bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paleoecology and Geoarchaeology at El Palmar and the El Zotz Region, Guatemala
Authors: Luzzadder‐Beach Sheryl , Beach Timothy , Garrison Thomas , Houston Stephen , Doyle James , Román Edwin , Bozarth Steven , Terry Richard , Krause Samantha , Flood Jonathan
Published: August 2016

A new paleoecology record from the El PalmarCivaladds to the emerging geoarchaeological record of El Zotz, Guatemala. El Palmar's 3 m stratigraphic record began in the Archaic period before 1500 B.C. at or just before initial Maya impacts. From the lowest level, Late Archaic organic deposition, with evidence for diverse tropical forest and a steady water table, transitioned to Early Preclassic clay deposition, decreased forest taxa, three known food taxa, and more economic species. Clay deposition continued through the Preclassic, with occasional organic and high charcoal deposition, increasing maize, and other possible economic pollen. Classic El Palmar saw a new land use type with continued disturbance evidence but diverse and greater forest cover. Human impacts continued, leaving high amounts of disturbance taxa, charcoal, and the highest maize pollen level, concomitant with lower deposition rates, δ13C evidence of increased, diverse tropical forest taxa and organic sediments. El Zotz Aguada's Early Classic to Postclassic sediment record overlaps this, with maize and squash pollen evidence changing to Classic period copal tree pollen dominance. Both records indicate the maximum quantity of C4taxa derived organic matter was about 40%, leaving at least half from C3taxa such as tropical forest species.
Pharmacokinetics of Ferric Pyrophosphate Citrate, a Novel Iron Salt, Administered Intravenously to Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Pratt Raymond D. , Swinkels Dorine W. , Ikizler T. Alp , Gupta Ajay
Published: August 2016

Ferric pyrophosphate citrate (Triferic) is a water‐soluble iron salt that is administered via dialysate to maintain iron balance and hemoglobin in hemodialysis patients. This double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, single‐, ascending‐dose study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and safety of intravenous ferric pyrophosphate citrate in 48 healthy iron‐replete subjects (drug, n = 36; placebo, n = 12). Single doses of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, or 10 mg of ferric pyrophosphate citrate or placebo were administered over 4 hours, and single doses of 15 or 20 mg of ferric pyrophosphate citrate or placebo were administered over 12 hours via intravenous infusion. Serum total iron (sFetot), transferrin‐bound iron (TBI), hepcidin‐25, and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation were determined using validated assays. Marked diurnal variation in sFetot was observed in placebo‐treated subjects. Concentrations of sFetot and TBI increased rapidly after drug administration, with maximum serum concentrations (Cmax) reached at the end of infusion. Increases in baseline‐corrected Cmax and area under the concentration‐time curve from 0 to the time of the last quantifiable concentration (AUC0‐t) were dose proportional up to 100% transferrin saturation. Iron was rapidly cleared (apparent terminal phase half‐life 1.2‐2 hours). No significant changes from baseline in serum hepcidin‐25 concentration were observed at end of infusion for any dose. Biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation were unaffected. Intravenous doses of ferric pyrophosphate citrate were well tolerated. These results demonstrate that intravenous ferric pyrophosphate citrate is rapidly bound to transferrin and cleared from the circulation without increasing serum hepcidin levels or biomarkers of oxidative stress or inflammation.
Degradation of sulfamethazine antibiotics using Fe3O4–Mn3O4 nanocomposite as a Fenton‐like catalyst
Authors: Wan Zhong , Wang Jianlong
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND

The presence of sulfonamide antibiotics in aquatic environments has received increasing attention. In this study, the nanocomposite Fe3O4–Mn3O4 was synthesized, characterized and used as a catalyst for the degradation of sulfamethazine (SMT) in a heterogeneous Fenton‐like process.

RESULTS

The composites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), BET specific surface area, vibrating sample spectrometry (VSM), Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy before and after use. The catalytic activity was evaluated under different conditions, including pH value, H2O2 dosage, catalyst dosage, temperature and initial concentration of SMT. The removal efficiency of SMT was more than 99% in 50 min at pH=3, T = 45 °C, H2O2=6 mmol L−1, Fe3O4–Mn3O4 dosage = 0.5 g L−1, SMT=20 mg L−1.

CONCLUSIONS

Fe3O4–Mn3O4 composite was an efficient catalyst for degradation of SMT in a Fenton‐like process. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Monitoring single coffee bean roasting by direct volatile compound analysis with proton transfer reaction time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Yener Sine , Navarini Luciano , Lonzarich Valentina , Cappellin Luca , Märk Tilmann D. , Bonn Günther K. , Biasioli Franco
Published: August 2016

This study applies proton transfer reaction time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry for the rapid analysis of volatile compounds released from single coffee beans. The headspace volatile profiles of single coffee beans (Coffeea arabica) from different geographical origins (Brazil, Guatemala and Ethiopia) were analyzed via offline profiling at different stages of roasting. The effect of coffee geographical origin was reflected on volatile compound formation that was supported by one‐way ANOVA. Clear origin signatures were observed in the formation of different coffee odorants. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accurate modeling of pHEMT output current derivatives over a wide temperature range
Authors: Zhu Yuan‐Yuan , Ma Jian‐Guo , Fu Hai‐Peng , Zhang Qi‐Jun , Cheng Qian‐Fu , Lin Qian
Published: August 2016

In this paper, the bias‐dependent current–voltage (I–V) characteristics and their high‐order derivatives of GaAs pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistors (pHEMTs) have been modeled over a wide temperature range. To simulate these characteristics at different temperatures, the model is developed considering the dependence on the ambient temperature. It is the first time that the temperature‐dependent high‐order derivatives of I–V characteristics of pHEMT are predicted, which can guarantee their accuracy under different bias conditions. The artificial neural networks are employed with the temperature as one of the input variables. The validity of this model has been demonstrated by comparing the measured and modeled Ids and its derivatives (gm, gm2 and gm3, derived from the I–V characteristics numerically) of a GaAs pHEMT at different temperature range (250–400 K, with step of 50 K). The results show that the proposed model has a better agreement of high‐order derivatives than the popularly used Angelov model, especially for the third‐order derivative. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heterogeneity in oligodendroglia: Is it relevant to mouse models and human disease?
Authors: Ornelas Isis M. , McLane Lauren E. , Saliu Aminat , Evangelou Angelina V. , Khandker Luipa , Wood Teresa L.
Published: August 2016

There are many lines of evidence indicating that oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and oligodendrocyte populations in the central nervous system (CNS) are heterogeneous based on their developmental origins as well as from morphological and molecular criteria. Whether these distinctions reflect functional heterogeneity is less clear and has been the subject of considerable debate. Recent findings, particularly from knockout mouse models, have provided new evidence for regional variations in myelination phenotypes, particularly between brain and spinal cord. These data raise the possibility that oligodendrocytes in these regions have different functional capacities and/or ability to compensate for loss of a specific gene. The goal of this review is to briefly revisit the evidence for oligodendrocyte heterogeneity and then to present data from transgenic and demyelinating mouse models suggesting functional heterogeneity in myelination, demyelination, and remyelination in the CNS and, finally, to discuss the implications of these findings for human diseases. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interdecadal transition in the relationship between the western Pacific subtropical high and sea surface temperature
Authors: Gu Bohui , Zheng Zhihai , Feng Guolin , Wang Xujia
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT

The western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) and sea surface temperatures have experienced marked interdecadal changes. However, whether the relationships between the WPSH and sea surface temperature forcings (SSTFs) have also experienced an interdecadal transition remains unclear. This study analyses the interdecadal shift in the relationship between the WPSH and SSTFs. The results clearly reveal the occurrence of two interdecadal transitions in the relationship between the leading empirical orthogonal function modes, which represent the intensity of the WPSH and the SSTFs: one in approximately 1976–1977 and the other in 1993–1994. The positive first principal component is closely related to the equatorial eastern and central Pacific (EECP) warming and the western North Pacific (WNP) cooling in spring and summer of the three periods. The discharging process of the ‘Indian Ocean Capacitor Effect’ in summer was suppressed by the downdraft during the periods 1978–1992 and 1995–2013, which caused the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) warming to have little influence on the WNP anomalous anticyclone (WNPAC) in summer. The positive second principal component corresponds to significantly positive sea surface temperature anomalies in the TIO, the maritime continent, the WNP, the North Pacific cooling in spring and summer, and the EECP cooling in the summer, while it is significantly related to only the positive‐phase North Atlantic tripole (NAT) in the spring in the years 1954–1975. The enhancement of the WNPAC by the NAT was partly offset by the tropical North Atlantic warming with a positive tropospheric temperature anomaly. Additionally, an anticyclone over the North Pacific Ocean accelerated the phase shift of El Niño/Southern Oscillation from El Niño to La Niña in the spring in the years 1995–2013.
Yeast derived from lignocellulosic biomass as a sustainable feed resource for use in aquaculture
Authors: Øverland Margareth , Skrede Anders
Published: August 2016

The global expansion in aquaculture production implies an emerging need of suitable and sustainable protein sources. Currently, the fish feed industry is dependent on high‐quality protein sources of marine and plant origin. Yeast derived from processing of low‐value and non‐food lignocellulosic biomass is a potential sustainable source of protein in fish diets. Following enzymatic hydrolysis, the hexose and pentose sugars of lignocellulosic substrates and supplementary nutrients can be converted into protein‐rich yeast biomass by fermentation. Studies have shown that yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida utilis and Kluyveromyces marxianus have favourable amino acid composition and excellent properties as protein sources in diets for fish, including carnivorous species such as Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout. Suitable downstream processing of the biomass to disrupt cell walls is required to secure high nutrient digestibility. A number of studies have shown various immunological and health benefits from feeding fish low levels of yeast and yeast‐derived cell wall fractions. This review summarises current literature on the potential of yeast from lignocellulosic biomass as an alternative protein source for the aquaculture industry. It is concluded that further research and development within yeast production can be important to secure the future sustainability and economic viability of intensive aquaculture. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Diagnosis of subglottic stenosis in a rabbit model using long‐range optical coherence tomography
Authors: Ajose‐Popoola Olubunmi , Su Erica , Hamamoto Ashley , Wang Alex , Jing Joseph C. , Nguyen Tony D. , Chen Jason J. , Osann Kathryn E. , Chen Zhongping , Ahuja Gurpreet S. , Wong Brian J. F.
Published: August 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

Current imaging modalities lack the necessary resolution to diagnose subglottic stenosis. The aim of this study was to use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to evaluate nascent subglottic mucosal injury and characterize mucosal thickness and structural changes using texture analysis in a simulated intubation rabbit model.

Study Design

Prospective animal study in rabbits.

Methods

Three‐centimeter‐long sections of endotracheal tubes (ETT) were endoscopically placed in the subglottis and proximal trachea of New Zealand White rabbits (n = 10) and secured via suture. OCT imaging and conventional endoscopic video was performed just prior to ETT segment placement (day 0), immediately after tube removal (day 7), and 1 week later (day 14). OCT images were analyzed for airway wall thickness and textural properties.

Results

Endoscopy and histology of intubated rabbits showed a range of normal to edematous tissue, which correlated with OCT images. The mean airway mucosal wall thickness measured using OCT was 336.4 μm (day 0), 391.3 μm (day 7), and 420.4 μm (day 14), with significant differences between day 0 and day 14 (P = .002). Significance was found for correlation and homogeneity texture features across all time points (P < .05).

Conclusions

OCT is a minimally invasive endoscopic imaging modality capable of monitoring progression of subglottic mucosal injury. This study is the first to evaluate mucosal injury during simulated intubation using serial OCT imaging and texture analysis. OCT and texture analysis have the potential for early detection of subglottic mucosal injury, which could lead to better management of the neonatal airway and limit the progression to stenosis.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 127:64–69, 2017
Chain Entanglements and Hydrogen Bonds in Carbopol Microgel Reinforced Hydrogel
Authors: Zhang Xiuyin , Zhao Chuanzhuang , Xiang Nanping , Li Wei
Published: August 2016

Physical interaction between the microgel and the hydrogel matrix is a key issue in the rational design of microgel reinforced hydrogels. A pentaerythritol‐crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) microgel, named Carbopol, is composited with polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel. The toughness of the hydrogel is significantly improved by constructing an interpenetrating network of Carbopol and PAAm. Chain entanglements within the composited hydrogel result in a strain‐hardening phenomenon and an efficient stress transfer from the PAAm matrix to the sacrificing network of Carbopol. Hydrogen bonds between PAAc and PAAm can be formed in an acidic environment, which function as reversible sacrificing bonds and further improve the stretchability of the hydrogel.

image
Roles of the Interphase Stiffness and Percolation on the Behavior of Solid Propellants
Authors: Toulemonde Paul‐Aymé , Diani Julie , Gilormini Pierre , Lacroix Geneviève , Desgardin Nancy
Published: August 2016

Atomic force microscopy has provided access to local moduli for propellants prepared with bonding agents, which create a stiffness gradient in the matrix producing a stiffer interphase surrounding the fillers. The reinforcing impact of the bonding agent appears up to some distance and interphase percolation is observed. In order to better understand the impact of bonding agents on the stress and strain at break of propellants, finite element simulations are performed. Two‐dimensional periodic cells containing randomly dispersed particles are considered, including both a cohesive zone model at the filler/matrix interface to account for possible debonding and an interphase that percolates or not. The influence of the interphase stiffness and of its percolation, on the stress and strain at break of the model propellants are evaluated through the use of a microstructure‐based failure criterion.
Antifungal activity of fabricated mesoporous alumina nanoparticles against root rot disease of tomato caused by Fusarium oxysporium
Authors: Shenashen Mohamed , Derbalah Aly , Hamza Amany , Mohamed Ahmed , El Safty Sherif
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND

The present work involved the synthesis and characterisation of mesoporous alumina sphere (MAS) nanoparticles to evaluate their biological activity against tomato root rot caused by Fusarium oxysporium, as compared with the recommended fungicide, tolclofos‐methyl, under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The effects of MAS nanoparticles on the growth of tomato plants were also evaluated and compared with those of tolclofos‐methyl.

RESULTS

The physical characteristics and structural features of MAS nanoparticles, such as their large surface‐area‐to‐volume ratio, active surface sites and open channel pores, caused high antifungal efficacy against F. oxysporium. MAS nanoparticles presented an antifungal potential similar to that of tolclofos‐methyl and much greater than that of the control under both laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The highest growth parameters were recorded in tomato plants treated with MAS nanoparticles, followed by those treated with tolclofos‐methyl.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated the possible use of cylindrically cubic MAS nanoparticles as an effective alternative for the control of Fusarium root rot in tomato. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of a non‐woven fabric covering on the residual activity of pendimethalin in lettuce and soil
Authors: Jursík Miroslav , Kováčová Jana , Kočárek Martin , Hamouzová Kateřina , Soukup Josef
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND

Lettuce (Lactuca sativaL.) is a crop that is very sensitive to herbicide contamination owing to its short growing season. The use of long‐residual herbicides and non‐woven fabric coverings could therefore influence pendimethalin concentrations in soil and lettuce.

RESULTS

The pendimethalin half‐life in soil ranged between 18 and 85 days and was mainly affected by season (i.e. weather), and especially by soil moisture. Pendimethalin degradation in soil was slowest under dry conditions. A longer pendimethalin half‐life was observed under the non‐woven fabric treatment, but the effect of varying application rate was not significant. Pendimethalin residue concentrations in lettuce heads were significantly influenced by pendimethalin application rate and by non‐woven fabric cover, especially at the lettuce's early growth stages. The highest pendimethalin concentration at final harvest was determined in lettuce grown on uncovered plots treated with pendimethalin at an application rate of 1200 g ha−1(7–38 µg kg−1). Depending on growing season duration and weather conditions, pendimethalin concentrations in lettuce grown under non‐woven fabric ranged from 0 to 21 µg kg−1.

CONCLUSION

Use of transparent non‐woven fabric cover with lettuce can help to reduce application rates of soil herbicides and diminish the risk of herbicide contamination in the harvested vegetables. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Rigor in Elementary Science Students’ Discourse: The Role of Responsiveness and Supportive Conditions for Talk
Authors: COLLEY CAROLYN , WINDSCHITL MARK
Published: August 2016

Teaching that is responsive to students’ ideas can create opportunities for rigorous sense‐making talk by young learners. Yet we have few accounts of how thoughtful attempts at responsive teaching unfold across units of instruction in elementary science classrooms and have only begun to understand how responsiveness encourages rigor in conversations. In this study, the first author taught an electric circuits unit to four upper elementary science classes, exercising a responsive teaching stance. We found that rigorous episodes of whole‐class talk were associated with the teacher's use of open‐ended questions, follow‐up prompts, references to activity or representations, prediscussion tasks, and asking students to comment on their peers’ ideas. Overall, higher rigor talk co‐occurred with these conditions when used in combination. Despite being responsive to students’ emerging ideas, all four classes addressed the science ideas for the unit—an outcome we attribute to the use of an anchoring phenomenon and the teacher's awareness of the concepts required to construct evidence‐based explanations for it. Finally, concerted attempts to teach in responsive ways—while also attending to rigor—surfaced pedagogical tensions that problematize efforts to create such discourse‐rich environments and inform how this type of instruction might be enacted by others.
Modeling the second stage of labor
Authors: Yan Xiani , Kruger Jennifer A. , Li Xinshan , Nielsen Poul M. F. , Nash Martyn P.
Published: August 2016

Vaginal delivery is the primary cause of levator ani muscle injury, which is in turn the leading factor contributing to pelvic floor disorders including pelvic organ prolapse and urinary stress incontinence. Existing biomechanical models of childbirth have provided some understanding of pelvic floor function during delivery and have helped in the investigation of preventative strategies. The modeling frameworks for childbirth simulation are described with emphasis on (1) the recent advances in medical imaging quality and computational power; (2) improvements in the anatomical representation of the pelvic floor and fetal head; (3) more realistic boundary conditions for delivery; and (4) mechanical properties determined from experiments. Researchers have used these models to analyze childbirth mechanics and identify anatomical and mechanical features of the maternal pelvic floor, shape of the fetal head, and delivery techniques that potentially contribute to a difficult labor and higher risk of levator ani muscle injuries. The challenges to be addressed for these frameworks to be clinically useful are also discussed, including: (1) the improvements required to more accurately simulate the second stage of labor; (2) automatic segmentation of medical images and creation of customized computer models; (3) acquisition of individual specific pelvic floor mechanical properties; and (4) construction of statistical models for rapidly predicting the indices of childbirth mechanics. Within the next decade, it is likely that biomechanical models of childbirth will be sufficiently well informed and functional for personalized birth planning, and as educational tools for clinicians. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2016, 8:506–516. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1351

This article is categorized under:

Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Organ, Tissue, and Physiological Models
Impact of Tissue Sealing Sheet on Erectile Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Nerve-Sparing Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Yamashita Shinichi , Fujii Shinji , Kamiyama Yoshihiro , Kawasaki Yoshihide , Izumi Hideaki , Kawamorita Naoki , Mitsuzuka Koji , Adachi Hisanobu , Kaiho Yasuhiro , Ito Akihiro , Arai Yoichi
Published: August 2016

Introduction

The tissue sealing sheet has recently been used to prevent intraoperative bleeding from the neurovascular bundles in radical prostatectomy. Surgical stress or inflammatory changes likely play a role in erectile dysfunction after cavernous nerve injury. However, the efficacy of a tissue sealing sheet for preventing erectile function after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy remains unclear.

Aim

To evaluate the effect of a tissue sealing sheet on erectile dysfunction after cavernous nerve dissection.

Methods

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups and subjected to sham operation or bilateral cavernous nerve dissection with (sheet group) or without (non-sheet group) a tissue sealing sheet. In the sheet group, cavernous nerves were sealed with a tissue sealing sheet immediately after cavernous nerve dissection.

Main Outcome Measures

Erectile function was assessed by measuring intracavernous pressure and arterial pressure during pelvic nerve electrostimulation at 4 weeks after surgery. Expressions of interleukin-6, tumor growth factor-β1, and heme-oxygenase-1 in the major pelvic ganglion were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Mean intracavernous pressure along with mean arterial pressure in the sheet group were similar to those in the sham group and showed a significant positive response compared with the non-sheet group (P < .05). Furthermore, expressions of interleukin-6, tumor growth factor-β1, and heme-oxygenase-1 were significantly lower in the sheet group than in the non-sheet group (P < .05).

Conclusion

Use of a tissue sealing sheet attenuated postoperative inflammatory changes and oxidative stress and improved erectile function after cavernous nerve injury in rats. The tissue sealing sheet might become a useful therapeutic approach to preserve erectile function after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy.
Nouveautés en vaccinologie pour les voyageurs
Authors: Bessard Gwendoline , de Vallière Serge , Rochat Laurence
Published: August 2016

Zusammenfassung. Gewisse Änderungen im Impfplan für Reisende im Lauf der letzten Jahre rechtfertigen eine Aktualisierung der Daten. So hat beispielsweise die Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) im Jahr 2013 die Empfehlungen für Gelbfieber neu überprüft und statuiert, dass eine einzige Impfdosis ausreichend ist, um lebenslang vor Gelbfieber geschützt zu sein. Eine rapide Schutzimpfung gegen Tollwut und gegen japanische Enzephalitis wurde ebenfalls unlängst mit schlüssigen Ergebnissen für einen wirksamen kurzfristigen Schutz vorgestellt. Ausserdem wurden Änderungen in den Impfschemen und/oder in den Indikationen zu gewissen Impfungen, die in der Schweiz durchgeführt werden, aber auch Auswirkungen für die Reisenden haben, vorgenommen. Der vorliegende Aufsatz soll dazu beitragen, die für das Jahr 2016 zutreffenden Impfungsstrategien anhand von Fallbeispielen, die in der Praxis der Vakzinologie für Reisende häufig auftreten, zu erklären.
Spotting the Source of Slow Solar Wind
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: August 2016

A new study suggests that magnetic reconnection may fuel slow solar winds, which top out at speeds below 500 kilometers per second.
P2X7 receptor‐dependent tuning of gut epithelial responses to infection
Authors: Huang Szu‐Wei , Walker Catherine , Pennock Joanne , Else Kathryn , Muller Werner , Daniels Michael JD , Pellegrini Carolina , Brough David , Lopez‐Castejon Gloria , Cruickshank Sheena M
Published: August 2016

Infection and injury of the gut are associated with cell damage and release of molecules such as extracellular adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP), which is recognised by the purinergic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R). P2X7R is widely expressed in the gut by antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) and epithelial cells, but the role of the P2X7R on epithelial cells is poorly understood. We investigated P2X7R in intestinal epitheliumin vitroandin vivousing two model infections,Toxoplasma gondiiandTrichinella spiralis. Lipopolysaccharide and ATP treatment of intestinal epithelial cells and infection withT. gondii in vitrodid not promote inflammasome‐associated interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) or IL‐18 secretion, but promoted C–C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5), tumour necrosis factor‐α and IL‐6 production that were significantly reduced when the P2X7R was blocked. Similarly,in vivo, infection with eitherT. spiralisorT. gondiiinduced rapid upregulation of epithelial CCL5 in wild‐type (wild‐type (WT)) mice that was significantly reduced in P2X7R−/−littermate controls. The effects of reduced epithelial CCL5 were assayed by investigating recruitment of dendritic cells (DCs) to the epithelium. Infection induced a rapid recruitment of CD11c+CD103+DC subsets into the epithelial layer of WT mice but not P2X7R−/−mice.In vitrochemotaxis assays and bone marrow chimeras demonstrated the importance of epithelial P2X7R in DC recruitment. P2X7R signalling in epithelial cells mediates chemokine responses to promote initiation of host immunity to infection.
Long-term time-lapse microscopy of C. elegans post-embryonic development
Authors: Gritti Nicola , Kienle Simone , Filina Olga , van Zon Jeroen Sebastiaan
Published: August 2016

We present a microscopy technique that enables long-term time-lapse microscopy at single-cell resolution in moving and feeding Caenorhabditis elegans larvae. Time-lapse microscopy of C. elegans post-embryonic development is challenging, as larvae are highly motile. Moreover, immobilization generally leads to rapid developmental arrest. Instead, we confine larval movement to microchambers that contain bacteria as food, and use fast image acquisition and image analysis to follow the dynamics of cells inside individual larvae, as they move within each microchamber. This allows us to perform fluorescence microscopy of 10–20 animals in parallel with 20 min time resolution. We demonstrate the power of our approach by analysing the dynamics of cell division, cell migration and gene expression over the full ∼48 h of development from larva to adult. Our approach now makes it possible to study the behaviour of individual cells inside the body of a feeding and growing animal.
Hedgehog–BMP signalling establishes dorsoventral patterning in lateral plate mesoderm to trigger gonadogenesis in chicken embryos
Authors: Yoshino Takashi , Murai Hidetaka , Saito Daisuke
Published: August 2016

The gonad appears in the early embryo after several events: cells at the lateral plate mesoderm (LPM) undergo ingression, begin gonadal differentiation and then retain primordial germ cells (PGCs). Here we show that in the chicken embryo, these events are triggered on the basis of dorsoventral patterning at the medial LPM. Gonadal progenitor cells (GPCs) at the ventromedial LPM initiate gonadogenesis by undergoing ingression, whereas mesonephric capsule progenitor cells (MCPCs) at the dorsomedial LPM do not. These contrasting behaviours are caused by Hedgehog signalling, which is activated in GPCs but not in MCPCs. Inhibiting Hedgehog signalling prevents GPCs from forming gonadal structures and collecting PGCs. When activated by Hedgehog signalling, MCPCs form an ectopic gonad. This Hedgehog signalling is mediated by BMP4. These findings provide insight into embryonic patterning and gonadal initiation in the chicken embryo.
Sensory input attenuation allows predictive sexual response in yeast
Authors: Banderas Alvaro , Koltai Mihaly , Anders Alexander , Sourjik Victor
Published: August 2016

Animals are known to adjust their sexual behaviour depending on mate competition. Here we report similar regulation for mating behaviour in a sexual unicellular eukaryote, the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We demonstrate that pheromone-based communication between the two mating types, coupled to input attenuation by recipient cells, enables yeast to robustly monitor relative mate abundance (sex ratio) within a mixed population and to adjust their commitment to sexual reproduction in proportion to their estimated chances of successful mating. The mechanism of sex-ratio sensing relies on the diffusible peptidase Bar1, which is known to degrade the pheromone signal produced by mating partners. We further show that such a response to sexual competition within a population can optimize the fitness trade-off between the costs and benefits of mating response induction. Our study thus provides an adaptive explanation for the known molecular mechanism of pheromone degradation in yeast.
The microRNA cluster miR-183/96/182 contributes to long-term memory in a protein phosphatase 1-dependent manner
Authors: Woldemichael Bisrat T. , Jawaid Ali , Kremer Eloïse A. , Gaur Niharika , Krol Jacek , Marchais Antonin , Mansuy Isabelle M.
Published: August 2016

Memory formation is a complex cognitive function regulated by coordinated synaptic and nuclear processes in neurons. In mammals, it is controlled by multiple molecular activators and suppressors, including the key signalling regulator, protein phosphatase 1 (PP1). Here, we show that memory control by PP1 involves the miR-183/96/182 cluster and its selective regulation during memory formation. Inhibiting nuclear PP1 in the mouse brain, or training on an object recognition task similarly increases miR-183/96/182 expression in the hippocampus. Mimicking this increase by miR-183/96/182 overexpression enhances object memory, while knocking-down endogenous miR-183/96/182 impairs it. This effect involves the modulation of several plasticity-related genes, withHDAC9identified as an important functional target. Further, PP1 controls miR-183/96/182 in a transcription-independent manner through the processing of their precursors. These findings provide novel evidence for a role of miRNAs in memory formation and suggest the implication of PP1 in miRNAs processing in the adult brain.
Shaping polymersomes into predictable morphologies via out-of-equilibrium self-assembly
Authors: Rikken R. S. M. , Engelkamp H. , Nolte R. J. M. , Maan J. C. , van Hest J. C. M. , Wilson D. A. , Christianen P. C. M.
Published: August 2016

Polymersomes are bilayer vesicles, self-assembled from amphiphilic block copolymers. They are versatile nanocapsules with adjustable properties, such as flexibility, permeability, size and functionality. However, so far no methodological approach to control their shape exists. Here we demonstrate a mechanistically fully understood procedure to precisely control polymersome shape via an out-of-equilibrium process. Carefully selecting osmotic pressure and permeability initiates controlled deflation, resulting in transient capsule shapes, followed by reinflation of the polymersomes. The shape transformation towards stomatocytes, bowl-shaped vesicles, was probed with magnetic birefringence, permitting us to stop the process at any intermediate shape in the phase diagram. Quantitative electron microscopy analysis of the different morphologies reveals that this shape transformation proceeds via a long-predicted hysteretic deflation–inflation trajectory, which can be understood in terms of bending energy. Because of the high degree of controllability and predictability, this study provides the design rules for accessing polymersomes with all possible different shapes.
Intradermal immunisation using the TLR3-ligand Poly (I:C) as adjuvant induces mucosal antibody responses and protects against genital HSV-2 infection
Authors: Bardel Emilie , Doucet-Ladeveze Remi , Mathieu Cyrille , Harandi Ali M , Dubois Bertrand , Kaiserlian Dominique
Published: August 2016

Development of vaccines able to induce mucosal immunity in the genital and gastrointestinal tracts is a major challenge to counter sexually transmitted pathogens such as HIV-1 and HSV-2. Herein, we showed that intradermal (ID) immunisation with sub-unit vaccine antigens (i.e., HIV-1 gp140 and HSV-2 gD) delivered with Poly(I:C) or CpG1668 as adjuvant induces long-lasting virus-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)-G and IgA antibodies in the vagina and feces. Poly(I:C)-supplemented sub-unit viral vaccines caused minimal skin reactogenicity at variance to those containing CpG1668, promoted a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to the vaccine and protected mice from genital and neurological symptoms after a lethal vaginal HSV-2 challenge. Interestingly, Poly(I:C12U) (Ampligen), a Poly(I:C) structural analogue that binds to TLR3 but not MDA-5, promoted robust mucosal and systemic IgG antibodies, a weak skin DTH to the vaccine but not IgA responses and failed to confer protection against HSV-2 infection. Moreover, Poly(I:C) was far superior to Poly(I:C12U) at inducing prompt and robust upregulation of IFNß transcripts in lymph nodes draining the injection site. These data illustrate that ID vaccination with glycoproteins and Poly(I:C) as adjuvant promotes long-lasting mucosal immunity and protection from genital HSV-2 infection, with an acceptable skin reactogenicity profile. The ID route thus appears to be an unexpected inductive site for mucosal immunity and anti-viral protection suitable for sub-unit vaccines. This works further highlights that TLR3/MDA5 agonists such as Poly(I:C) may be valuable adjuvants for ID vaccination against sexually transmitted diseases.
Correction: Corrigendum: Redox potential driven aeration during very-high-gravity ethanol fermentation by using flocculating yeast
Authors: Liu Chen-Guang , Hao Xue-Mi , Lin Yen-Han , Bai Feng-Wu
Published: August 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 25763; published online: 10 May 2016; updated: 25 August 2016 In the original version of this Article, Affiliation 1 was incomplete. The correct affiliation is listed below: State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism and School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
Correction: Corrigendum: In vivo assembly of DNA-fragments in the moss, Physcomitrella patens
Authors: King Brian Christopher , Vavitsas Konstantinos , Ikram Nur Kusaira Binti Khairul , Schrøder Josephine , Scharff Lars B. , Bassard Jean-Étienne , Hamberger Björn , Jensen Poul Erik , Simonsen Henrik Toft
Published: August 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 25030; published online: 29 April 2016; updated: 25 August 2016 Jean-Étienne Bassard was omitted from the author list in the original version of this Article. This has been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article. The Acknowledgements section now reads:
Comparison of intraspecific, interspecific and intergeneric chloroplast diversity in Cycads
Authors: Jiang Guo-Feng , Hinsinger Damien Daniel , Strijk Joeri Sergej
Published: August 2016

Cycads are among the most threatened plant species. Increasing the availability of genomic information by adding whole chloroplast data is a fundamental step in supporting phylogenetic studies and conservation efforts. Here, we assemble a dataset encompassing three taxonomic levels in cycads, including ten genera, three species in the genus Cycas and two individuals of C. debaoensis. Repeated sequences, SSRs and variations of the chloroplast were analyzed at the intraspecific, interspecific and intergeneric scale and using our sequence data, we reconstruct a phylogenomic tree for cycads. The chloroplast was 162,094 bp in length, with 133 genes annotated, including 87 protein-coding, 37 tRNA and 8 rRNA genes. We found 7 repeated sequences and 39 SSRs. Seven loci showed promising levels of variations for application in DNA-barcoding. The chloroplast phylogeny confirmed the division of Cycadales in two suborders, each of them being monophyletic, revealing a contradiction with the current family circumscription and its evolution. Finally, 10 intraspecific SNPs were found. Our results showed that despite the extremely restricted distribution range of C. debaoensis, using complete chloroplast data is useful not only in intraspecific studies, but also to improve our understanding of cycad evolution and in defining conservation strategies for this emblematic group.
Non-additive genome-wide association scan reveals a new gene associated with habitual coffee consumption
Authors: Pirastu Nicola , Kooyman Maarten , Robino Antonietta , van der Spek Ashley , Navarini Luciano , Amin Najaf , Karssen Lennart C. , Van Duijn Cornelia M , Gasparini Paolo
Published: August 2016

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages world-wide and one of the primary sources of caffeine intake. Given its important health and economic impact, the underlying genetics of its consumption has been widely studied. Despite these efforts, much has still to be uncovered. In particular, the use of non-additive genetic models may uncover new information about the genetic variants driving coffee consumption. We have conducted a genome-wide association study in two Italian populations using additive, recessive and dominant models for analysis. This has uncovered a significant association in the PDSS2 gene under the recessive model that has been replicated in an independent cohort from the Netherlands (ERF). The identified gene has been shown to negatively regulate the expression of the caffeine metabolism genes and can thus be linked to coffee consumption. Further bioinformatics analysis of eQTL and histone marks from Roadmap data has evidenced a possible role of the identified SNPs in regulating PDSS2 gene expression through enhancers present in its intron. Our results highlight a novel gene which regulates coffee consumption by regulating the expression of the genes linked to caffeine metabolism. Further studies will be needed to clarify the biological mechanism which links PDSS2 and coffee consumption.
Integrative effect of drought and low temperature on litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) floral initiation revealed by dynamic genome-wide transcriptome analysis
Authors: Shen Jiyuan , Xiao Qiusheng , Qiu Haiji , Chen Chengjie , Chen Houbin
Published: August 2016

Floral induction in litchi is influenced by multiple environment cues including temperature and soil water condition. In the present study, we determined that a combined treatment consisting of 14-day drought imposed prior to exposure to 35-day low temperature (T3) significantly promoted litchi flowering relative to the low temperature alone (T2), suggesting an integrative effect of drought and low temperature on litchi floral initiation. Analysis of transcriptomic changes in leaves from different treatments showed that 2,198 and 4,407 unigenes were differentially expressed in response to drought and low temperature, respectively. 1,227 of these unigenes were expressed in response to both treatments, implying an interaction of drought and low temperature on expression of genes involved in litchi floral initiation. Additionally, 932 unigenes were consistently differentially expressed during floral induction between T2 and T3 plants, which potentially accounts for the difference of flowering time. Thirty-eight transcription factors out of these 932 unigenes were identified as hub genes with central roles in regulation of litchi floral induction. The expression of litchi homologs of well-known flowering genes was also investigated and one Flowering Locus T (FT) homolog may play a crucial role in litchi flowering in responses to drought and low temperature.
A serum 6-miRNA panel as a novel non-invasive biomarker for meningioma
Authors: Zhi Feng , Shao Naiyuan , Li Bowen , Xue Lian , Deng Danni , Xu Yuan , Lan Qing , Peng Ya , Yang Yilin
Published: August 2016

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) hold great promise as novel clinically blood-based biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. However, little is known about their impact in meningioma. The TLDA assay was performed as an initial survey to determine the serum miRNA expression profile in two pooled samples from 20 pre-operative meningiomas and 20 matched healthy controls. Selected candidate miRNAs were subsequently validated individually in another 210 patients and 210 healthy controls from two independent cohorts by qRT-PCR. The serum levels of miR-106a-5p, miR-219-5p, miR-375 and miR-409-3p were significantly increased, whereas the serum levels of miR-197 and miR-224 were markedly decreased. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the six combined miRNAs was 0.778. The 4 increased miRNAs were significantly decreased, while the 2 decreased miRNAs were significantly increased after tumor removal. Furthermore, the expression levels of miR-224 were associated with sex and the expression levels of miR-219-5p were positively associated with the clinical stages of meningioma. Finally, the high expression of miR-409-3p and low expression of miR-224 were significantly correlated with higher recurrence rates. The present study revealed that the panel of 6 serum miRNA may have the potential to be used clinically as an auxiliary tool for meningioma patients.
The lightest organic radical cation for charge storage in redox flow batteries
Authors: Huang Jinhua , Pan Baofei , Duan Wentao , Wei Xiaoliang , Assary Rajeev S. , Su Liang , Brushett Fikile R. , Cheng Lei , Liao Chen , Ferrandon Magali S. , Wang Wei , Zhang Zhengcheng , Burrell Anthony K. , Curtiss Larry A. , Shkrob Ilya A. , Moore Jeffrey S. , Zhang Lu
Published: August 2016

In advanced electrical grids of the future, electrochemically rechargeable fluids of high energy density will capture the power generated from intermittent sources like solar and wind. To meet this outstanding technological demand there is a need to understand the fundamental limits and interplay of electrochemical potential, stability, and solubility in low-weight redox-active molecules. By generating a combinatorial set of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene derivatives with different arrangements of substituents, we discovered a minimalistic structure that combines exceptional long-term stability in its oxidized form and a record-breaking intrinsic capacity of 161 mAh/g. The nonaqueous redox flow battery has been demonstrated that uses this molecule as a catholyte material and operated stably for 100 charge/discharge cycles. The observed stability trends are rationalized by mechanistic considerations of the reaction pathways.
Protective effect of salidroside against bone loss via hypoxia-inducible factor-1α pathway-induced angiogenesis
Authors: Li Ling , Qu Ye , Jin Xin , Guo Xiao Qin , Wang Yue , Qi Lin , Yang Jing , Zhang Peng , Li Ling Zhi
Published: August 2016

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α plays a critical role in coupling angiogenesis with osteogenesis during bone development and regeneration. Salidroside (SAL) has shown anti-hypoxic effects in vitro and in vivo. However, the possible roles of SAL in the prevention of hypoxia-induced osteoporosis have remained unknown. Two osteoblast cell lines, MG-63 and ROB, were employed to evaluate the effects of SAL on cell viability, apoptosis, differentiation and mineralization in vitro. Rats subjected to ovariectomy-induced bone loss were treated with SAL in vivo. Our results showed that pre-treatment with SAL markedly attenuated the hypoxia-induced reductions in cell viability, apoptosis, differentiation and mineralization. SAL down-regulated HIF-1α expression and inhibited its translocation; however, SAL increased its transcriptional activity and, consequently, up-regulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In vivo studies further demonstrated that SAL caused decreases in the mineral, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and BGP concentrations in the blood of ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Moreover, SAL improved the trabecular bone microarchitecture and increased bone mineral density in the distal femur. Additionally, SAL administration partially ameliorated this hypoxia via the HIF-1α-VEGF signalling pathway. Our results indicate that SAL prevents bone loss by enhancing angiogenesis and osteogenesis and that these effects are associated with the activation of HIF-1α signalling.
Taxonomy and physiological characterisation of Scheffersomyces titanus sp. nov., a new D-xylose-fermenting yeast species from China
Authors: Liu Xiao-Jing , Cao Wan-Nan , Ren Yong-Cheng , Xu Long-Long , Yi Ze-Hao , Liu Zheng , Hui Feng-Li
Published: August 2016

Three strains of a d-xylose-fermenting yeast species were isolated from the host beetle Dorcus titanus collected from two different localities in Henan Province, Central China. These strains formed two hat-shaped ascospores in conjugated and deliquescent asci. Multilocus phylogenetic analysis that included the nearly complete small subunit (SSU), the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rDNAs, as well as RNA polymerase II largest subunit (RPB1) gene demonstrated that these strains represent a novel yeast species belonging to the genus Scheffersomyces. The phylogenetic analysis based on the nucleotide sequences of the xylose reductase (XYL1) gene supported the view that the new strains could be grouped as a unique species. Although this new species is highly similar to Scheffersomyces stipitis-like yeasts in terms of nrDNA sequences and morphological and physiological characteristics, the species can be clearly differentiated from its close relatives on the basis of the sequences of XYL1 and RPB1. Therefore, a novel yeast species, Scheffersomyces titanus sp. nov., is proposed to accommodate these strains. The type strain is NYNU 14712T (CICC 33061T = CBS 13926T).