bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fractional Clique Decompositions of Dense Partite Graphs
Authors: MONTGOMERY RICHARD
Published: June 2017

We give a minimum degree condition sufficient to ensure the existence of a fractionalKr-decomposition in a balancedr-partite graph (subject to some further simple necessary conditions). This generalizes the non-partite problem studied recently by Barber, Lo, Kühn, Osthus and the author, and the 3-partite fractionalK3-decomposition problem studied recently by Bowditch and Dukes. Combining our result with recent work by Barber, Kühn, Lo, Osthus and Taylor, this gives a minimum degree condition sufficient to ensure the existence of a (non-fractional)Kr-decomposition in a balancedr-partite graph (subject to the same simple necessary conditions).
Household Everyday Functioning in the Internet Age: Online Shopping and Banking Skills Are Affected in HIV−Associated Neurocognitive Disorders
Authors: Woods Steven Paul , Iudicello Jennifer E. , Morgan Erin E. , Verduzco Marizela , Smith Tyler V. , Cushman Clint ,   The HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP) Group
Published: June 2017

Objectives: The Internet is a fundamental tool for completing many different instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), including shopping and banking. Persons with HIV−associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND) are at heightened risk for IADL problems, but the extent to which HAND interferes with the performance of Internet-based household IADLs is not known. Methods: Ninety-three individuals with HIV disease, 43 of whom were diagnosed with HAND, and 42 HIV− comparison participants completed Internet-based tests of shopping and banking. Participants used mock credentials to log in to an experimenter-controlled Web site and independently performed a series of typical online shopping (e.g., purchasing household goods) and banking (e.g., transferring funds between accounts) tasks. Results: Individuals with HAND were significantly more likely to fail the online shopping task than neurocognitively normal HIV+ and HIV− participants. HAND was also associated with poorer overall performance versus HIV+ normals on the online banking task. In the HAND group, Internet-based task scores were correlated with episodic memory, executive functions, motor skills, and numeracy. In the HIV+ sample as a whole, lower Internet-based task scores were uniquely associated with poorer performance-based functional capacity and self-reported declines in shopping and financial management in daily life, but not with global manifest functional status. Conclusions: Findings indicate that HAND is associated with difficulties in using the Internet to complete important household everyday functioning tasks. The development and validation of effective Internet training and compensatory strategies may help to improve the household management of persons with HAND. (JINS, 2017, 23, 605–615)
Evaluating the Labour Market Integration of New Immigrants in the UK
Authors: Frattini Tommaso
Published: June 2017

This article analyses the labour market integration of newly arrived immigrants in the UK labour market, based on data from the UK Labour Force Survey. We focus on immigrants who arrived in the United Kingdom since 2000 and distinguish different cohorts based on the year of their arrival in the country. We examine the extent to which these new arrivals were able to enter work and move up into skilled jobs, and analyse the sectors of the economy that have proved most amenable to this progression. The analysis indicates that these new arrivals fared relatively well in the workforce. In part as a result of their relative youth and high education levels, many new arrivals (especially those from the European Union and in particular the EU10 countries) moved straight into work.
Welche Beeinträchtigungen erleben Patienten mit substanzbezogenen Störungen in ihrem Alltag?
Authors: Borchfeld Kristina , Spies Maren , Meyer-Steinkamp Robert , Stracke Robert , Rumpf Hans-Jürgen , Buchholz Angela
Published: June 2017

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Die Internationale Klassifikation der Funktionsfähigkeit, Behinderung und Gesundheit (ICF) stellt einen konzeptuellen Rahmen und eine standardisierte Sprache zur Verfügung, um Funktionseinschränkungen im täglichen Leben zu beschreiben. Ziel dieser Studie war es, Einschränkungen, die Patienten mit substanzbezogenen Störungen in ihrem Alltag erleben, zu ermitteln und mithilfe der ICF abzubilden. Methodik: Im Rahmen dreier Fokusgruppen wurden Patienten zu ihren Alltagseinschränkungen befragt. Eingeschlossen wurden volljährige Teilnehmer, die sich wegen einer substanzbezogenen Störung zum Zeitpunkt der Untersuchung in einer suchtspezifischen Behandlung befanden und zu einer Teilnahme bereit waren. Zwei unabhängige Studienmitarbeiter teilten die Transkripte der Gespräche in Meaningful Concepts (MCs) auf und ordneten sie anhand der sog. linking rules zu Kategorien der ICF zu. Ergebnisse: 27 Patienten nahmen teil (Alter M = 44.15, 25.9 % weiblich). Es konnten insgesamt 870 MCs zu 185 verschiedenen ICF-Kategorien zugeordnet werden (Cohens κ = .44). Die am häufigsten benannten Kategorien in der Stichprobe waren Dienste des Gesundheitswesens (n = 54; 6.2 % aller MCs), Das Einsichtsvermögen betreffende Funktionen (n = 52; 6 %) und Motivation (n = 30; 3.4 %). Schlussfolgerungen: Die vorliegende Untersuchung gibt Aufschluss über die subjektiven Alltagseinschränkungen, die Patienten mit substanzbezogenen Störungen erleben und übersetzt sie anhand der ICF-Verlinkung in eine universelle Sprache, die einen Abgleich mit den Inhalten gängiger Erhebungsverfahren in der Suchthilfe ermöglicht.
Simultaneous overactivation of Wnt/β-catenin and TGFβ signalling by miR-128-3p confers chemoresistance-associated metastasis in NSCLC
Authors: Cai Junchao , Fang Lishan , Huang Yongbo , Li Rong , Xu Xiaonan , Hu Zhihuang , Zhang Le , Yang Yi , Zhu Xun , Zhang Heng , Wu Jueheng , Huang Yan , Li Jun , Zeng Musheng , Song Erwei , He Yukai , Zhang Li , Li Mengfeng
Published: June 2017

Cancer chemoresistance and metastasis are tightly associated features. However, whether they share common molecular mechanisms and thus can be targeted with one common strategy remain unclear in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we report that high levels of microRNA-128-3p (miR-128-3p) is key to concomitant development of chemoresistance and metastasis in residual NSCLC cells having survived repeated chemotherapy and correlates with chemoresistance, aggressiveness and poor prognosis in NSCLC patients. Mechanistically, miR-128-3p induces mesenchymal and stemness-like properties through downregulating multiple inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin and TGF-β pathways, leading to their overactivation. Importantly, antagonism of miR-128-3p potently reverses metastasis and chemoresistance of highly malignant NSCLC cells, which could be completely reversed by restoring Wnt/β-catenin and TGF-β activities. Notably, correlations among miR-128-3p levels, activated β-catenin and TGF-β signalling, and pro-epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition/pro-metastatic protein levels are validated in NSCLC patient specimens. These findings suggest that miR-128-3p might be a potential target against both metastasis and chemoresistance in NSCLC.
Differences in nature of electrical conductions among Bi4Ti3O12-based ferroelectric polycrystalline ceramics
Authors: Long Changbai , Chang Qi , Fan Huiqing
Published: June 2017

Bismuth titanate Bi4Ti3O12 (BiT), was one of the most promising lead-free high-temperature piezoelectric materials, due to high Curie temperature (675 °C) and large spontaneous polarization (50 µC/cm2); however, extensive studies had revealed that high leakage conductivity interferes with the poling process, hindering its practical applications. In this paper, an electrically insulating property was achieved by a low level Nb donor substitution to suppress a high level of holes associated with high oxygen vacancy concentration. Bi4Ti2.97Nb0.03O12 ceramic showed significant enhancements of electrical resistivity by more than three order of magnitude and activity energy with value >1.2 eV, which are significant for piezoelectric applications of BiT-based materials. However, pure and A2O3-excess (A = Bi, La and Nd; 3 at %) BiT ceramics, were mixed hole and oxygen ion conductors. Schottky barriers were both formed at grain boundary region and the sample-electrode interface, because of the existence of semiconducting bulk. Interestingly, the electron conduction could be suppressed in N2, as a consequence, they became oxide ion conductors with conductivity of about 4 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 600 °C.
Wireless MRI Colonoscopy for Sensitive Imaging of Vascular Walls
Authors: Zeng Xianchun , Chen Liangliang , Wang Chuan , Wang Jian , Qian Chunqi
Published: June 2017

A Wireless Amplified NMR Detector (WAND) with cylindrical symmetry has been fabricated and non-surgically inserted into a rodent lower digestive track to improve the imaging quality of deep-lying vessels inside the abdominal cavity. This symmetric detector has a compact design using two end-rings and two vertical legs to create two orthogonal resonance modes. Based on the principle of parametric amplification, the detector can harvest wireless pumping power with its end-rings and amplify Magnetic Resonance signals induced on its vertical legs. With good longitudinal and azimuthal homogeneity, the WAND can achieve up to 21-times sensitivity gain over a standard external detector for immediately adjacent regions, and at least 5-times sensitivity gain for regions separated by one diameter away from the detector’s cylindrical surface. The WAND can approach the region of interest through the lower digestive track, similar as a colonoscopy detector. But unlike an optical camera, the amplified MR detector can “see” across intestinal boundaries and clearly identify the walls of bifurcated vessels that are susceptible to atherosclerotic lesions. In addition to vascular wall imaging, this detector may also be used as a swallowable capsule to enhance the detection sensitivity of deep-lying organs near the digestive track.
Amplified surface temperature response of cold, deep lakes to inter-annual air temperature variability
Authors: Woolway R. Iestyn , Merchant Christopher J.
Published: June 2017

Summer lake surface water temperatures (LSWTs) have previously been shown to respond more rapidly to climatic warming compared to local summer surface air temperatures (SATs). In a global-scale analysis, we explore the factors underpinning the observation of an amplified response of summer LSWT to SAT variability using 20 years of satellite-derived temperatures from 144 lakes. We demonstrate that the degree of amplification in inter-annual summer LSWT is variable, and is greater for cold lakes (e.g. high latitude and high altitude), which are characterised by a short warming season, and deep lakes, that exhibit long correlation timescales of temperature anomalies due to increased thermal inertia. Such lakes are more likely to display responses in excess of local inter-annual summer SAT variability. Climatic modification of LSWT has numerous consequences for water quality and lake ecosystems, so quantifying this amplified response at a global scale is important.
Increased glomerular filtration rate and impaired contractile function of mesangial cells in TRPC6 knockout mice
Authors: Li Weizu , Ding Yanfeng , Smedley Crystal , Wang Yanxia , Chaudhari Sarika , Birnbaumer Lutz , Ma Rong
Published: June 2017

The present study was conducted to determine if TRPC6 regulates glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the contractile function of glomerular mesangial cells (MCs). GFR was assessed in conscious TRPC6 wild type and knockout mice, and in anesthetized rats with and without in vivo knockdown of TRPC6 in kidneys. We found that GFR was significantly greater, and serum creatinine level was significantly lower in TRPC6 deficient mice. Consistently, local knockdown of TRPC6 in kidney using TRPC6 specific shRNA construct significantly attenuated Ang II-induced GFR decline in rats. Furthermore, Ang II-stimulated contraction and Ca2+ entry were significantly suppressed in primary MCs isolated from TRPC6 deficient mice, and the Ca2+ response could be rescued by re-introducing TRPC6. Moreover, inhibition of reverse mode of Na+-Ca2+ exchange by KB-R7943 significantly reduced Ca2+ entry response in TRPC6-expressing, but not in TRPC6-knocked down MCs. Ca2+ entry response was also significantly attenuated in Na+ free solution. Single knockdown of TRPC6 and TRPC1 resulted in a comparable suppression on Ca2+ entry with double knockdown of both. These results suggest that TRPC6 may regulate GFR by modulating MC contractile function through multiple Ca2+ signaling pathways.
Transmembrane Interactions of Full-length Mammalian Bitopic Cytochrome-P450-Cytochrome-b5 Complex in Lipid Bilayers Revealed by Sensitivity-Enhanced Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Solid-state NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Yamamoto Kazutoshi , Caporini Marc A. , Im Sang-Choul , Waskell Lucy , Ramamoorthy Ayyalusamy
Published: June 2017

The dynamic protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions of integral bitopic membrane proteins with a single membrane-spanning helix play a plethora of vital roles in the cellular processes associated with human health and diseases, including signaling and enzymatic catalysis. While an increasing number of high-resolution structural studies of membrane proteins have successfully manifested an in-depth understanding of their biological functions, intact membrane-bound bitopic protein-protein complexes pose tremendous challenges for structural studies by crystallography or solution NMR spectroscopy. Therefore, there is a growing interest in developing approaches to investigate the functional interactions of bitopic membrane proteins embedded in lipid bilayers at atomic-level. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) magic-angle-spinning NMR techniques, along with a judiciously designed stable isotope labeling scheme, to measure atomistic-resolution transmembrane-transmembrane interactions of full-length mammalian ~72-kDa cytochrome P450-cytochrome b5 complex in lipid bilayers. Additionally, the DNP sensitivity-enhanced two-dimensional 13C/13C chemical shift correlations via proton driven spin diffusion provided distance constraints to characterize protein-lipid interactions and revealed the transmembrane topology of cytochrome b5. The results reported in this study would pave ways for high-resolution structural and topological investigations of membrane-bound full-length bitopic protein complexes under physiological conditions.
A Comprehensive Mouse Transcriptomic BodyMap across 17 Tissues by RNA-seq
Authors: Li Bin , Qing Tao , Zhu Jinhang , Wen Zhuo , Yu Ying , Fukumura Ryutaro , Zheng Yuanting , Gondo Yoichi , Shi Leming
Published: June 2017

The mouse has been widely used as a model organism for studying human diseases and for evaluating drug safety and efficacy. Many diseases and drug effects exhibit tissue specificity that may be reflected by tissue-specific gene-expression profiles. Here we construct a comprehensive mouse transcriptomic BodyMap across 17 tissues of six-weeks old C57BL/6JJcl mice using RNA-seq. We find different expression patterns between protein-coding and non-coding genes. Liver expressed the least complex transcriptomes, that is, the smallest number of genes detected in liver across all 17 tissues, whereas testis and ovary harbor more complex transcriptomes than other tissues. We report a comprehensive list of tissue-specific genes across 17 tissues, along with a list of 4,781 housekeeping genes in mouse. In addition, we propose a list of 27 consistently and highly expressed genes that can be used as reference controls in expression-profiling analysis. Our study provides a unique resource of mouse gene-expression profiles, which is helpful for further biomedical research.
Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 in relation to future hearing impairment: findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Authors: Lassale Camille , Batty G. David , Steptoe Andrew , Zaninotto Paola
Published: June 2017

Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) is associated with cardiovascular disease, itself a risk factor for hearing impairment, and, in animal studies, molecular evidence suggests a role for IGF-1 in hearing function. However, the link between IGF-1 and the occurrence of hearing impairment is untested in population-based studies of humans. A total of 4390 participants aged ≥50 y (mean [SD] age 64.2 [8.0] years at baseline, 55% women) from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing provided serum levels of IGF-1 in 2008 and again in 2012. Hearing acuity was assessed by an objective hearing test (HearCheck handheld device) in 2014 when the prevalence was 38.2%. In the full cohort, IGF-1 was not associated with subsequent hearing impairment (OR5nmol/L increase; 95% CI: 1.01; 0.94, 1.09). However, this relationship appeared to differ by age (p-value for interaction = 0.03). Thus, in younger participants (aged 50–60 y, n = 1400), IGF-1 was associated with lower odds of hearing impairment (0.86; 0.73, 1.00) after adjustment for a range of potential confounders. Among people ≥60 y (n = 2990) there was a non-significant ‘J’-shaped association. Our observational evidence that higher levels of IGF-1 appeared to confer some protection against hearing impairment in some older adults warrants replication in other prospective cohort studies.
Global Trends and Regional Variations in Studies of HIV/AIDS
Authors: Baghaei Lakeh Arash , Ghaffarzadegan Navid
Published: June 2017

We conduct textual analysis of a sample of more than 200,000 papers written on HIV/AIDS during the past three decades. Using the Latent Dirichlet Allocation method, we disentangle studies that address behavioral and social aspects from other studies and measure the trends of different topics as related to HIV/AIDS. We show that there is a regional variation in scientists’ approach to the problem of HIV/AIDS. Our results show that controlling for the economy, proximity to the HIV/AIDS problem correlates with the extent to which scientists look at the behavioral and social aspects of the disease rather than biomedical.
Insight into the Electrical Double Layer of an Ionic Liquid on Graphene
Authors: Jurado L. Andres , Espinosa-Marzal Rosa M.
Published: June 2017

Graphene is a promising next-generation conducting material with the potential to replace traditional electrode materials in supercapacitors. Since energy storage in supercapacitors relies on the electrolyte-electrode interface, here we elucidate the interfacial subnanometer structure of a single component liquid composed solely of cations and anions – an ionic liquid- on electrified graphene. We study the effect of applied potential on the interaction between graphene and a silicon tip in an ionic liquid and describe it within the framework of the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeck (DLVO) theory. The energy is stored in an electrical double layer composed of an extended Stern layer, which consists of multiple ion layers over ~2 nanometers, beyond which a diffuse layer forms to compensate the applied potential on graphene. The electrical double layer significantly responds to the applied potential, and it shows the transition from overscreening to crowding of counterions at the interface at the highest applied potentials. It is proposed that surface charging occurs through the adsorption of the imidazolium cation to unbiased graphene (likely due to π-π interactions) a﻿nd that the surface potential is better compensated when counterion ﻿crowding happens. This study scrutinizes the electrified graphene-ionic liquid interface, with implications not only in the field of energy storage, but also in lubrication.
A new type of homodiploid fish derived from the interspecific hybridization of female common carp × male blunt snout bream
Authors: Wang Shi , Ye Xiaolan , Wang Yude , Chen Yuting , Lin Bowen , Yi Zhenfeng , Mao Zhuangwen , Hu Fangzhou , Zhao Rurong , Wang Juan , Zhou Rong , Ren Li , Yao Zhanzhou , Tao Min , Zhang Chun , Xiao Jun , Qin Qinbo , Liu Shaojun
Published: June 2017

It is commonly believed that hybridization might lead to the formation of new polyploidy species, but it is unclear whether hybridization can produce a new homodiploid species. Here, we report the spontaneous occurrence of a new crucian carp-like homodiploid fish (2n = 100) that originated from the interspecific hybridization of female common carp (Cyprinus carpio,Cyprininae, 2n = 100) × male blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala,Cultrinae, 2n = 48). The phenotype and reproductive traits of this new crucian carp-like homodiploid fish were found to be very similar to those of the existing diploid species (diploid crucian carp;Carassius auratus). FISH and 5S rDNA analyses revealed that the genotype of the crucian carp-like homodiploid fish differs from those of its parents but is closely related to that of diploid crucian carp. The results provide evidence of the existence of a possible route through which the distant hybridization of this cross can generate crucian carp. The new type of homodiploid fish is of great value in fish genetic breeding and for studying the early evolutionary process.
Correction: Corrigendum: Reevaluation of Performance of Electric Double-layer Capacitors from Constant-current Charge/Discharge and Cyclic Voltammetry
Authors: Allagui Anis , Freeborn Todd J. , Elwakil Ahmed S. , Maundy Brent J.
Published: June 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 38568; published online: 09 December 2016; updated: 19 June 2017 The original version of this Article contained errors. In the Abstract, “The time-voltage and current-voltage profiles from the first two techniques are commonly treated by assuming ideal S s C behavior in spite of the nonlinear response of the device, which in turn provides inaccurate values for its characteristic metrics”.
Correction: Corrigendum: An approach to and web-based tool for infectious disease outbreak intervention analysis
Authors: Daughton Ashlynn R. , Generous Nicholas , Priedhorsky Reid , Deshpande Alina
Published: June 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 46076; published online: 18 April 2017; updated: 19 June 2017 This Article contains errors in the following equations: In Equation 9, should read: In Equation 10, should read:
Novel fibrous collagen-based cream accelerates fibroblast growth for wound healing applications: in vitro and in vivo evaluation
Authors: Udhayakumar Sivalingam , Shankar Krishnakumar Gopal , Sowndarya Sampath , Rose Chellan
Published: June 2017

The present study reports the development of a novel film-forming bovine collagenous cream (BCC) based on bovine collagen (BC).
A fluorescence ‘turn-on’ chemodosimeter for the specific detection of Pd2+by a rhodamine appended Schiff base and its application in live cell imaging
Authors: Bhanja Anup Kumar , Mishra Snehasis , Das Saha Krishna , Sinha Chittaranjan
Published: June 2017

Allylether-Rhodamine selectively invites Pd2+from mixture of other cations and Pd(0) in H2O-MeCN medium and exhibits maroon emission due to C(allyl)-O bond cleavage and opening of spirolactam ring. The LOD is 50 nM at pH 7. Imaging Pd2+species in living cells under physiological conditions is achieved.
A general strategy to add diversity to ruthenium arene complexes with bioactive organic compounds via a coordinated (4-hydroxyphenyl)diphenylphosphine ligand
Authors: Biancalana Lorenzo , Batchelor Lucinda K. , De Palo Alice , Zacchini Stefano , Pampaloni Guido , Dyson Paul J. , Marchetti Fabio
Published: June 2017

Ruthenium arene complexes obtained by direct esterification of a phosphine ligand with bioactive carboxylic acids show enhanced cytotoxicity compared to the respective precursors.
Metallogels of indium(iii) with bile salts: soft materials for nanostructured In2S3 synthesis
Authors: Maity Mitasree , Maitra Uday
Published: June 2017

Metallo-hydrogels were formed from sodium cholate and deoxycholate in the presence of indium(iii). This soft hydrogel was used for nanostructured In2S3 synthesis.
Camphyl-based α-diimine palladium complexes: highly efficient precatalysts for direct arylation of thiazoles in open-air
Authors: Chen Fu-Min , Lu Dong-Dong , Hu Li-Qun , Huang Ju , Liu Feng-Shou
Published: June 2017

Bulky camphyl-based α-diimine palladium complexes have been developed and exhibited high reactivity for the direct arylation of thiazoles in air.
Visible-light mediated directed perfluoroalkylation of hydrazones
Authors: Ji Heng , Ni Hui-qiong , Zhi Peng , Xi Zi-wei , Wang Wei , Shi Jian-jun , Shen Yong-miao
Published: June 2017

A convenient and efficient protocol was reported to access a series of perfluoroalkylated aromatic aldehyde hydrazones. Aliphatic aldehyde hydrazones and N-monosubstituted hydrazones which are unreactive in previously reported hydrazone perfluoroalkylation reactions now take part in the reaction.
A two-photon ratiometric ESIPT probe for fast detection and bioimaging of palladium species
Authors: Luo Weifang , Li Jing , Liu Weisheng
Published: June 2017

A two-photon ratiometric ESIPT probe for fast detection of palladium species, which can be used for bioimaging has been designed.
Dramatic enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of Cd0.5Zn0.5S nanosheets via phosphorization calcination for visible-light-driven H2 evolution
Authors: Liu Xing , Li Xiangqing , Qin Lixia , Mu Jin , Kang Shi-Zhao
Published: June 2017

In the present work, phosphorized Cd0.5Zn0.5S nanosheets were prepared through a hydrothermal process followed by phosphorization calcination at 500 °C.
Dual responsive hydrogels based on functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles as an injectable platform for tumor therapy and tissue regeneration
Authors: Chen Xin , Yuan Pingyun , Liu Zhongning , Bai Yongkang , Zhou Yongsheng
Published: June 2017

A dual responsive hydrogel based on MSNs was fabricated to offer a strategy for sequential tumor therapy and tissue regeneration.
Repair of volumetric bone defects with a high strength BMP-loaded-mineralized hydrogel tubular scaffold
Authors: Zhang Xuran , Xu Bing , Gao Fei , Zheng Pengbin , Liu Wenguang
Published: June 2017

A high strength and BMP-2-loaded tubular scaffold was engineered by in situ mineralization of a supramolecular hydrogel. This tubular scaffold could lead to an efficient volumetric bone repair.
Towards enhancing spin states in doped arylamine compounds through extended planarity of the spin coupling moieties
Authors: Skórka Łukasz , Mouesca Jean-Marie , Gosk Jacek B. , Puźniak Roman , Pécaut Jacques , Maurel Vincent , Kulszewicz-Bajer Irena
Published: June 2017

Arylamine moieties oxidized to radical cations are promising spin bearers for organic high-spin compounds.
Accelerated Lymph Flow in Early-Stage Secondary Lymphedema Detected by Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Lymphography
Authors: Shinaoka Akira , Koshimune Seijiro , Matsumoto Kumiko , Honda Masako , Miyake Maki , Furuichi Hiromi , Hongo Atsushi , Kimata Yoshihiro , Yamada Kiyoshi
Published: June 2017

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lymph function of the lower extremities and to identify early symptoms of lymph dysfunction in secondary lymphedema by observing lymph flow with indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence lymphography (LG).

Methods We retrospectively evaluated the lymph flow of 108 limbs in 54 female patients with leg lymphedema secondary to pelvic lymphadenectomy for gynecological carcinoma and 14 limbs in 7 female controls without a history of pelvic lymphadenectomy or radiotherapy. ICG was injected into four points at the distal part of the lower extremity. Lymph flow was evaluated by measuring the proximal point where the ICG could be observed 5 minutes after rest and 15 minutes after a walking exercise.

Results In the controls, lymph flow was stable at rest and was well enhanced by exercise. In patients with early-stage lymphedema, lymph flow was already enhanced at rest (p = 0.005) and was further enhanced by exercise. In advanced-stage lymphedema, lymph flow was not enhanced, even by exercise (p = 0.001).

Conclusion ICG-LG could evaluate lymph flow and functions of lymph systems and detect accelerated lymph flow in early-stage secondary lymphedema. Detecting accelerated lymph flow may facilitate early detection and treatment of secondary lymphedema.
Treatment of a Penetrating Intraorbital Injury by Rubber Projectile
Authors: Pinto Laís , do Canto Alan Motta , Filho José Vital , de Freitas Ronaldo Rodrigues
Published: June 2017

Penetrating injuries caused by rubber projectiles are classified as low-velocity injuries. When the midface is affected, these can cause fractures, eye injuries, and even blindness. Unlike conventional projectiles, the removal of rubber projectiles involving the orbit and correction of associated fractures are mandatory for preventing infection and anophthalmic orbit syndrome, which is characterized by enophthalmos of the prosthesis, superior sulcus depression, and lower eyelid ptosis. This article aims to describe a case of penetrating injury by rubber projectile, associated with the removal and late reconstruction of the orbital walls, and to show the results obtained.
Einfluss verschiedener Genvarianten auf den Erfolg von Adipositastherapien
Authors: Mühlberger Anna , Bischoff Stephan , Louis Sandrine
Published: June 2017

Die Ausbreitung der Adipositas und ihrer Folgen entwickelt sich immer mehr zu einem weltweiten Problem. Adipositas ist eine chronische Krankheit und prädisponiert für viele weitere Erkrankungen. Es gibt vielfältige Ursachen für die Entstehung von Übergewicht. Eine wichtige Komponente spielt die Vererbung. Um den genetischen Hintergrund der Adipositas besser zu verstehen, werden genomweite Assoziationsstudien durchgeführt. Diese Analysen identifizierten bisher über 100 Genloci, die mit der Adipositas in Verbindung gebracht werden konnten. Weitere Forschungsarbeiten befassen sich mit der Hypothese, dass Polymorphismen der adipositasassoziierten Gene das Ansprechen auf Behandlungsansätze beeinflussen könnten. 90 % aller Varianten des Humangenoms bestehen aus Einzelnukleotid-Polymorphismen, auch „single nucleotide polymorphisms“ (SNPs) genannt. Diese Genvarianten können mit einem bestimmten Phänotyp bzw. einer Krankheit assoziiert werden. Inwieweit sich SNPs auf den Energiestoffwechsel und die Regulation des Körpergewichts auswirken, ist noch nicht vollständig aufgeklärt. Dennoch wird vermutet, dass der Genotyp einen Einfluss auf die Entstehung, sowie den Behandlungserfolg von Adipositas ausübt. Individuen unterscheiden sich während einer kalorienreduzierten Diät oder nach einem bariatrischen Eingriff im Ausmaß der Gewichtsabnahme. SNPs könnten diese Unterschiede erklären. Welche Genvarianten sich als genotypische Marker im Vorfeld einer Gewichtsreduktion eignen und inwiefern sich dadurch der Erfolg prognostizieren lässt, werden jedoch zukünftige Forschungen zeigen müssen. Mit diesem Wissen könnte die bestmögliche Adipositastherapie für jeden einzelnen Patienten durchgeführt werden. Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über aktuelle Studien, die den Zusammenhang von Genvarianten und Gewichtsverlust im Rahmen einer Adipositastherapie untersucht haben.
Apoptosis and Caspase 3 Pathway Role on Anti-Proliferative Effects of Scrophulariaoxy Sepala Methanolic Extract on Caco-2 Cells
Authors: Namvaran Ali , Fazeli Mehdi , Farajnia Safar , Hamidian Gholamreza , Rezazadeh Hassan
Published: June 2017

Colorectal cancer is one the most important malignancies worldwide and finding new treatment option for this cancer is of high priority. Natural compounds are common source of drugs for treatment of various diseases including cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Scrophularia oxysepala extract on Caco-2 cells and explore the possible role of caspase 3 pathway in inducing cell death in this cancer cells in compare with chemotherapy agents of cisplatin and capecitabine. The methanolic extract of Scrophularia oxysepala (SO) was prepared by drench method. The IC50 of extract, cisplatin and capecitabine on Caco-2 cells were determined by MTT assay. The effect of SO extract on caspase 3 expression and inducing apoptosis were determined using TUNEL assay and caspase 3 ELISA methods, respectively. The IC50 of SO extract, cisplatin and capecitabine were 300, 195 and 80 µg/ml, respectively. Analysis for apoptosis revealed that SO methanolic extract increased apoptosis significantly (P<0.001) compared with control group. The effect of high doses of SO extract on apoptosis induction were comparable to cisplatin but significantly were higher than capecitabine. Only high doses of SO methanolic extract showed significant effects (P<0.05) on increasing caspase 3 compared to control group. The methanolic extract of SO showed inhibitory effect on Caco-2 cells and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner comparable to cisplatin and higher than capecitabine 2 commonly used chemotherapeutic agent for various cancers.
Cremophor EL Alters the Plasma Protein Binding and Pharmacokinetic Profile of Valspodar in Rats
Authors: Binkhathlan Ziyad
Published: June 2017

Cremophor EL is a nonionic surfactant widely used in pharmaceutical formulations. Nonetheless, there are several reports on the influence of this excipient on the protein binding, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of drugs. Valspodar is an investigational non-immunosuppressive derivative of cyclosporine A, used in clinical trials for treatment of multidrug resistant tumors. The formulation of valspodar (Amdray®) contains cremophor EL and ethanol as solubilizing agents. The main aim of the current study was to assess the plasma protein binding (in vitro) and the pharmacokinetic profile of valspodar in the cremophor EL-based formulation in comparison to a cremophor EL-free formulation following intravenous (i. v.) administration to rats. Valspodar dissolved in PEG 400/ethanol (diluted in Dextrose 5%) was used as the cremophor EL-free formulation. The in vitro plasma unbound fraction (f
u) of valspodar in the cremophor EL formulation was 2.3-fold higher than the PEG 400/ethanol formulation. Following a single i. v. dose of 5 mg/kg, valspodar in the cremophor EL-based formulation had around 50% lower plasma AUC compared to the PEG 400/ethanol formulation. Moreover, the cremophor EL formulation had significantly higher volume of distribution and clearance in comparison to the PEG 400-based formulation. The results highlight the significance of excipient-drug interaction that should not be overlooked during the early stages of drug development.
Third-harmonic generation in optical breakdown of a monatomic gas by an intense laser field
Authors: Ghorbanalilu M.
Published: June 2017

The theory of third-harmonic generation in optical gas breakdown by a high power laser field is developed. The theory treats third-harmonic generation in the presence of a self-generated quasi-static magnetic field. The distribution function of originated electrons and nonlinear third-harmonic current density are evaluated based on the kinetic theory. We have shown that the third-harmonic is generated by beating of electron's longitudinal velocity component vz and laser magnetic field B(r, t). The influences of the laser field polarization and magnetic field strength on the third-harmonic efficiency are discussed, separately. The results show that the third-harmonic exists even in the absence of the self-generated magnetic field; however, the magnetic field smoothly enhances the third-harmonic power with polarization near to the circular polarization. Furthermore, calculations revealed that the third-harmonic is never generated by a circularly polarized laser field, while it is more effectively generated in optical gas breakdown by a linearly polarized laser field. The results are in good agreement with previous theoretical investigations and also experimental observations of third-harmonic generation in optical breakdown of air.
Using word n-grams to identify authors and idiolects
Authors: Wright David
Published: June 2017

Forensic authorship attribution is concerned with identifying the writers of anonymous criminal documents. Over the last twenty years, computer scientists have developed a wide range of statistical procedures using a number of different linguistic features to measure similarity between texts. However, much of this work is not of practical use to forensic linguists who need to explain in reports or in court why a particular method of identifying potential authors works. This paper sets out to address this problem using a corpus linguistic approach and the 176-author 2.5 million-word Enron Email Corpus. Drawing on literature positing the idiolectal nature of collocations, phrases and word sequences, this paper tests the accuracy of word n-grams in identifying the authors of anonymised email samples. Moving beyond the statistical analysis, the usage-based concept of entrenchment is offered as a means by which to account for the recurring and distinctive production of idiolectal word n-grams.
Discourse markers and (dis)fluency in English and French
Authors: Crible Ludivine
Published: June 2017

While discourse markers (DMs) and (dis)fluency have been extensively studied in the past as separate phenomena, corpus-based research combining large-scale yet fine-grained annotations of both categories has, however, never been carried out before. Integrating these two levels of analysis, while methodologically challenging, is not only innovative but also highly relevant to the investigation of spoken discourse in general and form-meaning patterns in particular. The aim of this paper is to provide corpus-based evidence of the register-sensitivity of DMs and other disfluencies (e.g. pauses, repetitions) and of their tendency to combine in recurrent clusters. These claims are supported by quantitative findings on the variation and combination of DMs with other (dis)fluency devices in DisFrEn, a richly annotated and comparable English-French corpus representative of eight different interaction settings. The analysis uncovers the prominent place of DMs within (dis)fluency and meaningful association patterns between forms and functions, in a usage-based approach to meaning-in-context.
Materiality and sustainability transitions: integrating climate change in transport infrastructure in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Birch Kean
Published: June 2017

Infrastructure threatens to lock-in societies to fossil fuels unless something is done now. This is because infrastructure lasts for such a long time, meaning that any infrastructure built or rebuilt now will last well into the twenty-first century – until the end of the century, in some cases. Consequently, there is a need to integrate climate change into infrastructure now or societies will be left with infrastructure designed around unsustainable socio-technical systems (such as combustion engines, roads, and suburbanization). Such change is conceptualized in the literature as a sustainability transition. However, any attempts at such transitions have to address the ‘materialities’ of infrastructure systems (physical form, environmental context, and so on). In this paper, I develop the concept of ‘socio-material systems’ and apply it to transport infrastructure in Ontario, Canada.
Mirroring ‘meaningful’ actions: Sensorimotor learning modulates imitation of goal-directed actions
Authors: Catmur Caroline , Heyes Cecilia
Published: June 2017

Imitation is important in the development of social and technological skills throughout the lifespan. Experiments investigating the acquisition and modulation of imitation (and of its proposed neural substrate, the mirror neuron system) have produced evidence that the capacity for imitation depends on associative learning in which connections are formed between sensory and motor representations of actions. However, evidence that the development of imitation depends on associative learning has been found only for non-goal-directed actions. One reason for the lack of research on goal-directed actions is that imitation of such actions is commonly confounded with the tendency to respond in a spatially compatible manner. However, since the most prominent account of mirror neuron function, and hence of imitation, suggests that these cells encode goal-directed actions, it is important to establish whether sensorimotor learning can also modulate imitation of goal-directed actions. Experiment 1 demonstrated that imitation of goal-directed grasping can be measured while controlling for spatial compatibility, and Experiment 2 showed that this imitation effect can be modulated by sensorimotor training. Together, these data support the hypothesis that the capacity for behavioural imitation and the properties of the mirror neuron system are constructed in the course of development through associative learning.
Learned changes in outcome associability
Authors: Quigley Martyn C , Eatherington Carla J , Haselgrove Mark
Published: June 2017

When a cue reliably predicts an outcome, the associability of that cue will change. Associative theories of learning propose this change will persist even when the same cue is paired with a different outcome. These theories, however, do not extend the same privilege to an outcome; an outcome’s learning history is deemed to have no bearing on subsequent new learning involving that outcome. Two experiments were conducted which sought to investigate this assumption inherent in these theories using a serial letter-prediction task. In both experiments, participants were exposed, in Stage 1, to a predictable outcome (‘X’) and an unpredictable outcome (‘Z’). In Stage 2, participants were exposed to the same outcomes preceded by novel cues which were equally predictive of both outcomes. Both experiments revealed that participants’ learning towards the previously predictable outcome was more rapid in Stage 2 than the previously unpredicted outcome. The implications of these results for theories of associative learning are discussed.
On Newtonian Induction
Authors: Belkind Ori
Published: June 2017

This article examines Newton’s method of induction and its connection to methodological atomism. The article argues that Newton’s Rule III for the Study of Natural Philosophy is a criterion for isolating the primary qualities of the atomic parts; in other words, it interprets Rule III as a transductive inference. It is shown that both the standard inductive and invariance interpretations of Rule III can be subsumed under the transductive view, although the invariance criterion is reinterpreted; by qualities “that cannot be intended or remitted,” Newton means qualities that are invariant under changes in the configuration of the atomic parts.
FactorNet: a deep learning framework for predicting cell type specific transcription factor binding from nucleotide-resolution sequential data
Authors: Quang Daniel , Xie Xiaohui
Published: June 2017

Due to the large numbers of transcription factors (TFs) and cell types, querying binding profiles of all TF/cell type pairs is not experimentally feasible, owing to constraints in time and resources. To address this issue, we developed a convolutional-recurrent neural network model, called FactorNet, to computationally impute the missing binding data. FactorNet trains on binding data from reference cell types to make accurate predictions on testing cell types by leveraging a variety of features, including genomic sequences, genome annotations, gene expression, and single-nucleotide resolution sequential signals, such as DNase I cleavage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first deep learning method to study the rules governing TF binding at such a fine resolution. With FactorNet, a researcher can perform a single sequencing assay, such as DNase-seq, on a cell type and computationally impute dozens of TF binding profiles. This is an integral step for reconstructing the complex networks underlying gene regulation. While neural networks can be computationally expensive to train, we introduce several novel strategies to significantly reduce the overhead. By visualizing the neural network models, we can interpret how the model predicts binding which in turn reveals additional insights into regulatory grammar. We also investigate the variables that affect cross-cell type predictive performance to explain why the model performs better on some TF/cell types than others, and offer insights to improve upon this field. Our method ranked among the top four teams in the ENCODE-DREAMin vivoTranscription Factor Binding Site Prediction Challenge.
Application of High-Dimensional Statistics and Network based Visualization techniques on Arab Diabetes and Obesity data
Authors: Mall Raghvendra , Rawi Reda , Ullah Ehsan , Kunji Khalid , Khadir Abdelkrim , Tiss Ali , Abubaker Jehad , Dehbi Mohammed , Bensmail Halima
Published: June 2017

Background

Obesity and its co-morbidities are characterized by a chronic low-grade inflammatory state, uncontrolled expression of metabolic measurements and dis-regulation of various forms of stress response. However, the contribution and correlation of inflammation, metabolism and stress responses to the disease are not fully elucidated. In this paper a cross-sectional case study was conducted on clinical data comprising 117 human male and female subjects with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D). Characteristics such as anthropometric, clinical and bio-chemical measurements were collected.

Methods

Association of these variables with T2D and BMI were assessed using penalized hierarchical linear and logistic regression. In particular,elastic net, hdiandglinternetwere used as regularization models to distinguish between cases and controls. Differential network analysis usingclosed-formapproach was performed to identify pairwise-interaction of variables that influence prediction of the phenotype.

Results

For the 117 participants, physical variables such as PBF, HDL and TBW had absolute coefficients 0.75, 0.65 and 0.34 using theglinternetapproach, biochemical variables such as MIP, ROS and RANTES were identified as determinants of obesity with some interaction between inflammatory markers such as IL4, IL-6, MIP, CSF, Eotaxin and ROS. Diabetes was associated with a significant increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) which are considered as an index of endogenous lipid peroxidation and an increase in two inflammatory markers, MIP-1 and RANTES. Furthermore, we obtained 13 pairwise effects. The pairwise effects include pairs from and within physical, clinical and biochemical features, in particular metabolic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress markers.

Conclusions

We showcase that markers of oxidative stress (derived from lipid peroxidation) such as MIP-1 and RANTES participate in the pathogenesis of diseases such as diabetes and obesity in the Arab population.
A platform for efficient transgenesis inMacrostomum lignano, a flatworm model organism for stem cell research
Authors: Wudarski Jakub , Simanov Daniil , Ustyantsev Kirill , Mulder Katrien de , Grelling Margriet , Grudniewska Magda , Beltman Frank , Glazenburg Lisa , Demircan Turan , Wunderer Julia , Qi Weihong , Vizoso Dita B. , Weissert Philipp M. , Olivieri Daniel , Mouton Stijn , Guryev Victor , Aboobaker Aziz , Schärer Lukas , Ladurner Peter , Berezikov Eugene
Published: June 2017

Regeneration-capable flatworms are informative research models to study the mechanisms of stem cell regulation, regeneration and tissue patterning. However, the lack of transgenesis methods significantly hampers their wider use. Here we report development of a transgenesis method forMacrostomum lignano, a basal flatworm with excellent regeneration capacity. We demonstrate that microinjection of DNA constructs into fertilized one-cell stage eggs, followed by a low dose of irradiation, frequently results in random integration of the transgene in the genome and its stable transmission through the germline. To facilitate selection of promoter regions for transgenic reporters, we assembled and annotated theM. lignanogenome, including genome-wide mapping of transcription start regions, and showed its utility by generating multiple stable transgenic lines expressing fluorescent proteins under several tissue-specific promoters. The reported transgenesis method and annotated genome sequence will permit sophisticated genetic studies on stem cells and regeneration usingM. lignanoas a model organism.