic review to update the evidence on interventions to prevent CDI published since 2009.

DESIGN

We searched Ovid, MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, the ISI Web of Knowledge, and grey literature databases from January 1, 2009 to August 1, 2015.

SETTING

We included studies performed in acute-care hospitals.

PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS

We included studies conducted on hospitalized patients that investigated the impact of specific interventions on CDI rates.

INTERVENTIONS

We used the QI-Minimum Quality Criteria Set (QI-MQCS) to assess the quality of included studies. Interventions were grouped thematically: environmental disinfection, antimicrobial stewardship, hand hygiene, chlorhexidine bathing, probiotics, bundled approaches, and others. A meta-analysis was performed when possible.

RESULTS

Of 3,236 articles screened, 261 met the criteria for full-text review and 46 studies were ultimately included. The average quality rating was 82% according to the QI-MQCS. The most effective interventions, resulting in a 45% to 85% reduction in CDI, included daily to twice daily disinfection of high-touch surfaces (including bed rails) and terminal cleaning of patient rooms with chlorine-based products. Bundled interventions and antimicrobial stewardship showed promise for reducing CDI rates. Chlorhexidine bathing and intensified hand-hygiene practices were not effective for reducing CDI rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Daily and terminal cleaning of patient rooms using chlorine-based products were most effective in reducing CDI rates in hospitals. Further studies are needed to identify the components of bundled interventions that reduce CDI rates.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2017;38:476–482
THE STOIC DEFINITION OF BEAUTY ASSUMMETRIA
Authors: Celkyte Aiste
Published: March 2017

The Stoa might be not the first philosophical school that comes to mind when considering the most important ancient contributions to aesthetics, yet multiple extant fragments show that the Stoics had a non-marginal theoretical interest in aesthetic properties. Probably the most important piece of evidence for the Stoic attempts to theorize beauty is the definition of beauty assummetriaof parts with each other and with the whole. In the first half of this article, I present and analyse the main evidence for this definition. Then I discuss Plotinus' critique of the definition and argue that it contains some pertinent remarks that, with support of additional evidence, lead to the conclusion that the Stoics conceptualized aesthetic properties as supervening on functional composition.
Growth of left ventricular outflow tract and predictors of future re-intervention after repair for ventricular septal defect and aortic arch obstruction
Authors: Jijeh Abdulraouf , Ismail Muna , Alhabshan Fahad
Published: March 2017

Ventricular septal defect and aortic arch obstruction are usually associated with a narrow left ventricular outflow tract. The aim of the present study was to analyse the growth and predictors of future obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract after surgical repair.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective review of patients who underwent repair for ventricular septal defect and aortic arch obstruction – coarctation or interrupted aortic arch – between July, 2002 and June, 2013. Echocardiographic data were reviewed, and the need for re-intervention was evaluated.

Results

A total of 89 patients were included in this study. A significant left ventricular outflow tract growth was noticed after surgical repair. Preoperatively, the mean left ventricular outflow tract Z-score was −1.46±1 (range −5.5 to 1.1) and increased to a mean value of −0.7±1.3 (range −2.7 to 3.2) at last follow-up (p=0.0001), demonstrating relevant growth of the left ventricular outflow tract after repair for ventricular septal defect and aortic arch obstruction. After primary repair, 11 patients (12.3%) required re-intervention with surgical repair for left ventricular outflow tract obstruction after a mean period of 36±21 months. There were no significant differences in age, weight, and indexed aortic valve and left ventricular outflow tract measurements between those who developed obstruction and those who did not.

Conclusion

Significant left ventricular outflow tract growth is expected after repair of ventricular septal defect and aortic arch obstruction. Small aortic valve and left ventricular outflow tract at diagnosis are not risk factors to predict the need for surgical re-intervention for left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in future.
Prevalence of suicide attempt and clinical characteristics of suicide attempters with obsessive-compulsive disorder: a report from the International College of Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders (ICOCS)
Authors: Dell’Osso Bernardo , Benatti Beatrice , Arici Chiara , Palazzo Carlotta , Altamura A. Carlo , Hollander Eric , Fineberg Naomi , Stein Dan J. , Nicolini Humberto , Lanzagorta Nuria , Marazziti Donatella , Pallanti Stefano , van Ameringen Michael , Lochner Christine , Karamustafalioglu Oguz , Hranov Luchezar , Figee Martijn , Drummond Lynne , Rodriguez Carolyn I. , Grant John , Denys Damiaan , Menchon Jose M. , Zohar Joseph
Published: March 2017

Objective

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with variable risk of suicide and prevalence of suicide attempt (SA). The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of SA and associated sociodemographic and clinical features in a large international sample of OCD patients.

Methods

A total of 425 OCD outpatients, recruited through the International College of Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders (ICOCS) network, were assessed and categorized in groups with or without a history of SA, and their sociodemographic and clinical features compared through Pearson’s chi-squared and t tests. Logistic regression was performed to assess the impact of the collected data on the SA variable.

Results

14.6% of our sample reported at least one SA during their lifetime. Patients with an SA had significantly higher rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders (60 vs. 17%, p<0.001; particularly tic disorder), medical disorders (51 vs. 15%, p<0.001), and previous hospitalizations (62 vs. 11%, p<0.001) than patients with no history of SA. With respect to geographical differences, European and South African patients showed significantly higher rates of SA history (40 and 39%, respectively) compared to North American and Middle-Eastern individuals (13 and 8%, respectively) (χ2=11.4, p<0.001). The logistic regression did not show any statistically significant predictor of SA among selected independent variables.

Conclusions

Our international study found a history of SA prevalence of ~15% in OCD patients, with higher rates of psychiatric and medical comorbidities and previous hospitalizations in patients with a previous SA. Along with potential geographical influences, the presence of the abovementioned features should recommend additional caution in the assessment of suicide risk in OCD patients.
Pediatric Pain Psychology: Guidelines for Advanced Subspecialty Training
Authors: Benore Ethan , Bhandari Rashmi , Harbeck-Weber Cynthia , Logan Deirdre E. , Banez Gerard
Published: March 2017

This article describes our shared expertise and collaborative efforts to develop guidelines and recommendations for subspecialized training in pediatric pain psychology. First, we review the competency goals and standards relevant to subspecialized training in pediatric pain psychology. Next, we detail our shared understanding of competencies in pediatric pain psychology and the training experiences to foster their development. Third, we highlight collaborative activities of our subspecialized training programs in order to demonstrate ways each program can optimize training curriculum. We conclude with a reflection of the current state of subspecialized training, directions for further development, and implications for other subspecialty programs.
Ganetespib synergizes with cyclophosphamide to improve survival of mice with autochthonous tumors in a mutant p53-dependent manner
Authors: Alexandrova Evguenia M , Xu Sulan , Moll Ute M
Published: March 2017

The DNA-alkylating cytotoxic agent cyclophosphamide (CTX) is commonly used in the clinic to treat hematological malignancies like lymphomas and leukemias as well as solid tumors, but shows dose-dependent potentially life-threatening toxicities and can induce secondary malignancies. Thus, the clinical utility of CTX would be improved if a companion drug could be identified that allows lowering the CTX dose, while maintaining or even increasing its antineoplastic therapeutic efficacy. In mouse models, high-dose CTX (300 mg/kg) is effective in treating T-lymphomas, while low dose (defined here as 100 mg/kg) is ineffective. We previously showed that the HSP90 inhibitor ganetespib potently suppresses T-lymphoma initiation and progression and extends overall survival (OS) in hotspot knockin mice expressing the p53 gain-of-function mutants R175H and R248Q (mutp53) by 30–59%. Here we asked whether ganetespib could potentiate the effect of low-dose CTX (100 mg/kg) in the autochthonous T-lymphoma-bearing mutp53 R248Q mouse model. Indeed, combinatorial CTX/ganetespib synergistically suppresses growth of autochthonous T-lymphomas in R248Q (p53Q/−) but not p53−/− control mice by reducing mutp53 levels and triggering apoptosis. Combinatorial treatment extends progression-free (PFS) and OS in p53Q/− mice significantly longer than in p53−/− mice. Specifically, PFS of p53Q/− mice improves 8.9-fold over CTX alone versus 3.6-fold in p53−/− mice. Likewise, OS of R248Q/− mice improves 3.6-fold, but worsens in p53−/− mice (0.85-fold) over CTX alone. Moreover, half of the p53Q/− mice on combinatorial treatment lived over 60 days, and one animal reached 121 days. In contrast, p53Q/− mice on single-drug treatment and p53−/− mice on any treatment lived less than 24 days. In sum, ganetespib synergizes with a sub-effective dose of CTX in mutp53 T-lymphomas by suppressing tumor growth and extending survival. Our results provide a potential strategy to reduce the effective clinical dose of CTX in mutant p53-bearing malignancies and attenuate CTX toxicity.
A CD44v+ subpopulation of breast cancer stem-like cells with enhanced lung metastasis capacity
Authors: Hu Jing , Li Gang , Zhang Peiyuan , Zhuang Xueqian , Hu Guohong
Published: March 2017

Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells responsible for tumor growth, and recent evidence suggests that CSCs also contribute to cancer metastasis. However, the heterogeneity of CSCs in metastasis capacities is still unclear in breast cancer. Here we show that among the CD24−/CD44+ breast CSCs, a subset expressing the variant isoform of CD44 (CD44v) displays significantly higher capacity of lung metastasis than that expressing the standard CD44 isoform CD44s. Increasing or reducing the CD44v/CD44s ratio of breast cancer cells by regulating the expression of epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1) leads to promotion or suppression of lung metastasis without influencing cancer cell stemness. Directly suppressing CD44v expression significantly alleviates the metastasis burden in lungs. Mechanically, CD44v, but not CD44s, responds to osteopontin (OPN) in the lung environment to enhance cancer cell invasiveness and promote lung metastasis. In clinical samples expression of ESRP1 and CD44v, rather than CD44s or total CD44, positively correlates with distant metastasis. Overall, our data identify a subset of metastatic breast CSCs characterized by CD44v expression, and suggest that CD44v and ESRP1 might be better prognosis markers and therapeutic targets for breast cancer metastasis.
Experimental violation of local causality in a quantum network
Authors: Carvacho Gonzalo , Andreoli Francesco , Santodonato Luca , Bentivegna Marco , Chaves Rafael , Sciarrino Fabio
Published: March 2017

Bell’s theorem plays a crucial role in quantum information processing and thus several experimental investigations of Bell inequalities violations have been carried out over the years. Despite their fundamental relevance, however, previous experiments did not consider an ingredient of relevance for quantum networks: the fact that correlations between distant parties are mediated by several, typically independent sources. Here, using a photonic setup, we investigate a quantum network consisting of three spatially separated nodes whose correlations are mediated by two distinct sources. This scenario allows for the emergence of the so-called non-bilocal correlations, incompatible with any local model involving two independent hidden variables. We experimentally witness the emergence of this kind of quantum correlations by violating a Bell-like inequality under the fair-sampling assumption. Our results provide a proof-of-principle experiment of generalizations of Bell’s theorem for networks, which could represent a potential resource for quantum communication protocols.
Iridium-catalysed regioselective borylation of carboranes via direct B–H activation
Authors: Cheng Ruofei , Qiu Zaozao , Xie Zuowei
Published: March 2017

Carboranes are carbon–boron molecular clusters, which can be viewed as three-dimensional analogues to benzene. They are finding many applications in medicine, materials and organometallic chemistry. On the other hand, their exceptional thermal and chemical stabilities, as well as 3D structures, make them very difficult to be functionalized, in particular the regioselective functionalization of BH vertex among ten similar B–H bonds. Here we report a very efficient iridium-catalysed borylation of cage B(3,6)–H bonds of o-carboranes with excellent yields and regioselectivity using bis(pinacolato)diboron (B2pin2) as a reagent. Selective cage B(4)–H borylation has also been achieved by introducing a bulky TBDMS (tert-butyldimethylsilyl) group to one cage carbon vertex. The resultant 3,6-(Bpin)2-o-carboranes are useful synthons for the synthesis of a wide variety of B(3,6)-difunctionalized o-carboranes bearing cage B–X (X=O, N, C, I and Br) bonds.
Porewater salinity reveals past lake-level changes in Lake Van, the Earth’s largest soda lake
Authors: Tomonaga Yama , Brennwald Matthias S. , Livingstone David M. , Kwiecien Olga , Randlett Marie-Ève , Stockhecke Mona , Unwin Katie , Anselmetti Flavio S. , Beer Jürg , Haug Gerald H. , Schubert Carsten J. , Sturm Mike , Kipfer Rolf
Published: March 2017

In closed-basin lakes, sediment porewater salinity can potentially be used as a conservative tracer to reconstruct past fluctuations in lake level. However, until now, porewater salinity profiles did not allow quantitative estimates of past lake-level changes because, in contrast to the oceans, significant salinity changes (e.g., local concentration minima and maxima) had never been observed in lacustrine sediments. Here we show that the salinity measured in the sediment pore water of Lake Van (Turkey) allows straightforward reconstruction of two major transgressions and a major regression that occurred during the last 250 ka. We observed strong changes in the vertical salinity profiles of the pore water of the uppermost 100 m of the sediments in Lake Van. As the salinity balance of Lake Van is almost at steady-state, these salinity changes indicate major lake-level changes in the past. In line with previous studies on lake terraces and with seismic and sedimentological surveys, we identify two major transgressions of up to +105 m with respect to the current lake level at about 135 ka BP and 248 ka BP starting at the onset of the two previous interglacials (MIS5e and MIS7), and a major regression of about −200 m at about 30 ka BP during the last ice age.
Immune evasion of Borrelia miyamotoi: CbiA, a novel outer surface protein exhibiting complement binding and inactivating properties
Authors: Röttgerding Florian , Wagemakers Alex , Koetsveld Joris , Fingerle Volker , Kirschfink Michael , Hovius Joppe W. , Zipfel Peter F. , Wallich Reinhard , Kraiczy Peter
Published: March 2017

Borrelia (B.) miyamotoi, an emerging tick-borne relapsing fever spirochete, resists complement-mediated killing. To decipher the molecular principles of immune evasion, we sought to identify determinants contributing to complement resistance. Employing bioinformatics, we identified a gene encoding for a putative Factor H-binding protein, termed CbiA (complementbinding andinhibitory protein A). Functional analyses revealed that CbiA interacted with complement regulator Factor H (FH), C3, C3b, C4b, C5, and C9. Upon binding to CbiA, FH retained its cofactor activity for Factor I-mediated inactivation of C3b. The Factor H-binding site within CbiA was mapped to domain 20 whereby the C-terminus of CbiA was involved in FH binding. Additionally, CbiA directly inhibited the activation of the classical pathway and the assembly of the terminal complement complex. Of importance, CbiA displayed inhibitory activity when ectopically produced in serum-sensitiveB. gariniiG1, rendering this surrogate strain resistant to human serum. In addition, long-termin vitrocultivation lead to an incremental loss of thecbiAgene accompanied by an increase in serum susceptibility. In conclusion, our data revealed a dual strategy ofB. miyamotoito efficiently evade complement via CbiA, which possesses complement binding and inhibitory activities.
Influence of maternal overweight, obesity and gestational weight gain on the perinatal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Miao Miao , Dai Mei , Zhang Yue , Sun Fang , Guo Xirong , Sun Guiju
Published: March 2017

To assess the associations between maternal body mass index (BMI) as well as gestational weight gain (GWG) and pregnancy outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This is a retrospective analysis involving 832 nulliparous women complicated with GDM. Multivariate logistic and restricted cubic logistic regression were used to investigate the association of interest. Overall, 178 (21.4%) women were overweight or obese, and 298 (35.2%) exhibited excessive GWG. Compared with women of normal weight, high pre-pregnancy BMI resulted in a higher risk of cesarean section with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.95 (95% confidence interval being 1.29–2.96) for overweight group and 3.26 (1.57–6.76) for obese group. Similarly, the respective aORs were 4.10 (1.56–10.81) and 9.78 (2.91–32.85) for gestational hypertension, 2.02 (1.05–3.88) and 8.04 (3.46–18.66) for macrosomia, 2.14 (1.40–3.26) and 3.34 (1.69–6.60) for large for gestational age (LGA). Compared with adequate GWG, excessive GWG increased the incidence of cesarean section (1.60, 1.15–2.23) and macrosomia (1.94, 1.11–3.38), while inadequate GWG reduced the incidence of LGA (0.29, 0.17–0.51). High pre-pregnancy BMI and excessive GWG were associated with higher incidence of LGA, as well as other adverse outcomes in women with GDM. Narrower guidelines on GWG might offer extra safety benefit in gestational diabetic population.
Transcription factors of Schizophyllum commune involved in mushroom formation and modulation of vegetative growth
Authors: Pelkmans Jordi F. , Patil Mohini B. , Gehrmann Thies , Reinders Marcel J. T. , Wösten Han A. B. , Lugones Luis G.
Published: March 2017

Mushrooms are the most conspicuous fungal structures. Transcription factors (TFs) Bri1 and Hom1 of the model fungus Schizophyllum commune are involved in late stages of mushroom development, while Wc-2, Hom2, and Fst4 function early in development. Here, it is shown that Bri1 and Hom1 also stimulate vegetative growth, while biomass formation is repressed by Wc-2, Hom2, and Fst4. The Δbri1Δbri1 and the Δhom1Δhom1 strains formed up to 0.6 fold less biomass when compared to wild-type, while Δwc-2Δwc-2, Δhom2Δhom2, and Δfst4Δfst4 strains formed up to 2.8 fold more biomass. Inactivation of TF gene tea1, which was downregulated in the Δwc-2Δwc-2, Δhom2Δhom2, and Δfst4Δfst4 strains, resulted in a strain that was severely affected in mushroom development and that produced 1.3 fold more biomass than the wild-type. In contrast, introducing a constitutive active version of hom2 that had 4 predicted phosphorylation motifs eliminated resulted in radial growth inhibition and prompt fructification in both Δhom2 and wild-type strains, even in sterile monokaryons. Together, it is concluded that TFs involved in mushroom formation also modulate vegetative growth. Among these TFs is the homeodomain protein Hom2, being the first time that this class of regulatory proteins is implicated in repression of vegetative growth in a eukaryote.
Correction: Corrigendum: Prognostic value of pulmonary congestion assessed by lung ultrasound imaging during heart failure hospitalisation: A two-centre cohort study
Authors: Coiro Stefano , Porot Guillaume , Rossignol Patrick , Ambrosio Giuseppe , Carluccio Erberto , Tritto Isabella , Huttin Olivier , Lemoine Simon , Sadoul Nicolas , Donal Erwan , Zannad Faiez , Girerd Nicolas
Published: March 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 39426; published online: 20 December 2016; updated: 16 March 2017 This Article contains errors in Table 3. In the “B-lines ≥15” column, the Timing of B-line quantification values using univariable analysis for “Early during hospital stay” and “At discharge” are inverted.
Systems-level understanding of ethanol-induced stresses and adaptation in E. coli
Authors: Cao Huansheng , Wei Du , Yang Yuedong , Shang Yu , Li Gaoyang , Zhou Yaoqi , Ma Qin , Xu Ying
Published: March 2017

Understanding ethanol-induced stresses and responses in biofuel-producing bacteria at systems level has significant implications in engineering more efficient biofuel producers. We present a computational study of transcriptomic and genomic data of both ethanol-stressed and ethanol-adapted E. coli cells with computationally predicated ethanol-binding proteins and experimentally identified ethanol tolerance genes. Our analysis suggests: (1) ethanol damages cell wall and membrane integrity, causing increased stresses, particularly reactive oxygen species, which damages DNA and reduces the O2 level; (2) decreased cross-membrane proton gradient from membrane damage, coupled with hypoxia, leads to reduced ATP production by aerobic respiration, driving cells to rely more on fatty acid oxidation, anaerobic respiration and fermentation for ATP production; (3) the reduced ATP generation results in substantially decreased synthesis of macromolecules; (4) ethanol can directly bind 213 proteins including transcription factors, altering their functions; (5) all these changes together induce multiple stress responses, reduced biosynthesis, cell viability and growth; and (6) ethanol-adapted E. coli cells restore the majority of these reduced activities through selection of specific genomic mutations and alteration of stress responses, ultimately restoring normal ATP production, macromolecule biosynthesis, and growth. These new insights into the energy and mass balance will inform design of more ethanol-tolerant strains.
Volume-sensitive outwardly rectifying chloride channel blockers protect against high glucose-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes via autophagy activation
Authors: Wang Lin , Shen Mingzhi , Guo Xiaowang , Wang Bo , Xia Yuesheng , Wang Ning , Zhang Qian , Jia Lintao , Wang Xiaoming
Published: March 2017

Hyperglycemia is a well-characterized contributing factor for cardiac dysfunction and heart failure among diabetic patients. Apoptosis of cardiomyocytes plays a major role during the onset and pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Nonetheless, the molecular machinery underlying hyperglycemia-induced cardiac damage and cell death remains elusive. In the present study, we found that chloride channel blockers, 4,4′-diisothiocya-natostilbene-2,2′- disulfonic acid (DIDS) and 4-(2-butyl-6,7-dichlor-2-cyclopentyl-indan-1-on-5-yl) oxybutyric acid (DCPIB), inhibited high glucose-activated volume-sensitive outwardly rectifying (VSOR) Cl− channel and improved the viability of cardiomyocytes. High glucose induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by suppressing the autophagic stress, which can be reversed via blockade of VSOR Cl− channel. VSOR activation in high glucose-treated cardiomyocytes was attributed to increased intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Taken together, our study unraveled a role of VSOR chloride currents in impaired autophagy and increased apoptosis of high glucose-exposed cardiomyocyte, and has implications for a therapeutic potential of VSOR chloride channel blockers in DCM.
White Matter Repair After Extracellular Vesicles Administration in an Experimental Animal Model of Subcortical Stroke
Authors: Otero-Ortega Laura , Laso-García Fernando , Gómez-de Frutos María del Carmen , Rodríguez-Frutos Berta , Pascual-Guerra Jorge , Fuentes Blanca , Díez-Tejedor Exuperio , Gutiérrez-Fernández María
Published: March 2017

Mesenchymal stem cells have previously been shown to mediate brain repair after stroke; they secrete 50–100 nm complexes called extracellular vesicles (EVs), which could be responsible for provoking neurovascular repair and functional recovery. EVs have been observed by electron microscopy and NanoSight, and they contain associated proteins such as CD81 and Alix. This purified, homogeneous population of EVs was administered intravenously after subcortical stroke in rats. To evaluate the EVs effects, we studied the biodistribution, proteomics analysis, functional evaluation, lesion size, fiber tract integrity, axonal sprouting and white matter repair markers. We found that a single administration of EVs improved functional recovery, fiber tract integrity, axonal sprouting and white matter repair markers in an experimental animal model of subcortical stroke. EVs were found in the animals’ brain and peripheral organs after euthanasia. White matter integrity was in part restored by EVs administration mediated by molecular repair factors implicated in axonal sprouting, tract connectivity, remyelination and oligodendrogenesis. These findings are associated with improved functional recovery. This novel role for EVs presents a new perspective in the development of biologics for brain repair.
Role of polar nanoregions with weak random fields in Pb-based perovskite ferroelectrics
Authors: Helal M. A. , Aftabuzzaman M. , Tsukada S. , Kojima S.
Published: March 2017

In relaxor ferroelectrics, the role of randomly orientated polar nanoregions (PNRs) with weak random fields (RFs) is one of the most puzzling issues of materials science. The relaxation time of polarization fluctuations of PNRs, which manifests themselves as a central peak (CP) in inelastic light scattering, is the important physical quantity to understand the dynamics of PNRs. Here, the angular and temperature dependences of depolarized and polarized CPs in 0.44Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.56PbTiO3single crystals with weak RFs have been studied by Raman and Brillouin scattering, respectively. The CPs observed in Raman scattering show the very clear angular dependence which is consistent with the local tetragonal symmetry. It is different from the well-known local rhombohedral symmetry with strong RFs for Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3. In Brillouin scattering, depolarized and polarized CPs show two relaxation processes corresponding to transverse and longitudinal fluctuations of PNRs. The remarkable slowing down towards the Curie temperature was observed for transverse fluctuations in local tetragonal symmetry.
Correction: Corrigendum: The loss of ATP2C1 impairs the DNA damage response and induces altered skin homeostasis: Consequences for epidermal biology in Hailey-Hailey disease
Authors: Cialfi Samantha , Le Pera Loredana , De Blasio Carlo , Mariano Germano , Palermo Rocco , Zonfrilli Azzurra , Uccelletti Daniela , Palleschi Claudio , Biolcati Gianfranco , Barbieri Luca , Screpanti Isabella , Talora Claudio
Published: March 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 31567; published online: 16 August 2016; updated: 16 March 2017 In this Article, the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) accession number for the RNA sequencing data was incorrectly given as GSE77446. The correct accession number is GSE77466.
Correction: Corrigendum: Functional Coupling of Human Microphysiology Systems: Intestine, Liver, Kidney Proximal Tubule, Blood-Brain Barrier and Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Vernetti Lawrence , Gough Albert , Baetz Nicholas , Blutt Sarah , Broughman James R. , Brown Jacquelyn A. , Foulke-Abel Jennifer , Hasan Nesrin , In Julie , Kelly Edward , Kovbasnjuk Olga , Repper Jonathan , Senutovitch Nina , Stabb Janet , Yeung Catherine , Zachos Nick C. , Donowitz Mark , Estes Mary , Himmelfarb Jonathan , Truskey George , Wikswo John P. , Taylor D. Lansing
Published: March 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 42296; published online: 08 February 2017; updated: 16 March 2017 The original version of this Article contained an error in Affiliation 2, which was incorrectly given as: ‘Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, PA,USA’.
Evolution of the chitin synthase gene family correlates with fungal morphogenesis and adaption to ecological niches
Authors: Liu Ran , Xu Chuan , Zhang Qiangqiang , Wang Shiyi , Fang Weiguo
Published: March 2017

The fungal kingdom potentially has the most complex chitin synthase (CHS) gene family, but evolution of the fungal CHS gene family and its diversification to fulfill multiple functions remain to be elucidated. Here, we identified the full complement of CHSs from 231 fungal species. Using the largest dataset to date, we characterized the evolution of the fungal CHS gene family using phylogenetic and domain structure analysis. Gene duplication, domain recombination and accretion are major mechanisms underlying the diversification of the fungal CHS gene family, producing at least 7 CHS classes. Contraction of the CHS gene family is morphology-specific, with significant loss in unicellular fungi, whereas family expansion is lineage-specific with obvious expansion in early-diverging fungi. ClassV and ClassVII CHSs with the same domain structure were produced by the recruitment of domains PF00063 and PF08766 and subsequent duplications. Comparative analysis of their functions in multiple fungal species shows that the emergence of ClassV and ClassVII CHSs is important for the morphogenesis of filamentous fungi, development of pathogenicity in pathogenic fungi, and heat stress tolerance in Pezizomycotina fungi. This work reveals the evolution of the fungal CHS gene family, and its correlation with fungal morphogenesis and adaptation to ecological niches.
Emigration dynamics of cockroaches under different disturbance regimes do not depend on individual personalities
Authors: Planas-Sitjà I. , Laurent Salazar M. O. , Sempo G. , Deneubourg J. L.
Published: March 2017

Group-level properties, such as collective movements or decisions, can be considered an outcome of the interplay between individual behavior and social interactions. However, the respective influences of individual preferences and social interactions are not evident. In this research, we study the implications of behavioral variability on the migration dynamics of a group of gregarious insects (Periplaneta americana) subjected to two different disturbance regimes (one without disturbances and another one with high frequency of disturbances). The results indicate that individuals presented consistent behavior during the nighttime (active phase of cockroaches) in both conditions. Moreover, we used a modeling approach to test the role of personality during the migration process. The model considers identical individuals (no personality) without memory and no direct inter-attraction between individuals. The agreement between theoretical and experimental results shows that behavioral variability play a secondary role during migration dynamics. Our results showing individual personality during the nighttime (spontaneous decision to forage) but not during the emigration process (induced by environmental disturbances) highlight the plasticity of personality traits.
Fast detection of tobacco mosaic virus infected tobacco using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Peng Jiyu , Song Kunlin , Zhu Hongyan , Kong Wenwen , Liu Fei , Shen Tingting , He Yong
Published: March 2017

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is one of the most devastating viruses to crops, which can cause severe production loss and affect the quality of products. In this study, we have proposed a novel approach to discriminate TMV-infected tobacco based on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Two different kinds of tobacco samples (fresh leaves and dried leaf pellets) were collected for spectral acquisition, and partial least squared discrimination analysis (PLS-DA) was used to establish classification models based on full spectrum and observed emission lines. The influences of moisture content on spectral profile, signal stability and plasma parameters (temperature and electron density) were also analysed. The results revealed that moisture content in fresh tobacco leaves would worsen the stability of analysis, and have a detrimental effect on the classification results. Good classification results were achieved based on the data from both full spectrum and observed emission lines of dried leaves, approaching 97.2% and 88.9% in the prediction set, respectively. In addition, support vector machine (SVM) could improve the classification results and eliminate influences of moisture content. The preliminary results indicate that LIBS coupled with chemometrics could provide a fast, efficient and low-cost approach for TMV-infected disease detection in tobacco leaves.
Lineage divergence, local adaptation across a biogeographic break, and artificial transport, shape the genetic structure in the ascidian Pyura chilensis
Authors: Segovia Nicolás I. , Gallardo-Escárate Cristian , Poulin Elie , Haye Pilar A.
Published: March 2017

Marine benthic organisms inhabit a heterogeneous environment in which connectivity between populations occurs mainly through dispersive larval stages, while local selective pressures acting on early life history stages lead to non-random mortality, shaping adaptive genetic structure. In order to test the influence of local adaptation and neutral processes in a marine benthic species with low dispersal, in this study we used Genotyping by Sequencing technology to compare the neutral and putatively selected signals (neutral and outlier loci, respectively) in SNPs scattered throughout the genome in six local populations of the commercially exploited ascidian Pyura chilensis along the southeast Pacific coast (24°–42°S). This species is sessile as an adult, has a short-lived larval stage, and may also be dispersed by artificial transport as biofouling. We found that the main signal in neutral loci was a highly divergent lineage present at 39°S, and a subjacent signal that indicated a separation at 30°S (north/south), widely reported in the area. North/south separation was the main signal in outlier loci, and the linage divergence at 39°S was subjacent. We conclude that the geographic structure of the genetic diversity of outlier and neutral loci was established by different strengths of environmental, historical and anthropogenic factors.