bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Aboriginal Peer Interactions in Upper Primary School Sport Support Aboriginal Identity
Authors: Kickett-Tucker Cheryl S.
Published: February 2017

Abstract
This ethnographic study tested the hypothesis that
positive social interactions in sport will contribute
positively to the Aboriginal identity of urban, Australian
Aboriginal children. Nine male and female children aged
11-12 years were observed and interviewed. Significant
responses were extracted and meanings were identified and
grouped into various themes (Colaizzi, 1978). Interactions
between Aboriginal participants were different from
interactions with non-Aboriginal children and each provided
different sources of information toward children's
Aboriginal identity. The hypothesis was supported because
the outcomes of interactions in sport among Aboriginal
children enabled them to positively express their
Aboriginal identity together in a group, speak an
Aboriginal language and interact with each other in ways
that further affirmed their Aboriginal identity. In
comparison, non-Aboriginal peers contributed positively to
Aboriginal student's self-esteem because of the positive
feedback they provided in school sport. Furthermore,
non-Aboriginal students' social interactions with
Aboriginal peers were purposeful for making friends,
acceptance and respect between each other.
A Kickstart to Life: Australian Football League as a Medium for Promoting Lifeskills in Cape York Indigenous Communities
Authors: Dinanthompson Maree , Sellwood Juanita , Carless Felicity
Published: February 2017

Abstract
This paper presents evidence collected from an
evaluatory study of the Kickstart program conducted by
Australian Football League (AFL) Cape York in far North
Queensland. The aim of the study was to investigate the
effectiveness of the Kickstart program in meeting its
overall objective of enhancing lifeskills of Indigenous
Australians through participation in AFL. Evidence
collected via interviews with Indigenous youth, parents,
teachers and Kickstart stakeholders (including community
representatives) suggest mixed meanings surrounding the
interpretation of “lifeskills”, and yet improvement in the
education, attitudes and lifestyle choices of Indigenous
youth in the selected Cape York communities.
Reconfigurable microstrip slot antenna with DGS for UWB applications
Authors: Borhani Kakhki Mehri , Rezaei Pejman
Published: February 2017

In this paper, a frequency reconfigurable microstrip slot antenna for ultra-wideband applications with switchable band-notch functions is designed and manufactured. To generate a wide usable fractional bandwidth of 3 to over 13.6 GHz, square patch transforms to a fork-shaped patch, also two triangular-shaped strips have been added at above sections of rectangular slot on the ground plane. Band rejections are obtained by adding two inverted L-shaped strips in the fork-shaped patch and one L-shaped defected ground structure. Moreover, by implementation of two PIN diodes within the antenna structure, four switchable frequency responses are achieved. The designed antenna has simple structure and a small size of 20 × 20 × 0.8 mm3 while providing band rejection characteristics at WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) and WLAN (Wireless Local Area Networks) systems.
Associations between Psychosocial Problems and Personality Disorders among Egyptian Adolescents
Authors: Elbheiry Abd-Elraqeep , Emam Mahmoud
Published: February 2017

The study investigated the relationship between psychosocial problems and personality disorders among a sample of 817 Egyptian adolescents (408 males and 409 females). Using 15 subscales from the Adolescent Psychopathology Scale (APS-long form) we assessed prevalence rates of a number of internalizing and externalizing psychosocial disorders. Additionally, we investigated whether there are gender differences in psychopathology among Egyptian adolescents and to what extent can psychosocial problems predict specific personality disorders. Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that the participants experienced higher levels of PD, AV, and BD. Gender differences were found in certain personality disorders as well as in externalizing and internalizing psychosocial problems. A number of externalizing and internalizing psychosocial problems were highly predictive of specific personality disorders.
Zung Scale Factor Invariance in Male Coronary Patients and Healthy People
Authors: Pérez Antonio del Pino , Fernández Ignacio Ibáñez , Ojeda Francisco Bosa , González Ruth Dorta , Gaos Meizoso María Teresa
Published: February 2017

The objective of this study was, firstly, to determine the factor structure and factor invariance of the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) and, secondly, to justify its use in coronary patients (CPs) and healthy people (HP). Two comparable samples of males were studied: 217 CPs and 191 HP. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA) for ordinal data were carried out with Mplus. Two models obtained from all participants in this study and another two, the model of Shafer (2006) from a meta-analysis and that of Barefoot et al. (2000) with CPs, were analyzed in CFA. A two-factor structure was supported by EFA in both samples, but none of the models showed adequate goodness-of-fit for the CPs and the HP in CFA. Only the two and three-factor models obtained from the combined sample of CPs and HP showed adequate goodness-of-fit for HP. The ZSDS showed good reliability, replicated the prevalence of depressive symptoms found in other studies and was able to distinguish between CPs and HP. We conclude that the best fit is obtained from the two-factor solution in HP, that the factor structure of the ZSDS is not invariant and is linked to positively and negatively worded items.
Romantic Attachment in Chilean Adults: Development of a Short-form Version of the Experiences in Close Relationships
Authors: Spencer Rosario , Alonso-Arbiol Itziar , Fresno Andrés
Published: February 2017

Though the study of romantic attachment has expanded into all areas of psychology, it remains the case that there is no valid, reliable test available to measure it in Latin America. The present research objective was to adapt a Chilean version of the Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR; Brennan, Clark, & Shaver 1998) questionnaire, developing a short-form version, and to determine its factor structure in two samples of Chilean adults of different ages. A pool of 25 items was chosen to capture the two dimensions (Anxiety and Avoidance), which were obtained through principal components analysis in a sample of 477 adults. Subsequently, the short-form ECR’s two-dimensional structure was confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis in a new sample (N = 296). All sub-dimensions’ internal consistencies were found to be satisfactory. Evidence for the test’s concurrent validity with the variables age, gender, and socioeconomic status was also obtained. The dimensions of romantic attachment showed no differences according to age or gender. However, participants of high socioeconomic status exhibited lower levels of anxious attachment than those with low socioeconomic status. It was concluded that the Chilean short-form version of the ECR has good psychometric properties and is a suitable assessment of adult attachment.
Adaptation of the Questionnaire of Hahn, Cella, Bode, and Hanrahan in Spanish Patients Affected by Asbestos Poisoning
Authors: Clemente Miguel , Reig-Botella Adela
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study was to assess whether or not the questionnaire developed by Hahn, Cella, Bode, and Hanharan (2010) for use with cancer patients accurately measures the social well-being of individuals suffering from chronic illnesses associated with asbestos poisoning. One hundred ten male patients with asbestos poisoning were age-matched in blocks to a comparison group of 70 “healthy” controls, all of whom were current or retired employees of the largest naval company in Spain. The results indicate very high reliability of the Hahn et al. (2010) test to assess social well-being in these chronically ill patients, and a high concurrent validity of the measured outcomes with regard to results of the SCL-90 Derogatis questionnaire, especially on the social well-being dimensions of negative emotional support, negative social companionship, and satisfaction. Limitations of the study and possible future directions are discussed.
Gender Differences in Emotions, Forgiveness and Tolerance in Relation to Political Violence
Authors: Conejero Susana , Etxebarria Itziar , Montero Ignacio
Published: February 2017

This study, which forms part of a broader research project, analyzes gender differences in: the intensity of diverse emotions, the justification of violence, attitudes towards the terrorist group ETA, forgiveness and tolerance. Participants comprised 728 people (45.5% men and 54.5% women) resident in either Basque Country or Navarra (Spain), representative of all national identities and political ideologies existing in this context. An ad hoc questionnaire was designed and administered between November 2005 and February 2006, a short time before ETA declared a ceasefire. Women reported more intensity in fear for political reasons and scored higher in two of the six measures of empathy included in the study (empathy with prisoners and empathy with those who suffer and think like oneself). Men scored higher in positive emotionality, indifference and Schadenfreude. Women perceived apology and forgiveness as more necessary elements for achieving peace than men. These results suggest that it may be beneficial for women to play a more prominent role in relation to the resolution of intergroup conflicts such as the one existing in the Basque Country.
Analysis of the cross‐talk of Epstein–Barr virus‐infected B cells with T cells in the marmoset
Authors: Dunham Jordon , van Driel Nikki , Eggen Bart JL , Paul Chaitali , ‘t Hart Bert A , Laman Jon D , Kap Yolanda S
Published: February 2017

Despite the well‐known association of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), a lymphocryptovirus (LCV), with multiple sclerosis, a clear pathogenic role for disease progression has not been established. The translationally relevant experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model in marmoset monkeys revealed that LCV‐infected B cells have a central pathogenic role in the activation of T cells that drive EAE progression. We hypothesized that LCV‐infected B cells induce T‐cell functions relevant for EAE progression. In the current study, we examined the ex vivo cross‐talk between lymph node mononuclear cells (MNCs) from EAE marmosets and (semi‐) autologous EBV‐infected B‐lymphoblastoid cell lines (B‐LCLs). Results presented here demonstrate that infection with EBV B95‐8 has a strong impact on gene expression profile of marmoset B cells, particularly those involved with antigen processing and presentation or co‐stimulation to T cells. At the cellular level, we observed that MNC co‐culture with B‐LCLs induced decrease of CCR7 expression on T cells from EAE responder marmosets, but not in EAE monkeys without clinically evident disease. B‐LCL interaction with T cells also resulted in significant loss of CD27 expression and reduced expression of IL‐23R and CCR6, which coincided with enhanced IL‐17A production. These results highlight the profound impact that EBV‐infected B‐LCL cells can have on second and third co‐stimulatory signals involved in (autoreactive) T‐cell activation.
Molecular dissection of colorectal cancer in pre-clinical models identifies biomarkers predicting sensitivity to EGFR inhibitors
Authors: Schütte Moritz , Risch Thomas , Abdavi-Azar Nilofar , Boehnke Karsten , Schumacher Dirk , Keil Marlen , Yildiriman Reha , Jandrasits Christine , Borodina Tatiana , Amstislavskiy Vyacheslav , Worth Catherine L. , Schweiger Caroline , Liebs Sandra , Lange Martin , Warnatz Hans- Jörg , Butcher Lee M. , Barrett James E. , Sultan Marc , Wierling Christoph , Golob-Schwarzl Nicole , Lax Sigurd , Uranitsch Stefan , Becker Michael , Welte Yvonne , Regan Joseph Lewis , Silvestrov Maxine , Kehler Inge , Fusi Alberto , Kessler Thomas , Herwig Ralf , Landegren Ulf , Wienke Dirk , Nilsson Mats , Velasco Juan A. , Garin-Chesa Pilar , Reinhard Christoph , Beck Stephan , Schäfer Reinhold , Regenbrecht Christian R. A. , Henderson David , Lange Bodo , Haybaeck Johannes , Keilholz Ulrich , Hoffmann Jens , Lehrach Hans , Yaspo Marie-Laure
Published: February 2017

Colorectal carcinoma represents a heterogeneous entity, with only a fraction of the tumours responding to available therapies, requiring a better molecular understanding of the disease in precision oncology. To address this challenge, the OncoTrack consortium recruited 106 CRC patients (stages I–IV) and developed a pre-clinical platform generating a compendium of drug sensitivity data totalling >4,000 assays testing 16 clinical drugs on patient-derived in vivo and in vitro models. This large biobank of 106 tumours, 35 organoids and 59 xenografts, with extensive omics data comparing donor tumours and derived models provides a resource for advancing our understanding of CRC. Models recapitulate many of the genetic and transcriptomic features of the donors, but defined less complex molecular sub-groups because of the loss of human stroma. Linking molecular profiles with drug sensitivity patterns identifies novel biomarkers, including a signature outperforming RAS/RAF mutations in predicting sensitivity to the EGFR inhibitor cetuximab.
Optogenetic control of cellular forces and mechanotransduction
Authors: Valon Léo , Marín-Llauradó Ariadna , Wyatt Thomas , Charras Guillaume , Trepat Xavier
Published: February 2017

Contractile forces are the end effectors of cell migration, division, morphogenesis, wound healing and cancer invasion. Here we report optogenetic tools to upregulate and downregulate such forces with high spatiotemporal accuracy. The technology relies on controlling the subcellular activation of RhoA using the CRY2/CIBN light-gated dimerizer system. We fused the catalytic domain (DHPH domain) of the RhoA activator ARHGEF11 to CRY2-mCherry (optoGEF-RhoA) and engineered its binding partner CIBN to bind either to the plasma membrane or to the mitochondrial membrane. Translocation of optoGEF-RhoA to the plasma membrane causes a rapid and local increase in cellular traction, intercellular tension and tissue compaction. By contrast, translocation of optoGEF-RhoA to mitochondria results in opposite changes in these physical properties. Cellular changes in contractility are paralleled by modifications in the nuclear localization of the transcriptional regulator YAP, thus showing the ability of our approach to control mechanotransductory signalling pathways in time and space.
Cancer cell-secreted IGF2 instigates fibroblasts and bone marrow-derived vascular progenitor cells to promote cancer progression
Authors: Xu Wen Wen , Li Bin , Guan Xin Yuan , Chung Sookja K. , Wang Yang , Yip Yim Ling , Law Simon Y. K. , Chan Kin Tak , Lee Nikki P. Y. , Chan Kwok Wah , Xu Li Yan , Li En Min , Tsao Sai Wah , He Qing-Yu , Cheung Annie L. M.
Published: February 2017

Local interactions between cancer cells and stroma can produce systemic effects on distant organs to govern cancer progression. Here we show that IGF2 secreted by inhibitor of differentiation (Id1)-overexpressing oesophageal cancer cells instigates VEGFR1-positive bone marrow cells in the tumour macroenvironment to form pre-metastatic niches at distant sites by increasing VEGF secretion from cancer-associated fibroblasts. Cancer cells are then attracted to the metastatic site via the CXCL5/CXCR2 axis. Bone marrow cells transplanted from nude mice bearing Id1-overexpressing oesophageal tumours enhance tumour growth and metastasis in recipient mice, whereas systemic administration of VEGFR1 antibody abrogates these effects. Mechanistically, IGF2 regulates VEGF in fibroblasts via miR-29c in a p53-dependent manner. Analysis of patient serum samples showed that concurrent elevation of IGF2 and VEGF levels may serve as a prognostic biomarker for oesophageal cancer. These findings suggest that the Id1/IGF2/VEGF/VEGFR1 cascade plays a critical role in tumour-driven pathophysiological processes underlying cancer progression.
Selective molecular impairment of spontaneous neurotransmission modulates synaptic efficacy
Authors: Crawford Devon C. , Ramirez Denise M. O. , Trauterman Brent , Monteggia Lisa M. , Kavalali Ege T.
Published: February 2017

Recent studies suggest that stimulus-evoked and spontaneous neurotransmitter release processes are mechanistically distinct. Here we targeted the non-canonical synaptic vesicle SNAREs Vps10p-tail-interactor-1a (vti1a) and vesicle-associated membrane protein 7 (VAMP7) to specifically inhibit spontaneous release events and probe whether these events signal independently of evoked release to the postsynaptic neuron. We found that loss of vti1a and VAMP7 impairs spontaneous high-frequency glutamate release and augments unitary event amplitudes by reducing postsynaptic eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K) activity subsequent to the reduction in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activity. Presynaptic, but not postsynaptic, loss of vti1a and VAMP7 occludes NMDAR antagonist-induced synaptic potentiation in an intact circuit, confirming the role of these vesicular SNAREs in setting synaptic strength. Collectively, these results demonstrate that spontaneous neurotransmission signals independently of stimulus-evoked release and highlight its role as a key regulator of postsynaptic efficacy.
Genomic RNA folding mediates assembly of human parechovirus
Authors: Shakeel Shabih , Dykeman Eric C. , White Simon J. , Ora Ari , Cockburn Joseph J.B. , Butcher Sarah J. , Stockley Peter G. , Twarock Reidun
Published: February 2017

Assembly of the major viral pathogens of the Picornaviridae family is poorly understood. Human parechovirus 1 is an example of such viruses that contains 60 short regions of ordered RNA density making identical contacts with the protein shell. We show here via a combination of RNA-based systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment, bioinformatics analysis and reverse genetics that these RNA segments are bound to the coat proteins in a sequence-specific manner. Disruption of either the RNA coat protein recognition motif or its contact amino acid residues is deleterious for viral assembly. The data are consistent with RNA packaging signals playing essential roles in virion assembly. Their binding sites on the coat proteins are evolutionarily conserved across the Parechovirus genus, suggesting that they represent potential broad-spectrum anti-viral targets.
Broken rotational symmetry on the Fermi surface of a high-Tc superconductor
Authors: Ramshaw B. J. , Harrison N. , Sebastian S. E. , Ghannadzadeh S. , Modic K. A. , Bonn D. A. , Hardy W. N. , Liang Ruixing , Goddard P. A.
Published: February 2017

Broken fourfold rotational (C4) symmetry is observed in the experimental properties of several classes of unconventional superconductors. It has been proposed that this symmetry breaking is important for superconducting pairing in these materials, but in the high-Tc cuprates this broken symmetry has never been observed on the Fermi surface. Here we report a pronounced anisotropy in the angle dependence of the interlayer magnetoresistance of the underdoped high transition temperature (high-Tc) superconductor YBa2Cu3O6.58, directly revealing broken C4 symmetry on the Fermi surface. Moreover, we demonstrate that this Fermi surface has C2 symmetry of the type produced by a uniaxial or anisotropic density-wave phase. This establishes the central role of C4 symmetry breaking in the Fermi surface reconstruction of YBa2Cu3O6+δ
, and suggests a striking degree of universality among unconventional superconductors.
Meta-analysis of host response networks identifies a common core in tuberculosis
Authors: Sambarey Awanti , Devaprasad Abhinandan , Baloni Priyanka , Mishra Madhulika , Mohan Abhilash , Tyagi Priyanka , Singh Amit , Akshata JS , Sultana Razia , Buggi Shashidhar , Chandra Nagasuma
Published: February 2017

Tuberculosis remains a major global health challenge worldwide, causing more than a million deaths annually. To determine newer methods for detecting and combating the disease, it is necessary to characterise global host responses to infection. Several high throughput omics studies have provided a rich resource including a list of several genes differentially regulated in tuberculosis. An integrated analysis of these studies is necessary to identify a unified response to the infection. Such data integration is met with several challenges owing to platform dependency, patient heterogeneity, and variability in the extent of infection, resulting in little overlap among different datasets. Network-based approaches offer newer alternatives to integrate and compare diverse data. In this study, we describe a meta-analysis of host’s whole blood transcriptomic profiles that were integrated into a genome-scale protein–protein interaction network to generate response networks in active tuberculosis, and monitor their behaviour over treatment. We report the emergence of a highly active common core in disease, showing partial reversals upon treatment. The core comprises 380 genes in which STAT1, phospholipid scramblase 1 (PLSCR1), C1QB, OAS1, GBP2 and PSMB9 are prominent hubs. This network captures the interplay between several biological processes including pro-inflammatory responses, apoptosis, complement signalling, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and enhanced cytokine and chemokine signalling. The common core is specific to tuberculosis, and was validated on an independent dataset from an Indian cohort. A network-based approach thus enables the identification of common regulators that characterise the molecular response to infection, providing a platform-independent foundation to leverage maximum insights from available clinical data.
Butyrate induces apoptosis by activating PDC and inhibiting complex I through SIRT3 inactivation
Authors: Xu Sha , Liu Cai-Xia , Xu Wei , Huang Lei , Zhao Jian-Yuan , Zhao Shi-Min
Published: February 2017

The underlying anticancer effects of butyrate, an end-product of the intestinal microbial fermentation of dietary fiber, remain elusive. Here, we report that butyrate promotes cancer cell apoptosis by acting as a SIRT3 inhibitor. Butyrate inhibits SIRT3 both in cultured cells and in vitro. Butyrate-induced PDHA1 hyperacetylation relieves the inhibitory phosphorylation of PDHA1 at serine 293, thereby activating an influx of glycolytic intermediates into the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and reversing the Warburg effect. Meanwhile, butyrate-induced hyperacetylation inactivates complex I of the electron transfer chain and prevents the utilization of TCA cycle intermediates. These metabolic stresses promote apoptosis in hyperglycolytic cancer cells, such as HCT116p53−/− cells. SIRT3 deacetylates both PDHA1 and complex I. Genetic ablation of Sirt3 in mouse hepatocytes abrogated the ability of butyrate to induce apoptosis. Our results identify a butyrate-mediated anti-tumor mechanism and indicate that the combined activation of PDC and inhibition of complex I is a novel tumor treatment strategy.
Correction: Corrigendum: Quality of Life and Cost-Effectiveness of Radiofrequency Ablation versus Open Surgery for Benign Thyroid Nodules: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Yue Wen-Wen , Wang Shu-Rong , Lu Feng , Li Xiao-Long , Xu Hui-Xiong , Sun Li-Ping , Guo Le-Hang , He Ya-Ping , Wang Dan , Yin Zhi-Qiang
Published: February 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 37838; published online: 24 November 2016; updated: 10 February 2017. Shu-Rong Wang 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 and in the supplementary informationfile.
Correction: Corrigendum: Lipid-II Independent Antimicrobial Mechanism of Nisin Depends On Its Crowding And Degree Of Oligomerization
Authors: Prince Ashutosh , Sandhu Padmani , Ror Pankaj , Dash Eva , Sharma Shingarika , Arakha Manoranjan , Jha Suman , Akhter Yusuf , Saleem Mohammed
Published: February 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 37908; published online: 29 November 2016; updated: 10 February 2017. The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Pankaj Ror which was incorrectly given as Pankaj Kumar. This has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Correction: Corrigendum: Association between dioxin and cancer incidence and mortality: a meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Jinming , Ye Yao , Huang Fang , Chen Hanwen , Wu Han , Huang Jian , Hu Jian , Xia Dajing , Wu Yihua
Published: February 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 38012; published online: 29 November 2016; updated: 10 February 2017. The Acknowledgements section in this Article is incomplete. ‘The work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos 81400371). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Algal Cell Response to Pulsed Waved Stimulation and Its Application to Increase Algal Lipid Production
Authors: Savchenko Oleksandra , Xing Jida , Yang Xiaoyan , Gu Quanrong , Shaheen Mohamed , Huang Min , Yu Xiaojian , Burrell Robert , Patra Prabir , Chen Jie
Published: February 2017

Generating renewable energy while sequestering CO2 using algae has recently attracted significant research attention, mostly directing towards biological methods such as systems biology, genetic engineering and bio-refining for optimizing algae strains. Other approaches focus on chemical screening to adjust culture conditions or culture media. We report for the first time the physiological changes of algal cells in response to a novel form of mechanical stimulation, or a pulsed wave at the frequency of 1.5 MHz and the duty cycle of 20%. We studied how the pulsed wave can further increase algal lipid production on top of existing biological and chemical methods. Two commonly used algal strains, fresh-water Chlorella vulgaris and seawater Tetraselmis chuii, were selected. We have performed the tests in shake flasks and 1 L spinner-flask bioreactors. Conventional Gravimetric measurements show that up to 20% increase for algal lipid could be achieved after 8 days of stimulation. The total electricity cost needed for the stimulations in a one-liter bioreactor is only one-tenth of a US penny. Gas liquid chromatography shows that the fatty acid composition remains unchanged after pulsed-wave stimulation. Scanning electron microscope results also suggest that pulsed wave stimulation induces shear stress and thus increases algal lipid production.
Spatial variations in the molecular diversity of dissolved organic matter in water moving through a boreal forest in eastern Finland
Authors: Ide Jun’ichiro , Ohashi Mizue , Takahashi Katsutoshi , Sugiyama Yuko , Piirainen Sirpa , Kortelainen Pirkko , Fujitake Nobuhide , Yamase Keitaro , Ohte Nobuhito , Moritani Mina , Hara Miyako , Finér Leena
Published: February 2017

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) strongly affects water quality within boreal forest ecosystems. However, how the quality of DOM itself changes spatially is not well understood. In this study, to examine how the diversity of DOM molecules varies in water moving through a boreal forest, the number of DOM molecules in different water samples, i.e., rainwater, throughfall, soil water, groundwater, and stream water was determined using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) in Norway spruce and Scots pine stands in eastern Finland during May and June 2010. The number of molecular compounds identified by FT-ICR MS (molecular diversity) ranged from 865 to 2,194, revealing large DOM molecular diversity in the water samples. Additionally, some of the molecular compounds were shared between different water samples. The DOM molecular diversity linearly correlated with the number of low-biodegradable molecules, such as, lignin-like molecules (lignins), but not with dissolved organic carbon concentration. The number of lignins shared between different sampling locations was larger than that of any other biomolecular class. Our results suggest that low-biodegradable molecules, especially lignins, regulate spatial variations in DOM molecular diversity in boreal forests.
Engineering the residual side chains of HAP phytases to improve their pepsin resistance and catalytic efficiency
Authors: Niu Canfang , Yang Peilong , Luo Huiying , Huang Huoqing , Wang Yaru , Yao Bin
Published: February 2017

Strong resistance to proteolytic attack is important for feed enzymes. Here, we selected three predicted pepsin cleavage sites, L99, L162, and E230 (numbering from the initiator M of premature proteins), in pepsin-sensitive HAP phytases YkAPPA from Yersinia kristensenii and YeAPPA from Y. enterocolitica, which corresponded to L99, V162, and D230 in pepsin-resistant YrAPPA from Y. rohdei. We constructed mutants with different side chain structures at these sites using site-directed mutagenesis and produced all enzymes in Escherichia coli for catalytic and biochemical characterization. The substitutions E230G/A/P/R/S/T/D, L162G/A/V, L99A, L99A/L162G, and L99A/L162G/E230G improved the pepsin resistance. Moreover, E230G/A and L162G/V conferred enhanced pepsin resistance on YkAPPA and YeAPPA, increased their catalytic efficiency 1.3–2.4-fold, improved their stability at 60 °C and pH 1.0–2.0 and alleviated inhibition by metal ions. In addition, E230G increased the ability of YkAPPA and YeAPPA to hydrolyze phytate from corn meal at a high pepsin concentration and low pH, which indicated that optimization of the pepsin cleavage site side chains may enhance the pepsin resistance, improve the stability at acidic pH, and increase the catalytic activity. This study proposes an efficient approach to improve enzyme performance in monogastric animals fed feed with a high phytate content.
Association of polygenic risk for major psychiatric illness with subcortical volumes and white matter integrity in UK Biobank
Authors: Reus L. M. , Shen X. , Gibson J. , Wigmore E. , Ligthart L. , Adams M. J. , Davies G. , Cox S. R. , Hagenaars S. P. , Bastin M. E. , Deary I. J. , Whalley H. C. , McIntosh A. M.
Published: February 2017

Major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BP) are common, disabling and heritable psychiatric diseases with a complex overlapping polygenic architecture. Individuals with these disorders, as well as their unaffected relatives, show widespread structural differences in corticostriatal and limbic networks. Structural variation in many of these brain regions is also heritable and polygenic but whether their genetic architecture overlaps with that of major psychiatric disorders is unknown. We sought to address this issue by examining the impact of polygenic risk of MDD, SCZ, and BP on subcortical brain volumes and white matter (WM) microstructure in a large single sample of neuroimaging data; the UK Biobank Imaging study. The first release of UK Biobank imaging data comprised participants with overlapping genetic data and subcortical volumes (N = 978) and WM measures (N = 816). The calculation of polygenic risk scores was based on genome-wide association study results generated by the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. Our findings indicated no statistically significant associations between either subcortical volumes or WM microstructure, and polygenic risk for MDD, SCZ or BP. These findings suggest that subcortical brain volumes and WM microstructure may not be closely linked to the genetic mechanisms of major psychiatric disorders.
Dissipation and resonance frequency shift of a resonator magnetically coupled to a semiclassical spin
Authors: de Voogd J. M. , Wagenaar J. J. T. , Oosterkamp T. H.
Published: February 2017

We calculate the change of the properties of a resonator, when coupled to a semiclassical spin by means of the magnetic field. Starting with the Lagrangian of the complete system, we provide an analytical expression for the linear response function for the motion in the case of a mechanical resonator and the current for the case of an electromagnetic resonator, thereby considering the influence of the resonator on the spin and vice versa. This analysis shows that the resonance frequency and effective dissipation factor can change significantly due to the relaxation times of the spin. We first derive this for a system consisting of a spin and mechanical resonator and thereafter apply the same calculations to an electromagnetic resonator. Moreover, the applicability of the method is generalized to a resonator coupled to two-level systems and more, providing a key to understand some of the problems of two-level systems in quantum devices.
Identification of Symmetrical RNA Editing Events in the Mitochondria of Salvia miltiorrhiza by Strand-specific RNA Sequencing
Authors: Wu Bin , Chen Haimei , Shao Junjie , Zhang Hui , Wu Kai , Liu Chang
Published: February 2017

Salvia miltiorrhiza is one of the most widely-used medicinal plants. Here, we systematically analyzed the RNA editing events in its mitochondria. We developed a pipeline using REDItools to predict RNA editing events from stand-specific RNA-Seq data. The predictions were validated using reverse transcription, RT-PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing experiments. Putative sequences motifs were characterized. Comparative analyses were carried out between S. miltiorrhiza, Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa. We discovered 1123 editing sites, including 225 “C to U” sites in the protein-coding regions. Fourteen of sixteen (87.5%) sites were validated. Three putative DNA motifs were identified around the predicted sites. The nucleotides on both strands at 115 of the 225 sites had undergone RNA editing, which we called symmetrical RNA editing (SRE). Four of six these SRE sites (66.7%) were experimentally confirmed. Re-examination of strand-specific RNA-Seq data from A. thaliana and O. sativa identified 327 and 369 SRE sites respectively. 78, 20 and 13 SRE sites were found to be conserved among A. thaliana, O. sativa and S. miltiorrhiza respectively. This study provides a comprehensive picture of RNA editing events in the mitochondrial genome of S. miltiorrhiza. We identified SREs for the first time, which may represent a universal phenomenon.
GlcNAc6ST-1 regulates sulfation of N-glycans and myelination in the peripheral nervous system
Authors: Yoshimura Takeshi , Hayashi Akiko , Handa-Narumi Mai , Yagi Hirokazu , Ohno Nobuhiko , Koike Takako , Yamaguchi Yoshihide , Uchimura Kenji , Kadomatsu Kenji , Sedzik Jan , Kitamura Kunio , Kato Koichi , Trapp Bruce D. , Baba Hiroko , Ikenaka Kazuhiro
Published: February 2017

Highly specialized glial cells wrap axons with a multilayered myelin membrane in vertebrates. Myelin serves essential roles in the functioning of the nervous system. Axonal degeneration is the major cause of permanent neurological disability in primary myelin diseases. Many glycoproteins have been identified in myelin, and a lack of one myelin glycoprotein results in abnormal myelin structures in many cases. However, the roles of glycans on myelin glycoproteins remain poorly understood. Here, we report that sulfatedN-glycans are involved in peripheral nervous system (PNS) myelination. PNS myelin glycoproteins contain highly abundant sulfatedN-glycans. Major sulfatedN-glycans were identified in both porcine and mouse PNS myelin, demonstrating that the 6-O-sulfation ofN-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc-6-O-sulfation) is highly conserved in PNS myelin between these species. P0protein, the most abundant glycoprotein in PNS myelin and mutations in which at the glycosylation site cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy, has abundant GlcNAc-6-O-sulfatedN-glycans. Mice deficient inN-acetylglucosamine-6-O-sulfotransferase-1 (GlcNAc6ST-1) failed to synthesize sulfatedN-glycans and exhibited abnormal myelination and axonal degeneration in the PNS. Taken together, this study demonstrates that GlcNAc6ST-1 modulates PNS myelination and myelinated axonal survival through the GlcNAc-6-O-sulfation ofN-glycans on glycoproteins. These findings may provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathy.
Functionalized Graphene Oxide with Chitosan for Protein Nanocarriers to Protect against Enzymatic Cleavage and Retain Collagenase Activity
Authors: Emadi Fatemeh , Amini Abbas , Gholami Ahmad , Ghasemi Younes
Published: February 2017

Proteins have short half-life because of enzymatic cleavage. Here, a new protein nanocarrier made of graphene oxide (GO) + Chitosan (CS) is proposed to successfully prevent proteolysis in protein and simultaneously retain its activity. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and collagenase were loaded on GO and GO-CS to explore the stability and activity of proteins. SEM, AFM, TEM, DSC, UV-Vis, FT-IR, RBS, Raman, SDS-PAGE and zymography were utilized as characterization techniques. The protecting role of GO and GO-CS against enzymatic cleavage was probed by protease digestion analysis on BSA, where the protease solution was introduced to GO-BSA and GO-CS-BSA at 37 °C for 0.5-1-3-6 hours. Characterizations showed the successful synthesis of few layers of GO and the coverage by CS. According to gelatin zymographic analysis, the loaded collagenase on GO and GO-CS lysed the gelatin and created non-staining bands which confirmed the activity of loaded collagenase. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed no significant change in the intact protein in the GO-BSA and GO-CS-BSA solution after 30-minute and 1-hour exposure to protease; however, free BSA was completely digested after 1 hour. After 6 hours, intact proteins were detected in GO-BSA and GO-CS-BSA solutions, while no intact protein was detected in the free BSA solution.
Triplet p-wave pairing correlation in low-doped zigzag graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Ma Tianxing , Yang Fan , Huang Zhongbing , Lin Hai-Qing
Published: February 2017

We reveal an edge spin triplet p–wave superconducting pairing correlation in slightly doped zigzag graphene nanoribbons. By employing a method that combines random-phase approximation, the finite-temperature determinant quantum Monte Carlo approach, and the ground-state constrained-path quantum Monte Carlo method, it is shown that such a spin-triplet pairing is mediated by the ferromagnetic fluctuations caused by the flat band at the edge. The spin susceptibility and effective pairing interactions at the edge strongly increase as the on-site Coulomb interaction increases, indicating the importance of electron-electron correlations. It is also found that the doping-dependent ground-state p-wave pairing correlation bears some similarity to the famous superconducting dome in the phase diagram of a high-temperature superconductor, while the spin correlation at the edge is weakened as the system is doped away from half filling.
Activated niacin receptor HCA2 inhibits chemoattractant-mediated macrophage migration via Gβγ/PKC/ERK1/2 pathway and heterologous receptor desensitization
Authors: Shi Ying , Lai Xiangru , Ye Lingyan , Chen Keqiang , Cao Zheng , Gong Wanghua , Jin Lili , Wang Chunyan , Liu Mingyong , Liao Yuan , Wang Ji Ming , Zhou Naiming
Published: February 2017

The niacin receptor HCA2 is implicated in controlling inflammatory host responses with yet poorly understood mechanistic basis. We previously reported that HCA2 in A431 epithelial cells transduced Gβγ-protein kinase C- and Gβγ-metalloproteinase/EGFR-dependent MAPK/ERK signaling cascades. Here, we investigated the role of HCA2 in macrophage-mediated inflammation and the underlying mechanisms. We found that proinflammatory stimulants LPS, IL-6 and IL-1β up-regulated the expression of HCA2 on macrophages. Niacin significantly inhibited macrophage chemotaxis in response to chemoattractants fMLF and CCL2 by disrupting polarized distribution of F-actin and Gβ protein. Niacin showed a selected additive effect on chemoattractant-induced activation of ERK1/2, JNK and PI3K pathways, but only the MEK inhibitor UO126 reduced niacin-mediated inhibition of macrophage chemotaxis, while activation of ERK1/2 by EGF alone did not inhibit fMLF-mediated migration of HEK293T cells co-expressing HCA2 and fMLF receptor FPR1. In addition, niacin induced heterologous desensitization and internalization of FPR1. Furthermore, niacin rescued mice from septic shock by diminishing inflammatory symptoms and the effect was abrogated in HCA2−/− mice. These results suggest that Gβγ/PKC-dependent ERK1/2 activation and heterologous desensitization of chemoattractant receptors are involved in the inhibition of chemoattractant-induced migration of macrophages by niacin. Thus, HCA2 plays a critical role in host protection against pro-inflammatory insults.
Velocity mode transition of dynamic crack propagation in hyperviscoelastic materials: A continuum model study
Authors: Kubo Atsushi , Umeno Yoshitaka
Published: February 2017

Experiments of crack propagation in rubbers have shown that a discontinuous jump of crack propagation velocity can occur as energy release rate increases, which is known as the “mode transition” phenomenon. Although it is believed that the mode transition is strongly related to the mechanical properties, the nature of the mode transition had not been revealed. In this study, dynamic crack propagation on an elastomer was investigated using the finite element method (FEM) with a hyperviscoelastic material model. A series of pure shear test was carried out numerically with FEM simulations and crack velocities were measured under various values of tensile strain. As a result, our FEM simulations successfully reproduced the mode transition. The success of realising the mode transition phenomenon by a simple FEM model, which was achieved for the first time ever, helped to explain that the phenomenon occurs owing to a characteristic non-monotonic temporal development of principal stress near the crack tip.
Web malware spread modelling and optimal control strategies
Authors: Liu Wanping , Zhong Shouming
Published: February 2017

The popularity of the Web improves the growth of web threats. Formulating mathematical models for accurate prediction of malicious propagation over networks is of great importance. The aim of this paper is to understand the propagation mechanisms of web malware and the impact of human intervention on the spread of malicious hyperlinks. Considering the characteristics of web malware, a new differential epidemic model which extends the traditional SIR model by adding another delitescent compartment is proposed to address the spreading behavior of malicious links over networks. The spreading threshold of the model system is calculated, and the dynamics of the model is theoretically analyzed. Moreover, the optimal control theory is employed to study malware immunization strategies, aiming to keep the total economic loss of security investment and infection loss as low as possible. The existence and uniqueness of the results concerning the optimality system are confirmed. Finally, numerical simulations show that the spread of malware links can be controlled effectively with proper control strategy of specific parameter choice.
FOXO1-suppressed miR-424 regulates the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs by targeting FGF2 under oxidative stress
Authors: Li Liangping , Qi Qihua , Luo Jiaquan , Huang Sheng , Ling Zemin , Gao Manman , Zhou Zhiyu , Stiehler Maik , Zou Xuenong
Published: February 2017

Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as key regulators of the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Our previous in vivo study and other in vitro studies using miRNA microarrays suggest that miR-424 is involved in the regulation of bone formation. However, the role and mechanism of miR-424 in bone formation still remain unknown. Here, we identified that the downregulation of miR-424 mediates bone formation under oxidative stress, and we explored its underlying mechanism. Our results showed that miR-424 was significantly downregulated in an anterior lumbar interbody fusion model of pigs and in a cell model of oxidative stress induced by H2O2. The overexpression of miR-424 inhibited proliferation and osteogenic differentiation shown by a decrease in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralization and osteogenic markers, including RUNX2 and ALP, whereas the knockdown of miR-424 led to the opposite results. Moreover, miR-424 exerts its effects by targeting FGF2. Furthermore, we found that FOXO1 suppressed miR-424 expression and bound to its promoter region. FOXO1 enhanced proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in part through the miR-424/FGF2 pathway. These results indicated that FOXO1-suppressed miR-424 regulates both the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs via targeting FGF2, suggesting that miR-424 might be a potential novel therapeutic strategy for promoting bone formation.
Factors associated with aberrant imprint methylation and oligozoospermia
Authors: Kobayashi Norio , Miyauchi Naoko , Tatsuta Nozomi , Kitamura Akane , Okae Hiroaki , Hiura Hitoshi , Sato Akiko , Utsunomiya Takafumi , Yaegashi Nobuo , Nakai Kunihiko , Arima Takahiro
Published: February 2017

Disturbingly, the number of patients with oligozoospermia (low sperm count) has been gradually increasing in industrialized countries. Epigenetic alterations are believed to be involved in this condition. Recent studies have clarified that intrinsic and extrinsic factors can induce epigenetic transgenerational phenotypes through apparent reprogramming of the male germ line. Here we examined DNA methylation levels of 22 human imprinted loci in a total of 221 purified sperm samples from infertile couples and found methylation alterations in 24.8% of the patients. Structural equation model suggested that the cause of imprint methylation errors in sperm might have been environmental factors. More specifically, aberrant methylation and a particular lifestyle (current smoking, excess consumption of carbonated drinks) were associated with severe oligozoospermia, while aging probably affected this pathology indirectly through the accumulation of PCB in the patients. Next we examined the pregnancy outcomes for patients when the sperm had abnormal imprint methylation. The live-birth rate decreased and the miscarriage rate increased with the methylation errors. Our research will be useful for the prevention of methylation errors in sperm from infertile men, and sperm with normal imprint methylation might increase the safety of assisted reproduction technology (ART) by reducing methylation-induced diseases of children conceived via ART.
Transcriptome analysis reveals a complex interplay between resistance and effector genes during the compatible lentil-Colletotrichum lentis interaction
Authors: Bhadauria Vijai , Vijayan Perumal , Wei Yangdou , Banniza Sabine
Published: February 2017

Colletotrichum lentis is a hemibiotrophic pathogen and causes anthracnose on lentil. To understand the molecular mechanism underlying the symptomatic phase of infection, a cDNA plasmid library was developed from the susceptible lentil cultivar Eston infected with an isolate of the virulent race 0 of C. lentis. The library was sequenced on the Sanger sequencing platform, generating a total of 11,094 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) representing 3,488 unigenes. Mapping of unigenes onto the C. lentis and the L. culinaris genomes resulted in the identification of 2,418 unigenes of fungal origin and 1,070 unigenes of plant origin. Gene ontology term analysis of unigenes revealed that the transcriptome contained 22 candidate effectors, such as in planta induced ToxB and CyanoVirin-N, and 26 resistance genes, including suppressor of npr1-1 constitutive 1 and dirigent. Comparative genomics analyses revealed that three of the candidate effectors are likely located in the subtelomeric regions, and two of them show no synteny with the closely related species C. higginsianum, suggesting genomic rearrangements, such as translocation during speciation to colonize different niches. The data suggest a complex molecular interplay between disease resistance proteins and effectors during compatible interaction in which the pathogen exploits defense responses mounted by the host.